CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 196, 17 August 1917, Page 3

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. SLEIGHT OF HAND WINS THE HURDLES. i DISAPPOINTING RACE. MASTER STROWAN WIXS THE STEEPLECHASE.' (By Telegraph.— Special to " Star.") CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. The Canterbury Jockey Club : s Grand National Meeting opened at Riccarton' today iv beautiful weather, although the slight breeze blowing was a bit keen. There was a large attendance, and the going was good. The Grand Xational Hurdle race was very disappointing, half the field meeting with mishaps, while Sleight of Hand really made a one-horse race of it. The Steeplechase. on the other hand, was a pretty race to watch, and two-thirds of the journey was covered before the first mistake was made. The Auckland contingent failed to get Into the money, Tangihaere. Te Onga. Marconi. Blooinine. Gluepot. Cardrona, and Lady Penury all finishing out of place. The Winter Cup fell to one of the outsiders of the field. King Star beating the favourite on the post, and paying a good two-figure dividend. THE FAVOURITE WIXS. Racing commenced with the Hunt Club Cnp. which attracted a field of eight, including the Auckland horse Tangihaere, while Handsome Boy was the only withdrawal. A favourite was found iv Kaupokouui, which went over the four-figure mark, with Burgess within a few pounds of that amount. A little money also came for Uanza and Tangihaere. When they were dispatched Ranza went out very fast, and passing the stand was twenty lengths in front of the field, with Kaupokonui, Lulgi, Golden Butterfly, and Wellwood together iv a bunch. Tangihaere being last. The obstacle in front of the stand brought Ranza to grief, and Kaupokonui went on in the lead, with Golden Butterfly and Wellwood as his nearest attendants. Jumping the double there was only this trio with chances. Wellwood joined Kaupokonui crossing the top. and the pair had a great battle home, the favourite getting The decision by half a length. Golden Butterfly get third, fifty yards away, Burgess being the only other to finish. * j A XARROW WIX. All those carded came out for the Trial Hurdles, and a good favourite was found in San Sebastian, while strong support was accorded Gclden Glade, Miss Satlon, Dionysius. Compulsion, and Steperina. The last-named went out to make the running, and led past the stand, followed by Arthur George and Compulsion, with the others in a bunch. The hurdle at the entrance to the back stretch saw Arthur George and Don Francisco drop out, and at the next obstacle Golden Glade came to grief. Compulsion then assumed command, followed by Miss Satlon, San Sebastian, and j Turehau, while Dionysius dropped back I last. Crossing the top Compulsion was out ten lengths in front of Miss Sation. after which cau.e San .Sebastian, while Dionysius commenced to move up. and was handy when they entered the straight. After jumping the last fence Compulsion looked to Lave the race won. but. the boy taking things a bit easy. Dionysius got to him fifty yards from the post. and. wearing him down over the last bit, got the verdict by a neck. Miss Sation got third, two lengths away, aud then came Sau Sebastian, St. Cuiio, Mcunt Victoria, Steperina, and : Turehau. ... j THE BIG HURDLE RACE. The final scratchings for the Xew Zev land Grand Xational Hurdles rcd.u'cd tir; tield by one. As they paraded they made] a good showing. The field i-.,.ike-1' a welt; seasoned lot. consequent on their :a'iug. duriug the past lew mouths. In i',e pie-, liminarfes nothing bit out bolder than Sir Solo. Bon Reve, Sir Fisher. SK'lght of, Hand aud Marconi, the last-named in par-1 ticular striding along generously. Whe>i| the figures were adjusted on the machine! Sleight of Hand had over eighteen hundred pounds on bis cn:nber, while ltewi I'olo and Bon Reve both went over the