SPORTING Dumbo and Soneri Win Easily

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 August 1946, Page 7

SPORTING Dumbo and Soneri Win Easily

’National Day Successes Paparua Handicap Won by Tribal Night [SPECIAL TO STAR.] CHRISTCHURCH, August 3. The Grand National Steeplechase to-day attracted probably the largest assemblage ever recorded at Riccarton, and all accommodation was overtaxed. The day’s turnover, £168,538, was a record for the course, the previous best being £164,360 on Cup day last November. The selling facilities at both totalisator houses were quite inadequate to deal with the business offering,, and if all the money available had been handled the total would have exceeded the £200.000 mark. The field for the Grand National Steeplechase was generally considered the weakest paraded for many years past, but some spectacular jumping was seen. Tho display of the winner, Dumbo, may not have reached the standard set by giants of ■the past, but-he did everything right, and completed the journey without the semblance of a mistake. His win was the easiest probably in the history of the race. Form shown in the Brabazon Handicap at last Saturday’s Hunt fixture was borne out in the Winter Cup by Soneri again beating Leigh Barton. Last week Soneri had a difficult task in overhauling Leigh Barton. nearing the post, blit on this occasion she was better placed during the running, and drew right away in the last furlong, while Leigh Barton had to come from well back in the field at the half mile to gain second money without in any way threatening Soneri’s position. Grand National Described.

Night Prince led over the first fence in the Grand National Steeple- | chase, but crashed at the second, the | first of the stand double. Phil Boa' was last af this stage and he ran off at Cutts’s brush. Red Glare was in front going into the back stretch from Dumbo, but after jumping the kennels double, Dumbo went to the front from Red Glare with Indian Sign next clear of Spanish Main, Roman Sen and As Required, with Bronze Night and Rival bringing up the rear. Indian Sign ran off at the top brush, and with a round to go Dumbo was well clear of Red Glare, who narrowly missed falling at the stand double, with Spanish Main and Roman Son together next, and As Required close up. Siglow went out at the first of the double. Dumbo entered the back stretch with a useful advantage from Red Glare, Spanish Main and Roman Son, but the last-named, who had been jumping well, was pulled up after the first sod wall owing to. his rider losing his 1 irons, while As Required, when tiring badly, fell at the second, sod wall. Dumbo had a lead of nearly 20 lengths going to the last fence from Spanish Main, who passed Red Glare rounding the home .turn. Dumbo completed a dashing display by a clean effort over the final obstacle and won by a wide margin from Spanish Main. There was a bigger gap to Red Glare, and Rival, a furlong back, was the only other to finish. Bronze Night was pulled up after Cutts’s the second time. Abbey Lu was pulled up after jumping thei first fence, which he struck behind, and one of his hind legs was temporarily paralysed. He was alright when returned to the birdcage. Brilliant Success. The Winter Cup attracted a substantial .pool, ■ with the Brabazon' Handicap winner, S.oneri, a staunch j favourite. Although drawing a wide: marble, she was always well placed! and followed Tutcre and Verdant in-i to the straight, with Imperial and: Tiger Tan handy. Soneri was in front' with a furlong to go, and was never. U’l any danger from that stage. Leigh i Barto'n, not prominent until well in-• to the straight, pv,i in soma attract-I ive work over the final stages, and wore down Tiger Tan for second, money. Imperial was g length away ( in front of Foxehaso, who. was one of the last over the first naif of the journey. Then followed Findon, Kiloney, Salary, Western Front, Bonny Flight, and Grand Forest. Longsword, Lady Chips, Sing Sing and Grand Forest were the- slowest away. y ' The Epfield Steeplechase provided an excellent contest. A good deal of interest was, however? lost early by the second choice, Roman Ned, running off at the top brush the first time. Stromboli scop. took, up the

role of pacemaker, and with a round to go disputed the lead with Bravura, with Lady Premier in close attendance and Appeasement and Page's Raid handy. Lady Premier jumped to the front passing the five furlong post, and had a useful lead entering the straight from Stromboli, Appeasement and Page’s Raid. Page’s Raid was on terms -with Stromboli at the last fence, and with a furlong to go, drew up to Lady Premier. In an exciting tussle, Page’s Raid got up to gain a last stride verdict from Lady Premier. Appeasement was a fair third, several lengths in front of Stromboli, with another gap to Golden Glow. Penetration ran, off at the first fence and Bank Raid at the second of the kennels double. Never |n Doubt. Indian Dawn, who finished fourth in her division of the Haldon Stakes last Saturday, showed expected improvement by an easy win in the Cashmere Plate.- Ratline led on to tho course proper from Spare Part, .Lerna Leiali, Indian Dawn, Regal Lily, Fort ’ Silver and Duncan’s Quib, but with a furlong to go, Indian Dawn showed out, and soon placed the issue beyond doubt, winning by a clear margin from Spare Part, who outstayed Rahine. Lorna Leigh was a length away, and was followed by Duncans Quib (last away), Lady Melrose, Grand Melee, Queen's General, Koronah and Spring Water. Brantome made a bold attempt to justify his favouritism for the Jumpers’ Fiat Race, and only failed in the last stride, after acting as pacemaker for'most of the. journey. He was followed through the back stretch by Bramble Song, Hunting Mac, Ring Chief and Blue Title all in close order with Prince Dolomite and Betterman in last place. There was not much change to the home turn, except that Hunting Mac had run into second place, and Brantome led into the straight from HuntingMac, Bramble Song, Sphere and Hasten. Bramble Song drew past Brantome nearing the post, but the latter made a renewed effort, and there was only a head between them at the post in favour of Bramble Song. The little-fancied Hasten was a good third, two lengths in front of Sphere, with Boloyna, Slavonik and The Monarch in line next. The last to finish was the second choice, Prize Ring, who met trouble early and gradually drifted.

