TURF TOPICS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 98, 1 June 1914, Page 8

TURF TOPICS.

The Charlemagne 11. mare, Cora Fyn, pulled up sore after doing a gallop on the sand track on Saturday afternoon, in consequence of which she will not be taken to Dunedin. Her stable companion, Scotch Melody, will also forfeit her southern engagements.

Encorej in A. M'Auley's stable, will not be taken south to -compete at the Dunedin fixture, as he'is at present suffering from a slight cold. The Bonny Glen colt, Skene Dhu, sin inmate of G. Aynsley's stable, has been enjoying a run in the paddock during? the past few "weeks, and has thickened out a good deal. He will be brought into commission again during the wefek, and be hacked about for a time prior to going into hard training.

Flora M 'Donald, who lias been confined to her box during the.past few days, has been taken in hand "again by H. Thomson. The filly has lightened up a trifle during her enforced retirement. The leg which had been troubling her appears to have fined down to its normal size. She is to be given every Chance to standi another preparation. Should- she fail to do so, her owner intends retairdng her as a brood mare. - The Terrapin—Reject gelding, a full brother to that useful performer, Gold Pin, has improved considerably since being taken in hand by F. Bridges, and looks like developing into a useful sort. After he has made a little more headway he is to be given a chance to earn distinction as a hurdler, and should he take at all kindly to the business he should not. fail to pay his way as a timber topper. ,/ ; ; y

. *' A new-starting-machine, of which . reports speak very favourably, will b'p in use at the Otaki-Maori Racing Club's Meeting." . • '* ' - '> j" A final ■payment- in connection with the Great Northern Steeplechase falls due on Thursday next. The Kaikoura Trotting Club has drawn up an attractive programme" for its annual meeting, which provides for the distribution of £IOO in stake money. Each of the seven events is to be optional for saddle or harness horses, and it- is quite on the cards that several Christchurch horses will be taken to the meeting. Glenfinnan did a remarkably good gallop at Wingatui pn Saturday, and he is now one of the favourite candidates for the D.J.C. Birthday Handicap. The well-known handicapper, Mr J j H. Pollock, is at present suffering from a nervous breakdown, and his son, Mr j W. H. Pollock, will franme the handicaps for the second day of the Otaki Meeting. Eltliam followed up his success in the Jockey Club Handicap at Adelaide by appropriating the Parkside Stakes at the A.R.C. Meeting on Saturday last. The recently imported colt Friar Perfect showed to advantage in the City Handicap at Adelaide on Saturday. He is already mentioned as a probable Epsom Handicap candidate. The conditions of the next New Zealand Cup have now been published. They ..provide for the winner receiving £I4OO, the second horse £4OO, and the third £200; " >

A big smash was fortunately averted at the recent Adelaide Cup meeting. In the opening event, a mile welter, there were thirty starters. "Fortunately for all concerned,'' says the Adelaide 11 Observer," (( the big. field got through without serious mishap, but near the three-furlong post The Reckoning, when about in the middle of the field, and on the rails, toppled over. Everyone was prepared for a bad smash, and fears were entertained for the worst. Luckily, however, those in the immediate wake of tlie big black gelding either jumped him or steered clear, and a sigh of relief went up when it was noticed that the whole field had got safely by. Mr W. O. Berry man, of West Eyreton, has leased his farm for sheep work, and is to leave for England by the Rotorua on July 2. Mr Berryman was honorary huntsman of the Egmont"VVanganui hounds last season, and is well known as a gentleman rider and show jumper, who got a remarkably good price for sundry "leppers" last year. He will take two New Zealand hunters to England with him. One will be Waitui, but the other has not yet been selected.

F. Bullock, who last year completed a five years' agreement as first jockey to the' Graditz stable, and who has taken up his residence in England to ride first jockey to P. W. t)ay's stable, has been given a second claim by the Kingsclere establishment. When Bullock is unable to ride for Kingsclere, Walter Griggs will do so, subject, of course, to prior claims held on Griggs by C. Waugh's and the Clarehaven stables.

A new departure will be tried at Tren"tham at the July Meeting. The first event will begin at 11.30 a.m., and the last race will be run at 4.20 p.m. This will enable the events to be got off in good light, and patrons will reach the city shortly afteivo p.m.