GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26186, 9 August 1950, Page 4

GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES

RACING

Gay Fellow Outclasses Opposition NOTABLE RIDING DOUBLE TO M. ANDREWS Gay Fellow had a runaway win in the Grand National Hurdles on ;he second day of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting at Riccarton yesterday, going to the front with a mile and a quarter to run, steadily increasing his lead to the home turn and drawing away to win easily by 12 lengths from Wee Mac, which beat Desert Trek by a nose. The Wellington-owned, Awapuni-trained Robin Goodfellow gelding completed a notable riding double for the Awapuni horseman, M. Andrews? who was on Dawn March, winner of the Grand National Steeplechase od Saturday. That feat had not been accomplished since 1936, when R. Beale was on Royal Limond (steeples) and Jolly Beggar. Andrews rode Gay Fellow when he won the Jumpers’ Flat Handicap on the first day of the meeting and extended an excellent record by riding Roman Ned to a convincing win in the Beaufort Steeplechase yesterday. The good record of North Island horses in the main races at the meeting was extended by Roman Ned and Lord Azure, winner of the Heathcote Handicap at long odds. Running on strongly on a track affected by rain and a heavy frost, Lord Azure carried 9-8 to a narrow but convincing win from Distinction, runner-up to Finigin in the same race last year.

