RACING Washdyke Combination May Win Steeples

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29856, 23 June 1962, Page 4

RACING Washdyke Combination May Win Steeples

Two years ago the Washdyke rider, A. Cowan, won the Dromore Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase at Ashburton on Van Da Hum. for the Washdyke trainer, J. C. McKerrow. There is every chance that this trio will take the race again today, at the Ashburton County Racing Club s winter meeting. Van Da Hum is top-weight in a field of 10 for the steeples, to be run over two miles and a half for £350.

In the 24 month! since his Dromore Steeples win. Van Da Hum, a seven-year-old. has been lightly raced, having gained cne win and five placing! from 14 starts Cowan has been the gelding’s regular rider, although a back injury prevented him from taking the mount when Van Da Hum won the Alford Steeples with G. T. Dobbs up at Ashburton last month Since that win Cowan has ridden Van Da Hum into two third placings. and a second at Oarnaru last week In today’s contest he will have .a good chance of extending his great record in jumping events at Ashburton, which includes six Dromore Steeplechase wins in the last eight years.

Cowan gained his first win In the event on Ironside in 1954, then won it the following two years on Composition and St. Truin. In the last three years he has succeeded on Napoleon Bonaparte, Van Da Hum and Pitlochry.

The most opposition today might come from a Gore jumper. Lucky Game, which had little difficulty beating the Tahuna Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase field at Wingatui on June 2. Karak, which beat Van Da Hum by a neck at the end of two and a half miles at Oarnaru last week, might also be hard to beat in spite of his 81b increase in the weights. Lucky Game did not race this season before his win. and fell at his only start since. Karak. before his win last week, had run second to

Balance in the Roslyn Steeplechase at Wingatui. The double today will be on the Maronan Handicap and the Mayfield Hack Handicap Derailment, a recent graduate to open class, is a fancied runner over the mile of the Maronan Handicap and Vienna Woods might be the one for the hacks to beat over 11 furlongs in the second leg. Derailment, a winner against hacks at Ashburton and Amberley last month, finished brilliantly for fifth in the open sprint at Oarnaru last week after being last at the half-mile. In the absence of McCool. Coral Chief, another graduate from hacks, and the Oarnaru winner, Abou Ben Adhem, are others which will come in for strong support. Coral Chief, like Derailment, a light-weight with 7-7. won easily over a mile at Wingatui earlier in the month and then ran third over 11 furlongs on the same course on June 4. Abou Ben Adhem, after winning at his last two starts, might be the favourite today This eight-year-old grey is carrying his age well. Other likely runners include Flaxman, John Jameson and the Gore-trained Meiotone Flaxman was the closest to Abou Ben Adhem at Oarnaru last week

Oarnaru form might be the most reliable guide in the second leg. the Mayfield Hack Handicap. Tidal Wave, the top-weight, won at Oarnaru, Bodkin was second after being checked.

and Vienna Woods came from last at the half-mile to finish fourth wide out on the track and only a nose from third.

Other likely runners include Ilam, Glendale and Prince Command The weather in Ashburton yesterday was fine. Showery weather was forecast. but the track should be in good winter order.