GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18772, 28 July 1924, Page 4

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING

WORK AT RICCARTON. fur TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESrONnENT.] CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. Rain oarly in the week left the Riccarton tr&ckß very soft, and several heavy frosts sines then have assisted to keep them frosh improving much, with the result that training operations have been affected. Oakleigh and Royal Fame have been restricted to useful tasks since their arrival from Auckland, pending the arrival of their trainer, 0. W. Coleman, with Silverton. Given favourable conditions these three horses will be moving along a bit faster very, soon.:".

The Auckland-owned gelding Boomerday haas not done much fast work hero, but he has made a good impression on the track watchers. ' The Wairarapa trainer, W. Garrett, has Sir Roseberry and Weeta looking very well. Sir Roseberry is held -to be a good G-rand Notional prospect if he can jump the country; bo he will be closely scrutinised whenhe is schooled for the first time.

The Hawke'a Bay hurdler Maunga looks in Eood order. Ho is one of tho much-ialked-of horses. C. Christie is giving Lochella end Cartoon useful work. The former must have a chance in the Grand National judging from his Trentham display.

Car&wock jumped a few of the steeplechase fences on Thursday, but his display wan not altogether attractive. The Wingatui trainer, E. J. Ellis, has a team of six horses at Riccarton. They are Pamplona. Palenna, and Galway (all of them in the Grand National Steeplechase), also Ravenna (a Winter Cup candidate), and Cassells and Adjutor. They all look in good condition to tackle their final gallops. Master Peter showed improved form When he wonthe Waimate Steeplechase, and now loohd bb if he might get some moro money before tho end of the Grand National Meeting. When the Wingatui trainer, P. Shaw, .returned home after tho Wellington meeting ha left Promptu here, and he is being exercised under th% care of his owner. Shaw will take him in band again when lie arrives for the Grand National Meeting. Songbird ia reported to be going on well under P. T. Hogan's care in South Canterbury. He is engaged in a sprint race at the Grand National Meeting, and though not ready yet it will be interesting to see how he shapes after his lengthy rest from racing. THE WELLINGTON HORSES. Tny TELEGHAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.} WELLINGTON, Saturday/ The Trentham tracks have been to such a heavy state of late that some of the horses which ar-a duo to raco at tho Grand National Meeting may be W little backward,, Dick, who is the only Trentham-trained horse which ia to contest the Grand National Steeplechase has gone on well in his preparation. He has done a good deal ot solid work in the last fortnight, and has schooled satisfactorily. He jumps well, and is a good stayer, but is so small that he is no good under anything but light-weights. Horses have been steadily passing through here on the way to Riccarton for the Grand Nationals. The latest one to' go through was Lochson, whose condition was a matter of favourable comment "with those who saw him on the wharf. Lochson is very well faceted in Wellington on tho scons of his Irentham running, but to be candid one car, hardly recommend him with confidence on what he showed hore. Nukumai ia understood to have done well sinci? his double victory at the Wellington meeting. He will be ridden at Riccarton by W. Bowden.

WEIGHTS FOR MINOR RACES. fBT TBLEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday. The following weights have been declared for eivemts to bo deoided on tho opening day of the Grand National meeting:— TRIAL HURDLES; 1J miles,—lncome, 12.2; Royal, Star, 11.2; Merry Singer' U.l; Tenterfield, 10.13: Silver King, 30.10; "Santiago, 10,7; Le Forte. 9.11; Demand. 9.10; Athens 11., 9.9; Bonibrook. 9.8; Goldpiece, 9.6; Vindictive, 9.3; Agnofa, Royal. Fame, Clicquot, h ort Regal, Radiac, Crown Coin, 9.0. JUMPERS' FLAT HANDICAP, li milea. —Booinerday, Vagabond, 10.13; Tinokaha. Nukumai, 10.9; Lochson, ,10.e; Omaliu Gamecock, 10.5; Merry Singer, 9.13; Passin' Through, 9.12; Demand. 9.11; Maunga Santiago, 9.9; Sir Rosebcrry. 9.8; Blue Socks 9.7 r Birkenella, d.ti; Bonibrook, 9,8; Captain Penury Rose, Athens 11., Goldpioce, Lmolxsood, Royal Fame. Petunia. Hiero Cartoon, 9.0. ENFIELD STEEPLECHASE; about 2 milesi.—Carawook, 12.11: Galway. IL.S; Fire-'i bhKht. Oro Ore. 11.0: Kovno, 10.13: CasseUs. 10.6: Rod Sol, Charlatan, 9.13; Sherlock, Pry. Ruddy Gold, Stratbglass. 9.7; Blue Hall, 9.3; Kauwhero, Blue Streak Kismet, 3.0, : AVONHEAD HANDICAP; 7 fur—The Polyisiman, 10.11: -Kukume. 10.5 v Kilfaire, Btar Ranger. 10-3 i .Tussore, Tiff, 10.2; Kuh;io, 10.1; Enare, lO.t); Sartiat, King Sol, IncUirsio, Barn Owl, 9:13 • Ruby Rinsr, 9.1 i: Prompter, 9.10; Mountain Signal, 9.<J; Mies Minerva, 9.8; Bonatis. 9.5; Warseer, 9.3: Lady Gay, 9.2; Gluemont, Waiata, Red Cherry, Bonomel, Heraldry, Votist, Sunny Mac, Brown Lady, 9.0. 'I'M, handicaps tor Hunters' Hmdlea have been deferred until after the Hunt Qlub Meeting, and will appear on August 4.