OTAGO STEEPLES TO PARSIFAL

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27369, 7 June 1954, Page 4

OTAGO STEEPLES TO PARSIFAL

Baffling Eyes Wins First Leg

ROYAL MAIL IN FORM (From Our Own Reporter) 1 DUNEDIN, June 6. Parsifal, a first-season steeplechaser, easily won the Otago Steeplechase for his Oamaru owner, Mr I. Pemberton, at Wingatui yesterday. This was his third win from four starts over country, two hack steeplechases at Riverton giving him a successful start over country at Easter. He fell in the open steeplechase on the third day at Riverton and broke

two ribs, but he soon recovered. He fenced confidently, and galloped strongly yesterday, and had the race won a long way from home. Parsifal is a five-year-old gelding by Beau Vite from Guthrun. He would not win prizes for looks, but he is a hardy type, and should improve his record against the weak lot of jumpers he will meet in the South Island this winter. Free Gift and Ryeland were the minor place-getters in the Otago Steeplechase, but they never troubled the winner. Baffling Eyes recorded his . fourth successive win and his second in open company in the Birthday Handicap, the first leg of the double. This In-vercargill-trained Baffles gelding won by three-quarters of a length, but he would not have found it easy to beat Blackfellow by that margin if the Riccarton galloper had had a better run. Royal Mail made a long overdue return to form in the Winter Handicap, the second leg of the double, and gave Southlqpd-trained horses a clean sweep in the ‘major events. Royal Mail’s effort to share the lead three out all the way, under top weight of 9st 71b, on a slow track, was something like his best form. There were 559 tickets on the Baffling Eyes-Royal Mail combination in a pool of £28,634 10s, and the double dividend was £B4 12s for £l. The on-course totalisator turnover was £70,207, including £7572 10s on the double, compared with £76,163 for the first day last year. * Parsifal’s Success Parsifal jumped to the front six furlongs from home in the Otago Steeplechase, and outdistanced a tired lot He won by 15 lengths from Free Gift, which beat the less-fancied Ryeland by thzee lengths. There was an early disappointment in the race, when Young Prince, the second win favourite, lost his rider at the first fence. Pageant took over the running from Belgravia at the end of half a < mile, but ran the next three fences ’down before baulking at the post and rails, about nine furlongs from home. Belgravia put in a big leap at the next fence, and took the lead from Parsifal and Free Gift, which had moved forward from near the tail of the field. Silver Spur was next in a gap, and Battle Signal and Military Chief were already struggling, well back. Parsifal jumped to the front at the first of the-double, near the six furlongs, and, barring accidents, the race was his from that point He kept up a strong gallop right to the finish, and increased his lead from the last fence to establish a winning margin of 15 lengths. Free Gift, which headed Belgravia going to the last fence, beat the Ric-cartor-trained Ryeland by three lengths for second. Belgravia weakened to fourth, 12 lengths back. His jumping was patchy, and the heavy going took its toll of him a long way out. Battle Signal plodded home next, and was followed at intervals by Silver Spur and Military Chief.

