THE MAJOR UPSET

Evening Post, Issue 37, 12 August 1936, Page 13

THE MAJOR UPSET

FIORD AT LONG PRICE

The biggest surprise of a day of surprises was reserved till the final event, the Avonhead Handicap, which saw Fiord successful at a win dividend approaching the half-century mark. The favourite, Hunting Maid, was not sighted till near the end in the big field, but the second favourite Matoru finished second and was possibly just a little unlucky not to have been the winner.

Fiord was never further back from the front than fifth, having been enabled to take up this favourable position with a good beginning from No. 7 marble.- .At the straight he was running fourth in behind Grey Honour, Call Money, and Owlsgleam, and after dashing through to take control he had enough still m reserve to ward pit a determined challenge from Matoru by half a length. As he was recently a winner at Oamaru, and was favourite to boot on that occasion, he was really at a false price in yesterday's field. Now just turned four years old, he is a bay gelding by Valkyrian from the Night Eaid —Rosalita mare Corn Queen, and he thus belongs to the same family as Palantua, Mantua, Tenterden, Solfanello, Roseday, Bunting, etc. He is being raced by the estate of the late Mr. W. Gardiner, who bred him, and he is a member of J. B. Pearson's Riccarton stable. As a two-year-old he gave a lot of promise, and he was also a useful sort last year, one of his good races being at the Grand National Meeting twelve months ago, when he was out in the van till near the close on the middle day. Matoru, having his first start since he was purchased in the Auckland district two months ago by Mrs. D. Levin, of Wellington, would probably have been a comfortable winner if he had drawn better than No. 19 berth. His speed soon enabled him to reach a fairly forward position, but he was always well out on the track and he had to challenge from some distance behind the winner. He should be a good horse to follow from now on, as

he has plenty of pace and should have benefited from yesterday's race. Grey Honour was soon in front, and though he could not go on with it in the straight he looked safe for third money, a couple of lengths behind the first pail*, till Sovereign Lady came at him on the post and just cut him out. Sovereign Lady was never very far back, but she had ground to make up from the straight entrance, doing it like one who will not be long in improving on the performance. Araboa, second in the early running, weakened into fifth, and the best of the others were Rose of Tralee (who had been actually first out from the rail position). Poniard, Redtop, Hunting Maid, and Braw Lad, the last pair not appearing till the race was all over. Owlsgleam, Call Money, and Emmeline Girl faded from the picture after early prominence.