RACING REVIEWED

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1478, 22 August 1918, Page 9

RACING REVIEWED

CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB.

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. KAURI KING' WINS HURDLES. ST. ELMN THE STEEPLECHASE. (From Our Christchurch Correspondent.) The new racing season was ushered in at Riccarton on Thursday under promising conditions. A cold sou’west wind made matters somewhat uncomfortable, but it died away as the afternoon progressed. Visitors from all parts of the Dominion were present in very strong force, North Island sportsmen as usual predominating. Though a trifle holding the track afforded ideal going tor the jumpers, and better displays over the big fences have seldom been seen at Riccarton. All the chief events were annexed by horses hailing from across Cook Straits; indeed, the poor quality of the South Island-trained jumpers has never been more apparent. There were less falls than usual, and fortunately none of them were attended by serious consequences. Despite the delays in paying out dividends, the totalisator business reached record proportions for National Day, no less than £60,401 being speculated as compared with £51,327 last year. The vexatious delay before most of the events, caused, it is surmised, by the presence of a Government official in the totalisator house, tried the temper of the crowd, as well as caused the concluding events to be run half an hour behind time. There was not a great deal of interest taken in the opening event, the Hunt Club Cup, which only attracted half a dozen moderates. With a slow pace on, the jumping was of an attractive nature, the only one to make a mistake being Transfer, who came to grief at the second of the Kennels double. Brown Joe made play from Gaekwar and Dardanelles till nearing the final jump. Once over, Gaekwar, the favourite, drew away and scored in decisive style from Dardanelles. Tornea was in most demand with backers for the Trial Hurdles, though Master Boris also had a staunch following. Jeannot and Master Boris were in front most of the way, and the former, outstaying his opponents, ran home an easy winner from the favourite. Reformation and Meltchikoff did not appear able to go the pace at any stage of the journey, while Hylans tired badly over the last furlong. How open the result of the Grand National Hurdle Race was regarded by backers found evidence in the speculation indulged in. Weight of Auckland money saw Kauri King installed a better favourite than Gang Awa’, but apart from this pair both the Kemball bracket and Art were entrusted with - over a thousand pounds. Backers of Thrace had a poor run for their money, as he was badly left and toiled in the rear for most of the journey. Jumping off smartly, Gang Awa’ acted as pacemaker for nearly a mile and a-half, his most prominent opponents all through the early stages being Sir Solo, Gluetanus, and Wishful. Once tackled by Sir Solo in the back straight, Gang Awa’ was quickly in trouble. Half a mile from home Gluetanus looked to have Sir Solo beaten and he was loudly proclaimed as a winner. Then Kauri King commenced a great run, and soon cut down the leaders. Drawing away in the home straight, the Aucklander scored decisively by five lengths from Sir Solo. Art ran through a beaten field and gained third place from G'luetanus, who did not finish any too well. The winner’s achievement was full of merit, for his jumping was clean and he stayed on much better than expected. Both Sir Solo and Art shaped right up to their best form, but Gang Awa’ was one of the first beaten. Sleight of Hand had to be pulled up a long way from home and walked in.

Hastie, who was little fancied beyond his immediate connections, scored a very comfortable win in the Avonhead Handicap, for which Piano was sent out favourite. A furlong from the post Jingo, Moorable and Silver and Black appeared to have the issue to themselves. By a great run Hastie cut them all down as the post was neared and won with a good deal in hand from Silver and Black, with Jingo third. Piano got badly away and was never prominent. Though better fields have been seen out in the Grand National Steeplechase, the eleven that went out to do battle for the latest contest were a decidedly useful lot. Despite the magnitude of his task, Master Strowan, who looked really well, was sent out favourite, while St. Elmn, Yellow and Black and Coalition also came in for very heavy support. Altogether £12,076 was invested, which is probably a record investment for any steeplechase event. Making the most of his light weight, Merry Lad drew right away in the early stages, with Waimai always in second place. This pair maintained their positions for three-parts of the journey, most prominent of the others being St. Elmn and Crib. It was not till within six furlongs of home that Merry Lad started to come back. Two fences from home Waimai and St. Elmn closed up, and the former was first to land into the straight. Even up to the last fence, which Waimai and St. Elmn crossed on terms, it looked as if the Aucklander would prevail, but in the run to the post weight told, and St. Elmn beat him by two lengths. Both these horses gave fine exhibitions of lepping, though Waimai showed an inclination to run down one or two of his fences. Master Strowan put up a game race in getting third place. His task was made all the harder by the manner in which he was allowed to fall away in the first half mile. Still there is no doubt that the best horse at the weights won. Crib was going particu-

