WELLINGTON STEEPLECHASE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 183, 4 July 1936, Page 6

WELLINGTON STEEPLECHASE.

FORM OF LEADING CONTESTANTS. (By “Spectator.”) Billy Boy will be one of the fancied candidates for the 'Wellington Steeplechase. lie has already von the event —in 1932 and 1934 —and was successful in the Great Northern Steeplechase recently, after winning at To Rapa. He has freshened up well during the last week, and it scorns faTly certain that he will take his place in the lield. lie is a son id and reliable jumper and if he keeps clear of trouble will be in the lighting line at the finish. Forest Glow’s efforts at Awapuni since his poor displays at Wanganui indicate that he has gone stale. He will have to show rs nsidcrably more dash on his Wanganui performances to have a chance. Windsor Lad is not very old at tho game, but lie has given some excellent exhibitions of jumping, notably at Wanganui. Ho is die of the younger brigade engaged whose chances will have to be reaped ed. Wellington reports indicate that Diamond has shown considerable improvement this week, and if such is the case he will come into calculation, lie ran two good races at the Great Northern meeting, including a third in the principal steeplechase, and is meeting Billy Boy and Forest Glow, who finished in fro it of hill), on much better terms. Another thing in Ids favour is that he will be racing on bis home course. Palm has done well over country this winter and may bo a surprise packet. Cue of his best efforts was bis winning of the Wingatui Steeplechase, in which lie finished very fast. Dunmurc has a plodder’s Chance. Gascille is a recruit to the game that has done well. He is a good jumper and lias oily to sec out the distance to be very handy. Miss Winston won a double at Wingatui recently, but it is reported that she is I’kely to contest the hack steeplechase m preference to the big event. Manawatu showed a lot of improvement in a round of the steeplechase fences with Forest Glow at Awapuni this week, and though liis race form has been nothing to enthuse over, he has only to do lus best to have more than an outside chalice. Indications are that the favourite divisi:n will comprise Diamond, Windsor Lad, Billy Boy, "and Gascille.