MASTER MERUIT WINS SECOND HAWKE'S BAY STEEPLES

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 June 1948, Page 3

MASTER MERUIT WINS SECOND HAWKE'S BAY STEEPLES

United Nations Takes Hurdles And Ballinagh The Handicap At Hastings

Master Meruit carried 10.12 to victory in his second Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase success at Hastings on Saturday and pulled up sound, thus enhancing his prospects for the Wellington Steeplechase next Saturday. In spite of doubts about his soundness, Master Meruit was the win favourite on the machine, as also was Ballinagh, who won the principal flat event, the Winter Handicap. United Nations, who scored in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles, was 2/1 in the betting, but some of the other winners were at long prices.

Features of the day were the three successes by horses carrying the colours of the Hawke’s Bay breeder, Mr. H. M. Glazebrook, for in addition to Ballinagh he also races Lochwinnoch and Lochrea, who won the Rotopai Hack and the Clifton Hack, respectively. AV. J. Broughton rode Ballinagh and Lochwinnoch and N. B. Holland won on Lochrea. . Weather conditions at Hastings on Saturday morning were unpromising, with light rain falling, but the weather improved as racing progressed and the final events were run In bright sunshine. The track was sott after rain and cutting up with the racing. The attendance was not quite up to last year’s figures, as was reflected in a totalisator decrease of just over £4OOO, the amount handled during the day being £48,630, as against £52,978 last year. MASTER MERUIT AGAIN

Winner of the Hawke’s Bay Steeples two years ago under 11.9, Master Meruit had 11.10 when he paraded with A. Midwood in the saddle on Saturday, and at the finish he cantered home well ahead of the four remaining members of the field of 11. The 11 contestants had run about half a mile when Find Out fell, and then Whiphand ran into a clear lead. Spiro attempted to go with Whiphand at this stage but ran wide on the turn, only to swerve across in front of the field as he ran down the first fence in the straight. When Whiphand ran off at the second of the double in front of the stands Ellerton Hail was left in front with High Morale, Vernon, Master Meruit and Spiro, the field being well bunched. High Morale was a casualty seven fur.ongs from home, and Master Meruit was then taken up to head Vernon, with Solo Park, Ellerton Hall, Bronze Night and Spiro at intervals. Bronze Night moved up to follow Master Meruit and Vernon into the straight, and when Vernon, challenging the leader, fell at the last fence, Master Meruit was left half a furlong in front for an easy win. Bronze Night came on for second money, and Solo Park beat the tired Spiro for third. Ellerton Hall was pulled up to a walk at the post. WIN IN CLOSE FINISH There was strong support for United Nations in the Hawke’s Bay Hurd.es, the Gisborne representative being the place favourite, with Glad Fox preferred in the win pool, but whereas Glad Fox finished last, United Nations got up in the last few strides to beat Whirlwind Star and Nanook. Glad Fox and Denny’s Gift led for six furlongs, but