CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1579, 29 July 1920, Page 12

CANTERBURY.

Coalition Probable Competitor at the Brackenfield Hunt Meeting — Crib Getting Through Solid Preparation —Notes on the South Canterbury Hunt Club’s Meeting—Jack Symons Wins Steeplechase — Merry Lad Breaks Down — Nightraider Enhances His Winter Cup Prospects. CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. With the absence of so many trainers at the South Canterbury meeting on Thursday little work was accomplished at Riccarton. The heavy frost left the tracks so hard that they were not fit for exercise till ten o’clock. Waimai, Coalition and Master Strowan were all given serviceable tasks, and the three jumpers look particularly well. It is probable that Coalition will be given a race in the Brackenfield Steeplechase on Saturday, and even with 12.13 in the saddle he is bound to run well. A race would sharpen him up nicely for the Grand National. Now that there seems every prospect of Lochella coming south for the meeting he is in strong demand for the Grand National Steeplechase. He and Slowcoach are also freely enquired for in the big hurdle race. Crib is reported to be getting through a solid preparation for the Grand National, and he has plenty of friends for that event. . He is a rare jumper and stayer, while the operation he underwent last year seems to have improved his wind. When contesting the South Canterbury Steeplechase Merry Lad broke down badly, and there is little chance of him racing next month. On their form at Timaru Morecambe, San Sebastian and Warform can be written out as Grand National possibilities. Nightraider’s effort when he led the field home in the Claremont Welter at Timaru was a pleasing one, and gained him many friends for the -Winter Cup. Favoured with ideal weather there was a record crowd at the South Canterbury Hunt Club’s meeting on Thursday. Though slightly holding

the track was in nice order for jumping, and the sport was of more than average interest. Money for speculation vxas very plentiful, the sum of £17,665 being passed through the totalisator, as against £9965 two seasons ago.

Samiel and Sonny cut out the early running in the Hadlow Hurdles, with All Talk and Bombproof handy. Racing along the back Gamecock went up to the leaders, and soon opened up a useful lead from Bombproof and All Talk. From this out he had matters all his own way, winning with a lot in reserve by two lengths from All Talk. The next to finish were Bombproof, Calma and Sonny. Gamecock is trained by S. Trilford, and for a novice the son of San Francisco gave a promising display. He jumps smartly and did not make a mistake all through. All Talk put up a good race under his big weight, while Bombproof gave a fair amount of promise. With half the journey gone Strayshot unshipped her rider. The ten starters in the Pareora Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase gave a fine exhibition of jumping. Wicklow soon took charge, leading past the stand from Lawsuit and Bill Terry. A faulty jump by the firstnamed as they entered the back straight caused him to drop into fourth place. Then Lawsuit took up' the role of pacemaker from Bill Terry, who was jumping much the better of the pair. Taking charge just after entering the home straight Bill Terry looked to have the result in safe keeping. By a great final effort Dun-

mure deposed Lawsuit and got to within half a length of Bill Terry as the post was reached. Lawsuit struggled on into third place, with Kintailshore and Traditor heading the others. Nothing in the race jumped better than Bill Terry, but had Dunmure been kept closer to the leaders in the early stages he may have won. After giving a good deal of trouble at the start. Checkmate got away on the move in the Levels Handicap, and with Mystified cut out the early running well clear of Gossard and lan Hamilton. Checkmate was first into line for home, and having the measure of Mystified all through won very easily by two lengths. The Chokebore representative was backed down to a short price, and was quite the best conditioned of the big field. Forty Winks, who was making her first appearance under silk, ran a promising race, and should not be long in rewarding Mr. Buckenham with a win. Dunmure, who had started earlier in the day, was the only withdrawal ironi the South Canterbury Steeplechase, leaving a useful 'field of eight to contest the big event of the afternoon. San Sebastian, looking in splendid trim, was elected favourite, whole there was plenty of money also for his stable companion Golden Prince. The latter, with Barrister in close attendance, made play for two miles, his jumping being of a particularly high order. He was first over the last obstacle, where Barrister and San Sebastian were being ridden. After laying a long way back in the fii’st circuit Jack Symons came with a great effort over the last half-mile. He had Golden Prince’s measure fifty yards from the post and scored a handsome win. There was a lot of merit in his performance, and he finished so strongly as to suggest a race coming his way at the Grand National meeting. Golden Prince also gave a creditable showing, while for a first attempt over country Barrister shaped particularly well. San Sebastian gave a finished display of jumping, but did not finish any too well, while Merry

