THRILLS OF THE STEEPLECASE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23517, 3 June 1938, Page 19

THRILLS OF THE STEEPLECASE

— DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPORT GRAND NATIONAL A GREAT SPECTACLE CROSS COUNTRY RACING IN OTAGO By Sentinel The approach of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s winter meeting has aroused anticipations of spectacular racing, for steeplechasing is to figure largely in the programmes. If a sportmen s Mecca exists one that attracts the greatest pilgrimage made by sportsmen—it is the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase. In point of attendance the English Derby overshadows the great steeplechase annually decided at Aintree, but it is within easy distance of London’s millions, whereas Aintree attracts a vast throng of spectators not only from all parts of England, but from all parts of the world. The Aintree fences stagger some of those making their acquaintance (from the ground) and marvelling at the greatly daring horsemen

who charge them with the same sang froid as a circus rider crossing an imaginary jump promptly lowered at the take-off. The Aintree country stands alone in the world, and has only been imitated on a modified scale. The original steeplechase course at Flemington rivalled Aintree, and the solid fences and stone wall at the former made it infinitely more dangerous than England’s premier race “ between the flags.” The long list of fatal falls at Flemington and the very few serious falls at Aintree form a remarkable contrast, and must be accepted as evidence of the danger supplied by solid fences and the comparative safety of the very formidable looking jumps that made Aintree world famous. Many years ago a Melbourne paper summed up its idea of Flemington by paraphrasing the gladiatorial “ Hail, Csesar! We who are about to die salute thee ” by depicting on the course a line of riders in colours saluting the occupants of the Flemington grandstand.

The first Grand National Steeplechase was run just a century ago, and has grown from year to year in popularity, and to-day it could be claimed as the greatest race in the world. There is every reason for saying that it can be ranked as the world’s premier attraction for sportsmen. It calls for the greatest ability on the part of the trainer to get a horse fit and well to race over about four miles and a-half of the stiffest country in the world. It calls for perfect horsemanship, although it does not necessarily follow that all who take a mount are really great horsemen. They would be more fittingly described as great sportsmen. Last, but not least, it provides the greatest thrill in the world to spectators. No wonder then that it forms such a tremendous magnetic attraction to those who travel from America, the Continent, and other parts of the world to swell the vast throng which annually assembles for the race.

France and other parts of the Continent have striven to win the great race at Aintree, and have succeeded. In 1909 M. J. Hennessy came over from France and won with Lutteur 11. The Continent had, however, long before that year supplied a winner in Prince Charles Kinstry’s mare Zoedone, who won with her owner in the saddle. The success in recent years achieved by American sportsmen will stimulate ambition in that part of the world. Australia and New Zealand contributed quite a number of runners in bygone years, but the sole honour of success rests with the New Zealand-bred Moifaa, who won in 1904 in Mr Spencer H. Gollan’s “ Black, White Sleeves, and Red Cap.”

It is clearly established that the Liverpool, Grand National Steeplechase is the most spectacular race in the world. Ireland probably runs a good second with the.broad banks and stout country that make the Emerald Isle supply some of the greatest cross-country horses ever bred. France has some spectacular steeplechasing, and America has long been popularising the sport. In fact, Seahorse, who won the New Zealand Cup Derby and Canterbury Cup of 1899, afterwards was taken home to run in the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase. Seahorse started in the race of 1905, won by Kirkland,

a horse got by the Australian-bred Kirkham, who was sent Home by the Hon. James White to run in the English Derby. Seahorse was pulled before reaching the last fence, and when racing in America broke his neck by a fall in a steeplechase.

The Victoria Grand National Steeplechase was first run in 1868, and at once became a red-letter date in Australian racing' history. The first Grand National Steeplechase run in New Zealand is dated 1876, but prior to that cross-country races were run at various meetings. At the Dunedin Cup meeting of 1876 a steeplechase of £IOO with a sweepstake of £5 was run, and was won by Dan O ’Brien’s Auckland Kate, who beat two others. A protest was lodged against Auckland Kate on the ground that her rider dropped his whip at the water jump, and that it was picked up and handed to him. Part of the original steeplechase course at Porbury Park led over a gorse fence and then up the sandhills, where two post-and-rail fences had to be jumped. There is a legend of a steeplechase being run at Anderson’s Bay on the hill behind Vauxhall.

The Grand National Steeplechase was run on May 24, and attracted six starters. It was won by Royalty, with the gentleman rider, Mr Martelli, in the saddle. «It is interesting to note that Mr Martelli’s success marks the only occasion on which a gentleman rider won. Plenty of steeplechasing took place during that season, and ample evidence can be found that as soon as flat racing became established cross-country racing soon followed, because it proved a great draw on a card.

Cross-country racing at Wingatui started in a modest way. It was started with only one race on the programme, but it at least was sufficient to show what a great attraction it would prove if more liberally figuring on a programme. This was done, and the Wingatui winter meeting at once sprang into a popularity that never could be achieved if the programme had been principally confined to flat racing. The steeplechase course and the varied jumps to be negotiated provides a fine, spectacular race. The course is varied by sod walls, post and rails, brush fences, and a water jump. All the running takes place within easy view, and that in itself stands as a great asset in the running of a steeplechase decided at Wingatui.

The Otago Steeplechase was first run in 1909, and has gathered a growing popularity ever since. It has been backed up as a sporting attraction by the club providing several other races over the same country.