MANAWATU HUNT CUP WINNER HAS HAD CONSISTENT RECORD

Wanganui Chronicle, 31 May 1949, Page 3

MANAWATU HUNT CUP WINNER HAS HAD CONSISTENT RECORD

Excellent jumping by Imperial Crown enabled the Rocket gelding to win tiie Manawatu Hunt Cup Steeplechase on Saturday, and he needed to make no errors for the field of eleven gave a splendid exhibition, there being no casualties en route. This was in marked contrast to the other jumping races, for three of the Kennels Steeplechase fell, and eight came to grief in line Pukehou Hurdles. .

Imperial Crown has been consistent in his recent starts. On resuming for the winter campaign he had a race on the flat at Hastings and then finished second at Woodville and was again runner-up at Roxton the previous Saturday. Thus his success at Awapuni was to be expected, but he paid a good dividend as Rondellc was so well supported.

Though he carried topweight, 11.4, Imperial Crown was always near the front rank in the Manawatu Hunt Cup. His rider allowed Ruling Moment to make the running lor a mile and three-quarters and then took Imperial Crown up to assume the lead live furlongs from home. From that stage there did not appear much likelihood ol the Rocket gelding getting beaten, bar accidents, and he ran on strongly over the linal stages to win nicely by a little over a length from Griftin. , Last spring Imperial Crown failed in a steeplechase event at Foxton but finished fourth at Marton, the winner being First Act, who has since made the headlines as one of the most promising ’chasers seen out this wintei. It was only by a neck that Imperial Crown went under to Captain Jesse in the Mangarawa Steep.echase at Woodville, but at Foxton there was a gap of six lengths between Tudor Chief and Imperial Crown. Those races proved beneficial, as Imperial Crown so capably proved at Awapuni. Last season, when a six-year-old, Imperial Crown contested 14 races for two wins and six minor places. These events were all staged during the late autumn and winter. He finished third in the Kairanga Hurdles and second in the Karere Hurdles at Awapuni. and third in the Karamu Hurdles at Hastings. Then he finished third to Vassilikos and Vernon in the Mangarawa Steeplechase at Woodville, a success in the Whirokino Steeplechase at Foxton following. In the Wanganui Centennial Steeplechase Imperial Crown finished fourth to Peter’s Choice, Royal Scholar and Whooray, and he was beaten half a length by Genero in the Ngarimu Hack and Hunters’ Steeples at the Tolaga BayWaiapu Club’s meeting at Greenmeadows, at which course he later won the Gisborne Hack and Hunters’ Steeples at the Poverty Bay Turf Club's meeting.

There is plenty of time for Imperial Crown to develop into a useful chaser as he is now only rising eight. He is likely to race at Napier Park next week-end, but there are some good ’chases ahead for him, Griffin was always well placed in the Manawatu Hunt Cup and proved the only one with sufficient pace on the flat to challenge Imperial Crown over the final stages. Waverley-owned and trained Beau Court gave an excellent display for a novice at the game, for he came from well back half a mile from home to beat all but the first two and return a handy price for third. He is young as ’chasers go, being now only a five-year-old, and he should prove a good advertisement for his sire. Sir Beau. He is out of Court Step, dam also of Pekoe, who won over the big fences. Vernon showed that he Is on the verge of returning to form as he was a close fourth, after making up a good deal of ground over the final mile. The warm favourite, Rondelle, had every chance, but his finishing effort was in contrast to his Adamson Steeplechase display. It appeared as if he was far from happy in the going, which tended to be slippery. Jigaboo looked likely when he ran up behind the leaders six furlongs from home, but he could not sustain the effort. Ruling Moment showed plenty of speed over the first mile and a-half. but he commenced to tire and dropped right out of the picture over the concluding stages.