PONJOLA AGAIN

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 144, 21 June 1930, Page 23

PONJOLA AGAIN

MATU FALLS IN HAWKES BAY STEEPLECHASE

(By Telegraph.—From "Vedette.")

Ponjola made amends for his northern failure .by winning the Hawkes Bay Steeplechase yesterday after a first-class display of fast jumping. He was a shortpriced favourite,' with Matu . and Ecd Bank also in some demand. Hands gave *. great display ,out in front from the ■ start, being anything up to ten lengths clear 'of Red Bank, then coming Ponjola and Brigadier Bill clear of Matu, with Kowhatu last. Red Bank lost, his place with a round to go, and Brigadier Bill and Ponjola were up with Handy five furlongs from home, Red Bank and Matu, on terms three lengths away. Matu blundered and fell at the sod wall. Handy, after weakening, raced on again with Ponjola over the last two fences, with Red Bank and Brigadier Bill some distance back. Ponjola drew away in the run home to beat Handy by three lengths, with Red Bank a length away. Brigadier Bill and Kowhatu finished at long intervals. . '■ 1 Ponjol<! stayed on too well for Handy,, coming away over the last -furlong. He gave^ a good; display of jumping, but'in

that department was outshone by Handy, whoso showing was brilliant;. \Vhat was more,'he came on again when apparently well beaten, racing Ponjola stride for stride over the last two fences. Eed Bank ,did not jump at all well, and was anything but happy at the brush fences. He stuck on rather well, however. Brigadier Bill again displayed his' soft streak, for. he collapsed without a struggle two furlongs from' home. Kowha'tu blundered his Way . rouud. Matu hit the sod wall hard, .clouting Jenkins out .of-the saddle, and 'finally the horse tripped and fell some lengths from the obstacle. He was being pushed at the time to make" up considerable leeway,: His display was not- impressive.