Radiac’s Easy Win In Steeplechase At Washdyke.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19133, 28 July 1930, Page 12

Radiac’s Easy Win In Steeplechase At Washdyke.

THREE CROSS-COUNTRY RACES PROVIDE SOME HIGH-CLASS JUMPING.

THE South Canterbury Hunt Club's annual race meeting was held at Washdyke on Saturday. The weather was fine, the sun shining brightly during most of the day, but a strong wind made the conditions unpleasant late in the afternoon. There was a large attendance, all parts of South Canterbury being well represented, while there was a fair sprinkling of visitors from Christchurch. The course was in capital order, and there was some interesting sport. There was no excitement about the finishes of the three steeplechases, but each of them provided some good jumping displays. The totalisator investments amounted to £10,643, compared with £9687 last rear.

Racing opened with the Hadlow Hack Hurdles. Heisler was the onlyscratching, and in a field of six Membo was a strong favourite, with Hard Prince easily second fancy. Membo was just clear of Fairness, Hard Prince and Exide running along the straight, but Hard Prince jumped to the front at the stand hurdle. Membo and Gay Fashion then went on in front. Hard Prince starting to drift back six furlongs from home, where Exide took third place, with Gold Mint next. Gay Fashion led to the straight, where Exide was in second place, with Membo handy. Exide led over the last hurdle, and seemed to have the race in safe keeping, but Gay Fashion, finishing on under pressure, got up in the last stride to win by a neck. Membo was three-quarters of a length away, while Gold Mint was ten lengths further back. The winner has not had much experience in jumping races, but she looks a promising sort. She appeared to be lucky, however, to beat Exide, whose rider was over-confident. Membo ran a fair race, and will improve. So will Gold Mint, who was having his first run in a jumping race. Hard Prince went badly, and Fairness was beaten early.

-1 Goldtown was ineligible for the I Pareora Hunters’ Steeplechase, for which Peterette was scratched. Barrington, Marco Polo and Tractarian were evenly supported. Barrington led out from West Dome, Tractarian, Te Haunui, Deportment and Marco Polo, but after going two furlongs Barrington dropped back to the rear of this bunch. Deportment and Tractarian led into the straight. Deportment then drew clear, and he showed the way over the stand double, where Marco Polo and Te Haunui made faulty jumps, while Peterline lost his rider. Deportment and Tractarian were together in the lead seven furlongs from home, with Barrington and West Dome following at short intervals. There was no change to the second last fence, where Deportment fell, while Barrington lost his rider. This left Tractarian to finish by himself, and he won by a dozen lengths | from West Dome, with Willow Glen a poor third, followed at long intervals by Marco Polo and Tc liaunui, none of the others finishing. Indicator refused at the first fence, and Bladon at the third, while Tim Balboa was a long way in the rear when he was pulled up. Tractarian ran a solid race at , Waimate, and alwaj’S was going well ! in this event, though Deportment and ; Barrington would have made a good ! finish had they stood up. Marco Polo was going well till he got into the second of the stand double. National Horses Run Badly. The scratching of Rangatahi left five runners for ♦ the South Canterbury Steeplechase. Valves was much better backed than Radiate, these two carrying the bulk of the money. Diamond Jack and French Fleet made the early running, and after going half a mile Radiac took third place. Radiac ran to the front at the end of a mile, with French Fleet, Diamond Jack, Radiate and Valves following in that order. Radiac was four lengths in front of French Fleet at the stand double, the others being close up. Radiac had French Fleet and Radiate as his nearest attendants turning into the back stretch, but Diamond Jack was in second place two furlongs further on. He . did not hold his position very long, | however, Flench Fleet following Radiac j round the turn, with Diamond Jack third and Valves fourth, while Radiate was dropping back. Radiac was not ; troubled for the remainder of the journey, and beat French Fleet very easily by three lengths. Diamond Jack was six iengths away, with Valves several lengths further back and Radiate last. The winner gave a good exhibition of jumping, and his performance was attractive. He ran badly on the same course last month, but apparently was not at his best then. Radiate and Valves do not look good Grand National prospects after this form.

