RANGITIKEI HUNT FORM

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 202, 27 July 1937, Page 10

RANGITIKEI HUNT FORM

FINAL IMPROVES. (By “Spectator.”) Trained by G. W. New at Awapuni, Final, who has had several races this season, very nearly got on the winning list when he van second .to Lady Hoarit'i in the maiden event at Marton. Owned by Mr S. Andrews, of Palmerston North, Final is a bay gelding by Mimetic (son of Comedy King) out of the Boniform marc Bonaria, a member of the same family at Pride, Jaloux, etc. Unexpected’s Hurdles Win. Following his forward showing in hurdle events at the Wellington meoting, where lie finishod close up in both starts, it occasioned no surprise in somo quarters when Unexpected won the Rosebank Hurdles at Marten. For Gisborne. Grand Score, who is bearing an improving appearance, has been working well on the To Rapa track, and will bo ridden in his Gisborne engagements on Thursday by J. 11. Mcßae. The Hamilton horseman. N. R. McKenzie, will pilot Do Friend. Golden Blonde, Small Boy, and Bonny Song at the same meeling.

Trackman Goes Better. Trackman, the Woodville gelding who made a successful debut as a hurdler at Daiinevivko but failed in the heavy going at Wellington, finished only a head behind the winner in the Rosebank Hurdles at Marton. The Tractor gelding had been schooling well last week, and is very fit at present. A Speedy Novice.

Vienna, the Woodville-trainod three-ycar-old filly by Gainscourt from Bess Laddo, showed lip towards the finish in the maiden race at Marton, and appears to bo improving in stamina. She has shown plenty of speed on tho tracks. Lavina Retired.

Eavina, who just failed to make tho first grade among sprinters, but won races at Awapuni and Wanganui, is being retired to tho stud, and will bo mated with the recently imported grey stallion Thoio. Lavina. from her two-year-old days, has been a consistent performer, being seldom out of a place, and won stakes amounting approximately to £2OOO. A National Fancy.

Irish Comet, the Waikato jumper who 'von the Great Northern Steeplechase, leaves on Thursday for Hiccarton to fulfil his engagements at the Grand' National meeting. He has been working well since ho raced at the Great Northern meeting and is confidently expected to play a prominent part in the cross-country events down south. Irish Comet will he making his first appearance over the Hiccarton country; still, he is an accomplished jumper and the big fences on the southern course are unlikely to trouble him. ]<’. Fergus, who rode Irish Comet in both his successes at Ellcrslio, will pilot the gelding, in his races at Hiccarton. Failed The Third Time.

' Winner cf the Hawke’s Bay Hunt; Club Steeplechase, Miss Pango on Saturday attempted to win her third successive Ilangitikei Hunt Club Steeples. She nearly came down when she hit the obstacle heavily three fences from home, and lest a lot of ground, finding it impossible to close the gap at the finish on Siropy, who added the event to his Danncvirke Hunt Club Steeplechase, win. > The Winter Cup. Two yearn ago Epris won the Claremont Handicap at the South Canterbury Hunt meeting and went on to succeed in the Winter Cup. Epris again won the Clarcibont Handicap last Saturday, and many arc wondering if history will again ropcat itself by Epris winning the coming Winter Cup. While Epris looked nice and muscular, and won all the way, his performance was not impressive enough to suggest his having more than an outside chance in this year’s big mile handicap. Cottingham’s Form.

The Grand National Hurdles candidate Cottingham was backed down to a short price for his engagement at Timarit on Salut'd ay. but fell seven furlongs from home when going like a winner. As the opposition was far from strong, C'ottinghain’s form was hardly a guide for tho Grand National. Redolent Looks Well. Redolent looked nice and bright at Washdyke, and conisdering ho had been off' tho scene for over six months, his effort was quite satisfactory and lie. may run prominently in minor hurdle races to be decided at Hiccarton next month.

Clean Fencing. Kelly, the Grow, a strongly built gelding, gave an excellent exhibition of clean fencing to win at the South • Canterbury Hunt meeting. This son of Tractor is a mere tyro at slccplccbasing, but may turn

out a good stake earner when morn seasoned. He carries the-well known livery of Messrs Ilazlctt,- a name associated with many good jumpers of the past.

Black Banner. Black Banner, a National candidate, looked remarkably well, when sent out to contest the Hunt Club Cup at South Canterbury, list Saturday. Ho duly won, but bad not flic rider of Shillelagh Wood Jost his whip lie rr.av have reversed positions with his rival. On the showing, Black Banner did not impress its a likely winner of this year’s "Grand National Steeplechase. A Good Performer. Salient Knight, a fine looking son of Night Raid ; continued on in bis winning way at Timarit. He was ridden in a very, confident manner by A. E. Ellis, and when called on Salient Knight made the opposition look very moderate. When thoroughly well, Salient Knight will not be out, of place in any middle distance handicap run jn this Dominion. Streamline’s Display. In spite of tho fact, that Streamline was a runner, Rolydora was well fancied for the South Canterbury Steeplechase last Saturday, and except for a couple of indifferent jumps gave a good exhibition. When Rolydora challenged Streamline racing to the last fence excitement ran high, but Streamline bad more in reserve than many thought, and over the concluding stages had the marc well beaten. l’rior to contesting the big stoeplccliaso at Washdyke, tin: owner of Streamline said that bo was Llicn very undecided whether to have Streamline saddled up for the Grand National Steeplechase. In fact, from Mr Grigg’s remarks, Streamline will have to acquit liirnrself well to induce his owner to run him. In Saturday’s race Streamline gave a fine exhibition of fast jumping till lie was challenged by Rolydora at the penultimate jump; here Streamline chanced the fence and was almost down, but, as at Trentham, made a clever recovery. In spite of this he easilv held off Rolydora, a mare cn dowed with more speed than most junipers. In view cf the stiff lenccs to he negotiated at Riccarton Streamline cannot _ afford to chance It is jumps cu he did at lrentham, and, in a lessor degree, at Washdyke. Many good judges will not have Streamline as an ideal candidate for Ricoarton.