RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 764, 22 July 1916, Page 15

RACING AND TROTTING.

RACING FIXTURES. Silly 27—Brackeufleld Hunt. August 15,* 17, and 19—C.J.C. Grand Na

tional. Angust 23—Dnmicvirkc R.C. Steeplechase. August 31—North Taranakl Hunt Steeple chase, ACCEPTANCES. July 22 Brackenflcld Hunt. July 28—C.J.C. Grand National. August 11—C.J.C. Grand National. August lfl—DanncvtrUc H.C. Steeplechase. August 2ft—North Taranakl Hunt Steeplechase. TROTTING FIXTURES. August 12, 16, and 18— N.Z. Metropolitan: T.C. August. ACCEPTANCES. August B—N.Z. Metropolitan TC. August. turf Topics. Tragedy King was scratched for the Grand National Hurdle Race at 9 a.m. to-day. II is probable that A. J. McFlynn will have the mount on Sam Pan in his Amberley engagements. Marconi is still at Trentham, where he is getting through serviceable tasks preparatory to being sent south for the Grand National Meeting. At Ellerslie on Tuesday morning J. O'Shca rode Te Onga at top over seven furlongs. The Grand National Hurdle Candidate is in excellent trim, and will be shipped south towards the end of next week.

The enquiry into Kooya's running at the Wellington meeting was concluded on Wednesday evening, when it was decided not to take any further action.

It is understood that A. J. McFlynn will have the mount on Wirokino in the Grand National Steeplechase, and S. Henderson has been engaged to ride Bravest. Owners are given a iinal reminder that acceptances for the Brackeniield Hunt Club's meeting close with Mr R. J. Parsons at 8 o'clock this evening. The Fordell trainer, F. Tilley, is expected at Riccarton next week with Leonta.

Seadown will be J. W. Lowe's only representative at the Grand National Meeting. At present the Downshire gelding is one of the most fancied candidates for the Winter Cup. .Waimai has improved since racing at the Ellerslie Winter Meeting. He is being indulged in the class of work which would suggest a visit to Riccarton next month. Rae's Grand National candidate (states an Auckland writer) has his full share of weight in the Steeplechase, but he should be quite at home over the big country at Riccarton. Soultane is once again an active member of F. Stcnning's team at Ellerslie, though the son of Soult is not being overtaxed. It may be that different tactics will be adopted with Soultane next season, and that, like many members of the Soult family, he will be asked to race on a very light preparalion. Our Thorpe has got through a lot of jogging work lately, and it was intended to start him in the National Cup at next* month's meeting. A few days ago he was given his first work-out with the hopples on, and evidently remembered his Dunedin experience, for, getting frightened at a shadow on the track, he tried to jump it, and came down rather heavily. Though little the worse for his mishap, the champion was so upset that Fleming decided not to persevere with him, and he will now be got ready for the New Zealand Trotting Cup. When next he races Our Thorpe will probably be adorned with blinders.

The pacer Ariadne is now an inmate of A. Butterfield's stable. C. James has Strategy in work, and the pacer is showing improved form. The Addington track was opened for fast work yesterday morning, and a lot of horses engaged at next month's fixture were exercised. Unfortunately, this morning's rain will necessitate it being closed again for a few days, and trainers will have to content themselves with easy tasks on the small course.

Dubosc showed a lot of speed in patches while getting over two miles in saddle.

Irvar, in harness, left two miles behind very nicely, mustering up a fair turn of speed in parts. Hannah M. was brushed over three quarters, doing her work really well. Michael Galindo has done a good deal of jogging work lately, and yesterday went in his best form over a mile.

Desdemona was sprinted over several furlongs, and George Hard cast two miles behind at a solid pace. 0.1.C., in saddle, and Sinoda, in harness, were companions in a useful work-out over several rounds. Treasure Seeker, in harness, and Bronzewing, in saddle, were sent along at top for a couple of circuits. Both look in nice condition for their coming engagements. Ottawa showed a lot of brilliancy in getting over a mile, and a number of others got through useful tasks. Handicaps for first clay events al the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting are due on Monday next.

The Porirua trainer, J. Prosser, intends bringing six horses south for the Grand National Meeting. Others who 5 have booked accommodation at Riccarton are J. Hull (3), C. Pritchar.d (2),"and S. Trilford (4). According to latest accounts from Melbourne there is little chance of El Progresso being senl across for the-Grand National Meeting. Kilboy, who claims engagement in the A.J.C. Derby and other important events, was shipped to Sydney by the Moeraki on Thursday. H is understood that the colt will be prepared for his Australian engagements by Murray Hobbs. El; Gallo is a regular attendant al the Ellcrslie tracks, though he claims no immediate engagements. Both J. O'Shea and B. Deeley have finished their engagements for the season, O'Shea winding up with a total of 75 wins, and Deeley with 58. There is said lo be some doubt as to whether Branstield is by Birkenhead or Renown. The Hon. J. 1). Orinond, who bad Vascular running in the Wellington Steeplechase, thought very little of the gelding, and sold him for a matter of £B, so that owner informed an enquirer last week.

Th;e two months' racing on the flat in England completed on Saturday, May 23, yielded 110 races, of the value, of £37,193 15/-, of which amount £13,015 was allotted lo races of less than one mile, and £24,117 15/- to those, decided over a longer distance. During the corresponding period last year there were 377 races, worth £92,55-1 15/-, Ireland not being taken into account. The "Sportsman" remarks that the above figures are a

line commentary on Sir Charles Henry's statement in the House of Commons that there was an "increased amount of racing this year as compared with last." Moreover, adds ouP English contemporary, the number of flat-racing fixtures last year was -10, whereas when the list "arranged for the present season is .completed in October the total will be 23 only. One of the attractions during National Week in Christchurch will be the sale of Mrs R. O. Duncan's trotting stock. The list to be offered includes stallions, brood marcs, and young slock all bred in the purple. TEMPLAR. THE SPORT OF TROTTING. Unlike ordinary racing, trotting allows the average man to own and enter his own horse in the many events that are held each year, thereby deriving far more pleasure and excitement than is possible were he merely an onlooker. Th 3 popularity of this form of racing is increasing each year, and with it a corresponding increase in the stakes. America, too, has a large number of enthusiastic owners of trotting horses; in fact, so popular has the sport become there that owners of trotting studs will not sell their blooded stock on any account. By the way, that reminds us that Mrs' R. O. Duncan is selling the whole of her stud of high-bred trotters at TattersalFs on August 14. It is seldom that such blood is offered under the hammer, and this sale is an exceptionally good opportunity for sportsmen to secure trotters of a class that is truly hard to get. While to the man who does not vet own his own trotter, but who has aspirations, this sale will be the chance of a lifetime. The auctioneers, Messrs Matson and Co., will gladly send a detaded list of these pedigreed horses to anyone interested—though Mrs Duncan's name, and what it stands for in the trotting world, is sufficient guarantee that the horses offered at Tattersall s on Monday, August 14, will all be of the highest breeding. .0