MAGICAL'S WIN SURPRISES

Chronicle (Levin), 8 April 1948, Page 6

MAGICAL'S WIN SURPRISES

Magical's win in the C.J.C.'s 56th Challenge . Stakes on Saturday, when he scored a clear-cut win by three lengths from the hot favourite, Voltaic, came as a surprise to the many punters who had deserted him after his failure to win a two-year-old race on the second day of the meeting. In the stakes. however, he left no doubt about the issue, and with this win brought his earnings to approximately £2,225. It was at the September meeting in Dunedin last year that Magical had his first race when he won the McLean Stakes, thereby creating a good impression. Taken to Wellington in October, he won the Wellesley Stakes in an easy fashion, making it two on end. He was 'defeated by Trident in the C.J.C. Welcome Stakes in November, and was unplaced in the Great Northern Foal Stakes. His failure in this race was probably due to his difficulty in handling the right-turn-ing track. He then defeated all but Great Trek in the Wellington Stakes after the two horses had fought it- out all down the straight. He won the Lyttleton Plate at Canterbury in February, .easily beating Balkis. In the Great Northern Challenge Stakes last month, he found the class a little too good for him and finished an ignominious last. This was one of the contributing factors to the surprise at his win on Saturday. Magical is a two-year-old gelding by Balloch from Black Cat, and is trained by F. Jones, of Riccarton. Lord Holland/s win in the Te

Wanaka Handicap at Awapuni last Saturday was a particularly good performance. His form this season has been very consistent, and his win was well deserved. A repetition of this form on Saturday will make him a difflcult horse to beat. Fleetwood, who is also noted for consistency, scored a comfortable win in the Johnson Memorial, defeating Cressida and Sea Fury. In 15 starts this seas'on, Fleetwood has scored four wins. three seconds and three thirds. He is-a four-year-old gelding by Foxbridge froni Lovers' Lane. The Nursery Handicap winner, Curtana, created:a surprise in view of her recent form. So far this season she has been in the money, four times out of her 14 starts. This well bred filly is a good galloper and is well worth following: There is no doubt that Barrage has struck his best form, and his win on Saturday was a good 'one.

This son of Spiral should collect more stakes before he is troubled by weights. The champion, Signal Officer was too much of a horse for the opposltion in the Sockburn Handicap, and this great galloper is really in a class of his own. It is likely that he will be given a spell, as he has had a strenuous season. His total earnings have amounted to £19,265. The Nelson cup winner Falconbridge showed promise and should 'develop into a good s-tayer. The grey Foxbridge gelding is. in consistent form at present, and his best has not been seen.