NO OFFENCE TO BE ENTERED FOR G.N.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29504, 4 May 1961, Page 4

NO OFFENCE TO BE ENTERED FOR G.N.

Press' Spacial Service

DUNEDIN, May 3. No Offence, the outstanding cross-country runner in the South Island thia season, will be entered for the £4OOO Great Northern Steeplechase at the Auckland Racing Club’s meeting next month, but his Wingatui trainer, H. A. Anderton, is not happy about his young charge tackling the four-mile Journey and the formidable Ellerslie fences at this stage of his career. No Offence is raced by Mr A. Clourton, of Wellington, who attended the Riverton meeting to see hl* horse win on the last day of the meeting. "Mr Clouston is a good sportsman and no doubt he would like to see hi* horse race at Auckland, but I would prefer to wait for the Homeby and the Grand National. No Offence mastered the Riccarton fences last August when he easily won the Enfield. And it’s not so far from home,” said Anderton. No Offence has done well since his trip to the Riverton Easter meeting where he decisively won his two starts, the £l2OO Great Western and the Autumn Steeplechases. But he is only a five-year-old and Anderton considers that such a difficult task could prejudice a promising career. Hard Puller He I* a light-framed gelding by Peak Halyard and is not a good traveller. In addition, he is a hard puller and this would be against him. leaving him without a finishing effort. Another 12 months would make a big difference to him and would give him time to settle down. One of the top trainers In the Dominion in recent years. Hec Anderton has had previous experience with horses from his stable over the Ellerslie country. “No Offence has proved the beat of the jumpers in the south this season, but the claw is the lowest it has been for a considerable number of years,” Anderton said. “He beat Tadpole by eight lengths, but No Offence had only 9-7 compared with 10-12 carried by the Hazlett candidate. He is not in the same dan as Arabian Night, Pages

Raid or Desert Trek,” he said. “No Offence has not won a race on the flat yet. In my opinion a horse needs to have plenty of ability, be a proficient jumper and be well endowed with staying power to have a chance in the Great Northern. Arabian Night won the Otago Hurdles and came out the next day and beat the open handicappers at a Dunedin winter meeting.”