SPORTING St Simper Should Master Grand National Distance

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 August 1949, Page 7

SPORTING St Simper Should Master Grand National Distance

•!»>* AS oS /•■ r <»<>i «c 3 ah <•*« >« <•.»><• •»« ■ Although lacking the class of some fields of previous years,, with no outstanding acceptor, this year’s Grand National Steeplechase, to be decided on Saturday, promises to be an interesting race because of the even quality, of the field.. The favourite may come from the three topweights, .Master Meruit, Golden Reign, and Gaiety, but a rising’ star in St Simper will carry much confidence with his substantial “pull” in the weights. A bold jumper, with a solid preparation behind him, St Simper may emulate the performance of another member of AV. E. Hazlett’s team, Astral Flame, who, in 1941, won the hack steeplechase at the Hunt meeting and followed up with a decisive win in the Grand National.

‘St.. Simper has done all that has been required'of him in hack steeplechases. At recent meetings he has won at Wingatui, Washdyke and at the Christchurch Hunt last Saturday. He has not be tried beyond two miles and a half, but he gives the impression that his stamina will stand the test in the Grand National this Saturday. There are prospects of the going being better on Saturday than was the case for the Wellington Steeplechase and this will favour Master Meruit. If A. Midwood’s contention that the Master Collossus gelding would have won the Trentham steeplechase if he had not fallen at the last fence is correct then Master Meruit issgoing to be a thorn in the side of this field in spite of his 11.13. Golden Reign, of course, has the Great Northern Steeplechase win as a recommendation. He is reputed to be a fine jumper and has been schooling impressively over the Riccarton country. Even so, the handicapper has not treated him lightly with 11.3. Gaiety attends him closely in the handicap and this little mare may shew that grit and jumping ability more than size, are the necessary attributes for a three and a-half mile journey. First Act and Page’s Raid cannot be dismissed lightly, although Page’s Raid’s series of falls do not inspire confidence. Distance may be First Act’s biggest “hurdle,” but he will meet Gaiety 12 pounds better for a narrow defeat in the Wellington Steeplechase. Bravura, Master Play, Young Bob and Roman Son all have something to be said in their favour, with Bravura an improver whose clean jumping will assist him in mastering the journey. St Simper, Mastei’ Menut and Golden Reign seem the best prospects.

Due To Leave Hacks Detract will have another chance, of leaving the hack ranks on a winning note when he contests the Avonhead Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday He has the frame to carry weight and even though burdened with 9.11 will nevertheless be one of the favourites. After running second to La Jani on the first day at Trentham, the Defaulter gelding wilted in the heavy ground on the second day. On Saturday he has drawn No. 2 marble at the barrier, which should assist him to escape much of the trouble in a big field. His record this season reads one win and seven placings, with three unplaced performances.

Siegform Over Hurdles Siegform is one of the latest horses to have raced successfully over hurdles for Wingatui trainer A. E. Didham, and the Siegfried gelding has notched two second placings in his last two starts. He ran second to Gold Song at Washdyke recently, form .which suggests that the southerner will, not be out of his depth in a comparatively weak field in the Trial Hurdles at Riccarton on Saturday. Didham has a big team of jumpers at the meeting, some of those engaged on the first day being Batal, Money Bird, Young Bob. Brockie and Siegform,

Transferred South The Ashhurst trainer D. G. Nyhan has purchased S. A, Edwards s P r0 * rertv at West Melton, Canterbury, and he expects to transfer there shortly. With limited opportunities Nyhan has trained his share of winners, and the

manner in which he turned out the Light Brigade trotter, Couresty, to win races at New Plymouth and Epsom this ■season, suggests that this painstaking trainer will do well in the south.' He has secured the Australian-bred pacing stallion, Robert’s Pick, a son of Robert Derby, sire of the great Lawn Derby, 1.59 2-5, for stud purposes.

