NATIONAL SURPRISE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 167, 17 July 1941, Page 16

NATIONAL SURPRISE

STREAMLINE OUT WITHDRAWN FROM ALL Ei»iji.L»uriiMJiN fS OWNtR'S PROMPT ACTION It is rare, iiid.e.!, foi a race meeting of the imiKii'UuiCi. oi the Grand National to tome arouuil Aiumiil some uunor sensation occurring to enliven ji detract from the proceedings and Dins j oa: 's ti.vt.ure is no exception Lo the ruu, ;oi yesterday iStr aniline. favourite to. tlic Grand XsiiLf!ia.l Kteeplec,ias<., was withdrawn from all engage,neutts at 2.i8 pan. It was exceptionally oad mcK tor Mr. J. h. t; rigg tn,'it iiis line jumper iias not gone on tue ligiit way .since Him iniiliant victory iast montli in die Oieal - .Northern Stoeplech.ieo The Day Comet geidinu met witih what appealed to be a minor niiMian on the travung track ten days ago. but instead of improving lie caused his tv.iiuer. G. Kklgway, increasing concern, ami in consequence Mr. Giigg inspected tile Horse yesterday, with the result stated above. At the same time Mr. Gr.gg also decided to relieve Arctic Dawn from hui August: engagements. La6t Tuesday tl.e i.uce-year-old son of Defoe ricked himself while exercising, and rather than take any risk with him his owner wisely decided to jiut him aside until next neason. Arctic Dawn is a fine type of racehorse, and within the last few months he has won the Valdhurst Handicap at Riccarton, the Farewell Handicap at Te Rapa, and the Kanfurly Handicap at Ellerslie. Might Have Won Double Immediately the handicaps appeared last Tuesday Steam line, who was weighted at 11.9 in the Grand National Steeple:: and 11.11 in the Grand National Hurdles, was made a favourite for the big cross- c-ount'ry event, and there is no doubt that he would have been at an exceptionally short price if he ha<l gone to the post fit and well. His prospect's o\ adding the Grand National Steeplechase to his successes thus season appeared to be particularly bright; in fact, he might well have brought off I the double. With the defection of Sfreamline the steeplechase bears a decidedly open appearance, and preliminary discussions will now take a fairly wide range, with, possibly Bridegroom the actual favourite. The only bright spot associated with the scratching of Streamline i 6 the sportsmanlike action of Mr. Grigg in immediately making known his intention, thus saving speculators money which they would have lost if there had been any needless delay. It is an action some other owners might well follow in Che interests of the sport.

ELLERSLIE ACTIVITIES WORTH REMEMBERING Hot Shot has been having an easy time since he returned from the Manawatu meeting last month. The spell is sure to do the Laclcham gelding good and he is likely to be an improved hurdler next term. Hot Shot won over hurdles at Ellerslie and was in the money twice at Manawatu, so there is every prospect that he will develop into a payable proposition over the battens in the new season.

TO VISIT MEDIEVAL KNIGHT The owner of Ivy Willonyx has decided to retire the bay mare from racing and she will in future do duty as a stud matron. Arrangements have been made for Ivy Willonyx to be mated with the : recently imported sire, Medieval Knight, who sired several winners during his short ' term at the stud in Australia. ( SIR SIMON'S QUARTERS 1 The rising two-year-old Sir Simon by 1 Lord Quex from Extravagant, is to be trained in future by J. Eva. K. Heaton, ; who formerly looked after this juvenile, is to go into camp at an early date. Sir ' Simon has furnished very noticeably during the last month. TRAINING ON WELL A. Kemip is keeping British Tolenit in i active wont, and no fault can be found i with the condition of the chestnut gelding. ; This galloper iB due to compete at the < Pakuranga meeting nest month, and as 1 the going is invariably soft when that i fixture takes place, he will be racing under < favourable conditions. As British Talent 1 has won up to a mile and a quarter there ; will be plenty of races to suit him during f the spring meetings. i a AN AUSTRALIAN PROSPECT < Since coming to Ellerslie, Dtivach has * trained on in a satisfactory manner and ' looks very bright and healthy. She hit out very trcely ever a •« ,'int distance last week an.l could be r-.i : v. !" t--> race at short no: 'I '..> dauir' - <-t i'. x-iridtfe and Pit • ' ' - . •• .luring the ..v » - • ' n seven other •• -.id lier way li;>llsl.si P • • :.s a lot I, of fijic .! an.' no .% ii once she '.' •trikes form i. -r .-i . n tra'ia.. i j < NEW RECRUIT TO JUMPING j On of the latest recruits to the jumping I brigade at Ellerslie is Orate, who is show- r ing ability for a beginner. This gelding t was one of our best sprinters a couple of t seasons ago, and once he gains experience ; in the new department she should be i capable of paying his way. Corato, in the 1 «amo stable, is getting ready slowly for ; the spring meetings. j i