Favourites did not fare well, and the winners of the last three races on the programme were at double-figure odds. The imported Big Game horse, King's Command, was a firm favourite for the Woolston Handicap, the first leg of the day s totalisator double. King’s Command carried 6089 tickets in a pool of 18,326, and he won after a hard tussle with the Riccarton-trained Quarry. Gay Fellow carried 494 tickets on the second leg, the Grand National Hurdles, on which 10 tickets were not redeemed. The doubles dividend was £37* 14s for £l. The totalisator handled £110,580, including £9163 on the double, as against £134,649 10s on the second day of last year’s meeting, which was a Saturday. The attendance was estimated at 3000 less than on the second day last year. Grand National Hurdles Displacing Morocco in front with about a mile and a quarter to run, Gay Fellow established a long lead racing to the straight in the Grand National Hurdles, and in the run home none of the others looked like bridging thg gap to him. He wen full of running by 12 lengths from Wee Mac. which beat Desert Trek by a nose after a keen tussle over the last half-furlong. Morocco lost six lengths at the start, but he streaked through on the inside to join the leaders at the first hurdle, where Young Bob crashed. After half a mile had been covered Morocco was leading from Gay Fellow, Paul, Tremello, Wee Mac, and The Stormovik. Tremello lost his rider at the hurdle at the top of the straight, and Tweedside was pulled up before reaching the stand hurdle. Gay Fellow and Morocco led into the last round from Paul, Wee Mac. The Stormovik, Prince Coronach, Duke Royal, Desert Trek, Money Lender, Tifox, Carey, Jon Rosa, and Kauri Pine. Gay Fellow ran into a clear lead near the mile and a quarter, and at the six furlongs he Was three lengths in front of Morocco, with half a length to Paul, six lengths to The Stormovik and Duke Royal, Money Lender, Wee Mac, Prince Coronach, Desert Trek, Carey, and Tifox. Gay Fellow widened his lead at the five fur.ongs, where Morocco and Paul were beeten, and Tifox was improving his position. Gay Fellow led into the straight eight lengths clear of Wee Mac, Desert Trek, and Carey, with gaps to Tifox, Kauri Fine, Jon Rosa, and Prince Coronach. Gay Fellow finished strongly to win by 12 lengths from Wee Mac. which just shaded Desert Trek. Carey was three lengths back fourth, and there was a gap of eight lengths to the fifth horse, Tifox. Jon Rosa and Prince Coronach were together 10 lengths further back, and they were four lengths ahead of Kauri Pine, which was followed in by Duke Rovai, Money Lender, and The Stormovik. Paul was pulled up on the home turn. Beaufort Steeples Roman Ned, which finished fourth in the Grand National Steeplechase on the first day, easily disposed of the weaker opposition in the Beaufort Steeplechase, winning by eight lengths from Sten, with Bravura battling into third place 15 lengths back. Relampago fell at the first fence, the post and rails near the seven furlongs, and Erin’s Smile took over his usual role as pacemaker, leading to the stand double five lengths clear of Roman Ned, with a length to Siglow and two lengths to Sten, Bravura, and Roman Son, Master Isaacs being at the tail of the field. Roman Ned closed the gap to Erin’s Smile after jumping Cutts’s and reached the front at the kennels double. Sten moved into second place past Erin’s Smile near the five furlongs, where Bravura was the handiest of the others. Roman Ned led to the last fence from Sten. which was well clear of Bravura and Roman Son. and he was not troubled to hold his winning margin of eight lengths. Sten was well clear of Bravura, which was followed home at intervals by Roman Son, Erin’s Smile, Siglow, and Master Isaacs. Heathcote Handicap Lord Azure finished brilliantly to score • surprise win in the Heathcote Handicap from Distinction, which just shaded Super Flight. Personality, Graeme, and Pym’s Pride were slow away, and Jolly Sailor was the leader after a furlong from Detention. Full of Fun. Reflect. Sir Abbot, Robin Redbreast, Dark Chief, Distinction, and Detract. Jolly Sailor and Full of Fqn were followed past the six furlongs by Reflect, Detention. Sir Abbot, Royal Boquet. and Dark Chief. Jolly Sailor remained in front in the run across the top, and led round the home turn on terms with Royal Bouquet and Dark Chief, next in line being Detention, Reflect, Jamell, Full of Fun, Wonder Bov, Detract, Distinction, and Super Flight. Jolly Sailor was beaten at the furlong, where Lord Azure was challenging. Continuing his strong run. Lord Azure won narrowly but well from Distinction, which beat the fast-finishing Super Flight by a reck. Royal Bouquet was two lengths away fourth, and Graeme was running on well in fifth place. Pym’s Pride did well to get up for sixth, and he was followed home by Robin Redbreast, Langham, and Helio. Results: — HUNT CUP STEEPLECHASE, Of £6OO. About two miles and a half. 2. 2—J. B. Bradley’s SPECIALIST by Broiefort—Cock-eye Byrs 10-5 A. G. Waddell 1 5. 4—J. J. Woods’s San Quentin 9yrs 9-1 B. J. Langford 2 1. I—A. T. Home’s Sparkling Lad 12yrs 9-11 R. J. Hawes 3 3, 5 Miro Chabo: 6. 6 Comeaway (ran off): 4, 3 Quadrille also started. Seven lengths: 25 lengths. Quadrille was fourth. Time. smin 12sec. Winner trained ! by W. J. Bromby, Trentham. Dividends.—Win: £3 13s 6d. Places: £2 , Is, £2 14s. SUMNER HANDICAP, Of £6OO. Hack conditions. About nine furlongs. 1. I—W. E. Hollings s ADDITION by Siegfried—Salford 4yrs 8-5 A. N. Didham 1 fi. 9—M. J. Moodabe’s Grand Fox syrs ! 8-0 car. 8-2$ .. W. J. Broughton 2 2. 2—J. A. Mitchell's Fyxen 4yrs 9-0 C. T. Wilson 3 12. 13 Cogitation: 5, 5 Profane; 7, 8 Finance; 3. 4 All Hurry: 19, 19 Granddaughter: 20, 20 Sylvan; 13. 11 Hobgoblin; 18. 18 Stag Dance: 15. 15 Chasemint; 11, 10 Lights On; 10. 12 Balcedar; 14, 14 Penny Pie: 4. 3 Song Girl and Beau Esprit bracketed; 8. 7 Fille d’Honneur and Love Letter bracketed: 17, 16 Angora; 16. 17 Re- 1 formed and Rescind bracketed; 6, 6 Wei- | drest and Zala bracketed also started. Two lengths; half length. "Profane was fourth. Time. 2min 1 4-ssec. Winner trained by A. E. Didham Wingatui. Dividends—Win: £4 Ils. Places: £2 6s, £5 7s, £2 17s. SPREYDON HURDLE RACE HANDICAP, Of £6OO. Hack conditions. About two miles. 4. 6—J. Cochrane’s LORD DUNDON- ' ALD by Siegfried—Silver Canal 9yrs 9-8 .. D. Dawson 1 2. 2—L. N Hodgson’s Happy March I •yrs 10-9 R. Collett 2i 1 I—A. T. Cartwright’s Springwater 1 7yrs 10-6 A. J. Williams 3 7, 7 Mandeville; 8, 8 Incision: 10, 10 Mesalliance; 9. 9 Alsvider: 5, 5 Beauform; 12, 12 Theocritus; 6, 4 Prefect; 13, 13i Young John; 11, 11 Gay Prince; 15, 15 1

