Dashing Display By Flying Swift

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30803, 15 July 1965, Page 4

Dashing Display By Flying Swift

(From Our Own Reporter) TRENTHAM. Flying Swift, a dashing jumper carrying the famous Robinson colours, easily won the Matai Steeplechase at Trentham yesterday to give P. R. Wilson a 100 per cent record for the jumping races on the programme.

Flying Swift led a long way from home, and looked as if he would win by a wide margin two furlongs out. But an ill-timed leap at the last fence could have cost him the race. Wilson was bumped out of the saddle, but regained his seat, and kept the Potent gelding clear. The race took a surprising turn in its dying stages when Cinnaman. after appearing beaten, finished like a sprinter for second four lengths clear of Hanut. Cinnaman jumped brilliantly in front for much of the first round but looked beaten when he dropped back several lengths going down the back the last time. Five furlongs out he was at least 14 lengths from the pacemaking Flying Swift, and he was still only sixth at the last fence. Flying Swift, has now won two races in a light programme this winter. His other victory was in a hack and hunters' steeplechase at Rotorua two starts earlier. When he was taken south for the last Grand National meeting he was injured and unable to start and he did not resume until the autumn.

Hanut. after jumping much better than he did in the WelI tington Steeplechase, managed a creditable third in the Matai He outstayed Montgomery, which ran this race on an interrupted preparation because of unsoundness. Montgomery secured fourth after a battle with Shahrua. vvhich stayed close to the pace throughout the race. Erewhon, another to have his chance, weakened from third on the home turn to finish sixth. The favourite. Royal Count, was beaten a . long way out. It seemed he was flattened by his hard run in the Wellington Steeplechase. His jumping was certainly not of the same standard. and he managed to beat only Alphie.