TUDOR THE BEST

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 140, 30 June 1937, Page 13

TUDOR THE BEST

(Special — Ikom "Early Bird.")

'Chasers at Te Awamntn WELLINGTON PROSPECTS

AUCKLAND, This Day. The contest for the W. G. Park Steeplechase at Te Awamutu on Saturday was not very helpful insof ar as the Wellington Steeplechase is concerned, i for the winner, Windsor Lad, is not engaged. Five candidates for the big race at Trentham next week lined up last week, Sporting Song being a last-minute defection. Apart from Windsor Lad's win, the outstanding effort was that of Tudor, who ran a good second when conceding Windsor Lad a stone and a-half. Considering that a good deal of Tudor 's advantage in jumping was lost through the fences being very light and easv, this was a splendid effort, espeeially as the topweigkt aetually headed the winner after landing over the last brush obstacle. In the Wellington Steeplechase Tudor comes down 4lb., being awarded the maximum weight under the conditions of the race. Looked Better Than Ever. When he went out on Saturday Tudor looked a pieture, better than at any stage of his career, and this fact is interesting in view of his Wellington Steeplechase engagement. His effort was one of his best, and it is probable that he- might have won had his, rider not been kampered for room once or twice when he ran up on the inside of Windsor Lad in the final round. All things considered, this was a good trial for Tudor, but he is now at the position in the handicap where he is meeting something well down the scale who is just too good at the weights. j Allegretto, who started favourite in the Park Steeplechase, was never travelling weli. Indeed, his exhibition was inglorious and easily thq worst he has given over country. He began to tail off early, and for the whole journey he was always making heavy weather of it a long way back, a very disappointing effort after the good form he showed in the two cross-country races at Ellerslie. Allegretto may freshen up, but tkaing Saturday's run at its full face value he could be given litte chance at Trentham. Rather Disappointlng. Don Erma, who struggled on for third on Saturday, was not entirely su,ited by the country. He handled the fences all right, but the turning course and the awkward approaeh and getaway at the' fence eiitering the straight unbalanced him each. time, as it did also many other horses. This fence had to be eleared just as the horses were coinmencing to turn into the straight, so it was no wofider that it proved tricky. It was at this fenco the last time that Don Erma's rider was thrown on to his mount's head and received a knock that mnch have proved very painful. Don Erma seems versatile in that he can negdtiate any ond in this resnect he will have

it on many candidates at Trentham- He has the necessary condition if he is good enough. Valpeen was tiring when he fell three furlongs from home on Saturday, . and this does not read well for the Wellington Steeplechase. However, like Tudor, the easy fences were not in his favour, and it is probable that when the more fdrmldable jumps have to be faced next week this will bring . many of his opponents back to him. However, one would like to have seen him make a better showing last- week. He sfill jumps well, and so it may not be wise to write him down as a hasbeen just yet. Erination was going prominently when he lost his rider. As only a mile had been covered it was not poSsible to gavge how he would have fared. In any case, Erination may not be sufficiently experienced for a contest sueh as the Wellington Sleeplechase. To analyse the Park Steeplechase form in its relation to the Wellington Steeplechase the only horse that gained prestige was Tudor, and, as has been stated aiready, he never looked better.