SIR ABBOT IS CUP PROSPECT

Chronicle (Levin), 5 August 1949, Page 7

SIR ABBOT IS CUP PROSPECT

L.M

.M.)

(Soecial — -From

WELLINGTON, August 5. Keen interest is being manifested in the Grand National Steeplechase and Winter Cup, the two principal events in the opening day of the Canterbury Jockey Club's' winter meetmg at Riccarton tomorrow. Large fields will be the order of the day. The Jumpers' Flat will be followed with interest m view of the fact that most of the horses are engaged in the Grand National Hurdles on the second day.

The Grand National' Steeplechase is expected to provide a good race. Mas-er Meruit, the topweight, ' is ready in his attempt to win his second National. It is ^xpected that Golden Reign, winner of the Great Northern Steeplechase, wili gj out wip favourite, with Gaiety and First Act third and _ fourth favourites. a Master Meruit looks weil and, being the grand stayer he is, wiil be very hard to beat. Sir Abbot is now a firm favourite for the Winter Cup and on Brabazon Handicap form wili be hard to beat. Da Vinci, Super Fiighc, Distinction and Leyma have strong followings. Kartikeya will be at a good price tio win. ^The most likely trio to figure in the finish of the Grand National Steep echase are the thrfee topweights. Master Meruit is a clearwinded, true stayer. Having won the race previously, the topweight knows the country well, whereas nis most serious opponents, Golden Reign, Gaiety and First Act, have yet to race over 'the course and jumps. The big fences may prove troublesome to both Golden Reign and Gaiety, particularly so Gaiety, as she is small and will not be able to -ook over some" of the stiff fences. However, she is a tough littie mare and if she succeeds in mastering the fences, she will cer„ainiy show grlt and determination on tiie flat- to the winning post. Golden Reign has Great Northern Steeplechase success form to recommend him. However, he is sure to find the Riccarton fences no easy proposition. Of the others tiiat game Oiaki-tramed. jumper, P'list jx ct, is not out oi the issue. with tiie destruction of Lisnetn, tne Hazieti staoie wih now have to reiy on bt. Simper, a smooth periormer wiiu, nuvvever, wni find tiie c.uss a iiutle bit aoove him. Sir ADDots easy win in the Brabazon Handicap was the rnaln guide n om the Christcnurch Hun. meeting for the Winter Cup. It was an effort that has brougnt him mio strong favour in ihe open miie and, judged on that form, he should be one of the hardest to oeat. Although he f ailed when neavily bacxed at Trentham, Kartikeya wai find Riccarton condicions much better to his liking. He ,s very fit and is not without goou prospects. Leyma showed at Trenchem and Marton that he was moie forward than expected. He nas had a good private preparation and is expected to give a grand account of liimself. Super Flight is ccnsistent and on present form will be with the leadefs over the last furlong. Other prospects are Da Vinci, Distinction, Julius Caesar, Fiying Sovereign, Opuient, Swift Robin and Finigin. With the large field engaged the race gives a very open appearance, out in Sir Abbot, Leyma, Kartikeya, Supsr Flight, F.ying Sovereign and Opuient, if the track is reasonably dry, the winner should be concealed. Prospects for Riccarton and Hastings meetings are: —