General Gilbert Easily

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30960, 17 January 1966, Page 5

General Gilbert Easily

(From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH. The consistent Riccarton gelding, General Gilbert, won the Arthur Clouston Handicap with something to spare on the second day of the Reefton Jockey Club’s meeting on Saturday. General Gilbert raced twice earlier on the circuit for a win and a second. He was demoted to second behind Morris Francis after a protest in the main race on the first day of the Reefton meeting. As in his two previous starts Morris Francis was closest to General Gilbert at the finish. Morris Francis had won at Hokitika on Monday, but General Gilbert did not start in that race.

The Nelson mare, So Lovely, outclassed her rivals in the second leg of the double, the Rahu Hack Handicap. She won running away by five lengths from Glenmist with two lengths to Serengeti.

It was the third win on the circuit for So Lovely. The doubles dividend for £1 was £9 18s.

The meeting was held in fine, warm weather. There was a good attendance.

The on-course investments totalled £16,453, including £1635 10s on the double, compared with £12,719 on the second day last year. The total for the meeting was £31,461 10s compared with £23,476 for the corresponding meeting last year. FIRST LEG Totara Lad began besit in the Arthur Clouston Handicap. He was foUlowed for the first halfmile by Wester, Silver Kingdom, Belle York, Vivien Robe and General Gilbert. There was not much change in the order going along the back, where Totara Lad stilil led with Siillver Kingdom, General Giflbert, M arris Fran jls and Vivien Robe next.

Wester moved up alongside Totara Lad turning for home. General Gilbert then found an opening on the rails and reached the front with 100 yards left. Morris Francis chailflenged, but could get no nearer to the leader than a length and a half.

Wester was a neck away third, with Vivien Robe half a length back. Then came Sii3ver Kingdom, Totara Lad, White Skies and Belle York.

There was a falsie start in. the Rahu Hack Handicap and several of the horses ran half a miille before being puled up. Jn the race itself Silver Princess and El Beka began best, but upon reaching the back straight Serengeti opened up a gap of two to three lengths from this pair, with Bolenza, Miisisiion Gir’, So Lovely ana Dowmanca next. So Lovely ranged up to the leader on the home turn and then came right away to win by five lengths from Glenmist, which finished well.

Serengeti held on for third two lengths away, with a similar gap to El Beka.