INTERPROVINGIAL.

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 21, 24 July 1897, Page 3 (Supplement)

INTERPROVINGIAL.

The next importaut meeting to engage the attention of backers is the Riccarton Grand National Meeting on the 12th and Mth of next mouth, for which Mr. Henry has declared the handicaps in the two principal events. They bear testimony to careful compilation, aud good acceptances should be received for these events next Monday. In the steepleohase Mutiny has received 81b more than he carried to victory las!, year, and at 12st 13lb must possess a good ohance, as he is such a capable fencer aud is at the present time in splendid condition. Levanter at 12.st Gib has been allotted a 41b heavier burden for his Northern National Steeplechase victory this season, and meets Tally-ho, who acted as runner-up to him on that occasion, on 51b better terms in the Riocarton. But the latter mare has improved since then and has accounted for a couple of good hurdle races. True, she failed to negotiate both the Hustings and Hutt country, but the going was heavy on both occasions. She ran a splendid race iv our Steeplechase till 6he misjudged the distance in taking-off at the fence in Ward's paddock and smashed iuto tho fence. With careful schooling at Riccarton, however, I think she will compass the National country eafuly, and if bo then she should win. The Friar and Morag are a dangerous pair at lOsfc 81b after taking into consideration their Wellington and Hawkes Bay Steeplechase victories respectively, while Perform on Auckland form must be taken into account. Dummy is considered in shrewd quarters to have an excellent chance at lOst 71b, and if he takes kindly to big fences he will also have to be reckoned with. I heard some time back that he was a likely one for the Grand National Steeplechase, and was then taking the big country in fine style, but he has since been performing indifferently in his jumping. However, developments on the Riccarton training grounds will probably give one an idea whether he will be able to cover the National course with safety. Of the light weights Violence appears the pick. She can be improved a deal in the next four weeks, and will ruu well on the day. The trio from which I fancy the winner will come are Tally-ho, Violence, aud Mutiny, and I like them in the order named. The Grand National Hurdle Race adjustment is indeed a good production. St. Simon, after his Auckland victory with 12at 12lb, could not be considered badly treated with 71b more on his back, besides no allowance being made for Annabelle's defeat on that occasion — yet his owner soratched him. Donald M'Kinnon and Melinite, at 12st and list 9lb respectively, if brought back to old form, would have undeniable chances, and Tally-ho is not overburdened with list 61b. But I prefer Annabello at list 51b, who just failed to beat St Simon at Auckland, and on the second day of the meeting romped home with list 91b on her back. Social Pest, who ran the two mileß over the small sticks at C.J.C. Spring Meeting in 3min 54sec with lOst 51b in the saddle, is well in at an increase of a stone in weight, and further on the Forerunner gelding Golden Plover, after his runaway victory at Hastings, must be given a good chance with lOst 101b opposite his name. The Artillery mare Jewel is reported to be a capital fencer, and her performances on the fiat are sufficient to recommend her, and the same remarks apply to tho other maiden jumpers, Quiltiri, Penrose, and Voltigeur This quartet are all nicely handicapped, and, should they take the obstacles cleanly, will be thereabouts at the finish. Muscatel is another speedy horse on the flat, and has already recorded a victory over hurdles. She is in the same interest as Dummy, and may be the selected one if she improves in her jumping abilities. Of the others, the ex -hack hurdler Fireworks will be found a hard nut to crack with 9st 51b. He is a fine jumper, and has proved he can gallop. Umslopogaas, too, will probably show up prominently if the going is good. The three most likely horses to provide the winner, to my idea, are Peneosk, Annabelle, and Fireworks, with a preference for the former. Although the stable connections have not made a move with respect to the backing of Leda for the N.Z. Cup,*a local punter has Becured over £2000 about the Castor mare. This is indeed a risky transaction on his part, considering that the mare has not yet been put in work, and, besides, has not been backed from the right quarter. Of courne the little mare mayjbe sent South to compete in the big event, but neverthelessthe forestalling of stable connections in the betting market often leads to dire results to hasty baokers. Owing to a disagreement between ' Mr. G. Williams ' and his late trainer, T. Clark, the former's horses— Umslopogaas, Osmanie, and Huntingdon — will in future be trained by R. Kingan. Umslopogaas was taken to Riccarton by Kingan on Monday. By the same steamer The Friar, Kaitoa, Bradshaw, Crescent, Tally-ho, and Violence were shipped to Lyttelton,Jin view of the National Meeting. I hear from a reliable source that P Martin's charges Tire and Wakelyn are amiss, and are unlikely starters for the N.Z. Cup. This is extremely unfortunate for both owner and trainer of the horses. Kalmea will be an absentee from the National Meeting, her owner holding the opinion that she has been given too much weight. In view of the mare's performances on the flat, together with her victory over hurdles at Palmerston, she cannot be considered overburdened with lOst lib. A returned visitor from Auckland informs me that Haria, in G. Wright's stable, is looking remarkably well and is in splendid heart. Orion's Belt (Oastor-Banglo) has been leased to Mr. Robinson, of Te Aute, for stud purposes. Rhino will not be present at the National gathering. Prince Charlie, Flaneur, and The Shrew have been taken up again at Hastings. Mars is reported to have gone wrong, and therefore his N.Z. Cup prospeots do not appear bright. At the annual race-meeting of the Hawkes Bay Hunt Club on Wednesday, Pyramuß, ridden by Mr. H. Russell, appropriated the Maiden Hurdle Race, and Melville the Hunters', Flat Race, Miss Miller'sßarlow the Ladies' Bracelet Steeplechase, Moana the Farewell Steeplechase, and Garrison the Hurry Scurry. In the Hunt Club Cap Steeplechase Puketoi and Repo both Jcame to grief, but the former ultimately finished first, with Arkwright and Repo in the places. G Wright intended leaving for Sydney this week with the Castor— Hilda colt Antares, with a view to finding a purchaser for him, but he has eince been sold to an Auokland sportsman for 300 guineas, and therefore the Auckland trainer will probably not make the journey.