NEWS OF THE TURF

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 114, 27 February 1950, Page 6

NEWS OF THE TURF

INTER-DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIP

CAPTAIN SANDY WINS FINAL I MELBOURNE, February 26. The final of the Inter-Dominion trotting championships was decided at the Show Grounds last night. Other events included the Consolation Handicap for horses that did not qualify for the, Championship final and the Hambletonian Centenary Championship for trotters assessed at 2min 2Gsesc or better. Congo Song, the early favourite for the Inter-Dominion Championship, which disappointed in his heats and failed to qualify for the final, made amends in the first division of the Consolation Handicap. He was always well placed, but met with a check two furlongs from home and dropped back. His chance then appeared hopeless, but, getting a run through in the straight, he finished* strongly just to beat the back-marker, Amorous, with Jacky Ranji a close third. This was Congo Song’s best performance in Melbourne and apparently he is now reaching his top form. There were only three New Zealand horses in the final of the Inter-Domin-ion Championship and they filled the places. Captain Sandy, which had not won a heat but qualified by places and fastest times, finished brilliantly to beat Globe Direct right on the post by a head. Sprayman, which again ran a great race, was three .yards away third, and only two yards in front of the favourite, Darby Globe.

Captain Sandy, reported to be the best stayer of the New Zealand team) lived up to his reputation. It was only his stamina in the last two furlongs that gave him victory. He was driven by J. D. Watts, who was substituted for his usual driver, F. G. Holmes. Holmes, who appealed against his suspension of three months on Wednesday, had his appeal dismissed by the Trotting Control Board, and his suspension was increased to six months.

This is the third successive year that a horse from New Zealand has won the championship.

Results:

Consolation Handicap, of £IOOO, 12| furlongs—Congo Song (New Zealand) scr (C. King) 1, Amorous 24 (A. Gath) 2, Jacky Ranji scr (R. Shaw) 3. There were 10 starters. Half neck; head. Time, 3.26 1-5; mile rate 2.12. Hambletonian Centenary Championship, of £IOOO, 13 miles —Strettawah (S.A.) scr (K. Webster) 1, Bingen Redmond (N.S.W.) scr (G. Gath) 2, Dahvood Lad (N.S.W.) scr (J. T3irskin) 3. There were 11 starters. Five yards; four yards. Time, 4.1 3-5; mile rate 2.18 1-5.

Inter-Dominion Championship, of £10,000; 14 furlongs—Captain Sandy (New Zealand) by Sandydale—Waikaura, aged, 24 (J. D. Watts) 1, Globe Direct (New Zealand) 24 (M. Holmes) 2, Sprayman (New Zealand) 12 (C. King) 3, Darby Globe (N.S.W.) (G. Gath) 4. There were 10 starters. Head; three yards; two yards. Time, 3.52 3-5; mile rate 2.11 4-5. Claude Derby was scratched. Consolation Handicap (second division, of £IOOO, 12t furlongs—Hatteras scr (A. Gath) 1, Lu Raider (Tasmania) 12 2, Miraculous 24 (B. Coram, jnr.) 3. There were eight starters. Three yards; two yards. Time, 3.29; mile rate 2.13 4-5.