The Tongs Has Decisive Win In Otago Steeples

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27985, 4 June 1956, Page 4

The Tongs Has Decisive Win In Otago Steeples

RACING

(From Our Own Reporter)

DUNEDIN. June 3. Again this year The Tongs will probably be the South Island’s main c mender for the major steeplechases. That was evident at Wingatui on Saturday, when he decisively won the Ct ago Steeplechase for his Southland owner, Mr R. J. Cross. The Tongs, a second-season steeplechaser, was third in the last G and National, wen the Riverton Great Western Steeplechase at Easter, and was having his first test over country since then on Saturday. The Tengs is an eight-year-old geldin : by Siegfried from Trivet, which left the Auckland Cup winner Frances. He is trained at Wingatui by H. A. Anderton and was a safe ride for the trainer’s son Brian. Chief Light, winner of the Otago Hurdles last year but a horse with little experience over country, made a solid bid to hold to his .lead over the last round. He had pace enough but could not match The Tongs for stamina

The nine-year-old Culton ran Chief Light close for second but the others were beaten right off. Patris caused a major surprise in the Birthday Handicap. This Waimatetrained Edenbridge gelding failed to graduate from hacks, but showed stamina in some of his races and recorded several placings. Patris wore down Baffling Eyes in a battling finish and won by half a length. Baffling Eyes won the race two years ago. Patris was a chance ride for R. A. Eurt. a North Otago jockey holidaying in Otago. He is owned by Messrs M. B. Fearn and P. H. McGrath, of Southland, and trained by W Barr, jun. Assembly won the second leg, the Winter Handicap, by a length from Royal Warrant. Winner and runner-up are from Riccarton. This was Assembly’s first win in the colours of Mr A. S. Elworthy, for whom he is trained by J. L. Barr. Royal Warrant challenged strongly but bucked under the whip inside the last fifty yards and bumped his rider, F. H. Skelton, out of the saddle. For a moment. Skelton was hanging on under the horse’s neck and he dropped to the ground about thirty yards past tbe post. Skelton was lucky to escape serious injury as the rest of the field pulled up. He was applauded as he walked back to the birdcage. Royal Warrant was caught and was led back. Patris carried 1005 J 10s tickets in a pool of £30,438 10s on the first leg. Only 95 tickets were redeemed on Assembly. The double was worth £529 12s 6d for £l. Racing was done on a soft track in threatening weather, before a moderate attendance. The on-course totalisator turnover was £47,752 10s, including £6233 on the double. Last year when the first day of the meeting was on a Monday the turnover was £61,839. Steeples Running

The Tongs ran past Chief Light going to the last fence in the Otago Steeplechase and drew out to win by seven lengths. Culton failed by a neck to reach Chief Light for second, but the others were beaten off. Chief Light led for most of thg. race. He had Yankee Modesta and Sivite alongside him at different stages, but was clear six furlongs out, and it seemed likely that his pace on the flat would keep him clear. But The Tongs had superior stamina and that became apparent over the last three furlongs. The Tongs joined Chief Light going to the second last fence, the water jump, and though under a hard ride he was able to run clear before the last fence was reached. The Tongs was ridden back in the field until about seven furlongs out. He was taken forward steadily, an even standard of jumping helping him in his chase after Chief Light. Culton, a useful horse in bad ground, improved a record of minor placings as a chaser by finishing third. He was well towards the rear for a good way but steadily made up ground past beaten horses. Yankee Modesta jumped cleanly and galloped strongly for the first two miles or so, but hit hard at.the fence near the seven furlongs and gave ground. He made another bid going down the back, but it was apparent half a mile out that he was done. He was not walking soundly when he returned to the birdcage. Belgravia jumped brilliantly at times early in the race, but was beaten a long way out. So was Mandeville, which tailed the field most of the way. Patris Surprises

