HORSES FALL

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 237, 6 October 1936, Page 10

HORSES FALL

SIX IN ONE RACE.

THRILLING STEEPLECHASE.

CONTEST FOR THIRD MONEY.

One of the most remarkable steeple

chases ever seen in the Auckland province and also one of the most thrilling was provided at Paeroa yesterday when the Taumarunui Racing Club concluded their annual meeting. Only two of the eight starters, Friendly Bov and Kinkle completed the course without mishap' and they finished in that order. During the last round bystanders mounted some of the other horses and set out in an endeavour to get third money, and two of these, Golden England and Valpeen, provided a most exciting finish which ended in Golden England gaining the minor prize. The starters were: Valpeen (Mr. G. Campbell), Golden England (J.' F Fergus), The Hiker (C. Walters), Kinkle (J. Muir), Green Patch (H. Buchanan) Friendly Boy (H. Jones), Kingspear (j! I Mclnally), Moree (B. H. Sullivan). Shortly after completing a round and negotiating the first fence in the straight for the second time, Valpeen came to grief, but Mr. Campbell remounted him and set off in pursuit of the field. Kingspear had pulled up. Friendly Boy was in charge passing the stands the second time from The Hiker, Golden England, Green Park and Kinkle, with Valpeen a long way back. There was no further mishap till the field again reached the obstacle in the straight where Valpeen had come to grief, but it proved even more disastrous.on this occasion for The Hiker, Green Park and Moree fell all in a heap, Green Park breaking his neck. Valpeen was still coming on and when he attempted to jump it down he came again. Excitement then began to run high for Friendly Boy and Kinkle were the only ones remaining in the race, and bystanders were attempting to mount riderless horses. The first to succeed was Mr. A. E. McDonald, who caught Golden England, and he set off for third money, the other pair Friendly Boy and Kinkle being furlongs in front at this stage. Then Mr. Chandler mounted Valpeen. By this time Friendly Boy and Kinkle were fighting out the finish, the former winning by six lengths. Golden England was still being taken over the jumps carefully along the back, but Valpeen was sent at the obstacles much more boldly and was gaining on his rival. Once over the last fence Golden England was in front, but Valpeen headed him and looked as though he would win, but Golden England's rider immediately got to work and then commenced a great duel which thrilled the onlookers, the verdict for third money eventually going to Golden England by a narrow margin. It was indeed a thrilling race and the riders of the two last-mentioned horses received a great reception. Sullivan, the rider of Moree, had a bone broken in his left shoulder, but the , others escaped without injury.