C.J.C. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 7, 16 August 1911, Page 12

C.J.C. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. Heavy clumte and a smart shower an hour before uouii boded evil for the opening of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Winter Meeting, but the day was not particularly unpleasant, although heavy rain fell for twenty minutes during the middle of the afternoon, still the course was in good order. Riccarton takes a lot of soaking, and the sport was conducted under fairly satisfactory conditions. The Grand National gathering is always a large and happy one, and on the score of attendance there was no eauae for growling to-day. The two big races of the day were intensely exciting, and, as the majority of the winners of the events were well supported by backers, most people were able to go home happily enough. Racing begat* well with the Hunters’ Hurdles, all 11 acceptors going to the p<*d. The Porirua-trained H-awick was sent out a good favourite, the Soult gelding Sabine, who brought something of a reputation from the Waikato, being next in demand. - Moall. a local representative, made the running for a mile, with the Henown marc Nedera. a visitor from the Wairarapa, in his company. Turning into the straight, the favourite put in his claim, and soon settled all opposition, winning easily. This gelding, by Phaeton —Ileinpie, carried a big load, ami showed a lot of pace. Nedra lasted long enough to get second place, and Simon Pure, Shillelagh, and Solvia Maw were - lose up. Mauri fell at the first fence, and Miharo five furlongs from home. As was expected. The Rover was with drawn from rhe Trial Hurdles, and Canterbury also went out, leaving seven in. The locally-trained St. Aidan naturally was made a warm favourite. Of the rest. Gold I’m was. rather better fancied than the two northern visitors Passive and Dogger Bank. The hist named rushed to the front, and, "with Cardiff. made play to the last fence, ■where Passive came away, and the favourite finishing gamely, could make no impression cn the Leihe-Kuhira mare. St. Aidan jumped very cautiously, both he and Dogger Bank losing ground at their fences. With a quar« ter of a mile further to go iu Thursday*! hig race St. Aidan’s chances do not look too rosy, but Passive certainly put up an impressive performance. Appin was withdrawn from the jumpers’ flat, ami nine horses went out to contest the race. The Kilcherau—Armad gelding Kildouau, whose track work on the flat had been i>romisiag. was installed a strong favourite. Next in demand was The Native, winner of the jumpers’ flat at the recent Wellington meeting. Compass, who was just beaten by Woolloomooloo in this race at Riccarton last year, was well forward. The St. Paul gelding Master Paul, as usual, went away at a great pace, but, after going a mile, he began to come back. Windage and Embrasure passed him, and at the home turn they were joined by Gaelic, who beat the Southland-owned Embrasure In a fine finish. Kildonan was never prominent, and The Native was disappointing, but Compass finished well. The winner, who is by Bonnie Scotland from a St. Leger mare, has improved greatly since the Wellington meeting. Then came ttie Grand National Steeplechase, always the most important race of the Winter Meeting, and this was more than usually interesting. Dnil was the only b ratching. and the great field of fifteen was saddled. The Auckland-owned Antarcti - h«ad been a better fancy chan Corazon during tlue past few days, but the machine showed a preference for the Coeur de Elon—Rasulma gelding, and the Hawke’s Bay representative went out a good first favourite, Antarctic being next in demand, while Paritutu was the next choice, tarrying more than half as much money as the favourite. Lovell, Eurus, and Yasmak followed in order. A light shower before the race did no harm to the course, and the sun peeped out as the field moved off. True Blue went to the front, but fell at the third fence, and The Gunner and I’aritutu, Lovell and Dorando were left in front. The pace appeared too slow for Antarctic, who sail d along to the front in great style, and led for more than two miles, going at t great pa<e. At the second fence of the kennels double iu the second round, about six furlongs from home, An tar- tic hit badly, and Corazon closed up. With Antarctic iu attendance rhe favourite xyas showing in front as they -approached the