SPORTING

Grey River Argus, 13 August 1935, Page 3

SPORTING

Canterbury J.C. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. PROSPECTS FOB TO-DA Y. (By the “Delver”). The New Zealand Grand National Sleep echas e meeting, under the an >piceu of the Canterbury Jockey Club will be opened to-day at Riccarton rhe acceptances as a whole show, a .-'light decrease on the corresponding day of a.-vt year but the deficiency is amply compensated for by quality in the majority of events. For the Grand National S.eepies there are eleven acceptors, (the tianie as last year) and if all go to the post a spectacular race may be anticipated. At the time of writing, however, there is a doubt whether I’uuchestowu will be a starter. He is not a genuine stayer over such a long distance, ami he may be icuervcd for shorter events later in ‘the meeting. Of the eleven Valpeen (winner) Billy Boy (third). Umtali and Peterette wer e competitor# last year, and the two firsit mentioned promise to play a. very prominent part i.n to-day’s event.

The Winter Cup as usual, again presents a -difficult problem for punters, as there arc som c great miler# engaged. Southdown and Silver Sight are the only two engaged to-day who were among the starters last year, but the chances of either do not read promising a though both are good sorts. The betting will as usual, be on the win and place system, and rhe handicaps in the various flat events suggest that surprises and remunerative dividends will be the order of the day. Below are the acceptances and prospects of the various ruibners in what must be recognised as a most interesting programme. 11.31 TRIAL HURDLE HACK, miles. —Esteem 10.13, Tareha 9.12, Red Sun 9.9, Vitaphone 9.8, Sunward 9.7, Giggleswick 9.4, Prince Vai 9.3, Trishna 9.2.

The Trial Hurdles opens the day’s sport and there is enough material to make an interesting contest. At the time of writing the .topweight had not arrived at headquarters, but on Trentham form Esteem dominates the posi lion with 10.13. IR-ed Sun ran a great race last Saturday week and a repetition of that form will make him hard here. Vitaphone is in a winning vein and defeated Po’ydora easily at Timaru. Sunward has disappointed! in his last two starts, and of the other trio lower down Trishna reads the most likely. The second top weight may find the pace too fast. The order •i of favouritism should be Esteem (Both ways) Red Sun (Place) Vl'aphoike (Place) 12.6 PAPA RUA HANDICAP, 6 furlongs. —Kemal Pasha, Cranford 9.1, Cottesmore 8.9, Fair Weather 8.6, Trivet 8.5, Metal Bird 8.1, Orris, Dollar Bill, Invoice, Control 8.0. The Paparua Handicap -has attracted a fair field of ten. Cottesmore and • Fair Weather have declined their Winter Cup engagements in favour of • this sprint, and if the former is anyr thing like well he should command a lot of Huppoit. The two tupweighis,

musit be respected, particularly Kemal Pasha. Trivet is another useful mare over six, and Metal Bird is very near his best as demonstrated by his third in the Brabazon a week ago. Of those on the minimum Dollar Bill has the best! credentials. Speculation will take a wide range, but preference may be Dollar B>ill (Both ways) Fair Weathdr (Place) Kemal Pasha (Place) 12.46 JUMPERS’ FLAT HACK HANDICAP, 1A miles. —Polydora 11.9, Revision 10.9, Rasouli 10.6, Hounslow 10.0, Master Musk 9.13, Manawatu 9.11, Lycidas 9.0. The Jumper’s Flat has attracted a very poor field of seven, but the race still bears an open appearance. The topweight is such an unreliable customer that one must, ignore. She is capable of winning even with 11.9. but her showing so far ‘this season suggests that .-’he is going to be just as erratic as formerly. The popular selection may be Manawatu (Both way?) Revision (Place) Master Musk (Place) 1.31 CASHMERE PLATE, special weight* 6 furlongs. —Arrow Glen. Haste Away. Horn’s Reef, Polygraph, Princess Rawene, Tooley Street, Trumpet Blast. Whaddon, Chase. 8.11, Bereft, Culotie, Doctor Duthie, Glenavon. Greek Vase, Grey Honour, Hine Ra, Jack Ahoy, John Bull, Lady Graceful, Lofty. Nightbound, Pink Abbey, Superex S.O.

