TABLOID RECORDS OF FIELD

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 26, 30 July 1938, Page 22

TABLOID RECORDS OF FIELD

IRISH COMET, 15 YEARS OLD, DEFIES TIME

(By "Rangatira.")

With the close of the old season's racing today, eyes will be turned to the new season, and the first bright star rising over the horizon is the Grand National Steeplechase, which will be decided on Tuesday week over the exacting Riccarton country. At the first acceptance twenty horses still remained in the Dominion's premier cross-country race, and the final acceptance on Thursday will probably see; several other horses passing out in the closing stages. A field of a dozen to fifteen seems at present likely to face the starter in ten days' time.

This year's racing should be a particularly interesting contest, for there is no special horse that is being selected in almost every quarter to have an outstanding chance. Almost every review that has been made of this year's field names different horses as most likely to prevail. This is because of the variety of this winter's form, and because the issue is obscured by the presence of so many fresh horses. In races such as the big steeplechases the. weight allotted often counts more than in any other type of event. Those who view the race from this angle naturally-take a decided leaning towards Valpeen, for he has won the two Grand Nationals he has contested, on the second occasion under 11.13, and he has been dropped to only 10.6 this year. One has to assume that he is the horse he once was, and the Great Northern Steeplechase and subsequent races' Sid not definitely shbw that; but it will comfort his admirers to know that his owner believes the gelding has been afforded a wonderful chance of capturing his third National. v

There are two other past winners in the field, Royal Limond and Nocturnus. Neither as yet inspires much optimism. The former has grown too'cunning, and the latter seems hardly to have had a sufficient preparation after his setbacks for such a trying journey over 21 j fences of the Riccarton type, j Clarion Call, Erination, Santoft, IrishJ Comet, Manawatu, and Forest Glow are hbrses who should find no difficulty with the country, for they are experienced and most of them have won big races. The three flrst-mentioned will claim most present notice. . A COMPROMISE. Bonnie Rollox has yet to prove himself in the Dominion, and there is always the doubt about his unsoundness. A compromise has been effected about his weight, as he has been dropped 91b from what he was being given m the top.grade last winter, and on his Australian weight-carrying efforts he, of course, had to be fairly well up in any list However, condition apart,, it is doubtful if he possesses the, requisite stamina. He is a beautiful jumper, and a race like the Beaufort on the middle day might suit him better than the National. „ ~ . .. The two outstanding recruits to the cross-country ranks in the field are Flashlight and Ballybrit, who began racing only drtew months ago. It is a big order taking oh a Grand National so soon, and the test will jprobably pnwe too severe for them. Mashlight would require to fence bettor than at Trentham, but Ballybrit has a big Southland reputation, and he has not yet paid any penalty for his promising form, as Flashlight has. • Iti order to assist racegoers in their 'analysis of this year's field, the following tabloid records of the twenty candidates still in the race have been Compiled, showing weight to be carried, breeding, age (in new season), ownership;:'racing performances, and best efforts:— , Clarion Call, !M.—Bay gelding by Hunting Song from the Hallowmas—Formless mare Saxon Saint. Eight years. Bred by the late Mr. A. Hall, of Marton, and owned by Mr. G. B. Grace, of Wanganui. Trainer, L. 6. Morris, AwapuDi. Four outings as two -year-old, then did not race again till four. ' Record: 35 starts, 9 wins, £2548 in stakes. Best wins: A.B.C. Remuera Hurdles, Wanganui Century Hurdles, ; Wanganui Steeples (twice), . Egmont . Steeples. Also second In last two Grand v National Hurdles. , Nocturnus, 11.0.—Black gelding by Night , Raid from the Trlumphator mans Victory ■ ■ Lass, who never raced. Nine years. .Bred ' by Mr. P., A- Roberts, of Kaituna, and now held on.a renewed lease by the Hon.' ' -G. R. Hunter, of Christchurch. Trained - by A. S. Ellis at Sockbura. Began racing -/ as three-year-old, when he was a novice winner at Kelson, and did not race again till five. Record: 44 starts, 8 wins, £2241 i In stakes. Best wins: Last year's Grand National Steeplechase and Beaufort Steeple- • chase, also Otago Steeplechase. ", Bonnie Rollox, 11.0.—Chestnut gelding by. St. ~' •" Rollox from Bonnie Charrfs. a mare who is not in the Australian Stud Book and •' who. apparently never raced. Eleven years. Bought in;, Victoria % last year by Mr. B. J. Murphy and now owned by Mr. A. J. Martin, of Christchurch, who does his own training. Did not have first race till six years old. Record: 22 starts, 4 wins, £ 1570 in stakes. Successes, all last season, were Hurdles at Randwlck, Oberon Steeples at Caulfleld, and January and March' Steeples at Flemington. Longest win over 2 miles and 3 furlongs. Carried 11.11 In -March Steeples. Erination, 11.0. —Chestnut gelding by Illumination from the Elyslan—Crecy mare Erlnagh, dam also of Uluminagh. Nine years. Bred by the late :V< E. Loomb, and now owned and trained by Mr. 3. H. Greenhead, of Rotoraa. x Began racing as a, two-year-old, then did not reappear till six. Record: 46 starts, 8 wins, £3005 in stakes. - Seven wins over hurdles, including Great Northern Hurdles and A.B.C. Brighton Hurdles (twice), and also Wellington ■Steeplechase. ■ v Royal Umend, 10.7.—Brown gelding by Limond from the King Rufus—Commerce' mare - Royal Exchange. Twelve years. Bred by Mr. J. Donald, bought ,as yearling by Mr. 3. M. Samson for 400 guineas,' and later sold to his present owner, Mr. A. Syme, of Chrlstchurch, for 35 guineas. Trainer, Mrs. A. W. McDonald, Awapuni. Began, racing' as two-year-old. Record: 116 starts, 10 wins,' £3152 in stakes. Best wins: Grand National Steeples, Great Northern Steeples^ Riverton Steeples (twice), and DXC. June Hurdles. Vtfpeen, 10.6.—Brown gelding by Valkyrian from a mare of unascertainable pedigree but believed to have been by Spalpeen, an understanding on which the mare was bought by Mr. G. Campbell, of Okorolre, neat Matamat&v'who bred, owns, and trains Valpeen. Eleven years. Began racing as five-year-old. Record: 79 starts, 11 wins, and £5725 In stakes. Best wins: Grand . National Steeplechase (twice), Great Northern ' Steeplechase : (twice), Wellington

