RICCARTON TRACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22490, 6 August 1936, Page 9

RICCARTON TRACK

SOME GOOD SCHOOLING DIAMOND PERFORMS WELL ROYAL LIMOND ALSO PLEASES [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] CHRISTCHURCII, Wednesday J. lie promise of somo schooling over the steeplechase course attracted a largo assemblage at Riccarton to-da.v, and all were treated to a most interesting programme. It has not often happened that six Grand National Steeplechase candidates have boon seen out in a schooling task together, but today Rovnl Limond (1?. Beale), Punchestown (H. Turner), Thurina (w! Bowden), Pahu (G. Ridgway), Manawatu (A. McDonald) and Diamond (K. Smith) were associated over a round of the course. Starting off at the nine furlongs post at the entrance to the back stretch Diamond immediately took up the role of pace-maker, and when the kennels doublo was approached he led from Manawatu, Punchestown and Royal Limond, with Thurina and Pahu tailing off together. Manawatu made a faulty j ump at the first of the doublo and went back.

Impressive Display Rounding tho top Diamond was clear of Royal Limond, with another short gap to Punchestown, while Pahu and I hurina wore still well back. There was no change on entering the straight and they carried on in this order to the last obstacle, Cutts' brush. Diamond landed about eight lengths in front of Royal Limond, who was three lengths clear of Punchestown and Manawatu. Pahu, finishing on, hit the fence hard with his knees, and Ridgway was thrown out of the saddle. Thurina, who had drifted to the rear two furlongs from home, was some lengths away. Diamond gave a most impressive display throughout and the fences did not seem to cause him any trouble. Royal Limond was doing his best work over the last half-mile, and it appeared as if ho woidd have gathered in the leader with a little further to £O- - went well, his only mistake being when he struck the big brush at tho top of tho straight with his knees, which steadied him for a while. He completed his work satisfactorily, but on the day's trial he cannot be considered likely to faro any better with the pair in front of him in next week's event.

Pahu's Rider Falls Manawatu lost a good deal of ground when ho hit the first of the kennels double and after that he jumped a little too extravagantly. Pahu appeared to be settling down to work when he tried to push through the formidable Cutt.s' and, although he did not fall, he stopped to a walk on landing. His rider fell heavily on his head and was unconscious for a while, but after attention in the trainer's room he was able to walk off the course. Thurina, who carried close on 12.0, evidently was not sent out with the idea of disputing matters with his more seasoned mates, as he was allowed to make his own pace. At the same time he was becoming distressed when the last fence was reached. He pulled up and walked away without any outward sign of trouble, but in the face of his display he cannot be considered a National possibility. Bandy Boa (V. Langford) and Money Mine (j. Morton) were companions over a round of the country. Although both are on tho small side they mastered the big obstacles without trouble, but at hunting pace only. Streamline (Turner) and Jolly Beggar (Beale) gave faultless displays over six hurdles, finishing together in fast time. Streamline's work was especially pleasing. Havering (N. Trillo) went with them over four fences, his showing being marred by a poor attempt at the third fence, which sent him to the rear, and he was well back at the end of his assignment. Polydora's Dash Battleground (S. Wright) jumped six hurdles well, but he was not asked to put on much pace. He is to start in tho Trial Hurdles on Tuesday. Polydora was responsible for a dashing exhibition over, six hurdles, equalling the time recorded by Streamline and Jolly Beggar. There is no doubt about her ability and if she repeats her track essavs next week she should be profitable to follow. Polydora was ridden by E. Deslandes, owing to Ridgway's mishap. . L. G. Morris, with Clarion Call, ii. Knapp, with Forest Glow and Tail Light, and J. Griffith, with Kaokaoroa. arrived to-day. The Riccarton tracks have dried up remarkably well and spring-like conditions to-day removed all traces of last week's visitation. On the trial grass, which was covered in snow on Saturday and Sunday, and was m a frozen state on Monday, horses were able to gallop half-miles yesterday in 50s, while to-day horses using the course proper failed to make any impression on the surface. Ihere is no doubt that with a continuation ot the present favourable conditions the going for next Tuesday will be as fast as that usually experienced at an autumn meeting.

NOTES FROM EVERYWHERE TRACK AND STABLE GOSSIP Trentham opinion is strongly in favour of Diamond and Billy Boy for the Grand National Steeplechase. Youssipof's education as a hurdler is being continued at Trentham, but by present appearances he will require some making. ____ Although it is not intended that lie shall race again, Croupier is being kept in regular exercise with other members of T."K. George's team. In England up to June 12, Swynforc* mares had the best record as the dams of winners. Seventeen had thrown winners of 20 races, of a total value of £15,549. Buchan and Gainsborough mares were next, with £13,651 and £i:i,43f> respectively. Hurry On mares did well; 1G were represented by 17 winners of 22 races, but their earnings aggregated only £6905. Legislation and other conditions affecting racing in France have induced many owners to send their horses to England. Mr. C. Wertheimer is sending nearly all his 19.'J6 yearlings to be trained by E. Hartigan. W. R._ Johnstone, the former Australian jockoy, holds a retainer from this owner, _so it is probable he will do some riding in England next year. The imported horse, Plymouth Sound, who was bought by Messrs. E. L. Bn ill ion, W. S. Robinson and W. Clark for 250 guineas, has been taken out of the Caulfield Cup and all his V.R.C. spring engagements, says the Sydney Referee. Apparently, the son of Coronach and Plymstoek, a four-year-old by English time, is unsound. Last year he won the Royal Standard Stakes, of £2882, one mile, at the Manchester June meeting, and in his last race of the year he was beaten a short head by Emborough in the Liverpool Autumn Cup.