CANTERBURY J.C. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1013, 5 August 1909, Page 5

CANTERBURY J.C. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

OPENS ON TUESDAY NEXT. On Tuesday next, at Christchurch, the Canterbury jockey Club will inaugurate their Winter Meeting, and will continue the fixture on the following Thursday and Saturday. The “ National ” Meeting is always a favourite with followers of the sport of kings, and it may be taken for certain that the C.J.C. will be favoured with the presence of all the leading sportsmen throughout the Dominion. Capital acceptances have been received for the Winter Cup, Grand National Hurdles, and Grand National Steeplechase, and present indications point to the fields being strong, both in quality and numbers. Another payment in connection with the “ Nationals ” falls due tomorrow (Friday) evening, and it is expected that the fields will be reduced in consequence. Taking all things into consideration, it only remains for the Club to be favoured with fine weather to make the meeting the success it should be. The following are the acceptances:—

GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE of lOOOsovs. Three miles ana a-half—Jack Pot 11.5, Eurus 11.3, Capitol 11.2, Te Arai (including 141 b penalty) 10.13, Le Beau 10.13, Moccasin 10 9, Waitarere 10.9, Speciosa 10.8, Nadador 10.8, Irish 10.5, Aorangi 10.1, Lingerer 9.12, Wanganui 9.7, El Dorado 9.7, Northern Star 9.7, Diplomatic 9.7.

From the above list it will be noticed that 17 horses remain in the big ‘Hhousand-pounder ” at tne time of writing, with Jack Pot holding pride of place. With 11.5 . opposite his name he cannot be said to be overburdened with weight, especially when it is noticed that there is not more than a stone between him and anything with

BY

pretensions to steeplechasing. He is such a good jumper, and being possessed of considerable pace, is sure to be taking a hand in the argument throughout the three and a-half miles. Eurus (11.3) is in receipt of but 21b. from the top-weight, and will need to be right at his best to win. Advices from the South credit him with being well off on the score of condition, and giving every satisfaction in his schooling tasks. Eurus won the event last year, and has been the medium of considerable support for Tuesday’s race. Then follows Capitol with 11.2, and there are those who go so far as to say that the event is a good thing for the chestnut son of Leoiantls — Jean. There can be no getting away from the fact that Capitol was responsible for a sterling performance when he won the Great Northern Steeplechase in June, and the manner in which he disposed of the opposition when the question was asked of him will not be lost sight of by the majority of those who witnessed Capitol’s performance at Ellerslie. In the Wellington Steeplechase, won by Te Arai, a fortnight ago, Capitol came to grief a couple of fences from home, and the opinions of those who saw the race appear to be very divided as to whether the result of the race, so far as the winner was concerned, was effected thereby. However that may be, Captiol will carry a lot of Auckland bullion on Tuesday, and those who support him will undoubtedly get a great run for their money. Te Arai and Le Beau have each 1u.13 to carry, and here is a pair that will probably supply the first and second favourites. Te Arai -was originally weighted at 9.13, but his recent successes at Gisborne and WeTington have necessitated his putting up the maximum penalty of 141 b. Followers of form will not have much difficulty in making a seleetion, as Te Arai has won five of the last half-dozen events he has contested. Some of those who saw the son of Monarco score at Wellington say he fairly revelled in the heavy going, and that if the same conditions prevail at Riccarton Te Arai will win and no other. However, Te Arai did not meet Jack Pot, Eurus, and Le Beau at Wellington, and it should also be remembered that his most dangerous opponent, Capitol, came to grief just when matters assumed an interesting stage. Although the weight, 10.13, reads well, it is only 61b. less than Jack Pct is set to carry, and the latter is assessed by the handicapper to be the best steeplechaser in New Zealand at the present time —Kiatere is now in Australia. Le Beau has perhaps been supported in doubles more than any horse engaged in the race, and he will probably start favourite. Le Beau is stated to be well off on the score of condition, and as he finished second to Eurus in the race last year, it appears certain that he will negotiate the country without mishap. On the occasion of the Winter Steeplechase at Ellerslie Le Beau made many friends by the manner in which he disposed of Capitol, and there can be no denying the fact that he won very comfortably. On his performances of late, Mocassin (10.9) does not. read a likely winner, his best recommendation being that he is a splendid fencer. Waitarere (10.9) is amiss, and will not be a starter. Speciosa (10.8) cut up very badly at Wellington, and will want to improve a good deal on that showing to win the National. Nadador is on the same mark as Speciosa and Mr. Russell’s old chestnut may be relied upon to complete the course. Writing from memory, I can only remember the old mare ever making a mistake but once, and that was in the Great Northern Steeplechase at Ellerslie a couple of seasons back. However, Nadador may find the opposition a little too strong over the three and a-half miles. “ Unlucky Irish,” as he is termed, has 10.5 opposite his name, and the Eaton gelding may be relied upon to put up a vood fight. Should Irish catch the eye of the judge first on Tuesday, the win would be very popular. Amongst the lighter weights there does not appear to be any with credentials which would entitle one to write them down as a National winner. Good reports come to hand of El Dorado, who is in at the minimum. Taken all round, the race is very open, and the contest be-

“SOLUTION.”

tween the five top-weights alone should be worth going to see.

