Napoleon Bonaparte Extends Good Record

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29265, 25 July 1960, Page 4

Napoleon Bonaparte Extends Good Record

Napoleon Bonaparte outstayed his Waimate conquerer Sydtrev in the Pareora Steeplechase at Washdyke on Saturday. There was three-quarters of a length between them at the end of two and a half miles, and they ran together in the lead nearly all the way.

Napoleon Bonaparte had well earned this, his first win for Mr A. Mitchell. He was runner-up in this three previous starts and was third four starts earlier.

The big Beau Leon gelding jumped the brush fences confidently, but he was not so sure of himself at the two board fences the last time round. Sydtrev went ahead when Napoleon Bonaparte hit the first boards near the seven furlongs, but they started, the last half mile on terms. Sydtrev was then on the outside, but he took the inside running to the last fence, where he landed alongside the Orari horse. Napoleon Bonaparte was slightly stronger in stamina and established his winning margin at the half furlong. Arctic Star fell at the second last fence when a clear third, and that place was filled then by the North Islander Haslin. He was two lengths behind Sydtrev, picking up several lengths from the half mile. Then there was a length to Portree, eight lengths to Grey Cloud, and gaps to The Gull and Renway. Craig fell at the second last fence, just after Arctic Star came down. Bay Lupin fell at the second fence. Strong Finish Tutton, a consistent place-getter during the spring and summer, had a well-earned first win for Mr C. E. Leighton, of Waimate, in the Gleniti Stakes. He came with a rush on the outside in the straight and won going away by three parts of a length from Haughty Lady. West Bound, a bracketed mate of the winner, was a length back third. He ran greenly in the straight, and that might have cost him victory. Tutton had six horses ahead of him at the half-mile and was little closer on the home turn. There West Bound had moved up three wide in the lead alongside Filwood and Baywyn, and Corduroy, and Haughty Lady were following closely. West Bound and Haughty Lady were battling it out for the lead inside the furlong when Tutton came faster on the outside. His challenge changed the whole complexion of the race in the last 50 yards. West Bound beat Corduroy by half a length for third. Corduroy could not quicken after trailing all the . way to the straight. Filwood faded to fifth, and John Mac was a weakening sixth. Golden Miller and Sigurd were the best of the others.

Favourite Wins Spiloch was much too good for his rivals in the Hadlow Hurdles, for which he was favourite. He made a steady run after the tearaway Surapt from the six furlongs, reached a short lead going to the last flight, and won coasting by three lengths. Pleasant Ways, from Riccarton, beat the Invercargill jumper Wick Light by a neck for second. C. G. Low eased Spiloch to the tail of the field for a start and had three behind him a round from home, where Surapt. had gone out to a lead of eight lengths. Spiloch moved to third at the six furlongs and to second at the halfmile where he had whittled down Surapt’s lead to two lengths. Spiloch ran easily behind Surapt to the straight and could have been in front earlier than he was.

Pleasant Ways, third at the halfmile, passed the weakening Surapt in the straight and lasted to beat Wick Light narrowly for second. Pot Luck came from the middle of the field for fourth four lengths

back. He caught Surapt in the last few strides. Gay Mood, the second favourite, ran disappointingly. He was eighth. Easy for No Offence No Offence ran out to a lead of eight lengths starting the last mile in the Teschemaker Steeplechase and won unchallenged. He finished four lengths clear of Baby Toes, which beat Pearly Gate by eight lengths. Hannibal fell heavily at the second fence, the first of the stand double. Baby Toes led early, but Tut Tut took over after about a mile and led into the last round alongside No Offence. There they were 10 lengths clear of Baby Toes and Pearly Gate, and then there was a gap to Mistinguet and Cock Crow. No Offence went clear going to the mile and established a lead of eight lengths before the next fence, the boards, near the seven furlongs. Baby Toes reduced No Offence’s lead to three lengths going to the half-mile. Pearly Gate was next in another gap of three lengths, and Tut Tut was dropping away in fourth position. No Offence widened his lead slightly in the straight and won well. Baby Toes plodded home well ahead of Pearly Gate and Tut Tut. Mistinguet was the only one of the others to finish, and she was a long way behind. Cock Crow crashed heavily at the third last fence when beaten off. He was very lame after being caught. Mozart bumped his rider off at the end of a round. Hat Trick Tarmine rounded off a treble for Mr C. E. Leighton when he beat the hack milers in the Pentlow Handicap. It was a rather untisual treble, for this five-year-old Targui gelding had been successful as a hurdler at his previous two starts. Tarmine was the 9-11 favourite and paid £26 15s Tarmine was well back for a start, but it was a close-running field, and the pace was slow* - Aliabad led from- the seven furlongs around to the straight, but there were quick changes of fortune going to the furlong. By that time Underbid was making a powerful bid for the lead on the outside. But he did not have the lead for long. Tarmine came a little later and a little wider, and beat the top-weight going away by two lengths. The winner and runner-up were together well back in the field after two furlongs. Medbury came from the middle of a packed field for third a length and a half back. Then Arc Flight, a stronger finisher, was a length and a half back fourth, just beating Naseby.