OUR GOLD HAS STRONG LIKING FOR AVONDALE

Wanganui Chronicle, 26 July 1949, Page 3

OUR GOLD HAS STRONG LIKING FOR AVONDALE

AUCKLAND- Last Night (Special). —Our Gold, who had run disappointingly in the open hurdle race on the first day o| the Avondale fixturesprang a mild surprise by capturing tne Churchill Handicap on Saturday and paying a solid double-figure return. it is now expected that he will go south for the Grand National Hurdles.

The first day victor, The Bat, faded right out of the picture in the final 100 yards. The Bat tried to lead all the way again, but at the half-mile Bramble Lei-ghon and Bedivere ran up to him and they headed the leader crossing the top. Ascot Lad also became prominent, and Grand Snepnerd and Kyrat were also in it. Bedivere had lost ground on straightening up and The Bat came up to Bramble Leighon and Frontier Mac joined in. At the distance Ascot Lad flew past this pair and just when it appeared as if he had the race in safe keeping Our Gold came wide out with a devastating run which carried him past the leaders. It was not by any means his first win at Avondale.

Ascot Lad was a good second and Oklahoma finished strongly to oust Bedivere from third place. Conspiracy was next and did well to finish so close, and Frontier Mac- Bramble Leighon and Grand Shepherd followed. Had Ascot Lad not been in front too soon he might still have triumphed. Too much use was made of Bramble Leighon and Bedivere, and Conspiracy and Earldale were in the ruck for nearly six furlongs. The imported High Glory was successfully launched into open company by winning the Telegraph Handicap in impressive fashion to make her score three wins in a row in four starts. She was always handy and once in line for the judge she came through for a stylish win. Fencing and Shirley Fox were in the van at the end of the first quarter, with High Glory, Paul, Prince Chat. Maricrana and Moonee Valley next. Shirley Fox took over the running and led across the top and into the stretch from Paul, Fencing, High Glory. Bridge Watcher, Prince Chat, Golden Pay and Maricrana. with Queen Opal coming into the picture as they turned for home. High Glory asserted herself to hold off Queen Opal, with Bridge Watcher holding third place over-Rating. Happy March (running on), Prince Chat- Take-a-lot, Vera Lee and Maricrana followed.