On and Off the Track

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20802, 10 August 1937, Page 9

On and Off the Track

■\ BUDGET OF NEWS AND VIEWS FIXTURES Racing August 7—Poverty Bay Hunt Club. August 10, 12, 14—Canterbury J.C. August 21—Pakuranga Hunt Club. Sept. 2—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt. Sept. 4—Taranaki Hunt Club. Sept. 4—Otago Hunt Club. Sept. 9, 11—Wanganui J. C. Sept. 18—Ashburton County R.C. Sept. 18, 20—Avondale J.C. Sept. 23, 25—Geraldine R.C. j Trotting Aug. 11, 13—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. August 28—Auckland T.C. Sept. 4—New Brighton T.C. Sept. 11—Wellington T.O. October 2—Methven T.C. October 9—New Brighton T.C. October 16—Waikato T.C. October 16, 18—Westport T.C. October 23, 25—Auckland T.C. October 23, 25—Greymouth T.C. October 25—Oamaru T.C.

Grand National Steeplechase to-day. The first race at Riccarton to-day will start at 11.30. Red Sun Is still lame, and will not start In the Grand National Hurdles. Wino will not start In the Winter Cup, and It is probable that L. J. Ellis will be on Davolo. Adieux was scratched for all engagements at Riccarton at 11.35 a.m. yesterday. .... No horse has yet won two Winter Cups, and now that Wino is dropping out Epris is the only one with a chance of establishing a record to-day. If It should be decided to start Shillelagh Wood in the Enfield, Kelly the Crow may be reserved for the second day. • • • • Reporter was penalised only 12 yards for his win In the August Handicap. He was liable to an extra second owing to the value of the race being more than £5OO. Rockingham's win at the Hunt meeting did not make him ineligible for for the Cashmere Plate, which is open to horses which had not won a race at time of nomination. * • • • Eleven of Thursday’s Grand National Hurdles eld of thirteen are likely to be seen in action to-day, but Irish Comet and Brigadore are to run in the Steeplechase, and most of the others in the Jumpers’ Flat—a race which is not a reliable guide in connection with the big hurdle race. A year ago Royal Limond and Jolly Beggar won the Grand National double, and it is a coincidence that neither has been successful since. Royal Limond has not even been in the money, but Jolly Beggar has some sterling placed performances to his credit under big weights and his record is a highly creditable one. • • • • It is ten years since a favourite won the Grand National Hurdles, and it ■was ten years prior to that that the No. 1 selection succeeded. On the law of averages a favourite is due this year. Backers have been more fortunate in the Steeplechase, having picked the winner seven times in twenty years. Two Winter Cup favourites have scored within the last twenty years, the last being Fast Passage in 1932. Other winners during the period have ranked as follows on the machine:—Nos. 25, 22, 17, 16, 15, 12, 9 (twice). ON EVE OF NATIONAL WORK AT RICCARTON

1 Special to "The Timaru Herald.’’ 1 CHRISTCHURCH, August 9. 1 Conditions were ideal for work at 1 Riccarton this morning. The ground had dried up and the outside of the t trial grass track provided good going. ] Roy Bun beat Mother-in-Law over six furlongs in Imln 20 4-ssec. 1 Rockingham and Liane took 53 3-5 I sec for half a mile. I Bay Duke was to have galloped half I a mile alone, but he Joined with The 1 Wrecker and Cerne Abbas, the three 1 coming home in 51 2-ssec. Grey Honour and Pakanui dashed over half a mile up the back in 49 2-5 1 sec. 1 Miracle, Aggravate and Silver 1 Sight ran half a mile up the back in 1 51sec, time that Greek Gold and '■ Matoru equalled. Concertpitch had Pelmet as a companion in a run down the straight. ’ Dictate was in front of Palmyra at 1 the end of half a mile in 50 2-ssec. Royal Limond and Burglar did a working gallop over a round. The Surgeon and Rose of Tralee ran half a mile in 54sec. Big Dook and Grampian sprinted up the back in 52sec. Silver Streak sprinted three furlongs down the straight. Rousseau beat Swordstick over half a mile in 51sec. Jolly Beggar and Monastic ran seven furlongs in Imln 37sec. Queen of Song and Made Money were going easily to do 54sec for half a mile along the back, where Araboa and Toreador registered 52 l-ssec. Lustra!, with Waltaka as a mate early, did five furlongs in Imin 6sec. Rebel Chief ran three furlongs up the back in 38sec. Solwit dashed over three furlongs up the back in 37 3-ssec, while Old Surrey did half a mile in 53sec.