SPORTING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17859, 3 August 1918, Page 12

SPORTING.

NEWS AND NOTES. Acceptances for the Grand National Steeplechase, Grand National Hurdle Handicap and Winter Cup, and nominations for minor events at the Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting were to have closed last night, but owing to telegraph interruptions »the time has been extended till noon to-day. Coalition, Sardinia, Fisher and Bedford arrived from the north yesterday to fulfil engagements at the Grand National meeting. v The steeplechase mare Nita has arrived at Riccarton, where she has joined A. J. Shearsby's team. The recent track work of Kino; Starhas not been of a specially brilliant character, and remarks are frequently heard that lie is not likely to repeat the surprise victory for which he was responsible in the Winter Cup last year. Ho did nothing sensational on the tracks prior to that success, however, and it is in his favour that ho can usually be relied on to race well at Riccarton. When he won the Winter Cup a. year a,co he was ridden bv W. BbU, who thoroughly understands the Martian eeldinrr. and it is understood that lie will again be in the saddle at the approaching fixture. All Over created a favourable impression by the manner ih which he got tw the end of a gallop over seven furlongs on Thursday, and he must be sxiven consideration when the Winter Cup is under discussion. Sir Fisher went well in a sprinting task on Thursday, in company with Volo, who represents prettv wood class for a hurdler to take on over six furlongs- Sir Fisher is thoroughly seasoned for the Grand National Hurdle Handicap, but he is set a more difficult task than was the case last vear, \vlign he finished third to Sleight of Hand and Sir Solo. The Southland trainer. P. T. Hogan, is keeping Zarkoma busy, find he. will not lack condition when lie steps out for tho Grand National Steeplechase. He has been schooled twice this week, his respective companions beinjr Yellow and Black and Waimai. and on each occasion lie fenced in attractive style. On Trentham running he is not worth serious consideration, but it is safe to say that he did not show his true' form in the Wellington Steeplechase. Waimai lost a lot of his admirers last Saturday, when he cut up badly in a turn over the steeplechase fences, but ho gavo a greatly improved showing on Thursday, with the result that ho is again in favour for the Grand National Steeplechase, a race he won two years ago.

Sleight of Hand still carries evidence of the troublo he got into while be|in|g railed from- Lyttelton to Sockburn, on his arrival from the North Island. Ho is on tho improve, however, and his mile gallop on Thursday showed that he may havo to be seriously reckoned with in the Grand National Hurdle Handicap.

Collector continues to show signs of soreness, but his trainer, J. Fryer, does not regard the trouble seriously, as the Conqueror gelding is subject to attacks of this a nature, though they do hot affect his racing.

Hiero is said to be a sure starter in the Winter Cup, in which, ho will bo ridden by A. J. M'Flinn. Tho Hierarch gelding will havo to improve a lot on his recent form, as ho has cost his admirers a lot of money during tho last few weeks, when competing in company not quito up t» the best Winter Cup standard. Tho Porirua trainer. J. H. Prosser. will not have any representatives at the Grand National meeting. It is not often that the veteran trainer misses an important fixture at Biccarton. but he appears to have a very weak team at present.

Among the horses who were sprinted over half-miles at Riccarton on Thursday were Almoner, Ileathercoto and Scornful. Being only three-year-olds they are eligible to raco ap the Grand National meeting, but this trio of chestnuts have only to ,r?o on right during the next few weeks and they will be freely discussed in connection with the season's three-year-old events- In tho meantime they appear to be progressing favourably in their work. An important step is under contemplation by the Wanganui Jockey Club ' —the purchase of a freehold course in the suburban area of the town. Men-

tion of this step was made at th 0 annual meeting of the club by the president, Mr Ewan Campbell. Ho said that tho club, in the, interests of racing, contemplated removing from the present course to somo other site outside of Wanganui. There wore many reasons why such a step _ should betaken, ho said, but negotiations were not sufficiently advanced to permit of tho matter being discussed at the present stage. The whole position would be placed before members later on, when negotiations were completed.

A BETTING CASE. ( [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, August 2. At tho Police Court to-day, Isaac Henry Curtis was .fined £4O and icosts for keeping a common gaming house. Defendant pleaded guilty.