SPORTING.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18456, 10 August 1925, Page 12

SPORTING.

TURF GOSSIP, Nominations for tho Marton Jockey Club's Spring Meeting, and the Manawatu Hunt Steeplechase Meeting close on Friday. Boomerday has resumed- light exercise, and if not started in tho Grand National Hurdle Race may be a starter on tho last day* of the meeting: Riccarton representation at the American Fleet Meeting at Trentham includes Bed Kriss, Cashman, Bonomel, | En Route, To Kawa, The Cheat, Forgery, Tigerland and Lava. Tho Now Zealand Eclipse Stakes, a wcight-for-ago event to be run on the necond day of tho Wanganui Jockev Club Spring Meeting next month, will bo decided over a mile instead of a mile and a distance, as hitherto.

A Press Association cable message from London states that at the bloodstock sales, Mr Sidney Reid, on behalf of Sir' Sidney Kidman, purchased a colt by Silvern—Addenda for 1750 guineas, the highest price paid at tho sales.

In connexion with tho opening of the Canterbury Jockey Club's Grand National Meeting to-morrow special trains will leave Christchurch Station for tho courfio at 10.10, 10.31, 10.40, 10.50, 11.0, 11.25 a.m. and 12.25 p.m., returning at frequent intervals after tho races.

Mr Gaino Carrington's English stallion Hunting Song was expected to arrive in Auckland, oh Saturday b'y the Turakina. Mr Cariington was asked by a prominent Auckland studmaster to put a price on Hunting Song, but he refused.

Highway's name appears amongst the entries for tho Admiral's Steeplechase at the Fleet Meeting at Trentham. His dam Temperance was a sister to that good 'chaser Audax and as Highway has nothing to learn about jumping over hurdles his prospects of making good over country look bright. Prize Bose, who is nominated fOr the Hunters' Steeplechase, - Handicap at the Otago Hunt Meeting has not . raced since winning-the Maiden Steeplechase at tho samo fixture two years ago, as the race was then named. He carried the colours of -Mr L. 0.: Hazlett. - Windermere,. who was entered for cross-country events at the Canterbury Jockey Club's Grand National' Meeting, was not' brought xrortlr with.- F. ;Shaw's team. The Sunny Lake gelding is suffering from some minor trouble in one of his shoulders, aAd has been put by until next winter. Owners and trainers have made a very good response to the Wellington Eacing (^ub'a American Fleet Meeting. A latge nfcmber (St horns "that will be racing at Eiccarton this week are booked to take part and the names of several horses that will be getting an eariv run in public 'in view fef spring ■ engagements' aro also in the lists.; The mooting should- W entirely successful. Both Nuknmai aid, Highway, who are new at Bicearton, look, well, and the latter is expected to be a particularly prominent runner in the Gfaftd National Hurdle BaCe. -Nukumaidraappoinfed at the Wellington Eacing Cl#'S :; Wintef Meeting, but on the better going at Blecarton might fully ieinslate" Mmsolf in pUblic favour. THe ahnual match between North and Sooth Island- jockeys resulted in a .win for JNorth. by. 15 points to toil. Tries Were'scored'by N. BoWG (2), 3J. G. M6rWv T. Mcßyea*ty. " X/.Jguinoyi:jfM referee* X)n account of the unfavourable weather, the attendance was not so large as ustial. AColleotion was taken. tip otf behalf of Mrs 'widow of the'EHerslie trainer whip dial recently, leaving a large

''Sydney "Bulletin"in eommeftt--1 Won 'the tfinflM* at t&4 teftesfc mfltitiig at Xtosehin say#: —lftfilhA, Who iB Bwttatt—Stitylfcc&'JW&fc a field which included Btoby, Mtfthiftakar. Dialogtieand Hermialdd, with'easej trttt Boftter's-per-foiintoßfc 1 mide tint* ittpteusion on tWfee' VJ iiit«ftoted lit the ' Sdjrtemberfor hevaiMitiishfedai rfeWefttJibte lot ofiiprinteta in wnashi' i4#'^e)-attiftttfeli it-waa Mi- ••Artt tet tAMy months and ha improved.- He is now charted' aS- ffiVOtflritefor the Epiom Handicap in which he "will carry 8 1. • a black gelding by Magpie—Galtee Princess, in &pp«a«irifte he- is very like httroother, -srhowas raced in Perth by nftak- aiftrt Dan. Mulcahy." She" is the of *thoae smart Chatterbox, Gael (ft champion "oil the pony conrse*)'and' Gaelic 3sald» Boaster "is trained by W. XelSo for Bobert Miller, owner, o* Windbag, tfhft id being pre- . pared for the Melbotitae Cup..

Both the "Turf Register" and the "Trotting Register" for 1924-25 are now on sale, and to followers of racing and trotting these volumes aro indispensable. The results of all racing-and trotting meetings, which form their principal features, aro invaluable to students of form, and as the issue is limited, early application for copies is necessary.

