HISTORIC EVENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22775, 8 July 1937, Page 9

HISTORIC EVENT

V.R.C. GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPION PERFORMANCES HORSES IN SIXTY-FIRST RACE BY PHAETON The first contest for the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase took place in 1860, and after the race, of 1.870 it. was dropped from the calendar for 30 years. The winter of 188 L saw (he race reinstated, and since that year it lias always been the leading cross-country event on the Australian turf. The race next Saturday will ln> the sixtv-firsL.

Viewing the situation in an optimistic spirit in 1929, the committee of the Victoria Racing Club raised the stake for the Grand National Steeplechase at Flemington to £SOOO and in the following year a like stake was provided. The acute financial crisis necessitated a revision of stake-money, and although the value of this year's race is £2500, that is sufficient to maintain it in the leading position.

The reinstatement of the race 56 years ago was marked by a champion performance on the part of the six-year-old stallion Sussex, who carried 13.1 to victory. Sussex was by Grandmaster, a son of the celebrated Gladiateur, who won the Two Thousand Guineas, Derby and St. Leger in England in 1865.

A Marvellous Fencer At an interval of 1L years after Sussex's doughty performance another champion graced the scene at Flemington. This was Pedleap, a son of Dante, who carried 13.3 and defeated a largo field in great style. Kedleap was described as a marvellous fencer and it was claimed for liiin that his pace was such that lie might have won an important cup race had he been trained for Hat racing. Six other houses who scored victories carrying over 12.0 .were Ruby 12.7, Duncan 12.9, floater 12.7, Bribery 12.11, Mountain God 12.7,. and Redditch 12.3. In the winter of 1890 the Kllerslie trainer E. «). Kae journeyed to Victoria with Titokowaru in the hope ot winning the Flemington National. The brown gelding, who was ridden by his trainer, stood,- up well in the searching task, but lie had to be content with second place to Fearless 11., to whom he was conceding 2st.

Jil 1915 Mr. (J. L. Stead furnished a contestant with Tim Doolan, whoso prospects were viewed so promisingly that he was made favourite. But tho luck was against him; ho was beaten by three-quarters of u length by Flash Jack, who was responsible for a surprise. Two years after Tim Doolan's defeat the Waikato sportsman Mr. T. Wilson sent Waimai to Flemington, but tho best he coidd do was to run third to Old Mungindi and C'aibye. Rakwool and Precocious An interesting record attached to tho race under review is that two hallbrothers scored victories in successive years Rakwool and Precocious, who won respectively in 1931 and 1932, were sons of Woolunqua, a daughter ol Petrillo. Rakwool was by Australianbred Woorak and Precocious was by American-bred October. .Both these winners were broken in by Miss Dorothy Shicl, a daughter of the breeder, and she had the distinction of training the last-named horse, who won the Grand National under her colours. Furthermore, she rode Precocious in a full round of the steeplechase fences at Flemington prior to the race which was referred to as a dashing display. Xo woman rider has schooled a horse over fences at Flemington in the interval, for the V.R.C. committee banned it, and, further, women trainers are not allowed under the rules now in force.

Santa Casn, who led the field homo last year under 9.1, is ticked oIF as a likely aspirant for dual honours. With 11.2 opposite his name for this year's race lie it. confronted with a very different task, but he has shown himself ready for the fray. Seymour's winning display last Saturday will brighten his prospects, and another with recent form to recommend him to notice is Elegance, a highly-bred .son of Gay Lothario, who has the handy burden of 10.3. Capo Lilock, a five-year-old by Cape Horn, with 9.5, is the only New Zealand-bred horse engaged. At Fleniington last month he won the Hoval Steeplechase, two miles and half a furlong, but the honours of that race were clearly on the side of the topweight Santa Casa, who ran the New Zealander to a head when conceding; liiiii 361b.

STUD NOTES

GRAND NATIONAL WINNER

Triteleia, winner of this year's V.R.C. Grand National Hurdles, can boast a stout pedigree, for his aire, Great Star, is by the Derby winner Sunstar, and ho traces to stout-hearted Barcaldine. His dam, Mauve, is a

daughter of the French-bred sire Mauvezin, who is by Reuil, winner of the Grand Prix de Paris.

The American-bred colt Flares, hj; Gallant Fox, who won the Princess o Wales Stakes at the Newma.rket meet ing, has a strain of Carbine, whicl comes to him on the sire's side througl Spearmint. TROTTING STIPENDIARIES INCREASE IN STAFF PROPOSED [BY TELEGHAI'H—OWN COHHKSI'OXDUNT] WELLINGTON, Wednesday

The executive of the Trotting Conference will act upon a recommendation from club delegates that a third stipendiary steward be appointed. In discussing the proposal Mr. E. G. Bridgens (Auckland), said the North island was not in favour of any increase in tlio stall', as one stipendiary steward was sufficient for the North Island.

Deputies were required for trotting meetings, Mr. Nieoll said, on about six or seven days. With a staff of four, no deputies would be, required. Mr. T. G. Reynolds (Waikato) said that if there was any danger of a lack of trained men, such a state of affairs should not bo allowed to go on. They must have men fully conversant with trotting in control of meetings.

Four permanent stipendiaries for 80 days' racing seemed to impose too great a burden of expense 011 some country clubs, in the opinion of Mr. B. J. MeKenna (New Brighton). Mr. W. Grieve (Invercargill) recommended that the staff be increased to three. He bad acted as deputy and had not liked it; tlio duties imposed an unfair responsibility on men not accustomed to such work.

RACING FIXTURES ,Tnly 8, 10—AVollintfton Haciiifr Club. July 17 —IJawkiVn Hay Hunt Club. July 17—Waimnte Hunt Club. July 21—Rnnifitikci Hunt Club. July !M —South Canterbury Hunt Club July -Mi, 31 ['overly Bay Turf Club. July Ml—Christclmrcli Hunt Club. August 7—Poverty Bay Hunt Club. August 10, 12, Id—Canterbury Jockey Club August 21 —Pukurautfu Hunt.