SPORTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 August 1929, Page 6

SPORTING

FIXTURES. August 3. —Christchurch Hunt Club. August 10, 12, 14. —N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club. August 13, 15, 17.— Canterbury Jockey Club. August 24. —Pakuranga Hunt. August 24. —Hawke’s Bay Hunt August 28. —Dannevirke Racing Club. August 29. —Dannevirke Hunt. August 31. —Taranaki Hunt. September 4, 5. —Marton Jockey Club. September 7. —Otago Hunt. September 12, 14. — Wanganui Jockey Club. September 17. —New Brighton Trotting Club. September 21.—Ashburton County Racing Club. September 21. —Napier Park Racing Club. September 21, 23.—Avondale Jockey Club. • . September 26, 27—Geraldine Ra% ing Club. September 28. —Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. CANTERBURY NOTES.

(Special to ‘‘Star.’’)

CHRISTCHURCH, August 1. Riccarton tracks are still too heavy to permit of fast work, and little beyond jumping and three-quarter P ac ‘ ing .on the sand and plough has been accomplished during the past few days. Wiltshire, Mangani and Uralla put in an appearance this morning. The first named has evidently done a lot of work, and looks even better than he did twelve months ago. R. Syme, who trains Wiltshire and will ride him, makes no secret of the fact that he will improve on his performance of twelve months ago. As the opposition is not likely to be so strong, this must leave him with a. great winning chance. J. Coyle has arrived with Mister Gamp and Novar. Both look in rare order, and the former is bound to be a tough proposition in the Grand National Hurdles.

Bonogue, Anola and Horomea also came to hand by this morning’s boat. King Balboa is now at Riccarton in charge of E. Ellis, who has the Southerner in rare order for his Winter Cup engagement. All the big jumps over which the Grand National are contested have been put into order, and next week they will be open for schooling work. Since arriving at headquarters Perle de Leon has made many friends for the big Hurdle event. He looks really well, and in a schooling task gave such a pleasing display as to bring him into much favour.

Two recent arrivals in Just John and Grand National were given a school over the hurdles recently, but neither shaped at all well. At the second fence the former came down, and Grand National stopped. Subsequently both got round without mishap. After working on Tuesday morning Young Thurnham was decidedly lame, and though he has been paid up for in the big cross-country event at the Christchurch Hunt Meting, it is doubtful if he will be capable of fulfilling any immediate engagements. Battle Colours has gone amiss, and is not likely to race again till well into next season. .

Aberfeldy continues to give promising displays in his track efforts over the hurdles. He has lightened up considerably since racing at Trentham, and on form can have little chance in the Grand National Hurdles. The Christchurch Hunt Club’s Meeting on Saturday has attracted so many horses that will be racing at th© Grand National meeting as to endow it with more than average interest. Gay Jim has been schooling so well in his last few efforts as to make his chances look good in the Kennels Hurdles. Form points to Waitaunaha being prominent in the Lawford Steeplechase. Though Elysianor may go out favourite for the Longbeach Hurdles, he will met with stiff opposition from Lancer and Perle De Leon. Only four or five will contest the Homeby Steeplechase, and though he will be meeting a good one in King’s Guard, Lord Ranald should again be in tho limelight. King Balboa is not overweighted in the Brabazon Handicap, but he will be up against two improved sprinters in Rascal and Malmsey. 11l the Flying Handicap backers may prefer the chances of Phastar and Honeycombe.