NEWS AND VIEWS

Evening Star, Issue 24918, 16 July 1943, Page 5

NEWS AND VIEWS

[By St. Clair.] The' Grand National Steeplechase. In framing his handicap for the Grand National Steeplechase Mr Russell has set a standard that should please the owners of the better class horses engaged. They have not been over-burdcued to give the poorlyperformed horses chances. Last year he commenced his haudicap with Foxiaua at 11.13, this horse having just won the Wellington Steeplechase under 10.10, Slayer beiug next with 11.6. There do not appear to be any Foxianas about this season, and Anuii.'.- winner of this year's Wellington Steeplechase under 9.3, has been raised 131 b as compared with 'the rise of 171 b. on a higher scale of weights, than was given Foxiana. Slayer, who has been , racing badly this winter, has been dropped from 11.6't0 10.12, but on-recent performances would have to make a marked improvement To have any chance with this season's winners. Noko, who is top weight with 11.6, in his last six starts over country has won five times and finished third in his other race, in which lie carried 11.8 and was beaten by Abbey Lu to whom he conceded 361 b. In the It'iccarton race lie will meet Abbey Lu on 151 b better terms. All of Noko's five wins were scored in soft to heavy going, and last season, when he won three hurdle races on end, the going was also easy At Hastings, where Abbey Lu beat him, the track was fast, and the Sir Simper gelding is evidently a better horse on soft tracks. For her wins in the Te Rapa and Great Northern Steeplechases Chat is asked to carry 10.8, or 7lb more than she won under at Ellerslie. In a previous attempt over Ricearton country Chat ,fell, and the big fences are against the ;'chances of such a small hiare. Abbey Lu in his last five starts has won three times, at Ellerslie, Hastings, and Trentham. and with 9.13 is nicely handicapped. On his Hastings performance he is likely to find the going at Ricearton nc*t month more to his liking than the Trentham track. Last year Anglo-French made the opposition in the Lincoln Steeplechase, three miles, look very cheap. Carrying 9.2, he beat this year's National candidates in Erination 10.2, Dozie Boy 10.7, Slayer 11.10, and Gay Boa 9.2, in a. very fast run race. Since then he has only started twice, finishing third to Whirr and Gay Boa on the second day of the Dunedin Winter Meeting. In next month's race Anglo-French has been allotted 9.7, and meets Erination on 211 b, Dozie Boy on 81b, and Slayer on 171 b worse terms, and Gay Boa on 7lb better terms than in last year's race. Of those under the lOst mark Anglo-French appeals most, and a good guide to.his form will probably be obtained at Washdyke next week in the South Canterbury Steeplechase. Spendthrift disappointed each day nt the recent Trentham meeting, and at 10.12 has been dropped lib on the impost he carried in the Wellington Steeplechase. A long-striding and hard-pulling horse, he is another likely to do much better on ii firm track. With Noko, Spendthrift, and Anglo-French the Hazlett brothers hold a very strong hand, and should they start all three, a performance no owner has yet done in this race, their backers will have to he prepared to accept very short prices. Three weeks before the race is to, be run their most dangerous opponents are likely to be Abbey Lu, Anini, and The Cardinal Jottings. At a meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Jockey Club held yesterday afternoon it was decided to hold the annual meeting of members on August 19. In his annual report submitted to the Racing Conference last week,- the chief stipendiary steward, Mr H. T. C. Gomer, made a suggestion that all clubs in a metro, politan district should appoint the samp person as clerk of the scales. This would give more efficient and quicker work by this important official.

Winners of the Clnremont Handicap and South Canterbury Steeplechase next week will not incur penalties for the Winter Cup and Grand National Steeplechase. Two of the Auckland horses ihat raced at the Wellington meeting, Town Survey and Kronos, did not go home after the fixture. They have arrived at Riccarton, where they will complete their preparations for the National meeting. Wiiigalui-traincd horses engaged at (he South Canterbury Hunt fixture include Forte, Nightcahn, Damascus, Gold Nugget, Kohara, Silver Mask. Half and Half, Night, Saout, Safcligld, Boloyita, Dark Olga, Hearth, Paladco, Invincible, Boolamskce, Gov, Silver Lily, and Tring.

Mr Gomer, m his aiiiiunl report to the Racing Conference, said lie would like to see all clubs compelled to close their totalisators strictly to time, and that sending the horses to the starting post be delayed until 10 minutes before starting time. Six of the starters in last year's Grand National Steeplechase have been weighted for this year's race. Thev are. Slayer 10.12 (down 81b), Master Lackhani 10.7 (up slb), Dozie Boy 10 4 (down 81b), Gay Boa 10.0 (un 141 b), Erination (second) '9.0 (down 91h), and Valens (third) 9.0 (down 131 b). The proposal that starters should be allowed to make walking-in starts was defeated on a division at the annual meeting of the Racing Conference last week. The following Winter Cup candidates have been nominated for the Claremont Handicap to be run over a mile mid 35yds at Wnshdyk" next week:—Antolite, Bashful Lady! Bolovna. Dark. Olga, Grilse, Hearth, Iceland Soar, Lord Advocate, Lotto. Night Pal, Prince Shad. Palfideo; Roval Chorus. Royal Writ, Sin<r Sinsr. Symbol. St. C'oud, Scottish bale, Spanish Lad, and Trench Law. None of the North Island Grand National SI eon lech aso candidates lins been engaged in the South Canterbury Steeplechase to be run over two f>nrt n-half miles at Washdyke next week. The £350 slake only attracted 11 nominations, including National candidates in Anglo-French, Benevolent, Erin a-

tion, Gay Boa, Half and Half, Yalantua, and Valcns. * -. H. Ntivse lias three of hj6 te&ih.. erigifctd in. the Winter Cup—St. Olojid,..LjtJ-d Advocate, and Justitia. The la*t-nanied is a Ihree-yaar-oid filly by Solicitor General from Pucelle, by Robespierri, %nd is ©wiifed bv Mrs T. Stone, y/ho won this _rac* With Treasurer two years ago. Jtistiiii ha? ?|i to win a race, but ran second to' PrijdeniiA over seven furlongs at Biccarton last .Kftster'in 1.25 3-5.