North Scores Quickly

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29893, 6 August 1962, Page 4

North Scores Quickly

Sir Totara started a successful day for North Island horses at Riccarton on Saturday with a sound win in the Enfield Steeplechase. This 10-year-old from Awapuni came to the front after the second last fence and galloped beyond challenging range close to home, winning by three lengths. Sir Totara’s public form just beforehand was not encouraging but he schooled competently at Riccarton las'. Thursday. He started fourth favourite. Sir Totara. probably the biggest horse in the field, was well ridden by B. J. Langford, who was busy on him some distance out His superior stamina and even jumping brought him out on top from the Gore jumpers Lucky Game and Delwood, which were separated by only a neck in the minor places. Mighty Fella was fourth, and lost a good chance through an unsure leap at the second last fence, where he was leading. The favourite, Sydtrev, was a tiring .fifth. He was responsible for most of the paee. but was beaten five furlongs out. Solidity fell at the first fence, and Packwood came down at the last. Selkirk droppeed his rider when he jumped the third last fence badly. He was close to the lead at the time. Balance rap off at the first of the kennels double the Last time round. Under Difficulties Canadiana’s bit broke after a fur.ong in the Cashmere- Plate, yet this small Isaac of York filly still won. She showed the utmost gameness in gaining her victory. Killeynioon headed her at the two furlongs, but she regained a slight lead inside the furlong and beat the Levin bore by a head. KlUeymoon beat the stronglyfinishing favourite Manana by a nose for second. Manana was one of the slowest from the stalls, and his chance looked slim on the home turn, though he had picked up several places. Shakes seemed almost certain of third place close to the post, but Manana made a renewed bid when Stokes cracked him with the whip, and he beat the top weight by half a length for third. Shakes made hl* run from the middle of the field ahead of Manana, but appeared to come to the end of his run just short of the post. Royal Estate, a fair fifth, also weakened slightly near the end. The others were beaten off Slough Marlborough was running on for his sixth, and may do better later over more ground. One For Riccarton Knight gave Riccarton on* of its rare Jumping successes in th* Trial Hurdles, for which he was fourth favourite. He caught the fast-tiring Daysun well inside th* last furlong and beat that T* Rapa hors* going away by two tangth*.

Daysun beat the favourite Nafanua by four lengths for second.

Knight’s chance looked next best to hopeless half a mile out. where he was in a long gap behind Nafanua and Daysun. These North Islanders had a sustained duel in front, and Daysun got the better of it only going to the last hurdle. He had a handy lead going to the last furlong, but could not find anything extra when Knight challenged. Nafanua finished far ahead of the others, which were outclassed. Breakfast, the second favourite. hit hard at the first jump and bumped J. R. Potter to the ground. Strong Late Run From near the furlong the big Wingatui-trained Palisade had the Avonhead Handicap won at every stride, but the last. Then he went under by a head to Red Jimmy, a brilliant finisher from the ruck. Red Jimmy is from Dobson, where he is trained by his partowner, Mr S. W. Gillman. He would have been at very long odds only for being bracketed with the recent winner, Calvados. But supporters of the bracket still profited fairly handsomely, the win dividend being £l7 ss. Ashbourne Blue, from Te Rapa, attempted to lead from the six furlongs under top weight of 9-5, and it was fairly

late when Palisade and Red Jimmy mastered him. Palisade came to the straight two place* back on the inside, and gained a slight advantage after a battle with Ashbourne Blue and Waverley. But he had reached the end of his reserves when Red Jimmy charged forward on his right when the post was only a few strides off.

Ashbourne Blue beat Waverley, the favourite, by a nose for third, and Donna Marla was close at hand fifth.