SPORTING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 134, 9 June 1942, Page 6

SPORTING

RECORD IN 'CHASES

LADY CALLAGHAN'S FEAT

(By "Binocular.")

In the past Lady Callaghan has shown her best form when fresh, but she was not quite ready to run the journey of the Wanganui Steeplechase on the opening day at Marton. However, with Foxiana, the first day's winner, and Tidewaiter, who might have been a potential danger, absentees on the second day, Lady Callaghan was made a firm favourite for the Grandstand Steeples. Her brilliant fencing enabled her to reach the front early, and thereafter the race was little more than a procession, Hanover and Siegall being the only possibilities. Hanover, who has not proved himself to be a, genuine stayer, weakened a shade in the last half-furlong, which enabled Siegall, with her superior pace, to worry him out of second money. Two years ago Lady Callaghan won the Grandstand Steeples at Wanganui, the event being staged on the first day on that occasion, but was unplaced in the Wanganui Steeples. Twelve months later she won the Wanganui Steeples and ran second in the Grandstand Steeplechase. Her record in these races is thus particularly good. Sustained Run.—Well back in the early stages of the Connolly Handicap on the opening day of the Wanganui Meeting, Classform came home fairly well in *■ seventh place. Again [on the second day she was a long way back, but crossing the top she commenced her'run to be in the van at the straight entrance, and superior staying enabled her to remain there. Her price was rather a false one. Honest Mare.—Though she does not win out of iher turn, Authoress ran two honest races at Marton. On the first day she was unlucky in running a shade wide at the straight entrance when challenging, and on the second day she was not too well placed. She worked free but found herself unable to pull back Classform. Another Failure. —Coming home solidly from a long way back,in the Connolly Handicap on the opening day ,at Wanganui, Minority did well to finish just behind the bunch. He was made iavourite for^the Empire Handicap last Saturday, but got away badly and his task was hopeless. Full Hand. Myarion, and Red Dash were other i sufferers.

Short of Work.—A week's hard work, together with a walk from Wanganui prior to the day—the trip being accomplished in two sections—Red Chief improved materially on his first day's effort by winning the Balgownie Hack Handicap on Saturday. He was- assisted by the absence of pace in the middle stages. Tau-Uru was another to show a substantial improvement. Unlucky.—Holding a good position early in the hack distance event, Worton was smothered up going along the back and was towards the rear turning for home. He put in some telling work in the straight, but could only gel; third. Better favoured in the running he would have gone close to winning. Well Deserved.—Figuring in the Century Hurdles were several runners of doubtful staying power, and in this department Cuisinier proved himself definitely superior. He was nicely handled by A. Sagar, who did not ask a question of him till the closing stages. Disappointing.—Kena, favourite for the Century Hurdles, ran a disappointing race. With a young rider up, he failed to go with his field and was a long way back throughout. He" came home fairly well but without .being a possibility. Coming: Right.—On the opening day at Marton Dorado was observed putting in some good work in the closing stages of the hurdle event. In > the Century Hurdles last Saturday he was in the picture at the finish, although he had to be content with fourth place, the extra distance finding him out. However, he should not be long. An Improver.—-Showing a lot of speed and fairly *>und jumping ability, Colossal Chief played a prominent role for the major portion of the 'journey in the Century Hurdles -at Marton on Saturday, but he weakened a shade in the all-important stage. It was a promising showing, nevertheless. A Good Sort. —Although his winning margin in the Hurricane Hack Handicap was restricted to a length, High Class could have made it greater had he been asked. This is a good sort who should go much further. Paid Her Way.—The southern mare Rebel Lady made two appearances at Marton last Saturday. She was early in front in the Castlecliff Handicap to win untroubled, but was never in the firing line in the Hurricane Hack Handicap. However, she paid expenses. Ran Well.—Despite the steadier of 10.0 Duality ran an honest race in the Hurricane Hack Handicap at Marton on Saturday. She promised to be in the money after straightening up, but the weight told and she retreated to fifth at the post. Appreciated.—ln the hack distance event on the opening day, Midian Star was prominent right into the straight before compounding, and she appreciated the shorte distance of the Castlecliff Handicap on the second day. On this occasion she came from behind Red Glare to beat this well-fancied runner for second money. ■ Badly Drawn. —Drawn wide out, Bendemeer was a little on her toes at the barrier before the start of the CastleclifE Hack Handicap at Marton on Saturday and she was wide out all the way. Though ninth to finish, she should win again before long. Benefited.—A course of hurdling frequently proves beneficial, and seemingly Trig Station found it so, for he surprised by'hanging on to win the open sprint against a useful field on the second day at Marton.. On the previous Saturday he had contested the hurdles without success. With his undoubted speed he should win more flat races.

Surprising.—Having his first outing since March, The Monarch made a bold showing in the big handicap on the second day, of the Wanganui Meeting. He was up in line with the .third horse at the post, and the effort suggests that he is very well. Not Repeated.—For a period in the open sprint at Marton on Saturday Sir Crusoe was showing out after jumping away from an outer position, but he retired and was well back at the finish. He should be the better for the. racing. Steadied.—With his weight increased to 9.1 as a result of his first day success, Saint Tor did not show his customary early brilliance on the second day of the Wanganui Meeting. He ran a good race but will probably always do best under a lighter scale. In At Death.—Full-sisters, Black Robe and Soutane played a part in the finish of the open sprint at Marton last Saturday, but on this occasion it was the elder member of the family, Black Robe, who had the better Qf the argument, even though she had to be content with second placing to Trig Station.

Bad Marble.—lnside positions at the barrier are usually welcomed, but it was a bad position for Night Eruption, who, after being drawn next to the rail in the open sprint at Marton, failed to begin and was sent back to the rear. The luck should turn for this mare.