Big Steeples

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1047, 11 August 1930, Page 12

Big Steeples

HARD RICCARTON CONTEST

First Day’s Card Reviewed

By “EARLY BIRD:' WHAT is known as the jumping season in New Zealand will be brought to a conclusion at Riccarton this week, when the C.J.C. Grand National carnival is to be held. This important fixture opens tomorrow, and will he continued on Thursday and Saturday. The Grand National Steeplechase and Winter Cup are to be staged on the opening day, and the Grand National Hurdles on Thursday.

The fields are pretty good for tomorrow’s card, with the jumping events fined down a good deal. There are only nine in the Grand' National Steeplechase, and there may be even one or two late withdrawals. There fire plenty of runners in the Winter Cup, which will make the chances of the top-weight, Toxemua, much no re difficult. A lot of rain fell last week in Christchurch and the surrounding d s ~tricts, but the Riccarton racecourse is noted for the very quick recovery it makes from an inundation, so that unless rain falls again during -the actual racing the underfoot conditions will not be bad. At present the turf will probably suit every horse, being neither hard nor soft. At present several horses engaged ■in the big steeplechase are under a cloud, but later advices received today may assist in clearing up the situation. The carnival is set going with the Hunters' Hurdles This is quite a modest opening for a programme of such importance, and in addition there will be few runners and class will be lacking entirely. West Romo (who is expected to be reserved for the Jumpers’ Flat Handicap), has done well among the hunters of late, but if Airforce can bo persuaded by jockey Alan McDonald to even give some of the best that is in him he should win; but he cannot be]

regarded as reliable. Barrington and Guild Mint are fair sorts, but the others do not appeal. Best-backed may be: AIRFORCE WEST DOME or GOLD MINT Trial Hurdles Recent form speaks volumes for Disrank’s chances, although he will have 3 61b more to carry than when he defeated Orneo recently. Llyn Du and Zippor should improve, and at the big difference in the weights the former may trouble Disrank. Paris is likely, but Deluge will probably be beaten by the distance. Actual machine fancies may be: LLYN DU DISRANK Cashmere Plate Air Laddie will no doubt be better suited by the track here than at Ellerslie and Trentliani. and as lie is well he may be difficult to head off. Charmeus is speedy, and so is Golden Pennant. Miss Bradbury, Rasouli, Swiftray, Gustavo, Karaka, Painkiller, Shatter and Sleipner are likely sorts, but backers may not look beyond: AIR LADDIE PAINKILLER Jumpers' Flat Handicap The top-weight, King’s Jest, Is a genuine stayer, but his weight is a solid factor over this journey. Never-

theless, he is very well. Aberfeldy, last year's winner of this event, will again be in the picture. Carinthia is a lit horse, and ho receives a generous allowance from the top-weight. Fine Acre is speedy, and if he can say out the last little bit may beat the lot of them. Troilus, Membo and West Dome are fast, but the latter could not be recommended if he has a race earlier in the day. Topweights in this contest have done well in the past, and this should encourage the admirers of King’s Jest. Prime fancies may be: FINE ACRE KING’S JEST Grand National Steeplechase The prospects of the candidates have been so often discussed that there really remains little to comment upon outride of the actual summing-up. Of the nine remaining in, there are four horses only that are above suspicion physically. They are Aurora Borealis, Omeo, Matu and Kapuna, while the remainder will have to be risked. This quartet appear to command the situation, but thare is considerable doubt whether Omeo will be fit enough to run. Matu’s trouble, if not very serious, may not prevent him from running a big race, but with this horse and Omeo under suspicion, the Great Northern winner, Aurora Borealis, is having tho-Avay made easier for her and she must now be given a second to none chance. A good deal will depend on how the race is run; at present it does not seem as if the pace will he oil early, and this should assist those near the top of the list. In addition to the four mentioned, Corneroff may be given what can be termed a jumper’s chance, for his showing at the recent Wellington meeting impressed the writer as being more suitable for the Riccarton country. The actual favourites on the day may be; MATU AURORA BOREALIS Enfield Steeplechase There seems little room for doubt that Radiac will be strongly sought after in this hack ’chasing contest. He scored convincingly over this country a few days ago. Corneroff. if reserved for this, might be a real danger. Kaikahu and Taramoa are possibilities, particularly the latter, who went fair races at Trentham. Diana’s Lad would be a warm proposition if thoroughly tuned up, and on the other side of the handicap there are Tractarian, Double Soult and French Fleet The public's choice may be confined to; RADIAC DIANA’S LAD Winter Cup The remarks applicable to the big Steeplechase are also applicable here. To fine them down to half a dozen the writer would leave in Toxeuma, Havering, Full Feather, Nancy Lee, Best Friend and Starshooter, with Blimp, on his good Trentham showings, an outside possibility. It is a big field, and with beginning ability a big faetor, it is quite possible that some of the heavily-weighted ones will be floundering from barrier rise. The favourites may be: HAVERING , NANCY LEE Avonhead Handicap A field of 17 is plenty for the sevenfurlong barrier, and the smart beginners may have a big say. Anong this coterie could be named Potoaform, Grattus, Lord Thomond, Portray, Hunting Call, Desert Song, Charmeuse, On Top. Bulolo and Dumblane. The race recently should have improved Top, while Lord Thomond ran a great race against Toxeuma a few days back. Desert Song won at the same fixture, and this trio may be right in the limelight. The public will fancy: ON TOP LORD TiIOMOND