Flat Race Next For Lord Fair

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31411, 3 July 1967, Page 4

Flat Race Next For Lord Fair

A race on the flat at the W a i m a t e Hunt meeting and then the Christchurch Hunt Club’s Homeby Steeplechase are the two remaining races on Lord Fair’s programme before he tilts at Grand National Steeplechase honours in August.

Lord Fair, a dominating favourite, came up to expectations with a win in the C. L. Orbell Memorial Steeplechase on the first day of the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting on Saturday. It was the Ashburton club’s Dromore Steeplechase of a week earlier all over again, with Lovely Clover, Great Guns, and Hunting Hom next home behind Lord Fair.

And, as at Ashburton, Lovely Clover was the only runner to get close to Lord Fair near the end. There was never more than half a length between them from the three furlongs to the last fence. But the Winga-tui-trained bay found a little bit extra in the last furlong and won by a length and a half.

Lord Fair’s record as a jumper this year is six wins and a second from seven 1 starts, and he should not be

one of the less distinguished members in the formidable South Island line-up in this year’s Grand National

As a spectacle the race won by Lord Fair on Saturday could hardly have been bettered.

It was a close running field for about two miles, with Lord Fair being taken clear going to the five furlongs, but having to draw on most of his resources when the consistent Lovely Clover came at him closer to home.

Windvale Lad was the only runner to fall. He was beaten off when he came down at the last fence.