RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 137, 16 July 1914, Page 3

RACING AND TROTTING.

TURF TOPICS.

RACING FIXTURES. July 18—Wellington B.C. Winter. August 11, 13, 15—C.J.C. Grand National. August 20 —Amberley Steeplechase Annual. ACCEPTANCES. July 24—C.J.C. Grand National. August 24—Amberley Steeplechase A*au»l. TROTTING FIXTURES. Awgust 10, 12, and 14 —N.X. Metropolitan T.C. Winter. ACCEPTANCES. August S—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. Winter.

The tracks at Riccartou were again in first-class order for training operations this morning, and a good deal of useful work was accomplished by horses claiming engagements at the coming meeting. 'Judging- by the number that daily frequent the tracks, and the strong contingent which is due to arrive from the north, the prospects of big fields for the Grand National Meeting seem brighter than iu many previous years. . . ' Cftrohis and Gregory, together, strode over six furlongs on the sand this morning. The pair finished up their task together, but the latter, who appears to be very thiek in the wind, was blowing hard when the winning-post was reached.

Tannhauser, Tlirax, and Forest Belle were again companions in a useful working gallop over seven furlongs. The first-named pair finished together several lengths in front of Forest Belle. Silver Blaze Was responsible for a couple of rounds on the sand this morning, striding along at a good solid pace throughout. The big chestnut is looking in capital fettle at present, and by the time the National Meeting comes to hand lie should be quite at his best. The rising three-year-old filly Marsa has been electrifying track watchers during the past week, and in a couple of sprints lately she fully justified the opinions of those who term her a swal-low-catcher. The daughter of Martian usually carries a light impost when performing her daily tasks, but there is no question that she can muster up a lot of pace. Stevedore strode over seven furlongs this morning on the sand track, First Flight picking him up at the five-fur-long post. The pair finished together, neither being extended. Kilmeny did a round on the sand track this morning, striding along freely throughout. Lie is looking in capital fettle, and accomplishes his jumping and galloping tasks in a satisfactory manner.

Troon galloped well over a short journey this morning. The Glenapp mare appears to be in great heart just now, and is looking much bigger than usual. The Invercargill trainer G. Hope arrived from the south yesterday with True Blue and Prairie Fire. Both horses did steady pace work on the sand track at Riec.arton this moraing. The former is looking on the light side, quite the reverse of the latter, who is carrying plenty of condition. J. Bridges has had his team strengthened by the addition of a bay gelding by Stronghold from a Perkin Warbecfc mare. He is carrying plenty of condition, and is a well-grown, useful-looking sort.

A. Lloyd, an apprentice to D. Roberts, met with a painful accident while riding a young horse at exercise on the Yaldhurst Road yesterday afternoon. It appears that something startled the animal. which whipped round suddenly and unseated its rider, who fell aud broke his left leg above the ankle.

After his line achievement in winning the Parliamentary Handicap at Trentiiain yesterday, Portraiture's owner must more than ever regret his neglect to nominate his smart representative for the Winter Cup. According to a Sydney message the iiroken Hill Cup resulted in a victory for Hieraetus, a three-year-old son of 3:*oba<iil and Zeph. Ho was followed l-.ciue by Devron and Ptah, winning by half a head in 2min ltfsec.

Though he jumped faultleesly in the Wellington Steeplechase yesterday, Tim I Ooolan was not. forward enough to see ] out the full journey. Prior to the Wei- i lington meeting he had been troubled i with a poisoned foot and had done very : little work in consequence. | Kilosteri, who claims an engagement I :'n the Winter Cup, broke down badly i when contesting the Stewards' Handicap at Trentham yesterday Each of the place-fillers in the Wellington Steeplechase yesterday claim en-, gagement in the Grand National at. liiecarton, and can be looked on as almost certain starters. At Sandown l'atk tomorrow Kenny-' more will probably be given the opportunity of rehabilitating himself in public favour in the rich ISelipsc Stakes. Amongst the othir prominent three-war-olds engaged are ffapsburg, Louvois, White Prophet, and White Magic, so the field is not likely to be a large one. Like so many other successful steeplechasers, Captain Jack, the latest hero of the Wellington Steeplechase, learnt Ins business in the hunting field. At

