SPORTING

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23716, 14 August 1942, Page 7

SPORTING

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING TO-MORROW’S PROSPECTS The Canterbury Jockey Club will conclude the Grand National Steeplechase meeting to-morrow, when well-filled fields will again be paraded in all events. Chief interest will be centred in the Grand National Hurdle Race, for which at least 12 horses will be on hand. The Lincoln Steeplechase promises to provide another spectacular race; and some proved jumpers will contest the Hunt Cup. which has attracted the best field for many years. The track has not undergone any change during the week, and in the absence of any rain In the meantime, the going should be similar to that of last Saturday. Under the win and place system, the following horses can be expected to carry strong support:— Hunt Cup.—Aussie Ra, Surcoat, Valens Sumner Handicap.—Cheddington, Kurawhi, Arabian Night. Lincoln Steeplechase.—Slayer, Cherry Plum, Clansman.

Woolston Handicap.—First division; Tawhainui, Varuna. Second division: Jolly Time. Full Pitch. Grand National Hurdle Race.—Pekoe Foxiana, Kanui te Pai. Spreydon Hurdles.—Authoress. Native Song, Heidelberg. Islington Handicap.—Rakanul, Gladynev, Palfrey. August Handicap.—Compeer, All Night, Stabilise.

TURF GOSSIP

Track Work at Riccarton The outside of the course proper was open for galloping and schooling yesterday and although there was a good deal of work on it, very few horses were sent out on serious missions. The going was softer than usual, and times were comparatively slow. Definite Starter

Sally Lunn and Willow Wood were the first out, and they ran half a mile in ol 2-ssec R Wilson, trainer of Sally Lunn said that she was definitely to start in the August Handicap to-morrow, unless the track was very heavy. Over Five Furlongs Night Lancer ran five furlongs in Imln 5 3-ssec, and Kevin and Junior took Imin 7sec for the same journey. The best over this distance was Imin 4 2-sscc by Stabilise and St. Cloud, and the same time by Symbol and Compeer. Others included Foutatau and Sham Boy Inin 4 3-ssec, Minority and Red Dash Imin 6 2-ssec, Josette and Varuna Imin 6 3-5 sec, and Cheap Lodging. Tawhainui and Enthrall Imin 6 l-ssec There were several gallops over six furlongs, including: Don’t Forget Imin 19 2-ssec, Bramble and Lord Advocate Imin 20sec, Eulogist, Palfrey, and Imperlum Imin 20 l-ssec, Lowry Bay and Greek Dancer Imin 20 3-ssec, Nightglass and Warrlgal Imin 20 2-ssec, Good Scout and Mauretania Imin 21sec, All Night Imin 21 3-ssec, and Hurry Girl, Kurawhi, and Prince Dolomite Imin 21 3-ssec. Mile Gallops Mile tasks were executed by Atreus and Beau del In imin 46sec, Arabian Night Imin 48sec, Rakanui and Wardress Imin 48 3-ssec. Cheddlngton and Pekoe Imin 50sec, Moderate, Gladynev and First Round Imin 49 2-ssec, Authoress Imin 52sec. and Cherokee Imin 50sec. The Hurdlers Strip and Inquisitor were companions over four hurdles, both jumping satisfactorily. Alienate and Gleucos went out to jump six hurdles together, but the latter fell at the fifth fence, Alienate showed improvement on his race form last Saturday. Foxlana hopped oven two hurdles In a dashing manner. Nuturoa showed the way to flenascor over the first two fences of a task over six hurdles, but was of no use to the latter from that onwards. Renascor cannot boast of much size, but is solid. Over Country Anglo Irish, Benevolent, and Night Hawk Were sent over a round of the main steeplechase fences, all completing their work well and without any misRoseman, wearing a hood, jumped the top, carriage paddock, and Cutts’ brush fences, and did not show any inclination to run off. Cherry Plum jumped five brush fences on the Inside track missing . the ; sod wall There is'.no . doubt about his- jumping-, but he appears to suffer from wina trouble. Valens jumped three brush schooling fences » In Doubt Erndale was given trotting exercise on one of the middle tracks. He evidently hit himself when schooling last Tuesday, as a hind leg filled the next day. The trouble was not then considered serious, but yesterday, the leg was very big, and unless there Is an Improvement to-day, he is not likely to carry out his engagement in the Grand National Hurdles. Returned Home The Trentham trainer. P. Burgess, will ride his two horses, Red Dash and First Round, in their engagements to-morrow. His National candidate, Master Lackham, showed signs of soreness after hiA race last Saturday, and was sent home. Another Casually

The three-year-old Retriever, owned by Messrs E. McCullough and F. D. Jones, broke down In his race last week, and is to be fired and treated to a long spell. Leighnor

Leighnor, who has been spelling at Greymouth for some months, has been sent to Washdyke. where he will be trained by F. Trllford. Last season he was trained by G Rldgway, at Riccarton. and before that by W. P. Hogan, at Washdyke. Last season, Leighnor, now a five-year-old, had 16 starts for one win, five seconds, and four thirds.

