AINTREE CLASSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1937, Page 16

AINTREE CLASSIC.

SIXTY HORSES ENTERED. KEYNOLDSTOWN MISSING. COMPETITORS FROM OVERSEAS. The revision of the conditions of the Grand National, which now allows the handicapper a range of stone, so far from acting as a deterrent to owners of good horses, has resulted in a larger entry than usual, says "Hotspur" in the "Daily Telegraph." There are 60 entries —six more than there were last year. Practically every good steeplechaser in training who is qualified to run has been entered, the only important exception being Reynoldstown, for whose absence the public had been prepared. Reynoldstown was the winner in 1935 and 1936. The only other notable horses whose names might have been expected to figure in the list, but for whom entries have not been made, are Castle Irwell, Brienz and Belted Hero, though both the last-named are entered for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Ego, Bachelor Prince and Crown Prince, the runners-up last year to Reynoldstown, are all entered again, and so, of course, is Miss Paget's famous winner, Golden Miller. Golden Miller is also entered for the Gold Cup, in the entry for which tlie name of Reynoldstown also figures. A nomination has been made, as expected, on behalf of Lord Mildmay's unlucky loser of a year ago. the tubed Davy Jones. Trouble, however, has come to Davy Jones which may prevent him from running—a most unfortunate state of affairs for all concerned with him. It had been intended to give him his first race of the season at Gatwick, but he hit his near foreleg in a training gallop and his trainer is anxiously awaiting the verdict of the veterinay surgeon. It is sincerely to be hoped that the injury will quickly yield to treatment Foreign Competition. Otherwise, the Grand National field appears to be clear for a great race, spiced by the competition from both French and American horses. The entry of Thieffry. the property of the Brazilian owner M. L. de Paula Machados, adds a further international flavour to the race. Thieffry has run three times in this country and is in the care of the Chantill.v trainer C'unnington. who has taken a few boxes near Lewes. Monsieur J. Hiriburu nominates the eight-year-old Potentate, by Monarch— Beersheba. winner of the Grand Steeple-

chase de Paris at Auteuil last summer. The race, which carries a prize of half a million francs, is run over four miles and a half, and was won easily by Potentate from 13 opponents. American interests are strongly represented, both by American horses as well as by home-bred horses in American ownership. Those stalwarts of the British turf, Messrs. Whitney, Snow and Stoddard, are once again represented, together with Mr. J. Metcalf, the owner of Kiltoi, and Mr. P. Mellon (Drinmore Lad). Mr. Whitney names Double Crossed; Mr. Snow, Delaneige and Delachance, and Mr. Stoddard, Free Wheeler. American Newcomer. The three American horses are Bagatelle 11., Battleship and What Have You. The first two of these are well known to English racegoers, but What Have Yon has yet to come to this country. He ig a winner of three steeplechases in America and is at present in training in Maryland. Plans are that What Have You shall come here immediately and that he shall be ridden at Aintree by his trainer, W. B. Streett. Plans for Battleship are less definite, his trainer hoping to persuade the owner, who is on her way here, to seek some lesser prize with him. He is a grand little horse, much improved since he has been here, but he does not appear to have the necessary scope for a Grand National. Hopes that the speedy Rightun would be entered have been realised, other interesting newcomers to the entry being the Irish mare Dawmar and Mr. Lehman's Didoric, whom Dawmar defeated at Birmingham last month. There are only two six-year-olds in the race—Prominent Lad and Second Act. Women owners are responsible for 12 nominations, one-fifth of the total entry. To balance the more spectacular horses, among whom may be included Golden Miller, Royal Mail and, perhaps, Rightun, and apart from horses that have already distinguished themselves at Aintree, like Delaneige, Double Crossed, Drinmore Lad and their like, are those sound jumpers, Blue Prince, Keen Blade, Don Bradman, Cooleen, Pucka Belle and Misdemeanour 11., all orthodox Aintree types. On paper, in fact, there is the prospect of a large number completing the course this year—by way of marking the special occasion, which is announced by the management as being the centenary of the Grand National. Let it be hoped that it will prove a fitting celebration. FRANKLIN RACING CLUB. The programme for the Franklin Racing Club's annual meeting, to be held at Pukekohe on March 6, which appears in this issue, should appeal to owners and trainers. The chief event is the Franklin Cup, of £350 and a gold cup value £50, of one mile and a quarter, while the open sprint event, the Pukekohe Handicap, is worth £200. The Dynes Fulton Memorial Hack Handicap, of £220, to be run over nine furlongs, ;s also well endowed. The Puni Hurdles, of j £160, Waiuku Hack Handicap, of £130, Bombay Handicap, of £130, Tuakau Stakes, of £130, and the Buckland Handicap, of £130, complete the programme. Nominations close with Messrs. Blomfield and Co., Shortland Street, Auckland, at 5 p.m., or with the secretary, Mr. W. J. Short, Pukekohe, at. 6 p.m., on February 19.

