NATIONAL WEIGHTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 165, 15 July 1941, Page 10

NATIONAL WEIGHTS

STREAMLINE ON TOP IN BOTH EVENTS

SOME EARLY FAVOURITES

I There never was a doubt that Streamline would be top weight m the Grand National double, to be decided at Riccarton during the second week in August, the only moot point a&soeiated with die nomination the handicapper's assessment. Mr. W. P. Russell has now removed that by awarding the son of Day Comet 11.9 in the steeplechase and 11.11 in the hurdles, and it is certain that Mr. J. H. Grigg'e fine horse will become the early favourite for the cross-country event. Juet over twelve months ago Streamline led all the way in the Great Northern Hurdlee, and after being tsomewhaf unluckily 'beaten by a nose in the event this year, he brilliantly won the Great Northern Steeples. He is a line big Horse, a great jumper and a natural stayer, eo that he should take a power of beaming under 11.9 in the big Canterbury 'chase. Up and Coming 'Chaser Neither Slayer nor Eli nation, both successful in the past, have any recent farm to commend them, and there is good reason for the belief that the latter is on the down grade. 10.11, is an entirely different proposition. This sou of Psychology has gone on from one victory to another since last October, his successes totalling six, and when he last won he carried 11.10 in The Awapuni Steeplechase. It is true that Birkology ■has not yet beaten any performer of note, but no horse can do more than win, and that Birkology keeps on doing like a good 'un, finishing on strongly at the end of his races. Ballybrit, 10.0, is a good jumper, and in April last he led the field home in the Riverton 'Ohase, but it is by no means unlikely that he will find Bridegroom, 10.8, too good for him. Bridegroom has won over the Riccarton country, and he led Streamline over the laet fence in the Great; Northern, ultimately finishing second. A couple of weeks earlier he won the Te Rapa Steeples. Bridegroom is coming through a solid preparation lor the Riccarton race, and the country there will suit him. Whirr, an aged son of Tractor and Meghan, is held in high regard in the South Island in consequence of two fine efforts at Dunedin last May. On the opening day of the meeting he won the Otago Steeplechase under the minimum, 9.0, and, with a stone more in the saddle, he downed the Wingatui field on the second day. Among the lightweights is Dozie Boy and it would be unwise to discard this eon of Lucullue because o£ his two failures at the Northern meeting. He has been nominated several times since the Auckland fixture and has T>een accepted for on more than one occasion, but has not faced the starter. In both his races at Eilerslie he wae galloping and jumping like a potential winner until he fell at a brush hurdle, the same one on both occasions. Dozie Boy is usually a eafe fencer and, ae he won three cross-country events laet season, he is entitled to respect for the Riccarton race. Those most prominent in early discussions are likely to be Streamline, Birkology, Bridegroom, Dozie Boy and Whirr. Hurdles Contest Streamline has a much harder task, on paper, in the Grand National Hurdles, but, nevertheless, it should take a good one to beat him. Foxiana is a likely sort to achieve the distinction—that is, if he can stay the two-and-a-half miles course; something we have yet to learn. The son of Hunting Song and Martulla has five hurdle races to his credit during the last few months, and, at Manawatu, on June 21, he carried 10.13 and was going away from hie field at the end of a mile and three-quarters. A brilliant jumper and very fast, Foxiana usually races in front, but, at Awapuni, he was tried in behind and came home very strongly. King Rey, 10.7, is nicely treated. He was in front with Eeperance Bay at the last hurdle in the Great Northern, but fell on landing, leaving Eeperauce Bay to go