RICCARTON WORK

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 267, 7 August 1941, Page 3

RICCARTON WORK

Winter Cup Riders

Dominion Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH. August 6. Conditions were much improved lor track work at Riccarton today and a large number of horses were exercised on the sand. A grass track was available tor galloping but only a few trainers used it. The outside of the course proper wid be thrown open tomorrow and the mam steeplechase course will also be available and some interesting schooling is likely. The course will also be open on Saturday. Night Dress (Leach) and Masmi Dingle (Stove) were companions over six hurdles. Both gave clean and last displays, that of Master Dingle being a marked’ improvement ou his jumping last Saturday, when he failed to handle auy of his fences correctly. Eerriby (Stokes) had Red Dragon (Jennings) as a mate over six hurdles. He gave his usual spectacular display uud had to be held back to Red Drugou, who nevertheless shaped creditably. Golden Glow has been under treatment for an injured foot since his race in the Homeby Steeplechase and i$ unlikely to race at uext week’s meeting. , It is not often that an apprentice has a mount in a Grand National Steeplechase but Jj L. Stratlieru js likely to be seen up on Astral Flame in next week's race, Stratlieru is apprenticed to W. E. Hazlett and has shown marked ability, both in jumping and flat races. With Wild Talk out of the Winter Cup, C. T. Wilson” has been booked to ride Treasurer. Other engagements for this race include : L. J. Ellis, Haughty Winner; J. Jennings, Gay I’arade; \\. Ellis, Merry March; 11. Hibberd, St. Cloud; T. Kilgour, Suui]_y Knight; W. Broughton, Gayest Son ; I’. Atkins, Noble Fox.

Final payments and acceptances for the Grand National meeting ensure soma excellent fields for the opening day nyxl Tuesday. There were no surprise detee tious from the Grand National Steeplechase and oue of the three, Surcoat, is an acceptor for Hie Eulicld Steeplechase. Bridegroom and Dauber, who were doubtful propositions up to last weekend, are welcome acceptors and the nine to face the starter should provide a most spectacular contest. There were 14 with drawals from the Winter Cup, but several of these figure in the I’aparua Handicap. The Cashmere I’late has closed with 35 acceptors and as the safety number at the six furlong post is 30. provision will have to be made to run the race in two divisions. The Avouhcad Handicap has also 35 acceptors and as the safety number at the seven furlong post is 32, similar provision will have to be made. There were only two defections from the Grand National Hurdle Race, leaving a weli-balauced field o£ 14.