RAGE NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1187, 24 July 1911, Page 6

RAGE NOTES.

OPINION OF CORAZON'S TRAINER. "OUR BEST 'CHASER." After the manner in which he won the Glasgow Handicap (five furlongs) on Wednesday it looked as if Morecainbe would be well suited by the extra furlong in. the Onslow Handicap, and he was made a good favourite with Ldngstep next in demand. The latter took the lead before two furlongs had been covered, and Won quite easily, while the favourite had to bo ridden out (o beat Bracken for second place. Flitaway's form was disappointing. Clem was tailing the field when his jockey met with a most peculiar accident. A spectator put his head under the rails at tho bottom of the straight: and the jockey's leg struck him. Watson (rider'of tho horse) retained his seat until he had passed the post, and then fell off, having sustained a fracture of tho leg. •It was not ascertained what happened to the spectator, as lie could not be found. Longstep's victory placed Gray at tho head of the list of winning jockeys.

Projectile, who had competed in the big. races on the two first, days of the meeting, was tried* in- thovhaok company, in" tho Croftou Handicap on Saturday,and backers selected him as favourite, but ho failed to gain a place. Victory rested with Undecided, who was one of tho most consistent , performers at the meeting, Tunning second to Epsom Lass on tho opening day, and winning on the two concluding (lavs of the meeting. Lady Fran was ■ heavily supported on the strength of a good half-mile gallop, which she had done, and raced up to that form, but the seven furlongs was , just beyond her distance. Foreshot, who ied for part of the distance and finished third, would have returned his supporters, a wry handsome dividend had he retained the lead to the post. Bolliu having been withdrawn from the Corunna Hurdles, many of those who had seen Golden Water galloping on the tracks,' considered that the race was almost a gift for him. Waterworks, the second day's winner, was second in demand. Golden Water never appeared to bo going comfortably at any of the race, and the fast pace set by St.. Bill upset, the favourite's chance. It : suited Waterworks, however, and he came away at tho three furlongs post, and won- after a fine finish with Gaelic. For tho state of the going, tho time was fast. St. Bill, who was responsible for the pace-making, had a big lead after going half a mile, but ho was a long way back at the finish.

Pleiades and ifosegrbve were withdrawn from the July Steeplechase, leaving ten starters to go to the post. The race was interesting on account of the fact that tho field' contained several. Grand National candidates, including Corazon, tho favourite for tho big Eiccarton event. Strangely enough Hoanga, who had won. on tho two opening days of the meeting, was a much better favourite than his rival but, though the former led from the start and ran a great race, lip had no chance with Corazon at tho finish. Hercock, who rodo the latter, did not trouble to keep with the leaders over the first milo and a half, nor did ho attempt to "cut fine" any of the corners, but, as soon as ho moved on Corazon, the horse raced up among tho leaders in tho easiest possible fashion. At the second fence from home> Jfoanga was still leading, but' Corazon's jockey was sittiug back with a great hold of his mount and, in that style, he won. His victorv entails a 71b. penalty for the Grand National.' Of the horses that finished behind the winner, none would appear to have any chance in the Grand .National. Kibstone Pippin showed surprisingly good form, and is improving, with every race, while Captain Jingle was going well when ho ran off at" tho second fence of the double. Speaking to tho writer alter the race V. Collello, trainer of the winner, expressed himself as confident that the penalty will not stop tho son of Coeur de Lion at Riccarton. "I think he is the best 'chaser wo have ever had—seo if lam right after (ho National," he said. A suggestion that Antarctic would give Corazon some trouble did not seem to cause Collello much concern. ."Admitting that Antarctic was not quite readv at Ellerslie, Corazon beat him pulling double, and you saw how he won to-day," was his comment. When it is- remeinberfcd that Cora'zon's trainer was associated with all tho victories of Kadador, his opinion must count for a good deal. The race for tho Winter Oats was a second edition of the Parliamentary Handicap. Elo.ctrakoff was again made favourite, with Wimmera aiid Merric Zealand next in demand, while the finish between AVimmera and Klectrakoff was simply a repetition of what had occurred on tho previous Saturday. The fact that Wimmera was meeting Elertrakoff on a few pounds, better terms, and was again beaten, rather supports the assertion that Electrakoff had a bad passage in the Parliamentary Handicap, "and there can be no doubt about his a first-class- performer. Merrie Zealand', Waipunui, Kilosteri, Meroze, and Sir Frisco disinnoiiited their numerous supporters. The first-named Uad the services of Whittnker, but even that horseman was unable to get the Merrie England .gelding into a satisfactory position in the early part of the race. Of the unplaced division Ariom and Seaweed made the l>!st sliowins, but both faded away at the finish. The former evidently perforins, best when the going is hard.

In the Finnl Hurdles, The Rover was made the biggest favourite of the mooting, while Xorlh-Knst, who hnd been favourite in the "Winter ITurdlns, was comparatively neglected. The latter 'had n change of horsemen. Flyim takiii<r the nlace of Telford. As in the Winter Hurdles. North-East quickly rushed to tlin front, but on Saturday he jumped splendidly. He took every hurdle in his stride, and "stood off" a long wa\- at M'<i?t of them, but never onco looked like coming down, and rawd further away from tho remainder of the field as tho journey progressed. "Were it certain that North-East were going to Riccarton, ho would probably be favourite for Hip firnnd National Hurdles, but it is stated that ho is not likely to lx> sent for that event. Tho Rover's form was certainly disappointing after his first day's showin' for. after runuing. second to NorthEast until the straight, lie .was beaten.

out of a placo. Don Qucx, who filled second place, was a rank outsider. In the last event Odessa and Sandy Paul each carried over 1000 tickets on tho totalizator, and thero were said to bo heavy commissions for Odessa away from the course. Tho public showed good judgment, for Odessa won in slow time, and Sandy Paul was only half a head away. The field was of very inferior class.