RACING CARNIVAL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1789, 7 November 1919, Page 7

RACING CARNIVAL.

CUP DAY PROSPECTS. GOOD SPORT ASSURED. [By Templar.] Riccarton will be the Mecca of all true believers in racing during the next few days. And what a glorious meeting it will assuredly be, now that normal conditions again prevail. Already accommodation in the city is almost impossible to obtain, and I fully expect to see all previous records in the matter of attendance and speculation well headed next week, both at Riccarton and Addington. As to the quality of the sport, there need be no anxiety. Dominion stables are particularly strong, both in handicap and the better class horses (his season, and the pick of them measuring strides on the Riccarton sward should provide entertainment of the very best. Despite the broken weather experienced lately, most of the trainers appear to have done theic charges full justice. The tracks have been on the soft side all along, which has caused fewer breakdowns than usual, while it has also enabled a few horses slightly amiss to have the necessarv amount of work slipped into them. It only needs a continuance of the present sample of weather to see the grass gallop in perfect order, and, though it may not be quite so electric as usual for the opening day's racing, it is bound to improve in, this respect as the meeting progresses. Extra temporary accommodation has been provided for inside patrons, and, generally, the arrangements will be found quite on a par with those always prevailing at Riccarton. Spring Hurdle Handicap. It is a verv attractive card that will claim the attention of patrons to-morrow, which will open with the Spring Hurdle Handicap. The seven standing their ground are not by I any means a high-class lot, and such I a rare stayer as Paraoa may show to | advantage, especially now that the ! sting is out of the ground. Hylans may be troubled by the length of the journey, while Bjorneborg is not over reliable at his fences. The North Island-trained Kohu brings with him a great private reputation that he has hardly maintained in his schooling tasks. Still, he is likely to show to much more advantage in company, and may-prove to be the hardest to beat.

The Spring Plate. There are sure to be heavy Refections from the Spring Plate, and it is difficult to gauge the strength of the field. Bonetter, Seaspnte, Motuihi, Mustard Pot, Nigltfraider anrl Bonnie Heather can all be depended on to run out a solid mile, while several of the others would be suited by a shorter course. Motuihi and Bonny Heather are a pair that are almost sure to be in the picture when the judge's box is neared. The Lin wood Handicap. Class is by no means well represented in the Linwood Handicap, but the field promises to be one ot tn biggest of the afternoon. None of the topweights appear to be unfavourably treated, and all of them have past form in their favour. Probably Flight Commander, Some Kid and Starlike will carry the confidence of backers. Each of the trio named has raced well this season, while most of the seven stone division have to be taken on trust.

The New Zealand Cup. Many past contests for the New Zealand Cup have drawn higherclass fields than that set down to dispute possession to-morrow. A touch of sensationalism will be lent to the issue by the presence of Oay Lad in the field, for ever since the declaration of weights the imparted horse has dominated the situation. In one respect, that of staying, he has to be taken practically on trust. He has never raced at more than seven furlongs, nor been galloped at more than a mile and a-warter. As to his speed and condition, there need not be the least anxiety. No horse trained at Riccarton has got through such a searching preparaion and, as he has quite satisfied his trainer, the doubt as to his seeing out two miles should be partly removed Past experience has been all in favour oT horses that have shown heir ability in public oyer lengthy courses, but, in Gay Lad's case, any deficiency in this respect promises to be made up by unusual,brilliancy. Kilmoon is a very solid customer, whose ability as a stayer has been well proven. He did not race up to expectations at Rangiora, but since then has come on a lot. Untortunately his preparation has not been so solid as could be wished, and I am afraid this may prejudice his chance. As one of the best stayers in the race, Mascot is worthy ot every consideration. She has done a lot of work at Trentham, and since arriving at Riccarton has put up a couple of attractive efforts. Even it started, Volo can have no chance on the patchy preparation he has got through, and on anything they have done this season Rose Pink, Hurry Up, Eleus, Bingham, Sweet Tipperary and Starland can be passed over. Vagabond is one of the Martian tribe, and on that score alone must be entitled to respect. He has some useful performances uu to a mile and a-qiiarter to his credit, and I quite expect him to be in the money. There is also this in his favour, that he will be ridden by B. Deeley, one of the most experienced horsemen in the race, and one of the few capable of handling a horse to best advantage over two miles. Nobleman has the best of staving credentials in his favour, and is sure to be struggling on when most of the others have had enough. Only for having incurred a 101b penalty, I would have esteemed Kilrush's prospects as being second to none. There was a lot of solid merit in his victory at Trentham last month, which showed that he has made vast improvement both in regard to speed and stamina. It is not often that Sir Geo. Clifford's colours are seen in a New Zealand Cup, but in to-morrow's contest they will be borne by a very worthy representative in Heathercote. This four-year-old son of Boniform is a good stayer, and has been responsible for some attractive work at Riccarton. Little notice need be taken of his poor showing yesterday morning, which was due to his inability to handle the heavy going. Battle Song is just the sort to effect a surprise, for he can be depended on to see out every yard of the journey. Though the task in front of Gay Lad seems a formidable one, it is impossible, on track form, to pass him over, and. with the going exactly to his liking, he will carry my con-

