AINTREE RACE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 598, 26 February 1929, Page 11

AINTREE RACE

THE GRAND NATIONAL NO DEARTH OF ASPIRANTS One hundred and twenty-one horses have been entered for the Grand National, which suggests a field of about fifty, which is absurd, commented the London writer, “Captain Cuttle,” in his paper of January 12. No one wishes to place restrictions upon any owner who has a reasonable aspiration to win the great race, but a state of affairs which produces such a result as there was last year, when there were forty-two runners, should not be permitted to continue! Tipperay Tim was good enough to get round without falling, which none of the others could do, but it is safe to assume that if the number of runners had been reduced by half, Tipperary Tim would not have been in the first three, for nearly half the field would have jumped the course. Any number up to thirty ensures a reasonably fair test, but when it gets to within the neighbourhood of fifty what is under ordinary conditions the greatest race in the world becomes a farcical scramble and gamble. Inspired by Tipperary Tim So many owners subscribed to the Grand National last year that the prize was worth over eleven thousand pounds to the winner. That, of course, is an extraordinarily attractive stake, and one can well understand that many owners of bad horses have been inspired by the success of Tipperary Tim to have a cut at it this year. Thus it is possible that the prize will be bigger than ever, and so the trend will continue, bigger prize, larger entries, until the executive will have to do something really drastic to keep the field to a sensible dimension. It remains to be seen what effect will be produced by an innovation made this year. There is to be the usual acceptance soon after the weights have been published. If an owner does not like the weight which his horse has received he can withdraw him then, and it will not have cost him more than the initial entry of five pounds. A Costly Affair If he accepts by January 22 he becomes liable for another fifty. Hitherto there has only been this one acceptance stage. This year there is to be another acceptance on March 12. By that time owners will know more about the form and prospects of their horses, and those who recognise by then that theirs is a “hopeless case” can withdraw with no further liability. Those who stay in after that date will have to pay another twentyfive pounds, and if they run a further twenty will be due.

The owner of each runner in the Grand National contributes one hundred pounds to the prize. If he takes his horse out of the race on March 12 he can save himself forty-five pounds, and it is greatly to be hoped that very many owners whose excessive optimism has induced them to incur the preliminary forfeits will in due course recognise the wisdom of effecting this economy on March 12. ACCEPTANCES FOR THE RANGITIKEI FIXTURE OPENS TO-MORROW WEEK Press Association BULLS, Monday. Following are the acceptances for the first day of the Kangitikei meeting on March 6 and 7: OHAKA HACK HURDLES li miles.

For Sale On behalf of Mr. W. H. Gaisford there will be an interesting- sale at Dannevirke on Thursday. Students of breeding will find much to excite their admiration and imagination in the pedigree of the animals to be submitted. There are four yearlings—two by that well-performed imported sire Royal Divorce (King’s Proctor—Jessamine), and two by Quin Abbey (by Morganatic—Honeypond); a two-year-old chestnut filly by Psychology —Peradiya. which is broken in but not yet tried; and a three-year-old gelding (also broken in but not tried), by Kilboy—Excelsa). The brood mares are Phillipa, Scintillate and Warplume. all served by Mercian King (by King Offa—Bunfeast), and the brown mare Colorina, served by that good horse, Greyspear. In addition the well-known hunter Jimmar will also be submitted. On account of Mr. C. H. Thompson, the auctioneers will offer at the same time and place the chestnut gelding Tanagra, a six-year-old by Folydamon out of Pauleen.

st lb st lb Novar ... 31 11 Banjuke. . . 3 Airtight. . . . 10 6 Rangiutu . . . 9 Hymestrason 9 11 Gun Area . . 9 0 TRIAL PLATE Of £100; 6 fur. Andy Regan , 8 0 S 0 Rillet .... Goldlike . . . 8 0 Pegeen Oge . 8 0 Casher ... 8 0 Habit .... 8 0 Skyrider . . . 8 0 Grattan . . . S 0 8 0 Monoie . . . 8 0 8 0 Oral 8 0 8 0 Dawn o’ Day 8 0 Miss Lady S Lucerne . . s -o RANGITIKEI CUP 1£ miles. Star Area . . 9 2 Locarno . . . 7 7 Orazone . . . 8 0 7 Anolo .... 7 12 Moutoa Treasury . 7 12 Cashier . . . Imperial Spark . . . 7 7 NGATIAPA HACK 7 fur. Elysianor . . S 10 7 Acred S 3 Kali Patearoa . . 7 5 Volplane . . 7 5 Bon Acre . . . 7 0 SCOTT MEMORIAL 6 fur. Cimabue . . 9 6 Ridgemount . 8 13 \ ast Acre . . 8 3 Kaihoro . . . 8 0 The Raider . 8 0 Limited . . . 7 10 Dobbin. . . . 7 8 Wlienuanui . 7 0 PUKENUI HACK Elysianor . . 9 9 o Gasnapper . . 9 5 Balloon . . . Kilburn . . . 8 9 Patrolet . . . 7 7 CLIFTON HIGH-WEIGHT 7 fur. Royal Damon 9 13 Vigilance . . o 9 11 Manly .... 8 11 High 8 8 Bonogne . . . 8 t» Maui 8 5 CARNAVON HACK 6 fur. White Ringlet . . S 2 Plying Binge. 7 13 Merxcis . . . 7 13 7 Chief Singer 7 12 Warfille . . . 7 12 7 Lucky Bag . 7 1J 7 Warfiame . . 7 4 Warzone . . . 7 0