SOUTH CANTERBURY HUNT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19513, 12 June 1933, Page 12

SOUTH CANTERBURY HUNT

POINT-TO-POINT MEETING. The annual point-to-point steeplechase meeting, conducted by the South Canterbury Hunt, was held on the property of Mr W. H. Orbell. “The Levels,” on Saturday afternoon. The weather was perfect, and there was a very large attendance of the public. The meeting, which was patronised by huntsmen from over a large area, was a success from every point of view. The racing was keen, and some excellent jumping was witnessed. There were two or three spills, but no one was injured. From the point of view of the onlookers, a more ideal course could hardly have been chosen, the competitors being in full view of the spectators practically the whole way round. There was one point only at which they were obscured, and then only for a matter of seconds. A hillside formed a natural grandstand, the finishing point being right in front of the public. In the steeplechase events, the competitors were required to clear a fence in the first thirty yards. They then passed the public stand, proceeded north over another fence, turned sharply to the left across a further fence, and came back past the “grandstand.” They next struck west across country, heading for a line of poplars, which they skirted for some distance ■south to turn due east and make back across the flat towards the starting point. They were obliged to clear a wire fence, take a short rise, and recross a continuation of the first obstacle to go on and make a further circuit. The first race on the card, the lightweight, was annexed by Mr W. D. Orbell's Marco Polo, which made most of the running, and won with something in hand. The race for heavyweights was won for the second year in succession by Mr B. N. Thomas's Richard. Mr D. N. Westenra's Burglar which was second to Richard last year, filled the same place on this occasion. The winner was well-handled and was not troubled at any stage of the journey. In the hack steeplechase handicap, Mr T. Leonard's Slaunlathe finished first, and Miss R. Jackson's Blue Ray second, but both horses were disqualified for passing inside one of the flags, the race being awarded to Mr E. G. Talbot’s Deerette.

Miss B. Harper’s Captain Murphy again won the ladies’ field hunter trial, the men’s trial being annexed by Mr E. Jackson's Brisk. Trophies Presented. At the conclusion of the racing, the Master of the Hunt (Mr C. L. Orbell) extended thanks, on behalf of the Hunt, to Mr W. H. Orbell for having placed his property at the disposal of the Hunt. He said he did not think it would be possible, to find a more picturesque spot, or one more suitable for the purpose. Every fence was in view' of the public, and the course was an excellent one for competitors and the public. The Master thanked the selection committee for the work they had done, and he also thanked those who had so generously donated trophies. It was difficult, in the present times, to ask people for voluntary subscriptions, but they were fortunate in South Canterbury in that they had people who supported them year by year. The Hunt was struggling along, and they could not have run the meeting if it had not been for the generosity of those who had provided the prizes. Mr Orbell thanked the honorary judges, both of whom had come long distances to assist the Hunt. He also referred to the work of the officials, many of whom did the spade work without coming into the limelight, and in this connection he specially mentioned the clerk of the scales, Mr M. Maze. The Master also said that he would have liked to have seen the visitors meet with more success. They had brought their horses long distances, but had struck something pretty hot. The prizes were presented by Mrs C. L. Orbell, after which cheers were given for the Master and Mrs Orbell, and for the donors of prizes. Events Described. Eight horses faced the starter in the first event, that for lightweights. Marco Polo was first out, and he cleared the initial fence just ahead of Time Will Tell, and Bobette. A faulty jump brought Cappy Ricks down. Passing the stand, Time Will Tell had charge from Bobette, Marco Polo, Night Club, Ma Rosa, Tui and Waif. Four horses baulked at the third fence, Time Will N Tell alone getting over, and she opened up a gap from Marco Polo and Night Club. The order was unchanged across the flat to the Poplars, but the leader’s margin was reduced. Passing the stand the second time, Time Will Tell was showing the way to Marco Polo and Night Club, who were on terms. Bobette, Tui and Waif, with Ma Rosa a long way back. At the fence which caused the horses to baulk on the first round, Time Will Tell was reined in, allowing Marco Polo to go into the lead, but in the run to the next obstacle, Time Will Tell again took up the running. At the poplars Time Will Tell had dropped right back, Marco Polo and Night Club having a lead of forty yards at this stage. The pair had the race to themselves over the last halfmile, Marco Polo winning comfortably by three lengths from Night Club, with Time Will Tell some distance back. Tui was fourth. Heavyweight Steeplechase. Six horses were saddled up for the heavyweight steeplechase. Richard led out from Schwepps, Composer, The Laird and Burglar. Tadpole lost his rider after clearing the first fence. At the third obstacle, Burglar assumed the lead, but did not retain it long, and heading for the flat, Richard was in front from Burglar, Schwepps, Composer and The Laird. Nearing the turn at the poplars, Richard and Burglar were on terms, with Schwepps about thirty yards back, and then there was a gap to Composer and The Laird. With only half the journey gone, the two front horses were making a proper steeplechase pace, and the others did not appear to be in the picture. Composer closed on Schwepps the second time round. Richard at this stage having assumed a thirty yards lead over Burglar. Going across the flat, Composer moved into third place, but on the run from the poplars, The Laird commenced to make up ground fast. Along the flat he was in third place, but he fell in negotiating the wire fence at the foot of the rise. For a period the rider was pinned down by the horse, but eventually he was extricated unhurt. The horse also escaped injury. The mishap diverted attention from the finish, which resulted in Richard getting home by a big margin from Burglar, who was a long way in front of Composer. Schwepps was pulled up, his rider going to the assistance of the rider of The Laird.