The form disc’osed in the Selwyn Handicap at the recent Huir meeting should he a good guide, here as almost (’very acceptor wa.-’ a starter in the race mentioned. A likely trio should be Lady Graceful (Both ways). Grev Honour (Place) Tooley Street (Place) 2.11

GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE, 3 A miles. —Valpeen 11.13, Billy Boy 11.5, Royal Limond 10.8, Dunmure 10.7, Punchestown 10.1, Ruby Meteor 9.13, Free Air 9.5, Umtali 9.4, Pahu, Night Parade, Peterette 9.0. With the exception of Valpeen. Bi ]y Boy, Umtali and Peterette, the field for the National Steeples are hav ing their first attempt to win the Dominion’s premier cross-country even.. The topweight won last year with 10 stone, and his connections cannot complain of the weight allotted him today. If he is beaten, it will only be on account of pace. Billy Boy i# of the evergreen variety and when he won i.n 1932. he carried 11.13. Last year he finished third under the same weight. To-day he has been let down 81bs. and so meets the topweight to-day on actually 2st 7 b better terms than last year. On this difference the veteran must be considered in a favourable light. Royal Limond has showivery in and out form since put to

s.ceplechasing, but his performances prove that he is a dyed-in-the-wool stayer, and racing on his home track will be a great advantage. No notice may be taken of his poor attemp. a! Trentham, he could not handle the s’ippery conditions and on top of the ground to-day he is -Hire to give his supporters a good run for their money. His few schoolings have shown that he is at home over the Riccarton country. Dunmure was very unlucky at the recent Trentham and was a good thing beaten through a bad jump near the finish of th e Wellington Steeples. He schooled very well at Riccarton during last week and a reproduction of Wellington form will put him in the money to-day. Punchestown has had to be eased in his work owing to a bad cut received at Timaru. hut sine resuming serious training he schooled bri'liantly lasi' week. However, ho is not a true stayer for a journey dike the National, and it will come as no surprise if he is not a starter. Rubv Meteor ran second to Valpeen in the Wellington Steeples, but fell a-f ‘the second fence in the steeples on tin* final day of the meeting. Reports state that the northerner has been working brilliant’y since and if this ' - correct she must be one of the hard es-f to beat with only 9.13 an increase of only 21 bs on her Trentham weight. On figures she has it on Dunmure com pared with the weights’ carried in the Wellington Steeples. The latter has been raised Bibs for running third while for running a great second Ruby "Meteor has only gone up 21bs (a pe ( 'U liar idea of handicapping). A< was expected. Free Air has dec-’inod her on

gageniCTT in the big hurdles in favour of to-day’s race. She ran fourth in llio Northern Steeples after a meritorious second in th<* Northern Hur/l>les on tlie first day of the meeting last June. She was not a competitor at the Wellington meeting as her owner decided on a, special preparation for

the National. Unfortunately Free Air has been decidedly lame on many occasions and latterly this has affected her jumping and work generaVy. 11 she gets to the post she will beat more than beats her. Umtali does not ap peal, but Pahu, with a stand-up would have a great' show. He was going well at Auckland when he tipped out but the fences'a* Riccarton are stiffer than Ellerslie. Neither of the other two can be recommended. Di what promises to be an exciting race the honours mav be disputed 1?V Royal Limond (Both ways) Valpeen (Place) Dunmure (Place) 2.56 ENFIELD STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP, about 2 miles.—Make-up 11.9, Diamond 11.5, Monastic 10.6, Cftrdhu 9.7, Royal Buck 9.1, Witui. Parasang, Dan Russell, Bandy Boa 9.0. The short distance of the Enfield Steeples may be the means of producing a better finish than t'he National. A popular trio with bettors will probably be Make Up (Both ways) Diamond (Place). Witui (Place) 3.36

WINTER CUP, 1 mile.—Golden Hair 9.5, Rebel Chief 9.1, Southdown 9.0, Gay Crest, Horowhenua 8.12, Osculate 8.9, Silver Sight 8.8, Lapel 8.6, Mercian Prince, Sea Fox 8.6, Tuirau 8.3, Knockfin, Sunee, Travenna, Chrysology 8.2, Royal Banquet 8.1, Korero, Wino, Royal Gallant, Epris, Courtyard, Adelene, Quite Soon 8.0. With twenty-three acceptors and. all likely 'to start, the field for the 1935 Winter Cup looks just as hard as any of i-t’s predeccessors. Included in the field are two classic winners in Golden Hair and Gay Crest, and Loth will carry solid support. The former did not show up at any s'age of the journey in the Brabazon Handicap last Saturday week, but has worked well since. It is evident that' she is in need of a race. IRebel Chief also did not fatter his supporters at the Hunt meeting and will have to improve greatly to have a chance to-day. Ss<»nllv ! down would be suited with a little

