CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12086, 15 August 1917, Page 5

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. The Canterbury Jockey Club's Grand National meeting will be commenced at Riccavton to-morrow. For many years past the fixture has extended over three days, but under the general reduction of racing in the Dominion during the present season, it has been shorn of a. day. There would have been widespread satisfaction had the club loft 'the August dates untouched and arranged its reduced programme by cutting in other directions. The Grand National meeting appeals very strongly to a wide circle. It is the most sporting gathering of the season, so far as Riccar'ton is concerned, and it never fails to draw patronage, in horses and public from all parts of the Dominion- The programme caters liberally for jumpers, and the prospect of witnessing some good sport in that department attracts many keen country sportsmen, who would require something exceptional in the way of flat racing as an inducement 'to make a lengthy trip. In the meantime it looks as it the reduction to two days would not seriously prejudice the success of the meeting. It ha.s, at aaiy rate, made no appreciable differenceyjn 'the number of competitors available, whilo the fact that they havo come from widely separated districts is further evidence that tho meeting has not lost lt.s hold on owners. Tha fields in 'the flat events will b 6 particularly largo, while, if some of the jumping races have failed to attract quite so many horses as usual thero is tho compensation that they represent tho best class at present in training, hi all departments, therefore, there is material for some very interesting sport. Tho cloven horses engaged m the Grand National Steeplechase, 'the principal event of the meeting, include some well tried performers over country. The least experienced of the k'f is Crib, who figures as top weight, his cross-country record being limited to 'two starts at Trentham last month. He was a bold jumper when racing over hurdles and he created a favourable impression in his initial efforts as a steeplechaser. Iha fences at Riocarton are much more difficult, however, than those over which he performed at Tren'tham, and the tiring Grand National course will thoroughly test him. Braeburn has some good performances to his credit and as a proved stayer, with experience over the local fences, ho is entitled to respect. Gluepot is a winner am Riocarton, but he is ■weighted up to his full deserts, while he wilf be seriously handicapped by his absence from the tracks for over a week. Master Strowan, a double winner at Trentham, is n useful sort, likely to be troublesome. St Elmn is the mystery horse of 'the race, as he also figures in the hurdle race, but it is probable he will be seen in the steeplechase. He is a proved stayer, and has shown that ho can jump, so his prospects of success are bright, though he would have been more at homo on hnrd ground. Merry Lad is one of the mast solid customers in the field. He is a great jumper, who has already raced over tho course where he was second last year. Last, month he filled a similar position in the 'Wellington Steeplechase, and, as he has probably improved since then, ho has an excellent chance of reversing places with Crib, whom he now meets on lGlb better terms. Sandy Paul is an uncertain fencer, while the next three, Diavolo Nita and Kirkby, may bo troubled bv the length of the journey. The Brewer is a perfect jumper, and his chance, rests there, as he is slow. The field for tho Grand National Hurdle Handicap is made up of a very useful lot of horses. Art is set a much more severe task than when he won last year, and on Trentham form his prospects do not look good. He has been galloping well lately, and he is such a great stayer that he cannot bo left out of calculations, though the chance of soft ground is against him. Rewi Poto has good form on the fiat to recommend him, but his jumping may not be solid enough for such a hard contest. Lecnta has shaped well since he has been at Kiccorton, and on his best form has a good chance. Bon Rove is another who has made friends lately. He is a. proficient jumper, and ho should not be troubled by the length of the journey. To Onga is probably on tho down grade, while the other Aucklander, Marconi, is