EREWHON’S BATTLE SUCCEEDS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31134, 10 August 1966, Page 4

EREWHON’S BATTLE SUCCEEDS

Erewhon outstayed Linred and Cinnaman in a battling finish to the Beaufort Steeplechase at Riccarton yesterday.

There were only five runners, but interest was sustained to the end, and only two lengths and a neck covered the first three place-getters.

end, and only two lengths and a neck covered the first three place-getters. Linred, a dominating favourite after his second in the Grand National, was again runner-up a neck in front of Cinnaman. Erewhon is owned by Mr and Mrs E. H. Symes, of Waverley. The 11-year-old Scarlet Emperor gelding has been a regular winter campaigner at Riccarton. He was second to No Offence in the Grand National Steeplechase in 1963, but never managed to win over the course until yesterday. This was also his first win in an open steeplechase. His only win earlier this year, which will be his last in racing, was at the EgraontWanganui Hunt meeting in! June. Hesus found the pace too strong but the ethers ran in close order for much of the last round, and made a spectacular sight in a line of four!

| running to the first of the 'kennels double for the last time. Linred was then jumping I better than any of the others, I but lost ground and, perhaps a winning chance, at the I brush near the five furlongs. ■ ; Cinnaman went out to a j 'ead of three lengths running to the big brush at the top I of the straight. Erewhonl was then second, iust ahead, of Linred, and No Offence, was dropping away in fourthl oosition. Cinnaman was still clear at, the last fence, but his re-! snonse was weak when Erewhon and Linred came at him. i Erewhon’s dogged run car-| ried him out on top by two! lengths from Linred. which showed marked gameness to! neg back Cinnaman after hav-1 ing to switch ground from the last fence. No Offence was fourth in a gap of 12 lengths. Hesus was pulled up just short of the post when very tired. j Strong Record The 11-year-old Alaine ■ brought his record to three!

wins and two seconds on his present campaign when he won the Hunt Cup Steeplechase. Alaine’s career seemed at an end when he went wrong after winning at Washdyke I in the winter of 1965, but he made an immediate show of [form with a second at the : Waimate Hunt meeting. Alaine, one of the last of ‘the stock of Columcille, was ' ridden skilfully by J. H. Hely. Alaine joined Bandarshar i in front early in the race and i they moved out to a fairly long lead with a mile to run. Alaine came to the last fence with a lead of about two lengths over Bandarshar. which was joined by Jolly; Fox. Alaine, ridden right out. j beat Bandarshar by a length! and a half. Jolly Fox, which had dam■»ged a stifle, weakened from the furlong and Red Harken beat him easily for third. Myfllou, whose jumning was patchy, led in the others. Hy and Lovely Clover fell at Cutts’s. and Eiay was '■hecked by one of the fallen, horses. Hy was remounted to; finish at the tail of the field ■