RACING NOTES.

Thames Star, Volume LX, Issue 16855, 4 August 1926, Page 7

RACING NOTES.

(NOTES by “Sasanof.”)

It is a. popular opinion that Ngata will he Mr. J. Bull’s selection for the Grand National Hurdle race.

Limited showed tremendous pace up to five furlongs as a two-year-old, and he may stay on all right, in which case he will make things very interesting for the best of his .age.

Lysander proved himself a very brilliant two-year-old, and lie appears to retain all his old pace, judging by the way he is shaping on the tracks. He has furnished into a splendid-looking colt, and there seems no reason why he should not run out a mile at top. If Commendation does not go to Wanganui, Lysander will no doubt he a firm favourite for the Guineas there, but Kiosk will have plenty of friends if he trains on all right, and Limited will not want for support if he goes to the post fit and well.

It was understood that Commenda tion would make his first appearance as a three-year-old in the Wanganui Guineas, but it is now stated that he will not be seen out until the Avondale Guineas comes up for decision. This will take some of the interest out of the Wanganui classic, but there will be some good ones to oppose Ly~ sander there, and a very fine race should bo witnessed.

S. Henderson, who steered Birkenella in his engagements at Riccarton 12 months ago, will have the mount on Kendal in the Grand National Steeples, Henderson won the big ’chase on Lochell,a in 1919.

In a sprint over half a mile recently on his home track Kiosk proved beyond doubt that his speed has not been impaired. But it is to be regretted that there is a doubt about his respiratory organs.

In what may be termed the final gallop before leaving Wanganui for Riccarton, Civility acquitted herself really well and as a result gained a host of admirers. She reeled off six furongs in lmin 1G 3-ssec, and finished especially well. Mask, who accompanied her over the first five furlongs, held out signals of distress, and was eased up.r

Whipcord is on the easy list at present. One of his knees has been causing trouble lately, and though he is improving, he must be regarded as a doubtful starter for the Grand National Steeplechase.

Tigerland has been showing signs of soreness during the last couple of days. It is to be hoped that he will make a quick recovery, as in other respects he is very well at present.

A. E. Ellis will have the mount on the Southlao. dgelding, Uncle Boh, in the Grand National Steeplechase.

The Auckland steeplechaser, Kawini, is making a good recovery from the slight mishap that befel him on nis arrival at Lyttelton earlier in the week.

The .South Canterbury gelding Nightraid will not fulfil bis engagements at the Grand National meeting. He ricked a muscle near the round bone (recently, and as it did not yield readily to treatment, R. C. Keeper found it necessary to throw him out of training. This is a piece of bad luck for Mr. A. G. Macdonald, as Nightraid is a good jumper, and in view of his win in the Otago Steeplechase last month he might have paid his way at Riccarton.

The North Island cross-country horseman, E. Warner, is left without a mount in the Grand National Steeplechase, as a result of Sturdee being killed while schooling at Hastings. Warner rode Sturdee when he won the Grand National two years ago.

Black Cruiser appears to liave gone on the right way since he raced at Trent ham, where he was narrowly defeated by Zircon in the Winter Hurdle Handicap. He is one of the fancied candidates for the Grand National Hurdle Handicap, and he will he hard to beat in that event. He is a good galloper and a bold jumper, while he has provided sound evidence that he can stay.. ‘ * * ft » Kendal is not looked on as a good stayer and for that reason it was thought that something shorter than the Grand National Steeplechase would suit him at Riccarton. His schooling exhibition yesterday, howevre, was not a good recommendation for him and until he shows something better over the brush fences, lie will not have so many admirers as seemed probable.

Olympic read well at Trentham, but just failed to see out the journey °n two occasions. He has done well since then and he may pay his way in the flat races at the Grand National meeting.

According to reports from Hawke’s Bay, Fireblight and Landbird have both done well since they raced at Trentham . The yboth figure in the Grand National Steeplechase, but while Fireblight is regarded is a certain starter for the cross-country event, it is on the cords that Landbird will be reserved for hurdle races at Riccarton.

Gauntlet continues to shape well in his schooling at Trentham. It is understood, however, that there is no present intention of racing him over hurdles. He is not as solid as could be wished and it ishoped that the jumping will improve him in that respect, and that he will win some decent stakes on the flat before attention is turned to jumping efents.

Trainer J. H. Jecerd left Hastings for Wellington on Friday evening with Rapine, Star Stranger, Joy King, My Hobby, Dishonoured (the Paper Money —lmpediment eoming-two-year-old) and Expense (a by Pai>er Money from the imported mare Lady Jean 11., dam of Scion). All are well forward. My Hobby will probably be sold on the other side.