BEFORE THE EVENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 43, 19 August 1941, Page 12

BEFORE THE EVENT

H. GRAY WAS CONFIDENT

A sporting writer before the day sought the opinions of trainers with representatives in the Grand National Hurdles as to their chances, and now that the race is over those opinions make interesting reading. One trainer, ;H. Gray, was openly confident as to the prospects of The Dozer, and events proved that he had reason.

The opinions of the trainers approached were given as follows: — j, H, Gray: "My horse is a certainty. The others won't see the way he goes. I'm a bad judge if The Dozer doesn't i win."

L. Knapp: "Tidewaiter or Esperance Bay." G. Ridgway, who had Streamline in the race: "I should say The Dozer is a pretty good thing." T. H. Gillett: "Dividend has done well since his Auckland successes, and may give Esperance Bay and Tidewaiter a hard race."

H. Dulieu, who won the hurdles in 1929 on Mangani and the steeples in 1930 on Aurora Borealis: "My horse, Tidewaiter, is much improved, and I think he'll outstay the opposition. Naturally, I would like to win." ■ W. A. Watson: "Esperance Bay is all right, and they'll know they've been racing when the straight' is reached. The race, today will, improve my fellow."

The world now knows that The Dozer fulfilled the expectations of his trainer, winning by four lengths from Tidewaiter, with Pekoe over 100 yards back, and Esperance Bay still further away. Dividend, however, was not a runner.