SUDDEN SUCCESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22774, 7 July 1937, Page 11

SUDDEN SUCCESS

VALUABLE JUMPEES TWO LUCKY PURCHASES CARINTHIA AND SANTOFT Trentham lived up to its reputation yesterday as a course for large dividends, but probably no success, apart from the size of the return to sup-; porters, was a greater surprise than that of Santoft in the Wellington Steeplechase. In his racing career this son of Acre has had four owners, but up to the beginning of the current season, although he had won four races and had been placed on five other occasions, his total money earnings were £l4B 10s, which is eloquent of the class in which he had then found his level. With the Wellington Steeplechase stake of £7OO to the winner, his earnings now stand at £IGBS 10s.

Only once previous to yesterday had Santoft been returned a winner in a steeplechase; this was in his first race over country, tho Great Western Steeples, at Rivcrton last Easter, when he beat the Southlanders, Miss Winston and Possum.

While Messrs. W. H. and W. D. Orbell are to be congratulated on tho success of the purchase they made at tho beginning of the season, some sympathy will be expressed for those who had sheltered a valuable stakewinner unawares. Certainly he gave none of them the slightest encouragement to regard him in the light of a champion in the making. 'Early Career

In tho colours of Mr. J. Avenell Santoft made his debut as an early two-year-old. He started ten times for two thirds and won £7. In tho following season he was produced twice and was unplaced. As a four-year-old, in the ownership of Mr. It. K. Simpson, Santoft won two Bracelet Handicaps in three starts. Next season, during which he was secured by Mr. C. Boyle, Auckland, he faced the starter eight times, winning another Bracelet for his new owner, while as a six-year-old, when he had six starts, he won a similar race.

Santoft's first race in the present season, when he ran third in the Trial Hurdles at Riccarton, was also his last in the colours of Mr. Boyle, for on the same day he was sold at a modest price to Messrs. W. D. and W. H. Orbell, who handed him to F. Trilford to train, and did not start him again at the meeting. He won the Second Hurdles at Geraldine in September and the Spring Brush Hurdles at Riccarton in November, the Great Western, and, lastly, the Wellington Steeples, with placed performances this winter also at Washdyke and Wingatui. His owners bought him well, for to date he has won for them £1512. Previous Good Fortune This happy speculation re,calls another made some years ago by a partnership of the same family, Messrs. W. H. and C. L. Orbell. In January, 1929, they purchased Carinthia for 27ogns. at the dispersal sale of Mr. J. M. Samson's racehorses. Mr. Samson had bought the gelding a year earlier from the Hon. Eliot R. Davis. For Messrs. Orbell he proved a very profitable investment, winning for them the W.R.C. Winter Hurdles, Grand National Hurdles, Sydenham Hurdles; other good races and stakes totalling £2912., As a matter of fact, Carinthia did not win again after the National meeting that year, for lie became difficult to train, but he was third in the Great Northern Hurdles, won by Prince Lu, in the same season. He was only a six-vear-old at this time and had he remained sound he would undoubtedly have been one of the largest stake-earners over obstacles in the history of the New Zealand turf. Santoft was bred in 1929 by Mr. R. H. Trotter. He is by Acre from Pleasure, by Merry Moment and Playground is his full-brother. The same mare has a three-year-old colt by Donegal, winner yesterday of the Vittoria Hurdles.

THEOLOS AT RANDWICK GOLDEN TREASURE'S EFFORT KENSINGTON RACES POSTPONED [fkom ouk own correspondent] SYDNEY, July 1 Racing was abandoned at Kensington yesterday. It was the first postponement, which is remarkable considering that Juno has been within half an inch of the wettest month on record. The official measurement is 15.Sin., but on some of the racecourses with private gauges over lOin. of rain were recorded. Dismal weather was experienced last Saturday at Randwick and tho going was heavy. Golden Treasure made a fine attempt to win tho Winter Plate, one mile and five furlongs. Had he possessed the seasoned condition of the winner, Gay Knight, probably ho would have succeeded. H. E. Russell had him in two races, the other being a mile welter, with a much weaker field. However, Russell can cansole himself with having a promising horse, who should improve, and one who has some staying ability. As form in the Winter Plate has provided a lino on tho Metropolitan Handicap in recent years, both Gav Knight and Golden Treasure should have some prospects. Cid provided an unusual turn in his event, proving that horses have memories. Ho usually gallops an odd distance on the track, pulling up at the mile post, and in the race he declined to go further than this point. Ho also showed a disinclination to return to tho enclosure at all.

Thcolos provided an unusual note at Randwick when lie, a two-year-old. defeated an open sprint field. Iheolos ran away at the finish. He is a very smart little gelding and his brilliancy carried him through on the heavy track.* Distinguished was well supported in this event, but was not prominent. The two-year-old Brazandt put up a good performance in the Winter Nursery Handicap. Ho carried topweight, 9.2, and led all the way. Hitherto a five-furlongs course has been his limit, but on Saturday he ran out the seven and beat the opposition pointlessl.y. G. Price's chargo, Troy, was one of the favourites. He had a good run and was handy to Brazandt in the straight, but could make no impression on him. J. T. Jaraieson has lost the Siegfried rnaro Bertha B. She developed a bad cold and complications left her in such a low state that she had to bo destroyed. Only six horses started in the A.J.C. Hurdle Race of £650, and two fell. The winner, Treehillo, scored easily and is a promising young hurdler. Ho is to bo put away until next year, when it is hoped that ho will bo a National horso. As jumpers go, ho is very young, being only a four-year-old. Dutiful was solidly supported in the Exeter Handicap, a mile welter, run in a quagmire. Ho had a prominent position throughout tho race, but Buonarroti headed him soon after turning for home. Dutiful was coming again at the finish, but was checked by Buonarroti, who had crossed to the rails.