SPORTING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 42, 18 August 1942, Page 6

SPORTING

(By ••Binocular.")

A TURN OF LUCK

ANGLO-FRENCH SURPRISES

i Last August the Southland sportsmen Messrs. J S. and W. E. Hazlett brought off a great win with a comparative novice'chaser when Astral Flame won the Grand National Steeplechase. The Colonel Cygnus—lllume gelding later failed to stand and was turned out His owners, however had other strings to their bow in Colonel French and AngloFrench, both products of the Tractor mare Loretts. The former is by Colonel Cygnus and the latter by Sir Simper, the last of the progeny of the famous mare Simper, dam of those great performers Affectation, Illume, Gold Light, Razzle Dazzle, Beacon Light, etc.

Unfortunate Mishaps.—Both Colonel French and Anglo-French were entered for the Grand National Meeting, although lack of racing threatened to count against the former. He was making his first start for the season when he contested the Teschemaker Steeplechase at Washdyke on July 25, and a fall early in the piece did not encourage his owners to proceed with his National engagements. On the other hand, Anglo-French had had a fair amount of racing, carrying substantial weights in the lower grade, but being allowed in at 51b above the minimum for the Grand National Steeples. Contesting the Lawford Steeples at the Cliristchurch Hunt he fell and-an injury necessitated his forgoing the big steeples, which left Messrs.' Hazlett without *a representative. Recovered.—Contrary to expectations, Anglo-French made a quick recovery from his injury, and he was entei-ed for the Lincoln Steeples last Saturday. Whereas he had had 11.2 in the Lawf ord Hack and Hunters' Steeples, he enjoyed a drop of two stone in the Lincoln Steeples on Saturday when pitted against the top class. He showed: his appreciation by being always handy to Clansman, who had assumed the role of pacemaker. In the final stages he took charge, to hold off the veteran Erination, who has rather surprised by the manner in which he has stood up to his tasks — better, indeed, than the majority of the younger brigade. By the success of Anglo-French Messrs. Hazlett enjoyed a turn of fortune just when, fate appeared to be definitely against them. Honest Sort. —Although many would no doubt have been pleased to see Foxiana emulate the performances of Padishah by completing the big double at Riccarton, the Hunting Song gelding fbund the task of giving away ?51b to Renascor a little too much for him. Foxiana has been the find oi the present winter as a 'chaser, and it was'no mean effort on his part to return to hurdling to run second immediately following the transfer. However, he was a proved hurdler before he took lip steeplechasing, even though he had not previously been pitted against the Dominion's best.

Good Innings.—Awapuni jumpers completed a great double on the opening day of the Grand National Reefing when Foxiana took the steeples and Kanui Te Pai the Sydenham Hurdles. The centre was not represented in the Lincoln Steeples' oil Saturday, but had three runners in the Grand National Hurdles, and took first and second placings with Renascor and Foxiana. The disappointment was Kanui Te Pai, who again showed that two and a half miles is a trifle far for him. Further, he seemingly races best when fresh.

Very Useful.—Renascor, winner of the 1942 Grand National Hurdles, has proved himself "very useful, botti on the flat and over the hurdles. He is a six-year-old gelding by Musketoon from Snowshoe, who was got by Kilbroney from SnowstaU. Incidentally, Snowshoe was a sister to Snowland, dam of that useful performer of a few years back, Arctic King. Renascor was bred by Mr. W. T. Bailey, who at one period had Musketoon doing stud duty in company with Lackham. Bred as he is, it is not surprising that Renascor has shown himself quite at home in heavy going. He is a half-brother to Kippit Lee, dam of The Raker and War Effort. Won Fame. —It is a far cry back to 1924 when a diminutive Maori lad piloted Cold Steel to victory in the Wangahui Cup. That was Tom Tito, and he took no risks that day, making every post a winning post. For a period Tito was quite an ornament of the profession. Increasing weight commenced to trouble him, and for a few years he was not seen in the saddle, but he surprised the sporting world by staging a come-back, showing all his former dash and punch. He was seen more frequently in highweight and lumping events, and a 'chaser who built up a good record when ridden by him, more particularly in the season before last, was Lady Callaghan. Now, he has attained fresh heights by piloting a National winner, for he was the rider of Renascor in the big hurdles at Riccarton on Saturday. Rough Going:.—Winners were well concealed at Riccarton on Saturday, and it was not till the seventh event that a favourite. Rakanui, fulfilled expectations. The successes of Willow Wood and Prince Shad came as complete surprises; the latter, in particular must have improved considerably since racing in the North Island. However, a high opinion has always been held of him by his connections, and probably the travelling experience he gained up this way has settled him down.