SPORTING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16810, 7 August 1920, Page 3

SPORTING.

CHRISTCHURCH TROTS,. RAIN CAUSES POSTPONEMENT. Pei- Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, August 7. Owing to rain the opening clay of tho Metropolitan Trots has been postponed till Monday. NORTH TARANAKI HUNT MEETING. ENTRIES CLOSE TO-NIGHT. Owners and trainers are reminded that entries for all events at tho North Taranaki Hunt Club’s meeting, to be held on tho New Plymouth racecourse on August 26, close to-night, at 9 p.m. Eight events are carded, and stakes total £9lO. Tho programme comprises four hunters’ events, one open flat race, and three hack flat races, and judging by tho interest being taken in the gathering, it should bo a most successful one. Mr. J. R. L. Stanford will act as judge, Mr. C. O’Connor starter, and Mr. H. Coyle handicapper. Those interested will find tho programme advertised in this issue. (By “Historicus.”) A few notes on tho Canterbury meeting will appear in Monday’s Herald. Despite his being schooled over coun- I try at Riocarton, 1 hear on good authority that Slowcoach may not contest the Steeplechase. Tirana is now trained by H. Johnston, at Wanganui. The brown gelding is looking nice and Johnston is hopeful of getting tho purchase money back at tho coastal gathering of the South Island. Crib has created a favourable impression since arriving at Riccarton and promises to start as one of the favourite division. J. Kaan will pilot Crib in his engagements. , Checkmate is-galloping in great style at Riccarton, and Clifford’s gelding should extend tho best of those opposing him next week. Lochcfla is a certain starter for the Grand National Steeplechase, and one need not fear an eleventh hour withdrawal like Hawke’s Bay and Wellington. Christie is very confident about the result of Tuesday’s big Steeplechase. The parties connected with Slowcoach are very sanguine about tho Australian bred gelding’s chance in the National Hurdles; certainly tho field will not he a first-class one. Coalition is moving most attractively in Iris work at Riccarton and' recently defeated fast horses like All Talk and Kauri King in a 10 furlong gallop—a good performance for a “chaser.” Lochella pleased the onlookers by the way he went over tho Riccarton course in company with Slowcoach and Guauaco. Personally 1 expect Lochella. to give one of the .greatest displays over seen at Riccarton, if asked to do so on Tuesday next; the son of Grafton Loch is quite capable of doing it. . WiJJ. Oakland is now much fancied for the muter Cup, in which event lie will be ridden by Bagby. This gelding was under offer for £l5O to a Taranaki trainer some six months ago, but the deal fell through ; since then this gelding has won half a dozen, races. . The land recently bought by the Wanganui Jockey Club cost that body £28,000, of which £SOOO was paid as a deposit. After working at Riccarton on Thursday Master Strowan walked away lame; the shoulder is the root of tho trouble. According to an o-x-M.P., £58,500,000 has passed through the-totalisators of New Zealand from 1889 till 1919. In all probability J. Cameron will again take a team to Australia*, included in tho tea ml will be Molynoux. Why Cameron did not nominate Molyneux for the Winter Cup is hard to understand. On Trentham form Mason’s ‘cast-off” would have had a chance second to none. . i s reported that H. Gray will noA ride at the National gathering. Gray made application for the ride on Brackeniiold in tho Cup, so he evidently missed that promising mount.