THIRTY LENGTHS AHEAD

NZ Truth, Issue 1175, 7 June 1928, Page 11

THIRTY LENGTHS AHEAD

Then Wingatui Mishajp Plunged Scamp Into Eternity (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Dunedin Representative*) Tons of luck is required m the racing game— and a fair share of it was gathered m by The Babe when he won the Otagb Steeplechase at Wingatui on Saturday.

IT looked like being a good race until Scamp, which was leading by thirty lengths, ran down the big sod-wall and jumped into eternity. This was the forerunner of further mishaps, for Thistlecrown and- Greenstone fell two fences later, while Royal Fashion made two bad jumps at the brush double round the back and tipped Mackie. out. ■ • Scamp might have, won, but it would have been a big "might." He certainly had a big lead on, but he jumped extravagantly, running down his fences and showing a disinclination to go kindly at any of theme < He fell heavily and broke his .near hind leg, so the friendly ' bullet was commissioned. Greenstone could not lump the weight over the distance, while

Dubious never at any stage lived up to his schooling efforts. His rider, , however,, took few chances with him. ; The> Babe wop because the strength at... the. opposition .tipped but, leaving: the Issue entirely to him and Ranull . The latter improved on his Riverton form, but was outstayed over the last quarter of a i mile. , V The "roughies r " steeplechase was by far a better race, the field being v bunched together until three furlongs from, home, where Captain Sarto and Ramanawhiri drewaway and fought it out over the last Jump. . ; ; Captain Sarto gave Owner- . trainer P« T. Hbgan his first win ' for a long time, but he was tucky . . . to get round the courise, as he took '■■ .: ■:, two fences absolutely on' "spec.'V Peclsion. ran a fair race and should, improve. : 'J'