LORD FOXBRIDGE HAD TEN LENGTHS TO SPARE IN ALISON CUP WIN

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 November 1950, Page 3

LORD FOXBRIDGE HAD TEN LENGTHS TO SPARE IN ALISON CUP WIN

AUCKLAND, Last Night (Special) —A remarkable performance, surprising in the manner of its achievement, was that recorded by Lord Foxbridge when he won the Alison Cup at Ellerslie on Saturday. In the words ot his jockey, M. Martinovich, “I expected him to atop, but he didn’t. In the straight he did want to pull Up, but I kept him a it hard.” For Lord Foxbridge went to the front in the first furlong and after that it was a case of follow the leader.

The previous running of Lord Foxbridge did not suggest form like this. He won by ten lengths and a stunned and amazed crowd finally came to laugh philosophically at the situation, at the futile attemps made by the remainder of the field as the winner left them to their own devices, which were not many. At two years Lord Foxbridge won his first race at Trentham and immediately a very bright career was anticipated. But from then on, and particularly at three years, he was most disappointing. Then on Saturday his form descended upon Ellerslie with the suddenness and potency of the effect of an atom bomb. Now they are talking about Lord Foxbridge for the Auckland Cup.

Stanfred began best In the Alison Cup and he was floating along serenely in front coming up the straight, just waiting for something to come along and take the lead from him. It was apparently good tactics, yet what disastrous results were to come through indulging in this strategy. Had Mudford but known what he was letting Stanfred and company in for, would he have waited for Lord Foxbridge to go ahead? So there It was. Ford Foxbridge led out of the straight with the favourite, Wonder Boy, a dead last with Censor.

Lord Foxbridge held a slight advantage down the back from Kilfenora, Stanfred, Sleepy Duke, Kaitawa, Cowper, Reparation and Fifth Note, and a little farther on, with the pacemaker accelerating, the leaders opened out a bit. By the time they had passed the half-mile post and were heading for the turn, Lord Foxbrigde was shading Kilfenora, with a gap to Stanfred and another to Kaitawa and Sleepy Duke, and the remainder in a bunch and none having much chance. As soon as the field swung into line Martinovich was riding hard with hands and heels and Lord Foxbridge shot away, and he kept shooting away as his rider gave him no peace. Ten lengths it was, for a £37 dividend and a big double price assured. Stanfred held on for second, Kaitawa was third and Sleepy Duke fourth. Fireman, Kilfenora and Balmacara followed. The last-named went a fine race under his weight. Sleepy Duke lost some ground at the start, so he might have been a bit unlucky—but he finished 14 lengths from the winner.

The grand field in the Cheltenham Handicap provided a really thrilling finish and this atoned for the Alison Cup procession. Correspond was always in the middle of the field, with Gold Script doing a bit better, while out in front Lady Ruthex, Good Century and Super Vaals were setting a hot pace. Correspond came through on the inside in the final stages and then was able to hold off Gold Script and Dixie, with Good Century eased right on the post for a very close fourth. Classowa and Super Vaals were up handy, and fairly well back Level Best headed the others. Rizzio was never prominent. The winner Is a very smart galloper and Gold Script ran right up to expectations.