RACING FIXTURES.

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 25, 29 July 1927, Page 7

RACING FIXTURES.

July 30 —Christchurch Hunt Club. August 6—Poverty Bay Hunt Club. August 9, 11, 13—Canterbury J.C. August 20—Pakuranga Hunt Club. August 27—Taranakl Hunt Club. ■September 2, 3—Marton J.C. September 8, 10—Wanganui J.C; September 9—Egmont-Wanganul Hunt Club. September 10—Otago Hunt Club. September 14—Dannevlrke B.C. September 15—Dannevirke Hunt Club. September 24—Ashburton County R.C. September 24, 26—Napier Park R.C. September 24. 26—Avondale J.C. September 29, 30—Geraldme E.C. October I—Hawkes Bay J.C.

Judging by the acceptances received, the Christchurch Hunt Club's Meeting to-mor-row in real interest will be little inferior to that of the Grand National fixture to which it holds the position of curtainraiser. The Homeby Steeplechase and Brabazon Handicap are more or less public trials.for the Grand National Steeplechase and Winter Cup respectively. In the other races are a large number of horses with engagements at the big Riccarton fixtures, so that those who attend to-morrow's gathering should get some useful pointers. The weather has been bad in the South, and this should help the meeting rather than otherwise, for trainers should welcome the opportunity of a race for their charges in public. ■ Proceedings will open at 11.45 a.m., with the Kennels Hurdles. The Babe and Royal Fashion both showed decent form last week, and no doubt they will receive plenty of Support. On public form they appear the best of the Southerners, although there appears to be possibilities about Luthy, an aptly-named mare by Liicullus from Lisp. Calluna showed decent form on the Hawkes Bay circuit, and will have the advantage of haying A. M'Donald in the saddle. Kangiawhao, from the Peter Maxwell stable, finished'a good third to Uralla and Lady Spalpeen at Te Kuiti last February, on his only public appearance over hurdles. This form reads fairly well, and he comes from a dangerous stable, where jumpers are concerned. Eleven stone may anchor Calluna, but he and Eangiawhao look the real danger to the two Southerners, The Babe and Royal Fashion. The Northerners appeal roost. „ . Mataipuke was ridden by his owner at the Waimate and Timaru Meetings last week, and if ridden by a capable professional horseman to-morrow, he may show up well in the Lawford Steeplechase. Form points, however, to Osterman, Peter Marion, and Nightraid. Osterman, despite his 11.8, may have too much pace for this field. Peter Marion would have been second to Osterman at Timaru but for falling at the last fence.

Aberfeldy, who was considered by many of the Southern critics to have a mortgage on the ■ Longbeach Hurdle Race, did not survive the acceptances. As he has won two hack hurdle races, the second in a very weak field,- with i 0.5, he was hardly tlirown into an open hurdle race with 9.6. Coastguard has a mixed record in the South, and his showing should be interesting. Dubious is well-known in this island, and does not appeal. Te Kawa can hardly be ready, but Kapuna is a useful sort if right. Peneus, at his best, should take a good deal of beating for the distance will suit him, and he has a handy weight. Rangatahi is another Northerner who should be showing up at the end. His form at Wanganui in May was attractive. Captain Sarto will have to show great improvement to have any chance. Boriena is n big.tip in the South, but in Peneus and Kangatahi he should find a pair to make him gallop. Some of the runners in the Maiden Stakes may need a race. Cornstalk disappointed at Trenthanij but if Arikiwai is good, enough to go to Australia,. taking a' line through his form.' Cornstalk'reads as well as anything in the Maiden to-mor-row.