Totalisator Change Over As a result of negotiations during the last few weeks, some of the racing and trotting clubs In Southland have combined and bought the totalisator business of W. F. James, Ltd., of Dunedin, and It will be run for the mutual benefit of the clubs concerned. The business of the combination will be conducted from Gore, where the office will be located.

TROTTING NOTES

Metropolitan Trotting Club Nominations for all events at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting on August 29 will close on Tuesday next, 18th Inst., at 5 p.m. —6 Wellington T.C. The Wellington Trotting Club will hold its patriotic meeting on September 12 and the spring meeting on September 19, both meetings to be held on the Trentham racecourse.—(P.A.) After a Spell Happy Man at his best proved himself a brilliant pacer, but he has been off the scene for some time, and may be in need of a race before showing his best. He has been nominated for two races at the Forbury Park meeting, and in the hands of E J. Smith he is not likely to go to the post if not properly fit. In the Churchill Handicap, of two miles, and the Stalin Handicap, of one mile and three furlongs, Happy Man will meet some of the best pacers in commission, and ne will need to be at his best to win either race. In the Churchill Handicap. Happy Man will start from the limit; but In the shorter race he is on 24 yards behind. On the small Forbury Park track Happy Man may find It difficult to concede starts to Hardy Oak. Ronald Logan, and Busted Flush. Disappointing Gold Bank looked like developing Into a big stake-winner when he won the All Age Stakes at the Ashburton meeting held at Addington two years ago, for In heavy going he fairly outclassed a strong field. This form has not been reproduced, however, and Go*d Bank has been a liability ever since. He has been nominated with the good class sprinters at Forbury Park, but he will have to show a big Improvement on his latest running to have a chance. Colonel Grattan

At his best Colonel Grattan was one of the best pacers in New Zealand, and by many good Judges he is considered unlucky not to have won at least one New Zealand Cup. His form of two years age was very impressive, but like a number of other horses he has not shown form for some time. He figures on 24 yards behind in the Stalin Handicap at Forbury Park, and with young pacers more favourably handicapped he has a big task ahead

Special Force If Special Force could be depended upon to do his best in a race, there would be few faster pacers in New Zealand, but his form for some time has suggested that he has become tired of racing. A young pacer, he is proving a handful for the South Canterbury trainer, P Gallagher. A Useful Pacer

Mr W. T. Lowe’s pacer Glenariff showed a lot of speed at the Patriotic meeting at Addington and has only to leave the mark smartly to have a chance in early engagements.

FORBURY PARK T.C.

ACCEPTANCES (P.A.) DUNEDIN, August 13. The following acceptances have been received for the Forbury Park .Trotting Club’s meeting:— ARMY HANDICAP, of £150; 3mln 43 sec class: one mile and a half.—Azlm, Buncrana, Lee Berry, Ordnance, Tall Timber scr; Echolst 36: Invigorator, Sea Max 48

NAVY HANDICAP, of £150; 3mln 43 sec class; one mile and a-half.—Air Speed, Bien Sur, Bonny Axworth, Castlebar, Erinara, Fancy Goods, Great Deceiver, Manrico scr; Courtcard. Lanaco, Sandstone, Sea Fortune 12; Dunstan Direct 48. AIR FORCE HANDICAP, of £175; 3 min 38sec class: one mile and a half.— Ben 4 Travis, Bright Lass, Carnarvon, Cheval d’Or, Communque, Great Waitaki, Helen Lewis, Sir Gaillard, Trevathan scr; Audition 12; Integrity 24. CHURCHILL HANDICAP, of £400; 4 min 33sec class; two miles.—Coquette, Happy Man, Hardy Oak, Special Force scr; Ronald Logan 12; Busted Flush, Foremost Junior, Jackaranda, Jesse Owens 24; Lady Carol 36; Pleasant Guy 60. ROOSEVELT HANDICAP, of £200: 3min 16sec class; one mile and three furlongs.—Central Lass, Dan's Pride, Great Waitaki, Llsette, Master Potts. Safety Pin, Tenpennybit scr; Mahoe 12; Latest Edition 24. CHIANG KAI-SHEK HANDICAP. of £250; 3min 29sec class; one mile and a half.—Allie Audubon. Jimmy Drusus scr; Mohican 12; Within 36. FREYBERG HANDICAP, of £200; 3min 31sec class; one mile and a half.— Dan’s Pride, Glenariff, Tokalon, Yon Van scr; Conflagrate, Glenlee, Star Ace 12; Coherto 24. STALIN HANDICAP, of £225 ; 3min ssec class; one mile and three furlongs —Busted Flush, Foremost Junior, Gold Bank. Great Don, Indian Clipper, Jesse Owens, Purina, Special Force scr; Hardy Oak, Lady Carol, Pleasant Guy, Ronald Logan 12; Colonel Grattan. Happy Man 24.