Wiltshire Shows Uralla How to Clear Big Fences

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 735, 7 August 1929, Page 12

Wiltshire Shows Uralla How to Clear Big Fences

CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. j Wiltshire, one of the favourites for ; the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase next Tuesday, gave a | large crowd ot spectators assembled at Riccarton this morning a taste ot' his ability, and the dashing manner in which he schooled over the National course demonstrated only too clearly how fit he is. telegraphs The Sun's Christchurch correspondent. The Waikato-trained gelding, with R. Syme in the saddle, hopped off at the nine-furlong post with Uralla (F. Foster). At the initial obstacle, the sod wall, Wiltshire made a beautiful jump, gaining several lengths on his associate, and before the first of the kennels double was reached he had drawn clear. Wiltshire slowed up a little at the first of the kennels double, where Uralla baulked, but the National favourite continued on. and at the brush fence just before reaching the straight, which is regarded as the toughest obstacle in the National, he fenced brilliantly. Coming down the straight he was slowed up a little, but at Cutts’s he i again put in a splendid jump. It was an excellent trial, and it concluded his schooling work for the National. It is intended to gallop him later in the week, and he is so fit at present that he must have a great show in next week’s big event. Not Doing Well Uralla's effort was very disappointing. She baulked three times at the first of the kennels double, and though later she cleared the second of the double, her effort was not at all impressive. Up till yesterday the Piedmont mare had not done at all well since her arrival at Riccarton. She seems much lighter in condition than

when she won the Great Northern Steeples, but if she picks up again in the next few days she may do considerably better in the race. Mangani Pleases Mangani (H. Dulieu) and Horomea (R. Syme) gave an excellent display over, five hurdles. The pair jumped fast throughout, but Mangani’s effort was slightly the better of the pair. The Aucklander is in the National Hurdles with a light weight and must be respected. Horomea’s performances in the season just concluded suggested that she was a mare likely to make good as a hurdler, but it was the manner in which she excelled her opponents in the Corunna and Vittoria Hurdles at the Wellington meeting last month, that brought her into favour for the National. Engaged in Jumpers’ Flat Horomea claims an engagement in the Jumpers’ Flat, run on the opening day of the C.J.G. meeting, and in view of her more important contract her effort will be watched with much interest. Taramoa (Dempster) and Oriflamb (J. Tilson) set out to school over a round of the big country on the course proper, but after jumping the sod wall both horses baulked at the first of the kennels double. They were later sent at the second of the double, and though they managed to clear it safely they were then pulled off. Wliiffler (Shaw) and Clarenson (Youngman) jumped four hurdles fairlj' well. Birkbeck and Alaric associated in a school over the big fences in the middle of the course. They went twice round, but Birkbeck showed more ability than his mate. Antrim Boy (W. Cooper) jumped two hurdles, giving a fair display.