THE SPORT OF KINGS.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXI, 10 August 1921, Page 4

THE SPORT OF KINGS.

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[To the Advertiser-By arrangement]

CHRISTCHURCH, August 9. The Grand National meeting opened in perfect weather, and though the -track was slightly soft as the result of the recent rains the going was remarkably good. In the circumstances the attendance was good, but apparently smaller than last year, and there did not appear to be the usual number of visitors at the meeting. The feature of the racing was the great performance of Coalition, who repeated his victory of last year, and carried the heaviest impost by any winner for over 30 years. He was probably lucky to lose the opposition of Waimai at the last fence, but a great effort was rewarded by continued applause. The opening event, the Tally-ho Steeplechase, was a poor affair. Only three horses faced the starter, and Likelihood baulked at Cutts’ fence. Petitesse led at a slow pace until he blundered two fences from home, leaving Morning Glow in front, and tho latter won by half a dozen lengths from Petitesse, who was a similar distance in front of Likelihood. This race has been somewhat of a failure for some years, and the conditions may be amended before next season.

North Island horses monopolised tho betting in the Trial Hurdles, Sir Fanciful, Penury Rose, Tigritiya, Master Boris, and Te Oro being supported in that order. Tigritiya was first away, but Te Oro led past the stapd from Indus, Pariform and Sir Fanciful. The favourite fell at Cutts, leaving Te Oro and Pariform in front. Turning for home Master Boris joined To Oro in the lead, but Penury Rose,' who was in a good position half a mile from home threw out a challenge at the last fence, and drawing away, won by two lengths from Te Oro, who beat Master Boris for second money by a neck. Wild Pilgrim was -fourth and Mickey Free next. Penury Rose was ridden a very nice rare by J. R. Kaan, formerly of Waimate.

The Hunters Hurdles was a fairly good betting race, with Birkenvale and Grange most in request. At the end of a couple of furlongs Pamplona and Birkenvale were in front with Ready next, but at the back Birkenvale lost his place, and Ready joined Pamplona in the lead. Ready had a life at the last hurdle, but Walls kept his seat and in a good finish Ready won by a short half ■ length, with Birkenvale and Grange almost on terms a dozen lengths back. Ready, who is trained at Waimate by T. Hobbs, jumped better than usual, and gained his first win after a run of rather bad luck. Pamplona, who is a half brpthpr to Lochella, made a bold showing for a beginning, but Grange ran a disappointing race.

Thirteen went to the post for the Jumpers Flat, for which Dribble was sent out a solid favourite, with Demagogue, Kauri King and Multivo also well supported. Demagogue and Phil May led off from Gamecock, and along tho back Phil May was well clear -of Demagogue and Hyttus. Kauri King and Multive moved up at the far turn, and at the top of the straight the order was Demagogue, Phil May, Kauri King and Multive. Multive looked like winning a furlong from home, but Demagogue came away again and scored by a clear length. Kauri King finished well, a neck behind Multivo. Phil May was fourth and Fisher next, the last to finish being Dribble. Demagogue is a smart looking gelding with a Napier Cup to his credit, and is likely to be well backed in the National Hurdles.

"All the acceptors went to the post for the Grand National Steeplechase, and in the early betting Coroglen and the Vallance bracket, Luke and Sturdee, were carrying most money. The final adjustments, however, showed Coalition to be the actual favourite, with Coroglen also at a very short quote. Gay Boy came down at the first fence, and Master Hamilton foil over him. Waimai and Coroglen alternated in the lead for most of the journey, with Coalition always cloee up. At the stand the second time Coroglen was in charge, Waimai, Coalition, Sturdee, and Master Strowan following in that order. Going up the back, old Waimai displaced Coroglen, then came Coalition and Stutdee, Master Strowan and First Line. Coalition was ujisides with Coroglen at the second last brush, when the latter fell back, and coming to the final obstacle the top weight w» about three lengths behind Waimai. Tie? lender ran down the fence and though he got over he fell after l-r-lir-g, leaving Coalition to come on swl --I by three lengths from Coroo made up ground in the run omc. First Line was another three lengths away, followed by Master St.-oinn and Sturdee. Lochella was

always in the rear, and finished at the tail of the field. Coalition has put together a remarkable record, having won the Grand National, Great Northern, Wellington Steeplechase, and the Grand National a second time. In each of his last three big wins, he has had his most dangerous opponents removed by a fall, and to-day old Waimai must, have given liim serious trouble had he kept on his feet. Coalition had to run the gauntlet of a protest lodged by Henderson, rider of Coroglen, for alleged interference at the second last fence, but the objection was unanimously dismissed. Fire Eater, Tigerland, and Malahini elicited sound support in the Enfield Steeplechase. Pokanekano camo to grief at the first brush, breaking his neck. Fire Eater led practically the whole way, winning comfortably by five lengths from John Bunny, w r ho displaced Tigerland a couple of fences from home. The Longbeach gelding is a bold fencer, and cut out the two miles in remarably fast time, even .though the track was dead. Tigerland finished rather weakly, and Joffre did not reproduce his Timaru form.

Mustard Pot and Miss Muriel were tho only withdrawals from the Winter Cup, leaving 21 to line up at- tho barrier. Heathersprig, second last year, wound up a good favourite, the ipjy our < [ puu uiiq3cj[C3 osjoq qsi[3ug commanding most support of the others. Killowen was first out, followed by Callaghan, and last year’s winner led until the home stretch was entered. Fabrinade, Callaghan, General Advance and Royal Mac also being prominent in the straight. Clean Sweep ran to the front and won by a couple of lengths from Heathersprig, who with Royal Star came fast from the middle of tho field. Clean Sweep has been remarkably successful on tho Riocarton course, and returned the best dividend of the day. Onslaught’s sister, Scrimmage, was the public choice for the Avonhead Handicap, and after she had been dispossessed of the lead by Lady Lucullus, Bebehead, Osterman and Cantoris, came again in the straight, and won nicely by a length, Cantoris being half a length in advance of Mirza, with Osterman, Bebehead and Happy Captain almost in line with the third horse. . .YESTERDAY’S LATE RESULTS. ENFIELD STEEPLES, of 300 sovs; 2 miles —Fire Eeater (T. O’Connor) 1, John Bunny 2, Tigerland 3. Scr Vice Regal, Tidal Wave. Won by six lengths. Pokanekane fell. Time—3min 58 l-ssec. WINTER CUP, of 1000 sovs ; 1 mile —Clean Sweep (J. Campbell) 1. Heathersprig 2, Royal Star 3. Scr Mustard Pot, Miss Muriel. Won by two lengths. Time-a-lmin 46 2-ssec. AVONHEAD HANDICAP, of 300 sovs; 7 furlongs—Scrimmage 1, Cantoris 2, Mirza 3. Scr Sembric. Won by a length. Time —Imin 33 l-seec.