WANGANUI STEEPLECHASE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7447, 23 May 1911, Page 7

WANGANUI STEEPLECHASE

Tiic Wanganui Steeplechase dates back to 1836. when the late J. B. Williamson y/on ft with a good jumper in Guy r awkes. The following year Shearsby piloted Orient flrrt past the post, this chaser subsequently winning the similar event at Wellington. Kangaroo won for Mr J. Leopold in 1888, and the following year a good one in Oddfellow prevailed, also annexing the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase the same year. Hickey rode Sir Garnet to victory in 1890, and then camo the successive victories of Mr J. McAlister’s Ingorangi, Mr J. Maher's Couranto, and Mr C. G. Woodley’s Umpire. In 1894 the very unusual incident in a steeplechase of a dead heat occurred, oho judge being unable to separate Booties and Manakln, Tiritea won in 1895, and then Booties pulled it off for Mr E, Shore. Bradshaw was successful in 1897, and then twice running the race went to that fine chaser Muscatel, who also won the Great Northern Steeplechase for Mr F. Watson. Scallywag was first homo in 1900, while the following year witnessed the victory of Mrs ElUngham’s famous gelding Moifaa, who boat Plain Bill by six lengths after winning the Grandstand Steeplechase, then run on the opening day. Moifaa also won the G*eat Northern Steeplechase, and later on made himself a great name in England. Another good one in The Guard won the following year, starting a very hot favourite, beating Lochade by two lengths, with Plain Bill a close third. Awahnri carried Mr G. P, Donnelly’s colours to victory in 1903. beating Scallywag, who had won the Grandstand Steeplechase on the opening day, by a hundred yards. He also annexed the Grand National at Riccarton. Next came a win for the Aucklander Haydn, who. with 12.2 in the saddle, won easily despite very heavy going. Undoubtedly he was a good one, for ho captured the Great Northern Steeplechase and the Wellington Steeplechase. Mr Armstrong's Evening put clown a strong field In 1905. Defoe and Pipi occupying the places. F. Lind rodo Eurus to victory in the following year, and he afterwards won the Grand National, while 1907 saw a success for Sir William Russell’s mare Nadador, who piloted Eangitoto and Eclair past the judge*? box A beautiful lumper she was. winning the Hawke’s, Bay steeplechase twice, the Napier Staplechase, and the Grand National Steeplechase. The victories of Mr James Orr’s TUson. Mr F. Saunders* Moccasin, and Mr A. Ellingham's Jack Pot are too recent to need recalling. Who will win to-morrow? That is a question .many would like to know the right answer to. The result looks very open, and tho indications are for a fine race- The track is reported to be in excellent order, and tho contest shouldprovo well worth seeing.