NATIONAL DAY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20493, 11 August 1936, Page 12

NATIONAL DAY

PROSPECTS FOR RICCARTON This year’s Grand National fixture, which will open at Riccarton to-day, is expected to be the most successful August meeting staged by the C.J.C. for several years—provided always that the weather is favourable. This anticipation is based on the heavy bookings for accommodation and transport, which are interpreted as signs of returning prosperity for the sporting community. With a continuance of fine weather, the Riccarton tracks should drain appreciably, the substrata being of a shingly nature, and the going may not be worse than a trifle dead. Chief interest will centre in the Grand National Steeplechase and the Winter Cup. With only eight horses left in, the big ’chase may lose a little from the spectacular angle, but if there were only half that number it would still be “The National,” and there is ample material for a fine race. The top-weight, Billy Boy, has not been schooled since his arrival from Trentham, but he has behind him an impressive record over Riccarton. He won four years ago with 11.13, and has been placed twice since then with 11.13 and 11.5, and was fourth under 12.5. During the present jumping season he has to his credit the Waikato Steeplechase, the Great Northern, and the July Steeplechase at Trentham, and with 11.5 to-day will have an army of supporters. The actual favourite may be Diamond 10.13, one of the youngest horses in the race, who recently scored a very impressive victory in the Wellington Steeplechase, and will carry the confidence of a strong stble. Royal Limond 10.8 has not impressed since he won a double at Riverton and seems to be held safe by Diamond, but he is an accredited stayer. Forest Glow 10.3 showed very consistent form in midwinter, and although he slumped at Trentham he is claimed to have freshened up again and in that case could be depended on to plug along to the end. Punchestown, 10.0, who was second last year, has not raced for a year, and usually it takes a horse getting on in years some time to reach top form. Solely on this account, the Longbeach representative must reluctantly be passed by. Pahu 9.6 is a sound stayer, but neither he nor Manawatu or High Speed looks quite National class. The three best may be Diamond, Billy Boy and Forest Glow. That the Winter Cup is a hard race to win is proverbial, and that it is even harder to pick is evidenced by the fact that only once in the last twenty years has a favourite succeeded and that two of the last three winners have returned huge dividends. Queen of Song 10.5 has a big burden, but she is a mare of real class, and will be one of the prime fancies. Epris 9.9 would have been outright favourite if his preparation had not been interrupted, and if he fails this afternoon he Will be worthy of respect later in the week. Another well-equipped candidate is the Waikato mare Adalene, who was second to Epris at Trentham and now meets the Orari gelding on 111 b better terms. Wet or dry Adalene will be one of the hardest to beat. Of the Riccarton contingent the two in most demand are likely to be Concertpitch and Ponty. Concertpitch won the Great Easter with 7.0 i, and at his only other start was outclassed in the Challenge Stakes. To-day he is 131 b above the minimum, and his prospects would have been rosier had he been given a race prior to the Cup. Ponty carried 9.12 (minimum 8.0) to victory in easy fashion at Trentham, but he beat only a weak hack field, and his performance is adequately recognised with 9.9 in Winter Cup class. Still, a good hack on the improve is always to be feared in the spring and Ponty will run well. Boomerang is another who will command support, and half a dozen others cannot be ruled out, but form points to those already mentioned. Many people who look for “hunches” will discard Epris on the ground that no horse has yet managed to win two Winter Cups, but that will not stop him if he is well enough and good enough. Queen of Song, Epris and Adalene may be the place-getters, and if they are beaten it may be by Concertpitch or Ponty. The draw for positions, it should be noted, is likely to have an important bearing on the race. Good “place” prospects appear to be: Trial Hurdles —Saltspray, The Smuggler, John Charles. Paparua Handicap Emissary, Knockfln, Bay Duke (if a starter). Jumpers’ Flat—Polydora, Signaller, Clarion Call. Cashmere Plate—Sir Hugh, Cape Gabo, Autumn Wind. Grand National—Diamond, Billy Boy, Forest Glow. Enfield Steeplechase—Burglar, Thurina, Nocturnus. Winter Cup—Epris, Queen of Song, Ponty. Avonhead Handicap—Hunting Maid, Rose of Tralee, Braw Lad. The card is as follows: TRIAL HURDLES, of 250 sovs; 12 miles.—The Smuggler 10.13, Saltspray 10.10, John Charles 10.1, Santoft 9.9, Haere Tonu 9.1, Havering 9.1, Lord Hereford 9.0, Redolent 9.0, Battleground 9.0. PAPARUA HANDICAP, of 200 sovs; 6 furlongs.—Emissary 9.9, Greek Gold 9.5, Knockfln 9.2, Dollar Bill 9.2, Bay Duke 9.1, Travenna 9.1, Pukeko 8.6, Hororata 8.2, Copyist 8.0, Arena 8.0, Arrow Rose 8.0, Gaysome 8.0, Acla 8.0, Epic 8.0. JUMPERS’ FLAT HANDICAP, of 200 sovs; li miles. —Polydora 11.3, Jolly Beggar 10.13, Clarion Call 10.8, Silk Sox 10.2, Signaller 9.13, Courtyard 9.11, Travelling Agent 9.9, Saltspray 9.8, Streamline 9.1, Journet 9.0, “Haere Tonu 9.0. CASHMERE PLATE, of 200 sovs; 6 furlongs.—Arrow Glen 8.11, Autumn Wind 8.11, Cape Gabo 8.11, Culotte 8.11, Derive 8.11, Jed Forest 8.11, John Ball 8.11, Lochain 8.11, Miss Shambles 8.11, Pink Comet 8.11, Roy Bun 8.11, Silver Fox 8.11, Tarboe 8.11, Coxcomb 8.0, Impact 8.0, Maka Ahi 8.0, Nuipai 8.0, Orange Bud 8.0, Recollection 8.9, Rousseau 8.0, Sir Hugh 8.0, Sunbeam 8.0, Twilight Song 8.0, Thermidor 8.0, GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE Of 1000 sovs; 3S miles. Billy Boy 11 5 Punchesto’n 10 0 Diamond 10 13 Pahu 9 6 Royal Manawatu 9 3 Limond 10 8 High Speed 9 0 Forest Glow 10 3 ENFIELD STEEPLECHASE, of 250 sovs; about 2 miles.—Thurina 12.1, Kaokaoroa 9.8, Nocturnus 9.5, Royston 9.3, Otaura King 9.1, Burglar 9.1, Money Mine 9.1.

