RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20332, 13 August 1929, Page 7

RACING.

fTHE GKANI) NATIONALS.

OPENING DAY'S SPORT.

REVIEW OF THE FIELDS.

KEEN CONTESTS ANTICIPATED

[DY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COimESrONDENT.]

CHRISTCIIURCH, Monday.

Fine weather was experienced to-day and thoro l# evety indication of a coniinuauce for tho opening of the Grand National meeting to-morrow. The track bus made a splendid recovery from the recent wet weather and the going can bo depended upon to be unusually fast for a winter programme. With Gay Jim an unlikely starter in the Hunters' Hurdles investors will havo difficulty in Cnding. a favourite. Birkbcck is a probable starter and his schooling essays at Riccartou lust week suggest liis possibilities. Birkbcck, Barrington and Democratic ma.v bo tho best supported. The Trial Hurdles lias not drawn tho usual largo Held, but some promising hurdlers are cardod. Amorist ha? tho best credentials and it is safe to suggest that he is a lictlef horse now than when he won nt, "YVinsntui and Trentham. Carintbia would be better favoured on a eoft track, but will still be in demand. Gala Day drew attention to lu3 prospects by a fast display last week and will be prominent throughout. Fine Acre is a speedy jumper, but is not fancied in this company. The public will probably back Amorist Gala Day iud Thurnbell in that, order.

A3 in previous years tho Cashmere Pinto nets the public nn intricate task and a wido range of betting is likely. Bonroso will probably be sent out favourite, but Honeycomb, Leader. Desert. Sons, Grand Sons.'. Great Lady, Captivate and Pat's Boy v.-ill have a strong following. Much will depend on the luck of tho draw.

Much interest will "be evinced in tho Jumpers' Flat field, containing os it t'oea several well-faniied candidates for the Grand National liurdlo Race It i 3 hard at this slags to suggest tho ultimate favourite. A trio likely to command most attention comprises Overhaul, Horomea and Novtvr. The Grand National Steeplechase ia ex-

pected to provirlo a bet.er race than tho numbers suggest. Maunga is nn unlikely starter, while Kangi Sarto docs not show

promise of causing trouble. Racegoers expect to sea a stirring contest between Kawini, Wiltshire and Lord Panald.

There is not a great deal to say in favour of those carded for the Enfield Steeplechase. Birkbeck will most likely not bo reserved and in his absence his stable-mate Alaric, lacing in tho an mo ownership, will be strongly supported. Dubious and Handy may run well. It is not often that such a good field is paraded as will face tho starter in the Winter Cup. With good recent form on the part of the majority of tho candidates and the interesting winding-up gallops executed by soveral of iho well-fsucied division speculators have a difficult problem. The nßto-post favourites have all completed a most aatisfactory preparation, the only exception being King Balboa, who has not dona well since racing nt the recent Hunt meeting at Piccarton. There will be a keen contest for favouritism between Historic, Royal Saxon, Black Duke, Otari, Kaiti, Gold Cure, Taboo and the Black Mint-Royal Game bracket. Gold Cure, Black Duke, Kaiti and Taboo may ultimately bo the boat backed. Tho concluding event, the Avonhc-ad Handicap, will provide another eloso contest, and again investments will bo well distributed. Ped Boa, Roi Do Val and Shortly •hould run well.

TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME.

GOOD 'FIELDS ENGAGED.

The following is a list of tho acceptances for to-day's events: HUNTERS' HURDLE RACE. Of £250; 11 miles. •st. lb. st. lb. Gay Jim ... 10 13 Diamond Jack 9 0 Birkbeck' ... 10 2 Royal Despatch 0 0 Grand National 913 Whiffler ... 9 0 Mime .... 911 Barrington ..90 Democratic ..90 TRIAL HURDLES. Of £300; 12 miles. st. lb. st. lb. Amorist, . , .10 11 Apache .... 9 5 Carinthia . . .10 11 Abisogr.e ... 9 3 Gala Day ... 10 1 Scion ..... 91 Thurnbell .. . tO 1 Aurora Borealis 9 0 Fino Acre ... 9 13 Antrim Boy ..90 CASHMERE PLATE. Of £-50; G fur. , st. lb. £t. lb. Bonrose . . .. 911 Great Lady . 9 0 Danthonia ... 911 Jnleui .... 9 0 The Dove . .9 11 Innisfrce ... 9 0 Honeycomb 911 Leader .... 9 0 Knte Kelly . . 911 Painting ... 9 0 Solgelo .... 911 Pat's Boy ... 9 0 Punchestown . 911 Quick Plungo 9 0 Academy ... 9 0 Ranchgh ..90 Air Laddie ..90 Revision ... 9 0 Captivate ... 9 0 Stately .... 9 0 Desert Sofig . 9 O Storm Raid . 9 0 Grand Sotig . 9 0 Swiftray ... 9 0 JUMPERS' FLAT HANDICAP. Of £250; 1{ miles. at. lb. st. lb. Nllkumaj ... 11 9 Perlc de Leon 9 7 Overhaul ... 10 fi Red Fuchsia . 9 G Chickwheat . . 913 Atareria ... 9 2 Locarno . . 912 Fine Aero ..90 Novo r 9 12 Elysionor ... 9 0 Aberfcldy . . , 911 Troilus .... 9 0 Horomea .... 9 10 Brightling ... 9 0 Lancer 9 10 GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE. Of £ICOO; 3J miles, st. lb. Kawini .... 10 13 Matu 9 5 Wiltshire ... 10 9 Fabriano ... 9 2 King's Guard .10 3 Rangi Sarlo . 9 0 Maunga .... 911 Lord Ranald . 9 0 ENFIELD STEEPLES. Of £250; 2 miles. st. lb. st. lb. Dubious ... 10 13 Handy .... 910 Alaric . . , .10 6 Kaikahu ... 9 8 Birkbeck , . . 10 3 Silver Light . 9 0 Bon Aiyflfl . . 9 10 WINTER CUP. Of £750; 1 mile. st. lb. «t- llj - Historic. ... 10 <1 Vesperus ..92 Royal Saxon .10 3 Taboo ... 9 2 Black Duke .10 3 Zippor ... 9 1 Otairi .... 911 Maui .... 9 0 King Baiboa . 9 10 Town Bank . 9 0 Kaiti .... 9 9 Overdrawn ..90 Gay Sonnet .99 Tchcka .... 90 Gold CV.r* ..99 Prickles ... 9 0 Black Mint ..93 First Raid ..90 Full Feather . 9 3 Royal Game . U 0 AVONHEAD HANDICAP. Of £250; 7 fur. st. lb. st. lb. Memho . '. .10 10 Marsham ..92 Roi De Val . 10 9 The Viscount . 9 1 Shortly ... 10 5 Dtimblano ..91 Sweet Refrain 10 4 Moy Hall ~90 Red Boa ./ . .10 1 Royal Flower . 9 0 Filosol .... 913 Otauru Lass . 9 0 Phastar .... 9 8 Wriglcy ... 9 0 Grand Acre . 9 7 Morian ... 9 0 Ilounslow ... 9 7 Dundalk ... 9 0