Veteran Van der Hum arrives tomorrow

Press, 2 August 1983, Page 26

Veteran Van der Hum arrives tomorrow

Van der Hum, one of New Zealand’s most famous veterans, should be one of the attractions on the opening day of the Grand National meeting at Riccarton on Saturday.

He is top weight in the Sydenham Hurdles. The 1976 Melbourne Cup winner is now 12, but carries his years lightly. He won the Rangitkei Hunt Cup Steeplechase last Saturday. Last winter he wrote successful chapters into a versatile record by winning the Waikato and Hawke’s Bay Steeplechases.

Van der Hum is a stablemate of Grey Warbler, last year’s Grand National Steeplechase winner, and top weight in the Koral Steeplechase on Saturday. The Robinson-trained pair will be flown south from Hamilton tomorrow. Their travelling companions will be Jean Rapier, Kirra Son, Claremont Wonder, and Jupitur. Jean Rapier is this year’s Great Northern Hurdles winner. The Colin Jillingstrained Kirra Son has as his mission the Grand National Steeplechase, and he will

have a lead-up run on the flat on the second day of the meeting next Tuesday. Kirra Son has been under treatment for a slight injury to a fetlock, but his build-up for the National has not been affected. He will be ridden in the big one at Riccarton by Paul Hillis, who will ride at Hastings tomorrow and on Saturday, and will come on to Riccarton next Sunday.

Kirra Son’s trainer has been an infrequent visitor to Riccarton, but has made some famous southern raids. His Riccarton successes

have included a New Zealand Cup with Stipulate, the New Zealand 2000 Guineas with Uncle Remus, and the Grant National Hurdles with Armed.

Kirra Son was not up to winning on the flat, but like Koral he has compensating qualities that have taken him well along the road to a successful ’chasing career.

Aucklanders who have seen him win over country this winter believe he will be a strong northern challenger for Grand National honours.