BETWEEN THE FLAGS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2029, 16 August 1920, Page 5

BETWEEN THE FLAGS.

CONCLUDING DAY AT RICCARTON. (By Templar.) The weatiier conditions prevailing on Saturday morning wore of such a wretched nature that a postponement of the Riccarton jumping carnival would : have created little surprise. Fortunately, there was a decided improvement as the afternoon progressed, for, though it was bitterly cold, only a few light showers fell. Under the circumstances, the attendance was quite up to expectations, the chief falling off being in the ranks of the fair sex. The going was much heavier than on either of the preceding days, and this prejudiced the jumping, which was hardly up to the standard. Money for speculative purposes was again very plentiful, the day's investments reaching £68,102, as compared with £5f5,528 on the concluding day last year. For the meeting, the total was £213,47.">, as compared with £167,."41. No fault could be found with (he management, which was of the usual hiy;h standard associated with Riccarton fixtures. A Poor Start. The Hunters' "Plate received little attention from backers, probably from the fact that amateur riders were in the saddle. Signysian flattered his supporters by taking charge half-way down the home straight, but the heavy going anchored him in the last i) 0 yards. When challenged by Blazoaway, he failed to sustain his run. and was defeated by nearly a length. Grim Joke did not receive the best assistance from his rider, otherwise he 'must have been dangerous. Bill Terrv was installed favourite for the Aylesbury Steeplechase, but he quite failed to reproduce his earlier form. For most of the journey. Golden Grape held eharge from Lawsuit and Sonny, with The Grand tailing off. Half a mile from home, Lawsuit had Golden drape's measure, and won very easily by half-a-dozen lengths. John Buiny did not get over his fences at all confidently, rind was twice nearly down. For a comparative novice. Sonny shaped well, and should not be long in earning winning honours. The heavy going evidently stopped Bill Terry, for he never got into the fighting line, while his jumping left a good deal to be desired. Gold Kip's Failure. Though burdened with 11.0, Gold Kip found most favour with backers for the Heathcote Handicap. He did not jump out so smartly as Dainty Step, Clean Sweep and Loyal Arch, and, as they round the top turn, dropped still further back. With heads in line for home, Painty Step aud Clean Sweep were heading their field, and Arch Salute could be noticed on the outside. At the distance. Arch Salute joined Painty Step, and in a good finish, got the verdict ' by half a length. Clean Sweep faded out badly over the last furlong, while Melee and Loyal Arch could not foot it with the leaders at any stage of the journey. Tatimi had a decided call in the betting for the Styx Hurdles. Always in a handy position, he took second place nt the turn into the straight, and at this looked to have fair prospects of overhauling General Petain. There was not much between them as they crossed the last obstacle, but once on the flat General Petain made no race of it. The winner is one of the best bred horses amongst the recruits to the jumping business. lie has plenty of size, and a fair anion at of pace, and next season should be gaining distinction over country. Tatimi ran a very solid race, but was hampered by the going, while Wild Pilgrim could not go the pace with the lending pair. Mannish and Bombproof both lost their riders through faulty jumping. Kauri King Makes Amends. In the absence of Lochella, Hylans aud Bombproof, Kauri King was backed down to a very short price for the Sydenham Hurdles. Deviation looked like making a runaway race of it till within half a mile from home, where he clouted a hurdle so badly as to take all the fire out of him. This

enabled Kauri King to take charge, and, staying on much better than in the Grand National Hurdles, he won nicely by nearly three lengths. Kauri King gave a fine exhibition of jumping all through, but was lucky to catch half-a-dozen lengths on Deviation when the latter almost came down, .lack Symons was always well placed, but appeared to leave his final run too late. Fisher and Meltehikoff faded out over the concluding stages, after having every chance.

There were only seven starters for the Lincoln Steeplechase, but it was full of interest. Merry Lad, San Sebastian and Oakleigh were prominent in the early stages, with Crib and Coalition always handy. Just when making his run, six furlongs from home, the last-named collided with Oakleigh, both coming down. This made matters very easy for Crib, who was ridden to much more advantage than in the Grand National. San Sebastian was lucky to got second money; for he was stopping to a walk over the concluding stages, and Ormesby could not go the pace. Only for his bail luck in bumping into Oakleigh, it looked as if Coalition could not well have lost. Waimai and Merry Lad both came to grief. A Runaway Eace.

Carmine jumped out smartly in the Redcliffs Handicap, and led throughout. Nearing the post, High Heels and Black Mountain put in good runs, but neither had a chance with Carmine, who finished full of running. The Boss got badly away, and, after running up into third place at the top turn, faded right out.

Though burdened with a 71b penalty for his earlier success, Arch Salute was in almost as good demand as Astinome for the Selwyu Handicap. Will Oakland showed all his accustomed brilliancy out of the barrier, and was allowed to open up such a big lead in the first half mile that he had plenty in reserve to stall off the final challenges of Arch Salute and Sir Fanciful. The winner shaped much better than in his second day effort, but Astiuome put up a disappointing race. Winning Payments. The following is the list of the principal winning payments:— V. and E. Riddiford, £1050; P. Delargey, £10f>(); D. Morton, £710; J. Smith, £520; C. W. Coleman, £500; A. N. Gibbons, £455; F. Shaw, £350; H. M. Campbell, £300; J. Malmanche, £300; G. F. Hardy, £205; Clarksou and Pearson, £280; P. A. Herman, £280; E. H. Murphy, £250; T. E. Whelch, £210; C. P. Buckenham, £210; H. McLean, £180; ff. .1. Lewis, £180; (5. L. Rutherford, £190; R. K. Hall, £175; (5. T. Smith, £175; W. M. Fenwick, £170; R. C. Gillies, £170; H. W. McCaw, £168; L. C. Hazlctt, £105; H. J. Palmer, £150; T. Shccnan, £110; E. \\. Brooke, £118; A. Murdoch, £IOO. NOTES. Winning honours amongst the jockeys riding at Riccarton last week were divided betwen J. T. Huniphris and A. Wormald with three each. The only other to gain more than oue suceess was J. Campbell. Sportsmen will hear with regret of the death of Mr W. C. Webb, which occurred yesterday. For some time the veteran owner-trainer has not been in the best of health, and his decease was not unexpected, as he had reached the age of 87. IU r Webb was born in Berkshire, and learned his business under such competent masters as S. Scott and John Pay. Afterwards he acted as head lad at Chantilly, in France, to Mr Tom Jennings, who was then trainer to Count le Grange. He came out to New Zealand in lbd2 with a shipment of horses, which included such great ones as Traducer and Mermaid, for MiLancelot Walker, of Four Peaks Station, New Zealand. Mr Webb first trained for Mr Henry Lance, his stables being at the Bush Inn, a well-known landmark in the early days, of which the deceased was host. Amongst the horses he had under his care at different times were: —Knottingley (Canterbury Cup twice), Belle of the Isle (Canterbury Cup winner, and dam of Templeton), Le Loup, Danebury, Ruby, Springston, Wrangler and .Tangier. Mr Webb sold out his Riccarton establishment about "20 years ago, and siuce then took no active interest in the sport of racing.