four-'lgure mark. I.conta and Sir Fisher approached this number, the order of the others iv the betting being Art. Sir Solo. Marconi aud Te Onga. with living Camp the outsider. Rcwi Poto and Bon Reve gave a little txoubie at the post, but they were not kept waiting long. Te Onga losing a few lengths, when the tapes were lifted. Flying Camp was (juiekest to begin, but, with three hurdles jumped. Sleight of Hand pulled his way to the front, and leading past the fraud, was four lengths in front of Sir Solo, which had Marconi within a length. Then came Art. Flying Catnp, Fisher, Rewi Poto. Bon Reve. I.conta and Te Onga. The hurdle iv front of the public stand saw a lot of interest taken out of the race. Art | coming to grief and bringing down Loonta and Flying Camp, while Rewi Poto's bridle slipped over his head, aud he was pulled up. Sleight of Hand was setting a solid pace as they raced along the back, Sir Solo being half a dozen lengths away, with Marconi and Sir Fisher next, anC Bon Reve and Te Onga following. Crossing the top Sir Solo, Sir Fisher and Marconi were being hunted, along, when the last-named fell at the second last, fence from home, leaving Sir Solo and Sir Fisher to chase the leader. Sir Solo put In his claim as they came to the last fence, and a cry went up In his favour, but Sleight of Hand had only been steadied, and, once over the obstacle, drew out, and, finishing strongly, won by four lengths. Sir Fisher was four lengths away, third, then came Bon Reve and Te Onga. A GOOD FIELD, The good field of twenty came out for the Avonhead Handicap, the withdrawals being Grand Idea. Thames, Ascalaphus, and Kimbolton. Rajput was the elect with backers, carrying about £300 more than Bewanga, which was a shade better fancied than Euripos, the only others to get anything like decent support being Don Pacifico, Minesweeper, Bloomine, Kilkee, AB Serene, and Matty. From the stand it looked to be a good start, but no idea of the positions could be gained until they were well in the at which stage Bloomine, Kewanga, and Rajput appeared to be the leaders; with Epworth, Euripos, «nd Minesweeper heading the others. Inside the distance Euripos shot out. and, though Minesweeper looked to head him, be came again, and won a good race by a neck. Kpworth got third, a couple of lengths away, and then came Red Cent, Kllkee, and d'owder King. A POPULAR VICTORY. The eleven acceptors were on the board when the numbers went up for the Xew Eealand Grand Xational Steeplechase; they Were a fairly representative lot. Crib was the gentleman of the party as far as looks Were concerned, but they all wore a welltrained appearance, although Gluepot was probably a bit more robust than usual. A change of riders was necessitated on the last-named. S. Henderson, who won on the Auckland representative, had had a Blight shaking when Marconi came to grief, and Mcßandall took bis place. Merry Lad's bell was rung the more often, and when a halt was called he had just £200 more invested on him than St. Elmn, which had a lew more friends than Criu, while Master Strowan also went over the four-figure total. The order of the others in the betting was: Gluepot. Diavolo, Braeburn, Xita, Bandy Paul, and Kirkby, with The Brewer the outsider. When they were dispatched Braeburn Was slow to move. Diavolo showed the way to the first fence, and led past the stand well clear of The Brewer and Crib, which were together. Then came Sandy Paul, Kirkby, St. Elmn, Master Strowan, Merry Lad, and Gluepot, with Braeburn last. Diavolo was setting a solid pace as they went along the back, the order of the others being: The Brewer, Crib, Sandy Paul. Kirkby, St. Elmn, Master Strowau, Braeburn, and Merry Lad, Gluepot acting as whipper-in. Diavolo was beginning to tire when the standw-as reached the second time, and The Brewer and St. Elmn were almost on terms with Master Strowan, Crib, Braeburn, and Xita racing in that order, and Gluepot, Sandy Paul, Merry Lad, and Kirkbv the last division. The field had all fenced beautifully, but ft big fence at Cutts' found the favourite •out, and he was the first to make a mistake, coming to grief. Racing to the double St. Elmn ran past Diavolo and The Brewer, and took charge, while Braeburn and Crib were handy, and Master Strowan made a forward move, the others being at this stage well beaten. St. Elmn drew out as

