Flying Sovereign’s Good Trial In Brabazon Handicap

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 August 1949, Page 7

Flying Sovereign’s Good Trial In Brabazon Handicap

[SPECIAL TO STAR] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.— Marut was not produced in the final event on Saturday because of the state of the ground. He was taken to the course, but when the track became worse as the day progressed, he wa‘s left in his box. His traiper, H. Nurse, was represented in the race by Love Letter, who, in spite of her recent failures, was sent out third choice. She was handy to the leaders a furlong from home, and had every chance, but petered out. Golden Reign had a useful race in the hack nine furlongs event on Saturday. He dwelt on the mark, and was in last place for most of the way, eventually finishing in the middle of the field. It is intended to give him some schooling tomorrow if the conditions suit. x Flying Sovereign attracted notice by her solid finishing run to get up to beat Duvaals for second money in the Brabazon Handicap. She was checked twice during the running, and it was not until the final furlong that she appeared to settle down to her work. She is now likely to be in strong demand in the Winter Cup, but will again find difficulty in overhauling Sir Abbot, who beat her by fully 10 lengths over seven furlongs, and gave every indication of being able to carry on for anothei' furlong. Profane’s Showing Profane gave a belated showing of his capability by filling third place in the seyen furlong hack event on Saturday. He is one of the best track workers at headquarters, but has been a dismal failure in his races since he won at Ashburton last September. He has only to do his work right on race days to be a good winner for his trainer, C. Emerson, who also trains Beau Soir, second in the same race. The mishaps in the Homeby Steeplechase on Saturday marred the enjoyment of the race to a certain extent, but the win of the veteran Roman Son was well received, and although he did not have a large following on the machine, he was given an ovation on returning. No doubt he had luck on his side, but deserved a change as he had always raced genuinely and consistently in spite of oft-recurring leg trouble, and has few equals as a jumper. Roman Son’s win gave his rider, R. Drinkwater,, his first winning ride since he resumed riding in races. He is now attached to W, Barr’s stable, which was repsented in the race by Bravura, second to Roman Son. Drinkwater was also seen to advantage on Matapan, who followed St. Simper at an interval home in the hack steeplechase. In his previous races and also in schooling, Matapan had shown an inclination to I run off, but on this occasion, DrinkI water kept him in such a position at

each fence that he did not get much opportunity to evade his task. National Prospect Page’s Raid dropped his rider at the fourth fence, the top brush, in the Homeby Steeplechase, but decided to carry on on his own, and except for evading two fences, practically completed the course. After jumping the stand double the first time, it was thought he would ease up at the training sheds as is usually the case with riderless horses, but he cleared Cutts’ brush in about fourth place, and went on to juump all the obstacles in the back straight. He avoided the top brush, but tackled the last fence to actually finish in front of Roman Son. Page’s Raid thus had some useful schooling, and must be considered a strong Grand National candidate.