NATIONAL HURDLES

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1930, Page 5

NATIONAL HURDLES

TO-DAY’S MAUN CONTEST SPLENDID RACE IS PROMISED. POSITION APPEARS VERY OPETI. MANGANI WON WELL LAST YEAR.

(By

“Moturoa.”)

The first “leg” of the National double has been run and won by the gallant little mare Aurora Borealis, and to-day the second “leg,” the Grand National Hurdles, will be decided. Bettors will find the issue to-day presenting a decidedly more open aspect than vyas the case in the Steeplechase, and a number of claimants have really good form to encourage their admirers.

Considering everything, it is a good field. Last year’s winner, Mangan!, is there, and so is the veteran Nukumai, who scored in 1928. Mister Gamp and King’s Jest, winners respectively of the last two Great Northern Hurdles, are included, and then there is Carinthia, winner of the Winter Hurdles, and Aurora Borealis, who has the Century Hurdles and the two big Steeplechases to her credit. The remainder are all winners and there is scarcely one aspirant whose claims can entirely be discounted. The following is today’s field with the probable riders

THE FIELD UNDER REVIEW. When King’s Jest romped home In front of a' good field in the Great Northern Hurdles nearly fifteen months ago, racing critics were considerably impressed by his free style and obvious stamina, but the Australian-bred gelding has failed dismally to live up to that form and has developed a bad habit of falling. Of course one cannot entirely rule him out, but his form this winter has scarcely been encouraging and even with his old pilot back in the saddle, the majority of bettors w'l prefer to let him run against them. Tt is surely tio exaggeration to say that Nukumai has been the best hurdler in the Dominion for many years, and his exceptional pace has enacted him to hold his own with the best gallopers on the flat under winter conditions. But horses, unlike babbling brooks, do not run on for ever, and, now in his twelfth year, the fine old veteran cannot be expected to be as good as before. Nevertheless, he is a hardy customer, and his sure jumping and stamina entitle him to some respect, zlnother victory for “Foxton’s meal-tic-ket” would be popular at any price, but I incline to think Nukumai will find this field just too strong.

The South Island is well represented this year with, Carinthia, whose form during his short ’career of hurdling has shown ' great promise. ’There was no

mistake about the way Carinthia wen the Winter Hurdles, and he outstayed Mister Gamp, Mangani, Aurora Borealis and Omeo, who’ again meet him in this race. Carinthia his certainly been solidly handicapped for that win and is required to carry an extra 13U:s, but he is a solid sort of customer find even under the increase of poundage can be expected to render n. good account of himself.

I King’s Jest lias been remarkably conI sistent in his few races over the battens and has not finished outside a place , at this branch of the sport, lie was short of a race when he started at I Trentham ..and then registered a creditable performance. His outing in the Jumpers’ Flat Handicap on Tuesday should be a pipe-opener for him, and it will surprise his large quota of admirers if he does not take a haul in the finish. Auckland hopes rest in Mangani, and the Day Comet pony seems to have struck his very beet form. Following his wiu in the Wellington Steeplechase, he gave a fine exhibition of clever jumping in the Longbeach Hurdles at the Christchurch Hunt meeting and won with 11.9 in the saddle. Last year he outjumped his field and won hands down, but this time he will be requ red to carry another 171 b and, on form, it looks as if the weight will be the only thing to stop him. No fault can be found with his condition and, as another pony, Aurora Borealis, proved capable of winning the Steeplechase on Tuesday, ’ it will not be surprising to find the majority prepared to sec Mangani repeat his performance of twelve months ago. Besides Nukumai, Foxton is also represented by Fine Acre, who chased Carinthia home in the Winter Hurdles. However, Fine Acre may find the distance his greatest trouble. Aurora Bor-, ealis won the Century Hurdles and' ran third in the Great Northern Hurdles, but she has had a strenuous time the past six months, and she may not be able to produce her best form. In addition, the National double has yet to be won in the same year, and the hoodoo against this performance may again prove too Unlucky Oineo is hardly ready to show his best after his series of unfortunate mishaps, and lie may be a better proposition after he has had a spell. Pangolin may be in need of a race or two to tune him..up, fynt.Llyn Du is in good fettle and he won decisively on Tuesday. His return to form will

bring him into favour for to-day’s race, but°l do not think that he will see out the full distance. Craigmore and Mountain Guide’ both stay fairly well, but they can scarcely be given more than jumpers’ chances, In gumming up this difficult problem, I would Incline to pass by Mister Gamp and Nukumai on account of their lack of recent form, and, as Aurora Borealis and Omeo will probably require a spell, the puzzle would seem to resolve itself down to a struggle between Carinthia, King’s Jest and Mangani, but Mangani’s return to form sways the balance in his favour and it looks more than likely that the actual favourite will ba MANGANI. > acceptances for to-day By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Aug. 13. The acceptances for the second day of the-x Canterbury Jockey Club’s Grand National meeting are: —

