SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 69, 11 August 1914, Page 8

SPORTING.

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. (Notee by "Moturoa.") The Grand National Meeting opens at Riccarton to-day, and will te continued on Thursday and concluded 011 Saturday. The fields will be large today, and some fine racing should be seen there this week. As usual, the Taranaki contingent of sportsmen At. tending the gathering is fairly large, but the cancelling of leave by t'be Government and business firms owing to the war has prevented aiiany from making the trip. Another point that has upset calculations is the Goverimeni'a demand for seven days' notice before withdrawals amounting to more than two pounds per week can be made from t'lie P.O. Savings Banks. The writer was in a post office on Friday last—"payiig in," of course*!—when a wellknown sport strolled in to draw £6O to "do" the National Meeting. He was offered £2, and his indignation was great. "Two quid to go to Christchurch with, for three days' racing!" He threatened all sorts of sudden deaths, and fatal accidents of particularly lurid kinds to those responsible, -but the authorities were obdurate. This rule was sprung upon people without notice, and though most sports can raise a loan elsewhere, it has been the cause of many foregoing the trip. The star item on to-day's programme is the Grand National Steeplechase, of 1500,sovs, run over a stiti' three and a half miles course. It is a race calling for all-round jumping ability, and staving powers extraordinary. Saturday's final payments saw Peary and lesser lights drop out, and of the top-weiglifs si ill holding their ground, The Spaniard is troubled with bleeding, and Captain i Jack is none too sound. If well, Capj tain Jack would 'be very hard to beat, but being under a cloud the wav seems paved for Bercola to make a bold showing. Glenmore lias done nothing this season,, and Jaekman, Exotic and Tim Doolan may be troubled liy the distance. Paritntu; might win if spills were frequent, and Sportsman and The Chief each possess jumpers' chances. The following are likely starters and their riders:—'Bercola "(E. Copestake) 11.13, Captain Jack (W. Rae) 11.13. The Spaniard (A. Julian) . 11.10, G enmore (W. Adams) 11.4, Jackman (A. Ward) 11.3, Poritiitu. (11. McSweeney) 10.11, Exotic (J. O'Conneil) 10.10, Tim Boolan (A. J. iMcFlynn) 10.2, Sportsman (R. Gray) 9.1.% Kanroa (W. D. Young) 9.12, The Chief (T. Mulcahv) 9.8, Fond Memory ( ) fl.r, True .Blue (W. Feilding) 9.7. The Wintei Cup, one mile, has drawn a biff crowd 'but- quality is not well represented this year. Favoritism resin between Raupani, Ivimbonibi, Chortle and Kaniki, and the latter appears to li'ave a good chance. Mummer has a big weight:, but is a rare miter. Kaniki and T ry Fluke should give a jjood account of themselves. The following riding encasements are reported.—Tannhanser (J. Olscn),, Mummer (T* Wilson). Kaniki (C. Price), Multiply (W. Ryan). Kimbombi (A. Olliver), Chortle ' (B. Deeley), Try Fluke (J. 0 ; .~Va). Sal?.burg (W. Young), Mount V'etoria (S. Reid), Iliad's Hero (W. IVil), and Am'])er and White (T. Catt). The minor events have filled splendidly, and all look fairly open. Bonny (if started) and Canterbury will b« we'] supported in the Hunters' Hurdles; Ngatiruantii and Admiral Soult in the Jumpers' Flat Race; Cheddar and Morecambe in the Trial <Himl : es: Daylight Bill and Bonny in th'.! Enfield Steeples: ; and George. Charlerose and Rigo Park ir the Avonhead Handicap.