too uncertain. Sir Fisher is a good-looking horse, but his jumping ha:, not been impressive lately. " Sleight of Hand is a brilliant juniper and a, good galloper, whose main difficulty may be in seeing the journey out. Sir Solo was third last year, and, though he has done littlo since then, he must be reckoned with, as he can stay. Flying Camp is smart on Ihe flat, but be has little experience to recommend him in this field. The Winter Cup field looks like being the largest on record, and the element of luck will probably play a big part in the result. Many of the candidates have been galloping well, among them being Fiery Cross, Parisian Diamond, Miss De Val, Brarnbletye, Tip-up, Johnny Walker aud Jennnot, but it is an exceptionally open race. So far as the minor events are concerned, the outlook is promising, and keen competition may be expected throughout tho programme. The first race each day will be started at 11.30 a.m. Tho following is the programme for the. first day's racing:— HUNT CLUB CUP. of 500 eovs; second horse 40 sovs a ml third horse 20 sovs from tho stake. About two miles aud a half. «t. lb. 6 t. lb. Wellwood . 11 11 Handsome Boy. 10 5 burgess .11 9 Runza . 10 5 Kaupokonui . 11 5 The Grand . 10 2 Tangihae-ri .10 9 Luigi . 10 0 Gold'n Butterfly 10 5 TRIAL HURDLE HANDICAP, of 250 sovs; second horse 50 bovs and third horse 25 iu.ivs from the stake. Quo milo and throequarters. San Sebastian . 11 5 Turehnua .98 Compulsion . 10 9 Mt. Victoria . 9 0 St Curio . 10 8 Stoperina . 9 0 Miss Sation . 10 8 Salaihiel . 0 0 Dionyaiug . 10 2 Don Francisco . 9 0 Goldeu Glade . 9 6 Arthur George . 9 0 GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES HANDICAP, of 1200 bovs : second horse 240 sovb and third horse 120 sovs from the stake. Two miles and a half. et lb Art (R. M'Seveney) . . . 11 8 Rewi Poto (F. Flynn) . . .11 a Loonta (E. Copestake) . . . 10 13 Bon Reve (Stan. Reid) . . 10 9 To Onga (R. Tanp) . . . 10 8 Sir Fisher (A. Ward) . . . 10 6 Sleight of Hand (A. M'Donald) . 10 6 I Mferconi (8. Henderson) , , U 13 1 St, Elmn (F. Tutchen) . . . 9 !> Sir Solo (L. Hoßerty) . . .98 Flying Camp (J. W. Crook) . 9 2 AVONHEAD HANDICAP, of 200 bovs; second horse -JO bovs and third horse 20 eovs from the stake. Six furlongs. Kjlkeo . 10 13 Formnal . .96 , Grand Idea . 10 11 Majestikoff . 9 6 Thames . 10 9 Melford . 9 8 Rewanga . 10 £> Bloomine . 9 1 Matty . 10 8 Euripos . 9 1 All Sorene . 10 8 Achillous .90 Don Pacitico . 10 4 Epworth . 9 0 Rajput , 10 4 Wingforra . 9 0 Powdor King: « 0 10 KiruboHon . 0 0 Kilbrogan . 9 10 R<sd Cent . 0 0 Ascalaphus . 9 10 Luff , 9 0 Minesweeper . 9 6 Antiope . 9 0 GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE, of 1600 eovs; .second horse 300 govs arjd third horse ISO eovs from the stake. Three miles and a half. ■t lb Crib (J. R. Kaan) . . . 11 13 Braeburn (A. M'Donald) . . 11 10 Gluepot, (S. Henderson) . . 11 5 Master Strowan (R. M'Seveney) 10 11 St Elmn (F. Tutohen) . . . 10 JJ Merry Lad (H. Burt) . . .10 0 Sandy Paul (F. Flynn) . . 0 11 ■ Diavolo (A. Ward) . . .96 Nita (L. Graham) . . .98 Kirkby (L. Hafforty) . . .98. The Brewer (W. H. Eaaton) . 9 7 ENFIELD STEEPLECHASE, of 250 sovs; second horse 60 eovs and third horse. 25 sovb from tho stake About two miles. Tauira .11 7 Traditor . 9 10 Kew . 9 13 Coalition . 9 8 Stoneginger . 9 12 Handsome Boy 9 7 I'aroiialft . , 9.11 Eojiz*, „ a ?

WINTER CITP, of 700 sovs ; second horse HO sovs and third horse 70 sovs from the stake-. One mile. Oxenhope . .11 1 Killjoy . .98 Fiery Cross .10 9 Tip-up • .97 Varnish . .10 7 luitess . .96 Parisian Zuland . .95 Diamond 10 6 Grand Idea . 9 3 Hiss de Val .10 6 Sir Agnea . 9 3 Snub . .10 3 Johnnv Walker 9 3 Orleans . .10 0 Cardrona . .90 Raurnanawhiri 913 Jeannot . .90 Lady Penary . 913 Xantlios . .90 George . .9 10 Kintr SUr . 9 0 Sedd-el-Bahr . 9 9 Probation . .90 Prince Delawure 9 9 Clk.nfy . .90 Heeltap . .98 Thoughtful . 9 0 Brarnblotye . 9 8 Bonsisrn . .90 SUMNER HANDICAP, of -200 sovs; second horse 40 govs and third horse 20 sovs from _tlio stake. One mile. Kilkee . lo 12 Lion .92 Thames .10 8 Compulsion . 9 2 Hythread . 10 ft Aleiford . 9 1 Black Hill . io 2 Riga . 9 0 Killard . 9 9 Mittagong . 9 0 Powder King . 9 9 Cross Words . 9 0 Ascalaphus . 9 9 St Head . 9 0 Golden Rupee 9 5 Zarita . 9 0 Mineaweoper . 9 5 Kimbolton . 9 0 Henrieito . 9 5 John Reilly .9 0