THE NATIONAL NOMINATIONS

Otago Witness, Issue 2676, 28 June 1905, Page 50

THE NATIONAL NOMINATIONS

Coming events cast their shadows before, and the publication of the nominations for the principal events to be decided at the C.J.Ci Grand National meeting, heralds the ipproach of the next season even before we have quitted "argifying" about the important events of the recently-defunct year, it is a long shadow that reaches from now • io'' the opening of the new season, but as i -matter of fact racing in this island, like , Tennyson's immortal 'brook* goes on for \ SV/er. It- may get into a shallow occasionilly, but it is frequently a financial shallow "deep enough to- drown many an unlucky * punter. For instance, the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase is not a race of the first water, but many of our local sports wish that Pipi had not been out for a swim in it, as if the Natator gelding- was missing from the field, our interest would have been con-paa-ativelv very small. The numerical itrength of the fields which have subscribed their names to the principal events to_ be decided at this year's cross-country carnival »Y.smtto a foll;iicr_/-vff rm lnat vpaA lisj" hilt

the shrinkage is not a serious one, as there is more than sufficient material engaged in each event to furnish as great an equine battle as one could wish > to see. In the Steeplechase last year's winner, Slow Tom, who established something like a world's record for three and a-half miles over country when he galloped and jumped the journey in 7min 14 2-ssec, again figures in the list. Other good performers over country which claim engagements are Haydn, Nor'west, Kaitere, Phaetontis, and the unlucky Pipi, whilst others of less note such as Nadador, Creusot, "Victory. Comfort, Waitarere* Inniskillen, together with the rest of the field 1 , are good enough tc make a race for the club's patrons. In the Hurdles, Trumpery, Cavalry, Waiwera, The Mohican, Convoy, Romeo, Exmoor, Waitarere, Heroism, Levant, Rungarawa. Newtown, Regulation, and Creusot are a few names taken at random from the field of 47. which suggests that whatever wine will not be allowed to loiter on the vrsiy. The Winter Cup ha 3 filled well, although the figures show a falling-off on what has been received in connection with the race for the past couple of seasons, but qualitatively the field reads promisingly with &ueh as Golden Knight, Savoury, Red Gauntlet, Pallas. Master Alix, Convoy, Ghoorka, Exmoor, Kremlin, Joe Chamberlain, Sardonyx. Veneer, Lady Way- ! ward, Golden Vein, Cannie Chiel, Full Cry, Silkworm, Shrapnel, Heroism, Shrapnel Shell, Tirole, Regulation, and other* engaged in the race. ' Glancing back through the list of nominations -the club appears to have ample reason to be satisfied with its strength and probable drawing power. The figures in connection with the principal races read as follows : —

WINTO^T DATES. I The Winton Jockey Club have a grievance against the Southland Racing Club on account of the latter body applying for dates which it is calculated will interfere with the prospects of the former club's meeting. In the event of the Southland Racing Club's request being granted, the*e will be three meetings held in three consecutive weeks a,t Gore, Invercargill, and Winton, and as the last-named club would have to receive the refuse and backwash of the two former clubs, it is the worst ix>sition. of the trier, and liaole to fee the greatest sufferer by the surfeit of sport. Th© committee of the Winton Jockey Club recently held a meeting, and it was decided to write to the metropolitan club concerning the matter, or else place their case before the Racing Conference. Last autumn the Ashburton Club jumped the Southland Racing Club's dates, and it is understood that when the secretary of the latter club wrote to the - conference in reference to the former club's action, he did not.succeed in -even getting an answer to his letter. So that the Winton Club will have to be fairly energetic if they want to have their side of the question . brought before the authorities instead of j , allowing it to be quietly shelved. There is ! a great want of unanimity amongst our j minor clubs, and they should study their j best interests by consulting each other as to what dates^ they intend applying for. and not by selecting those which clash or come injudiciously close to each other. If this , were done, a circuit of dates would prob- ! ably be arranged which shoxtld prove, of mutual advantage to all concerned.

lXHii. iws. iauo. lyiK. 190: }j. j-rand Kational Steeples -.20 29 28 5-rand National Hurdles .. 30 46 35 Winter Cup ..39 40 50 jiL<:oln Steeples 32 30 30 lydenliam Hiircllea 26 44 34 Seaufort Steeples 2f> .28 25 29 26 43 47 54 45 30 29 39 35 30 25 i Totals .. 176 217 202 225 207