DAY OF THRILLS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 July 1938, Page 7

DAY OF THRILLS

WAIRARAPA PAPERCHASE CLUB GATHERING KEEN CONTESTS ON SATURDAY EXCITING STEEPLECHASE (By “The Cynic”) The Wairarapa Paperchase Club held a most successful sports meeting on Saturday at “Heatherlea,” Upper Plain, the picturesque property of Mr G. H. Perry. The weather was gloriously fine and, particularly in the afternoon, there was a large attendance of interested spectators, who were treated to a thoroughly enjoyable day’s sport. The gathering was well organised and controlled, and the events were run off with a minimum of delay. In spite of the holding ground, which made the take-offs tricky, the standard of jumping was uniformly good throughout. The riders also acquitted themselves well, there being only a few minor spills during the day. Excellent entries were received for practically all the events and the secretary, Mr D. Vallance, and the other officials are to be congratulated on the success achieved. Mr J. Ayres, of Dannevirke, capably carried out the duties of judge, and Mr C. J. Bennett acted as starter for the point-to-point steeplechases. The steeplechases were run over a 2J mile course on the river flat, a splendid view of which was obtained from the bank which formed a natural grandstand. The lightweight event attracted five entries and resulted in Sir Ronald winning easily for the third year in succession. The field negotiated all the fences successfully, but Sir Ronald and Blairlogie had the race to themselves nearly all the way. Blairlogie stayed on well, but Sir Ronald, ridden out, had too much in hand at the death, and he won by eight lengths. Miss Silver was third. The heavyweight steeplechase,' run over the same course, was as good a race as could be seen on any race track. Barney, a Pahiatua horse, made the pace throughout, and, jumping like a stag, won narrowly after an exciting finish from Monarchy. General, winner of the event for the last two years, and Monarchy chased Barney the first time round, and at the second to last jump Monarchy closed up the gap, and looked a winner all over. Barney, however, came away splendidly to win by three lengths. General was close up third. Monarchy lacked the condition of the winner, but even so he might have won had he not been asked to cover so much extra ground over the early stages. At the conclusion of the gathering the cups and other trophies were presented to the successful competitors by Mr W. Howard Booth. The results were as follow: — Maiden jump: F. Clancy, Poacher, 1; Miss N. Booth, Justice, 2; Miss L. Corlett, Mickey Free, 3. Seven starters. Maiden Wire jump: Miss J. Beetham, Santa Claus, 1; Miss L. Corlett, Mickey Free,'2; F. Clancy, Poacher, 3.- Twelve starters. Open Wire jump: Mrs F. B. Vallance, Bucky O’Connor, 1; F. Clancy, Poacher, 2; Mrs K. McLeod, Marquetta, 3. Fifteen starters. Open jump: F. B. Vallance, Bucky O’Connor, 1; T. Tully, Dusky, 2. Eighteen starters. Light-weight paperchase, point-to-point steeplechase, about 21 miles. Miss N. Booth’s Sir Ronald (Mr I. Jackson), 11.10, 1. Mr J. Morrison’s Blairlogie (owner), 12.2, 2. Miss M. Morrison’s Miss Silver (Mr J. Broughton), 11.7, 2. Also started: Swallow (Mr V. Tripe), 11.11; Bucky O’Connor (Mr D. Vallance), 12.10. Eight lengths; 100 yards. Time, 6mins 38 2-5 secs. Ladies’ jump: Miss B. Vallance, Rainbow, 1; Miss P. Tully, Dusky 2; Miss M. Morrison, Scotty,. 3. Nine starters. Heavy-weight point-to-point steeplechase, about 2J miles. Mr V. B. Tripe’s Barney (Mr S. Taylor), 13.7, 1. Mr Ashley Jenkins’s Monarchy (I. Jackson), 13.7, 2. Miss M. Morrison’s General (Mr J. Morrison), 13.7, 3. Also started: Paul (Mr B. Williams), 13.7; Toxmiss (Mr C. Toxward), 13.7. Three lengths; six lengths. Time 6 mins 25 secs. Consolation jump: F. Skeet, Coronation, 1; Miss L. Corlett, Mickey Free, 2. Eleven starters. Pony jumping, 13.2 to 14.2 hands: D. Kershaw, 1; F. Clancy, 2; O. Stevens, 3. Pony jumping, 13.2 hands and under: R. McKenzie, 1; D. Miller 2.