LAST COUNT IN STYLISH WIN

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31725, 8 July 1968, Page 4

LAST COUNT IN STYLISH WIN

There was no more Impres- stable, has now won his last slve jumper at Trantham an three races. Saturday than Last Count, His Matamata breeder and winner of the Marlrl Hack and part-owner, Hr J. H. Lindsay, Hunters* Steeplechase. Is overseas at present.

The ease with which he beat the others after an accompiished display of jumping and a powerful gallop in the lead, stamped him as likely material tor a campaign at the Grand National meeting but he will not be seen at Riccarton this year. His win on Saturday carried him out of hacks by $3O, and his trainer and part-owner, L. IW. Ford, of Matamata, does not feel that the Count Rendered gelding is ready yet to tilt at Grand National Steeplechase honours. A $5O trophy which was part of the winning stake in the race won by Last Count at Te Awamutu had the final bearing on Last Count’s programme later this winter. Ford now plans to race Last Count in the steeplechase at the Auckland Racing Club's special meeting later this month. Last Count, which did his early racing from a Riccarton

Blue Defaulter was the only runner to get within challenging distance of Last Count, but the hot favourite held him comfortably by a length. Humber and P. R. Wilson continued a successful partnership in the Trentham Hurdles on Saturday. They had not combined for a hurdle race since the Welling ton spring meeting last October when they carried oft the event on the second day of the meeting. Backers did not hold Humber’s chance In high regard on Saturday because he had shown his best form earlier on firmer tracks. Characteristically, Mr T. C. Lowry's seven-year-old made all the running on Saturday. A furlong and a half out it Seemed likely that his bracketed mate, Box, would be second. But Garnishee came on over the last furlong to beat him by half a length.