last ten-e. Daritutu and Antarctic being together, but once they were on the flat Ihirltntu put in a great challenge, and, nfter one of the finest struggles seen at Riccarton. the old Castor gelding just got bis head in front, aud won a popular victory. Riccarton has been au unlucky course for him. He ran second to the phenomenal Noctutform in a New Zealand Cup, in Shrapnel's year he was runner-up in Australian record time, in the Grand National Hurdles last year he filled the same position behind Paisano. With such a record lie deservo.l alt the success he got, -and his victory was warmly applauded. Corazon ran a tine rare, but the honours of the race Test with Antarctic, who made mo much of the running. The placed horses were well clear of the rest, w |iu finished in the follow lug order R»d Ma<*grem>r, Gunner. Le ilteau, Eurus. Liberty. Yasmak. Honest Tow. tin-i Lovell Thos<* who fell were fTYile Blue. Winiata, and Dorando, nnd ■Ribstou Pippin refused. !><iramlo ran a good race tor two miles and a half, and should make a fine str *p!e<*hatser. Taken all round the Jumping was g-»od. The Talty h<» Kteeplr< hase produced * number •*! sent* teb tugs, nine horses going to tlie |>-»» As i» usual in b outers’ races, the fencing was n»t brilliant. King’s Way, 'Walt a hit, and Matai falling, and Uncle Tom refusing. The laud owned Silver IBiaxr. who w.in favourite, made most of the rutin I ■<, but at the Uni»h Hill Lass, a 'Wnirarnpa visit.w who was third favourite, w«m» com bl y front th»* Nestor gelding FuMuiug*H wlu> h*at *e« ond uiutirj through ♦lie rl-h-r falling to draw the weight, Sliver ’RAaar g«Mt:ng thr h- <-»ud money. The locally-trained Kings way, « good secund favourite, wa* the first to fa IL

The field for the Winter Cup numbered fifteen, Boanerges. Dearest, and Sublime being the scratchings. Last year’s -winner Nyland was soon sorted out- as the favourite, for he came from Palmerston with a big reputation, and looked as if he deserved it. Tiie locally-owned Bonnie Glen was also strongly wupported, and Undecided, fresh from Wellington victories, found many friends. Nyland started us well as usual, but Mtunura and Odessa soon ran past the Finland gelding. Undecided was well placed before three furlongs had been covered. Mumura petered out a furlong from home, and the St. Ambrose horse Odessa just failed to stall off Undecided’s challenge, while Bonnie Glen finished fast for a place. Flitaway also finished well, close up. The thirteen starters in the Enfield Steeplechase provided a poor exhibition over the big country. The Birkenhead — Nixie gelding Wirral. who was a good favourite, went to the front at once, and was always well clear of everything. The falls began at the second of the stand double. Torraniz and Sa lop in coming down, and Kt. A’bert, Corona, Laghmor, Kelp, and King of Trumps were out at subsequent fences. while Tairiki fell at the last fence. The second favourite. Captain Jingle, finished second, six lengths behind the winner, aud Stayboy and Deerslayer were the only others to finish, at long intervals. Wirral set such a pace, and jumped so cleanly as to suggest that he would have made trouble for some of the Grand National horses if he had been started in the big race, but of course he would have to prove his ability to stay the long journey Free use of the scratching pen left nine iu the Avoaside Handicap, and Somersault, who showed pace at Wellington last month, was made a good favourite, the San Fran mare Ahuapai aud Somersault’s full brother Shttja being next in demand. Somersault showed that he can gallop, but Ahuapai was always well placed, and won without difficulty, adding another to the day’s North Island successes. SECOND DAY: CONTINUANCES EASY WIN. CH RI ST CHURCH, Thur sd ay. The weather was much more favourable for the second day of the < liristchurch Jockey Club’s Grand National Meeting than it had been for the first, though a cold wind necessitated the use of wraps and overcoats. A large crow’d went out to Riccarton, and speculation was again a feature of the proceedings, the totalisator petting through £30,080, which beat the New Zealand record of £29,574 established on Tuesday. The jumping in the Beaufort Steeplechase was magnificent, and iu the other events there were fewer mishaps than on Tuesday. Continuance won the big hurdle race easily, but many of the day’s finishes were keen and close, aud uniformly good times were registered.

