 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1935
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
1935 OLLIVIER MEMORIAL HANDICAP
750 sovs: Two miles : Winners time 4min 26 4/5sec
The Ollivier Memorial Handicap provided one of the most spectacular races seen at Addington for many a day, for the whole field raced in a bunch for the length of the journey and a battle royal between the champion four-year-olds had the crowd worked to a great pitch of excitement.
Gamble did not begin with any brilliance, and the trotter Todd Lonzia was quickest to find his feet, just ahead of Vesuvius, Graham Direct, Wrecker, Avernus, and Taxpayer, with Gamble next. Before half a mile had been covered Wrecker went to the front with Graham Direct, Vesuvius and Avernus racing together just ahead of Gamble.
The last-named made a forward move and raced up to Wrecker, and the pair carried on from Sunny Morn, who had come fast, Graham Direct, Todd Lonzia, Tempest, Avernus, Taxpayer, Evicus, Wrackler, and Worthy Light.
As the final run was commenced Graham Direct made his effort and a furlong from home the four-year-olds settled down to a battle royal. Every inch of the ground was contested, and with both horses under the whip Gamble held his own to win by a very narrow margin, which only the judge could tell. Tempest secured third place with one of his brilliant bursts after being nicely placed all the way. Following closely were Vesuvius, Todd Lonzia, Worthy Light and Evicus.
In his victory Gamble proved himself a brilliant pacer, for after doing most of the pace-making he fought the issue in the gamest manner possible and he was finishing better than his rival. In defeat Graham Direct proved his gameness and his challenge was a very determined one. Tempest was always handy and finished with a rare burst, while Vesuvius was always in the picture. Sunny Morn did not finish too well after making a great run in the middle stages, but both Evicus and Worthy Light showed staying powers.
Credit: THE PRESS 16 Nov 1935