Manasco succeeds in Waikato steeples

Press, 21 May 1979, Page 24

Manasco succeeds in Waikato steeples

Special correspondent Auckland

Whether Manasco would have won Saturday’s Waikato Steeplechase with No Title on his feet until the finish is arguable but credit had to be given him for a game, tradesman-like performance.

Another as good would almost certainly get him into the finish of the Great Northern, a race on which the owner-trainer, Mr D, R. Bishop, has long set his heart.

The Stratford farmer’s ambition regarding the Great Northern is understandable considering his association with Hit Parade, a star of the race during the 19505.

Mr Bishop’s great pride is that he was able to have a hand in preparing Hit Parade, which was owned and trained by another Stratford farmer, Mr A. M. Hignett.

It seems that Mr Bishop rode Hit Parade to hunts as the gelding was being brought up for his big winter racing assignments.

Ever since then Mr Bishop has cherished a hope of one day having a horse for the Great Northern, If Mr Bishop wins with Manasco he will have cause for special pride because he is not only the owner and trainer of the horse but the breeder as well.

Now six years old, Man-

asco was at Ellerslie for the Great Northern meeting last year as a hurdler. But in neither of his two attempts, one in the Great Northern Hurdles and the other in the Campbell Hurdles, could he find the necessary pace. Turned then to steeplechasing, he came up with a run of form that made him one of the best performers over the bigger fences. A third placing in the Egmont Steeplechase, his first race after Ellerslie, was followed in successive starts by a first in the Hastings Steeplechase, first in the Egmont-Wanganui Steeplechase, second in the Riddiford at Trentham, second in the Manawatu Hunt Cup, and first in the Rangitikei Hunt Cup. Three wins, two seconds, and a third in six attempts: what a way it was to end the winter.

After a summer lay-off Manasco has had three further wins and a second in six attempts, a sure sign that he is as good as ever, perhaps better. He was already, a month ago, up to managing a second placing over Ellerslie behind Montedellah in the zXutumn Steeplechase, By the time he gets to the Great Northern he should be one of the fittest horses for the 6400 m.

Manasco was a disappointing failure on the first day at Te Rapa in the G. W. Vercoe Steeplechase when, on

IMr Bishop’s admission, he was a bit above himself. “It I was my own fault,” Mr Bishop said, “I was afraid of overdoing him.”

He made certain last week of not repeating the mistake and put a further gallop into Manasco on Saturday morning.

Manasco seemed outpaced by No Title when the other horse ran clear in front with some 800 m to go in Saturday’s big race. It needed an accident up in front for Manasco to have a chance of winning and it came at the second-last fence when No Title knuckled over on landing and came down.

Manasco was left in front and stayed there, not ridden right out, by two lengths from Midas Touch. Ballycastle ran right out of steam 10 lengths further back in third place and five in front of Al Rashid (fourth). High Chief came in fifth, and then Alwyn’s Pride, the last of the six finishers.

The dropouts, besides No Title, were Snakeman, which threw his rider about halfway through and Portabala, which pulled up with a round to go after his saddle had slipped forward over his wither.

Bailycastle, although beaten by a dozen lengths, retained his following for Ellerslie where he will be trying to win the Great Northern for the second time on end.