NOTES ON THE RACING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21863, 17 August 1936, Page 12

NOTES ON THE RACING

Burglar Succeeds Burglar and Noctumus were the best supported for the Aylesbury Steeplechase, from which Royal Buck was withdrawn because of soreness, and they fought out an interesting tussle over the last miie of toe journey. Noctumus and Royston disputed toe lead for six furlongs, and Royston then went to the front, but hit Cutts s heavily and fell on his head. Burglar then took up the role from Noctumus and led the latter through the back stretch. Both were jumping perfectly, and Cock o’ the North and Bonny Buff were tailed right off. Noctumus moved up- to Burglar crossing the top, and the pair rose at the last fence together, but as soon as the run home was started Burglar drew away again, and beat his rival comfortably. Cock o’ the North headed off Bonny Buff for third place at the top of the straight. Bandy Boa was pulled up and returned very lame. Burglar gave a dashing display throughout, and, placed on the inside of Noctumus and Royston going to Cutts’s, did not get any opportunity of repeating his second day’s mistake. Noctumus seemed likely to offer a serious challenge to him when he drew up alongside turning for home, but could not go on with his effort. Royston was going well when he misjudged Cutts’s. He had a bad fall, but neither horse nor rider was hurt. An Impressive Win

Matoru, with L. J. Ellis in toe saddle, was confidently supported to win the Longbeach Handicap, and he recorded an impressive victory. Epic and '°ink Polly led a bunched field into the straight with Autumn Wind, Call Morey. Culotte, The Sandwichman, Matoru and Rose of Tralee all handy. The leaders were well bunched 100 yards from the post, and the issue was in doubt until Matoru flashed up on the outside, with Rose of Tralee also joining in. Matoru gradually drew to the front, and was never seriously called upon. Rose of Tralee finished well to beat Epic on the post for second money, with Silver Lark another head away, just in front of Autumn Wind, with The Sandwichman, Wine Card, Braw Lad, and Araboa following. Matoru had an easy task, and justified the high oninion formed of him before coming south. Rose of Tralee drew the rails, but had several horses in front of her at the false rail, and she did well to take part in the finish. Epic ran a fine race and hung on well. Kuaform Surprises The Sydenham Hurdle Race pr< vided an excellent race throughout affected to a certain extent by the favourite, Clarion Call, dislodging his rider at the last fence when disputing the lead .with Ruaform. Val Watch took up her usual role of pacemaking, but did not last as long as in the Grand National Hurdles, and went back to last place five furlongs from home. Clarion Call at that stage had a slight advantage from Ruaform, with Silk Sox arid Saltspray together and Polydora close up. They carried on in this order to the turn for home, and Ruaform had half a length lead from Clarion Call approaching the last fence, with the others i close attendance. Clarion Call appeared to take off with Ruaform and hit the top panel hard. He did not fall, but got rid of his rider, who made a gallant attempt to hang on. Ruaform then streaked away and won easing up by six lengths from Polydora, who beaded Saltspray over the last fence. Silk Sox was about four lengths away with Val Watch tailed off.

Ruaform had Clarion Call in trouble before the latter went out, and would have won in any case. Polydora gave a sterling display. Saltspray made a bad jump at the last owing to Clarion Call blundering directly in front of him, and but for this might have held off Polydora. Silk Sox also made a poor effort at the last and lost a lot of ground. John Charles Improves

The Styx Hack Hurdles resulted in an exciting struggle over the last furlong. Haeretonu ch-iged his tactics by going into the lead after jumping the first fence, but was then steadied in behind Redolent, who, however, lost his place going into the back, and Haeretonu and Lord Hereford disputed the lead rounding the top and into th* straight. Haeretonu had a slight advantage from Lord Hereford entering the straight, with Redolent and John Charles on their quarters, and all four rose practically together at the last fence. Haeretonu landed in front, but John Charles was quickly alongside him with the other two still handy, but a bad jump by Redolent deprived him of his chance. A sustained tussle between Haeretonu and John Charles ended in the latter proving the better stayer by half a length. Redolent made a game attempt to bridge the gap, but was two lengths away at the post, with Lord Hereford a length back, and Havering a long distance in the rear.

