SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1917, Page 3

SPORTING.

I lau GRAND nationals i l

i&j." ''Motiiroa"j

WfceWier the crowding of the Craml Natiam»is-»-steep]es and hurdles---into one v-r.y win lessen the duration of the war by one minute is a moot point, but, in deference to the wishes of those clamoring for the eurlailniv'il of racing, the authorities deemed it advisable to cut down the New Zealand Grand National meeting to two days, so this year we will see the two chief obstacle events of the year run on the same afternoon. I 1 rom a spectacular point of view, the arrangement is Al, and those who are fortunate enough to be at Riccarton today are assured of a sumptuous menu of racing delicacies. On the other hand horses that might reasonably be expected to sport silk in both steeplechase, and hurdle events are debarred from any chance of achieving the honor of a double victory. True, 110 horse has yet succeeded in winning both races in the one year,, but. Liberator and El (,'allo have "done the trick" in the Great Northerns, and there is no reason why, with such horses as El Gallo, Crib, St. Elrnn, Waimai, Braeburn, Diavolo, etc., in training that some new champion should not arise and make history. The Grand National Steeplechase dates from 1870 so that to-day's race is the forty-second contest. During that long period many great names, both of horsemen and horses, have been inscribed on the honor roll, and when the history of the race comes to he written it will make most interesting reading. The most successful horsemen were: W. Clarke, who won on Freeman, Aliua and Norton; Geo. Hope, who steered Waterbury and Mutiny (twice) into first place; TI, Lunn, who scored on Agent and Cnnant; and T. Lvford. who was associated with the victories of Agent (1884) and Faugh-a-Bnllagh. Others who have had the distinction of winning the race include wellknown racing men like 11. Hiekey, A. Ellingham, J. Rao, 1\ Johnson and Cameron. Amongst the horses Agent, with three wins, is easily first. The only other equine to win more than once was Mutiny. From a wcipht-carrving aspect Canard, who strolled liome under 12.10 in 188(1, holds (lie record, Norton won with 12.8; Chemist with 12.7, Levanter with 12.(1; Mutiny with 12.4; and Agent with 12.0, 12.7 and 12. G. The Taranaki horses that have won the racfe arc Dummv (1 SOS). Paritutu (1011), and Hercola (1013). Whether another Taranaki name will he added to the long roll to-day remains to be seen. The Grand Naiional Hurdle Race is of . comparatively recent origin, the first race being held in ISOO. so that to-day's event is the 2Pth. Here again the cream of New Zealand's jumpers ia to be met with, including "Record Reign, who was probably the finest, hurdler ever seen in the Dominion. How' he made lighi of 12.12, and simply "walked in'" is fresh in everybody's memory. Liberator, the oniv horse to win twice, carried 10.10 and 12.0. Paisino scored in 1910 with 12.1. but tlietv the weight-carrying records erase. The records show that the lightweights have had the most to say in the settlement of the race. In fact, the agerage winning weight is now 10.10, and one would hardly look for the winner to carry more than that to-day. Dummy and Haydn won both Grand Nationals, and the following horsemen performed a similar feat:—W. Clarke, P. Johnson, \Y. Young, \V. Adams and Jer. O'Connell. The Taranaki horses that have had their numbers hoisted in the Hurdles are Dummy, Compass and Royal Arms. Will Rewi Poto add to the list? I doubt if!

turf topics. (Ey ''Moturoa"). To-day's racing opens with flip Hunt Club Cud, 2y', mile*. and on recent form the public may look to the three topweights to put up a pretty race. Anything may happen in such n race, "but Burgess, who showed such brilliant form •it Hastings, is mrc to be well supported. A nice field is engaged in the Trial Hurdles (13 miles), including promising jumpers like Miss Sation and San Sebastian. Then comes the Grand National Hurdle Mace (2'/ = miles), and the field will include at least ten of the eleven carded. The distance may find come of the topweiglits out—particularly the hard pullers—and the result looks very open. The best performed horse is easily Sir Fisher, though Sleiglit-of-Iland, J,eonta and Rewipoto are ifancied by their respective parties. A great field of two dozen figure in the AvonBead Handicap (C furlongs), including improving horses like Euripos, Rajput, Minesweeper and others. The Grand National Steeplechase (3 1 /, miles) has attracted a disappointing field, of which Crib is a pronounced favorite. When the Canterbury has done with more seasoned fencers like Master Strowan, Gluejot and Merry Lad lie may—in the opinion of keen judges—hare a fair chance. The Enfield Steeples (2 miles) will see Tauira giving away a lot ot weight to seven very moderate horses. The Winter Cup looks like a "picnic" for the bar vons. though Parisian ])ia- ! mond has been backed as if the rest were hacks. There is a slight tendency to give Miss de Val, Brambletye and Lady Penury a chance, but it looks like courting disaster to go solidly for anything. The day's racing will conclude with the summer handicap, and here again a big field confronts pickers. The field includes consistent horses like Thames, Blackhill and Kilkee.