SPORTING Page’s Raid Has Best Chance In National

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 July 1947, Page 5

SPORTING Page’s Raid Has Best Chance In National

(SPECIAL TO STAR] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The Grand National Steeplechase of 1947 promises to be contested by one of the weakest fields, both in numbers and in (Quality, for many years past. The fact that the top-weight, Page’s Raid, has only 10.9 to carry as against the 12 stone and over carried by giants of the past, indicates the comparative weakness of the field, while this suggestion is strengthened by the almost poor performances of those following Page’s Raid on the card.

TakiiTg all factors .into consideration, Page’s Raid would only have to complete the course to have an easy task, and as he has, already mastered, the difficult country with success on three occasions, there is no reason to doubt his ability to repeat liis excellent performances.

Filibeg is a , dashing and game jumper, and although he is certain to be well placed for a good, portion of the journey, the extreme ordeal may find a weakness in him. The same argument applies to Surpeen, who can claim to be the most spectacular fencer of the field, but unfortunately he is a victim of respiratory trouble, and the long struggle will be against him. Town Survey failed badly in his first attempt over the country on Tuesday. Not only did he shape more like a novice than like a National. candidate, but he looked anything but bright after the work-out, short as it was, due, it is understood, to his being a poor traveller. Red Glare showed on Tuesday that he retains his speed and fast jumping, but he does not appeal over the full journey. - Spirillum came south with a win to his credit, but this was overlight fences on the Avondale course, resembling the brushed hurdles used a few years back. He schooled well over the inside fences on Sunday, but did not appeal to the extent expected of him when he tackled the main fences on Tuesday. On the other hand he appeared as one likely to improve with more knowledge of the unaccutsomed obstacles, as he is the right type for the game, and is in the capable hands of H. Gray, who has ridden him in practically all of his work, and in his early schooling at Ellerslie.

Spqnish Main’s Chance

Roman Ned did well at Trentham, but his schooling on Tuesday certainly did not gain him any followers. Tamerlane, Appeasement and Abbey Lu can be dismissed as not being dangerous, but Spanish Main makes strong appeal as a likely place-getter. He filled second place to Dumbo in last year’s race after winning the Homeby Steeplechase. He ran second this year to Page’s Raid in the latter event, so has the right credentials to enter into serious discussion for this week’s big race. Spanish Main is trained by F. Holmes, who rode in the race over 50 years ago, and a win for his charge would be a popular feature of the meeting. It has often happened that when a field appears weak on paper a spectacular race is provided, and this may be the case this year. It is difficult to discuss seriously the pos-

sibilities of any o£ Page’s Raid’s opponents, and he is certain, to monopolise the speculation on the race. Spanish Main and Spirillum may also participate in the finish’. The Winter Cup The usual problem for investors associated with the Winter Cup will be in evidence once again by this year’s cumbersome but good class representative field. Horses will be on hand from all New Zealand’s racing centres. Provided Soneri is paraded in good order —and she will be left in her box unless such is the case — s he is entitled to be once more at cramped odds, but with the possibility of a widely distributed pool she should be at a better price than on previous'successful occasions. Longsword won at Trentham over a mile, but does not appeal unless the track becomes softer than at present. Findon attracted attention by his excellent effort in the Brabazon Handicap last Saturday. He came from a long way back to gain what appeared as third place from Lord Elgin, but a dead-heat was declared. In another stride he would have headed Deep Harmony for second money. Howe has arrived from Trentham and is reported .by his trainer to be in excellent order once again. He will be ridden by L. J. Ellis, and is certain to have a large following. Bridge Acre will be a ,different mare after her race last week, and her gallops this week.. Lexia, too, will be all the better for her race, and has always to be respected over a mile. Improvement Likely Lord Elgin made a bold attempt in the Brabazon, and is another susceptible to a lot of improvement. Pensacola does not appeal, but is always liable to cause an upset. Detain was not in much demand last week, and his turn may come over a longer journey later at the meeting. Of the remainder Alamode, Sari and Deep Harmony are deserving of most attention, and of these Sari has her excellent Trentham form to recommend her. Night Blush is another of the lightweight division likely to be in the picture for a good way. The race is full of possibilities, but with the likelihood of a firm track, the first half of the field should provide the placed division, and this may be comprised of .Soneri, Findon, Howe and Lord Elgin.