GRAND NATIONALS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 213, 9 August 1937, Page 10

GRAND NATIONALS

MEETING AT RICCARTON. RACING OPENS TO-MORROW. (By “Spectator.”) The Grand National meeting, at which New Zealand’s two principal jumping events are deckled, opens at. Christchurch to-morrow, and will be continued on J bursday (when the Grand National Hurdles are run), and Saturday. There are 22 houses in tho \\ inter Cup, the principal flat race, which has attracted a good held of milcrs including horses with first-class handicap form in important events. It is one of tho hardest races in the Dominion to win. Chief interest will centre to-morrow on this race and on the Grand National Steeplechase, the 3 2 -nule course of which is a very thorough teat ot stamina and jumping ability. Fields engaged in these two races arc: GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE, of £1250 and plate value £25. Ihroo miles and a half.

The topweight, Royal Limond, won the Steeples last year with 10.8, but since then has dond little to his credit, has been running off the course in his races, and will have to improve a groat dcaj to secure another win. Irish Comet, winner of the Great Northern Steeplechase, appears to be the likely favourite, and will have a big following. Streamline is an uncertain horse in his jumping and, though he went fairly well at the Christchurch Hunt meeting, will have to jump better. Burglar appeals after winning two steeplechases at Ircnthain, and he knows the Riccarton country, having been second in tho Enfield Steeplechase last year, _ and won the Avicsbury Steeplechase easily from Noclu'rnus. The latter is also engaged, and has shown good recent form, having raced well at the Hunt meeting. Forest Glow, whose form has been indifferent this season, and who fell at his last start, does not appeal, nor docs Paliu, who lias not done well since running second in the Wellington Steeplechase, but Brigadore who won the Awapuni Steeplechase, and is a safe jumper and natural stayer, will have inanv friends. He is very fit. Cock o’ the North won the Homeby Steeplechase recently from end to. end, staying on exceptionally well. Shillelagh Wood will also have supporters after her recent success, but is more likely to start in the Enfield Steeplechase, which looks a better prospect for her. The public may prefer. ’

Concertpitch, who ran a great race into second in the Brabazon Handicap at his first start after a short spell, and who was second in the Winter Cup last year, will probably share favouritism in this event with the brilliant Trench Fight, who has been responsible for some fine track trials. Queen of Song was fourth to Dictate, who won well m the Brabazon Handicau at the recent Hunt meeting. Third in the Winter Cup last year, Ponty raced well at Trentham, and Silver Streak has only to stay on to bo troublesome. Arctic King appears to be a very distinct prospect, especially if the going is on the sofe side. Grey Honour won at Trentham. Wino won tho Winter Cup last year, hut was left at the post in both starts at Wellington. Big Dook won the Prince of Wales Handicap from a strong field at the Manawatu autumn meeting. Catalogue, fourth in the Whyte Handicap after being kicked at the post, should bo prominent at the finish. Epris, who won the race in 1935, has shown recent signs of returning to form. Paknnui and Queen Dorothy have prior engagements, but Shy should 'run well, and Old Surrey, who has been galloping well, may surprise. He i.« well placed on tho minimum. Most support may be for: Concertpitch, Trench Fight, Catalogue. THE OTHER EVENTS. Horses likely to be favoured for tho remainder of the events arc as follow: Trial Hurdles.—Sunny Comet, Redolent, Golden Lap. • Paparua Handicap.—Knockfin, Pakanut, Araboa. _ _ Jumpers’ Flat. —Collision, Blue liger, Mount Val. Cashmere Plate. —Settlement, Rockingham, Happy Night. Enfield Steeplechase.—Shillelagh W ood, Kelly the Crow, Nightwind. Avonhcad Handicap.—Rebel «Matc, Mittie, Tidewaitcr. RIDING ENGAGEMENTS. Riding engagements for to-morrow are as follow: —B. H. Morris, Sir Hugh, Settlement, Dictate; N. Trillo, Journet, Monastic, Arctic Star; H. Turner, Cottingham; H. Hibberd, Rousseau, Swordstick, Love Affair, Golden Dart; IT. Goldfinch, Pal tnyra, Screamer; W. Cooper, Joy Boa, Cock o’ the North; D. O’Connor. Royal Limond; A. Messervy, Happy Night, Jed Forest, Pelmet; P. Spratt, Bonnie Agnes; L. G. Morris, owl 6 Gleam, Trench Eight; P. Burgess, Shy, Mittie, Blue Tiger; C. T. Wilson, Knockfin, Kindly, Grey Honour, Rebel Mate; C. Humphries, Nuipai; V. Langford, Shillelagh Wood; 11. N. Wig gins, Old Surrey; W. J. Broughton, Lustra!, Catalogue, Bunfighl; S. Anderson, Short Circuit; A. Russell, The Wrecker, Rebel Chief; R. Marsh. Elegy; A. E. Didham, Epris, Stromboli, Alma, Mary Pratt; E. Jones, Clubman, Pol Roger; c. G. Goulsbro, Matoru, Rockingham, Liane; W. J. McDowell, Forest, Glow; A. Jenkins, Clarion Call; R. J. Mackie, Silver Streak, Petersham; W. McEwcn, Mount Val; C. Thomson. Brigadore; L. J. Ellis, Wino, Cocksure, Araboa; J. McCauley, Laggard, Monipcre; J. McFarlnne, Queen Dorothy, Moonraker; J. F. Fergus, Irish Comet; J. Murfitt, Redolent, Giggleswick; J. W. Jennings, Queen of Song. Made Money, Phalanx; A. E. Ellis, Bay Duke, Concertpitch. Miracle; L. 11. Clifford. Aggravate, Le Toquot; F. E. Baker, Sunny Comet. Noeturnus, High Quality; P*. Beale, Kelly the Crow, Jolly Beggar Fireguard; G. Ridgway, Streamline, Primak; P. Atkins, Ponty, Greek Gold.

Royal Limond 11 0 Palm 9 5 Irish Comet 10 7 Brigadoro 9 3 Streamline 10 0 Cock o’ the Nocturnus 9 12 North 9 0 Burgiar 9 10 Shillelagh Wood 9 0 Forest Glow 9 7

Irish Comet, ‘Burglar, Brigaclorc. WINTER CUP, of £700. One mile. Ooncertnitch 9 12 Pakanui 8 11 Trench Fight 9 7 Q>*een Dorothy o / Queen of Song 9 6 Sweet Agnes 8 2 Ponty 9 6 Dictate 8 2 Silver Streak 9 5 Shy 8 1 Arctic King 9 5 Sovereign Lady 8 1 Davolo 9 2 Epris 8 0 Grey Honour Wino 9 0 Sir Nigel 8 0 8 13 Swordstick 8 0 Big Doolc 8 13 Old Surrey 8 0 Catalogue 8 13 Moriiperc 8 0