SPORTING NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17685, 24 July 1919, Page 6

SPORTING NOTES.

By Sentinel.

THE ftfiAND NATIONAL MINTING.

Plgures ajicl fences make a very intcrl U 'S problem of tho Grand National double, and tiiis year's combination should aiouso just as much attention «s any of its predecessors. Several of tho best and proved chasers and hurdlers in commission are engaged, but there is a long tail of tho rank-and-file brigade, which will in all probability bo considerably shortened by the declaration of acceptances. Oil last year's form Master Strowan should beat Waimai. but tho former has tho disadvantage of an interrupted preparation, which is .serious when a three-and-a-half-mile journey has to bo negotiated. Master Strowan may not, however, lose much condition, but it would be wise to note his track work before finally deciding to support him. Both Waimai and Master Strowan missed a place ln u e "' n =''On Steeplechase, but were perhaps not screwed up to concert pitch. Waimai now meets Vascular on 161b better tern*, Bon Rave at 101b, and Coalition at 51b better terms, and Master Strowan at 2lb worse terms. Vascular meets Coalition on 111b worse terms than when a head divided them at the finish of the Wellington Steeples, and again finished in front of tho latter, when in reoeipt of a stone on the last day of tho meeting. Vascular is a solid stayer, and tho extra distance at Riccarton will very probably suit him better than Coalition. Bon Revo was in good style in tho July Steeples, and reads well treated in meeting Vascular on only lib worse terms. Bon Revo has far more pace than most 'chasers, but nevertheless a good judge informed the writer that Vascular should have won the July Steeples, but spoilt his chance by covering a lot of E'ound over tho last half-mile. Master upin was produced only once at Wellington, when ho ran second to Gang Awa' when dead-heating with Merry Lad. Master Lupm won the Great Northern with 10.10 from Waimai 12.7, and now has the substantial increase of 231b. He, however, was meeting Waimai at 81b in the Winter Steeples, won by Troublesomo 10.7, and had a good winning chance spoilt by interference when Waimai fell at the last fence. On Auckland form Master Lupin has a good chance of beating Waimai again, as he now meets him on 41b better terms than in the Winter Steeples. The Riecarton country is, however, more difficult than that at Auckland, and Waimai has proved himself over the National journey. Cynic's mission will no doubt bo the Grand National Hurdles, and it is doubtful if Morecambe can bo got fit for the stiff task in front. He was to reach Riccarton on Tuesday of this week, and there is not much time to get such a lusty horse into shape. There is not much inclination at present to consider the chance of anything below the 10 stone division, and backers will _no doubt principally confine their attention to Waimai, Master Lupin, Bon Reve, Master Strowan, and Vascular Cynic, Omahu, Rewi Poto, and Kauri King are sure to be a well-backed quartet in the Grand National Hurdles, and Battle Array won so well in the' Parliamentary Handicap that he must command great respect m the Winter Cup, in which Mr G. D. Greenwood's Selected and Rebekah will also receive strong support. Acceptances fall due on Friday.

—An offer of 500gs has been refused for Signature. — Gang Awa' cost his present owner £500 about two years ago. ; — Tho imported horse Arrowsmith has joined Asproy's stable at Eilerslie. — Thraoe and flineamaru have been struck out of their Eiccarton engagements — The Grand National Hurdle candidate, Art, is bowling along nicely in his work. — Kilboyne is. to be. shipped to Lyttelton this week if accommodation can be secured. —F. Flynn lias boon engaged to ride Morecambe in the Grand National Steeplechase.

— Leaping Burn dwelt on the mark in the Morven Welter, and made a poor show afterwords

— No pronounced favourite was made for the Winter Cup after the declaration of weights. •

— Art won iiie Grand National Hurdles of 1916 with 9.10, and was third last year with 11.9.

— All Over started favourite in' the last Winter Cup when carrying 9.9. . This year he has 10.4.

— Tho Demosthenes—Los Vegas gelding, Athens 11, is one of the favourites for the Winter Cup.

— Parisian Diamond failed in the Winter Cup with 10.6 in 1917. This year he has received 11.6.

" —llcwi Poto is amongst tho arrivals at Eiccarton to fulfil engagements at the Grand National meeting.