AVONHEAD HANDICAP, of 200 sovs; 7 furlongs.—Queen Dorothy 9.8, Cyclonic 9.5, Hunting Maid 9.4, Grey Honour 8.11, Braw Lad 8.11, Cintilla 8.10, Madam Pompadour 8.10, Tail Light 8.10, Sovereign Lady 8.10, Matoru 8.8, Rose of Tralee 8.8, Palmyra 8.6, Latitude 8.6, Polygraph 8.3, Poniard 8.3, Owls Gleam 8.3, Emmeline Girl 8.2, Gasmask 8.1, Jack Ahoy 8.1, Fiord 8.1, Monipere 8.0, Call Money 8.0, The Sandwichman 8.0, Araboa 8.0, Redtr»p 8.0, Lady Kate 8.0.

WINTER CUP, Of 600 sovs; 1 mile. Queen of Rona Bay 8 2 Song 10 3 Golden Dart 8 2 Epris 9 9 Boomerang 8 1 Concertpitch 8 13 Wino 8 0 Fairweather 8 10 Royal Adalene 8 9 Gallant 8 0 Ponty 8 9 Metal Bird 8 0 Davolo 8 9 The Surgeon 8 e Wall Street 8 3 Silk Arrow 8 0 Cranford 8 2 Mount Vai 8 0