FIELD IS JUST TOO BIG FOR COMFORT

NZ Truth, Issue 1127, 7 July 1927, Page 11

FIELD IS JUST TOO BIG FOR COMFORT

Eighteen Horns Engaged In Big Steeples May Cause Some Bother

THERE is always a rush for positions at the first fence, and mere often than not the helter-skelter tactics bring about the downfall of several of the runners.

A dozen would have made quite a nice field, and looking at the names it would be quite m order for five or six to retire. All the good horses m commission, with the exception of Maunga, are engaged and with a bit of luck over the first two or three obstacles there should result a splendid exhibition of jumping. The fences: are not extremely difficult to negotiate, and chances can be taken with several of them. However, there are two down the back that had better not be brushed through. A disappointment to Sate, Comical is gradually improving. With 11.4 he has the job m front of him and most Will want to be shown how. Harry McSweeney is to ride him and it will be interesting to see how the chestnut goes under the guidance of the veteran. * , , Wedding March was not allowed to run m the Northern where he ; was given a chance with 10.3. Now he has lllbs. more and to win , with it he will need to be everything ', his admirers claim him to be. By now Kawini is thoroughly sea- ! soned. He was third m the Northern, after having had a hard race the pre- |. vious day m the hurdles. ; He .has been a most unlucky horse m big jumping events and it is just about time the tide turned. ; Jumping perfectly and going up and down the hill like a train Beau Cavalier made no race of the Northern. He had 9.7 that day and another ' stone would have made not the 'slight - ' est difference to him. ■ \. -• Only twice m history have horses ; won the Northern arid then a month , later won the big race at Trentham. The two to establish this performance were Kiatre m 1905, and Coalition m 1921. So history is hot too much on Beau Cavalier's side, i ; . Tuki came home the last day at El-

After the acceptance eighteen horses have held their ground m the "Wellington Steeplechase. The field is just a' bit too big, and its size may cause some bother m the early . stages of the race. • • . ' -<— . ' ' ' =)j

lerslie when it was very bad ground and he beat Kawinj[ when m receipt of 151bs. Next week there-will be only 61bs. m Tuki's favor. A repetition of that last day at El•<lllllll!IIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIl!!lllllllllllll|l|llllllllllll[lllllilllllllllllllllC

TUKI. -dIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIiniIIIIIIIIIIII

lerslie would make Tuki a dangerous candidate. ' • Without the services of his usual pilot, "Pukeha" Thomson, may make a difference to Crown Coin. He is a peculiar horse to ride, and is anything but a good conveyance over the first few fences. Left alone he, however, goes all right, though he has to be reminded halfway through a race that he is not out for a schooling jaunt. . .-■/ s - Every race has been working wonders m him and with two successes; on end he may make' the score three. > Zircon has wonover big country, but though i on that occasion he had a good lump of weight the race" did ;not make him "out a big' ateeplchase winner. The much-talked-of ' Scamp has come

all the way from the far. south and he •is reported .to be well, though 'he has not raced v since Easter. Good judges ■ say he will make' a. National winner with .experi-

ence and they predict the fences at Trentham will not worry him. ' He has pace, too, and so ,it is - reasonable to expect him to show up. A south horse has not won the Wellington Steeplechase since .Vascular caused a surprise m 1919, so It is their, turn again. The< course should suit Peter Maxwell better than Ellerslie did, &ut there is a feeling that he may" not* be" quite at ; his best. His owner is ' keen to win . another National with "Peter," but he is also just as keen to win at Trentham. Omahu with two successes m the race to his credit, is removes behind the Omahu that battled out the finish with Pamplona? m 1925. Dick's long suit is Ellerslie — Trentham has never appealed to him over-, much. v ' Royal Abbey goes well as long as he can. And that is not for three and a-quarter miles. ' In the same stable that -had Lochella, Cartoon is spoken of m the south. 1 He won the Otago j Steeplechase, but it was ,poor~class. Bonny Rill and Sir "Wai are, perhaps, flying a bit too high, though the former is just the type to cause a surpriseSince winning the race last year. Birkenella has gone to the pack completely — so much so, that he is on the minimum. If he could strike form,. he would; be a nuisance, but not many will want to take the risk. San Forte may prove to bo the beat of the 9.0 'trio. His trainer has him 'well, but that . does not improve his legs. A carpenter would be needed for that job. A lot can happen between now and the day of the race, but three horses • which may race with credit are KAWINI CROWN COIN TUKI.