Lead in Final Stages Gave Mangani Victory

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1019, 9 July 1930, Page 12

Lead in Final Stages Gave Mangani Victory

Special to THE SUy \V !■: LLIXGTOX. Monday. Magnificent jumping capped by a really thrilling* finish —that was the Wellington Steeplechase, run at Trentliam today. Under beautiful weather conditions the ground was excellent for a race of this description. As in this race lust year, an Auckland horse again won, and similarly another Northerner was third. Thus was last year’s performance of King’s Guard and Kawini repeated by Mangani and Master Lu today. It was left to that bonny little mare, Aurora Borealis, to split them; indeed. this young 'chaser put in a superb finish over the last furlong and was only beaten by half a head. A stride past the post and her neck was actually in front of Mangani. The Aucklander made all the running over the last three miles, and he was tired to a walk at the end; in fact, he stopped almost as badly as Prince Lu did in that memorable and remarkable hurdle race on the final day at Kllerslio Inst month. Yet his rider’-s tactics were successful- for he won the race. Had he not shot away half n mile from home, he would not have won. Incidentally, this horseman, IL Dulieu, won the jumping double when he punched home Nucleus in the T r e n t li a in Hurdles. This mare, and also the third horse, Carintliia, were trained at Ellerslie up to a couple of years ago. The Great Northern and Winter Steeplechase winner, Aurora Borealis, was always favourite from the opening of the totalisator. She wound up carrying £1.105, but Xukumai £BB7, Mangani £768 and Radiate £694, also counted many friends. There was a drop to Master Lu £519. while Wharncliffe £262. was the outsider at a price just over double figures. Stuck His Toes In There was an early sensation when the field was dispatched to a flag start, for Flying Swift stuck his toes in and only went off in a half-hearted manner. Before the field hud covered a furlong and a-half he was over half a furlong behind the nearest horse, and he stayed there throughout the contest. Flying Swift simply refused to gallop in the heavy ground.

H. Dulieu Stole a March

! Master Lu went to the front at the start, pulling hard, and this caused misgivings to his supporters. Muster Lu was checked after going three furlongs, Mangani having run up to lum then, but the damage was done in his case, for he continued to give Spinks a. hard ride. Mangani was clear over the stand double from Master Lu. Kadiate. Matu. Odin and Aurora Borealis. Mangani was leading Kadiate down the back, and this pair was on terms over the stand double the second time, being four lengths out from Aurora Borealis, Matu. Wharncliffe, Master Lu. Odin and Xukumai. this lot being in close order behind the leaders. At the sod wall, near the mile, Matu fell and interfered badly with Odin. At the fence at the six Mangani had shaken off Kadiate, Aurora Borealis and Master Lu being together well clear of Wharncliffe and Xukumai. Crossing the top Mangani stole a march on the opposition and suddenly increased his lead to 10 lengths at the second to last fence, where Master Lu and Aurora Borealis were together, clear of Radiate and 'Wharncliffe. Coming to the final fence, Master Lu began to weaken, and Mangani was six lengths c lear of the favourite on landing. Here Aurora Borealis screwed after getting over, but Mangani was stopping badly, and in a thrilling finish Aurora Borealis began to overhaul him hand over fist. But the post was too near and Mangani got a half-head decision over the favourite. Master Lu was eight lengths back, and at intervals came Radiate, 'Wharncliffe, Xukumai and Odin. Mangani gave a dashing display out in front, and H. Dulieu really won the race when he stole a march crossing the top. Bit Unlucky Aurora Borealip finished very gamely under pressure. Blie jumped beautifully again, and was a bit unlucky to lose. Master Lu pulled very hard in the early part and this took a lot of The steam out of him. He fenced spleni didly, and will do better soon. Radiate was beaten at the end of two and a-half miles. Wharncliffe was right up with his field setting out on the last lap, and then faded. His turn is not far off. Xukumai, too, failed to see it out, and Odin was going nicely without looking a winner when Matu fell right in front of him. causing him to lose several lengths.