John Charles gave a clean display and allowed the others to make most of the running, putting in an undeniable effort turning for home which had him in, a wininng position over the last fence. Haeretonu nearly created one of his periodical surprises. He was kept up to his task from the outset, and this policy had him doing his best work for the whole journey. Redolent would have been a hard proposition had he not got too close in to the last fence, an offence he had comitiitted at two previous obstacles on the journey. Lord Hereford did not finish on as well as on the second day, and Havering gave a most disheartening display. A Close Call For the Heathcote Handicap Ponty was one of the shortest favourites sent out at Riccarton for a long time, and he carried out his part by winning by a very narrow margin. From an excellent dispatch, Cleaner showed out from Queen Dorothy, Travenna, Roval Gallant, Pukeko, and Ponty, and Cleaner was still in front entering the straight from Queen Dorothy, Royal Gallant, Pukeko, Travenna, Ponty, and Argentic. Ponty dre., r up to the leaders inside the distance, and Argentic and Pukeko became more prominent. There was a great race home. Ponty was holding off Argentic when Pukeko challenged, and 50 yards from the post, Pukeko seemed to have the favourite’s measure, but vigorous riding drew a final effort from Ponty which landed him a winner by a short head. Argentic weakened into a close third place, a length in front of Queen Dorothy, who was followed by Tout le Monde, Travenna, Carfex, and Cleaner.

Ponty had a very close call, and only desperate horsemanship got him home. Pukeko ran a solid race, while Argentic gave an indication that he will be a good stake-earner this season. Queen Dorothy was always in the picture, and stayed on exceptionally well. Travenna failed to stay on this occasion. Cleaner made a bold showing, but her bracketed mate, Southdown, was always one of the rear division. Tout le Monde was slow to find his feet, but was not far from the placed horses at the post. The Surgeon and Mount Val were the slowest to move off, and "Were never prominent. Manawatu Again The Lincoln Steeplechase provided a most spectacular race, the performance of the winner, Manawatu, being again very meritorious. All jumped the first two fences well, but High Speed, running in second place, hit the third fence hard, and went back to last place. Punchestown jumped to the front from Manawatu over the second of the kennels double, and led round the top from Manawatu and Pahu, with Billy Boy and Royal Limond handy. Royal Limond, however, repeated his offence of Thursday by evading the top brush. Punchestown carried on to the kennels double, where Manawatu headed him off, and the latter led over the top brush four lengths in front of Punchestown, with another break taßWy Boy and Pahu

