POOR FINALE TO YEAR

NZ Truth, Issue 1184, 9 August 1928, Page 11

POOR FINALE TO YEAR

Thrills Cannot Be Expected In Steeplechase

The concluding cross-country event of the year— the so-called Blue Riband of the winter — is going to be, m the language of the stage, "a flop." v

IT has been a great winter for everything but what the winter should produce— good steeplechasers. The year has 1 only produced one horse and he will not be at Riocarton next Tuesday. That's Glendowie. ; To contest next week's Steeplechase is one good horse, one that was a good horse, three that are fair' horses and a' number that are horses. in name only. Thus is made up the field to race for 1600 spys. It is tragic! In his three starts over country this year. Beau Cavalier has -finished once. That was m the Northern, when he came" m a furlong behind the third horse. - . With all these failures to his credit he is called upon to carry 12.5 and it will take more than a good horae to do the job completely, even allowing m for the poor opposition. Twelve months baok, "Beau" won with twelve pounds less, but on that ocoasion he had had the necessary work to fit him for the task. This year this is. not so, for Sam Tooman has concentrated on hurdling. That the big fellow will, show up for a goodly portion of the trip 1 is certain, but when the last circuit is entered on he should be feeling the pressure. ; .' \ • Little is being said about Pamplona and it .is being taken for granted that he is gone for good. At Wingatui m June, he won a race, but it was only careful nursing on the part of Andy Cassels that brought about that success. It ia very muoh open to question whether he can get the Pallas; gelding m right order for National gruelling. The last week there has been a lot of money floating about for Tukf, and he may wind up t,he favorite on the day. < The big fences will- stand to him' and he will lose nothing on the score of horsemanship. On figures he is riot atS all badly treated and with his knowledge of the country at the back of him he certainly makes a direct appeal; \ He has one great opportunity on Tuesday next of joining the few which have won a National -on two occasions. '

[ . Most people are wanting to know* how Pouri -will handle the big country. He should be able to do that part all right— bis trainer knows what is wanted. . . . - Pouri may have been tired at the finish of the Wellington Steeplechase, but he was finishing under a good, strong hold and that may have made him look a deal more weary than was the case. Warner's mount is a clever fencer and he is going to improve all the time— for it has to be remembered he is little more than a tyro at the game. So It is reasonable to expect better things of him.'' Another Waikato candidate is Wiltshire and .good Judges- give him a plaoe m the sun. He has had a penchant to date of . risking fences and to try and do that at Riccarton would be fatal. Horses are very apt to adopt themselves to the circumstances and should Wiltshire fit 'himself m he will foe a x distinct nuisance. . ; The Babe will .be left alone by most and as for 3>ubious, after last Saturday, he wiU want further experience. t He was careful at each fence—ultracareful, m faot.- '"•' I ■'.'-: V ' „ Maunga 'fell last week— it was no fault of his own, but he was ; never going right.- ' " : \- * Swishy-tail horses do not appeal and Maunga was fanning the air from # the barrier rise. And how leg injury has .brought about bis. .withdrawal. . . Greenstone is passed by and Matu is not Hked with any intensity,; Kamehameha and- Frisco Ja^ck are, just ordinary and may not see the post; '' ■•■". ■"■\:-' : r- - ..,■'"'■ ■. "'. :[ •■-.. ; ! ..' ■ The distance has always 'proved too much for Passih* Through .and he may be left m his box. It is to be hoped so, for the Beaufort. looks better pickings.' : •■" •.. "■: '-*'■;•■.;■.•■■ • •.■- ;" . .'■ His win on Saturday was \dear-cut' -r-in'sonie quarters it is'ibeing decried —and it is a good' wager that the race will improve him a good.deal. ;. Thrills- cannot be expected with such • horses to do the job,, but three that may do well are ; TUKI, I POURI and VYILtSHIREi