— Killiney" was confidently supported at Waimate, but she failed to giro I7lb and a start to Bonny Mac.

— Cynic is expected to make a much better show over the Eiccarton Hurdles than ho did at Trentham.

— Gay Lad is galloping well in hist work, and if he trains on safely should be an improved horse' next season.

— The stable double—All Over and Omahu —is now a short-priced combination for iltn Winter Cup and Hurdler

Eo-pid Eiver shaped a bit disappointingly at Waimate. He went out a good third favourite, and finished third.

— The rising two-year-old sister to Desert Gold, is reported to be training on in promising style for early engagements. — Bonny Mac got out well in the Waihao Hack at Waimate, and, making good use of his advance, won from end to end. — The death is reported of the New Zea-land-bred gelding Ireland, who was recently drowned in a West Australian river.

— The Minister of Internal Affairs refused to allow the Waikato Hunt Club to hold their postponed meeting on Peace Day. — Full Hand, one of tho runners at tho Waimato meeting, was purchased for a song after being corralled in the local pound. — Kaupokonui meets Vascular on 15lb better terms in tho National Steeples than what was the case in the Otago Steeples — Despite Cynic's indifferent displays over hurdles at Trentham, he is one of the ruling favourites for tho Grand National Hurdles.

— Gloaming has been awarded 11.13 in tho Winter Cup, or 15lb more than the highest burden ever successfully carried in the race. — There seems to be a long tail of mediocrity engaged in each of the three principal events to bo decided at the Grand National meeting. — Jack Symons started a strong order for tho Hunters' Plate, but when asked to go up to Hardshot at tho home turn he at once collapsed

—Omchu, All Over, Master Lupin, Troublesome, Signature, Waimai, Sir Eolpli, Cynic, Athens 11, and Pretty Bobby liave "arrived at Riccarton

— Comment, who was purchased out of a selling race at the recent Wellington meeting, finished second to Bedford in. the last Winter Cup. — Palisade was eont homo after the Wai-m-ate meeting, but Morecambe and Lawsuit left tho following morning to continue tho journey to Riccarton.

— The Eclipso Stakes winner, Buchan, was got by Sunstar from Hamoazo, by Torpoint (son of Trenton) from Maid of tho Mist, by Cylleno from Sceptic — War March was brought back to Dynedin after the Waimato meeting, as his form there did not give sufficient encouragement to send him on to Riccarton.

— Hardshot ran a good gamo race under 12J.3 in the Hunters' Plate, and made a generous response when ridden right out to stall off Gay Light at tho finish.

— Rolling Tklo was bowling along nicely in charge of tlie field when, he tipped out in tbo Waimato Steeples. Ho cleared tho jump, but knuckled over on landing. — Waimai and Bon Revo, coupled with Kauri King, Omahu, and Cynio, ar© shortpriced oomiinations for the Grand National Steeples and Grand National Hurdles. — A good deal of money camo for "War March on tho strength of a gallop after arriving at Waimato, but the Two Stop gelding did not run up to expectations.

— Moray Lad finished three lengths behind Wdimni in tho Grand National Steeples of 1916, wlioa in reooipt of 251b. This year Waimai has to give away an additional 17lb. — Hurdshot mado a poor display when raced over hurdles at Wingatui, but his owner intends giving him a run in tho Hunters' Hurdles at the National meeting. — Vascular was handicapped to give Dardanelles 371b in th-o Duucdin Steeplechase. In tho Grand National Steeples tl>o southern 'chaser has to como in on 121b -worse terms. — Botli Trad:lor .and Lawsuit caino bad croppers at the hencoop fence in the Hunt Cup. The obstacle is only 3ft 6in in height, but is a typo of jump that should bo barred.

—If tho C.J.C. launched out and gave 200090V8 each to the Steeples, Hurdles, and Winter Cup many short-conditioned horses would bi> seen out at tho North Island winter nnoetings. —■ Bollshire ecorod a comfortable win in tho Morven. "Welter. Ho waited 1 on Golden Princo until reaching the straight, and beat tlia latter with a good deal in hand in tho run home.

