NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2852, 17 August 1916, Page 6

NOTES AND COMMENTS

• GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. IBt Glencoe.l The C.J.C.,Grand National Meeting will be continued at Riccarton to-day, wbeti there is every promise of some mors mcelleut Uport being provided. Thei principal event, the Grand National Hurdles, has attracted a field of 18 runners, Municipal having dropped out, while Crown Pearl is also reported to be an unlikely starter, having pulled up lame after, a gallop with Sir Solo yesterday. Crib may start favourite, but Master Regal, Leonta, Kooya, Marconi, Tararu Jack, and Art will all have a strong following. The last-named was schooled at Riccarton yesterday, and shaped very satisfactorily, while St. Elmn was credited with running the fastest round over fences; ever timed at headuarters. He had his racing plates on, but oven- so the gallop was ontirely satisfactory. In his two previous efforts in the National Hurdles Leoiita has been in a place when he had not previously been sharpened up by a race over fences. This year he raced twice at Trentham, and his supporters are hopeful that these races will have a very beneficial effect on him. He is a, great stayer, as is Crib, but neither of the pair can jump as fast as Master Regal and Tararu Jack. The former in particular will shine, as ho is.generally at his best in. front, where F. Flynn can be dopended upon to have him after a furlong has been covered. Two and a half miles is a long race to win all the way, but a good jumper has no chance of'being hampered by other horses wlien in front, and the Aucklander was in front at Wanganui over 2J miles. Tho first event on the card is tlio Woolston Plate, a selling race. Pyjama, Treadfire and Tornea are the best known of the performers.

Ia the Tally-ho Plate, Rolling Tide won so easily that lie may be the best backed in the Hunt Club Cup to-day. Otupai has been specially reserved for this race, and should act well over the big fences, and so should Mawson, who is on the improve daily.

In the Sunnier Handicap, Kukri will be better suited by the distance than he was on the opening day. ' Multum raced well in hack company in the' North Island. but as he is still a maiden he appears to be handicapped np to best form.

■ A fresh : horse in the August Handicap is Oxenhope, who appears to be a. better class than the majority of those engaged. Heeltap is always a bettor liorea for a race, and on his Winter Cup showing he may be the favourite to-day. Cherry Blossom has been raised 231b. for her success in the Cup, and may bo allowed to stay in her box. Obsono is reported to be back to form, and will doubtless receive a mention from backers, as-will Comely, who raced consistently at Trentham.

A field of 10 will contest the B_eaufort Steeples, which should bo a National over again, "though .the result is hardly likely to bo the same. Idealism should be a better horse for the race on the opening day, as he improved with racing at Ellerslie, where bis best showing was made in the Winter Steeples, run on the concluding day. He is a safe jumper and luok3 as if the race "will do aim good. Bransfield is another horse that will do better, aa he fell early in the National Steeples over another runner. The Hack Hurdles has not attracted n good lot, and the top weight. Banian, though be has had a very light preparation, may bo favourite, as lie won on a similar preparation at Irentbam. Turehana may be the best ot tlifi otters. Tho Islington Handicap may see Gold Soult backed down to a very short price, as the track will 6uit him a lot better than, on the opening day. - ' . Cherry Blossom will start in the August Handicap, and not in the Islington Handicap. .