THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2455, 7 May 1915, Page 8

THE TURF

j ASHBURTON RACES j MAGDALA WINS THE CUP. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) * Ashburton, May G. The Ashburton County liacing Club's Autumn Meeting was commenced to-day in flno weather, and the track was in firstclass order. There were large fields, and close finishes were the order of the day. Though the attendance was slightly less than usual, the totalisator investments for the (lay reached <£11,714, as against ,£10,105 10s. on the corresponding day last year. The results were as follow:—

FIItST HURDLE HANDICAP.—Castiron, 9st. 121b., 1; Commotion, list. 31b., 2; Curilla, 9st., 3. Margo was scratched. The first two placed horses got to the front at the entrance to the straight, and in a great finish Cast-iron beat Commotion by a neck, Curilla being four lengths away. Time, 3min. 15 4-ssec.

LONGBEACH HACK HANDICAP.— Marvelite, 9st. 131b., 1; Bandy, Bst., 2; Sir Hamilton, 9st. 91b., 3. Melford was scratched. The winner led from the start, and though Bandy made a great effort in the straight he was still half a head behind when tho post was reached. Time, lmin. 11 3-ssec.

ASHBUETON CUP HANDICAP. Magdala, Bst. 51b 1 Honesty, 7st. 71b 2 Bonny Ri"g, 7st. 31b 3 Foam Flake, Gst. 71b., and Snapdragon, 7st. 71b., were scratched.

Honesty led till the entrance to the straight, when Magdala put in a strong run, and drew level a few yards from home, and won by a neck, two lengths separating the second and third. Time, 2min. 17 3-sscc.

LAGMHOR PLATE.—Thaddeus, 1; Melford, Skirl, 3. Bridegroom, Traitress, Hardsliot, Bytan, Quicklly, and Glenhill were scratched. Jumping out at ths start,' Thaddeus was never headed, and won by one length. Skirl was double that distance behiDd ilelford. Time, lmin. 2sec.

FAIRFIELD WELTER HANDICAP.— Fabrikoff, lOst. 51b., 1; Encore, 9st. 51b., 2; Medallist, Sst. 91b., 3. ladrone, Atheuic, and Bandy were scratched. The favourite took charge at the entrance to tho straight, and had to extend himself to beat Encore by a neck, Medallist was three lengths behind. Time, lmin. 27 2-ssec. MELROSE HANDICAP TROT.-Promo-tion, ssec., 1; Sir Elmo, isec., 2; Eden Child, Isec.j 3. General Link, Allen Doone, and Forest Child were scratched. Won by two lengths, with twelve lengtha dividing tho other two. Time, 2min. SOsec. GROVE .PA-EM HANDICAP.—Daytime, st. 31b., 1; Medley, 7st 71b., 2; Cortes, st. 71b., 3, Fabrikolf, Sst. 31b., Fender, 7efc. lb., and Free, (ist. 71b., were scratched. )aytime led from the start, winning by head from Medley, who out-distanced -ortes by throe' lengths. Time, lmin. 3sec.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

(By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) flshburton, May 6. At the Ashburton. meeting Margo was withdrawn from the First Hurdles, leaving soven runners. Commotion was tho best backed, with Castiron next choice. The pair had tho finish to themselves over the last half-mile, and after a great set-to tho light woight won by a neck. Tho favourite had him in trouble at tho last fence, but the weight beat him at the finish. Golden Grape and Curilla made the early running, but the favourite was always handy, and Castiron, after being slow to begin, put in a fins run over the last portion. lie was favoured by a clear run on the fence the whole way. . There were thirteen runners in the Longbeach Hack Handicap, for which Ait ivas a slightly better favourite than Merry Trick. A good start was effected, but after going a furlong some of the rear division, notably Bed Pennon and Pride of Clutha, got into tioublo. Haryevite soon took charge, and led Sir Hamilton to the straight entrance, where Bandy joined Marvehte a furlong from home, and the pair passed the post locked together. The top-weight got the verdict by a head, with Sir Hamilton two lengths away, followed by Trireme.

