RACING

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10956, 19 July 1921, Page 8

RACING

FIXTURES. uly 21—South Canterbury Hunt Club uly 28 30 —Gisborne R.C. ilv 30—Christchurch Hunt Club. NOTES AND COMMENTS (By “Carbine.”) There are only three small meetings between now and the end of the season —South Canterbury Hunt, Gisboro* and Christchurch Hunt. 'The Wellington meaning just concluded one of tile most successful in the history of the club, and much of tho success was due to tho work of tile secretory- Ml A. IC. Whyte, and his assistant, Mr J. Griffiths. Visitors spoke in most complimentary, terms of tho management of the gathering. Referring to the recent decision that there shall in future bo a licensing committee of the Racing Conference, Sir George Clifford remarked that the decision paved the wav for the election of an executive committee which must be .looked to to oal'rv on the business of the conference. He indicated that he would be g)id of the existence of such a committee to exercise some of the powers now vested in him as president. The victory of Coalition in the Wellington Steeplechase draws attention to the rather remarkable success of the Messrs Riddiford in big events. They have won the most-coveted flat race in New Zealand, the New Zealand Cup, in which, as a fact, they pair, Menelaus and Johnny Walker, nan first and second. They have won the most? valuable flat race in the country—the Auckland Cun, with Mascot. And over the fences, Coalition has won for them the Grand National, the Great Northern, the Wellington, the Beaufort, and the Wanganui Steeplechases. H. McSweeney was the meet successful horseman at the Wellington meeting. He rode tlrreo winners (Coalition (2) and Alteration). P. Mc.Breatrty rode two winners, and those who saluted the judge once were A. J. MeFlinn, C. Emerson, A. McDonald, C. Stowe, F. Waddell,' E. Lowe. H. Burt, Andrews, A. Lord, S. Walls, and H. Brown.

At the present time there is no fitter horse racing than Coalition, and it is safe to siv he is one of the fittest ever produced on a New Zealand racecourse. It. was ntCntioned in this column yesterday that ho has now won tho four big New Zealand cross-coun-try events, but, wliat- is more remarkable is that he lias won the three biggest in the one racing season—the National, tho Northern, and the Wellington. - Luke does not look as if he will last long. Tho big fellow did not bear a very fit appearance at Wellington, and yet ho ran a good race in tho Steeples. Quietly ridden throughout, he was brought along at the finish with good judgment, hut <he condition was not there 'and liis attempt to cut down Coalition in the straight failed. Thirty-five horses have been• weighted for the Grand National Steeplechase, but it.seems like throwing money into the sea fb pay up for half Of them. The biggest cheque paid out for stakes at the Wellington meeting goes to Mr Eric Riddiford, owner of Coalition, and the amount is £1445. Next on the list is Mr Jervis George )Alteration) £I2OO, and others tiro Messrs W. K. Kemball £720, A. Acton Adams £6OO, F. Ross £530, E. Joyce £490, J. J. Corry £330, C. A. Gregory £260, D. J. Meredith £250. G. B. Starky £245, J. Bull £245, G. A. Lutterell £2lO, L. McKenzie £2lO, H. M. Campbell £2lO, and C. F. Valkunco £2OO.

The Wellington Steeplechase would have been a lot more interesting if Master Strbwanliad not run off and Sturdee had not fallen on the flat. The Sturdeb people wiere very confident, hut though their horse is a, great jumper and a very solid sort, he appeared to bo' tiring a little just before he fell, and the chances are the more seasoned Coalition would have accounted for him. It must be remembered that Coalition was not quite extended, even if Sturdee was capable of something , better than his stablemate who ran second, Coalition also was capable of evon better than he had to do.'