North New Zealand Grand National Meeting

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 690, 28 May 1903, Page 14

North New Zealand Grand National Meeting

A FORECAST. (By “The Judge.”) The Great Winter Meeting, run under the auspices of the Auckland Racing Club, will be commenced next Saturday, at Ellerslie, and will be continued on June 3 ana o. The weather for some time past has been most unsettled, and a very considerable .quantity of rain has faTen. This naturally has had the effect of making the < ourse rather holding, but if only fine weather conditions obtain until Saturday, the going should be in first-rate order for the various jumping events. Mr Hill, the wellknown custodian of the Ellerslie racecourse, can always be relied upon to do his best to have the track in fine i tinning order, and no doubt even if more ram does fall, which seems rather probable, there should be nothing much amiss vvith it on Saturday morning, when the bell rings for the opening event. The Auckland Racing Club has established a very good name for the manner in which racing is conducted at headquarters, and also for the very up-to-date methods, in whith the innumerable details inseparable from the successful carrying out of a meeting are attended to. . Mr Percival has tad such a long experience of the game that it can always be taken for granted his instructions .will be all properly attended to. As usual, Mr Lusk will occupy the judge’s box, while the starting will be in the hands of Mr* O’Connor. As the first race will be run at 12.30, an 4 the last at 4.40 p.m., pairons will not be able to complain that the racing is unduly dragged out, and it should permit of them being home m good time. Unfortunately, the acceptances closed so late last night that I am unable to properly review the chances, with the exception of the big race. Under the circumstances I am placed at such a tremendoufe- disadvantage that it is almast idle to attempt a forecast, for it is very hard to say even what will actually start. This, however, does not apply to - the GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE. In looking through the list of acceptors for this event one feels almost amazed to find so poor a field both as regards number and quality listed to compete for such a richly-endowed race. In fact, with two or three horses omitted the balance of the competitors are not worth the value of the stake. That good .horse. Cannongate, is at the head of the list with 12st 71b against his name, which is thirteen pounds more than he was asked to carry last year, when he was unplaced. The son of Cannon accomplished a remarkably good performance over the course in the summer, and if he strips really well must be one af the hardest horses in the race to beat, for he knows the country well. Haydn, with fifteen pounds less, I have no very pronounced liking for. On, recent form I cannot see how the Sou’-wester gelding can possibly beat Princess of Thule. She. beat him in the Hurdle Race, at Takapuna, when in receipt of lOlbs, whereas now, with her penalty thrown in, she meets him on 51bs better terms. His subsequent journey to and fall at Wanganui can hardly have improved his winning prospects. Nor’-West rather badly failed to give the Princess twelve pounds at Takapuna, so that I doubt hisi ability to win when meeting her on only one pound better terms. Still, he has been over the tourse perhaps more often than any other horse engaged, and is certain to command a good following. If he would show a glimpse of his old form I should look no further, but I doubt his ability to do it. Awahuri, despite the penalty incur? M by his win at Wanganui, is, io my mind, eas-

ily the pick of the handicap. With practically the same weight he. 1 airly romped home in the Wanganui Steeplechase, while his treble win over ihe hurdles at the Easter Meeting here showed him t<~. possess a fair amount of foot. 1 confident'y expect to see him win. On recent form a mare who must be considered extremely dangerous is i h nicest’ of Thule. She ran third Ja-it year witn a pound less weight, and has proved ntrse.f to be in form by annexing both big jumping at Takapuna. I .must .certainly have the daughter of Lord of the Isles on my side. None of t-he light-weights particularly appeal to me. I am told that Tuni, and Light have undeniable chances, but I prefer the prospects of the topweights, and expect to see the places go to AWAHURI PRINCESS OF THULE . CANNONGATE In the other races those which impress me most favourably are as follows : FIRST MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE. Great Shot, The Pullack, Inchcape. FIRST MAIDEN WELTER. Roseshoot, Muskei'dale, Soultfish. FIRST MAIDEN HURDLES. Dolores, Gilnockie, Fakir. CORNWALL HANDICAP. Formula, Westguard, Crusoe. REMUERA HURDLES. Otairi, Lady Bell, Battleaxe. LADIES’ BRACELET. Swagsman, Roseshoot, Muskerdale. On Wednesday next the most important race will, of course, be the Grand National Hurdles. Although Saturday’s running may considerably alter matters, yet at this juncture those who it may be safest to follow are—MARS OTAIRI AWAHURI