Foxiana's Fine Record

Chronicle (Levin), 20 June 1946, Page 7

Foxiana's Fine Record

Among the winners of the Manawaru Steeples there is one name which stands out and it is that of Foxiana, who won the event last year while carrying the heavy burden of 12.5. The Hunting Song gelding was known from one part of the island to the other as one of the most brilliant jumpers ever to take his place among the ranks as a steeplechaser. He commenced racing as a two-year-oid, but in his only two performances he ran unplaced. He returned to racing as a rour-year-old and secured six firsts and four seconds in 13 starts. Foxiana made his debut over country as a six-year-old by running second in the Waverley /md Manawatu Steeplechases, being beaten in the latt.er by a head by Anini. He- secured his first win over country in the Wellington Steeples, which he won by 16 lengrhs and returning a handsome dividend to his supporters. On the second day of the meeting he won the July Steeples by 20 lengths with 11.8 on his back. Three weeks later he proved again that weight ' couid not stop him by winning the Grand National Steeples while carrying 11.13. Renascor, his stablemate, just managed to beat him in the Hurdles, but the Musketoon gelding had an advantage of 251bs. ! Shortly after this, Foxiana went ! amiss and was off the scene for two ! years. When he returned to racing vn the Egmont Steeples, many j .hought that he would never stand up to a season of racing, but he ;howed his class by running second | in this event and repeating this i oerformance in the Century ; Hurdles at the same meeting. He i then won the Manav/atu Steeples i from Kainui Te Pai and, with 12.0 i'n the saddle, he ran fourth in the ! Wellington Steeples after piloting I he field to the straight. From j there on he began to weaken, but ! his jumping in this event was brilI liant, and equalied any display ever witnessed on the course. In the Grand National he was just beaten for second by the G.N. Steeples I winner, Dauber. In his 32 races, Foxiana won 11 of them with 11 other minor placings for the stake of £4,760. He was owned by Mr. Leo Collison of Palmerston North.