TE AROHA NOTES. ADDITIONS TO TEAMS. MISS MUSKETOON IMPROVING. One of the finest thoroughbred juveniles in this district is a colt by Spear Dance from a Little England—Quiii Abbey mare. He is owned by Mr. J. Gill, o£ Waharoa, who is interested in the Musketoon mare Rona Bay, and is a splendid type in every way. The latest addition to H. Eva's team is Miriana, by Musketoon—Arizona Maid. Ai present she is not in the pink of condition, and may not be asked to compete at the Matamata and Kotorua fixtures. Libra, now a member of A. E. Cox's team, is not being allotted work of a : strenuous nature just now, but, as she is decidedly forward in condition, will be ready to race at any time. The Te Aroha Jockey Club is fully alive to the probability of the coming race meeting being registered as a record, despite the fact of great successes being achieved even in recent years. The building accommodation is much greater than before, the bird cage and saddling paddock have been enlarged, and the gate openings for the lawn access for patrons are to be fully doubled. M. Lipsey has effected considerable improvement in the condition of Queen Lu, while he has Miss Musketoon improving week by week in condition. This full sister to Master Brierly may yet win a race, as she is now showing the benefit of a solid preparation. The other member of the team, Tin Lap, is still somewhat on the " jolly " side, and cannot be expected to show iiis best form for some time. The Te Aroha horses engaged at the Matamata meeting next week are Mungacre, Solaria, Miss Musketoon, Bonnie Song, and Tin Lap. MATAMATA CLUB. Acceptances for all events at the Matamata Racing Club's annual meeting, to be held on February 6, close with Messrs. Blomfield and Co., Shortland Street, Auckland, at 5 p.m.. or with the secretary. Mr. B. C'. Taylor, Matamata, at 9 p.m. next Monday. TE AROHA JOCKEY CLUB. Nominations for all events at the Te Aroha Jockey Club's annual meeting to be held at Te Aroha on February 27 and March 1 will close with Messrs. Blomfield and Co., Shortland Street, Auckland, at 5 p.m., or with the secretary, Mr. J. P. Somers, Te Aroha, at 8 p.m. next Friday.

TARANAKI MEETING. FINE SUCCESS PROMISED. The fine fields engaged at the Taranaki Jockey Club's autumn meeting, on February 4 and 6, should provide some splendid racing at New Plymouth, and the fixture promises to be one of the most successful ever held by the club. A special attraction will be the appearance of VVotan, the 1930 Melbourne Cup winner, who will have his only start in the Dominion before embarking upon another Australian campaign. A special train will leave Auckland for New Plymouth at 9.25 p.m. on Friday, February 5. and will arrive at New Plymouth at 6.15 a.m. The return journey will enable passengers to be in Auckland on February 8.

WAIKATO RACING CLUB. Nominations for all events at the Waikato Rac-injc Club's summer meeting, to be held at Te Rapa on February 20 and 22. close with Messrs. Blomfield and Co., Shortland Street. Auckland, at 5 p.m.. or with the secretary, Mr. E. H. O'Meara, Hamilton, at 9 p.m. next Monday.