FUNNY—NOT THRILLING

NZ Truth, Issue 1188, 6 September 1928, Page 11

FUNNY—NOT THRILLING

When The Hunters Stepped Out At Dannevirke There have been any amount more thrilling races than that provided by the Hunt Oup Steeplechase at Dannevirke, bufi few more humorous.

IN getting eleven runners the club thought itself very fortunate and even a dividend of nearly half a century m the previous race did not stop punters from getting m. The first fence was oleared safely — and then started the funny side. Running to the first of the double Terehu, In the lead, let drive and landed so far over that he had no show of jumping the second. So he ran off. Mataipuke dropped his rider at the first fence of the same obstacle, while Highway and Risk both ducked off. Then Master Arch broke some gear, and he was pulled up. Highway and Risk were both pulled back on and set off m pursuit of the how thinned field. ; The next fence brought another defection — Padriagh fell, while down the back Te Pal was pulled up. After giving the field all but two furlongs start Highway was within striking distance the second

time round, but he had shot his bolt by then. The leader was Mountain Crag, and at each fence he did his darndest to run off. He was giving Allan McDonald one right rare ride. • The double saw McDonald, by herculean efforts, drag his mount back on. Risk ran off again at the double, just to show the first time was no fluke. Each fence down the back Mountain Crag took sideways on and when Hollycombe made his run half a mile from home It looked like a case of shut the gate. There were only the two of them In it— Highway, Sir Wai and Beau Regel had dropped far astern. The leaders took the last fence, but superior pace on the flat carried the day for Mountain Crag. MoDonald deserved the ovation he received when he came In, but the race can only be looked on as a comedy. For hunters to behave as the majority did says little for their class.