N.Z. Grand Nationals.

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 47, 10 August 1907, Page 15

N.Z. Grand Nationals.

NEXT week turfites' attention will be engrossed in the New Zealand Nationals. Next Tuesday will see the opening of the meeting at Riccarton, at which the two one-thousand pounder jumping events will be decided. The Grand National Steeplechase comes first, and will be run on the opening day (Tuesday), the Grand National Hurdles following on the second day. Both fields are specially good ones, and are not likely to be very materially reduced when final payments are called for on Friday. Auckland's strong hand in the Steeplechase has been reduced somewhat by the defection of Haydn, who, had he been reserved for this event would have had a very big say in it. There remain Kiatere, Irish, Inniskillen, and Loch Fyne. Kiatere's 13st. 31b is a steadier that does not make his prospects too bright if the best of his opponents stand up, but he is to good a horse to be lightly discarded on account of his weight, and we have had many ilustrations of big weights carried well by good chasers. Phaetonitis is the lamb of the Riccartonians, and they have good reason for their fondness of his chance. Last year's winner, in good heart, responsible for the best of preparation, at home over the country, and an almost faultless jumper ; all these things tell so strongly in his favour that on paper he looks a certain one, two or three. I give him first chance for first place, and a sure place-getter. Auckland has a second hope with one of the trio, Irish, Inniskillen and Loch Fyne. Irish, Ido not much care for, but the other pair have chances. To further sort the field, I take Evenlode as worth following. To sum up, I think Phaetonitis should win, and take Evenlode as next best, with Inniskillen and Loch Fyne to follow.

The G.N. Hurdles is a bigger field and more difficult to deal with. We have in Cuiragno, the top weight, a good horse to do battle for Auckland. There are other Aucklanders in the field, some of whose chances are pretty difficult to sum up just now. I shall have an opportunity next week to deal with this event, and meanwhile I shall satisfy myself by pointing to Cuiragno as likely to prove Auckland's best representative. Paritutu's chance depends upon whether the schooling done has been sufficient to enable him to run the course with not to much of the beginner's effort and without serious mistake. His pace or staying power cannot be discounted. Lull, the "Wellington winner, is right in it in that form, and stands out as the best of the lighter weighted division.