C.J.C. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 159, 10 August 1893, Page 4

C.J.C. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

The final payments for the Grand National Steeplechase and Grand National Hurdles were made on Friday, but only Rebel dropped out of the Steeplechase and Abel Tasman out of the Hurdles. Therefore with 13 in the Steeplechase and 16 in the Hurdles, backers and sporting tipsters have a big task set them to pick the double, and the gentleman who * spots ’ it will be clever indeed. The Steeplechase is run on the first day (Thursday, to-day). I have had my say so often about it since the weights appeared and I selected half-a-dozen in the shape of Norton, Empire, Gondolier, Victrix, Clarence, and Waterbury that with all these in I shall only repeat my last week’s selection of Empire .. .. .. 1 Clarence .. .. .. 2 Waterbury.. .. . • 3 But I may remark that I have an idea that Victrix is improving day by day, and may do what no mare has yet done —win this event. A good many people who take an interest in racing have asked me whether if Norton wins the G.N. Steeplechase he will incur a penalty in the G.N. Hurdles. He does not, for the conditions of the race stipulate that penalties only apply to winners of hurdle races of certain amounts. It would therefore not surprise me in the least to see Mr Rutherford run Norton and Kulnine out on their merits for the Hurdles, in which case Norton will be very dangerons. However, again, knowing what a good horse Gondolier is over hurdles, I shall stick to him, and shall place them as I did last week, Gondolier .. .. .. 1 Kapua .. .. .. 2 Kulnine .. .. • • 3 The minor events of the meeting show seven in the Maiden Steeples, x 1 in the First Hunters’ Hurdles, 7 in the Maiden Hurdles, and 16 in the Winter Handicap. The Auckland representative Despised is in the Winter Handicap, x| miles oh the flat.

(by wire.—own correspondent.) Christchurch, Wednesday, The weather shows every prospect of being fine for the Grand National Meeting, and we shall, at least, have a specially strong contingent of South Canterbury and Dunedin visitors, if not North Islanders.

The Hunters’ Hurdles starts the first day’s proceedings, and from what I know of them and have seen, Black Hawk and Wild Irishman should fight it out between them. If Jack’s North Island reputation be a true one he should win the Maiden Hurdle Race easily. For the big Steeplechase I hardly know what to say, such a puzzle is it. As regards trying to pick it Mr Henry has decidedly scored, and it is to be hoped that, as a sequel, there will be a close finish. Norton has a weight that no horse has yet carried to victory in the race, but the class is not particularly good, and he knows the course well. Therefore I think whatever beats him will win. I cannot get away from the strong tip down here—Clarence. Riccarton, to a man. swears by him. He has done some sterling work, and T. Stewart’s assistance in the saddle will be no light factor in his favour. With a good deal of hesitation I select Clarence and Norton to divide first and second places between them with Clarence in premier position, and I shall allot third place to Victrix. For an outsider in the. Maiden Steeplechase give me Bloodsucker, though I think Mutiny will win; if he does not have a big go taken out of him in the Grand National. Vogengang and Cajolery at 11.5 each read best to me in the Winter Handicap, and my preference is for Cajolery. The only event of the second day about which I can say anything is the Grand National Hurdles, and I have little hesitation in declaring for Kulnine, and I look for Mutiny and Rebel to fill the other places.