CAP AND JACKET

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 50, 21 August 1915, Page 14

CAP AND JACKET

[By the Early Bird.]

The C.J.C. Grand National of 1915-16 has come and gone again, and was an all-round success—good attendance, large speculation and fine racing.

The totalisator staff were kept busy during the three days, having a turnover of £134,586. Last year's handling was £111,017.

A fair number of Auckland horses competed at the fixture, and one of the plums of the gathering was captured by the local owner, Mr E. W. Alison, junr., with Ngatoa.

Parawanui opened the meeting with a win for Mr W. D. Webster, starting favourite, and. nicely handled, landed the Hunters' Hurdle Handicap.

The Trial Hurdle Race went to Moddite, with the Auckland-bred Ruatangata running second, Multiply being a long way back.

The useful Harbour Light annexed the Jumpers' Flat Race, and started favourite. The Soult horse Admiral Soult pulled up lame, and may require a long rest.

Twelve started in the New Zealand G.N. Steeplechase, with Tim Doolan as the selected, and the two Auckland horses, Ngatoa and Golden Glow, were split for. first and second place by The Brewer. The race will long be remembered by the downfall of the favourites, the placed horses belonging to the outside division.

The Tally-ho Plate Steeplechase went to Rufus, ridden by the owner, Mr J. D. Smith. ■ Seven smarted, and the favourite Won. ,; y. In the Winter Cup, one of the legs of the Cup and National double went to Banksia, which had been doing very attractive trials prior to the race. Encore, the runner-up in the Winter Cup, ran most consistently at the fixture, afterwards wanning the Selwyn Handicap. Our champion horseman B. Deeley opened the new season in this by steering the winner, afterwards riding another winner, Pride of Clutha, in the August Handicap. Grey Renown was found equal to winning the Enfield Steeplechase, in the capable hands of J. O'Connell. Mr R. T. Neale's Derby Day annexed the Avonhead Handicap, beating a field of twenty-one, including the Auckland horse Nicomar. The latter was favourite. The going was better on the second day of the gathering. There was another good attendance on the second day of the National Meeting and brisk speculation. The day's racing was opened with the Hunt Club Cup, when The Mouse was made a warm favourite. W. Adams, who steered Ngatoa in the National Steeplechase, was the rider. He won easily. The highly thought of Nicomar gave his owner, Mr A. W. Beveridge, his first win in the Slimmer Handicap, but only had a head margin in his favour. The Spalpeen horse was favourite. • Pride of Clutha was found quite equal of downing his opponent m the August Handicap. The Auckland horse Bluestone was the chosen oST but got a bad run, being practically left.

Derby Day, the winner of the last race on the opening day, was the raniier-up in tlie Summer Handicap. Mrs Neale's horse is worth keeping in view in future. Fifteen started in the August Handicap, with the Auckland horse Bluestone tlie favoured one among speculators. His backers got a bad run,. The horse did not again saddle up at the gathering. There was a buzz of excitement when the horses lined up for the National Hurdle Race, thirteen starting St. Elmn was 'most fancied, but the dread outsider Hurakia won after a good race. Leouta, the Wanganui horee,..wa,s one of the first horses fancied for, the big event some months ago. l-nis, horse ran third last season, and was. reserved for this event.

Morning, with the. Aucklandl.rider J Julian up, made amends tor tailing in the G.N. Steeple by capturing the Beaufort and Lincoln. Steepler chases. Glenmore and Bonny filled the places in the former .race.

Mr G. Fulton's Art gave A. J. McFlymi his first win at the meetin cr 'He also won the Styx Hurdles;' oif the concluding day of the gathering. , .

In the Islington Handicap a good field of thirteen went to the post, with Glienroy favourite.. Loloma also .started, but was never dangerous. The favourite was second, HAicore third.

In the Woolstone Plate Tevioklale,, the favorite, won fairly easily,from Scorch, Sea King and four others. There was some good racing, and five first favourites won on +he day and onie was second.

The chief fixture of the concluding day was the number, of horses that oaiine down and made mistakes, two being killed, and one died from bursting a bloodl vessel.

The opening event of the afternoon, the Aylesbury Steeplechase, Avars won by Oratonu,th,e top weight, Grey Renbwn, (12.3) second. Only two'others finished.

The Heathcote. Handicap went to Kaminohe. Only • a head separated him from the second! horse Miltohikoff. The seven furlongs was carved out in 1.28 3-5. Art won his second race for his owner, and gave A. J. McFlynn his second' winning mount at the meetino-. In the Styx Hurdle Race he had a little in hand at the finish., 1 Diavolo came home in the Sydenham Huird-le Race with St. Elmn, which carried l most of the bullion in the G.N. Hurdle Race,, in second place. Heads . • only separated him from Modiste. Morning, with the steadier of 12.3 lead all the way and won the Lincoln Steeplechase, a very meritorious performance. Tim Doolan, with 11.13, wasr rnnmer-up. The Redcliffe Handicap went to Prince Laddo. Potentiality and Haumakaka were the placed horses. Encores third race was full of merit, when he won tlie Selwyn Handicap (10.4), after being second in the Winter Cup and third m the Islington Handicap (9.13). The casualty list was very heavy at the meeting, just a score coming to grief through baulking, falling or making other mistakes. The death toll was exceptionally heavy, three being killed on the course, and one succumbed to rupture. Those killed were Taft, Phamos, Kirn and Captain Mackay. The curtain was rung down with the Hunters' Plate, the placed horses being Crib, Ormoloia, Moonglow. The following horses made misr takes at the C.A.C. fixture:—Dan Cameron (fell), Taft (fell), Tim Doolan (lost rider), Dardanelles, Daylight Bill (fell), Morning (fell), Glenmore (fell), Rustic (fell), Agatha Green (f«kl) Oratood. (fell), Toby (fell), Kingsway (fell), Prairie Fire (ran off), Fritz (fell), Awahou (fell), Harbour Light (fell), Daylight BiU (fell), Sandy Paul (refused), and Admiral Soult (pulled up lame). (Continued on Page 23.)