GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8125, 2 June 1906, Page 3

GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

' PER PBESS ASSOCIATION. Auckland, June 1. The weather has been fino all day, and there are good prospects of it continuing to-morrow, when the Great Northern Meeting will be inaugurated at Ellerslie. Nineteen horses still remain in the Great Northern Hurdle Race, and it is anticipated that 14 will go to the post. On all hands the issue is regarded as very open. Cavalry, Hydrant, Exmoor, Romany King and Silica have each a very strong following. It is generally thought that Cavalry will start favourite. ANTICIPATIONS FOR TO-DAY. [Bi " Motceoa.""] Now that the Wanganui Steeplechase Meeting is over, the next important fixture that calls for attention is the Great Northern Steeplechase meeting, which commences to-day, will be continued on Monday, and conclud* ed on Saturday next. This is one of tho most important winter fixtures, and no doubt there will be a strong contingent from Taranaki assisting at the meeting. The field in each event, with the exception of the Pony Handicap, is large, and Mr Morse has well concealed the winners. The first event set down for decision is the Maiden Steeplechase, of 2J miles, starting at 12 noon. Four of candidates are also engaged in the Great Northern Hurdles, but given a start, I will name the following to fill the places : Baritone ... 1 Medallius ... 2 Catherine Gordon ... 3 In the Maiden Welter, of 7 furlongs, a field ol nineteen is engaged, and the probable place-getters may be : Pangaroa 1 Ben 2 Pearl Necklet 3

The next item is the big event of the day, viz., Great Northern Hurdles, of 2* miles. A field of twenty-four figures on the card, but this number may be a little reduced when the final payment at the post is made. On Watiganui form, Hydrant seems to have an excellent chance of securing the prize. The Jet d'Eau gelding lias incurred a 51b penalty, which brings his weight up to 9.12, just 31b less than he carried to victory in the Century Hurdles at Wanganui. Cavalry is doing good work, and in some quarters it is thought his success is assured. It is also reported that Romany King had only been a few weeks in work before he won the double at the Egmont meeting, and, as the gelding also ran a good second at Wanganui, his chance cannot be despised. Exmoor will, I fancy, find the distance a little too far. From Papakura we hear good reports of Defender, who beat Silicia at the A B.C. Autumn Meeting, but I think Landlock's full brother will be found capable of beating tile Cuirassier gelding in this race. If old Convoy could bo caught in a galloping humor, I would take him to win, but this is doubtful. At the bottom of the hst is Oryx, and I.will select the Apreiuont gelding to cfEect a surprise. To sum up, I will place :

Hydrant 1 Silicia 5 Romany King 3 Among tlio candidates in the Maiden Hurdles, Convoy, Ability, and Oryx also figure in the big event, but if started I would select Oryx or Ability to win, but should the owners decide to chase the big money, I would name Corporal as the winner. The Cornwall Handicap comprise) a field of eighteen, and the places maybe filled by : Ironmauhl 1 Rose Madder 2 Nervine 3 In the Pony Handicap, of 7 furlongs, only six have acc pled, and the result may be : Forth 1 Kilderkin 2 Lady Nannie 3 The last event set down for decision is the Ladies' Bracelet, of li miles, and I will suggest the following to fill the places: Mooshen ... 1 Seabird 2 Baltimore 5 ANTICIPATIONS FOR DUNEDIN, [By "Motuboa."] Pacific Hurdles, lj miles. Slow Tom or Wee MacGregor, Brighton Hack, 6 furlongs. Balsam or Gypsobel. Birthday Handicap, 1.! miles. Ringman or Tirole. Tradesman's Handicap, 6 furlongs. Zetland or Tessera. Haclc Handicap, 5 furlongs. Flying Spark or Astrachan. Winter Welter, 7 furlongs. Grandstand or Beau Scaton. Trial Plate. Grandstand (if started).