Patris well back in the field at the half-mile, reached the lead alongside Baffling Eyes on the home turn in the Birthday Handicap. With Master Proven alone giving chase, Patris and Baffling Eyes battled hard for mastery in the straight. Patris’s finish was strongest and it gave him victory by half a length. Eaffling Eyes had the same margin tc spare from Master Proven. Kiaree Beau, the tail-ender at the half-mile, finished fast into fourth place, but four lengths behind Master Proven. Patris had only five behind him after two furlongs, and four behind him at the mile, where Bosky had joined Gazette in front and Happy end Royal Voyage were trailing, with Baffling Eyes and Master Proven close at hand. Bosky was done at the half-mile, where Royal Vovage was alongside Gazette, and Baffling Eyes and Master proven were following closely. Patris was about five places back, and the favourite. Overboard, was not showing much dash in second to last position. Roval Voyage dropped out soon after, and Patris dashed forward to lead into the straight with Baffling Eyes, which had worked forward from the trailing position. Thev came to the furlong on terms, and Master Proven was gallantly trying to close their lead. Patris gained the advantage closer to home, outstaying Baffling Eyes. Master Proven was unchallenged for third, but Kiaree Beau did well to finish fourth af f er being at the tail of the field. Cock Crow was fifth, and Good Abbot sixth, ahead of Soumai. Gold Mine. Horatius. Cheerio. Lucky Bill. Ballast. Overboard. Bosky, Royal Voyage. Gazette, and Happy. Sensational Finish

The Riccarton pair. Assembly and Royal Warrant, dominated the finish of the Winter Handicap, second leg of the double. It was a sensational finish. Royal Warrant appeared to falter and became unbalanced inside the last 50 yards and Assembly widened his lead to beat him by a length. F H. Shelton became unbalanced on Royal Warrant, hung under the horse’s neck for a few strides, and dropped to the ground. Kasr-el-Nil. winner of this race last year, was third, a length and a Quarter behind Poyal Warrant. He had a neck to snare from the faster-finishing RathFeale. Elackfellow, one of the tailenders to the home turn, finished brilliantiv for fifth. Brooke. Kasr-el-Nil. Adversary, and Bathkeale were four of the best beginners. Adversarv led to the half-mile from Brooke. Gulden Morn. Kasr-el-Nil. Rathkeal®. Nuclear. Silver King. Accountant, and Assembly. Brooke and Golden Morn ran past . dversarv near the home turn. Nuclear ;..as handy but already under a