the A.R.C. meeting last month he put up tAvo roally high-class performances, and it was on the strength of these that he eflme in for such solid support from /- ucklatwl sportsmen yesterday. Kaniki emulated his achievement of twelve months ago by accounting for the Stewards' Handicap at Trentliam yesterday. Only for Tatimi getting foul of the barrier when it was released he would assuredly have troubled the winner. Prior to racing in the Stewards' Handicap at. Trentham yesterday Veritas was sold by Sir Geo. Clifford to a North Island sportsman. So far the San Francisco colt has not fulfilled early expectations, and he was nev3r prominent in yesterday 'a. contest.

Only for suffering considerable interference and haying to make his final run on the outside of the field, Royal Arms might have reversed positions with Immensity in the Winter Hurdle Race yesterday. Should he remain sound till the C.J.C. meeting comes along the Royal Artillery gelding will f ake all sorts of beating in the Grand National Hurdles. •Karamu-trained horses hold a remarkable record in connection with the Trial Plate at the Y\Tellington Winter meeting. In the past eleven years bearers of the cerise jacket have won on seven occasions, been second twice, and unplaced twice. Yesterday's victor, Shaki, claims an engagement in the New Zealand Cup, as do Rhine and Pimpernel, who finished amongst the unplaced division. Admiral Soult and Royal Arms were loth sore before contesting the Winter Hurdles yesterday, but whereas the latter ran a splendid race, the former let hi 3 connections down badly. For some unexplained reason most of the horses that completed the course in the Wellington Steeplechase yesterday were allowed to miss the concluding obstacle. Strange to say the incident did not attract the attention of the honorary or stipendiary stewards, and no questions were asked, r

The sise of the field in the Wellington steeplechase yesterday was responsible for Ruffy being squeezed off at the very first obstacle which in common with several of the other fences is not wide enough. The Wairarapa sportsman, Mr W. E. Bid will, is again indisposed, and was unable to attend the annual Racing Conference in consequence. L. Traill made hie first reappearance in the saddle at Trentham yesterday since sustaining a broken collarbone at the A.R.C. meeting. Prior to his mishap Traill was at the head of winning horsemen over obstacles, but in the interim P. Flyun has deposed him, but he in turn is now indisposed. Ruatangata went slightly amiss before the Wellington meeting, and on Tuesday was in the hands of a vet. Under the circumstances his achievement of running Parawanui to a head In the Vittoria Hurdles was a most meritorious one.

The fifteen starters in the Wellington Steeplechase gave an excellent exhibition of jumping, only two of their number, in Sportsman and "Antarctic, coming to grief. Canterbury owned horses made a very poor showing in their races at Trentham yesterday, Pritx, who is owned by the Timaru sportsman, Mr A. S. Elworthy, being the only one of their number to get a place. Despite the unfavourable weather experienced at Trentham yesterday, the opening day of the Winter Meeting was the most successful from every standpoint in the history of that fixture. Record fields were seen out in most of the events, and though only one actual favourite got home, most of'the winners were solidly supported. The untimely death of Antarctic, who broke his neck in the Wellington Steeplechase yesterday, still further reduces the list of capable cross-country horses. Though never a thoroughly saund horse, Salvadan's son has quite a number of very creditable performances between the flags to "his eredit, notably at Avondale, Ellerslie, Wanganui, and Riccarton. For some time past Antarctic has been worked on the beach and exercised on the hills near Wanganui-with the idea of getting him well enough to contest the Wellington Steeplechase and Grand National. There is always a big risk attached to starting unsound horses over country, and it is quite probable that Antarctic's fatal injuries were the outcome of his "dicky" leg giving way in yesterday's contest. TEMPLAR.