NOTES ON THE SPORT.

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 37, 12 August 1921, Page 10

NOTES ON THE SPORT.

(II HLEGBAPH.—SPBCUI TO Till POST.)

CHRISTCHURCH, 10th August.

The weather was warm and fine for the continuation of the Canterbury Jockey Club's Grand National Meeting, and the attendance was again large. Good fields contested roost of; the events, and i there was some interesting sport. The Grand National Hurdles provided a great contest over most of the joumoy, and it was only from the last hurdle that the field strung out. The racing was got off very punctually, ia great improvement on the first day. Fabrinade was scratched for the Woolston Handicap, a hack race for apprentice riders. 3rave Deed and Bebehead were equal favourites, Carnbrae being the only other backed with arid confi-. dence. Brave Deed ran very badly, but the other pair were in the picture all M' 6 time. After a desperate finish over the last furlong, Bebehead beat The Reaver by a head, Carnbrae being three lengths' away. The Reaver stayed on much better than he has: ever previously done. Headlong showed a great burst of speed for half the distance, and then retired. Bobehead is a half-sister to Cupidon, one of the three-year-olds that R. J. Mason has taken to Sydney.: ' Joffre was withdrawn from the Hunt Club Cup, leaving a field of seven. Tigerland was a screaming hot favourite. Malahini) led Endure and Tigerland for half the journey, but there was never very much between the three. Malahini then retired, and the other pair raced together to the last fence, where Tigerland drew out and won comfortably. Likelihood, after nearly falling at Cutts's fence, finished on well a'dozen 3engths behind the second horse, with Malahini a poor , fourth. Tigerland'g performance was a much smoother one than he gave on the first day.

OOBjOGLEN'S TURN. ; The twelve acceptors went out for the Beaufort Steeplechase. They were a vory mixed lot, including five who had not taken part in the Grand National. Coroglen was a, hot favourite. Gang Awa' soon went to the front,'wifch Manawapango and Coroglen as his nearest attendants. With a mile gone these thi a> wore in a bunch. They raced that way round to the kennels' double, where Coroglen drew out, while at, the same time Gang Awa' dropped back beaten. Manawapango chased Coroglen to the straight, but the Aucklander always had something in reserve, and ho won easily by eight lengths; Gang Awa' was a poor third, followed by San Sebastian and Master Hamilton. None of the others finished. Merry Lad fell at the kennels the first time, while Dunmure ran off two fences further on, taking John Bunny with him. First Line lost his rider at the stand double. Crib and Luke were pulled up at Cutts's, and Gay Boy fell at the kennels' double the last time. The five who finished gave, a good jumping display, but after so many mishaps it was a disappointing race.

There were nine starters for the Stunner Handicap, representing fair hack form. Cantoris was a strong favourite. The Otago pair, Silent King and Mirza, were also solidly backed, Treso beings fpnrtli choice. Cantoris jumped out in front, but Filigree soon ran past him, and was showing the way at the entrance, to the straight, with Mirza and Cantoris next. A littl.e further on Cantoris shot through on the rails, and. never afterwards looked like being beaten. Mirza outstayed Filigree, while Lady Lucuflus was ■ a poor j fourth, followed by Treso and Silent King. The first day's form worked out well, vas Cantoris and Mirza followed Scrimmage home in the Avonhead Handicap. glldful-s grand national HURDLES. There were four scratchings for the Grand National Hurdles. Alteration is amiss, Corcgleii started in the Beaufort Steeplechase, Sir Fanciful was in reserve for the Hack Hurdles, while I ■did not hear a reason fpr the'withdrawal of Hyttus. In a field of ten Multive was a good favourite, with Kauri King, Fisher, and Thrace best backed of the others. Mill o' Gororie took charge at I the start, and soon opened out a gap \ of several .lengths from Thrace, Crosswords, Fisher, Demagogue, and Kauri King, who were in close .order. There was little change as they raced for the straight. Alt the stand Mill o' Gowrie was still well clear, Fisher, Thrace, Kauri King, Crosswords, (D-emagogro, and Multive being in a bunch. Gladful was third to last, Whipcord and Gamecock being: the only ones behind him. At Cutts's, Mill o.' Gowrie and Fisher wars showing the way, with Multive • and Demagogue at the h«ad of the others. I This was the order at the mile post, but a furlong further on Fisher lost his place, Mill o' Gowrie and Multive going on in front, with Demagogue and rosswdrds next. Mill o' Gowrie was in trouble six furlongs from homo, where Crosswords ran to the front, followed by Demagogue and Multive, while OiadfuX, who had improved his position along the back, was fourth. Kacing round the turn there wa6 not much between the four, but approaching the straight Multive dropped back a little. Gladful and Demagogue were in, close attendance on Crosswords at the entrance to the straight, where Kauri King was handy and Whipcord was moving up. Once in line for home Gladful drew out clear, and, going on from ithe last hurdle, he won by five lengths from Kauri King, who beat Whipcord by two lengths. Then came Demagogue, Crosswords, Multive, Fisher, and Thrace, the last pair to finish being Gamecock and Mill o' Gowrie. The race provided a fine exhibition of jumping, all tho starters completing the course without a. mistake. The ■ solid pace set by Mill o*. Gowrie was responsible* for. most of the C»ld being very tired at uh» fimrii. At

