THE G.N. STEEPLECHASE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 148, 8 June 1935, Page 2

THE G.N. STEEPLECHASE

How It Was Run The field for the Great Northern Steeplechase was reduced to half a dozen by the withdrawals of Verden, Billy Boy, Biform, Solanio, and Master Musk. Of the starters backers rallied for Wee Pat, and sent her out favourite, carrying £926. Royal Limond was entrusted with £916, and the top-weight, Valpeen, £857. Despite the small field, says the Auckland “Star,” the race was most interesting, the half-dozen racing within easy range of each other until well into the final stages. The only one to make a mistake was Pahu, who fell at the hurdle by the six furlongs post when the last circuit was well under way. Free Air, Phau, and London were quickly prominent and as the field ascended the hill the first time Freo Air led Wee Pat. London, Valpeen, Royal Limond, and Pahu in that order. Free Air dropped back a little later, and when the horses came to the water jump in front of the stand with nearly a round covered Valpeen and Wee Pat were together in the van with London, Free Air, Royal Limond, and Pahu all close up. Valpeen was taking his fences in great style and beating Wee Pat but all were jumping well, and nothing was getting a break on the others. As they raced up the hill the second time the top-weight was the leader from Wee Pat, Free Air, London, Pahu and Royal Limond. TOP-WEIGHT LEADING. Valpeen continued to show the way to tho field and c-aine down to the centre of tho course taking his fences faultlessly. After getting over the sod wall the field bunched, and at tho first fence of tho double Valpeen, Wee Pat, Pahu and London were practically in line. Valpeen made the best jump and took tho next fence clear to lead out on to tho course proper and into the hack stretch from Wee Pat, Free Air, Pahu, Royal Limond and London, but there was not a great deal between the lot. At the fence by tho six furlongs Pahu came down, and Royal Limond moved up fast and at the first fence on top of the hill Royal Limond. Valpeen, Wee Pat and London were almost in line, with Free Air just behind. Wee Pat then lost her position to drop back last, and down the hill Royal Limond and London were together in front from Valpeen with Wee Pat and Free Air next. Royal

Limond was first to get over the stone wall and to hit the straight from I London, Valpeen, W’ee Pat and Free Air. In the race to the judge Royal Limond stayed best and won by four lengths from Wee Pat, who put in a strong run from the head of the straight. London was three lengths away third, and then followed Free Air and Valpeen. THE RIDER’S STORY. “Although well back early in the Great Northern Steeplechase yesterday,’’ remarked D. O’Connor, rider and trainer of the winner, Royal Limond, “I never had the hast doubt as to the result. I had to ride him very hard all the way, but that js not unusual, as he is a very lazy horse. He never put a foot wrong during the contest and when I sent him along on reaching the hill the last time he quickly gathered in the leaders. London was with me at the last fence on the hill and came down with me to the stonewall at the bottom of the hill. That pleased me very much, for it made my mount go all the better. Once over this obstacle, I knew I had London beaten, and with the final fence crossed Royal Limond stayed on to win well. I have ridden this horse seven times this year in steeplechase events,” he added, “and although offered a number of other mounts at the Auckland meeting I would not accept them in case of accident, as Royal Limond is a particularly hard horse to ride.” NOT READY MADE. When first tried as a steeplechaser, Royal Limond gave very discouraging displays, and on every occasion when he went out to school at Riccarton he refuted to jump the fences, and was strongly criticised on this account by Southern sporting writers. However, O’Connor said he had faith that Royal Limond would eventually turn out all right as a ’chaser, and he steadily improved. He was so confident that he took him to Riverton at Easter. He ran second in the Great Western Steeplechase the next day by eight lengths. The fences on this course O’Connor considered to be the stiffest obstacles in the Dominion. From that time onward the horse had come on well, and after racing at Dunedin, Wanganui, and Te Rapa, he has now won one of the richest cross-country events in the Dominion. Royal Limond looked none the worse for his race and will to-day have had another chance in the Winter Steeplechase to prove his mettle.