RACING DESCRIBED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22499, 17 August 1936, Page 7

RACING DESCRIBED

MATORU VICTORIOUS PONTY PREVAILS NARROWLY CONCERTPITCH VERY UNLUCKY [by tki.kgkaph—own correspondent] CJIRISTCIIUHCH, Saturday Burglar and Nocturnus were best supported for the Aylesbury Steeplechase, and they fought it out over the last mile of tho journey. Nocturnus and Royston disputed tho lead for six furlongs and Royston then went to the front, but hit Cutts' heavily and fell. Burglar then took up tho lead from Nocturnus, both jumping perfectly, i'lioy rose at the last fence together, but Burglar drew away again and beat his rival comfortably. Cock o' tho North headed Bonny Bulf for third. At the top of the straight Bandy Boa was pulled up and returned very lame. Matoru, with L. J. Ellis in the saddle, was confidently supported to win the Longbcach Handicap and he recorded an impressive victory. Epic and Pink Polly piloted a bunched lield into the straight, with Autumn Wind, Call Money, Culotte, Tho Sandwichman, Matoru and Rose of Tralee handy. Tho issue was in doubt until Matoru Hashed up on the outside, with Pose ol Tralee also joining in. Matoru drew to the front and was never seriously called upon. Rose of Tralee beat Epic on tho post for second, with Silver Lark another head away, just in front of Autumn Wind. Clarion Call Loses Rider

The Sydenham Hurdles provided an excellent race throughout, but tho favourite, Clarion Call, dislodged his rider at tho last .fence, when disputing the lead with Ruaform. Val Watch took up her usual role as pacemaker, but she did not last long and was back in last place five furlongs from home. Clarion Call at that stage had a slight advantage from Ruaform, with Silk Sox, Saltspray and Polydora close up. Ruaform had a half-length lead from Clarion Call approaching the last fence, with the others in close attendance. Clarion Call took off with Ruaform and hit the top panel hard. He did not fall, but threw his rider, who made a gallant attempt to hang on. Ruaform then streaked away and won easing up by six lengths from Polydora, wlio headed Saltspray over tho last, fence, bilk Sox was about four lengths further away, with Val Watch tailed oif.

Ruaform's Improvement

Ruaform had Clarion Call in trouble before he went out and probably lit? would have wen in any case. Polvdora gavo a sterling display, without actually threatening danger. Saltspray made a bad jump at the last, owing to Clarion Call's blundering directly in front of him and, but £or this, he may have held off Polydora. Silk Sox also made a poor effort at the last and lost a deal of ground. The Styx Hurdles provided an exciting struggle over the last furlong. Haero Tonu changed his tactics by going into the lead after jumping the first fence, but he was then steadied behind Redolent, who, however, lost his plf.ee going into the back. Haero Tonu and Lord Hereford disputed the lead rounding the top, and into the straight Haere Tonu had a slight advantage, with Redolent and John Charles oh their quarters. The four rose practically together at the last fence. Haere Tonu landed in front, but John Charles was quickly alongside him, with the other too still handy. A bad jump by Redolent deprived him of his chance. John Charles proved better than Haere Tonu in a hard finish. Redolent made a game attempt to bridge the gap, but was two lengths away, with Lord Hereford" another length back. Havering was a long distance in the rear. Pontv was one of the shortestpriced favourites sent out at Riccarton for a long time and he carried out his part, although winning the Autumn Handicap by a very narrow margin. Cleaner was in front entering tb« straight from Queen Dorothy, Royal Gallant, Pukeko, Travenna, Ponty and Argentic. Ponty drew up to the leaders inside the distance and Argentic and Pukeko became more prominent. A great race home ensued. Ponty was holding off Argentic when Pukeko challenged, and 50yds from the post appeared as if he had the favourite's measure, but vigorous riding drew a final effort from Ponty, which landed him a winner by a short head. Argentic was a close tliird, a length in front of Queen Dorothy, who was followed bv Tout le Monde, Travenna, Carfex and Cleaner. Ponty had a very close call and only vigorous horsemanship got him home. Spectacular Steeplechase

The Lincoln Steeplechase provided a most spectacular race, the performance of the winner, Manawatu, being meritorious. All jumped the first two fences well, but High Speed, when running in second place, hit the third fence hard and went back to last place. Punchestown jumped to the front from Manawatu over the second of the kennels' double and led round the top from Manawatu and Pahu, with Billy Boy and Royal Limond handy. Royal Limond repeated his offence of lhursdav bv evading the top brush. Punchestown carried on to the kennels double, where Manawatu headed him off and led over the top brush, four lengths in front of Punchestown, with another break to Billy Boy and Pahu. High Speed was not far away. Manawatu had a useful lead on entering the straight from Palm and Billy Boy, with Punchestown weakening. Ihe race was decided once the last fence was negotiated, as Manawatu went on to a comfortable win from Pa J 1 ". " easily beat Billy Boy. High Speed was several lengths back, clear of Punchestown. Boomerang Beats Wino Of the big field for the Redcliffs Handicap, Hunting Maid, Honour s Lass •ind Miss Shamble were slow to move off. Silver Lark soon bad charge irom Sir Hugh, Sovereign Lady, loniaid, Hunting Bag and Capo Gabo. bll ]'£ r 1 ark was still leading on entering the straight from Sir Hugh, Sovereign Lady, Poniard and Cape Gabo, but did riot last much longer, and Capo Gabo shot past Sir Hugh, insule the distance. Cape Gabo was soon well clear, but 100 yds from the post he was challenged by Sovereign Lady, who finished with grim determination and jrot up in the last few strides to gain a neck verdict. Monipere again came with a belated run to gain third money it length in front of Poniard, who beat Sir Hugh b v a head. Conccrtpitch was a good favronntc for the concluding event, but a iter gettint!; away smartly he was sent back to a rear position at the end of two furlongs, and again, when making a [c'rSl move inside the distance he was checked. His iourtli pacing was therefore full of merit and his supporters were certainly unlucky. Bay Duke and Arena were first into the str'iktht from Metal Bird, Boomerang Great Star aa<l Wino. The last-named had forged to the front insule the distance, and was then challenged by Boomerang, on the outside, and Gre. Star on the inside. In an exciting finish Boomerang got in the deciding stride to gain a very narrow verdict from Wino, with Great Star close up. Conccrtpitch finished with a rattle to head off Metal Bird for fourth place on the post, iloror&tci, Knockfin and Arena were next. ,