Grandstand Steeplechase Cross-Country Attraction For Wanganui Opening Day

Wanganui Chronicle, 3 June 1950, Page 7

Grandstand Steeplechase Cross-Country Attraction For Wanganui Opening Day

(By

“KESTREL”)

With the Wanganui Steeplechase to claim attention on Monday, keen interest will be focussed on the Grandstand Steeplechase today, when the Wanganui Joekey Club’s winter meeting will be opened, for this afternoon’s form should furnish a good line on prospects in the big seeond-day event. Further events to engage at- ■— tention are the Century Hurdles and the Connolly Handicap, in addition to which there are the races on which the totalisator double will lx? run, the River Hack Handicap and the open sprint, the Empire Handicap.

The defection of Jackdaw and Ohuka Fox leaves a field of ten engaged in the Grandstand Steeples, with Gay Rouen at the top of the list. The Gay Boy gelding has commenced the current jumping season well, having been successful in the second division of the Waverley Steeplechase and also in the Egmont Steeples. He was defeated in the Adamson Steeplechase at Hawera by Master Patrick and Balintore, but he will meet his victor on better terms today and at a difference of 151 b in the weights he may regain mastery. Red Glare is getting into the veteran stage, but he ran a good race at Hawera as long as his condition lasted and he may be improved. Greek Court has not regained the promising form he showed last season but he comes from a stable that has turned out some good jumpers. Master Patrick has proved one of the most promising ’chasers this season. He was beaten by a nose by Gay Rouen at Waverley, and again finished second, beaten this time a length, in the Egmont Steeplechase. However, more patiently ridden in the Adamson Steeplechase, he came with a telling run over the last three furlongs for a hollow win. A capable jumper, he will again make a strong appeal today. Specialist graduated from sprinting to hurdling successfully, and the chances are that he will make good over the big fences, but he has yet to prove himself. Captain Jesse and Sten are likely to prove useful jumpers, and probably Christopher Wren will do best of those on the minimum Unless something goes amiss with “the best-laid plans” Gay Rouen and Master Patrick are likely to fight out the finish. Unlike those days when the Century Hurdles provided a rehearsal for the Great Northern Hurdles, the field today is of only moderate quality. However, the material is there for an interesting contest. Royal Moutoa, who is topweight with 10.8, won impressively at Foxton after making practically all the running, and he appears well in line to r repeat that effort. v Tudor Chief is a useful sort of hurdler who won handsomely at Awapuni in March, his only start since being

in steeplechase company at Woodville. Dawn March proved successful over the battens last season and his essays as a ’chaser have not taken toll of his ability as a hurdler. The Pagan has yet to win a race since he was put to hurdling but he was second to Quartz at Waverley and filled third place in the race Royal Moutoa won at Foxton. His turn should not be far off. Carey hSs proved fairly consistent and ran on strongly over a shorter

distance at Hawera. Saffron Walden has recently been seen in the role of 'chaser, but he is a capable hurdler and may carry the confidence of the Muir stable. The Stormovik and Tory have both proved winners over hurdles, the latter as recently as the- Feilding Easter meeting. The chances of Royal Moutoa, Tudor Chief and The Pagan may make the strongest appeal to backers. CONNOLLY HANDICAP. There is plenty of recent form for backers in the Connolly Handicap, in which the field is of such proportions that seven have been balloted out with the right of re-entry. Mercian Lad, topweight with 9.4, registered an impressive win at Hawera. Gay Gordon should he improved as a result of his race at Woodville, where he was prominent till the straight was reached. Master McGrath has been consistent and could be expected to run out the distance well, but Paddy Joe should make a stronger appeal as his Foxton Cup success followed closely after earlier wins at Waverley and Hawera over shorter distances. Barrage retains his form well and the stable has another good string in Beau Or. If Gay Stroller were to regain his best form he would prove hard to beat at 8.7, and last year’s winner, Kippo. is reported to have done good track work at Awapuni. High Order was a winner at Otaki, and Birdman has been showing promising form. La Modelle appears to be better suited over shorter journeys. Parlous must appeal in spite of his m failure at Foxton for he won impres- » sively at Waverley. Best of the remainder may be the promoted hack Lakeside, who showed up well at Hawera. Mission is another likely improver, and Terrific is well placed to start a winning run. Likely favourites are Paddy Joe, Mercian Lad and Master McGrath.

Backers would have made Kintarnani favourite for the Empire Handicap following on his brilliant win at Te Rapa, but the Dink gelding is regarded as an unlikely runner because of injuries received on the journey down. In his abs.ence Defence, Champagne and Livre d'Or may be fancied. The Maiden Race will be run in divisions unless there are eight scratchings. The track is likely to be easy after light rain during the latter part of the week but the going should be in splendid winter order. Horses that appear certain of strong support include:— Hack and Hunters Steeplechase.— Hinewaka, Sailor Boy, Omaio. Maiden Plate.—First Division: Arvastar, Meriden. Second Division: Rannoch, Sea Lion. Century Hurdles.—Royal Moutoa, Tudor Chief, The Pagan. River Hack Handicap.—Felborough, Wave Crest, Bolton. Grandstand Steeples.—Gay Rouen. Master Patrick, Specialist. Connolly Handicap.—Paddy Joe, Mercian Lad, Master McGrath. Empire Handicap.—Defence, Champagne, Livre d’Or. Borough Hack Handicap.—Lay-By, Finola, Master Crusoe.