The concluding event was the hack steeplechase handicap, in which there were seven runners. Blue Ray was first out from Dalhousie, Slaunlathe, Deerette, Nine of Spades, Tutu and Pointer. The field spread out after crossing the first fence, and coming past the stand before commencing the final circuit, Nine of Spades was in front from Blue Ray, Slaunlathe, Deerette. Dalhousie, who was labouring, and Tutu, who was tailed off. Nine of Spades and Deerette baulked a high fence, leaving Blue Ray in the lead from Slaunlathe. Coming towards

the stand again, Nine of Spades was forced out, and he unseated his rider. Blue Ray and Slaunlathe went away from the field the last time round, the last named passing Blue Ray near the poplars, to maintain his lead, and pass the judge with thirty yards to spare. Deerette finished third and Tutu fourth. Later it was announced that the first two horses to finish had been disqualified for taking the wrong course. Some good jumping w r as witnessed in the field hunter trials, only a few' points separating the placed horses. The officials who controlled the meeting were—Stewards, members of the South Canterbury Hunt Committee; hon. judges, Messrs K. Austin and D. W. Westenra; hon. starter, Mr W. H. Orbell; hon. clerk of scales, Mr M. Maze; assistant clerk of scales, Mr D. Maze; hon. clerk of course, Mr A. S. Elw'orthy. Results. LIGHTWEIGHT STEEPLECHASE; first, cup and trophy; second, trophy; about 3h miles:— W. D. Orbell's br g Marco Polo, aged. Marco Bella-Princess, 11.7 (D. Orbell) 1 H. Ehvorthy’s b m Night Club, aged, 11.7 (Ow’ner) 2 R. J. Murphy’s b m Time Will Tell, aged, 11.7 (A. Jackson) 3 Also started—D. W. Westenra’s Waif, 11.0 car. 11.2 (owner); S. G. Taylor’s Ma Rosa, 11.0, car. 12.0 (owner); B. G. Hamilton’s Cappy Ricks, 11.0 (J. Mahoney); T. R. Rhodes’s Bobette, 11.0 car. 11.7 (B. Thomas); Miss C. Ehvorthy’s Tui, 11.0 (M. Bailey). HEAVYWEIGHT STEEPLECHASE; first, challenge cup and trophy; second, trophy; about 3i miles— B. N. Thomas’s b g Richard (St. Petersburg-Glenapp mare, aged, 13.0 (ow’ner) l D. W. Westenra's br g Burglar, aged, 12.7 (owner) 2 W. H. Orbell’s b g Composer, aged, 13.0 (W. D. Orbell) 3 Also started—D. W. Westenra’s The Laird, 12.7 (owner); C. P. Goulding’s Tadpole, 12.7 (ow-ner); H. Elworthy’s Schwepps, 13.0 (owner). HACK STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP; sweepstake 10/- each; first, 75 per cent.; second. 25 per cent, and trophy; about 2i miles— F. G. Talbot’s Deerette, 10.6 (G. Robb) 1 L. C. Hazlett’s Tutu. 10.6 (W. Hogan) 2 Also started—Miss R. Jackson’s Blue Ray 10.0, car. 10.4 (C. Low); T. Leonard's Slaunlathe, 10.6 (W. Kitto): M. O'Connor's Nine of Spades, 11.0 (R. Register); A. G. Macdonald's Pointer, 10.6 (J. Sizemore); B. Solomon’s Dalhousie, 10.0 (owner). LADIES’ FIELD HUNTER TRIAL; first, trophy and Mrs C. E. Thomas's Memorial Challenge Cup; second, trophy— Miss B. Harper's Captain Murphy 1 Mrs H. Elworthy’s Susan 2 Captain R. Burdon’s Clayton .... 3 The third horse was ridden by Miss B. Harper. MEN’S FIELD HUNTER TRIAL; first trophy; second, trophy. E. Jackson's Brisk 1 Miss S. Orbell's Tycho 2 | Miss J. Orbell’s Gambler 3 ' The second and third horses were ridden by Mr C. L. Orbell.