Of the eleven acceptors in the Homeby Steeplechase, seven are Grand National candidates. Maunga, if he races as usual, will only begin to gallop, when two miles have been covered, the distance of this race. Charlatan is reported sore, and may not-run. Peter Maxwell has a chance, for he should have sufficient dash, while Frenchman may show up well in this race despite his Southern failure last week. Pamplona may need the race. Ranui is just the type for a race of this kind, and has won in the South this season. Vice Grand,, Kipling, and Isla Bank raced well last week. Ranui appeals most, but Frenchman is not to be despised. Mustard Pot and Money Order, who are atthe top of the Brabazon Handicap, the distance of which is seven furlongg,- jriay both need the i-ace, for they ■''have been off the scene for a long time. They /are in their place on past performances. Magna Charta has yet to face,the barrier in the South, and many North .Islanders have yet to bo convinced that he is the reformed character he is reported to be. If he jumps away well tomorrow he-should run a great seven furlongs, for there ia no doubt about his pace. Nincompoop and Chickwheat failed at Trentham, and Tarleton does not appeal. Solferite looks one of the very likely ones. He ran two solid races into second place last August at Riccartbn, and did not reappear again until the late autumn, when two unplaced; performances preceded his euccess at Waimate last week. This geldjng is a galloper above the average. Hathor '(if she starts) may be worth considering;"bufc there are "ifs" in her case. Gaze tnay -not be sharp enough, and Miss Minerva and Soltoe do not appeal. Royal Game will be Trentham's sole representative, for it was thought there would not be Any from here. He is well, and a possibility to, spring a surprise. Taboo at 9.7 is a likely one, and Irish was a muchdiscussed horse this time last year. A possible trip may be Solferite, Royal Game, and Magna Charta.

A number-of those engaged earlier in the day are acceptors for the Hunters' Plate; /Arcos, who won well at Ximaru last week,, impressed many good judges. Armchair was badly ridden according to all accounts in the same race. Hyperion may be the best of the others.

Paris, who has 10.2 in the Flying Handicap, ran three very solid races at the Dunedin Winter Meeting. Cassolette has won twice recently. and has plenty of pace. ' Moratorium had useful form in the autumn, and Kalos, taking a line through Hathor, is well placed with 10.3. The-imported-Hoy lake at 9.1 has something 6f "a reputation in the South. Kalos and Paris may <lo best. In yesterday's Trentham notes reference ■was.made to. Grand Knight and the WaJigariui Guineas. As this race is for three-year-olds it would be obvious that the- Eclipse Stakes, the weight-for-age race et the/ Wanganui . Spring . Meeting, was meant; -Grand Knight will contest the weight-for-age race if all goes well with him, in the meantime.

Avstart.is being made to remake the sawdust track.at-Trentham. It -is being widened and graded, and in addition a drain', is being, made- on each side. By the ; time .'the dry 'weather comes this track should' be ready , for the use of trainers, Bnd; moreover, be.of decided value. A rumour was circulated in Melbourne recently that Commendation, when he arrived in Australia, was likely to run in the colours of a Sydney leviathan. Inquiry elicited the fact that a few weeks ago • Sir. James Hackett, leader of the Sydney ring, received from an agent in New Zealand a cable stating, "Can offer you Commendation for £10,000." "He's a great horse, no doubt," was Mr. Hackett's comment, "but I am not prepared to pay for him almost as though I were .buyin" igold by the ounce." The offer was turned dow. t with ihanks, says the Sydney "Sui~<" Anotlur Sydney owner, who is also a breeder, has been urged for months by a New Zealand Turf authority to buy Commendation, but he did not fancy the price which wag mentioned at the time There might have been a different tale to tell if Commendation had been a stallion. Early this season the Messrs. Brien would not listen to an offer of £10,000 for Rampion, which represents nearly high-water ■ mark in Australia for a young racehorse, being exceeded only by the 16,000 guineas ■which Mr. C. B. Kellow gave at auction for Heroic. If Mr. Hackett had given £10,000 for Commendation it would have been the. highest price paid for a gelding in- Australasia, • and probably in any part of the world. More than once, however. Mi. Greenwood could have got that amount for Gloaming. When Sir Samuel Hordern bought Pilliewinkie, another gelding, two

years ago, he secured him for 2500 guineas and a contingency. Although he was then in his sixth year Pilliewinkie won in stakes for Sir Samuel no less than £10,----955, which shows what is possible to a high-class racehorse in Australia in these days of fat stakes.

Melbourne papers mention that Pilliewinkie, Piastoon, and Star dOr are all coming along nicely at Flemington, and Cromwell is getting through a satsfactory preparation at Caulfield. Of the Victorian-trained horses that will be four years next month, Cromwell is the only one that, on this season's running, lias pretensions- to weight-for-age form. He failed badly in his subsequent races in Melbourne, but his defeat of Rampion in the Rosehill Guineas still entitles him to respect.