THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2833, 26 July 1916, Page 4

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS

!Br Glzxcoi.l

Acceptances, for the Grand National Hurdles, Steeplechase, and Whiter Cup close on I'ridny next. At tho same time for the minor events at tue meeting also fall due. E. ■!. Eae, with Waiinai and Tenacious, is expected to arrive hero on Thursday on the way to Eiccarton. The former will l,e ridden by B. Eae, atid an amateur rider will have the mount on Tenacious. A. Julian goes south on Thursday with Jararu .lack, who has, an engagement hi tho National Hurdles. The Porirua Winter Cup caudidato Gold fioult continues to give satisfaction in his -work, and providing he got* 0 ?j/i r ' s,it VAley ' ' lels 6, "' e t0 be cue otrthe best-fancied on tlio da>- for the big mile event at fiiccarion. u'n weights the rtnndt'ome son of Gold Crest should account for all above him. and if- defeat is registered against him it will probably bo by one of tho light-weight division, "ho.beach stable has previously won the Winter Cup with Ostiak in 1801 andrarity in 1913.

It takes a good horse to win a Grand National Steeplechase, and the traditions of tho race provo this. Well backed horses have been successful in tho crosscountry event to a far greater proportion than in the Hurdles, and only on three occasions have horses .-carrying under 10 stone won tho race, whileVo have to go back'twenty-six years.to iind the solitary occasion that one with the minimum impost has been successful. To get round Eiceorton in advance of a National .field a horse.'has to bo a good jumper, with plenty, of. pace arid staying powers. Tho ones with these attribute's are generally well exposed performers, honco the victories of so many favourites in tho big event. "

At Poriruii, ,T. U. Prosser is at present handling two black mares, by Mahaki, of bis own breeding. They "are three and -lour years old, and are as alike as two peas.

Nassonian, who won the Princess of Wales Stakes at Newmarket on July 6, is a half-brother to Crangnnour, by William the Third. The last-named has two representatives in the Dominion, viz., Nassau, belonging to Mr. G. L. Stead, and Winkie, owned by Mr. ,T. B. Reid. Winkio did a light season at the stud last year, but reports state that ho is' in work on his owners private track at Elderslic, and will probably be found racing during tlio coming season.

Waimai's chances in tho Grand National Steeplechase continue to bo tho most discussed, but thero is a perceptible lull, with no prospects of matters brightening for a day or. two. Northern writers state that Waimai will strip a. greatly improved horse at Eiccarton to what bo did at Ellerslic. .

A. Oliver is making a good recovery at Awapuui, and hopes to be able to ride work next .week.

The southern horseman .1. Olsen will, so. it is understood, have the mount on Cherry Blossom in tbo Winter Cup. .

Owing to the wet weather experienced lately, there has been very littlo galloping accomplished on tho.Awnpuni tracks.. G. Price has decided not to take Eevalonta to the Eiccarton Meeting, but he; may nuiko the trip with Seddel-Bahr. Tho chestnut gelding showed'good form on the Eiccarton tracks at the Spring Meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club.. Plying Start has plenty of supporters for tho Winter Cup, in which ho is regarded as favourably, itroated* with lOst. 121b. i The Chokeboro-candidate has xtm. his best races at Eiccarton, where ho won tho Challenge and Chanipagno Stakes. This season bo scored in the Jockey Club Handicap,-was runner up in. tho Members' Handicap, and finished third to Heval and Fitulhorn hv tho .Great Easier Handicap. ~"::.'

While- being: schooled at Awapuni on .Saturdav last, tho National Hurdles candidate Slcight-of-Ifarid had a. harmless fall. He attempted to run off at a fence and toppled' over • the- wing.: Neither,horso Jior rider wero injured. ' ■A Press, Association message from Syd-- ; ney states that Kilboy, has landed-; in' good condition.'",";.'".*: '.: ■..'';': ■'/:,"" RORKE'S DRIFT SCRATCHED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, July 25. Eorke's Drift was scratched for tbfi Grand National Hurdles at 3.20 .p.m. to-day.

FIXTURES,

Aug. 15, 17, and 19-C.J.C. Grand National. \ .. " Aug. 23—Dahnevirke B.C. Steeplechase. Aug. 24—North Taranaki Hunt Steeplechase. Aug. 26—Pakuranga Hunt Annual. Aug. 30—Manawatu Hunt Steeplechase. Sept. 6-Marton J.C. Spring.