Successful Change-over.

Karachi was withdrawn from the Paparua Handicap, and his rider, W. Broughton, was given the ride on his stablemate, Tribal Night, who _in consequence was sent out first choice. John o’ London went to the front after a furlong had been covered, and wqs clear entering the straight from Tribal Night and Whitley together in front of Money Bird, The Grand and Panope. The run home had not long been entered upon before Tribal Night worked his way to the front, and he had the race in hand a good way from the pest. Iri a close tussle for the minor placings, John o’ London, who is owned and trained at Greymouth, held on to beat The Grand, with Panope half a length away in front of Moneybird, Air Ace, Platform, Cramond Bay, Burberry, and Bridge Acre. An inquiry was held into interference caused to John o’ London by Tribal Night, but Broughton’s explanation was accepted. Glad Fox went to the fro,nt at the first fence in the Trial Hurdles, and was in charge for the greater part of the journey. He was followed through the back stretch by Banco. Olga’s Choice, Tamerlane, Beneve and Cuisinier. There was not any material change uptil the home turn, Where Greek Dancer moved up from a rear position, and Glad Fox entered the straight slightly in front of Banco, with Olga’s Choice (who had. been sent back to a rear position nearing the half mile), Greek Dancer and Beneve closely following. Olga’s Choice took charge shortly after crossing the last fence, and appeared to be,in for his first win as a hurdler until Beneve came with a late telling run that landed, him the winner right on* the fine. Glad Fox was a close third, half a length in front of Cuisinier and Tamerlane abreast, and then came Greek Dancer, with a gap to Banco and Trueway. Olga’s Choice was very unlucky as he lost valuable ground at a critical stage. M. Andrews, rider of Cuisinier, was found guilty of interfering with Olga’s Choice and was suspended for two months, and K. J. Thomson, rider of Olga’s Choice, was suspended for a month for giving unsatisfactory evidence. Surprise Winner

Alarnpde and Lord Elgin accounted for the major portion of the b.ig pool on the concluding event, the Avonhead Hack Handicap, but both failed to pay dividends. Soft Light v, ; ent away with the lead from P.eej}

Harmony, Joy Rosa, Winning Ticket, Deficiency, Lord Elgin and Tifox. Joy Rosa took over three furlongs from home and led into the straight from Winning Ticket, Liquidate, Deficiency and Gallimaufry. Joy Rosa increased her lead in the run home, and recorded an easy surprise victory. In a close tussle for the minor placings, Gallimaufry got up on the line to get second money from Deep Harmony, with Lord Elgin a head away. Then came Alamode, who had a bad passage round the home turn, Persuade, Winning Ticket, Deficiency and Bittersweet. An inquiry was held into interference to Alamode, who nearly came down, by Deep Harmony, but the explanation of the latter’s rider, A. Stokes, was accepted. The winner paid the biggest dividend of the day, slightly over the quarter century. Detailed Results Enfield Steeplechase, of £600; hack steeplechasers and qualified hunters; about two miles and a-half. —3-4 Page’s Raid, 10.5 (R. Heasley) 1: 6-6 Lady Premier 9.3 (C. Carroll) 2; 1-1 Appeasement 9.10 (K. Thomson) 3. Also started: 7-7 The Raker; 5-5 Bravura; 4-3 Golden Glow; 8-8 Stromboli; 10-10 Penetration; 2-2 Roman Ned; 9-9 Bank Raid. Half length; six lengths. Stromboli was fourth. Time, 5.18 2-5. ■

Cashmere Plate, of £400; for three-year-olds. Non-wipners. Six furlongs. —l-1 Indian Dawn 8.0 (K. Nuttall) 1; 5-4 Spare Part 8.5 (B. J. Langford) 2; 13-13 Rahine 8.0 car. 8.3;} (C. Stokes) 3. Also started: 21-21 Duncan’s Quib; 18-17 Fort Silver; 15-18 Front Page; 19-19 Kinara; 22-22 Le Sonnet; 6-7 Lord Chase; 8-10 Majestic Fox; 2-2 Queen’s General; 10-6 Springwater; 20-20 Thomas; 16-15 Tin Hat; 4-5 Antibes; 8-8 Bonnie Fair; 3-3 Grande Melee; 12-11 Koronah; 7-9 Lady Melrose; 14-14 Lorna Leigh; 11-12 Mestiza; 17-16 Regal Lily, 23-22 Victory Bells. Three lengths; half flength. Lorna Leigh was fourth. Time, Ll 6 2-5.

