Kurrajong Noses Out Running Bear

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31728, 11 July 1968, Page 4

Kurrajong Noses Out Running Bear

(From Our Own Reporter) TRENTHAM. Kurrajong, the hors* that led the Wellington Steeples field home but without a rider on Saturday, nosed out Run> nlng Bear In an exciting finish to the Wellington Racing Club’s Matal Steeplechase at Trentham yesterday. Kurrajong ran riderless for two miles and a half in the

Wellington Steeplechase , and at different stage* caused trouble to some of the top contenders including th* winner, Hi There. Yesterday he showed no ill effects of that romp by coming out on top after a hard slog with Running Bear from the last fence.

As usual Running Bear was responsible for most of the pacemaking, but Facade gave him no rest in the lead for some time in the middle stages.

Then Kurrajong passed the top-weight and opened up a lead of two length* after jumping the fence near the five furlongs. By then Blue Defaulter was the only other with a winning chance. G. Jenkins took the shortest route from the second last fence on Running Bear and the win favourite rose to the last fence just ahead of Kurrajong. Running Bear then opened up a lead of almost a length and a half, but Kurrajong found a bit extra in the final pinch and came out on top by a nose. Blue Defaulter was three lengths and a half back third and well clear of the others. Main Defence fell at the five furlongs. Sure Trade lumped poorly and appeared to be sore on pulling up.