fidence. Next to him Vagabond and Mascot appear to possess the best credentials over such a trying course. The Welcome Stakes. With the Cup added to turf history, interest will centre in the Welcome Stakes field, and it is quite certain that most of the juveniles will repay scrutiny. After his unbroken record of success in the North Island, Humbug is sure to be elected favourite, and that he will play his part well admits of no doubt. He is one of the most brilliant two-year-olds seen at Riccarton for some time, and it is only a question of his jumping out smartly to set the others a merry dance. The Chokebore pair, Moorfowl and Winter Wind are more than average gallopers, and both can be depended on to worthily uphold the prestige of the South Island. Mantua and La Paix can both go fast, but they arc less experienced, and probably not quite so forward as Humbug. The latter's chance may be prejudiced, as he has been off his feed and this should favour Moorfowl's chance. The Apprentices' Handicap.

A decidedly mixed lot of moderates constitutes the field for the Apprentices' Handicap, which will afford a number of budding horsemen the opportunity of demonstrating their skill in the saddle. There is always the double chance of not getting a run for one's money in races of tbis description, and backers usually fight shy of them. Two North Islanders in Egmont Park and Arch Salute have shown more than average galloping ability since their arrival at Riccarton.

The Big Sprint. Backers have been set a rare puzzle in the Stewards' Handicap, but that is not likely to deter them in their operations. With all her weight Desert Gold can be relied on to play her part well, and what a reception the popular idol would receive if she was to get home first! Silver Link has been causing her mentor some anxiety since arriving from the North, while Croesus's track work shows that he has lost little of his old-time brilliancy. Such a quick beginner as Bon Spec is sure to be prominent from the start, hut I fancy that Onslaught for one may outstay him over the concluding stages. Nothing worked at Riccarton has shown such vast improvement's Brackenfield, who should be capable of accounting for all the light weights. Luck always plays a big part in'the Stewards' Handicap, and no doubt lends additional interest to its decision. With anything like decent passages. Onslaught, Desert Gold and Silver Link should be in the picture when the winning post is reached. The Riccarton Welter.

Proceedings will terminate with the Riccarton Welter, the field for which includes several that claim more important engagements later at the meeting. With all her weight, Karo should be auite capable of putting up a good fight, while Loyal Arch and Royal Star will not lack support. THE PROGRAMME. Racing will commence at noon with the Hurdle Race, the day's card being as follows:

