How Pouri' Rider Bustled The Beau

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 404, 12 July 1928, Page 6

How Pouri' Rider Bustled The Beau

‘ (Special to THE SUN) 1 WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The surprise of the Wellington Steeplechase at Tretnham to-day was the downfall of the favouritedSeau Cavalier. ‘ For over two miles he simply played with his opponents, and just when victory for him seemed assured Warner, rider of Pouri, in a cleverly worked plan, crowded on the pace, which gave him victory and brought Beau Cavalier to grief. As was generally expected, Beau Cavalier was backed doxni to a short price, and the betting suggested a one horse race.From a good start Beau Cavalier began as if in a sprint race, and before a furlong was covered he was out well clear of his field. At the initial‘ obstacle Blaunga came to grief and at the next fence Comical lost his rider, so before the stands were reached the first time the field had been reduced to five runners. The Swallow Jumping like a. bird. Beau Cavalier increased his lead to varying distances between 10 and 15 lengths along the back. and after half the distance had been covered it certainly seemed as if the race was a one—horse affair. But Pouri moved up quickly racing into the straight,-with a round to go, and he made a gallant attempt to get on terms with the leader. At the stand double. however, Beau Cavalier outjumped his rival, and so fast did he clear the second of the double that in endeavouring to take off with him Pouri nearly crashed. Beau Cavalier >went out of the straight last time with a clear advantage. but again Pouri tried to get on temis, only to be again outjumped at

the next . ostacle. However, Warner was not to be denied, and just before the sod wall was reached he crowded on the pace, and at full speed he overtook Beau Cavalier and quickly gained half a length advantage. The Beau Crashes It was then that Henderson realised that he was in trouble, so in an attempt to wrest the lead from Pouri, he rode the favourite for all his worth. But he was too close to the sod w r all, and Beau Cavalier was bustled to such an extent that he came to grief. It was really a clever piece of horsemanship on the part of Warner, and from then on the £I,OOO Wellington Steeplechase developed into a procession. Pouri was not troubled over the last six furlongs, and though a very tired horse, he beat Ivawini by 15 lengths. PassiiT Through was the only other to finish, being 60yds away. Ivawini was always well back, and though hard ridden he never threatened trouble at any stage. Tuki was also well back, and when he lost his rider at the jump near the six furlong post he was in a hopeless position. So ended the second of the season’s big steeplechase contests.