with a mile to go Whirlwind Star took over from Glad Fox. Denny’s Gift, Vassilikos and United Nations, with a big gap to the remainder. Five furlongs from home Denny's Gift crashed through the top of a hurdle and was out of the contest, and Glad Fox began to drop back. Vassilikos and United Nations followed Whirlwind Star across the top. but United Nations moved up to challenge Whirlwind Star at the last hurd e. Napook also put in a late appearance, and in a close finish United Nations got up to win by a neck from Whirlwind Star, with Nanook a head away. Ernbrae was an' indifferent fourth, ahead of Beau Jewel and Vassilikos. Blue Title was pulled up. TRIBUTE AT A GOOD PRICE The Koatanui-bred Ringmaster gelding Tribute, formerly raced on the flat by Mr. G. M. Currie, made good as a hurdler when he beat the more experienced opposition in the Hastings Hack Hurdles. Backers had a setback when French Count was brought down at the initial obstacle, leaving Incision to lead bast the stands from Crispin, Yalta, High Tension, Dickens, The Crofter, Tribute and Tracer. At the hurdle near the mile post Prince fell and brought down Bon Chale and Twyford. Tribute moved up to join Incision five furlongs from home, with Flying Jim, Bonifort and Crispin next. Bonifort ran past the leading division to be first into the straight from Flying Jim. Tribute, High Tension, Incision and Flying Attack, and after a tussle Tribute ran up to take the lead and win by two lengths. Bonifort finished strongly to hold Flying Attack out of second place, and Incision, Flying Jim and High Tension were next. BALLINAGH WINS NICELY A merited win came the way of Balhnagh when the Balloch horse won the Winter Handicap handi.y after not being too well placed in the early stages. Ballinagh was several pmces back as the bunched field ran out of the straight, with Opulent, Lord Theio and Ostentatious at the head, and at the six furlongs Ostentatious held command from Opulent, Lowry Bay and Morotai, with Lord Theio next, ahead o£ Ballinagh, Precedency and Hulabaioo. The lastnamed ran up fast to join Ostentatious on the home turn, ahead of Opulent, Morotai, Huntore, Ballinagh and Precedency, Ballinagh threaded his way through the bunch In the final fur.ong and hit the front a hundred yards from home, but he had to withstand a strong challenge from Precedency and the fast-finishing Earldale. The trip were four lengths clears of Huiabaloo, with Huntore, Welcome Guest and Gildchase next to finish. SPRINT TO COT-CASE A mild surprise was sprung by the consistent Cot-Case in the open ■sprint,, the Heretaunga Handicap, the Collision gelding winning at doub e figures. Black Beret, first out, was attended at the half-mile Dy Treasure Tee, Cot-Case, Distinction, Gay Stitches, Omaio, Ciive Be. I and Beau Devoir, with Findon at the rear. Black Beret still he.d the lead entering the straight, with Cot-Case and Treasure Tee challenging and Gay Stitches coming from several places back. Cot-Case .got through to the front a furlong from home and held off Gay Stitches by a neck. Half a length back was Black Beret, just in front of Treasure Tee, and then came Beau Devoir, Broilyn and Distinction.

