BIG PRIZE FOR HUNTERS

NZ Truth, Issue 1238, 22 August 1929, Page 13

BIG PRIZE FOR HUNTERS

Pompeius arid Odin Have The Best Credentials (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative). The Pakuranga Hunt fixture at Bllerslie on Saturday will'lje welcomed by northern racing enthusiasts, if only as the signal that the all-too-lengthy winter spell of inactivity is broken.

THE richest stake for hunters of the season is decided at the Pakuranga gathering, namely, the £600 Hunt Cup Steeples, and with no fewer than thirteen acceptors, this year's cross-country contest is bound to create some interest. , Regarding the quality of the competitors, it is doubtful whether any of the thirteen figuring m the list will develop into anything like real class steeplechasers, such' as Waimai and Beau Cavalier, two Hunt Cup victors of the past. Most of those billed to appear on Saturday have already been well tried without displaying great prospects. The most reliable is the top-weight, Odin, which earned his poundage by captui'ihg both the hurdle and steeplechase events for hunters at the Ellerslie June fixture, and he has. gone on the right way m the interval. Mashoor has certainly^ figured as a winner, but ' Mataipuke's Riccarton form hardly suggests victory. Master Arch has been disappointing on several occasions, while Archangel promised well a couple of seasons back, without

so far fulfilling the big hopes then formed. Town Rambler is the stamp and has been well hunted. His prospects, like those of Sea Comet and Haeremai, will have to be assessed on their displays m the Greenmount Steeples earlier m the day. Stonewall is only of the battling' type, while Marita looks hopeless over the journey on past displays. Terrapeen and Soami both have pace enough to show up at some stage, while regarding Pompeius punters will expect something. He had some experience over obstacles early last season, and judged on two good finishing displays m hack mile races at Ellerslie m June, since [which he has been well hunted, he should be a distinct probability to give trouble with his light impost. j m fact, should he arrive .at Ellerslie and school safely oyer the right country before the day, it would not be surprising to note him oust Odin from the position of first favorite. j The judge may have to decide between Pompeius and Odin.