A RARE DOUBLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19844, 19 May 1927, Page 4

A RARE DOUBLE

WANGANUI AND ELLERSLIE. BOTH STEEPLECHASES SELDOM WON. Of the eleven acceptors that figure on the card for to-day’s Wanganui Steeplechase half a dozen are engaged in the Great Northern Steeplechase. The sexette comprises Comical, Passin’ Through, Tuki, Omahu, Maunga, and Hallowmorn. The double of the Wanganui Steeplechase and the Great Northern Steeplechase has been won by a mare before to-day, for Muscatel did the trick in 1898, when she was ridden by that good horseman, Percy Johnson, who long ago gave up riding and became a successful trainer, one of his team at present being Income. Muscatel was a good mare over country. She won the Wanganui Steeplechase again in 1899, but the National course at Riccarton was too tiring for her, although she could win over that country when the distance was shorter. Only one mare, Nadador, has won the New Zealand Grand National, but Bello, Jenny, Muscatel, and Mary Bruce have in turn, during the last forty years, won the Great Northern Steeplechase. The Wanganui Steeplechase, coming as it does, immediately before the Auckland winter meeting, has long been looked upon as a very good indication as to what will win the big jumping race at Ellerslie, but in reality it has been a very poor guide, and those who have supported year after year the winner of the Wanganui Steeplechase must be a lot out of pocket - by now, for the deed has not often been aeconi-

plished, and when it has the hero or heroine of the piece has been really good. Muscatel won the double in 1898, and she was a mare who has had few equals of her own sex over the country. In 1901 Moifaa won at both places, a giant, and perhaps the best ’chaser we ever saw. He afterwards won the Liverpool Grand National at Home. Then another great jumper. The Guard, repeated Moifaa’s performance in 1902, and there are many who insist to this day that The Guard was Moifaa’s master. Corazon won at Wanganui and Ellerslie in 1911, and journeying on to Riccarton, ho was beaten a head in the Grand National by Paritutu. Corazon, with 12.3 up. was taken to the front a mile from home to force the pace, and was only caught in the last two strides by Paritutu, who had that good lad Bangi Thompson up. The last to win | the Wanganui and Auckland Steeplei chase double was Gluepot, in 1917 a good horse, but not the equal of the giants who won before him. However, all five horses that have won the coveted double arc of a class to show that it cannot be won by duds; indeed, many good and useful horses have found the task too hard for them.