GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASES

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7382, 7 August 1889, Page 2

GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASES

Stewards — Messrs P. Cunningham, G. H. Clifford. F. J. Kimbell, Hon. E. Parker, J. U. Lance. M.H.R., H. H. Prins, Hon. W. Reeves, M.L.C., Hon.W. Robinson, M.L.C., J. Studholme, T. Teachmaker Hon. T. "VVa'.ker, M.L.0., W. H. Wynn-Williams. Judge—F. O. Tabart. Starter—P. Campbell. Clerk of tne Scales—T. Acland. Clerk of the Courso—A. Hussey. Handicappers— The Committee. Acting Secretary —H. Westmacott.

If the weather had been made to orde r it could not have been better; in fact, for this season of the year it was gloriously propitious, and the C.J.C. may lay flattering unction,to their souls that they have experienced such meteorological favors, while the Auckland, Napier and Wellington win. ter gatherings met with such misfortune as caused the courses to be deluged with rain. The attendance was large, and more people were out on wheels than usual. The course was in good going order. The programme opened with the Hunters' Hurdle Race, and a nice field went out t 0 do battle, Ivanhoe, a son of Python and Bribery, being ridden patiently by Tommy Stewart, winning cleverly at the finish. Squib was perhaps made too much use of, but ran very gamely. Then followed the saddling up for the

Grand National, and in the paddock, when lookine over the candidates, we noticed numerous North Island friends .fro m Napier, Wanganui, Wellington, with a sprinkling of Aucklanders, while Dunedin and Southern districts supplied, as usual, a goodly number of visitors. „Eleven horses cried content. "Spectator, in Ms exhaustive review ot the candidates m the Weekly Press, has so fully done justice to the subject that we can only here briefly refer to them. Chemist, the top weight, a son of The Painter (who should have died hereafter) and the Peter Flat mareWaipuna, looked fit to run for a kingdom, and Orangeman and Ahua, by comparison with others, could not have been found fault with on the score of condition. Irish Kme bore evidence of having done a lot of work, and Torrent's coat shone out in the sun, showing bim to be in good health, but he looked too full of carcase. Waitangi was big rbut Panic had a tucked appearance. Orient was on the light side. Monteagle looked a much-improved horsesince falling into Butler's hands. Sheenan had Presto in fair order. Below will be found a description of the race, but it may be supplemented by saying that we think, and with us nine out of every ten who witnessed the contest, that whatever other horses might have done, but for accidents or mistakes of one kind and another, Ahua would have got home first. When practically with the race in hand three fences from home he experienced his first fall. Had it not been for this, those who entrusted the little son of Painter and Cornelia with their confidence and money would have had no cause to complain. While saving so much, we must accord all honor to Mr Ellingham's horse Chemist, who is one of the earnest horses that ever wore a saddle. The way in which he carried his 12st 71b was a treat to see. The Ladies' Bracelet was a keenly contested race and the gentlemen riders showed to advantage: and Mr A. Boyle, who rode the winner last year, again scored, after riding a very patient race, and timing his final run with judgment. Messrs Murray-Aynsley and O. Thomson had a hard tussle for second honors. Tbe Tally-ho Handicap was a fiasco, as will be seen below; but the Maiden Steeplechase produced a good race between the placed horses, and the Selling Steeplechase an interesting set-to between Presto and Panic. The following are the particulars of the racing :—

Hunters' Hurdle Race, of 75 soys; second horse to receive 10 soys out of the stake. For qualified hunters that have never won [an open hurdle race. Owners must produce a Master of Hounds' certificate for 18S9 at the scales. About two miles, over eight flights of hurdlea 260. Mr Q. McCluro's br g Ivanhoe. 4 yrs, lOst 121b .. .. .. (T, Stewart) 1 134. Mr H. G. Pitt's gr m Squib, Cyrs. 12st (Owner) 2 8. Mr R. Duffy's b g Rex, aged, 9st ___~, „ (Walls) 3 38, Maligncr. 12st 101b (Ford); 15, Doubtful, list 71b (Warner); 9, Little Arthur, lOst 121b (Banmber); 74, Hollywood, lOst 121b (Dunn); fid. Tramp, lOst 71b (Blackmore); 13, All Fours. lOst 71b (C. Homes); 14, Bachelor, 9st 71b (Pell); ISO, Swamphen 9st (Kingan), also started

A field of eleven faced the starter, and getting away on fairly even terms, Swamphen went to the front, Batchelor running second, and Tramp being third. At the second fence Doubtful, probably doubtful of his ability for a stick contest, ran off. Swamphen led past the stand with Tramp second, Bachelor third, but on passing Cutts' Squib and Hollywood went to the head of affairs, followed by Little Arthur, and at the back of the course the order was Squib, Little Arthur, Swamphen, Hollywood, and Ivanhoe together. Squib drew away from her field, followed through by Ivanhoe, who, waiting till the last hurdle was reached, caught and settled the grey iv the straight, and won by five lengths. Squib second, Rex. who came through in the home run, third, Swamphen fourth, Little Arthur fifth. Time, 4min 15sec. Dividends—£3 5s 6d inside, £2 9s Cs outside.

