Over Riccarton’s Big Fences

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 102, 21 July 1927, Page 6

Over Riccarton’s Big Fences

INTERESTING FIELD UNDER REVIEW CONSIDERABLE interest has been aroused in the two Grand Nationals following on the appearance of the weights. The first acceptance is due to-morrow night, but it is not expected that there will be any surprise defections. A review of the Steeplechase field as it stands at present follows.

Before going intp the prospects of thi candidates and their weights, it would be as well to point out the very material difference almost certain to be expected in the conditions at Riccarton as against those at Trentham.

Generally the tracks at Riccarton are ideal for winter racing. for they do not get so heavy as either Ellerslie or Trentham. Last week the latter course was worse than heavy, it was puggy, and the effect on horses rising out of this to clear hurdles and other and bigger obstacles was made more difficult. The fences over which steeplechases are decided are not very big, and this alleviated the difficulties to an extent. Therefore, in reviewing the Grand National field the comparatively dry track is being taken as a criterion. BEAU CAVALIER Winner of the Great Northern Steeplechase under 9.7. and the Wellington Steeplechase under 10.7, the weight adjuster has placed Beau Cavalier at the head of the Grand National Steeplechase with 11.7. Considering the difference between the going and the fences at Ellerslie and Trentham as compared with Riccarton, it may be thought that the Auckland horse has been given a couple of pounds too

much. Although raised 14 pounds for his Trentham win Beau Cavalier is even worse off than appears at first sight, for Kawini and Crown Coin, second and third there, have not been treated correspondingly. In the Wellington Steeplechase Kawini was conceding Beau Cavalier five pounds, but now he has gone up hut three pounds against the latter’s 14. That may bring them together, however, particularly at Riccarton, where jumping ability is an even bigger factor than pace. Beau Cavalier made two mistakes at Trentham, and either would have proved fatal to his chances had it been at Riccarton. Nevertheless, it might well be that Beau Cavalier maj' once more account for Kawini, who is doomed to run seconds. TUKI FAVOURED The two winning efforts of Tuki have been impressive. ITe finished very strongly at the end of the Wellington Steeplechase, and four days later just scrambled home ahead of Zircon over three miles... at a difference of half a stone. Tuki was one of the horses the writer had in mind when stating that jumping ability at Riccarton will counterbalance pace. Two years ago Tuki won this National, and he is just as good now as then, with the benefit of the additional experience. Comical has disappointed so far over country, and it would seem that his owner would be advised to put the horse back to hurdling once more. There is something lacking in his make-up that precludes him being a ’chaser at present. If persevered with there is no reason why Comical should not come good. Wedding March has gone off considerably, and on his Trentham showing it is probable that he will be given a chance to build up again. MAUNGA A POSSIBILITY Winner of the Wanganui Steeplechase, his first effort over country, runner-up to Beau Cavalier in the Great Northern Steeplechase after finishing fourth in the Great Northern Hurdles, and unplaced in the Winter Hurdles last Saturday. That is the record of Maunga for the past couple of months, and with 10.5 he reads very well. He has proved himself a good performer over the big fences, and the Riccarton country should not bother him any more than it will the other proved horses. The subsequent win of Beau Cavalier at Trentham adds distinction to Maunga’s effort in finishing second to him in the Great Northern. Then the Hasting’s gelding was giving the winner six pounds; now he is to meet Beau Cavalier at a difference of 16 pounds, so he will meet the Northerner on 22 pounds better terms. That is a very strong argument in favour of Maunga. SURE TO IMPROVE In finishing third to Beau Cavalier and Kawini in the Wellington Steeplechase in ground that was all against him. Crown Coin proved himself a real good one, and accomplished a noteworthy feat. He does not like the mud. and despite this handicap he fenced faultlessly, which was rather remarkable for a green one. Crown Coin will relish the better turf at Riccarton, and, as he has only gone up a pound for his third at Trentham, he is sure to be one of the most fancied.

Crown Coin can stay, and his young trainer has no fear on that score. Twelve months ago he ran second in the Grand National Hurdles, and incidentally “fore and aft” of him were

eComical and Maunga, both of whom are also included in the horses weighted for the event under review. MAY TIRE QUICKLY For a young ’chaser Zircon is doing particularly well, and that he benefitted by his outing in the Wellington Steeplechase he showed when he ran Tuki to a head on Saturday. Zircon is a fine jumper, and the only thing that is against him is that he appears to tire rather quickly. In the Grand National this will not do. On the score of weight Zircon is well treated. With Peter Maxwell it is a case of all’s well. He has 10. L a stone more than he won with last year. His one success this year was in the Grandstand Steeplechase at Wanganui, two and a-half miles, with 10.3. That effort would not be a very reliable guide for a race like the Grand National. Peter Maxwell, however, will be well suited by Riccarton country, and he went well enough at Ellerslie to entitle him to be included among the possibles. TAKING NO CHANCES Pamplona, a splendid jumper of other days, got into the Wellington Steeplechase with 9.5, but no risk of a comeback is taken in this event, for the Southerner has been awarded 9.12. Had his owner missed the Wellington race with the idea of getting the odd five pounds knocked off at Riccarton he would be disillusioned. However, Pamplona is not too sound, and he may not even see the post. Charlatan was jumping well at the back end of last winter, and he is nicely handicapped. Frenchman too is a useful sort over the big stuff. Scamp obviously couldn’t handle Trentham’s pug, with the result that he was bungling his fences. He was very much in the picture for two and a-half miles in the Wellington Steeplechase, and then died away. Scamp is one who will benefit/ by the change from Trentham to Riccarton, and with 9.9 he can be given a chance. Southerners say he is a good sort, and they should know, for they have some good judges down that way. A BACK NUMBER One cannot be unduly optimistic about Passin’ Through’s prospects. He is already being rated among the hasbeens, and since he scored at Ellerslie at Easter he went back very fast. Cartoon disappointed at Trentham last Saturday, giving a moderate display in the July Steeplechase. Dick simply won’t jump at Riccarton, and his entry comes as a surprise. He played a not unimportant part in the Wellington Steeplechase, and improved sufficiently to get third money last Saturday. However, his dislike for a certain fence at Ricfearton will no doubt see him sticking his toes in. Highway has been disappointing so far, and it is probable that he will not be sent so far from home. We may know more about him after the Gisborne meeting next week. JUMPS TOO BIG Penury R.ose, winner of the Grand National Hurdles two years ago, has been entered, but from all accounts it will even be surprising if he sees the post. Omahu has won over Riccarton country before, but his trainer informed the writer some time ago that the black gelding did not like the fences, for they were too big. Omahu has no form so far to point to him as a likely winner, and in any case he was sent home from Trentham. Those down the list with jumners’ chances only are Royal Abbey, Lady

Comet, Kipling, Vice Grand, Radiac, and Ranui. Good ’chasers all, but with no great amount of stamina. That completes a pretty exhaustive survey of a very open contest. It may be said that those with a winning show would be the following: Beau Cavalier Tuki Kawini Maunga Crown Coin Zircon Peter Maxwell Scamp Charlatan Cartoon Frenchman Radiac Dick would be included in place of Radiac if it was thought that he would get round. There are a dozen in the list, and to fine them down to a sextette, those that will come ih for big support on the day—Tuesday, August 9, are the following, named in order on handicaps: Beau Cavalier Kawini Tuki Maunga Crown Coin Peter Maxwell. The first acceptance is due to-mor-row night (general entry date), and then there might be one or two to drop out of the picture. It is expected, however, that the dozen named at the close of the review will be found standing their ground, and, barring accidents, will also see the post.