THE TURF.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3998, 3 August 1915, Page 7

THE TURF.

Fortify, a winner at the Taranaki Hunt Meeting last Thursday, was weighted at the minimum in the C.J.C. Winter Cup. At the Taranaki Meeting he carried 11.2 in the Waihi Handicap and left, the seven furlongs behind in 1.34 3-5. The going was heavy. 0. Emerson left Sydney on his return to the Dominion last week. F. E. Jones has been engaged to pilot Slogan in the Winter Cup. John Barleycorn will have the services of J. Campbell in the saddle at the Grand National Meeting. Should Jeannot be a runner in the Winter Cup he will be ridden by J. Beale. J. O’Connell has been engaged to ride Hurakia in his engagements at the southern meeting. Banksia registered the. best gallop ' a Thursday at Riccarton by skipping ver six furlongs in 1.15 3-5 on the grass. All things considered, it was a.n attractive piece of work on the part of tho Winter Cun candidate. Multi ply’s initial public display as a hurdler, which took place at the Pahiatua Meeting, was distinctly disappointing. Both Diavolo and St. I Eimn, who finished first and second, j aro engaged in the Grand National | Hurdles, in which they are in receipt j of 201 b from Multiply. J. H. Prosser’s team for the Grand National Meeting will consist of George, Naupata, Agatha Green, and Scrutineer.

Reports from Fordell credit Loonta with having done a very satisfactory preparation for the Grand National Meeting, and his jumping is much more clean than was the case 12 months ago. At present lie is being exercised at the Wanganui course, where tho facilities aro better than at Fordell. 'l'he Melbourne horse-owner, Mr E. A. Connolly, has decided to raffle the racehorse Mcritus, in aid of the Australia Sick and Wounded Fund. . Recently three Grand National Hurdle candidates in AwaJhou, Master Lupin, and Styrax were sent a mile over the obstacles at Wanganui. The honors of the bout rested with Awahou, but Master Lupin jumped as well iid either of his rivals. There is still some doubt as to whether Encore will fulfil his engagement in the Winter Cup. as he has been causing bis trainer some trouble of late.

Diavolo’s achievement in the Hack Hurdles at Pahiatua may not have had much merit attached to it, especially as such a failure as Cyra finished third. Still, it showed that the gelding is a proficient jumper, ' and such an improved galloper on the fiat may have more than outside prospects of attaining Grand National honors under such a favorable impost as 9.5.

Commenting on the Pah.iatua ’Meeting "Sir Lancelot” says: —-The three Riccarton candidates engaged in the Hurdles monopolised the betting. St. Eimn was a slightly better favorite than Diavolo. The latter was prominent throughout, and stalling off a challenge by St. Elnm in the straight won with something to. spare. Multiply was running in third place until about six furlongs from home, where he got- into a fence and lost lug position Diavolo (who competed in hurdb' races at Riccarton last August) should beat the horses that competed to-day. Three Grand National Steeplechase candidates competed m the Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase. As usual. Grey Renown gave a splendid exhibition of jumping, but failed to stay. Captain M’Kay won casil>. After crossing the last fence, •- Tirohanga mado up a lot of ground on tho last half-mile. Stockade finished close up fourth. Although there were only live runners it was a good race. In the Konini Welter, Glenroy carried his big weight like a racehorse, and is now one of the most-fancied competitors for the Winter Cup. Mount Victoria was quickest out of the bar rier and was in front for aboiit LA) yards when the favorite got to the front and was not afterwards headed.