Sporting & Dramatic REVIEW AND Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette. With which is incorporated the Weekly Standard. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1906. THE GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE RACE AND STEEPLECHASE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 847, 31 May 1906, Page 5

Sporting & Dramatic REVIEW AND Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette. With which is incorporated the Weekly Standard. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1906. THE GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE RACE AND STEEPLECHASE.

(By

“The Judge.”

With the close approach of the Auckland Racing Club’s big winter firture, almost the sole topic of conversation is concerning the winning prospects of the horses engaged in the two big events —the Great Northern Hurdle Race and Steeplechase. In the former event twenty-four horses remain in, so that there is every prospect of a big field, although a few are certain to drop out. The form shown at Takapuna and Wanganui has thrown considerable light upon the vexed problem of finding the probable winners and this has resulted in a fair volume of anti-post betting. Miss King heads the list of horses engaged, but it is hard to see how she can have a chance at the weights, and she may be reserved for the Steeplechase. This also applies to Comfort and Sol. Aka Aka will be benefited by his gallop at Takapuna, and is one of the best of the local brigade. Waiwera never runs well in the mud at Ellerslie. Irish, although rapidly improving, is rather short of work, but might effect a surprise, while Florio may not start. Cavalry has a very fair chance if he can be wound up in time, and Convoy might run well. For Weary Bill and Medallius I have no liking, gut Exmoor mst be labelled very dangerous. It is possible the length of the journey will find him out, for he was manifestly tiring at the end of the Century Hurdles. Ability showed good form at Wanganui, and is a good fencer, but the Conqueror gelding should be held safe by Hydrant. Romany King is a strong tip by those who attended the Wanganui meeting. He is a good jumper, and can stay the journey out; moreover, he is just the sort of horse to be able to act in the heavy going which will probably be experienced at Ellerslie. Next on the list is Hydrant, and, even bearing in mind the fate which generally befalls the favourite in this race, the son of Jet d’Eau should win. Although rather on the small side, he jumps and stays well, and is fairly certain to carry the most investments next Saturday. Cuiragno, although very useful, is hardly good enough to win, and Lady Hune’s wretched display at Takapuna must throw her right out of court. Defender should put up a good fight, but King Paul and Durable are hardly good enough. Silicia, on his Takapuna running, must be given more than an outside chance, for there is no doubt his double at Takapuna was very meritorious. Oryx ran well at Napier recently, and is very favourably handicapped, but neither Baritone or Catherine Gordon are quite class enough. Summed up, the horses with the best chances are Aka Aka, Cavalry, Exmoor, Romany King, Hydrant, Defender, and Sliicja. It is possible that places may go to Hydrant, Defender,, and Romany King.

In the G.N. Steeplechase, which takes place on Monday, twenty are engaged, and here again there should be a good field. The veteran Haydn is in pride of place with list 91b, and even with that impost ne will prove

very hard to beat, and it is probable he will start favourite. Comfort will, I fancy, run a much better horse than he did at Wanganui. Sol is a good one, but has been given every ounce of weight to which he is entitled. Phaetonitis is highly thought of in certain quarters, but his display at Wanganui was not too brilliant. Cannongate I look upon as a past light. Moccasin has only to improve a little on his Wanganui form to be very dangerous, but I prefer the other horse on the same mark, viz., Aka Aka, who has to carry 71b less than he had at Takapuna. As that gallop did him good, the son of Regel will want a lot of beating. Miss King is said to have jumped in a slovenly manner at Wanganui, and if she does it on Monday may not survive the course, otherwis she should be prominent at the finish. Swimmer is particularly well just now, and will take a deal of beating, for he had a bit in hand when he won the Takapuna Steeplechase last week. Eclair is a little fellow, and perhaps hardly good enough to win. Nadador has a chance, as also has Pharos, for the latter’s win at Ellerslie on the occasion of his last visit was a particularly easy one. Of the other light weights Irish and Catherine Gordon are the best, and the latter is sure to be prominent in the early stages. When they come to finish the long and tiring journey it is possible the leaders may be Haydn, Moccasin, Aka Aka, Miss King, Swimmer, and Pharos, while of these the best may prove to be Swimmer, Aka Aka, and Haydn.