NATIONAL TREBLE REVIEW

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1930, Page 5

NATIONAL TREBLE REVIEW

PROBLEMS FOB EABLY SPECULATORS ■ HANDICAPPER. PRESENTS' A PUZZLE FORM LIABLE TO BE. BADLY UPSET At this stage, with the National meeting nearly a month away and two acceptances still due, early speculators are more or less groping in the dark. The racing at Ellerslie re- _ vealed no exceptional performers and the appearance of the weights framed by Mr, J. E. Henry’s has created a wide interest, that is somewhat accentuated by the even class engaged in the two big jumping events and the unusually good class weighted for the Winter Cup. Although the Northerns have attracted attention by big stakes, more honour appears to be attached to the Nationals, and it is pleasing to see the revival of interest in these old-establish-ed jumping races. Verily Mr. Henrys has done his work well. More than usual interest is invested in the number of horses claiming double engagements in the big jumping races. No horse yet has succeeded in taking the double, though Haydn won the Hurdles in 1901 and the Steeplechase the following year. However, with versatile performers of the calibre of Aurora Borealis, Mangani, Omeo, Nukumai, Radiate, Wfiarncliffe, Taurnai and Lucess engaged in both races, not a few “speckers” will attempt to sort out a jumper good enough to create a precedent in the face of past failures. Aurora Borealis and Mangan! and Omeo have beaten top class horses at both branches of the jumping game, and should Nukumai come to light in the Steeplechase this year, it is more than likely he will advance to the position of prime fancy for the event over the smaller jumps, a race he won 'from a great field in 1928. Further down tlie*list, Wliarncliffe, winner of the Hurdles in 1927, has shown promise in his essays over country and is definitely on the improve. , Twenty-nine appear in the National Steeplechase, and in the big hurdles 31 have been nominated, and it is reasonable to expect fully half of these meeting the first acceptance. Then there are 53 good class performers in the Winter Cup and from the top-weight, Historic, to/Malaliat on the minimum scarcely one can be discounted. At this stage Aurora Borealis, Mangani, Omeo, Snowfall; Matu, Master Lu and Lucess claim most attention in the Steeplechase, opinion is divided between Mister Gamp, Carinthia, King’s Jest, Mangani, Omeo, and Llyn Du in the Hurdles and Toxeuma, Havering, Black Duke, Full Feather, White Fang, Mendip, Taboo, Don Quixote, Best Friend, Habit, Starshooter, Marjoram, Ranelagh, Hopwood and Chopin have all their staunch supporters in the Winter Cup. With opinion so widely differing, I propose to deal briefly with the most discussed candidates.

National Steeplechase. -

Aurora Borealis has not been unduly penalised for her second in, the Wellington Steeplechase, but it must not be forgotten that she is only a small mare, and in this race she is~'carrying two stone more than was apportioned to her at Ellerslie. Mangani won the. National Hurdles last year and has since proved his versatility .by taking the Wellington Steeplechase. However, his jumping is faulty, and Riccarton “country” is too solid to allow for mistakes. Omeo was the unlucky runner in the Great Northern Steeplechase, for fit and well he was almost sure to have beaten Aurora Borealis. His fourth in the Winter Hurdles suggests that he has made a good recovery, and he has only to go to the post to carry the confidence of Taranaki sportsmen. However, it would be wise to await an indication of the intentions of his party. Snowfall has not had much difficulty in accounting for the southern ’chasers, and it has been reported, that he stays on well. Matu, after racing disappointingly at Wanganui and Ellerslie, and in the Wellington Steeplechase, made amends by taking the July Steeplechase in his very best style. Riccarton fences have not worried him in the past, and last year he chased Wiltshire home. If he could be relied upon to jump properly, he would take a power of beating. Master Lu impressed favourably when he ran into third place in- the Wellington Steeplechase, as he was not sighted earlier on the journey. Generally a safe conveyance, his staying ability should I stand him in good stead. As*yet Lucess has to win in good company, but at the Great Northern meeting he created a favourable impression with the critics and those who know the Lucullus gelding thoroughly cite him as the best steeplechaser in the Auckland province. That is saying a lot, but this young jumper certainly seems likely to prove a big winner in the future. At this stage Omco, Aurora Borealis and Lucess enter most into discussions. National Hurdle Race.

