PUZZLE FOR PACKERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 26, 30 July 1940, Page 11

PUZZLE FOR PACKERS

RICCARTON TREBLE

EARLY GLANCE AT FIELDS

To achieve Grand National honours is the desire of all owners who have horses racing during the winter months, and so there is not a great deal of weedihg-out among the horses entered for the big events at Riccarton at the first acceptance, only those who have come into trouble or are otherwise not at their, best missing .this payment. Weight is not such a vital factor, as there is nothing immediately ahead for the jumpers after the Nationals are decided, and owners are more or less forced to take what has been allotted their horses. The first acceptance for this year's races saw no unexpected defections, as those who dropped out were more or less already listed as improbable starters. The net result of the acceptance has been to reduce the fields much as has generally happened in the past. The defections are a shade more numerous than last year, but practically all the best cross-country and hurdle talent has been attracted. As a rule one expects to find somewhere about half the original steeplechase field missing at the first payment, but this year the response has been above the average. Of the is horses weighted no fewer than 15 have accepted. Last year 13 of the 26 handicapped stood their ground, and the previous season the field dropped from 31 to 20. It is possible that the field will be further reduced before the race conies up for decision, but at the moment there looks to be at least ten certain starters. A BIG FIELD. The acceptance for the Winter Cup removed 26 horses, leaving 32 still in the race. Twelve months ago there was a reduction from 52 to 25, and the year before that it was from 52 to 30, so that it will be seen that the absentees are somewhat more numerous this year than in previous seasons. It is more difficult to forecast the likely number of starters in the Grand National Hurdles, as much may happen before the second day's racing at the meeting. At the first acceptance 18 of the 31 entries were paid up for, which compares favourably with the 24 acceptors last year. It is possible that the field will be further reduced before the running of the race, but present indications are that there will be over a dozen candidates facing the barrier. It is always interesting to note the horses who have been accepted for both jumping events, a double that had previously proved elusive up till Padishah set a new precedent by taking both events last year. This Augustthree horses will be attempting to repeat the feat, as Padishah, Clarion Call, and Erination all figure in thei two jumping races. Padishah is set no mean task with 12.6 in the Grand National Steeplechase, but he is one of the best jumpers seen out for some years, and it would only remain for the track to be fine for him to set the opposition a difficult task. There is no question that the heavy track at Trentham seriously jeopardised his chances, while he suffered a slight bleeding attack in the running through overreaching himself. However, he has made a good recovery, and when worked at Riccarton on Friday infused a lot of dash into his task. Although he is set to carry a particularly solid impost the field generally is raised to above recent evels in the handicaps, as for instance Slayer, who was weighted at Trentham with 10.8 and now comes in at 10.12. j PLACED PREVIOUSLY. Clarion Call and Erination, who come in with 12.1 and 11.12 respectively, have both been placed in the big steeples and hurdles at Riccarton. Clarion Call was responsible for a fine effort in the Wellington Steeplechase, and his fall at the brush fence will always raise arguments as to whether : it cost him the race. He won the cross-country race at Riccarton in 1938 with 11.1, and he is a bigger and more solid horse now, fully equal to carrying the extra stone in poundage. Slayer has not been over-raced this winter, .his connections having concentrated upon the Grand National Steeplechase, and he is certain to be well fancied. He is a great little jumper and a previous winner over the Riccarton country. Ballybrit ran a useful race at Trentham in the Wellington Steeplechase, and he is not likely to be overlooked. Chat has been raised 141b for her victory in \ the above event, and it is possible that ; she may find the weight difficult to ' concede, as she is not a very big mare, and leaves the impression that ; she would be more likely to be \ troubled by weight than any long distance. Of the lighter-weighted horses the best may be Dauber, Gay Boa, and : Flashlight, all, of whom have raced ; well in cross-country events this : season. : Padishah again holds pride of place i in the Grand" National Hurdles, on : this occasion with 12.4, and there is no doubt that he is asked a big ques- • tion to concede two and a half stone ' to performers like Kaiwaka, Tide- ' waiter, and Aussie Ra. The last-named ; ;rio have all shaped most encourag- < ingly this winter, and it is worth re- : membering that "the lightweights have a great record in the race. Stream- \ line made short work of the field for ' the Great Northern Hurdles, and such j a free goer must always be worthy of ■ consideration. Norseman and Blue i Tiger are improvers, and Turaki may ; be found going much better than at ' Trentham. ; The Winter Cup presents its usual puzzle, but at this stage it is possible j ■that early fancies will be confined to : Lady Tinkle, Anita Foe. The Raker, ! Lady Montana, White Rajah, Sleeve- | less, Catalogue, Black Thread, and < I Nigger Boy. The, luck of the running '< is certain to play its usual part, especi- , ally in such a big field, and there are ' also several horses down at or near I the minimum equal to effecting a sur- ! prise. i