on and beat the fast-finishing Streamline. King Rey might have won but for the mishap, and he is now meeting Eeperance Bay on 91b better terms. Dividend, winner ot a donble in impressive style at the Auckland carnival, was set to give Eeperance Bay lib in the Northern, and that position is -reversed here. Dividend ie a solid customer, and he may be a better horse next month. Tidewaiter, 9.12, was in the boom for the Northern, and he fell at the first fence. His form this season has not been good, and vast improvement will be necessary for him to beat the National field. At Awapuni last month he was solidly backed to win the Rangitara Hurdles, but gave a very moderate showing, while, on the concluding day's racing he 6haped better to win narrowly from Malacca. Gold Spot, 9.5, makes the most appeal among the lightweight division. He has won five hurdle races this year, and at his laet start, at Te Awamutu, where he won with 11.1, he appeared to have freshened considerably since the Northern. Dividend, King Rey, Foxiana, Eeperance Bay, Streamline and Gold Spot may be most discussed ere the acceptances on Friday, July 25. Details of the handicaps, together with those for the Winter Cup, are as follow: — GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLES of £1475 and trophy value £25, three miles and a half.— Streamline. 11.9; Slayer. 11.6; Birkology 10 11Bally Brit, Ertnation, 10.9: Bridegroom, 10.8; Aussie Ra, 10.3; Spendthrift, Whirr. 9.13; Chat. 9.12; Santoft, 9.10: Surcoat, 9.8: Dauber 97' Jewish Lad, Guste, 9.4; Lucldus. 9.3- Astral Flame Dozie Boy, 9.2; Baldric, Golden Glow. 9.0. GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES of £1000 and trophy value £25, two miles and a half and 160 yards.—Streamline. 11.11; Erination, 10.9; Foxiana, 10.8; King Rey, Esperance Bay, 10.7; Dividend. 10.5; Aussie Ra, 10.0; The Dozer, Tidewaiter. 9.12; Araboa, 9.10; Master Dingle, 9.9; Limbohm 9 8' Sir Frederick, Birkology, 9.7; Spendthrift, 9.6; Gold Spot, 9.5; Mataroa, 9.4; Great Quex, 9.3; Pekoe, Student Prince, Wharemanea. Hunting Chorus, Green Boa. Pundy Bay, Mungatoon, Young Charles, Erlick. Arabic. 9.0. WINTER CUP of £750 and trophy value £25, one mile.—Royal Lancer, 9.13; Kentucky. 9.12; Globe Trotter, 9.11; Lady Tinkle, Gladynev, 9.7; Majority, 9.6; Doria, Noble Fox, 9.5; Haughty Winner, Centrepoise, 9.4; Royal Star 11., Lambourn, 9.3; Augment, Wild Talk. Gayest Son, 9.2; Rebel Mate, Duncannon, Strip. Autolite, 9.1: Lord Cavendish, Sunny Knight. 9.0; St. Cloud, Saxon Tor, 8.13; Winning Rival, Wagner. Minority. 8.11; Little Robin. Schoolgirl, Black Majesty. Gay Parade, 8.10; Esquire. 8.9; Boloyna. 8.8; Dictate, 8.7. Wings of Song, Trench Law, Cymric, 8.5; Te Haka, Arctic Dawn. 8.4: Battlegain, 8.3; Trig Station. Algerian. 8.2; Pouvitau. Lazybones. Treasurer, 8.1; Stabilise. Shikari, Gold Flight. Merry March. The Wrecker, Dainty Dell. Sham Boy. Prince Rewa, Islay Downs. Taxpayer. Silverhope, Eulogist. Boden Park, Roman son. Hurry Girl, Star Wink, Dark Water, 8.0. DEFINITELY RETIRED Catalogue, winner of the Melbourne Cup I and of three Winter Cups in a row, will not race He has been retired and is enjoying days of idleness in a paddock at Awapuni, from which centre he was frained throughout- liis career. He lasted longer than most horses. He was not asked for much in the early part of his career, and an ailment kept 'him away from racing for nearly two years after his second season. " I RECOMMISSIONED Don't Forget has rejoined the active brigade at Riccarton, and will probably be got ready ro race among the sprinters at the Ashburton meeting in September. Hie stablemates, Prudent Prince, Arabian Xight and As Required, have also been taken up again by C. Emerson. The rieing two-year-old Foxhaven, by Foxbridge from Pelagia,. in the same team, is being taken along very quietly, and although he is not ■to be hurried he jm likely to be in action in the spring.- J