Archibald’s Show In The G.N. Hurdles

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 363, 25 May 1928, Page 6

Archibald’s Show In The G.N. Hurdles

Ellerslie’s Hope Is Once More hi Favour REVIEW FROM HEADQUARTERS The work on the tracks the past few days has been of increasing interest, for not only has the work itself showed up some candidates at the Great Northern meeting in a more favourable light than others, but it has also served to indicate what the mission cf some of the horses is to be. Now that it has been announced, semi-officially, that Beau Cavalier is .to take on both the Northerns, even more interest has been manifested in his efforts in the mornings, and from what lias been seen of him it can be said that his connections must feel very satisfied with the efforts he is making. He has not been schooled over hurdles yet, but he has gone over the country a couple of times, on the last occasion his task being a full round —twelve fences—of the steeplechase course, including the hill. Then he gave a grand exhibition of lepping, barely making a mistake and clearing the fences very fast. To show that

a slick seven furlongs on Thursday morning, so that there is every reason to hope that Beau Cavalier will take a good deal of beating in both North-

erns. Pleased the Critics Easily the best display of hurdling seen at Ellerslie for some time was that given by Archibald this week. He was associated with Aberfeldy in once round on the outside of the course proper, and the manner in which he fenced was reminiscent of his schooling 12 months ago, on the eve of last year’s Great Northern Hurdles, in which he was eventually beaten into second place by a good one in Wedding March. Archibald had it well on the Southerner throughout, but then there are not many horses that could foot it with the Archiestown gelding over nine furlongs and clear five hurdles. Excuses For Aberfeldy It appeared as if Aberfeldy was more than a bit strange at these hurdles, more so than being required to work the right-handed way, for he did a lot of racing at Randwiek, on the flat, and over the big and small obstacles, so that it could not have been this that unsettled him. Probably when next schooled here Aberfeldy will show that he is all that is claimed for him. He looks remarkably fit, and if he makes a good showing in his next time over the sticks he will maintain his position as one of the favourites for the big hurdles at Ellerslie. Times Tell The Tale That there was merit in the performance put up by Archibald is confirmed, if such confirmation were really necessary, by watches. From the first hurdle to the last, a distance of nine furlongs, and with five hurdles to be jumped, took 2.15 2-5, and this was registex'ed very wide out, Archibald being probably as much as 75 feet out from the rails, while his companion had the inside running throughout. That the pace was also on in the middle stages was shown by the fact that from the first time past the post to the three furlongs, a distance of six furlongs, the watch showed 1.31 3-5, and going out of the straight and again passing the five furlong post, the going was decidedly up hill, and the track was soft. Easily The Best Compare this with the times registered by others that went over the same ground, both before and after Archibald galloped. Karamu ran from hurdle to hurdle in 2.22 3-5, the middle six furlongs as above being done in 1.37 2-5. Later Royalform and Zircon occupied 2.20 for the same circuit, with 1.34 4-5 for the six furlongs. The latter would give "a good line on Archibald’s effort, for both Royalform and Zircon had the pace on. Knowing; this, it cannot be gainsaid that Archibald has a fine chance in the Great Northern Hurdles. His rider, A. H. Burt, has not had the best of luck for some time, and superstitious backers will not be induced to be with him for this reason. Remember when Comical got beaten in the Great Northern Hurdles three seasons ago? The chestnut should never have been defeated on that occasion, in the writer’s opinion, but there it was —an example of Burt’s luck. Will it turn next week? For Ellerslie’s sake we hope it will. Glendowie was given strong work on the flat on Thursday, and he looks a greatly improved horse since he raced at Ellerslie at Easter. It would seem that there is little doubt as to his starting in the Great Northern Steeplechase, to fit him for which he will probably be given a run in the Hunters’ Hurdles the first day. Getting Acquainted Considerable interest was taken in the effort of Perle de Leon over the steeplechase course on Thursday, and it can be said that he acquitted himself very favourably. At only one fence did he make an actual blunder, and that was the sod wall the second time, when he landed on top of it, but he made an excellent recovery. In the long run from the old water jump

to the top of the liiil both he and R.ahepoto were only going half pace, and only sharpened up when they went for the fence. On the whole, however, Perle de Leon gave a pleasing display, and perhaps this will be confirmed next time over, when the pace will probably be on all the way. On Thursday it took them nearly half a minute more

than Pompeius anti company to cover the same distance, so it will be seen that they took their time. Want The Work Little notice should be taken of Zircon’s mishap when he slipped after jumping the last fence of his schooling effort over hurdles on Thursday morning, for up to this point both he and Royalform had been doing well. It is probable that this pair will both start in the Great Northern Hurdles and perhaps the Great Northern Steeplechase as well. They will need more work to tune them up thoroughly. Karamu is expected in some quarters to play a prominent part in the decision of the Great Northern Hurdles, but he will have to improve very considerably if he is to beat the more fancied candidates. He went well at headquarters on Thursday, although the pace was at no time particularly fast. It was just a nice bit of schooling work. Karamu won at the last Avondale meeting five weeks ago, and yet that success did not suggest possibilities in next week’s big hurdles. To-morrow morning should hold much to interest track watchers at Ellerslie, for it is expected that Tuki. Maunga, Brigadier Bill, Comical and Glendowie will go over the big fences, and probably Perle de Leon, Mister Gamp, Mount Marta and others will take on the hurdles.