CULTON WINS STEEPLES

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27986, 5 June 1956, Page 4

CULTON WINS STEEPLES

KING SIMPER BREAKS DOWN (From Our Own Reporter)

DUNEDIN. June 4. King Simper landed over the last fence in front in the Wingatui Steeples on the second day of the Dunedin Jockev Club’s meeting today, but broke down soon afterwards and Culton then drew away to win unshallenged. King Simper still managed to beat the favourite, Chief Light, for second. King Siinper and Culton were in front almost from the start. Culton ran into a short lead when seven furlongs out, but King Simper jumped the double brilliantly after another furlong, and took charge. He led past the half-mile by two lengths from Culton, then Chief Light was struggling six lengths back and two lengths clear of Sivite. Culton reduced King Simper’s lead to less than a length running to the last fence, and when the Sir Simper gelding broke down he was left with the race in hand. Chief Light jumped patchily and did not gallop very but he was 20 lengths clear of Sivite. which tired badly. Belgravia tailed off early and finished well back at the rear. Capet Untroubled Capet was untroubled to win the Roslyn Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase under the ■ top weight of 10-1. It was his second win for Mr W. E. Hazlett at the meeting, and a pointer to success in stronger fields during the winter. W. J. Hillis had the four-year-old Sir Simper gelding towards the rear after two furlongs, but the field was bunched when running through the straight, and going to the mile Capet moved through to join Lawrence in front. He got in a shade close at two fences, but did not give ground. Hillis allowed him to run clear going to the post and rails near the half-mile, and after that he had only to stand up to win. Gypsy Boy did best of the others, battling his way into second place, but seven lengths back. Wilshire came from the middle of the field for third, clear of Haughty Step. Lawrence was five lengths back fifth, and The Grange was the only other runner to finish. Lacus baulked at the first of the double about six furlongs from home. Two fences later Black Tartan somersaulted and Composition lost his rider. Skeltons’ Race The Skelton brothers rode the first three in the Novice Handicap. Salfaulter, ridden by W. D. Skelton, made a successful first appearance at the meeting for Mr N M. Aitchison. She ranged up to t' A e leaders on the turn and won soundly

from Peril, ridden by R. J. Skelton. Master David, with F. H. Skelton, was third. Salfaulter was back in the ruck until she moved wide out to join Peril and Eastern Star in the lead on the home turn, where Master David was in one of the trailing positions just ahead of Edgewood. Salfaulter and Peril drew away from the others over the last furlong, and Salfaulter did best in the end to win by half a length. Master David was two lengths and a half back third, and three lengths clear of the win favourite. Edgewood, which could not muster race-winning finishing speed. King Cassock was a length back fifth and was followed home by Slick Dealer, King o’ Day, Eastern Star, Decipher. Andy Mac. Larboard Watch, Lyndel’s Choice, and Darky Pilot. Comfortable Win Confidently ridden by Mr W. S. Emmerson, Cassius won the Willoughby Norrie Handicap by a comfortable half length from the Riccarton-trained Masai, which beat Well Cut by a nose. Marsana was running on strongly for a rather unlucky fourth. Export did the early pacemaking and Cassius joined him going along the back. Cassius ran clear near the home turn from Export and Masai, which was already under a hard ride. The Fluke. Flying Doctor, and Regal Robe were also handy. Cassius did not have to be ridden out to win by half a length. Masai showed considerable gameness to battle on under a hard ride for second from Well Cut. which did very well to reach a place after losing a position early in the race. Marsana came from a long way back for fourth. With a better run he might have won. Flying Doctor was a fair fifth, ahead of the weakening Export and Column. Strong Finish Coinalot finished strongly from well back to beat Berwick in the Southern Handicap. Berwick’s chance looked bright when he reached the lead early in the run home, but he went under in (the last fe-w strides. The Riccarton-trained Iroquoi came from a long way back for third, but three lengths and a half back and a length ahead of Martin’s Bay, the bracketed mate of which. Our Lorraine, dropped right out to finish at the rear. Armando, Struggle, Ben Ledi, and Super Girl were the best of the others. Ben Ledi trailed closely but faded under his big weight.