ANGLO-FRENCH WINS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 34, 9 August 1943, Page 6

ANGLO-FRENCH WINS

STEEPLES TRIUMPH

BASHFUL LADY REPEATS

Whereas last August the North Island took a large share of the rewards on the opening day of the Grand National Meeting, its role was very modest on Saturday, Moderate being the only winner from this island. Hopes that had been entertained of a firm track being available were fated to be shattered, rain setting in on Thursday and continuing intermittently thereafter, though the overhead conditions improved after the racing on Saturday began. In addition to the two principal events, the Grand National Steeples and Winter Cup, southerners won all except the Trial Hurdles, in which Moderate scored from his fellowAwapuni representative, Borak. Honours have fallen thick upon the Southlanders Messrs. J. S. and W. E. Hazlett this season, and the partnership followed up their successes in the north with Noko by taking the Grand National Steeplechase with AngloFrench, who had won the South Canterbury Steeples a fortnight earlier. As Noko followed his stablemate home the Hazlett brothers registered a unique performance. Veteran of the field, Erination made a very bold showing out in front until he fell and broke his back five furlongs from home when' going well. At that stage Anglo-French was attending the leader, with Noko and Dozie Boy together and ahead of Chat and Gay Boa, and with the pacemaker out Anglo-French was left well clear. Safely over the final obstacle the second string of the stable was untroubled, but it was only in the last 30 yards that Noko definitely took second place from Dozie Boy, faulty fencing having cost Noko ground. Gay Boa and Chat were next to finish, with Valens the only other to complete the course. Anini broke down comparatively early, Abbey-Lu ran off within sight of home, but was not threatening danger at the time, Benevolent broke down, Auctor was pulled up, and Hyderabad lost his rider, but continued on. HISTORY REPEATED. Last year's winner of the Winter Cup, Bashful Lady, rather went out of favour for this year's contest, but the Paper Money mare carried off the honours quite definitely. Southland thus took the two principal races on the programme. After causing a lot of trouble at the barrier, Fox-brae began well to take up the running from Paladeo, Bashful Lady, Lenardo and Boloyna, and the pacemaker still had charge racing across the top. However, approaching the entrance Bashful Lady made a fast move to assume command, and although Donnybrook Fair, who had moved up on the outer on the turn, finished very solidly he could not bridge the gap. Boloyna held off Lenardo in the run to the post, with Kevin, Fairy Bard, and Dark Olga next to finish. Dark Olga and Fiddler's Green were a trifle slow to move, but Minority had every chance. CHAPTER OF MISHAPS. The Enfield Steeplechase was _ a chapter of mishaps, and it was superior pace rather than jumping ability that enabled True Range to triumph. His task in the concluding stages was made easier by Donadea runnn^? off at the second last fence when forcing matters out in front with Safe Light, and the latter coming to grief at the last obstacle. After being the first to show out True Range's failure to jump fast cost him ground, and Donadea and Safe Light took up the running and led for the major portion of the journey. Hanover, who was finding the ground too heavy, fluctuated in position. However, even the North Islander was not faultless in his jumping. Crossing the top Donadea challenged Safe Light, with True Range rapidly making up ground, and just | when the finish promised to be mterestI ing disaster overtook the leaders. With their deletion True Range had only to be kept going to win from La Boca, who battled on solidly, with Wexford Bridge also outstaying Hanover, STRONG FINISHING RUN. A big field of 25 runners went to the post in the Cashmere Plate. The Trentham representative, Valebit, was drawn on the extreme outside. He began quickly, but was never able to work across towards the rail and could not go on with it after turning into the straight. Desert Strife was always handy, and this racy Bulandshar filly appeared to have the race at her mercy until Big Top, who had run a second at Washdyke, came with a great burst along the outer. The lad on Desert Strife endeavoured to stir his mount up, but the effort came too late. Paper Lily dashed into the picture over the final furlong to be third, a length back, and then came Royal Review, Great Legend, Salary, and Prize Ring. The favourite, In Chancery, loomed up on the turn but did not go on with it. NORTH ISLAND TO FORE. The two North Island representatives, Moderate and Borak, were strongly supported for the Trial Hurdles and the pair finished in tne order in which they were backed. Borak was badly away, having only Good Health, who did not appreciate the conditions, behind him passing through the straight. He moved forward along the back to be handy six furlongs from home, but Moderate also joined issue, to be actually in charge at the final fence. Borak made a bid to get up, but his fellow-northerner was always going the better. Midgard made the pace on the second circuit from Treasurer and Heidelberg, but the latter pair could not hold their places when the others joined in. Knight Commander came with a late claim to fill third place and return the best dividend of the race. Midgard struggled on for fourth, with Heidelberg and Treasurer following. The easy nature of the track suited Moderate admirably, and he won with something in hand. A BUMPER DIVIDEND. In a thrilling finish, Foxhaven, Platform, and Poutatau crossed the line in the Paparua Handicap locked together, the first-named being on the inner of Poutatau, with Platform wide out. The last-named put up a remarkable performance, for he was last at the straight entrance, yet would, have been the winner in another stride or two. Fur Coat and Burberry led Royal Flight, Sham Boy, and Poutatau early, but the two leaders compounded before the final furlong was entered upon. Poutatau ran through to take the lead on straightening up, but Foxhaven, after being well back early, worked up on his inner, and the pair fought it out all the way home. However, in the last few strides Platform got up to split the pair, heads being the dividing margins, and then came Black Robe, who failed to secure the lead on this occasion despite jumping away from No. 1 position. Invulnerable, who is a splendid type, ran a very satisfactory race for fifth, but the others were all easing up at the post. Foxhaven paid in the region of three-quarters of a century. NIGHTCALM AT ODDS. As a trial for the Grand National Hurdles the Sydenham Hurdles was not particularly illuminating, the finish being fought out by two little-fancied runners in Nightcalm and Rockery, with Black Musk, who had set the pace till half a mile from home, where Rockery ran past him, battling on for third. Talenta, well back for the major portion of the journey, came home solidly for fifth, with Cplibri and Colonel Rouge following at intervals. Khurja drifted slightly over the last five furlongs, but was handy enough at the final fence, where he fell heavily. After lying on the ground for some time he regained his feet and appeared to be little the worse. Kanui Te Pai was never going like a winner, and Renascor, Young Charles, and Hasten were not impressive. CAME WITH LATE RUN. Favourite for the Avonhead Hack Handicap, Foxleap came from some distance back to wear down Great March, who had assumed charge on reaching the course proper. Up to this point Hunting Charm had been always in or near the van, but the Washdyke winner stopped very quickly. Tring came from well back over the last two furlongs for third, with Park Light, who ran surprisingly well for a fresh horse, ahead of Sovereign Lad. The last-named was badly drawn and was one of those slowest away. His performance under the circumstances was an excellent one.

