Sheer Stamina Enabled Uralla to Score Handsomely

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 680, 4 June 1929, Page 12

Sheer Stamina Enabled Uralla to Score Handsomely

No less than 33,000 people saw Uralla win yesterday’s Great Northern Steepleckise in a manner that gave no cause to have her success regarded as a fluke. Not a bit of it! Uralla won on her merits, giving a nice exhibition of clean fencing, and outstaying her opponents. But, all the same, the result of this great race came as a shock to fully 90 per cent, of racing folk. Yet the winner and her pilot came in for an i enthusiastic reception. The winner of the Great Northern Steeplechase can always be certain of that from Ellerslie patrons. It seemed as if all roads led to the picturesque convincing ground that is the headquarters of the A.R.C., the leading turf body of the Dominion, for the turnstiles were clicking merrily for hours. As evidence of the remarkable interest taken in the big race, all the vantage points on the stands, fences, and anything that provided even the most precarious “perch.” including the trees, had more than their quota of eager spectators. It was a sight such as is seen only once a year at Ellerslie —on Steeplechase Day. Glendowie was a warm favourite. Wiltshire losing cast as a result of his mishap on Saturday, and it was this injury that caused him to practically retire from the race just over a mile from home. Not very many people gave more than a passing thought to the prospects of Uralla, but, as the field took the double on the flat p> eparatory to setting out on the final circuit, she was right in the front rank. On the hill she had gained a decided advantage, and it was evident that only a fall would prevent her winning. Uralla stood up all right; in fact, she fenced perfectly all the way. Roman Abbey went a solid race to get second money, and Kawini third. The latter got into the second fence along the back on two occas ; ons, and only liis cleverness enabled him to recover. Outsider’s Fine Showing King Fame, at extreme odds, finished fourth, giving a fine showing. Maunga and Glendowie were next, finishing at intervals. The latter was well back in the early stages, but on the flat the last time he made up a lot of ground, only to facie out again. He apparently was not forward enough in condition. Maunga made a respectable showing, and as yet he cannot be regarded as a back number. Comical fell at the first fence, Wedding March at the fifteenth, and Red Fuchsia at the thirteenth. Mangani, Zircon, and Wiltshire were pulled up. The fence that brought about the downfall of Comical was that which has caused him to blunder previously. He was ridden by J. Sharkey, his usual pilot, H. Burt having returned home to Palmerston North. Wedding March was in a hopeless position when he sent his amateur rider, Mr. J. Smith, for a real skate at the stone wall at the foot of the hill the second time, for he was tailed off. Red Fuchsia was jumping fairly well, but the fences on the hill found him out, as they do so many horses when

they first essay the Ellerslie steeplechase course. Mangani was prominent over the first circuit, but he was pulled up after clearing the water jump. Zircon was a beaten horse at the end of three miles, and Wiltshire fenced in anything but his usual fast style, running down his fences very badly. The horse was not himself, and it is to bo hoped that his run under difficulties does not get to the bottom of him. The success of Uralla will no doubt encourage Mr. Jas. Paterson to enter her for the big steeplechases yet to be decided at Trentham and Riccarton, and if she contests the Wellington and Grand National Steeplechases, considerable interest will be taken in how she fares. In yesterday’s race she was on the minimum. On Saturday Uralla contested the Green Lane Steeplechase, but the best she could do was sixth. Apparently the long journey suited her in the Great Northern, for she fairly outstayed the field in the bigger event. A great deal of credit is due to Takapuna trainer F. Smith for the splendid condition in which he turned out the mare, for her strenuous struggle. It is interesting to note that Uralla was bred in Australia, and was got bj Piedmont from Persianello. The brood mare Persianello is not unknown to Dominion sportsmen, and Aucklanders in particular, for her son. Dal Eaton (by Eaton Lad), raced round these parts with some success a few seasons ago, being trained by J. T. Jamieson for Mr. M. Carney. Now, Dal Eaton is racing with conspicuous success among the ponies in Sydney. A half-brother by Australian Sun to Uralla. is at present an occupant of

11. L. Russell’s stable at Te Awamutu. This is the two-year-old The Sun (that is an excellent name, surely!), who made his one and only appearance in this country at Te Rapa six weeks ago. Uralla’s time, 8.1, yesterday, was good, being the third best on record, Glendowie (last year), 7.52, and Master Lupin (1919), 7.53 2-5, both returning better figures than yesterday’s winner. F. Foster, Uralla’s rider,* had only recently taken up riding over obstacles, and the Great Northern Steeplechase yesterday is easily his most important success to date since he adopted race riding as a profession. For his Bmin Isec in the actual race yesterday, he earned £.126 as his iding fee. This is payment at the rate of nearly £l6 a minute. L. Dulieu, the rider of Roman Abbey, earned £36 for liis second place, and this, with £3l 10s for a similar placing in the big hurdles on Saturday, brought bis fees for these two seconds up to £67 10s. L. Dulieu has been riding very well of late, and so has H. Dulieu, who has not had a great many opportunities. R. Olive rode Kawini into third place in both Great Northerns. It was something of a coincidence that the same horses filled second and third places in these two big races.