THE BIG STEEPLES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 121, 8 June 1937, Page 11

THE BIG STEEPLES

(Special to " Her ald-Tribune. ' ' )

Allegretto Still Greatly Admired VALPEEN AND HUSKIE

AUCKLAND, Monday, Now that the Great' Northern Hurdles has been disposed of, it is pessible that the Great Northern Steeplechase can be viewed in a somewhat difi'erent light. Tbe winner of the Big hurdle race is not engaged, but the second and sixth, Huskie and Erinatibn are, and the former at least must enter ealeulations. At this meeting the hurdle horses have four days, instead of the usual two, in whieh to recover. This may be particularly useful for | Erination, for he appeared to have had more than enough after Saturday's hard run, while Huskie seemed little the worse for it.

Roxy's Spectacular Exlt. Roxy fell at the first hurdle, thus giving no line to his steeplechase chance. Neither Royal Limond, Valpeen, Pahu nor Irish Gomet was expeoted to show up as a hurdler, sa they did not disappoint. Free Air was given a modest. chance on Saturday, but he whipped the field in. Valpeen finished very well and did not seem distressed, nOr did Royal Limond, r.nd the former's was "probably the best steeplechase trial. Pahu tOo was closer at the finish than at any other part.

If the Great Northern Steeplechase winner was seen in the Hurdles, it was either Huskie or Valpeen. The former is relatively not so giood over country as over the sticks, but'it has been proved that if a horse can manage the hurdles in the soft stuff the bigger obsacles should present no diflBculties. On the other hand, the big fences are second nature to Valpeen and he ought to finish in front of Huskie, even with the latter's 191b. advantage in the weights.

* Fresh Candidates. Notable among the Steeplechase candidates that did not rlin on Saturday are Billy Boy, Don Erma, Allegretto, Forest Glow, Black Marlin and Monastic, the last two doubtful starters. Fit and well Black Marlin would have been the favourite. Now it remains to be seen if he is produced, and, in any event, the interrupted preparation will be aghinst him Monastic is a rare stayer and, if absent too, he niay do better later. ' One that is still greatly admired is Allegretto, whose owner ini'ormed your correspondent on Saturday that he was delighted with the manner in whieh he had stood up to his tasks since winning at Te Rapa. Plenty of schooling and long work have impiovcd his condition considcrab'y. Buly Boy is very well and f cvutso Dou Erma for seasoning holds the prize. I'orest Glow will require to improve, aud he may be capabie of doing so, Jlcwes er, Allegretto is the horse that is swlected for favourite on Wednesday. He habeen over the country twice, and successf ully, and the hard work he ha got through removes the suepicion as to racing condition.