WITHOUT INCIDENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 7, 8 July 1938, Page 13

WITHOUT INCIDENT

KAHUNOKE'S STEEPLECHASE

With only five runners, the Matai Steeplechase drew a pool of nearly £1000. less than last year, and the race" was devoid of incident. For most of the trip little more than a schooling pace was maintained, and this assisted Kahunoke to comfortable victory. The time was eleven seconds slower than that recorded in the hack steeples on the first day-; ' Kahunoke and Chile settled down to make .the running, and as Chile is never a very free goer, Kahunoke did not have- to be unduly bustled. His fencing was perfect throughout Two fences from home he outjumped Chile, and although Monastic gave-chase he was clear at the last fence, and came on from there untroubled to score by three lengths. As a ten-year-old, Kahunoke, who was sent out a firm favourite, was the veteran of yesterday's small Held, but his age is not out of the way for a

cross-country horse, and Kahunoke may have another year or two of usefulness yet. He has stripped looking in capital order for his two races at the meeting, and his success yesterday pays tribute to the ability of his first day's victor, Flashlight He does not figure in the entries for the Grand National, but he may yet go south for the minor cross-country events at Riccarton. ;

Kahunoke is a bay gelding by Cynic, a winner of the Great Northern Hurdles himself, out of the Elevation —Iranui mare High Degree, who descends from that well-known Poverty Bay family of greys begun here by Vivahdiere, ancestress of Grand Sport, Araunah, Canteen (New Zealand Cup), Mira, etc. He is owned by Mr. W. Wilson, of Gisborne, who has had him leased away at times during his race career, and his record now comprises nineteen wins in 76 starts for £1641 in stakes. His success yesterday was his most important to date. Monastic jumped well most of the way, and showed no dislike on this occasion lor the brush at the half-mile. He went after the leaders on the final round and passed Chile after the second to last fence,- but at the pace that had been set he found it impossible to pull back Kahunoke over the closing stage. He was finally being hard ridden to get within three lengths of the win--1 ner. He also is not engaged in any of jthe big cross-country events at Riccarton. ' , Chile was seen in the unusual role of assisting with the pace. His jumping was safe, though not so good as that of the winner's, and he quit the fight two fences from home. He seems to be improving all the time, however, and he is liable to be a better horse at Riccarton next month, where he is engaged in all the big events: ; Red Sun hardly ran up to expectation, but the rate at which the race was contested did not help him, as he relies on* stamina. Only briefly along the back the last time did he threaten to be in the final act, but his increased pace was met by the bthers. His fencing generally was sound, and he is liable to do better over the Riccarton country. ■ ' . ~ Acron was beaten shortly after the commencement of the last round, but he negotiated the country safely, though at times not rising too well at the fences. He is one who might win a hunters' event before the winter.racing is over, but that may be as far as he can go.