Jumpers’ Flat Handicap, of £5OO. One mile and a-half.—7-7 Bramble Song 10.0 (F, Cleaver) 1; 1-1 Brantome 9.9 (R. Collett) 2: 10-10 Hasten 9.6 (M. Andrews) 3. Also started: 2-5 Prize Ring; 9-8 The Monarch; 3-, 2 Sphere; 13-13 Boloyna; 4-3 Betterman and Bettermusk; 5-4 Blue Title; 6-6 Hunting Mac; 12-11 Prince Dolomite; 11-12 Ring Scarf; 8-9 Slavonik. Head; length and a half; Hunting Mac was fourth. Time, 2.43 3-5.

Paparua Handicap, of £6OO. Seven furlongs.—l-2 Tribal Night 9.7 (W. J. Broughton) 1; 15-18 John o’ London, 8.0 car. 8.1;} (W. Connor) 2; 9-10 The Grand 8.11 (C. A. Bowry) 3. Also started: 3-3 Bridge Acre; 17-16 Foxhaven; 15-14 Platform; 5-5 Grill; 2-1 Whitley; 18-17 Broiefield; _ 12-12 Money Bird; ”1-4 Panope; 7-7 Air Ace; 19-19 Trench Law; 6-6 Julius Caesar; 10-9 Burberry; 13-15 High Ideal; Illi Double Cross; 14-13 Cramond Bay; 8-8 Sedgemere and Surnra. Two lengths; half a length. Panope was fourth. Time, 1.29 1-5.

New Zealand Grand National

Steeplechase, Of £3OOO. Three miles and a half. 4- Dumbo, 9.4 (F. Cleaver) .. 1 2- Spanish 'Main 9.0 (W. Hillis) 2 5- Red Glare 11.10 (J. Williamson) 3 Also started: 8-8 Phil Boa: 1-1 As Required; 12-12 Siglow; 9-10 Roman Sop: 3-4 Indian Sign; 7-7 Rival; 10-9 Abbey Lu; 1.1-11 Bronze Night; 6-5 Night Prince. Twenty lengths; 30 lengths. Rival fourth. Time, 7.8. Trial Hurdle Handicap, of £6OO. One mile and three-quarters and 50 yads.—2-2 Beneve 10.10 (C. Bowry) 1; 4_4 Olga’s Choice 9.10 (K. Thomson) 2; 3-3 Glad Fox 10.8 (C. Carroll) 3. .Also started: 6-6 Arctic Dawn, 1-1 Greek Dancer; 7-7 Big Top; 8-8 Cuisinier; 5-5 Tamerlane; 9-9 Banco; 10-10 Trueway. Half head; two lengths’. Cuisinier fourth. Time, 3.23 3Winter Cup Of £ 1750. One mile. 1-1 Soneri, 8.13 (W. J. Broughton) 1 3-3 Leigh Barton 8.4 (C. McDonald) 2 12-12 Tiger Tan 9.9 (A. Jenkins) 3 Also started: 5-5 Findon; 19-19 Longsword; 6-7 Verdant; 2-3 Bonny Flight; 8-9 Tutere; 16-14 Lance Wing; 13,-13 Nepeta; 4-4 Imperial; 17-17 Good Bay; 11-11 Sing Sing; 14-18 Grand Forest; Lady Chips and Salary; 10-10 Ganges and Foxchaser; 18-16 Honest Sal: 3-2 Western Front bracketed, Leigh Barton; 15-15 Boolamskee and Kiloney; 9-8 Foxella and Dash o’ Dink. Three lengths; neck. Imperial fourth. Time, 1.41 3-5.

Avonhead Handicap, of £5OO. Hack conditions; one mile.—7-10 Joy Rosa 8.12 (C. Stokes) 1; 6-6 Gallimaufry 8.1 (L. J- Ellis) 2; 8-7 Harmony 8.8 (A. Stokes) 3. Also started: 2-2 Lord Elgin; 1-1 Alamode; 12-9 Tomahawk; 16-16 Wane; 3-3 Persuade; 11-11 Bitter Sweet; 5-5 Tifox; 19-19 Manatone; 4-4 Winning Ticket; 17-18 Eudora; 15-15 Foreign Ways; 20-21 Sir Tague; 9-12 Blue Orchid; 13-13 Provider; . 10-8 Deficiency; 21-20 Denim; 18-17 Liquidate; 22-22 Handshake; 14-14 Leightnote and Soft Light. Four lengths; half head. Lord Elgin fourth. Time, 1.42 3-5.