together, and High Speed not far away. Manawatu had a useful lead entering the straight from Pahu and Billy Boy, with Punchestown weakening. The race was decided once the last fencfe was crossed, as Mahawatu went on to have a comfortable win from Pahu, who easily beat Billy Boy home. High Speed was several lengths back clear of PunchestownManawatu again won well, and it was unfortunate for his connexions that the Grand National was not run on the third day, as he unproved with each race at the meeting. Pahu plodded on to earn more.- place money, and Billy Boy also added to his great- record of seldom missing being weighed in. High Speed’s chance was settled early. Punchestown again failed to go on, and Royal Limond’s display once more did not befit a Grand National wanner. Another Close Tussle The big field for the Redcliffs Hack Handicap got away on even terms, Hunting Maid, Honour’s Lass, and Miss Shamble being the slowest to move off. When settled down. Silver Lark had charge from Sir Hugh, Sovereign Lady, Poniard, Hunting Bag, and Cape Gabo. Silver Lark was still in charge entering the straight'from Sir Hugh, Sovereign Lady, Poniard, and Cape Gabo, but did not last much longer, and Cape Gabo shot past Sir Hugh inside the distance. Cape Gabo was soon well clear, but a hundred yards from the post was challenged by Sovereign Lady, who finished with grim determination and got up in the last few strides to gain a neck verdict. Monipere again came with a belated run. to gain third money, a length in front of Poniard, who beat Sir Hugh by a head. Hunting Maid, Jack Ahoy, Madam Pompadour, and Redtop were next. Sovereign Lady put in a telling finishing run, and horsemanship again had much to do with the result. Cape Gabo ran his best race to date, and appeared to have the issue in hand nearing the post, but was unable to withstand the winner’s solid effort. Monipere again came from well back, and was finishing strongly. Poniard was always prominent, while Sir Hugh ran a very creditable race in the face of his early attempt over a mile journey. Favourite Unlucky Concertpitch was a good favourite for the concluding event, the Selwyn Handicap, but, after geting away favourably, he was sent back to the rear position at the end of two furlongs, and was checked again when, making a forward move inside the distance. His fourth placing was therefore full it merit, and his supporters were certainly very unlucky. Bay Duke and Arena were first into the straight from Metal Bird, Boomerang, Great Star, and Wino. The last-named had forged to the front inside the distance, and was then challenged by Boomerang on the outside and Great Star on the inside. In an exciting finish, Boomerang got in the deciding stride to gain a very narrow verdict from Wino, with Great Star close up. Concertpitch finished with a rattle, to head off Metal Bird for fourth place on the post. Hororata, Knockfin, and Arena were next. Boomerang had a deserved victory, as he did not have the best of luck on the second day. There is no doubt about his determination. Wino appeared to be an easy winner again nearing the post, but weakened slightly in the last few strides. Great. Star did his best work on this occasion over the last furlong, and evidently he is a long way from the down grade yet. Metal Bird ran a good race, but was* never a likely winner. Bay Duke stopped badly, while Knockfin failed to show the improvement expected. Winning Owners The sum of £7550 was distributed in stakes at the meeting, the principal winner being Mr A. Syme, owner of Royal Limond, with £7OO, and he was followed by Mr D. H. Roberts, owner of Jolly Beggar, with £590, and by Mr F. Armstrong, owner of Mapawatu, with £560. » . The complete list of winning owners is as follows: — £ Mr A. Syme .. .. 700 Mr D. H. Roberts . ■ .. 590 Mr F. Armstrong .. 560 Messrs G. R. Hunter and P. C. Webb ■ .. ..480 Mr R. W. Lewis .. .. 420 Mr W. Swale £350; Mrs D. Levin £§4o; Mr W. R. Brewer £245, Mr J. P. Herlihy £245; Messrs E. and N. Rutherford £235; Mr J. H, Grigg £230; Mr R. D. Westenra £225; Mr H. W. Moss £210; Mr E. D. Davis £175, the Hon. P. C. Webb £175; Mr G. M. Aynsley £l6O, Mrs M. W. Shiel £160; Estate W. Gardiner £l4O, Mr B. Burgess £l4O, Mr G. R. Grace £l4O, Mr D. O. Rutherford £l4O, Mr N. Loisel £l4O, Mr J. Munro £l4O, Messrs R. and S. Topless s}4o, Mr W. A. White £140; Mr C. Boyle £130; Mr A. S. Jones £100; Messrs Rhind and Rutherford £7O, Mr A. M. McKay £7O; Mr H. Archer £6O, Mr W. Jeffries £6O; Mr A. Austin £SO, Mr G. Bain ££fo, the Hon. G. R. Hunter £SO; Mr J. A. Smaill £4O, Mr If. S. Greene £4O, Mr J. H. Watson £4O, Mr T. Irving £4O, Mr G. J. Barton £4O; Mr P, F. Campbell £35; Mr J. H. Prosser £3O; Miss M. C. Wilson £25; Mr A. N. Grigg £25, Mr C. L. Kettle £25; Mr W. Scott £2O, Mr A. N. Smith £2O, Mr C. J. James £2O, Mr D. J. Gosling £2O. Winning Trainers Honours were well distributed amongst the trainers, the list being headed by Mrs A. McDonald (Awapuni), M. B. Edwards (Yaldhurst), and H. Morten (Winton) with two wins each. Those with one success were:— G. A. Reid (Waveriey), H. S. Greene (Hastings), Mrs J. Campbell, S. Barr, J. C. Tornkinson, D, Cotton, F. Christmas, J. B. Pearson, J. S. Shaw, H. R. Davies, C. Emerson, and D. O’Connor (all of Riccarton); W. Hancock (Wingatui), E. Kingan (Greymouth), E. J. Ellis (Washdyke), H. Dulieu (New Plymouth), T. R. George and W. R. Lewis (Trentham). Winning Horsemen L. J. Ellis and B. H. Morris were the most successful riders with three wins each, and V. Langford, A. McDonald and R. Beale followed with two each. Those with one success each were: —E. Burgess, A. Jenkins, F. Baker, R. Mackie, W. Broughton, G. Ridgway, N. Trillo, L. Dulieu, H. Wiggins, S. Wilson, C. Wilson and Mr G. H. James.