LOCHWINNOCH NICELY Support for Robert Keith, who was a disappointing favourite, enabled backers of Lochwinnoch to secure a good dividend when Broughton piloted the Balloch filiy to a comfortable win in the ten-furlong Rotopai Hack Handicap, but Jon Rosa may have made her task harder had the northerner got clear earlier. Roscarea held charge from Lochwinnoch, Robert Keith, Comedy Star, Mabel Knight and Foxtonian going out of the straight, and at the half-mile Roscarea and Lochwinnoch were four lengths ahead of Sir Warrior, with Robert Keith dropping back. Lochwinnoch assumed charge entering the straight, with Sir Warrior, Mabel Knight, Roscarea, Jon Rosa, Comedy Star and Neap Tide her nearest attendants. Lochwinnoch held on nicely to win by two lengths from Sir Warrior, who was half a length ahead of the fast-finishing Nean Tide, with Jon Rosa almost in line. Two lengths back came Roscarea, Comedy Star and Carter Fell. LOCHREA AT GOOD ODDS With N. B. Holland up, Lochrea returned a really good price when she won the concluding event, the Clifton Hack Handicap, but it appeared as if the favourite, Winter Sweet, was unlucky to be beaten. Bian Rouge and Silvestre led at the five furlongs from Kahuraniki, La Bian, Magnux Lux, Winter Sweet and Broieallce, and running for the straight Silvestre was clear of Bian Rouge. Magnus Lux, La Bian, Winter Sweet (who had been checked), Lochrea and Salient. A furlong off the post Bian Rouge had taken over, with Sa’ient, Lochrea and Winter Sweet (wide out) also in the picture. Lochrea got through to draw out, but Winter Sweet just failed by a head to catch her. Two lengths back was Bian Rouge, just ahead of Salient, with Clive Bay, Currency Lass and Broiealice next to finish. HASTINGS PLATE DIVISIONS Though there were five defections the Hastings Plate had to be run In divisions, the first being won by the Black Majesty filly Island Queen at good odds. "Sonia carried Mr. G. F. Moore’s colours to victory in the second division, but the Neptune filly had only a head to spare at the finish. Her place supporters lost money. Island Queen led all the wav in the first division. She was followed into the straight by Loud Checks, Cheerful Night and Endowed, and then came away to win by two lengths from Loud Checks, who was eight lengths clear of Cheerful Night. Endowed was fourth, ahead of Hush and Scottish Maid. Sonia dwelt slightly at the start of the second division, but at the halfmile she had run up to lead Snow Saint, Karamea, Giggle. Miss Shirley and Gay Lace. Village ran up smartly to challenge Sonia a furlong from home, and then Gay Lace joined in, the trio crossing the line with heads separating them. Then came Snow Saint, Orelio Blood and Citare ahead of Giggle. Details of results:— HASTINGS HACK HURDLES (01 £300; about miles) 10/11— Tribute, 10.6, A. G. Waddell 1 6/7—Bonifort, 9.2, R. J. Auckram 2 9/6 —Fiying Attack, 9.2, F. Cieaver 3 Also: 5/5 Prince (fell), 2/4 The Crofter, 14/14 Tracer, 1/1 French Count (fell), 4/3 Incision, 8/9 Griliin, 11/10 Highform, 12/12 Astrope, 3/2 Flying Jim, 6/7 Bon Chaie (fell), 9/6 Crispin, 7/8 Monito and Gaelic Salute (bracketed), 13/13 Twyford (fell) and High Tension (bracketed), 15/15 Yalta and Dickens (bracketed). Two lengths; ha.f a head. Incision fourth. Time, 3.10 4-5. (Winner trained by A. R. T. Beale, Awapuni.) Brackets: Bonifort. and Bon Chale; Flying Attack and Crispin. HASTINGS PLATE (Of £350; 6 furlongs) First Division 6/6- Island Queen, 8.7, A. C. Messervy 1 4/7- Loud Checks, 8.7, B. Markwick 2 3/3—Cheerful Night, 8.7, W. L. Aitken ....... 3 A'.so: 11/11 Master Grey, 9/8 Maelstrom, 5/4 Robert Emmett, 12/14 Scottish Maid, 10/10 Black Nymph, 8/9 Blue Chief, 13/12 Endowed, 7/5 Balagmore and Magnetic (bracketed), 14/12 Tweed’s Only, 1/1 Hush and Phanion (bracketed), 2/2 Memento, 15/15 Fighting Gold and New Look (bracketed). Two lengths; eight lengths. Endowed fourth. Time, 1.23. (Winner trained by J. W. Price, Hastings.) Second Division 1/I— Sonia, 8.0, G. R. Tattersail 1 8/9—Village, 8.3, R. Shields . 2 7/s—Gay Lace, 8.0, W. J. Broughton 3 Also: 11/11 Night Action, 9/8 Green Light, 5/4 Snow Salm. 12/14 Orelio Blood, 3/3 Karamea, 4/7 Citare, 10/10 Miss Shirley. 6/6 Trip e Star, 14/12 Poletta, 2/2 Giggle and Chatty Maid (bracketed) Head ?ach way. Snow Saint fourth. Time, 1.24 3-5 (Winner trained by C. J. Thomson, Awapuni.) Br ckets: Island Queen and Triple

