THE GREAT NORTHERNS

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1931, Page 4

THE GREAT NORTHERNS

LIST OF ENTRIES REVIEWED

POSITION OPEN IN STEEPLECHASE

CARINTHIA IS THE HURDLE CHOICE

The appearance of the Great Northern nominations opens a fresh topic of conversation, and ih the next few weeks enthusiasts will have plenty to tax their imaginations. A cursory glance aat the fields reveals the fact that the nominations are good afid the rich prizes offered in connection With th 6 ‘‘Northerns” have attracted the best hurdlers and steeplechasers in the Dominion. At this stage there is every pfospect of both races providing really high class sport.

The entries for the Great Northern Hurdles and Steeplechase total 43 and 40 respectively and include the best performers of the two islands during the past couple of seasons. Last season’s big winners are all again to tlie fore, and in addition thdi’6 are plenty of promising recruits to the hurdle and steeplechase game. Taken comprehensively, the standard is well up to recent jyeafs and there is every prospect of good sized fields going into the starter’s hands for each event. With the weights appearing to-morroWj interest will iiathraliy increase, blit there is no doubt about/what will head the. list for these two big events.

Carinthia, who distinguished himself by arinexiiig the Winter Hurdles ahd thd Grand National Hurdles last year; at once catches the eye among those listed for the Great Northern Hardies. He was most impressive in his two Starts at the Canterbury autumn meeting and his admirers are confident he WilLstfip 100 per eent. fitter in June. He is an ideal type of hurdler and ohe likely to be eminently suited by tile Ellerslie course. His-performances entitle hiffi t& priirib consideration, and there is Ho doubt the fiahdicapper will assess him aS worthy of the position of top-weight.

Ahi oil g those. Who ffidst necessarily be rated close to Carinthia are Mister Gamp (who won the Great Northeim Hurdles two years ago), Aurora Borealis, Rod Fuchsia, Claremore; Lueess, Omeo, Make Up, Perle de Leon, Antrim Boy and Amorist, hjister Gamp will probably be seen by Taranaki racegoers next Week, and oil Hawfera form some guide Will be given to his immediate prospects. Theife is no doubt the Bronaetti—Pfdlly gelding is one of the best hurdlers seen in the Dominion for some time, and there are few more genuine stayers than he. Aurora Borealis is a wonderfully versatile mare and she Wori equal distinction over the battens and the big fences last season. Bed Fuchsia is still under a cloud, but Claremore and Lueess have both come through their recent racing well; the latter recording some particularly good performances.

Omeo received a set back eafly in March; but file Quarantine geldifig is rapidly. Coming back to his bbSi fdfih. MisfoftUne after misfortune fobbed him-Of several good Stakes last season, but he proved his ability and-there is every reason to believe that he Will be among the big winners this year. lit Oirifeo Taranaki has,a staunch and it Will be Surprising if he fails to take at least one of tlte big jumping events. The veteran Perle de Leon stays oh WOll and seems to be fairly Wbll forward at present, but nothing is known of the condition of Make Up and Amorist, who have been off the scene for a while. LucCsS is pile of the finds of the autumn sOaSbn and, being a fine stayer as well as a clever jumper, is sure to be one of the early fancies for bbtli raCCs.

Conjuror IL ahd Otairi are two surprise absentees frtsffi the list of entries, and it looks Us if Otairi’s laniOhgss after tlte Brighton Hittdw is niofe periods than Was first thought. NCVertheiess, tlteir places will be . taken by some promising hurdlers; who include Avro, Royal ACre, Singleton, High Pitch, Callamart, Fine Pghc® Lu, Hakanoa, Null Mark and Gleiistar. Of these, High Pitch and Hakanoa give promise of developmg still further, and their final tfy-Outs will bd invested with widespread interest; At this stage Carinthia, Mister Gamp, Lueess, Singleton, Omeo and ’ Atifbrh BOtealis make as mfich appeal as any of those engaged; thofigh thb inafkOt is slirC td fluctuate in the next few weeks.

It was thought that the last had been seen Of B&lu Cavalier, and llis nomination for the Great Northern Stosplefehase Inay oe only a complimehtafy entry. Aurora Borealis sSems Certain Uo be elected to the position of honour, but the diminutive Day Comet mare may find her task Under increased poundage a more difficult one this year. Nevertheless, she is a brilliant fencer and a courageous stayer, qualifications that will stand her ih good stead at the end of three and threO-qUartet miles of this gruelling course.

■Wiltshire wild has two Grand Nationals to his credit, is sure to be well Up’in the weights arid, though he has not favoured the '“hill” at Ellerslie in the past, lid should be well.forward m June.

Omfeo will dairy the confidence of Taranakians and he should meet Aurora Borealis on milch better terins tllafi Wils the Chse m this face last year. Oh that dcchsidn Aurora Borealis won by a bare length but Ofiie’o ran with a badly cut stifle from the first obstacle And his performance was a wonderful onb. .Skyrider did fed well m minor company that she will have to be takOfi ifttb abcouni at the weights; while Master Lu, Pouri, Star Comet, Paris,- Lucesj Birk-;, beck and Copey will all be in the edfly market. Of these, flbtliifig makes greater appeal than Lucess, wilt) has more iihcd thaii the average steeplechaser.

There have not been many cross-country events this season tliMugh Which a line Oh Northern prosjiebts Cdtild be taken; but during the next few wfeeks the early winter gatherings should pro-, vide data that will contribute largely to elucidating this problem. A lot must be taken for granted at this stage, but Omeoj Lucess, Aurora Borealis. Wiltshire, Skyrider and Star Comet cannot tail to appeal, ahd it will ndt be surprising if they continue ill faVoiir right thfdtigh td the day of the face.