FORM AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 208, 3 August 1937, Page 14

FORM AT CHRISTCHURCH.

AWAPUNI STEEPLECHASERS. TANGLED PROMINENT. (By “Spectator.”) Tudor, having his first experience over the Grand National course, gave a splendid exhibition in tho Homcby Steeplechase at tho Christchurch Hunt meeting, but his unsoundness got to tho bottom of him at tho end. Ho was responsible for some great jumping. Forest Glow, his Awapuni stable-mate, fell at' the' top brush in the first half-mile. A Good Exhibition. A GOOD exhibition Bpt blk 4 4 4 Though Tangled, winner of tho Manawatu Hunt Cup steeplechase, gave a fine exhibition of jumping in tho hack steeples at Christchurch, ho had no chance with the winner, Shillelagh Wood. The pair were much better than tho remainder of tho field. Spearmarch Destroyed, Spearmarch broke his back in a fall in tho Lawford Steeplechase at Christchurch on Saturday, and was destroyed. Terry’s Solid Finish. Though never dangerous, the Lcvintrainod Terry finished solidly into fourth place in the hack mile at tho Christchurch Hunt meeting. Terry won at tho Manawatu winter meeting, and also at Napier, but is a littlo on tho small side for big fields like those at Riccarton. Mittie Runs Fourth. Having her first race for some time, Mittie, who finished fourth in the hack sprint at the Christchurch Hunt Club meeting, will bo improvod by the outing. Mittie, who is by Lackham, won the Apprentices’ Plate, seven furlongs, at tho Wellington summer meeting in January last, beating Day Dress and Old Surrey, but on her return home, she contracted a poisoned leg, and has not raced sinco. Sho is a most attractive looking filly, and is suro to engage, attention before her return homo.

Shy’s Sensational Run. Shy, who failed to go off with the leaders in tho Brabazon Handicap at Christchurch, put in a sensational run up tho home stretch after being a long way back at tho turn, and just failed to overtake Conccrtpitch by a nock. Shy should be prominent at Riccarton noxt week.

Concertpitch Goes Strongly. Concertpitch, who was having his first race for two months, put up a great effort to carry his 9.8 into second place in the Brabazon Handicap, He had charge at the false rail and was holding off all the leading hunch until Dictate came rthrough fast on the rails.

A National Prospect. Cock o’ tho North, who lias improved considerably sinco ho raced successfully at the Dunedin meeting in June, gave, at Riccarton last week, one of the most dashing displays over five of the schooling steeplechase fences seen for some weeks, and afterwards covered half a mile in 54sec. Cock o’ tho North, in winning the Homcby Steeplechase at Christchurch on Saturday, led all the way in real National stylo, jumping and staying well. Winter Cup Favourite. Trench Fight, who weighed out for tho Brabazon Handicap, but bolted in the preliminaries just about twice round (throe miles) and was withdrawn by permission of the stewards, the money invested on him being refunded, is the ruling favourite, for the Winter Cup. Ho came under tho limelight when ho won tho Spring Plato at the New Zealand Cup meeting with 7.7 in 1.39 4-5 on a greasy track. His stablemate, Wild Chase, just beat him and no more in the New Zealand Derby. Trench Fight (8.4) won the Jockey Club Handicap in 1 38 1-5 when the unplaced lot inoludod Concertpitch (8.9). Essex boat Trench Fight in the Great Northern Derby. Treinch Fight then wont, into retirement, and now seems to be training back to repeat tho proniiso of his early form. .

Success of Dictate. Dictate, who drew tho rails in the Brabazon Handicap, and was responsible for a solid performance in winning, has now won at both his starts in open company. He was just bcaton by Brazen King in a hard finish in the Empire Handicap at Wanganui in June. Tho Brabazon has only once been won by a horse who lias gone on to capture the Winter Cup in tho same year. That horso was Toxouma under the record woight of 11.5 (9.0 minimum then) in 1930. Ethiop Should Improve. Collision, arter his forward showing on the final day at Trentham, fulfilled expectations by winning tho Longbeach Hurdles, drawing away ovor the last bit. The Marton-trained Ethiop who finished a moderate fourth, will bo improved by the race, his first sinco he won at Wanganui. Ho got into two fences down tho back stretch..

Bazaine’s Two Seconds. Bawune, 'who had two seconds . over hurdles at Gisborne, performed consistently ovor hurdles during the early part of tho season. He was placed each day at the Taranaki summer meeting and also at tho Egmont fixture the following week. Later he was successful over a mile and a half at Opunako and also scored again at Rangitikei.

Daughter of Startle. Debrotts, winner of tho Maiden Raco at Gisborne, is a thrcc-ycar-old chestnut filly by Defoe from Startlo, who was very flpeody when racing and was a useful P former at East Coast meetings. Startle is by Flying Start from Tapora, by Gazcley from Lady Cuisine, by Cuirassier.

Bachelor King. Bachelor King is shaping up and. is working in approved style at Ellerelie. Jrrobably Auckland’s best juvonilo last season, tho Lapidiary gelding is expected to run on well in the new season, and a little improvement on his past form may find him again taking a high place in the three-year-old list. Bachelor Kings best performance was his success in the Musket Stakes at tho Ellerslic spring meeting. He was placed on eleven occasions, and earned £685 in stako money. Flood Tide’s Departure.

Tontativo arrangements have been made for Flood Tide and Miss Lovelock to sail from Auckland for Melbourne on August 20 in ehargo of R. J. Miller. Flood Tide was awarded 9.3 in tho A.J.C. Metropolitan Handicap, 8.9 in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. During tho past season jio won three races worth in all £1375. Balmenter Not Fit.

Balmcnter is still suffering from tho effects of the cold he caught at Wellington and is now not likely to be a starter until tho spring meetings come round, says an exchange.

Paper Slipper. Paper Slipper is .in daily attendance at tho Riccarton tracks. Hie tasks are of an easy naturo at present, but he will be striding along soon in useful sprints, in preparation for tho spring meetings. Mungatoon Looking Well. During Mr P. A. Swnoy’s absence from To Aroha for tho past three weeks his horses have been on the easy list,_ but Mungatoon, Lagoon and Golden Sheila are quite ready to bo recommissioned in tho near future. Mungatoon, who a month ago showed signs of coming back to form, is looking especially well, while Golden Sheila bears evidence of having wintered very satisfactorily. Having boon on the oa9y list since tho middle of May, tho Gay Shield filly has distinctly bonofited and bears a more robust appearance than heretofore.

Francis Drake and Courtcraft. Francis Drake, who is to accompany Courtcraft and Homily to Australia next month, was given a run over six furlongs a.t Wanganui on Friday in company with Imposture.- They went very fast over tho first half mile, tho quartor being left behind in 24aee and tho half mile in 40 3-ssec, finishing up against a strong wind in 1.18 1-5. Both hit out very well. Francis Drake promises to bo at his best early in the new soason, ami from tho way ho is shaping ho should reproduce all his former brilliancy. Courtcraft was given threo rounds of pace work. This colt is going along In most pleasing style, and tho ease with which ho covers the ground suggests that ho has plenty of pace in reserve. Looking every part a Derby colt, Courtcraft has only to train on tho right way to earn distinction on the other side. Being Speeded Up. Willio Win has done plenty of strong work sinco he resumed training and has started to bowl along now at somothing approaching his best speed. Ho may leave for Australia this month, but before his departure it is probable ho will have a raco at the Grand National mooting, an arrangement that should help to fit him for important spring events.