Baffling Eyes Wins Batting Eyes was close to the front all the way in the Birthday Handicap, and this proved to be a big advantage in a slowly-run race. He was trailing when Royal Voyage pulled his way to the front at the mile, and had lost only one place when St. Bruno moved into second place at the half mile. Royal Voyage held his lead round the home turn, but St. Bruno and Baffling Eyes were up with him at the furlong.. Baffling Eyes then went ahead alone, and won nicely by threequarters of a length from the Riccarton-trained Blackfellow, which made his run on the inner. Blackfellow was in one of the trailing positions racing past,, the stands for the first time but went ■ back a few places going to the mile. He improved his position again on the inner when the race was half over, and was near Baffling Eyes on the home turn, though the winner mover faster from there to the furlong. Royal Voyage was not troubled to hold on for third, a length clear of the favourite, Brown Baron. Bro m Baron was never further back than sixth for the first mile, but did not make much impression until well into tire straight. He may not have appreciated the slow pace as much as the horses that beat him. Trinidad was a fair fifth, but he had his chance. So did St. Bruno, which finihsed alongside him. Battle Ensign made up a fair amount of ground for seventh, but ran past beaten horses. Not far behind him were William Hyde and N gapunawai. two other Riccarton horses. William Hyde looked likely on the home turn, but reached the end of his run soon after. Ngapunawai might have done better on a firmer track. Royal Mail raced three wide all the way to the straight in the Winter Handicap, -but ran the race out strongly to beat Accountant one of his co-pacemakers by threequarters of a length. Sir Zin, the Win favourite, made up ground for third. Johnny Peep and Royal Mail were two of the smartest beginners, and led over the first two furlongs, but Accountant ran through on the inner to join them before the ha.f-mile was reached They raced in line to the home turn, but Johnny Peep Sir Zin was one of the slowest away, and was still well back In the small Arid at the three furlongs, but' ran on to beat his stablemate, Corona Fox, by a neck for third. Corona Fox also dwelt slightly at the Start, but was in behind the leaders on the he ne turn. Glob ing was a fair fifth, alongside Dissenter. Then there was a gap to Gold King. Misty Range was next, and Johnny Peep faded to finish at the rear. Results:— • TASIUNA HACK AND HUNTERS’ STEEPLECHASE, Of £4OO. About two miles and a half. 4. 4—BORDER REIVER 9-0 < . B. J. Langford 1 6. s—Chasemint 10-8 .. H. W. Skinner 2 7. 7- Riverstone 9-0 .. C. G. Low 3 3,2 Baygundi; 2. 3 Ironside; L 1 Mystify; 5 6 Black Tartan; 8, 8 Silent Sol; 10. 10 Bon Ch ale; 9, 9 Shanks Pony also started Twelve lengths; five lengths. Baygundi was fourth. Time, smin 32sec. Dividends.—Win: £6 5s 6d. Places: £1 18s 6d, £2 4s 6d, £3 9s 6d. TRIAL STAKES, Of £3OO. Six furlongs. «• S—FLYING FEET 8-0 D. J. ThlStoU 1 10. 10—Sir Gerald 9-OJ B. R. Thomson 2 11. 12—Carol York 8-11 .. C. McDonald 3 12, 11 Bold Blaze; 14, 13 Cosmopolitan; 7, 7 Double Ray; 13, 14 Farnborough; 19, 16 Gypsy Tap; 23. 23 Kinloch Chief; 4, 4 Miss Neptune bracketed Negus; 3, 3 Poor David; 0. 9 Participation; 22, 22 Royal Rose; 5, 6 Slow Place; 21, 21 Swift Passage; 1,2 Silver Trumpet; 20, 19 Tasman Tide; 16, 17 Thibaut; 8, 8 Winston’s Pal bracketed Bright Sea; 6, 5 Bottine bracketed. Flying Feet; 15, 15 De Bracey bracketed Gazette; 18, 18 Gay Mood bracketed Papilio; 2, 1 Patris bracketed Gold Flame 17, 20 Optimist also started. Neck; two lengths. Double Ray was fourth Time, Imin 20sec. Dividends—Win: £lO 16<6d. Places: £3 9s 6d, £8 Ils 6d, £9 16s. GREENFIELD HURDLE HANDICAP, Of £350. One mile and a half. 2. 3—TENNER 9-12 .. W. J. Hillis 1 7. 7—Culton 9-11 .. R. O. Cairns 2 5. 4—Conrad 9-0 .. A. Cowan 3 5, 4 Ash bracketed Conrad; 3, 2 Boniface; 1, 1 Black Wealth; 9. 9 King Gundi: 6, 6 King Simper; 13, 13 Snuffbox; 15, 14 Spanish Chief; 10, 10 The Tongs (fell); 12, 12 Magical (fell); 8. 8 Black Briar; 11, 11 Kind Wish: 14, 15 St. Truin; 4, 5 Some Bounder also started. . lengths; head. St. Truin was Time. 2min 54 2-ssec. ls D £^ J £ ld £?B's M £5 17S ‘ Places: £2 _ BIRTHDAY HANDICAP, _ £MM). One mile and a half. S—BAFFLING EYES 7-11 • * „ J- D. Crawford I * • wlow 7-9 D. F. Coombe 2 ix a / e - s L 7 R - J - Skelton 3 Teft U ’ 11