ride, and Assembly was making better progress close by. Assembly worked through into the lead near the furlong and was not troubled by Kasr-el-Nil, which was then closest to him, but there was a greater threat m the form of Royal Warrant, which was coming brilliantly wide out. A win for Assembly was made certain when Royal Warrant I stun-bled. After Blackfellow (fifth) were Brooke, Sawdust. Nuclear, and Silver King. Results:— TAHUNA HACK AND HUNTERS’ STEEPLECHASE, Of £4OO. About two miles and a half. i 1. I—CAPET (1A) 10-6 W-. J. Hillis 1 6. 7—Composition (10) 9-1 A. Cowan 2 I 7. 6—Gypsy Boy (7) 9-3 W. J. Klemick 3 ' 2. 3 Colonel Argosy; 4. 4 Haughty I Step; 3. 2 Kilmacrenan; 5, 5 Black Tar- | tan: 8, 8 Brer Broney; 10, 10 Chief ■ Stuart: 9. 9 Waiau Bill also started. Seven lengths; four lengths. Black Tar- | tan was iourth. Time, smin 2Psec. Dividends.—Win: £2 €s 6d. Places: £1 I 7s 6d, £3 3s 6d. £2 18s. TRIAL STAKES. Of £3OO. Six furlongs. 3. 3 CLLUMBAN (1) 8-13 C. McDonald 1 10. 9—Master David (7) 8-13 F. H. Skelton 2 1. I—Peril (19) 8-11 .. R. J. Skelton 3 4, 4 Eden’s Pride; 7, 7 Gold Knight: 11. 11 Lyndel’s Pride; 14. 14 Zenock; 5. 6 Andy Mac: 6, 5 Fine Line; 9, 10 Canon; 17. 20 Cassock Lass; 20, 16 Dusty Carpet: 2.2 Edgewood; 17, 17 Fanatical; 15. 15 King Cassock; 13, 13 Real Chance; 8, 8 Tour de Force bracketed with Treasure Pond; 16, 17 Waltz; 19, 19 Master Ascot; 12. 12 Small One bracketed with Super Arch also started. Length and three-quarters: half a length. Edgewood was fourth. Time, Imin 2Csec. Dividends.—Win: £8 13s. Places: £2 19s 6d. £6 7s. £1 14s 6d. GREENFIELD HURDLES, Of £4OO. One mile and a half. 8. 9—TISRED (24) 9-0 W. J. Hillis 1 13. 14—Abbot’s Choice (15) 9-1 P. L. Fraser 2 6. 7—Milling Bay (8) 9-8 R. J. J. Blair 3 3,2 Vocalize: 9, 10 White Satin: 2, 3 Dusty Miller: 5, 4 Lovelock; 4, 5 Royal Mail; 1, 1 Lumphanan; 10. 8 Irish Wings; 14. 15 Miss Step; 7, 6 Delayed: 12, 12 Black Briar; 16, 17 Delmarno; 15, 13 Flying Doctor: 18, 18 Mulberry; 17. 16 Our Colin; 11. 11 The Fluke also started. Two lengths and a half; three lengths. The Fluke was fourth. Time. 2min 51sec. Dividends.—Win: £l3 12s 6d. Places: £4 15s 6d, £3 15s 6d. BIRTHDAY HANDICAP, Of £lOOO. One mile and a half. 15. 16—PATRIS (21) 7-7 R. A. Burt 1 6. 6—Baffling Eyes (14) 7-8 J. M. Cappie 2 2. 2—Master Proven (1) 9-9 R. J. Skelton 3 5, 5 Cheerio; 3, 3 Good Abbot; 11. 13 Cock Crow; 12, 12 Royal Vojage; 10. 11 Bosky; 1, 1 Overboard; 13, 10 Gold Mine: 7, 7 Soumai; 4, 4 Ballast: 14. 15 Gazette: 8, 9 Horatius: 9. 8 Happy; 16, 17 Kiaree Beau: 17. 14 Lucky Bill also started. Haif a length; same. Kiaree Beau was fourth. Time, 2min 41sec. Dividends.—Win: £44 11s 6d. Places: £ll 3s. £4 Ils, £2 2s 6d. OTAGO STEEPLECHASE, Of £l5OO. About three miles. 2. I—THE TONGS (3) 10-4 B. J. Anderton 1 ' 3. 3—Chief Light (8) 9-1 W. J Hillis 2 5. s—Culton (6) 9-7 .. B. V. Cairns 3 8. 8 Mandeville; 6. 6 Belgravia; 1, 2 Yankee Modesta; 7, 7 Sivite; 4. 4 St. Truin also started. Twelve length's: neck. Yankee Modesta was fourth. Time, 6min 30sec. Dividends.—Win: £3 9s 6d. Places: £1 12s, £1 14s 6d, £1 19s 6d. BRIGHTON HANDICAP, Of £530. Seven furlongs. 8. 7—ROYAL DISPLAY (16A) 8-3 bracketed with Mistress Nell F. H. Skelton 1 10. 10—The Bruiser (14A) 8-6 W. D. Skelton 2 5. s—Nairn Bridge (1) 9-12 R. O. Cairns 3 11, 11 Iroquois: 6. 5 Struggle; 7, 9 Gay King; 9, 8 Sea Dune; 15. 15 Admiral’s Keep: 12. 11 Fault: 17, 18 Ultra: 1. 1 Now Listen; 17, 17 Cocos; 8. 7 Mistress Nell bracketed with Royal Display: 4, 6 Sir Galahad; 2,2 Netherhall bracketed with Nicastro; 3, 3 Barbara’s Treasure bracketed with Brooksdale; 16, 16 Cassius: 13, 13 Dart Away bracketed with Galactic; 14, 13 Masai bracketed with Royal Vision; 19. 19 Royal Pal also started. Length and a half: nose. Masai was fourth. Time. Imin 32sec. Dividends.—Win: £l3 7s. Places: £4 2s, £5 5s 6d. £3 7s. WINTER HANDICAP, Of £5OO. Seven furlongs. 5. S—ASSEMBLY (15) 8-6 E. G. Low 1 3. 2—Royal Warrant (18) 8-3 F. H. Skelton 2 4. 4—Kasr-el-Nil (10) 8-11 J. D. Pankhurst 3 13. 15 Regardless; 7. 7 Silver King; 14. 12 Blackfellow: 6, 6 Brooke: 10. 10 Zingabo; 17. 16 Strato; 2, 3 Adversary: 15. 14 Scuppered; 9, 9 Sawdust; 12. 13 Rathkeale; 11, 11 Accountant: 1, 1 Brutus bracketed with Nuclear; 8, 8 Golden Morn; 16. 17 Princess Neptune also started. Length; length and a quarter. Rathkeale was fourth. Time. Imin 31sec. Dividends—Win: £9 13s 6d. Places! £3 7s, £2 2s 6d. £2 18s 6d. ST. CLAIR HANDICAP, Of £450. One mile and three furlongs. 1. I—FLEUR (9) 8-7 .. N. Eastwood 1 7. 7—Loyal Chief (12) 8-4