Liciiiius, who gave undoubted promise by winning three races, finishing second twice, and third onco in six starts as a two-year-old last season, is reported to have wintered particularly well. His first start this season may be in the Hawko's Bay Guineas. The three Australian-bred two-year-olds, also trained for Mr C. Elgar by P. Hazelman, arc also reported well. The filly by Rossendale from Naarilla is expected to come to hand earlier than the Rossendale —Pansy eolt, while tho colt by Comedy King—Camilla is not to be raced until the Autumn.

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

TO-MORROW'S PROSPECTS. The very heavy rain which lias fallen in the past few days cannot do a great deal 'of harm to the steeplechase course at Riccarton. On the special track the going is the best for its-purpose in the Dominion, and now that it has had a fair soaking tho various competitors in tho Grand . National Steeplechaso tomorrow can lie expected to give an exhibition of good, confident fencing. The accommodation for tho public at Riccarton is excellent, and when • .the special train service commences from Christchiirch station at 10.101 i.in., and the usual tram service from Cathedral square, it will be seen that this particular meeting has lost none of its popularity with sportsmen from all parts of the Dominion. Tho Hunters' Hurdle Race opens the card, and is timed to start at 11.31 a.m. There is certain to be some close speculation on tho race, and Mainspring, Sporting Girl, and Ethiopian may be found to have most friends at closing. For the Trial Hurdle Race, Te Kawa, Many Colours, and Kaikahu will have a lot of support. Amongst the others Bonecto and. Red Kriss are the most recent winners, but on paper they look to be held fairly welljfey the more popular fancies.

Of the eleven carded for tho C'ash- . mere. Plato,.. open only ..for horses that have not at time of nomination won a race of the valtifc of 100 soys, Bonatic, Cashmere, Serotina, Forgery, and Solway have already won races. Of them Ghiokwhent, Forgery, and Serotina have done best, and the public will probably look to them to provide the winner. There are. one or two grood maidens in the field, including Groy Eyes and Vfllant; : giving the race a very open appearance, and as a consequence speculation is not likely to be altogether confined to the three par-ticularly-mentioned. The Jumpers' Flat Race usually has some bearing on the result of ■ the Grtttd National Hntdle Race, and with the exception of Bonomel and Lady Gay, all those entered will be seen 6ht in the big. race on Thursday. Nukumai, Who won tho Jumpers' Flat last year, looks Well,- and should again foe prominent, hot Frisco Mail, Santiago, and Many Colours, who 'are getting a fairly liberal concession in weight from him, make a stronger appeal. Lady Gay, Penury Bose, and Bonomel should also race well.

It is difficult to say what will be the fafoutite for the Grand National Steeplechase. Sir Boseberfy, with 12 3, Will hat-e to be all tihat he ie said to bo •by -thofso Who- saw him ; -Win ■ the Great Northern double to beat the f6ur concerned in the finish of the Homeby Steeplechase, over the same fences at the Christehurch Hunt Meeting tea days ago. -It was a great contest that day for first honours between Erie and Pafisin' Through, and at a short interval for third between Charlatan and Tigerland. That race would do all four of them good, more eo, perhaps to Phssin' Throu'gh and Tigerland. ThettFirfct Line, Fireblight, Frenchman and Tuki must all- hay©- jutripess' chances. Getting right down td form, the most popular selection will come from Paasin' Through, Sir Itoseberry, and Erie.

BirkeneUa, Uncle Bob, and Cflaliman should race well in the Enfield Steeplechase, which may be reduced to a onedividend event toy. the withdrawal of Frenchman, should lie start in the (Jr&nd National instead. Nothing can be written out. as both! Blue Hall and Uncle Dare, who make up the field, have both been prominent in recent engagement#. -Thfc-Winter Cub will be one of the best races of the day- -Ckristchuroh Hunt form , is usually good . to. follow, and Riocarton horses showed up very wfcll in the- Brafcazon "Welter, ; which was won by Sun Up r with Boadicea and Snrtisfc also prominent. The best of the visitors appear to be Kilfane, White Comet, Serene, and Anticipate, but the luck of the draw for positions at the post will nearly faave as much bearing Ott tbe ireSult as the relative merits of the horses engaged. Good hacks, such aaßcaumont and Rehutai, must be considered, especially as they both raced well in heavy going at Trentham. Kuhio is another good mud horse, and he will have tho services of R. Reed; ' Blue Peter won well at the recent Meeting at Trentham, and with Highflown and Barn Owl should be prominent in the Avonhead Handicap, Tiff may need « raco or two, and Miss . Miherva, although a recent winner, may find seven furlongs just a trifle too fai/. Rapier, Bouglileen I)honn, and Musical are all fair sorts, and will lielp to i»"ako the tfttOG a good termiflatibn to a highly interesting day's racing. '