FIRST ACT’S GRAND JUMPING EXHIBITION IN TE RAPA STEEPLES

Wanganui Chronicle, 31 May 1949, Page 3

FIRST ACT’S GRAND JUMPING EXHIBITION IN TE RAPA STEEPLES

AUCKLAND, Last Night (Special). Giving a grand exhibition of jumping. First Act captured the King Country Steeplechase at Te Rapa* on Saturday, justifying the short price which backers were prepared to accept about the Ringmaster gelding. It was an impressive display even if the opposition was rather weaker than usual. First Act got in rather close at the double, but he put in those short ones which are the mark of a born ’chaser and barely touched the brush, maintaining his lead throughout the contest.

First Act is not engaged in the big cross-country events at Ellerslie and perhaps he will be seen in action at Wanganui, where his win has elevated him to the top of the handicaps for the Grandstand Steeplechase.

Hazsoult ran another fine race in the King Country Steeplechase and he was just as easily second at the expense of Flyirig Attack, who is racing with more dash this winter. Rea Glare appeared to be tiring when he ran off the sod-wail nearly five furlongs from home. That is not encouraging with a number of threemile steeplechases ahead.

Actually the King Country Steeples was a thousand-pound cross-country event with one norse dominating the issue, and backers have at times justification for accepting an even shorter price than that obtained about First Act.

Ruling Master outclassed the Victoria Hurdles field to score his initial success as a jumper. He seems to be more consistent since taking to hurdling, and m view of this he is likely to be a favoured lightweight for this week’s Great Northern Hurdles. Moutoa Lord was in front most of the way but was not allowed to get too far ahead of the field and he compounded when tackled, He can do better.

Town Echo, who haa been a shade unlucky the first day when she bungled the final hurdle, ran Ruling Mas 7 ’ ter close, although the winner was most confidently ridden and could have won by lengths. Bronze Man was a long way back third. Roman Duke and Observatory went fair races only and Sir Jovial was tender on pulling up. In the middle of the field early, Caber Fae ran up handy at the home turn and then won the Tyler Memorial Handicap going away, registering a stylish performance and apparently revelling in the soft ground. Lady Carmel, who had been sent to the outside at the post ‘also came home strongly for a good second. Rizzio was responsible for another dashing effort to be a close third. He stood quietly at the barrier, where he had drawn th e rails, but he was slow to get moving, being tailed oft for the first couple of furlongs. Te Paerata was always in the picture for fourth, and Peter Nelson and Miss Bairnsfather were next, both going fine races. Conspiracy showed up at the finish. The well-backed Dougal had every chance and Foxbay, at long odds, retired after being handy early.