NOTES ON THE RUNNING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26638, 8 December 1947, Page 3

NOTES ON THE RUNNING

VOLTAIRE’S EASY WIN Special to the Daily Times CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 7. Forage, having his first race after a spell, led for a mile and a-quarter in the Port Cooper Hurdles. Voltaire then joined him, with Wane third and a gap to Foreign Ways. Forage soon drifted back, Voltaire leading Wane over the last hurdle and drawing away for an easy win. Sir Saladin outstayed the others, beating Foreign Ways for third, with Forage next. The Raker was last, just behind Battle Chief, who had not raced for some time. The winner was having his first race for his new owner, Mr L. W. Timperley, of the West Coast, who bought him after his race earlier in the meeting. Irweli Handicap Village Beauty and Top Deck led Balkis early in the Irweli Handicap, while at the end of two furlongs Blue Print, Card Money, Trident, Finigin, and Curtana were prominent in the next bUnch Balkis took charge about a furlong from home, but Curtana gradually wore her down, winning by a neck. Top Deck, though tiring, held on for third, beating Finigin, who was staying on. Celtic Chief, Idle Jest and Card Money were next. Trident did not run on, while Golden Amber missed the jump out. Stonyhurst Handicap

Broie soon joined Banshee in front in the Stonyhurst Handicap. Generai Argosy then moved up, being three lengths in front at the six-furlong post, with Broie, Distinction, Zorro, Banshee, Prince Coronach, Renowned, and Coral Arc following. Glencona was also prominent a little further on, but turning for home General Argosy and Broie were showing the way to Zorro, Distinction, and Prince Coronach, while Renowned was handy. Renowned took the lead at the distance and went on to beat Distinction easily. Coral Arc put in a good run on the outside and looked certain for third, but over-confidence enabled Banshee to get a nose decision at the post. Prince Coronach and General Argcsy were next. Hagley Handicap

Leadership, Beaugard, and Faithful Pal were tne early leaders in the Hagley Handicap. After two furlongs Beaugard and Post Graduate were showing the way, with Citril, Le Sonnet, Deficiency, and Faithful Pal all handy. There was not much change at the half-mile post, where Blank Cheque and Maka Maka also became prominent. Citril shot out at the distance and went on to win decisively. Four horses were almost in line behind the leader starting the last furlong, but Blank Cheque finished best, beating Deficiency by half a length, with Beaugard and Le Sonnet close up. Blank Cheque met some' bad luck on the journey.

Fcndalton Handicap

Double Cross was first to show out in the Fendalton Handicap, while at the end