SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1919, Page 7

SPORTING.

TBOTTIMO. SECOND DAT'S ACCEPTANCES, By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. ...•..■ ■" Chtlitchureh, Last Might. The acceptances for the second day of the Metropolitan trots are as follows: IMPROVBBS HANDlCAP—Balnaraoan scr„ Waco WIlkM 1 ice, Mushroom, Grattan Oilmea 8, Colonel Havelock 4, Craibwood, To Kuitl, Wild Podo, Chub 5, Patard, Sol 8, Bon Bell 7, lady Llnwood It, Peter McMillan, Rita Rote 12. BELGIUM HANDICAP.-Rearguard, PleasWe Mount, Silver Shoe" see., >M»,hlnga, Out Chum lsec, The Whip, Energy, Harold Child -»,: Legacy, aold Crest, Chaos, 'Underscrub 3. KING GEORGB HANDICAP. Matchllght »<*., Admiral Wood I»oc., Sherwood, Agathos l, John Dillon 6, Asturlo, Mlntaon 8, Cello lydney .Wilkea 9, Sympathy, Itvar-iO. LINCOLN HANDICAP —Hudii patch scr, Pleasant Mount, Silver Shoe ssec, Schnapps ,1, Knerey, Great Britain 8, King Lear 10, Guynemer, Guardess, Sir Gavin 11, Rex, Corundo, Barooga-IS. . i AVON HANDlCAP.—Whispering Willie scr., Beta Peter 3see, Red Heather B, Olive L. 7, Electrocute, Nelson, Blhnen 8, Whist 9, Winall 11, lady Patricia 12, Billy Parole, Bon Patch 14. *

'CANTERBURY HANDtCAP.r-Lbrd Minto jer, Captain Stanley lsec., Jack Aitah, Rotke-'s Drift, Granger 2, Gleaming 8; Silver Quick,, Bandy .Chimes, Bunduro, Dillon Maid 4, Mako Mako, George Hard fi. SPEEDWAY HANDICAP.—Arthur 1 Dillon 8 sees., Chid, Trlx Pointer 4, Moneymaker, Cello Sydney Wilkes 5, Erin's Queen, Rorke'a Drift H.. Bupdong, Brown's Nugget, Dean Dillon 7. DASH HANDlCAP.—Tamarisk 3secs., Lord Dillon,. General Link 4, Hatold Direct 5, Admiral Hal, Captain Stanley* Caprlcclo, Strategy, Joan of AW, Sir Futtmm 5, Inwood, Salcombe 6, Alf. McKinney, Silver Nut, Birdwood, Caßon King, Karri, Lady Superior 7. THE FINAL GALLOPS. BBFOBB THB GRAND NATIONAL. (By Wire.-Speclal to Dally News.) Chrißtchurch, Last Night. The weather was perfect when n large number of horses were given their final spruits at Riccarton this morning in the presence of a large number of Interested spectators. The outside of the trial grass was, open for fast work only. From an uneven. start, Hiero finished In front; of Mirama over a useful half-mile. Battle Array and. Rlslngham, both going well; finished on terras at the close of a fouJ } furlongs gallop run in 52 4-ssocs. Potentiality Just beat Pretty Bobby over six., furlongs, the last four taking 53 2-ssecs. Gamecock wept twice round the aland at a steady pace, appearing anxious to gallop/ Black Mountain and Grand Duchy were given half-pace work on the sand. ! Sonlno, alone, left four furlongs behind in 54 2-saec.

Tip Up was finishing well at the end of a good working gallop over five furlongs. Sisyphus, alone, did steady work on tho ■and.

Redshlfe left foof furlongs behind on the tand In, 56secs. Red Pole did steady work on the Band. Gay Lad; alone, did a useful three-quartor pace gallop, but was not timed. . Kllkee rait five furlongs, tho last four taking 53 2-ssecs. H waa a useful task. Rebekah, with the assistance of Imarlbbon over the last five, did a nice six furlongs. All Over and a companion left four furlongs behind In S3 2-ssecs\, both going well. Master Moutoa and a mate were together at the conclusion of five furlongs run in ■LIOS-D.

