CLARION CALL

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 265, 5 August 1937, Page 17

CLARION CALL

A. Jenkins Will Ride

NOTES AND COMMENTS

The National Fences

(By The Watches.)

A. Jenkins, who was injured at the Wanganui winter meeting in May has recovered and will ride Clarion Call -in his Grand National engagements. He schooled the gelding prior to his departture from Marton. Whenever available Jenkins has always been Clarion Call s jockey, and he rode him at Riccarton last August.

Horses From Australia. H E. Russell sent- back Brown Oak from Sydney on the Wanganella, which, arrived in ‘Wellington yesterday. Also on board was the English horse Them and three yearlings purchased in Australia on behalf of Mr. J. Jameson, ot Wairarapa.

National Fields. The final payments and acceptances in connection with the first day of the Grand National meeting, and also for the Grana National Steeplechase on the second day, fall due by 5 p.m. to-day. The field in the steeplechase looks like thinning out a good deal owing to casualties, but there should still be ’a double-figure held. A good lot should be available for the hurdle race, and it is intended to try Irish Comet in both races. The Winter Cup will be all the better for a good weeding out but there is every prospect of a very large field, and all the favoured candidates appear sure 'to hold their ground.

Another For Riccarton. ’ The Hastings trainer. W. H. Corlett, returned home after the Christchurch Hunt meeting, having decided to take Bunfight to the National meeting. He returned south last night. In Good Order. . Clarion Call has done well since his race'in the Trentham Hurdles and is confidently expected to make a good showing in the Grand National.

First Acquaintance. Irish Comet will probably be schooled over the Grand National country this morning. It will be his first acquaintance with the Riccarton. fences, so it will be interesting to see how he shapes. He is said to be a small gelding, but small horses have won the National, and he is a good jumper of all northern country.

Riccarton Totalisator. Visitors to Riccarton next week will appreciate improvements which have been carried out in the “barometer” on the main totalisator. The red and yellow ribbons indicating win and place dividends stand out clearly against a black background. and are plainly visible from n considerable distance. Glass has also been done away with, thus relieving the shadow trouble. The inside mechanism has been given a complete ovemul ana brought up-to-date, and has gone through tests in a thoroughly satisfactory manner.

Horses For Riccarton. The following horses were shinped south to Riccarton last night Sir Nigel, John Charles. Royal Banquet, Settlement and Bunfight.

Southern writers'are picking Redolent to run well in the Trial Hurdle Race at Riccarton. Redolent last August was one of the most promising young hurdlers seen at the meeting.

Riders for Riccarton. The Auckland jockeys D. Dulieu, J. FFergus and R. E. Thomson returned home after riding at Gisborne and will leave for Christchurch to-morrow’ night. Dulieu has been engaged to ride Burglar and Corowa at Riccarton, Thomson will be on-Ethiop and Donegal, and Fergus on Irish Comet.

No Allowances Next Week. A more liberal scale of allowances for apprentices came into force at the beginning of the new season, but it will not operate during the Grand National meeting, at which the minimum in all handicaps is 8.0. Ridei* for Epris. It is reported that A. E. Didham will ride Epris in the Winter Cup. That might entail two or three pounds overweight. Rebel Lad. 1 Rebel Lad, who has been spelling on the property of his owner, Mr. D. Grant, was to have joined Kinnoull in D. Cotton’s stable this week. Top Coat was also to have, been sent to Cotton. Grand National Fences. ‘ At one time the fences forming the cross-country course were known as the “Riccarton raspers,” and although some of them may have dwindled since the early history of the Grand National Steeplechase they still supply a stout test to horse and rider. It is interesting to note that there is a margin of 18in. between the highest and lowest jump. The lowest is the post and rails, standing 3ft. 6in., and just the sort to trip a horse. The highest jump is Cutts’s fence, sft. high and about 3ft. through on the top. It takes jumping, but if a horse hits there is “life” in the stiff brush to ease the impact. The: most dangerous jump is the brush at the top of the straight. It stands 4ft. lOin. and is not too well placed for a second I3st jump nearing the end of a three miles and a half journey. The first fence, at the carriage paddock, is jumped three times, and the others twice, making 21 in all. The following are the measurements of the fences comprising the course:— Height

Good Second String. 1 Although Signaller. ha« broken down the stable has a good second string in Golden Lap. He was a winner at Dunedin, and has been schooling well at liiecarton.

