THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2850, 15 August 1916, Page 7

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS THE GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. [By Gkncoe.l The Riccnvton meeting will open today. Telegraphing late last night our special representative advised that the weather was fine overhead, but that a continued downpour was experienced all Sunday night, and tho tracks could not but bo on the holding side. As a conscience, Gold has gone out of. favour for the Cup, and his stable companion, George, who goes well in heavy going, is in demand. An unlikely starter is Aurore, who has gone wrong. His defection will be a blow to anti-post backers, who rated tho Birkenhead gelding considerably better than ho really was. The mile race is very open, but tho chances aro in favour of the light-weight division. I!orke's Drift has done plenty of. galloping, but ho does not look roady, while on the contrary Multifual is not bearing the full appearanoe he had. at Trentham, and looks overdone. Flying Start- can be counted out, and those who follow the fortunes of tho Chokebore 6table ray Sun Sebastian, his stable-companion, 'is sure to finish in front of him. Seadown, too, looks as if ho has dojje plenty of galloping, and not enough work at his mangef. Ringform haa plenty of supporters, for the soft going suits lus dicky joints. He sprints well, and has done plonty of racing to help him get the'distance. Cherry Blossom and Sir Agnes are others that will enjoy a bis following. ' >■'

The following aro the probable starters and their riders in the Cup Rorke's Drift (W. Robinson), list. 91b. Multifual (B. Deoley), list. lib. Flying Start (F. E. Jones), lOst. 12lb. Seadown (J. O'Shea), Itet. 111b. Georgo (H. Young), lOst. Gib. Goldenlyte (Sid. Reid), lOst. 41b. Meltchikoff (A. Wormnld), iOst. lib. Ringform (H. Griffith), lOst. 21b. Glenroy (E. Hatch), lOst. lib. Gold : Soult (L. Wilson), lOst. 6'edd ol Bahr (A. Oliver), 9st. 131b, Ogier (H. Donovan), 9st. 3lb. Sir Agn<» (W. . Price), 9st. 2lb. ChejTy Blossom (J. Olsen), 3st. lib. . Jeannot. (Q. J. JPine), (Ist. Speedometer (Stan. Reid), 9st. San Sebastian (J. Brycc), flst. Heeltap (J. Buohanan), 9st. Sir Tarka (J. Campbell), 9sf, Twelfth Night (W. O'Halloran), Oat. Gnome £ —),,9st. Multuni (A. Ji'M'Flinn), 9st. Rumania (W. Bell), 9st. • Icilma (J. Horn), 9st. For tho big steeplechase all the final acceptors aro expected to face the barrier. Biaeburn, Idealism, and Bransfield may have tho largest following, but thero is plenty of room for a surprise. Ono adherent of the ICaramu stablp, who saw Idealism last week, remarked that ho was a raceoourse certainty. Another equally good judge stated that ho was, tiring badly, and tho distance of tho National would find him out. No such charge can bo laid against Braeburn or Bransfield, botlv of whom' havo done a lot. of racing. _ • Special interest will centre in tho Trial Hurdles, as therp aro several National candidates engaged. . Kooya, Sir Solo, and Golden ■ March will engage most attention, and probably the last named will lie a good favourite, as he has jumped and galloped so wWI since arriving at. headquarters. Tho Jumpers' Flat Handicap lias a strong field engaged, and tho issue is very open. Moirconi seems to bt the piclc of tho bunch, but Harbour Light and St. Elmn havo both got'credentials to recommend them. Otupai is an unlikely starter in the Enfield Steeples, and in his absence Gluepot, runner-up to Wiiokino in tho Anzac Steeples at Wellington, may be favourite. For the Avonhoad Handicap there is a very big field carded, and tho list 'includes some very smart hacks, Sglendidus, late Anzac, Kukri, and War Tax may .bo tho favourites, and tho two latter seem well able to act ia tho going. Acceptances for the Dannevirke meeting close on Wednesday night. An ex-New Zealand Biro in Varco had a successful run in Australia last season, as eleven of his stock won twenty• races worth .£5789. In this country twelve of Varco's get won. J!7025 Inst season, so his \j;otal winnings are. -E12.7G4. : The New Zealand contingent now racing in Sydney has done pretty woll lately. Another success was scored on Monday, at Warwick Farm, where Bee, ridden by J. M'Clusky, won tho principal event, decided over, a mile and a quarter. Tho Dunedin jockey, F. Ellis, broke a collai'bono when Recharge' fell with him at Riccarton on Thursday. Later-in tho morning he sohooled another horse, and did not realise the extent of his injuries till the afternoon. As a result of the accident, fresh riders will have to be secured for Kilmeny and Trireme next week. ■ St. Elmn has dropped out of tho Trial Hurdles, and will havo his -winding-up gallop'in tho Jumpers' Flat. The imported horse, Winkie, has not accepted for tile Avonhead Handicap, which was tho only race ho was entered for. Probably his owner only nominated him to see how the handicapper would assess him. The following are the probable riders in the National Steepleohosoßraeburn, J. Deorey, list. lllb.; Waimai, A. Rao, list. 8lb.; Ngatoa, L. Traill, lOst. lib.; Fagot, F. Tutchen, lost, lllb.; Tarero, W. Young, lOst. lllb® Wirokino, A. J. M'Flinn, lOst. lllb.; Bransfield, B. Poulgrain, lOat-sSlb.; New York, A. M'Donald, lOst.' 31b. jMiravost, S. Henderson, lOst. 21b.; Idealism W. Burt, 9st. lllb.j 'Naupata, E. M'Sweeney, Ost. lllb.; Merry Lad, H. Burt, 9st. 81b.; Captain M*Kay, F. Flynn, 9st. 81b.;' Queen's Post, A. Ward, Ost. 71b.

ON RICCARTON TRACKS

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, August U. The weather was lino this morning, but the Riccarton tracks wove heavy after the overnight rain. Mount Victoria made a moderate effort, jumping two hurdle j.,- . Mannia Park gave a lead over a hurdle to Worcester, who then wont on alone. .He baulked at the . next, but then did a round J Bafoiy. Manaia Park jumped a round in good style. Naupata and Precious Motal went once round tho fences, shaping well. A large iiiujr.b.T of horses worked on tho flat, their tasks being ohiefly of tho sprinting order.