RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 763, 21 July 1916, Page 5

RACING AND TROTTING.

RACING FIXTURES. July 27—Brnckenflcld Hunt August 15, 17, and J9—C.J.C. Grand National. August 2,l—Danncvirkc B.C. Steeplechase. August 81--North Taranakl Hunt Steeplechase. ACCEPTANCES. July 22—Brackenfleld Hunt. July 2»—C.J.C. Grand National. August 11—C.J.C. Grand National. August lfi-Danncvirkc R.C. Steeplechase. August 2ft—North Taranaki Hunt Steeplechase. TROTTING FIXTURES. August 12, 10, and 18— N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. August. ACCEPTANCES. August B—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. August.

TURF TOPICS.

A feature of Ihe South Canterbury Hunt Club's meeting, held at the Washdyke course yesterday, was the, excellent jumping witnessed in the three cross-country events. In comparison with what it was some 30 odd years ago, when the Grand National Steeplechase was decided over it, the country to be jumped is ridiculously easy, consisting mainly of brushed hurdles, that any experienced hurdler would find little difficulty in negotiating. Still, in this respect its decadence is not singular. Yesterday's fixture attracted a really good attendance, the local hunting enthusiasts turning out in strong force, while from the northern and southern districts there was an excellent muster. Altogether the club can be congratulated on its advancement, and so long as it can provide racing such as that witnessed yesterday ils future should be assured.

A very ordinary field of 10 was saddled up for the Hack and Hunters' Hurdles, with which the afternoon's sport commenced. Backers were well divided in their opinions concerning the chances of Kaupokonui, Hap Dha, and Mescal, this trio monopolising the speculation. Trireme, Kaupokonui, and Mescal formed the leading division for most of the journey, with Hap Dha, whose jumping was slovenly, losing ground. Mescal looked all over a winner at the last, hurdle, which he jumped just in front of Kaupokonui and Trireme. On the ilat the last-named drew away and scored decisively by a couple, of lengths from the locallytrained candidate. Mescal stopped very badly in the run to the post, and is not improving in stamina, though his jumping was as smart as ever. Trireme was bred by Sir Geo. Clifford, and after a disappointing career on the ilat was put to hurdle racing by his present owner, Mr P. Delargey. Since going into F. D. Jones's establishment the son of Treadmill has come on a lot, and should not he long in again catching the judge's eye. Hap Dha's display was very disappointing, his jumping being of a haphazard nature. He docs not look like fulfilling early promise. The only mishap in the race befel Cannie Hughic, who turned a seven at one of the hurdles along the back, and gave his rider, J. Easton, a nastv fall.

The Tally-ho Steeplechase was an interesting race to watch, as with the exception of mistakes made by Airman and Gladys Dew, which were quickly retrieved, the competitors all jumped well. Wellwood and Rolling Tide had established a useful lead at the end of a mile, and from this out the pair had the issue to themselves. There was only half a length between them at the last obstacle, witli Wellwood going the better of the pair. Both were under pressure in the run to the post, the struggle ending in favour of Wellwood by a couple of lengths. Fifty yards back came Tommy, who finished very tired, followed at short intervals by Krithia and Busy Bee. Wellwood is a useful stamp of hunter by Castaway. He had a pull over most of the others on the score of condition, and his jumping was of a high order. Rolling Tide also jumped safely, but is deficient in pace, a failing inherited by most of those that followed him home. The locally-trained Jack Syinons was supported for the Hack Race as if the issue was beyond doubt. Aaland and Yes also came in for solid support, the others starting at forlorn odds. Getting to work smartly, Yes was in front from start to finish, eventually winning comfortably from his stable companion, Jack Symons. The latter did not commence any too well, and though Ire cut down Aaland and Prenez Garde at the distance, he had no chance, with Yes. The fact of both first and second horses being trained at the stable, and the lesser backed one prevailing, gave rise to some unfavourable comment.

Late scratching reduced Ihc Held for the South Canterbury Steeplechase from nine to live, the defectanls being The Brewer, Oratonu, Mawson, and Craigdugald. Speculators were almost equally divided in their estimation of the chances possessed by Grey Renown, Ikowai, and J Caseshot. For quite half the distance Grey Renown and Caseshot! were showing the way, the jumping up to this point being perfect. Pass-; ing the stand the live runners closed! up, not more than a couple of lengths j separating them. A couple of faulty! jumps by Grey Renown, who was tiring, lost turn his place, and from this out he gradually tailed off. There was little to choose between the other four till half a mile from home. There Ikowai drew clear, but Golden Grape closed on him at Hie final obstacle which he shirked. This enabled Ikowai lo go on and win as he pleased by a dozen lengths from Traditor, with Golden Grape eight lengths farther back. As the last named had missed the last obstacle third money went lo Caseshot. The Riccarton-traincd Mawson, who was making his raring debut, found most favour with backers for the old established Hunt Club Cup, Second choice rested with the local-ly-trained Fairy Finn, who carried Mr P. A. Elworthy's colours lo victory in the same event 12 months

