RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 787, 18 August 1916, Page 5

RACING AND TROTTING.

RACING FIXTURES. August i!>—C.J.C. Grand National. August 23—Dannevirkc R.C. Steeplechase. August 26—Pakuranga Hunt Annual. August 30—Manawatu Hunt Steeplechase. August 31—North Taranaki Hunt Steeplechase. September 6 Marton J.C. Spring. ACCEPTANCES. August 26—North Taranaki Hunt Steeplechase. August 29—Marton J.C. Spring. TROTTING FIXTURES. October 21 arid 23—Grey mouth T.C. Spring. ACCEPTANCES. October 17—Greymoutli T.C. Spring. TURFJTOPICS. Except thai a cold wind made ils presence keenly fell during the latter part of the afternoon the weather conditions for Grand National Hurdles day at Riccarton yesterday left little to he desired. Though still on the slow side no fault could he found with the going, and the racing was more of an interesting than exciting character. His Excellency the Governor, and several prominent legislators, were present, and it is doubtful if a bigger crowd has ever been in evidence on the second day of a Grand National meeting. Speculation was again keen, the totalisator investments (£43,21(5) showing an improvement of £1365 on last year's figures. Little interest was evinced in the Woolston Plate with which proceedings started. Late scratchings reduced the field from 11 to six, Pyjama being installed a strong favourite. Caraid Dileas was in front from the start and at the distance appeared to have Pyjama's measure. The latter stuck to his task gamely, but to occupants of the Press stand seemed to suffer defeat by at least a neck. This opinion was evidently not shared by the judge who gave his verdict in favour of Pyjama by a head. There is no doubt that' Caraid Dileas's jockey was caught napping for he took matters comfortably right to the post. On the horses returning to the birdcage a demonstration was raised by a section of the crowd, hut whether it was directed against the judge's decision or the rider of Caraid Dileas is.a debatable point. Counterpoint broke down early in the race, finishing down the course. Of the dozen starters in the Hunt Club Cup only Rolling Tide, Mawson, and Otipna were backed with any spirit. Mishaps started early and by the time half the journey had been covered only five were standing up to their tasks. When going particularly well in the lead, with Tairiki, Rolling Tide unshipped his rider. Along the back Otipua and Mawson made good runs and the former looked all over a winner till the Kennels Double had been left behind. Then he tired, giving way to Mawson and Tairiki, with Traditor, who had always been handy, improving his position. Mawson landed over the final obstacle just in advance of Traditor, and after a good set-to between this pair Traditor secured the verdict by a length. Tairiki and Otipua both tired over the concluding stages, while Waiparapara, the only other to complete the course, came in on three legs. As a spectacle the race left a lot to he desired, and the display of jumping was not up to hunting form, the result no doubt of the solid pace set from the start. There were several verv awkward looking falls, none of which were attended by serious results. 'When Rangi Thompson came to grief off Northern in front of the stand he was knocked over on getting up by another competitor, hut is evidently of the "hard to kill" order, for later in the afternoon he was in the saddle again. Several of the 16 competitors in the Summer Handicap came in for liberal support, with Kukri finishing up a slightly better favourite than Sir Tarka. Though the field jumped out all right there was a good deal of scrambling just after the start, resulting in several of the wellfancied ones having their tasks made all the harder. King Star, Ballyhar, Moneymaker, and Achilleus were always in front and drawing away in the straight King Start scored decisively by three lengths from Achilleus. Kukri, the favourite, was slow to move, but was putting in good work at the finish, while Sir Tarka looked to have more than average prospects half-way down the straight. King Star was ridden by C. Emerson, who only returned from Australia on Wednesday morning. Under the circumstances it was surprising to find the winner returning his supporters a dividend of well over a score. Cherry Blossom looked like repeating her Winter Cup performance in the August Handicap, for, jumping out very smartly, she was with the leading division as the outer stand was reached. Then, just as she had settled the pretentions of Derby Day, Speedometer, and Marsa, Oxenhope and Seadown threw out strong challenges. Under pressure Cherry Blossom failed to go on, and, after a sharp struggle between the other pair, Seadown scored comfortably. The winner's performance was much better than his Winter Cup effort, while Oxenhope ran a surprisingly good race. Battle Eve and George were putting in good work at the finish, bill Borke's Drift and Encore were never sighted. There may have heen belter fields seen out in several previous contests for the Grand National Hurdle Race, but taken all round the 18 thai paraded for yesterday's event were well up to the average. On the score of condition the honours rested with Pursefiller, Art, Master Regel, Kooya, Harbour Light, and Te Onga. all of whom looked well fitted for the task in front of them. Betting took a wide range, and of the £8557 invested Kooya and Eeonla were bolh entrusted with over four figures. Outside of this pair at least half a dozen came in for very solid support, a fair indicalion of the open nature of the contest. Pursefiller was over anxious at the start, and was mainly responsible for a couple of breaks away. Eventually Mr Wood got them away in good line, but Lconla and Kooya hung so badly as lo extinguish their chances; indeed the latter practically look no part in the contest. Master Regel and Golden March made all the early running, from a well strung out field, but with a mile and three-quarters travelled the latter had had enough. Half way down the home straight Master Regel looked a certain winner so freely was he howling along in front. Even at the last obstacle he was still going well, but in the run lo the post Art gradually wore him down. As in the Jumpers' Plat Race on Tuesday, the pair flashed past the post locked together, and il was only when the numbers, were hui-'Ad tho! partisans of the