Star; Loud Checks and Citare; Sonia, Hush and Phanion; Village and B ue Chief. HAWKE'S BAY HURDLES (Of £750; about 1 mile 7 A furlongs) 2/I— UNITED NATIONS, 10.6, S. Waddell 1 4/4—WHIRLWIND STAR, 9.11, W. Ensor 2 7/7- - NANOOK, 9.7, K. Wood 3 Also: 1/3 Glad Fox. 9/9 Blue Title (uplled up), 3/2 Vassilikos, 6/6 Ernbrae, 5/5 Beau Jewel, 8/8 De.yiy’s Gift (fell). Neck; head. Ernbrae fourth. Time, 3.57. (Winner trained by J. White. Gisborne.) WINTER HANDICAP (Of £750: 11 furlongs) 1/2— BAI.LII/AGH, 7.13, W. J. Broughton 1 2/I—PRECEDENCY, 8.3, N. B. Holland 2 3/3—EARLDALE, 7.8, R. Caddy ... 3 Also: 4/4 Welcome Guest, 5/5 Morotai, 10/12 Opulent, 2/1 Gildchase. 6/6 Huntore, 8/8 Lord Theio, 7/7 Huiabaloo, 12/10 Lowry Bay, 11/11 Ostentatious, 9/9 Singing Hills. Half-neck: head. Huiabaloo fourth. Time, 2.36 1-5. (Winner trained by J. E. Ollivar, Ngatarawa.) Bracket: Precedency and Gildchase. HAWKE'S BAY STEEPLECHASE (Of £1000: about 3 miles) 1/2— MASTER MERUIT, 11.10, A. Midwood 1 9/7—BRONZE NIGHT, 9.3, F. Cleaver 2 8/9—SOLO PARK, 9.6. L. Brown 3 Also: 3/3 Whiphand (ran off), 6/6 Ellerton Ha l, 4/4 Tid Apa, 7/8 High Morale (lost rider), 5/5 Find Out (fell), 2/1 Vernon (fell) 10/10 Ster- , ling Go:d (fell), 11/11 Spiro. Forty lengths; 20 lengths. Spiro fourth. Time, 6.46 1-5. (Winner trained by W. D. Young, Hastings.) ROTOPAI HACK HANDICAP (Of 1400; miles). 3/2— Lochwinnoch, 8.13, W. J. Broughton 1 7/7—Sir Warrior, W. L. Aitken 2 5/s—Neap Tide, 8.4. J. Gillies 3 Also: 14/15 Earnbridge, 6/6 Lord Latour. 9/10 Mabel Knight. 1/1 Robert Keith, 11/12 Master Rich. 4/3 Jon Rosa, 5/5 Master Kip, 2/4 General March and Comedy Star (bracketed). 8/8 Foxtonian, 13/14 Superior Fox, 12/11 Tucker Box and Roscarea (bracketed), 10/9 Carter Fell, 15/13 Gold Dip and Snorts Suit (bracketed). Two lengths; half-length. Jon Rosa fourth. Time, 2.23. (Winner trained bv J. E. Olliver, Ngatarawa.) Bracket, Nean Tide and Master Kip. HERETAUNGA HANDICAP (Of £500: 7 furlongs' 5/S— COT-CASE, 9.2. A. C. Messervy 1 3/I—GAY STITCHES. 8.1, G. R. ’ Tattersall 2 6/6—BLACK BERET, 8.2, W. J. Mudford 3 Also: 1/2 Findon, 2/3 Distinction, 4/4 Broilyn, 11/1.1 Duality, 8/8 Treasure Tee, 7/7 Beau Devoir, 9/9 Clive Belle. 10/10 Omaio. Neck; halflength. Treasure Tee fourth. Time, 1.37. (Winner trained by R. G. Kerr, Gisborne.) CLIFTON HANDICAP (Of £300; 7 fuilongs) 3/3— Lochrea, 8.3, N. B. Holland 1 1/I—Winter Sweet, 9.2, J. McFarlane 2 4/4 Bian Rouge, 9.1, W. L. Aitken 3 Also: 5/5 BroieaMce. 2/2 Horonui, 7/7 Jfi Bian. 8/8 Clive B— 6/6 Currency Lass. 13/13 Magnus Lux, 14/12 Silvestre, 12/13 Kahuranaki, 16/16 Gondolino, 11/11 Erinmore, 9/9 Ratatu. 10/10 Salient. 15/15 Bo'd Knieht. Head: two lengths. Sa’ient fourth. Time. 1.37 4-5. (Winner trained by W. D. Young, Hastings.)