Aussie was Ridden Waiting Race in Front

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 649, 29 April 1929, Page 12

Aussie was Ridden Waiting Race in Front

With torrential rain on the preceding Thursday, it was thought that the course at Te Rapa would be sodden for Saturday's racing, but, to the general surprise, the going was quite firm. And thereby hangs a tale. Taking it for granted that the course at Te Rapa would be soft, Aussie was regarded as almost a certain nonstarter, which is just where the calculations failed. It was not imagined that the track would have time to re? cover sufficiently to permit of the Fortafix gelding taking his place in the field, for he is not at all partial to soft going. But the experts were confounded to find the going in really good order, at the worst a bit on the dead side. Therefore everything could be said to be in order for Aussie. Owner-trainer George Paul had his plan of campaign mapped out well in advance, and he was allowed to terminate them successfully, thanks to the poor judgment in the matter of pace exhibited by some other riders. “Go to the front and make your own pace, and don’t make it too Hot,” was what he said to his jockey. And the instructions were obeyed to the letter, with the result that Aussie duly delivered the goods, once more adding to his wonderful record. George Paul showed remarkable judgment, in more ways than one. With A. Tinker not available, he had to scout round to find a suitable horseman, one with perception to see what was wanted. The provincial horsemen, or what were available, were otherwise booked up for the Storey Memorial Cup on Saturday, but he was not afraid to go farther afield. The result was the engaging of Martou jockey L. G. Morris. A Happy Choice It was certainly a wise move, for if there is one jockey in the Dominion that can ride a waiting race in front it is L.G. And he carried out his instructions on Saturday to the letter. Aussie was drawn near the centre of the field, and although it is not right to say that he led all the way, he very nearly did. In the Shade showed surprising early speed and had his neck in front of the Fortafix gelding at the end of the first furlong, but that was not where Goldfinch wanted to be, so Aussie then took charge and led round the bend and into the back stretch, where he was clear. There was not a great deal of pace on, for the first half-mile took 52 2-5 and it was only from here that the pace began to sharpen up. The last six furlongs were cut out in 1.16 2-5 from a flying start so to speak, while the open sprint, three races later, took a second less. Aussie was just in front of Mosque into the home stretch and right to half a furlong from the judge he was doing it nicely in front with Mosque being held, and Corinax coming fast on the outside. Ran It Out Then Morris began to get busy, and he was hard at his mount over the last hundred yards. As game as ever Aussie responded, and although he was perceptibly weakening over the last bit he hung on to beat Mosque bv half a length. Corinax was going fasteV ° n i he post - another halflength back, while In the Shade wa« also doing it well in fourth place , o Aussie won at his only attempt o\er a mile and a-quarter journey On u™ s - -H'v up d tjT£i n °gV he T o^ r d r K <*nd so Aussie achieved further ert-at ’ ssjTt-j-Mjasr*»^s«ra; All Afraid to P °tak» ly the „ other riders were afraid cerrah-m- V" , Aussle out in front, and certainly to do so would possibly have

ruined any chance of victory to the horse being forced along. Mosque might have done so. The latter w ent a good race and stuck on well. Corinax was again unlucky. He did not seem to be moving at all sweetly when he was tucked in on the rails crossing the top, and when several other horses ran round the outside of him at this stage was seen that he would need to be extra good to get through. So it proved. He had to come round the field at the bottom of the straight, but, as previously remarked, he was going faster than anything else as they swept by the judge. In the Shade showed his best form date in this race, for the current season at any rate. He was left stranded when he got away so well, and when allowed to drop behind five furlongs from home he got a bit farther back perhaps than his rider intended. He was well back at the home turn, but got through on the inside in the straight to finish fourth, only a couple of lengths from the winner. Finished Well Thursby was always toiling near the rear, but he came with a good run in the home stretch to get fifth, jiist in front of King Lu and Royal Doulton. The former was not well placed going out of the straight, but moved up along the back. Probably his defeat was brought about by his failure to stay on. Royal Doulton went a good even race, but was asked to do something when she had to go on the outside of several horses crossing the top and into the straight. Ti Tree ran fairly well, but Le Choucas, with a little known jockey up, was in the ruck over the last mile. Flying Juliet received a check going out of the straight, and this effectually spoilt any wining chance she had; she went a fair race afterwards. Wenday was only moderate, and Queen Arch, last early, was in third place in the home straight, but faded out. Mervette met with slight trouble in the back and that was the finish of her, and Desert Glow ran one of his bad races. The handsome gold cup was presented to owner-trainer Paul amid scenes of enthusiasm, and he was also fortunate enough to receive the pair of field glasses ticketed for the winning trainer. L. G. Morris received the gold-mounted whip. As for Aussie, ho probably received an extra peck of oats and a friendly pat from the owner. He was given three cheers all for himself, and the horse threw his head into the air in acknowledgment. He seemed to understand thoroughly what was going on.