SPORTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 84, 9 August 1915, Page 3

SPORTING.

CUTTING DOWN FIXTURES. United Pbebb iAbsooi^tjon^ (Received 10 a.m.) Perth, August 9. Under pressure from the Premier, the racing clubs have reduced the fixtures for the remaining months of the rear by twenty-five. SPORTING NOTES. (By Cicero). Large acceptances have been received by the Canterbury Jockey Club for their National Meeting, which opens to-morrow and continues on Thursday and Saturday. Tire class of horses engaged in the Steeplechase is hardly as strong as in many former days, hut the Winter Cup and Grand National Hurdles should produce fields well up to the average. A dozen remain in the Hunters’ Hurdles. If in anything like form, Morrio "Valet and karewanui should command rc pect. Should Multiply win the Trial Hurdles he will incur a penalty of 4lhs for his National engagement ; v hether his party will risk this is problematical, and in bis absence the Porirua “rep,” Scrutineer,

may run prominently. The field for the Jumpers’ Flat promises to bo a strong one for that class of race. Should the going bo soft (which is very doubtful) Harbour Light will run a good race, as he will have the advantage of Sid R-oid’s services. Diavolo and Sam Pan must also run well.

As mentioned previously, the National Steeplechase field does not promise to produce anything in the same class as, say, Norton, Liberator, Levanter, Mutiny, The Guard, Haydn, .Dummy, and dozens of others too numerous to mention. \ However a capital race should eventuate. Tim Doolan (11.7), who heads the list, defeated a fairly strong field in the same race twelve months ago, when carrying 201bs less weight. • Mr Stead’s gelding is in capital form, as shown by his recent form in Australia. At tiie Melbourne Hunt Club’s fixture “Tim” ran a dead-heat with that good steeplechaser G uncap in the Ditigley Steeples, and a couple of weeks later carried 10.11 into second place behind Flash Jack in the Victoria Grand National (three miles and a furlong). In this event the New Zealander was extremely unlucky, as when his stable mate (The Pole) fell he collided with Tim Doolan, sending the latter back ten or fifteen lengths, lint for this mishap he would surely have won. His connections are sanguine, and have backed the horse for a lot of money, in the event under review. P'aylight Bill and Morning (10.11) are on the ■ same mark. The writer docs not fancy the former, as he “chances” his fences too much to be a success at Riocarton. The latter ha s been in the “boom” ever since the nominations closed. Two years ago Sylvia Park’s son was a first-class. hurdler, winning amongst other events, the Grand National Hurdles under 9.12, defeating a strong field, and running the two miles i n 3.44—a great gallop. Could we depend on his stripping as 'veil to-mor-row, the winner would not be hard to find. In his oidy effort over the big country at the Napier Park meeting, he gavo a great exhibition of jumping, and won the June Steeplechase by‘ a -furlong. Glenmore and Golden Glow (10.9) aro great fencers, but lack tho pace necessary for a race of this description. Fagot and Ngatiranui (10. S) each, are nicely placed. The former

won the chief event each day at the Gisborne meeting, and many good judges class the son of San Remo as a likely sort. Ngatiranui has plenty of pace, and is a remarkably quick and clean jumper over the small battens. How ho will shape over Riccarton remains to 1)© seen. Sandy Paul (10.2), is well handicapped, and is much fancied by his party. Of those lower in tho handicap it is difficult to find a “possible.” Hero T may mention that tho name of Tirc-uuga was omitted from the list or ae.-e>-,iors by the Press Association. Morning, Tim Doolan and Fagot should make tho race-in-teresting.

•Jem our and Rufus should have something to soy in tin settlement of the Tally-Ho Plate. Xo lets th-.m tw.nty-soven made the final payment lor the Winter Cup.

Banksia ajid Glenroy Imre keen heav-

ily supported by their respective connections, and have been responsible for attractive work on the tracks. The former is considered somewhat unreliable whilst many contend the long straight at Hiccarton will find Glonroy out. FortifyNs fancied by many, but unlike Glenroy, is a very’ slow beginner, a drawback in a race of this kind. Glenroy, Banksia and Birkliue appear a likely trio. Of those engaged hi the' Enfield Steeples, Bandalero and Agatha Green should carry most bullion.

The first day’s racing w ill he brought to a close with the Avonhcad "Welter, in which event a. number of “hr"ks” are engaged. Nicomar, Mandoline and Peirosus should ran well.