PATADAWN DOWNED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 588, 14 February 1929, Page 10

PATADAWN DOWNED

WAS HEAVILY BACKED OUTSIDER’S SWOOP | Gleam Boy spoilt a good betting harvest for backers of the New Zea--1 land three-year-old Patadawn when j lie swooped down on the favourite for the Rosehill Handicap on Saturday week last and gained victory by thre’e-quarters of a length. But the win didn't profit the stable, apart from the stake. Gleam Boy, though he had run third at Rand wick last start, wasn’t fancied, and the stable did not invest a shilling on him. His third to Lady Constance at Randwick was a good performance in much better company than he met on this occasion. Consequently the reason for his non-backing was surprising. He drifted from eights to long double figure odds, and found few supporters. The general belief was that Patadawn would win. He had gained two recent seconds, and his form gave promise of stamina. Wanted The Money But the books didn’t give the stable or the public much chance of backing him. Most of them opened at less than twos, and it was only at the close of betting, when money had come for others and the books were greedy to get in more Patadawn moneys than offered, that a better than Mosque price was obtainable. Thus, his starting price was better than that obtained throughout betting. It was a heavy betting race, in which Lord Kennaquhair. Love Box and Bollinger were all strongly supported, as well as Patadawn. When Love Box and Lord Kennaquhair swung into the straight in the lead, backers of these second favourites imagined they had the money in their pockets. They were clear of the field. First Love Box tired, however, and Lord Kennaquhair had no sooner been hailed as the winner than along came Patadawn to issue a challenge. The pair were busily engaged in their struggle when Bollinger swept through on the inside. The names of all three were being shputed in a thrilling moment when the unconsidered outsider swept down on them. It was Gleam Boy. lie had a lot in hand, and easily catching and heading the struggling trio, he ran homo an easy winner by three-quar-ters of a length, while Patadawn was a close third, with Love Box and Lord Kennaquhair practically together, fourth. Not Good Enough Gleam Boy was ridden by W. Lawler, who claims an allowance, and he handled his mount well, lie has been winning races on Greensil, but it was not until his win at Randwick the previous Saturday that he came into any prominence and secured good riding. Patadawn’s form was a trifle disappointing. He was ridden skilfully, but proved not good enough, and apparently he has been somewhat overrated. But perhaps he might succeed at a mile. It was Bollinger’s first serious attempt at a. mile and a-quarter. His owner took several wagers of £7OO and £ 600, and threw for a substantial win. But for interference in the straight, he might have won. His second makes it obvious that lie will stay at least a mile and a-quar-ter, and he should win a distance handicap before long, for he is in his best form and in tip-top condition. RACING FIXTURES February 14. IC—Dunedin J O. February 14. 16—Wanganui J.C. February 14. 16—Poverty Bay T.C. February 16. 18—Te Aroha J.C. February 20. 21—Gore R.C. February 20. 21 Woodville J.C. February 21—Tologa Bay J.C. February 23—Canterbury J.C. February 27. 28—Dannevirke R.C. February 28—Walapu R.C. February 28. March 2—Marlborough R.C. March 2 —Banks Peninsula R.C. March 6. 7 Rangitkel R.C. March 8, 9—Napier Park R.C. March 9—Franklin R.C. March 13—Ota uLa u R.C. .March 14—Waimate R.C. March 16—Opunake R.C. •March Hi 18—ohinemuri i ' March 16. IS—Wellington R.C March 23 25—Oamani J c March 3u—Tuapeka J.C March ZO. April 1 Wairarapa K.C. March 30. April 1 —Feilding J.C. March 30, April I—Auckland R.C.