THE NATIONALS.

Northern Advocate, 31 July 1929, Page 9

THE NATIONALS.

(By “iSpotter.";

In looking- over the acceptances for the Grand .National .Steeplechase one remarks that there is only a difference of 161 b 'separating- the first half-dozen weighted. Kawini is top-weight with 10.13, and cannot be said to- be harshly treated for such a consistent place-get-ter. Glendowie, if at his best, would be voted a good thing-, but at present this fellow is under a cloud, and his track work will be watched with interest during the next fortnight. A big improvement on his Wellington form will have to be shown before Glcndowie is reinstated to public favour. In "King's Guard and "Roman Abbov R. Hannon holds a strong hand, and whichever one he elects to start will be one of the best fancied of the field. As Roman Abbey has' been entered for the Trial Hurdles and .jumpers ’ Flat race, run on the same day as the steeplechase, it would point to King’s Guard being relied on to carry the colours in the big steeples, Gorlin, the Northern winner, will find the conditions vastly different at RWarton, and should bo held safe by Fabriano, who on Trentham running has an undoubted chance. A comparatively young and promising steeplechaser in Lord Ranald has had his engagement

continued. He is 'by Masterpiece from a Sant Hario mare, and is spoken of as a coming horse over the big fences. Matinga, Matu and Radiate will all have and betting should be well distributed, with Hannon's elect, Kawini and Fabriano being most favoured at this stage. ' The Winter Cup provides a puzzle that will form itself into a more definite trend of favouritism as ; track work is scanned. At present a halfdozen that look like performing well are Black Duke, : Lady Limohd, Haiti, Otairi ,Taboo, and Merry Mint.

In the Grand National Hurdle race Mister Gamp and Overhaul, by their outstanding performances at Wellington, are the ruling favourites, and are likely to continue so, although Roman Abbey and Locarno are also well fancied. Roman Abbey is a. horse that should do well in a race of this description, and his form on the first day will give a line as to his chances. NOTES AND COMMENTS. (ißy “Spotter.") Rascal showed on Thursday that he is an improved horse and he should !3c worth watching in future engagements. # & *l* ijs Once again Haze found the opposition two too many in the Beaconsfield Hack. His list of placings .without success must be about a record; i\i Jjt sjs • # Two Winter Cup candidates scored at Timaru in King Balboa and Taboo. Both are reasonably, treated and do not incur any extra poundage for their Riccarton engagement. Overdrawn, runner-up to King Balboa, is also in the Winter Cup, and meets King Balboa on 41b worse terms in that event. Both King Balboa and Taboo will now be in demand for the Winter Cup. # $ # * Another trainer has decided to take advantage of training facilities at Awapuni as soon as accommodation can be secured. This is A. Quinlivan, who for some time past has had his headquarters at Porirua, i|; sjt :|t' * The North Islander Elysianor was not taken to the South Island for nothing. He put up a good performance in the Trentham Hurdles, so it was expected that the Bulls gelding would repay following in the Pukaki Hurdles at Tima'ru. Gala Day and Gold Town, which filled the minor places, also gave good displays. s»: # * From all parts of New Zealand and with no uncertain voice there was a big demand on Thursday in unofficial circles for Glendowie in the Gran 1 ! National Steeplechase. It seems pertinent to ask ; says “Vedette," why this sudden desire to support a horse who has performed in ignorninous fashion throughout the season. He is not pitchforked into the big steeplechase by any means, and if he lias any chance of winning the National ho must have improved very considerably since faking the country air. However, it is sufficient to say that he has how advanced to favouritism for the closs-cohntrt’ blue riband. The hoxt thing Will be to see whether he Shows the ituprovement his*backing forecasts.