RACING NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE WIN FOR CAPET

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28963, 3 August 1959, Page 4

RACING NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE WIN FOR CAPET

Southland Owner’s Triumph

Capet showed high courage and great stamina to win the Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton on Saturday. He beat Glenreagh by three lengths and the others verv easily.

Few could have expected such an exciting battle between Capet and Glenreagh near the end. Seven furlongs out Glenreagh had a long lead. Capet was well at the head of a scattered procession behind but his chance of winning looked slim indeed.

The turning point of the race for Capet came at the second to last fence, where Glenreagh hit hard. J. A. Gibbs was thrown up on the neck of the Matamata jumper and lost his irons and reins for a moment. That cost Glenreagh easily five lengths, and Capet was able to range up to him going to the last fence. Here again Glenreagh jumped badly, and a moment later an excited crowd was cheering a South Island victory.

Capet is owned and trained at Invercargill by Mr W. E. Hazlett and was ridden by the stable horseman, W. J. Hillis. This combination beat all but Spring Fair in the Grand National a year ago and was sixth in 1956, Wotan's [ Gold's year. The field had hardly settled [ when there was a sensation. The : second fence, the first of the stand double, brought the win ■ favourite Dunray down, and in

a moment Swift Gold and Orelino were on the ground beside him. Swift Gold went over the top of Dunray, and, when rolling towards the inside rail, brought down Orelino. Orelino came down at the same : fence in the Grand National last 'year. [ French Echo led the chase after Glenreagh going into the last . round, and had a long lead over [ Capet, but he was in too close at [the post and rails near the mile, ! landed very badly, and bumped G. Jenkins to the ground. After that only Capet could get [within challenging distance of : Glenreagh. Early Sensation I The Grand National was not a ■ minute old when there was a sensation. Dunray put in an extra I short stride going into the first

of the stand double and fell. He fell outwards and brought down Swift Gold. Swift Gold fell towards the inside of the track, and in the path of Orelino. which also came down. Glenreagh had led by six lengths going to the double, and a moment later he was out by 20 lengths from French Echo. Capet was then third just ahead of Brer Broney and four lengths ahead of Miss Step Hiaown was in a gap of six lengths and two lengths ahead of Gold Caste. Consign was then plodding at the rear 10 lengths behind Gold Caste. Glenreagh had jumped the second of the kennels double before French Echo reached the first

Coming to the straight with a round -covered Glenreagh held to his lead of 20 lengths, and French Echo had now put a break of 20 lengths on Capet, which had Brer Broney at his quarters. French Echo reduced Glenreagh’s lead to six lengths after jumping the stand double By now Glenreagh had stopped pulling. Capet was a clear third at the double a round from home; Brer Broney had gone back three ot

four places behind Havoc, Hiaown, and Gold Caste. French Echo reduced Glenreagh's lead to four lengths after jumping the brush at the nine furlongs, but the next fence, the post and rails, put the Homeby winner out of the race. Usually one of the safest of jumpers, French Echo put in “a short one" going to the fence, and belted the fence hard, bumping G. Jenkins to the ground.

20 Lengths Clear Glenreagh was then left with a lead of 20 lengths from Capet. The Southland chestnut was five lengths closer to the Matamata jumper at the five-furlong brush, but he did not look likely to close the gap until the second last fence. This big brush has settled the hopes of many tiring horses. Here Glenreagh misjudged his leap, and J. A. Gibbs was in trouble. Gibbs lost his irons and reins when thrown up on the [horse’s neck, but he saved himself by gripping the mane until he became balanced again. Hillis brought Capet along on (the outside into a challenging position going to the last fence. Capet made one of his usual safe leaps, but the tired Glenreagh was all but down on his nose That gave Capet a short

but very valuable lead. But it was still a battle in earnest. Glenreagh gamely rallied, but Capet, though weary, too. responded generously -under hard riding and came to the post three lengths clear

In all the excitement Miss Step was barely noticed coming in for third 12 lengths behind Glenreagh. Miss Step plodded past Hiaown after jumping the last fence. Hiaown beat Havoc by three lengths for fourth. Then there was a gap of five lengths to Consign. a gap to Brer Broney, and another to Gold Caste.