THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 271, 12 August 1919, Page 9

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS

LATE NEWS FROM RICCARTON,

■By Telegraph—Special Correspondent,

Christchurch, August-11., I here is evory promise of lino weather for tho opening of the Grand National Meeting. Tho course has dried up, and tho going will be first-class. Lochella may tho filial favouvito- in tho Grand National Steeples, > with Master Strowan second ohoieo, .They are practically tho only horses' in t'ne raco v-ith n chanco that aro sound. Wairnai, Bon Revc, Master Lupin, and Vascular iii'B soro, and Coalition has wrenched a joint- and will 110 c start. ■ Morecambo looks very ragged, and Polthogue is Inme behind. Lochella has done a lot of work, and done it well, and tho last few days Master Strowan lias also couio ou a lot, and looks iporo like himself than at any previous timo this year. Ma.uawapango's mentor has ' changed his iniud, and will kcop the chestnut for tho Enfield Steoples. The 6plendid try-out of Lochella on Saturday morning is still tho talk hero, Tho Winter Cup is a puzzle, and it'is difficult to forecast tho-favourite. Battle Array, one of tho early favourites, does jiot loolc right and moreover is sore. Parisian Diamond has dono a lot of Work since his arrival and shows it. He .will be riddon by Gray,'and will-have u big following, but it is difficult to soo him victorious with list, 61b. in the saddle. Gaziquo has beon wearing heavy shoes, but he has been galloping well, and his trainer and rider both expect him to win. Tho Kilboyno party aro also confident, and tho three top weights will all carry a lot of support. All Over has been sprinting well, and ho is such a good' finisher- that his chance .cannot be overlooked. Form Up and Rebekah aro both in the market, but tho former may be troubled by tho distance, and Rebekah has lightened up a lot since tho Wellington Meeting.. Samiel is n big fancy from tho :|outh, and good judges select him to wjn. The-raco looks very open, but Samiel and Gauiocock will bo veil up all the way. ' Sandowu is a big order for tho Tally JTo Plato and Paraoa may be tho odds in tho Trial Hurdles.

Cynic can bo written out of the Jumpers' Flat, as ho has an enlarged leg and a cracked lieol. Likewise Munster. who hurt himself :on Saturday. Gang Av,'a' may be favourite.. , . ..

' Sonny, Winslow, and John Roilly .will all be supported in tho Hunters Hurdles. Tho latter used to run out len furlongs on the flat, and ho may. bo tho best able to see out to-morrow's race. In addition he is a good juniper.

Tho Enfield Steeples may bo between Jlanawapnngo and San Sebastian, but Fairy Finn, who is in the same stable ns San' Sebastian, was noticed schooling particularly veil during the week.

There am 22 acceptors in tho Avonhead Handicap, aiid tho■ issue-is-very open. The two-top weights vill'Ro.well, nnd Tumavoft will bo heavily supported, because of his track work done on tho bit each morning. Two horses well spoken of are Brackenfiold and All Serene. Tho former, who hails, from Blenheim, ran a very fast five furlongs on Saturday, and will be well in the market. TRAINING WORK AT RICCARTON. By Teleernnh—Press Anaoiiallon. Christchurch, August 11. The weather was fine during training operations at Riccarton this' morning. The outside trial grass was used for the fast work, and. a lot of sprinting was done. Battle Array and Risingham went four furlongs in 52 -i-osec. Potentiality beat Pretty Bobby over six furlongs in lmin. 23 2-ssec. fionuino went four furlongs in 54 l-Sseo. All Ovor and Form Up galloped five furlongs in lmin. 7 l-ssec. Eon Revo'did n, round at half-pace, followed by a second round faster. Tho last, mile took lmin. 55 S-ssec, Sir Solo did a working gallop onco louud. ' Waster Lupin, Wairnai, and Signature left six furlongs behind in lmin. 27sec.' G'old Kiii eilsily-beat Sir -Agnes. over lialf a mile. Kilboyna went, five furlongs. Gang Awa' and Master Stroivnn did n forking gallop, the last half-mile taking BGsee. Saniiel galloped four furlongs in 5-lseo. Cerberus took 51 4-ssec. over tho samo distance. Lnnhella went seven furlongs ill iinln. •(Usee. Vascular and Oniahu did useful pacing on tho sand.

Mor'ccanibe. Rewi Polo, and Multivb did lialf to three-quarter pace work/ and others easier tasks.

Coalition, who was showing-:signs of lameness, was not worked.