C. McDonald 2 3. 2—Solstice (7) 8-9 B. S. Finlayson 3 9, 8 Strathcarron; 8. 9 Meadow Gold; 20, 20 Ambrose; 4, 5 Allan: 15, 14 Cerne; 18, 18 The Sponsor; 10, 10 Sir Gerald; 12, 12 Athenry Fair; 5, 4 Coinalot: 6. 6 Cloque; 16, 16 Chief View; 17, 17 Humber Hawk: 14. 15 King Robin: 13, 13 Lolita, 19. 19 Pretty Fair: 11, 11 Strada bracketed with Suoer Cerne; 2, 3 Thank You bracketed with The Sloucher also started. Half a length: length and a half. The Sloucher was fourth. Time. 2min 30sec. Dividends.—Win: £4 15s 6d. Places: £2 4s, £5 3s 6d. £2 4s 6d.

PROSPECTS FOR TODAY

(From Our Own Reporter)

DUNEDIN, June 3. Baffling Eyes and Kasr-el-Nil are the logical favourites for the totalisator double, the Provincial and Members’ Handicaps, on the second day of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s winter meeting at Wingatui tomorrow. The track will again be holding. Copperfield is an,unlikely runner in the Members’ Handicap, second leg of the double. If Copperfield does not run his trainer, L. W. Haire, will ride the topweight. Silver King. Riding engagements for tomorrow include : Mr A. T. Burnett: Participation. Mr P Bal’antyne. Well Cut. Mr H. H. Winsloe: Prince Consort. Mr J. H. Rolfe: Regal Robe. Mr L. Lloyd: Export. Mr M. D. Winsloe: Marsana. Mr K. F. Cairns: Fiery Creek. W. D. Skelton: Salfaulter, Horatius. Golden Morn. Brooksdale or Martin s Bay B. J Anderton: Ben Ledi, The Tongs. Royal Mail. Lyndel’s Choice. H. T. Anderton: Soumai. A. Cowan: Composition, Belgravia. Brutus. Strato. R. J. Skelton: Peril, Accountant, Now Listen. J. W. McDonald: King o’ Day. Dusty Miller. E V Cairns: Culton. W. J. Hillis: Capet. Chiei Light. Shirley’s Pride J. M. Cappie: Baffling Eyes. The Sloucher. Andy Mac. H. J. Ford: Haughty Step, Our Lorraine. Exchequer, King Simper. C. G. Low: The Grange. G. G. Hampton: Lo Night. R. O. Cairns: Black Tartan. Danger Point. W. J. Klemick: Lovelock, Gypsy Boy. R. Blair: Milling Bay G Lee: Brer Broney. C. McDonald: Brooke. R. A. Low: Eastern Star. V. J Hickey: Darky Pilot F. H. Skelton: Master David. Berwick G W. Wright: Rathkeale. Fault. Good Abbot. A. J. Stokes: Ladv Newfield. L W Hare: Silver King, Merraby, Bosky. Iroquoi. E. G Low: Edgewood. Cock Crow. Assembly. Coinalot. Selections are:— 10.35 am.—Roslyn Hack and Hunters’ Steeples: Capet. Composition. Gypsy Boy 11.20 am.—Novice Handicap: Edgewood. Master David. Peril. Noon—Otago Hurdles: Shirley’s Pride. Brutus, Dusty Miller. -w

