FIRST SUCCESS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 201, 15 July 1936, Page 6

FIRST SUCCESS.

SANTA CASA’S V.R.C. STEEPLE CHASE. Although the five-year-old Santa Casa, described as a plain son of David, has won groat fame by mak »ig a V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase the medium of his first success as a racehorse, tho resuit was not by any means a surprise. Early in the winter season he attracted attention by a good perform;.ice at Mooneo Valley, when he just missed a place in a steeplechase won by Ranclca. lie fell at M’illiamstown, hut after dividing Paetolus and in the Hopetoisri Steeplechase at the \ .R.C. meeting on June 6, he definitely entered the ranks of Grand National probables. M ood.aee had won the latter race two years ago, while Paetolus was narrowly beaten by Riawena n 1935. , Further confirmation of Santa t/asa .s ability was forthcoming in the Pi »ice of Wales Steeplechase on the same course, and over the same distance, two miles. and 110 yards, m June 29, when he finisher third to Draconic and Paetolus, being m receipt of 151 b from the winner. On Saturday lie met Draconic at a difference ol 161L> and proved the better stayer. In describing the Prince of M ales Steeplechase, “Tasman,” m tho Age. said: “Santa Casa, who had been showing consistently good form, was favourite. He was going well .*1 front about live furlongs from home when he appeared to slip on the flat and dropped back many lengths. Draconic then dashed to the front and was not afterwards headed. Paetolus, who had been well back in the early stages, went in pursuit as soon as the jumping was over, but Draconic easilj held him. Sr.ita Casa was running on again in third place, and with ordinary luck in the running doubtless would have been much closer to the winner. It would, therefore, he dist’tictly _ unwise to condemn him on this failure.