CANTERBURY J.C. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1065, 4 August 1910, Page 5

CANTERBURY J.C. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

OPENS ON TUESDAY.

The New Zealand racing season of 1910-11 opens at Riccarton on Tuesday next, when the Canterbury Jockey Club will inaugurate the Grand National meeting. This meeting is one of the favourite gatherings held in the Dominion during the year, and keen interest is taken in the results of the racing—particularly the Nationals —not only by those at the scene of action, but by all sportsmen throughout the Dominion. The meeting is always expected to bring together all the best horses in the category of jumpers in New Zealand, and if, perhaps, we except Wimmera, it will be admitted that all those horses with any credentials worth mentioning will be on hand to compete. The Canterbury Club havje received splendid acceptances for the three principal events, and with horses from every part of New Zealand included in the list, everything promises for a most successful meeting., i GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE. The following are engaged in

GRAND NATIONAL STEEBLCHASE, of lOOOsovs. Three miles and a half. — Capitol (including 141 b penalty) 12.0, Kiatere 11.13, Audax 11.13, Loch Fyne 11.9, Te Aral (including 71b penalty) 11.9, Red McGregor 11.5, Walone (including 101 b pen-

- ine principal event on the opening day will be the Grand National Steeplechase, three miles and a-half. and, at the time of writing, 22 horses remain in the event- However, at fie final payment, which takes place to-morrow, evening, several of those claiming engagements may be expected to drop out, but the prospects of a big field going to the post are very rosy, and we may expect to hear of a field of about 15 going to the post. Capitol, by his victory in the Wellington Steeplechase, incurred a 141 b penalty, and, as this brings the son of Leolantis’ weight up to 12.0, he is now at the head of the list. His victory in the Wellington race last month was full of merit, but even allowing for this it will be admitted that with 12.0 in the saddle the big chestnut will want to be at his very best to win on Tuesday, and he may find the task a little too difficult. Capitol started in the event last year, but failed to complete the course. Kiatere (11.13) follows, and the veteran would have to make a deal Of improvement before he could be ticked off to run well. Audax, on the same mark, is entitled to consideration, and though his displays have not been up to expectations, he may yet have to play his best card- Audax was running third in the Wellington Steeplechase when he... toppled over six furlongs from home, and in the opinion of many who witnessed the race, Mr. Ormond’s gelding would have been very hard to beat. Loch Fyne (11.9) was the last to finish at Wellington, and his prospects do not appear too bright- Te Aral (11.9) seems a bit unreliable, but there can be no getting away from the fact that he is a high-class animal over country. In the event of Te Arai being on his best behaviour, he should certainly be handy at the finish. Red McGregor (11.5) will probably be favourite, and on his running at Ellerslie and Wellington there seems to be plenty of inducement to support him. At Wellington it is said that he was not ridden with the best of judgment, and was kept too far out of the contest in the early stages. We in Auckland saw the Winter Steeplechase thrown away through bad judgment on Windsor’s part, and Loch Fyne scored a very lucky win. If Red McGregor is kept anywhere near his field he should be one of the early brigade home, as he is a thorough stayer and has a deal of pace. Eurus has previously won the event, but since that time it appears to be a fair rate of odds against him completing the course, as he is a most unreliable customer- Nero would be hard to beat if well, but some doubts are expressed as to whether Nestor’s son will be at his best. Tyrannic is a good performer over the small fences, and in his schooling work at Riccarton he has been giving satisfaction. Waione (11.5), on his performances, has a little the worst of the argument on the score of weights. His win at Wellington was a very lucky one- Bullworth (10.8) is a fair horse, and as he is credited with being quite ready for the fray, he may be expected to run well. Lovell does not appear to stay too well, and Le Beau will have to improve a good deal to win. However, the Aucklander will be very hard to beat should the going be anyway firm. Corazon (10.4) is the most promising young ’chaser engaged in the race. In the Wellington Steeplechase Corazon was just behind Lovell and Sir Lethe about six furlongs from home, when a faulty jump put him out of the contest. At this juncture Corazon was going well, and looked to have a chance second to none- On the last day in the July Steeplechase Corazon had the race all his own way when he ran into the last hurdle and stopped. Sir Lethe does not read like a Grand (National winner, but Stone Ginger has plenty of friends, despite the fact that he is a maiden performer. None of those further down appear to possess any chance.

Is every uating. ‘ -That good horse Penates heads the list with 11-9, and the son of Ruenalf will probably find the task too much for him. Los Angelos is meeting with strong support, and is expected to make a good showing. North-East is also receiving attention. The Auckland horses Wauhope and Electrakoff are not overburdened with weight, and it looks as though they will be the hardest to beat. Sharpshooter is getting through his tasks in good style at Riccarton, and Sir Geo. Clifford’s chestnut may run a good race. GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES. At the time of writing the horses engaged in the race are:— GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE RACE', of lOOOsovs. TWo miles.—Paisano (including 141 b penalty) 12.1, Compass 11.6, Prophet 11.2, Tauira 11.1, Audax 10.12, Tyrannic 10.5, Gold Bird 10.4, Paritutu 10.3, Hydrant 10.2, Mahuta 10.1, Outlander 9.12, Woolloomooloo 9.11, Stayboy 9.11, Stone Ginger 9.10, White Cockade (including 51b penalty) 9.5, Kremlin (including 51b penalty) 9.5, Lionheart 9.4, Aorangi 9.4, Waitapu 9.3. Jack Ashore 9.0, Arc Light 9.0, Appin 9.0. By reason of his successes, the Strowan gelding Paisano has incurred a 141 b penalty, and this has had the effect of increasing his poundage to 12.1 However, his performances are so full of merit that he has only to be produced at Riccarton to have a strong following, and the chances are that he would start, favourite. Compss (11-6) won the event last year, and his second in the Jumpers’ Flat at Wellington would point to the Daystar gelding being in form. Prophet (11-2) will carry considerable coin, particularly from Aucklanders, who know very well that for two miles the son of St. Paul would take a deal of beating. He is a bold fencer with plenty of pace, and as C. Cress will he in the saddle, his supporters are sure to get a good run for their r money. Tauira (11.1) will also count a large following, and in some quarters the opinion is expressed that this black son of Mahaki will be the actual favourite. If Prosser’s horse has improved in his jumping since the Wellington meeting, he will be very hard to beat. Further down the list Woolloomooloo, White Cockade, Stayboy and Kremlin appear to have outside chances, and may cause a surprise. However, summing the matter up it looks as though the winner will come from the top weights, and the meeting between Tauira, Prophet, Paisano and White Cockade will be awaited with interest.