WELLINGTON STEEPLCHASE ACCEPTORS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1109, 13 July 1911, Page 6

WELLINGTON STEEPLCHASE ACCEPTORS.

It cannot be said that owners were in a generous mood in regard to the

invitation of the executive of the Wellington Racing Club, in connection with the call for acceptances for the leading event from a financial point of view in the Wellington Steeplechase, for out of 31 horses weighted, but 15 have signified their intention to so far carry out their contracts. And as eight of these are engaged in the Hunters’ Steeplechase on the opening afternoon, it seems quite reasonable to predict that a further thinning out will take place ere the day of decision arrives. The top weight, Te Arai, has stood his ground, notwithstanding the fact that he has got the heavy impost of 12.8 to shoulder, and it must be allowed that the field that are ranged up against him cannot be characterised as of a “classy” order,

for the next in order to him on the list, Lull, is 'in receipt of 36 pounds from him. When the latter ran second in the Napier Steeplechase (about 3 miles) he had the best of Te Arai as weight allowance to the extent of 39 pounds. In this instance Te Araj was a poor third, but there is no disputing the fact that had he not got into the sod wall half-a-mile from the convincing point in the last circuit, that a difference light would have been thrown upon the debate. Another argument that must be taken into consideration in favour of the top weight, is that when he was beaten in the Napier Steeplechase he was rushed to the front quite seven furlongs from the winning post, and this action seemed to be suicidal, for with three pounds short of 13 stone in the saddle, it would have shown more judgment had his pilot waited on his field until the last three furlongs 1 and then put in his run. From this point of consideration I should certainly say that whereever Lull is in the Wellington Steeplechase at the right end, so assuredly will Te Arai head him off. The only other one engaged at Trentham who met Te Arai at Napier Park is Xavier, the difference between them there being 3 6 pounds in favour of the latter. In the Wellington Steeplechase Davis’ gelding has a further pull of an additional three

pounds. The running at the Park did not help to elucidate the question of the capabilities of the pair, for Xavier toppled over early in the contest, and why he should be allowed three pounds for falling by the weight adjustor to me reads peculiar. Paritutu was going well in the Greit Northern Steeplechase until he got into trouble, and as mistakes will occur to any equine, no matter how proficient they may be, Paritutu must not be passed over for a solitary blunder. His pace is of a superior grade, and given that he makes no mistakes, his prospects appear to stand out in a good light. The most recent form displayed by Mahara is not of an entrancing nature, and he will have to improve greatly to have his chances appraised in a favourable fight. Don Carlos, with a stone more than he has got to lump in the Wellington Steeplechase, ran off in the Havelock Steeplechase at the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s winter meeting. Fie certainly does not look like a weight-carrier, and under a light scale of poundage should run well, if the distance does not prove beyond his tether. He- is said to be a

sate, clever fencer, but he certainjy did not show /any great amount bf talent in that direction at Hastings. Piexades has late winning form to recommend him, for he was successful at Ellerslie last month over 2 miles with four pounds more than he is set to carry at Trentham next week. Hoanga had nothing to beat at Napier Park, where he secured the Park Steeplechase (about miles), with eight pounds more in the saddle than will be the case in the Wellington Steeplechase. In the event he won he was allowing Rosegrove three pounds. There is now 16 Ounces between them in the latter’s favour. On tne running at Napier Park, it looked as if, with a stand up, that Rosegrove would have proved the master of Hoanga, and I do not think that he will stay as well as the ancient son of Forest Rose, so I give him a preference over the Auckland-owned gelding. Sunray is unreliable, and on that account does not require to be taken into consideration. Prospector is reported to be getting through his tasks m a satisfactory fashion, and in his favour it has to be recorded that he was the only other one beside Audax to complete the course in the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase of last year. Ribstone Pippin showed a brilliant turn of speed over the little sticks, but there is a vast difference between winning a hurdle event, and successfully getting to the end of a 3 miles over country. St. Amelia has given flashes of ability in the past, but nothing of sufficiently strong merit to enrapture her prospects at Trentham. D”Nil certainly won the Porante Hurdle Race at the Napier Park Winter Meeting in good style, under the same weight as he.is asked to carry in the Wellington Steeplechase, and should be able to clear the big obstacles as cleverly as he gets over the small sticks, he must be labelled dangerous, he looks just the sort that would stay on wellThe Plough is only ordinary, but it can be said in his favour that he is a faultless fencer, and can stay well. As there is often a big element of luck in the frays over the timber, that is where The Plough will come in if the good portion of it comes his way.