SPORTING Spanish Main’s Success at Riccarton

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 July 1946, Page 7

SPORTING Spanish Main’s Success at Riccarton

As Required’s Display

Soneri Scores Convincing Victory [SPECIAL TO STAR.] CHRISTCHURCH, July 27. Arabian Night was missing from the Homeby Steeplechase at the Christchurch Hunt meeting at Riccarton to-day, and in his absence As Required was sent out win favourite. He made a very satisfactory showing for his first cross-country race for some weeks, but was no match for Spanish Main,, who, after disputing the lead with Siglow foi' the first mile, drew to the front five furlongs from home, and maintained an unassailable lead for the remainder of the journey. He was followed inio the straight by As Required, Siglow, Abbey Lu, and Rival, and although As Required reduced the gap in the run home, he had no chance of troubling Spanish Main. Rival struggled on for third, money, six lengths in front of Siglow, with another gap to Page’s Raid and Timber Topper together. Roman Son was always near the rear and was the last to finish. Opaltown did not last long, as after jumping the first fence in the rear, he refused to jump the first of the kennels double and was called ofl. Abbey Lu fell at the last fence when weakening in fourth place. Winter Cup Trial.

The Brabazon Handicap saw an excellent performance on the part of the Otaki filly Soneri, who was slow away, but was always handy to the leaders, and executed a telling .run home. Bonny Flight was the first to show out from Double Cioss and Whitley, but at the end of a furlong she was sent back to a rear position and Whitley then drew out clear from Leigh Barton, with a gap to Tutere, Salary, Moneybird, Soneri, Dash o’ Dink, and Typhoon. Whitley had a slight advantage from Leigh Barton entering the straight, with Tutere, Moneybird, Soneri, Salary, and Dash o’ Dink close up. Leigh Barton cleared out from Whitley commencing the final furlong,, and Soneri then came into the picture. Leigh Barton appeared to be in for an easy win, but was gradually weakening, and Soneri got up in the last stride to beat him. ■ The West Coaster, Dash o Dink, came home solidly to be on terms with Whitley at the line, and two lengths away Salary was in front oi Tutere, Typhoon, Western Front, Lexia, Ganges, and Tiger Tan. Swift Quarry missed the jump-out and was always in the rear, and others slow away were Lowry Bay, Sing Sing, Grand Forest, and Sumra. Leigh Barton was lame on returning. An inquiry was held into Bonny Flight s trouble, but after evidence was heard, the stewards did not take any further action.

Spectacular Display. The Hunt Cup. Steeplechase vided. a better contest than the small field suggested, and the three placed horses gave spectacular displays throughout, while Master Play was going well in second place when he fell two fences from home. Bank Raid, carrying 13.11 b overweight, ran off at the first fence, and with a round to go Master Play showed the way to Mittens, Noble Robert, and Golden Glow racing in a bunch, with the pony show jumper . The Pie. carrying 161 b overweight, in the real. Golden Glow ran to the front passing the five-furlong post and led ovei the top brush from Master Play, who made the only blunder of the lace and tossed his rider. Golden Glow carried on for an easy win from Noble Robert, who was all out to hold off Mittens. The Pie, who jumped each fence brilliantly, was 100 yards away, with Master Play, who was remounted and jumped the last fence, well back. Golden =Glowdid not jump .as cleanly as his rivals, but had too much pace for them. , . T A good deal of interest in the .Lawford Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase was lost when the third choice, The Raker fell at the second fence, the first of the kennels double, and the pacemaker Jacksonville turned a somersault at the third fence, while the favourite Arctic Dawn went out at the fourth obstacle, the top brush. With a round to go Night Prince had charge from Bravura, but the latter had a useful lead entering the back stretch from Night Prince, Stromboh, Roman Ned, and Slayer, with Appeasement bringing up the 1 - There was not much change until the home turn, where Night Prince had a clear advantage over the last fence from Slayer, Bravura, and Appeasement, and went on to win by a wide margin from Slayer, who held oft a late run by Appeasement. Bravura was four lengths back, with Stromboli beaten off. Roman Ned lost his rider at the top brush when weakening from a forward position.

Two Divisions.

