WITH THE GALLOPERS

Thames Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 17661, 12 August 1929, Page 5

WITH THE GALLOPERS

THE GRAND NATIONALS.

TO-MORROW’S FIELDS REVIEWED

NOTES BY “CANARD.” All eyes and ears will be turned towards Ricearton to-morrow, when the Grand National will need attention from punters. Recognised as the biggest test, both for stamina and jumping ability, in New Zealand, if not in the Southern Hemisphere, it is a prize well worth winning, although The Agent has won it thrice and several horses twice. It does not seem that there will be much difficulty for punters on this occasion in finding the favourite, although “Canard” is not inclined to agree with the popular choice. At the moment of writing, Wiltshire is the friend of the public, and the ante-post betting is very heavy upon him. Wiltshire has not as yet this season fulfilled the promise of last year, and his performances at. Auckland do not justify the public confidence placed in him. The alternative is that someone knows something, or that he was not a trier at Auckland and Wellington—a thing which all would be loth to think. It is pretty well-known that in the event of his winning the stewards will have something to say. “Canard” does not like Wiltshire’s chance of carrying off the pi’ize. r Kawini, the tap-weight, is far from over-burdened, and is such a plodder that he must be considered. He is a one-pace horse, and has even so a decent finishing effort which has unfortunately rarely been good enough to land him into anything else but placings. Still, he may do sufficiently well to win.

King’s Guard i s one of the popular picks, and will carry “Dick” Hannon’s popular cardinal and cream. He is a good jumper, and has pace, but is not sound, so that a lot will depend upon his condition on the day. Actually sipeaking, he has never yet won In the class in which he is now. However, Hannon has not taken him down there for his health, and he must be the subject of careful consideration and should be worth a small deposit. Maunga is still an .unknown quantity, despite his comfortable win recently, and although he can jump well enough .his pace is still in doubt. He has a jumper’s chance, and will probably start the outsider of the field. Matu, on form, would appear to be the subject of considerable .flattery by being kept in the race, but the crowd who run him are not given to spending money in fees uselessly, and there can be no doubt that Matu has shown them something pretty good in private. His owner, Mr Newman, and trainer, Ayres, have usually the patience to wait for a good thing, and Jenkins will ride with the best of them. Matu looks to “Canard” to be the choice of the outsiders.

Then comes Fabriano, and “Canard expects that what beats him will be the winner. He has the Dunedin Steeplechase to his credit, and ran well at Trentham. In some quarters it is thought that he is not a sound jumper, but he has a peculiar style, which looks awkward, and this puts people off. As a matter of fact, he is perhaps the soundest jumper in the race, but is not quite sound in front. However, “Canard” will still have him on his side.

Rangi Sarto is not fancied anywhere, but it must be remembered that none of that family can be altogether neglected, and he has an outsider’s chance. He can jump.

Lord Ranald has won four steeples on end, and has rushed up into the position of seoond favourite. It is a question that has yet to he answered to see if he can draw the right card to complete the royal routing. Personally, “Canard” thinks that he has been asked to do too much in a short while, and though he is undoubtedly a fine horse he has the hardest part to do.

Summed up, the poorest steeplechase field for some time reads:

Fabriano, King's Guard, Matu, from: GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLES. Of £1600; 3* miles. Kawini .. 10 13 Matu 9 jj Wiltshire . 10 9 Fabriano ... 9 l K. Guard . 10 3 Rangi Sarto 9 0 Maunga .. 911 L. Ranald *9O There is plenty of food for thought in the minor events, the first of which is the Hunters’ Hurdles, and here, from a field of roughies, the following have credentials: Birkdeck, Whiffler, Grand National from:

HUNTERS’ HURDLE RACE. Of £250; I;! miles. Gay Jim 10.13, Birkbeek 10.2, Grand National 9.13, Mime 9.11, Democratic, Diamond Jack, Royal Despatch, Whiffler and Barrington 9.0. The Trial Hurdles is composed of a bit better class, but not much better. Here the probabilities appear to be: Aurora Borealis, Amorist, Scion, from:

TRIAL HURDLES. Of £300; If miles. Amorist 10.11, Carintha 10.11.-Gala Day 10.1. Thurnbell 10.1, Fine Acre 9.13, Apache 9.5, Scion, Aurora Borealis and Antrim Boy 9.0. The Jumpers' Flat sees Nukumai at the top of the handicap, and most of the other entrants for the Grand National Hurdles . also engaged.

Horses which are likely to run well are: Perle de Leon, Aberfeldy, Novar, from: JUMPERS’ FLAT HANDICAP. Of £250; Ji miles. Nukumai 11.9, Overhaul 10.6, Chickwheat 9.13, Locarno 9.12, Novar 9.12, Aberfeldy 9.11, Horomea 9.10, Lancer 9.10, Perle de Leon 9.7, Red Fuchsia 9.6, Atareria 9.2, Fine Acre, Elysianor, Troilus and Briglitling 9.0. The Cashmere Plate is usually a toss-up, and those that may be prominent are: Stately, Punchestown, Soigele, from: CASHMERE PLATE. Of £250; 6 furlongs. Bonrose, Danthonia, The Dove, Honeycomb. Kate Kelly, Soigele, PunchestowTi 9.11, Academy, Air Laddie, Captivate, Desert Song, Grand Song, Great Lady, Jaleux, Innisfree, Leader, Painting, Pat’s Boy, Quick Plunge, Danelagh, Revision. Stately. Storm Raid and Swiftrav 9.0. The Enfield Steeples has only seven in the field, "and favourites may he:

Handy, , Dubious, Kaikahu, from: ENFIELD STEEPLES. Of £250; 2 miles. Dubious 10.13, Alaric 10.6 3 Birkbeck 10.3. Bon Afvan 9.10, Handy 9.1 Q, Kaikahu 9.8’ Silver Light 9.0. The Winter Cup is recognised as the hardest race to win in New Zealand, and there are a round dozen with chances. Probably the most favoured will he:

Prickles, r Kaiti, Taboo, from: WINTER CUP. Of £750; 1 mile. Historic 10.4, Royal Saxon 10.3, Black Duke 10.3, Otairi 9.11, King Balboa 9.10, Kaiti 9.9, Gav Sonnet 9.9. Gold Cure 9.9, Black Mint 9.3, Full Feather 9.3, Vesperus 9.2, Taboo 9.2, Zippor 9.1, Maui, Town Bank, Overdrawn. Teheka, Prickles, First Rpid and Royal Game 9.0.

The day ends with the Avonhead Handicap, in which the placings may include such as:

Filosel, Phastar, Moy Hall. from: AVONHEAD HANDICAP. Of £250; 7 furlongs. Mcmbo 10.10. Roi De Val 10.9, Shortly 10.5. Sweet Refrain 10.4, Red Boa 10.4, Eilosol 9.13, -Phastar 9.8, Grand Acre 9.7, Hounslow 9.7, Starshooter 9.5, Mar.sham 9.2, The Viscount 9.1, Dumhlane 9.1, Moy Hall, Royal Flower. Otauru Lass, Wrigley, Morian and Dundalk, 9.0. Present favourites for the Hurdles, run on /the second day, are: Mister 1 - Gamp, Overhaul, Locanor, Novar, Aberfeldy, Horomea, Perle de Leon, .King’s Guard and Uralla.