The Hunt Club Cup opened the day's programme. Myall and the Southland horse Silver Blaze being withdrawn, and a field of eight going to the post. The Explosion gelding Oakley, who won last year, again had. the services of Rangi Thompson in the saddle, and was made a hot favourite, and two North Island visitors, Glenmore and Flamingo, were second and third choices. Uke the Tally-ho Steeplechase on Tuesday, the race was a chapter of accidents. Uncle Tom ran off at the second fence, and the favourite ran off after going a mile, but was got over and went after the leaders. Tairiki came down at the top of the straight, and Wirihana at the stand double, while Oakley fell at the mile post, ami Deerslayer lost his rider three furlongs from home. Flamingo and Glenmore were always at the head of affairs. The former made a bad jump a mile and a-quarter from home, but recovered well, and once over the last fence he had more than enough pace for Glenmore. Flamingo’s win atoned for his filer’s failure to draw weight after finishing second in the Tally-ho on Tuesday. The eight acceptors went out for the Summer Handicap, and the Hawke's Bay representative Gold Circle was sorted out as quite the good thing. Amaru, who has had an unsuccessful cared of late at Hast ings, Napier, and Wellington, was a good second favourite, perhaps because he did not start on Tues-lay. Somersault ami the Porirua trained Tu.na also commanded strong support. Amaru was well placed in the early stages, but Turna displaced him, and led for the greater part of the race, but jest failed In the straight, the favourite, who is a promising horse by Gold Reef Pursertms, bowling along in good style. The Clanranald— Weath- reye gelding Eaglestone, a full-brother to Such good ones as Cannle Chiel, Signalm tn, and Sharpshooter, showed a lot of pa«e at the finish. The August Handicap produced one of thp small fields of the meeting, only t-even horses going out The Manawatu representative, Boanerges, who was withdrawn from the Winter Cup. was a very hot favourite, Odessa and Flitaway l»eiug next fancied The West Coast representative, -Expntksion. was first away, am! looked like winning from end ♦ » etui, but the favourite gut up in the last forty yard** to win l»y a bare half-length Flitaway could do no better than tidrd. and the Otago representative. Firebell, tiuUhed well up. but (hlesi»a was never sp-n. Re-luioiid. who covbl have Inn! no chance on the first day s running, was scratched for the Grand National Hurdle an! the good field of fourteen went out. The rare did not create sa much excitement ax the big stei'plechase did on Tuesday, but it furnished a good exhibition of sound and fast jumping. The story of the race is not difficult to tell. Master Paul, Continuance, Peat a Mr, 8t Aidan, am! The Native were the firat to move off Master Paul adopted lua mmal tactlcg. making the pace a cracker. Centaur fell at the second fence, and Puritirtu at the third. Master Pau! wm still In front, showing the way dear of Continuance. The leaders were jumping

perfectly. At the mile post Windage ranged up alongside Master Paul and Contiuuance, and after passing the second furlong post the St. Paul gelding began to go back. Windage fell a furlong further on, and Continuance was out by himself. The Rover meanwhile moving upward from the second division, in which The Native, Espartero, and St. Aidan were going strongly. The last fence proved fatal to Espartero. The Rover made his effort, but could not trouble the leader, who won without the slightest difficulty by four lengths. The Native finished well, in third place, with St. Aidan close up, just la front of I’aisano and Kildonan. Appln, Compass, Whakaweira, and Master Pau*, finished in that order. Continuance ran a magnificent race, and won as easily as did the Gisborne representative, Paisano, last year, fully justifying the high reputa* tion he brought down and the confidence which sent him out one of the very hot favourites of the meeting. Espartero, who ■was second favourite, justified his place in the betting until he met trouble at the last fence, but Centaur and Compass, third and fourth favourites, did not fulfil expectations. St. Aidan, who was much fancied some time ago, was one of the least backed, his display in the Trial Hurdles having sent him right out of favour. The Rover was seventh in the betting, but The Native was among the out-bid chances. The Beaufort Steeplechase furnished one of the