Steeplechase Fences at Wanganui

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 1423, 19 June 1936, Page 4

Steeplechase Fences at Wanganui

THREE MILES, NINTEEN JUMPS

What is the nature of the obstacles to bo negotiated in the course of the Wanganui Steeplechase? That is a question which may bo asked by many interested in tho big cross-country event to be decided on Tuesday next, tho second day of the Wanganui Jockey Club’3 winter meeting. As all but three of these fences have to be jumped by contestants in the Granustand Steeplechase on Saturday, a brief description may be of interest. Tho Wanganui Steeplechase courso of throe miles is nowadays all on the course proper, whereas up to less than 30 years ago tho ’chasers started on an inside track and negotiated obstacles set up on that track as well as others on the course proper, there being no permanent fences in recent years. Starting from in front of tho official stand, opposite the winning post, t‘ie junipers have a run of about 200 yards to the first obstacle, a brush fence about 4ft. 9in. high and approximately 2ft. at its extreme hoiglits. This presents more difficulties than are at first apparent, for it is a fence which must not be risked, the brush being packed very tightly. Straightening up for tho run towards tho back stretch, the ’chasers next approach what is termed a log hencoop, about 50 yards past the six-furlong posts. This obstacle is about 3ft. 7in. high and is a solid proposition -which has brought about the downfall of more than one otherwise proved jumper. In the vicinity of the half-mile post there is the third jump, a brush fence over -Ift. 6in. high and 2 ft. Gin. across the top. Running across the top of the courso, about two and a-hal£ furlongs from tho winning post, there is another brush fence of similar proportions, and a brush hurdlo about 4ft. lOin. high, with a slight slant away from the oncoming jumper, has to be cleared shortly after the horses straighen up for the run up the straight. Next comes tho test of the nimble jumper, tho doublo brush in front of tho stands. Each obstacle 4ft. Gin. high aud 2ft. Gin. through at the top, built of stiff brush, the “double” spells tho finish of the ’chaser who risks tho first fence, changes his stride on landing from a scrambling effort, and then fails to get balanced again in the distance of approximately thirty yard« separating tho two jumps. For tho careful, experienced jumper tho obstacles present no more than tho ordinary difficulties.

This completes one rouud of the course, and the ’chaser cover the same country in their second circuit. Then on they go —those who have survived the difficulties —and onco more they jump tho obstacles until they reach the brush hurdle at the bottom of the straight. Once over this there is a furlong or so to cover in the run up the straight to the winning post, the double brush having by this time been removed by tho ground stall. And a long furlong that one can be for the tired ’chaser whoso condition can scarcely permit him to stand the pace it is run nowadays. RIDER FOE FIRST CHAPTER W. E. Pine has been engaged to ride First Chapter at Wanganui. WANGANUI STEEPLECHASE OF 1900 THREE HORSES DISQUALIFIED IN SENSATIONAL RACE Spectators who attended tho Wangs, nui Jockey Club’s winter meeting of 1900 had their full share of sensations, for the big cross-country event on the opening day was full of incident. Eight contestants started, but the first three horses to pass tho judge were later disqualified, the fourth and fifth horses securing the major honours. The records show that the starters in the race were Black Dust and The

Guard (bracketed), Light, Tataramoa, Cuckoo and Claymore. The finish was of no interest to Cuckoo, who fell and was killed. Black Dust finished first and was followed past the post by Tataramoa and Claymore, with Scallywag fourth and Whangaroa fifth. As the three placed horses had taken the wrong courso the stewards awarded first place to Scallywag and tho second place to Whangaroa,

The winner raced in Mr. H. D. Morrison’s colours and was ridden at 9.8 by D. Hands. F. Cochrane was on Whangaroa, who carried 11.0, and was owned by Mr T. Scott. Tho dividend associated with Scallawag’s successful placing was just short of doublo fig ures—certainly a pleasant surprise for those backers who at one stage had given up all hopo of getting a rctura for their investments, especially as there was no second dividend.

In passing, it may be mentioned that Tataramoa mado amends l>y winning the Grandstand Steeplechaso on the second day, and Scallywag, won the Final Steeplechase, thus completing a nice doublo for the meeting. Mr. J. Bull that day won the Hunters’ Hurdles with Amethyst, and Mr. G. M. Currie, later to achieve fame as studmaster of Koatanui, provided tho winner of .tho First Hack Hurdle in Wheui, which was ridden by W. Higgins. Perhaps patrons at the 1936 meeting may not bo provided with the thrills of nearly four decades ago, but there are suro to be many present who will recall the incidents detailed above.

It would, however, be scarcely fair to pass over mention of Scallywag without recalling a couple of his later efforts. Two years after the incident of the disqualification of the placed horses Scallywag ran home first in the Grandstand Steeplechase of 1902 and also carried off the Final Steeplechase. Back he came to Wanganui the following year to repeat his Grandstand Steeplechaso win, this time carrying 11.6 to victory, but on the second day of the meeting had to strike his colours to Awahuri in the Wanganui Steeplechase. Certainly .Scallywag’s record in connection with steeplechase events on the Wanganui course deserves a little more than mere passing mention. RACING FIXTURES June 20, 23—Wanganui J.C. June 20, 23 —Napier Park. June 20, 23, 24—Dunedin J.C. June' 23 —Opotiki J.C. June 27—Oamaru J.C. July I—Dannevirko Hunt Club