G.N. DOUBLE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20259, 29 May 1940, Page 3

G.N. DOUBLE

HURDLES & STEEPLES PROSPECTS REVIEWED FEW DUAL VICTORIES FOUR WINS SINCE 1892 it-. 7 By “Trenton” The Great Northern double is to be decided next Saturday and Monday, when the Great Northern Hurdles and Steeples will be run, respectively. Seven horses claim double engagements, but the law of averages is heavily against one horse taking the double. Since 1892, the double h.as been taken by one horse on only four occasions. They were El Gallo (twice) ,> Lochella and Sir Roseberry, and the latter’s double success was in 1925. Since then few horses with over lOst. have won the steeples, but horses carrying substantial weights have scored in the hurdles. This year’s race has drawn a field of 18 in the hurdles and eight of the acceptors figure on the minimum. Erination tops the list with 11.11, or a. stone and 61b more than he won this event, with two years ago, and the same weight as he carried into third place last year. He is a good weightcarrier, but is rising 10 years old, and some of the lighter weighted division .may be preferred. King Rey won good hurdle .races last year, and in 17 starts this season has been placed on 11 occasions, including an easy victory in the Storey Memorial at Te Rapa in February. Jewelled Girdle won like a good horse each day at Te Rapa, and although he now has another half-mile tc go and a stone extra to carry, his chances appear bright. Enjoyment ran poorly at Te Rapa and will need to improve considerably. Streamline won recently at Egmonx and was second to Jewelled Girdle on the first day at Te Rapa. He was fourth on the second day and did not handle the soft going well. In . 1936 he was third in the Grand National Hurdles to Joiiy Beggar and Clarion Call. The time for that race, 4.47. has seldom been bettered. Providing the going is suitable, he will have id be respected. All Irish was third to Enjoyment and High Delight at Avondale last month and now meets both.on 101 b. better,.terms; Hjis first .and third over steeples at Te Rapa gives him an excellent chance on Saturday. Mio,. Lume won over hurdles at Avondale, in September of last year, and in December won the .Grafton Hurdles at Auckland, carrying 10.7 and beating Hopalong 9.4 and Clarion Call 12.7. He v/as going well when he fell on the first day at Te Rapa and was not started on-Rhe second. Aussie Ra was .a gopd ,-hufdler. Jast season, ' He was fourth on the second day at Egmont, when Streamline won and occupied a similar position in the open middle distance flat- event at Waverley. Despite his failures at Te Rapa, he must be respected. Knight of Australia won the Brighton Hurdles at Ellerslie and has now only lib more to carry. Although Brighton form has seldom proved reliable so far as the Northern Hurdles is concerned, it must be remembered that Knight o| Australia revels in heavy going and is a proved stayer, i General Ruse was third at Te Rapa and. is bred on /staying lines, and of those, on the .minimum,..Survalyon, Lapidarian, Innes Lad, Baldric and High Delight all have fair form to recommend them. f ■ . > At this stage the favourites,in elude: Jewelled Girdle, Knight of Australia, Mio Lume, and All Irish. Great Northern Steeplechase All Irish, Enjoyment, Mio, Lume, Aussie Ra, Baldric, Chikara and Okauia all claim engagements in the hurdles. All Irish,,.Mio Lume and Baldric appear to be the pick of the above. Baldric’s • performance in beating Clarion Call,at Te Rapa was impressive, and despite a rise of 101 b should tajxe considerable beating. “ Forest Glow has not started since winning the Autumn Steeplechase —about three miles—at Easter, but is a proved ’chaser and must be given a chance. Biform has won over country. Bridegroom and Hirangi are both owned by Mr. K. Duncan, and the former has been nominated for the steeples on the second day at Wanganui. Hirangi won the Hunt Club Hurdles at,this meeting-two years ago and was third in the Hunt Cup with 11.6 to Power Chief 9.12 and Smilin’ Thru 9.7. During 1938 he was placed nine times in 13 starts. He was unplaced at his only two starts last season. This season he won at his first start at Waverley, and at his only other start was second to Tolaga in -a bracelet at Manawatu. He has a very handy weight., St. Musk, Mahala and Smilin’ Thru are all experienced ’chasers At this stage these may find favour: Jgaldric, Hirangi, Forest Glow, All Irish.