Noon. SPRING HURDLE HANDICAP, of 300 sovs. Two miles. Paraoa .. ..11 9 Sonnino .. .. 9 3 Hylaus .. ..11 8 Austin .. ..9 0 Bjorncborg ..10 3 Jack Symons .." 9 0 Kohu .. .. 10 2 12.45 p.m. SPRING PLATE, of 400 sovs. One mile, st lb st lb Flcctham ..82 Motuilil .. .. 7 7 Gay Lad ..8 2 Mustard Pot .. 7 7 Red Pool .. ..82 Nightraider ..77 Bonettcr .. .. 711 Printemps .. 7 7 Braid .. ..'7ll Golden Crozler 7 2 Counterscarp 711 Link Up .. .. 7 2 Red Signal .. 711 Makepeace .. 7 2 Scasprite .. 711 Rose Wreath ..72 Catalini .. ..78 Royal Exchange 7 2 Bonnie Heather 7 7 St. Winnow .. 7 2 Falstaff .. ..77 Tortrix .. ..72 Lucid .. ..7 fWarlove .. .. 7 2 1.35 p.m. LINWOOD HANDICAP, of 200 sovs. Seven furlongs. F'.ight All Serene .. 710 Commander 8 0 Calauria .. 7 9 Fabisco .. ..8 4 Light Bells ..7 8 Some Kid ..83 Bangi Aroha ..75 Starlike ..8 3 Balefire .. ..7 0 Fnrly Dawn ..8 3 Russet .. ..7 0 Warform ..8 2 Larissa .. ..7 0 Spyglass.. .. 713 High Heels ..7 0 Prodigal .. 713 Onlooker ..70 Bombproof .. 711 2.20 p.m. NEW ZEALAND CUP, of 2000 sovs. Two miles. st. lb. J. B. Rcid's b g Kilmoon, 4yrs (A. J. McFlinn) 8 6 V. and E. Riddiford's b m Mascot, 6yrs (A. Reid) 8 6 F. Selwood's b g Volo, Oyrs ( ) .. 8 0 K. S. Williams's b g Vagabond, syrs (B. Dceley) 7 13 W. J. Phillips's br g Nobleman, aged (C. Emerson) 7 13 A. McAulay's b g Kilrush, syrs (inc. 101b pen.) (J. Olsen) 713 J. Grigg's b hj Gay Lad, syrs (H. Young) 7 12 Sir Geo. Clifford's ch g Hcathcrcote, 4yrs (G. Young) 7 9 H. Whitney's br m Rose Pink, Oyrs (Inc. 51b pen.) (R. Reed) .. .. 7 9 J. Goring Johnston's blk g Hurry Up, 4yrs (inc. 101b pen. (Bagby) .. 7 5 P. Soamcs's br g Battle Song, Oyrs (Morris) 7 3 W. Sionc's br g Elcus, 4yrs (A. McCormack) ~. .. 7 3 B. L. JolPs br g Bingham, syrs (F. Cook) 0 8 Dwan Bros.' blk m Sweet Tipperary, Oyrs (Carmont) 6 8 G. L. Stead's br 'g Starland, 3yrs (T. L. Reid) 0 7 3.5 p.m. WELCOME STAKES, of 1000 sovs. For two-year-olds. Colts and geldings 8.5, fillies 8.0. Four furlongs. J. Gorlng-Johnston's ch g Saima, by Finland—Overall. A. B. Williams's cli c Humbug, by Absurd —Eulogy. A. McDonald's b c Strategy, by Martian— Strathspey. J. B. Reid*s b f Sunny Corner, by Sunny Lake—Angelina. Mrs Harvey Patterson's b c Fabrinade, by FabrikoiT—Pasquinade. Sir Geo. Clifford's br c Winter Wind, by Antagonist—Wind whistle. Sir Geo. Clifford's br f Moorfowl, by AuUi minis—Kirriemuir. F. D. Jones's b f Mantua, by Solfcrino— Rose Saltcrne. T. H. Lpwry's blk g Right and Left, by Merry Moment—En Parole. R. C. Gillies's br f Nope, by Markhopc— Nlthscvo. E. S. Lutirell's br f La Paix, by Bezonian— Peace. 3.45 p.m. APPRENTICES* HANDICAP, of 200 sovs. One mile. Indus .. .. 8 9 Strayshot .. ..7 7 Barley Rigs .. 712 Lovelock ..77 Sans Souci .. 712 St. Winnow .. 7 0 Steepholm .. 712 Golden Crozicr 7 0 Missouri .. .. 7 9 Amaranth .. 7 0 Egmont Park 7 7 Juliana .. ..7 0 Arch Salute ..77 Barrage .. .. 70

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4.30 p.m. STEWARDS' HANDICAP, of 1500 sovs. • Six furlongs. st lb st lb Desert Gold .. 9 It Inah 7 9 Silver Link ..9 2 Demos .. .. 7 9Crcesus .... 8 9 Kipling .... 7 3 Waimatao ..8 8 Melee (inc. 51b Punka .. ..8 8 pen.) 7 4 Michaela ..8 6 Mortham ..7 3 & Kilbrogan .. 8 3 Astinome ..7 3 Onslaught .. 7 12 Ermine .... 7 3 Bon Spec .. 712 KrnckenQcld .. 613 Maiohr. .. ..7 9 Cerberus ~''"» S 5.15 p.m. RICCAIITON WELTER HANDICAP, of 400 sovs. Nine furlongs. Kai«o .. .. 10 0 Burrangong ..8 9 Killowen .. 10 2 John Royal Stag ..9 5 Barleycorn 8 7 Dribble .. .. 9 3 First Salute ..8 5 Wardancer .. 9 1 Scckl-cl-Buhi- ..84 Royal Star .. 812 (ilcnshine .. 8 J Cave Rock .. 810 Hicro .. ..8 0 Loyal Arch ..8 9