WINTER RACING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 26 August 1926, Page 6

WINTER RACING.

EGMONT-WANGANUI HUNT.

STEEPLECHASE MEETING. The threatened clouds which appeared in the sky yesterday morning gave place in the afternoon to welcome sunshine and beautifully fine though cold conditions prevailed during the concluding part of the programme submitted at the Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Club s annual meeting. The turf held well and good racing was witnessed. Pride of place m a good field of eight in the principal event, the Cup Steeplechase, was taken by the gelding Lupineel from Waverley, owned and trained bv Mr D. E. Jackson, while the chestnut gelding, Young Thurnham, owned and trained by Mr J. Fryer, of Hawcra, filled second place. The honours m the Ladies’ Bracelet Handicap were well contested by ten competitors, the public fancy, Black Eod, with the colours of Mr F. C. F. McKay, of Marton, securing the verdict. Mr J. Hurley’s (Hurleyville) mare Sea View, which was overlooked by totalisator investors and was the outsider of the race, proved a good second. The administrative work was capably carried out under the direction of the president, Mr J. E. Palmer, and the secretary, Mr W. Macfarlane, who was assisted by Mr E. P. Cox, secretary of the Egmont Racing Club. As starter, Mr A. Morse sent his fields away well, and at the home end the results were announced with promptitude and certainty foy Mr C. H. Washer.. Mr G. Spriggins, of Wanganui, was in charge of the totalisator.

The sum of £9921 10s was put through the machine, this being an increase of £1033 10s as compared with the sum handled at the 1925 meeting held at Waverley, though £1307 less than the investments at the club’s previous meeting on the Hawera course held on August 23, 1923. Mr A. Wilson was in atendance as stipendiary steward and officiated at inquiries held into the riding of Ratapiko by S. Oakley in the Hunters’ Hurdle Handicap and the riding of Alanc by J. Walker in the Flying. In each case the explanation that the faulty riding, if any, was due to the in experience of the respective riders was accepted.

Four two-year-olds paraded between the second and third races and added to the general interest with a wellcontested sprint down the straight. A number of mishaps occurred during the Cup Steeplechase., but none of the riders wore seriously injured, though R. Stennaway, riding Grey Dawn, sustained an injured ankle through his mount running into the wing of the board fence. M. Conway, who was riding Suweileh, sustained shoulder and hand injuries, and A. Jenkins, on Gold Breech, bruises.

The Hawera Municipal Band, under Conductor H. C. A. Fox, was in attendance throughout the day and rendered an appreciated musical programme. Results not previously published are: — LADIES’ BRACELET HANDICAP, of 80 sovs., second horse 15 so vs. and third 5 sovs from the stake. One ■and a-quarter miles. 1 BLACK ROD:F. C. F. McKay’s, br g, aged, by Clareneeux — Martine, 10.7 (A. McDonald) 1 10 SEA VIEJW: J. Hurley’s b m', 5 years, by Mancliineel —Compel, 10.7 (T. Alcock) 2 4 RAYO: H. Cleland’s br g, aged, by Spalpeen —2ak, 10.7 (J. Morris) 3 (Winner trained by owner.) Also started: 3 Roche 11.2 (A. J. Chong), S Chyrria 10.7 (J. Grindley), 5 Aten O' 10.7 ‘(J. Higgie), 2 Day Lark 10.7 (McCarty), 9 Gold Breech. 10.7 car.. 10.11 (Twidle), 6 Kairangawai 10.7 (Watkins), 7 Suede 10,7 (Jackson). The withdraw of Sea 'Comet, Reranui and Lupineel left ten to contest honours in the Ladies’ Bracelet. Black Rod (£327) called for principal support and was £ll7 better backed than Day Lark, the next preferred.. Roche with an even £2OO was the- third favourite, and Rayo was in fourth demand .with £954. Sea View, with only 234 tickets, was the third outsider of the day to secure a second place. Day Lark shot out when the field was despa telied and passing the stand , was- in the van from Chyrria-, Roche and Rayo. As they entered the back run Roche took up second position', and at the half-mile went to the lead from. Sea View, Day Lark, Chyrria and Rayo. Sea. View drew level over the next, two furlongs and was contesting the lead with Roche as they -entered the: final distance. Black Rod was then occupying sixth position, but in the dash for the post he justified public opinion by racing through: to annex the trophy by half a length from Sea View, which was two lengths clear of Bayd, with Roche fourth. Chyrria close up was fifth and the rest nowhere. Time, 2.23 1-5.

WAIPAU HACK HANDICAP, of So sovs.; second horse 10 sovs. and third 5 sovs. from the stake. Jive furlongs. 4-SOVENA: T. O’Donnell’s b m, 4 years, by Bisogne —Avena, 9.1 i (L. Pine) 1 6 TIP TREE.: B. Cleland’s br g, 4 years, by Tree Lucerne — Kathleen. •Mavourneeri, 9.6 (B. Morris), - 1 BISOX: R. Hicks’ b m, 4 years, by Bisogne—Cheshire Creeper, 10. S (A. McCormack) 3 (Winner trained by J. Brown.)

Also started: 3 Whenuanui 9,.11 (J. Barry), 2. Girribillie 9.6 (C. Prance), 5 Midnight Camp 9.0 (L. Morris), 9 Take. Take 9.0 (Ingram), 8 Apathy 9.0 (M. Young), 7 Barryanda 9.0 (R. Mackie).

The last field of the day was reduced to ninei by the failure of Pop Off and) Kiwini to keep the engagement. The amount on the “tote” showed as the heaviest investment of the meeting. Bisox wound up a firm favourite, attracting £419 10s, as compared with £344 on the second choice, Girribillie. Sovcna came fourth on the list with 2104 tickets, and Tip Tree sixth with 129. Restive in the line up, Apathy and' Barryanda were left when the tapes rose. Whenuanui shot to the front, hitting out along the back with with Sovena, Midnight Camp, Bisox, and Tip Tree following in order, and led till the straight was sighted. Tip Tree had then moved into third berth, while Bisox, Midnght Camp and Girribillie were, close up, .Speeding for home Sovena drew away from Wlicnuanui, which at the half distance was overtaken, by Tip Tree also. In. the most thrilling duel seen during the eight events, Sovena maintained the pace .just long enough to withstand Tip Tree’s courageous challenge by half h head, the- pair being two lengths cleax of Bisox; with the tiring Whenanua fourth, attended by Girribillie, Take Take and 1 Midnight Camp. Time) 1.6.