12.45 p.m.—Provincial Handicap: Baffling Eyes, Patris, Overboard-Scuppered bracket

1.30 p.m.—Wingatui Steeplechase: Chief Light, Sivite, Culton.

2.15 p.m.—WiFoughby Norrie Handicap. Tisred, Export, Masai. 3 p.m.—Members’ Handicap: Kasr-el-Nil. Adversary, Dahlia. 3.45 p.m.—Southern Handicap: Ben Ledi, Royal Display. Gay King. Acceptances:

ROSLYN HACK AND HUNTERS’ STEEPLECHASE, of £400; about two miles and a quarter.—Capet (7) 11-1;’ Haughty Step (9) 10-1; The Grange (3). 9-13; Wilshire (10) 9-7; Gypsy Boy (5), Composition (4) 9-4; Black Tartan (2) 9-1; Brer Broney (8), Lawrence (1), Lacus (6) 9-0.

NOVICE HANDICAP, of £300; seven furlongs.—Decipher (21), Master David (23) 9-0; Darky Pilot (27) 8-13; Super Lin (12). Gallant Peter (7) 8-12; Salfaulter (4). Peril (20) 8-11; Edgewood (14), Eden's Pride (24). Fine Line (22). Lyndel’s Choice (9) 8-10; Slick Dealer (29), Andy Mac (1), Bright Bridge (3>. Cassock Lass (18), Dusty Carpet (16) 8-9: Eastern Star (8), Fanatical (6), Gay Romeo (11), King Cassock (28). King o’ Day (251, „Lady Newfield (15), Larboard Watch (13), Merraby .(2), New Bridge (17), Pot Luck (51, Real Chance (26). Spanish Lady (19), Zenock (10) 8-9.

Balloted out, with right of re-entry in the following order:—Zenock, Fine Line. Cassock Lass, Pot Luck.

Brackets: Gallant Peter, Cassock' Lass and Pot Luck. Fine Line and Bright Bridge, New Bridge and Real Chance, Spanish Lady and Zenock.

OTAGO HURDLES, of £1000; two miles. —The Tongs (6) 10-7; Exchequer (5) 10-5: Brutus (3) 10-2; Shirley’s Pride (4) 9-10; Lo Night (3) 9-6; Dusty Miller (1), Lovelock (7), Danger Point (9) 9-2; Milling Bay (2) 9-0.

PROVINCIAL HANDICAP, of £600; one mile and three furlongs.—Good Abbot (5> 8-10; Cock Crow (4) 8-7; Bosky (2), Royal Voyage (11) 8-6; Overboard (1) 8-5; Scuppered (3) 8-3; Patris (7) 8-2; Baffling Eyes (8) 7-12; Soumai (6) 7-8; Ballast (15), Gazette (13), Horatius (14), Happy (10), Kiaree Beau (12), Lucky Bill (9) 7-7. Bracket: Overboard and Scuppered.

