TROTTING Southern Song Beats Lusty Lad Decisively

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31004, 9 March 1966, Page 4

TROTTING Southern Song Beats Lusty Lad Decisively

Southern Song, one of the most consistent pacers in New Zealand, gained a deserved win in the Randolph Handicap at Addington Raceway last evening. He came from about four lengths behind the pacemaker, Lusty Lad, at the straight entrance and finished strongly to win going away.

Raced by his Papanui trainer-driver, C. McDonald, Southern Song is a five-year-old gelding by Flying Song from Spring Edition.

Southern Song is now assessed at 2min 12sec and will probably be a candidate for the Easter Cup next month. He has been entered for the Auckland meeting on Saturday, but whether the trip will eventuate now remains to be seen.

Lusty Lad, a dominating favourite, took the lead after two furlongs from Vanity Show and set a leisurely pace. Ferndale Prince was outside Vanity Show, with Bob Again, Turbulence, Bruce. Southern Song, Buchanan, Town Martial, Society Maid, and Mister Chips following. There was no change in the order until the straight entrance. Lusty Lad could not counter Southern Song’s final challenge and he went under by half a length. Buchanan finished gamely from the furlong post for third a length away, a nose in front of Vanity Show. Turbulence was a neck away, a head in front of Bruce. Town Martial was a length away, half a head in front of Bob Again, with a length to Mister Chips, and a gap to Ferndale Prince and SocietyMaid. Society Maid, Buchanan, and Bruce broke at the start, while Town Martial was slow. Too Good Adorato, at surprisingly good odds of more than 22 to one, gained his third win from his last five starts when he outfinished his rivals in the Rolleston Stakes. He pulled fairly hard in about fifth place until the home turn and quickly moved up to the leaders about the furlong post From then he was in control and won handily by a length and a half. Southern Rev, after being close up all the way, fought on gamely for second, half a head in front of Loyal Light, which covered extra ground over the last mile after being well back early. Ulove finished strongly for fourth, ahead of Epona, which broke at the start, and the tiring pacemaker, Doug’s Choice. Scottish Advance made ground for seventh and was followed by Battlefield, which was checked in the straight and Roydon Prince, last at the seven furlongs. First Winner Really Good credited his sire, Goodland, with his first winner in New Zealand when he beat Renata in the Pilgrims’ Stakes. He received the run of the race behind Local Frost and pulled out to improve soon after reaching the straight. He ran on gamely to win by a length in 2min 5 l-ssec, a New Zealand record. His time was one second better than that recorded by Holy Hal at Forbury Park last month. Renata, after being on the outside of Really Good most of the way, paced a useful race for a second ahead of Montage which was tailed off early after beginning tardily. He did well to finish so clo.' j. Alandria, which raced

greenly, was a length away fourth a short length in front of Local Frost which tired after pulling hard early. Kimberley Kid, which received a poor run, was right up fifth, clear of Stewart Hanover, Pro-consul, and Authentic. Vandal was pulled up after breaking at the start. £B6 Double

Snow Globe gained an overdue first win for the season when she spreadeagled the field in the Bealey Handicap, the second leg of the double. The Southern Song-Snow Globe double paid £B6 for £l. Snow Globe began quickly and was clear by four lengths after the first furlong. Marshelia, which was checked in the first furlong, showed speed to move into second place at the six furlongs, but Snow Globe was never in danger of being caught and she won with something in hand by five lengths.

Marshella did well to finish second a length and a half in front of White World, which trotted her best race for some time. Asia Minor was a shade disappointing in fourth place, clear of Harbour Light, which broke at the furlong post when handy. Mighty Chief made up ground for sixth, ahead of Ali Bey. Free Globe, Ardleigh, Break-through, Mighty Chief, Dr. Kyle, Seven Nights and Acquit made mistakes. The meeting was held in fine weather on a fast track. There was a good crowd. Oncourse betting totalled £84,778 including £12,515 on the two doubles, compared with £86,531 10s last year when the meeting was held in January.

T.A.B. betting amounted to £114,284, compared with £115,667 5s last year. The off-course substitute was Asia Minor.