CLARION CALL AGAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 39, 14 August 1940, Page 13

CLARION CALL AGAIN

NATIONAL STEEPLES

LADY TINKLES FINE WIN

(From "Ariki Toa.")

The Grand National Steeplechase, feature event of the opening day of the C.J.C. Grand National Meeting, was notable for the brilliant display of clean jumping given by the winner, Clarion Call. He treated every obstacle alike, and took them in his stride, with the result that it was apparent with over a mile to go that the Hunting Song gelding would win his second Grand National Steeplechase.

The early running was taken up by Trisox and Flashlight, with a couple of lengths to Slayer, Erination, Ballybrit, and Clarion Call, with the rear being brought up by Padishah and Lactose. Ballybrit and Chat went out at the sod wall on the first round, and then at the first of the double after the completion of a round and a half Padishah clouted the top panel and was pulled up. Clarion Call was bowling along so well at this stage that his rider elected to restrain him no longer, ana with a round to go he had drawn out fifty yards from Slayer, with two lengths to Flashlight and intervals to Erination and Gay Boa. Slayer had got to within four lengths three fences from home, but it was only on sufferance, and Clarion Call was never in real danger of defeat, and he was thirty yards ahead of Slayer at the finish, with forty yards to Gay Boa, who overhauled Erination just short of the post for third. Golden Glow was the only other to finish. It was a .truly fine performance on the part of Clarion Call, and a merited success in view of the fact that he would probably have won the Wellington Steeplechase but for coming down two fences from home. Yesterday his display was free from blemish, and he never looked like making a mistake. Slayer jumped a trifle slovenly early, but he could not match the speed of the winner. Gay Boa was a long way back for about two and a half miles; and it was only the mistakes of others that enabled him to get some of the money. Erination ran a great race considering that he had had only one race since early in June, when he broke his nose in the Great Northern Hurdles. Flashlight would probably have been third but for coming down three fences from home, where Lactose also made a mistake. Trisox fell at the post and rails the last time. Flashlight was found to have broken his back.

A FINE WIN.

Lady Tinkle made quick amends for her failure at Trentham recently, when she finished in the gamest possible fashion to win the Winter Cup. Her task was not made any the easier when she got squfvs.zed back a shade at the end of a furlong, but she had run into fourth place before straightening up, and after Haughty Winner had looked a certain victor she wore him down in the last few strides to win going away. It was W. J. Broughton's second win in the race, as he had previously been successful on Catalogue in 1937. Haughty Winner was in the call from the start and was a clear leader after straightening up, but the task was just beyond him. Nigger Boy was tucked in on the fence just behind the pacemakers all the way, and he did well to get third money, just ahead of Winning Rival, Anita Foe, Little Robin, Lady Montana, Lockit,. and St. Cloud. The unlucky horses were Little' Robin and Anita Foe, who were bringing up the rear three furlongs' from home. Winning Rival was checked early and had to cover extra ground to secure fourth place. Grey Honour, Black Thread, and Lockit collapsed after passing the false rail. Sleeveless, who drew No. 2, was sent to the outside at the start, and she was never in the picture, and neither was Catalogue. Alma pulled up lame.

CERTAINTY BEATEN,

The Enfield Steeplechase was a sensational race. Firstly for the fact that Blue Steel fell at the last fence, which was the only way he could be beaten, and secondly by the substantial dividend paid by the winner La Boca. The contest was a chapter of accidents, and the placed horses were the only ones to finish. In the early stages Blue Steel established a lead of fully fifty yards from Willen, La Boca, Valens, Guapo, Joy Boa, El Caballo, and Baltruin. There was comparatively little change, except for falls, and running to the last obstacle Blue Steel looked a certainty for the money, but he hit the brush so hard that he went right down on his nose, and in recovering he jolted his rider out of the saddle.

La Doca, Baltruin, and Joy Boa then had the finish to themselves, with La Boca doing best. He deserved the victory if only for his slow but sure jumping. Baltruin was inclined to risk his fences over he first mile. Uncle Jim fell at utts's, where /Tommy Ruff ran off, Valens and Willen came down at the sod wall, five furlongs from home, Guapo fell at the first of the Kennels double, and El Caballo at the second.

LED ALL THE WAY.