Lady Inchcape Although sne was only lightly raced because her trainer, S. J. Thomas, was ill for some time, Lady Inchcape showed splendid form to earn £Bl5 for three wins and a fourth in her eight starts last season for Mr T. B. Mason. A five-year-old daughter of U. Scott and Great Nulgeria, Lady Inchcape is one of the most promising trotters in her class. She should take a tight mark this season. Officers Elected For Reef ton Jockey Chib The following officers were elected for the ensuing year at a recent meeting of the Reefton Jockey Club. — President, Mr R. Yellowlees; vicepresident, Mr W. G. Chandler; committee, Messrs T. N. McMahon, J. Kyle, T. N. Young, G. Murtha, T. C. Dellaca, T. C. Irving, A. Lulham, J. Etheridge, G. B. Harris, S. C. Griggs and R. J. Little. 1

HAWKE’S BAY HUNT CLUB ACCEPTANCES

Acceptances for the first day of the Hawke’s Bay-Dannevirke Hunt meeting on Saturday are:— ERAEHEAD HACK AND HUNTERS’ HURDLES, of £200; about one mile and a half.—Ernbrae 10.7; Gildchase 10.0; General Lytup 9.11; Land Warden 9.7; Queen’s Charm, Sten 9.6; Broilyn 9.4; Master Rich, Comedy Star 9.3; Grey Arch, Mabel Knight 9.2; High Profit 9.1; Robert Keith, Viceroy, Newel Post, Old Mack, Mr Valiant, Autogiro, Pedro, Whawhaireihi 9,0. FIRST OKAWA MAIDEN, of £150; six furlongs.—Jovada, Neibelung, Heroa, Reveltide, Gallant Bill, Sonata, Manawanui, Muscat, Cousette 8.10; Beau Cceur, Valley Girl. Laucala Bay, Symbourn, Excellent 8.0. SECOND OKAWA MAIDEN, of £150; six furlongs.—The Friar, Obvious, Parizade, Fleetmaster, Lady Gretchen, Gambari, Fighting Gold, Foxcourt. Navy Blue 8.10; Happy Man, Lady Viv, Royal Visit, Gossiper 8.0. HAROLD RUSSELL MEMORIAL CHALLENGE CUP STEEPLECHASE, of £515; about two miles and a half — Melriiiful 11’,3; Pimlico, Griffin 10.9; Genero 10.6; Ernbrae 9.13; Valorous 9.9; Magnus Lux 9.6; Money Machine, Charivari, Mediocre, Sir Raleigh 9.5; Carnforth 9.4; Wiremu 9.2; Beaulitha, Bettermusk, St Hilton, Gold Dip, Paulus 9.0. Bracket: Pimlico and Charivari.

AWANUI HACK HANDICAP, of £250; one mile and a quarter.—Ace Pilot 9.3; Run Bahadur 8.12; Kilfenora 8.8; Grande Dame 8.7; Morea Fox 8.6; Motoka, High Profit - 8.4; Aratucky 8.2; Myrna’s Pal, Fleurbaix, Sandalwood, Neap Tide, Revetir 8.0. SOUTRA HUNTERS’ FLAT, of £200; one mile and a quarter.—Baletore 11.11; Precious Metal 11.2; Lord Boswells 11.0; Haere Huku 10.13; Land Warden, Bettermusk 10.11; Charivari, Makutu, Young Parke, Money Machine, Turf, The Friar, Ben Lomond. Pedro, Gay Echo 10.7. TIKOKINO HANDICAP, of £350; seven furlongs.—King’s Ransom 10.7; Mangatiti 9.0; Precedency 8.10; Cot Case, Second Seal 8.9; Deprive 8.8; Salut d’Amour 8.7; Hulabaloo 8.6; Dark Flash 8.5; Virginius 8.4; Clive Bay, Ivanhoe, Lady Kindine, Loud Checks, Prince Coronach, Quartz, La Eian, Silver Wedding 8.0. OMARUNUI HACK HANDICAP, of £200; seven furlongs—Lady Minter, Phalamint 8.12; Announcer, Kilfenora 8.11; Leigh win 8.8; Sunshine Bay, Spandau 8.7; Rokdale 8.6; Golden Link, Shinrone 8.6; Village, Lady Melva 8.5; Peer Gynt, Shar Bian 8.4; Robin’s Song 8.3; Count Bian, Bursar, Miss Mahatma, Desert Sand, Heroa, Obvious, Betterboy 8.0. Bracket: Heroa and Better Boy.