National Fancies

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1025, 16 July 1930, Page 14

National Fancies

Big Riccarton Contests Ahead

The appearance yesterday ot the handicaps for the leading events at the Grand National meeting on August 12, 14 and 16 has aroused considerable interest, coming as it does right on top of the Wellington fixture. Mr. J. E. Henrys appears to have made a good job of liis adjustments, and early speckers have not been able to put their finger on any horse in each of the three big races that stands out more than any other. The first acceptance for these big events —the Grand National Steeplechase*. Grand National Hurdle Race and Winter Cup—fall due next Friday night, so that a review of the handicaps can wait over till then. In the meantime there arc 29 horses

engaged in the Grand National Steeplechase. 31 in the Grand National Hurdles, and 53 in the Winter Cup—nice quantities for the early birds to swat up and burn their fingers over. Probably there will not be many dropping out of these contests on Friday night.

Without going into a lengthy discussion of the weights and making comparisons, it will be of interest to see whether Omeo's owner decides to take on the Grand National Steeplechase? or the Hurdles. It will be remembered that Omeo was withdrawn from the Wellington Steeplechase because it was considered that he was badly treated. In that race he was handi-

On the face of it no surprise would be expressed if Omeo was taken out of the Grand National Steeplechase. On the other hand, this is the last big cross-country contest, and perhaps his owner may decide to give it a “fly/*

capped witli a couple of pounds of Aurora Borealis. Now at Riccarton, Mr. Henrys places four pounds between them, and after the Wellington handicaps were announced Aurora Borealis was only beaten half a head Omeo’s second in the Great Northern Steeplechase impressed the liandicapper as well as others.

In any case, Mr. Henrys has given a distinct lead in regard to Omeo. for he has handicapped the Taranaki jumper like a good one and a horse to be suited bv Riccarton. It is probable that many will accept the handicapper’s lead, for he is a good judge.

The following half-dozen horses are sorted out in each race as being amors those likely to fare well at Riccarton:— Grand National Steeplechase: AURORA BOREALIS OMEO SNOWFALL MATU MASTER LU W H ARX C LIFFE Grand National Hurdles MISTER GAMP CARINTHI A KING’S JEST MANGANI LANCER OMEO Winter Cup: TOXEUMA HAVERING BLACK DUKE MENDIP NANCY LEE RANELAGH