locally trained gelding were confident as to the result. It was a rare set-to between the pair, and needless to say Art's achievement of stemming the long sequence of North Island victories was particularly well received. Quite the disappointments of the race were Kooya and Leonta; indeed it is seldom that two favourites give such unsatisfactory showings. Kooya hung back when the barrier went up, losing so much ground that her jockey apparently thought it useless to persevere. Leonta also lost a lot of ground, and never seemed able to get near the leading division. When going strongly in sixth place Crib clouted a hurdle badly, which appeared lo take all the steam out of him, and partly accounts for his indifferent display. Outside the place fillers Marconi, Harbour Light, and Kilmcny gave Ihe best showings. The Beaufort Steeplcnhase, the I field Tor which included 10 that had . contested the Grand National, provided an interesting contest. As on Tuesday, Idealism found most favour with backers, while, despite his steadier of 12.10, Waimai was in almost as good demand. Throughout the early stages Queen's Posl, New I York, The Brewer, and Idealism i were prominent, all jumping well. I Changes were fairly, frequent, but, [ when Queen's Post and Waimai cleared out from their field just af- : ter passing Cutls's it looked as if they were hound to play an important (part in the result. On the Hal the mare more than held her own with Waimai. hut he gained ground at each obstacle. Just when he appeared lo have his opponent's measure, the National winner toppled over at the second sod wall when within live furlongs of Ihe winning post. From tins out Queen's Post got over her fences in more leisurely style, and, staying on heller than NewYork and Lady Bibbero, won nicely by four lengths. Idealism again gave a haphazard display of jumping, and is evidently overrated as a 'chaser. Apart from Waimai, the only others to make mistakes were Bravest, Oratonu, and Kaupokonui. It was anything hut a high-class lot that went to contest the Spreydqn Hurdle Race, and backers were fairly equally divided in their opinions regarding the prospects of Sleight of Hahd, Banian, and the bracketed pair Amber and White and Mania Park. The first named soon drew to the front, and was never subsequently headed, winning comfortably by four lengths. Banian put up a sterling race under his big impost, but had no chance with the favourite, who finished full of running. Soon after the start Worcester fell, and rolled over his jockey, who was rather badly shaken. Sleight of Hand is one of Mr Armstrong's team that went over to Melbourne (o race at the Y.R.C. meeting. The death of their trainer necessitated the Mystification gelding and The Hound returning home without sporting silk. Those who had witnessed the great run put in by Gold Soult at. Ihe finish of the Winter Cup would not hear of his defeat in the concluding event of the day, for which he was made favourite. Holding a good position from the start, the son of Gold Crest and Consuelo rushed to the front at the distance, and made quite an exhibition of his opponents. Meltchikoff and Slogan battled out a good finish for second money, but two well-fancied candidates, in Sedd-el-Bahr and Ringl'orm, never threatened danger. After a sequence of seven consecutive wins registered by North Islandowned horses in the Grand National Hurdles, Art succeeded in stemming their march in yesterday's contest. The little Sarlo gelding has several creditablee performances over the battens to his credit at Riccarton, but yesterday's effort put the seal on his fame. It was only by sheer gameness that he wrested the prize from Master Regel, and the merits of his victory are enhanced by the fact that it is only 12 months ago since he ran his first race over hurdles. A meed of praise is due to the gelding's trainer (R. Longley) for the trouble he has taken with him, in the face of rather unusual difficulties in the way of breaking bloodvessels. His rider (D. McKay) can also be congratulated on his judicious handling of the victor. His many friends will be pleased lo hear that G. Price, who trains for "Mr Highden," has made a satisfactory recovery from the minor operation he underwent on Tuesday evening. Jeannot will be unable lo race ah Riccarton to-morrow, as he is suffering from the effects of a kick received prior to the start of the Winter Cup. Though she has run well in sereral cross-country events, Queen's Post's victory in the Beaufort Steeplechase at Riccarton yesterday marked her first success over the big fences. Probably she was somewhat lucky to win, as when Waimai blundered at the second sod wall he appeared to have her measure. The annual smoke concert of the Canterbury Trotting Horse Owners' and Breeders' Association took place last evening, Mr W. J. Moir presiding over a large attendance. A number of trophies won in connection with last season's racing were presented. A gold mounted whip, presented by Mr T. G. Fox for the most successful rider and driver, was given to Mr J. Bryce, as was a second similar frophy donated by the proprietors of the "Trotting Journal." A silver mounted whip was presented to Mr M. Edwards, who was second on the list of winning trainers for the year. A ribbon for the champion sire of the season, donated by Mr H. A. Jarden, and won by Rothchild, was handed to Mr A. Pringlc, to be forwarded to the owner of the horse. An excellent musical programme was contributed, and a lengthy toast list was gone through. TEMPLAR.