Good Shot: 16. 16 St. Nat; 3, 3 Pageant; 17, 17 All Pockets; 14, 14 Irresistible also started. Half length: nose. Pageant was fourth. Time, 3min 54 4-ssec. Winner trained by J. A. Wilson, Wingatui. Dividends.—Win: £8 13s 6d. Places: £3 7s 6d, £2 3s 6d. £2 Is 6d. WOOLSTON HANDICAP, Of £5OO. For three and four-year-olds. Hack conditions. About seven furlongs. 1. I—A. Grant’s KING’S COMMAND by Big Game—Rusk 4yrs 8-10 _ „ B. J. Langford 1 3. 2 —M. O’Brien’s Quarry 8-3 3yrs C. I. Macdonald 2 5 5.—N. J. Peez’s Admiral’s Choice . 3 , y rs B Z 7 •• N. A. Crombie 3 4, 4 Te Kooti; 9, 8 Blue Sky and All Profit bracketed; 6, 6 ShdTessa; 12, 12 Perception; 11, 11 Bonnie Charlie; 7, 7 Lord Cranleigh; 16, 15 Penze; 19, 19 Betula; 8, 9 Turbulent; 2, 3 Concealment; 13, 13 Roanne; 18. 17 Boniface; 14, 14 Royal Hoax; 17, 18 Count de Gama and Connair bracketed; 15, 16 Hurstmere and Glenkindie bracketed; 20. 20 Marauder; 21, 21 Boieigh; 10, 10 Roving Robin also started. Half length; length. Glenkindie was fourth. Time, Im in 33 2-ssec. Winner trained by J. C. McKerrow, Oamaru. Dividends—Win: £2 19s 6d. Places: £1 17s 6d, £2 16s 6d, £3 8s 6d. BEAUFORT STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP, Of £lOOO. About two miles and a half. 2. I—J. D. Kemp’s ROMAN NED by Hazrat—Princess Rain lOyrs 9-0 , 9 ‘ 2J • •• M. Andrews 1 1- 3—H. Bayly’s Sten 7yrs. 10-1 _ _ _ _ D. Collins 2 •• 6 —E- J- and G. J. Francis’s Bravura 12yrs 9-9 .. R. J. Hawes 3 „ 4 Roman Son; 4, 5 Relampago (fell); 3,2 Erin’s Smile; 7, 7 Master Isaacs; 8, 8 Siglow also started. Eight lengths; 15 lengths. Roman Son fourth. Time. smin 18sec. Winner trained by owner. Onehunga. Dividends.—Win: £4 Is. Places: £1 Ils, £1 16s, £2 45.6 d. N.Z. GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE RACE HANDICAP, Of £2555. About two miles and a half and 160 yards 6. 6—T. Coltman’s GAY FELLOW by Robin Goodfellow—Gay Step 6yrs „ 5‘ 1 J car - 9 - 2 •• -• M. Andrews 1 8 - B—O- Fraser and C. J. Kitchen’s Wee Mac Byrs 10-6 M. G. Murray 2 13. 14—White Bros.’ Desert Trek Syrs _ 9-6 .. B. J. Langford 3 7, 7 Kauri Pine; 3, 4 Morocco; 2, 1 Money Lender: 4, 3 Tremello (lost rider); 1,2 Paul; 5, 5 Tifox: 12, 12 The Stormovik; 14, 13 Duke Royal; 9, 9 Jon Rosa; 16, 16 Carey; 10, 10 Prince Coronach; la, 15 Young Bob (fell); 11, 11, Tweedside (pulled up) also started. Twelve lengths; nose. Carey fourth. Time. smin 4 2-ssec. Winner trained by E. Temperton, Awapuni. Dividends.—Win: £ll 2s 6d. Places: £3 13s 6d. £4 10s 6d, £lO 9s 6d. HEATHCOTE HANDICAP, Of £lOOO. About nine furlongs. 12. 16—J. A. Betts’s LORD AZURE by Cambria Park—Bright Sky syrs 9-8 7. 7—Mrs M. L. W. Dentice’s Distinction Syrs 9-2 K. Nuttall 2 8- 5—D. M. Tweedie’s Super Flight 6yrs 8-9 L. W. Hare 3 TJ, 19 Jamell; 10, 11 Wonder Boy; 3. 4 Detention; 18, 17 Conclusion; 15, ’ 15 Sir Abbot; 20, 20 Full of Fun; 9, 9 Personality; 11, 10 Boost; 5. 6 Helio; 22. 22 Langham; 13, 12 Pym’s Pride; 4,2 Royal Bouquet; 1. 1 Detract; 21, 21 Indian Morn: 2, 3 Jolly Sailor; 23, 23 Graeme; 14, 13 Dark Chief and Elofa bracketed; 19, 18 Reflect and Oscillate bracketed; 16 14 Rebin Redbreast; 8, 8 Valley Gold also started. Head; neck. Royal Bouquet fourth. Time, 2mln 1 3-ssec. Winner trained by C. McCullough. Carterton. Dividends.—Win: £42 18s 6d. Places: £l2, £5 2s 6d, £4 3s. SELWYN HANDICAP, Of £BOO. About seven furlongs. 10 - A- Cox and P- Ryan’s TERMINUS by Airwav—Odin’s Lass syrs 8-0 A. J. Stokes 1 1- I—L. N. Hodgson’s Bui Bahadur 4yrs 8-4 .. .. N. A. Crombie 2 H. 11—Miss D. R. Adsett and F. W. Eagle’s Trusting 4yrs 8-0 car. 8-4 J J. Garth 3 13, 14 Trident; 14, 13 Bobby Dazzler; 6. 4 Saieda; 9, 9 Flying Sovereign: 4. 5 Brenlock; 2,2 Brutus; 15, 15 Winning Cheer: 12, 12 Billy Mac; 5, 7 Dennis O’Kelly: 8, 6 Dark Courage; 3. 3 Prince Defaulter; 7. 8 Reveller also started. Three lengths; length. Prince Defaulter fourth. Time, Imin 33sec. Winner trained by /J. A. Cox. Riccarton. Dividends.—Win: £2l 17s 6d. Places: £6 Is 6d, £1 9s 6d. £6 7s 6d.