THE BIG STEEPLES

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 151, 29 June 1938, Page 17

THE BIG STEEPLES

NATURE OF THE OESTACLES It may be of interest to enthusiasts, not only those who will be present in person to witness the Wellington Steeplechase, but those who will have to be content with a description "over the air" on the day, to have the nature >f the obstacles to be negotiated described.

The contesting ground runs alongside the outside of the course proper, except in the straight, where the two meet. It is laid out entirely on flat ground, and where it does not coincide with the course proper has a beautiful sole of couch grass that provides excellent footing no matter how bad the weather might be. The stretches between the fences are probably as fine as on any steeplechase course in the Dominion or Australia.

It is run over a distance of three and a quarter miles, thus being half a mile shorter than the Great Northern Steeplechase, and a quarter of a mile shorter than the Grand National. The starting point is roughly five furlongs from the winning post, and two complete circuits make the full cours?. In all there are twenty-two obstacles to be negotiated, and details of them, are as under:—

First Jump.—Boarded-fence, canvai padded top, 3ft high, with a 2ft ditch in front, about Ift from the base. Set at an angle of about 75 degrees; top not,padded. About three-quarters of • furlong from the starting point. Second Jump.—Brush hurdle, 4ft 9in high and about Ift 9in through at tha top. Situated less than a furlong from the initial fence.

Third Jump.—Boarded fence with canvas padded top, 3ft 2in high, and set at an angle of about 75 degrees. Light brush fence Ift 6in high in front and about 2ft 6in from base. Situated just before turn into straight.

Fourth Jump.—Brush hurdle, 4ft 9in high and about lft 9in through at top. Situated short distance past false rail, but on outside of track.

F.tth Jump.—First of stand doubles brush hurdle, 4ft 9in high, and about lft 9in through at top. Sixth Jump. — Second of stand double, similar fence to first double. These two obstacles are about 60 yardf apart.

Seventh Jump.—Brush hurdle, identical to other brushes. Situated near mile post just before horses make, turn into the back stretch, where the next three obstacles are of permanent construction.

Eighth Jump.—Sod wall, 3ft Bin high, 2ft 9in through at top, and sft through at base. Dirt front and grassed top. Ditch 2ft wide immediately in front. Situated near seven furlongs post. Ninth Jump.—Heavy boarded fence; with canvas padded top, 3ft sin high. Set at angle of about 45 degrees. Ditch 2ft wide in front, about Ift from base and about 4ft 6in from line dropped vertically from top of fence. Near old six furlongs post, and the last fence on the first circuit.

Tenth to Eighteenth Jumps.—Same as from first to ninth jumps.

Nineteenth Jump.—Same as first jump. Twentieth Jump.—Same as second iump. Twenty-first Jump.—Same as third jump.

Twenty-second Jump. — Same as fourth jump, leaving a run home of something over a furlong. Although there is a possibility of the track being on the heavy side on Tuesday, the'steeplechase course is in excellent order in every other respect, and it should be an excellent testing ground for horses who will be going on to Riccarton for the Grand National Steeplechase.

G. R. Tattersall has been engaged to ride Catalogue, Conveyer, and i Silver Fox at Trentham. J. Leach will ride Coronado.

Kilonsa will not make the trip from Auckland to Trentham. There is no» thing wrong with her, but as she is a bad traveller her connections have decided not to bring her down. She will be kept in light work in view of the early spring meetings. All Irish, El Meynell, and Te Hai are booked to leave Auckland for Trentham tomorrow. Te Hai will de» •

train and race at Marton prior to completing the remainder of the journey. He will be ridden by L. H. Clifford, and on his recent form at the Bay of Plenty Meeting Aucklanders expect him to be prominent. All Irish will go on to Riccarton from Trentham. El Meynell has suffered from foot trouble; but the soft tracks have given him • chance to strike form.