PANDINE SUCCESSFUL

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 131, 6 June 1939, Page 13

PANDINE SUCCESSFUL

WINGATUI STEEPLES

TRAVENNA'S ROYAL TROPHY

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

DUNEDIN, June 5,

; Southland steeplechasers gathered 1 further spoils on the concluding day : of the Dunedin Jockey Club's First Winter Meeting today, and they still have an unbeaten record at the meeting. Pandine, from the same stable as Gold Wren, outclassed his opponents in the Wingatui Steeplechase. The Duke of Gloucester Cup, the leading . race of the season for the amateurs, drew a large field, with Travenna showing something of his best form to secure the trophy. The weather was perfect. EL CABALLO AGAIN. El Caballo did not win the Roslyn Steeplechase by as big a margin as he did on the.first day, but he nevertheless scored very comfortably. He was held back over the first mile, but at the double brush in the back he jumped into third place to La Boca and Sunny Comet, and two fences further on, the water "jump, he assumed charge when La Boca dropped his rider on landing. Sunny Comet was always well up but was outstayed by the winner. Golden Glow went a muchimproved race, though he was only a moderate third. El Caballo has now won three races over fences. VERY CLOSE FINISH. One of the closest finishes seen at Wingatui was witnessed when Prince Ruenalf, Airdrie, Royal Style, Black Bard, and Neptune crossed the line locked together in the Novice Handicap. The early leader, Royai Style, appeared to have the race won about 50 yards out, but then Airdrie ; and Prince Ruenalf joined issue with him, with Black Bard also racing forward, and only the judge could separate them. (Airdrie went a good race for his first outing, and showed real gameness. Royal Style is improving with racing. Neptune took over the lead from Royal Style with half the journey covered, but was first Horse actually beaten. Strathalbyn. well backed, failed to jump out.

FORM RELIABLE. Form in the Otago Hurdles worked out well in the June Hurdles, Pink Robe and Vantoon, who followed Dividend home on Saturday, being first and third, with Recollection, a newcomer, splitting them. Pink Robe was not hurried along so much in the first part and was not asked to head on the leaders until the half-mile. Recollection closed on Pink Robe approaching the final jump, but could make no further impression. Vantoon again put in a fast run from the last hurdle and should be a winner before long. Last Link was only a moderate fourth. Metal Bird lost his rider two fences from home. Pink Robe has now started in five hurdle events for two wins, two seconds, and a third. DUKE OF CUP. Showing excellent judgment of pace Mr. E. M. White brought Travenna home an easy winner in the Duke of Gloucester Cup, and it proved a most popular success. The Wingatui gelding was never further back than sixth and after the half-mile he was allowed: to make up his ground gradually. He had the leaders, Sir Hugh and Fireguard, beaten at the distance and was not ridden out to win. Fireguard headed Sir Hugh in the straight but he had no chance of holding off the winner. Sir Hugh was half a dozen lengths clear of the field at the seven furlongs but he finally tired into third. Dividend came, on towards the close j and was 'ou'rth. The Wrecker, who was one of those prominent out of the barrier, faded out before the straight. Mr. White, the rider of the winner, is just in his twentieth year. He has had some experience in the hunting field. FOURTH ON END. Pandine set a good pace in the Wingatui Steeplechase, and the nearest Wexford Bridge could ever get to him was three lengths. Pandine cmtjumped his field at every fence and he showed no signs of tiring at the finish. He is 1 a stablemate to Gold Wren and has now won four races on end. Wexford Bridge took some of his fences sideways and never really nattered his supporters. Chile made only a fair showing. Southland-trained horses have won all the steeplechases so far decided at the meeting. ALWAYS WELL PLACED. Thermidor was always in a handy position in the running of the Provincial Handicap and after turning for home she gradually wore down, the pacemaker, Spanish Lad. ' and won going away. Spanish Lad was left on his own three furlongs from the finish and under the circumstances he went a very good race. Second Innings came from well back, as also did Balmenter. Passaform, who was doing it on the outside of about three horses for most of the journey, was fifth, followed by Night Hawk, who was prominent to the straight. FIRST FOR A YEAR. Lazybones put in a sterling run to win the Members' Handicap. He had j only two horses behind him at the half-mile but tie mowed down the lead-

ers in the straight and just got his head in front a few strides from the post. This was Lazybones's first win for twelve months. StraightdeU was never further back than third and held on very gamely under hard riding from the distance. Silver Streak finished right up in third place from a position well back in the field. Valantua was a close fourth, and then followed Fleet Street and Roy Bun. OUTSIDER'S SUCCESS. Green Boa, though an outside fancy, would have been unlucky to miss a I win in the Southern Handicap. He | met interference in the early stages i but in the straight he swooped , down on the outsidje of the field and beat Kippen on the post. He has not been on the winning list since the Oamaru Meeting- in March. Kippen | attempted to lead from the half-mile and he was caught only in the final strides. Lady Sincere ran a solid race | all the way and may be a winner on the final day. Combat was fourth into the straight but he failed to sustain his effort. Astral Flash was finishing on well in fifth place.