THE STEAD CUP

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1930, Page 5

THE STEAD CUP

HOW CYLINDER WON. 4* (Christchurch ‘‘Press.”)

The sensation of the C.J.C. Meeting was provided by the defeat of Nigfijpmarch in the G. G. Stead Gold Cup. Tlfis; investments in the race were limited I and as a, result of' Cylinder attracting: a fair amount of support, was sent out at a better price he returned in the Canterbury Cupfe. The race was run at a hard canter for the first half mile, and- no pace was put on until the last six furlongs.., Nightmarch' was, content to howl along, in front for about three furlongs, and then allowed Toxeuma to make his; own pace to the straight. These tac-* tics suited Cylinder, and H. Gray: showed no desire to be anywhere but* tucked in behind the favourite. Night|i mach ran up to. Toxeiima as soon asM* heads were turned for home, and get-v. ting his measure in a few strides, R. Reed was evidently satisfied that the race was his. He reckoned without Cylinder, however, and a great display n of, horsemanship was then given Gray. He closed up oil Niglitmarehi;| . ipaule the . distance but did not ft-. ',l 'tempt to overhaul him and Reed led to underestiinate the seriousness# Of the challenge.! ' The favourite held.*off his young rival for a few strides, an (lit was then that Gray sprang a ! surprise by making a, sudden dash with*? his mount, and gaining an ndVantange,;? Reed immediately got the .whip’ to| work, but although Nightmarch re-fe s’pomlod well, Gray had so timed hUff effort to down the; champion.by ajj head. There was no doubt that Nighty march was finishing, the ..better ,of thejfij pair. . He was.a neck, to the bad twosS strides from the post, but had his : :| head in front less than a stride over the line. Toxeuma weakened over thel? last furlong, .and ; was * three: ‘lengthsj|yj away. The crowd, grewv wildly excited’:"? during, the ’final; stages, but there waß|f' a silence when it was realised thafi|§ Cylinder had brought about a wholly® unexpected , result. When the surprise!;;!; had worn off, racegoers .turned attention to giving Cylinder and Grayer one of the most enthusiastic accorded a winner at a gathering. While they success Cylinder 1 up* in the" light' of a deter-|l;lfi mined finisher. Gray’s handling of® him was not 1 overlooked,’'and he wai-|j: loudly cheered when he appeared in"# response to calls from the 1 public at;S: the Cup presentation and shook hands** with Lord and Lady 'Bledisloe, who® each extended congratulations to him'!;!; on his’-great'effort. ,; ! f ; : •. • jjj| The production of Cylinder in the'S race, was * actually due - , to Gray’s ad-!! vice to J. H. Jefferd, who intendea|| returning home after the third day's||f racing. Gray considered that Cylinder would be capable of making a haTdl race for Nightmarch at a difference hf >| 191 b, and Jefferd replied that if Gray could ride him at somewhere near his-Jr impost, he would persuade Mr WU- | Hams to start the gelding, Gray thenjg, said he would ride at 7.T2,' : and early|| on Friday and Saturday mornings, he;H3? could be seen walking the 1 blocks ftp Riccarton, and more .than one ad|s mirer/ was surprised when he weighed, out at, the correct This feat must be considered remark*# able' for a rider with close on half ? a century behind him, and then for him to show no ill effects from his reducing efforts to ride three tionally hard races on end at the conclusion of a strenuous week’s programme, Mr Williams, who was present on the two opening days, did not remain for Saturday's racing, and hb 3 trainer received the Gold' Cup, attached to the stake, on his behalf from ’ Lady Bledisloe. ' > | The./Vtoot. of the. people’s idol or ! a. 1 racecourse invariably leads to many ! theories being advanced for such an | unexpected happening, and in day’s instance Reed was .subjected tog much criticism. In the first place h* l '-, should not have been satisfied with : J the pace over the early part, the firs + two furlongs taking 32sec, and then | when he did elect to increase the speed;.* over the last half mile, and to pass-g Toxeuma at the top of the straight, hr)| should have carried on at that instead of persuading himself that h<Vi had the race won. There is no doubt.-.:., 1,0 took Cylinder’s challenge too cheaP-*# ]y and hist the honours by an erro-1 of judgment, on his own part, and t> v # the outstanding effort of his rival J horseman.