The Halcion Stakes was run in two divisions. In the first, Lorna Leigh led on to the course . proper from Mestiza. Special Flight, and Beautiful, and with two furlongs to go Special Flight had a clear lead from Queen’s General, Beautiful, Lorna Leigh, Precipitate, and Mestiza The rest was easy for Special Flight, who won comfortably from the West Coast-owned Queen’s General, who executed some solid work over the final stages. Beautiful also finished on well for third, beating Indian Dawn by a head, with Lady Melrose, Antibes, Regal Lily, and Philaiy n< Robingay and Hart Royal piloted the field in the second division to the course proper, and with a fin long to go Hart Royal drew out to record a decisive win from Robingay, with Springwater a close third, two lengths in front of Spare Part with Lord Chase, Beechwood, and Responsive next. A field of 21 paraded for the Carnla Hack Handicap, and a very close finish was staged. Notary soon took up the role of pacemaker, and was in front of Knight Crusader, Peter Theio, Gallimaufry, Montello d’Oro, Runaway, and Armont entering the Straight. Knight Crusader and Notary were fighting out the finish inside the final furlong when .Peter Theio joined in. and the trio crossed the line in-a bunch, Knight Qrusader holding

on to gain a narrow verdict from Peter Theio, with Notary a close third. Finalist and Deficiency were together next a length away, and were followed by Runaway, Kirkella, Quadrille, Siegwpod, Baracha, and Armont. Quadrille, Comus, Comic Paper, Siegwood, and Sir Tague were the slowest away.

Comfortable Win.

Hunting Mac led throughout the Longbeach Hurdles, and giving a dashing display had a comfortable win. He was followed into the back stretch by Endurance, who was last away, Test Pilot, and Air Port, the last-named falling at the five- furlong post. Hunting Mac led into the straight clear of Endurance, Sphere, and Test Pilot, and when Endurance went out at the last fence, Sphere threw out a challenge and reduced the gap, but Hunting Mac was never asked a serious question. Test Pilot was a poor third, four lengths in front of Prince Dolomite, who was at the tail of the field for most .of the way. Trueway was the only other to finish. Phil Boa crashed at the stand fence with a round to go. Lord Elgin, first choice for the JCennels Hack Handicap, made a bold bid to justify his position, but was beaten by Detain in a close finish. He went to' the front early and entered the straight in front of Lady Welbeck, Fiery Knight, Gold Lance, Detain, and- Bittersweet. Detain was the first to tackle Lord Elgin, and the pair were engaged in a tight stiuggle when Fiery Knight pushed his way between them. Detain finished on the best to gain a narrow verdict from Lord Elgin, who just shaded Fiery Knight. Great Chum was hall a length away clear of Bittersweet and Gold Lance. Detain finished lull ol running, and recorded his second win for his Christchurch owner, who has still a long way to go to be square with him. Lord Elgin was probably made too much use of under his big weight. Fierv Knight’s placing was very creditable as he returned to the enclosure definitely lame. Bittersweet and Great Chum were the slowest aV fri spite of the counter attractions offering, the club had a very successful meeting. Conditions were excellent. The going was only slightly holding and provided an excellent footing loi the jumpers. The totalisator handled £59,904/10/-. The last Hunt Club meeting held at Riccarton was in 1944 when the totalisator handled £49,704 10/-.

Detailed Results.

Christchurch Hunt Cup SteepleChase, of £150; gentlemen riders, two miles.—l-1 Golden Glow, 11-10 (Mr. M. G. Rattray) 1; 3-3 Noble Robert, 11-0 car 11.91 ,Mr. J. E. Brurton), 2; 5-4 Mittens, 11.0 car. 11.4 J (Mr. J. D. Roberts) 3. Also started: 4-5 Master Play; 2-2 The Pie; 6-6 Bank Raid. Eight lengths; two lengths. The Pie fourth. Time, 4.18 2-5. Lawford Hack and Hunters Steeplechase, of £350, about two miles and a half. —7-8 Night Prince, 10.0 (A. McKerrow) 1; 2-2 Slayer (F. J. Langford) 2; 4-4 Appeasement, 9.11 (K Thomson), 3. Also started: 2-2 Stromboli bracketed Slayer; 3-3 The Raker- 1-1 Arctic Dawn; 6-6 Bravura; 8-7 Jacksonville; 5-5 Roman Ned. Ten lengths; three lengths. Bravura fourth. Time, 5.30 3-5. Haldon Stakes, of £3OO, lor two *and three-year-olds, six . hirlongs. First Division:—B-6 Special Flight, 8.0 (IT. N. Wiggins) 1; 6-7 Queen’s General, 8.0 (W. J. Broughton) 2; 7-8 Beautiful, 8.11 (G. Hampton) 3 Also started: 11-14 Double Shufll'e; IG-1G Philarv; 13-12 Precipitate; 3-3 Tin Hat; 5-4 Antibes; 19-21 Duncan s Qui.b; 2-2 Indian Dawn; 17-18 Lady Melrose; 10-10 Lorna Leigh; 4-5 Mestizo; 12-13 Regal Lily; 18-17 Sandy’s Pride; 14-11 Thomas; 20-20 Victory Bells. Length; two lengths. Indian Dawn fourth. Time, 1.17 4-5. Second Division. —1-1 Hart Royal 8.0 car 8.2 (C. Stokes), 1; 3-3 Robinbay, 8.11 (C. T. Wilson), 2, .14-11 I Spring Water), 8.0 (L. J. Ellis'), 3. Also started: 9-9 Beechwood;. 21-19 Handshake; 15-15 Pink Maid; 22-22 Jitomir; 10-10. Lord Chase; 6-7 Night Rank; 42-13 Rebel Knight; 18-17 Responsive; 8-6 Spare Part. Two lengths, two lengths. Spare Part fourth. Time, 1.18 1-5. > Homeby Steeplechase. Of £6OO, about two miles and a half. 8-8 Spanish Main, 9.3 (W. Hillis), 1, 1-2 As Required, 10.7 (B. Lang-