WINGATUI STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP, of £800; about two miles and a half.—Belgravia (2) 10-6; Culton (5) 9-9: King Simper (4) 9-8; Chief Light (1) 9-5; Sivite (3) 9-1.

WILLOUGHBY NORRIE HANDICAP, of £450; one mile and three furlongs.— Ambrose (17) 11-3; Prince Consort (15) 11-2; Admiral’s Keep (14) 11-1; Tisred (19) 11-0; Participation (18) 10-13; Flying Doctor (2) 10-12; Export (21) 10-11; Cocos (1) 10-10; Cassius (12), Chief Stuart (16), Column (11), Fiery Creek (8), Marsana (6), Masai (3), Regal Robe (10), Royal Vision (9), Sir Chat (13), The Fluke (5). Thank You (4), The Sloucher (20). Well Cut (7) 10-7.

MEMBERS’ HANDICAP, of £500; seven furlongs.—Silver King (9) 9-5; Brooke (10) 9-3; Royal Mail (1) 9-2; Assembly (3) 9-1; Strato (13) 9-0; Adversary (6) 8-13; Kasr-el-Nil (8) 8-12; Dahlia (12) 8-11; Gold Mine (5) 8-10; Copperfield (16) 3-8; Rathkeale (2) 8-8; Tiles (11) 8-5; Accountant (4) 8-4; Canasta (7) 8-2; Golden Morn (15) 8-1; Sure Swift (14) 8-0.

SOUTHERN HANDICAP, of £400: seven furlongs.—Ben Ledi (31) 9-11; Iroquoi (24), Struggle (18) 9-4; Gay King (21) 9-3; Royal Display (14) 8-12; Armando (7) 8-11; The Boss (19) 8-9: Fault (27). Now Listen (11) 8-8; Wayren (20) 8-7; Cocos (22) 8-4; Coinalot (29) 8-3; Sir Galahad (23) 8-2; Nicastro (5) 8-1; Barbara’s Treasure (13), Brooksdale (17), Best Sport (10), Berwick (15), Hector (25), Humber Hawk (25), Imprudent (8), King Robin (12). Kelbra (2). Martin's Bay (28), Our Lorraine (6), Plunder (4). Royal Pal (16), Super Girl (1). Silver Spring (9), Wacco Bill (3), Winning Gold (30) 8-0.

Brackets: Berwick and Hector, Humber Hawk and Imprudent, King Robin and Kelbra, Martin's Bay and Our Lorraine. Plunder and Royal Pal. Super Girl and Silver Spring, Waaco Bill and Winning Gold.

Balloted out, with right of re-entry in the following order:—Royal Pal. Plunder. Humber Hawk, Best Sport, Brooksdale. Cocos.

ST. TRUIN DESTROYED AT WINGATUI

(From Our Own Reporter) DUNEDIN, June 3. St. Truin snapped a fetlock joint on landing over the third last fence in the Otago Steeplechase on Saturday and was destroyed.

St. Truin was an eight-year-old gelding by Lo Zingaro from Glentruin’s Daughter, owned bv Mr H. G. McLeod and trained at Oamaru by J. C. Hobbs.

A week earlier he won the steeplechase ai Waimate.

T.A.B. PROFITS AND PRIVATE BILL

PROTEST AT GERALDINE (From Our Own Reporter) GERALDINE, June 3. The proposal to divert half the profits of the Totalisator Agency Board to "other sporting activities”—contained in a private bill introduced into the House of Representatives by Mr P. N. Holloway—was “totally out of keeping with the original purpose of the board and indeed unworthy of serious consideration.", said the president of the Geraldine Racing Club (Mr G. C. Chalmers). He was hopeful that the bill would “receive the reception all fair minded people—whether interested in racing or not—would feel it deserved." said Mr Chalmers. He was presenting his report to the annual meeting of the club. The board had again played its part by a contribution of £2659. and it was obvious that this source of revenue was the life blood of all clubs, large and small, he said.