Terrestrial to try Riccarton next

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32967, 13 July 1972, Page 8

Terrestrial to try Riccarton next

(From Our Own Reporter >

TRENTHAM.

If Terrestrial is the force on good ground at Riccarton that he was in mud and slush at Trentham yesterday, he should be one of the top contenders for the Grand National Steeplechase next month.

This tough stayer from Matamata clinched a start in the Grand National with an easy win in the Matai Steeplechase on the second day of the Wellington winter meeting.

The seven-year-old Ter- ■ rington gelding outstayed the I others. The favourite. Mountain Lion, inched ahead of ,him with a superior leap at the second-last flight, and H. Green had to ease him from behind the Wingatui grey to get a sight of the last fence.

Mountain Lion landed with a lead of two lengths, but Terrestrial showed superior finishing powers and kept up his run down the outside to lead into the last half furlong. Trained by B. W. and C. B. Hughes, a father and son combination, for Mr A. T.

i Carter. Terrestrial was bred , from a mare sired by an! Auckland Cup winner. Expanse. Green had Terrestrial going: easily fairly close to the pace. ■ for which John Rose was mainly responsible. Mountain Lion jumped to second place with his best leap of the race at the fourth-last fence, but ■ Terrestrial matched him on the flat going to the boards near the three furlongs. .1 When Terrestrial gave! J ground at that fence nearly! I everyone was prepared for a J South Island victory, but like (most of the races at Tren-j [tham yesterday, the last fur-, [long was to produce quick! changes of fortune. j Mountain Lion was all out! Ito save second from Modern, Myth. John Rose, which lost his last chance of paying a dividend when he misjudged the second-last fence, plodded in for fourth, just ahead of Royal Fleet.