POINT-TO-POINT MEETING

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25834, 20 June 1949, Page 4

POINT-TO-POINT MEETING

ASHBURTON BRANCH OF HUNT CLUB Excellent jumping was a feature of the annual point-to-point steeplechase meeting of the Ashburton branch of the Christchurch Hunt Club, held at Wakanui on Saturday. Although the entries which totalled 100, <were less than last year’s record of 126, competition was keen and provided one of the best steeplechase meetings held by the branch. Horses from South Canterbury, NortH Canterbury and Ashburton took part. The attendance was a record, with visitors present from all parts of the province. The course of 17 fences, which was on the estate of the late J. Bonifant, was situated below a terrace which provided an excellent natural grandstand. The course was in good order, and the racing was fast. The judges were Messrs J. B. Nicoll (racing) and R. M. D. Johnson (hunter trials). Results were:— MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP, for horses that have hunted in 1949 and have not won a steeplechase at the time of nomination; weight 11-7; two miles. — F. B. Moore’s b m REGAL WINGS aged G. Corry 1; B. G. Rutherford’s br g Mustapha aged owner 2; D. A. McLaughlin’s b g Graganor aged J. Hall 3. Flybird, Sky Rocket, Mystic and Lady Diamond also started. Won by 20 lengths; 25 lengths., Corry Choille was fourth. 1 WOMEN’S RACE, catch-weight, minimum lost; about two miles.—B. J. Carpinter’s br g VULNERABLE aged Miss Josephine Smith 1; Miss Donalda Grant’s gr m Silver Wings aged owner 2; Miss J. Grigg’s b m Puzzler aged owner 3. Abbey Lu, Tommy, Real Night, Silver Sails, and Goldy also started. Won by four lengths; one length. Tommy finished third, but was disqualified for running off the course. HEAVY - WEIGHT STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP, for horses that have hunted in 1949; weight 13st; about two miles.— J. D. Roberts’s ch g FAIRYHOUSE aged P. Grigg 1; A. C. Wright’s blk g Edward aged R. D. Westenra 2; J. M. Sutherland’s b e Royal Donald aged owner 3. Bonnie Game and Prang also started. Won-by two lengths; eight lengths. Bonnie Game led most of the way and finished 75 yards ahead of tfie rest of the field, and was disqualified for jumping outside the flag at the last fence. LIGHT-WEIGHT STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP, for horses that have hunted in .1949; weight 11-7; about two miles and a half.—D O. and P. W. Ryder's blk g KOSCIUSKO aged J. Foley 1; J. H. Grigg’s ch g Baldoyle aged J. D. Roberts 2; A. B. Fechney’s blk g Dark Game aged owner 3. Abbey Lu. which was fourth, and Sir Gara also started. Won by half a length; one length and a half. FLAT RACE HANDICAP; about one mile.—Mrs A T. Frampton’s br g FLYING HAWK aged 12-0 E. W. Gray 1: Mrs A. T. Frampton’s ch g Comus aged 11-7 R. D. Hefford 2; Mrs A. T. Frampton's blk m Royal Commander aged 11-7 J. D. Roberts 3. Lady Diamond also started. Won by two leneths; a head. MAIDEN HUNTER TRIAL, for horses that have hunted in 1949’, but have not won a recognised iumni^g'event—W. R. Lemon and A. B. Fechney’s DARK GAME 1; J. Wj Ritchie’s Ben 2; Miss E. Blackley’s Grev Lake 3. OPEN HUNTER TRIAL, for horses that have hunted three times in 1949.— Miss S Lowery’s FANTASY 1: C. Greenwood’s Cobber 2; C. L. Austin’s Sunrise 3. TRIO JUMPlNG—Christchurch Hunt Club (Misses H. Westenra. F. Deans and N. McArthur) 1, Timaru Hunt Club 2. Braokenfield Hunt No. 1 3. PONY JUMP.—Ani Dobson 1, Marjorie Lowery 2, Anthony Keenan 3. Most points in events at the meeting were scored by Ashburton with Waimate runner-up.