RACING Kumai Is Wellington Steeplechase Fancy

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32031, 4 July 1969, Page 4

RACING Kumai Is Wellington Steeplechase Fancy

Kumai has brightened some dull winter days at Trentham with some great weight-carrying victories on the flat, over hurdles and over country.

He has returned there as a rising 12-year-old this week to attempt a second victory in the Wellington Steeplechase tomorrow. The racegoers’ admiration for a veteran that can keep Coming back and beating younger rivals has found its best expression at Trentham in the last few years. An Attraction Kumai has been one of those colourful horses whose deeds have stirred the enthusiasm of Trentham crowds, and Wellington Steeplechase day tomorrow cannot fail ,to be a notable occasion if Mr T. K. S. Sidey's grey wins the second of the season's “big three” steeplechases. Kumai won the 1967 Wellington Steeplechase with 11.4, conceding from 131 b to 321 b to some tough stayers such as Koral and Hi There,

which was to win the race a year later. This time Kumai has 9.12, and his weighting at that level has placed a large question mark over the race. Has he in fact slipped that far down the scale in two years? The question will be answered tomorrow.

This year Kumai has won onte and went close to another victory at Washdyke last Saturday. His failure to hold to a slight lead in the final half furlong of the Washdyke race did not appear to reflect fast-fading powers; rather, he was edged out by a more seasoned rival enjoying a good “pull” in the weights. Kumai drops from 11.5 to 9.12 and it is possible that his Washdyke race has made him a 101 b better horse this week. His first meeting with Falada, the little mare which carried off the difficult Great Northern and McGregor Grant Steeplechase double last month should command the widest Interest Sound Stayer Fleeting Moment the run-ner-up in the Great Northern, and a tough stayer with a

solid record at Trentham, should be better than most of the others if stamina has the greatest bearing on the race.

Teak carried 9.2 into second place in this race a year ago. Tomorrow he has the top weight of 10.3, but

in ground conditions certain to suit him the horse that was presented with the last season’s Grand National when Mosque’s rider weighed in light should make a contribution towards a rewarding season’s record. Macdonald will be a second South Island-owned runner. As runner-up to Falada in the McGregor Grant Steeples, Mr W. E. Hazlett’s eight-year-old will command a strong following. He mixes his jumping more than Mr Hazlett’s other jumping stars, but his speed and doggedness should carry him into a contending position under 9.8. Strong Fancy If the Wellington Steeplechase lacks a dominating favourite that position does not appear to apply with the Trentham Hurdles, another of the four jumping races on tomorrow’s programme. Sunseeker made a big Impression in winning by six lengths at Avondale last week. The Matamata-trained six-year-old was going so well six furlongs out that he was taken to the front, and he cleared out to win by six lengths. If he shows the same mastery of Trentham’s brand of winter ground it is doubtful if Humber and Damar will beat him.

Castle Dee, also from Matamata, and Spray Doone, from Te Awamutu, are in form to strengthen the Waikato grip on the race. The T.A.B. double will be on the Whyte Handicap and the Stewards’ Handicap, and there will be an on-course double on the Marirl Steeplechase and the Woburn Juvenile.