SPORTING GOSSIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12088, 17 August 1917, Page 6

SPORTING GOSSIP.

RAGING AND TROTTING, (Bv "ARGUS.") FIXTURES. August 18--Cantelbiiry Jockey Club. The Grand National meeting was opened at Riccarton yesterday. The rain which fell early in the week unto ri;.o to some gloomy predictions, but a strong wind ,on AYedticsday dried the course up, while the proverbial good fortune of the club was in evidence yesterday, when tho sun shone brightly throughout the afternoon. As a result the day's racing was carried out under- the most pleasant conditions. There was a very large attendance, including a representative crowd from all parts of Canterbury, the absence of the usual railway facilities having little apparent effect, while there was also a strong contingent of int-crprovineial visitors. "With many people the Grand National meeting is the most interesting sporting event of the year, and this week's carnival has lost none of its popularity through the reduction to two days. The meeting went off very smoothly in most respects, an important exception, quite, unusual at Riccarton, being the failure to keep up to time with the. various events. There was a delay of ten minut-es early in the day, and each succeeding event made matters worse, tho last race being started half an hour late. The trouble was traceable to the totaiisator, where the work was not got, through so expeditiously as visual, owing to the tart, that many of the staff were, new, I n.-sb arrangements having to be made in order to fill the gaps caused by the regular hands being called up for military .service. There was a. very large turnover, the investments- for the day totalling i! 01,327, compared with i'4G,.'l(j(j on the first day of last year'a meeting. The course was a trifle dead, from the effects of the recent rain, but it provided capital going. The racing was mixed in character, but some of the events provided very interesting contests. Proceedings opened with the Hunt Club Cup, for which the held numbered eight. The South Canterbury gelding Kaupokonui was a little better backed than Hurgess. who brought a, big reputation from llawke's Ray. these two almost, monopolising the letting. Ranza went off at. sprinting pace, flying tho obstacles in great style, and be was about lil'ly yards clear of the field ati the end of about a mile, when be came down at the second of the stand double. He is a. brilliant jumper for a few furlongs, hut cannot stay. When he came (low n the others were in close order, with Kaupokonui just showing in front. Over the last hall-mile he had a, great-set-to with Welluood. Neither could claim much advantage and at, the. finish Kaupokonui won by a narrow margin. Golden Rutterfly was a. fair third, atter a. good exhibition of jumping. Rurgoss was a. long way back, never looking like a winner, and he was very lame when he walked in. The Grand and Tnugihaoro tailed off early and did not complete the course. Wellwood gave a good display of fencing, his performance being very creditable. The winner had thoroughly earned his success, after tho bad luck he experienced at, Trentham, whore ha was twice in second place last month Kaupokonui was bred in the Taranak; district.. His sire, Coronet, is by Castor--Neeklaco, by Musket-- Locket., the dam of Medallion. Coronet has sired a numbpr of useful jumpers. Kaupokonui's dam is by Ray Ling, a good welter horse by Cadogan from imported Corcyra, who was not a pronounced stud success. A dozen horses went to thp post- for the Trial Hurdle Handicap. San Sebastian, a Btahlo companion of Kaupokonui. was a decided favourite, with very little between Miss Nation, Golden Olado and Dionysius, who followed in that, order. 'The race was full of interest from start to 'finish. Dionysius wa.s always in a handy position, but) it, wa.s not till nearing the straight that It's, rider made a serious effort to reach the front. He was giving the leaders a, fair start when they straightened for home, but. he made up his ground in fine stylo and gradually wore Compulsion down after jumping the last hurdle, .Misrt Sation was one of the leaders all the way and jusfi failed to we the journey out. San Sebastian ran a good race, though ho stopped a bit at the end. He looks like being a good horse to follow in hurdlo events this season. St Curio and Arthur George showed a lot of pace, but neither of them'can stay well enough to have a chance of success in good company. Stoperina. wont well lor half tho journey, but ho is! a. very moderate racehorse. Tho winner was bred by the Hon J. 1). Ormond. being by imported Uymottus from Ortygia, by .BirkenheadArethusa, who traces back through Martini Henry's sister, Wood Nymph, to imported Juliet. Dionysius has not, done much racing, making his first appearance less than six months ago. lie took part in only three flat races before being tried over hurdles, and at the wond attempt, in that department he won at Wingatni in June. On that occasion Compulsion wa.s his nearest attendant at the finish, but Dionysius was in receipt of 2<Slb. so that he has improved a, lot in the meantime. Prior to the "Wellington meeting lust month Dionysius did .T lot of solid work, on the flat and over the schooling hurdles, in company with Art. Ho failed to run up to expectations at Trentham, having apparently done a little too much, but the education was very valuable and is likely to benefit him later on.

