Final Rehearsal For Grand National

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 July 1950, Page 1 (Supplement)

Final Rehearsal For Grand National

First Act is the ruling favourite in a comparatively weak field to contest the Homeby Steeplechase at the Christchurch Hunt Club’s meeting to be held at Riccarton tomorrow. First Act, it is generally considered, will be better suited by the distance of the Homeby, whereas Mr W. S. Goosman’s candidate, Jon Rosa, will be more at home over the longer distance of the Grand National the following week.

Mr Goosman will have a strong candidate in Biassed for the main fiat event, the Brabazon Handicap. Sir Abbot, a very easy winner of this race last year, is apparently regaining form, while Duvaals races well over this distance of seven furlongs. The race may provide a useful pointer to prospects in the Winter Cup.

One conclusion to be drawn from the acceptances for the meeting tomorrow is that the fields will be large for the Grand National meeting which opens a week later. However, the jumping events, especially the open class, may not be up to the best standard. The opening steeplechases look likely to be It is good to have Jon Rosa in the field for the Homeby Steeplechase. The longer journey in the Grand National should suit him. First Act appeals more here as he, on the other hand, seems not overstrong in stamina. Roman Son, a very safe jumper, won this race last yeai- and he is at his best now.

Colonel Smart jumps well and may be prominent for a long way. St Simper has no recent form, but he had a good lead in the last Grand National when he fell at the sod wall, five furlongs from home. First Out, who won at Wingatui early -last month, has a jumper’s chance. Siglow has not wori this season and at 13 years may not improve. Periwig is a good jumper, though unknown over the Riccarton fences.

Stylus is only four years old and has no form.

Longbeach Hurdles Some Grand National Hurdles candidates will race in the Longbeach Hurdles. The Stormovik is a recent winner and Mandeville looks like being useful, while Bayfort with very little experience ‘ is an improver. Wee Mac’s form reads well in this field/ Many Winter Cup candidates will be seen in the BrabSzon- Handicap. Jamell has some attractive form and won impressively at Riccarton in February. Gold King showed good spring form at Wingatui last month. Duvaals is another southern sprinter to be considered. Saieda has not been consistent, but on his day he is smart. Biased has shown some form in the North Island lately and will be an attraction at Riccarton. Detention also will command attention. Among the Riccarton can- - didates, Disturbance has also been working well, while Lexia, ‘ Trident and Ned Kelly may be a stout bracket. It is thought that there will be many good prospects among the fresh candidates for the Winter Cup race. Prang and Penetration will have friends in the Hunt Cup race for gentlemen riders. This race unfortunately will have a small field. Lawford Steeplechase Some improvers will be seen in the Lawford Steeplechase. Specialist won at last year’s Grand National meet* ing and is a good jumper. Jolyon has won recently, but has not yet raced over the Riccarton fences. Erin’s Smile must have a chance after a good showing in a school today, when Light Tea also fenced well. Libellula has form in the south. I In the Camla Hack Handicap Ryeland’s Washdyke win will help him, as he is partial to soft ground. Lord Montrose looks on the way to more " good form. Grand Fox is an improver who may go a long way. I There are some good staying pros- ; pects in the Kennels Hack Handicap.; Profane is one who may go on to good . class early in the new season. Hobgoblin and Fyxen are two other local I candidates that look worthwhile pros-

pects. Zarcon is an Otago visitor who is in form.

Nearly 40 maidens wifi be seen in the Halden Stakes, 26 of them being three-year-olds, among whom there are some who may develop useful form. The Neptune colt Arganaut ran third in the Champagne Stakes at Easter. His stablemate, Hue and Cry, by Wild Chase, will be having her first race, but will be useful later. Miss Chase gallops well and looks partial to the soft ground. Bob’s March also showed form at Easter. Royalcille and his stablemate, Winslow Boy, are two other good sorts trained locally: Also Sharessa who may develop into a filly of good class.

Riding Engagements Riding engagements are: A. J. Stokes, Paper Royal, Albert John, Coral Arc, Song Girl; C. T, Wilson, Winslow Boy, Brenlock, Young Prince, Fyxen; L. J. Ellis, Sharman, Lord Montrose, Personality; D. M. Kerr, Hue And Cry, Caronia, Disturbance, Profane; D. J. Thistoll, Air Base, Entrancing, Sunda; J. T. Anderson, Terminus, Pyramus, Winning Dancer; D. R. Mackie, Jolyon; M. R. Jones, Te Roa Maori, Golden Victory, Trident, Rebel Anrfte; E. A. Winsloe, Roman Son; H. J. Ford, Wandering Minstrel; H. W. Hibberd, Paper Miss, Duvaals, Stagdance; R. W. Gould, Royalcille, Grand Fort; S. H. Smith, Plume D’Or; C. C. Stokes, Argonaut, Roving Robin, Gay Prince; A, M. Ellis, Vitology; W. Reid, First Act, The Stormovik; M. H. Hillis, Fiddlesticks, Ned Kelly; J. W. McDonald, Spinning Lady, Lights On; L. H. Barr Laindon, Moonlit; E. P. Corboy, Whakawhatea, Colonel Smart; P. H. Jones, Avonhead; B. McLaren, Alleviate; Mr L. R. Hillis, Owenga; J. D. Pankhurst, Weldrest; L. Hare, Super Flight, Diablo, Zarcon; E. G. Low, Penze, Sir Abbot, Cogitation; K. Nuttall, Specialist, Distinction, Final Embrace; C. McDonald, Detention, Mr Speaker, All Hurry; R. W. Shaw, Bob’s March, Hobgoblin, Lexia; D. Arney, Vai Arrow,- Fricka, Periwig; B. S. Wilson, St Simper, Turora, Mandeville; J. M. Cappie, Billy Mac, Love Letter; A. J. Williams, Springwater; B. S. Finlayson, Clyde Bridge, Flying Agnes, Miss Chase; D. Dawson, Libellula, Lord Dundonald; Mr M. G. Rattray; Prang; N. A. Crombie, Balkis, Reproof, Arrowlea; A. J. Murray, Night Fighter; M. J. McClintock, Light Tea; M. A. Skinner, Brockie; A. N. Didham, Detract, Fille D'Honneur, Addition; H. J. Ford, Octoroon; N. F. Davison, Arrowork; G. W. Mein, Lord Lansdowne; I. McClure, Ryeland; R. E. Gunn, Trencherman; Mr W. S. Emmerson, Penetration; Mr M. G. Winsloe, Sparkling Lad.

Form Prospects

Likely prospects are. — Hunt Cup.—Penetration. Prang, Sparkling Lad. Lawford Steeplechase.— Libellula, Specialist, Turora bracket. Haldon Stakes. —First division: Sharessa, Royalcille. Second division: Winslow Boy, Pyramus. Homeby Steeplechase. —First Act, Jon Rosa, Roman Son. Camla Hack Handicap.—Grand Fox, Ryeland, Diablo, Longbeach Hurdles:—Wee Mac, Night Fighter, Lord Dundonald. Brabazon Handicap,—Biassed, Sir Abbot, Duvaals. Kennels Hack Handicap.—Profane, Hobgoblin, Zarcon.