IN LAST STRIDE!

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 133, 8 June 1942, Page 7

IN LAST STRIDE!

Auckland Racing Thrill

SUCCESSFUL CARNIVAL

Excitement ran the concluding stages of the Winter Steeplechase at the Auckland races at EUerslie on Saturday, and as Chat, Master Lackham and Clansman (the each way favourite) flashed past the judge, their respective supporters were on their feet literally shouting their heads ofl'. Judge A. Tronson remained unruffled. He alone knew which horse had won—Chat, in the final stride, with Clansman only third.

Mr. C. It. P. Thorburn's courageous 1 itt l«j mare thoroughly deserved her victory, as after meeting with mishap when going particularly well in ihe Great •Mortnern 'Chase a week earlier, she had to produce all she had under a very hard ride to get. the verdict. Ciiat is an eight-year-old mare by Siegfried irom Taleteller, and this is her second important crosscountry success, the first being in the Wellington Steeplechase, which she won just on two years ago. She was prepared lor both races by the veteran trainer, A. Wright, of Awapuni.

Chat's win was due in no small measure to the vigorous horsemanship of Arthur Lord after the last fence had been safely negotiated. Up to that stage Lord had ridden Chat very patiently, but, once over the obstacle. •he knew that she would have to put her best foot forward to wipe out the three lengths lead held by Master Lackham, whose superior pace had enabled him to slip away from Clansman and Chat whilst coming down the hill. At the half distance Master Lackham still appeared to be assured of success, despite the fact that Chat and Clansman were rapidly overhauling him. Lord and Chat, however, would not be denied, and thus they compensated in some degree for the Northern failure. The disappointment of the race was Dozie Boy, winner of the Northern. He was nicely handicapped at 10.8, llU'o more than he carried in the Northern, but he never showed any dash after hitting a fence hard in the" early stages, and was a long way back at the finish. A POPULAR DOUBLE The Takanini owner and amateur horseman, Mr. A. J. F. Walker, who entered the army some time ago, won two races, and received a nice round of applause and many congratulations when his smart hurdler, Lapidarian, completed a double by winning the Campbell Hurdles almost from end to end. Lapidarian was ridden a waiting race in front by M. Coon, and he knew that his horse had something in reserve when Hessketoon drew alongside at the last hurdle. Once over, he shot him away to win by a couple of lengths. Karlier in the day Coon had won the Tatnaki Steeplechase on Gay Movie for Mr. Walker, and in that race, too, he displayed keen judgment in handling his mount. Since he joined the military Mr. Walker's horses have been cared for by his father, Mr. C. E. Walker, who used to take an active part in the sport a number of years ago. HUGE INVESTMENTS Wagct'Tng continues rrs upward tendency, and the Auckland Racing Club's totalisator returns for the two days' Great Northern carnival amounted to £222,177. which compares £2.3,357 better than the returns of £!!)(>,S2O for the corresponding days last year. The turn-over on Saturday was £111,323 10/ against £00,r»3(i 10/ last year. GOING SOUTH The Nightmarch steeplechaser Night Hawk, who raced unsuccessfully at the Great Northern meeting, is to be sent to Hastings to-day by the EUerslie trainer, I. Tucker, to compete at the Hawke's Bay races on Saturday. Night Hawk will be in the care of S. Barr, who is returning South with Erination and Hurry Girl, and after racing on Saturday, he will be taken on to Riccarton, where he will join Mrs. J. Campbell's team of horses. CENTURY HURDLES WINNER Cuisinier, winner of the Century Hurdles at Marton on Saturday, is an aged gelding by Peach Brandy—Miss Quarantine. It was his first win this season, but as he had finished third a week ago to Talenta and Hunting Lore, his success in the Century was indicated although he was allowed to go out at a good price. Cuisinier is owned by Miss J. Scullin and trained by H. F. Thompson.

A BIG SURPRISE The Waikato owner-trainer, Mr. R. H. Mevnell, brought off a complete surprise at Marton on Saturday when he won the Spitfire Hack Handicap with Noble Kagle. A five-vear-old bv Bronze Eagle—Abbess. Noble Eagle had one second placing to his credit in seven starts this season, so there was no encouragement to estimate his prospects highly. However, he was capable of winning the Scurry, and his few supporters handled a return of over half a century. NOBLE FOX UNLUCKY Although beaten into third place in the Empire Handicap at Marton, Noble Pox was unlucky in running, and a win for him can be expected at any time now. He was a fair wav back at the home turn and did not get clear until the race was almost over, when he put in a fine finishing effort. NO GOLD CUPS THIS YEAR No gold cup trophies will be presented to the owners of the winners of the Melbourne, Caulfield. Moonee Valley and Williamstown Cups this year. The clubs concerned have been advised by the manufacturers that they cannot fill orders. The Federal Government recently decided that jewellers were not to manufacture luxury goods, including gold cups for race trophies. The Melbourne Cup trophy—a three-handled 18 carat gold cup—has been standardised since 1919, but before that time the trophies varied.