different (stages, up to half a mile from home, Fisher, Thrace, Multive, and Demagogue looked like winners. The first-named three faded out in the straight, but Demagogue Tan on well and would have done even better but for a few faulty jumps. Crosswords was threatening danger .rounding the home turn, and was leading as they raced for the straight, but 'she failed to see if out. Kauri King was always in a handy position, and he was going strongly when they reached the straight. At this point, however, Gladful was full of running, and his success was assured as soon as he negotiated the last hurdle. It was an impressive performance, with no suggestion of a fluke about it. CONCLUDING EVENTS. The withdrawal of Miss Muriel left a dozen starters for .the August Handicap. Callagiu&n was a strong favourite, with Some Kid and .Fabrinadje beat backed among the others. Fabrinade and Will Oakland were the smartest to begin, and they raced on .to th« course proper well clear of tihe field, in which Mustard Pot and Killowen were prominent. Mustard Pot and Weldone moved up at the distance, and Mustard Pot going en strongly \jeat Fabrinade by two lengths. Weldone was a length away, with the -thing Will ? Oakland next. It was Will Oakland's first race since he resumed work, and it is sure to improve him. Mustard Pot's performance was very impressive. The favourite, Callaghan, never got , out from the ruck. . ' ' |

Eleven horses went to the post for the Spreydon Hurdles, representing a decidedly mixed hack class. Backers went for the t*-ee top-weights—Te Oro, Penury Rose, and Sir Fanciful—backing them in that order. Tigritiya was soonout in the front, with Sir Fanciful handy. Going along the back renury Rose and Te Qro ran up to the leading pair, and these two were, still showing the way five furlongs from home. Tigritiya landed over the last hurdle in front, but Sir Fanciful, wore her down and won isy two lengths. Penury Rose was two lengths further back, followed •by To Oro and Master Boris. The winner ran in the Trial HuaxJles on' the first day, bnt fell at the second jump. Tigritiya jumped,; much better to-day than on Tuesday. The withdrawal of General Advance and Arch Salute left a field of fifteen for the Islington' Handicap. Pine Ardi was a good, favourite, \with Heathersprig, Royal Star, and Dainty Step all 1 well backed.' Pine Arch was in front at the end of a furlong, and he was always going nicely near the front. Kareao was prominent early, but soon, retired. Six furlongs from home, High Heels was showing th« -way to Dainty Step, Pine Arch, and Jock. When the straight was reached Dainty Step and Pine Arch were in charge, and 'Pira Arch drew right away, to win easily. Royal. Star came from a long way back and had second money assured a hundred yards from home, while Bonnie Maid just got up to cut the tiring Dainty Step out of third place. Then came Hieio, Miss Muriel, and HeaUiersprig, all finishing fast. Pine Arch won like a good horse. . i