AT STRATFORD

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 1, 2 January 1936, Page 6

AT STRATFORD

A DOUBLE TO REFRESHER

FINE RIDING BY L. CLIFFORD

(By Telegraph.) (Special to tho "Evening Post.")

NEW PLYMOUTH, January 1

The outstanding features of the opening day of the Stratford Meeting today were Refresher's great performance in winning both the principal races, the Malone Memorial and the Douglas Handicap, and the wonderful success of L. Clifford, the Auckland horseman, in riding the winners of five successive flat races.

• The weather was fine and there was a very large attendance. The totalisator turnover of £17,592 was £3218 10s better than on the corresponding day last year. The Sandwich Man was soon in front in the Trial Stakes from Mangukaha, with Fast Acre at the head of the rest. The two leaders fought it out all the way up the straight, with Mangukaha always doing a little the better of the pair. Joy Box, who was unlucky in the running, finished a fast third and Lucullus Lad was fourth. Fast Acre stopped badly in the straight. Whenuakura was a hot favourite in the Douglas Handicap and appeared unlucky to lose as his rider left the rails and enabled Refresher to receive a clear run. Whenuakura led into the straight from Cullus, Princess Star, and Lucidus. Princess Star headed Whenua-1 kura at the distance, with Lucidus also challenging. Princess Star weakened and Refresher flashed up on the inside. In a great finish Refresher won by half a head from Whenuakura, with Princess Star a similar distance away third and Lucidus right up fourth. Lady Kyra was next. THE JUVENILE EVENT. The well bred Clessamor won the Juvenile in decisive fashion. He was quickly in a handy position and following Gay Talkie into the straight soon took his measure to win by two lengths. International was always third. Galtemore, having his first outing, came home well in fourth place. Windsoreen won the Hack Plate practically from end to end. She soon ran to the front and down the back led Wahine Nui, Tutor, and Friesland. The last-named joined Windsoreen shortly after passing the half mile and they led into the straight from Wahine Nui, Tutor, and Tuaheahe. Windsoreen shook off Friesland and held off a hot challenge from Tutor to score by half a length. Friesland was a length and a half away, with Tuaheahe fourth and Wahine Nui fifth. SOLOIST'S HURDLES SUCCESS. Giving a faultless display of jumping Soloist won the Ohura Hurdles nicely. He took command early, to lead down the back from Maunga King and Ruaform. The last-named ran to the front to lead into the straight and over the last hurdle. Soloist then challenged, to win by three, parts of a length. Kaola was a good third, with Maunga King distanced. REFRESHER'S DOUBLE Refresher completed a double when he scored from end to end in the Malone Memorial. He immediately took command to lead out of the straight from St. Clara, Silk Sox, and Carfex. Refresher continued to lead down the back with St. Clara and Silk Sox as his nearest attendants. The order was unchanged into the straight, where Alchemic challenged. He was almost on terms with Refresher 100 yards from home but Refresher finished best to win by half a length. St. Clara was a good third and Carfex was fourth. Refresher won well though Silk Sox was shockingly handled. THE OTHER EVENTS. Sir Tommy soon opened a good break on the field in the Eltham Handicap and was well clear of Contract and Swift Spear at the turn for the run to the post. Contract soon settled the leaders but had to be kept going to hold off ■ Tooley Street, who finished well. Sir Tommy was a fair third and Hinkey Pinkey was fourth. Bonny Glow was unlucky early. Te Hai and Hinkey Pinkey were the early leaders in the Railway Hack Handicap and showed the way into the straight from Silver Wings and Horotiu. Te Hai appeared to have the race won, at the distance but Red Sand came with a great run to win by half a length, Lady Zinnia finishing on a fair third and Hinkey Pinkey fourth. Red Sand's finish was impressive as she came from the tail of the field in the straight.