Bon Rate, with hts trainer in the saddle, did, a, nice mile and a half, the last Ave fuclofl'gs faking 1.12. He moved quite soundly, and nulled up well. Cyrilc was given two rounds on the sand at a sternly pace. He moved very seratchlly at the start, but as he wanned up his trouble wore off, and walked away quite sound. Parisian Diamond and Oazique were companions over a smartly run half-rallo. They finished on terms, though the latter Rot about one d»d a half lengths the best of the Jump off. Both had fcooii wolghts up. Rewl Poto and Multlve were together at the end of One and a half miles. Sir 8610, looking at his beßt, did long steady work on the sand. Oraahu was ftlven two rounds on the sand, moving freely throughout. Sir Ralph gave a companion a start and a beating over half a mile, run In Msec.?. Pyiama went steadily on the sand. Tigerland Was flren n cood working gallop over a mile, doing it well. Loehella, Signature, and Walmal finished In that order, at the close of a five furlong gallop, run In 1.12 2-5. Greek Bon beat a companion over half n mile, run in 57 2-Ssec. .

Gold Kip, with McFllnn up, easily boat Sir Agnea oyer four furlongs, run In 54secs. The former did his task very well. McFllnn will ride Gold Kip In the Winter Gup, m Hewitt, who win engaged to Tide the (jheetnut, Is laid up, and will not he at the meeting. , Sbnino, and another were given useful work along the back. Morecambe left half a mile behind In 1.2. Borodino, who was under a strong pull all the, way, covered four furlongs In 58see« Treraenda was going easy alongside Hands ! Off at the close of a four furlongs flutter, left behind In 57 l-ssec. Ktlboyne, alone, moved very well, when I covering four furlongs run In 55secs. Gang Awa' and Mn.ster strowan were associated over four furlonp, left behind In SSsecs. Samlel, alone, was flnlshlng nicely at the end of four furlongs run In !>ssocs. Cerberus left the same distance behind in 52 2-38ecs., doing his work very well. Lawsuit waa given long steady work on the sand. Sweet Smile waa well in front of Vascular Over roar furlongs, run In 58secs. . The latter was given a lot of trotting afterwards, but appeared to be going short Coalition was walking very lame this mornIfig, aha was not worked. He will be lucky If he l 3 sound enough to take his place in I the big steeplechase to-morrow. >

Master Strowan was very sore, both beforo and after he worked.

All Serene finished in front of Irish Elegance at the conclusion of' Are furlongs, run In 1.91-5.

Charley did half-pace work on the sand. Ee looks very well.

The Grand, with a companion, did a good working gallop. Reformation moved very well In a nice working gallop, moving very well. Minister over-reached and Injured his leg •lightly, and will not start on the first day. THE LIKELY ONES. BBTTEW OP THE CANDIDATES. (By Wire.—Special to Dally News.) Chrlßtchurch, last Night. ".Argus" in the Evening Star says:-r In the .'Orond National Steeplechase six horses, which originally figured at the top of the handicap, are still eligible to fulfil their engagements, while there Is to be the rare experience of three competitors carrying over twelve stone In the big cross-country race, while the field will include the best performers In commission. However, It has to be admitted that the work of the top-weights has not been quite satisfying. Wnlmal has done some .useful work, but nothing like what one would expect from the home who was to carry top-weight ovor three miles and a half of difficult country. -If he is to win it will be on' the preparation he did before leaving Bllerslle rather than on his efforts at Iticcartnn. Bon Beve haa done even less work since he haa been here, medium pacing and trotting being his average tasks. Master Strowan suffers from the drawback of having been spelled at a critical stage of his preparation. He was restricted to light tasks for some time after h|s arrival here and he has had a couple of turns over the fences, but only at a modest pace. Thursday brought a change, as he was schooled at something like racing gait, followed by strong work on the flat, while he hag got through sound tasks each morning since then. Coalition haß only been here a Short time, but he bears a solid well trained appearance, as might, be expected from the fact that bis trainer has bad several good winner* over the Journey through his hands in recent years. Unfortunately, however, he has developed lameness, and is by no means a certain starter. Master Lupin Is another who has Bad .an easy time during his stay at Jtlccartoo, his preparation being much lighter Una would be expected for the task. Vascular has got through, a lot of useful work lately. ana has been racing at regular intervals throughout the past twelve months. He <s well seasoned for his task,, Morecambe made the Journey 1 from Wlngatut by road, and, being a gross eusjjomer, he. would not he benefited by his rest'from galloping, while ho has hot been set many 'serious tasks since he has been at Blccarton. As a result he may not be In a condition to do himself justice. Manawapaotto li a good fencer, but only a youns horse, who ; wlll be making his first appearance In company Totthogue has only been on the ground for a few days, and little has been' fleet! of him. Lochells, on the other band, ha» been ot Rlwnrton for some weeks, *SA k*f done through a solid preparation.

