ELLERSLIE HURDLERS

Evening Post, Issue 86, 11 April 1936, Page 19

ELLERSLIE HURDLERS

MONDAY'S DROR IN GRADE

(Special from "Early Bird.")

AUCKLAND, This Day.

At the opening of the Auckland Meeting today the jumping races comprised a hack steeplechase and an open hurdle race. On Monday, the concluding day, the programme includes obstacle events in reverse order, an open steeplechase and a hack hurdles event, the latter being the St. Heliers < Hurdles, for hacks only, run over a mile and three-quarters. This is a formidable contest for the minor division, for the distance is a trying one over the stillest hurdles in' the Dominion.

Some of today's Brighton Hurdles candidates claim an engagement in this event on Monday and the drop in grade will also see them elevated in the handicap, so this may be one of the reasons to anticipate a reversal of form. For instance, Soloist was top of the list in the Brighton Hurdles this afternoon with the big weight of 12.3, which is only 31b more than he won with, over a mile and a half at Te Ar.oha. What will his weight be on Monday in the hack grade if he wins today? He will still be eligible, even if he runs out of hacks this afternoon, for hacks at time of entry are eligible. This condition is a result of the scarcity of horses ■ consequent upon the days of financial stress; a few years back any horse that won any race at Ellerslie automatically ran out of hacks.

Interest has been taken in the doings of Salt Spray at Ellerslie since his arrival, and a heavy fall a few mornings ago might have taken some of the punch out of him. Today's best prospects. Master Musk and Scotch Nation, are engaged on Monday, and the latter would be in a better position in the handicap for the second day unless he should have won today. The Hiker scored well at' Whangarei, but in all his efforts to date he has not impressed as a stayer and a horse must be that to prevail over the Ellerslie distance.

One of the best of the recent recruits will be King Mestor, who ran a few fair races over the sticks prior to winning on the second day at Whangarei. There is a vast difference between the battens at Ellerslie and elsewhere, but if King Mestor makes a fair fist of his fencing then he may be able" to lead his opponents home. Many of the newcomers in the St. Heliers Hurdles do not impress by any means and it is possible that the wanner will be among today's runners. Lap Up is the staying type and he will go well in the lower grade on Monday, and so'too will the Gisborne gelding Victor Colima. It is probable that Scotch Nation will be the horse for the job on the second day at Ellerslie, with Lap Up, King Mestor, The Hiker, and Modern Maid possibilities.