Stage is Set For Big Hurdles

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 369, 1 June 1928, Page 6

Stage is Set For Big Hurdles

It is interesting to note that the first r and second horese in last year’s Great Northern Hurdles are again included in the field. These are Wedding March and Archibald, who carried 10.3 and 10.7 respectively. On this occasion they have 191 b and 51b more respectively. The former is reported as having done well at Cambridge in preparation for this .race, and that being the case, he may go near repeating his past performance. During the autumn fixture Wedding March won over two miles with 11.7, but the company that day could not be called as being up to this standard. The Waikato gelding will have the services of W. Rennie, one of our best riders over obstacles. A Question of Confidence Archibald won well at Ellerslie at Christmas time, and carried a big weight. Since that time he has failed' over the sticks, rapping some of his fences, so that he appeared to have lost confidence. By his brilliant schooling effort at headquarters last week there is reason to hope that the Archiestown gelding is back to his best, in which case he must run a good race. Of Brigadier Bill it is expected that, as his usual pilot has been engaged

for Mister Gamp that he will be reserved for th© Great Northern Steeplechase the second day. Perle de Leon was to hav© schooled over the sticks on Tuesday morning, but an enlarged joint caused him to be left in his box, so that it remains to be seen whether he will be a runner. Fit and well. Perle de Leon would be one of the favourites, for he is a fine hurdler, and can stay—two essentials for this race. Pouri is a quiet tip from the Waikato, and if he has improved upon his Wanganui showings he can be regarded as a distinct possibility. Right or wrong, one is inclined to look elsewhere than to Pouri for the ultimate winner. Aberfeldy—the South’s Hope Now what of Aberfeldy? This southerner came north with a reputation, and latest indications point to the chestnut playing a prominent part. At his first schooling at Ellerslie he went but moderately, and then at his second attempt was outclassed by Archeno who set such a torrid pace that he was tangled. Nevertheless, it was an improvement. On Tuesday Aberfeldy gave a brilliant exhibition, when tried out with Mister Gamp and some others, completing a full round in impressive fashion, so that he once again enters into calculations. So far as the writer was concerned, he was never left out, for ho.rses seem to do better on acquaintance with this course and

its obstacles. It is so with Aberfeldy, who looks a good thing for one race at the Auckland meeting. Reduced Quota It is remarkable that two stables with three and five entries have now only one to represent each of them. These are Koval Form and Mia Bella. The former does not appear to be ready just yet, although at his best he is good. Despite rumours that something else other than Mia Bella was a rod in pickle for the Great Northern Hurdles, th© Te Awamutu trainer F. Loomb has decided to rely on the brown mare. She was schooled on Tuesday morning and gave a fair display without being impressive, at least two of the hurdles being chanced. On the day she may be better, and on her best form would be a possibility. Mister Gamp Present indications point to Mister Gamp being a topical tip for to-mor-row, for there appears to be more rain about. Wet or fine, however, the Awapuni representative is going to count a lot of admirers, for he has impressed more than any of th© visitors in his schooling. His showing on Tuesday bordered on the brilliant. There is one thing about this Mister Gamp that must be considered, and that is his unreliability. He was rather a rogue on the flat, and in some of his earlier races over the sticks in the late spring he gave evidence that he had not shaken off this unsatisfactory feeling. There is no doubt as to

WINNER DIFFICULT TO FIND THE GREAT NORTHERN HURDLES AT ELLERSLIE TOMORROW PROMISES TO FURNISH AS SPIRITED A CONTEST AS ONE WOULD WISH TO SEE. THE FIELD. WHILE NOT SO LARGE AS SOME THAT HAVE LINED UP IN PREVIOUS YEARS , WILL BE LARGE ENOUGH. AND THE LAST MINUTE WITHDRAWAL OF ANOTHER TWO OR THREE HORSES WOULD NOT DETRACT FROM ITS IMPORTANCE. UNLESS THE DEFECTIONS INCLUDED THE FANCIED DIVISION.

r his staying ability, and he has taken to the obstacles here like a duck to water. The only drawback is that “if.” The Beau has a Chance Some people have the idea that Beau Cavalier will have no show. That is a mistake, for Beau Cavalier can be classed as the best of those below Mister Gamp. He is a natural jumper, and what is more he is right at the top of his form. He won nicely the ; first day at Te Rapa over the sticks, and was beaten by a pretty fair sort ; in Bourne the second day, when carry- [ ing eleven stone all but a pound. Yes. Beau Cavalier has a winning chance all right. Maunga is a better horse, on looks, than 12 months ago, when he finished fourth in this event, and then ran ! second in the big steeplechase. [, Whether he will be closer on this occa> . sion remains to be seen, but in any case ’ there are several who will be preferred ' to him. The Outsiders It is perhaps safe enough to refer to , the others carded—Kawa, Vexatious, 1 Karamu and Red Comet—as the outsiders, although it is said that the , Karamu party are quietly confident. 1 Vexatious has always struck the

writer as one that could well improve sifficiently to win a good hurdle race this year, and she still has time to do it. Her fall while schooling would shake her confidence, but she went better on Tuesday. Red Comet has not raced of late, and Kawa is by no means .reliable. The former is preferred of the two. It promises to be a great betting race, with several coming in for heavy support. Elimination Process Taking a run through those remaining in, the best half-dozen would be Wedding March, Archibald. Perle de Leon, Aberfeldy, Mister Gamp and Beau Cavalier. It is rather against the topweight that to win he will have to accomplish something that has not been done since 1901, when Coeur de Lion won with his weight, 11.8. If landed at the post fit and well Perle de Leon will be a strong tip, although that joint may bother him during the hard-fought struggle. Archibald is fit enough if he can see it right out, and also if he fences with that confidence that stood to him s<» well in the pasL To fine it down still further, on© is left to fancy Aberfeldy and Beau Cavalier. On this running there may be a good guide to the Great Northern Steepler chase, run on Monday* and in which Beau Cavalier, Wedding March, Brigadier Bill, Archibald, Maunga, Perle de Leon, Royal Form and Pouri are again engaged. In the steeplechase Beau Cavalier and Wiltshire may prftve to be the most dangerous, as things ar© prior to the big hurdles.

Knows the Way Allan McDonald, who may be expected to take a seat on Mr. Bull’s representative in the Great Northern Steeplechase, has twice previously piloted the winner to victory, for he had the seat on Master Lupin when he won for Mr. Bull in 1919, and when Sir Roseberry scored in his second Great Northern in 1925 he was on board. Likes Hastings Although not a Hawke’s Bay licensed jockey, Allan McDonald puts in a great deal of his time in that district. This season over hurdles and country McDonald has ridden over 20 winners, and with so many more jumping races yet to be decided before tlie season closes it looks as though he will break all previous records.

Chance for Light-weights There are 19 and 18 respectively « the first and second divisions of Jervois Handicap to-morrow, and au but five in each division are on ® minimum. With the heavy course t would appear to be certain that thee-light-weights will be in the limelign A Useful Filly Her second on the first day last Waikato meeting showed less to be in good fettle, but m heavy going on th© concluding <jay filly was very much at sea. less is to contest the first division oj the Jervois Handicap to-morrow, if the ground is not too bad sn have to be treated with respect. rj. c hange of training quarters ve lorslie to Te Awamutu appears to n • I suited her. r-