NATIONAL HOPES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 424, 4 August 1928, Page 6

NATIONAL HOPES

POURI IN THE BOOM CANDIDATES’ PROSPECTS CHRISTCHURCH. Friday. With National Day only 10 days off, interest has begun to quicken rapidly in connection with the important cross-country event. As has been the case each year the racing public is taking a great deal of interest in the work of National candidates, and on Tuesday and Thursday last there was an unusually large crowd at Riccarton. The steeplechase course on the course proper will be open for the first time next week, so it is expected that large crowds of spectators will again be present to witness the final work-outs. Beau Cavalier and Pouri are the ruling favourites for Tuesday week’s big race, and unless anything unforseen happens to them in the interim that pair are likely to head the quotations right up to flag fall. Since Beau Cavalier arrived at Riccarton he has been indulged in plenty of strong work, and early morning visitors to the training tracks have been greatly impressed with his condition. He appears more massive-looking and much more solid than when he was here 12 months ago, and if the ground is good on the day of the race he should again make a bold bid for victory. One of the Best Few more accomplished ’chasers than Beau Cavalier have been seen at Riccarton. He seems to fairly bound over his fences, and. it is‘a pleasure to witness his perfect jumping. Last Tuesday he was given a school over a round of tjie brush fences, and but for screwing a little at the sod wall he gave an excellent display. Pamplona did not arrive on Thursday with other members of J. Cassell’s team, but he will put in an appearance next week. If he were at his best he would possess an excellent chance in the National with 10.12. His winning performance at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s winter meeting was very impressive, but unfortunately after that event he had to be eased in his work. Tuki has not yet put in an appearance at headquarters, but he is expected some time next week. The Quin Abbey gelding is given an excellent chance in some quarters for the approaching cross-country event. He is a really good fencer, and though he lacks early speed he might be running on when the others have begun to tire. No doubt the fact that he will have the services of the crack Southern horseman, A. E. Ellis, has caused him to come into the limelight, but in a poor field he possesses good credentials. Pouri In Demand There has been a big demand for Pouri during the week, and the Wellington Steeplechase winner is now pressing Beau Cavalier for favouritism. He will leave Te Rapa for Riccarton to-morrow, and is expected to arrive at headquarters on Tuesday. Wiltshire, another Waikato-trained aspirant for Grand National honours, is expected to arrive shortly, and if he jumps well at Riccarton prior to National day, he is bound to come into favour. Northerners are of the opinion that the Riccarton fences may not trouble him. If the Riccarton ! track is in good order on National day he may not run about at his fences as was the case at Ellerslie in June. There is no doubt about his speed, and as his condition is stated to be well-nigh perfect, he might have to be. reckoned with. The Babe had to be eased in his work a few days before the Wellington meeting last month, but he is quite sound again now and is getting through his work in good style. He will arrive at headquarters next week. Top-weight in Hurdles According to latest reports Nukumai is going along nicely in his preparation for the Grand National Hurdles and with all his weight it would seem only a matter of his jumping in his old dashing style to have a big chance. His failure in the Winter Hurdles at Trentham was attributed to lack of schooling, but he is bound to do a lot better at Riccarton. Red Fuchsia has taken the eye since his arrival here and at present he is one of the prime fancies for the big Hurdles. In the Winter Hurdles at the Wellington meeting he put up a really good performance to beat all but Beau Cavalier, and as he now meets the latter on much better terms keen judges are of the opinion that lie will reverse positions in the National Hurdles. His condition leaves little to be desired and the apparently easy stylo in which he cleared a round of hurdles on Thursday was impressive.