Trentham Treble By Nukumai

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 100, 19 July 1927, Page 6

Trentham Treble By Nukumai

CAPS NOTABLE TURF CAREER THE trainer of Nukumai missed the nominations for this year’s Grand National Hurdles, and as compensation for this oversight he promised the owner that he would win two races at Trentham with the gelding. The trainer’s judgment erred on the side of modesty, for Nukumai won three races at the meeting there last week.

V\7HAT one might very well call the ** inside history leading up to the brilliant treble win of Nukumai at Trentham last week makes very interesting reading. Indeed, the story is a romantic one, and merely goes to show what an excellent judge is the Foxton trainer, Alf Wright, than whom there is not a better trainer of jumpers in the Dominion. It will be remembered that after the Century Hurdles had been run at Wanganui a couple of months ago, “Early Bird” expressed the view that in that event Nukumai was unlucky to lose, and that were the race to be run over again the Foxton gelding would very nearly win. Last week’s racing rather bears out this contention, even if tlie proof came somewhat belatedly. LOOKING BACK At this stage one might be pardoned for taking a look back, and in this instance the following comment on the Wanganui race referred to will at the present juncture prove of interest, particularly in view of the fact that the

writer was practically the only one who expressed the opinion that Nukumai should have won the Century Hurdles. This is from THE SUN, and was written on the night of the race: “The fact that Nukumai was made favourite for the race showed that he must have convinced the stable that he was back to his best, and so it proved, for after running a great race he was perhaps unlucky not to seriously bother the winner. He was last over the first mile and a-half, but at this stag 3 there was not very much between him and the leader, Zircon, a matter probably of five or six lengths Then Bowden made his run, and when he was seen to be going nicely a couple of lengths behind Zircon and Ardath at the turn for home, it was expected that he would do best in the run in. “This was all the more probable when at the last fence, situated just inside the straight. Zircon took Ardath out a bit, letting the favourite through on the fence. It was then that Nukumai made his only blunder during the whole of the journey. PUSHED HIM TOO MUCH? “Whether it was, as was likely, that Bowden got to work too quickly, before straightening him up for the final jump or not, the fact remains that Nukumai made a wretched jump, and was down on his nose on landing, only a remarkable feat of horsemanship allowing his rider to keep in the saddle and the horse on its feet. The opening presented itself on the inner, and Bowden at once went for it. That the horse failed was no doubt merely the fortunes —or misfortunes —of the racing game. “At the finish Nukumai, who was by no means ridden right out when it was seen that he could not be deprived of third money—his was a hopeless chance of winning—was; going strongly, and so it seems that we will not have to wait long for Nukumai’s come-back. “Nukumai must be added to the list of probables for the Great Northern Hurdles, in which he has 11.7, or two pounds less than he had on Thursday, and the extra distance will be all in his favour. It can be said that the Manchineel gelding is far from the has-been stage, and a good race will be got out of him before the winter passes.” Subsequently Nukumai was one of the four sorted out in THE SUN as likely to be prominent in the Great Northern Hurdles in which he failed to start. MISSED THE NOMINATIONS Later on it was announced that Nukumai was under a cloud, and when the entries for the Grand National Hurdles were published and it was seen that Nukumai was not among them, the worst was feared*. It was quite reasonable to suspect that the Manchineel gelding had broken down, but .fortunately the tale was but a rumour. The truth of the matter was that the trainer by some mischance missed the nominations, and one can picture Alf Wright’s dismay when he realised this fact. The owner, Mr. S. G. Davidson, of Waverley, of course would not exactly be hilarious with delight at the omission, and when the real reason of Nukumai’s absence from Riccarton engagements was made known there were wild rumours that a change of stables was in prospect. Merely more rumour, however. OFFERING COMPENSATION To continue the story. The trainer then is reported to have informed his patron that Nukumai would win the Whyte Memorial and the Winter Hurdles at the Wellington meeting, then a fortnight off, and just how this prophecy was fulfilled everybody now knows. Nukumai not only started off at Trentham last week by winning the Whyte Memorial, but he also annexed the Parliamentary Handicap and the Winter Hurdles, so that the trainer has quite made up for his omission concerning the Grand National Hurdles. ITis three wins at Trentham netted £1,400 in stakes, and then no doubt the connections would throw in for a good win off the totalisator, for in his first start Nukumai was almost at forlorn odds. OUTSET OF CAREER After being given a run in maiden flat events round the Taranaki district at four years old, Nukumai was tried

