Steeplechase Trials At Riccarton Today

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 August 1949, Page 7

Steeplechase Trials At Riccarton Today

[SPECIAL TO STAR] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.—Because of continued damp conditions. the only grass track available for galloping at Riccarton this morning was the inside No. 9 track, which cut up badly• after a few horses had worked on it. A large number made use of it, but from a time point of view the tasks had little value, as with the greasy surface and sharp turns trainers were not keen on galloping against the watch.

The fastest half-mile was credited to Kartikeya, who finished in front of Bar Garette in 52 l-ssec. Finigin was clear bf Lord Elgin and Broie at the end of seven furlongs in 1.32 2-5, the first four in 51 3-5, and Lovemorn was three lengths in front of Silver Sam in 1.33 4-5, the last four in 54. The best time over six furlongs was 1.19, registered by Valid, who was three lengths in front of Romantic, the first three taking 38. Swift Robin and Opulent ran five ■furlongs in 1.6 2-5, and similar time was recorded by Cipher. and Flying Control, while Braemorn and Prince Defaulter took 1.8. Schooling Task The main steeplechase course was open and in the only schooling task over it Golden Reign, Specialist, Flying Attack, Hazsoult, Franchise, and Diameter were associated in a round commencing over the sod wall near the mile post. Golden Reign, Specialist, and Diameter soon drew away, with the first-named always in front, and Hazsoult, Flying Attack, and Franchise followed at an interval together, until Flying Attack and Franchise both lost their riders at the carriage paddock brush. ..Golden' Reign carried on to have a clear lead from Specialist and Diameter over Cutis’s brush with a big gap to Hazsoult, who, however, made up a good deal of leeway in the last half-mile. Flying Attack was later remounted and jumped Cutts’s in good style.

Golden Reign impressed a large crowd present by his bold jumping, his only semblance of a flaw being over the last fence. He was accepted for in the Jumpers’ Flat in case the track was too heavy for him to race over country, but, as there is little possibility of that part of the course proper being used for jumping being worse than holding, he is certain to take his place in the big event.

A pleasing feature of the bout was the effort of the novice Diameter,

who, although giving his rider Mr McClintock trouble in keeping him on at some of the fences, did not make any mistakes and showed his ability to master big obstacles. Hazsoult, a winner over country at Hamilton last May and a third place-getter in his last start at Avondale last month, also gave a satisfactory display. He was ridden by L. C. Brown, who has ridden him in all his races to date and will have the mount on him this week. Six-Hurdle i ask Aristea led Money Lender over the last two hurdles of a six-hurdle task. The latter jumped the first two well, but was inclined to risk the remainder. Tikakoura and Periwig were sent out to jump four hurdles, the latter being responsible for a clean and fast display. Tikakoura jumped the first three well, but blundered at the fourth, and his rider, G. Hampton, suffered an injury to a hand. Sal’s Pal ' and Desert Trek kept, abreast over five hurdles at a solid pace, and Brockie and Quadrille went over six hurdles. Quadrille narrowly escaped falling at the fifth and Brockie finished well clear of him. ' Royal Moutoa and Jon Rosa were sent over two hurdles and Thomas was responsible for one of the best showings of the morning .over six hurdles. Liquidate jumped a round' of the inside steeplechase fences at a hunting pace. Young Bob soon opened up a break on Scotty McCabe in a similar task and finished a long way in front alter giving an impressive display.