larly well when he fell a mile from home, but though Zarkoma and Stone Ginger jumped safely they were quite outpaced. The Ellerslie-trained Moddite tried to win the Enfield Steeplechase from start to finish. He chanced several fences, but survived till the second last was reached. This proved fatal to his chance, and enabled Arlington to romp home in front of Master Hamilton. Bore fell when going nicely five furlongs from home, and was very sore on returning to the paddock. The Winter Cup was, as usual, a big scramble for positions in the early stages. Comment, on the inside, was one of the lucky ones, and with Cardrona, Ascalaphus and Varnish in close attendance, she was still in front when the winning post was only a furlong away. Then Bedford came with a great rattle on the outside, and, striding along in determined style, secured the verdict by a length. Ibex was only a head away in third place, just in front of Sardinia and Ascalaphus. The two favourites, All Over and John Barleycorn, were never prominent. Fourteen candidates came out to contest the concluding event of the day, the Sumner Handicap, Ardmore being elected a slightly better favourite than Belgian King, with Primato, Warmth and Warform best supported of the others. J. Olsen took Leaping Burn to the front soon after the start, and though the favourite managed to get on terms with Olsen’s mount entering the straight the latter easily held his own in the run to the post, winning by a couple of lengths from Warform, who, finishing fast, defeat-

ed Ardmore by a head for second honours. The results were: — HUNT CLUB CUP STEEPLECHASE of 200sovs. About two miles and ahalf. 1— L. H. Collinson’s br g Gaekwar, by Ghoorka— —Phyllis, aged, 10.13 (A. Ward) 1 5 —J. and M. Leonard’s b g Dardanelles, aged, 9.7, carried 9.11 (H. Lorigan) 2 2 — H. Guyton’s br g Brown Joe, aged, 10.4 (F. Tutchen) 3 Also started: 3 Captain Lock 11.9 (E. Rae), 4 Golden Butterfly 10.13 (A. McMullan), 6 Transfer 9.13 (J. Anderton). Transfer fell. Won easily by six lengths, eight lengths between second and third. Captain Lock was fourth. Time, smin 17 3-ssec. TRIAL HURDLE RACE HANDICAP of 250sovs. One mile and three-quart-ers. 5 —W. Ashmead’s br g Jeannot, by Charlemagne 11. — Janet, aged, 11.11 (L. Hagerty) 1 1 — Miss Douglas’ ch g Tornea, 6yrs, 9.13 (A. Lawrence) 2 2— A. Brightwell’s ch g Master Boris, 6yrs, 9.11 (R. Thompson) 3 Also started: 4 Hylans 11.9 (Deerey), 6 Meltchikoff 10.8 (E. Rae), 3 Reformation 9.5 (A. McDonald), 7 St. Cletus 9.8 (S. Henderson), 8 Rose Blush 9.0 (A. McMullan). Won by three lengths, half a length between second and third. Hylans was fourth. Time, 3min 22 4-ssec. NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE RACE HANDICAP of 1200 sovs; second 240sovs, and third 120 soys from stake. About two miles and a-half. I—A.1 —A. N. Gibbons’ b g Kauri King, bv Soult — Sawdust, aged, 10.1 (F. Ellis) 1 9 —W. Garrett’s b g Sir Solo, aged, 10.1 (R. Thompson) 2 4 —G. Fulton’s b g Art, aged, 11.9 (J. Deerey) 3 Also started 3 Gladful 11.9 (Stan. Reid) and Wishful 10.0 (S. Henderson) bracketed, 7 Sleight of Hand 11.9 (A. McDonald), 8 Sir Fisher 11.5 (Ward), 2 Gang Awa’ 10.2 IR. McSeveney), 10 Gluetanus 9.10 (A. McFlinn), 6 Thrace 9.8 (T. Chaplin), 5 Fisher 9.0 (A. W. McMillan). Won by three lengths, four lengths between second and third. Gluetanus was fourth, Gladful fifth, with Fisher and Thrace next. Time, 4min 48 3-5 sec. AVONHEAD HANDICAP of 200sovs. Six furlongs. B—E.8 —E. Short’s b g Hastie, aged, by Sweet Simon —Lady Officer, 10.10 (A. McFlinn) 1

