The Big Steeples

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 989, 4 June 1930, Page 14

The Big Steeples

PROSPECTS FOR TOMORROW'S GREAT RACE

Ponjoia was the early favourite for the Great Northern Steeplechase yesterday morning, and Matu was a good second choice. Will this pair retain their place in the market after Roman Abbey's good form in yesterday’s big Hurdles? On yesterday’s showing there is ! every Justification for Roman Abbey j being sent out favourite for tomor- > row’s great jumping event. He never 1 made a mistake in yesterday’s outing, j taking al! his fences with the precision j of a finished jumpier. Roman Abbey was second in last \ year’s Great Northern Steeplechase. | and it would occasion no surprise if he is to go one better upon this oc-

casion. He is not over burdened with weight, and as he is a genuine stayer he may bother the opposition. A Good Winner Ponjoia won in easy fashion both the Egmont and Wanganui Steeplechases, but the Great Northern is a much more strenuous effort. He has schooled very well over the hill, his second time over the full course being very attractive. Despite yesterday's form Ponjoia may retain his position as favourite. Matu gave a brilliant display of jumping on Saturday morning, and a repetition of that clever performance

tomorrow will give him the prize. He appears to be a good stayer, and from all accounts his Wanganui failure need not be taken much account of. The Ellerslie country promises to find Matu at his best. It cannot be forgotten that Matu was second to Wiltshire in the last Grand National Steeplechase, and the fact that Wiltshire won on the final day of that meeting shows that Matu has good claims in tomorrow's race. In the Grand National Matu carried 9.5 against the winner's 10.9, and he was beaten by half a dozen lengths. Tomorrow Matu has the same impost. 9.5, and taking a line on his two seconds to Ponjoia at Hawera and Wanganui the Trentham candidate appears rightly placed to turn the tables on

the Hastings horse. In fact, he appears to be handsomely treated when his Grand National form is considered. Elysianor Out Elysianor was scratched for the big Steeplechase at 3 p.m. yesterday, not long after the running of the Great Northern Hurdles. Aurora Borealis’s showing yesterday was by no means convincing when analysed from the point of view of the Steeplechase contest. She failed to stay, and it is going to take a stayer to win tomorrow. On the other hand, she has won over country, and her splendid jumping may pull her through.

Omeo is to start from a: accounts, but that interruption will not ne.p him to capture the stake. a horse has to be tuned right up to see out tne long course of almost four miles. At times, a let-up for a few days, such as Omeo has had, dbes not do any harm, but in the Great Northern Steeplechase it is sure to have its effect. Mangani has not shaped too well in his schooling the past few days, although he knews the country well enough It will be remembered tr.a. he was winning the Winter Steep.echase here 12 months ago. having a commanding lead at the stone wall at the foot of the hill, when he feu. Subsequently he scored in the Grand National Hurdles. In an admitted.y

moderate field tomorrow Mangani is not without a chance of winning. The Others Kawini was not started in the Great Northern Hurdles, but it was stated that he may be able to take on tomorrow’s contest. However, his chances cannot be greatly assessed. Maunga will have to be passed over again, and Airtight, too, for the latter has been doing only moderately since he won over this country at Easter. Kamehameha is too unreliable, his penchant for baulking being well known. It was this that stopped him

yesterday. He wanted to stop yesterday, but his rider literally forced him over the fence, but that was the end of it. and he was pulled up. Odin may be the pick of the lightweights. for he has proved himself capable of winning over this course, and in addition he went a fair race yesterday among the hunters over the sticks. Wako King should not stay the journey out. The quartet that make most appeal are the following: MATU ROMAN ABBEY PONJOLA MANGANI Perhaps the first three will be found fighting it out It is indeed difficult to go outside this select little coterio. and if something else does bob up the dividend is going to be substantial. The following are the riders engaged in the GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE Of £2,000; about 32 miles. KAWINI R. OLIVE MANGANI H. DULIEU OMEO L. JARVIS ROMAN ABBEY .. .. W. RENNIE PONJOLA . A. TRICKLEBANK MATU A. JENKINS MAUNGA A. GRIFFITHS AIRTIGHT I. TUCKER AURORA BOREALIS a. McDonald KAMEHAMEHA .. .. J. McCRAE ODIN L. DULIEU WAKO KING J. BURGESS That was the list of horses left in prior to the acceptances being received at midday today. HURDLER KILLED CABLE AT CAULFIELD United P.A. —By Telegraph Copyright MELBOURNE. Tuesday. Cable, a prominent candidate for the Victorian Grand National Hurdles, was killed today. While schooling at the Caulfield course Cable broke his neck.