'CHASING AND RACING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2027, 13 August 1920, Page 5

'CHASING AND RACING.

HURDLE DAY AT RICCARTON. HYLANS MAKES GOOD. Karly morning indications promised well for the continuation of the Racing Carnival at Riceaiton yesterday. Soon after proceedings commenced, however, clouds obscured the sun and a keen wind detracted from the enjoyment of the huge crowd that assembled at the historic convincing ground. Still, the conditions were those usually associated with winter racing, and any defects on this Bcore were more than counterbalanced by the excellence of the sport. It is doubtful if a bigger crowd has witnessed a contest for the Grand National Hurdle Race. Visitors from ell parts were again very strongly in evidence and that they were well supplied wiVh the "sinews of war" found evidence in the betting, which reached record proportions. The track turned cut in improved order, but it was still on the heavy side, especially along the back stretch.

A Popular Success. The apprentice riders gave considerable trouble at the start of the Woolston Handicap, and when the barrier lifted Keces-ity was hopelessly left while Greek Sou and The Boss lost several lengths. There was little to choose between Bothnia, Gossard and Tortrix as the course proper was entered, where Greek Sou joined them and The Boss could be seen improving his position. Though he did not receive much assistance from his rider, Greek Son scored fl popular win for his veteran ownertrainer, Mr T. Sheenan, whose luck has not been of the best for some years. Had he got better away The Boss may have reversed positions with the winner, but Tortrix was anchored by her weight. Bill Terry was backed down to a short price for the Hunt Club Cup, he and Lawsuit carrying more than half the investments. When three-quarters of the journey had been covered this pair had the opposition well beaten. Lawsuit had a slight advantage of the Ashburton representative as they raced round the top turn, though the latter was goiug just as well. What looked like providing another spirited contest between the pair was spoilt by Lawsuit toppling over at the last obstacle. This made matters very easy for the favourite, who, with 12.6 in the saddle, well deserved his success. Four times this -jumping season Bill Terry and ;Lawsuit have measured terms at Washdyke, Amberley and at Rieearton twice and though the honours so far rest ,with the former there is evidently little between them.

Oakleigli Shows Improvement. On the strength of his display in the Rational, Oakleigli wa3 backed down to less than level money for the Beaufort Steeples. Golden Prince, as usual, took Up the role of pacemaker, but after going a mile Oakleigh ran up to him. Thus early it was apparent that bar accident the pair would have the finish to themselves. There was nothing between them as they came to the Kennels double for the second time, but here Golden Prince clouted hard and unshipped his rider. This took all the interest out of the race, for nothing else could extend Oakleigh. The winner pave a fine exhibition of jumping all through, though how he would have fared with Golden Prince but for the latter \s mishap is problematical. Crib was allowed lo lav so far bark in the carps'ages ;is to make his task unduly severe. As usual he was putting in good work over the last half-mile, but under no circumstances could he have beaten the winner. >san Sebastian ran a fair race but the others were outclassed. Carmine carried the confidence of backer* in the Sumner Handicap, on tin* strength of his first day's form, bill on this occasion did not get out nearly so well. With a furlong gone High Heels and Walton were right out by themselves. The former led to within a furlong of the post, but there Walton had her measure, winning comfortably. Walton's display showed considerable improvement on his first day's form, as did (hat of High Heels. Carmine struggled on into third place, but Jiengeroop, a well-fancied candidate, .did not commence any too smartly. A Slow Run Race. Pike -'i many of its predecessors, the Grr.n ! National Hurdle Race quite upFot the calculations of backers. Kauri King was supported down to a short price, and he lacked nothing on the f ore of condition, while LocJiella, Jfylans, Fisher and Ladogeur all looked in good trim. There were several changes in the order throughout the first mile, the pacemakers being All Talk. Fisher, Padogeur and Deviation. When going particularly well just before coming to the mile post, All Talk toppled over, and Gaylight followed

suit at the next obstacle, breaking his neck. Then Deviation showed out from Ladogeur, Hylans, Fisher and •Tack Symons. Six furlongs from home Deviation faded out and Kami King ran up into fourth place on the outside of liis field, going particularly well. Once heads were in liue for home Hylans closed on Ladogeur and headed him at the last jump. Then Jack Symons came along with a rare effort, and, galloping much stronger than the leader, was only a neck to the bad when the post was readied. Differently ridden, Jack Symons may have reversed positions with his conqueror, while Fisher struggled on long enough to defeat Ladogeur and Kauri King. The latter's display was disappointing. When he made his run coming into the straight it looked odds on his prevailing, but he quite failed to sustain it. Dylans and Jack Symons both ran the races of their careers, but Lochella appeared unable to go the pace at any part of the journey.

Several of the 10 starters in the August Handicap came in for solid support, Gold Kip with all his weight winding up favourite. Will Oakland looked a winner till the outer stand was reached, but once tackled by Clean Sweep and Astinome he compounded very quickly. After a short tussle between the latter pair Clean Sweep outstayed Astinome and won decisively by two lengths. Gold Kip never got into the fighting line, while Will Oakland's form hardly justified the confidence reposed in him for the Winter Cup.

A Surprise Victory. General Petain endeavoured to win the Spreydon Hurdles from the jump off. It was not long before he had Signysian's measure, and ra?ing along the back he was going particularly well with Tatimi and Meltchikoff handy. Six furlongs from home Tatimi raced to tho front, but at the second last hurdle a faulty jump cost him several lengths. General Petain was first to cross the last hurdle, but on tho flat Tatimi overhauled him and won by a length'. Meltchikoff was in a handy positiou all through, but could not make the least impression on the leaders in the run home, while Mannish, the actual favourite, never threatened danger. Outside the jilaced horses Wild Pilgrim and Bombproof gave the best showings. North Island money simply poured in for Heather Sprig when betting commenced on the Islington Handicap, and on Winter Cup form it looked as if the support was well justified. Heather Mixture's good-looking sou ran a solid race, but more than met his match in tho locally-trained Royal Star. Loyal Arch ran her best race for some time, but over the concluding stages nothing could foot it with tho leading pair. NOTES. The 'chaser Merry Lad has finished his racing career, his owner having presented him to Mr A. Henderson. He will in future be used as a hack. When Golden Prince came to grief in the Beaufort Steeplechase, the first mistake of his career, J. T. Humphris, who was riding him", sustained rather painful cuts about the head. Despite this Humphris came out at an hour and a-half's interval and rode a splendid

race on Hylans in tlie Grand National Hurdle Race. Gaylight terminated his career by breaking his neck in the Grand National Hurdle Race yesterday. He was going particularly well at the time and on first day's form must have had a chance of again defeating Hylans. Hylans, the latest Grand National Hurdles hero, was purchased by his present owner for £BO. Since then he has won over £2OOO in stake-money. Prior to the start of the Woolston Handicap The Boss threw his rider, G. Pickens, who received a rather severe blow on the head. Under this disadvantage Pickens did well to ride his mount into second place. A writer in the "Manawatu Times" says:—We have it on good authority that the Manawatu and Auckland Racing Clubs have already paid income tax on a four years' assessment. The former's contribution amounted to nearly £4OOO, and no deduction was allowed for patriotic gifts amounting to £14,000. The. Dannevirko Club is in a predicament over the matter, as its books and documents were destroyed by fire, and it has no means of making up its assessment. Some of the country clubs, which have made no reserves for this contingency, will be very heavily hit.