NATIONAL STEEPLES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 38, 13 August 1941, Page 10

NATIONAL STEEPLES

ASTRAL FLAME WINS

WINTER CUP TO TREASURER

(By "Binocular.") Although there was a keenness in the air in the late afternoon and the track was dead, conditions were otherwise excellent for the opening day of the C.J.C. Grand National Meeting at Riccarton. There was a large attendance. Favourites had an iridifferent day, not a single one paying a win dividend. Despite the setbacks, however, the sum of £80,126 was handled on the totalisator, compared with 10s last year, an increase of £4691 10s. The fences for the cross-country events were not as formidable as previously, and undoubtedly Astral Flame was assisted to victory in the Grand National Steeples as a result of being able to go through them. It was his superior speed on the flat, rather than jumping ability, that carried the Southlander through. When Ballybrit out jumped Astral Flame, who had been always in or near the van, the Balboa gelding promised to play a part in the finish, but Astral Flame's rider again took his mount into the lead to open up a gap that brought him a comfortable victory. Dozie Boy finished very courageously for second, a couple of lengths in advance of Slayer, who was also putting in some good work at the close, but Ballybrit weakened over, the last couple of furlongs. Chat was going well when she fell at the double fronting the stands just prior to the final round, but Bridegroom, after getting into a fence rather close, was never going kindly over the last mile. A SOUTHERN TRIUMPH. In- addition to taking the principal jumping event, the South Island also carried off the Winter Cup; indeed, the big mile was a veritable triumph for the south, for southern horses filled the first three placings. None of the northern visitors got away particularly well, Gladynev, Esquire, and Little Robin all being at the rear at the end of the first furlong, whereas Boloyna was out in front carrying the field along, with St. Cloud, Eulogist, Haughty Winner, and Treasurer in attendance. Boloyna was still well clear after straightenI ing up, but Treasurer signalled his (transfer to the higher company by 1 putting in a bulldog finish to pull the pacemaker back. St. Cloud, who was bracketed with Treasurer, got up foxthird, a length and a half back, and then came Algerian, who put in a sensational burst that came just too late, with Trench Law. beating Haughty Winner home. Little Robin came home well without threatening danger. Centrepoise was one of the last to EARLY SETBACK. Backers suffered an early reverse when Gay Boa, favourite for the Enfield Steeples, was beaten into second place by Night Scout, who ran forward approaching the final fence and then held his place. Up to that stage Gay Boa had promised to be the Win-: ner but the Balboa gelding could not pull the leader back in the run home. Ruling Star ran an excellent race, only the last furlong or so finding him out, for he was well back early. Son and Heir disappointed, retiring a long way from home, and he was a beaten horse when he fell. Hyderabad was well back until.well into the final round, both he and Surcoat finishing over the beaten lot. Dropped Gatch lost his rider half a mile from home when going well in front, and Young Squatter fell one fence later. A WINNING BRACKET. After announcing that the Cashmere Plate would be run in one division, the stewards reverted to the original intention, of running it in two_ sections. In the first, Arabian Night and Te Marua began well, but before ,the turn for home Sir Gundi. had worked through on the rails to join Te Marua, and over the last half-furlong Sir Gundi drew to the front to win by a length and a half from Good Scout, who came strongly on the fence over the last 60-yards. Scottish Dale also got up to beat Te Marua, who found the ■ last furlong too much for her. Bascule, who looked big y headed Arabian Night and Paper Whistle. In the second division Silver Ball, a half-brother to Sunny Knight, followed up his win at the Christchurch Hunt: Meeting . with a still more attractive effort. Working to the front early, he made an exhibition of the opposition, striding home a winner by three lengths from Milton Abbas, who was a neck in advance of Rename. The last-named came from some distance back in the final furlong and should have been second. Kernel, always in the picture, was a useful fourth, with Greek Dancer and Leander together. Sir Gundi and Silver Ball were bracketed on the machine. PEKOE COMFORTABLY. Despite the fact that report had it ithat Pekoe was a doubtful runner at 'the meeting, the Wanganui-trained gelding took his place in the Jumpers' Flat to win in good style. Always handy to the leading division, he took charge inside the final furlong to win going away from King Rey, who ran a great race under his steadier of 12.0. The Dozer held to the rails throughout, but although he finished courageously he could not close the gap. Cuisinier ran to the front seven furlongs from home, but he lost his place on the turn. Nevertheless, he came on again for fourth. Dividend finished well for fifth, with Esperance Bay, who suffered a check going along the back stretch, next. Fqxiana was right in the firing line until the last furlong. FAVOURITES WELL BEATEN. The North Island pair, Sunny Knight and Wings of Song, were the public's elect for the Paparua Handicap, the open sprint. Neither was favoured in barrier positions, but their brilliance carried them to the front quickly. However, Sunny Knight retired before the business end, and Wings of Song was beaten over the final furlong. Sham Boy and Stabilize were the smartest to begin, but Saxon Tor was always handy, and the last-named was attending Wings of Song at the top of the straight. When straightened up, Poutatau, who had been lying in behind the leading bunch, came through on the railis to join Saxon Tor, but inside the distance Boswell challenged, and it was the late-comer and Saxon Tor who fought out the finish, Boswell, who was at long odds, getting the decision by a head. Poutatau was chopped back, .but hung on for third., two lengths back, and then came Withdrawal, Waitoru, and Wings of Song. Dainty Dell was a little slow to leave. INDIFFERENT JUMPING. The standard of jumping was not particularly high in the Trial Hurdles, many of the runners fencing extravagantly, and Batsman nearly upset rriatters at the first fence by running right across his field. However, he improved after that and only weakened over the final half mile when Fundy Bay and Merry Simon took up the running from Colibri, with Night" Dress making a fast move on the turn. The quartet were well clear at the last obstacle, and in the run home Night Dress wore down the pacemakers to win going away from Fundy Bay, with Merry Simon a head back. Colibri ran a good race without being quite good enough, being followed home by the favourite, Noko, who allowed the leaders to secure all too big a break °nhim' A BAD START. It was most unfortunate that half the field failed to get away on terms in the Avonhead Handicap and their chances were ruined, Kanui Te Pai and Moderate being two who were left on the mark. Grey Night and Blue Coat took up the running, but on the turn Jolly Time moved forward to come into the straight clear. Despite running wide, Jolly Time held on to win quite decisively from Blue Coat, with Scarteen right up. Johnemby, Valcron, and Kinkajou did best of the

