INTER – PROVINCIAL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1112, 3 August 1911, Page 6

INTER - PROVINCIAL

CANTERBURY.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, August 1. By this time next week we shall be a lot wiser concerning the result of the Grand National Steeplechase and Winter Cup, two of the principal events decided at the Canterbury

Jockey Club’s Grand National Meeting, which is set down for Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday of next week. Fortunately for trainers the weather has shown a decided improvement since last week, and consequently there was some interesting work, particularly on Saturday and this morning. Local candidates engaged in the

Steeplechase, Eurus and Dorando, have done most pleasing work, and the former has previous success in this event to his credit. He is certainly looking in first-class fettle, but he has so often shown himself to be such an erratic customer with a will of his own, that one must regard him with suspicion.

Dorando has been doing capital work in his schooling, and until Saturday, when he fell at the sod wall, had not made a mistake at Riccarton. It must, however, be remembered that he fell in both essays over country, at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s winter meeting at Wingatui. He has only been put to the jumping business this season, and the Grand National Steeplechase is a very stiff proposition for an inexperienced horse.

True Blue and Honest Tom have good credentials over country, but the former has been showing signs of lameness, and this is hardly a recommendation in his favour at this stage of proceedings.

Among the visiting contingent Antarctic and Corazon have naturally claimed most of the limelight. They are both looking exceptionally well, and their schooling since arriving at headquarters has been entirely satisfactory. The penalty entailed as the result of his Wellington win brings Corazon’s weight up to 12.3, and we have to go back as far as 18 97, when Levanter won with 12.6, to find a horse carrying more than 12 stone to victory. As a matter of fact, since that year, with the exception of Awahuri, who won in 1903, with 11. and Sow Tom, who was successful the following year with 11 stone all winners of the race have carried less than 11 stone.

On Auckland form advantage would seem to be with Antarctic. Wellington form has naturally brought Hoanga into favour, but I fancy he will find his task over Riccarton country more formidable than that at Trentham, and he has considerably increased his weight to carry. The race bears a most open appearance, and it is quite probable that among the large field engaged some of the lighter weights may be found capable of giving the top weights all they want.

Next week I shall have further opportunity of referring to the Grand National Hurdles, but since arrival at headquarters Espartero, Compass, and Continuance have pleased the track watchers. Paisano too has done all that has been asked of him. St. Aidan seems most promising of the local representatives, but as with his stable mate, Dorando, lack of experience may be against him.

After the Steeplechase the chief attraction of next Tuesday’s card is, of course, the Winter Cup in which several New Zealand Cup candidates are engaged. No horse has been going more pleasingly in his work than Nyland, last year’s winner. On Saturday he had the better of his stable companion Boanerges, over five furlongs, run in 1.4 2-5, a distinctly useful gallop. With two such good performers as Martine and Coroniform, owned by Air Ackland, and his own horse Bonny Glen engaged, the local trainer, G. Murray Aynsley, ought to have something to say in the decision of the race. Bonny Glen has been off the scene for over twelve month's, and this may be against him, but the horse now seems quite sound.

White Cockade, who was showing such promising form over the hurdles last winter, has been giving his trainer considerable anxiety on account of lameness, and to-day he was with drawn from all engagements. Other scratchings announced today are Miss Explosion for all engagements, f/rrmraboy for the Trial

Hurdles, and Grand Slam for Winter Cup. Evidently the Hon. J. D. Ormond has decided not to be represented at the meeting, as yesterday Bollin, Napper, Peary, Dreadless, and Moliiiigton were scratched tor all engagements.

Torrential, by Stepniak—Tempest, has been shipped to IVlelbourne. She can hardly be described as high classDuring R. O’Donnell s absence in Sydney, the two-year-old colt, by Seal Rock —Paiotta, will be looked after by R. Longley. Othei’ members of his team will be spelled out. Next week will be a busy one for the noble army of punters, as in addition to three days’ racing at R.ccarton, there will be three days’ trotting at Add.ngton. No doubt though, however strenuous a week it may be, they will, as usual, come up smiling. At the finish this morning, there was some capital work done at Riccarton, Prim ran five furlongs in 1.7, Coroniform cut out the last five of six furlongs in 1.8 2-5, and Bonny Glen registered a useful gallop ovex* s.x furlongs in 1.19 3-5, Martine taking 1.21 1-5 for the same distance. Eurus, who was assisted by Milo over the last portion, ran a mile and a quarter, the last n.ne furlongs taking 2.16. St. Aidan, accompanied by wedge over the last seven furlongs, showed very attract.ve form over nine furlongs his time being 2.4%. Iney and Continuance finished together over live furlongs in 1.6, and Paisano also was given only sprinting exercise. Boanerges, ridden by G. Price and Nyland with A. Oliver up, ran eight furlongs in 1.51- The former seemed to have the better of the gallop, but neither was fully extended. Antarctic gave a good display over a couple of rounds of big fences. He kept a sol.d pace throughout, and finished his task in capital style. Yasmak, D’Nil, Dorando, and Corazon started together for a schooling task over two rounds of fences. The two former ran together in front until reaching the brush the second time round, when Yasmak came down. The others continued the journey and fenced safely throughout, being close together at the finish. D’Nil however, had a big advantage from the ins.de running, and the showing given by Dorando and Corazon was distinctly good. Centaur, The Native, Whakaweira,and Appin ran a mile in 1.54%, finishing in the order given. Kildonan fenced safely over six flights of schooling hurdles. Pari tutu, who looks in good trim, did steady work over two rounds. True Blue and The Gunner were given half pace work over two circuits. The former, who is still slightly lame afterwards did a long trotting exercise.