HOMEBY STEEPLES NEXT SATURDAY

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31120, 25 July 1966, Page 5

HOMEBY STEEPLES NEXT SATURDAY

Strong N.I. Candidates Expected “The Press” Special Service PALMERSTON NORTH. The central districts will provide at least five runners in next Saturday’s Homeby Steeplechase at the Christchurch Hunt meeting. This is a race generally regarded as a good trial for the Grand National Steeplechase a week later.

Henry’, Prince Robin, Wheroma, 'No Offence and Triomphe will be the spearhead of the northern attack. | Triomphe was the only one of the five to appear at the Manawatu Hunt Club’s meeting at Awapuni on Saturday. IHe finished second to Scotch I Seaman in the McEwen Steeplechase. His stablemate. Brevity, will travel south with him tomorrow. Brevity will not race until the i Grand National Steeplechase. The Woodville trainers, J. P. Carter and E. Ropiha, have almost abandoned their proposed trip to the Grand National meeting. Carter had entered Kurrajong, Blue Defaulter, Kaikohe and Golden ’ Bay. He said at Awapuni on Saturday there was little chance that any of his horses 'would make the trip.

Ropiha had nominated Southern Cloud, Assur, Campden, Basilio and Summer Flight. Southern Cloud, which i has been suffering from muscle trouble, fell in the McEwen Steeplechase at Awapuni on Saturday. He was distressed later and Ropiha said that the horse would not race again I this winter. Summer Flight is the only member of Ropiha’s team which could make the trip, although he did not please his trainer either at Levin or Awapuni last week. Young Souvenir, another Riccarton entrant, broke down so badly at the hunt meeting that it is unlikely he will be tried again. E. Temperton has nominated Grand Coeur and several hack hurdles for the Canterbury meeting, but he may only start Grand Coeur. Hely will ride Grand Coeur in the Jumpers’ Flat and the Grand National Hurdles at Riccarton. He has accepted the mount on John’s Mistake in

both the Homeby and Grand National Steeplechases. It is believed that Hely will also ride other jumpers from E. A. Winsloe’s team at Riccarton. The Wellington Steeplechase winner, Prince Robin, has completely recovered from the injury which kept him from contesting the Eric Riddiford Steeplechase on the last day at Trentham. Speaking from Marton on Saturday, Prince Robin’s owner-trainer (Mr J. R. Haworth) said he was delighted with the progress his horse had made during the last week.

“We were wise to miss the Riddiford,” he said. “The old fellow has thrown off his leg trouble and he should parade

at his best for the Homeby Steeplechase.” Prince Robin will travel south tomorrow. He will be ridden as usual by M. D. Peters.

N. C. Treweek wiM now ride Henry at Riccarton. The injured C. I. Goss does not expect to be fit enough after his enforced rest from racing.

The dashing No Offence is reported to have done well since his promisiing third in the Eric Riddiford Steeplechase at Trentham. G. Jenkins wi'H ride him at Riccarton.

A trip south for the Awapuni horseman, R. A. Jenkins, was very much in doubt untiil a few days ago. Now Jenkins has accepted a ride on Wheroma in the Homeby and Grand National Steeplechases. Wheroma was the only runner to make the race of it with Prince Robin in the WeHlington Steeplechase. He is a splendid jumper, sure to be at home over the big fences at Riccarton. Brevity and Triomphe will be ridden by P. R. Whiteman in their engagements at Riccarton. K. S. Gulden will ride at Riccarton. One of his first-day mounts wiild be Sir Juvante in the Winter Cup.