TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2525, 6 August 1902, Page 46

TALK OF THE DAY.

Bt Sentixbi.

THE C.J.C. GRAND NATIONAL

MEETING. '■When one glances at the class of horses claiming engagement in" the principal events to be decided at the Canterbury Jockey Club's Grand National meeting, which commences next week, it looks on paper to be wikely' to furnish one- o§ the best National meeting* ever held bjr" the- club. The fields 'are strong', both numerically aud in point of quality, *nd, judging by the variety of ( the selection made by punters in choosing doubles, the probable winners are not easy -to find. In the National Steeples and -Hurdles the combinations backed indicate thai should a fair percentage of those at remaining in those races see the (post they should furnish excellent betting xaces from a- straight-out point of view. In 'the Steeples the six top-weights have all accorded solid support in doubles, and dn addition to them Roller, Straybird, ■Swimmer, Haydn, and Huku have all been ,well backed in doubles. So that, leaving ■Pipi, Dochade, Rowlock, and the balance of ■the field out of the question, this year's Steeplechase should b& well worth a journey *o witness. Of those engaged in the race Huku appears to be inclined to take a dislike to the big fences in his schooling, and there is a probability that in endeavouring to make him a cross-country horse they may spoil a first-class hurdler. It will not be the first time that the substance has been dropped to have a grab at the shadow, with the usual amount of success experienced in 'such a case. Of those who figure in the 10.0 division, Pipi may be found one of the most reliable, aa I believe him to be a ibetter horce to-day than he has ever been. .There ia no doubting his jumping abilities, and he con muster up a fair amount of pace between his fences. Shylock has always a good outsider's chance, and good accounts teach me of Smithy. Last year Rowlock • Won a host of admirers when racing in the imnter class, and what he has this year displayed/ has found him supporters in the National Steeples. Straybird's form suggests that the journey is beyond his tether, and to take one out of the lot of those who figure in the 10.0 division I would name Roller. Last year Roller was turned out in rare order, and if he goes to the post this year as fit aa ha was last he shouid Ivke a rower of beatina ia the race. He was travelling re-

' markably well until crossing the Kennels double the last time, but these obstacles he struck heavily and stopped the run he wu putting in. at the time. At the same double The Guard appeared to be hopelessly out of it, and. Ilia position at the finish was the sur- | prise of the race. Moif»a was running a ; great horse until he ran off. He has last I some of the great name which earned him. the 13.6 he carried in the race, but latest accounts of the Natator gelding rpad as if he will be a hard nut to crack in the race. Passing Huku and Haydn over, the winner appears to be fairly well hidden amongst the half dozen who figure at the top of the handicap and Boiler, and in an endeavour to anticipate the judge's verdict this day week I place them : The Guard. Cannongate Moifaa. In the Grand National Hurdles, several of those claim engageme-nts who also figure in the Steeple*; but it is extremely rare to find an accomplished 'chaser who is equally at borne over hurdles, and vice versa. Several of those in the race — such as Winsome (who is a half-sister, by Cuirassier, to Record Reign, the best hurdler ever seen in the colony, and, in addition, is ako a halfsister to St. Simon, a one-time top-notcher over obstacles), Scottish Minstrel, and ! Strathrrairn — have good perfo: malices to their ! credit on the flat. Of this trio I would be inclined to stand Strathnairn. Roller would not disgrace himself if he were reserved for the race-, and Mars is one who is a favourite selection in doubles. Tresham liaa displayed plenty of pacp in his races, but be j will not be rtble to take any liberties with the hurdles he will have to negotiate at Brccarton next weekr Long Tom ran^ a great horae last year, and many held tffat amateur horsemanship cost him the race; [ but I think that the gentleman who bei strode him got erery ounce out of the I Artillery gelding. Both he and Haydn will have to meet somewhat different company to what comprised last year's field. -Such horse* as Cavaliero and Battleaxe did not face the starter, with a Royal Conqueror and a Cannongate thrown in. To sum up the field and the topweights briefly, I expect the winner to oome from Battleaxe, Cavaliero, Royal Conqueror, Tretham, Huku, or Strathnairn, and in fining them dawn still further, the placing^ may result as follows : Battleaxe 1 Cavaliero 2 Royal Conqueror 3 An excellent raco that should be well worth witnessing should be furnished by those engaged in the Winter Cup. I liave a vivid recollection of last year's race. In the paddock it appeared an extremely hard racf to pick, but from the release o-* the barrier Oetiak took command and never gave liia opponents a chance. Sinco then he ran off in the same manner with the Thomp-,on Handicap, and his form » sometimes very bad and sometimes remarkably Siege Gun, who is one of the ruling favourites in the New Zealand Cup. must have a great chance if he -has shown anything to justify the support wh'ch has been accorded him for the November prize. Since his arrival at Ricearton, Blazer has pleased the critics of the track work, and, . fit and well, he iV the horee that will takethe most beating- in the race. He has some ' great seven- furlong goes to nis credit, and I have little doubt about his g-etting to the ; end of an additional furlong. Battleaxe is one entitled to respect, but his misfcion will , proßably be over the hurdles. Cora Linn and Shannon are each doing good work, and the former is a great welter weight-carrier. At present 27 horses claim engagement in the race, and the may be concealed amongst the following quartet : — Blazer, Cora Linn, Ostiafc, Siege Gun, and, to the verdict may read as follows : — Blazer „, 1 Siege Gun 2 Ostiak 3 In the remaining events to be decided on the first day, The Swimmer and Tufto may supply the winner of the Hunters' Hurdles. The Enfield Steeplechase should be fought out by Rowlock, The Swimmer, and Shyloek. In the Maiden Hurdle 3 Battleaxe and Strathnairn may occupy the leading positions at the finish, and Royal Conqueror should be able to account for the Ladieu' Bracelet.