others. The favourite, Ann '■ Mie, was never sighted after getting away badly. DETAILED RESULTS. The detailed results were:— Enfleld Steeplechase, £300; about 2y 2 miles. —6-5 Night Scout, 9.6 (A. Stove), 1; 1-1 Gay Boa, 11.3 (H. Preston), 2; 3-3 Ruling Star, 10.6 (J. Hayes). 3. Also started: 5-6 Surcoat 11.6, 2-2 Son and Heir 11.2, 4-4 Hyderabad 10.3, 8-8 Panara 9.8, 9-9 Dropped Catch 9.6, 7-7 Prince Flaneur 9.3, 10-10 Young Squatter 9.1. Length and a half; same. Time, oriiin 18 4-ssec. Cashmere Plate, £175; 6 furlongs.—First division: 2-2 Sir Gundi 8.0 (h. J. Ellis). 1: 9-9 Good Scout, 8.0 (W. J. Mudford), 2; 1-1 Scottish Dale, 8.0 ih. Hare), 3. Also started: 8-8 Paper Whistle 8.11. 3-3 Te Marua 8.11. 17-11 Arabian Night 8.0, 10-10 Bascule 8.0, 22-22 Desert Love 8.0, 13-12 Guardresa 8.0, 6-6 Hunting Charm 8.0, 7-7. Lady Nottava S.O, 21-19 Lindus 8.0, 5-5 Miss Saone 8.0, 14-13 Prince Shad 8.0, 18-18 Square Cut 8.0, 12-14 True Mate 8.0. A length and a half; same. Time, lmin 16 2-ssec. \ Cashmere Plate, £150; 6 furlongs.—Second division: 2-2 Silver Ball 8.0 (T. Kilgour), 1; 4-4 Milton Abbas, 8.11 (A. E. Ellis). 2; 2-1 Renarde, 8.0 (D. Mackie), 3. Also started: 11-ll Kuravvhi 8.11. 15-15 Pink Dart .8.11. 20-17 The Flying Fortress 8.11, 16-20 As., Required 8.0, 19-20 Bold Sheila 8.0, 13-12 Greek Dancer 8.0, 6-6 Gunga Din 8.0, 7-7 Kernel 8.0, 21-19 Leander 8.0, 5-5 Lord Dundas 8.0, 18-18 Penny Whistle 8.0, 14-13 Prince Dolomite 8.0. Three lengths; neck. Time, lmin 16sec. Sir Gundi. winner of tho first division, was coupled with Silver Ball, winner of the second division, and the third-placed horses in each were also bracketed. Jumpers' Flat Handicap, £300; 1% miles.— 4-5 Pekoe 9.13 (P. Burgess), 1; 9-9 King Key 12.0 (R. Collett), 2; 1-2 The Dozer, 11.4 (G. Ridgway), 3. Also started: 7-7 Esperance Bay 11.2, 3-3 Half and Half 10.10, 2-1 Young Charles 10.7, 5-4 Dividend 10.3, 8-6 Foxiana 10.2, 10-10 Cuisinier 9.11, 11-11 Master Dingle 9.8, 6-8 Green Boa 9.7, 12-12 Great Flight 9.0. Two lengths; a head. Time, 2mln 44 Paparua Handicap, £300; 6 furlongs.—lo-13 Boswell 9.5, (R. Mackie), 1; 8-6 Saxon Tor 9.3 (W. J. Mudford), 2; 3-3 Poutatau 8.4 (R. G. Howell), 3. Also started: 1-2 Sunny Knight 9.9, 6-9 Rebel Mate 9.6, 12-12 Augment 0.1, 15-15 Waitoru 9.1, 16-16 Nightcalm 8.13, 2-1 Wings of Song 8.12, 13-11 Sceptre 8.10, 4-4 Gold Flight 8.10, 14-14 Withdrawal 8.6, 17-17 Dictate 8.5, 5-8 Palfrey 8,5. 