WINTER CUP of 600SOVS. One mile. —Zimmerman 11.6, Penates 11.5, Sir Fiisco (including 101 b penalty) 11.5, Muskerry 10.10, Grenadier 10.9, St. Aidan 10.4, Longner 10.3, Irish Rifle 10.1, Oxton 10.0, Chief Lochiel 9.13, Federal 9.13, North Head 9.13, Iranui 9.13, Waikaraka 9.13, Lady Disdain 9.12, Sea King 9.11, Gwendolina 9.11,. North East 9.9, All Guns 9.8, Mei'rie Zealand 9.8, Wimmera 9.8, Sweet Angelus 9.7, Stratagem 9.6, Tikitere 9.5, Mundic 9.4, Rock Ferry 9.3, White Cockade 9.2, Whistlecraft 9.2, First Mate 9.2, King Post 9.1, Hilarian 9.1, Pukewai 9.0, Continuance 9.0, Lone Star 9.0, Tyrant 9.0.

From the above it will foe noted that 35 horses accepted for the mile flat race, but no doubt the field will be considerably reduced when the starter takes them in hand. Zimmerman (11.6) has pride of place, and this weight should not be beyond the big son of Birkenhead. Penates (11.5) won the event last year, and advices from the South state that his party are very sanguine that he will repeat the performance. Another who will command strong support is Greadier, and the beautiful son of Soult should take a power of beating. However, Grenadier may find his companion on the track, Federal, a hard nut to crack. On Tuesday morning, so we are told, Federal ran away from Grenadier over seven furlongs, outside the course proper, the distance being left behind in the startling time of 1.28 3-5. Federal has the reputation of being an unrelialfle gentleman, and but for this his gallop of Tuesday morning alone would be enough to send him out favourite. However, the actual favourite will probably be North East (9.9), and undoubtedly his chance looks ‘second to none on paper. Mundic (9.4) is another horse whose chance is highly assessed by many, and his performances in hack company with welter weights in the saddle should not be forgotten. There is such a big field that a horse would need to be a good beginner to score, as a horse who dwelt at the post is not likely to be able to thread his way through a large field.

GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE RACE of lOOOsovs. Two miles.—Ben Jonson 11.4, Exmoor 11.0, Stormont 10.9. Tauira (including 141 b penalty) 10.8, Compass 10.8. Gold Dust 10.7, Kairoma 10.6, Stronghold 10.1, Scotty 10.0, Irish 9.13, Lionheart 9.13, Belario 9.13, Auratus 9.13, Wirral 9.13, Stayboy 9.12, Pikopo 9.10. Ringman 9.8, Rendrock (including 511> penalty) 9.5, Snip 9.3, Ability 9.3, Rangihaeta 9.2, Southern Cross 9.2, Showman 9.0, Corazon 9.0, Claremont 9.0. Pukenui 9.0, Whatakura 9.0, Silken Rein 9.0, Waihuka 9.0, Contender 9.0, Virtus 9.0, Xavier 9.9.

The second “ leg ” of the double will be decided on Thursday, when tne Grand National Hurdles will come up for decision. The Auckland-owned Ben Jonson is at the head of the handicap with 11.5, and his owner certainly cannot complain at the weight allotted the Ben Godfrey gelding. The top-weight is receiving solid support lately, and it appears as if the public are only just awakening to the fact that Ben Jonson has been reserved for the event. A good jumper, fast, and able to carry weight, he is sure to be taking a hand in the question when the whips are out. On Tuesday morning he showed to more advantage than Scotty and Snip over six flights of hurdles (this would probably mean a mile and three-quartersj, and this would show that he is in racing trim. Exmoor (11.0) and Stormont (10.9) will most likely be amongst the missing on the day, but Tauira (10.8) will start favourite without a doubt. The performances of the Mahaki gelding at Trentham, when he disposed of Scotty and Co. in the Winter Hurdles in the easiest possible manner, was full of merit. Since his victories rumours have been current that all is not well with Tauira, but the owner denies this, so that there is very little cause for alarm. Compass (10.8) is a good horse, but I would not back him to beat Tauira at even weights, and Gold Dust (10.7), who won the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles, appears to have all he is entitled to. Kairoma (10.6) has been a great disappointment of late, and although he is a sure starter he does not appear to have a winning chance unless he shows form a long way ahead of his displays of late. Stronghold (10.1) appears in his right place, but Scotty (10.0) must be given a great chance. The St. Leger gelding

put up a creditable showing at Wellington when he ran second to Tauira, and as foe may be expected to improve on this he is sure to take a deal of beating. Irish, Lionheart, Auratus, Belario, and Wirral have each 9.13 to carry, but the two last-named are regarded as non-starters. Auratus was supported to win a lot of money .last week, and a Southern writer stated lately that there has never been any money for Auratus since he won a hack hurdle race some time ago. Well, there is money for Auratus mow, and if all we hear is true, he can be regarded as one of the dangerous brigade. Irish is well off in the matter of weight, and should run well, but the opposition may prove too fast in the early stages. Advices from the South state that Lionheart will hardly be ready, and will show to better advantage later on. Stayboy, Pikopo, and Ringman have nice racing weights, as has also Rendrock, who looks like turning out well. Amongst the 9.0 division the two that appear to catch the eye are Corazon and Pukenui. The last-named is very fast, but does not always do his best. If on his best behaviour on Tuesday he may be expected to put up a sterling fight. Some think he will jump out, and that will be the end. of it, but I would rather adhere to the. top-weights. .