MODERATE FIELD

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 52, 24 May 1927, Page 6

MODERATE FIELD

PETER MAXWELL’S WIN

HIS CHANCE AT ELLERSLIE OUTINGS WILL IMPROVE HIM Although opposed by a moderate field in the Grandstand Steeplechase at Wanganui on Saturday, Peter Maxwell won well, and in doing so showed that he is regaining the good form that enabled him to win the last Grand National Steeplechase. Peter Maxwell’s jumping: at Wanganui was not perfect, for he was bothered by one of two fences, particularly by the brush jumps. In the Wanganui Steeplechase on Thursday, Peter Maxwell was handy for a mile and ahalf, at which stage he commenced to lose ground. At the finish Peter Maxwell had only Birkenella behind him, the latter being half a furlong further back. To see the latter race at Wanganui one could not picture him as the winner of the Wellington Steeplechase less than 12 months ago. MADE MUCH EASIER On Saturday the field for the Grandstand Steeplechase was minus the placed horses in the big event of the first day—Maunga, Bonny Bill and Gilgai—and allowing for an improvement on his first day’s race, it was only reasonable to expect Peter Maxwell to be all the better for his first outing, which was his initial effort of the season over the big jumps. In one of two ways Peter Maxwell could be regarded as fortunate in dragging off the big end of the prize. He made at least one bad jump, that at the brush fence at the two furlongs the second time, which was exactly half-way through the race. Tie was running in between two other horses, about a neck behind them, as they rose at this fence, and Peter Maxwell went into the air at an acute angle, landing inside the horse that took off on the inside of him. SPLENDID RECOVERY It was only his natural jumping ability that stood to Peter Maxwell on this occasion, and he made a good recovery where the majority of horses would have crashed. Over the last circuit he made up his ground in good style, and he was running on when most of the others were beginning to hang out distress signals. His jumping was invariably good, and the experience at Wanganui should serve to make him a better horse for events ahead. Peter Maxwell should be well seasoned by the time the Great Northern Steeplechase comes round on Saturday week. He has the handy impost of 10.3, which was the weight he won with on Saturday, and he has not been penalised. However, it is thought that Peter Maxwell will not win the big Ellerslie event over the hill, for keen observers with the knowledge of what sort of horse is required for this event will not have him. Perhaps they may have to revise their opinion before the day, after he has schooled over the hill.