18-18 Skyrena 8.0, 7-s.Sham Boy 8.0, 9-7 Stabilise 8,0, 11-10 Dainty Dell 8.0. A head; two lengths. Time; lmin 15sec. N.Z. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE, £1500; 3Vs miles. 4—4—Astral Flame, 9.2 (J. Strathearn) .. 1 6—6—Dozie Boy, 9.2 (P. Burgess) 2 I—l^Slayer, 11.6 (E.. Lecfcie) . ..;. 3 Also started: 1-1 Whirr 9.13 (coupled with Slayer), 3-3 Ballybrit 10.9, 8-8 Erination 10.9, 2-2 Bridegroom 10.8. 7-7 Aussie Ra 10.3, 5-5 Chat 9.12. ' Four lengths; two lengths. Time, 7mm 9 l"-5sec. Trial Hurdles, £300; 1% miles and 50 yards. —4-4 Night Dress, 9.7 (A. E. Lord), 1; 3-3 Fiindy Bay 10.3 (A. • Stove). 2; 2-2 Merry Simon, 9.6 (J. Mcßae), 3. Also started: 1-1 Noko 9.11, 5-5 Colibri 9.2, 8-6 Flame Queen 9.0, 7-7 Petersham 9.0, 6-8 Batsman 9.0, 9-9 Red Dragon 9.0, 10-10 Night Prince 9.0. Two lengths'; a head. Time, 3min 23 4-ssec. WINTER CUP, £775; 1 mile. I—l—Treasurer, 8,1 (C. T. Wilson) .. 1 f,—s—Boloyna, 8.8 (A. Anderson) 2 l_l_St. Cloud, 8.13 (H. Hibberd) 3 Also started: 4r4 Gladynev 9.7, 9-10 Noble Fox 9.5, 7-6 Haughty Winner 9.4, 14-14 Centrepoise 9.4, 2-3 Gayest Son 9.2, 15-15 Wagner 8.11, 13-13 Minority 8.11, 11-8 Little Robin 8.10, 12-12 Gay Parade 8.10, 5-7 Esquire 8.9. 8-9 Trench Law 8.5, 16-17 Cymric 8.5. 3-2 Algerian 8.2. 17-16 The Wrecker 8.0, 10-11 Eulogist 8.0. Head; length and a half. Time, lmin 42 l-ssec. The first and third horses were bracketed. Avonhead Handicap, £300;' 7 furlongs.—3-1 Jolly Time, 8.10 (P. Spratt). 1; 4-3 Blue Coat, 8.0 (J. Strathearn), coupled with Auburn Lad, 2; 7-6 Scarteen, 8.6 (W. F. Ellis), coupled with Blue Abbey, 3. Also started: 9-8 Valcronl 9.10, 13-14 Sanction 8.12, 15-13 Johnemby 8.12, 6-5 Greenbank 8.11, 1-1 Ann Mie 8.11, 5-4 Kanui Te Pai 8.10. 18-16 Gnohill 8.10. 12-15 Kinkajou 8.8, 19-19 Citizen 8.7, 7-6 Blue' Abbey 8.7, coupled with Scarteen, 8-9 Lord Midas 8.6, and Parchment 8.6 (coupled), 2-2 Night Glass 8.5, and Hurry Girl 8.5 (coupled), 16-18 Red Dash 8.5, and Star Wink 8.5 (coupled), 14-12 Grey Night 8.4, and Gold Don 8.4 (coupled). 11-11 Force 8.3, and Roman Son 8.1 (coupled), 4-3 Auburn Lad 8.1 (coupled with Blue Coat), 17-17 Batsham 8.0, and Ackemma 8.0 (coupled), 10-10 Roadsider 8.0, and Moderate 8.0 (coupled), 20-20 Myraid 8.4, and Avenal 8.0 (coupled). Length and a half; neck. Time, lmin 30 2-ssec.