THE NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 392, 10 August 1889, Page 6

THE NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE.

To Auckland turfites, ihe surprising feature of the New Zealand I Irani! National Steeplechase Meeting was Orangeman refusing to nesotiate the Tiiccarton country. I gather from "Spectator's 1 ' notjss that previous to the gathering considerable discussion took place on the stiffness of the jumps, and one which had been put tip to the absurd height of teven feet by the custodian was ordered by the stewards Lo be cut down. This no doubt accounts for the way Orangeman cut up, but at the same time there are few indeed who thought he would turn his head at a big obstaclo. I append a description of the several jumps over the course, which are interesting :—: — No. 1, 11. 21— A brush fuive fence 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 10 inches high. No. 2, 12, 22— Ditch and bank with two rails on top. The first of the double about 3 teet 8 inches high. No. 3, 13, 2o. — Rails brushed with broom about 3 feet 6 inches high. No. 4, 1-i, 24.— Ditch and bank ; wide ditch and thick bank about 3 feet 8 inches high. No. 5, 15, 25— Sod bank, wide ditch on take off side, bank about 5 feet 6 inches high. No. 6, 16, 26 — Brushed hurdle 3 feet 6 inches. No. 7, 17— Brushed hurdle 4 feet high. First of the double. No. 8, 18-Flight of hurdles. No. 9, 19 — Bank and furze with two rail fence leaning up the bank in front. Wide ditch, awkward fence. No. 10, 20 — Ditch and bank fence 3 feet 9 inches high ; wide ditch and thick bank. Full details of the race to hand show that there is a pretty unanimous opinion that Ahua would have won only for falling three fences from home. The " Lyttelton Times " says : Jt would hardly be fair to say the best hor a e did not win, for tho best horse over the country on this particular day unquestionably came in first ; but if Ahua had stood up he would certainly have defeated Chemi-t almost as easily as Chemi«o defeated Daddj Longlegs, while, with a similar proviso, it is quite on the cai-ds that Torrent would have been second and Oraneeman third. However, the winner thoroughly deserves his success. He was driven along right from the start, and entirely banished the delusion that he was unable to lace over big fences. His owners succe a s would have been more popular if the horse's recent running had been less inconsistent. Few people who witnessed the race will dispute that Ahua is the best steeplechaser in New Zealand : many will go further and maintain he is the very best the colony has ever produced, and if the. battle were to be fought over again a week hence Mr Scofcb's representative would see a much shorter price than that at which he started yesterday. The following shows the investors on the tor.alisator : — 175, Chemist ; 86, Daddy Lnnglegs : 118, Waitangi ; 272, Irish King; 41, Orient ; 84, Torrent : 358, Ahua ; 326, Orangeman ; 84, Presto ; 148, Monteagle ; 59, Panic.