SPORTING

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11611, 10 August 1918, Page 5

SPORTING

RACING FIXTURES,

August 15 and 17 —C. J.G. Grand National. Sept. 4—Martou J.G. Spring. Sepit. 11—Daunervirke R. C. Spring. Sept. 19—Egmont R. 0. Spring. Sept. 19 and 20—Ashburton R.O. Spring.

RICCARTON NOTES.

The inside of the No. 6 grass track was open for fast work at Riccarton on Thursday morning, when the majority of the horses engaged at the Grand National Meeting next week got through • more or less serviceable tasks. The tracks were in a heavy state.

The only jumpinggdoue that morning was llvauri King (F. Ellis), Sir Pisher (A. Ward), and Fisher (F. Flynn) who in company, were sent a round over four flights of hurdles. They maintained a solid pace all the way, fencing very well and keeping in close company all through the journey. The trio cleared the last obstacle almost on terms.

Moddite may not be a competitor in the Grand National Steeplechase on Thursday next Don Francisco was scratched for all engagements at the Grand National Meeting at 9.30 a.m. on Thursday. The arrivals from the north bj T 3 r esterday’s steamer for the Grand National Meeting were Retard, Piano, and Primato. Preuez Garde gave a poor display of jumping in a schooling task sat him at Riccarton yesterday After refusing several times at the sod wall, lie was coaxed over, but at the next obstacle toppled over and sustained slight injuries. Bore and Brambletye are both sore and their prospects of gaining distinction at Riccarton next week do not look particularly bright. According to a Wellington writer Miss de Yal was shipiped south on Thursday. Although she has only been sprinted once or twice on the courses in the local Meeting, she bears a muscular apipiearauce, and has evidently done a lot of hillclimbing. The Auckland horseman, H. J. Robinson, has been engaged to ride her in the Winter Gup. Yellow and Black, who is now one of the prime fancies for the National Steeplechase, like many other good jnmpars, graduated in the hunting field. Originally he raced in the colours of Miss N. Armstrong, who regularly rode him to hounds. Yellow and Black was one time trained by J. Cameron for his lady owner, but when the war broke out Miss Armstrong retired from racing, and her father, the popular Akitio sportsman, leased the All Black gelding from her.