Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS' GAZETTE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1903 THE GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 691, 4 June 1903, Page 12

Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS' GAZETTE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1903 THE GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE.

What is there in a big cross country event that seems to appeal so much to the great majority of the general public ? There must be something, for people who at other times never go near a racecourse were to be found watching with interest the battle for the Great Northern Steeplechase on Saturday. It was somewhat curious to find in boats, trains or trams alike all sorts and conditions of people discussing the relative merits of Cannongate, Haydn, Awahuri and other candidates and all had some theory as to why their favourite would be sure to win. Nothing like this enthusiasm is ever aroused by a fiat race, not even excepting the Auckland Cup. Indeed, the only colonial parallel is at Melbourne on the eve of the second day of the great Spring Meeting at Flemington, when the one topic of conversation among old and young alike is “ the Cup.” Much the same thing prevails in the . Old Country, when the Grand National Steeplechase invariably proves one of the greatest betting races of the year, attracting an enormous crowd of spectators annually to witness the battle of the “ leppers.” It is quite safe to assert that next "to winning an English Derby, which from its age and historical associations must ever remain dearest to the English owner’s heart, he would much prefer to lead in the winner of the greatest of all steeplechase events. It is somewhat to be regretted that last Saturday’s race, richly endowed as' it was, did not attract a better class of horses, but unfortunately it seems certain that this season there is a considerable dearth of really high-class ’chasers. Another reason is beyondj question the mistaken policy of holding the Steeple chase on the opening day and the Grand National Hurdle Race on the second day of the Winter Meeting. If the reverse was the case there can be no doubt that many of the horses which had taken part in the Hurdle event would be also found willing to play a part in the race over the big fences. • As it is at present owners are naturally diffident about risking their chances for the hurdle race by sending their horses a gruelling three and a-half mile race over stiff country a day or two before. I cannot help thinking that, if the Great Northern Steeplechase came on the second day of the meeting, the Racing Club would have no cause to grumble at the poverty of entries either as regards quantity orquality. ’ Despite the fact that only seven horses were found willing to take part in the great event on Saturday, and that at least two of these were altogether outclassed, the race was full df interest and the winner hard to find. Awahuri, on the strength of his good deeds here at Easter and his subsequent win at Wanganui, was the popular fancy, but seemed completely at sea in the heavy going, and ran like a fifth-rater. Old Nor’west went well, and was going strongly in the first flight when he lost his rider. The great battle, however, was between Haydn and Cannongate, and the gallant effort made by the son of Cannon to carry his heavy weight to victory through the mud was indeed a spectacle of pluck under difficulties. If the “ all black ” colours had triumphed there would have been a great burst of, enthusiasm. Although the winner had more supporters on the totalisator the public dearly love to see a good, horse win, especially when the conditions are all against him. Haydns the. winner, ran one of the best races of his life, being apparently quite at home on the heavy

going, but it seemed a rather sorry reflection on the quality of our best “leppers ” to find that only three were able to complete the course. It is to be hoped that the efforts of the Auckland Racing Club to encourage high-class jumpers by giving plenty of prize money will meet with a better reward next » season than it has done this.