GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 343, 14 August 1907, Page 4

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

[pee press association.] Christchurch, August 13. Although the weather was cold and cheerless for the opening day of the Grand National meeting the attendance was excellent, the going was in capital order, and the racing was full of interest. The Steeplechase in particular was one of the prettiest seen at Riccarton. Eclairs time established a record for the race, the previous best being Slow Tom's 14 3-ssec. There were a few spills during the dey, but riders and horses escaped serious injury. Totalisator receipts amounted to £21,555, an increase of £4828 on last year. Results : — • Winter Cvp — Idealist 1, Seaman 2, Helen Portland. Scratched: Don Or si no. Idealist was in front all the way and won by two lengths, a head separating second and third. Time, lmin 43 4-ssec. Divs, £8 8s and £1 11s 6d. New "Zealand Grand National Steeplechase, of 1000 soys ; 3£ miles. — Eclair, 10.2, 1; Needlework, 9.7, 2; Kiatere, 13.3, 3. Also started: Phaetonitis 11.9, Slow Tom 11.0, Irish 10.10, Nadador 10.9, Inniskillen 10.7, Romany Lad 10.5, Evenlode 10.4, Loch Fyne 10.3 Romany Lad and Irish made the running for the first mile, but at the end of the circuit Needlework had taken charge and led to the last fence. In the run home Eclair cut him down and won a fine race by a length, Kiatere a length and a half away third, and Phaetonitis fourth. Time, 7min 10 2-ssec. Divs, £7 18s and £5 9s. Tallyho Plate Steeplechase, 2£ miles. — Albury 1, Jack Snipe 2, Luck Star 3. Also started: Brown Hill. Won easily by six lengths. Time, smin 15 4-ssec. Div, £2 10s. Jumpers' Flat Race, li miles.— Ben Jonson 1, Lady Hune 2, Gold Dust 3. Also started : Landlock, Stronghold^, Creusot, Southern Cross, Merriwai, Waipu, Cavalry, Leesidc, Levant, Wild Cat. Ben Jonson got well away from a good start and Avon by three-quarters of a length in front of Gold Dust. Time, 2min 4^sec. Divs, £6 4s 6d and £1 Is. Enfield Steeplechase, about 2 miles — Starlight 1, Sir James 2, Hinemoa 3. Also started: Rosemorn, Pitcher, Stormy Petrel. Deerslayer made most of the running, but fell at the fence at toy of the straight, and Starlight comfortably from Sir James. Time, 4min 9sec. Divs, £2 10s 6d and £6 12s. Hack Handicap, 6 furlongs—Hinupai 1. Heorthen 2, Volodia 3. Also started: Outer Jack Ashore, Strathfillan, Armamento, Sen Sim, Petard, Vardo, Gypsohel, Swimming Flight, Takaroa, Tahoo, Giovanni, Mangione, Steplick. Won by a length and a half. Time, lmin 17 3-ssec. Dive, £12 11s and £5 9s 6d.