race fV? top - and looked f " have the helL , !"',' for Braeburn and Crib were thin g . UDt P d aIon S- »™ Master Strowan then moved up, and was within striking ?* tan . cc as the >' lumped the fence at the top of the straight. Racing to the last obstacle St. Elmn appeared to rise first, but once over. Master Strowan drew out. and, finishing up his task in (treat style. won very easily by a dozen lengths. Crib plodded on into third place, four lengths away, and then came Xita, Brneburn, The Brewer. Diavolo. and Gluepol. Klrkbv comlug in later, while Sandy Paul pulled'np. The victory was a popular one, and Master Strowan and his rider were lourtlv cheered on returning to the paddock. THE VETERAN'S. Seven aged horses came out for the Enfield Steeples Handicap, Handsome Boy being withdrawn. Taiupa was picked out as something extra special, though Stone Ginger, Kew. aud Puremntn got good support. Ranza. which was saddled up for the second time, led the field to Cutis, where he ran off, leaving Stone Ginger in charge, and, although Puremntn looked l«. have a chance of beating him at the second to last fence. Stong (linger drew out again and won comfortably by four lengths from Paremaia. which beat I he favourite by two lengths for second. Kew i was the only other to finish. j THE FAVOURITE BEATEN". i A field of twenty-nine acceptors, one of I the largest fields yet started at Kiccarton, ' saddled up for the Winter Cup, none having I dropped out. Parisian Diamond wound up! as one of the "can't lose" order, carrying' eight hundred pounds more than Tip l'p, and then in order of favouritism nunc Brambletye, Johnny Waiker, Thoughtful, j the bracketed pair Fiery Cross and KHJoy. I Miss Deval, Varnish. Lady l'ennrv, Kiltcss. ; Sir Agnes. Probation, Snub, Glorify. Card-j rona, Grand Idea, Orleans. George. Prince ■ Delaware. Heeltap. Uaumauuwhiri. Sedd-el-j Bahr. Bonsign. King star. Xanthos. and ! Jeannot, but outside the first eight or nine the others were at long prices. There was some delay nt the start, aud a misty light i made it hard to pick up the colours. When ; the barrier lifted it was not to a good dis- j patch, Orleans and Grand idea being badly left, while the others got away In two divisions. Cardrona was quickest to begin. : and, as they crossed the top, was two lengths ahead of Tip l'p, while the favourite I was just in behind the last-named, the rest . of the field being strung out in a long line. I Turning for hoiiie the favourite moved up I to the leaders, and at the distance it | looked as if it was the moral the betting, indicated, but a hundred yards from home ! King Star and Brambletye came on the scene, and the former, gradually wearing down the fevourite, got the verdict by a ] neck. Brambletye' was a length away, • third, and then came Sir Agnes. Kiltess. and Tip Up. the latter heading a bunched | lot. Lady Penury got a very had run. not . being sighted until the concluding stages, j and may appear to better advantage on I Saturday. Cardrona showed a lot of pace in the early stages, but failed to go on with it. ~ | After the race, .W. Bell, the rider of King! Star, was before the stewards for alleged ■ interference with Bramletye. After the statements of the riders concerned bad beeu heard. Bell was fined £5. A FIXE FINISH. The scratching pen was busy In the Summer Handicap. Kllkee. Powder King, Minesweeper, Henerette. Compassion, Mcl- j ford. St. Head and Kimbolton being withdrawn. Hythread finished up favourite, but Ascalaphus and Thames v.