GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2372, 17 August 1899, Page 36

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

By M. Quad. CHRISTCHURCH, August 15. The Canterbury Jockey Club's Grand National meeting -was held in fine though- cold weather, but the rain of the previous night had made the course somewhat heavy. Though rain threatened all day, it held off until the last race had been decided, and it is now falling heavily. The attendance was about equal to that of the past few years, the Governor and suite being present. The sum of £11,634 was passed through the totalisatorst as against £11,171 for the corresponding day last year. Pomellion had to put up 61b penalty to obtain the services of King, and the eon of Artillery and Claret went out favourite. However, after holding a good position for twothirds of the journey Pomellion dropped bacic beaten, and Irish Twist, ridden by Mr M Rae, running on well within himself, though jumping none too cleanly, won easily from Tha Skipper, who is a half brother to Gillie. Roller, by Dreadnought— Roll Call, was in. most demand for the Maiden Hunters' Hurdlo Race, and, holding a leading position throughout, won comfortably from Popgun. Lord Stansbury was going capitally when he feil six furlongs from home, but with the exception, of Full Charge, who finished third, none of the others were dangerous during the lattor stages of the journey. Jupiter jumped away from a fairly equitable start in the Winter Cup, and earned on the running from 23en.zoin and Ben Farley until half way down the straight, where he went back to his field, Ngapara shooting out, and appearing likely to run borne. No sooner had her name 'been, shouted than Jupiter ranged alongside her, when she shut lip like an oyster, .and dropp?d back behind Benzoin. Coming on fillip of running, the Dunedin horse finished a baza two lengths in front of Benzoin. Malatus, who came very fast in the last 100 yards, was a third of a length in front of Huku. Female Franchise was last. Jupiter paid £14 12-.. His form probably entitles his Cup prospects to some respect. Huku was the only withdrawal from the Grand National Steeplechase, for which Dummy was sent out a well marked favourite. The race was run "at a fairly strong pace throughout. Blackberry was the first to reach the brushed hurdle in the straight, and going on to the stand double, he led Morag, Ruby, and Muscatel, Powder Monkey and Dummy in the rear. Going out of the straight Te Kooti ran off, and jumped the rail fencing the entrance to the course, and took no further part in the race. At Cutts's fence Morag had pulled to the fore, Ruby and Venture being his nearest attendants, Blackberry leading tha remainder of the field, Dummy last, just behind Powder Monkey. Morag showed the way over the next two walls, at the latter of -which Ruby refused. Over the double at the kennels, on to the big sod wall and post and rails, Morag still showed the wny from Venture, and Blackberry, Tally-ho, and Muscatel some six lengths away, and Powdei Monkey and Dummy still whipping in. Running tip ihe straight over the brush to the stand double, the Napier horse was closely pressed by Venture, with Blackberry next, and Muscatel and Tally-ho going well a few lengths in front of Powder Monkey and Dummy. Going on to Cutts's fence Venture was a couple of lengths in front of Morag, after whom came Blackberry, with Dummy going up fast. Morng was again in front after jumping the two obstacles at the back of the latter, at which Powder Monkey fell, but with the double behind them, Blackberry went to the front and cleared the sod wall, where Tally-ho stopped, two lengths in front of Morag, a similar distance separting Venture, who was next, from Dummy. The latter made a great effort to overhaul the leaders, swung round the top, and over the post and rails, but without success, and Blackberry landed in the straight well in advance of Morag and Venture, -with Dummy and Muscatel next. Once over the last obstacle, Blackberry shook off his opponents, and. ran homo a winner by a bare three lenghts from Morag, ■with Venture, who finished strongly, half a length away third. Dummy was fourth, and Muscatel fifth. Williams, the rider of Morag, had the misfortune to come down heavily on the pommel of his saddle when his mount jumped the sod wall, and he was bo bad when he returned that ho had to be lifted from his horse, and did not weigh in. He was immediately medically attended to. After some time he was removed on the ambulance stretcher. Had it not been for his painful accident "Williams might have got his mount nearer the winner as he finished fresh and well. Williams rode a, plucky race home, under the circumstances. Blackberry -is a well-bred horse, being out of Douglas's dam, by Gladiator, and he jumped cleanly and well, never putting a foot wrong, and the same may hp said of Morag, Dummy, Muscatel, and Venture. Powder Monkey's display was most disappointing, as also was that of Ruby. The Tally-ho Plate was a gift to Crocus, only the Auckland horse Natation getting near her the whole journey. Barnardo was selected as a good thing for the Enfield Steeplechase, but he tailed off from the start, whilst St. 'Hiko and Schnapps took up the running. Tbis pair led alternately from Huntingdon and Dundonald, the last named going to the front at the top of the straight, and iacing away from Schnapps and St. Hiko, the latter of whom was beaten, v.-ent on and won easily from Schnapps, who defeated Huntingdon by three lengths for second position, with St. Hiko a. poor fourth. Dugald, who carried 71b extra for his South. Cantaibury success last week, fell, at the double in front of the stand. Boccaccio, the favourite for the Woolston Plate, caught Bizarre and Wedlock 50 yards from home, and won a capital contest by a length. The winner was aolcl to Mr V. Harris for £45. Cameo easily annexed the Ladies' Bracelet from Golden Legend, who ■made nearly all tho running, Mr N. M'Raa thus piloting his third mount to victory, two of whom were owned by Mr J. D. Hall. Cameo is a four-y<=ar-old son of Medallion and Misa Webster, for whom Derrett, his breeder, accepted £23 not long ago. Several bookmakers were asked to leave the ground, one being somewhat roughly handled ' when he objected.