AFTER THE RACES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 701, 13 August 1903, Page 6

AFTER THE RACES.

CANTERBURY J C- GRAND NATIONAL MEETING-

(From Our Canterbury Correspondent.) A beautiful spring day, with the sun shining brightly, favoured the Canterbury Jockey Club for the opening of its Grand National Meeting - . The weather was more like that experienced in November, and thousands of people took advantage of such a delightful day to spend a few hours at Riccarton. The town presented quite a deserted appearance in the afternoon, and those retail houses that kept open did very little business. It was generally conceded that Riccarton has never looked better at this time of the year than it did to-day. The course was in first-class order, and no accidents of any note occurred to mar the day’s enjoyment. The horses that fell escaped injury, as also did their riders. In the Grand National Steeplechase Awahuri, Pipi, Haydn and Hipstone comprised the leading division until a mile from home, when Hipstone fell, leaving the other three to fight out the finish. Awahuri, who shepherded Pipi throughout, had the race won half-a-mile from home, and finished two and a-half lengths ahead of Pipi, who ran surprisingly well. Haydn’s performance in getting third was a capital one. As far as appearances went last year’s winner stood out first, with this year’s; winner a good second. Pipi also looked well, and the same remark applies to Straybird, who jumped in his usual finished style.

The day’s racing commenced with the First Hunters’ Hurdles, a fine field of thirteen facing the starter. Reliance, list 31b, was made a strong favourite, the North Island mare Hinewai, 12st 61b, being next in demand. Ayrdale, 12st 41b, led the field for the first half-mile, when a bad jump lost him ground. Mokowhiti, list, then went on in front, followed by Fairy Rose, list 51b, and Wonderful, list 121 b", Ayrdale next. Passing the six furlongs post Reliance and Plain Tom, list 31b, closed on the leading division, and before reaching the straight Plain Tom had rem into first place. Safely negotiating the last fence, Plain Tom easily held his own on the flat, and beat Fairy Rose by a length and a-half, with Wonderful two and a-half lengths further away third. Ayrdale was fourth, and Reliance fifth.

The Maiden Hurdles is usually an interesting race, from the fact that several Grand National Hurdle candidates take part, tending to make it one of the chief events of the day. .In the race decided to-day seven Grand National horses took part, and three of them occupied places. Battleaxe’s full brother Tupara, lost 51b, was sent out a better favourite than Catherine Gordon, 9st 7]b, who was making her initial attempt over hurdles. Khaki, Aratapu, Catherine Gordon, and Comfort comprised the leading division for a couple of furlongs, when Aratapu singled himself out and led Khaki by a length or two at Cutts’, with Comfort, Evening, and Tupara coming next. This order was maintained to the mile post, when Evening ran into first place, and Comfort and Tupara closed up. Evening held her position going round the bend and into the straight, Comfort, Tupara and Catherine Gordon being close up. Evening got over the- last hurdle just clear of Tupara and Comfort, who lost his rider. Once on the flat Tupara was too fast for Evening, and beat her by a couple of lengths, Catherine Gordon being another two lengths away third, with Wet Blanket fourth. Tradewind did not start.

Ostiak was the only withdrawal from the Winter Cup, leaving the large field of eighteen to go to the post. Rawiri was at once pounced upon as the correct pea, bus he got away badly, and was never

nearer than fourth at any part of the race, and finally pulled up lame. A capiral start was effected, Vladimir being first to break line. On settling into their strides Vladimir had Pampero, Paritutu and Battleaxe as his nearest attendants, Red Gauntlet being at the head of the others. Vladimir showed the way past the six furlongs post, where Paritutu and Pampero were following in close order, while Battleaxe had lost his place, and run up into fourth place. This order was maintained round the far turn, but before landing into the straight Rawiri was almost on terms with Pampero, who was now Vladimir’s nearest attendant. When well into the running there was little to choose between Vladimir, Pampero, Rawiri and Paritutu, the others being headed by Battleaxe, Nell Gwynn and Grand Rapids. Paritutu was first to lose his place, and at the outer stand Rawiri was in difficulties, while Vladimir and Pampero were going nicely in front. Pampero was first to be ridden, but though he responded gamely Vladimir had a little the better of the final struggle, and lasted long enough to win by a neck. By a late run Nell Gwynn got third place, finishing three lengths behind Pampero, then at an interval of a length and a-half came Grand Rapids, followed by Battleaxe and Shrapnel Shell.

Next followed the great race of the day, the Grand National Steeplechase. All the horses figuring on the card went out to contest the big jumping race of the season. In a spirited betting race Haydn was sent out first favourite, Awahuri and Hipstone coming next in demand. From an even start Straybird soon showed in front, and led to the first jump, where Scallywag came to grief. At the jump opposite the stand the order was Pipi, Hipstone, Straybird and Awahuri, while at the fence in front of the members’ stand the order was the same, but here Gronje came to grief. Pipi ’continued .to show the way to the jump opposite Cutts’, over which he was followed by Hipstone, Haydn and Straybird.. Once over this obstacle Pipi increased his lead to half a dozen lengths, his nearest attendants being Haydn, Hipstone and Awahuri. Around the back this order was maintained, but at the. kennels, double Awahuri was second to Pipi, well in front of Haydn and Hipstone, the latter soon after closing up. At the big sod wall Pipi was well in front of Haydn, who was followed by Awahuri and Hipstone. Round the bend Pipi, still going freely, led the way from Haydn, Awahuri, Straybird and The Gryphon. There was but little change up the straight, where all were jumping well, but at the jump opposite the members' stand Hipstone, who was running close to Haydn, rapped. At Cutts’ the order was Pipi, Haydn, Hipstone and Awahuri, with The Gryphon closing up. At the sod wall Awahuri had run up next to Haydn, with Hipstone still close up. Opposite the kennels Awahuri had run up to Pipi and assumed command before entering the straight. Once in the straight the result was never afterwards in doubt, for Awahuri won easing up by two and a-half lengths from Pipi, -with Haydn eight lengths away third, Straybird fourth, Jack o’ Lantern fifth, The Gryphon sixth, and Sultana seventh.

The Tally-ho Plate Steeplechase was won very easily by The Whip, who beat his stable companion, King, by six lengths, Typhoon being third. Agitator, the favourite, fell early in the race, while Gladys ran off. The Ladies’ Bracelet was an exercise gallop for Waiwera, who, after leading most of the way, easily beat Stepdancer by half-a-dozen lengths. The Enfield Steeplechase produced a capita] race, Victory having the best of the finish from Umslopagaas, Fright running into third place.

The Woolston Plate was annexed by Glenaladale, who easily beat Narcissus at the end, with something to spare, Nutcracker being third.