SPORTS AND SPORTSMEN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16806, 12 August 1925, Page 4

SPORTS AND SPORTSMEN.

TURF TOPICS

TURF FIXTURES,

August 11, 1”, 15.—Canterbury .T.C.

August 15. —Pakuranga Hunt Club. ’August 20, 22, —Wellington R.C. Fleet meeting. TROTTING. Aug. 8, 12, 14,—N.Z.' Metro. T.C. Aug. IS, 19. —Forbury Park T.C. (Fleet meeting). Aug. 22. —Auckland T.C. (Fleet meeting). Sept. 12. —Timaru T.C.

Had Sir Roseberry pulled off 1 i,e Grand National Steeplechase yesterday, he would have shown himself a great horse, since only once in the past twenty years fias the steeplechase classic been won under a greater weight. That was when Coalition, winning his second Grand National, carried the maximum, 12.7, four pounds more than Sir Roseberry was asked to carry. The 1923 winner. Oakleigh, carried 12st., but both lie and Coalition had an advantage over Sir Roseberry in * heir familiarity with the Riccarton country.- Yet there was a great deal of confidence in the Northern chaser, based on his convincing form, notably in the Great Northern double.

The comment of “The Rook,” tho well-known racing critic of the Press, on tho performance of Tuki in the Homeby Steeplechase, at the Christchurch Hunt Club’s meeting, is of considerable interest. “The betting was good, and Tuki finished up favorite,” (he wrote) “and it, is just as well to finish with him at once by stating that his jumping was splendid, his condition right, and his showing rotten; so bad was it that it could not possibly he true. Ho finished a furlong behind the winner, and not afc any stage of the race did he ever threaten to do anything else.” Reviewing the race, however, “Tho Rook” selected Tuki as the most dangerous opponent of Sir Roseberry. * * * *

A Riccarton tradition came within measurable distance of being upset; with Fireblight finishing only two lengths behind tho winner of the Grand National yesterday. It is generally conceded Mint, a mare lias only a remote chance in tho event, and the results of previous races hears out the contention. A win by Fireblight would have planted another plume in the cap of V. Collello, tho Hastings mentor, who pulled off the coup with Corazon over a decade ago.

Nukumni is well fancied for the Grand National Hurdles, and when taken south Inst week was in good fettle. Tie has been giving satisfaction in his schooling at Riccarton. Bowden will ride him in the Hurdles. Highway’s condition was satisfactorily reported upon before the Gisborne candidate left for the south, aiid C. Morse landed his charge at Riccarton in good order. * * * * Tc Kawa’s main point of late has been an excess of energy, and ho seems to have done remarkably" well in his now surroundings. * * * * Further details of the racing smash in which Steve Donoghue. the World’s leading jockey, was injured at Long-•-hamps, Paris, are now forth chining. Donoghue was riding Acpmtinte IT., in 1 lie Grand Prix, when his mount and and two other horses. Faraway and Coraiii, fell with their jockeys in a struggling heap. Donoghue, whose life was feared for, suffered a dislocation and slight fracture of the shoulder, but the other jockeys, Frank Bullock and Eugene Allcmaiulc, escaped with a bruising. Few people on the course saw exactly what happened, but il, appears clear that the mishap was caused by the leading horses slackening pace somewhat as the big field turned intp the bond. The rear half of the field was unable to pull up in time and several horses came violently into collision. Vatard, the young jockey on Priori, was almost throw'n over the rails and just managed to keep in the saddle by an acrobatic, feat. Aquatint,o IT. fell heavily with Donoghue underneath her. The stewards, after holding an injuiry into the affair, came to the conclusion that it was purely accidental. AN ENGLISH BRED COLT. Much interest was taken bv the patrons of tho Poverty Bay Hunt Club meting in the appearance in a schooling gallop of the English brecT colt which recently arrived and was placed under the care of 0. Morse. The colt has some rare blood in his veins, the leading lines in his pedigree reading as follows : Sire : Rivoli, by Robert le Diable (son of Ayrshire and grandson of Hampton) from Marliacca. by Mnrtapon (son of Ben‘l Or) from Flitters, bv Galopin (son of Vedette) from Irene, by Hermit (son of Ncwminster). Dam : Half Pay, by Sir Archibald (son of Desmond and grandson of St. Simon) from Annv Orders, bv Lord Bobs (son of Bend Or) from Edict, by Diamond Jubilee (son of St. Simon). The colt came through the long sea voyage in the most satisfactory manner.