V.R.C. GRAND NATIONAL

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 151, 14 July 1937, Page 15

V.R.C. GRAND NATIONAL

Eventful Hurdle Race Thrills were not lacking at Flemington last Saturday week in the Grand National Hurdles( which was won by Triteleia, who led for the last two miles of the race. The favourite, Pooley Bridge, bumped his rider out of the saddle six furlongs from homc. He was second to last at the tiine, but. was going so well that his task was not hopeless. Bridge of Marran rau ofF the course at such a direct. angle that he almost collided with the judge's box. Later it was found that a rein had broken and his trainer was fined £5 for using faulty gear. Seven furlongs from horae Highland Fling suddenly veered off the course and his supporters lost their casli. Triteleia' s victory was not a good one for the booltmakers, as he was the best backed horse on the course, his original price being double figjures, but he soon shor. tened to half the odds. Backers of Pooley Bridge were not upset whetj the favourite was second t,o last, and smiled cheerfully when L. Healy started to shake him up. Their smiles turned to dismay when Healy suddenlv disappeared from the saddle. It was Pooley Bridge's first mistake, but a fatal one. In tlie tneantime Trit teleia had been bowling along in front. The jockeys had pulled their mounls almost to a walk in the first furlong, Devonbrook, Dakwood and King Sirih, all slow beginners, were with Triteleia until they had covered a mile. At that point Dummett let Triteleia »iave his head and he cleared out with a break of six lengths. Triteleia, hugging the rails was almost cauglit by Dakwood and Devonbrook at tlie liome turn, and the three jumped the last hurdle with a length between tbera. Dakwood wan called as the winner when he reach"d Triteleia's girth, but the latter appeared to have Dakwood easily covered, and with Drummett still sitting quietly en him tlie alleged non-stayer moved away slightly in the last half-furlong and won comfortablv.