STILL ALLEGRETTO

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 134, 8 June 1937, Page 13

STILL ALLEGRETTO

STEEPLECHASE SELECTION (Special from "Early Bird.") ■ - AUCKLAND, June 7.., Now that the Great Northern Hurdles has been disposed of, it is possible that the big cross-country prize on Wednesday, the Great Northern Steeplechase, can be viewed in a somewhat different light from what it was *a few days ago. The winner of the big hurdle race on Saturday (Sandy DixJ is nat engaged in this event, nor are the horses who finished third, fourth, 'and fifth, but the second and sixth, 'Huskie and Erination, claim the dual engagement, so-that the former at least must enter calculations. • .

It often happens that a horse runs a good race in the Hurdles and then fails completely in the Steeples, in the case where these events have been run with only one or two days in. between, but this year they have had four days to recover. This may be particularly helpful for Erination, as he appeared to have ' had more thari enough after Saturday's hard run. On the" other hand, Huskie, with a very hard race, seemed to be little the worse for it, and will .have to be considered for the. Steeplechase. ' .. • ■ Other Great Northern Steeplechase candidates that ran in the Hurdles on Saturday were Royal Limqnd, Valpeen, Roxy, Pahu, High Quality. Irish Comet, and Free Air. Roxy fell at the first hurdle, with a furlong and a-halt covered, and Saint Musk, Domo, London, and Booklaw started in the Greenlane Steeplechase. Domo and London were noticed running on. As far as Royal Limond, Valpeen, Pahu, and Irish Comet were concerned it was not reasonable to expect them •to show- up as hurdlers. Free. Air was given a chance on Saturday, but did not fare so well as the others, whipping the field in. Valpeen finished well, and did not appear distressed, nor did Royal Limond, but considering the race the former went, being handy in the early and middle stages and pulling at that, his was probably the best Steeplechase trial. Pahu, too, was closer at the finish than at any other part. If the Steeplechase winner was seen in the Great Northern Hurdles, it was either Huskie or Valpeen; the former is relatively not so good over countrj as over the sticks, yet if a horse can manage the Ellerslie hurdles in the soft stuff the bigger obstacles should present no difficulties. Ohe big fences are second nature to Valpeen, and he ought to finish in front of There are several steeplechase prospects that were not on show on Saturday, notable among these being rJiny Boy, Don Erma, Allegretto, Forest Glow, Black Marlin, and Monastic, the last-named pair being under a cloud. Black Marlin would have been the .totalisator favourite, fit and well, but the recent interruption in his preparation would not have been of any help to him. Monastic is a rare stayer. _ One who is still greatly, admired is Allegretto, whose owner is deligntea with the manner in which he had stood up to his tasks since winning at le Rapa a fortnight ago. Plenty of schooling and long work has improved his condition considerably, and one is prepared now to place him first in summing up the big event for Wednesday. A hard horse to keep going, he looks ready to run a great race in the ureai Northern Steeplechase. ■■■ ■ Billy Boy is very well, and will not lack condition. Don Erma, for seasoning, holds the prize. Forest Glow win require to improve to . rehabilitate himself, but he may be capable o£ C °However, as the position remains now, Allegretto is the horse that is selected for Wednesday. He has been over the country twice, and successfully, and the hard work he has got through in the past fortnight should remove the suspicion as to lack o£ racing condition. ]