HURDLES AT BLENHEIM

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28267, 3 May 1957, Page 4

HURDLES AT BLENHEIM

Cristatus Wins By A Nose (From Our Own Reporter) BLENHEIM, May 2. Cristatus and Brown Baron provided a close finish to the Waterlea Hack Hurdles at Blenheim today. Cristatus, which gained a slender lead after they jumped the last fence on terms, beat his rival by a nose. Cristatus and Brown Baron,, which had made the pace at different stages of the race, drew out approaching the straight, where they were four lengths clear of Private Angelo. Private Angelo, handy throughout, weakened slightly in the straight, but still held third place by two lengths from Burlwood. Burlwood, which showed pace on the flat- but lost ground at several fences, was well clear of Royal Display, which had drifted from a handy position after a bad jump at the half mile. Incredible tailed off early and was never going well, finishing at the rear. Nile Valley took charge of his rider, J. M. Dempsey, in the preliminary, and galloped two rounds of the course before being restrained. He fell at the last fence. Olympic Torch’s Win Olympic Torch, after trailing to the three furlongs, drew out before the straight in the Novice Stakes, No. 1, and although strongly challenged by Moordale racing to the furlong, did not look like surrendering her lead, and won by a length and a half. Moordale, which had shared the trail to the half mile, was five lengths ahead of the shortpriced favourite. Uproar, which did not run on from a handy position at the straight entrance. He returned his supporters a place dividend of Ils 6d. Avalanche was four lengths back, fourth, just ahead of Grand Choice, which made up ground after being at the rear until the half-mile. Lucky Gay’s Win The Riccarton filly, Lucky Gay, fought on gamely to hold off the little-fancied Blue Tip by a head after these two had battled for supremacy from the furlong in the Juvenile Handicap. Vivien Leigh, the only other runner to offer any worthwhile opposition, was three3uarters of a length back, third, tree lengths clear of Triple Gold, which was followed in by Awatere and Fern. Fem drifted to the rear at the start, and Prince Delaware and Summerhill were slow. Enniskerry stumbled and nearly fell early in the race. Won Unchallenged Night Patrol followed the pacemaking favourite, Brian’s Boy, to the three furlongs in the Novice Stakes, No. 2, ran clear before the straight, and was untroubled to win by three quarters of a length. Brian’s Boy, another short-priced favourite whose supporters received less than their original investment, held second place comfortably by five lengths and a half from Slip o’ Heather, which made up ground after being near the rear early. Marveen improved slightly from the middle of the field for fourth, half a length back, and two lengths ahead of Lady Valenta.

Instanter Beats lone The Blenheim-trained Instanter gave A. C. Messervy his second riding success of the day when he outstayed the distance hacks after leading throughout the Flaxbourne Handicap. He won by a length and a half from the favourite, lone. lone, which was at the rear and pulling fairly hard In the middle stages, finished strongly from the furlong, but never looked likely to overhaul the winner.

Meteorologist, which had been second to the straight, battled on in third place, two lengths back, and two lengths ahead of Royal Inca, which could not improve, although hard ridden in the straight. Ngahuia, after holding a prominent position until the three furlongs, dropped out in the straight.

Lucky Opening Golden Warrior, which followed Saorita, Skyrain, C’est si Bonne, Beau Revere, Scottish King, and Tarwe into line in the Picton Hack Handicap, secured a lucky opening on the inner near the furlong, and ran on strongly to beat Scottish King by a length and a half. Tarwe, which challenged wide out on the track, was a length back, third, clear of Beau Revere, which narrowly beat C’est si Bonne. Nehru, one of the tail-enders near the half mile, was running on strongly in sixth place, and was followed in by Cerise, Sky rain, Dellar, and Saorita. Dellar, Tarwe, Shame, and Ultimax were the slowest beginners.