THE GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 36, 11 August 1920, Page 4

THE GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

OPENING DAY'S SPORT

ATTENDANCE, VERY LARGE.

SOME EXCELLENT RACING.

(DI TELBOAAPH.—SPECIAL TO THE POST.) CHKISTCHURCH, 10th August.

The Canterbury Jockey Club has the reputation of being very lucky in the weather for its meetings, and its good fortune was certainly in. evidence to-day, when the Grand National fixture was opened. Very heavy rain fell at the end of the week, necessitating a- postponement of the trots from Saturday till Monday, and the conditions were threatening even on Monday afternoon. Last night, however, there was a frost, and the sun was "shining out to-day, though accompanied later in _the day by a cold wind. There was a very large attendance, including visitors from all parts of the Dominion. As evidence of | the size of the crowd, the fotalieator investments reached £72,844, compared with £55,832 on the corresponding day last year. The course had dried up wonderfully, and, though still slow, it provided fair going. Most of the fields were of good size, and there Was some excellent racing. Especially was this the case in the hurdle and steeplechase events, which provided keen contests, topped off by fine exhibitions of jumping. THE TALLY-HO STEEPLECHASE. The first race, the Tally-Ho Steeplej chase, a race for genuine hunters, with gentleman rider, produced a field of eight. The AshUurton gelding Fireeater was favourite, but did not last long, falling at the first fence. He was remounted, and, he came to grief again, he was once more .sent on the journey, and finished the course. Southerner made most of the ; running, but there was a good race between the field till a mile from home. Over the last part of the race two of them fought out a great battle, Six Cylinder beating Wicklow by a short neck. The winner, who is by Royal Fusilier, comes from South Canterbury, but his race record is not particularly good. BOMBPROOF WINS. There were nine starters for the Trial Hurdles Handicap, Tatiini, Calma, Samiel, Gamecock, and Falstaff being spiritedly backed. Gamecock set out to win all the Way, and he carried his weight well. Trentham Rose, was in second place in the early stages, but five furlongs from home was passed by Bombproof. Tatimi, and Calma. At the second last hurdle Calma fell, and Bombproof beat Gamecock in. the run home by two lengths. Mentmpre finished well in third place, while Falstaff, who had been in the rear most of the way, was just clear of Tatimi. Samiel broke a pastern when galloping on the flat about five furlongs from home, and was destroyed. Bombproof is improving in his jumping, and this is all that is required to make him a good hurdler. Gamecock ran a solid race, and looks certain to win more jumping events. Tatimi had every chance, but failed to stay. A PERFORMANCE FULL OF MERIT. A field of ten lined up for the Hunters' Hurdle Handicap. General Petain and Signysian were the popular fancies: They, were out in front at the first hurdle, where General Petairi blundered and lost his rider. Signysian then went on from All Serene, and~these two remained in front for the whole o£ the journey. Signysian hit the last hurdle, but his rider made a good recovery, and the topr weight went *n to win, with nothing in hand, by two lengths. All Serene was a similar distance in front of Blazeaway, with Gaekwar finishing on well, close up. The performance of the winner under the big load was full of merit. A GREAT BETTING RACE. The Jumpers' Flat Handicap attracted a field of 14. It was a great betting race, with Kauri King, Mannish, Hylans, and Mr. Herman's bracket supported in that order. Wild Pilgrim, Jack Symons, and King Star were "responsible for early pace, but five furlongs from home Gayiight- shot to the. front, and led around the turn well clear of Golden Petal, with Kauri King and Hylans next. On reaching the straight, Kauri King ran through, and beat Gaylight easily. King' Star stayed on to get third place, with Meltchikoff and Golden Petal at the head of the others. The performance of the ■winner was very impressive, as he got out badly, and was in the rear for some distance. Such a, fine stayer ie certain to play an important part in the Grand National Hurdles. ■ THE BIG RACE. There were two scratchings for tha Grand National Steeplechase. They were Slowcoach, who is laid aside with strangles, and Ormesby, who was reserved for the Enfield Steeples. This left only eight competitors, but they were I a really good lot. Lochella was a strong favourite, carrying half as much again as Crib and Guanaco, who were pretty evenly supported as second and third fancies. Oakleigh lost some ground j at the start, San Sebastian leading over the first fence from VVaimai, Crib, Coalition, and Guanaco. These five were in a bunch at the stand, Oakleigh joining them ac they left the straight. At I Cutts's, Guanaco was with San Sebastian in the lead. Guanaco led Oakleigh and San Sebastian over the sod wall, where Loohella fell. At the kennels, Guanaco and Oakleigb were ten lengths in front ] of Crib, Coalition, and Waimai, with Master Strowan moving up and San Sebastian dropping back. The second division closed up as they raced along the straight, and, passing the stand, Guanaco and Oakleigh were about four lengths clear of Coalition and Crib, while Waimai had dropped back a bit. The front four were in close order round the turn j and along the back. Master Strowan ran off at the kennels double, where j Coalition and Guanaco were together, just clear of Oakleigh and Crib. The last-named pair were in trouble when the straight was reached. Coalition and I Guanaco jumped the last fence together, and Coalition gradually drew awqy, winning by six lengths. Oakleigh was three lengths further back, just in front of ■ Crib, with Wtoimai handy, and Sam Sebastian not far away It was a fine race, the jumping being first-class, while the interest was'maintained all the ■ way. Coalition was responsible for n. good perfonnancs, and he stayed out the journey in fine style. He di<! not make the semblance of a. mistake. Guanaco ran a. solid race. He, was stopping v. bit at the end, but lie is' only n. young horse, who will take nigh-class honours later on. Oakleigh "arid Crib both raced well, being ill the front division most of the journey. Waimai was in trouble, a mile and a-half from home, but he pegged away, and finished fifth, just in front of San Sebastian, who came on again after losing his place half-way through the journey. Mister Strow'an was a long way back when he- van off, while Lochella (ell too early to. admit of any discussion regarding his prospects. ENFIELD STEEPLECHASE. There v.-oro ten starters for the Enfield Steeplechase. O«ne*by, k.BiH> *nd i weight!!, and were backed iflp-hat order.