more distance a-ud although he does not appeal his turn is not far off. If Gay Crest repeats his great run of Saturday week, his number should be hoiyted in number one. The veteran is working brilliantly and the distance is to his liking. The next on the list, Horowhenua won the mile event on the last day at Ellerslie in June and at -the recent Wellington meeting he won. 'the Whyte Memorial also over & mile. On both these oc casions the going was very sloppy, but conditions to-day will be much different. Osculate would be better served with a longer distance and the, same remark applies to Silver Sight.) Lapel is one of the best hacks in com ( mission and will have a good follow-' ing. Mercian Prince is another who won well at Trentham and if he is as' good on top of the ground as in heavy going he will command a lot of respect. Sea Fox has yet to show his worth in a fic'd of this clasa. He 'has been working well and has do,ne all that has been expected of him and the weight 8.5 should not trouble him in an Bst minimum. Tuirau. with 8.3 would be a stiff proposition if the race was over a six furlong journey. She and Sea Fox did not show up in the Brabazon. Knockfin after being badly left las’t week, come 'through the field t'o get second and this performance puts her in a very favourable light to-day. Sunee does not seem ikely among this lot, but Travenna, after being made a very hot favourite in the Brabazon was never sighted during the running. He will have to improve on that considerably to justify his sup-poi’-f. If rain should occur and the going be heavv he will be a hard liors’e to beat, but if conditions are as at the lime of writing he does not appeal after hijF effort at the recen: Hunt meeting. Chrysology and Royal Banquet are fair sori's over a mile but will have to be at their best to show Up here. Of those on the minimum, Wino and Epris stand out and it will not surprise if either are found disputing the honours’. The for mor won the Brabazon easily enough but' when one considers the slow time for the seven furlongs 1.30. he will have to »tep a faster gait fo win a race 'like the Winter Cup. Epris beat the field pointless ait Timaru over a mile and 35 yards in 1.41 4-5. On that occasion he carried 7.5. "With betting taking a wide range, the actual fav ourite on the win machine should return a remunerative price. To reduce he probables to three good support will bo accorded

Gay Crest (Both ways) Knockfin (Botih way’s) Lapel (Placa 4.21 AVON HEAD HANDICAP, 7 fur ongs. —Bella Rosa 9.9, Dollar Prince 8.13, Viking 8.12, Sisterina 8.11, Mell eath 8.10, Grand Review, State Bank 8.9, Colombo, Arrowrose, Mount Vai. Golden Dart, Dodge. High Glee 8.8, Kurapae 8.7, Riptide, Elbanor, Rose of Tralee, Land Raid, Linguist 8.5, Isaacs. Joyous, Latitude 8.4, Hunting Bag 8.3, Friday Night 8.2, Maroha, Tail Light, Impossible, Half Note, New Note, Greek Shepherd 8.0. Although there are thirty acceptors in the Avonhead Handicap there is every probability of several scratchings but should all go :b the post some of the competitors will have to be bracketed on account of the .totalisator only providing for twenty-four runners. There is every indication of a boilover hero. Space will not permit individual comment but three that are likely to be well supported are Mount Vai (Both ways) Linguist (Both ways) Kurapae (Place) METROPOLITAN T. C. ACCEPTANCES Metropolitan Trotting Club acceptances for the second day (Wednesday) are:— 12.10: IMPROVERS’ HANDICAP, 4.44 class 2 miles. —Flotsam, Ganton, Kot inga Mataunga Sandy N., Welcome Guy scr, Gyrate, Rea' Boy Wahnooka

