RACING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9565, 11 August 1909, Page 5

RACING.

N.Z. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. By Telegraph-Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, August 10. The New Zealand Grand National meetting opened at Riccarton to-day, in beautiful spring-like weather. The course was in splendid order. Speculation was very brisk, the totaiisator investments realising £20,794 as against £18,666 last year. Eighteen bookmakers were licensed inside at £2O 10s each, and thirtyseven outside at £lO 10s each.- The big race ot the d.iy, the Grand National Steeplechase, was somewhat disappointing, as out of nine startera only four finished the course. There w ere several spills, but none of a really serious nature. A. Gray, an Auckland rid6r, had some ribs fractured when Ben Fortune fell with him in the the Hunters" Hurdles, and J. Nolan, rider of Eurus in the Steeplechase, sustained slight con-

cussion of the brain. Results:— Hunters' Hurdle Handicap, once' round and a distance. —Tyrannic 11.0, 1; Arty, 11.6, 2; King of, Trumps, 11.3, 3. Also started— Homeward, Glengariff, Sea Dog, Blythe Boy, Ben Fortune, Roan Banner, and Matenga. Won by two lengths. Time, 3min 9sec. ' Trial Hurdles Handicap, one mile

and three-quarters.—Auratu3 11.6, 1; Pikopio, 10.9, 2; Renurock,lo.l3, 3. Also started—Virtus, Kelso, and Stepenfeldt. Auratus was in front practically all the way, and won comfortably by four lengths. Time, 3min 21sec. Winter Cup, of 600sovs, one mile. -North East 9.9, 1; King Post 9.1, 2; Gwendolina 9.11, 3. Also started —Zimmerman 11.6, Pentes 11.5, Grendier 1U.9, Merrie Zealand 10.4, Federal 9.13, Iranui 9.13, Waikaraka 9.13, All Guns 9.8, Sweet ' Angelus 9.7, Tiicitere 9.5, Rock Ferry 9.3, White Cockade 9.2, Whistlecraft 9.2, Continuance 90.. and Lone Star 9.0. North Epst was always in a good position, and taking charge in the straight won easily by two lengths and a half. Gwendolina was two lengths further away. Time, lmin 43 2 5 sec.

GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE, HANDICAP of 1,000 sovs, three miles and a half. Nadador 10.8 1 Eldorado 9.7 2 Te Arai 10.13 (including 141b penal L.y) 3 Also, started— Eurus 11*3, Capitol i i.2, Le Beau 10.13, Mocassin 10.9, Wanganui 9.7, and Diplomatic 9.7. Mocassin fell at the first fence, Le Beau at the first of the kennels double, Eurus at the first fence of the stand double the second time i-ound, Diplomatic ran off in the -'seond circuit, and at the next obstacle Capitol came to grief. Nadador took charge over the last. mile, and stalling off a challenge by Eldorado won by two lengths, with Te Arai two and a half lengths furthcrflback, and Wanganui four lengths away. Time, 7min 20sec. Tally-ho Plate Steeplechase, two miles and a half.—Gammon 12.10,

1; Barney 12.10, 2; Bess 1,2.10 3. Also started—Pretoria and Trainbearer. Only the three placed horses finished, Gammon winning easily from Barney, who. fell at the last fence, but was remounted. Time, smin 30 2-ssac. Jumpers' Flat one mile and a half—Compass 10.4, 1; Southern! Cross 9.7, 2; Polyanthus 9.13, 3. I

Also started—Scotty, Kingman, Lionheart,' Farley Grove, and Whatakura. Won by a length and a i alf. Time, 2min 41 l-ssec. Enfield Steeplechase Handicap, about two miles—Lovell 9.7, 1; Wairaka 10.7, 2, Mooshen 10.8, 3. Also started—Leonardo, Pacific, Deerslayer, and St. Kooringa. Won by two lengths. Time, 4min 4sec. Avonhead Handicap, six furlongs. —Nyland 10.10, 1; Inchbonny 9.10, 2; Wet Day. 9.9. 3. Also started —Claymore, Chiarinian, Vologda, Gold Braid, Waiata, Merry Lass, Rangikapua, Miss Dorie, Eagelston, Rawera, Ajudge, Bravery and Cashier. Won easily. Time, lmin I 16 3-ssec.

THE LEADING RACEHORSE. | I 1 Nonete's record of £3,960 in the I season of 1901-1902 still stands as the | most valuable capture in stakes to | date in Maoriland. The star performers in New Zealand last season, so far as a stake capture is concerned, is All Red, the bay son of Stepniak, qaving won £3,230. This is the third year in succession that a four-year-old has held the leading position in New Zealand, and it is interesting to not; ttiat they are all of the bay shade. That does not, however, it may be oserved, establish a record so far as colour Js concerned, as in the six preceding seasons, that is, from 1900-0] to 1905-06. horses of the chestnut shade (Renown, Nonetie, Achilles, Gladsome. Mahutonga and Noctuiform) headed the list. The following table will show how All Red's record comes out when ranged with the leading winuers during past fifteen seasons : Season. Horse. Winnings. £ s. 1894-95—Mahaki, 4yrs 1,434 15 1895-96—Euroclydon, 3yrs 2,090 19 1896-97—Multiform, 2yrs 2.761 13 ' X897-98—Multiiorm, 3yrs 2,144 10

( 1898-99—Screw Gun, 2yrs 1,782 0* 1899-00—Advance, 3yrs 3,251 0 1900-01—Renown, 3yrs 3,185 0 1901-02—Nonette, 3yrs 3,960 0 1902-03-Achilles, 3yrs 2,685 0 1903-04—Gladsome 3yrs 2,655 0 1&04-05—Mahutonga, 4yrs 2,977 0 *1905-06—Noctuiform, 3yrs 3,747 0 1906-07—Master Delaval, ! 4vrs 2,356 0 1907-08—Zimmerman, 3yrs 3,375 o 1908-09--All Red, 4yrs 3,230 0 "Including winnings in Australia. They do not allow jockeys to make unfounded in Austria. Notter, the ,er of Fervor in the Austrian Derby, having stated that the bolting of his mount was caused by the interference of four other jockeys, was promptly called before the stewards, who, after carefully investigating the evidence of the jockeys who rode in the race, marked their disapproval of his statements by fining him l,oookr (£4O).