The Grand National Hurdle Handicap turned out a great disappointment. There were ten starters, and Sleight; of Hand wound up a good favourite, the next best hacked being Rewi Poto, Hon Rove and Leonta. Everything pointed to a first-class contest up to the end of a mile, where Sleight of Hand was just .showing clear of a bunched field. In a few seconds, how. ever, the wholo aspect of the, race was changed. Art fell at the hurdle near Tlie judge's box, through being in a bad position and failing to get a .sight; ol the obstacle, while Leonta canio over him and Flying Camp also met with interference, which settled his chance. Jtewi Poto was clear of the mix-up, but his bridle slipped and he was pulled Up. Thus there were onlv six hordes left to continue the contest. Sleight of Hand ran out of the straight with a lead of .several lengths, and it soon became evident that his opponents were set a difficult* task in trying to overhaul him. There was an impression in some quarters that he would be troubled by the length of the journey, and he Mas pulling so hard in the early stages that he looked like beating himself. \i the end of half a mile, however, he settled down, and he was going on more strongly than ;iny of his rivals over the laist part of the journey. Sir Solo was always well placed a .nd stayed on in good style, though h 0 had nothing left for a, final run. Sir Fisher ran a decent, race, and might have been closer to .Sir Solo but for a bit of interference, quito accidental, half a mile from home, in which ho and Bon l?-eve both suffered slightly. Bon Revo went well all through, but he seems to do host when ho is not so bandy in the early part. Te Onga was always last. never 1 looking. Jiks a. winner. Altogether, it wan

