SPORTING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 38, 13 August 1942, Page 6

SPORTING

SAME PROGRAMME

IN PADISHAH'S FOOTSTEPS

(By "Binocular.") Two years ago Padishah followed up his win in the Grand National Steeples under 11.5 by taking the Grand National Hurdles with 11.7. He is the only horse to have accomplished the double, and interest is centred in Foxiana, who is attempting the feat this year. In the Grand National. Steeples last Saturday Foxiana won with 11.13, and whereas Padishah carried 21b more in the hurdles than he had done in the steeples, the Hunting Song gelding comes in at 81b below what he carried over the Riccarton country. However, unlike the earlier champion, Foxiana had a string of successes to his credit in the 'chasing branch before undertaking the National Steeplechase, and nas not figured in the hurdling department since last Easter. In view of that his task is not an easy one. Quick Climb.—Although he had earlier built up a good record for himself as a hurdler an the hack class, it was not till the Wanganui Autumn Meeting in 1941 that Foxiana scored in a flat race, winning the Kai Iwi Maideni 6 furlongs. Later he ran unplaced in the Oroua Hack Cup at Peilding, but wound up his activities for the term by taking the Century Hurdles at Wanganui with 9.13 and the Rangitira Hurdles at Manawatu with 10.13. Taken south for the Grand National Hurdles twelve months ago he went sore in the Jumpers' Flat Handicap and had to forgo the big engagement The handicappers allotted lim 12.2 in the Karere Hurdles at Manawatu in March and 12.0 in the Kimbolton Hurdles at Feilding a fortnight later. He failed, but he is a vastly improved horse since then. It will be a I>ig day for Foxiana's owner should the gelding equal Padishah's achievement. Trotting at Trentham.—For the first time in history, trotting meetings will be staged at Trentham next month, when the Wellington Trotting Club will use the course for the presentation of a patriotic fixture on September 12, with its own Spring Meeting on September 19. Former Trainer.—The death occurred in Auckland at the weekend of J. J. Kennerley, a former prominent Canterbury trotting reinsman and trainer. He had been living in retirement in Auckland for some time past, but his health had been indifferent. When in the south he trained land drove many good horses, including Peter Bingen, winner of the New Zealand Cup (twice), National Cup, New; Zealand Trotting Gold Cup, etc., Logan Chief (Canterbury Handicap), Great Bingen (Dunedin Cup), Native Chief (New Zealand Derby Stakes), Acron (New Zealand Derby Stakes), etc. Handy Reference.—Despite working under difficulties, the compilers of the New Zealand Turf Register got the 1941-42 issue out in tune for the opening of the Grand National Meeting. In addition to the race results for the term, various statistics also figure in this useful compilation. ■-■< Great Effort.—ln' running second in the Winter Cup, Rakanui registered a great performance. Until he raced at the Hawke's Bay Hunt Meeting on the preceding Saturday, the Hunting Song gelding had not figured under silk since the Auckland Meeting on January 2. He .was thus under a handicap in respect' to racing condition, and found Bashful Lady too good for him. High Honours.—Like Rakanui, the third place-getter in the Winter Cup, All Night, has not been easy to keep going. This Nightly gelding has frequently shown signs of unsoundness, and his trainer has found it impossible to give him the amount of work desired. Under the circumstances, All Night's placings in both the Brabazon Handicap and Winter Cup were well deserved- All going well, this southerner should carry his record much further. : Went Higher.—Twelve months ago Surcoat ran fourth in the Enfield Steeples with 11.6. He showed his appreciation of the drop to 10.11 on Saturday by taking the same event with something in hand. Two of those to finish ahead of hint last year, Gay Boa and Ruling Star, contested the big steeples. Both were out of the money in the higher grade, but Gay Boa made a bold showing for a fair portion of the journey. Ruling Star, however, quite failed to repeat his effort of the Hunt Meeting a week earlier. Surcoat is bred on jumping lines, being by Philamor from the Tractor mare Windshield, and should go further in the game. Good Innlmgs. — Awapuni-trained jumpers took a large share of the lonours on the opening day at Riccarton, for, in addition to Foxiana's good win in the National Steeples, Kanui Te Pai won the Sydenham Hurdles. This race is viewed as a trial for the Grand National Hurdles next Saturday, but when that day rolls round Kanui Te Pai will have Erndale to contend with. Another winner from Awapuni was Happy Ending, who showed that he can sprint as well as stay by annexing the Paparua Handicap, six furlongs, narrowly but brilliantly. First FalL—-Anglo-French, who carries the same colours as last year's winner of the Grand National Steeplechase, was considered a lightweight possibility for this year's contest, but a fall in the Hunters' Steeples at the Christchurch Hunt Meeting resulted in his having to forgo-his 'first-day engagements. He had never before fallen in a race.