SPORTING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 4 June 1926, Page 5

SPORTING.

THE AUCKLAND MEETING. PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW. ! The forty-second Great Northern Steeplechase comes up- for decision tomorrow (Saturday), and, as it- usually does, presents a problem to followers of racing. At the time of. writing Sir Rosebery is still in the race, hut is a very unlikely starter. .Eferie (11.9) will an army of backers, and we have often been surprised how long it took even close students of form to realise what a good steeplechaser the daughter of Nassau is. This statement is supported by the spleqdid dividends Eerie has paid in all her sue. cesses over country. Eerie’s task to-morrow is a formidable one. but, despite her failure yesterday she should do better to-morrow. Last season Landbircl gave promise? of developing into a fine steeplechaser, but his effort at 'Wanganui last month was. not by any means attractive. Judging by his good performance in the big hurdle race yesterday, he lias made a great improvement since then, and his trainer’s forecast that he would win the two Northerns may come true. Tuki registered sonic good performances last season, and at the Hamilton meeting, held! five weeks ago, won a “double” in fine style, and he can be relied on to run well.

Royal Abbey is the representative, of a very dangerous stable (Hannon’s), and although he lias a tendency to tire over a long journey, lie is such a, clever juniper that it would be unwise to discard him altogether. Glenotus was a runner at Hamilton last month, where he looked remarkably well and gave a great exhibition of jumping, but his rider at that meeting allowed the gelding to cover a lot of unnecessary ground, so under the circumstances a win for him was out of the question. Glenotus is a fair sort, and the writer will he surprised should lie not run well. Llewellyn is much in the limelight, and no doubt- is. very useful, but his performances do not stamp him the champion some would have. Sea De’il has been off the scene so long that one can discard him without much risk of the gelding winning. Peter Maxwell disappointed many at Wanganui, but those who have seen him on other courses cannot accept that form as his best, and it may be found that he is one capable of showing good form, even in a race -of the importance of a Great Northern. Dick has always! shown his best' form at Ellerslie, and for this reason will have admirers again this year. Gaze gave a- good display over the big country at Ellerslie, but his subsequent poor showing over the batten hurdles has lost him many friends, hut should he he well enough to run he may effect a surprise. Alaligoloire won a “double” at Ellerslie last Easter, hut will meet better class to-morrow.

During a fairly long career Pittsworth has at times shdwn good form in steeplechases, and it is difficult to give- him a winning chance in this year’s Great Northern. Prince Rufus is not very big, but has shown fair form as a hurdler, while Peter Annins lias been tried and failed too often in such company to be seriously considered. Birkemella ip ’ very uistefui over a course that takes jumping, but is hardly brilliant enough for Ellerslie. Kendal raced well in second-class company, and, favoured with a lightweight oil a heavy track, should satisly his supporters. Luculleut, Crown Coin, and Black Cruiser are all new to this department of racing, hut are so useful over the smaller jumps that any one of them should be callable of winning steeplechases in the' best of company, providing they take kindly to the bigger jumps. Kiwini is a much-improved performer, and having won a steeplechase at Ellerslie lasi November, knows the course thoroughly and should take some beating. At this stage. Eerie, Tuki, and Glenotus seem to be a trio with possibilities.