BEN BRAGGIE OBLIGES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue CXXIII, 10 April 1937, Page 22

BEN BRAGGIE OBLIGES

The betting-named Ben Braggie as a near certainty for the J. M. Johnston Memorial Handicap, and he duly obliged after Peter Beckford had forced his best effort out of him. Both horses were flat lout and there was-onlyl half a length between thteny at the post, but the honours were with the winner.

Ben Braggie did not gain full advantage of the rail draw, after Hunting Mars had delayed the start,' for he was standing flat-footed while the others were on the move; but the horses to begin best were on the outer and so he was-able to slip up on the inner to second within a furlong. Peter Beckford was carrying the field along at a solid pace, however, and the favourite could only.slowly bridge the gap.' He was on terms at the distance and over the last'furlong he was alwaysv doing it a shade the better.

Ben Braggie,.who did not race after Christinas till he reappeared to win recently at Feilding, was recording his second success in open company, and there are more to come. This four-year-old son of Gascony demonstrated while in hack class that he is quite at home under weight. He was the second winner during the day from J. H. Jefferd's stable

Peter Beckford was havirig his first start since he beat everything except Knockfln at Trentham in January, after which he1 had to be eased off temporarily owing, to a setback. Beginning brilliantly from the wide marble he soon has sole charge, and it took a good and fit horse from his own training centre to oust him. He is likely to

'win good sprints during, the next few* months if he keeps well. __■ . Lady; Ina was with Land Tax next behind the leaders all the way to the straight, and-, she hung on. for third money a couple of lengths back. Hunting Mars, started from behind but soon moving through to a forward position, was still fourth at the post, but Severe was finishing better. Acceptable, carrying T R George's own colours, was nearer at the post than at any previous stage. Great Hope, in trying to go round the field on the turn, was carried out, and he dropped back to finish ]ast. Pakanui ra"i 'fairly Mid should improve with the race.