Cherry Plum Not Palatable To Punters

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 140, 16 June 1941, Page 9

Cherry Plum Not Palatable To Punters

Racegoers who made Cherry Plum a hot favourite in the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club's June Steeplechase on June 7, and saw hi.m heaten alter a mediocre performance, unloosed a torrent of indignation •when the same horse on Saturday, as third favourite, beat a stronger field in the Hawke's Bay Steeples in convincing fashion. Cherry Plum returned to the 'birdcage to a chorus of booing, which was revived when cheers were called for his owner, Mr. G. D. Beatson (who is also president of the club), after lie had been presented with the Wilkinson Challenge Cup. There were only four starters in the June Steeplechase, and they were Anini, 9.10; Cherry Plum, 10.9; Lueullus Boy, 9.7, and Iddo, 10.11. Anini won easily from Cherry Plum, who appeared to he 'beaten a good -way from the judge. Lueullus Boy finished well back and was sore "when lie returned to the birdcage, while Iddo was pulled up. In Saturday's race Cherry Plum, 10.6, was meeting Anini, 10.2, on 9Lb 'better trems. In the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase last Saturday Iddo and Anini shared the lead for nearly a mile, followed by Son and Heir and Lueullus Boy. The order when they passed the stand the second time was Iddo, Anini, Cherry Plum and Lueullus Boy, while Birkology was pulled up owing to trouble with a stirrup. Anini had a clear margin six furlongs from home, but Cherry Plum had drawn almost level as they took the last fence, and went on to win 'by a length and a half. Son and Heir was well back third, and Lueullus Boy was fourth. Cherry Plum lias only had eight starts this season, and he has won one hurdle race and two steeplechases, been second twice and third once. He is the first of the Beau Pere progeny to win 'crosscountry.