Browne’s Grand National meeting plans uncertain

Press, 19 July 1989, Page 43

Browne’s Grand National meeting plans uncertain

By

DAVID McCARTHY

Royal Hush probably earned a trip to Riccarton for the Grand Nationals meeting with an impressive maiden steeplechase win in the Pepsi-Cola Handicap at Trentham last Saturday. Ken Browne had the Big Hush gelding handy early then allowed him to drift in the middle stages before quickly putting him into contention about 400 metres out Royal Hush was soon pressuring the favourite, Shakatak, and was a comfortable six-lengthwinner at the finish line. After the race Browne said that Royal Hush had suffered a fractured skull in a fall earlier this year and he had been intent on building up the horse’s confidence since then. Browne was his usual cagey self when it came to firm plans for his Riccarton team, claiming that if Crown Star’s weight in the Koral Steeplechase was acceptable he would have about seven horses on hand but otherwise he

could abandon the trip. Royal Hush and Pappa Lion, a first-day Trentham winner, will be set for the Enfield Steeplechase (0-1 win) on the first day of the National carnival while Trelay Boy will be kept for the Grand National Hurdles of $40,000 on the second day, after failing to handle the conditions in the Wellington Steeplechase. Kutati Power which ground his rivals into the mud to give. Browne his second winner of the day

last Saturday is also headed south as is Chief Burnmeoff, Norfolk Lord, Brown Jumper and Grebe. Royal Hush was one of the team brought south to the National meeting last year, the least successful expedition for the Cambridge owner-trainer in many years. Royal Hush ran second to Highland Peer in the Trial Hurdles and was the beaten favourite (sixth) in the Sydenham Hurdles. Crown Star ran well below his best and Chief Burnmeoff and Star Chord had to settle for minor placings. The stable’s only victory was with Ben Kotay ridden by Angus Maven Browne is pleased with Crown Star’s progress and happy with his fifth in the Andrews Steeplechase at the Counties meeting on July 8. “He will have another run before he comes south, probably in the Inter-Island Steeplechase at Paeroa,” said Browne, referring to a $25,000 event on July 25.