an uninteresting race, and there have been few occasions on which this event has been so easily won. Paisano had an easy win, and so did Confiuuance. a. year later, but yesterday's race was quite as decisive.. A year ago, when Sleight of Hand won two hack hurdle races a,t. the Grand National meeting, lie. was picked out as a very likely win. nor of the big event this year. Since, then his owner. Mr Frank Armstrong, has never lost confidence, and for some time past be has consistently passed the information along to everyone who cltosp to discuss the race with him. His optimism gained the horse many admirers, but no more than he secured through bis good work on the tracks, where he beat everything he galloped with in impressive stylo. Sleight of Hand is by Mystification, by Apreniont from tho Wonderland mare Mystic, his dam being also by "Wonderland, who was a twin, by Musket, from imported Fairyland, the dam of Rubezahl. A field of twenty contested the Avonhead Handicap, but they only represented fair hack class. As usual with races run down the straight six-furlong course, it was difficult to see much of what was happening in tho early stages, and the task seemed particularly hard yesterday. All I was certain of was that the favourite. Rajput, was one of the front lot when the course proper was reached, but ho faded out a little further on, leaving Red Cent in charge. It looked as if tiiis big roan gelding would bring off a surprise, but at the distance Euripos could be seen going like a winner. A little further on, when his victory was being loudly proclaimed, be had to be shaken up to stall off a late run bv Minesweeper, who came from .a long way back, bis performance, under the circumstances, being full of merit. ]fe is a good-look-ing gelding by Canrobert, and will do a lot better later in the season. Epworth. who had been galloping well lately, just got up to beat Rod Cent for third place. Bed Cent had only raced once previously, and he is likely to improve a lot. Like most of the progeny of All Red, ho can go fast. Hewanga was always in a fair position, and she Tmishcd. well, though never looking like a winner. Rajput's performance, was disappointing, after his Trentham form, as he faded out very badly. Kilkee was one of a big crowd that I never caught sight of. The Grand National Steeplechase w;i.s tho host race of the day, there, being plenty of incident throughout the whole journey. Eleven horses went to the post, and though they were not up to the highest standard of past Grand National fields, they were a useful lot. In one respect they answered all requirements, as they were equal to a fine exhibition of iemiig, all but three of them completing the course. The first mishap occurred after a mile and a half bad been covered, Sandy Paul baulking at the fence near the entrance to the. straight. About six furlongs further on Merry Lad, after putting in a good run. collided with another horse at CutUs's fence and camo to grief. Kirk by, the third of the field to fail, was beaten after jumping the. Kennels double the last time round, and his rider pulled him up. Diavolo was responsible for the pace till about a, mile, from home,, and all through ho jumped well,.but he failed to stay. When ho retired St. Elnm took charge, with several others in close attendance. Even at this stage, however, the chance of Master Strowan was being loudly proclaimf'd. as ho was going particularly well. He was kept well in hand, and it. was not till they approached the last fence that he moved tip to St Elmn, whom lie heat decisively at' the finish. The winner gave a very smooth performance, lie was always in a good position, jumping without the semblance of a. mistake, and lie finished up his task like a real stayer. Master Strowan won a double at Trentham last month, and though bo was considered fortunate in his second success, the clement of luck was quite absent yesterday. St Elmn ran a good race, but found the journey too long, and he put up a feeble struggle when challenged by the winner at the last, fence. Crib ran well and quite confirmed bis right to be regarded a,s the best steeplechaser brought out this winter. His jumping was safe, though he lost ground at some °f the fences through being oyor-careful, but' if wa.s a fine performance, under f lie weight, for a horse who was making his first appearance over the stifL'Ht course in the Dominion, with only two preliminaries over ea.sy country. Nita. who finished fourth, gave a moderate display of jumping in the early stages, but she improved as she went- on. Braeburn was a long way behind the leaders in the early part of the race, but ho put in a big run two miles from home-. He made np a lot of ground in half a mile, but the effort loft him with nothing in reserve, and be was stopping at tho finish. The Brewer was up near the front till a mile from home, when ho dropped out, "but right to tho. last fence he continued to give a perfect exhibition of jumping. Gluepot was in no condition for such a task, after a week of idleness on the way down from Auckland, and be gradually dropped back. He came home very tired, but even then he jumped well. Taken all round, if was one of the most interesting Grand Nationals soon in recent vo,ars.

After the excitement of the Grand National, the Enfield Steeplechase was rather tame. Tauira. was n- good favourite. Stone (linger being host backed among the others. They were both in tho fighting line all the way. with 'Parcmiata. to keep them company. !',]> to iho Inst, fence this trio kept in! oloso order, hut Stone Ginger hold his rivals for pace, and he won easily from ?a rem a til. while Tauira failed to finish mi so well as was expected. being beaten into third place, after his admirers had confidently proclaimed him. I lie winner two fences from home. Kew plodded alonp some distance* bohind, but never looked like having a, chance- Ranza, making his sewmd appearance <lurinp the day, ran off at. the end of six furlongs, while Tradi tor and Coalition fell, tho last-named going out, at the first fence. Stone Ginger" won the same, race five years ago, and though he lias not done much rncing in lhe interval, he. has one hurdle event and two steeplechases to hu credit, in tho south. lie -was bred by tlie late Sir George Al*Loan, heinp by Lord Rosslyn (St Clair Lady Emma) from Koniuri, a sister to Euroelydon, by Gorton from Lady Gertrude, who founded a preat southern racing family. Stone Ginger was foaled in IDO'L sii that he is quite a veteran, but M has not boon very hardly used, which accounts for him lasting so wcjl.

