Mister Gamp Has His Chance

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 987, 2 June 1930, Page 14

Mister Gamp Has His Chance

1 omorrow’s Big Jumping Race Discussed

(By “EARLY BIRD ’) With the Great Northern Hurdles field weakened to a considerable extent through the absence of Star Comet and Omeo, the two horses at the head of the weights, Elysianor and Mister Gamp, as well as others new to the Ellerslie obstacles, will have to enter into calculations. Particularly is this the case with Mister Gamp. It was unfortunate that Star Comet, the favourite, who was regarded in the Waikato as a certainty for the big hurdles, should go amiss a week before the race. The chestnut was the logical favourite for the race, for his Brighton Hurdles success on Easter Saturday was stamped with the hallmark of merit. That day Star Cornet outstayed the opposition, and since then he had undergone a special preparation for the Great Northern Hurdles. Yes, and lie was expected to win not only that race, but also the Great Northern Steeplechase as well. How often are the most carefully prepared plans liable to go astray, especially in racing. An Oversight It was a commendable action on the part of the stable to announce their plans early in the piece. That was the scratching of Pompeius for the Great Northern Steeplechase and Hurdles, in favour of Star Comet, being the sole stable representative in that double event. No doubt those who defy the law and go in for doubles were duly appreciative of this action—if they had not already committed themselves, for it must be remembered that doubles ending with Pompeius in the Steeples were literally rushed when the weights were announced. But the stable was left without a good reserve when it took this course, and everything was left to Star Comet. The rest is now historv Had

Pompeius been left in on the understanding that he would start in the jumping double only if Star Comet went wrong would have proved a wiser move. But of course we ca.n all bo wise after the event. No doubt the owners of both Pompeius and Star Comet, as well as trainer P. Brady, now rue the day they decided to withdraw Pompeius. However, that is by the way, and it also points a moral. Mister Gamp's Good Chance

To come back to tomorrow’s big race.

Mister Gamp impressed by the manner in which he schooled on Saturday morning, and although perhaps the general view of those who saw him go with King’s Jest was that the latter beat the chestnut fair and square over five hurdles, the reverse appeared to be the cose to the writer. Mister Gamp looked able to get to the novice in any time ho wanted, and it was significant that when Bowden brought the horse back to his stall trainer J. I*. Coyle was not the least bit disturbed because King’s Jest had apparently gone to well. This trainer’s bearing was that of one who knew he had the Great Northern winner in his charge. Mister Gamp was not the least bit distressed after bis schooling effort, and he was not blowing any harder than his opponent in that bout. But he perspired more, and that was probably the outing he wanted to bring him to concert pitch. The impression gained by the writer was that what beats Mister Gamp tomorrow will be entitled to the stake and a comforting dividend. The hardest part that Mister Gamp has to face is the fact that in the 3S contests to date, the Great Northern Hurdles has only been won twice by the same horse on one occasion, and that was when El Gallo took the honours in 1915 and 191 C. The apparent weakness of the field tomorrow leads one to hope that Mister Gamp will be the second horse to do the two-on-end trick. May Not Stay There is an impression that Ely-

sianor will be bothered by the two and a-half miles, with the ten hurdles between ihe start and the finish, not to mention two slight inclines going out of the straight and approaching the five-furlong peg—a very trying course indeed. Roman Abbey is next on the list. He looks all right to the eye. and although lie may lack racing condition, it is highly improbable that his ownertrainer has neglected to give him the necessary long work for a contest of this description. Here again the weak field will cause Roman Abbey to be in demand. Kawini cannot be greatly fancied, although it is doubtful if there would be a more popular win if he were to lead them home. Precedent Against Them Time and again much-boomed horses —and good ones at that —have tried to win the Great Northern Hurdles on their first acquaintance with the Ellerslie hurdles, and time and time again have they failed to do the trick, while more than one now lies under the daisies in sight of the obstacles that proved their Waterloo —mute testimony to the difficulties confronting them in this contest. There are two newcomers to Ellerslie on this occasion—Aurora Borealis and King’s Jest. Not only are they strange to the fences, but they have not, to the writer’s memory, ever raced the reverse (right-handed) way peculiar to Ellerslie and many other Auckland provincial courses. Aurora Borealis and King’s Jest have both showed their proficiency in their schooling bouts, but it is probable that, like others similarly plac •! in the past, they will be tired horses before they come to the fence. As an illustration, even Mister Gamp fell in his first attempt here two years ago, the penultimate fence bringing about his downfal. {So. going on that, might not both King’s Jest and Aurora Borealis be prospective winners next year? With a Good Rider Mountain Guide is one of the most promising of Auckland's recruits to hurdling, and lie has got through a sound, preparation, with four races in the past seven weeks, the last one over two miles. However, one would like to see a more experienced rider aboard. Ridden to the best advantage, Mountain Guide could be recommended as a good outside prospect. Even now he is capable of launching a surprise, for he sticks on rather well. Kamehameha is a remarkable horse, ind one that might win if he will do Uis best. He has been schooling splendidly. Maunga can be dismissed, or on what he has shown since arriving here, 100 to 1 would not be regarded as a sufficiently long price. *still, one never knows. Wako King appears to be out of his class, and Daylight has to be taken on trust over the journey, although he is a fine jumper. He worn at Paeroa with a lot of dash, leading all the way and never giving anything else a look-in. The Best Four Of the 10 probable runners—there may be 11—the issue can be narrowed down by ruling out Kawini. Kamehameha, Maunga, Wako King and Daylight. It is always a risky procedure to rule any horse out of a race completely, but there they are, and with a few falls their chance would come. That leaves in Elysianor. Mister Gamp, Roman Abbey. Aurora Borealis, King’s Jest and Mountain Guide. Of this half-dozen the four most fancied are MISTER GAMP ROMAN ABBEY AURORA BOREALIS KING’S JEST Perhaps the last pair may prove the exception that but serves to prove the rule about winning over the hurdles at Ellerslie the first time of asking, but, apart from this, the two left in for final recommendation are Mister Gamp and Roman Abbey, two fine jumpers who know exactly what is before them. Bowden Again? It might be opportune to mention that W. J. Bowden, who is to ride Mister Gamp tomorrow, has not enjoyed a good deal of luck of late years, particularly in his outings at Ellerslie. However, going back a few years, it is seen that he won the Great Northern Hurdles on Fisher in 1921. and again on Landbird in 1926. Is it his turn again tomorrow? Another point worth mentioning is that Fisher carried 11.2 when he won. this being the biggest weight carried to victory in this race since Conqueror landed the stake away back in 1902. his weight being 11.4. The only other rider engaged tomorrow who has previously won this big race is W. Rennie, who rode Wedding March three years ago. For the past two years Rennie has been standing down. It will be very appropriate if his reappearance leads to a successful ride on Roman Abbey in this year’s Great Northerns.