WANGANUI STEEPLES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1944, Page 8

WANGANUI STEEPLES

RACE WITH LONG HISTORY

First introduced in 1875, the Wanganui Steeplechase claims a longer his-1 tory than the Great Northern Steeples at Ellerslie, and there was a time when winners at Wanganui went on to add this race immediately after wards. That is not possible today, because of the change in dales at Wanganui; indeed, this year the Wanganui club will not race.till two days after the Great; Northern Steeples. The first Turf Re-j gister in New Zealand was not compiled till the 1883-84 season, and much of the data of the early contests of the Wanganui Steeplechase were lost. The first official compilation shows, however, that the Wanganui programme in 1884 began with the principal cross-country race, the stake being 225 sovereigns, and the distance, as now, about three miles. Eight candidates went to the post, and Clarence, who was topweight with 13.0, won an exciting race by barely half a length from Parnell (10.0), with The Druid (10.0) a good third. Three came to grief, and Scrutineer took the wrong course when in a good position. Mount dislocated a shoulder and was shot. Riding: in South.—L. J. Clutterbuck, who is closely attending W. J. Broughton on the championship table, will be riding at the Dunedin Meeting. Wrong.Distance.—The distance of the Empire Hack Handicap at Wanganui on Monday is seven furlongs, not six furlongs, as appeared in the acceptances. A Minor Affair.—Prior to restrictions being placed on racing in the Dominion the Wanganui Jockey Club held a twoday fixture in the winter, and the Grandstand Steeplechase was of but slightly lesser importance than the Wanganui Steeples. Back in 1884 these races, were staged on the one day; the Grandstand was a minor affair, having a stake of 75 sovereigns attached. That year two horses went to the post, but Billy-go-em did not attempt to start against Clarence, who had a walkover. In the big steeples Clarence had covered 'the two miles in 6.59 4-5, but he went more leisurely at his second appearance, taking 11.17 for the threemile journey. Modest Field.—Present indications are that seven horses will start in the Wanganui Steeples at Mar ton on Monday, but four of them are recent winners. Malacca, who scored at Woodville, has been advanced 51b to 10.7; Idle Hour and Last Match, who followed one another home at New Plymouth and then reversed placings at Hawera, now meet on even terms, 10.0; and Malik Kafur, a winner at Otaki, will have an additional 71b to carry. All four, should run well, but they may meet with strong opposition from Anglo-Irish, who was guilty of running off at Woodville. This Simper gelding is on 21b better terms. Scale Turned. —In the Oringi Hack Hurdles at Woodville Red Glare won very definitely from Bpping, with Park Light battling on for third some five lengths away., Red Glare has paid for that hollow win, for while he has been advanced only 51b, Epping drops 51b. That should bring the pair closer together, and the question is: Will A. Jenkins be on hand to ride Red Glare? First Outing.—The Monarch, who has not raced since running third in the Metropolitan Handicap at Riccarton in December, is down to return to racing at Marton on Monday. Instead of essaying the Connolly Handicap, 1£ miles, he will contest the open spruit, and no doubt will find the-early speed a little too much for him. No Divisions.—The Canterbury Jockey Club intends to adopt the balloting system in hack events at the Grand National Meeting. If it is necessary to reduce the runners in the open handicaps the following system will be employed:—(l) To ballot from horses eligible for hack races; (2) horses' handicapped on the minimum; (3) horses within 71b of the minimum. Lightweight.—One of the minimumweighted candidates for the Cornwall Handicap at Ellerslie, Sir Dingle, won over 11 furlongs in the hack ranks at the Avondale Meeting in April, and then ran third over seven furlongs in the higher grade at Te Rapa. He is a five-year-old gelding by Sargon from the Valkyrian—Drum Gallon mare Howick. Sargon, who was a son of Catmint and the Snow King mare Hukapapa, was sent to Australia as a two-year-old, winning three times in the following term, but Howick did not figure under silk till she was a five-year-old and raced for two terms without success. Sir Dingle.has shown useful form and may not be disgraced in the company he meets on Saturday. Jumping Blood.-rGold Cape, whose recent form has directed attention to his prospects in the Great Northern Hurdles, is bred on jumping lines, being by Cape Horn from the Lucullus mare Rehutai, the dam a daughter of Aquatas (by Gold Reef). He is a four-year-old and the record of horses of the age in the race is not particularly good, the last to win being Poanui. who scored in 1922. Higher Grade.—Sir Saladm, who is weighted at 7.10 in the Birthday Handicap, the big flat event at Wingatui, has performed creditably in the lower ranks this season. He won three times in succession, but at his next start was beaten by Money Bird over a mile and a quarter when conceding his victor 28£lb. It is a sharp climb in grade, but the Salmagundi horse should appreciate 271b off his back. Favoured.—As a result of her good third to Lyndon Lea and Chestnut Glow in the Trial Stakes at Ashburton, Cornucopia is likely to be m demand for the maiden event at Wingatui, in which two-year-olds are weighted at 8.0, three-year-olds 8.11, bolder horses 8.13. However one horse- that benefits under the scale is the five-year-old Dearo, who is usually to be found giving away weight. On the other hand, Dearo has been trying a long time to win her way out of the Cl In" ' Better.—ln the Apprentices' Handicap at Ashburton Silver Sal was toe winner with 7.3, Owaka coming restili To Win.-Waltzing Matilda has fble to wfn but she must be accorded pefforSs to racing in the Dominion.