12, Enigma 24.. Air Flow, Guy o’ Mine 36, Ruin 60. 12.45: DASH HANDICAP (saddle). 2.13 class 1 mile. —Homeward Willow Wavjc scr„ Colonial Bdy, Lo gan’s Pride. Peter Locanda, Prairie King, Pronto Bingen, Raydus, Reporter. Somerby 12, George Key, Master Rov. Native C-hief, Sure 24. 1.25: KING GEORGE HANDICAP, 4.28 class, 2 miles. —Gold Tinge, Great Logan Kewpie’s Triumph, Taxpayer, Tempest, Wrecker scr. Wild Guy 12 Blue Mountain 24. Sunny Morn 36, Red Shadow 60. 2.0: BELGIUM HANDICAP, 2 miles, 4.40 class. —Dollic Derby, Marie Celeste, Nobleman scr Chechaheo, "Young r I ravis 12, Jol'y Wave 24, Guy Junior. Morello, Prince Author Real Burton 36, Llewellyn’s Pride 48. 2.35: LINCOLN HANDICAP, 2.47 class, 1| miles. —Eureka Boy, Girvan, Golden Direct, Gunfire, Lilian Bond.. Moeast'. Waress. Willow Wave sicr., Bingen Palm. Bracken, Chancellor, Cloudy Range, Prairie King 12, Arikitoa. Avernus, Raydus, Rey Spec 24 Kingcraft Native Chief, Wraekler 36. 3.10: AVON HANDICAP (T), 3.27 class, H miles. —Fifa, Garner, Great Way, King’s Voyage, New Metford, Teviot Downs scr, Admiral Bingen, Bessie Parrish. Norma Bingen 12, Mountain Mis'. 24 R*aima 36. Writer 48, Todd Lonzia 72, Trampfast 108. CANTERBURY HANDICAP, 4.35 class, 2 miles.—Fernbrook Lass, Mountain Ore. Plain Pearl scr., Colonial Boy. Golden Direct, Iraq 12, Agile, Queen Author 36. 4.20: SPEEDWAY HANDICAP, 2.43 class miles.- —Blue Mountain, Sir Guy, Tempest, Vcsusius scr., Great Logan, Kewpie’s Triumph. Silver de Oro 12 Glenrossie 24. Rod Shadow 36, Indianapolis 48, Roi I’Or 60, Harold Logan 72. TBOTS ON RACING CLUB PROGRAMMES. CHRISTCHURCH, August 12. “Racing clubs as a wnole do not appreciate the full value of trotting events 'to their programme. I think we should ask for more in stakes than the overage of racing stakes.” This rema.rk by the Hon. W. D. Hayward, M.L.C.. at a meeting of the Board of the New Zea and Trotting Association this morning was endorsed by many other members. The discussion arose when the Ashburton Coun'ty Racing Club asked that permission be given to inward less than the sum required under the rules for the two trotting events on its P ro gramme.. The pi|Ogramme was passed, sub

ject to the stakes being increased, to the average of ’the other events, at least.

Mr J. M. Samson (Dunedin) mentioned that the Racing Conference had objected at' otie time to trotting events being .on. the programmes of facing clubs, but some of the smaller racing clubs could not carry on without trotting events. Mr Hayward: Racing clubs regard it as doing a favour to us. Instead of thatj. we are doing them a favour. We may have to siay that racing clubs should not have trotting events. . LICENSING OF BOOKMAKERS. AUCKLAND CLUB PRESIDENT’S ADVOCACY. AUCKLAND, August 12. “A just and equitable law for the re licensing of bookmakers should be quite feasible.” said the President of •he Auckland Racing Club (Mr Oliver Nicholson), in an address at the annual meeting this afternoon. It must be patent 1o everyone that the police had qui’te failed to suppress the. book maker, who was still further greatly assisted by the broadcasting of running descriptions and race results, as well as by his enjoyment by devious means of the excellent telegraphic and telephone facilities provided by the •Government departments. While great care would be needed t'o avoid abuses it should not be difficult to control the licensed bookmaking system, for which there was a strong public, demand. F. G. HOLMES DISQUALIFIED. CHRISTCHURCH. August. 12. The Board of the New Zealand Trotting Association to-day decided “that having heard th e evidence of witnesses, the association finds that F. G. Holmes made- an unprovoked and serious assault upon an elderly man, W. J. Morland, on June 7. 1935, and thafi he is guilty of misconduct and misbehaviour calculated -to injure I the sport of that Trotting Association, and impose upon Holmes a penalty of disqualification under Rule 388, for six months from August 12.” F. J. SMITH’S DISQUALIFICATION. REDUCTION REFUSED. CHRISTCHURCH, August 12. At a meeting of the Board of the New Zealand Trotting Association today, a letter was received from F. J. Smith asking the association to consider reducing his term of disqualification to allow him to take part in the next meeting of ’the Auckland Trotting Chib on August 31. In the ordinary course of events, Smith’s disqualification would expire on September 6.

Mr S. W. Kelly moved that Smith’s disqualification "bo reduced to expire on Augus’t 30. The motion was seconded by Mr B. McCarthy.

"Mr FI. W. Kitchingham said that he was afraid of establishing a precedent in a case like this. The association had been accused of inconsistency in another matter in granting concessions t'o one trainer and no’t to another. Oa a show of hands, the motion was lost. It was decided to refund to Smith his protest fee of £5. QUEENSLAND ACCEPTANCES. BRISBANE, August 12. The King’s Cup acceptors include: Lough Neagh 9.0 (top weight). Brown Force, Waikare 8.13, Limbohm 8.4. Gladswood 7.10. RACING FIXTURES. August 13, 15, 17—Canterbury J.C. August 24 —Pakuranga H.C. August 29—Egmont-Wanganui H.C. (Al Now Plymouth). August 31—Taranaki H.C. September / —Otago H.C. September 7—Marton J.C. September 12, 14—Wanganui J.C. September 21—Ashburton County R.C. September 21—Foxton R.C.