GOOD JUMPING AT WINGATUI

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27367, 4 June 1954, Page 4

GOOD JUMPING AT WINGATUI

IMPRESSIVE ROUND BY PARSIFAL “The Press” Special Service

DUNEDIN, June 3. Good jumping by Parsifal, Border Reiver, Mystify, Riverstone, Slick, Free Gift, and Silver Spur was a feature of the work

at Wingatui this morning, . when the jumpers provided the main interest in the final trials for the opening day of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting on Saturday.

The track was cutting out, and most trainers were content to give their horses strong work. Of those that went fast, the most impressive were Peony Royal, Blackfellow, and Silver King. The trestles were 50 feet, out on the course proper, and conditions were ideal. The weather has been fine today, but the forecast is for showers.

Stormtide, an acceptor for the Brighton Handicap, did not accompany F. Trilford’s team. If White Satin does not race in this event, B. J. Anderton will ride Green Island.

The jumping was of a high standard, and only two horses fell. Puck Somersaults The first casualty was Puck, which failed to rise at the first hurdle and somersaulted. He was not injured, but his rider, B. R. Thomson, had a narrow escape from serious injury. He was knocked out but made a quick recovery, and although still shaken from the fall, schooled two horses later. Silent Sol failed to rise at the last fence, the hedge at the straight entrance, and appeared to have broken his neck, but he was only winded, and was none the worse for his experience. His rider, C. G. Low, was not injured. A candidate for the Otago Steeples, Parsifal jumped well and finished full of running, in line with Mystify and Border Reiver. For hack steeplechasers. Mystify and Border Reiver gave a most impressive display. Mystify lost ground early but gradually improved his position from the water jump to finish on terms. He has had considerable experience in the hunting field and will be at an advantage on a heavy track. Good First Attempt Border Reiver was always well up. It was his first attempt over this type of country, and he gave a sound display, though he hit the post and rails at the mile. Battle Signal jumped well, but the sound pace had him in difficulties over the concluding stages, and he was six lengths back at the finish. Free Gift (W. J. Hillis) and Silver Spur (M. H. Hillis) 'schooled well over the same fences, and kept together throughout. Spur outjumped his companion at the water jump, but Free Gift had an advantage at the other fences. Starting at the sod wall, Slick (B. R. Thomson) and Riverstone (C. G. Low) kept together over a round of the steeplechase course. As on the previous day. Slick slid into some of his s fences,, but jumped well. He had a slight advantage over his companion at most of the fences. Good Round Riverstone did a good round. Unless the track becomes very heavy, he will contest the Tahuna Steeples in preference to the hurdle race. Chasemint (H. W. Skinner) jumped well over a ro.und of the inside steeplechase fences. Wealthy (H. W. Skinner) enhanced his prospects for the Otago Hurdles on the second day, with a sound display over six fences. Two Greenfield-Hurdles candidates, Culton (A. L. Balloch) and Magical (H. W. Skinner), were companions over four hurdles at a sound pace. Culton gave the better display, but Magical showed improvement on his earlier efforts. Some Bounder (B. R. Thomson) gave a good display to lead Spanish Chief (G. Warden) over six hurdles. Spanish Chief tired towards the finish. Though Some Bounder lacks racing experience over hurdles, he may surprise in the Greenfield Handicap. Black Briar (C. G. Low) jumped three hurdles safely, but was stopping going into his jumps. Kind Wish (I. Thomas) gave her usual bright display over a round of four hurdles. < This Royal Chief mare is a most disappointing race-day performer. Puck and Snuffbox (G. Warden) set out to j/ump a round of the hurdles, but Puck fell; Snuffbox continued and gave a good display. Peony Royal’s Trial Peony Royal (L. W. Hare) gave another good performance to finish better than Evening Shoes (A. J. Stokes) at the end of seven furlongs in Imin 38 2-ssec, the first half-mile in 54 3-ssec. Blackfellow (G. Lee) took Imin 43 2- for seven furlongs, the first halfmile in 58 l-ssec, but he was going very easily to hold Ryeland (B. J. Anderton) and Diplomatic (G. W. Mein) by two lengths. Silver King (L. W. Hare) revelled in his work to complete six furlongs in Imin 24 2-ssec, the first three in 40 3-ssec. Waffles (A. N. Didham), Gold Token (R. J. Bain), and Gay Gitana (I. Powell) were on terms after running seven furlongs in Imin 45sec, the first three in 44 2-ssec. Reformed (J. Didham) had a length to spare from Lady Wanaka (C. A. W’hyte) after running six furlongs in Imin 28 3- the first three in 42 2-ssec.