7, 6 Maritas; 12, 12 Formal; 4, 4 Battle Ensign: 17 17 Roiata; 15 15 Gay Ghana; 9. 10 William Hyde also started. Three-quarters of a length; length. Brown Baron was fourth. Time, 2min 4.ssec. Dividends.—Win: £lO 17s 6d. Places: £3 9s 6d. £2 18s, £4 10s. OTAGO STEEPLECHASE, Of £l5OO. About two miles and a half. 3. 3—PARSIFAL 9-4 .. H. W. Skinner 1 6. 4—Free Gift 10-1 .. W. J. Hillis 2 7. 7—Ryeland 10-10 .. W. Barr 3 5, 5 Silver Spur; 1, 1 Belgravia; 8, 8 Military Chief; 4,2 Pageant; 9. 9 Battle Signal; 2, 6 Young Prince also started. Fifteen lengths; three lengths. Belgravia was fourth. Time, smin 36sec. Dividends.—Win: £6 10s. Places: £2 Is 6d, £2 Is 6d, £3 7s. BRIGHTON HANDICAP, Of £4OO. Seven furlongs. 5. 2—WAYREN 8-0 W. D. Skelton 1 4. s—Copperfield 8-U . . L. W. Hare 2 3. 3—Dutch Flag 9-4 R. J. Skelton 3 10, 13 Perfect Peach; 1, 1 Brooke; 2, 4 Deodar; 15, 14 Greetings: 14, 12 Admiral's Keep; 6, 7 Lolita: 16. 16 Canyon Maid; 17? 18 Mulberry; 12. 16 Royal Warrant; 19. 19 Star Chief; 21, 21 Square Dance; 8, 6 Red Admiral bracketed Berger Chief; 11, 11 Cerne bracketed Kuriwao Belle; 4, 5 Lawrence bracketed Copperfield; 13, 10 Bohema bracketed Courant: 7-8 Defeated bracketed Every Night; 18, 17 .Green Island bracketed Haughty Step; 20. 20 Quartet; 9, 9 The Poacher bracketed Tidal Spray; 5,2 White Satin bracketed Wayren also started. Length; two lengths. The Poacher was fourth. Time, Imin 34sec. Dividends. —Win: £9 Ils. Places: £2 19s 6d, £3 17s, £2 19s 6d. WINTER HANDICAP, Of £5OO. Seven furlongs. 4. 4—ROYAL MAIL 9-7 L. W; Hare 1 2. I—Accountant 8-2 C. McDonald 2 1. 2—Sir Zin 8-9 .. W. F. Ellis 3 Johnny Peep; 9. 9 Gold King; 6. 7 Misty Range; 3, 3 Corona Fox; 7. 6 Dissenter; 8, 8 Glowing also started. Threequarters of a length; length. Corona Fox was fourth. Time, Imin 33 l-ssec. Dividends.—Win: £6 10s. Places: £2 2s 6d. £1 Hs 6d, £1 14s 6s. ST. CLAIR HANDICAP, Of £450. One> mile and three furlongs. 8. B—ABBOT’S CHOICE 8-5 i o r u w « , L. W. Hare 1 1. 2—Locherbie 9-1 .. C. C. Stokes 2 5 - s—Cheerio 9-12 ~ J. S. Crawford 3 «. 7 Balveme; 19, 19 Chief Light; IS, 13 Athenry Fair; 9. 14 Relinquish; 3, 4 SolsLo '’“°=k; 17. IB Royal Invader; S 01 0" Argosy; 7. 6 The Guy; 16, 15 Evening Shoes; 20, 21 Diplomatic. 10. 10 Lady Play: 10. 12 Mish Mish; 21. 20 San Antonio: 4 3 Bright Race bracketed Americus; 18. 17 Homeward Bound brack®a™es: 13 - 11 Carnaval brack- £ ted v. L J ,< ?Z. Bllmont; 2 - 1 Spike Jones bracketed Soumai also started? Two and a half lengths: threequarters Time I ta§n’’2s«c entoS Shoes was fourth. 05 “■ Places: £5 IBs 6d, £2 5s Sd, £3 7s 6d.