SPORTING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 7 August 1928, Page 3

SPORTING.

-SEASON’S -FIXTURES.

August 4 —Christ church Hunt Club. August 4 —Poverty Bay Hunt. August 14, 16, 18 —Canterbury Jockey

Club. August, '2s—(Hawke’s 'Bay Hunt Club. August -29 —Dannevirke Racing -Club. August 30 —pannevirke Hunt Club. September I—Otagol—Otago Hunt Club. September I—Taranaki1 —Taranaki Hunt Club. September s—Afar ton Jockey -Club. September 13, 15—Wanganui Jockey

Club. September 19—jVIcinaAVci'tu Hunt Club. September 22 —Ashburton County Racing Club. September -22—Napier Park Racing

Clujb. September 22,

24—Avondale Jockey

Club. September 2-7, 28—-Geraldine Racing

Club. September 29 —Pakuranga Hunt Club. September 29—Hawke’s -Bay Jockey

Club. October 6 —Tvurow Jockey Club. October 6. B—-Auckland8 —-Auckland Racing Club. October 11, 13 —Dunedin Jockey Club. October 13 —Carterton -Racing Club. October 20, 22—Wellington Racing

-Club. October 20, 22—Gore -Rateing Club. October 20, 24—Waikato -Racing Club. October 22—Waved ey Racing Club. October 22 —Waikato Hunt Club. October 22—Waipawa County Racing-

Club. October 22—(North Canterbury Racing

Club. October 25, 2-7 —Poverty Bay Turf

Club. October 27 —Masterton Racing Club. October 27 —Banks Peninsula Racing

Club. October 31—Birehwood Hunt -Club. _ November 1, 3 —Dar-gaville Racing -Club. November 3,5, 7, 10 —Canterbury Jockey -Club. November 8, 10—Whangarei Racing Club.

NOTES AND COAIAIENTS. (By “Maecenas.”) At present a large number of horses figure in the Grand National Steeplechase and Hurdles, but the acceptance to be made on Thursday next will find the numbers considerably reduced. Red Fuchsia' ran a close fifth in. the Brabazon Welter at the Christchurch Hunt meeting last Saturday. This performance suggests* he is at tlie top of his form, and enhances his prospects at the coming meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club. A couple of seasons ago Royal Saxon was expected to develop into a good performer, but while his form was fairly good it did not reach the standard expected. As Royal Saxon showed exceptional gameness to beat First Sight- last Saturday, it brings him in as a likely Winter Gup candidate.

First Sight- headed off Royal Saxon over the last furlong of Saturday’s Brabazon Welter, only to tire in the last few yards, enabling Royal Saxon to finish best and win. No doubt First Sight will he most benefited by this race, and in the Winter Cup he may avenge the defeat. Unlike most- of its predecessors, the Christchurch Hunt Club meeting, held last- Saturday, threw little light on the Grand National Hurdles and Steeplechase, and keen followers of racing were not shown anything outstanding in the Brabazon AVelter that would lead them to think guv of Saturday’s runners in that event were “good” in the big mile t-o be run at Ricciarton next week.

In the past tlie Christchurch Hunt Club's fixture has provided a. good guide for the leading events; that followed at the more; important Canterbury Jockey Club meeting, but there was nothing very impressive about any of the wins registered at Rlieoartotn last Saturday. Some of the sporting: writers to Sydney papers state that the New Zealand owned horses are being deliberately interfered with in races. Possibly this was suggested by the bad run First Aiore received in several races, but whether such was due to small courses, the luck of the running, or malicious riding, it was hard to say, and the three factors named may have each contributed a share. A. IMjctDoivald had another fall at the Gisborne meeting, which brought his total to sixteen since the Wanganui meeting last May. Despite the numerous tsipiilk, McDonald escaped serious injury, duo no doubt to the fact that Ini keeps himself very fit. Of course, luck, 100, must enter in the- ease.

What a wonder fill -record. Passin’ Througli has established over the difficult Rleeartoii -Steeplechase course! No other performer bias even approached the feat- of the- Taranaki-owned gelding. A readily clover fencer, Passin’ Through is just the so,it to. shine over such formidable obstacles. It looks any odds on Inis again playing <af prominent part iiij the steeplechases to be decided on the second and third days of the Grand National meeting. While Alaunga has blundered on all courses this season, lie ha S'- fenced well over .most difficult steeplechase fences since going to Rticea.rt-on. Admitting it is difficult, to. see this gelding win the Grand, National Steeplechase, it will be found that if he has the luck to negotiate the course, without meeting the bad luck that ha® dogged him this season, Alaunga, will prove very hard to beat at the Canterbury Jockey Club meeting. . Tuld. will be ridden in the Grand National Steeplechase by A. F. Ellis, and a,s; he is (reported to be at his very best, this gelding is one that cannot ; be discarded when big fences have to be

in mined. Another point an Tukiis far-, our will ho the firm course at Bieoarton, as past performanoes show that T'ukoi eroes ibest on. a. firm track. Last. season First Sight gave promise of developing into a good stake eainei, and i edging iby liis effort at the Christchurch Hunt €ll nh meeting held fast Saturday, lie is fast approaching Ins best- so ii.fc wiill not come as a surprise to find First Sight, racing prominently at the coming meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club. . When trained 'by It- Emerson last season, the imported Hoylakeon more than one occasion exhibited brilliancy to win races, but in some of Ins efforts there was & suspicion of his not doing his best. Hoy lake .is now trained by the ex-North Islander, T. Lloyd. _ who did so well with Biutharr. Lloyd is reported to have got Hoyfliake very well, and if this is ‘ correct the grey is one t. 0 remember for the Canterbury meet ing.