RICCARTON FROST

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 264, 4 August 1936, Page 15

RICCARTON FROST

No Training Until Afternoon THURINA OVER JUMPS National Country Will Be Open To-morrow By Telegraph—From The Watcher. Christchurch, August 3. A hard frost at Biccarton this morning completely held up training operations, which were eventually postponed till after lunch. There was no galloping track open even then, but the eand gave trainers the opportunity to get in some solid work. Thiirina, with W. J. Bowden up, was schooled twice round over the steeplechase fences on the inside of the track. He jumped eight fences altogether, finishing at the stand double. Thurina gave a faultless display and he pulled up without any signs of soreness. He gives the impression, however, despite all the work that he has done, that the Na-, tional will be too severe for him without a previous race. A, N. Wright schooled Battleground over eight hui*dles to-day and he gave a good display. Battleground missed the race over the National country when the hunt meeting w r as postponed, snd it is now unlikely that he will ran in the Grand National Steeplechase, but will take on’ the Trial Hurdles on the opening dav of the meeting. A. E. Ellis has been engaged to ride Concert Pitch in the Winter Cup. The locally-trained gelding is strongly fancied for the big mile, but he has not had a race since Easter and is one of those who will miss the gallop intended at the hunt fixture.

Polydora Very Well.

Polydora is looking exceptionally well and her trainer is pleased with her condition, though he would have liked to get in a jumping race prior to the National. She is not eligible for the Trial Hurdles but will get a run in the jumpers’ flat race on the opening day. G. Ridgway is to ride her and she is to school on Wednesday morning. Punchestown, Saving missed the race in the Homeby Steeplechase on Saturday, Trainer T. H. Gillett is naturally far from sanguine about his Grand National prospects. He worked on the loads this morning. The Homeby Steeples was also •to have been a trial ride for A. J. Peart, and now it is likely that H. Turner will be given the mount. Owing to the break in training schedults caused by the weather, it has been decided to throw opeu the Grand National country ou four successive days —Wednesday, Thursday, Friday ami Saturday. The outside will also be open for galloping on Thursday and Saturday mornings. Queen of Song was among those given a good working gallop on the sand track this afternoon.

Bandy Boa is so far the only horse from the Eangt'oixl stable at Biccarton, but it is reported that Dunmure is also to come. It was previously rumoured that Dunmure was to be sent home from Washdyke. Iliscussing the effect of the snowfall on next week’s meeting the course superintendent, Mr. McNab, stated this morning that he expected the course to dry rapidly under -the favourable conditions that might lie expected now. ’ Having in mind that the Biccarton course recovered quickly after rain, he -predicted that the track would be very fast next week. Epris Resumes. It transpires that the trouble to Epris was a poisoned leg, but the latest report is to the effect that lie resumed work toward the end o£ last week. As he was well seasoned prior to the let-up the interruption in his jireparation may pot be serious.

The National home who appears to have improved most in condition since last year is Royal Limond. He has built up splendidly, and is now a very solidlooking gelding, and moreover, one of thpse in the big race who is not short of seasoned condition, as he raced at Dunedin a month ago. R. Bealg will be his rider in the National, and he will be one of the interesting candidates in schooling work during the week. Twelve months ago Grey Honour was a winning hack from the stable of F. Christmas, but he has not done much good since going over to D. Cotton. ■Recently, however, he has shown signs of <omhig -t>uck to form, and his track work during the next few days may give further indication of a return to tho winning list. The situation regarding training on account of the weather has seen the two Trentham representatives, Diamond and Billy Boy, firm in favour for the Grand National Steeplechase.