THE FADE-OUT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 104, 23 July 1927, Page 6

THE FADE-OUT

MISSING HORSES FAILURE TO PAY UP Thirteen out of 30 represent the survivors after the declaration of the first acceptance for the Grand National Steeplechase, made last night. Many fancied candidates have gone west, so far as this contest is concerned. In the Grand National Hurdles the casualty list is just about as bad, for 15 are left out of the 36 handicapped. Here again some good horses are numbered among the missing. No less than 51 were handicapped for the Winter Cup, and a fine field of 28 stand their ground—and only three of these will get into the money. From the Grand National Steeplechase no surprise will be expressed at the defection of Comical; perhaps we will see him over country as an im-

proved horse next season. Wedding March, as expected, will probably be given a let-up, and he will be none the worse for it. Scamp is an absentee, and this in a way is surprising, for it was considered that he would be all the better for his race at Trentham, even if he did finish last. The fact that Royal Abbey is also missing points to ownertrainer R. Hannon not being at the meeting. These are the most conspicuous horses who declined last night’s acceptance. Those horses that did not pay up were Comical, Wedding March, Scamp, Passin’ Through, Cartoon, Highway, Penury Rose, Royal Form, Omahu, Royal Abbey, Lady Comet, Birkenella, Radioc, Woden, Ranui, Sir Wai and Vagabond. In the Grnd National Hurdles the three top-weights have dropped out. These are Comical. Ngata and Wedding March. Apparently Comical is to bo put aside, and the absence.of Ngata will allow Alan McDonald to pilot

Kawini in this race in addition to the Steeplechase if the horse is sent for the double. Black Cruiser’s defection was expected. The lull list of those to drop out of the Hurdles is as follows: —Comical, Ngata, Wedding March, Black Cruiser, Lord Star, Koauau, Lucullent, Cartoon, Enare, Matu, Sottana, Gauntlet, Passionate, Mount Marta, Guncase, Kameliameha, Inferno, Lady Passenger, Dick, Troilus and Peshwa. The most remarkable feature of the Winter Cup field is the fact that the four top-weights have declined the engagement, but otherwise the fancied horses remain in, except Solrose, whose form at Trentham was good. The following dropped out of the Winter Cup: Degage, Overhaul, Mustard Pot, Master Doon, Solrose, Mint Ler.f, Lord Star, Deluge, Margaret Birney, Passionate, Happy Days, Nadarino, Waieullus, Pantagruel, Merle, Gold Box, Starboard Light, Martis, Toapaiti, Kalos, Irish, Coot and Cerf.

Aucklanders still have a strong representation, made up as follows: —Four out of 13 in the Grand National Steeplechase, and five out of 15 in the Grand National Hurdles, but not a single Northern horse is left in the Winter Clip, if one excepts Merry Damon, still owned here but trained at Awapuni.

MEETINGS TO COME July 23— Canterbury Hunt Club. July 28. 30 —Gisborne R.C. July 30—Christchurch Hun* Club. 1927-26 Season August 6.—Poverty Bay Hunt Club. August 9, li, 13. —Canterbury J.C. August 20. Pakuranga Hunt Club. September 3. —North Taranaki H.C. September ?, 8. Marton J.C. September 10.—Otago Hunt Club. September 14.—Dannevlrke R.C. September 24. 26 —Napier Park R.C. September 24. 26.—Avondale J.C. September 29, 30.—Geraldine R.C. October 1. Hawke's Bay J.C. October 6. Manawatu Hunt Club. October 6.—Kurow J.C. October 7, S.—Otaki-Maori R.C. October 8, 10.—Oamaru J.C. October 13. 15.—Wanganui J.C. October 13. 15. Whangarei R.C. October 13. 15.—Dunedin J.C. October 15. —Carterton R.C. October 19. 20.—Cromwell J.C. October 22. 24.—Waverley R.C. Or-ober 22. 24.—Wellington R.C.