RACING GRAND NATIONAL TO COGITATION

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28347, 5 August 1957, Page 4

RACING GRAND NATIONAL TO COGITATION

Conkeda Second In Great Race Cogitation showed matchless courage and stamina to win the Grand National Steeplechase before 20,000 persons at Riccarton on Saturday. He had the courage and stamina to shake off a determined challenge from Conkeda near the end, drawing away to beat the Wellington Steeplechase winner by a length and a half, the margin he beat French Echo by in the Homeby Steeplechase a week earlier.

French Echo was third in the Grand National, dropping away in the last three furlongs to leave Cogitation and Conkeda in a dramatic finish to a great race.

They were battling it out on terms after landing over the last fence, but when J. H. Hely hit Cogitation with the whip the Gore-trained Lo Zingaro gelding ran clear.

Cogitation was the favourite in one of the strongest Grand National fields for several years, but even if he had been less strongly supported his win would have been: highly popular. Mr A. T. Burnett’s bay was, at 12 years, the veteran of the field. This was Cogitation's one hundred and eighth start, and his twenty-fourth win. His crosscountry record is four wins and one fourth in five starts. His stake earnings are now £13,814 10s.

Three years earlier Cogitation had won the Grand National Hurdles, after which he was sent into retirement He was brought out of retirement last year to be prepared for the Grand National Steeplechase, in which he was fourth.

Much of the enthusiasm aroused by Cogitation’s victory marked a splendid feat of horsemanship by Hely. This was Hely’s third ride on Saturday and his third win, all in jumping races. All but two of the 13 runners finished the Grand National course. The top weight, Knight’s Star, bumped his rider from the saddle when his misjudged ths pdst and rails on the first round, and Lumphanan fell at the first of the stand double a round from ndme. Before the strain of the . chase, wearied those wanting in stamina the close-running field gave some splendid jumping. An

unforgettable memory for many who were at Riccarton on Saturday was the sight of the field at the stand double starting the last round, with no more than eight lengths between first and last. This was steeplechasing of rare excellence.

The Running The field was sent away quickly to an even start, and French Echo and Orelino led over the carriage paddock, brush from Cogitation and Lumphanan. Orelino dropped in behind alongside Cogitation,. and French Echo. Lumphanan, Conkeda, and Te Waotu were almost in line in the lead after jumping the stand double for the first time. ; Conkeda and Lumphanan led to Cutts’s, but Cogitation moved through near the nine furlongs. The new brush fence near that point troubled Knight’s Star, which went to the tail of a closerunning field, and the next fence, the post and rails, put the top weight out of the race. He jumped too soon, crashed on the fence, and J. R. Potter was bumped to the ground. With a round covered, French Echo was alongside Cogitation in the lead, and Lumphanan and Conkeda were three lengths behind. The riderless Knight’s Star could have been troublesome coming to the stand double, but he veered towards the outside of the track, and caused no bother. Lumphanan went down at the first of the double, but all the others went into the last round still jumping well and in close formation. Cogitation and French Echo were still leading, but Viewfield, Wotan’s Gold, Te Waotu, Orelino, Escalado, Nod, and Puketoi were close behind.

French Echo shaded Cogitation going to Cutts’s, and Te Waotu, Puketoi, and Conkeda were close at hand. Conkeda took the lead with a magnificent leap at the first of the kennels double, but French Echo and Cogitation followed him closely. The pace had quickened, and the others were now struggling. Puketoi was in a gap of six lengths in fourth position, a length ahead of Te Waotu; two lengths then to Escalado and Noon together. Cogitation gained a length on Conkeda, at the five-furlong brush, but they came to the big brush at the top of the straight together. French Echo was now feeling the strain and starting to drop away, and Noon was now fourth, but a distant one. Cogitation and Conkeda jumped together at the last fence and neither would gives an inch for the next 100 yards or so. But when Hely hit Cogitation with the whip it was all over. French Echo was 10 lengths behind Conkeda in third place, and four lengths clear of Noon. Noon beat Te Waotu by a length. Escaldo was sixth three lengths back and six lengths clear of Puketoi. Orelino was eighth after a gap. a length and a half ahead of Viewfleld. Then there was a length to Wotan's Gold, and a long gap to Nod. Results:— ENFIELD STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP, Of £BOO. About two miles and a half. M - Samson’s br g MILLING BAY (16) by MillingAmelia 7yrs 9-0 car. 9-1 . , „ e, J - H. Hely 1 3- 3—Reece Smith's b g Bosky A 1 ’ Touchwood—Sedative 9yrs 10-9 . R. Hanlin 2 ’’ A ',.¥ es ? r * gr « Grey Valley (8) >by Flndon—unknown mare 7yrs 10-1 11, 11 Miss Step (lost rider)?* 13 Composition; 5, 6 Royal Mail .(fell); 8. 8 Vocalize; 4, 4 Baithen: 12. 12 Felicitous (pulled up); 14, 14 Infidel; 2,2 Ozone; 10, 10 Sea Front: 7. 7 Pukeroa (lost rider); 1 1 Waffles also started Five lengths: half a head. Sea Front was fourth. Time, smin 17 3-ssec. Winner trained by A. J. Williams. Riccarton. Dividends.—Win: £2l 3e. Places: £5 Is £2 8s 6d, £2 16s. rw e „£ ABR^ ERE Of £6OO. Three-year-olds. Seven furlongs. 9. 9—J. Wattle’s br g YUKON (7) by Rolled Gold—Reno 8-7 J W. L. Aitken 1

