THE TURF TUDOR MINSTREL SCORES SPLENDID WIN IN WESTLAND T.C. HANDICAP

Grey River Argus, 31 March 1948, Page 6

THE TURF TUDOR MINSTREL SCORES SPLENDID WIN IN WESTLAND T.C. HANDICAP

Patii Dale Succeeds At Good Odds The combined autumn meeting of Greymouth and Westland Trotting Clubs was held at Victoria Park on Monday. Torrential ram in the early part of the day, did not dampen the ardour of racegoers who turned out in full array. Despite the adverse conditions, punters wagered freely, the betting being brisk throughout the day. Once again rising to the occasion, Tudor Minstrel won the main event, the Westland Handicap, in great style. He moved up to be handy with three furlongs to run, and, forging to the front at the distance, won decisively. Worthy Dick, who was never far away, hung on well to secure second money from Mahari Dhu. who had every chance. Worthy Dick- won the Au Revoir Handicap with something in hand. He led practically over the last mile, supplanting Golden Sheaf at the end of three furlongs. Worthy Dick soon put a winning break on the field, which at no stage appeared likely to be bridged. The locally-trained stablemates, Patti Dale and Motto, finished first and third respectively in the Easter Handicap. Their supporters received double figure dividends on both machines, the win portion passing the quarter century mark.. Steamboat,, a quiet tip for the race, who carries the colours of the astute Cobden sportsmen, Messrs E. P. Higgens and C. E. Bourke, endeavoured to win from end to end, and he was travelling easily with a round to go, but compounded quickly. With two furlongs to run, Ray Cameron was hard at work on Steamboat, and the bay gelding slopped as if he had run into Barret’s Reef. There were some good dividends returned, no fewer than six horses returning double figure odds, while Sandy Guy for a place and Makarewa' on the win machine returned their supporters odds just below the double figure mark-. The track looked to be in a worse state than it really was. for some reasonably good times were recorded. For the most part overhead conditions were fine though threatening. A light shower set in before the Easter Handicap, and from then on the track became holding. The totalisator handled £22,589 as against £26,404 on the corresponding day last year, when more favourable conditions prevailed. Thus a decrease of £3815 resulted in the turnover. Results: — RIMU HANDICAP, of £200; one mile and five furlongs; class 4.0. 6/6 TERRYTOON, scr (A J. W'lson) 3/4 NYDIA. scr (L. F. Berkett) . 2 11/11 SANDY GUY, scr (A. R. MeKenzie) KVl’o/o Also started: 5/7 Bold Salute, 8/o Lee Volo. 7/2 Lilian Mac. 4/5 Steel Sword, 9/9 Suvadale. 2/1 Congressional, 7/3 Accord, 10/10 Loyal Native. Won by a head: _a length. Times: 4.4; 4.4 1-5; 4.6 3-5. Winner trained by A. J. Wilson, Rakaia. ~ , , Loyal Native broke at the start, and lost all chance. Steel Sword, Lee Volo. Lilian Mac and Sandy Guy were among the best to begin, and took up the early running from Bold Salute and Terrytoon. At the completion of a circuit the order remained much the same. Steel Sword led out of the straight the second time and by the time they turned into the back Nydia was up on the outside of Steel Sword disputing the lead. Trotting as if she loved it Nydia went away into the lead and led into the straight with just over five furlongs to run. Nydia' piloted the field, her nearest attendants being Steel Sword, Lilian Mac. Sandy Guy. Congressional and Terrytoon. Nydia still held charge at tlie distance and appeared to be n for an easy win when she left her feet in the' last 10 yards. Terry toon dashed up to take the honours right on the post, though he in turn went into a break just after he passed the post. Sandy Guy, who was making his first appearance in a race, battled on for third. Then came Lilian Mac. Steel Sword and Bold Salute. RICHMOND HANDICAP, of £200; two miles; class 4.53. 