BRIGADORE’S JUMPING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 217, 13 August 1937, Page 12

BRIGADORE’S JUMPING.

A SPECTACULAR DISPLAY. GREAT CHANCE LOST. Brigadorc, who finished third in the Grand National Hurdles, paraded looking a very fit homo earlier for the Grand National Steeplechase, in which ho was going exceptionally well when he took a heavy tifmble at the second of tho double before the stands tho final time. He' was just running up level with Cock o’ the North at tho time, and had he jumped safely ho would have been in front immediately afterwards. His fencing was ■ extravagant and trouble bad threatened to come to him almost from tho start. Otherwise he showed more brilliance than any other horso in tho field, and a completed passage might have seen him victor. It was Brigadore’s own fault that he crashed. At least twice earlier, at Cutts’s and at the sod wall on the turn, he had had “lives.”’ He was jumping all too spectacularly. Between tho double which was his undoing lie tried to pull his way up to Cock o’ tho North, arid, failing to get level for the second obstacle, ho took off too far away and hit tho top for a very heavy fall. Had ho negotiated the fence he would have been" in front. This fence is probably tho easiest obstacle, too, in tho wholo circuit.

In tho opinion of racegoers who have seen Nationals for many years Brigadore’s fencing was one of the most spectacular exhibitions ever seen in the race. Such extravagance, however, was courting troublo, and he would have been a very lucky horse to have completed, though there is every liklihood he would have stayed the distance. His jumping was confirmation of the opinion expressed by his rider, C. Thomson, after winning the Awapuni Steeplechase on him last month, that he was “one of tho boldest jumpers ho had ever been on and ho should fly the Riccarton country.” But a horse _ must bo careful as well as brilliant with big fences. Alma’s Breeding. Alma, winner of both the Paparua and August. Handicaps at Riccarton, is a wellbred five-year-old daughter of Paper Money and that good Solferino —Droski mare Ravenna, tho dam previously of Vcntrac and Travcnna, and she races in the interests of Air L. C. Hazlctt, who bred her, and for whom she is trained by A. E. Didham (her rider) at Wingatui. During tho last few months she has built up a very consistent record for herself with five w'ins and a second in seven starts. Sho is a typical Paper Money product in her disposition, and, as sho was much on her toos, sho was kept standing at tho back of tho field iu the Paparua Handicap while waiting for the starter’s signal. Sho was also restless going into lino, but. she made a smart beginning when tho tapes lifted. Plans For Dictate. Dictate, who finished second in tho Winter Cup to Catalogue, may bo taken across to Sydney for spring racing.

Te Rapa Horses. Horses trained at" To Rapa enjoyed considerable success during the season just closed, winning over £22,000 in stakes. Tho principal contributor was King Rey, who won £1455 before being purchased by Air N. Gratae, for whom he won £175. Other good winners were Whirling, £995; Sandy Dix, £880; Tosh, £840; Respectful, £825; Sinking Fund, £820; Prince Aero. £810; Calcutta, £780; Dark Shadow. £690; Adalenc, £635; Lornacrc, £630: Lucidus, £620; Orac, £610; Trilliarch, £585; Star Artist, £550; Morial, £540; Allegretto, £525; Royal Bachelor, £490; and English Night, £430.