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A short drama set at the Durbar Lodge, racing stables in Wakanui Road, Ashburton, as well as Ashburton Racecourse. Two villains plot to sabotage a race, but the swapping of a horse at the last minute saves the day. This film was made in 1937 to entertain two city girls banished to the country during the polio epidemic. It was originally presented with a live commentary, transcribed as follows.

It’s springtime at Durbar Lodge - famous Ashburtion trotting stud and training stable. Tony and his lady-love Miranda arrive at the stables from their morning ride. He’s brought her to inspect his horse, favourite for the big classic race on Saturday.

“What withers my dear?”

Under the old cabbage tree they plight their troth. But that night Tony gets into a poker game with Dastardly D’arcy and , with reckless confidence, he stakes not only his money but his all! “There beat that!” as he shows four tens. But D’arcy has the winning hand - four aces (hidden behind the three of diamonds).

Distraught, Tony writes out an IOU, knowing that, unless his horse wins on Saturday, he’s finished. And just above the beer bottle the IOU.

Next morning Miranda is picking flowers when tony arrives to break the dreadful news. About the same time Dastardly D’arcy has called up Slippery Sam to bribe him to dope the favourite. But Tony’s sister Julia overhears the foul plot.

“More, give me more!” Julia has to thwart this wickedness. D’arcy chuckles with fiendish glee. Julia is spurred into action and rushes out of the undergrowth. She frantically beckons as she sees a lone rider in the distance. She scribbles a message to the stables and sends the rider on her way. “Go quickly!” The pony shies. Oops, that was close! On she gallops... faster!

Into the stable yard. Never mind the pony. She rushes to deliver the message. Stableboy Charlie is quick off the mark. He leads the favourite out of her box and substitutes the old (half draught) bay mare.

That night Slippery Sam creeps around the corner of the stables, syringe at the ready and, quick as a flash, he’s in and out with D’arcy’s dastardly deed accomplished... he thinks.

Julia, who loves Dastardly D’arcy, comes to beg him not to ruin brother Tony if the favourite doesn’t win. She pleads, but he spurns her and her tears are to no avail. Smugly, he looks forward to Saturday.

The big day comes. On the right, H. F. Nicoll - the grand old man of trotting. The crowds are arriving - Tony and Miranda with Julia, D’arcy and a mate. The gardens are at their peak for the great day and the punters are weighing up the odds.

The horses are in the birdcage and there’s the favourite with Tony’s future at stake. Out on to the course they go. The tote is kept busy, and Tony risks his last bob.

The tote is closed. This time - and they’ve let them go. Down the straight for the first time and the favourite is nicely placed. Anxious faces watch the progress with all eyes on the favourite. Whoops, there’s one over the fence and it’s the horse D’arcy put his money on!

Tony and Miranda are driving every inch of the way. It’s the final furlong. It’s close, but the favourite holds her own and the favourite wins. “We’ve won, we’ve won.”

The favourite leads the field into the birdcage with Tony and Mirandas’ future assured.