MINOR EVENTS DISCUSSED Taramoa was responsible for a good second behind lladiae on Tuesday, but KAIKAKU should be belter suited by the extra • half mile in the Hunt Cup to -da y. '&• # * On Top, Portray, Desert Song and Cbarmeuse, who all ran into places tlio first day, will command support in the Woo’ston Handicap. Then there is Bluo Paper, and the Awapuni mare may provide most opposition for PORTRAY and On Top. ” # . #, * ® Though he is meeting much stronger company, RADIAC, who drops 21bs, reads the form horse in the Beaufort Steeplechase, and Matu and Charlatan may be next fancied to him. «■ «■ # # The most consistent hunter racing in the South Island is WEST DOME, and in the Spreydon Hurdles he looks like accounting for Paris and Zippor. ##. # * Two seconds have been recorded by the game Auckland mare, NANCY LEE, in her last two starts, and she was responsible for a fine effort in. the Winter Cup. She looks like being favourite for the August Handicap, though. Rational II m a y fully extend her. « • • * The Sumner Handicap is a weak field and, on their recent form ADVENTUS, Hounslow' and Rapina may give their backers a good run. « » * # . There is sufficient talent for a fmo race in the Islington Handicap, but on his Wellington and subsequent form in the South Island TOWN MAJOR reads a good proposition, = and Full. Feather and Starshooter ihay be next fancied to him, ‘ ? ■' / ■ '

GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES. Of 1200 sovs. About 2 J miles. MISTER GAMP, E. W. Collins’ ch g, by Bronzetti—Brolly, 7vrs (A. E.. Ellis) 11 2 NUKUMAI, S. G. Davidson’s br g, by Manchineel—St. Clements mare, 12yrs (W. J. Bowden) 10 13 CARINTHIA, W. H. and C. L. Orbell’s br g, by Lucullus —• Minsk, Cyrs (F. Thompson) . 10 8 KING’S JEST, J. D. Ormond’s b g, by King Mark —Hoy, 7yrs, (R/ Syme) 10 8

MANGANI, Bradney aiid Wood’s. br g, by Day Cftmet —Maniapoto mare, 8yrs (H. Dulieu) 10 5 FINE ACRE, R. McMullian’s b g, by Acre —Elegant, Gyrs (A. Skipper) 9 13 AURORA BOREALIS, F. R. Waller’s br m, by Day Comet — Rangiata, Gyrs (F.. Foster) 9 9 OMEO, A. Lile’s b g, by Quarantine —Munitioness, 7yrs (L. Jarvis) 9 5 PANGOLIN, H. A. Rhind’a ch g, by Panmure—Bengaline, 8yrs (rider unknown) ..... 9 3 LLYN DU, C. F. Vallance’s br < by Kilbroney—Black Lake, 4yrs (A. McDonald) 9 2 CRAIGMORE, L. C. Hazlett’s b g. by Saxby—Thistledown,'8yra (C. Dempster) 9 0 MOUNTAIN GUIDE, Mrs. B. McLeod’s b g, by Mountain Knight—Avanti, Gyrs (J. (Sharkey) 9 0

HUNT CUPOi 250 sovs. About two miles and a-half. Taramoa 10 13 Parader 9 9 Kaikahu 10 13 Kulrange 9 9 Diana's Lad 10 13 Peterette 9 Tractarian 10 8 Akbar 9 7 Double Soult 9 13 Marco Poio 0 7 WOOLSTON HANDICAP. Of 250 so vs. Six furlongs. Punchestown 10 9 Miss Blue Paper 10 9 Bradbury 9 6 On Top 10 7 Bulolo 9 0 Ek Dono 10 5 Grand Acre 9 2 Portray 10 5Golden Hurly Burly 10 3 Pennant 9 2 Desert Song: 10 0 Muff 9 0 Charmeuse 10 0 Memories 9 0 Night Recital 9 0 . BEAUFORT STEEPLECHASE. Of 500 sovs. About twb miles and a-lialf Radiac 10 9 Charlatan 9 9 Snowfall 10 6 Airtight 9 8 Matu 10 5 Kapuna .9 8 Radiate 9 9 Diamond Jack 0 SPREYDON HURDLE HANDICAP Of 250 sovs One mile and three-quarters Zippor 11 2 Gay Fashion 9 7 West Dome 10 13 Deluge 9 7 Mountain Airforce 9 7 Guide 10 6 Exide 9 2 Paris 10 4 Gold Mint 9 0 Membo 9 12 AUGUST HANDICAP. Of 400 sovs. Six furlongs. Nancy Lee 10 11 Arlkinui 9 1 1 Battle Rational II. 9 8 Colours 10 9 Arrowmir, • 9 5 Staghunter 10 5 Subdivision 9 -0 Teri 10 2 Smithereens 9 0 The Raider 18 1.

SUMNER HANDICAP. Of 250 60 vs. One mile. Adventus 10 5 Air Laddie '9 11 Semper. High Gear 0 2 Paratus 10 5 Dumblane 9 1 Grattus 10 3 Rapina 9’ 0 Hounslow 10 3 Compris 9 0" Fortaliee 9 11 Nightdew 9 0 ISLINGTON HANDICAP. Of 400 sow. One mile and a-quarter, Black Duke 10 13 Stnrshooter 0 6 Full Feather 10 6 Blackmint 0 8 Town Major 10 4 ' ' Tourist 9 3 Taboo 10 8 Royal Game 9 0 Blimp 9 6. ‘ Evening 9 0 • Roya! Opera 9 5