6 — j. s. Barrett’s br f Silver and Black, 4yrs, 9.8 (F. Ellis) 2 4 —A. W. Rutherford’s (junr.) br g Jingo, 4yrs, 9-3 (J. O’Shea) .... 3 Also started: lu Phil May 10.12 (C. Price), 9 Royal Prince 10.9 (P. Brady), 12 Missouri 10.5 (W. Bell), 1 Piano 9.13 (H. Gray), 15 War Tax 9.9 (L. Hagerty), 3 Derby Day 9.8 (T. Mussen), 11 Leaping Burn 9.8 (H. Robinson), 2 Omahu 9.8 (L. Morris), 5 Turpenite 9.0 (R. Reed), 13 Bonsign 9.0 (F. Porter), 7 Moorabbe 9.0 (C. Emerson), 14 Notability 9.0 IR. Manson). 16 Spyglass 9.0 (J. Olsen), 17 The Sapper 9.0 (A. Reed), 18 Hytem 9.0 (F. Woods), 19 Chorale 9.0 (G. Pine). Won by two lengtns, a head between second and third. Moorabbe was fourth. Time, Imin 16 4-ssec. NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP of 1500sovs; second 300sovs, and third 150sovs from stake. Three miles and a-half. 2—W. Richmond’s br g St. Elmn, by St. Ambrose —Maude, aged, 9.11 (R. Thompson) 1 7— T. Wilson’s b g Waimai, aged, 12.5 (F. Flynn) 2 1— F. S. Easton’s b g Master Strowan, aged, 12.7 (R. McSeveney) 3 Also started: 5 Crib 10.11 (H. Lorigan), 6 Collector 10.9 (Stan. Reid), 4 Coalition 10.9 (H. McSweeney), 3 Yellow and Black 10.1 (J. Deerey), 11 Nita 9.7 (J.. Kaan), 9 Merrie Lad 9.7 (F. Tutchen), 8 Zarkoma 9.7 (W. Robinson), 10 Stone Ginger 9.7 (F. Ellis). Yellow and Black dislodged his rider at the initial obstacle, while Crib, Coalition and Nita all fell. Collector baulked and was pulled up. St. Elmn won by two lengths, a length separating second and third. Merrie Lad was fourth, Zarkoma fifth and Stone Ginger sixth. Time, 7min 13 l-ssec. ENFIELD STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP of 250sovs. About two miles. 4 — F. and C. C. Biel’s ch g Arlington, by Signalman—Nell Gwynne, aged, 11.13 (Stan. Reid) 1 2 — W. C. Going’s b g Master Hamilton, aoefl, 12.2 (H. Lorigan) .. 2 5 — Cran Tilt’s b g Paremata, aged, 10.8 (A. McMullan) 3 Also started: 1 Moddite 11.3 (E. Rae), 3 Bore 11.3 (F. Ellis). Bore and Moddite fell. Won by 12