6. 6—W. T. Dalzell’s b g Medbury (10) by Alonzo—Richlieu Pearl 8-2 A. H. Eastwood 2 4. 4—K. Austin’s b f Del Monte (3) by Lucky Bag—Bobalong ’ 9-1 .. C. McDonald 3 8, 7 Lucky Gay; 2, 1 Hannibal; 1,2 Royal Avon; 17, 16 The Mint; 10, ,11 Royal Super; 3, 3 Promise; 12, 12 Harkville; 7, 8 Allfair; 14, 13 Caherciveen; 21, 21 Rasputin; 15, 15 McCool; 5, 5 Broken Wings; 19, 19 Hark sheen; 18, 18 Tahere; 11, 10 Captaih Hunt; 20, 20 Sorrento; 16, 16 Bailiff; 13, 14 Sagittarius also startedNeck; neck. Captain Hunt was fourth. -Time, Imin 33sec. Winner trained by J. N. Morton, Otaki. Dividends.—Win: £2O 2s 6d. Places: £6 19s, £4 ss, £3 2s 6d. TRIAL HURDLE HANDICAP, Of £6OO. One mile and three-quarters and 60 yards. 1. I—l. Robinson’s b g REVOLVER (9) by Revelationunknown mare syrs 9-3 J. H. Hely 1 2. 2—A. H. Croad and D. J. Meikle’s-br m Calpurnia (8) by Trimvir—Conatus 6yrs 9-4 B. J. Langford 2 5. 5—E. McKenzie’s ch g Garo.loch' (6) by Lo Zingaro— Linloch Byrs 9-6 G. W. Meili 3 , 3, 4 Tisred; 4, 3 Prince Consort (fell); 7, 6 Brown Baron (fell); 10, 10 Some Bounder; 9, 9 Cristatus; 6, 8 Adversary (fell); 13, 14 Decipher; 11, 12 Howdy; 8, 7 Canopus; 12, 11 The Plainsman; 14, 13 Le Roi also started. Six lengths; nose. Howdy was fourth. Time, 3min 28 4-ssec. Winner trained by owner, Matangi. Dividends.—Win: £1 Ils 6d. Places: 19s 6d, £1 Us 6d, £4 2s 6d. PAPARUA HANDICAP, Of £BOO. Seven furlongs. 3. 3—J. S. Reid’s b g BEN LEDI (5) by Callander—Loyal Lady syrs 8-13 B. J. Langford 1 12. 11—Mrs A. E. Didham’s ch h Red Admiral (6) by Peak Halyard—Dissemble 7yrs 8-12 D. N. Hadfield 2 1. I—A. T. Gatrell's blk g, Gundar Haegg (8) by Balloch— Courier syrs 8-8 J. T. Anderson 3 6, 6 Kasr el Nil; 13, 14 Appreciate; 8, 8 Shoal; 7, 7 .Motueka; 5, 4 Loyal Chief; 15, 13 Cashmere; 18, 19 Copperfield; 14, 15 Innesfell; 14, 15 Mananui; 17, 17 Teina; 11, 10 Plunder; 10, 12 Whipsnade; 16, 16 Her Ex; 9, 9 Coq d’Or; 19, 18 Melinda Jane; 21, 21 Landon; 4, 5 Golden Warrior; 4, 5 Golden Morn; 2,2 Conkers King; 2,2 Ditched; 20, 20 Gay Mood; 20, 20. Coin’s Edge also started. Three-quarters of a length; neck. Kash el Nil was fourth. Time, Imin 31 2-ssec. Winner trained by H. A. Anderton, Wingatui. Dividends.—Win: £7 5s 6d. Places: £2 18s 6d, £8 12s 6d, £1 17s. NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE, Of £3550. Three miles and a half.

