Random Remarks.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 106, 4 August 1892, Page 10

Random Remarks.

[By

Pegasus.]

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. Good acceptances were received for the chief items —Steeplechase and Hurdles — to be run for at the above meeting next Thursday, 11th, and Saturday, 13th inst., at Christchurch. The double would appear to be very difficult of detection owing to the goodly array of known “ leppers ” that are left in each event. As promised last week I shall deal with the probabilities in each case, whereby backers may be assisted in getting “ close on it.” To strike the double in this case is almost as difficult as to pick the two Cups—Caulfield and Melbourne —except that in this there are fewer chances against one. The Steeplechase, 3£ miles, is run on Thursday, and therein we have a splendid field of seventeen acceptors. Whalebone, 11.13, is “on top,” and considering his late form he has not an ounce more than he deserves. In fact, at that weight he is sure to beat more than beat him. I fancy he will gain a place, but his ability to get first is very problematical, and I am very doubtful of it. I should be more favourable to his chance if the distance were shorter. Ahua, 11.9, is an “ old sojer” at the game, and has been “going to do it” many times, but has as often failed to accomplish the feat. They say “an old dog for a hard road,” but I opine this one will find some of the younger ones a bit “previous” for him during this journey. I don’t like him. 11.6, is “good goods” at the —- we remember his second to Shillelagh in the Auckland G.N. Steeplechase, wherein he got second with 10.12 in the pigskin. That he can jump and travel there is not a doubt, and although he only carried 10.7 to victory at Wanganui, still it must be borne in mind that the present adjustment of weight is on a higher scale throughout. I must keep this one on my side. Norton, 11.4, is well in, but I am inclined to think the other event —the Hurdles—will be his most likely “ dart;” and I therefore pass. Commotion, 10.8, is no fancy of mine. Besides, he got knocked about a bit recently, which would in any case militate greatly against the chances of the best quality in a Grand National preparation. Sir Garnet, 10.8, is simply “chucked” in. Although he has not been much tn evidence of late, still he can “ get ” a bit, and must be in good “ nick,” otherwise his owner would not have accepted. 1 have no doubt he has been “ruralising” of late with a view to this “ little .journey,” and I verily believe he will be “ thereabouts ” when the time comes. Whatever beats him should win. I fail to find anything, except Couranto, in the list so far, however, that can do it, all going well till that time. Lyndoora, 10.3, who ran second to Couranto in the Wanganui Steeplechase, meets him on 61b better terms than in that event. She also meets Flintstone on 71b worse terms than in that race, and his improved form should now help him home in front of her, seeing that he ran third to Couranto and her there. Booties, 10.3, although he won the Napier Park Trial Steeples on the 29th June last, can hardly be counted “ classic ” enough for this race. In that event he only beat a very mediocre lot, if we except Otaieri, who ran second and was in receipt of 41b, after having a severe race already out of him. By comparison with Whalebone and Lyndoora in the big. Steeplechase, in which the weights were Whalebone 11.12, Otaieri 9.9, Lyndoora 10.10, it will be seen that considering the finishes, and counting all pros and cons, Booties now meets Whalebone on about 41b worse terms, and Lyndoora on 91b or 101 b worse terms. Taking a line, also, through the Open Steeples run in Wellington on July 16th, and won by Flintstone, the last named should also have a “ big mortgage ” over Booties, as he only got third then, and the difference now is only 61b. However, “ there’s many a slip,” &c. Caloola, 10.2, I do not care for over this distance, but I have a great fancy for Magpie at 10.0. Magpie is my “ dark ’un” for either this or the Hurdles The only record of his I can at present recall is the Ashburton Hurdle Race, run on 4th May last, which resulted —Magpie, 10.2, 1 ; Little Arthur, 10.9, 2 ; Smuggler, 9.0, 3 ; and was won easily. . On the next day Magpie, 11.1, was well in the race at the second last hurdle, but being cannoned against was thrown completely out of it. Kaimanawa, 9.11, is also engaged in the Hurdle Race, therefore I shall expect him to attempt the easier and shorter journey. Chance, at

9.10, I much prefer to Kaimanawa, but even then I am not “ sweet ” on either of them. By the Wellington running, wherein Chance got second with 10.5, he must beat Booties again with only lib of difference now. I think Flintstone, who won there, holds Chance just as safe now as then. No doubt this horse Chance is good, but I have always thought he was inclined to run away at the start, “ mad-headed-like,” and either “ pump ” himself or come to grief before the finish. I quite expect him to do so again. At any rate there is a chance of his doing so Waitangi, 9.9, is one of those which “ no fellah can understand.” Being lately “ resurrected ” I shall put him aside as a sort of “ surprise party.” Flintstone, 9.7, as will te seen by my previous references in connection with other candididates, has a great deal more than an outside show. Morok, 9.7, has been looked upon hitherto as dangerous, but so far has not “ set New Zealand afire.” lam afraid to touch him. Worth and Smuggler, 9.7 each, I don’t like at any price. By the Ashburton running the latter' must “ go down” before Magpie, as mentioned above. Traversing my “ remarks ” carefully again, and counting up past events, I find myself favourable to the chances of Whalebone, Couranto, Sir Garnet, Magpie, Waitangi, and Flintstone. If asked to place them I should say— Sir Garnet or Couranto .. 1 Whalebone .. .. .. 2 Flintstone .. .. .. 3 reserving Magpie or Waitangi to “ upset the saucepan.” On Saturday the Hurdle Race takes place, and here we have a select and classic eleven. Each of the contestants has more or less a record, if not over the sticks, on the flat The only one whom I am not acquainted with is Iroquois. In this event Norton and Couranto are at level figures, 11.10, on the top rung. It is a difficult matter to separate them, but all things considered I shall choose Norton to do battle for me. Should Couranto win the Steeplechase I shall not expect to see him start for this event. Kulnine, 11.5, has a handy weight, but I doubt if he can manage to essay a win amongst such as Norton, Waterbury and Co., all of whom are experienced nags. I prefer the others. Waterbury, at the same weight, I prefer muchly. His weight now is the same as he carried to victory in the Napier Park Hurdles five weeks ago, and is also 51b less than he won with at Wellington the week after. He now meets Kaimanawa on 61b worse terms, but still I fancy he holds the latter very safe. The Idler, 11.0, has a good show at this weight, and ought to, fit and well, put down Erin-go-bragh, who has 10.4 to carry. Magpie, 10.2, as I remarked in my Steeplechase notes, is my “ dark ’un ” for either of the events. This is exactly the same weight with which he won the Ashburton Hurdles, to which I have referred above. Cajolery, 10.0, although possessed of a bit of “foot,” I cannot say I have much liking for. I expect him to treat us to a similar exhibition to that of Fabulous, who was looked upon as such a “ dead bird” for the Grand National Hurdle Race at Ellerslie last June. Captain Webb, 10.0, is leniently treated on the score of weight, and has the reputation of being very fit. He might squeeze into a place, but I doubt his ability to win outright. Kaimanawa, 9.10, always gives me the impression of one of the unfortunate division who always finds that there is something left in the race that is just a shade or two better than he, and down he goes. Nevertheless, I expect to hear a better account of him in this race than in the Steeples. Iroquois, 9.0, is, as previously remarked, a sort of “ unknown quantity,” and 1 am therefore constrained to let him remain so. Although my “ remarks” are very brief, I must sum up the lot and state right here that I expect to see the Grand National Hurdles fought out between Norton, Waterbury and The Idler, in that order, with Magpie always reserved as the “ cock-boat ” of the party.