RACING Mistakes Of Others Gave Solitude Win

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30485, 6 July 1964, Page 4

RACING Mistakes Of Others Gave Solitude Win

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, July 5. Solitude capitalised on mistakes by two formidable rivals to win the Wellington Steeplechase at Trentham on Saturday for his Raetihi owner, Mr R. E. Punch.

Third might have been the best he could manage in the normal course of events, but victory came his way after Cretan ran off when going well in front at the third last fence, and Ringlock muffed his leap at the last fence when he, too, was leading.

Solitude followed Ringlock to the last fence, ran clear while Ringlock was being balanced after landing badly, and came away to win by two lengths. This was probably Solitude’s only race over country at the meeting, and also probably his last race over country before the Grand National Steeplechase. C. McGovern, who won the Wellington Steeplechase on Solitude on Saturday, believes the Golden Souvenir gelding would have won the Grand National last year only for a breakdown on the last round. Solitude was near the lead

and going well when he broke down on landing over Cutts’s on the last round in the Grand National. ■ The breakdown made the horse fall, but in the normal course of events he is a neat jumper, and his ability to avoid mistakes carried him through on Saturday. Cretan was galloping so easily going to the third last fence that his rider, A. K. Lawrence, considered it was only a matter of what the grey would win by. This fence runs on a camber from the outsid.e rail, and when Cretan decided at the last second to duck off on the inside he was able to gain momentum. It happened so quickly that Lawrence could do nothing about it. “That was one Wellington Steeples I should have won,” said the disappointed Lawrence later. Present intentions are for Cretan to go to Riccarton and he may run in both Grand Nationals. His pace could be decisive at Riccarton—as long he he can be kept on to .his fences in the Grand National Steeples. In the meantime he will

run in the Matai Steeplechase on the second day of the Wellington winter meeting on Wednesday. R. A.. Jenkins will replace Lawrence as his rider. Solitude and Ringlock battled it out for Wellington Steeples honours well clear of the others, but there was an even more interesting finish for third. Braemar, with a plodding stayer's run, just got there from Lochwood and Triple Count. Braemar was unable to find the pace to keep handy over the. first three miles, and had to make a big run from the second last fence. His army of place backers could consider themselves lucky that Cretan ran off. No Early Paca Everyone appeared to be trying to dodge the pacemaking for a start in the Wellington Steeplechase and the lack of early pace was obvious when the plodding Triple Count was in front after half a mile. None was pulling harder than Tadpole, and W. J. Hillis decided to do something about it when they reached the home straight for the first time. Allowed a little more rein, the Riverton gelding ran clear and was out by three lengths from No Offence and Triple Count with two rounds to go. Braemar was then at the tail of the field with King Ora. Tadpole's jumping deteriorover the next four fences, and. Cretan ran past him easily to lead with a mil* and threequarters to run. Three Lengths Clear Cretan started the last round three lengths clear of No Offence, .- whose jumping, as usual, had been faultless. Ringlock was alongside No Offence and three lengths in advance of Solitude. Braemar was then plodding along in second last position and it was obvious that a winning run from the favourite would demand a superb effort. Cretan led into the last five furlongs by three lengths and was clearly going much better than any of the others. But a moment later he was out of the race, having ducked off on the inside of the third last fence, a not so formidable looking brush. , No Offence had weakened by this time, and when Cretan ducked off Ringlock was left in front just ahead of Solitude. Braemar was still a good dozen lengths back in a gap behind No Offence, Lochwood and Triple Count. Ringlock appeared to be holding Solitude safely going to the last fence, but he jumped it badly, and lost that precious lead and precious vitality. By Two Lengths Solitude ran to a short lead just after landing and did best In a slogging finish to beat Ringlock by two lengths. Hely, riding perhaps one of the most vigorous races of his career, landed Braemar into third place In the last few strides. He just caught Lochwod and Triple Count, which were almost in line three lengths clear of No Offence. The southerners. Grand Monarch and Tadpole, were next home, but a long way behind.