CHRISTCHURCH HUNT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 181, 2 August 1929, Page 12

CHRISTCHURCH HUNT.

STEEPLECHASE AT RICCARTON. GRAND NATIONAL CURTAINRAISEB. TO-MORROW'S FIELDS REVIEWED. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") . - CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The Christchurch Hunt Club's meeting will be held at Riccarton to-morrow. Several years have elapsed since first it was given a place under the conditions now ruling. It was an immediate success, and it has become an institution in the August racing carnival, serving as an interesting "curtainraiser" to the Grand National fixture of the Canterbury Jockey Club. As in the past, various owners have patronised the Hunt meeting freely this year, and among the competitors there will be quito a number of horses who are expected to play a prominent part in important events later in the month. The fields for to morrow's meeting are up to the average in numbers, while the inclusion of candidates for the Grand National Steeplechase, Winter Cup and Grand National Hurdles will make the racing of special interest.

Kennels Hurdles. Just John ran second in a similar event in Auckland early in June, and he looks a good sort, while the fact that ho "is an acceptor for the Grand National Hurdles will gain him some admirers. Scion has deteriorated,, and Grand National has no special form, though he gallops well on the tracks. Mime and Exide are useful gallopers without credentials in public as jumpers. Gay Jim is a much improved hurdler, who looks certain to race well. Barrington has a lot of speed, and he schooled well after his arrival at Riccarton, but he lacks racing experience oyer the obstacles. The principal fancies inay be JUST JOHN' GAY JIM. Lawford Steeplechase. Waitaunaha is a bold galloper and a highly proficient jumper, so there seems little doubt that he will start favourite. Radiac is a great jumper, hut on account of unsoundness he cannot be given much work. Bonaryan has some fair form in Hawke's Bay, while Silver Light has raced creditably in' South Canterbury. Sea Boy does not impress as likely to win : early. The best backed may be WAITAUNAHA SILVER LIGHT. ' Longheath Hurdles... Elysianor created a favourable impression when he won at South Canterbury last week, and he looks like registering another good performance, though he will meet a much better field on this occasion, with four Grand National candidates to oppose him. The best of these may be Aberfeldy, who is a very fit horse. Kawini has been racing over country lately, and may be better in that department. Lancer is in great order, and he has been solidly schooled. Perle de Leon may require a bit of race experience. Of the others Troilus makes most appeal. The moat popular'may, be

ELYSIANOR ABERFELDY.

Maiden Stakes,

In a field of twenty there are eleven novice tliree-year-olds, most of whom have had little race experience. Quick Plunge, Desert Song, Leader and Grand Song have been working well lately, and each of these four has a good turn of speed. Among the older division Audience has shaped attractively, while Kate Kelly and Airplane are two others who have shovvn some galloping ability. Audience gained many admirers in her final gallop this week, and she will be final gallop this week. Most money may go on !! aMi AUDIENCE u ' GRAND SONG. Homeby Steeplechase. The five acceptors are all Grand National candidates, and they should provide an interesting contest. King's Guard, the winner of the Wellington Steeplechase, represents useful class, but he has not been over the country, which he will find more difficult than Trentham. He is a capable jumper, however, with reasonable prospects of getting round. Fabriano, on the other hand, must be taken on trust, and the fences may trouble him. Lord Ranald will have his first real try-out in this race. He is a grand jumper, and the most promising young steeplechaser produced at Riccarton in recent years. Radiate is too unsound to do much work, but his ! jumping is a great asset. Young Thurn- { ham does not appeal. The public may ] lend most support to ]

