BUSY DAY ON TRACKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21561, 4 August 1933, Page 7

BUSY DAY ON TRACKS

INTERESTING JUMPING BILLY BOY DISAPPOINTS FINE DISPLAY BY THURINA [BY TELECRAm —OWN" CORRESPONDENT] CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday The semi-final gallops for the Grand National Meeting attracted a largo gathering of onlookers to Riccarton to-day. There was a large amount of galloping, mostly of the useful order only, but those visitors who expected to see some of the interesting schoolings which characterised the final work before previous Grand National programmes were somewhat disappointed. The main steeplechase country was available for use, and interest was aroused when Billy Boy (D. Burgess). Thurina (A. E. Ellis), Gay Jim (H. Turner), and High Pitch (J. Veevers), were paraded to essay a full round of- the course. The quartette jumped the first and second fences well, but before reaching the first of the kennels double it could be seen that Billy Boy had not forgotten his experience at the same obstacle last i'ear. He slowed up a good way before reaching it, and stopped as before.

The others jumped both fences safely, and Thurina continued over the sod wall clear of High Pitch and Gay Jim, who were together. Thurina made another good effort nt the formidable top brush, but High Pitch struck heavily and crashed. Gay Jim's allotted task was completed when this fence was crossed and he was pulled up. Thurina then had to complete tho task alone, finishing .up with a splendid jump over Cutts' brush. Refusal to Jump Fence Billy Boy twice refused to jump tho first of the double, but, as was the ca3e 12 months ago, he cleared both fences the reverse way, only to refuse again going back. He was then jumped over tho sod wall and cantered home. It will be remem bered that he lost hosts of supporters for the Grand National last year following a similar performance, his trouble then being confined to the one fence, which, however, ho cleared without any demur on race days. His showing to-day was therefore inclined to bo overlooked, but at the same time a big risk is again attached to his chance of getting round with the colours up.

Thurina gave an excellent display throughout, and 1 would have done better if ho had had any assistance from his companions.

Surprise was expressed when Ellis was seen in his sa.ddle, but as the result of a special medical examination ho was advised that the arm he broke last year was quite strong again, and Ellis decided to accept the mount on Thurina in „thc Grand National Steeplechase. He was aIBO approached to pilot Punchestown in the Grand National Hurdles, but declined, and his only mount at the meeting will bo Thurina over country. High Pitch jumped his first fences well, but made a poor attempt to master the big obstacle which brought him down. There is every indication that soreness seriously retards his jumping, and it would look as if ho were a forlorn hope as far as the Riccarton fences are concerned. Twc heavy falls in two schooling tasks must leave their effects. However, he is one of tha real hardy brigade, and after careering round - tho course following his fall, he was given a round of strong pace on one of the middle tracks. A Promising Novice Speakeasy (J. Walker) gave a masterly exhibition oyer a round of the same country, completing the circuit with » magnificent effort over "Cutts*. He is only a comparative novice, but gives every sign of developing into a, high-class steeplechaser. Dukta (G. Murfitt) started off as a mato for Speakeasy, but did not last long. He only scrambled over the first two fences and • then stopped at the first of the kennels double. He was eventually got over after several attempts, but dropped his rider on t)ie other side. He later scrambled over the second of the double and then over the eod wall, but ran off at the top brush and was brought home. King Comet (D. Burgess), Royal Limond (G. Murfitt) and Joie de Vol (H. Turner) set out to negotiate a round of the schooling hurdles, but tho last-named, after propping over the first two, stopped at the next three times before scrambling over. He also made a bungling attempt at tho last. King Comet gave another encouraging display, and had too much pace for Royal Limond. Fast Work on Flat

All fast work on the fiat was confined io the outside of the ' course proper; the going wa3 slightly holding and this combined with the weather, militated against fast times, especially from the half mile post home.