1. I—A. T. Burnett’s b g COGITATION . (3) by Lo Zingaro— Paper Wings 12yrs 10-6 J. H. Hely 1 2. 3—W. J. Tims’s br g Conkeda (2) by Sajakeda—Convallaria 7yrs 10-12 .. Mr J. L. Tims 2 6. 6—G. and Mrs Petty's br g French Echo (4) by Omar Khayyarq—La Fillette 7yrs 10-4 .. G. Jenkins 3 4, 4 Knight’s Star (lost rider); 3, 2 Wotan’s Gold; 12, 12 Puketoi; 8, 8 Orelino; 7, 7 Viewfield; 10, 11 Te Waotu; 5, 5 Noon; 13, 13 Nod (pulled up); 9, 8 Escalado; 11, 10 Lumphanan (fell) also started. Length and a half; 10 lengths Noon was fourth. Time, 7min 7 4-ssec. Winner trained by R. J. Cochrane, Gore. Dividends.—Win: £J 13s 6d. Places: £1 15s, £2, £2 14s. JUMPERS’ FLAT HANDICAP, Of £6OO. . One mile and a half. 1. I—R. R. Forsyth’s ch g SON RAE (14) by Sun Burn— Grande Dame 6yrs 9-5 , B. L. Wilson 1 4. 3—l. Robinson’s b g Sea Contour (11) by Contact—Sursea 7yrs 9-8 V. H. Simpson 2 12. 12—V. F. Druitt’s b g Native King (12) by Mahia ParkGreek Queen 7yrs 9-7 « « « , H. J. Ford 3 6, 8 Cock Crow; 11, 11 Dusty Miller; 7, 6 Hunt the Slipper; 10, 10 Baffling Eyes; 8. 7 Pa tris; 13, 13 Gold Tip; 3, 4 Marau; 2,2 Armed; 15, 15 Danger Point; 9, 9 Allan; 14, 14 Northcliffe; 5, 5 Lady Brbie also started.

Half a length; five lengths. Armed was fourth. Time, 2min 47 4-ssec Winner trained by A. G. MacDonald Gisborne.

Dividends.—Win: £3 13s 6d. Places: £1 16s 6d, £2 Us, £8 17s. WINTER CUP, Of £2OOO. One mile. 12. 9—Mrs A. E. Holden’s br h SIR VALLEY (12) by Count Rendered—Valley Girl 4yrs m ~ C ’ McDonald 1 10. 11—W. M. Turner’s br g Super Maru (8) by Super—Te-muka 7yrs 9-4 .. H. J. Ford 2 3- 2 —W. J. and Mrs Pope’s ch g.King of Joy (3) by Isaac of York—Social Star syrs 10-5 . __ x „, t - G. W. Mein 3 rJh 6 P fJ er «« W Jl lonyx; 1 4 Mighty Dollar; 15, 15 Tess; 19, 18 CopenL.l Peterford; 7, 8 Hot Drop; % c J ink ® r : 21, 21 Grand Bank; A 3 Sa r ® bah » 22, 22 Americus; i 6« 1 2 Horatius; 16, 12 King Robin; 2 ’ ? P " n £® P lou: 9 - 10 R °y al Warrant; 13, 16 Marsden; 14, 14 Cassius; 17» 17 Keep Time; 6, 5 Column; 20, 20 Desperado; 20, 20 Gold Caste; 23, 23 Golden Fox; 23, 23 Solstice; 8, 7 Great Line; 8, 7 Smuggles also started. z

Half a head; two and a half lengths. Prince Filou was fourthTime, Imin 44 4-ssec. Winner trained by C. Tapp, Matamata. Dividends.—Win: £24 Bs. Places: £8 18s 6d. £7 12s, £2 14s 6d. AVONHEAD HANDICAP, *’ Of £6OO. One mile. I. 2—A. E. Pearce’s b g PULUPITA (5) by Hello Peter— Jenny Wren syrs 9-3 . J. W. Harris 1 13. 14—W. R. Hasel den’s b g Lord Fane (11) by Peak Halyard— Lady Fane syrS 8-8 J. T. Anderson 2 7. 9—J. Dwyer’s br g Raglan (6) by Ruthless—Flying Quex 4yrs 8-13 .. W. D. Skelton 3 2, 1 Zareska: 6, 8 Smart; 9, 7 Massive: 3, 3 Purser; 16, 16 Masai; 18. 18 Lord Garnish; 5, 5 Packwood; 5, 5 Beau Chat: 14. 13 Pot Luck; 17, 17 Iroquoi: 15. 15 Instanter; 10, 6 Skyrider; 21, 21 King’s Gold; 22, 22 Cruising: 20. 20 De Rose; 12. 11 Nugget; 12. 11 Duel; 11, 12 Taumanu; 11. 12 Saltash; 4. 4 Stage Boy; 4, 4 Edgewood; .8, 10 El Jefe; 19, 19 Breccia; 19, 19 Port Lanyard also started.

Length; neck. Taumanu was fourth. Time, Imin 46 l-ssec. Winner trained by B. C. and C. E. Davis Takanini.

Dividends.—Win: £5 4s. Places: ££, ss, £ll Bs, £5 15* 6d.