HURDLES AT ELLERSLIE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 126, 30 May 1935, Page 4

HURDLES AT ELLERSLIE

GREAT NORTHERN FIELD PROSPECTIVE RUNNERS. (Special to “Chronicle”) AUCKLAND, May 28. That the Great Northern Hurdles is i popular event with owners is shown by the acceptance of 22 for next Monday’s big race at Ellerslie. It is in a wav rather a pity that it should be such a popular race, for a field of hall those dimensions would have made for a better test of hurdling aoriity and stamina, but there it is and with anything up to 20 starters it may well develop into a case of the survival of the fittest. The EFuslie course is a big one, although tny track with turns in it would not provide a good -course for so manv hv.rdiers. In the past when the fields have not been anywnere near so big as that which threatens for next Monday ’s race there have cases where horses have been inti cfereu with by others. As an instance of what can happen in a big field in a race such as the Great Northern Hurdles it is only necessary to recapitulate what occurred last year. At the first fenve a horse that was little more than a novice fell and the second favourite crashed over him, while another was seriously interfered with. At the second hurdle another horse fell, and two hurdles furthere on the horse interfered with earlier came down and two more toppled over him. So with four hurdles left behind six of the 16 were oet of the race. Another dropped out through falling at the seventh fence, and then the leading horse crashed at the next, leaving half the field in and the other half literally on the ground. Plenty of Thrills Taking last year’s event as an average experience in a large field, then there are going to be thrills a-plenty at Ellerslie next Monday with about 20 starters. The top-weight, Wee Pat, won last year with 10.2, c* 51b. more than she has next Monday, and as she ran second with 10.10 on the final day of the meeting and has since been platted, she is nicely in for a genuine stayer, as she proved herself to be last rear. The records are against Wee Pat winning the hurdles twice in succession, for one has to go back to 1915-16 to see the last double winner in consecutive years, which was El Gallo, who won the Great Northern Steeplechase also in those years, an unheard of feat both before and after. Emancipation was thought enough of in the Te Kuiti Hurdles to be sent our favourite, and while he was handy for over a mile he weakened when the pace was put on. He has finished second and third in the last two Great Northern Hurdles and for thr.t reason alone his recent failure will have to be overlooked. Vai Watch jumped carefully last Saturday and it is probable that she is feeling the effects of her spectacular crashes this season, but in any case the distance might bother her. Verden was an expensive failure last Thursday and this form, like that uf Emancipation, must be overlooked. Ev his win in the Brighton Hurdles on Easter Saturday. Verden expressed a practical partiality for Ellerslie’s formidable hurdles. but the Northern, with its very heavy ground, is a different proposition to the Brighton. The stable may start both \ erden and Billy Boy here’ and in the Steeplechase, for the former was schooled a fortnight ago and took the hill well. Valpeen has been more than nibbled at for both Northerns and he is a winner over the sticks. Biform was finishing on in great style in both outings at Te Rapa, and he’will be a stone better horse by Monday after those two outings. Had he received an uninterrupted run from the last hurdle on Saturday he would have defeated Travelling Agent, and being a good stayer he will be fancied with 9.12. On the same mark as Biform is Chile, whose second at Te Rapa was a very good one for he came from well back. However, that was a left-handed track, and he has yet to race right-handed as well as jump that way and the task is a most formidable one indeed. Light-weight Prospects Pahu may not be as good as he was in this event last year, when his condition and good schooling work caused him to be sent out second favourite, only to crash over a fallen horse after getting over the first hurdle. He raced later at the meeting but was not impressive, although that experience may stand him in good stead on this occasion. king Vv in is the type for this event and while there is a doubt as tto his stamina, he is undoubtedly a fine hurdler, a fact which was not actually disclosed when he failed ratuer badly both days at Te Rapa. Imperial Prince, Royal Limond, Billy Boy and Cargen do not appear; the last-named was one of the prime fancies last year, and has not raced for a long time now. Free Air is a rare sticker and on her showings she must be treated with respect as a light-weight hope in both Northerns. Catoma has not xaced for some time and he may not be scarcely leasoned enough for this task, apart Irom which he is a good stayer. Kilnuir scarcely measures up to this itandard. On the bottom, also, are two rare itayers in Master Musk and Stantthion. To take the latter first. He was actually in front coming into the straight it Te Rapa last Saturday and over the last hurdle, and then weakened into third place, from which it would seem that had his rider waited a bit longer he might have got the drop on the leaders and won. Master Musk came from a long way back last Thursday to fill third oerth, with Chile just iu front of him. That day Master Musk was receiving 111 b. and was conceding Chang 31b., while next Monday he comes in I.lb. better with Chile and the advantage of having been placed over the Ellerslie hurdles. It is going to be a very interesting •contest, packed with the customary thrills. The favourites at this juncture appear to be Master Musk. Biform, Wee Pat, Emancipation. Verden and Free Air.