Great Northern Hurdles And Cornwall Handicap Are Ellerslie Feature Events

Wanganui Chronicle, 3 June 1950, Page 7

Great Northern Hurdles And Cornwall Handicap Are Ellerslie Feature Events

AUCKLAND, Last Night. (Special).—ln addition to their importance as the two outstanding winter events of their elass, the Great Northern Hurdles and the Cornwall Handicap, principal events at Ellerslie tomorrow for the opening day of the Auckland .Racing Club’s winter meeting, will constitute the most important double yet run at headquarters.

It was a foregone conclusion that each would attract a capacity field, but probably few would have thought it possible that, even at this late hour, the issue would be so open that it would be difficult to forecast the likely favourites. As the Great Northern Hurdles is run over a distance of two and a-lialf miles, it provides a searching test of jumping ability and stamina, and even experienced hurdlers have been led into error through the fast pace at which the race is generally run. As far as recent form is concerned the field presents a wealth of talent. On the original acceptance Paul Gregor and Delinquent were balloted out with the right of re-entry, but with the scratching of Lord Holland and the defection of Delinquent there is now no need for the proviso. The field includes a previous winner of the race in Hunting Mac, who scored in 1947, and the 1948 Grand National Hurdles winner Tremello. Perhaps Hunting Mac has seen his best day, but Tremello’s recent win at Hawera and his third placing at Te Rapa should be encouraging to his supporters. Folkestone made his debut as a hurdler at Te Rapa a year ago and followed that successful appearance with two wins in hack class at Ellerslie. He won over the battens at Ellerslie at Easter, and as he has suffered no ill effects from his rather unlucky fall on the flat at Te Rapa last month he will have to be respected, even with his substantial impost. Ruling Master and Observatory are two northern hurdlers who have proved decidedly useful, but they may meet their match in Highland Lad, who has proved himself a brilliant hurdler. This chap has had only three races over the battens, but he won in December and again at the end of January and a high opinion is held of him. His most recent essays have been on the flat, so it remains to be seen how he fares in seeing the journey right out on this preparation. He will meet with stout opposition from Master Arthur, who won the Waikato Hurdles under 9.4 and now has 9.11. At Te Rapa several of those he will meet tomorrow, and Folkestone is the only one of these that may present some danger to him. The Fake, Jon Rosa and Sareel have all good performances to commend them to backers, but Duke Royal should make more appeal, even though it is a ’chaser that he has put up his best recent displays. Probably the best record as an up-and-coming hurdler is that to the credit of Paul, even though It Is as a hack hurdler that he has made his reputation. After winning at his essay he finished first in his three most recent efforts but lost first place to Master Arthur in one through interference. He comes to Ellerslie to make his first appearance in open hurdles company as the outstanding hack hurdler seen out at the recent Waikato meeting. Tribute, Master Ted and Foxlyn may prove best of the remainder. It remains to be seen what the public will send out favourite, but in selecting Highland Lad, Paul and Folkestone one may suggest that, barring accidents, the winner should come from this trio. CORNWALL HANDICAP. As with the Great Northern Hurdles, the issue in the Cornwall Handicap is decidedly open, for there is a wealth of recent form to encourage bettors. Further, there is a surplus from which to draw should there be scratchings, as eighteen horses balloted out have a chance of being included, though it is remote for the majority of them. Pierre, Conspiracy and Caber Fae share topweight honours with 9.1, and it is within the capacity of all three to be well in the picture. Pierre has proved himself one of the best milers in the country, and the extra quarter should not bother him perhaps so much as having to race on a righthanded track. Caber Fae was runnerup to Duccio the firs! day at Te Rapa and came into his own with a brilliant win on the middle day. Conspiracy was also a winner at Te Rapa, and he came home well in seventh place over a mile last Saturday. Aucklnd follow,ers of form are aware of his capacity, and he will not be at any long price tomorrow.

Of the next trio, Royal Charier, Wonder Boy and Swift Fox. the lastnamed may prove best, for he finished brilliantly into second place behind Kintamani at Te Rapa last Saturday, suggesting that he is near the top of his form.

Diana Reynard came north with a reputation which was not dimmed by her performances at Te Rapa, where she won over six furlongs on the opening day and thtn finished second over a mile last Saturday to the surprise winner, Silver Blue, in the Tyler Memorial, beating several of iter Cornwall Handicap opponents. She is proving consistent and her early speed should prove an asset in enabling her to gain and retain a good position. Last year Akbar, making his debut In open company, managed to get hack in the field after being balloted out and went on to win. He has bright prospects, as also have Chung Chong, Prince Chat and Star Fox. The lastnamed has yet Io reveal his undoubted ability. One or two of I he "emergencies’’ may get back into the field and repeat Akbar’s feat, but the vote must go to Diana Reynard at her handy mark in the handicap, with Fox and Conspiracy most likely to extend the Hast-ings-trained mare. Form at the recent meeting at Te Rapa may prove a reliable guide in the supporting events. Sandy may be the elect in the opening event of his successful appearance in the King Country Steeples, and Peer Gynt's win last Saturday suggests that he may be the favourite in the First Jervois Handicap, in which divisions will be avoided. Fort. Knox may turn the tables on his Te Rapa victor, Kyrat, in the

Penrose Hurdles, and Prince Regeht appears the best choice for the Second Jervois Handicap following on his hollow win in the Manning Hack Cup. The meeting will be continued on Monday, when the Great Northern Steeplechase will be the feature event, and the fixture will conclude on the following Saturday. The going appears certain to bo soft, and the chances of the following < may be fancied: — Green Lane Steeplechase —Sandy, Newel Post, Dr. John. First Jervois Handicap.—Peer Gynt, Balcedar, Thinker. Great Northern Hurdles.—Highland Lad, Folkestone, Paul. Penrose Hack Hurdles.—Fort Knox, Kyrat, Sleepy Song. Second Jervois Handicap.—Prince Regent, Big Notes, Hunting Fort. Cornwall Handicap.—Diana Reynard, Swift Fox. Conspiracy. Hunt Hurdles.—Sareel, Kenneth, Master Raymond. Members' Handicap.—Sleepy Duke, Patio, Gwen Vaals.