over hurdles, and from the first he displayed an aptitude for the game, although it was some time before he obtained that confidence that now stands him in such good stead. The writer first observed him at the Wanganui meeting that year, and was impressed with his showings, an unplaced and a third being but a prelude to big things. After Wanganui Nukumai was taken to Otaki, where he ran a second and a third, the winner both days being that good hurdler, First Born. Then came Napier-Hastings circuit, and so much improved had he become that in four starts he won three times and finished second once. His last win at these meetings was in open company. How Nukumai has fared since then is now history. WON AT EVERYTHING Nukumai has now won on the flat, over hurdles, and has one steeplechase to his credit. That was the Egmont Steeplechase in May of last year, but it was not a convincing performance from the 'chasing point of view, and his subsequent efforts over the big country found him wanting. The Machineel gelding has won several races on the flat this season, demonstrating his rare pace. When he scored in the Whyte Memorial at Trentham last Tuesday the critics were led to deplore the weakness of the field when an old hurdler could win, but the other view would probably be more correct, i.e., that Nukumai was a freak, horse, a hurdler with as much pace, and more, than the great majority of our handicap performers. Hoes not his second to Piuthair at Hawera six months ago prove that? It will be remembered that Piuthair in the following fortnight cleaned up both the Taranaki and Wanganui Cups. WAS THE GOODS Taking the line through Piuthair, then, it is wrong to designate Nukumai as an “old hurdler” when it comes to speed on the flat. Piuthair, after winning the three cups referred to, ran Commendation and Rapine to a short length and a head respectively in the Awapuni Gold Cup, at w’eight-for-age over ten furlongs. Nukumai is a striking illustration of the old belief that a course of hurdling will improve a horse’for racing on the flat. One of the most striking evidences of this truth was witnessed in England during the closing stages of the Great War. Royal Bucks, owned by “Bob” Seiver, was only fair on the flat, and his owner decided to jump him. Royal Bucks won a couple of good hurdle races, and was then brought back to the flat, and in a short while he won the Lincolnshire Handicap. WINNINGS TOTAL £7,825 Considering the fact that Nukumai has not won a really big hui'dle race such as a Great Northern or a Grand National, it is remarkable that he should have captured £7,825 in stake money since he commenced racing at four years old. His seasonal earnings were as follow: 4yrs. . . £760 syrs 1,785 6yrs 850 7yrs 2,025 Syrs 2,405 Total .. .. £7,825 Nukumai was not raced at two and three years. PRAISE FOR TRAINER His owner has been most successful with the Manchineel—St. Clements mare gelding, but the greatest credit must be given to trainer Alt' Wright for his wonderful record. Rising nine, it is unlikely that Nukumai has finished his racing career, and his trainer takes a delight in nursing them for good races when they get up in years. Look at Foeman, and that great old battler, First Line! Perhaps Wright will yet induce Nukumai to become as proficient over country as he has proved himself to be over the sticks. Credit, too, must be given jockey W. J. Bowden, for he has been associated with Nukumai in practically all his successes, although in the early part of the gelding’s racing career he was piloted by J. Proctor and L. G. Morris, the latter riding him when the gelding was so successful on the Napier-Hastings circuit four years ago. HUNT MEETING S. CANTERBURY ACCEPTORS Press Association. TIMARU, Monday. Acceptances for the South Canterbury Hunt meeting next Saturday are: HADLOW HURDLES, 1} miles.—Aberfeldy 10.5, Guncase 10.0, The Harp 9.13, Clontarf 9.11, Gay Queen 9.10 Gold Town 9.5, Relic 9.5, Beauty Light 9.4. Symon 9.4. PAREORA STEEPLECHASE, about 2 miles.—Greenstone 11.11, Good Form 9 10 Royal Fashion 9.10, The Babe 9.9, Mataipuke 9.9, Kileallnick 9.7, Hyperion 0 7 Krasnoi 9.5, Auburn 9.5, Tempter dX Alonko 9.5. SOUTH CANTERBURY STEEPLECHASE, about 21 miles.—Frenchman 11.7 Charlatan 11.4, Cartoon 11.4, Raimi 10 11 Maungamoe 10.6. Kipling 10.6, Vice Grand 10.2, Radiac 9.5, Isla Bank 9.6, Nightraid 9.3, Mettle Drift 9.0. LEVELS HACK HANDICAP six fur longs.—Dubious 10.9, Sliandre 10 4 Faii-v Tidings 10.4, Cassolette 9.9, Langhie 9 1 Captain Sarto 9.0, Exide 9.0, Rorv O’More 9.0, Greyfinch 9.0. WASHDYKE TROT. 11 miles.—Roaming Boy limit, Roaclidale limit, Aden unit, Expedient limit, Harry Locanda limit, Bingen \\ ilkes limit, Logan Princess limit; Red Shiner 12yds behind Underscrub 24, Tennis 24, Vassilk 24,' First Imperial 36, Marinca 36, Meddler 4S, Imshi 4S, Dillon Gold 120. TESCHEMAKER STEEPLECHASE, aboiit 21 miles.—Greenstone 11.6, Galway 10.10, Niglitraid 10.11, Osterinan 10 7 Happy Mac 10.0, Message Bov 9.9. Peter Manor, 9JI, Goodform 9.5. Royal Wink 9.4. The Babe 9.4. HUNTERS’ PLATE. 11 miles.—Sasham 11.7, Muzzle 11.6, Royal Despatch 11.3. Luthy 11.2, Armchair 11.1, Hyperion 10.10, Royal Fashion 10.10. Krasnoi 10 9, Miss Garance 10.7, Arcos 10.7, The Waif 10.7, Tempter 10.7, Diamond Jack 10.7. Fair Exchange 10.7. CLAREMONT HANDICAP, 1 mile Chickwheat 10.11, Thorndale 10 9 FairiHerald 10.9, Soltoe 10.6, Mali Jong 10 1 Solferite 10.1, Carnot 9.13, Gold Mint 9 A' Dubious 9.10, Arrowmir 9.9, Courtly Rose 9.7, Hurdy Gurdy 9.3, Sliandre 9 3, FairiTidings 9.3. Coastguard 9.3, Snatcher 9.0, Kaikai 9.0.