THE GREAT NORTHERN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 3 June 1927, Page 3

THE GREAT NORTHERN.

“MAECENAS” REVIEWS

PROSPECTS FOR. STEEPLECHASE

The Great l<ortlxem Steeplechase comes up for decision to-morrow, and like most of its predecessors should be a spectacular race, the easy nature of the jump lending itself to. this feature. Any performer that gets around in the Great Northern Hurdles, should have little or no. difficulty in negotiating the 'Ellerslie “county,” but naturally, many proficient jumpers over batten hurdles, show a dislike to a more easily jumped sod wall or gorse fence. There are a number of good hurdlers engaged in this year’s Great Northern Steeplechase, a feature that shows thainers realise how easily the Auckland course is to get over. This year’s event is somewhat 'open, and some of the acceptors have been showing with limited opportunities, that they were capable of better things. Comical heads the list, but his work in private will not gain him any new friends

Ka wmi has already done remarkably well over jumps and providing he gets through his task well in the big hurdle race run to-day, he is certain to be fancied, and no doubt, •null put up a great race. Glenotus is a good “chaser” and recently has shown good form. He is always a “possibility.” Passin’ Through has registered some fine performances in the past, but on his latest form cannot have much chance to-morrow.

Peter Maxwell showed by his winning effort at the recent Wanganui meeting, that he is rapidly approaching his best form, and he may effect a surprise. Tula looked well at the Wanganui meeting and finished on better than some of his opponents. Wedding March will no doubt race attractively, but a guide to lils chance can bo gauged after his effort in the Great Northern Hurdles this afternoon. Dick looked really well at the Egmont meeting, and his finishing effort on the second day was good. Suggesting his being weli, Dick too, always shows his best form at Ellerslie. Royal Abbey is the representative of a powerful stable, but his increasing years must be a detriment in a race of this description. Royal Form is one of the most promising of our young jumpers and he ca?i be relied on to put up a good fight; Maunga, by his display at Wanganui, impressed one as one of the best novices ‘‘o l- er country,” that has been produced of recent years. Zircon has yet to make his appearance in a steeplechase, but as he fences well over battens, the Ellerslie course should not be beyond his powers. Beau Cavalier won a double at the late Waikato meeting and goes really well for a distance, but a lengthy course like that of the Northern may find him wanting. The did “battler” Oinahu looked rejuvenated at Wanganui, and his party expect him to go extremely well in tomorrow’s race. Kendal showed good form on many Occasions last year, bui so far this year, he has proved a failure. Llewellyn was hailed as a coni; ing champion when first produced, but his repeated failures lost him many friends, lie raced attractively to win the last Egmont Steeplechase. Fireblight was a runner at the recent Wanganui mectin, but on her showing there is little or no chance in tomorrow’s race

Rayo has no credentials that would make one fancy him in a race of this description. Day Bell lost some of his admirers when he failed to show tip well at Wanganui, but despite, (lbs failure. Day Bell eau be marked off as one likely to take high honours over jumps, when well .seasoned. A likely trio for 1 o-morrow’s Great Northern Steeples is Kawini, Maunga and Wedding March.