Don't Forget proved a class above the opposition in the Cashmere Plate, and he was not extended over the last bit to run out a winner by four lengths. In the early stages he was attended by Camphor, Blue Abbey, Citizen, Jolly Time, Alias, and Eulogist, but it was only on sufferance, for when the rider of Don't Forget kicked him up to it at the false rail he ran on very resolutely and was being eased passing the post. It was the performance of a class horse, and there should be a great future in store for the son of Myosotis and the Robespierre mare Skyrest, who interestingly enough was bred by R. Adamson, who now races the second horse, Jolly Time.

Jolly Time, a three-year-old filly by Paper Money from Mudlark, was responsible for a very pleasing effort considering her limited experience, and she battled on really well to take second place from Blue Abbey, the pair having been in the call all the way. Next to finish were Wild Coon, Eulogist, Hurry Girl, Game Bird, and Muffler. Camphor faded out quickly, and Augment was never sighted.

GREAT FINISH,

There was a rare finish to the Jumpers' Flat Handicap and only heads separated the three placed horses passing the post. The - winner, Dividend, was tucked in behind Streamline, Colonel French, Kaiwaka, and Recollection turning for home, where Tidewaiter and Saccone were making a forward move from the rear of the field. Dividend, Tidewaiter, and Kaiwaka singled themselves out at the false rail, and only the judge could sort them out crossing the line. It was Dividend's second race only for over six months, and he paid over a quarter of a century. Tidewaiter went a great race considering his big impost, and better placed in the early stages he may have won. His stablemate Kaiwaka was never further back than third and weakened only in the last couple of strides. Streamline was in front to the false rail, and his fourth placing was an excellent National trial. Saccone was at the rear of the field to the turn, but he was within striking distance a furlong from home and really had every chance. Master Dingle and Araboa were closer at the .finish than at any stage, but the last

to pass the post were Jewelled Girdle and Top Rank. QUICK SUCCESS. Doria, who had not had a race since Easter, opened her three-year-old campaign auspiciously when she won the Paparua Handicap at a double-figure return. She trailed the leaders, Screen Star and Mittie, to the false rail, where she quickly established a two-length advantage, and it was this margin that carried her on to victory, for she was weakening over the last hundred yards, and Raeburn and Mittie had reduced the lead to a neck at the end. Doria has grown a lot with her spell, and she is now a very fine type of filly. Raeburn, who drew the outside, got away badly and had a lot of ground! to make up at the false rail, but he simply flew down the outside and would probably have won in a couple more strides. He might win a race at the meeting. Mittie ran her best race for some time, and it was only in the final half-furlong that she weakened. Spanish Lad was prominent throughout, and would probably have been in the money but for being checked by Raeburn right on the post. Noble Fox was a good fifth, after suffering a couple of setbacks early, but Hunting Royal, fourth at the false rail, stopped disappointingly. Screen Star showed early speed, as did Strip and Great Flight. Hearth ran an encouraging race.

HACK HURDLES.

There was a rare thrill in store for backers at the close of the Trial Hurdles as the result of a wonderful last-minute bid by the favourite, Aussie Ra. After jumping the last fence Limbohm looked certain to win rather comfortably, and he was fully four lengths in front of Aussie Ra, but the latter put in some wonderful work over the last bit and just failed to get up. The victory of Limbohm could be attributed to 'the patient riding of W. Jenkins, who allowed Roseman and Norseman to beat each other out in front. . ~ Land Raid and Airdrie were in the picture for a mile and a quarter, but Eastern Heir fell at the first fence. Esperance Bay and Good Sun did not jump too cleanly and were always struggling.

SMART PERFORMANCE.

Schoolgirl gave a stylish display to win the Avonhead Handicap, for she was made to carry her weight all the way and really never had a breather on the journey. The early pacemakers were Race Away. Gold Don, Schoolgirl, Synthetic, and The Vulture, and there was not much material change until passing the false rail, where Schoolgirl and Synthetic singled themselves out to dispute the issue. Sweet Mystery went well, but the unlucky horse was Royal Style, who was sent back at the end of a furlong and had to come-from a long way back for fourth. Gnohill and Moneymore revealed* speed, and next after the placegetters were Stabilise, Gold Don, Captain Bruce, and Sir Amyas.