Southdown finished in front of Elude at the end of half a mile in 50 2-sa. Acceptable, with his trainer up, ran six furlongs in 1.20 2-5. Martian Chief, assisted by Top Rank, covered seven furlongs in 1.33. tho last half mile in 525. He allowed Top Rank to draw away from him rounding the bend and gave him a big start home, but finished on terms. The juvenile displays plenty of speed but does not stay on too well.

Haere Tonu narrowly beat Water Polo after reeling off half a mile in 51 4-ss. The former seems to do better on the track than in his races. Tout le Monde, assisted by The Masquerader. strode over seven furlongs in 1.35. Nightly and St. Joan covered six furlongs in 1.19 2-5. Tea Garden recorded 1.19 4-5 for a similar journey, and Chrysology followed in 1.19. Pharetra reeled off half a mile in 52 l-ss, and Liege Lord, joined by Meprisant in the straight, recorded similar time. Cottesmore was going much better than Strong Light and Chief Light at the end of seven furlongs taking 1.32 3-5. Cottesmore, who is exceptionally well, will be ridden by G. Ridgway in the Winter Cup. Silver Ring was restricted to a useful seven furlong gallop, occupying 1.34. Shatter and Polydora Cricket Bat and Drum Fire recorded 1.19 for six furlongs, finishing together. Fiat Lux and Bright Red ran five furlongs in 1.5 2-5. Ranelagh and Hurlingham covered the first three furlongs of a seven furlong gallop in 38s, but took 1.34 for the full journey. Hurlingham showed a little improvement. Errantry showed out in front of Sweet Agnes and Pharaoh after recording 1.5 3-5 for five furlongs. Dorian and Charmeuse strode over seven furlongs in 1.37. Half-mile tasks were executed by Sky Lass in 54 3-ss, Lady Zephyr in 535, Natural and Bright Shade in 535, Gustavo in 52 3-ss, and Fleeting Glance in 53s Silver Sight and Some Shamble ran six furlongs in 121, and Hounslow and Marquillo followed in 1.22 1-5. ... Shatter and Polydora were paired in an interesting gallop over seven furlongs, taking- 1.31 3-5, the last half mile in 53 2-ss. Polydora had a length's lead rounding the top but Shatter was practically on terms at the line. However. Polydora was going the easier. Cranford covered tho same ground ln ßamo, joined by Solwit .at five furlongs, galloped nine furlongs, the last mile taking i 46 3-5. Wise Choice and Jaloux were together throughout six furlongs, occupying 1 19 3-5 'The Ellerslie trainer A. J. Julian was on the tracks with Prince of Orange, who was exercised at half pace on the sand. J. Griffiths the well-known Hastings trainer, also put in an appearance with tho steeplechaser Kaokaoroa, owned by Miss M. J. Douglas, who was represented by» Maunga on the same trip two years ago. To-day's arrivals included Rasouli, Playground. Callamart, Omeo. Adventua Henry of Navarre, Normandy, Jen, Cylinder, Cyclonic, Bay Tree, Epigram, Luna Lux and Copey. RIDING ENGAGEMENTS JOCKEYS FOR RICCARTON Some of the riding engagements made for the opening day's programme of the Grand National meeting are as followsJ W. Jennings.—Chief Light, Strong Light. Some Shamble Grecian Prince. _ R. Beale.— Qumopal, Gold Knight, Huntle D. O'Connor.— Copey. Membo, A. Eastwood.— Liege Lord, Doiran, Spoon. M H Ut Tum£r.-Lady Valkyrie, Dan Russell. G. Humphries.—Silver Ring. Charmeuse, Nicrhtly. JDrncula. __ A. E. Ellis.—Thurina. Imitator, Merry Peel L." J. Ellis.— Ranelagh. Hurlingham, Silvox. _ , , M. Kirwan.— Polydora J Veevers.—Rational 11. J. Sheehan.—Monb Queen. D Burgess.—Billy Boy, King Comet. W. Pascoe.—Hounslow. K Voitre.— Foreign Queen, ftormanby. B." H. Morris.—Martian Chief, Croupier, Top Rank. . L. G. Morris.—Shatter. C. Thomson.—Rasouli, Callamart.