GRAND NATIONAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22469, 13 July 1936, Page 7

GRAND NATIONAL

MAIDEN HOUSE FIRST SANTA CASA'S DISTINCTION FINE FLEMINGTON CONTEST (Received July 12, r>.s p.m.) MELBOURNE, July 12 The distinction of being the first maiden jumper to win a Grand National Steeplechase was gained by Santa Casa in a wonderful performance yesterday at Flemington. Santa Casa, who was taught the rudiments of Ids jumping skill in the hunting field, won in magnificent style by half a length from Draconic, the result being in doubt until the last 100 yards. The winner was well hack in the early stages, whereas Draconic was always prominent. With less than a mile to go, Draconic led Santa Casa by 20 lengths, which was decreased to six lengths at the Inst jump. In the run to the judge, Santa Casa simply worried Draconic out of the prize. Wood lace, Riawena and Mem bo, at wide intervals and in that order, were the only others to complete the course. Te Huon (Tea Tray—Huctte), ran third in the July Handicap, of £'soo, one mill, in which Araunah and Palatinate were unplaced. Results: — GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLES, Of £2."i00; about 3 miles and a furlong SANTA CASA, J. P. Devinc's b g, oyrs. by David — , 0.0, car. 0.6 (J. licpmn) .. . . . . 1 DRACONIC, W. J. T. Clarke's br k, acred, by Doric—Dragon Fly, 10.8 (A. Fullartom . , . . . . 2 WOODLACE. 11. Butler's b ft, aged, by Baekwood—Straitlace, 10.3 (A. Armsden) 3

Also Started. —Riavvena, 10.10; Pactolus, 10.7; Richmond Tiger, 10.1; Welbeck, 0.1'.!; El Damaroyal, O.l'l; Membo, 0.0; Wanconncr, 9.5; NVakarifo, 0.-l; Montargis, Manlius, 0.0. Half-length; 15 lengths. Time: Cm 27%5.

DOUTTA CALLA HURDLES, Of £500; 2VS miles POOLEY BRIDGE, 0. H. Dawson and A. E. Foulsham's b g, syrs, by Ornamentation —Talkative, 12.0 (L. Ilealy) 1 COLD SPRING, W. McCullock's cli g. aged, by Cooltrim —Cards, 9.11 (W. Foley) .. . . .. . . .. 2 LOYOLA, J. Lee's ch g, aged, by Poitrel —Jevington Lass, 0.0 (11. Mclnnes) 3 Also Started.—King Colossus. Cape Race. Two and a-balf lengths; eight lengths.

RAN WITH THE BEST SANTA CASA FAIRLY TRIED UNLUCKY THREE WEEKS AGO Although the five-year-old Santa Casa, described as a plain son of David, has won great fame by making a V.11.C. Grand National Steeplechase the medium of his first success as a racehorse, the result was not by any means a surprise. Early in the winter season ho attracted attention by a good performance at Moonce Valley, when he just missed a place in n steeplechase won by Eanclea. He fell at Williamstown, but after dividing Pactolus and Woodlace in the Hopetoun Steeplechase at the V.R.C. meeting on Juno 6, ho definitely entered the ranks of Grand National probables. Woodlace had won the latter race two years ago, while Pactolus was narrowly beaten by Riawena in 1935. Furthgr confirmation of Santa Casa's ability was forthcoming in the Prince, of Wales Steeplechase on the same course, and over the same distance, two miles and 110 yards, on Juno 29, when he finished third to Draconic and Pactolus, being in receipt of 151b. from the winner. On Saturday he met Draconic at a difference of IGlb. and proved the better stayer. In describing the Prince of Wales Steeplechase, "Tasman," in the Age, said: "Santa Casa, who had been showing consistently good form, was favourite. He was going well in front about five furlongs from home when ho appeared to slij) on the flat and dropped back many lengths. Draconic then dashed to the front and was not afterwards headed. Pactolus, who had been well back in the early stages, went in pursuit as soon as the jumping was over, but Draconic easily held him. Santa Casa was running on again in third place, and with ordinary luck in the running doubtless would have been much closer to the winner. It would, therefore, be distinctly unwise to condemn him on this failure."

MOOREFIELD RACES DOMINION RUNNERS UNPLACED (Received July 12, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 1-2 At the Moorefield races yesterday, Royal Helena and .Jubilee Singer were unplaced in the Juvenile Handicap. Maestro was unplaced in the Moorefield Handicap. MANAWATU WELL BOUGHT WON £3OO AT TRENTHAM Manawatu's victory in the Matai Steeplechase was his first over country, and the first time ho had carried to the front the colours of Mr. F. Armstrong, Akitio, who bought the Acre gelding early in the year from Mr. F. S. Easton, lor a price stated to he 3.50 guineas. With' £2lO as tho winner's share of that race and another £OO as the runner-up in the July Steeples, he has already nearly recouped Mr. Annstrong for his outlay, and as he is just seven years old, he should, with ordinary luck, prove a very cheap horse. fn s.'} starts to date, he has won nine times and has been 20 times placed, securing £1220, of which £OSO has been won this season. ONE OF TWO FOALS FAMILY OF NERVIE'S LAST Norvio Mauritius, dam of the Aus-tralian-bred free-legged pacer, Norvio's Last, who has recorded two firsts and four places in his six starts in New Zealand, produced only two foals. ITer first, May Mauritius, by Globe Derby, was a good winner in Australia, where she had a record of 2.15. Nervio's Last, who had done very little racing in the Commonwealth, has a record at Epsom of .'5.18 for a mile and a-half. Nervie Mauritius, who died after winning a race in JO.'iO, two years after producing Nome's Last, was owned by Mrs. A. Pitman, who bred May Mauritius and her half-brother by Pedro Pronto. Mauritius, the head of the family, was an American-bred horse, by Bingen from Roxana, by King Wilkes, son of George Wilkes. He was imported to New Zealand in 1905, but was later sold to an Australian breeder. Pedro Pronto, sire of Norvie's Last, was also at one time in New Zealand, where he won many high-class races, and sired good winners in Impromptu and Prince Pedro. RACING FIXTURES July l«--IIawke's Hay Hunt Club. July 18—Waitaato Hunt Club. July 22 —Kannltikoi Hunt Club. July 23, 25—Poverty Ray Turf Club. July 125 —South Canterbury Hunt Club. July 25 —Mumuvalu Racing Club. ,