RACING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 595, 20 August 1913, Page 2

RACING.

The Christehurch Grand National meeting, which wag brought to a close on Saturday last will take rank aa one of the best gatherings yet held by the Canterbury Jockey Club. The races for both the big jumping events were by all accounts worth making a pilgrimage to witness. The fact (hat heads only separated (he three lenders at the finish of the big Seepleehaso and that all three were anion.!'; Iho well Weighted division indicates that the excitement must have risen to a high pitch as the contest wan fought out foot by foot. From all accounts it, appears aa though The Spaniard wan unlucky to lobp, a mistake a I the iast obstacle but one losing him eonHidorable ground, which he just failed to make up. However, Borcola thoroughly deserved hia win, and has earned the distinction of being one of the best cross country performed in the Dominion. Glenmoro ran one of his consistently good races, but just failed to score.

By winning the Grand National Hurdle race in record time. Morning hag jumped into the ranks of first-class performers. His win on the opening day paved the way for a good performance in the Grand National, but few were prepared to see him put up a record gallop. The owner of Morning. who is also the owner of The Spaniard, had hard luck to miss the double.

Dorando must be classed as one ci' the unlucky brigade during the past season. He has been knocking at the door at all the chief meetings and has had to be content with getting close. to the winner in several of the big events. His most recent performance of running second for the Lincoln Steeplechase and beating such a good one as Glenmore at level weights is in line with the luck that has pursued him during the season.

The New Zealand sportsman, Mr E. J. Watt, is ninth on the list of inning owners in Australia, his horses securing £5433 in stake money. The time, 3.44 2-5, registered by Morning when he won the National Hurdle race is a record for the race. Marton made a bold bid for victory in the C.J.C. National Hurdles, and it was no disgrace to be beaten in record time by a horse to which, he was conceding 211b. Marton appears to have been well up with the leaders throughout, and it was only in the run home from ihe last fence that the weight told. Marten's recent performances stamp faim as. one of the best hurdle horses out tp resent. After the race for the Winter Gup the stipendiary stewards asked for an inquiry, it being held that Parky, the winner, had closed on Kilra-in and Mummer, the latter being squeezed out, The affair, however, was deemed to be accidental, and no further action was taken. All sorts of rumours are going the rounds regarding F. Davis' team for Australia, but it is almost certain that nothing in this direction has yet been decided upon. Soltano is going on the right way, and will in all probability be sent over, but until Mr Lowrv's return from his Island trip, where he has been detained on account of the unfortunate illness of Mrs Lowry, nothing will be known of his intentions. Fixtures. August 2S. —Amberley Steeplechase Club. September 3.—Marton J.C. Spring. September 10. -- Dannevirke R.C. Spring. September 11, 12.--Ashburl.on R.C. Spring. September 17, 20. Avondale J.C. Spring. September 22, 23.-—Otaki R.C. Spring September 25, 26. Geraldine R.C. Spring. September 25, 27. -Wanganui J.C. Spring. October 1. —Napier Park Spring. October 15, 18. Auckland T.C. Spring. November 5, B. A.R.C. Spring. November S, 10, 12, 15. C.J.G. Spring. November 19, 22. Qtahuhu T.C. Spring. November 26, 29.—T.J C. Spring. December 26, 29, January 1, 2. A.R.C. Summer. Dee. 27, 30, 31.-—Auckland T.C. Summer. December 2G, 27.—Thames J.C. Summer.