STEEPLES CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20603, 30 June 1930, Page 7

STEEPLES CONTEST.

MASTER LU'S SUCCESS. NAkROW MARGIN AT FINISH, WAKO KING JUST BEATEN.' Only five started in the To Awamutu Steeplechase, bat the lack of runners was compensated for by the good finish, in whioh Wako King fully extended the favourite, Master Lu, who won only by a nock. Mastei; Lu led for about a round, .when he was pulled in behind Yound Thumham and Wako King. With a round to go Wako King and Young Thurnliam were out eight lengths from Mastor Lu, with another six lengths to Airtight. Pour, furlongs from homo Wako Kins and Master Lu wero' together in front and they led over the socond ,to last fence just ahead of Airtight. Master Lu landed over the last fence first and stayed on to beat: Wako King by a length, Airtight being three lengths away, third* Lucilius was fourth and Young Thumham last. The winner was all over the course and should have won much more easily. Wako King made ft very creditable showing, but Airtight raced below expectations. Master Lu, with two wins at the Great Northern meeting, has now scored three steeplechase victories in succession. The value of Saturday's race to the winner was £165, and hii» owners, Messrs. M. and J. O'Connor, of Kaihere, have now received a total of £835 in stakes for their Bmall (utlay of £35 in purchasing Master Lu. Mastr* Lu is engaged at the Wellington meeting and his performances there will be watched with interest. Ho will neod to be better ridden than he was on Saturday. HUNTERS' STEEPLECHASE. ST. WARRIGAL WINS EASILY. LUCESS' RUNNING QUESTIONED. The Hunters' steeplechase proved easy for St. Warrigal, but his task would have been considerably more difficult if Luceaa,, who finished full of running, had been kept closer up early.' Lucess was the favourite, but ho had only a slight call over St. Warrigal, and there was also good support for Mashoor. Temperature led over the first fence, where Cullgie fell. Then Small Goods followed suit at the second fence and when the field had settled down Temperature and St., Warrigal were leading Spalpiko and Lucess. Temperature fell -at the fence at the foot of the straight in the second round, leaving St. Warrigal with a lead of eight lengths from Spalpiko, who was another 12 lengths clear of Lucess. St. Warrigal was never afterwards troubled and ran home a winner by five lengths from Lucess, who came on to beat Spalpiko by two lengths. Mashoor was a moderate fourth, followed by Spalupin. St. Warrigal jumped in bold fashion, although he nearly blundered at the third to last fence. Lucess was going particularly well at the finish and is sure to have a host of admirers next time he iB produced. Spalpiko made a creditable showing, but the others wero all well beaten. After the race the canteen of cutlery accompanying tho stake was presented to Mr. S. A. Woods, owner of tho winner, by Mr. W. J. Broadfoot, M.P. An inquiry into the running of Lucess was instituted by the stipendiary steward, Mr. A. Gordon, who called the judicial committee together immediately after tho race. Evidence was given by W. J. • McLean, owner-trainer of Lucess, and the rider, R. Syme, when it was decided to accept the explanation tendered and take no action. ... GOOD .RUN BY TE HOIA.. GRAY'S VIGOROUS RIDING.

Vigorous horsemanship on. the part of H. Gray contributed largely to the success of the odd3-on favourite, Te Hoia, in the Arapuni Handicap. Te Hoia lost his position after going three furlongs and was a good way back at the turn, where he commenced o fine run that enabled him to get home by a head. Takutama, Marble King and Te Hoia were smartest awny and were the leaders for a furlong, when Triohna and White Ringlet also became prominent. Unoco ran to the front at the top and showed the way into the straight to White Ringlet, Trishna, Takutama and The Sun. Rounding the turn Te Hoia secured an opening near the rails and he finished Bplendidly to win by a head from Unoco, who defeated Trishna by two and a-half lengths. Takutama was fourth, succeeded by White Ringlet and The Sun. The winner will win more races next Beason. Unoco showed a glimpse of his true form and returned a good price for second.

TINKER'S WIN ON CRUACHAN. REWARD FOR PATIENT RIDING. Patient horsemanship on tho part of A. Tinker and a beautiful run on tho rails in the straight enabled the favourite, Crua' chan, to win the Hairini Handicap from an outsider in. Tho Sun, who covered more ground than anything in the race. Wagering on tho event was solid and Cruachan Was at a good price for a favourito There was some delay at tho start, Kiwi- ! nui and Silver- Division giving a good deal of trouble. Kiwinui refused to faco the barrier and in backing and rearing j away fell over the outsido fenco, nfter whioh j she was not persevered with. Then when the tapes wero released Glenison, who was third choico in the betting, whipped round arid took no part in the race. , Queenstown, Wild Country and Silver Division wore quickly prominent to sivo way along the back to Merry Lu, who led to the turn, where Silver Division, Wild Country, Queenstown, Land. Measure and The Sun (outside) were right up. As the field rounded tho bend tho loaders swung out slightly' and Cruachan then flashed through on the rails Cruachan stayed on in the run homo to win by half a length from Tho Sun, who defeated Merry Lu by a length Wild Country was fourth, followed by Arcadian and Land Measure. Cruachan and The Sun wero both badly drawn at the post and Cruachan was fortunate to secure a good passage, whereas Tho Sun was always on tho rutsido. Tho Sun is on the improve and should bo worth watching in the spring. CANDIDATES FOR TRENTHAM. MAORI BOY AND LADY'S BOY. T. E. Davison is booked to leave To Awamutu for Trentham to-day with Maori Boy and Lady's Boy, who are to race at tho Wellington Racing Club's Winter Meoting next week Maori Boy and Lady's Boy wero runners at the Waipa Mooting on Saturday. but neither finiehed in a place, althoagh Maori Boy went well for a. mile in the Woodstock Stakes, and Lady's Boy showed flash of brilliancy in tho middle stages of tho President's Handioap'. It is on the cards that they might both do bettor at Trentham, but races there uro going to bo difficult to win H. Ramo is also booked to go on from Te Awamutu t'o-day with Wild Country, who is alßo engaged at Trentham Wild Country finished fourth in the Hairini Handicap at the Waipa Meeting, but the performance was scarcely good enough to make her Trentham prospects appear very bright. ,