PAKURANAG HUNT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 165, 3 October 1927, Page 13

PAKURANAG HUNT

POINT-TO-POINT STEEPLECHASES INTERESTING CONTESTS The point-to-point meeting of the Pakuranga Hunt Club was held in ideal weather on Saturday over the farms of Messrs. J. R. and O. R. Self, “Beachlea Downs,” Pa.patoetoe, and Mr. W. W. Massey, Papatoetoe. The jumping throughout the day was good, and only two spills were recorded, neither rider being injured. There was a large attendance o_f the public present, including visitors from the Waikato Hunt Club, Hawke’s Bay Hunt Club and the Manawatu Hunt Club. The events were got away right up to time, the credit for this mainly being due to the capable services rendered by Messrs. B. Myers and J. Adams, as call stewards, and the huntsman, Mr. P. H. Smith, who fulfilled the duties of clerk of the course. The first event of the day was the Members’ Light-Weight, in which seven started: Te Akau, Buckshee. Lady Belle, Tamaki Boy, Praiseworthy, Paddy and All Black. From a good start all negotiated the first hurdle, while Buckshee fell at the second jump, causing Praiseworthy to baulk, and the latter’s rider finished on the wrong side of the fence. Coming down the hill at the finish Miss E. Lloyd’s Paddy and A. McCorquindahi’s All Black were fighting it out, and ran neck and neck over the double and along the straight. One of the best finishes of the day resulted in Paddy defeating All Black by a short head, with Tamaki Boy five lengths back. In the Members’ Heavy-Weight, only two started, C. Allen’s Salvaboy, with L. Prangley up, and W. B. Lloyd’s Longrein, with the owner up. Salvaboy had the lead at the first jump, and maintained it for the three miles. Both horses fenced well, although Longrein was very tired on the home run, and was hitting the hurdles hard. Salvaboy increased his lead, eventually winning the coveted Captain Jack Dup from Longrein, the present hoideri by 10 lengths.

In the Farmers’ Race, six horses faced the starter, the event resulting in an easy win for Tamaki Boy, who finished nine lengths ahead of Hauturu, the same distance separating Miss Gladfield. The rest of the field was strung out for a distance.

In the Invitation Race there were six starters, four of which baulked at the second hurdle of the double. Three eventually got over, Buckshee refusing to. jump. After about a mile run Stonewall had 10 lengths’ lead, but coming down the hill Motto took charge. Both horses jumped the last hurdle of the double the wrong side of the flag, and Stonewall returned and took the obstacle properly, and Motto, carrying on, won by a distance. Stonewall, Longrein and Vermont finished in that order. Mr. A. G. Kendall protested against Motto, and his protest being upheld by the committee, the placings were: Stonewall first, Longrein second, Vermont third.

In the Ladies’ Race five started — Mollv. Paddy, Bridget, Vixen and Lady Chester, all ridden by their owners. The distance was two miles. Coming down the hill Paddy took the lead, and making no mistake at the double, where the rest of the field baulked, won by a distance. Eventually getting over, Lady Chester led Molly heme by a distance, with Vixen challenging the latter for third place, two lengths behind.

In the concluding event, the Open Point-to-Point Race, seven starters lined up out of 21 entries, and a very exciting finish was witnessed. Taking the double for the last time Stonewall fell, throwing F. Baker, who was shaken. Entering the straight Salvaboy had a good lead, with Ginger Mick just ahead of Tamaki Boy. The latter challenged in the run home and eventually beat Ginger Mick for second place by three lengths.