KING'S GUARD LORD RANALD. Brabazon Handicap. King Balboa is one of the popular fancies for the Winter Cup, and he should be equal to a good performance in this race. Gay Sonnet is very well, and the distance will suit her. Bonogne and Anolo are. a useful jjair rom ;Taranaki. Solrpse has not raced or some time, and will be handicapped °? account. Solferite disappointed at couth Canterbury, while Chirkwheat a'' J 0 recent form to recommend him. well '^ both performed better of fi? Canterbury, and the better of these stable mates will be dangerous. P rick l es has d attractive work latelv . great order. The favoiir't ? . sin bo lavourite division may KING BALBOA : RASCAL. -v.. Hunters' Plate. Exide won a similar event at South Canterbury m attractive style 2 Whiffler, who ran second to him hS | 00d . Prospects of giving trouble Barrmgton, another who competed in the same race, will be better suited by the firmer track. Gay Jim and Waitaimala are smarter gallopers than the average hunter, but both these horses lit! Barrington, have hurdling engagements earlier in the day. Even with this handicap, however, the public may fancy them m the following order:

GAY JIM

WAITAUNAHA

Flying Hack. Honey combo is a smart galloper, who is in excellent form at present. lie beat Phastar decisively at Ash-burton a few weeks ago, and Phastar, apart from an advantage of 121b, -is an improving horse. Red Boa has run some good races lately, but he will find Phastar and Honeycombe hard to dispose of. The favourites may be HONEYCOMB PHASTAR.

The list of acceptances is:— KENNELS HURDLES of 120sovs Once round and a distance. Just Jolin . 11 5 Mime .... 9 12 Scion ... 10 0 Exide . . . 9 n Ord. National 9 13 Gay Jim ..92 LAWFORD STEEPLECHASE of lßOsovs. About two miles, Waitaunalia 10 13 Silver Light 913 Radiac ... 10 12 Sea Boy .".90 Bonaryan . 10 11 LONGBEACH HURDLES of 150sovs. Once round and a distance. Elysinnor . . 11 2 Troilus ... 9 13 Aberl'ehly , .10 13 Projector . . 913 Kawini ... 10 8 Paris .... 9 o Lancer ... 10 0 Ileisler ... 9 0 1 erle de Leon 10 3 Rangiawliio 9 0 MAIDEN STAKES 'of lOOsov?. Five furlongs. ..98 Storm Raid 9 0 Kate Kelly 9 S Desert Song 9 O Kentish Lady 9 8 Swiftray ..90 Marsha m . 9 S Leader ... 9 0 The Viscount 9 8 Painting ..90 Huntley ..98 Innesfree .'.90 Audience ..98 La Pompatl'r 9 0 Airplane ..98 Academy ..90 Safety ... 9 8 Grand Song 9 0 Quick Plunge 9 0 Captivate . 9 0 HOME BY STEEPLECHASE of 170SOVS. Two miles and a-half. King's Guard 11 f> Radiate ... 10 5 Fabriano, . . 10 7 Yg. Tlnirnliam 9 11 Lord Ranald 10 7

BEABAZON HANDICAP of 120sovs. Seven furlongs. King Balboa 10 0 Prickles . . !) 4 Gay Sonnet 10 9 Rascal ... 9 4 Bonogne . . . ]0 2 Subdivision . 9 4 Solrose ... 10 1 Malmsey ..92 Anolo ... 9 9 Perle de I.eon 9 0 Solferite . . 9 C Sagittarius . 9 0 Chickwheat 9 5 Eoyal Game 9 0 Overdrawn . 9 5 HUNTERS' PLATE of SOsovs. One mile and a-quarter. Exld6 ... 11 3 BarrJuj;ton . 10 3 Gay .Tim . . 10 9 Diam'd Jack 10 2 Waitaunaha 3 0 9 Poetess ... 10 2 Wliifller . . 10 7. Fresh Breeze 10 0 Clarenson . . 10 3 FLYING HACK of lOOsovs. Sis furlongs. Honeycombe 10 9 Moy Hall . 9 0 Sarnia ... 10 8 Waihemo . . 9 0 Red Boa . .10 3 The Bailiff 9 0 Grand Acre 913 Huntley ..90 Phastar . . 9 11 Morian ... 9 0 Royal Flower 9 2 Hounslow ..90