To say the least of it, Mister Gamp has been a sad disappointment this season. He seems to have lost confidence in his jumping, and he has far from lived up to the promise he gave when he won the Century and Great Northern Hurdles last season. However, he represents class, and one is loath to entirely discount his prospects. Carinthia showed excellent form at Trentham, and is a worthy representative for the South Island. His prospects and performances have been more fully discussed else..here on this page. King’s Jest won the Great Northern Hurdles attractively, and his race in the Winter Hurdles was his first for a month. He was not as forward as the winner, but ran a fine race, and he meets Carinthia on 131 b. better terms. The race he had at Trentham is sure to sharpen him up, and he promises to be more forward in condition next month. Mangani won this race 12 months ago, carrying 9.2, but few horses engaged in this event have had more racing experience this season. The extra weight this year may worry him, but if he is caught in tie Jnmping

mood he is sure to set a merry pace for the rest of the field. Omeo, though he shines best as a steeplechaser, is a clean, quick jumper, and he is sure to be stay- - , ing on when the others are tiring. For a brace of wins in hack company, Llyn Du is set a big task,, but his fencing . is good, and he is bred the right way to stay. King’s Jest, it will be remembered, won the Great Northern with less form credited to him. On form, however, it is hard to look past Carinthia and King’s Jest, but it would not be surprising to see the latter avenge his defeat at Trentham. The following is a comparison of the weights allotted to National candidates who were engaged at Trentham: —

I ' • j Winter Cup Puzzle. ' Probably never before has there been such a wide range for speculation in the Winter Cup, and the class is exceptionally good. Toxeuma has a big weight, but this great galloper has proved himself a master of weight in the past and has sufficient brilliance to secure a good position early. Havering ..is another great performer under big imposts and winter conditions. This will be his first essay at a mile in open company, but judging by the stout way be finishes on, this distance should not be beyond him. Black Duke is worthy of consideration in any field, and should Full Feather be well-placed over the last couple, of furlongs something exceptional will be required to beat him. White Fang is a surprise artist, but he has beaten the best company over all distances, and his prospects must be favourably considered. Mendip raced without luck at Trentham, but he is sure to be a greatly improved horse for his races. Taboo is a great mud lark, and the Winter Oats last Saturday found him back to his best form. Then there is Best Friend who "’ on the Whyte Memorial and is a possibility though he goes up 101 b. for his win there. Habit is another likely lightweight, and Marjoram did not run. a bad race last week. He is sure to pick up a stake soon, and revels in the mud. Starshooter has been racing well in good company throughout the season, and then Ranelagh (though he disappointed at Trentham), Hopwood, Chopin . and Llyn Du aro all distinct possibilities. Just at present a trio who appeal are Havering, Mendip and Toxeuma, with Llyn Du the best of the lightweights. .. weights.

Mister Gamp . Winter Nat’nl. Difference. 11.3 11.2 less lib. Nukumai 10.12 10.13 up . lib. Carinthia 9.9 10.8 up 131b. King’s Jest .. 10.8 10.8 Mangani 10.3 10.5 up 2lb. Fine Acre ... 9.10 9.13 up 31b. -Aberfeldy 9.11 9.11 .— Taumai 10.5 9.11 less 81b. Lancer 9.4 9.11 up 71b. Prince Lu ... -10.0 9.9 less 51b. Archibald • 9.8 9.9 up lib. Aurora Borealis 1Q.1 9.9 less 61b. Omeo 9.8 9.5 less 31b. Pangolin 9.0 9.3 up 31b. Amorist 9.2 9.3 up lib. Apache ’ 9.0 9.2 up 21b. Mountain Guide 9.0 9.0 —- Radiate 9.0 9.0 Panorama ... 9.0 9.0