2/2 MAX GRATTAN, 36 (C. R. Berkett) 1 7/7 VICTORY PEAL, scr (G. Nelson) “ 4/6 JOHN HALIFAX, scr (B. Lynsky 2 Also started: 1/1 Agrosan, 8/3 Glentanner, 5/5 Lucky Strike, 3/3 Sirocco, 6/4 Young Neen. 1/1 Grand Scott. Won bv twelve lengths; live. Times: 4.47 4-5; 4.54; 4.59. Bracket: Agrosan and Grand Scott. Winner trained by C. R. Berkett. Templeton. After about three furlongs had been covered and Max Grattan dashed into the lead it was just a question as to what would be in the minor places. Max Grattan revelled in the conditions, and was always going well within himself some 30 lengths out in front. Victory Peal, owned, trained, and driven by the well-known Greymouth sportsman. George Nelson, registered a fine performance to come on for an easy second. John Halifax was a lone; way back third and well clear of the remainder, who were headed by Sirocco, Lucky Strike and Young Neen. ECLIPSE HANDICAP, of £210; one mile and five furlongs; class 3.52. 4/5 MAKAREWA, scr (C. C. Devine) 1 10/9 SPECIAL MERIT, scr (D. L. McGregor) - 2/2 NOBLE JACK, scr (W K. Tatterson) , 3 Also started: ' 1/1 .Aries, 12/12 Bondage. 9/11 Gallian. S'S Gambade. .3/3 Lechdornie. 13/13 Motto, 6/4 Seven Ear, 10/9 Special Merit. 7/7 Typhonic, 11/10 Wynffiaf, 5/6 Rasponi. Three-quarters of a length; half a length. Times: 3.50; 3.50 1-5; 3.52 2-5. Winner trained by S'. Hands, New Brighton. After Aries, Special Merit, Seven Bar, Motto and Gallian had set a fast pace out in front, Makarewa came late on the scene and continuing his run had the measure of his field just short of the post. Special Merit fought on exceptionally well in the run” home to keep Noble Jack out of second money. Seven Bar, who was in the van rounding the home turn, weakened badly. Lochdornic was going as well as anything in fourth position at the finish, just ahead of the tiring Seven Bar. who had every chance, but was beaten on his merits. WESTLAND HANDICAP. of £400; one mile and five furlongs; class 3.48. 5/6 TUDOR MINSTREL, scr (F. G. Holmes) • 1 3/2 WORTHY DICK, scr (D. C. Watts) - 2/3 MAHARI DHU, scr (W. R. o Butt) Also started: 1/1 Bulls Eye, 9/19 Direct Heir, 17/17 Dramatist, la/l~ Emilv Volo. 10/9 Gallant Ruth. 8/7 Golden Sheaf, 14/16 Killowen. 13/12 Lady Beverley, 4/4 Melton. 11/11 Shy Sonoma. 12/1.3 Pirouette, 6/8 Kimono Girl, 6/5 Sowden Beck, 16/15 SandyPotts. Won by three lengths; a length. Times: 3.43 4-5; 3.45; 3.45 1-5. Winner trained by F. G. Holmes, Addington. Tudor Minstrel was driven a waiting race by F. G. Holmes and gave

(nothing else a look in over the concluding stages. In smte of being an impressive recent winner, Tudor Minstrel was allowed to go out at a good price, which was the only element of surprise about his win. Mahari Dhu adopted the role of pacemaker, closely followed by Worthy Dick, Gallant Ruth, Golden Sheaf and Direct Heir. Bulls Eye lost about 50 yards when he faile’d to hit his hopples at the barrier rise. He showed great speed to catch the field, then he was forced to race four and at times five out most of the journey. Thus it was not surprising to find him with nothing m reserve in the run to the judge. Worthy Dick was first in line for home ' but Tudor Minstrel was absolutely flying as they came down the straight and came down to the post in complete command by three lengths. Worthy Dick held on for second from Mahari Dhu. The next to finish were Bulls Eye, Golden Sheaf and Kimono Girl. OTIRA HANDICAP, of £200; one mile and five furlongs; class 4.0. 2/2 LILIAN MAC, scr (C. Eryce) 1 4/4 TERRYTOON, 24yds, inc. 24 vds penalty (A. J. Wilson) .. 