lengths, a similar distance between second and third. Time, 4min 12 1-5 WINTER CUP of 700sovs; second 140 sovs, and third 70sovs from stake. One mile. 9 — F. J. Marshall’s ch g Bedford, by Bunyan — Miss Dix, aged, 9.13 (J. Tapp) 1 16 —W. Hume’s br m Comment, 6yrs, 9.0 (J. Olsen) 2 10— A. N. Gibbons’ ch g Ibex, aged, 9.3 (R. Reed) 3 Also started: 5 Volo 11.5 (C. Price), 4 Form Up 11.2 (Sid. Reid), 2 John Barleycorn 10.5 (Stan. Reid), 20 Lady Louisa 10.2 (H. Lorigan), 8 Varnish 9.9 (H. Were), 11 Ascalaphus 9.9 (Walls), 1 All Over 9.9 (L. Morris), 22 Multiplication 9.8 (A. H. Wilson), 12 Thaddeus 9.8 (C. Emerson), 17 King Star 9.8 (W. Bell), 19 Sir Agnes 9.6 (B. Deeley), 3 Cardrona 9.5 (J. O’Shea), 7 Hydrus 9.4 (H. Gray), 18 Majestikoff 9.3 (F. Ellis), 14 Sardinia 9.2 (A. Reed), 23 Multaine 9.1 (H. Robinson), 13 Fleetham 9.0 (W. Robinson), 21 Hiero 9.0 (A. McFlinn), 15 Kiltess 9.0 (P. Brady), 6 Whiro 9.0 (W. Davis). Won easily by two lengths, a length between second and third. Sardinia was fourth, followed by Ascalaphus, Cardrona, John Barleycorn and Form Up. Time, Imin 43 l-ssec. SUMNER HANDICAP of 200sovs. One mile. 10 —T. Russell's ch g Leaping Burn, by Kelburn — Euroclydon mare, aged, 9.6 (J. Olsen) 1 5 —R. J. Taylor’s (junr.) b g Warform, aged, 9.8 (Stan. Reid) ... 2 l—O. R. Wise’s b g Ardmore, 6yrs, 10.9 (A. McFlinn) 3 Also started: 8 King of the Valley 10.2 (J. Anderton), 3 Primato 9.13 (H. Gray), 6 Rio 9.13 (R. Hatch), 9 Kimbolton 9.12 (F. Porter), 12 Bomb 9.9 (S. Walls), 11 Point Blank 9.9 (F. Ellis), 4 Warmth 9.7 (B. Deeley), 7 Luff 9.6 (O. Reed), 14 Melford 9.0 (G. Pine), 2 Belgian King 9.0 (P. Brady), 13 Aye Ready 9.0 (H. Robinson). Won by two lengths, a head between second and third. Rio was fourth. Time, Imin 43 4-ssec.

The whole of the twelve starters in the Australian Hurdles got the course, which was a little less than three and a-half miles, with fifteen sets of hurdles to negotiate. w * * * Polycrates’ (the Polymelus horse) list for the coming stud season is already full, his owners having decided to restrict him to 37 mares, inclusive of their own. His fee was 50 guineas.

The Kilbroney mare Kilflinn has been scratched for the Epsom and Sydney Metropolitan Handicaps. ♦ * * * Merrimax is again amongst the workers at Randwick. Silent Way, Gloaming and Kilmaine are other New Zealand-bred ones in evidence there, besides Biplane, who was reported to have run a good mile with Molyneaux in nice style, not fully extended, and later did a faster one, moving contentedly and with a good, free style, showing none of the highstrung tactics he at one time exhibited. ♦ * * Commenting on the action of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union having passed a resolution urging upon the Government to stop racing, the Sydney “Referee” says it will be interesting to learn why the New Zealand farmers think such a course expedient. “In New Zealand recruiting is not adversely affected by racing. Over there it is a case of ‘must,’ not ‘will you,’ go to the war, if eligible; therefore nothing can be urged against the sport on that score. Of course, if racing were stopped many people identified with it, and ineligible for military service, would have to adopt other means of livelihood. This might increase labour available for farming, and until N.Z. exchanges enlighten us on that point one can be excused for thinking that selfishness is to some extent at the bottom of the anxiety of the Farmers’ Union to give racing a bump.” The Farmers’ Union has many branches, and the matter referred to was only dealt with at a Dominion conference, and some of the branches are not in accord with their action.