ON WINNERS’ LIST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22313, 24 April 1947, Page 4 (Supplement)

ON WINNERS’ LIST

BONIFORT’S SUCCESS (Herald Special Service.) By winning the Karamau Hurdles at the Hawke’s Bay meeting on Saturday Bonifort enjoyed his first race success. The first day he fell six furlongs from home, but this time his hurdling could not be faulted. He was third over the initial fence and from that point on was never further back. At the half mile he made a forward move after the pacemaker, Flak, but it was not until the last hurdle had been cleared that he got the upper hand. In the run home his condition appeared to stand to him and he went on to win by' a good two lengths. He was ridden by young '‘Bubs’’ Waddell, who a few seasons back won the Manawatu, Marton and Wellington Cups within four weeks on Don Quex and is a son of Fred Waddell, who rode Razzle Dazzle when that mare, trained by the late Stewart Waddell, beat Gloaming in the C.J.C. Challenge. Bonifort is raced by Mrs. F. Stanbridge whose husband once raced that great little steeplechaser, Firs Line and like that Advance gelding is trained by Alf Wright who has had a wonderfully successful run with jumpers, both hurdlers and stcepechasers. Flak, the runner-up, ran a greatly improved race compared with his Awapuni effort. He went to the front early and going down the back was the best part of seven lengths out in the front, but at the half mile his lead was being reduced. However, he stuck to his guns gamely and it was only at the distance that the winner got his measure. He will improve with this experience. Like the winner he is only a four-year-old. He is by the Night Raid horse Wheriko from a Thomond mare. His trainer is the ex-hurdle horseman, Morrie Nichol. Kilmanagh was always fairly well up and although some may consider she weakened in the run home, this was hardly correct as it was the weight that told. She is not a weight carrier and 11.2 anchored her to some extent. Maly Lee, having her first run, ran a fair race. One mistake cost her a place. Three furlongs from home when going well and making her run she made a bad jump. The race will do her good and it should not be long ere she wins a jumping race. Stirling Gold was next but well back. None of the others flattered their supporters. The only mishap was Trio who “sold out” at the third fence, the obstacle in front of the main stands.