REMARKABLE CAREER

Chronicle (Levin), 1 May 1946, Page 6

REMARKABLE CAREER

Although he diii not coinnicnce racing: until a six-year-old, Kanui te I'ai, winner ot t ho Brighton Hurdies at Eller'slie on Easlp.r Saturday, has had a reumrkably varied career and, although now rising 12, his ydullil'ul appearance aml vitality is remarkable. To liave mixed flat races, liurdle events and steeplechascs consistently over a period of yeara is unusual, but to do so successfully, Llie Awapuni veteran has displayed amazing vfcrsatility. He iirst sported silk in the 19-11 season, when ho had- four starts for two wins, his first being iu the Mangawhata Hack Handicap at the Manawatu Win ter meeting in June, 1911. Jn liis iirst tour starts as a seven-year-old, he won the Moutoa Hack Handicap at Wauganui and iilled two minor placings. Then followcd his debut as a jumper at stratford and, although a strong favourite, hc lct his supporlors dowu by falling early iu the race. Ecvorting to the flat, he was responsiblc for a flnc pcrformance iu iinishing third in the Waikato Hack Cup at Te llapa, following this up by rifnniug third to Yogi and Eakauui in the Got.liard Memorial Handicap at Woodville. After two unplaeed pcrformances, he scored two wins and three thirds in his uext flve starts. Back to jumping he outclassed a good field in the St. Heliers Hurdies at Ellerslie in the same term, and then went on to annex the main cvent, the McEae Handicap at Egmont, beating among otliers Lambourn, a subsequent Wellington Cup winner. Following a third placing in the Hamilton Hurdies, he started favourite for the Great Northern Hurdies and did well with his limited experienee to flnish third to Erndale and Streaniline. That season Kanui te Pai faced the starter on 2*1 occasions for six iirsts, oue second .and eight thirds,- and won ' £1477 for his owner Mr. S. E. Hammond. He started on .1(5 occasions as an eight-year-old for three wins and flve minor placings, his successes being the C.J.C. Sydenham Hurdies, the Malone Memorial Handicap at Stratford, and the Brighton Hurdies at Ellerslie. As a nine-year-old the game old battler won two races out of five starts, both over country. They were the Manauatu Steeplechase and the Homeby Steeplechase at the Christchurch Hunt Club's meeting. ShortTy befo're that he had fallen in the . Wellington Steeplei chase, but was remountecl and c.ame in third to collect the £150 minor stake. Although he won only oue race, last year was Kanui te Pai's best season as l'ar as stake moncv was conc'erned, for he credited his owner with £1680, mainlv as a result of minor placings in important events. He was beaten half a head in the Grand National Steeplechase by As Eequired and wound up an unlucky sequence by runn'ing second to Foxiana in the Manawatu Steeplechase aud third in tlic Wellington Steeplechase to Master Meruit and Strip. This season he contested the Grand National Steeplechase, for which he was made a solid favourite, but he fell aboui flve furlougs from home. He was again rcverted to flat racing, but fa'iled to gain a place in four starts. His next appearance was in the Brighton Hurdies and . it is now history how he spreadeagled those brilliant performers, Brantomo a.nd Bxamble Soug, pvcr Mie cpn-

clurling stages of the two mile journey. Prepared throughout his career bv that master of jumpers, L. Knapp, the cliestnut- son of the unnamed Cvnic colt has a record of 64 starts for 15 wins, seven seeonds and 14 thirds for £6392 10s in staltos, " . __ _ ^