G.N. Steeples

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 678, 1 June 1929, Page 10

G.N. Steeples

There have been some reallv memorable contests over the famous hill at Ellerslie, but it is doubtful if there was ever one that promised so well as does that scheduled for Monday. And for the pleasure of staging such an event the Auckland Racing Club undoubtedly has earned the real gratitude of the sporting public. That little point is so often overlooked by the critics, and it is opportune at this stage to remind them of the obligation. Up to yesterday afternoon there were 19 eligible for Monday's big race, and after the strenuous struggle for the Great Northern Hurdles today there are sure to be one or two who will have the pen put through their names. Making due allowance for thie, there should be about 14 or 15 horses to make their bow to Mr. O’Connor. One previous winner of the race is among those listed for the event, this being 'Glendowie, who put up such a"

great record at this fixture 12 months ago, winning the Hunt Club Hurdles the first day. the Great Northern Steeplechase the second day, and winding up a short-priced winner of the Winter Steeplechase, sprinting up from the last fence in remarkable fashion, and turning what appeared to be imminent defeat into a brilliant success. Nearly Four Miles Although officially programmed as ’’about three and three-quarter miles,” the distance of the Great Northern Steeplechase has been generally recognised to be just about four miles. Now, with the altered course at Ellerslie, it is probably more than four miles. Hitherto the start has been made from the old seven furlong barrier, but on Monday the horses will line up at the new mile post —about three-parts of a furlong back. That means that the field will have to go nearly a furlong further than previously. On the top is Wedding March, with 11.3. He is a good jumper, but he has not been seen in action for quite a time. Over such 4 a strenuous journey none but the fittest horses can have a chance. Is that why the Cambridge stable also left Roman Abbey in the race? The chestnut was the winner of the Egmont Steeplechase three weeks ago, and was going well in the Wanganui Steeplechase when .he fell, but it was ridiculous to say that he would have beaten Brigadier Bill, for he had only covered about one-third of the journey. As a hurdler Roman Abbey was not a genuine stayer, although his recent efforts

over the big fences may have improved him in this respect. In any case, the Wedding March-Roman Abbey bracket is not to be ignored. Is He Ready? Last week all sorts of wild rumours were abroad as to the intentions of the Glendowie party, a good deal apparently hinging on the prospects of a trip to Australia, so it was satisfying to be assured by Mr. H. Rothery that his horse would be a starter on Monday, barring accidents, of course. Glendowie was given a race on the flat at Fukekohe three weeks ago, in a weak High-Weight field, but he petered out after going six furlongs. That caused one to think that he was not sufficiently forward for the big steeplechase. as he should be if he was to repeat last year’s performance; but this doubt was to a certain extent dissipated when the Lucullus gelding was seen working at Ellerslie last week, for he had come on a good deal in the interim. However, there is a difference between Glendowie and Kawini which somewhat favours the latter. He was third in the race at Fukekohe referred to, so that he must be much more seasoned —he ran second in a mile and a-half race at Te Rapa a fortnight previously—than Glendowie. If the

A BRILLIANT FIELD Wiltshire or Kawini ? AS the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase is referred A to—and rightly—as the greatest race in the world, so is the Great Northern Steeplechase at Ellerslie the most spectacular in the Southern Hemisphere. Next Monday’s race holds out every promise of providing one of the most stirring and thrilling events in the history of this contest.

latter is given a run in the Jervois Handicap this afternoon a better idea of his condition may be obtained. His Turn Kawini is just due for a couple of really big races, and for that reason alone it would be pleasing to record the dual success of Mr. H. A. Swaffield’s jumper. That he is fit he has shown in his last two races, and if that were not sufficient there was his fine schooling effort with Red Fuchsia last Tuesday. "Wiltshire is as fit as hands can make him. He is nicely treated on the handicaps, for he has only six and a-half pounds more than when he spreadeagled the Grand National field nine months ago. He won a hurdle race at Te Rapa recently, and in the intervening five weeks he has had plenty of work to tune him up to concert pitch. He has improved in his fencing, has of pace on the flat, and will be

WILTSHIRE, third in last year's Great Northern Steeplechase, is confidently expected to win on Monday. The horse is here shown with hia trainer, R. Syme, who will also ride him at Ellerslie.

ridden by his trainer —a combination that takes a lot of beating. A Possibility A fear has been expressed in some quarters as to Red Fuchsia’s stamina. Readers will know the result of the big hurdles today by the time they read this article, and perhaps they wil-l then be able to judge for themselves if he can stay. If the criticism is justified then Red Fuchsia will not win the Steeplechase. On the other hand, there are many—and they are in the majority—who have confidence in his stamina. That being almost the general view, one must look forward to seeing Red Fuchsia performing with distinction on Monday; that is, if he is none the worse after today’s strenuous effort. Mangani won very easily at Easter. It will be remembered that in his first efforts over the big fences twelve months ago he went a fine race in the Great Northern Steeplechase until he tipped out. He is apparently more solid nowadays. Not Fancied Comical and Maunga are not fancied; not that that in itself will prevent them from winning if they are good enough. The former is remarkably well. Clockwork is a possibility if he can see it out, and Zircon’s recent let-up came at an awkward time, being eased up sufficiently to indicate that he may not quite see it out. Frior to his leg trouble he was a prime fancy.

Kapuna, too, is one of those under a cloud. Potoanui may not be good enough over the journey. Uralla went well at Egmont, and with Kilburn (if all right) and Vexatious, rnay be the best of the light-weights outside of Roman Abbey. That will suffice for a run over the field for Monday. Now here is the order in which they may be fancied; WILTSHIRE KAWINI GLENDOWIE That is the summing-up as it appears to be before the race for the Great Northern Hurdles. When it is considered that the field for this afternoon’s contest includes no less than ten with engagements in the Great Northern Steeplechase, it will be seen at once that the result of today’s race might easily have its effect when one comes to analyse the Steeplechase prospects. Those ten horses are Kawini, Red Fuchsia, Wiltshire, Mangani, Comical, Maunga. Clockwork, Zircon, Roman Abbey and Kilburn. In the event of today’s race warranting it, a further story of the Steeplechase prospects will appear in the late issue this evening.