SPORTING

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24633, 1 August 1945, Page 4

SPORTING

TURF GOSSIP

Course Again Open The main steeplechase course at Riccarj ton will be open again to-day, between 10 and 11 o’clock. Barrier practice will be held at the five furlongs barrier at 9 o’clock. Answer to Correspondent ‘■Timaru Sport"; Information correct at time of writing. Correct Weights , , In the Trial Hurdles next Saturday, Patu Ra's weight should be 9-2, not 9-4 as appeared in the acceptances, and Sala^f's- weight in the Winter Cup should be 8-4, not 8-3. A Year Older The ages of thoroughbreds In New Zealand will be advanced one year as from to-day. Crack Work at Riccarton There was an unusually large number of track-watchers at Riccarton yesterday, but because of a heavy fog most of the galloping could not be followed, and in only a few cases was it possible to time horses with any certainty. Some of the early gallops could not be seen, but conditions gradually improved as the morning wore on. The outside of the course proper was open, and it provided firm footing—in fact, horses barely cut the surface, and that only when pulling up. The tracks were kept busy once the fog lifted, but the gallops timed had very little comparative value, The main steeplechase course was also thrown open, and the opportunity to school horses over the big fences was availed of by several trainers, while trackwatchers saw some spectacular displays over the formidable National fences. A Strong Trio The first to appear w6re Kanui te Pal, Master Meruit and Abbey Lu. Kanui te Pai led Abbey Lu to about the halfmile, where the latter went back and Master Meruit Joined the leader, all jumping well. There was not much between Kanui te Pai and Master Meruit at the last fence, Cutts's brush, with Abbey Lu a few lengths back. Kanui te Pai gave his usual smart display, and outjumped his mates at most of the fences. Interest was attached to Master Meruit’s efforts over the brush fences, which he appeared to chance a good deal at Trentham, but he mastered them without any trouble, his jump over Cutts's being specially creditable. Novice Impresses Khurja, Pink Clover, and Gay Fort started off together for a round. Pink Clover led Knurja over the lirst throb fences with Gay Fort handy, but slipped into the next, the big sod wall near the five furlong post, and fell. Gay fort then joined Khurja, and the pair completed tlie round in a pleasing manner, Khurja did not jump as well as expected, and Gay Fort actually outjumped him at the last two fences, but he was sent out tor a useful task only, and no doubt would have done better with more pace on. This was Gay Fort's first attempt over such big fences, and his exhibition was very encouraging. Pink Clover jumped his three fences in dashing style, and will probably have another chance to complete a round of the country to-day. Attracted Notice Tenonnan and Albino started off for a round several lengths in front of Strip, and jumped the first four fences abreast. Albino was then pulled off owing to his rider losing his irons, and Tenorman went on alone to execute a most impressive display, .finishing up with a brilliant effort over Cutts's. Strip also mastered each fence without any trouble. He was accepted for in both the Grand National Steeplechase and Sydenham Hurdles, and yesterday’s schooling suggested that he would contest the big event. Albino went well while he lasted, He has been unlucky in his final preparation for Saturday's race, as he fell early at Washdyke, and was not able to complete his task yesterday. He will have another chance to get round to-day. One Mistake Edward and Extra were companions starting off on a round. The latter dashed to the front at the first fence, and had a big lead from Edward at the top brush, which Edward evaded. Extra jumped the next tence well, but failed to clear Cutts’s and catapulted his rider, but did not fall. Edward was taken back, and jumped the top brush and the remaining two fences safely, but his display was not very impressive. Over Hurdles Hurdlers were provided with firm going on the inside