—It _ ia reported that H. Goldfinch has been disqualified by tho Hawke's Bay Jockey Club in connection with the raoo in which ho weighed in short owing to removing his goloshes when at tho post. — San Sebastian had a comfortable- win in tho Waimato Steeple 3, and may develop into a useful 'chaser. It was easy country, apart from the awkward-looking hencoop, as the rest of tho obstacles wore brush hurdles. — Morecambo ricked a fetlock whilst journeying to Wa.imo.te. Tho exact location of the mishap was not gathered, but tho awful network of potholes on the road from Waitati to "Waikouaiti is a disgrace to those concerned.

— Lawsuit completed thj'course in his race at "Waimate, but punctuated the journey by diopping hi 3 rider twite. Ho foil heavily at tho hcncoop. and afterwards laboured at his fencc3 when making an effort to complete tKe course.

— Sleight of Hand has bled on m-crre than ono occasion, and when that is so there is always a great danger of a recurrence of tho trouble. NevextheJess, it is reported that he is to bo sent to Riccarton for tho Grand National meeting. ) — The crack performers appear to have side-stepped the principal events at Addingtom next month, except on the last day of the meeting. Perhaps it ia because owners decline to send good horses after comparartively small money.

— Several horses engaged at the Wellington meeting made the journey by motor lorry. ■ A Dunedin owner who had an idea of sending his horses to the Waimate Hunt meeting per motor lorry dropped it when £40 was asked for the trip. — The Orari trainer, S. Trilforct nearly swept the board at Waimate. He saddled up the first three winners, was very unlucky to mis 3 the Hunt Cup with Fairy Finn, then came a win with Bellshire. and a second and third in the Hunters' Plate.

— A vet. had to be called in to attend Master Strowan after ho ran in the Wellington Steeples. It is doubtful it he cam strip at his best for Eiccarton engagements. The trouble was in the withers, which had to be l&noed to lot out an accumulation of pus

— Handsome Boy scored a lucky win in the Waimate Hunt Cup, as he was toiling hopelessly in the rear when Fairy Finn tipped out at the last jump. Tho win wo b, none the less, popular on that acoount, und Mr F. Shaw was warmly congratulated on his success.

— Morecambe jarred e. fetlock whilst on the road journey to Waimate, and stripped in. rather rotund condition in He commenced to drop away fully a mile from home, and will have to make considerable. improvement before getting amongst th© winners at Eiccarton. — Vascular wa3 giving Morecambe 2Slb when they met in the Otago Steeplechase In the Grand National Steeples Vascular roads well-treated with his old stable mate in oommg on 20lb better terms with his Trentshowing further improvement, whilst Morecambe has gone back. — Kauri King won the &rand National tiurdles with 10.1, and will have to carry lalb extra this year. He beat Art into third place m the Sydenham Hurdles when m receipt of 41b, and as he won both his races at Eiccarton in good convincing style, he holds Art safe on paper for this year's contest. Art, however, Bhould strip a better horse this year, as he has been getting through a more solid preparation than last eooeon.

Ih tho last Grand National Steeples Master Strowan was about a furlong out of his ground when commencing tho last circuit, but towards the end rapidly made up ground. Both St. Elmn and Waimai were lucky to beat him, and ho now meets the vlr r 011 better terms, a, considerable difference when a three and a-half-milo journey is involved. Master Strowan may not, however, be in condition to take advantage of the figures as far as Waimai is ooncerred.

The interest in the election for vacancies on the. D.J.C. Committee has been kept alive during the past week, and local sports aro hoping that tho outcome will result in giving the Wingatui meetings a boost along. Hcrso-ovmcrs and trainers are hoping that a Track Committee comprised of men takin" a keen interest in their duties will bo formed for next season, and secure greater facilities for training than Wingatui has -provided up to date. If improved track conditions are made we may yet see a Wmgatui-trained two-year-old score in tho Dunedin Stakes, or win even later in the season. It is worthy of note that a Wingatui-trained two-year-old has not won the raco since it was established in 1908, and Vladimir, who scored in 1902, is the last Wingatui-trained winner of tho Champagne Stakes. The principal reason for such a, state of affairs i 3 the bad going invariably on the Wingatui tracks at a time when it is necessary to smarten up youngsters for spring engagements. It is to be sincerely hoped that tho members of the club will take a keener interest in the affaire of the club and rouse up whatever committee they may decide to elcct.