GRAND NATIONAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 6 August 1945, Page 2

GRAND NATIONAL

NICE DISPLAY OF JUMPING MASTER MERUIT’S STRONG WIN WINTER CUP TO ROYAL FLIGHT ‘Special to “The Mail”> , Christchurch, This Day. There have been several more spectacular contests for the Grand National Steeplechase than that witnessed on Saturday, but even so it provided a nice display of jumping for most of the journey. Master Meruit’s win had a lot of merit in it "and probably another stone in the saddle would not have brought the Hastings representative back to his field. Foxiana had ade cided life at the stand double, and it was only by clever horsemanship on Stevens’s part that prevented a dissolution of the partnership. Soon getting into his stride again Foxiana went out to force the pace, with Master Meruit. Dauber and Tenorman some distance back. When the round had been completed Foxiana was stiff sailing along in front of Tenorman, Master Meruit. Kanui Te Kai and Dauber. Five furlongs from home Master Meruit made his effort and at the top of the straight Kanui Te Pai and Tenorman both came to grief. Though distressed. Foxiana struggled on gamely, but he had no chance with Master Meruit, wteo cantered home ten lengths to the good. The only interest attached to the finish was the struggle for second money which went to Dau , ber by a neck. Both he and Foxiana were hanging out signals of distress a long way from home. Abbey Lu was six lengths oack and Kilmanagh whn had several narrow escapes was the only other to ' > omple!e the courseBRILLIANT PERFORMANCE The highlight of the day's racing was Royal Flight’s brilliant performance of winning the Winter "Cup under lOst lib thereby recording one of the finesl efforts in the history of that event. In the early stages Reorapa and Gulf Stream were in change from Da Vinci and Air Ace. After jumping oul smartly Royal Flight was allowed to drop back into sixth place on the rails. She stayed there tiff well into tho home straight, where only Kaitoa, Da Vinci and Burberry headed her. A furlong from the post Royal Flight closed on Gulf Stream and Da Vinci and by a brilliant effort drew away to win by a length from Gulf Stream with Da Vinci two lengths back. SYDENHAM HURDLES Most of the horses that contested the Sydenham Hurdles claim an engagement in the Grand National Hurdles, which lent additional interest to its decision. The result was informative, as it showed that Flying Spy is right back to the form that enabled her to win the big event last August against a stronger field than she will meet in next Saturday’s race. After Vulture had made the early running he fell in the back straight, leaving Flying Spy with a useful lead from Arabian Night and Greek Effort. Clearing her fences in great style. Flying Soy was never seriously threatened and won with a lot in reserve from Arabian Night. On this showing Flying Spy is sure to take a lot of beating next Saturday, for she will be improved bv the race. Boolamskee and Maggiore fell.

NOTES ON THE RACING Kanui te Pai was going well in the Grand National till he came down at the sod waff five furlongs from home, but Tenorman who fell at the same obstacle appeared to be beaten. Master Meruit only smarted in open company this season. Foxiana’s rider lost his stirrups at the first fence in the Grand National, but Stevens recovered them before the next obstacle was reached. On puffing up the top weight was decidedly lame. Considering his light preparation Dauber ran an excellent race in the Grand National and should be a much better horse next Saturday. Collegiate, the winner of the second division of the Cashmere Plate, is a good-looking filly by Rhodes Scholar from Praise. Interest was lent to her effort from the fact that she is en- ' tered for several prominent events in Australia. In the Trial Hurdles Lotto fell and brought down Lord Broiefort, Court Dress, Minority and Manakore. the last-named of whom had to be destroyed. Though palpably short of work Pensacola put up such a promising race m the Paparua Handicap as to suggest him being worth watching next Saturday. When Flying Spy won the Sydenham Hurdles it marked her first success since she won the Grand National Hurdles 12 months ago.