KARTIKEYA AND CLYDE BRIDGE ON THE FLAT

Chronicle (Levin), 12 August 1949, Page 7

KARTIKEYA AND CLYDE BRIDGE ON THE FLAT

L.M.

M.) .•

(Special— From

CHRISTCHURCH, August 12. The Canterbury Jockey Club are most fortunate to again card exceptionally good fields for the middle day of its Grand .National meeting at Riccarton tomorrow*. At time of writing the weather is good but threatening, the track is considerably improved fron^ what it was last week, but if the weather forecast is fulfilled then readers can expect almost similar track conditions to that of the opening day.

The three races that are nolding main * attent-ion down here at the present time are the' G.N. Hurd.es, the Islington and Autumn Handicaps. Favourites here for these e'vents are Our Gold, Sir Aboot and Super Flight. If the track does not deteriorate in the meantime it , should suit these horses, but if conditions change it definiteiy will be in Our Gol'd's favour in the hurdles. The Grand National Hurdles' field is not a select class field as in the pasu, stamina in some cases not being up to previous requirements. However, it can confident y be expected that good races can bs forthcoming from . Hunting Mac; Young Bob, Our Gold, Detain and John Rosa. The Islington Handicap is very open, and although loeal adherents are very confident about Sir Abbot's prospects, I think that, after seeing Kartikeya this morning and ju'dging him on his good finishing run over the last furlong in the Winter Cup, his prospects are more than enhanced. Heiio has a.so come into strong favour as also has Dark Arrow, Conciusion, Leyma, who wiii be suited by the distance, and on .Trentham form Finigin. However, Kartikeya takes the eye as a good prospect with Leyma, Sir Abbot and Conciusion his mosfc dangerous opposition. A though not a crowded race the August Handicap is open with sucn good class included as Julius Caesar, Winter Cup winner, 'Distincdon, Super Flight, Lady Myrtle, Saieda and Infatuate. Of these Distinction, Super Flight and Julius Caesar are expected to get into the money, but in C-yde Bridge, an excellent miler Saieda and Infatuate Ihe favourites will find stiff opposition. I expect Clyde ^ridge to be we 1 to the fore in this race.