POINT-TO-POINT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 16 June 1924, Page 7

POINT-TO-POINT.

S.O. HUNT'S STEEPLECHASE. In cold, though fiue and bracing weather, the annual pomt-io-pomo sieepiecnase neld Dy me aoutn Canteroury Hunt, were got on on Saturday atternoou. Tile attendance was not quite as targe as usual, uue no doubt to the coid weatner, but there were many visitors from alt parts of bourn Cautorhury, and some imn North- Canteroury. Tne locality selected tor me steeplechase tins year was ulc.se to Pleasant Point, tne finishing post being on Mr J. Driscoll’s farm, oil’ what is known as Driscoll’s road, NVaitawa. Here a very suitable location for the onlookers was found, a lull close to the homestead forming a natural grandstand from which nearly the- whole of the races could be seen, on the flat country, which the hill overlooks. There were three events on the programme, and the course, a good one, although tlio jumps were not over formidable, extended over miles for two of the events, and over 2J for the other one. There were 24 obstacles to be negotiated, these including gorse and rail jumps, with two road doubles, and a creek, while the land traversed consisted or grass, stubble, and a little which was under the plough. Starting in Mr 0. Oliiver’s, the course ran down to Mr J. Driscoll’s homestead, then north to Mr D. Oliiver’s, across the road into Mr W. Cartwright’s, on to Mr A. H. Roberts’s farm, out of this onto the road, then heading south, back into Mr Olliver’s, and down to Mr Driscoll’s homestead, close to which was the finishing post. The events were got olf with despatch, and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Mr E. It. Guinness, who has had long experience of such meetings, filled the important position of judge. Mr A. S. Elworthy was starter, Mr W. J. Bassett, clerk of scales, Mr M. Maze, as-' sistant clerk of scales, Mr W. H. Orbell, clerk of the course, anc/Mr H. H. Fraser, was in his accustomed place as secretary. The course was selected by Messis A. M. Jamieson, A. S. Elworthy, and W. H. Orbell. The two open events were won by Waimate horses, Grey Star, who accounted for the light-weight race, being the property of the Waimate Huntsman, and Six Cylinder also being owned by a well known member ot the southern Hunt. Bill Turpin who scored in the Farmer’s Race, laces in the same colours as Master Peter, and had to carry an additional 7ibs, because he was prepared by a licensed trainer, P. T. Hogan.

LIGHT WEIGHTS —11st 71b, for a trophy value five guineas, presented by Mr H. Elworthy/ and ;'a challenge cup, value ten guineas, presented by Mr P. A. Elworthy, to be retailed for the ensuing year only, for first horse; a trophy, value two guineas, presented by Mr C. N. Orbell, for second horse, and a trophy, value ono guinea, presented by Com. Steward, R.N., for third horse.

Mr R. A. Ferguson’s gr. g. Grey Star, aged, Starina Moonshine (owner) 1 Mr 'i'. P. Wooding’s ch. g. Persuader, aged (owner) 2 Mr H. E. Kirk’s gr. g. Snowstorm, aged (owner) 1. 3 Others starters were—Miss Irving's Cato; Mr C. ,L. Orbell’s Cremona; Mr A. S. Ehvorthy’s Flourish; Mr Ay. Morten’s Fortune Hunter; and Mr D. Westehra’s Surprise (carried 9lb over). Snowstorm, Cato and Fortune Hunter were the first to show out, and in this order, they passed through the onlookers’ paddock,' which was about half a mile from the starting, point.. A rail had to be negotiated in front of Mr Driscoll’s homestead, and this was refused by four of the horses, the first time of asking. Fortune Hunter refusing it altogether. At the end of a mile Persuader was leading the field, followed by Grey Star and Snowstorm. At the next fence Grey Star took a lead from Persuader, with Snowstorm in third place. Heading northward, Cremona put in a great run, and from sixth place joined Grey Star, Persuader and Snowstorm. Going through the properties at the western end of the course, there were lightning-like changes in positions, but when heads were fairly turned for home Grey Star was in the lead, with Cremona in close attendance and Snowstorm handy. In a good finish, Grey Star beat Cremona by a length and Persuader beat Snowstorm for third place, by a similar distance. Cremona was disqualified for jumping on the wrong side of one of the Hags, so that the official placing gave Persuader second place', and Snowstorm third. Half a mile from home Cremona ran into a doubled back barbed wire, and cut herself rather badly, but she finished gamely.

HEAVY WEIGHTS—I3st. For a trophy value five guineas, presented by Mr B. E. H. Tripp, and a challenge cup, value ten guineas, presented by Mr P. A. Ehvorthy, to be retained for the ensuing year only, for first horse; a trophy value two guineas, presented by Mr 11. L. Orbell, for second horse; a trophy value one guinea, presented by Mr T. it. Rhodes, for third horse. Mr R. Harrison's br. g. Six Cylinder, aged, Royal Fusilier—- — (owner) 1 Mr W. Doyle’s b. m. Mabel, aged (G. Adams) . 2 Air S. A. Guthrie’s br. g. Purple Cliiel, (J. Mahoney), carried 13.7 3

The only starters. Six Cylinder took the lead from the start and was hard held in the early stages of the race. With half a mile gone Purple Chiel displaced Mabel in second place, and in this order Driscoll’s homestead was leached. Purple Chiel refused the seventh fence at the first time of ask ing, thereby losing a lot of ground, and. with half the journey done, Mabel was rupning a couple of lengths behind Six Clyinder. After the road double, and the fences at the far end of the course had been negotiated Six Cylinder was still showing the way, with Mabel close up. At the fourth fence from home the Waimate horse came a crash, and Mabel shot to the front. Six Cylinder’s rider was quickly in the saddle, and going in pursuit of the tiring leader, caught and passed her, just before the judge’s stand v as reached and an exciting finish saw the Waimate veteran claim the verdict by two lengths, with Purple Chiel five lengths away, third. But for his fall Six Cylinder would have romped home an easy winner. This is the third time that he has won the heavy point-to-point at Timaru. FARMERS’ STEEPLECHASE list 71b. For a trophy value five guineas, presented by ' Lieut.-Colonel W. S. Lindsay, for first horse; a trophy, value two guineas, presented by Mr A. S. Ehvorthy, for second horse; a trophy, value one guinea, presented by Mrs. C. L. Orbeli, foi third horse. • Air J. Talbot’s Bill Turpin (carried 71b penalty), (C. Garven) ... 1 Air •!. A. Wooding’s Davev (D. Wooding) 2 Mr J. C. Guinness’s Dardanella, (A. Bourn) 3 The only other starter was Mr N. Breen’s Dustman. Tire quarette made the pace a merry one to begin with, Dardanella being in the lead, and Davey next. Bill Turpin and Dustman running in company some distance lehind. At the far end of the course there was a series of changes. Dustman fell twice, but was quickly on his feet again, and Bill Turpin and Dardanella each had to be asked twice to go over one of the fences. Davey then showed Uie way, but at the homo tirn Dardanella again ran into the lead. A good finish along the homo stretch

saw the Kingsdown-owned horse first past the judge’s box, with Davey next, and Dardanella third. At the conclusion of the events the trophies won were presented to the winners by Mrs C. L. Orbell, (wife of the Master of the Hunt), ami£ a scene of enthusiasm, the winners being warmly complimented and cheered. Mr Orbell offered the best thanks of the Hunt to the farmers who had given their country to be raced over, that- day; complimented the .'electors of the course; and called for < heers for the donors of prizes and for *\e l't’mers. These were heartily given, and the gathering concluded with three final chcers“Tor the Master of the Hunt.