GRAND NATIONAL TOPWEIGHT

Chronicle (Levin), 23 July 1946, Page 7

GRAND NATIONAL TOPWEIGHT

With Master Meruit missing, _ tlie Awapuni-trained Red Grlare (11.10) is now at the liead of the handicap for the Grand XTational Steeplechase. Red Glare has won hve races over countrjthis season. After running second with 11.2 to Gay Fort in the Enfield Steeplechase at Riccarton last Augtist, he won the Hunt Cup Steeplechase with 11.6 on the second day. He carried on to win over hurdles at Feilding; the Grandstand Steeplechase at Wanganui with 11.4, and the Metropolitan Steeplechase with 11.7 at the Manawata meeting. ' Unfortunately, the doubt as to his being a true staycr stili remains, although it is reasonable to cxpect him to be improving with age and experience. However, from a eritical point of view the chestnut does carry his head a trifle high for a genuine stayer. On the other hand, he has much to commend him from the point of view of breeding, although there is a weak liuk iu his pedigree on the maternal side. Ilis sire, Roeket, was bred in this country, being by that grand sire of jumpers, Day Comet, from Top Score, by Autuhinus from Winuing Way, by Oanuie Chiel — Lady Way ward, by Biil of Portland — Elusive, by Trenton. Winuing W'av, the second dam of Red' Glare, was Ihe first foal of the Bill of Portland mare Lady Way ward, and it is interestiiig to note that that greal hurdler of two decades ago, Sir Fanciful, was a half-brother to Winning Way. On the maternal side, Red Glare comes from Maftiancss, a little-raced mare liy Diacquenod, an imported horse wliose gets were sprinters rather tlian stayers. Nevertheless, this may have given Red Glare his brilliance, for further back iu his pedigree therc -is plenty of staying blood, Arartianctte, his second dam, being by Martian from Equitas, the dam of those two good performers of a few years back, Oratrix and Coneentrate. H. Griflith is pleased with the way tho chestnut has trainod on since racing at the Manawatu meeting and intends leaving ou Friday with him for Riccarton.