NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 280, 15 August 1918, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS

fBY GhENCOE.'- ■ CRAND NATIONAL MEETINC. Tho Canterbury Jockey Club's National ileoling will commence at Kiccartoii today, when the Hurdles, .Steeplechase, lim | Winter Cup will bo decided. In the; Hurdles there m a Beirut held of eleven horses, and the runnels include the place-getters in llio same race twelve mouths ago. Slci','ht.oi-Haiid, who scored last year with iOst. 6ib., has now gut list. 91b. lo carry. A riao of 171b. would in tho ordinary course bo sutlicient to slop most lioiwi*. aptl added to I his tho ilyslilication gelding has not been üblo to do the preparation required for such a long tiring .tourney, flladful. on the pamc mark, has been racing well, nnd he has, done a sound preparation, lie looks-like being the best, of tho top-weightß, as he is good in heavy RoiiiE, and is one of the beat stayers in tho race. Art is also on the saino mark. Ko is a previous winner of tho race, but lie is only n little fellow and hardly up to the weight. Sir Usher seems to liavo trained oil, and though he has twico wou tho Century JTurdlcn ho does not seem to be a. good slayer. On Trentham form (lladful for ono looks certain to airaiu finish in front of him. Gang Awr', lOst. 211)., has been a much-discussed horso ever sinco ho ran away with the Hack Hurdles on the second day of the YVanganui meeting. He is a great fencer, and proof of this is to be. fouutl in the fact that in all his schooling work he. lias never onco mado a mistake. He is very forward, and ho has performances on the flat better than any of tho horses set to give him weight. Ho is certain to give an excellent account of himself. . Sir Solo lias twico been placed in tho race, and he is a good stayer, but it is not likely that ho is on the improve. It is not in bis favour that he baa not had a race for a considerable time. Of tho remainder I'ishcr, who is in at tho -minimum, may bo dangerous. Ho is one of tboso uncertain horses that may turn up at any time in a good race. The going will bo all in favour of Gang Awa', who, on several occasions, has proved himself o, good performer in mud.

A high-class field will strip for the National Steeplechase. Master Strowiui's deeds during tho past twelve months havebeen so high class that he is sure ot a big following:. Ho is a, very safe conveyance and a *uro jumper, but he is giving a lot ,of weight to the improving Coalition, and tho latter and Collector aro suro to make a race of it with the topweight. Yellow and Black has many friends, but he may not be seasoned enough for such a race. St. Elmn is a consistent but unlucky horse, but he is meeting Master Strowan on 291b. better terms than was tho caBO when ho acted r.a rumier-up to tho Foxtou horso twelve months ago. 11' the top-weight is defeated it may be by Coalition or Collector.

Twenty-four horses aro carded to compete in the Winter Oup, oiio mile. Outside of the five top-weights the field is not a strong one, but the imposts allotted Volo and form Up should be suriiclent to stop them. John Barleycorn may not bo seasoned enough, but Lady Louisa has boon racing well during the winter, and tho going will bo to her liking. 'When thoroughly timed up Bedford is a very smart horso over middle distance, but ho haß not had a race for some time. Still, he has been galloping exceptionally well on the tracks, and bis party are very conllilent. Hydros, ibex, and Uamecock have all got chances. The Hunt Ulub Oup looks like being a poor race. Captain Lock, the top-weight, is a very poor performor, but he is a good jumper aud this'counts at Riccarton. Golden Buttorlly has more pace than any of tno others, and if the country does not prove too formidable the Duncdiu-oivued candidate may be up with the leaders when the judge's box is in sight. The Trial Hurdles has also drawn a weak field. Hylans is top-weight with list. 91b., and if anything liko at his best the Karamu-bred horso would como in by himself. Ho scorns to have dono a lot more jumping in his preparation for this mcetJiiß, aud this may stand to him. Meltchikofl made a good impression by his showing at Trenthaiu, but he has been schooling badly since going to Eiccarton. Toruea is a good, safe jumper, and in a weak held ho should possess a good chance. A good-.sized field is engaged in tho Avonhead Handicap, six furlongs, but thev are not a strong lot. Ardmoro will probably bo reserved for the vile race, aud Whiro ranjr start in the Winter Oup. Omahu, runner-up to Plcetliam at Trentham, Turpenito, who was uulucky not to be in a place in the same race, and Notability, who has a big reputation in the north, may be the best of thoso engaged. Those who remember the form of Master Hamilton at Trentham aro not likelv to overlook the fact that he is engaged in the Enfield Steeplechase, two miles. He is meeting a very poor lot, the best of whom may be Moddite. The last-named rati a good race for two miles and » half in the July Steeplechase at Trentham. The day's racing will conclude with the Sumnor Handicap, one mile. There are fourteen acceptors and they appoar to be an evenly matched lot. Ardmore, Hio, and Belgian King have all shown fair form over tho distance.