RACING Erewhon’s Grandsire Swapped For Sheepdog

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30196, 30 July 1963, Page 4

RACING Erewhon’s Grandsire Swapped For Sheepdog

The maternal grandsire of one of the winners at Riccarton on Saturday was once exchanged for a sheepdog, but later achieved fame by siring Nukumai, probably New Zealand’s greatest ever winter performer. The winner was Erewhon, and his maternal grandsire was Manchineel.

Erewhon impressively won the Christchurch Hunt Club’s Lawford Steeplechase last Saturday, and a start for him in the Grand National Steeplechase is under consideration.

He is also an acceptor for the Enfield Steeplechase and a decision will be left until later in the week. Plans for double acceptors must be settled by 4 p.m. on Thursday. Manchineel, lire of Erewhon's second dam, Lady Doreen, was deformed and thought of little account, but someone lost out badly when the swap for the sheepdog was made. Besides Nukumai, Machineel sired several good winter performers Nukumai's versatility did much to earn him his greatness. He won the Whyte Handicap, the Parliamentary and the Winter Hurdles at one Wellington winter meet-

ing. He also won the 1928 Grand National Hurdles under 11-11, and if Erewhon wins the

Grand National Steeplechase on Saturday more honours will go the way of Manchineel as an influence on major winter races. G. Jenkins, who won the Lawford Steeples on Erewhon, rode Sir Totara into second place behind Musketeer in the Homeby. Under Treatment Sir Totara has been under treatment since the Homeby. He hit one fence hard, and faltered. Jenkins thought he had broken down, but he rallied again for a meritorious placing. Unfortunately a leg has failed and it is under treatment. Bayline's jumping disappointed his connexions on Saturday and he will be schooled over the steeplechase course this morning. Bayline dropped far behind when his jumping deteriorated in the last nine furlongs. Before then, when the pace was slacker, he had been able to keep fairly close.

Mr K. Langford, son of the gelding's South Hillend owner, Mr W. V. Langford, will again ride Bayline on Saturday. Start Uncertain Chartlea Park is not a certain starter in the Enfield Steeplechase this week. There is nothing wrong with him, but he may be kept for later at the meeting. If it is decided to run him he will be ridden by R. O. Cairns. Cairns will ride Ravelston in the Jumper’s Flat. Myfilou, one of the hacks in the big Anderton team at Riccarton, has been scratched for the Avonhead Handicap, and The Toff will represent the stable. B. J. Anderton will ride The Toff, a high-weight winner at the last New Zealand Cup meeting. No definite riding engagement has been made for the Winter Cup top weight. Kumai. This Dunedin-owned, Wingatui-trained stayer has been entered for the Melbourne Cup this year, but his trainer, H. A. Anderton, said yesterday that the horse's cup weight of 8-10 was “no invitation.”