CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1373, 17 August 1916, Page 13

CANTERBURY.

Grand National Hurdles—Record Number of Visiting Horses at Riccarton for Winter Meeting—Accident to Jockey—Crib in Fine Fettle—Fancied G.N. Hurdles Candidates— Eleventh Hour Anticipations.

(By Telegraph—Christchurch Correspondent.)

CHRIS i CHURCH, Monday

It was not decided till the eleventh hour as to whether Kooya would contest the Winter Cup or the National Hurdles. Eventually Mr. Oliver made up his mind to withdraw the mare from the Winter Cup and despite her recent mishap she has plenty of friends for the big hurdle event. No horse will strip fitter for the Grand National Hurdles than Leonta, who put in an appearance at Riccarton on Friday. Before leaving Fordell he was schooled ever the hurdles on three occasions, and jumped splendidly.

The veteran trainer J. George arrived at Riccarton on Friday with Crown Pearl and Glenroy After the Wellington meeting he had to undergo an operation, from which he made a satisfactory recovery.

There are more visiting horses at Riccarton at present for the National meeting than in any previous year. Taken all round the schooling work was by no means attractive, especially over the big obstacles. This was due to the state of the tracks, which were so treacherous as to make jumping over country very hazardous. Vascular met with a slight mishap when being worked at Karamu, and consequently did not come South with the rest of Waddell’s team.

When schooling Seibrook over the big fences on Thursday, Weston sustained a bad spill at the last obstacle. His mount turned a “sevener,” and rolled over the jockey, who sustained a compound fracture of the jaw. During his presence at Riccarton with Kron Park, the Northern trainer W. Barnett received word of the death of his wife in the Palmerston Hospital. As a result of the fall off Recharge at Riccarton on Thursday, the Southern horseman F. Ellis sustained a broken collarbone. This is particularly hard luck for Ellis, as he had quite a number of engagements at the Grand National meeting.

Crib arrived at Riccarton on Thursday, looking in nice trim. He was suffering from a cold after the Wellington meeting, but soon threw off its effects. Such a genuine stayer can be relied on to give a good account of himself now that the distance of the hurdle race has been increased to two and a-half miles. Later. Quite the most interesting event on Thursday’s card at Riccarton will be the Grand National Hurdle Race, which bears a particularly open appearance. Crib is such a genuine stayer that with an uninterrupted preparation he would have had rare prospects. As it is he can hardly be at his best. Styrax has got through a solid preparation, but Pursefiller will probably run herself out before reaching the end of the two and ahalf miles. Kooya’s mishap is bound to affect her prospects, hut Te Onga is certain to run a great race. He is one of the most fancied candidates, and should Waimai win the Steeplechase will probably start favourite. No horse in the race looks in better trim than Leonta, who wilt assuredly take a hand in the finish. He has improved a good deal in his jumping, and will be ridden by L. Coleman. Harbour Light’s schooling displays have not been reassuring; he is .inclined to run down his fences, but may do better in company. A very promising trio are Master Regel, Marconi, and Crown Pearl, taking a line through their track work. Marconi will take a lot of beating; he is very well, and has gained confidence in his jumping. Amongst the lightweights nothing has done better schooling work than Golden March. The riders in the Grand National Hurdles will be: Crib, W. Feilding; Styrax, J. O’Connell; Pursefiller,, B. Poulgrain; Kooya, A. J. McFlinn; Te Onga, F. Tutchen; Leonta, L. Coleman; Harbour Light, J. Deerey; Master Regel, F. Flynn; Marconi, S. Henderson; Crown Pearl, L. Traill; Tararu Jack, A. Wormaid; Gladful, W. Bush; Art, D. McKay; Kilmeny, H. McSeveney; Tenacious, W. Standen; Sir Solo, Stan Reid; Golden March, A. McDonald; St. Elmn, R. Hunt; Municipal, H. Lorrigan.