LATEST TRACK NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20640, 12 August 1930, Page 7

LATEST TRACK NEWS.

OMEO AND MATU. BOTH ON COURSE YESTERDAY. HOPES OF STARTING TO-DAY. [BY- TET/EGR.VPII.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH. Monday. The Grand National Steeplechase candidates Matu and Omeo, who developed trouble during the week-end, were both produced on the tracks nt Riccarton to-day. Matu, with n. Gray in tho saddle, was given some strong work with a half-mile sprint home. He displayed signs of soreness behind, but with the further improvement likely to be effected by to-morrow ho can bo regarded as a certain starter in the Notional Steeplechase. Omoo was a late arrival and, ridden by L. Jarvis, was given a couple of rounds trotting and cantering on tho middle track. His injured leg was heavily bandaged and ho appeared to be saving it when working, but his connections were pleased with tho progress toward recovery and were hopeful of producing him to-morrow. Aurora Borealis' Rider. Overnight rain made tho track conditions at Riccarton to-day worse than at any timo during the recent wot period, but this did not preclude trainors from working .their horses. Tho outside of the trial grass wan open for galloping and although providing heavy going was made full use of. Sprints along the back and from the half-mile homo wore the most popular for those requiring fast work, but the' majority of tho horses were restricted to long, steady exerciso. There was a limited amount of jumping and most interest was evinced in Aurora Borealis, who, in company with Diana's Lad (A. Jenkins), jumped eight of tho schooling steeplechase fences. Tho National candidate gave her usual attractive display and afterwards covered a circuit on tho sand at a strong paco. She was ridden by K. Robinson, who will again bo in tho saddle to-morrow. Diana's Lad ran off at the second of the double the first time.. but was othorwiee responsible for an encouraging taek and was going as well as Aurora Borealis over the finishing stages. Akbar (K. Robinson), a stable companion of Aurora Borealis. and Bladon (R. McSeveny), jumped four hurdles, Akbar giving a promising display. Black Mint'fi Gallop. Charlatan (E. Shaw) created a favourable impression by the manner in which he negotiated two rounds of the country. He made light work of each fence and showed a decided return of his old form. Deluge (A. Jenkinß) was sont over two hurdles, which he cleared at a fast pace. Paris (G. Dempster) executed a like task satisfactorily and Taramoa. with the same horseman, jumped three of tho steeplechase fences in a pleasing manner. Double Soult (A. S. Ellis) showed his ability in completing a round of the country. This gelding is an ideal steeplechaser, but unfortunately unsoundness haß kept him in the background. Black Mint put in an appearance and was associated with Fortalice and Smithereens in a half-mile gallop, beating .the West Coasters comfortably. The big gelding is credited with making marked improvement lately and has Bhown more ability to begin quickly than has previously been the case with him. Staghunter and Best Friend. Staghunter and Best Friend were responsible for a smart effort over six furlongs, registering 1.2! 3-5, the last half in 51 S-ss. Both strode out freely in the soft going.

The Woodville trainer H. E. Russell was out with Blimp and Adventus, and both wore sont n strong six furlongs. Adventus. a winner at the recent Manawatu meeting, is not engaged to-morrow.

Dfsrnnk (K. Robinson) essayed to jump a round of tho hurdles, but after crawling over the first and then refusing to negotiate it at the second attempt ho was not further persevered with. Disrank won two hurdle races at the recent Manawatu meeting. but evidently the fences he then encountered were not as formidable. Lord Ranald and Wharnclifle were allotted strong work on the sand. Up to. to-day a rider had not* been definitely engaged for Wharncliffe in to-morrow's steeplechase. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. THE SPRING HANDICAPS. NEW ZEALAND HOPxSES FANCIED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Monday. Sydney papers by the Tahiti which arrived to-day show that First Sight has boon backed for tho Epsom Handicap and Paquito for the Metropolitan in doubles amounting to £16,000, all stable commissions. First Sight's price for tho milo has shortened 50 per cent. First Right was also coupled with Glaro for £12,000. Waterline is also finding favour for the Metropolitan since his victory in the Malakoff Stakes at Caulfiold. and has been substantially supported in doubles with Mollison. Paquito is now one of tho first-line horse 3in Metropolitan Quotations, tho other three being Carradale, Glaro and In tho Shade. The Sydney Morning Herald, referring to In tho Shade's win at Warwick Farm on August 2, says that notwithstanding that he did his job nicely and will as a result hold his place in tho spring market, there was nothing striking about tho victory, for the field was not only weak, but also was small. The backing for Jamieson's horse camo in tho last few minutes and ho disputed favouritism with two others. At Moorofield last Monday Mithra was backed to repeat In the Shade's performance, but she failed to do better than fifth. According to reports she could not have won, but she was not assisted by Voitro attempting to got her up on the rails alone tho buck He wns forced back at tho three furlongs and then was compelled to make his final run. nfter oil, on tho outside. The comment concludes with tho statement that Mithra will need to show somo improvement before sho warrants tho same support.

Tom Pinch in the Caulfield Cup. with Nightmnrch in the Melbourno Cup, is in request in Melbourne and Sydnoy, but it is not stated so far as tho Riccarton horse is concerned whether it is stablo backing.

DEARTH OF GOOD JUMPERS. MORE ENCOURAGEMENT NEEDED. In tho course of his presidential address at tho annual meeting of members of tho Auckland Racing Club yesterday Sir Edwin Mitchelson, in commenting on laHt season's racing, said that ono regrettable feature to which ho felt he must refer wae the apparent deterioration in the number as well as class of jumping hoisos' throughout tho Dominion. This was particularly noticcublo during tho winter, the horses not being up to tho usual standard, and it should bo tho care of all racing clubs to boo that more encouragement was given to his class, olherwiso hurdlo racing and steoplecharfing would become less and IeSB popular and probably cause a certain loss of interest in the eport. The Auckland District Committee had thought it desirable to take up this matter, and had circularised all clubs in tho district with a view to their putting on a jumping race each day of their meetings to encourage owners to train their horses for this class of sport, and also give increased opportunity to hurdlo horstv 'men to become moro proficient in their calling and be in a position to augment their earnings.