Despite the uninviting conditions there was a large crowd at Riccarton, and the totalisator handled £ 101,965 10s, as compared with £82,693 last year, an increase of £19,272 10s. The detailed results were:— Enfield Steeplechase, £350 ; about 2% miles. —1-1 True Range, 9.12 (T. Boyle), 1; 3-3 La Boca, 10.7 (P. Boyle), 2; 10-10 Wexford Bridge, 10.0 (R. Hollands), 3. Scr.: Minton, Gay Hussar. Four lengths; five. Time, 5.31 4-3. (Winner trained by W. E. Hazlett, Invercargill.) Cashmere Plate, £350 (for maidens), 6 fur-longs.—7-G Big Top, 8.11 (C. Stokes), 1; 8-8 Desert Strife, 8.0 (B. Markwick), 2; 16-15 Paper Lily, 8.0 (D. Thistoll), 3. Scr.: Denary. Two lengths; one. Time, 1.17 4-5. (Winner trained by A. E. L. McMullian, Riccarton.) Trial Hurdle Handicap, £350; 1% miles and 50 yards.—l-1 Moderate, 9.5 (D. Redstone), 1; 2-2 Borak, 9.11 (P. Brady), 2; 11-10 Knight Commander, 8.2 (R. Register), 3. Scr.: Colonel Bogey, Taxpayer, Spanish Main. Length and a half; four. Time, 3.28. (Winner trained by B. Burgess, Awapuni.) Paparua Handicap, £400; 6 furlongs.—l - -12 Foxhaven, 8.0 (L. Clutterbuck), 1; 8-9 Platform, 8.9 (A. Anderson), 2; 1-1 Poutatau, 9.1 (C. T. Wilson), 3. All started. Head; head. Time, 1.16 2-5. (Winner trained by C. Emerson, Riccarton.) NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE, £1500; about 3Va miles. I—-I—Anglo-French, 9.7 (R. Beale) 1 I—l—Noko, 11.7 (P. J. Boyle) 2 7—6—Dozie Boy, 10.4 (P. Brady) 3 First and second horses bracketed. All started. Ten lengths; neck. Time, 7.19. (Winner trained by W. E. Hazlett, Invercargill.) Sydenham Hurdles, £600; 2 miles.—ll-11 Nightcalm, 9.1 (R. Register), 1; 12-12 Rockery, 9.0, car. 9.2 (R. Johnstone), 2; 5-6 Black! Musk, 10.2 (J. Williamson), 3. Scr.: Native Chief, Heidelberg, Colonel Bogey. Head; threequarters of a length. Time, 3.54. (Winner trained by H. A. Anderton, Wingatui.) WINTER CUP, £1000; 1 mile. j 3_4_Bashful Lady, 9.6 (R. J. Mackie) .... 1 8 —7 —Donnybrook Fair, 8.0 (C. T. Wilson) 2 6—B—Boloyna, 9.7 (A. E. Didham) 3 Scr.: Kronos, Hearth, Royal Writ. Length and a half; two. Time, 1.46 3-5. (Winner trained by J. R. Cochrane, Gore.) Avonhead Handicap, £350; 1 mile. —1-1 Foxleap, 8.9 (W. Ensor), 1; 8-8 Great March, 8.0 (B. Markwick), 2; 5-3 Tring, 9.0 (R. J. Mackie), 3. Scr.: Sports Flash, Omoana. Half a length; three lengths. Time, 1.47. (Winner trained by H. and A. Cutts, Riccarton.)