RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 127, 4 July 1914, Page 12

RACING AND TROTTING.

RACING FIXTURES. July 15 and 18—Wellington B.C. Winter. August 11, 13, 15—C.J.0. Grand Natiwiaf.

ACCEPTANCES. July 6—Wellington R.C. Winter. July 24—C.J.0. Grand National. TROTTING FIXTURES. Aug. io, 12 and 14— N.Z. Metropolitan T.C Winter.

ACCEPTANCES. Aug. S—N.Z. Metropolitan T.O. Winter.

TURF TOPICS.

Ideal climatic conditions prevailed for training operations at Riccarton | this morning, and in view of the forthcoming Rangiora and Wellington meetings a considerable amount of interesting- work was witnessed, by those present, who included, Messrs W. F. M. JSuckley, G. L. Stead, F. G. D. Acland, and I). M'Lean. The Yaldhurst mentor, R. O'Donnell, t>aT4 a visit to headquarters with Ormulu and four of his rising two.year : Dlds this morning. They all appear to have Wintered well, and are looking bright and forward in condition. A. couple of Mr G. L. Stead>s jumpers, Oahakea and Tim Doolan, were schooled over the fences at headquarters this morning. The former-is a useful stamp of a gelding, and the manner in which he accomplished a round over the hurdles suggests that he is a jumper of no mean order. Tim Doolan is looking in the pink of condition, and has thickened out a good deal since last seen at Ricearton. He was given a round over the steeplechase fences, and the manner in which he negotiated the obstacles suggested that he has lost none of his fencing abilities. The Treadmill—Breeze gelding, with Murfitt in the saddle, was given his first lesson over the pony hurdles at Riccarton this morning, and as he has done a fair amount of hunting he experienced little difficulty .iw negotiating the pony fences, his display being of a favourable nature. /' Combination (Macintosh) did a round over four flights of hurdles, his jumping being quite up to former displays, and as he is so far showing no signs of soreness and has got through a good deal of work during the last couple of weeks, there, seems to be every prospect of his proving a stake-earner. Obligate, with Macintosh in the saddle, accounted for a round over the big fences this morning; Commencing at the double he completed the round, giving one of his best displays. He is a lazy worker, and was under pressure through the greater part of the journey. Oahakea (Patterson) and Martel (O'Connor) were companions in a round over five flights of the schooling hurdles. The former held too many guns for his companion, and early .establish a lead which he maintained throughout the journey. His jumping was of a taking character. Ma el, al-

though outpaced, gave a creditable display, his fencing being straight and Once he gets seasoned to the "business he should hold his own with the best of them.

Tim Doolan (Patterson), Kingsway (Douglas), and Ciss (Wormald) were companions in a round over the steeplechase fences at Riecarton this morning. Commencing in front of the stands, the trio cleared the fust fence in a line, but racing round the turn the first-named gained a couple of lengths' lead, and after landing over the double had increased his advantage. Kingsway ran off at the second fence of the double, and Cids did likewise at the sod wall and post and rails. Tim Doolan finished up over the last fence several lengths in front of his companions, and his effort was in every way a pleasing one. Ciss evidently found the pace set beyond her liking, for when being schooled .alone she jumps straight and never attempts to run off. Kingsway's exhibitoin was not up to his usual standard.

A fair percentage of Riccarton-train ed horses -figure in the list of nomica

tions for the North Canterbury and Oxford Jockey Club's sports meeting, which comes up for decision on Saturday next. The two hurdle events claim the names of many, of the local novices who have so far not sported silk over the battens, and as there is little to pick and choose between them some interesting racing should be witnessed. the past week a fair amount of has been got through by sevcompetitors. Corrie arc eonie i

former is a clever jumper and performs wonderfully well considering the time he has been at the business. Gorrie has also improved considerably during the past few weeks, and for a beginner jumps really well, and is always running on at the finish of her work. She looks like staying, and should she be taken to Rangiora will keep the opposition busv.

