Did into History

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

Did into History

G.N. Steeplechase Reminiscences RACE FOR GOOD HORSES j It is a commonplace saying of an apparent “certainty” that a horse can fall down and win. Well, that actually happened in the Great Northern Steeplechase of 1893. The horse was Despised, and his rider was ICos. Heaton, the present Ellerslie trainer. This, and other most interesting incidents of some stirring Great Northerns, form the subject of an interesting series of reminiscences penned by that popular veteran sportsman and one-time rider, Mr. E. J. Rae, who is residing at Vincent Avenue, Remuera. Mr. Rae has ridden in many Great Northerns, and won twice in succession on Levanter, the first time after a terrific struggle with another topnotcher in Liberator. Sun readers will peruse with interest Mr. Rae’s article. A Mount in First Race “The near approach of the fortyfourth contest for the Great Northern Steeplechase (the first meeting being held in June, 1885, and it was then a one-day gathering) calls to mind some incidents that may interest presentday sportsmen,” lie writes. “It has been my privilege to see ail but two of these meetings, and to take part in many of them, having ridden in the first Great Northern Steeplechase, and being placed third in two of them in consecutive years. At the first meeting I was successful in winning the opening event, a maiden steeplechase, three miles, my mount being St. Dunstan, a well-known ’chaser, and a roan. Down the Hill “In that Great Northern Steeplechase I was on Quilp, and I had the uncomfortable experience of being on a bolting horse, for Quilp got away, and went as near the Ellerslie railway station as it was possible to get before I could stop him. Shotover, my next ride, was numbered among the ‘also started.’ My next, Belle, fell at the double, and took the count for three hours. In the following three years I rode the bay gelding Orangeman, in 1888 and 1889, being twice third, and was fourth the next season. “The big race did not see me again until 1896, when I won on that good horse Levanter, who beat the game and splendid liberator after one of the greatest struggles that has ever taken place in tho race. Levanter won again 12 months later with 2st more in the saddle —my last ride in the Great Northern Steeplechase. Only Good Ones Win “Of all the horses that have won the famous Great Northern Steeplechase,

75 per cent, can be classed as 18-carat, and the others have all been very useful.

“Many surprises have been recorded, the most sensational being when poor old Despised fell down and then got up and won. His rider is still alive to tell the tale. “The cream of all the steeplechase horses of the Dominion have contested our Great Northern, and many of them have earned fame in other parts, notably Moigaa, who won the Liverpool Grand National. “If we have any here now that are as good as Liberator, Levanter, Moigaa, or El Gallo (twice winner in consecutive years of the two Northerns), then the present meeting will be well up to its usual high standard. Things are Different Now “Of course, conditions have materially altered—style of riding, state of tlie track, construction of fences and their position—all have a bearing on the times in which races are run, not to-mention the size of the fields. “Those who visit the cc.urse to-day and on Monday will see some of that high-class jumping that is always to be seen at Great Northern meetings. Sportsmen will foregather who only go to Ellerslie in June, and I wish them a pleasant time, . for many ‘Comical’ things happen at Ellerslie.