Lochwood Shows Stamina To Win Steeples

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29869, 9 July 1962, Page 4

Lochwood Shows Stamina To Win Steeples

Lochwood was certainly not the most accomplished jumper in the Wellington Steeplechase on Saturday, but none could match him for stamina, and he was a convincing winner after a hard slog ox er three miles and three furlongs on a heavy track.

Lochwood’s victory’ was a training and riding triumph for B. *L. Hillis, formerly of Riccarton and now of Takanini.

Hillis’s coolness. patience, and skill in trouble spots had an important bearing on the result of the £3300 race, the major attraction on the opening day of the Wellington Racing Club's winter meeting. It was one of the best races for many years. Any one of eight had a chance starting the last mile, just before A. K. Lawrence tried to “steal” the race on Tepeta. Tepeta went away to a lead of three lengths from No Offence and came to the straight six or seven lengths clear of Lochwood. But these three jumpers came to the last fence together. This fence could have put Lochwood out of the race. The Underwood gelding did not land at all well, and if he had been in the clear he could have gone down. Instead, he bumped into No Offence, and managed to keep his feet. Then his great stamina brought him steadily away to his winning margin of four lengths and a half.

Lochwood is raced on tease by Messrs R. J Allan and C. J. Sowry. He has not been nominated fer the Grand National Steeplechase, but will race again at the Wellington meeting.

Lochwood gave Hillis his first success in the Wellington Steeplechase, Hillis now has a great record in major New Zealand races. He has won two Grand National Steeplechases on Dusky Prince, a Grand National Hurdles on Armed, and a New Zealand Cup on Great Scot.

Last year he brought Loch wood south for the Grand National carnival, won the hack hurdles with him on the first day, and then rode him into second place in the Grand National Hurdles. Hillis was confident Lochwood would run well on Saturday, and his hopes were raised when Sabre, his conqueror in the Great Northern Steeplechase in June, had to drop out of the field because of ligament trouble.

In Trouble Lochwood was the sixth favourite, and those who invested £l2lO on him for a win and £ 1374 10s for a place, could not have been very hopeful when he stopped almost dead on land-

ing over the first of the stand double after a mile.

He then fiddled his approach to the fence near the five furlongs, and went back to second last. But Hillis then steered him to the outside and picked up several positions quickly before the next fence, the boards near the three furlongs. No Offence and County led into the last round, closely followed by Tepeta. Triple Score, Havoc and Lochwood. Next, in a small gap, were Golden Cabana and Gum

Tepeta ran up to No Offence in the lead going to the mile, and went clear at the seven furlongs. * Tepeta led into the last half-mile by three lengths from No Offence. Lochwood was then a clear third, but in a gap of four lengths, and was little closer to the lead on the home turn. Tepeta then seemed to have the race safely won, but his stamina started to give out on him going to the last fence, and No Offence and Lochwood ranged up and jumped it alongside him. Lochwood’s superior stamina did the rest; he steadily forged ahead in the last furlong and beat Tepeta by four lengths and a half.

No Offence went with Tepeta at every stride, and was only a short neck back third. Golden Cabana was fourth, but well beaten in a gap of 15 lengths. Havoc was fifth and Triple Score sixth, tiring over the last halfmile. Gum was next in a gap ahead of Nostradamus and Lord Cristo.

County was pulled up before the last fence when well spent.