THE NATIONALS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 174, 25 July 1942, Page 8

THE NATIONALS

Solid Acceptances For Riccarton Double

THIRTY-FIVE IN WINTER CUP

If quality is not quite up to the standard of other years, there is nothing lacking in numbers for the C.J.C. Grand Nationals, to be decided on August 8 and 15. At the first acceptance last night 18 horses stood their ground in the Grand National Steeplechase and 21 in the Grand National Hurdles. For the Winter Cup, the principal flat race, no fewer than 3j horses were paid up for.

In both Nationals, all the fancied candidates remain, the most notable absentee from the Steeplechase being Chat, but in view of her disappointing form at Trentham, he? defection from the Riccarton race would cause no surprise. All told, nine horses dropped out of the Steeplechase, but t»s four of them were also engaged in the Hurdles, the response frcm owners wjs particularly good. Only half a dozen 'vere not paid for in the Hurdles. There i? a final acceptance for these races on Augjst 4.

At t'.ie moment the top-weight, Foxiana, is the ruling favourite for the Steeplechase, with a little support for Slayer ana Master Lackham. In the Hurdles, Evans Head is the clear-cut favourite, but Kanui Te Pai has a host of friends, and this pair dominate the position in the early market. The Great Northern Hurdles winner, Erndale, would only have to school well to come into favour, but after his falls each day at Trentham backers are inclined to be shy of him. The acceptances are:—

GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE of £1475 and silver plate value £25, three miles and a half. —Foxiana. 11.13; Slayer. 11.6; Clansman, 10.9; Dozie Boy. 10.6; Master Lackham, 10.2; Cherry Plum. 10.0; Erination. 9.9; Master Dingle. 9.7; Colonel French. Anglo-French. 9.6; Aussie Ra, 9.4; Gay Boa. Limbohm. Night Hawk, Turakl, Ruling Star, Song Boy, Valens. 9.0.

WINTER CUP OF £800, one mile.— Rakanui, 10.2; Don't Forget. 9.7; Sally Lunn, 9.6; Happy Ending, 9.5; Gladynev, 9.4; Treasurer. Bashtul Lady. 9.1; Doubleack. 8.13; Iceland Spar. Minority. 8.11; First Round, 8.10; Atreus. 8.9; Waitoru. Fleet Street. St. Cloud, 8.7; The Champ. 8.6; Fideli?. 8.5; Red Dash, Rara Avis. 8.4; Poutatau, 8.3; Eulogist. Palfrey. 8.2; All Night. Foreign Coin. 8.1; Triple Crown. Symbol. Greek Dancer. Tea Drop. Maggiore. The Joker. Kevin. Imperium, Mauretania, Gold Court, Compeer. 8.0.

GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES of £1000, two miles and a half and 160 yards.—Foxiana, 11.5; Erndale, 11.1; Evan's Head. 10.9; Master Lackham, 10.2; Noko. 10.1; Kanui Te Pai. 10.0; Dividend, 9.13; Renascor. 9.8; Malacca, 9.6; Pekoe. 9.4; Merry Simon. 9.3: Alienate. Cusinier. Phalanx, Puraki, Heidelberg. BowStreet. Knight Commander, Inquisitor. Rockery, Auctor, 9.0.