CANTERBURY J.C. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1014, 12 August 1909, Page 5

CANTERBURY J.C. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

NADADOR’S VICTORY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The weather was simply perfect for the opening day of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Grand National Meeting, and the crowd was the largest, despite alleged hard times, ever seen at Riccarton at this time of the year. Speculation was very brisk, and a big army of bookmakers did. thriving business all day. The racing was somewhat tame, most of the winners getting home with a good deal to spare. THE HUNTERS’ HURDLES. In the Hunters’ Hurdles Handicap there were ten starters, Blyjtheboy being made favourite. Tyrannic and Sea Dog led over the stand hurdle, where Ben Fortune fell. At Cutts’ Tyrannic and Sea Dog were still showing the way to Arty, and this order was maintained to the seven furlong post, where Sea Dog took charge. Half a mile from home Sea Dog retired, and Tyrannic led into the straight and, easily holding his own in the run home from the last fence, won by four lengths from Arty, with King of Trumps five lengths away third, with Roan Banner, who finished fast, close up. AURATUS SCORES COMFORTABLY The Trial Hurdle Handicap produced a good betting race, Kelso and Auratus carrying most money. The field rose at the first hurdle almost in line, where Virtus fell. Running out of the straight, Stepenfeldt dropped back, and Auratus and Kelso were six lengths clear at Cutts’. Kelso fell at the mile post, leaving Auratus to go on with a good lead from Rendrock, Half a mile from home Rendrock and

Pikopo closed on the leader, but Auzatus drew out again in the straight and won by six lengths from Pikopo, who beat Rendrock by four lengths, with Stepenfeldt fourth. NORTH EAST’S WIN. A big field, as usual, went out to contest the Winter Cup, eighteen horses facing the starter. North East was at once pounced upon, and when his connections vouchsafed the opinion that he could not lose he was backed down to a very short price. There was one false start, and then they were sent away. Penates and Federal were the first to show out, but at the end of a furlong Federal drew out clear, followed by All Guns, Sweet Angelus, Penates, North East, and Rock Ferry, with Gwendolina last. At the five furlong post Federal was a length in front of All Guns, with North East two lengths away, just clear of Penates and Sweet Angelas. A little further on North East went after Federal, and the pair entered the straight on terms, several lengths in front of the bunched field. Once in a line for home, North East drew out, and won easily by three lengths from King Post, who finished fast, and beat Gwendolina by three lengths for second place, the next m order being Federal, Grenadier, Sweet Angelus, Zimmerman, and Rock Ferry.

A SURPRISE IN THE GRAND NATIONAL. Next came the Grand National Steeplechase, Irish and Jack Pot being scratched at the eleventh hour. In a fine betting race, Te Arai just beat Le Beau for first place. A good start, was effected, and Eldorado, Te Arai, and Nadador rose at the first fence almost in line. Mocassin coming to grief. Te Arai, Eldorado, and Diplomatic, with Nadador and De Beau handy, was the order at the stand double, and save that Eldorado took the lead and was just out c’ear of Te Arai at Cutts’, there was no change. De Beau, who, with Capital, was running behind the rest, fell at the first of the kennels’ double, where Eldorado and Te Arai were on terms, with Diplomatic, Eurus, and Wanganui handy. At the big sod wall Eldorado and Eurus were just clear of Te Arai and behind them came Diplomatic, Wanganui, Nadador, and Capitol, and in this order they came into the straight, and down the running. Te Arai. Eurus and Eldorado rising simultaneously at the brush fence in the straight, but the companionship of Eurus was lost at the first of the stand doubles. Nadador improved her place, but here Diplomatic ran off, and Capitol, at the next fence, came down. Nadador went

to the head of affairs, and was followed. by Eldorado, Te Aral and Wanganui at short intervals. Nadador easily held her own in ; the run home, and won very easily by two lengths from Eldorado, who beat the tiring Te Arai by a similar distance. Wanganui, who finished some distance back fourth, was the only other horse to complete the course. A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. In the Tally Ho Plate Steeplechase four out of five starters fell, Gammon, who jumped well throughout, finishing by himself. THE JUMPERS’ FLAT. Scotty was a strong favourite for the Jumpers’ Flat Handicap, but he was never in the hunt. Compass, who was a quiet eleventh hour tip, took command in the straight, and won easily by a length and a half from Southern Cross, Polyanthus being a good third. Farley Grove and Whatakura were close up. A FAVOURITE SCORES. In the Avonhead Handicap Nyland was backed down to a very short price, and hopping off in front never gave anything else a chance, winning easily from Inchbonny and Wet Day, ihe others being strunk out.

SECOND DAY. GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES. The meeting will be continued today, when of course the principal attraction will be the Grand National Hurdles, in which event the Auckland owned Ben Jonson figures at the head of the list with 11.5. There are those who go so far as to say Ben Jonson is little short of a champion, but this has to be proved, as the fields Ben Jonson disposed of when he has won have not been of the strongest. Exmoor (11.0) has enough weight, and one who will be in greater favour is his stable companion, Tauira (10.8). Taiiira’s track work at Riccarton has been satisfactory, and he can be depended on to put up a great fight. Could I with certainty pick a horse to beat Tauira I think I should know a winner. Compass also has 10.8, and is sure to run a good race, but Gold Dust (10.7) will want to improve a good deal. Disquieting rumours are heard regarding Scotty not being himself, and taking into consideration that “ where there’s smoke there’s fire,” perhaps it would be as well to hesitate before entrusting the St. Leger gelding with coin. Dionheart (9.13), it is said, is on the big side, and will not see out the two miles, but Aura-

tus, through his success in the Trial Hurdles, will have to put up a penalty bringing his weight up to 10.6. Here is a horse who undoubtedly will carry a lot of bullion, and is sure to be hard to beat. I hear that Pukenui is amiss, and he will not be a starter, and the same is said of Corazon. On paper there does not appear to be any chance of a light-we; scoring, but there may be a “ Bully.” The following horses remain in after the final payment:—

GtRANiD NATIONAL HURDLE RACE of 1000 sovs. Two miles.—Ben Jonson IL4, Eixmoor 11.0, Tauira (including 141 b. penalty) 10.8. Compass 10.8, Gold Dust 10.7, Scotty 10.0. Lionheart 9.13, Auratus 9.13, Pikopo 9.10, Ringman 9.8, Rendrock (including 51b. penalty) 9.5, Southern Cross 9.2, Showman 9.0. Oorazon 9.0, Pukenui 9.0, Whatakura 9.0, Virtus 9.0.