NOTES ON THE RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20627, 28 July 1930, Page 7

NOTES ON THE RACING.

HUNTERS' STEEPLECHASE.

A SERIES OF ACCIDENTS.

ONLY FOUR STARTERS FINISH

[BY rULEG iJAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] TIMARU, Saturday.

Mem bo was made a staunch favourite for the Hndlow Hack Handicap. but he lost his chance by indifferent jumping. He and Gay Fashion opened up o bis gap from Exide entering the back stretch, and Gav Fashion was first into the strnisht from Membo and Exide. The trio were in line nt the last fence. Exide had charge commencing the run home and looked the winner, but Gay Fashion came with another run and cot. up in the last couple of strides to beat Kxide by a neck. Membo was three quarters of n length awav third, with Cold Mint some distance back, followed by Fairness and Hard Prince. "the I'nreora Hunters' Steeplechase was a chapter of accidents, and only four out of the eleven starters completed the course. Harrington, with A. E. Ellis in the saddle, was installed favourite, hut made a few bad iumps and was racing in behind Deportment arid Tractarinn at the second to last fence. Deportment fell at this obstacle, and Barnngton, making another bad jump, collided with him on landing, and his rider was thrown. Tiacturian was thus left to record a pointless win by a dozen lengths from West Dome, who was about twice that distance in front of Willow Glen.

Marco Polo, who made several mistakes dining tho journey, was a long way in the rear. Blaclon flopped at the third fence. Petorlino fell in front of the stand. Indicator ran off. and Tim Balboa was pulled up. Barnngton took a lot out of himself in his jumping nnd did not look a likely winner when ho fell, National Candidates Beaten.

The South Canterbury Steeplechase Handicap provided a mild surprise, the two Grand National candidates, Valves and Radiate, who were the hest supported, both finishing out of a placo in a five horse race. The race requires little description, as Radiac took charge after the first half-mile and led for the remainder of the journey, lie was attended by French Fleet and Diamond Jack over the laet circuit, but was never in danger of being overhauled and won decisively by three lengths from French Fleet, who beat Diamond Jack by six lengths. Valves was a similnr distance back, with Radiate tailed off. Both Valves and Radiate were disappointing. Valves was never croinjr well, and Radiate pulled up very sore owing to knocking his affected knee in the last round. He can be ruled out of bis nost month's engagements. The Levels Hack Handicap was an easy proposition for the second choice. Sweet Refrain. The field got away on even terms and at the end of n furlong Homecoming and Memories showed out and they led iato the straight from Sweet Refrain and Valuator. Once in line for home Sweet Robin shot to the front and never left the issue in doubt, winning in an easy manner by three lengths from Royal Limond. who came from a rear position and beat Rapina. also a latecomer, by half a length. Homecoming and Memories headed the remainder. Night Effort, ridden bv Gray, was made a fifty-tickets better favourite than the winner, but was never sighted, nor was Fair Money, ridden by A, E. Ellis. Close Finish in Trot.

Derry Pointer, with M. Holmes in the saddle, was sent out a firm favourite for the "YV"a*hdyke Trot Handicap, carrying double the number of tickets entrusted to the second choice. Oranleigh. C'raiileigh acted as the early pacemaker, and with Heal Girl piloted the field along the back, with Happy Lass and Derry Pointer in c'ose attendance. Real Girl retired at the home turn, and Cranleigh led into the straight from Happy Lass, Dan Logan and Derry Pointer. Cranieigh and Derrv Pointer were fighting out the finish in the run home when Danny Boy, with a run on the rails, joined in the tussle. The t. v ;o crossed the lint* in a bunch, the verdict going to Cranieigh by a head from Danny Boy. with a neck margin to Derry Pointer. Otaio Hose. Red Shiner and Happy Las-i were the next to finish.

The withdrawal? of Rangatahi, Harrington and Tractarian left only five runners in the Teschemaker Memorial Hunt Cud Steeplechase. Xgahue, with A. E. Ellis in the saddle, was chosen as a less than even money favourita, and there wns never any doubt as to the winner. Xgahuo went to the front from the start, and although attended by Faloose until the latter fell ut "he top of the straight, entering upon the second round, he spreadeagled the opposition nnd increased his advantage as the race progressed. lie made a faulty jump at the seven furlong post in the final round, and Wai'rio gained ground on him. but only temporarily, as tho favourite cantered home a winner by some thirty lengths from Scion, who outstayed the tiring Wai- ] io, to beat him easily for second money. Kulrange got round, but jumped very big and was always in a hopeless position. Hot Favourite Delcated.

The Hunters' Plate Handicap was responsible for the biggest favourite of the meeting in C'ommen'or being decisively beaten into third place. Commentor raised the hopes of her supporters when she led into the straight from Gold Mint and West Dome, with Fresh Breeze and All Comment next, but submitted to West Dome half way down the running. Fresh Breeze then came on the scene with a late run and in a close finish wore down West Dome to beat him by a neck. Commentor was four lengths back, clear of All Comment and Gold Mint. West Dome, ridden by Ellis, wns at a disadvantage over the final struggle, owing to his saddle slipping back. The presence of 11. Gray and Ellis on Town Major :md Taboo respectively in the Claremont Handicap, aroused much interest., and tho pair carried most support, with Town Major a short-priced favourite. Town Major was never far from the leaders and took charge from Oriflamb, Taboo and Sweet Refrain at the turn for home. Always going easily he wan not seriously troubled in the run to the post to win by two lengths from Sweet Refrain, who wns not well placed early, but put in some telling work over the Inst half-mile. Taboo was one of the leading division throughout, but failed under his big weight and was beaten by a neck for second money. Evening was a fair fourth, with First Raid. Oriflamb and Topere next.

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB

COMMITTEE-MEN RE-ELECTED

Nominations for three seats on the committee of the Taknpunn Jockey Club closed on Saturday The Jir"e retiring committeemen, Messrs. W ,J Ralph. .T, Mays and J X Fleslop. were the only ones nominated and an election will therefore bo unneccssary

JOCKEY FOR SYDNEY

F. D Jones was accompanied to Sydney last Friday by O. H. Humphries. Humphries served hid apprenticeship with Jones and has ridden a lot for the stable. Some time back he had serious spinal trouble, but has now made a good recovery, lie is a capabie horseman, and in addition to riding winners for Jonea ho has scored for other trainers He was on Gay Crest when the Shillinglee gelding won the Groat Autumn Handicap last, Easter.

TROTTING FIXTURES

August n, 13. 15— K.Z. Metropolitan Trot ting Club. August 30, September I—Auckland Trotting Club (Unemployed Relief Meeting).