THE TURF.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1175, 10 July 1911, Page 7

THE TURF.

V.R.O. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. STEEPLES WON BY CONFIDE, By Teleirrach— Frcs9 Assgclatkin-Copyrisht (Rec. July 9, 5.5 p.m.) Flcmington, July 8, The following was the result of tho V.H.C. OHAND NATIONAL STEEI'LECFfA.SE, of 20 sovf., with 1500 siivs. added. About throe miles ami a iurJong. Mr. W. Kcogh's b. g. Confide, by Mnrkhiim—Trust, Byrs., 10st. 21b. 1 Mr. W\. Hill's Leah Kleshua, 'M. ... 2 Mr. J. P. Cox's Grafuax, 13st. 51b. ;) Also started: ltipon, 12st. Wα.; Central Green, list, lib.; Harvest, list. 21b.; Simple Simon, lOst. 111b.; Lyraon, lO.st. 21b.; Squirm, 9st. 121b.; Hawthorn, O.st. 101b.; Obelisk, Out. 101b.; Thunderstorm, 9sv. 81b.; Arty, »sf. Squirm was tirst to move from Harvest, Central Green, Leah Kleshua, mid Confide, but Arty led over tho first fence, with Obelisk and Squirm next. Kipon took charge at tho bridge, from Arty and Confide. Soon after Arty baulked. Approaching tho straight, Hawthorn led Squirm,'Kipon, and Central Green. Hawthorn, led out of tho straight, but then Lycaon dashed to the front and had four lengths' lead along the river from Hawthorn, Central Green, and Ripon. Grafnax took command seven furlongs from home and at' tho abattoirs had four lengths' lead from Confide, who was followed by Squirm, Lycaon, and Ripon. Grafnax had an advantage from Confido over the last fence, but Confido tliea took command and won by five lengths. Leah Kleshna beat Grafnax by four lengths. Time, 6min. 41 Msec. NAPPER SCRATCHED. IBj Tclecracb.—Pres3 Association.l Chri'stchurch, July 8. tapper was scratched for the Grand National Hurdles this morning. NOTES AND COMMENTS. IB* Glencoe.l Confide, who won tho V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase on Saturday, was a firm favourite for that event until a fortnight ago, when it was definitely announced that Grafnax would be a starter. The latter then assumed the position of favourite.' Arnst (Birkenhead—St. Evangeline), one of the youngsters that Mr. G. V. Moore, of Kai Iwi, sent over to the Sydney Easter sales last year, and who raced unsuccessfully in the spring, has just been taken up again after a spell, and is an inmato of T. I'. Scully's stables at liandwick. Those interested in training work will be glad to know that for tho next couple of weeks the mail train from Masterton will stop each morning to pick up passengers at the Trentham siding. Napper's withdrawal from the Grand National Hurdles did not come altogether as a surprise, for it has been known for the last couple of weeks that tho big Birkcnhead gelding was lame, and the news was published in these columns on June 28. At tho Rosehill meeting last month B. Deeley had to run the gauntlet of a complnint laid by A. Thomas, who accused the Auckland horseman with interference. After an inquiry by tho stewards, the complaint was dismissed. The whole of the jumpers owned by Mr. R. Clancy, of* Sydney, arc to bo offered at auction in Melbourne this afternoon. Odessa, a member of V. Cotton's Hutt team, is looking and galloping well at the present time. On Saturday morning ho covered four furlongs in 50J seconds. Whilo doing a gallop on the Hutt track on Saturday morning, Varna, again burst a blood-vessel. He is not likely to start at Trentham. It. is the present intention of the owner of Paritutu to start tho old Castor geldrins iii both tho Grand r N.jitional Steeples and Hurdles, but so far'no horseman has been engaged for him. T. Pritchard was offered tlio mount in both events, but. he had to decline, <is ho has already been booked to ride The Native. . A. Whittaker, who is now at tho he.icl of the list of winning riders, arrives from GiMiorne this evening. The crack Auckland hon-eman has so fav not been booked for a single ride at Trentham, but no doubt his services will be eagerly sought before next Saturday. Hoanga, who has been spoiling at Napier siure the Grcenmeadows gathering, will be brought to Trentham 10-morrow. Tho "Regel gelding"lightened up a, bit after his two severe races, at the Park, but he is now quite himself again. Lull broke down at Wangamii on Thursday, hence his withdrawal from the Wellington Steeplechase. H. Hickey, with Centaur, Whakaweira, and Eiya, is due at Trmtham this oveninc. To-morrow T. Quinlivan and S. Waddell will-arrive with the teams of Mr. E- J. Watt and the Hon. J. D. Ormond. V. Collelo is hringins Cornzon on Wednesday, and J. M'Laughlin arrives on Thursday. Monologue, who is one of the candidates for tho Trial Plate at Trentham, was to have been turned our for a spell after winning at Otaki. but was kept in work specially for the Trentham race.. W. Young rode two winners on the first day of the Gisborne Bating Club's meeting. ' Tho aged gelding Assaycr (Gold R«f— Thyra). who won a number of hurdle races in the Dominion three seasons ago, 'was found dead in his box at Hastings last week. Ovation (full-brother to Provocation), wlio is a candidate for the Trial Plato at Trentham, was sent out second favourite in a two-year-old race at Danucvirke last March, bnt finished unplaced. At a mee'tiug of the Masferton Racing Club on Saturday it was reported that the conference with the Taratahi-Carter-ton Club regarding amalgamation had proved abortive. It was decided to have a one-day meeting and to apply for dates for thrue days of racing during the year. HANDICAPPING. [To the Editor.l Sir,—Can Mr. Henrys, handicapper, explain his handicapping of Te Ku and Windage in the Grand National Hurdle Race, of two miles? These horses met at the last meeting at Napier Park, when To Ru, carrying 9st. 81b., was easily beaten by Windage, carrying 9st. filb., the first day, and the second day these two horses met Te Ru car-ried-9st. 121b. Windage, carrying lOst. 41b., finished second, and Te Ru finished absolutely nowhere. He is asking Te T!u, who has proved himself absolutely a non-stayer, and has never won a. race over a further distance than a mile and n half, to give Windage nine pounds over a two-mile course. Is not this crucifying a horse unfairly, and doing tVu: owner injustice? If this is so. why does a club of tho standing of tho C.J.C. allow this? In my opinion no good reason can be brought forward in support of the> handicap in question.— I am, etc., JOHN R. M'DONALD. Levin, July 7. FIXTURES. July 15, 13, and 22—Wellington R.C. Win"ter. August 8, 10. and 12—Canterbury J.C.'g Grand National. —