Oriflamb and Little Dueness were scratched for the Levels Hack Handicap, leaving a field of ten. Night Effort, ridden by 11. Gray, was a little better favourite than Sweet Refrain, with Rapina a well-backed third fancy. Sweet Refrain and Rapina began smartly, but Rapina soon lost, her place, dropping back a long way, Home Coming and Memories going on in front, with Rosewood next. Rosewood lost his place alter going three furlongs, where Valuator headed the second bunch, with Sweet Refrain handy. Sweet Refrain ran to the front at the entrance to the straight, where Royal Limond improved his position, while Rapina started to move rip from a long way back. Sweet Refrain was never in trouble and won as she liked by three lengths from Royal Limond, who stalled off Rapina’s late run by half a length Home Coining was two lengths away, with Memories next. Night Ef-

fort was never prominent, her performance being a disappointment. Sweet Refrain had not shown any form for a long time, but when right she can go fast. Royal Limond is an improving young horse. Rapina was very unlucky, as she appeared to meet serious trouble early.

The scratching of Prince Chimes and Sonoma Star left thirteen runners for the Washdyke Trot. Derry Pointer was a hot favourite, carrying nearly twice as much money as Cranleigh, who was easily second fancy. Cranleigh led out from Mary Locanda, while at the end of a furlong Tiny Bingen and Happy Lass were next. Tiny Bingen broke before going half a mile. Real Girl headed Cranleigh at the seven furlong post, with Happy Lass, Mary Locanda, Nor’Wester and Otaio Rose close up. Two furlongs further on Real Girl retired, leaving Cranleigh in charge, with Happy Lass and Otaio Rose next, while Derry Pointer was moving up fast. Cranleigh had Happy Lass and Dan Logan as his nearest attendants at the home turn, but in reaching the straight Derry Pointer put in an appearance, while Danny Boy was going well further back. There was not much between Cranleigh, Danny Boy and Derry Pointer a hundred yards from the‘post, and an exciting finish saw Cranleigh beat Danny Boy by a head, with Derry Pointer a neck away third. Otaio Rose was about ten lengths further back, just in front of Red Shiner and Happy Lass. The winner has not done much racing, but he is a speedy three-year-old, likely to improve. He is owned by his trainer and rider, S. A. Edwards, who recently started on his own account at New Brighton. Real Girl showed speed but failed to stay. Danny Boy began slowly losing about seventy yards, but finished very fast, registering a fine performance Derry Pointer had every chance, and just failed. Ngahue’s Brilliant Jumping. Rangatahi, Barrington and Tractarian were withdrawn from the Teschemaker Hunt Cup Steeplechase Ngahue was easily better backed than Wairio, these two monopolising the attention of backers. The race provided very little excitement. Ngahue led out from Faloose, with Wairio, Kulrange and Scion following in that order. They ran like this for a mile, when Faloose fell. Ngahue held his place in front without any effort and won by fifty yards. Scion stayed on and beat Wairio easily by ten lengths for second place, with Kulrange a long way back. The winner gave a great exhibition of jumping and will win again.

Fairness was the only scratching foi the Hunters’ Plate, leaving a field of eight. Commentor was a screaming hot favourite. Star Stranger 11. and Blu* 3 Ray led for a furlong, when Blue Ray drew clear, but at the seven furlong post Star Stranger 11. and Commentor took charge, while a furlong further on West Dome and Gold Mint were their nearest attendants. Star Stranger 11. retired half a mile from home, Gold Mint going on with Commentor. These two were followed to the straight by West Dome, with Fresh Breeze moving up from the back. Fresh Breeze and Wept Dome drew out when fairly in the straight and had the finish to themselves. Fresh | Breeze winning by a neck. Commentor was fourth lengths away, while three lengths further back came All Comment, just in front of Gold Mint The winner was very patiently handled and was not prominent till the straight was reached. A. E. Ellis, on West Dome, was unlucky, as his saddle slipped back in the straight. This cost him the race. Another for Town Major. The meeting concluded with the Claremont Handicap, for which the field numbered eleven. Town Major, with 11. Gray as his pilot, was a hot favourite, carrying nearly twice as much as Taboo, who was easily second fancy. Beau Geste, Royal Mint and Haze showed out early, but at the end of two furlongs Haze and Beau Geste went on in charge, with Taboo, First Raid and Town Major heading the others. Town Major took third place half a mile from home and led to the straight, where Oriflamb, Sweet Refrain. First Raid and Taboo were also prominent. Town Major easily held his place ami won by two lengths from Sweet Refrain, who beat Taboo by a neck, while two lengths further back came Evening, followed by First Raid, Oriflamb and Topere. The winner was going well an* 1 had the race in safe keeping a long way from home. He will pick up more stakes on soft ground and over longer journeys. Of the beaten lot, Topere is worth keeping in mind for the early spring meetings.,