Mild winter may mean record-breaking rims

Press, 11 August 1988, Page 30

Mild winter may mean record-breaking rims

Long established winter track records could be under threat in the Grand National meeting tomorrow at Riccarton Racecourse if present weather conditions hold.

Canterbury, once again experiencing mild, dry weather, is experiencing race-track conditions, more akin to late spring and early summer than to the middle of winter.

Last Saturday the times recorded were remarkable, and the records held by Bymai in the Grand National and Magellan in the Winter Handicap may well be eclipsed tomorrow.

In 1986 Bymai recorded 6:45.68 in winning the 5600 metre Grand National while Magellan recorded 1:37.73 when leading the field home in the 1600 metre Winter Handicap in 1982. Since its inception 114 years ago, the Grand

National has been the scene of some of the most thrilling racing in New Zealand. The first running of the Grand National was in Waimate and since those early days the race has changed little, with the exception of its transfer to Riccarton. Recent alterations have included the moving of the race from the first day of the carnival to the last. This was done in 1983, and provides a fitting end to the carnival. The chief fiat race, the Winter Cup, was also moved. The last major change was last season when the Hunt Club meeting, traditionally the last on the calendar for the season, was moved to a date earlier in the winter. The initial feeling is that this has been advantageous to both clubs with good quality horses paying up for both meetings. The appearance of free-

goers in this year’s Lion Brown Grand National Steeplechase ($60,000) such as Go Johnny and Crown Star should ensure a smart time. Both went keenly about their work in the Koral last Saturday, with Go Johnny in contention until the last 800 metres when he reportedly choked, and Crown Star jumping brilliantly until his condition gave out with half a mile to run. At the time of writing there is some doubt about Crown Star competing due to the firmness of the track but he has handled these conditions before and hopefully racegoers will see the magnificent jumper back to the form shown in 1985 and 1986 when he was unbeaten at Riccarton.

Sonic Sound, last Saturday’s winner, may have been a flop on the flat, but he has shown excellent ability over the big

fences. He settled beautifully in mid-field last week, went to the front as he liked approaching the last fence and won easing down by 13 lengths. Such a relaxed performance augurs well for his biggest test to date. The two that chased him home last week, Chimeric and Therapeutic, should again be the main dangers. They have had a good look at the Riccarton track now and will be the better for it. The South Island’s representation in the race has been severely curtailed by the number of injuries, Master Bijou being the latest.

Lord Venture has been tidying up his campaign with a couple of flat races, so it will be up to him to emulate the recent day deeds of such good South. Island jumpers as Koral, Loch Linnhe and Bymai.