finest exhibitions of jumping ever seen at Riccarton or anywhere eh<e. Hoanga, hero of the recent Wellington meeting, was the only horse to fall, and he was setting a great pace with Sir Lethe right up to the last fence. Lovell and Captain Jingle were the leaders in the early stages, but the former stayed no better than usual, and the latter was lying some distance away when the last mile was begun, Hoanga and Sir Lethe being right out by themselves. When Hoanga fell at the last fence, the Lethe gelding looked an easy winner, but Captain Jingle finished much stronger than iu the Enfield Steep’echase, and won a fine race. Antarctic, who was a very strong favourite, Cnished some distance away, third, after toiling along in the rear for most of the race. Hoanga, who did not accept for Tuesday's big race, evidently being kept for to-day, was a good second favourite, be and Antarctic carrying two-thirds of the investments. Laghmor ran surprisingly wrll, and The Gunner again put up a good race, while Dorando performed fairly. Three scratchings left only eight in the Spreydon Hack Hurdles On the strength of her easy win in the Trial Hurdles on Tuesday, Passive was a rather better favourite than Gaelic, the winner of the Jumpers’ Flat, and the locally-trained Gold Pin was the best fancied of the others. Gold Pin and the Porirua hunter Hawick were always well placed, Rnugiwhenua leading them for three-quarters of the race. Turning for home, Gaelic closed up, and the Bonnie Scotland gelding soon had the measure of his opponents. Passive showed no such dash as he did on Tuesday, and finished some distance behind Hawick and Gold Pin, who fought out a great struggle for second place. The Islington Handicap proved that Undecided’s vretory in the Winter Cup was in no sense a fluke. Carrying only a pound less than Nyland, who on Tuesday was giving him a stone, he again beat the Finland gelding comfortably. Nyland rusbefi out first, but was quickly steadied, and Undecided took up the running. Ariom and Iney displaced the son of St. Amy, but he had them beaten half way down the straight, and Nyland, who finished like the racehorse he is, could not ge.t up. Negative ran a better race than on Tuesday, aud Iney also lasted longer, but Ariom faded out quickly in the final struggle. Nyland was a better fancy than the winner, the pair being very solidly supported. The Woolston Plate was quite the trad! tional sterling race. Medallist was first away, with Alexis, the hero of many selling races, In attendance, and the old Officer —Target gelding held his own all the way. The locally-trained mare. Busyland, by Finland— Busl>ody, showed her speed once mor e at the finish, beating everything but winner. The favourite, Cashier, Just failed to get a place, and the northern visitor. Toanga, who was the so -and fancy of backers, was never in the hunt. CONCLUDING DAY. CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday. Magnificent weather prevailed for tho concluding day's sport of the Canterbury Jockey Club's Grand National meeting. Riccarton was looking its best, aud another large crowd attended. The United Hunt Club’s steeplechase opened the programme with a decent race between two horses, the other seven starters making a lather poor showing. Two North Island horses, Wirihana aud Glenmore, were responsible for most of the running until half a mile from home, wher*? the Southland owned Silver Blaze was in company with Glenmore. The latter bad a very slender advantage at the last fence, hut Silver Blaze can led too much pace in the run home, and won fairly easily. Glenmore was a hot favourite, and the winner was just a little better supported than Oakley, who was a poor third. Kingsway fell when going well a mite from home, and King of Trumps came to grief at the second fence, the second of the kennels double. Ail the eighteen acceptors went to the post fur the Heathcote Handicap, which provided one of the finest races of the The field of eighteen included some great sprinters. and the public evidently found It bard to select a favourite. Finally they made the Winter Cup winner. Undecided rather better than ths locally owned Bonny Glen, and then there was a substantial drop to Nylaud’s Negative nnd Effort. The Ashburton Sea King who was a strong fa m y for the Steward’s Handicap In Norpmh-t and failed Imdly, got well away, and opened up a bteak from the 'Trentham trained Effort, wba .was a substantial drop to Nyland, Negatlvd.

