Waverley Steeplechase Will Be Feature Jumping Event On Autumn Card Today

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 April 1950, Page 7

Waverley Steeplechase Will Be Feature Jumping Event On Autumn Card Today

With the Waverley Steeplechase as a feature erent in view of the winter campaign just ahead, and good fields of useful performers engaged in the two open events, the Besley Memorial and the Wairoa Handicap, the Waverley Racing Club has an attractive card for its autumn meeting today.

The fact that provision for divisions has been made in five of the events would appeal- to suggest that the club is faced with a difficult task in getting the meeting through to schedule, but it is likely that divisions will be avoided in at least three of The Waverley Steeples field is four over the safety number, but nine scratchings would be required to avoid divisions in the Kohi Handicap. Probably three divisions will be recuired for the Symes Memorial Maiden. Gaiety, last year's winner, heads the list, in the Waverley Steeplechase with 11.11 to carry, and the Gay Boy mare will have to concede a good deal of weight. However, she is a class performer, as her wins in the June Steeples at Hastings and the Wellington Steeplechase at Trentham indicate. Gaiety will be making her reappearance after a long spell, and the stable has two additional strings in Greek Court and Dawn March. Greek Court won the Rangitikei Hunt Cup, the Taranaki Hunt Cup and the Richard Roake Memorial Steeples (at Hastings) last jumping season, and he looks like going even further in the game. Dawn March was a useful winner over the battens and keen interest will be taken in his appearance. Gay Rouen was second to Gaiety last year and went on to win the Egmont Steeplechase. He is a clean, fast jumper, and his two outings over hurdles at the Feilding Easter meeting indicated that he is well forward for early engagements over the big fences. Beau Court, owned and trained at Waverley, has some good performances over the country to his credit, including the Waikato Hunt Cup, and as he is in receipt of 161 b from Gaiety he may be expected to make a bold bid for the major honours. Sten and Master Raymond come from the Awapuni stable of L. Knapp, i master at developing jumpers. Sten has had only two races over the big fences but he won them both, and he tas also done well over hurdles. He looks like being the toughest opponent for proved jumpers like Gaiety and Beau Court. Features of the Westholm Hurdles ield are the presence of Foxland, a previous winner at Waverley, and the resumption of activities by Peter’s Choice, a winner of the Century Hurdles and the Wanganui Steeple:hase. The Pagan is to make his deout over the battens, and Odysseus looks like setting the remainder a lough problem, for he has won in good style on Taranaki courses. On the strength of his second in •he Feilding Cup and a win in the Sood'oehere Memorial on Easter Moniay Master McGrath appeals as the likely favourite for the Besley Memorial. He should meet with stout opposition from Hostess and last year's winner, Second Seal, who generally runs a good race when fresh. Good form is credited to several of the large field for the Wairoa Handicap. but General Rule, Eireann and Paddy Joe would appear to be the likely favourites. Horses with good credentials in their respective engagements include: Westholm Hurdles. —Odysseus, Foxland, The Pagan. W'airoa Handicap.—Paddy Joe, Eireann, General Rule. Symes Memorial Maiden.—First Division: Snowless, Allan's Girl. Second Division: Leighdine, Footline. Third Division: Te Kowhai, Gaelic Tweed. Besley Memorial Handicap.—Master McGrath, Hostess, Second Seal. Kohi Hack Handicap.—First Division: Rosearna, Sentimental. Second Division: Fearless Gain, Monasterboice. Waverley Steeplechase.—Sten, Gaiety, Beau Court. Ngutuwera Hack Cup.—Spoil Sport, Merripay, St. Martin. President’s Hack Handicap.—Swan HiU, Polleta, Miss Beau.