ELLERSLIE WINNERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22132, 11 June 1935, Page 7

ELLERSLIE WINNERS

ROYAL LIMOND'S SUCCESS REWARD FOR PERSEVERANCE -RASOULI'S GOOD PROSPECTS Although small fields in the crosscountry races were a disappointing feature of the Ellerslio winter carnival these events did not fail to proride keen and spectacular contests. The principal honours went to Royal Limond, whose performance in winning the Great Northern Steeplechase waa easily h.s best to date. Solid condition and stamina stood to him at the end of the long journey and ho was able to outstay the opposition after being hard ridden.

Royal Limond's early efforts as a steeplechaser were discouraging, but his trainer-rider, D. O'Connor, had faith in him and his perseverance has received a handsome reward. The gelding is inclined to " prop " into his fences unless vigorously handled and he needs a lot of riding. Ho does not impress as a really good horse, but nevertheless is likely to gain more success, as he is a safe jumper and sound stayer.

Haakon's Winter Steeplechase victory was the most popular of the meeting, for his breeder, and owner, Dr. A. McGregor Grant, .has had more than his share of ill-luck in racing. Last year when Haakon appeared to be in line for an important success over country he became troubled with unsoundness and had to be thrown out of training. After a spell he has come back in condition: fit to again prove successful even if not yet thoroughly at his best. He was a trifle unlucky not to win the Hunt Club Hurdles on the first day, but by his victories in the Hunt Club Cup, which he also won last year, and the Winter Steeplechase, in which he defeated Royal Limond, among others, made ample amends. Besides being one of the most finished jumpers in New Zealand, he is a splendid stayer and has only to remain sound to take 'ligher honours. Failure "oi Valpeen

The task of carrying close upon 12st. proved too much for Valpeen in the Great Northern and Winter Steeplechases and he missed a place in both. The race he had in the Great Northern Hurdles on the first day, when he showed a bold front for over two miles, Jirobably did not improve him his ater engagements and he hampered his chance in the Great Northern Steeplechase by pulling very hard in the early stages. As a result he played the role of pacemaker for most of the way, in spite of his 11.12, and it was not surprising that the lighter weights beat him at the end. There will be further opportunities for Valpeen before the close of the jumping season and under different conditions he may do better, especially at Riccarton. where he won the Grand National and Beaufort Steeplechases last year. Luck did not favour Wee Pat in her engagements. She unseated her j)ilot at the first fence in the Great Northern Hurdles and went on to complete the course riderless, actually leading the field home. In the Great Northern Steeplechase she made a fine showing and might have been closer to the winner only for hitting a fence on the hill in the last round. It was sheer staying abilitv that enabled her to beat London for second. When raced again over hurdles on the final day Wee Pat failed to do better than a fair third and probably she was feeline the effects of her earlier exertions. For her inches, she is a mere handful, she is rea''y good, and is equally at home over hurdles or country.

Stanchion and Rasouli

Stanchion's Great Northern and l?emnera hurdles victories gained him the highest honours among the hurdlers. Both were fine performances, in which he displayed excellent staying ability. On the final day he failed to do as well as expected and probably had had enough for the time being. There is a possibility that he may he taken to Australia toward the end of this_ month fulfil jumping engagements in Melbourne. . Although he failed to win either of his two races, Rasouli gave further evidence of his worth in the Campbell Hurdles, when he went under only by a head to Val Watch, to whom he was conreding 111b It was a meritorious performance under difficult conditions and in his present- form it is doubtful whether there is a better hurdler in the Dominion. A fine stayer and good jumper, Rasouli has excellent prospects of adding to his record this winter, although he is now in a position in the weights where races will not be easy to win. . _ , Travelling Agent s win and second among the hack hurdlers were impressive and, all going well, he should attain greater prominence as the season advances. Black Marlin was another hack hurdler who pleased, winning at his onlv start. Like most of the progeny of Lucullus, he relishes heavy going and jumos well, and it should be only matter -of him # remaining sound to quickly add to his winnings.

TRAINING PREPARATIONS

TAREHA IN GOOD CONDITION

£by telegraph —own correspondent! HASTINGS, Monday

Tho Hastings tracks are busy again in view of the Hawke's Bay winter meeting this week. On Saturday Tureha was given two solid rounds of paccwork, and there is no mistaking the fact that he is very fit. and he appeals as being even better-conditioned than when he ran second to High Grader in the Century Hurdles at Wanganui recently.

Sunny Maid, carrying over 9st, was responsible for a fair effort by running six furlongs on a heavy track in 1.20, the first three taking Monarchy took 1.30 for

the same distance Queen's Pride held a slight advantage over Speed over five furlongs in 1.9, but the had the belter of the weights by fully a stone. Saoatini did tairly well for a chaser to

register 1.51 for a rniie. Peggy Lefoe. (he maiden candidate, and Silver rioriij finished on terms over five furlongs in 1.9 at even weights. Trackman rnn the last three of four tur* longs in 41s. without being ridden out. Lie is on the improve, but requires a race to

bring him to -his befit again. Slippery, with 9st in the saddle, was responsible for the best effort of the mornins when being sent alone, registering 1 "i ior five furlongs. Pae Tutu and War Parade took 1.12J for the same distance, but the latter was going only at three-quarter pace. Collision, giving a way the best part of 2st, finished six lengths in front of Count Willonyx over' half a mile in the very fair time of s'2£s, und appeared to handle the heavy j, - oiii!; comfortably. Passion I'lower and Contact did four turlong? in 545, with the former going the better. I,'oynl , Feast and Father's Choice, in a working gallop. took 421 for the last three of four furlongs. Maine was against the bit when registering oils for four furlongs. 'Drumneel and Sybil Song, with amateur riders m the saddle ran a mile in 2.1 i ilahcra Belle and tltv Lady Buoyant filly did p-)t impress when faking 57?s for half b mile.

Heiiotyp- was worked on the sand, wearing ii bandage behind as the result of a teeept schooling mishap. . .... Kovnl Banquet pave n pleasing exhibi tion of fencing over half o dozen hurdles, lie was accompanied over the first portion of this task by Jou-.net and Padishah, who v.-ere eased to complete the journey at a pace a hundred yards in behind Rov»l Banqi.et. ... Kimho gave a very fine dispiay of hurdling ~over a round Ilukemanu. in company with J/iC-oldi n Area. / lumped much more proficiently than he has been doing, and with JV* little more education should furnish into * useful hack 'chaser.