NOTES ON THE RACING

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 38, 13 August 1915, Page 4

NOTES ON THE RACING

HUEAKIA'S GRAND NATIONAL. (BI IBUSGRAPH.— SPECIiI/ 10 THE FOST.) CHRISTCHUBCH, 12th August. There was some good sport, all the fiat races being very keenly contested. The withdrawal oi Royal Arms on account of lameness left thirteen starters for the Grand National Hurdle -Handicap. When betting closed St. Elmn, Harbour Light, and Leont* were at the head of the quotationß, with very little between them. The race opened badly, as Awahou fell at the second hurdle. From this stage, however, the jumping was good, there being no further mishaps till the final hurdle was reached. Sir Donald appeared to be first out, and he was certainly prominent when the field came well into view passing the stand. With six furlongs gone ho was joined by Hurakia and Styrax, but leaving the straight, where the field was strung out, Hurakia drew out clear. Galloping freely and jumping without a mistake, lie stayed in front to the end, nothing getting near him. There seemed a chance of Harbour Light troubling him, but he came down at the final obstacle. Leonta was a long way back in the early stages, but he finished well, and beat Master Lupin comfortably for the last hurdle. It was Leonta's first appearance in a jumping race since he took part in the National Hurdles last year, when he finished third. Master •kuptn. in finishing third to-day just equalled the performance of Leonta a year ago, as it Wa* the first time he had raced over obstacles. Diavolo was prominent all the way, and stayed the journey out solidly. St. Elmn also ran a good race, though he never looked 'to have * winning chance at the business end of the .journey. Styrax was well placed, bat failed to stay. Sir Donald ran well for over a mile and then faded out- This was .the firse time the race extended to two miles and a quarter, and it "was quite a success. The winner did his early racing in. the colours of Mr. E. Jtemp, and was only purchased last season by Mr. F. J. Lysnar, whose name figured as an owner for the first time at the meeting now in progress, his assumed name of -"Mr. L. Furr" having been abandoned at the end of last season. Hurakia had taken part in four other races this winter, winning two and second in the others. He has come on well, and must be given a certificate as a very useful customer to whom no journey short or long appears to be amiss. Hurakia was t bred by Mr. F. Armstrong, who was hugely delighted at the horse's success, though he would have been even better pleased had his own horse, Morning,' won the Grand National Steeplechase. BEAUFORT STEEPLECHASE. Though he failed in the Grand National on Tuesday, Morning brought some compensation to Mr. Armstrong by winning the Beaufort Steeplechase to-day. There were eleven starters, and ib was a fine Tace so far as five of them were concerned, but the other six failed i to get round. Morning was always one of the pacemakers, and he won easily at the finish, his performance suggesting that he wouid probably have given Ngatoa some trouble had he got over the kennels double on the first day. This is the view held by more than one rider in the race, one of them going the length of saying that Morning could not have lost. He certainly put up a fine performance to-day., Glenmore only came on the scene in the last mile, and showed that, despite his years, he is still in the front rank. Bonny created a surprise, as she was prominent all the way. Tim Doolan was a long way out in the early stages, and did not jump as well as usual over the later fences. The Brewer again shaped well, and would have been even closer but for one, faulty jump, when he nearly lost his rider. Daylight Bill was going well up to the time he came to grief. Kirn, who was making his first appearance over country, gave a'^fine exhibition of bold jumping, and his performance- was i highly creditable for a novice. With some more experience at the game he should develop into a first-class 'chaser, and next year he may bo seen to ad van- j tage in the Grand National. HUNT CLUB CUP. The Hunt Club Cup was a great disappointment in some respects, as eight of tho fourteen starters IMlid to g§t ;

round the course, one falling and one running off at the first fence, while a third came down at the next obstacle. The six horses who survived the full journey gave a fine display of jumping, and provided a very interesting race all the way. OTHER EVENTS. In the Summer Handicap, Derby Day again showed a fine burst of speed, and with a more capable handling he would have won. As it was Nicomar, with a fine run, got up and beat him on the post. The winner does not begin well, but he is a resolute galloper. Free and Micky Free showed plenty of pace, but failed to stay. Prince Laddo ran a good race, as did Bodenham. A useful field of sprinters, numbering fifteen, took part in the August Handicap. Bluestone was a solid favourite, with Centre and Pride of Clutha next best backed. Bluestone settled his chance by failing to get off decently. Pride of Clutha was always one of the leaders, and she just lasted long enough to stall off a, late challenge by Bee, I while Ruapani was going on well in third place, just in front of Lady Black and Palisade. The winner had to run the gauntlet of a protest. She shaped badly on the first day in the race won by Derby Day, and it was hard to find a reason for the support she received today. The explanation offered by her connections was accepted. The eight horses who took part in the Spreydon Hurdle Handicap did not represent brilliant hack class, but the winner, Art, is a cut above the average. It -was his firat time out in a jumping race, but he shaped like a veteran, and he is certain to do well at the business. He is a half-brother to Vladimir and a brother in blood to John Barleycorn and Andrea, the last-named a very capable hurdler till an unfortunate accident 1 closed his career. The Islington Handicap, for -which there were thirteen starters, "was a capital race. The speedy Glenroy made most of the running, with Black Heart in attendance, but the field closed up in the straight, and Fortify, with a strong challenge, just got in the last stride. He is a very resolute galloper and looks as if he might stay a longer journey even . than a, mile. Encore ran another good race, and must be accounted a trifle unlucky, as he lost his place soon after the start. A field of veteran selling platers ran in the Woolston Plate, Teviotdale just winning from Scorch, who was a trifle unlucky, as she did not- begin so well as usual. Teviotdale won 1 the same Tace last year.