There will be no fitter horse in the field. Merry Lad la a veteran over Riccarton country, and has done plenty of solid pace work. Dardanelles hat been kept up to the collar during the last month, and will lack nothing in condition.

It ,to not »a»y to predict how the race will go, owing tp the doubt as to some of tho best of the horses having done the preparatory necessary for such a tiring journey, apart from the uncertainty which always is attached to candidates negotiating fences.' The Winter Cup is usually an open race, and this yenr is no exception. Out of twenty acceptors fully half have heaps' of admirers The .track work has been good, with nothing to stand out from the others. Parisian Diamond, Gazlque, All Over, Battle Array, Form Up, Rebekah, Gamecock, Cerberus, Samiel, Kllkce and Gold Kip have all got through attractive preparations, and it is not easy to say in what order they will be backed. , N.Z. GRAND NATIONAL MEETINO. (By "Moluroa.") Final payment night saw little damage done to the fields for the Grand National Steeplechase, Hurdles, and Winter Cup, while very fair acceptances were received for the minor events on to-day's card The chief heats to be decided this afternoon are the big steeplechase and the Winter Cup. The Grand National Hurdle Race comes up for decision on Thursday.

Racing opens to-day with the Tally-Ho Plate Steeplechase, an amateur riders event run on a special w.f a. scale, over two, and a half miles of country. Entries were conftned tp six. The Grand, Atnhaeri, Sandown, Sii Cylinder, Tidal Wave, and Toofan, and The Grand and Bandown have only to stand up to give their backers a good run for their coin. The Trial Hurdle Race, run over a mllfl and three-quarters, Is usually regarded as a good try-out for the Grand National Hurdles, and on these grounds tho running of Paraoa, Signature, Master Moutoa, Reformation and Tlgerland will be watched with interest. A win in the Trial Hurdles entails a penalty of 121bs. in the Grand National Hurdle race, but horses weighted at, lost. 71b.. or over are only required to put up half penalty. Paraoa ran well at Trentham, and has done well since, so there seems to be no reason why he should not run prominently to-day. Cynic appears to have frightened a lot of them out of the Jumpers' Flat Race (one mile and a half), and on paper he looks unbeatable.

A final payment of a dozen makes the Grand National Steeplechase bear a very open appearance. Troublesome and Arlington who are both "In hospital," and Signature, are the only defections, and the likely runners and their riders are:— Walmal (P. Tutehen) , 12.7 Bon Reve (J. Deerey) 12 6 Master Strowan (P. Ellis) 12.2 Coalition (H. McSweeney) 11.13 Master Lupin (A. McDonald) .. 11.9 Vascular (F. Gray) 11.4 Moreeambo (F. Flynn) 10.10 * Polthogiie (E. Copestake) 9.10 Lochella (S. Henderson) 9.S Merry Lad (J. Roach) 9,7 Dardanelles (G. Fcildlng) .... 97 Manawapngon (L. Hagerty) .... 9,7 The above horses comprise one of the best quality fields seen out for many year's. They include winners nf the Grand National, Great Northern, Wellington, Wanganul, and Hawke's Bay Steeplechases, and their quality is undeniable. The Taranakl Dally News' special correspondent at Riccarton has kept readers Will Informed as regards training work, and no doubt most people have already made up their minds about this complex problem. Walmal has come through a solid preparation, and the big fencos at Riccarton are likely to give such a bold Jumper a decided pull over several of nil opponents. Bon Rove is vory well, but the stiff country may beat him. Master Strowan, after his recent set-back, has been worked very hard, and hopes arc expressed that he will be at hla best to-day. F. Ellis, who will be in the saddle, is about the best steeplechase horseman In the Dominion to-day. Coalition won easily enough at Wanganul, but has plenty ~f weight in consequence of his showing over easy fences at Wanganul and Trentham, and he may not bo ao much at home over Riccarton country. .Vascular suffers with festering corns, and his preparation has not been ns complete as his trainer would have wished. Ho Is a fine stayer, howovor, and must be reckoned with, Morocnmbe's chance does not look promising, and those lower down the scale do not look dangerous. Probably It will be a battle of the top-weights, of which Master Strowan and Waimal, both previous winners of the race, look best. If a surprise Is In Btote Vascular may bo the one to effect It. Tho Hunters' Hurdles has not attracted a very classy lot, but Marvellte and Gayllght recent winners.

