HUNT CUP HOPES

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 284, 30 August 1945, Page 9

HUNT CUP HOPES

Consisten t Record Of

Lightfair

(Bx St. Simon.)

The spice of a hunt club meeting to those genuine amateurs who have kept the spout alive during the war years is the hunt cup steeplechase and the bracelet event for amateur riders. Hunting became so restricted during the war Hint genuine hunters were unable to qualify by performance in the held, and a system of granting certificates was Introduced as an emergency measure. This led to a lot of pot-hunting in which proved steeplechasers were granted certificates, and thus became eligible to compete in hunt cups. As a result the genuine amateur-owned hunter had to face “professional” competition. and (lie whole spirit of hunt club racing was lost. The field for the Combined Hunt Cup Steeplechase at the Taranaki and EginontIVanganui meeting at New Plymouth on Thursday is more In keeping with the spirit of’ the sport. Most of the acceptors are in the hunter class, and as there is nothing outstanding the field of 19 promises an even and interesting contest. Probably, the favourite will be the topweight, Lightfair. He has knocked himself about a good deal since he commenced steeplechasing this seasou, but he is a tough customer, and appears capable of standing up to plenty of hard racing. He has raced niue times over country since he had his first start as a 'chaser at Egniont in May, and has won the Russell Memorial Hunt Cup at Hastings, has run seconds iu the Wanganui Steeplechase, Hawke’s P>ay Steeplechase and Combined Hunt Cup at Awapuni, thirds in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup and Combined Hunt Cup at Marton, and fourtli iu the Churchill Steeplechase at Wanganui, so his form lias the merit of consistency. His only two failures to complete the course were in the Egmont Steeplechase and Wellington Steeplechase. Our Nation will be making her first appearance as a steeplechaser. She had-a consistent record as a hurdler in the season Just closed when she won one race and finished in the first four in 14 of her other 20 starts. She is by Illumination from a Camp Fire mare, so she has the breeding for cross-country racing, and the New Plymouth country should not present many difficulties to such a reliable hurdler.

In the only races he has had during the winter season, Baron Bold finished second to Indian Suu in the Churchill Steeplechase at Wanganui and fourth iu the Combined Hunt Cup at Awapuni won by Valky’s Boy. In each race Baron Bold tired after making the pace. He is not a very solid stayer, but he jumps better than most hunters, and he should be a fitter horse now than he was when he last raced.

First Edition is >a hurdler of average ability converted to steeplechasing, and he has raised some doubts about his liking for bls new role by refusing at some of the fences in his schooling at Awapuni. New Battle came into prominence with two wins in May. but he hurt himself at Auckland in June, and his form in the meantime has not been up to expectations. His fourth in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup suggests that he may be coming back to it.

Roman Orator and Golden Memory are two likely candidates in the middle of the Roman Orator won the Freyherg Steeplechase at Te Rapa in May, and his only form in three starts since then was third to Indian Sign and Watcliett in the Tamaki Steeplechase at the Auckland June meeting. He is a smart galloper with pace on the Hat, and the lighter country at New Plymouth should improve his chance.

It is a long time since Golden Memory has shown any form, but at hfs last start in the Hunt Cup at Hastings this month he was • travelling like a possible placegetter when he knuckled over on landing and came down five furlongs from home. Golden Memory has jumped the Rlccarton country well, and with the four races he has had this winter he should bo nearing form again. Last Match is regarded as one of the best of the Taranaki candidates. He has had a long experience as a steeplechaser, and Is credited with being a fitter horse at present than he has been for some time. Two miles and a half is about the end of his staying power, but up to that distance he Is a capable hunter, and. few will jump ■tie country better. Among the lightweights, Edward will be the strongest fancy. He is a hard horse to ride, having to be kicked up to his work all the way, but he jumps well with ithe pace on. and the fact that Midwood will be on him will gain him a host of friends. Edward ran two good races over the Rlccarton country for a third in the Enfield Steeplechase and a second in the Hunt Cup, and on each occasion he could have done better had his rider got to work on him earlier.

Three who may appeal are Ligbtfair, Edward and Golden Memory. On Their Way. Immediate and High Play have left New Zealand and are expected to reach Sydney before the end of the present week. ’ Hawke’s Bay Programme. An increase of £G7O on last year’s spring meeting has been made in the stakes for the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club’s spring meeting, to be held at Hastings on September 29. Prize money totals £2300, aud the main events are the T. H. Lowry Handicap (taking tlie place of the Hastings Spring Handicap), £5OO, one mile and a quarter; the Flying Handicap, £3OO, six furlongs; the Glenaruv Haek Cup, £3OO, one mile and a quarter; and the Hastings Stakes, £3OO, four furlongs, tor two-year-olds.

Melbourne Cup Stake. The restoration of tlie Melbourne Cup Stake to £lO,OOO still leaves it a long way below the record prize for this race. At one time entry and acceptance fees were added to the’£lo.ooo, but. now the club pavs the £lO,OOO net. When Bltalll won in 1923 the gross amount was £13,288. of which the winner received £10,288. Carbine’s Cup was worth £13,230, the -winner receiving £10,230. and when Windbag won be received £10,215 front a gross of £13,315.

Racing in Australia. A, Press Association message from Sydney slates that the Commonwealth Government control over racing will be repealed at once. The Federal Cabinet has decided that control shall revert to the States, which will have the power to decide whetlier mid-week meetings will be resumed or not.

Answers to Inquiries. "Reader,” Wanganui: £l/12/0. “Pukeora” Waipukurau Poutatau carried 9.1 at Feildiug, 9.8 at Hawke's Bay, aud 9.0 at Awapuni last season. “Watch,” Tokomaru: £l/H/p-„„, . “Verify,” Newtown: G) .£O/15/- and £2/11/-. (2) £3/17/6 and £l/13/-. “F.P.W.,” Wellington; £l/5/-. “Poueke,” Trentham: £5B/0/- and £H 4/-