schooling track. Arabian Night jumped six hurdles moderately well, but none of his schooling to date has been encouraging, and he does better in a race. Good Armour jumped four hurdles. He took each fence carefully and jumped high, but this was probably caused by little pace being on. The novice Manakore showed to better advantage than Sandy Cape over four hurdles. One of the best exhibitions, seen pn the track for some time was Credited to Mynet, which led Abdicate throughout a task over six hurdles. He is undoubtedly a brilliant hurdler, and should race prominently In both his engagements at the meeting. On the Flat Included in the restricted number of gallops it was possible to follow on the outside of the course proper was a smart half-mile by Scotch Tweed in 52 l-ssec, and a six furlongs task by Derene and Pensacola In Imln 19sec. Reorapa ran six furlongs in Imln 19 2-5 sec, the last four in 53sec, and he appeared anxious to increase the speed. Ramicourt was going better than Capronella over six furlongs in Imin 21 2-ssec, Over Five Furlongs High Ideal was well clear of Carthage and Sanskrit at the, end of five furlongs in Imin 6 2-ssec, the last four in 53 2-5 sec. High Ideal was left in the Paparua Handicap in preference to the Winter Cup. and is likely to carry strong support. Brdce, Armont. and Greek Slipper ran five furlongs in Imin 6 3-ssec, the last four in 52 3-ssec, and Double Cross and Avonbridge took Imin 6 l-ssec, the last four in 53 l-ssec. Useful Tasks Burberry was going well alongside Desert Victory over seven furlongs in Imln 34 4-ssec, the last four In 56 3-ssec. Air Ace. and Piccolo raced abreast throughout the same journey in Imin 36sec, the last four in 55 l-ssec. Piccolo will nrobably start in the Paparua Handicap. Gult Stream had a slight advantage from Da Vinci throughout a six furlong task in Imin 22 4-ssec, but the time suggested that neither was ridden seriously. Palfrey beat Miss Medley over five furlongs in Imin 8 2-ssec. and Princess Anne and Nightstalk took Imin lOsec. Koa Manu was clear of Full Pitch at the end of seven furlongs in Imln 37sec. Dauber and Spirillum were given halfpace work. Latest Arrivals The day’s.arrivals Included Greek Effort, Red Glare, Foxiana, Kaitoa, Arco, Renascor, Moderate, Sherwood Forest, . and Casilda from the North Island. Starting Times Starting times at Riccarton on Saturday will be as follows:—11.2 a.m., 11.42 a.m., 12.27 p.m., 1.12 p.m., 1.57 p.m., 2.42 p.m., 3.27 p.m., and 4.12 p.m. Two Division Races Provision has been made to run the Cashmere Plate and the Avonhead Hack Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday in two divisions The stake of £4OO in each case will be increased to provide for £2OO for the winner of each division, with £4O for the second horse and £2O for the third. The division has been made as follows: —Cashmere Plate: First division—Armont. Bruce, Erratum, Knight Crusader, Major Argosy, Pandosto, Western Front, Bootees, Eudora, False Play, Lady Scholar, Nightstalk, Penrith, Sanskrit, Terauka, Wild Ribbon. Second division—Avonbridge, Deep Harmony, Finalist. Lord Elgin, Superlative, Thornbridge, Wandering Minstrel, Belle Leonne, Collegiate, Greek Slipper, Lady Welbeck, Lexia, Pandemonium. Princess Anne, Tropical Night. • Change of Ownership • The two-year-old filly by Coronach from imported Cocoanut by The Nut, purchased as a yearling at Trentham by the late Mr J. Porter, of Akaroa, has been purchased by Mr D. McFarlane, of Christchurch. The youngster has been educated by F. D. Jones, and will continue to be trained by him. Trainer Injured The well-known trainer, L. Cavalier, was the victim of a mishap during training hours at Riccarton yesterday. He rode one of the horses under his charge. Lex, on to the course to give him some work, but the horse whipped round and bolted back to the scraping shed enclosure. In avoiding a building he swerved suddenly, and Cavalier was thrown, landing on hard ground on the back of his bead. He was removed by ambulance to the Christchurch Public Hospital, suffering from head Injuries. His conditon last night was reported to be satisfactory.