-cnt over four | figures, and Klllard and Black Hill got o| lot of support. Zarita, Ascalnnhns and KUlard comprised the leading division at the i top. with Hythread heading the others. Ascalaphus shot to the front as I hey caniej round the home turn, but Klllard and : Hythread went with him. and an exciting 1 finish was witnessed. Klllard getting the' verdict by a head from Ascalaphus, with Hythread another head away, third. Lion was fourth, and Black Hill next. THE TOTALISATOR. The totnlisator handled the sum of £31.327. ns against £40.305 last year. The official record of the later events is as follows;— AVOKHEAD HANDICAP. Six furlongs. 5— En'rlpos, 0.1 i '.—MineswePpei. 9.G 2 IS—Kpworth, 0.0 ;t " Also started: 7, Kilkee, 10.13- 2 Rewangn, 10.9; 9, Matty, 10.S; 8. All Serene' IDS; 4. Don Pacifico. 10.4: 1. Rnjput. 10.4: 12, Powder King. 0.10; 13. Kilbrogan. O.lo; 10. Formnal, O.G; 14. Majestlkoff. 0.5; 15, Wclfc.rd, 0.3; 6. Bloomine, 9.1; 11. Achilleus' 1.0: 17. Ringform, 0.0; 10, Lufl'. 9.0; 20. ,4n.lope. 9.0. Kuripos was practically in the van all the way. and. though beaded by Minesweeper near home, came away ami won nicely by :i.ilf a length. The third horse was close ap. Time, 1.17 4-0. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE. Three miles and a-half. I—F. S. Easton's » g Master Strowan. by Strowan—The Artist mare, 10.11 1 I—St. Elmn. 10.2 2 2—Crib, 11.13 3 Also started: 7. Braeburn. 11.10; 5, Gluepot. 11.5: 1. Merry Lad. 10.9: 9. Sandy Paul. 9.11: 6, Diavolo, 9.5; S. Nita, 0.8; Kirkby. 9.8: 11, The Brewer, 9.7. Diavolo led a strung-out field till reaching Cntts', on the last round, where Merry Lad fell. Master Strowan then took charge. md was never troubled, winning easily by twelve lengths, eight lengths separating the second and third horses. Sandy 'Paul did not complete the course. ENFIELD STEEPLECHASE. About two miles. '—Stone Ginger. 9.12 1 > —Paremnta, 9.11 2 I—Tauira, 11.9 3 Also started: 3, Kew, 9.13; 7. Tradition, D.10; 4. Coalition. 9.8: G, Ranza, 9.7. The first obstacle brought down Coalition, md Ranza. who was making the pace, ran oU at Cutts", leaving Stone Ginger in charge. Tradition fell at the post-and-ralls. Stone Ginger was never headed, and won comfortably by six lengths. Tauira was a good third. Time, 4.7 4-5. WIXTER CUP. One mile. 23—King Star, 9.0 1 I—Parisian Diamond, 10.0 2 3—Brambletye. 9.8 3 Also started: 21. Oxenhope, 11.1: 4, Fiery Cross, 10.9, Kiljoy, 9.S (coupled): 9, Varnish. 10.7; G, Miss Deval. lO.li; 12, Snub, 10.3; 15, Orleans, 10.0: 23. llanmanawhirl D.13; 10, Lady Penury, 9.<3; 18, George, 9.10; 19, Sedd-el-Bahr. 0.9; 22, Prince Delaware. 9.9: 20, Heeltap. 9.8: 2. Tip L'p. 9.7; 7. Kiltess. 9.6; 2(>, Zuland, 9.3; lfi, Grand Idea. 9.3; 17, Sir Agnes. 9.3; S. Johnny Walker, 9.3; 14. Glorify, 9.0; 13, Cardrona, D.O: 27, Ueannot, 9.0; 28. Xanthos, 9.0; 11, Probation. 9.0; 5, Thoughtful, 9.0; 24, Boti--sign, 9.0. From a good start Sir Agnes shot out and led a strung-out field for about live furlongs. Tip Up and Parisian Diamond then passed him, but a furlong from home the former fell back. Brambletye and King Star challenged and the last-named got up in time to win by a head, with Brambletye close up. third. Sir Agnes was fourth, and Tip Up fifth. Time, 1.45 4-5. Bell, the rider of the winner, was fined £5 for careless riding. SUMMER HAXDICAP. One mile. 4—Klllard, 9.9 1 2—Ascalaphus, 9.9 2 I—Hythread. 10.5 3 Also started: 3, Thames, 10.S; 5, Black Hill, 10.2; 9, Golden Itupee. 9.5; U, Lion. 9.2; 10. Riga, 9.0: 12. Mittagong. 9.U; s, Crosswords, 9.0; 11, Zarita, 9.0; 7, John Ileilly, 0.0. Ascalaphus made all the running, but inside the distance Klllard and Hythread got on terms, and iv a great finish Hythread won by a nose, there being the same margin between the second and third horses. Time, 1.47 3-5.