RACING NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25915, 6 August 1945, Page 8

RACING NEWS

By Sentinel

The Royal Chief gelding Bruce won so well in the Cashmere Plate that more success seems sure to come his way. Plutocrat drew 27 at the barrier in the Avonhead Handicap, but was racing with the leaders at the home turn. Peter Gazelle went too fast to last in the first half of the Avonhead Handicap. He may do better over a shorter distance. The fact that Collegiate had just been nominated for some Of the principal events in Australia was taken as a tip for the Cashmere Plate.

The pool on the Grand National Steeplechase was £18,868, on the Winter Cup £25,469 10s, and on the final event on the card £21,260 10s, A Good Run

Eagle Flight drew 17, Weld Cona 26, Arco 16, Royal Duce 2. and Peter Gazelle 22 in the Avonhead Handicap. Some of those on the outside got out well but over the later part of the race Eagle Flight got a better run near the rails than Weld Cona. A Lame Horse

Foxiana ran a great race in the Grand National Steeplechase, going to the front under his weight and setting a solid pace that seemed suicidal to his chance. He pulled up lame. Failed to Finish

Tenorman would probably have finished second had he survived the sod wall three fences from home in the Grand National Steeplechase, and Kanui Te Pal also hai a good chance of gaining a place as those finishing behind the winner could not pul in a challenge. Barrier Positions

The draw for positions in the Winter Cup was as follows First In 13, Royal Flight 1, Gulf Stream 12, Kevin 18, Ramtcourt 16, Lord Advocate 8, Kaitoa 11, Caithness 15, Capronella 9, Piccolo 7, Burberry 3, Da Vinci 2, Air Ace 5, Reorapa 14, Salary 17, Tring 6, Sphere 4, and Lord Dundonald 10. Steward

Steward had a good sight, but was under a check at the- first of the stand doubles which brought him down. He crumpled up on landing. Prior to tire start Steward was kept busy trotting about, and may have been a bit sore. His fall occurred far too soon in the race to give any line as to his chance. A National Chance

Flying Spy won so well in the Sydenham Hurdles that he holds a good chance of repeating his success of last year in the Grand National Hurdles. He won last year by eight lengths, galloping away at the finish. He has about a stone more this year, but will probably start favourite. Staying On

Arabian Night was travelling well over the final half-mile of the Sydenham Hurdles, and made up a lot of ground to finish second, but without creating any danger to Flying Spy. There is an extra half-mile and IGO yards to cover in the Grand' National Hurdles, and judging by the way Arabian Night was finishing he should hold a change of getting amongst the money. A Crack Chaser

Those who saw Master Meruit win the Wellington Steeplechase state that he won the Grand National Steeplechase in much the same manner. At Rlccarton he gave an excellent display of fencing, and well handled, was kept in a handy position until rounding the home turn. He then came away to win without being asked to extend himself fully in the run home. After seeing Master Meruit win in such excellent style following his success at Trenlham, the only surprising ' feature about it was that he did not start a good favourite. He is a strongly-built gelding, who stays well, and more success should come his way as he won with a good deal in hand. A. Midwood rode a clever race. Whatever excuses may be ofi'ered on behalf of the defeated lot, Master Meruit would have taken a power of beating, and ranks as one of the best over country seen for many years. He won comfortably in 7inin lOsec, and could have won in much faster time if anything had been capable of extending him over (he final six furlongs.