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A roundup of the sports information of the week
BOATING—Australians, habitual collectors of sporting trophies from other countries, will try for sailing's most prized hunk of silver. Sir Frank Packer, two-fisted managing director of Australia's powerful Consolidated Press, Ltd., announced formation of a syndicate to build an Australian challenger for the America's Cup, and his first item of business was to charter the famed 12-meter Vim from its U.S. owner, John Matthews. Vim was the boat that almost defeated Columbia in prerace trials to decide the American defender in last year's race against Britain's Sceptre. Sir Frank will use the lines of Vim as the starting point for his Aussie challenger (which must be designed and built in Australia), will then use Vim as a trial horse. Olin Stephens, designer of both Vim and Columbia, is ready to design another and, hopefully, faster U.S. defender.
BOXING—In a return bout Cuba's undefeated Florentine-Fernandez, 4-to-1 favorite, decided that attack was the best policy against Mexico's Gaspar Ortega, charged relentlessly for 10 rounds at Madison Square Garden, absorbed blistering punches and counterpunches to split decision. It was Fernandez' 22nd straight victory but first in which he did not drop his opponent at least once.
Making his debut as welterweight, Kenny Lan recovered from gash above eye that interrupted fight for nearly minute in third round, won split decision over Virgil Akins in Washington, D.C.
HARNESS RACING—In second leg of the American Trotting Classic, Driver Richard Buxton flicked Senator Frost home two and a quarter lengths ahead of Jamin (see page 19). For winning, Senator Frost and Driver Buxton were presented flowers by Movie Star Lana Turner in the winner's circle (see above). Deciding leg of the classic will be raced on Nov. 11.
HORSE RACING—Sword Dancer, under Eddie Arcaro, clinched Horse-of-the-Year honors in the homestretch of the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Aqueduct, leaving Round Table seven lengths behind as he reached the wire. Victory makes Sword Dancer the leading money winner of 1959. It was Arcaro's eighth Gold Cup win (see page 16).
In year's richest race ($283,075) Warfare settled his fight with Tompion for 2-year-old championship by romping home first in the Garden State Stakes, a half length ahead of Bally Ache, four and a half lengths in front of Tompion.
PHOTO
SENATOR AND LANA IN WINNER'S CIRCLE