Opuka is another that is improving in his fencing since being taken in hand by R. King, and he has been showing more pace- in his work of late. He may yet return his owner with a stake when the opposition is not too select. The Conqueror gelding Pukurau has not had a jump since coming to. Biccarton this, time, but judging by the way he behaves himself when on the training track he justly deserves the name that has been bestowed on him by his connections —Pick-a-Row. This he never fails to do when asked to accomplish his daily toil. Ovar is another that shows jumping ability for a beginner, and the way in which he slipped over a couple of hurdles the other morning was quite startling. He has only been up a short time and is hardly ready yet to do himself justice. Given time, Martel should not fail to turn out a useful performer, as he has both size and pace, and is a jumper of no mean order. He will probably be seen out at Rangiora. 1 .Merry Valet is an old hand at the leping business,' but does very little schooling, although he has got through a good deal of solid work lately, and is at present looking in fine trini. Should he journey north he may be reckoned on to give a fair account of himself. Obligate and Ciss, a couple of locally trained ones, whose names appear among the entries for the two steeplechase events at Rangiora, have been responsible for some, attractive leping performances at headquarters during the past week. The former has not been up a great time in consequence of which he is a trifle backward in condition. He is nevertheless a good fencer, and is improving fast. Ciss is a useful sort of mare, and what little has been seen of her on the local tracks has been of an impressive order. As a jumper over big country her displays-leave little to be desired.

The Count Witte gelding, Counterpoint, figures among the competitors for the Welter Hack Handicap of a mile and a-quarter at Rangiora. Since joining C. Bourne's active brigade a short time back he has shown greatly improved form, and may be relied on to give a good account of himself. A number of North Island sportsmen who have been in Christchurch in connection with the Alexander Park case returned home last evening.

Though the weights for the Grand National Hurdles are not due till the 17th inst., judications are not wanting that Grey King will be one of the most fancied candidates for that event.

Of the sixty-six horses engaged in the New Zealand Cup five-year-olds are in strongest force, seventeen of the entrants being of that age. There are also fourteen three-year-olds, sixteen four-year-olds, twelve" six-year-olds, and seven aged horses engaged. For a beginner Royal Arms is said to be clearing the obstacles in great style at New Plymouth, but Cheddar's displays have not been of quite such a satisfactory nature. Both horses are engaged at Wellington, and on the conclusion of that fixture they will be sent on to Riccarton. A remarkable feature of the New Zealand Cup entry is that the Chokebore Stable, one of the strongest in the Dominion, has not a single representative.

The Auckland 'cross-country horseman, J. Anderton, has taken engagement with Mr F. Claridge. Anderton is well known in Canterbury, having served his time with W. Clarke at Riecarton.

Goodwin Park is said to be receiving a special preparation for the C.J.C. Grand National Hurdle Race.

Though Jack Delaval is not unfavourably handicapped in the Melbourne Cup he is such a delicate feeder that his owner is unlikely to take the risk of such a big mission as the rich V.R.C. handicap. No fewer than sixty-six nominations were received last evening for the New Zealand Cup, and though the number falls short of last year's total by thirteen it is still well up to the average. Amongst the most liberal supporters of the race are Mr E. J. Watt, with four representatives, Hon. J. D. Ormond and Mr F. Hall with three each, while "Mr Highden," Messrs IT. Hodge, J. F. Buchanan, and T. 11. Lowry all have a pair standing in their names. Tatimi has incurred a penalty of 71b i i! 1 tot li the SV.IJ.C Parliamentary ll;tn-

dicap and Stewards' Handicap as the result of his victory at Gisborne on Thursday. ; ; . Favourable reports are- to hand of Fashion Plate's training work at Trentham. She will be ridden in the "Winter Hurdles by J. Deerey, who had the mount on~her at Hastings and Napier Park.

As the result of his victory hi the Gisborne Steeplechase Sir Lethe will have to put up a seven pounds penalty in the Wellington Steeplechase, bringing his weight in that event up to 11.1. It was quite intended that Portraiture should be given a chance to earn further distinction in the C.J.C. Winter Cup, but unfortunately his owner overlooked the date of nominations closing. All going well with him in the meantime the brother to Aberbrothock will contest some of the minor flat events at Biccarton.

Racing will be continued at Flemington on Wednesday next, when the chief attractions will be the Kensington Steeplechasers' Flat Race. The Grand National Steeplechase comes on for decision on Saturday next. Raupani, who won a double at the Gisborne meeting, is at present a muchdiscussed candidate for the Winter Cup. He is a half-brother to those good performers, Mira and Iranui, and favours the former in colour. Mr W. G. Stead sustained a severe loss a few days ago by the death of his well-known brood mare Culroy. The daughter of Wallace and Hortense was bred in Victoria by Mr T. E. BarrSmith, and during her term at the stud produced such well-known racehorses as Culprit, Royal Marine, Culture. Culroy was thirteen years of age at the time -of her death, and was thought to be in foal to Boniform.

The Wellington Racing Club receives acceptances for its Winter Meeting up to, Monday next.