ago. It was an exceedingly interesting contest between Wellwood, who had to put up 101b penalty, Mawson, and Fairy Finn, and right up to the last obstacle the issue was in doubt. Fairy Finn, jumping like a stag, was responsible for most of the early running, with Wellwood and Mawson always within striking distance. Nearing home the trio bunched and they negotiated the last obstacle almost in line. Then superior condition told in Wellwood's favour, and, outstaying Mawson on the Hat, he just struggled home by a length. It was a spirited contest, one that aroused the enthusiasm of those present to a keen pitch of excitement. For ja novice Mawson gave a most promising showing, and the race should improve his Riccarton prospects considerably. Fairy Finn also put up a god light, while of the unplaced division Tairiki and Dardanelles appeared to most advantage.

On his fine effort in the hurdle race Kaupokonui was installed favourite for the Hunters Plate, which drew a field of ten competitors. Miss Maronan cleared right out from her field going along the back straight, but with heads in line for home Compulsion closed on her. At the distance the latter had Miss Maronan well beaten, scoring decisively by three lengths. The favourite never threatened danger, while another well fancied one in Bill Terry quite failed to reproduce his best form. The biggest field of the day was seen out in the Washdyke Trot, no less than 18 lining up "to dispute possession of the SOsov. prize. As the race also gave rise to a lot of speculation, it must easily have been the most remunerative on the day's card. Ben Dillon, a stable mate of Author Dilion, whose track work has been of an impressive order, carried the biggest share of the investments, hut there was good money also for Vera Mauritius, Bridgewood, and Quinccy Belle. Starling off at a great pace Hie favourite looked an almost certain winner for a mile, but when tackled in the home straight by Quincey Belle, he compounded badly. From this out Quincey Belle had matters very much her own way, and altogether her performance of reeling off the mile and a half on a holding track in 3.44 1-5 was a meritorious one. Had Bridgewood been kept nearer the leading division in the early stages he might have won, for he was putting in great work at the finish just heading Mavis on the post for second money. Though hecut up rattier badly at the finish, Ben Dillon showed such a fine turn of speed in the early stages as to suggest him soon getting on the winning list when the going is favourable. Two recent arrivals at Riccarton for the Grand National meeting are P. Hogan's pair, Rorkc's Drift and Canrobur. Both look in forward condition.

Another to put in an appearance at headquarters is the hurdler Master Regel, who has evidently got through a solid preparation. The North Island trainer, R. Butterworth, arrived yesterday with Otara and Rcrekehu. This is Butterworth's first visitHo Riccarton since he won the Grand National Hurdle Race 15 years ago with Haydn. A. Shearsby lias booked accommodation at Riccarton for three horses, and J. Lowe for one. The English-bred mare Henrieltc is coming on nicely, and should soon be ready to race.

Ayecliffe is on the improve, and has bech responsible for attractive work during the past few days. It is reported that Marton will not be a starter at the Grand National meeting. Acceptances for the Brackenfleld Hunt Club's meeting close with Mr R. Parsons at Ambcrley to-morrow evening. The meeting, which takes place on Thursday, promises to be a great success.

Mr Hugh Lowry, president of the South Canterbury Jockey Club, took up a new role yesterday as starter at the Hunt Club's meeting. Though in most of the events he had good sized fields to deal with Mr Lowry's work was uniformly successful.

Quite a number of the spectators at Washdyke yesterday thought the judge had made a mistake in placing Bridgewood second in the trotting race instead of Mavis. As a matter of fact the two horses finished very wide, and Bridgewood, who was going much the stronger of the pair, just got up in the last stride. Subsequent to his success in the Tally-ho Steeplechase at Timaru yesterday the Caslashore gelding Wellwood was purchased by the Ric•carton sportsman, Mr W. Clarkson. TEMPLAR.

SALE OF FAMOUS TROTTING HORSES. AT TATTERSALL'S, On AUGUST 11. Messrs MATSON & CO. will sell, on account of Mrs R. 0. DUNCAN, all her FAMOUS TROTTING STUD. In perusing the list of horses to go under the hammer, we may safely say there is not a second-class animal in the Catalogue. Trotting, more and more, is claiming the attention of the average lover of horses, inasmuch that he not only can bleed a young horse or buy a horse straight away, but that he can enter it for the biggest slakes. There is no surrounding the big money with obstacles lo bar the small owner, in the shape of early and speculative nominations extending over a lengthy period. If he has a horse such as this sale offers, he can get after the money. Now, don't miss this opportunity. Horses such as these cannot be acquired in America or elsewhere—they will not sell them.

Don't forget Tatlersall's, MONDAY, August It. .()