RACING Hokitika First-Leg To Morris Francis

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30955, 11 January 1966, Page 4

RACING Hokitika First-Leg To Morris Francis

(From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH. The hot favourite, Morris Francis, narrowly beaten at Kuinara on Saturday, won the Anniversary Handicap, main event and first leg of the double at die Westland Racing Club’s New Year meeting, at Hokitika yesterday.

He paid even money to win. His place supporters received only 16s 6d for £l.

The double was completed by Morris Francis’s fullbrother, Patrician, which won the Fox Glacier Hack Handicap. The pair paid £ll 7s 6d for £l.

Morris Francis is a five-: year-old gelding by Prize, Money from Red Elm, owned j by Mr and Mrs M. F. Billing-j ton of Washdyke. Patiician, also a gelding, is a year older and owned by Messrs F. Dudley and M. J. DooPn. Morris Francis is trained by Mr Billington at Washdyke and Patrician by Mr Dudley at Kaitaia. The on-course double was won by Red Treasure and His Host, the pair paying £ll Ils 6d for £l. The meeting was held in bright sunshine. There was a large attendance. On-course investments totalled £16,241, including £1560 on the off-course double, com-

pared with £15,758 on the corresponding day last year. Waitohi was just showing out from Totara Lad, Morris Francis, Rae’s Hope and Clipper with a round to go in the first leg. At the half-mile Waitohi was two lengths clear of Morris Francis, with the ’stablemates, Rae’s Hope and Totara Lad together next and a gap to Silver Shell and Duplex together.

Waitohi led round the home bend, but once into the straight Morris Francis and Totara Lad made strong challenges.

Morris Francis took the lead a furlong from home and ran on for an easy win by two lengths from Waitohi. Totara Lad was half a head away third, with Rae’s Hope three-quarters of a length further back.

Clipper, Silver Shell, Duplex and White Skies followed. Patrician was an all-the-way winner of the Fox Glacier Handicap, second leg of the double. He was followed over the first half of the distance by Handsome Lass. Banerva. Glenniist, First Time and Red Fox. At the half-mile Patrician was out by two lengths from Handsome Lass, Banerva. First Time and Glenmist. Patrician held his position to the line to win by a length from Glenmist. Mission Girl finished on better than the others and was a length away third. Half a length back came First Time, a head in front of Red Fox. The next to finish were Handsome Lass, Banerva, Gilpey and Prize Melody.