2 1/2 NYDIA, scr (L. F. Berkett) . , o Also started: 5/7 Bold Salute, 6/8 Loe Volo. 7/5 Sandy Guy, 8/6 Steel Sword, 11/11 Suvadale, 3/3 Congressional, 9/9 Accord, 10/10 Loyal Native. Won by four lengths; a length. Times: 3.59;'4.0 2-5; 4.0 3-5. Winner trained by C. Bryce, Addington. Lilian Mac, Steel Sword, Lee Volo, Sandy Guv and Bold Salute were the first to show out from Nydia and Congressional. Lilian Mac was thereafter never headed, and trotting solidly throughout she passed the post four lengths in advance of Terrytoon, who again went a good race and would have made the winner’s task much more difficult had he not put in a skip with three furlongs to run. Nydia showed more speed than anything, but she broke repeatedly. Congressional. Lee Volo and Bold Salute followed the place-getters home. AUTUMN HANDICAP, of £200; one mile and three furlongs; class 3.18. 5/5 JOHN HALIFAX, scr (B. Lynsky • • J4/4 SIROCCO, scr (W. K. Tatterson) • z 1/1 GRAND SCOTT, 12 (L. F. Also started: 1/1 Agrosan, 9/J Goshen, 5/5 John Halifax 8/10 Knight Bar, 7/7 Lucky Strike. 2/2 Tyrone Power, 6/6 Victory Peal. 3/3 Special Merit. 10/8 Wynleaf. Won by two lengths; four. Times: o.ll; 3JI 2-5; 3.12. , A Bracket: Grand Scott and Agrosan. Winner trained by H. Kearns. In a muddling race, John Halifax did best in the run up the home stretch to hold Sirocco at bay bv two lengths. The well supported Grand Scott was a poor third. Tyrone Power was quicklv hurried out to the front, hut showed no fight once the pace was on. Special Merit was fourth with a break of several lengths to Tyrone Power and Lucky Strike. EASTER HANDICAP, of £210; one mile and three furlongs; class 3.1 a. 12/10 PATTI DALE, scr (J. C. MeClure), bracketed with Motto 1 9/9 GAMBADE (B. Lynsky) .... 2 12710 MOTTO (D. Manderson.) . 3 Also started: 10/13 Aries, 17/1§ Bondage, 16/16 Empress Fay, la/la Gallian, 2/2 Sandbird, bkt. Seven Bar 4/5 Lechdornie, 8/8 Makarewa. 1/1 Max Grattan. 3/3 Noble Jack. 5.-6 Sarsfield. 17/17 Stamina, 14/14 Steamboat 13/12 Tynhonic, 6/8 Raspom. 11/11 Melton. Won by a length and a-half; three lengths. Times: 3.15 3-5: 3.10 1-5; 3.10 3-5. Winner trained by J. C. McClure. Victoria Park. . Steamboat began with his customary early brilliance to soon have the field spreadeagled. With a half mile to run, Steamboat called, the tune and appeared to be travelling easily. At this stage his chances of pulling off a big betting coup appeared bright. Gambade disposed of Steamboat as they passed the three. At this stage Patti Dale was brought to the outside, and .when given her head she ran up smartly, to be on terms with Gambade as they straightened up for the run home. Finishing with sheer determination, Patti Dale soon shewed her superiority to win well from Gambade. Motto finished well for third; then came Sarsfield, Aries AU REVOIR’ HANDICAP, of £260: one mile and three furlongs; class 3.11 1/2 WORTHY DICK, scr (D. C. Watts) ] 11/12 EMILY VOLO. scr (J. Bryce, iunr.) T '’’-A “ 15/15 DRAMATIST, scr (J. E. Roche) *■* Also started: 2/3 Bulls Eye, 4/6 Direct Heir. 5/4 Golden Sheaf. 10/lo Killowen. 12/11 Lady Beverley, 3M Mahari Dhu, 9/9 Prince Lytton. 10/10 Shy Sonoma, 6/5 Kimono Girl, bkt Scottish Star, 7/7 Sowden Beck, TAS Nelsonova, 14/14 Sandy Potts. Won bv six lengths; four. Times: 3.20; o’cQ . 3 21-5 ’""’Winner trained by °F. E. Upton, Templeton. . The win favourite, Worthy Dick, never gave his backers cause tor anxiety, finally winning pulling up. by a clear margin from two outsiders in Emily Volo and Dramatist. Golden Sheaf took over the early running, but soon dropped back beaten. Worthy Dick, Sandy Potts. Mahari Dhu and Emily Volo trailed Golden Sheaf oyer the first three furlongs. Worthy Dick then took control, and was always pacing easily out in front. The rank outsider, Dramatist, made up a Jot o ground over the last half mile, and finished strongly for third, to return over a score for a place. Mahari Dhu was fourth ahead of a closely bunched field, which included Bulls Eye, Sandy Potts, Prince uytton and Golden Sheaf.