RACING

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2261, 9 April 1921, Page 3

RACING

ROUEN WINS THOMPSON HANDICAP. At the Wellington R.C. meeting at Trentham on Thursday, the locallyowned and trained Rouen won the big event, the Thompson Handicap of 1,500 sovs, one mile. Commenting on the race, the N.Z. Times says:—

Chief interest centred in the Thompson Handicap, the big mile event. There were no unexpected defections, and as was anticipated betting was well spread. Rouen was in the post of honour when the machine closed. Tigritiya was almost- as well backed, and a lot of support was forthcoming for Parisian Diamond. The race was a line one, and the result was in doubt to the very end. Askari, making use of his light weight, piloted the field most of the way, and was only caught and beaten in the very last stride after a particularly severe finish. The favourite, ridden by Gray, got clear at I lie distance, Imt Askari kept his position all the way up the straight. Over Ihe final stage Gray drove Rouen along desperately. and landed him over the line a head to the good. With Rouen differently ridden the race would, have been Askari’s, but credit must be given the lad Dixon for the good fight he put up against Gray. The crack horseman, by the way, leaves for England shortly, and Mamiwatu may tie his last New Zealand meet-