SUCCESS REPEATED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 219, 14 August 1940, Page 10

SUCCESS REPEATED.

CLARION CALL’S CAREER. GIVEN AWAY AS YOUNGSTER. (By ‘'Spectator.”) The latest horse to join the select band of those who have won two Grand National Steeplechases, Clarion Call, the winner' of yesterday’s big event, has been generally acknowledged as ono of the best jumpers in the country over recent years. There wore few who doubted that Clarion Call would play a part in the big Riecarton event if lie kept on his feet, and he jumped perfectly throughout the race, opening up a lead which the field never threatened to seriously reduce. Clarion Call’s win was particularly well received locally, as ho is trained at Awapuni, and has received all his race preparations at tho hands of L. G. Morris. . By Hunting Song—Sajton Saint, Clarion Call is a 10-year-o!d bay gelding. He was given to bis present owner, Mr Ceorge 11. Grace, a young farmer at Hunlcrvillc, as an overgrown two-year-old by his breeder, Mr G. C. Glenn, of Wanganui. At two years be was raced four times without success, and then was hunted for two seasons, revealing a natural aptitude in jumping. This was -not- surprising, as his sire, Hunting Song, has produced many good jumpers, of which Clarion Call, however, must be considered easily the best. At the close of his four-vear-old term lie reappeared on tho race tracks. Clarion Call was given plenty of time to mature, as a steeplechaser, and for two years raced over hurdles, with an occasional run on tho flat. In 1937 ho won his first Wanganui Steeplechase, a race in which he had his third success this season.

After winning tho Grand National Steeplechase, and being third in the Grand National Hurdles in 1938, a long spell followed for Clarion Call. Ho reappeared early last season, and showed lie was back to Ills best by wins at Auckland and Trentliam. He then returned to racing in May, after a rest of five months, by winning the Egmont Steeplechase, and subsequently, after falling in tho Century Hurdles on tho first day, won the Wanganui Steeplechase, Clarion Call has' now had 49 starts, for 16 wins. He started 11 times last season for four wins, two seconds and two thirds. His winning percentage, about 30, is rare with a horse whose racing has been mainly over fences.