POINT-TO-POINT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 16 July 1927, Page 2 (Supplement)

POINT-TO-POINT

CROSSCOUNTRY RACING

GOOD SPORT AT WAVERLEY

EGAIONT-AYAN GANGI HU N T CLUB’S FIXTURE.

One of the most popular cross-coun-try meetings on the coast is the annual point-to-point at \Vaverley, run by the Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Club, it always draws good fields of excellent ’chasers, and provides an enjoyable afternoon’s outing, at which hunting men from up and down the coast foregather and enjoy the sport over femes and brush under hunting conditions.

To-day’s meet was one of the best in the history of the club. The- weather were ideal, though the turf was perhaps a bit heavy. There was an excellent attendance, visitors being present from many parts of Taranaki and Wanganui provinces. Good sport was enjoyed by all, and the races were closely contested, providing interesting finishes. The judicial committee were: Messrs. G. Aiken, W. H. Watkins, J. E. Palmer, W. Paterson and H. 1. Crocker.

Arrangements in the hands of the secretary, Mr. W. AleFarlane, and the committee were complete and thorough, and the result was that everything went with n fine swing. Mr. W. R. S. Brewer gave every satisfaction as starter, and Dr. Simmons as judge. There were over 200 cars on the ground, and about 600 people present. The gate receipts were £44, as against £3B last year.

The site chosen for the meeting was ideal, there being a natural ampintheatre, formed by a ridge running north and south, which provided an almost- uninterrupted view of the three-mile course. The results were as follow:

THE RACING. LIGHTWEIGHT STEEPLECHASE (for qualified hunters). Distance about 25 miles. Minimum weight il stone. First prize, trophy presented by Miss Alexander, valued at £6 6s ; second, trophy presented by Dr. Simmons, value £3. T - Shield s HAEREAIAI (owner) 1 H. D. Simson’s EXCELSIOR (A. C. Sims-on) 2 E. Brown’s WILDFIRE (S. BesKy) 3

Also started: T. Teapell's Spv, I. Haggle’s Gravitate, F Anstis’ inaliman

, The first race brought out six horses. T rom a good start Gravitate led to the first fence, but came to grief, bis rider having a nasty spill, and at the second Inahman followed suit. Wildfire ied for a while after this, but about a mile from home Haeremai went to the front and Excelsior also came up to the leaders. These two raced “together, and Haeremai was half <* length in front at the last jump. Excelsior made a bad jump, but his rider made a good recovery and regained his seat. Haeremai went on to win by three lengths from' Excelsior. Wildfire being a length away third. Time, omin. lOscc

HEAVY WEIGHT STEEPLECHASE (for qualified hunters). Distance •about 3 miles. Alinimum weight- 13 stone. First prize trophy valued at £lO 10s. presented by Mr W. H. Wybourne; second, trophy valued £3, presented by Airs Simmons. Miss Gibson’s GREY DAAA’N (J. Hurley), ] J. Kennedy’s BONUS (R. Watkins) 2 T. Lupton’s FROSTY (S.. Besley)... 3

Out of a, field of seven there ,wert two detections. From a, good start Gta.ll to shot our first, the rest in a bunch. Grey Dawn soon joined the leader, and at the first jump O tan to came down, his rider sustaining a- nasty shaking, and being cut about the head, bonus and Bay Star joined issue, and the three raced along Lose together. The winner was running well within nimself, . and kept just ahead right round the back of the course and up the hill. Coming across the paddock a mile from home, Bonus put in a determined challenge. Frosty, who had displaced Bay Star, being next, severa lengths Cjrey Dawn, however, responded to tne challenge, and, jumping well, kept a couple of lengths ahead Thus they went over the 1 last jump and in the run to the post Grey Dawn increased the lead to three- lengths, Frosty, who had made a great run, being four lengths behind Bonus. ’| i ime>, 6min. 2sec.

TALLY HO STEEPLECHASE (for qualified hunters* Distance about 3 miles. iQin. weight 11 stone. First prize, trophy valued at £lO 10s, presented bv Air James Kennedy; second, trophy valued £3, presented by. Dr. Simmons. S. G. Davidson’s PIKIMAI (J. Sheehan) 1 H. Crocker’s ROAMING (S. Bosley) 2 Five started out of a field of eight, the horses including several of the best known jumpers, but by bad luck two good horses baulked at the first jump, and Rosemount at the second, and this reduced the race to a contest between Pikimai and Roaming. Aiter a false start, Rosemount jumped out and led at the first hurdle from, Grand Lupin and Atene. These two baulked and went out of the race, Roaming and Pikimai coming up to the leader. The latter, however, refused at the next, and oitlv the two former were left in the race. Roaming led till about half way -round at the back, when Pikimai challenged and goVahead when- about a mile from home. Both were but the winner jumped better. Pikimai gained at- each fence, and went over the last four lengths ahead and maintained this till the finish. Time, 6.2 2-5.

CONSOLATION STEEPLECHASE. For horses that have started, but have not been placed first or second in events 1,2 and 3. Distance about two miles. First prize, trophy valued £5 ss; second, trophy value £3 3s, presented by Air. James aßiley; third, trophy valued £2, presented by Air. S. Aicß-ae Alinimum weight 12 stone. D. R. Jackson’s ROSEAIOUNT (W. Hunter) 1 F. Anstis’ INAHMAN (F. Simson) 2 l. Higgie’s GRAVITATE (owner) 3 Five nominated, and from a nice start Gravitate and Grand Lupin went away, with Inahman and Rosemount next. At the first- jump they were several lengths ahead. Grand Lupin baulked, and at tne third fence Otranto fell. At the hill the order was Inahman, Gravitate, Rosemount. The latter, however, was coming up steadily, and with three fences t-o go joined issue with the leaders and had a keen struggle with Inahman. They rose at the last hurdle together, and a great race ensued up the straight, Rosemount finishing just a hall-neck ahead, with Gravitate a couple of lengths back third. Time, omin. 25 4-ssec. At the conclusion of the racing, the Alaster (Dr Simmons) congratulated the winners and complimented them on their good riding and horsemanship. He said that t-liey had had an interesting day, and hoped to add a ladieLs’ event next year. He then isresented the prizes to the winners, all of whom briefly acknowledged. The annual ball was held last night and was voted perhaps the best yet held by the club. The number present may he gauged whei® it is known that £75 was taken at the doors, and this was in addition to outside tickets. The floor was in capital order, and a. sumptuous supper was served by the committee. Messrs R. Watkins, It. Crocker, M Bremer, and J. Slieahan were M’sC., while capital music was supplied by Boulton’s orchestra (Stratford). It was altogether a great event, and was thoroughlv enjoved by all