New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase Handicap, of 400sovs; secondnorse to receive 50 soys, and the third horse 25 soya out of the stake. The winner of any steeplechase of the advertised value of 50 soys after the declaration of the weights 51b; of lOOsovs, 7tb: of two or more such races, or one of 200 soys, 101b extra. About four miles. 175. Mr A. Ellingham's b g Chemist, by The Painter—Waipuna, aged, 12st 7lb (Owner) 1 86. Mr A. Q. Cox's b g Daddy Longlegs. aged. 9st 121b .. .. (T.Stewart) 2 118. Mr J. Poole's blk g Waitangi. aged. 9st olb .. .. .. (Owner) 3 272. Mr D. Rutherford's b g Irish King, aged, 12stllb (Kingan) 0 41. Mr F. B. Gentry's b g Orient, aged, (F.Gentry) 0 84. Mr T. Kearney's b h Torrent, 5 yrs, list 51b .. .. .. .- (Owner) 0 358. Mr D. Scott's b h Ahua, aged, list 51b (T. Scott) 0 326. Mr J. Rae'a b g Orangeman, aged, lOatolb (Owner) 0 84._ Mr &. W_ Kutherf ord's b g Presto, aged. 9st 121b .. .. (T. Sheenan) 0 148. Mr P. Butler's br g Monteagle. 6yrs, 9st 121b (T. Lyford) 0 59. Mr E. H. Taylor's b g Panic, aged, 9st 121b (Cochrane) 0

Racing away fast, at the first fence everything got over, the order being Panic, Monteagle, Chemist, Irish King. At the home turn Irish King took command of the field. The order of coining past the stand was, Irish King, Chemist, Daddy Longlegs, Monteagle, Panic, Orangeman, Presto, Waitangi, Ahua, aud Orient in the rear. At Cutts' Chemist led Panic and Monteagle, and at the next fence, Ford's, Irish King nearly fell. Daddy Longlegs took command further on, followed by Chemist, and at the Kennels was going with a three-lengths lead, Chemist leading Panic, Torrent, and Presto up past the stand, Irish King dropping back, Ahua going up through his horses and joining Orangeman, who was now also moving up, but Irish King stopped at Cutts', and Orangeman jumped the wing inside the flag, and presto fell. At the next fence Chemist' rushed to the front, Torrent being second, and Ahua third, .Daddy Longlegs fourth. At the gorse hedge, Torrent fell, and Ahua went to the head of affairs, and looked to have the race won, but, overjumping himself, came down, leaving Chemist in the lead of a beaten lot, and from thence home the race was simply a canter for Chemist, who covered himself with glory under his crushing impost, Daddy Longlegs and Waitangi following at intervals of about ten lengths, Ahua, remounted, fourth, the others pulling up. Orient made a mistake at the back of the course. Time, 9min 12sec. Dividends — Inside, £8 2s; outside, £9 18s.

Ladies' Bracelet, a bracelet of the value of 60 sovb for the first, a bracelet of the value of 15 soys for the second, aiid a bracelet, of the value of 10 soys for the third horse. For horses that have never won a race of any description on the flat of the advertised value of 20 soys. Three-year-olds. lOst 131b; four-year-olds, list 71b; rive-year-olds and upwards, list 101b. Gentlemen riderTwo miles on the flat. 144. Mrs W. L. Clifford's b g St. Malo. 3 yrs, 10stI31b .. .. (Mr A. Boyle) 1 223. Miss Campbell's b c Alcinous. 3 yrs, lOst 131b .. Mr G. Murray-Aynesly) 2 331. Mrs Ulic Burkes bg Kahu, 5 yrs. list . lib .. .. (Mr C. Thomson* 3 20, Southern Chief, list 101b (Mr R. Ford); 31, Sykes. list 101b (Mr B. D. OTtourke); 24. "ioung Guy, list 101b (Mr Parsons); 76, Marmion. list 101b air H. Pitt): 267. Ivanhoe. list 71b (Mr A. G. Cox): 15. Harkaway, 10=t 131b (Mr J. McDonald), also started. At the fall of the flag Mr O'Rorke took Sykes to the front, aud led the field past the stand, Ivanhoe being last, but improving his position all down the back of the course. After running in the lead for a mile Sykes fell back, and Kahu was first into the straight, closely attended by Alcinous, and a good race home between the three first mentioned, who were well together, took place ; but St. Malo, well bandied, was now called on, evidently for the first time, and responding generously, Mr Boyle brought him through, and by a supreme erTorv in the last fifty yards got the son of Gorton in front, and stalling off Alcinous and Kahu, who appeared to come again, won by a clear length; a neck between the second and third. Time, 3min 56sec. Dividends— £6 os 6d inside, £7 7s 6d outside. Maiden Steeplechase of 100 sov3;- second horse to receive lOsovs, and the third horse 5 soys out of the stake, ifor all horsey that have never won a steeplechase of the advertised value of 20 soys at time of entry.-Three-year-olds, lftat 31b; four-year-elds, ll»t 61b; five-year-olds, list 121b: six years and aged, 12st 31b. About two miles. 75. Mr H. G. Pitt's gr m Squib, 6 yrs, l_3t3!b (Pitt) 1