Not Impressed. Mr. C. Ifl. Mclntosh, a prominent Sydney owner, who recently returned from a holiday trip abroad, was not impressed with racing as be viewed it at several American courses. In his opinion there was room for much improvement, both in control and the facilities which make for the convenience of the public. One phase that he thought most amusing was the lack of an official enclosure on some courses for the horses to return to at the conclusion of a race. In some instances, he said, they pulled up and waited at least 100 yards from the weighing-room. The attendants in charge of each horse met them, and they were led to the stalls, The jockeys gave any superfluous paraphenalia to these boys, and then hied themselves to be weighed in. Such proceeding seemed to leave room for malpractice. \ Jed Forest.

There was a surprising amount of money for Jed Forest in the concluding event at Jticcartou on Saturday. He ran well for "live or six furlongs, and then

faded out, giving the impression that he was short of a race. At Amberley on May 8 he won the Novice Stakes from Aggravate and Cocksure, and at Ashburton .on May 12 ho was third to Paper Note and Nolaua, both .races over six furlongs. He may be worth remembering for next week. Jed Forest is a five-year-old by Pink Coat in the Chokebore stable. Runs Well There. Fiord finished well in the Brabazon Handicap on Saturday, and should be worth watching during National week. He has previously shown good form on the Riccarton track, where he is trained by J. B. Pearson. Rider Wanted. The connections of Sovereign Lady anticipated that J. W. Jennings would be available to ride her in the Brabazon and Winter Cup, but Jennings was on Queen of Song, and will also ride her next week. W. Cotton was the only horseman available on Saturday, and the mare is without a rider for the Cup. She has a good chance with any luck. Not a Good Trial. Auric’s Star started a very shortpriced favourite for the Derrimut Handicap at Moonee Valley on Saturday, but he was unplaced. M. .McCarten said recently that Aurie’s Star was likely to see out the journey in the Caulfield Cup, as he went in effortless fashion and had speed to bother the plodders. Egniout for the Cup. Pre-post bettors on the spring double, Epsom and The Metropolitan, sustained their first reverse of- importance last week when Egmont was withdrawn from the race. The Melbourne Cup may be his mission. Egmont has been highly regarded for The Metropolitan since the issue of weights, and held a prominent position on the charts. lie was reported to have been supported in doubles for the race, his stablemate, Gold Rod, hay- ■ ing been coupled with him. There is nothing amiss with Egmont. There is every intention that he.will be nominated for the minor events at the Randwick carnival in October. Egmont carried 7st. 21b. when he finished second to Contact in the Sydney Cup last year, and was allotted Sst. 51b. in The Metroijohtan. In the Melbourne Cup ho has Bst. 41b. He is raced by Mr. E. J. Watt, who is at present in England. Answers to Correspondents. “Wager,” Palmerston North. —Unless vou stipulated the race you ar6 on Even Money first start, and have nothing on Platter. If you stipulated Even Money first start, you have £1 on Platter- n “Carbine.” Wellington. —(1) £l/19/6. (2) £l/17/6. “Punter,” Palmerston North. — Palmyra was scratched on Saturday at 11.30 a.m. “Constant Reader,” Akitio.—Santott was bred by Mr. R. H. Trotter, and has subsequently been owned by Messrs. J. Avenell R. K. Sininson. A. W. Trotter. C Bovle, and W. I), and W. 11. Orbeli. ’“E.J.,” Hunterville. — (1) Information written for. (2) £2/3/6.

1—Carriage paddoek (brush) and 3—Stand double (brush), each ft. 4 4 in. (j 4 —Cutte's (brush) o S—Sod-wall (ditch 3ft. 3in.) . 7 6—Post and rails (ditch 3ft. Gin.) 7 7 and 8—-‘Kennels double (brush) — ' First fence (ditch 3ft. 9in.) . 4 10 Second fence . 4 3 9—Sod wall (ditch 3ft. 3in.) . 3 8 10—Top of straight (brush) .. 4 10 In Good Order. Mrs. A. W. McDonald, who went south with Catalogue and Old Surrey Tuesday, is well satisfied with their condition;