ORBELL STEEPLES WON BY KORAL

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30794, 5 July 1965, Page 4

ORBELL STEEPLES WON BY KORAL

Kora) showed that he will be a force to be reckoned with in more important crosscountry events later this winter when he came through his second test as a ’chaser with honours in the C. L. Orbell Memorial Steeplechase at Washdyke on Saturday.

It was a good race ail-round for Koral's Invercargill owner. Mr W. E. Hazlett, and his Riverton trainer, W. J. Hillis. Koral was ridden by his trainer, who also saddled Collide, which finished third. The Hazlett stablemates were separated at the finish by the consistent Riccarton 'chaser. William David. While Koral was back in the body of the field and Col'ide was right at the back. Sports Date, Race Card and Knight took turns with the oacemaking in the first round. But at the stand double, with lust over a mile left, Koral had worked his way up tn the front. Koral and The Frenchman went to the boards as one near the seven furlongs. Knight was right in touch with the- pacemakers then. Three lengths away, William David was making ground alongside Race Card. Hernia was still close at - hand, and Barney, in a gap. headed the others.

Koral landed clear of The Frenchman three, fences from home and kept dear of the others for the rest of the race, iHe came to the last fence i clear of Knight and The Frenchman, which dipped on landing and dropped his rider. William David was dose at hand then, and Collide was also coming into it but slightly further back.:. -

William David renewed interest in the finish when he

came at Koral strongly in the last 50 yards but the Riverton jumper was only coasting and ran it out best to win by a length. Collide was three lengths away and three lengths in front of Knight. Heroia was beaten off fifth, and followed in by Barney. Ravelston, Race Card, which had stifled himself rather badly, Fire Bar and The Slug. Sports Date failed to finish the course. ALL-THE-WAY WIN Grand Prix broke through to gain a stylish first win for the season when he beat Silver Kingdom handily and 10 others easily in the A. S. Elworthy Memorial Hurdles. Except for a short time two fences from home when Silver Kingdom ranged alongside, Grand Prix ran unchallenged. Grand Prix ran clear right from the start and out jumped and outpaced Ms rivals for the rest of the race.

Silver Kingdom showed much more confidence than he had at his first attempt as a jumper at Ashburton the previous week. He gave chase after the winner right from the start, joined him in front near the half-mile, but was clearly outstayed in the run home. Great Guns chased the first two around to the straight and Compensate followed him, well clear of the others. In the run from the last flight

Compensate ran it out best to nose Great Guns out of third in the last stride.

Star Quality, the place favourite, was best of the others. He improved a few places towards the end and was a length away fifth.