Great Northern Contestants to Meet Again

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1000, 17 June 1930, Page 12

Great Northern Contestants to Meet Again

Hawke s Bay Steeplechase

Ponjola, Matu and Maunga are three jumpers seen out at Ellerslie recently that may be seen in action at Hastings on Friday and Saturday next. The majority of the horses weighted for next Friday’s Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase have already been seen in action over the big fences this winter, so that in all but few cases there is some form to go upon. Of the thirteen entered three claim engagement in the Woodlands Hack Steeplechase. They are Flying Swift, Kowhatu and Bendower. The Egmont and Wanganui Steeplechase winner Ponjola heads the list with 10.11. It certainly does not say much for the class of 'chaser about these days, when the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase handicaps have to be started at three pounds under eleven stone. But there it is, and in this obviously lean year there is going to be some good money for the best of them. Ponjola won at Hawera with 9.2 and at Wanganui with 9.9. Now he will have 161 b more to carry. He is such a clean jumper however, that this rise may not make a great deal of difference. Both his successes last month were obtained in a very clear cut manner, and so much was thought of him that he was subsequently made favourite with 9.10 for the Great Northern Steeplechase. How he failed in that race and again in the Winter Steeplechase, also at Ellerslie, has also been commented upon. To say that Ponjola would have won the Winter Steeplechase had be been judiciously ridden might be stretching it a bit, but he might have been up

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second or even a decent third instead of getting fourth just over twenty lengths away from the winner, Aurora Borealis. Trappy Country Year after year the steeplechase course at Hastings has been responsible for its full share of mishaps, quite sufficient to cause it to be referred to as difficult country, but the fences themselves are not particularly stiff. The fact that the country has to be jumped is all in favour of Ponjola. The first day at Wanganui, Brigadier Bill gave some promise, sufficient to bring him into the market the second day. He failed again, however. On Friday he has five pound less to carry, and now that he is tumbling in the weights he may show his true form. Matu was giving Ponjalo 51b in the Wanganui Steeplechase and finished second, and like the Hastings jumper, he was well beaten at Ellerslie? Now Matu meets his Wanganui conqueror on 111 b better terms, and that should bring them pretty close together. Probably both Matu and

Ponjola will be more at home on flat country than they were at Ellerslie. From Hurdling It is not known whether Perle de "Leon will run in the Steeplechase or be kept for the Hawke's Bay Hurdles on Saturday, the second day of the fixture. If started he. cannot be ruled out of it with 10.0. for he is a genuine stayer, and his two races over the sticks at Wanganui will have brought him up to near concert pitch. Red Bank is an interesting recruit. Over the battens he was regarded as possessing doubtful stamina, and yet the first time he took on the biggel fences at Wanganui, he gave a perfect display of fencing and won at two miles, coming away at the right end. There is the possibility however, that the Hastings fences will do more than try him out. Flying Swift sprang a surprise when he won the Grandstand Steeplechase the second day at Wanganui. Prior to going to Wanganui he was raced in a couple of hurdle races at the Ohinemuri meeting a couple of months ago, when he was far from fit. He jumps well however, and it is probable that ho will be in the money next week-end. Birkbeck was supposed to be quite ready when produced at Hawera six weeks ago, and his failure there was unpalatable. However he may do better on his next appearance. Maunga cannot be fancied after his Wanganui and Ellerslie failures, which were rather inglorious displays. Likely Lightweight Rangi Sarto, carrying the same colours as Aurora Borealis, has not raced for some time, although he has been hunted. A likely lightweight who comes in on most reasonable terms is Kowhatu. Having his second run over country, he led for most of the way in the race won at Wanganui by Red Bank. Two

days later he came out and defeated all but Flying Swift. On Friday the ■latter has to concede Kowhatu 101 b for that performance, so it will be seen that Kowhatu is> handsomely treated on the score of poundage. It is a big margin for two horses that ran first and second with not more than four lengths separating them. Strictly on the figures, it looks like Kowhatu finishing in front of Flying Swift if they meet on Friday. Bendower is a good jumper without form this winter, and Handy, too, is to make a reappearance after a spell. Master Arch is a safe conveyance who has never looked like getting to the top of the list. Taken all round it is quite a good Eeld, and practically certain to furnish ii spirited and exciting contest at Hastings next Friday. At present the four most fancied, are Ponjola, Matu, Perl© de Leon and Kowhatu. in that order. The acceptances tonight should throw further light on the probable composition of this interesting field.