WELLINGTON STAKES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 226, 23 September 1940, Page 10

WELLINGTON STAKES

WON BY SPECIAL FORCE NEUTRALITY PREVAILS. EVENTS AT HUTT PARK. WELLINGTON, this day. Beet two-year-old last season, Special Force, a bay colt 'by Quite Sure from Love Parade, demonstrated on Saturday that he lias gone on the right way by winning the Wellington Stakes on the Hutt Park course. This was the first' trotting classic of the new period, and Special Force was made an odds-on favourite. He won on a tight rein in 3.28 1-5.

The Auckland Province was represented at the meeting by half a dozen horses, but the only one to succeed was Neutrality, a novice Jack Potts pacer from M. Stewart's stable at Te Rapa. Neutrality did not appear to be going too well in the early stages of the Sharpe Handicap, but his driver brought him forward to be with All Gallant as they turned [ for home, the latter having headed off i Durato entering upon the round. Although ' Neutrality had command at the distance, Ardglass held on and the four fought out a stirring finish. Durato, who paced evenly throughout, held on for third ahead of Prince McElwin, with Press Gang", who had always been in the picture, a handy fourth. Both the winner and runner-up have had little racing experience and they should improve. Odds-on Favourite. An odds-on favourite for the Wellington Stakes, Special Force, got away well only to break immediately, but he quickly settled down in a handy position. Walter Moore acted as the early pacemaker and he was still in the van crossing the top, where Special Force made a move, taking the lead at the straight entrance. The favourite drew ahead, but he was promptly challenged by Shadow Maid, who ran him to two lengths and a half, on sufferance. Gold Chief came from some distance back for third, with Walter Moore, tiring, in fourth place. It was the winner's third success in four starts.

The Wilford Memorial was a disappointing race in that there was no pace on over the first mile, Cruiser having gone to the front to slow up the field. Half a mile from home Ferry Post commenced to move forward and he looked all over a winner. Halfway up the straight Cruiser finished with a rattle to hold him off. Accountant was pocketed throughout and did not get clear till too late and was an indifferent third, with Horsepower next. The Railway Handicap brought with it a very hollow victory for the each-way favourite Gold Bar, who led throughout and was never in danger. Kewpie's Jewel and Siege Gun attended the pacemaker at short intervals throughout the full journey, and they finished in that order. The second favourite, Bronze Kagle, was slow to move, and did not strike his gait till the race was about over. His task was hopeless, however, and his driver did not persevere with him. i The track was in good order and the j totalizator handled £37,477 10/, compared with £29 050 last year, an increase of £8427 10/. Later results were:— SHARPE HANDICAP of £175, one mile and a quarter, limit 3.5.—1-1 Neutrality, limit (Stewart), 1; 6-6 Ardglass. limit. 2; 5-4 Durato. limit. 3. Scratched: Native Loch. Neck: four lengths. Times: 2.53. 2.53 1-5. 2.54 4-5. WILFORD HANDICAP of £350. two miles, limit 4.33.—2-2 Cruiser, limit (F. Holmes). 1; 1-1 Ferry Post, 48yds, 2; 1-1 Accountant. 12yds. 3. Ferry Post and Accountant were bracketed. Scratched: Lady Milne. Half a length; four lengths. Times: 4.41 2-5, 4.36. 2-5. 4.42 1-5. WELLINGTON STAKES of £600. for three-year-olds, one mile and a half.—l-1 Special Force (P. Gallagher), 1; 2-3 Shadow Maid. 2: 4-4 Gold Chief. 3. Scratched: My Lady Luck. Surprise Potts, Ronaki. Length and a half; four lengths. Times: 3.26 1-5. 3.26 4-5, 3.27 4-5. STEWARDS' HANDICAP of £259, two miles, limit 4.48. —1-1 Hatrack. limit. 1; 2-2 Amonos, 60yds, 2; 3-3 Tonee. 12yds. 3. Scratched: Premier. Halt a length. Times: 4.48 4-5. 4.44. 4.48 3-5. HUTT PARK TRIAL HANDICAP of £175. one mile and a half, limit 3.43.-2-2 Ardglass, limit. 1: 1-1 Gold Chief, limit, 2; 9-9 Gold Flight, limit. 3. Ardglass and All Gallant were bracketed. Scratched: Neutrality. Native Loch. Stepson. Half a length; neck. Times: 3.26 3*5. 3.26. 3.27. RAILWAY HANDICAP of £225. one mile and a •half, limit 3.34.—1-1 Gold Bar. limit. 1- 4-4 Kewpies Jewel, limit. 2; 5-5 Siege Gun. limit 3 Scratched: Evora, Special Force. Four lengths■ three. Times: 3.19 2-5. 3.20 1-5. 3.22. WELLINGTON HANDICAP of £275. one mile ?2?.» " , ,n f r . ter A, HmW *■««•—3-3 Southern Bmlle. ilPl 4, 1} 8 " s Rhigtrue. limit. 2: ?-7 Mongolian 12yds. 3. Scratched: Cruiser. Ferry Post. Two lengths each way. Times: 2.49 3r5. 2.49. 2.49.