Jumpers shape well at Birchwood

Press, 21 March 1983, Page 28

Jumpers shape well at Birchwood

Special correspondent Invercargill The Birchwood meeting on Saturday signalled the arrival of another jumping season but did little to untangle the question of early favouritism for the $7OOO Great Western Steeplechase at Riverton on Easter Saturday. If anything, the three events for ’chasers and hurdlers only complicated prerace discussions. Paulmont, Folay and Belsen’s Bank, thro of tie,, early Great I Western ®4awwites, all scored tradesmanlike wins

in their respective engagements. Furthermore, Bymai, another leading Great Western hope, was an impressive runner-up to Belsen’s Bank and looks certain to derive a lot of benefit from the outing. Paulmont, the 1981 Great Western Steeples winner, paraded in hard condition and raced accordingly with a decisive win in the Winton Brush Hurdles. Jim Collett had Paulmont to challenge the leaders at the 600 and he was untroubled to lead over

the last 400 and win with something in hand. That was Paulmont’s third race in a fresh campaign. He seems certain to strip as forward as any in the Great Western. In the hands of Michael Mavor, Folay mastered topweight of 77kg with ridiculous ease against eight moderate rivals in the J. S. and W. E. Hazlett Steeples, for amateur riders. Folay, which, was big and burly when he won first-up over hwdles at Gore last Tuesday stripped an improved horse on Saturday.

He fenced fluently and cleared out in the run home to score by eight lengths. Belsen’s Bank, more versatile and consistent than most, capitalised on his seasoned condition to stall off Bymai in the Gardner Memorial Steeples. The win was Belsen’s Bank’s first over country. In receipt of 6.5 kg from Bymai, he held a slight edge over the last 400 when his Wingatui rival began tf> feel the pinch and was not unduly punished.

Even so, Bymai got to within two lengths of Belsen’s Bank and is certain to derive a lot of benefit from the outing. Gripp, star hack at the last Riverton easter carnival, showed his readiness for the Riverton Cup when he impressively sustained front-running tactics in the Stewarts Handicap, first leg of the T.A.B. double. He did well to cope with strong challenges from Royal Meg and Gallant Ace, which also enhanced their Riverton Cup prospects.