aud Gold Circle. Effort caught the leader at the distance, aud a great race ensued. Iney, who came fast in the straight, joining in. The placed horses were just clear of Menie Zealand and Nyland, who were followed by Undecided and Gold Circle. There was a field of a dozen in the Styx Handicap Hurdles, which furnished another sensational finish. The Auckland owned Dogger Bank, who was a hot favourite, went to the front at once, with another Aucklander in Ha bine, and this pair had a big lead for three quarters of a mile, where Dogger fell. Half a mile from home, the Sou’-Wester gelding Cardiff closed on the leaders, and the West Coast representative Ito moved up. Gallic was putting in a strong run, and he and Cardiff were together at the last fence. The latter, who bad out jumped everything in the race, drew out a little, and just beat Passive, who finished in great style, while Gaelic was a bead away. Ito finished well up, fourth, and Embrasure and Gold Pin next. Embrasure and Gold Pin were second and third favourites. Of the 11 starters In the Svdpnham Hurdles, the public would have do tiring but the Grand National Hurdle winner as fir.it favourite, and the Sabretache gelding carried a lot more money than any of the next three —Windage, St. Aidan, and The Rover. There was some trouble at the first fence, King Try attempting to run off, and apparently interfering seriously with The Rover. King Try was pulled up, and The Rover, who broke a blood vessel, dropped back an 1 was stopped. Before running out of the straight Master Paul fulfilled his usual mission iu the van, with Continuance and St. Aidan nearest, but Windage was nearest the leader at the mile post. St. Aidan, who had promised well, dropped out six furlongs from home, and soon after passing the half-mile Windage and Continuance were clear. The favourite’s big weight stopped him in the run home, and Windage easily maintained his place, though Espartero and Compass both finished well. Continuance, Milo, aid St. Aidan finished iu that order. Windage, who was running well for a mile aud a quarter in Thursday's big race, is a half-brother to the useful sprinter Mout>a Girl, who is by Soult out of Santa Cate rina, Windage being by F.uroelydon,

The Lincoln Steeple quite spoilt the fine jumping record put up on the first two days. Captain Jingle ’and Ribstone Pippin were first away, Eurus being left a dozen lengths, but after going less than three furlongs Sir Lethe jumped to the front at Ihe sod wall, and began to open up a big break. He scaled away from the others at a terrific pace, and some of those following the Lethe gelding were soon in trouble. Corazon fell at the second sod wall after going six furlongs, and Corona ran off at the next fence. Liberty, which was racing in the middle of the field, fell at the second of the stand doubles after half the journey had been covered, and Red M - Gregor and Eurus toppled over a mile from home. Sir Lethe was still more than fifty yards in front of Captain Jingle, but the latter fell at the second of the kennels doubles, where Ribstone Pippin ran off, but was taken back and got over. Le Beau, iwho had been improving his position, f l! at the sod wall a furlong further. Sir Lethe was streets away from Dorando, and won pulling up, while the next two gaps were just as big. Corazon was a very hot favourite, but among the rest the betting was close, the order being Sir Lethe, Cap tain Jingle, and Red McGregor. The winner changed hands yesterday, the purchaser be ing the Wairarapa sportsman C. F. Valilauce. The price was reported to be £'A>o, so that the bargain was a good one f"t* the new owner to-day’s stake being worth £2BO to him. dhe field for the Redcliffs Handicap, i ' under hack conditions, numbered only eizh' Ahuapai, who was a good second favourir -, Eaglestone being first choice, flattered 1 backers for five furlongs, but when t’: ■ reached the straight Eaerlestone drew • and Nightlight and Santa Claus both p r iu their runs. They finished in that onic . Somersault, who was going well at the f • c of the straight, falling out. Amaru, wh-. has been a disappointment here, finished fourth. A fine field of fifteen went out to cj i test the Selwyn Handicap. Countermi: Kohinoor, and Silkworm starthsg for t first time at the meeting. Boanerges once carried his big weight to the freer. All Guns being in attendance after tier had gone two furlongs. The top-weiuat showed the way to the corner, but he v beaten before the distance was reach Czar Kolohol, Countermine, and the Gi- ' • mouth representative, Expansion, j«>ii>' - him. Czar Kolohol, running quite a ferent race from his performance iu ‘ Heathcote Handicap earlier iu the day. v r a good race by two lengths from Exp nsion, who was a length in front of AH Guns, Busyland and Firebell being n The winner is a full brother to Kremlin, » one-time Winter Cup winner. The Hunters’ Ulate, the flat race wlc ■« completed the programme, was contested -v n field of seven, nnd, after spirited bettl -. the machine showed very even support : ’ three horses. Shillelagh being the a favourite. Miharo next, and Nedra thirl •Sea Dug set a strong pare. Shillelagh !>•'• -J in close attendance, ami Hawick held 4 the rest. A quarter of n mile from ' •Sea Dog fell back a little, and Shill’'!'’- 1 led into the straight, Hawick moving up The last-named came away in the last fii’f yards, and won fairly easily, the favour ‘ being well clear of Sea Dug. Miharo Nedra, who bad never looked dang’’’ ’ were next. Hawick, who also won race last year, is a wel!-bro«l gelding. a‘» ® the average of the hunters’ class.