RICCARTON TRACKS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 187, 11 August 1941, Page 8

RICCARTON TRACKS

NATIONAL PREPARATIONS SATURDAY’S GALLOPS (Press Assn.) Christchurch, Aug. 9. Bridegroom, with his Grand National rider, A. Jenkins, in the saddle, was associated with Chat (A. E. Lord) in an excellent round of steeplechase fences at. Riccarton this morning. The pair started off at the sod-wall near the nine furlongs post, and after taking the post and rails together Bridegroom jumped clear over the Kennels double. He was held back, Chat joining him. and they kept together for the rest, of the round, ending up over Cutis’ fence, which Bridegroom look better than his companion. Bridegroom was then given pace work on the sand and trotted off quite sound. He looks in excellent shape for the Grand National Steeplechase. Chat also shaped well and she has made marked progress in recent weeks. Gay Boa (H. Preston) and Dauber (F. Cleaver) also went over a round of fences in good style. They kept together throughout and were trailed by Waka (E. Jojinings). Gay Boa will be a hard horse to beat in the Enfield Steeplechase. Ruling Star (J. Hayes), Night Scout (D. Hamill), Young Squatter (A. Baker), Surcoat (P. J. Boyle), La Boca (E. A. Leckie), Dropped Catch (A. Stove) and Panara started off at the sod-wall but Dropped Catch was slow at the start and was soon tailed off. All these horses got round well but they split up into two groups over the last half of the journey, Surcoat, Night Scout and Ruling Star leading over Cutis’ well clear of Panara, Young Squatter and La Boca. .Surcoat and Ruling Star finished full cv running.

Son and Heir (Lord) and Hyderabad (Jenkins) cleared five trial steeplechase fences without any trouble. Hyderabad was a bit slow at the first three, Son and Heir giving him a lead, but they were together over the stand double, Hyderabad putting in a couple of particularly good leaps. Master Dingle (Stove) and Araboa (Preston) were not impressive while negotiating six hurdles. Araboa clouted several of the obstacles, while Master Dingle was inclined to get in too close, possibly through being held back to his mate. Mungatoon (H. W. Hibberd) soon had a break on Noko (T. Boyle) and Merry Simon <P. J. Boyle), and he held it to the end of a run over six hurdles. Mungatoon made no mistakes and the other pair also went well. Night Prince (I. Walther) and Fundy Bay (Stove) were also given a run over six hurdles. Fundy Bay hit the first two but jumped well for the remainder of the round, leading over the final flight. Up to that stage Night Prince had been the leader. A thick mist made timing impossible, except from the mile post, until 9.30 o'clock. The course proper was used freely but was on the dead side. Parchment beat Cymric and Haughty Winner over seven furlongs in 1.36 2-5, the first three in 40 2-5. Muffler, joined by Stylosa at the end of a furlong, ran a mile in 1.49 2-5. They were together at the end. Prudent Prince, with As Required as a mate for the last six furlongs, took 1.49 for a similar task.

Atreus and Lunaria ran six furlongs in 1.19 3-5. Atreus should show form soon. Trench Law was slightly in front of Treasurer and Centrepoise at the end of a mile in 1.47 3-5, a useful effort. The Dozer was clear of Dividend and Good Health in a similar task in 1.50. Slayer, Dozie Boy, Ballybrit and Whirr finished in the order named at the finish of a working gallop over a mile in 1.56. Whirr and Slayer made the early pace but Whirr dropped back in the run home. Dictate broke away in front of Poutatau but was steadied and the pair ran six furlongs in 1.20 2-5, Minority recording the same time. St. Cloud ' had to be well held while running 1 seven furlongs in 1.36 1-5, with Little ■ Robin accompanying her over the first three in 41 3-5. St. Cloud is a fit mare and she drew out a length clear - in the last couple of strides. She will i be a difficult proposition in the Winter Cup. Scarteen was half a length in front of Myraid, finishing six furlongs in 1.24 4-5, the first two in 28. Night Glass recorded 1.20 3-5, the first two in 26 2-5. Palfrey and Doria required 1.22 3-5, the first two in 26 1-5.