SPECTACULAR !

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 370, 2 June 1928, Page 6

SPECTACULAR !

Great Northern Steeplechase Will Provide Thrills on Monday

REVIEW OF A FINE FIELD

ONCE again the most spectacular thoroughbred event in the Dominion, the Great Northern Steeplechase, forms the subject of a comprehensive review. The race comes up for decision at Ellerslie on Monday next, and is the leading contest on the second day’s card of the Auckland winter meeting. At present, and without a knowledge of to-day’s form, indications point to Beau Cavalier and Tuki being the most favoured.

At the time of writing the number remaining in this jumping “classic” is 15, but with one or two disappointing in the big hurdles this afternoon, it is expected that the runners will not total more than eleven or twelve. Even then it will be a good race, for there are two or three that will be eager to get to the front. This should make for a fast run race, and that being the case there should be some great fencing witnessed, with the result an apt and practical illustration of the survival of the fittest. Which is as it should be. The Pacemakers On this occasion it is unlikely that Beau Cavalier, with his big impost,

will be taken to the front, and yet he is such a free goer that he will always be adjacent to the leaders. It seems certain that Comical will be out in front, and even Wiltshire may find it difficult to go with him. Archibald, if started, is a hard puller too, and with the two light-weights, Mangani and Wee Marble, whose policy would probably be to make those above would probably be to make those above them carry their weight all the way, there should be no loitering on the journey. Indeed, it is a long time since a Great Northern Steeplechase was fraught with such intriguing possibilities. Will Weight Stop Him? Many expect to see Beau Cavalier stop under his 12.2. Perhaps they are doomed to disappointment. It is hard to realise that he is a better horse than last winter, and yet it .is so. He must be given a great chance, and it would not surprise the writer to see the Beau add further to his record — indeed, he expects him to. Wedding March has his share of weight. He has won over the country, and at Easter was going well behind Wiltshire when he crashed less than a mile from home. His showing in the big hurdles this afternoon will give a fair idea of his chances of defeating the ’chasers on Monday. He will be well served oy the man on top. Amateurs’ Rare Opportunity Should Comical on Monday have his name added to the list of winners of the Great Northern Steeplechase it will be one of the most popular victories in the history of the race, for he will be ridden by the young amateur rider, Mr, R. Russell. This rider was in the saddlo at Wanganui, and to him fell the honour, in his fii*jt ride in public on the chestnut, to get him to complete the course, an achievement recorded after ten failures on end. Comical has entered into his schooling over the Ellerslie country with a zest and abandon that augurs well, for his prospects, and if his pilot succeeds in keeping him in hand his chance will be bright. Dashing Jumper It is not known if Archibald will take this event on. He is a brilliant hurdler, fencing with rare pace, and in the past he has not shown himself partial to a long journey, for he has just failed over the last bit. On that account he cannot be greatly fancied. And in being placed on the same mark as Tuki the Ellerslie candidate has not the best of it, for the latter is a proved ’chaser and one likely to upset even the most carefully considered plans of his opponents. Tuki a Proposition One that appeals very much indeed is the southerner, Tuki. A couple of months ago he showed form by winning a three-mile ’chase at Invercargill, carrying a big weight, and a fortnight ago he linished second to Brigadier Bill at Wanganui over that fast course. This was rather surprising, for Tuki was short of a race—he had not been overworked since his Southland success—and promised well for his Ellerslie outOn Saturday Tuki showed unexpected dash in a round over the full steepechase course, actually leading for mos£ of the way and fencing very smoothly. The fact that Tuki did lead like that caused some to doubt the value of that school, but they evidently failed to put the watch on him, for the time he put up that mornig was only beaten by Comical. That reads very well for Tuki's prospects, and he is going to be a difficult proposition. Maunga’s Chances The doings of Maunga at Ellerslie since his arival have been only moderate, but this shows that his connections deem him lit without pushing the work into him, although he has done a lot of long steady work on the Ho was running on an Wanganui the second day, and what is more, he looks better than when he ran second last year. Passin’ Through is a good stayer, and on this score may be handy at the finish. He has won at Ellerslie before, so he is no stranger to the hill and the mud.

Another Omahu? Brigadier Bill should prove a worthy substitute for Omahu, who carried Mr. James Bull’s colours several times, and prominently, in this event. The Wanganui Steeplechase winner—he just strolled home in that race—has not fenced with a great deal of confidence here, and it is probable that, like Omahu, he will find something just a bit too good for him. The shorter race the last day would suit him, for by then lie will have had some practical experience of the country- His fall on Thursday would not give him confidence. And Wiltshire The proof of the pudding is in the eating. In racing the proof is the stakes and dividends, and despite the critics of K. Syme’s riding, he has delivered the goods over the Ellerslie country with almost monotonous regularity. In Wiltshire he will have an excellent mount, and the horse looks much improved since he won both steeplechases at the Easter meeting. One doubt there is about Wiltshire—will he see it out, particularly if the going gets any heavier in the interim? In any case, he cannot be overlooked. Then there is the much-discussed Glendowie, who will be one of the favourites. lie is one of the most promising ’chasers seen out this seasov, and he will disappoint many if he fails to run prominently. Near the Bottom We are now coming close to the bottom, leaving Perle de Leon out of it by reason of the fact that that leg of his is such a doubtful quantity. Royal Form does not appear to be ready; a better idea of him may be obtained this afternoon. Wee Marble and Mangani are both engaged in the Green Lane Steeples to-day, and their showing too will give a guide. If either shows any form in this event then lie can be placed in the list of possibilities, and such a contingency is by no means remote. Pouri negotiated tho fences on the flat on Thursday in dashing style, and if ho runs up to expectations in today’s hurdles he will be in evev greater demand. Best Half Dozen With the review now completed, the greatest task of all is to bo faced, that of reducing the* possibilities down to half a dozen. These would be, in the writer’s estimation, Beau Cavalier, Comical. Tuki, Mapunga, Wiltshire and Glendowie, and one takes an emphatic risk in omitting the likes of Wedding March and Brigadier Bill. Still, it has to be done. Of that half dozen the issue has to be narrowed down to a couple, and so., in keeping with the public demand as reflected on tho totalisator, it is expected they will be BEAU CAVALIER and TUKI In the event of any later developments in connection with Monday’s big race, as the result of the contests at Ellerslie to-day, these will be found on tho late turf page.—“ Early Bird.”