Preliminary Review of Wanganui Field.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20298, 7 May 1934, Page 10

Preliminary Review of Wanganui Field.

PROMISE OF RIOTOUS. (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, May 7. It is not exceptional that the main attraction at Wanganui next Thursday should have drawn the smallest field. Nor is it surprising, for it is the natural result of the policy of endowing the same class with a richer stake on the second day of the meeting. The Grandstand Steeplechase, the only cross-country event on the programme on Thursday, opening day of the Wanganui winter meeting, has drawn a field of seven, while it is possible that the big jumping event on the second day, Saturday, will attract two or three more. The Grandstand is worth £175, and the Wanganui Steeplechase, run on Saturday, £3OO. Like most other clubs, the Wanganui J.C. has had to resort to enticement to owners in order to get them to be represented at the fixture, and one of the means adopted is the reduction of the distance in each cross-country race. The Wanganui Steeplechase, won in the past by many splendid cross-coun-try performers, is now reduced to two miles and a half, against its three miles of recent years. The fences at Wanganui are not stiff, but they may be termed tricky, for the best of jumpers have been known to crash there. Riotous has not been steeplechasing very long, but quite long enough to indicate that he is going to be good, a much better 'chaser than he was a hurdler. If memory serves one aright, Riotous made his debut over country at Ellerslie in the spring, finishing fourth. His next attempt was at Easter, when he beat Brown Abbey very convincingly. Race number three was the Egmont Steplechase, and it is fresh in mind how he won that race easily from Brown Abbey. Value of Form.

The value of this form, as a real guide to future events, was emphasised when Brown Abbey won on the second day at Ilawera. Therefore one must expect Riotous to race well in the Grandstand Steeplechase at Wanganui on Thursday. He is up 101 bin weight on the Ilawera impost, but he is a fast and reliable jumper, two factors which will stand to him this week. The Wanganui fences are in favour of the speedy ’chaser rather than the horse who depends on jumping ability alone, and in this respect Riotous fills the bill. He fenced quickly at Ilawera, and a pleasing factor was the ability with which he got away from his fences, a very necessary essential in the making of a good jumper. It looks as if any serious opposition to Riotous in the Grandstand Steeplechase will come from Manuiri or Tunbridge, or perhaps Don Erma. Manuiri fell the first day at Ilawera, and was still feeling the effects of this crash on the hard ground when he raced the second day. Under the circumstances, his effort in running Brown Abbey to half a length, even if it was on sufferance, was a meritorious one, and holds out hopes that the Hawke’s Bay novice will make good. Allowing for the expected improvement, Manuiri may be good enough to beat Riotous at a difference of 131 b. unless, like many other jumpers, he takes the Wanganui fences too cheap and pays the penalty. It can be said that as a ’chaser Manuiri is distinctly promising, and may reach the top quickly. Whether he be seasoned enough for Riotous remains to be seen. Form of Tunbridge. Tunbridge won the steeplechase at Marton last month, but it was not a convincing victory. However, there were one or two factors that prevented him from showing his best, and it is probable that with that race into him he will do better next week. He is a better jumper than he indicated at Marton. Don Erma is likely to make a ’chaser, and it is understood that .he has had experience in the hunting field. His two runs over the battens at Ilawera were splendid efforts, for there he was up against some of the best hurdlers in the land. Considerable interest will be taken in his Wanganui efforts. Royal Reign \vas under a cloud at Ilawera and was unable to start, while it was stated there that her future prospects were not bright. She is a beautiful jumper. Bon Aryan will improve on his Marton and Ilawera efforts, and once Royston settles down he will get his turn.