NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2540, 14 August 1915, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS

[By Geencoe.] Tho Canterbury Jockey Club's Grand National Meeting will be brought to .a conclusion to-day. The fields will again "bo large, and tho results^ do not appear eaiy for patrons of the machine to anticipate. A good, safe jumper in Captain , Mackay is engaged in the Aylesbury Steeplechase. The I'oxton horse completed the course in- the Grand National Steeplechase and he appears to be improving with each Tace.

In the Heathcote Handicap. Banksia, the Winter Cup winner, is onlv meeting Encore' a place-getter, on 41]>. worse terms, but as tho Selwyn Handicap looks an'easier race to .win the Maniapoto gelding mil no doubt bo reserved for this race. Banksia scored so decisively on iiie opening day that she is certain of strong support this afternoon. The Karamu 6tablo has Kaniinohe engaged, and he'was supposed to be unlucky on Thursday. Blackheart, who is within 21b. of. this minimum, was also unlucky on Thursday and was seen to stumble badly just after the start of his raco. Euatangata,. runner-up in the Trial and Spreydon Hack Hurdles; is meeting Art, who won on Thursday, on 181b. Better terms, and this should bring the pair together, though Art can be depended upon to be a mUch better horse .for his race on the first day. .

The Sydenham Hurdle Handicap will see most of the National horses again under silk. Leonta jumped the first'two fences very wildly on Thursday, and lost a good deal of ground. He. w;ill be better for the race, but Awahou, who lost his -pilot at the second_ fencc, will, no doubt, be favourite. Diavolo is another horse that made quite a good showing in the National Hurdles, and the shorter distance to-day-6hould be to his liking.

' The Lincoln Steeples, three miles, should be a fine race, as there are plenty of good jumpers in the field. Morning, who is coming on with each Tace, will probably be a good favourite, but in Ngatoa and Naupata he will meet a pair that will test his improvement. ■ The last-named is a great jumper, and will be well suited by his light, impost.

Were Blackheafrt. to, be reserved for the Redcliffs Handicap'he' wo'iild "'be' much fancied. _ Nicomar is again engaged, as is Potentiality. The latter seems to luivo plenty of weight considering lo is a maiden performer.'- Bodenbam, \tho was sent back to last at one stage of the race on Thursday, and then finished! very fast, in fourth place, is certain to command plenty of support to-day.

Form points to Glenroy and Encore in the Selwyn Handicap, six furlongs, and this pair can again be depended upon to be in the fighting line at the finish of tlia race.

Mri W. H.E. Wanklyn, secretary of the C.J.C., is at present in town, having come up to say farewell to his two boys, who are going to the front.

Mr. F. J. Lysnar, owner of H-urahia, who won the Grand'.-National Hurdle Handicap, ha 6 been, racing for some years in the name of "Mr. L. Purr," which he discarded dt the end of last season,. the Grand National Meeting now in progiress at Eiccarton being the first at which he lhas raofed in his own name.

When Harbour Light fell at the last fence in the National Hurdles ho broke his jaw, and had to be scratched for his remaining engagements. He arrived from the south this morning, and wall be railed home to-day.

■ The Wanganui Jockey Club's programme of dates of nominations, weights, entries, and acceptances is given elsewhere in this issue.

FIXTURES, Aug. 10, 12, 14.—C.J.C. Winter. Aug 26—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Steeplechase. Aug. 26—Amberley Steeplechase Club's Annual. Sept. I—Harton J.C. Spring. Sept. 2—Eangitikei Hunt Annual. Sept. B—Dannevirke B.C. Steepleohase. Sept. / 9 and 10.—Ashburton County R.C. Spring.