If Mannwapango is reserved for the Enfield Steeplechase he should start a warm order. In his absence Lawsuit looks as likely as anything. The Winter Tup promises to attract a score of runners. The final payment accounted for Athena H„ Pretty Bobby, and several lessor lights, but those likely to see the post are a good quality lot.

The following riding engagements are reported: Parlslnn Diamond (H, Gray), Gaslque (A. .T MeFlyna). Kllboyne (J. Campbell), All Over (1,. Morris), Buttle Array (C. Emerson), Form TTp (P. Gray), Rebekah (Sid Relo), Rnmlel (L. Hagerty), KUltee (W. Robinson), Gold Kip (l. Hewitt), Gamecock (F. Porter), Sir Acnes (C. Price), Cerberus (8. Wall), Sonnlno (A. Reed), Borodino A. Wilson), and Leaping Burn (J. Olsen). Parisian Diamond heads the list with 116— a good horse's weight, but such a good one cannot bo passed over on that account. Gazlntio has been up to the collar for many months now, and cannot be at his beat Kllboyne is a speedy prad, but a recent accident may tell **,ff t .. to " ,iay - Anyway, both Gasiinuo and Kllboyne are too ch>sc to Parisian Diamond to have many admirers. Ml Over, tlio nominal favorite', will have to improve ui last season's form to have a elnnce, and Battle Array, on the same mark, reads very much better. Form tip is too cunning to warrant respect, and even whon in mood to gallon would be busy giving Robekah weight. Rcbokali looks the best treated one in the handicap, and will lose nothing by having Sid Reid aboard. Gold Mp should hold the lightweights safe, though, by the look of the charts, somebody naa been backing Cerberus verv solidly When the tote bells finish ringing, Rebekah, Parisian Diamond and Battle Array may be the ones to engage most attention.

To-day's racing concludes with the Avonhead Handicap, which will be contested by 11 ; bl ßi Held Pretty Bobby and Sisyphus ham been galloping well on tho tracks, and both [can run out a solid seven furlongs Before leaving for the other side Gloaminu and Raro shaped well In a seven furlongs gallop at Blccarton. They ran the first.halfmile under "50," and the complete distance In V 5 ,'• ° oth finished together, hut the champion could have done better If required Sleight of Hand and All Over were the most notable ones to drop out of the Grand National Hurdles. Loyal Arch, the only other defection, has been under a cloud for some days The entries received for the Egmorit-Wangamit Hunt Club meeting are first-class, and most of the New Plymouth, Hawera, Waverlev and \\anganul stables are represented, If Depredation, Bobur, White Blaze, Starengo, Bushman, etc, start at the meeting things should be interesting Mr. H. Coyle's weights are due on Ratmday, August 10

The scratching of Spanner for the Epsom Handicap must have hurt thoso who forestalled the horse's connections in the betting market. The above reads like n stamp, amiment In favour of the abolition of tho Bar Von A , "ft,"" 1 rep( "' ts that "'Plane has received stable support for tho Epsom This would suggest that the crack Is getting back to his best form. If so he will keep Gloaming busy when they meet at weight-fnr-ago. It Is common knowledge that Deeley, who rodo both champions, considers Biplane the better horse.