Steeplechase, and Beaufort Steeplechase. Also second in Great Northern Steeplecnase- ~ ' .. . SMtoft, »0.4.~8r0wn gelding by Acre from tha Merry Moment—Heatherlea Lass mare Pleasure, hence full-brother to Playground, Nine years. Bred by Mr. R. H. Trotter, of Santoft, Marton, arid, after several changes of ownership, is now raced by Messrs. w. H. and w. d. Orbeii, of South Canterbury. Trainer, F. Trllford, Washdyke. Began racing as two-year-old. Be - Riverton Great Western Steeplechase, and South Canterbury Pareora Steeplechase, Also second in Wellington steeplechase. -riah Comet, 10.2—Chestnut gelding by! Day Comet from the Spalpeen-Golden Tress niare Rape of the Lock, descending from the same taproot as Lottie (Auckland Cup). Fifteen years. Bred by Mr. w. T. Taylor, e*f Ohaupo. and raced on lease by Mr. R. J. Sexton, ateo of Ohaupo, who trains ■ him himself. Began racing as (taee-year-old. without .success, and did nojeappear fksTtaSes/ All wins* wer^secured last season, and they included Great Northern Steeplechase and Winter Steeplechase. Also third in Grand National Steeples and second In Lincoln Steeples. Flashlight. 9.12-Bay gelding by Shambles from the Calibre—First Glance mare Snapshot, dam also of First Sight and Tourist. Eight years. Bred and owned by Mr. J. H. Grtgg, of Longbeach, Canterbury. Trainer. T. .H. Glllett, Riccarton. Began racing only last sars- ■Jssf'-'&srs&ii'T-cSi Yard over brush hurdles at Easter, and has since won Craigmore Steeples (South Canterbury), Dromore Steeples (Ashburton), and W.R.C. Mariri Hack and Hunters' Manawaff S9.U-Bay gelding by Acre from the Sarto—Bess Laddo mare Merry Sarto, dam also of Merryman. Ten years. Bred by" Mr. F. s. Easton and purchased two years ae<> by Present owner, Mr. F. Armstrong, of * lYai'ner Mrs I w McDonfid fwSpunl. 'TSSi^ foui-year: old. Record: 68 starts, 12 wins, and £2201 In stakes. Has won in all roles, including c.J.c. Jumpers1 Fiat, Beaufort and Lincoln t Steeples, W.RC. Matai Steeples, and Royal Bantjuet 9.11-Chlsinut horse by Mercian King from the Lucuiius—Donation mare Kaiaua, who never raced. Eight years. Bred by Mr. C. B. Stanfleld, of Dannevlrke, and owned by Mr. J. Macrae, of Opoutama, Hawke's Bay. Trainer, H. Neagle, Greenmeadows. Began racing as three-year-old. Record: 49 starts, 10 wins, and £1286 in stakes. Best wins: Hawke'a Bay Hurdles (as four-year-old), Wanganui Grandstand \ Steeplechase, and Awapunl Steeplechase. Also second in Wanganui Steeples. Dun mure, 9.9—Bay gelding by Panmure from the Finland—Miss Lochiel mare Kiltess. Ten years. Bred by Mr. W. Couser and owned by Miss A. Langford, of South Hillend, Southland, who supervises his training. Began racing as a three-year-old, but did not reappear till five and also .did not race last season.^ Record: 37 starts, 7 wins, and !r £935 In stakes. Best wins: Great Western Steeples and . Autumn Steeples at Riverton. Also second and third in two Wellington Steeplechases he has contested. ■" ■ Blaok Banner, 9.B—Black gelding by Balboa * from a mare by Black and Bed, who was a son. of the Musket horse Maxim. Nine years. Bred and owned by Mr. "A. C. Mills, of Otautau.: Trainer/ P. J. Boyle, Winton. Did not begin racing till five years old. Record: 25 starts, 6 wins, and,£9B2 In stakes. AH his racing has been orer country. Best wins: Otago Steeples, Watau and Autumn > Steeples at Riverton. and Teschemaker Hunt Cup at South CanterForest GiowV 9.7.