Golden Prince took charge at tha start, being joined as they left the straight by Lawsuit, Those "two continued together for the rest of the journey. Bj!1 Terry joined in at the last fence, but never had any chance with Golden Golden Prince were the three top Prince, who beat him by three lengths, Lawsuit being a lensth away, with Sonny, Bill, and John Bunny well back. Barrister fell, Dnnmore ran off, and Kintailshore baulked. Ormesby ran like a bad horse. Lawsuit may win a race before the week is over. EIGHTEEN START FOR WINTER CUP. There were eighteen starters for the Winter Cup, Warlike being scratched in favour of Clean Sweep, while- Hurry Up dropped out owing to the heavy ground being against him. It was a great, betting race. Bengeroop was the last to leave the mark, while Jock and Will Oakland were also slow to begin. Killowen jumped out smartly, followed by Heathersprig, Sir Fanciful, Brackenfield, and Clean Sweep, and there was little change for three furlongs, where Rose Pink and Dainty Step were at the head of tha next lot. Killowen turned for home well clear of Heathensprig, with Glean Sweep a-n<2 Dainty Step next. Clean Sweep was in trouble-at the distance, and Killowen beat Heathepprig comfortably by a bare length. . Dainty Step was a length and a-half away, followed by Royal Star and Sir FaoVciful, alter whom .came Gold Kip, Clean Sweep, Bengeroop, and Miss Camouflage. The winner was at one time raced by Mr. T. H. Lowry, for whom he won two races in Sydney as a, three-year-old. He has changed owners twice in the past few- months. Though he has the reputation of being unreliable, Otajro and Southland sports backed him confidently in this race, and got a great dividend. Heathersprig ran a eolid race, but was squarely beaten.- Dainty Step did not get out too well, but she was running on at the end. Royal Star, who finished very fast,wvns fourth, followed by Sii Fanciful, and then, came Gold Kip, who was travelling well at the finish. Brackenfield was done with j two furlongs from home, and Clean Sweep a little further on. Nisrhtraider never got out of the ruck. Will Oakla-nd need not be condemned, as he was unlucky at the start. He may win a race later in the week, and Bengeroop may also be worth following. > • '-> A MODERATE LOT. The Avonhead Handicap drew a field of eleven hacks, but they could no* be considered more than a moderate lot. Checkmate, Walton, and Adopted were backed in that order. Carmine got out well, and, drawing away at the entrance to the straight, hs won decisively. Checkmate was second, and no excuses could be made for him, as he was first out and was never further back than third. Walton was in a good position all through, but was not quite equal to the tasfc. He may dc better later in the week, and so may Black Mountain, who finished fast. The winner, who comes from South Canterbury, is a speedy All Red gelding, but hti is not sound. The following are the concluding results :— Enfield Steeplechase, of 250' „ sovb ;' about two miles.—Golden Prinze, 11.9 (T. Humphries), 1; Bill Terry, 10.9, 2; Lawsuit, 10.11, 3. Ako started : Ormesby 11.9, Bill 11,5, John Bunny 11.2, Barrister 10.6, Sonny 9.7, Dunmure 9.7, Kintailshore 9.7. Won'by two lengths. Time, 4min 11 2-ssec. Winter Cup, of 1000 eovs; ono mHe.— Killowen, 9.12 (J. Olsen), 1; Heathersprig, 9.11,/ 2; Dainty Stcn, 9.7, 3. Also started : Gold Kip 11.9, Molec 10.7. Royal Stai 10.7, Brockenfield 10.6, Hefcaua 10.6, Rose Pink 9.11, dean. Sweep 9.9, Jock 9.8, Loyal Arch 9.8, Sir Fanciful 9.5, Nightraider 9.3. General Advance 9.2/ Will Oakland 9.6, Bengeroop 9.0, Miss, Camouflage 9.0. Won by a length.,- Time, lmin 46 2-ssee. Avonhead Handicap, of 200 soys ; seven furlongs.—Carmine, 9.0 (J. Campbell), 1; Checkmate, 10.6, 2; Walton, 9.13, 3. Also started : Adopted 10.6, Chaeronia. 9.13, High Heels 9.11, Nautical 9.9,' Black Mountain 9.3, Mystified 9.0, The Boss 9.0, -Te Anau Maid 9.0. Time, lmin 33sec.