i- Lad broke down in the race. i Betting took a wide range m the Washdyke Trot, and it produced a i remarkably fine contest, the issue s being in doubt till within a few yards of the post. Wandering Willie took charge at the end of half a mile and held his position till within three furlongs of home, where Dusky Dillon had his measure, with Mountain Wood and Orari closing up. In a spirited finish Mountain Wood outstayed Dusky Dillon and won by a length. Orari was a similar distance away, with Wandering Willie heading the others. Mountain Wood is a six-year-old son of Underwood, trained by R. Logan. He has a nice style of going, and should win again before long. Innisfallen scored a very popular win in the Hunters’ Plate. He was always in a handy position, and, taking charge three furlongs from home, won with ridiculous ease from Fire Eater. The winner was not handled to the best advantage, but was in a class by himself. Fire Eater, who is a son of Rorke’s Drift, ran a fair race, but Grand’ Clements, the favourite, faded out a good way from home. Sir Medallist, hailing from S. Trilford’s stable, found most favour with backers for the Teschemaker Memorial Hunt Cup Steeplechase. He held a good position from the start, but spoilt what looked like a good chance by toppling over at the penultimate obstacle. This made matters very easy for Lawsuit, who jumped much better than in his earlier venture. General Petain. Golden Grape and SixCylinder were the only others to complete the course. Altogether it was a disappointing contest, the majority of the starters giving evidence of insufficient schooling. Backers went strongly for Nightraider in the Claremont Welter, and the result was a foregone conclusion for the Chokebore representative a long way from home. After Sartolite and Braid had made the early running Nightraider took charge, and from this out never gave the opposition a look in. Almoner gave a poor showing, and should be held quite safe by Nightraider in the Winter Cup. LATER. Arrivals at Riccarton for Grand National Meeting—Embargo on Shipment of Horses Removed—Local Fancies for G.N. Steeplechase—Good Fields Promised in Principal Events at C.J.C, Meeting—lnteresting Gallops at Riccarton—Fabrinade and Hetaua Associated in Fast Sprint. (Telegraph—Christchurch Correspondent) Luke Wilson paid a flying trip to Riccarton to see how his two charges, Kohu and Hetaua, are progressing under R. Emerson’s care. He witnessed the pair work on Saturday, and returned to Hastings on Monday evening. Wilson intends coming to Riccarton again in time to give his pair their final preparation. After taking five days on the road from Blenheim, the hurdler Eron Boy reached Riccarton on Friday. He looks decidedly rough after his long journey. Two southern trainers in P. T Hogan and W. Griffiths have arrived at Riccarton with their charges. Hogan has a big team, and will race some of them at the Brackenfield Hunt meeting on Saturday. Though no definite pronouncement has been made at the time of wiring, there seems every chance of the shipping embargo -being lifted in the course of a few days. It is understood that matters between the waterside workers and the jockeys are somewhat strained. The latter are desirous of ending the dispute forthwith, but the watersiders and seamen are awaiting instructions from their headquarters in Wellington before they make a move. There are quite 20 horses at Trentham waiting °P» ort «nity to come south. ( Word from Wellington on Monday XT 7 ht m states that at a mee ting of the N- 2 ; Transport Advisory Board it was decided to remove the embargo in connection with the carrying of racehorses to and from any place in the Dominion.—Ed. S.R.) In local circles Lochella is a prime favouiite for the Grand National Steeplechase, with Slowcoach, CoaliOver, Samiel, Calma. Kohu, Pa?aoa Ladogeur and Meltchikoff. all of whom also figure as acceptors for the Grand Nationa! Hurdie Race. A win for any of the horses named will entail a 121 b. penalty for the big event An acceptance of 14 for the' p tr> Grand National Steeplechase must be deemed quite satisfactory w“en the unsettled state of transport is taken

into consideration. It is pleasing to find that the five topweights have been paid up for, the only defections in the first half of the handicap being Old Mungindi, Luke, Manawapango, Gladful and Foeman. After their displays at Timaru it comes as something of a surprise to find San Sebastian and Morecambe included in the list, but there are decided possibilities associated with the prospects of Guanaco and Sturdee. Though there are sure to be further ■defections when final payments fall due, at least 10 horses can be expected to face the starter. Of the 60 horses originally engaged in the Winter Cup 24 have had the first payment made for them. Amongst the most notable of the defections are Gazique,. Parisian Diamond, Radial, Marqueteur, Sunart, and Burrangong. While there has been a particularly heavy weeding out amongst the lightweight division no doubt there will be further withdrawals when the final payments come to be declared, but even so the field gives every promise of being quite up to the standard of former years. Heavy frosts have delayed the training operations at Riccarton lately till much later than the ordinary hour. :Some very interesting work was accomplished on Saturday morning in the presence of a good few spectators. Brackenfield, picked up by a Boniform mare in W. McDonald’s stable over the last half-mile, ran six furlongs in lmin. 19 l-ssec., the pair finishing on .terms. Gloaming, assisted by a stablemate, ran five furlongs ,in lmin. 4 .'2-ssec., beating his companion pointlessly. Kilrush was going better than Loyal Arch at the close of six furlongs, run in lmin. 20sec., but they were not doing their best over the last part of the journey. Hands Off and Kohu finished on terms at the . close of eight furlongs, the last four taking 53sec. Bonny Step, with a featherweight up, was tiring badly at the end of five furlongs, the last four taking 55 2-ssec. Clean Sweep and Warlike were on terms, with the former finishing the better at the business end of six furlongs, run in lmin. 17 4-ssec. Sunny Loch and Lady Pallas were together at the end of four furlongs run in 53 2-ssec. Easily the best gallop of the morning was put up by Fabrinade and Hetaua, who finished on terms at the end of four furlongs, run in 50 2-ssec., both horses doing it very well. Loch Weir strode over half a mile in 51sec„ and Greekson beat Nautical .at the close of five furlongs by over two lengths in lmin. 5 2-ssee., the former doing it very nicely. High Heels, alone, dashed over five furJongs in lmin. 5 2-ssec., finishing well. After galloping a strong round on (the old sand track Master Strowan t(L. Hegarty) and Coalition (H. McSweeney) set out for a school over the big fences. They put up a very fine exhibition, though the former

.gave the best display. A little later Coalition went a round by himself. Kohu and Hereward jumped two hurdles well, and Bon Spec, with a good load up, left five furlongs behind in lmin. 5 2-ssec. Royal Star and Chaeronia finished on terms, with the former doing it very well, at the business end of five furlongs, run in lmin. 6 2-ssec. Bonny Maid was given steady work on the sand, and Tumult, who is looking very well, was given two strong rounds on the sand. Will Oakland, picked up by a chestnut hunter in the same stable over the last half-mile, ran six furlongs in lmin. 19 2-ssec. with a featherweight in the saddle. Gaylight did steady work on the sand, as did most of R. J. Mason’s and Cutts Bros.’ teams. War Tax and Paraoa gave a good exhibition over four of the schooling hurdles, both jumping clean and fast.