—8r0wn gelding by Town Boy (son of Archlestown) from the Soult mare Lady Winsome, whose dam (Winsome) was half-brother to those wonderful jumpers, St. Simon and Record Reign. Nine years. - Bred by Mr. A. Pretty, of Waitangi, Walkato, and now owned by Mrs. A. H. Marshall, of Marton. Trainer, L. Knapp, Awapuni. Began racing as flye-year-old. Record: 38 starts. 4 wins, and £2081 10s in stakes. Best wins: C.J.C. Lincoln Steeplechase and'A.R.C. Winter Steeplechase. Also second In Great Northern Steeplechase. Consistent minor-place filler. Bryoe Street, 9.6.—8 ay gelding by Little England from the Swift Flight—Madam Rose mare Chanclt. Six years. Bred by Mr. L. ' L. Orr, of Cambridge, and now owned to partnership by Messrs. Bt. D. Caro (Mayor of Hamilton), E, C. Day, and P. G. Harkriess, all of Hamilton. Trainer, M. J. Carroll, Te Rapa. Began racing as four-year-old. Record: 24 starts, 3 wins, and £ 120 ft, In stakes. His wins have been over country at Walkato and over hurdles at Takapuna (EUerslie) and Franklin, Also second in Great Northern Steeplechase. Brigadore, 9.2.—8r0wn gelding by Polazel from the Sarto—Pretty Lill mare Mydora, dam also of Invictus. Nine years. Bred and • owned by Mr. E. C. Haddock, of Marton. • Trainer, F. McHugh, Marton. Began racing as three-year-old. Record: 39 starts, 4 wins, and £1017 In stakes. All wins have been over fences, comprising hurdles at Marton, Riccarton, and Trentham, ; and the Awapuni Steeplechase. Also second In Wanganui Steeples to Clarion Call. High Snaed, 9.l.—Brown gelding by Tractor from the Finland —Mythical mare Bothma, hence a full-brother to Valves. Twelve years. Bred by his owner, Mr. A. S. Jones, of Timaru. Trainer, A, E. McMullan, Riccatton. Began racing as three-year-old. Record: 78 starts, 7 wins, and £875 in stakes. Best wins: South Canterbury Steeplechase" twice and W.R.C. Mariri Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase. Also third In Grand National Steeplechase two years ago. Arctic Star, 9.0.—8 ay gelding by Dlacquenod from- the Kllbroney—Snowstell mare Snowland, dam also of Arctic King. Eight years. Bred by Mr. 2. Fuller; of Blenheim, and now owned by Mr. A. Syme, who also has Boyal Llmond in race. Trainer, D. O'Connor. Riccarton. Btegan racing as three-year-old. Record: 65 starts, 7 wins, and £1350% in stakes. Best wins: W.R.C. Rona Hurdles, D.J.C. Taleri Hurdles and Greenfield Hurdles, and C.J.C. Hornby Brush Hurdles. Also twice second minor steeples at last Grand National Meeting, and second ; on all three days at Riverton at Easter. Bailybrit, 9.O.—Chestnut gelding by Balboa, from the Fleetham—Lucky Shot mare Direct Hit, thus a full-brother to Shillelagh Wood, •who Tan second in last year's Grand National. Seven years. Bred and raced by Mr. M. Hanley, of Clifden. Trainer, P. 3. Boyle, Winton. Began racing only In March. Record: 9 starts, 2 wins, and £395 in stakes, f Successes have been in Southland Ritchie Memorial Steeples and la Dunedin Steeples. Snowy Dawn, 9.o.—Chestnut mare by Buff Gauntlet (Bon of Red Gauntlet) out of an . unregistered mare by Dirk Hammerhand — Miss O'Connell. Age uncertain, but at least 11 years. Bred by Mr. R.Geddes, of Wal- - hao Downs, and owned and trained by