The Cup produced another fine finish, this time between Magdaia, Honesty, and Bonny Eigg. Tho first-named won by a head, with the imported mare, who was very unlucky, running in third place First Glance, Magdaia, and Cbrysotis were hacked in that ordev. At the start Honesty jumped out clear, but Fender soon joined her, and led Briar Patch, Ladrone, and Specialform to the halfmile, where the others were bunched. In the straight Bonny Eigg, Magdaia, Chrysotis, and First Glancc fikame prominent, but it was only in the last few strides that' Magdaia headed Honesty. Bonny Eigg, who was nearly down at the start, ran a great race. Chrysotis was foarth, then came BriaT Patch and First Glance. The winner has been running most consistently this autumn. Skirl (Martian—Keel) was backed down to a very short price in the Lagmhor Plate, but she did not begin too well, and though prominent in the straight she was beaten into third place. Thadeus, who. raced well at Timaru, swung into the start as the tapes were released, and showing plenty of pace, he was in charge practically throughout. Cosy Corner caught him at the tuirn, as did Skirl, but they could not finish with the two-year-old. Melford, who came from a long way back and crossed the field in the straight, was close up second. St. Bwe, another promising sort, was fourth. Fabrikoff had over .one thousand tickets on his number on the machine in the Fairfield Welter. Glenowl and Encore were the next in demand on the machine. At the start, Sveaborgand Encoro showed out, but were soon joined by Countess Tolstoi on the outside, while the favourite was next on the fence and puilling hard. At the bottom of the straight he had taken charge, and c>amo down the straight full of running, but over the last pinch Encore had him doing his best, and was only a neck behind at the finish. Medallist, who got a bad run in the straight, was close up, and then came Countess Toistoi, with Glenowl, Foam Flake, and Coroniform in a lino. Promotion, the limit horse in the Trot, was made a better favourite than Sir Elmo, and aftor a good Taco they finished in that order. Eden Child was third, and Soda fourth. The last event was a good betting race, Dinner Gong and Daytime carrying over four figures on the machine, and Twelfth Night and Medley also being heavily backed. The favourite was left at the barrier, and Daytime and Merton led the field into the straight, where Medley and Twelfth Night came through. Daytime and Medley fought out an interesting finish, the former winning by a head. Cortes was a length away, a head id Iront of Twelfth Night. ACCEPTANCES FOE SECOND DAT. (By Teleeraiili.—Press Association.) Ashburton, May 6. The following are the acceptances for the Tm 6 handicap hurdles.—. Commotion, list. 91b.; Margo, list. 5 b.; Cast-iron, lOst. 111b.; Cuiilla, 9st. 91b.; Golden Grape, 9st. Gib.; Horoscope, 9st. ' MOKETON HACK HANDICAP.—Pride of Clutha, Sst. 61b.; Bonation, Bst. 51b.; Bandy, Bst. lib.; Red Pennon, 7st. 111b.; Melford, 7st. 111b.; St. Ewe, 7st. 31b.; Hardshot, 7st.; John Eeilly, 7st. AUTUMN HANDICAP-First Glance, 9st. 91b.; Specialform, Sst. 101b.; Hon-1 esty, Sst. lib.; Briar Patch, 7st. 71b.j Scotch Melody, 7st. 51b.; Snapdragon, 7st. 51b.; Bonny Eigg, 7st. sib.; The Cornet, 7st. 51b.; Wild Pilgrim, 6st. 131b.; Fender, Gst. 121b.;. Don Francisco, 6st. 71b. WAKANUI HANDICAP-Peg, Bst. 51b.; Dinner Gong, Sst. 21b.; Sveaborg, Bst.; Merton, 7st. lib.; Borg Borg, Bst.; Merton, 7st. 131b.; Medley, Tst. 121b.; Marvelite, 7st. 71b.; Marsa, 7st. alb.; Cortes, 6st. 71b, WINCHMOEE HANDICAP-Ladrone, flst. 91b.; Caher Davon,-Bst. 121b.; Medallist, Sst. 31b.; Glenowl, Sst. 51b.; Coroniform, Sst. 51b.; Sir Hamilton, Sst. 41b.; Firmhold, Sst. 31b.; Glenongly, 7st. 101b.; Bandy, 7st. 101b.; Trireme, 7st. 10lb.;Gold Coili.'vst. ]01b.; Countess Tolstoi, 7st. 101b. SKI/MA TROT.—Promotion, 5cr.;0.1.C., Bsec.; Soda, lOsec.; Bowboll, Usee.; Lady Lyons, 12sec.; Lyndhurst, ISsee.; General Link, 12sec.; Allen Doone, Msec.; St. Leo. Msec,; Lothario, Msec.; Cupid Whispers, Msec. JUVENILE HANDICAP.—MeI tchikoff, fist. 31b.; Marsa, Sst. nib.; Holiday, Sst. 81b.; Bellshire, Sst. 71b,; Down, Sst. 51b.;

71b.; Hardshot, 6st, 71b.; Ardenvhor, Gst. 71b.; Fiery Cross, 6st. 71b.; Halina, Gst. 71b.; St. Hilary, Ost. 71b.