ford) 4- River, 9.12 (L. Sollett) • ° Also started: 6-5 Siglow; 2-1 Timber Topper; 5-4 Roman Song; 3-3 Abbey Lu; 9-9 Page’s Raid; 7-7 Opaltown? Ten lengths; six lengths. Siglow fourth. Time, 5.23. Camla Hack Handicap, of £3OO, seven furlongs.—4-4 Knight Crusader, 8.10 (W. Ellis), 1; 1-1 Peter Theio, 9 5 (W. Broughton), 2; 12-10 Notary, 8.10 (D. R. Mackie), 3. Also started: 5- Botany; 8-8 Runaway; 14-12 Wane; 16-16 Kirkella; 6-6 Confusion; 7-5 Foreign Ways; 13-15 Mysterious Melody; 15-14 Quadrille; 2-2 Finalist; 17-17 Sir Tague; 9-13 Armont; 18-18 Baracha; 3-3 Gallimaufry; 10-9 Deficiency; 11-11 Sfegwood; 21-21 .Comus; 19-19 Montello d’Oro; 20-20 Comic Paper. Half head; neck. Finalist was fourth. Time, 1.31 3-5. Longbeach Hurdles, of £400; one mile and three-quarters and 50 yards. —2-2 Hunting Mac, 10.8 (D. MacKinnon), 1; 4-4 Sphere, 9.0 (J. Nicolson) 2; 1-1 Test Pilot, 10.7 (I. Walther), 3. Also started: 5-5 Air Port; 7-7'Prince Dolomite; 3-3 Endurance; 6-6 Phil Boa; 8-8 Trueway. Four lengths: six lengths. Prince Dolomite fourth. Time, 3.27.

Brabazon Handicap. Of £4OO. Seven furlongs. 3-3 Soneri, T.B (W. J. Broughton) 1 1-1 Leigh Barton, 7.13 (C. MeDonald) ? 10-9 Whitley, 8.3 Q'C. Stokes) 7 14-13 Dash o’ Dink, 7.10 (A. , Stokes) / " f Dead heat third. • Also started: 13-16 Swift Quarry; 5-5 Tiger Tan; 7-7 Typhoon, 2-2 Bonny Flight; 9-10 Tutere; 17-19 Grand Forest; 12-12 Sing Sing; 11-11 Grill; 6-6 Salary; 8-8 Ganges; 20-20 Lowry Bay; 20-21 Money Bird; 19-18 Swingalong; 18-17 Western Front; 16-15 Double Cross; .15-13 Burbery; 4-4 Lexia and Sumra bracketed. Head; three lengths. Salary was fifth. Time, 1.29 2-5. Kennels Hack Handicap, of £300; nine furlongs.—s-7 Detain, 8.0 (L. J. Ellis), 1; 1-1 Lord Elgin, 9.5 (G. Ridgway) 2; 3-3 Fiery Knight, 8.3 (W. Ellis'), 3. Also started: 2-2 Gold Lance; 4-4 Bitter Sweet; 6-5 Lady Welbeck; 7-6 Pandemonium; 8-8 Great Chum. Neck; head .Great Chum was fourth. Time, 2.1 2-45.