71. Mr P. Butler's br g Mon teazle, 6 yrs. V2st-lb . .. ■• I Lyford) 2 197. Mr T. Kearney's b h Torrent. 5 yrs. list 121b .. .. (Hickoy) 3 171. Mr R. Kintran's bgPlayboy.aged 12dt.31b (Mitchell) 0 49. MrE. S. Rutherford's chg Tho Mount, aged, 12st 31b ° Squib went to the front, followed by Playboy, who once at the back of the course "temporarily headed the grey. After this Playboy fell back, and Torrent and Monteagle drew up. and chased the winner home, b~ut they did not succeed in catching her, and she wou by two lengths, Monteagle just beating Torrent by a neck. the others beaten off.' Time, 6min lo'sec. Dividends—lnside. £7 ISs ; outside, £0 6s. Tally-ho Handicap of 125 soys : second horse to receive 20 soys. and the third horse 10 soys out of the stake. Weights to be declared immediately after the Grand National is run, and acceptances with 3 soys by 3 p.m. on the day of the race. About two and a half miles. Mr D. Rutherford's b g Irish Kin-. as,ed. 12st7'b .. .. .. iKingan) 0 Mr J. Rao's Orangeman, aged, list (J. Rae) o

These were the only acceptors, and both, after running as far as Cutts', stopped, and despite tne efforts of their riders could not be persuaded to jump, and after a lot of time being cut to waste, the Stewards ordered the horses back to the paddock, and agreed to pay the owners £25 each. A remarkable wind up. certainly. £SS went on Irish King and £99 on Orangeman, which was returned to investors without deductions.

Selling Steeplechase, of 50 povs ; for three-year-olds and upwards. Three-year-olds. lOst 31b: four-year-olds, list 61b ; flvo-year-olda, list 121bs; six-year-olds and upwards, 12st 31b. Winner to be sold immediately after the race for 50 soys, tho surplus, if any. to be divided between the second horse and the fund. If euterod to be sold for 25 soys, allowedTlb; nil, 141b. Nomination with 2 soys to be made at the post immediately after the Tally-Ho Handicap is run. About two milca. __ 139. Mr W.C. Rutherford s bg Presto, aged, by Presto, I2st 31b .. .. (S.-ieenan) 1 210. Mr Taylor's b g Panic, aged. 12st 31b (Cochrane) 2 56. Mr A F. Johnstone's c g Batchelor, awed, list 31b (Peel! 3 1.35. Mr K. S. Rutherford's b g Reuben, 4yrs, list 61b, also started. Panic led to the back of the course, When he was challenged by Presto, and the pair ran in company tbe rest of the journey. Presto at the finish beating Panic by a couple of lengths, Batchelor twenty lengths away, third. Reuben as far behind Batchelor. Dividends—lnside, £3 ss; outside, £o los Gd. The total amount passed through the totalisator was £4789, against £4483.

c o § o 03 Winner. _3 '5 Rider. 03 . 1876| Royalty 1877 Fakir L878 Mousetrap 1879 The Agent L880 The Agent L881 Clarence L8S2I Katerfelto 1883 Kosciusko' 1884 The Agent 1885 Moody 18S8 Canard 1887 Faugh-a-Ballagh 1883 Mangaoh—ne L889 Chemist st lb 10 0 10 5 11 4 12 8 12 7 12 2 10 0 10 5 12 6 11 0 12 10 11 13 11 2 12 7 MrMartell 8. Osborne P. McCoy W. Hankins Mr H. Luhn F. Hedge W. Clifford T. Shoenan T. Lyford C. Hobbs Mr H. Lunn Lyford Hickey .ICllingham 6 13 9 13 12 6 S 5 4 6 6 13 9 11 CHEMIST'S PEDIGREE. Waipuxa The Paixteis. Psyche Peter Flat | Art Union | M ™ e nls