Editorial. GRAND NATIONAL WEEK

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1930, Page 5

Editorial. GRAND NATIONAL WEEK

In five iliore days flags and bunting will be streaming in the breeze and Riccarton will be the venue of a large percentage of the sporting public of the Dominion. ’ ■ . • Of talent there is aplenty to engross the speculators and visitors and to tax their mental abilities, but again the ciy that the class of tappers is below the standard of other years strikes a predominant note. Rather sadly, it seems, the older sportsmen lament the passing of the days of yore, when Agent, Chemist, Mutiny, Levanter, Dummy, Liberator, The Guard, Moi.faa, Haydn, and a host of others, whose names are perpetually emblazoned in the memories of all true followers of 'the Sport of Kings, carried exacting imposts and won against particularly good performers. Perhaps our jumpers have deteriorated with the fleeting years, but withal-there remain the traditional glamour of the Nationals. From a monetary aspect the Great Northerns may claim respect, but, while not being the most richly endowed jumping races on the calendar, there is little likelihood of the Nationals and National Week being dispossessed of their popularity with sportsmen in a Dominion of sportsmen.

—“Moturoa.”