STEEPLECHASE IDOL

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 34, 9 February 1935, Page 23

STEEPLECHASE IDOL

WiN FOR GOLDEN MILLER

Golden Millet, winner of last jeat's Liveipool Grand National Steeplcch l&e, and topweight and favourite foi this | jcir's event, made his- first appenance hince Ins Aintiee tuumph m the Pcnkndge Steeplechase at Woheihampton on Boxing Day last, and, cauving 115 ovei thp thiee mile tup, he won easily by eight lengths fiom another foimer National winnei Foi bid, who luis since met a fatal end Accoidinp; to one cutie, "He's bettei than evei " The ptizo was woith only ±.117 to,the winner, but the race would be worth/much more as a necessary stage in tho champion's preparation. Golden Miller is justifiably regarded in England as the best steeplechaser of thecentury. He has run in 27 races, beginning in 1930, and has won 17 of them. He has been second ' twice and third ■ four times. He has thus been unplaced only four times, and he has fallen only. once. The Value of 'the races he has won is £12,800. He became eight years old on January 1. ~-•■■■' When Golden Miller ran in his first National he was undertaking a big task for a six-year-old, shouldering a l2st 21b. He blundered at Becher's, ..and fell at the Canal fence the second time round. His record of three Cheltenham Gold Cups, which may be made into four this year, will probably never be;beaten. In the opinion of London "Sporting Life," Golden Miller is worthy to rank as one of the best 'chasers ever known. He. won the Grand, National in record time,

and has a better all-round record than Manifesto. Manifesto, who.was an Amtiee specialist, xon. eighfof" his thivtyhve races, and'was placed in eleven of tho otheis. Golden Miller is tremendously popular with tho English racing public, and it is contended that his success at Aintree last Maxell has proved a great stimulus to National Hunt racing this English winter. Golden Miller won his first-race in Januaiy, 1031, a hurdles event at Leicester worth .£B3, and 'he then beat nineteen opponents. His complete record is:—

There were ten runners for the Penkndge Steeplechase-on. Boxing Day, and there vyasa. big, crowd round the parade ung when they appeared.' Golden Miller, it was obvious, had developed splendidly: Still ■a; shade on the big side, he was palpably heavier than last -season, but; he had tliickenecl proportionately. In the race he was'given time'-inrwhich to settle do.wn,.but over the last; fences his rider (J Baxter) was handling him with the utmost confidence, and he came-right away' from hia opposition on the final flat. He was to have had his next face" at-Leicester last month,: and for the National G. Wilson, iwho. rode him last year, has again been engaged. -'■;'* •■•• ■: ;••• ; ' -.; -Yh >

1930. Unplaced to Buckgome Lady in" Faros- • field HUrflle; Southwell, (10.4) ■.., — Third Moderate Hurdle, Newbury (2 miles) , _ 1931. Won Gopsall Hurdle. (2 miles) (10.2) S3 Won Annesley Hurdle, Nottingham (2 Beaten head by Itolic, Spring' 'Chase (2 miles 60 yards) (10.5) ...... . _ Won Witham Hurdle (2 miles), Chelmsford (11.10) 03 Third Norblton Hurdle, Sandown (2 miles) (U.9) _ Third Irish Hospitals Handicap Hurdle' Manchester :(2 miles) (12.1) Won Chelmsford Hurdle (2 miles) (11.10) 63 Won Moderate 'Chase (2 miles 50 yards) Newbury (10.3), disqualified for carrying insufficient weight Won Reading 'Chase- (2 miles 50 yards) * at Newbury (10.12) •. 332 1932. Second Sefton 'Chase.' Newbury (2 miles 50 yards) (12.5) _ Won Brook 'Chase, Gatwick (3 miles) (U.3) 413 Won Gold Cup, Cheltenham (3 miles 3 furlongs) (11.5)• .........:.:....'.; 070 Fifth Lancashire 'Chase, 'Manchester (11.10) _ Won Middlesex 'Chase, Kempton:(2 miles) 4 furlongs 75 yards) (12.2) ...\.... 234 Won Llngflold'Chase (3 miles) (11.4)) .. 240 1933. Won Mitre 'Chase, Hurst (3 mllos 180 yards) (12.7) ' 043 Won Troytown 'Chase, Llngfleld (3 miles) (12.10) ' .....;.... 600 Won Gold Cup, Cheltenham (3 miles 3 furlonprs) (12.0) .' 670 Pell in Grand National, carrying 12.2 . ' Won Lingfleid 'Chase (3 miles) (11.8) .. 239 Won Gamecock 'Chase (2% miles 90 ' yards), Kempton (12.0) .......... 210 1034. Third Star and Garter 'Chase, Hurst (3 miles 180 yards) (12.7) _ Won Gold Cup, Cheltenham (3 , miles 3 furlongs) . (12.0)- 070 Won , Grand National (1 miles 858 yards) (12.2) .....;....,........... 7263 1935. "Won Penkridge 'Chase (3 miles), Wolvcrhiltupton (11.5) .......;,..;.:. 117