A record field of twenty-nine took part in the Winter Cup. It, w-ns rather unfortunate, that the.ro were so many of tliem, a.s there was insufficient room to line th-rjn up at till?: barrier with a, fair chance for all to jump out, properly. They appeared to he a quiet lot.'however, and the starter, Mr A. (I. Wood, made a first-el ass job of dispatching them. The size of the field, howkn-ctr, settled the prospects of the majority in the first furious, and only the few who secured a clear run had any chance. When the straight was reached it. looked afi if the winner would conic from the bunch who had bij-n in front from the start. Onco fairly in line. f ()r home, however, King Star put in a great run and ho just got up to beat the favourite, Parisian Diamond, on the post. Parisian Diamond registered a good performance, and he has coino on very fast during the last few months, as he won hi.s first race early this year, while ho only emerged from hack company a couplo of months ago. Bramhletye was close up third and was a trifle unlucky, as she wia& goaig well about a hundred yards from home when King Star in-i-eirfored with her, causing her to lose! some ground. Sir Agnes Mas fourth, after running, a, good race, acting as pacemaker till r?H>..=.t*is£Biht,- was reached. *J."ip-L'tt n aa well placed all

through, bur, ho failed to see. the j.ouinev out. He showed, liowaW. 'hat ho is a murdi better hors*. now than when last lie raced on a South Lsland course, and hj? should soon he n winner again. Zulnnr! and George showed pace early, but were soon done with. J cannot, and KiKess both finished well, close behind tho placed lot, where they were accompanied by Oxenhope. who lonics like doing Ids owner further service, before long. I saw .Johnny Walker going well, not, far behind the leaders, half a mile from home, but he failed to .show up in the straight., ro the surprise of those who had sized him up as a great finisher. Nothing else in the field ever looked to have a chance. Tho winner was jhii. one of the quick beginners, bur. lie £ot a good niii through the race am once in t|, o straight lie put in a brilliant run. rutting 'his opponents down in great style. He had if) run the gauntlet of an inquiry, however, his rider. W. Bell, being fined £o for careless riding. The North Island jockey was fortunate that the officialf did not take, a more serious view of bi.< offence, as Bramhletve was clearlv inrerlered will, |, v ,| )P j nr j f ] P „t.. 'Kinc Star is by Mart ian - Rosipholo. bv Hot.ehkis.s- Reproach, by Fitz Hercules Slander, so thar- he come* from onn ot the best known of the old Now Ze.iand fanitlirs. Ho is seven years old. hut took a long time to mature, and h* has only now run out of the hack 'inaitlieat.on. Nearly all his best races have been reserved for Riocarton. where, ho was twice successful last season. The final event of the d,iv. the Sumner Han.licap, attracted a dozen starters. Hvthread. Asealaphus and I names being in most request, with Killard a good fourth choice. Zarita, set a solid „ n cc. and though she was done with at. t|„. turn for home, she look? like winning a race before long. When she retired Asealaphus took charge and onked like an easy winner. In the hist bit. however, he had to withstand challenges from Killard and Hvthread. The trio went _ right away from tho field and only the judge was in a position to divide them at th> finish, Killard getting the verdict, with llythrend third. Hy thread was unlucky, as he was hndlr plaeed in the early stages Ascalaphus is a great track horse, who rarclv reproduces his best in public, but he was in a more generous mood than usual yesterday. Killard began better than he generally does, and was never far behind the leaders, while he finished on in great style. He is a four-year-old by Kilbroney, his dam, Siberia, being by Stepniak- Faraway, bv "Rill of Portland--Happy Land!' Killard will win further honours for Mr J. B. Reid, probably over even longer journeys.