National Hurdles Day Tomorrow

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1948, Page 1 (Supplement)

National Hurdles Day Tomorrow

Corineus, the ruling favourite for the Grand National Hurdles to be run at Riccarton tomorrow, is set a big task to succeed under his impost of 11.9, but he is an excellent jumper, a true stayer, and in top form. It will take a good horse to beat him, and on past performances of his opponents there does not appear to be a horse in the race capable of causing an upset. Since the race has been run over two miles and a half, only the great Nukumai, who won with 11.11 m 1928, has succeeded with a greater weight, and it is nearly 40 years since a six-year-old weighted over 11.0 was successful in the big event.

Corineus, however, is something above the average jumper. This season he has won the Waikato Hurdles of two miles and the Winter Hurdles drentham) of two miles and a qparter and was a certainty beaten by a nose by South Riding in the Great Northern Hurdles, of two miles and a half at Trentham. Then last week he won the Jumpers’ Flat. Corineus certainly has the nerformances meriting his being sent out. first choice. Interest will be taken in the effort of the National Steeplechase winner Brookby Song to equal the record of Padishah in winning the National double in the one year, but the Hunting Song gelding has nothing more than moderate form over the battens, in striking contrast to his record over the big fences. It is in his favour that he carries weight well and is a fine stayer. Booiamskee will be favoured by many. He won the race last year after being second in the previous year to Bramble Song, and he recorded a good trial in coming from a long way back ier third place in the Jumpers’ Flat last week. He is a proved, jumper and stayer likely to be in the picture at the right end. Foxchasc is a proved mudlark and the firmer going at Riccarton may not be to his advantage. There is no doubt about his jumping ability and his stamina, and he will command attention. It will be recalled that he ran third this season in the Trentham Hurdles, won the Lambton Hurdles

and then a second to Corineus inthe Winter Hurdles, at the Trentham winter meeting. He meets Corineus on 81b better teims than in the Wmter Hurdles Next to those mentioned above the prospects of the five-year-old Skywriter, who is set to carry 10.1, make most appeal. He is one of the best young hurdlers seen out for some seasons, and the distance is not expected to trouble him. Desert Trek has given signs recently of recovering earlier good form and he will be running on at the finish. The favourites on the day may be Corineus, Foxchase and Pimlico, The following are form horses — Aylesbury Handicap.—First div.: Pierre, Profane. Second div: Resolute, Confidence Trick. Sumner Hack Handicap.—First div.: Super, Palissy, Helio. Second div.: Deficiency, Ballochbuie, The Grate. Beaufort Steeples. — Troytown, Eleanor Star, Debater. Woolston Hack.—First div.: Faultrosa, Baccarat, Scuttle. Second div.: Money Lender, Rival Chase, Lochrea. Grand National Hurdles.—Corineus, Foxchase, Skywriter, Spreydon Hack Hurdles.—Grand Coulee, Foreign Ways, Lord Broiefort. Islington Handicap. — Ballinagh, Aganev, Royal Tan. August Handicap. — Distinction, Julius Caesar, Lord Elgin.