TURF TOPICS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 140, 20 July 1914, Page 8

TURF TOPICS.

TShis morning bieing an off morning, little work of interest was accomplished on the tracks at Riccarton, half to threequarter pace work being generally indulged in. The tracks at headquarters were never in better condition prior to a National Meeting than they are at the present time, and as a large number of the North Island candidates are due to arrive during the present week, their preparations should not fail to be full of interest. General opinion seems to be fairly divided as to what should be capable of carrying off the cross-country blue .ribbon, and as the steeplechase course at Riccarton is generally acknowledged to be the best in New Zealand, the 'chasers for National honours could not wish for a more fitting battle-ground on which to fight for the cross-country supremacy of the year. The custodian and his staff are being kept busy at headquarters with -preparing the steeplechase fences. His teams are busy carting manuka and broom from Bottle Lake. This work usually occupies several days, as the width of the fences at Riccarton necessitates the use of a large amount of material. C. Bourne has recommissioned the chestnut gelding by Kulnine, who struck himself under the off knee and went lame a couple of weeks back. The leg still bears a decidedly enlarged appearance, and the gelding is being restricted to steady pace work in consequence. Only for coming to grief, at the last obstacle, Cloudy Dawn could hardly have missed winning the Final Hurdles at Trentham on Saturday. Though' he managed to get round the course without mishap, Glenmore gave a very indifferent display in the July Steeplechase, finishing a furlong behind Sir Lethe. 'Probably he has not quite recovered from the fall he sustained in the Great Northern Steeplechase. Owners who intend patronising the Metropolitan Club's August meeting should not overlook the fact that entries close with Mr Rattray on Wednesday next. As a guide to Grand National prospects the July Steeplechase was a failure for with half the journey gone Rapid - ran off and his example was followed by Peary, Kauroa, Ruffy, and Tim Doolan.

Cheddar gave an improved display in the Corunna Hurdles at Trentham on Saturday, but the fact of his tiring badly at the end of a "mile and threequarters course does not enhance his prospects for the big event at Riccarton next month. There was a substantial increase in the totalisator investments at the Wellington Baring Club's meeting, the figures for this year being £75,318 as against £56,034 last year;, To a- great extent this was the result of having an extra race on each day 's card. A cable message from Sydney states that the Flying Handicap at the Maitland J.C.'s Meeting on Saturday resulted: — by Strait—Postmistress, 1; Malt Mary, 2; Boulogne, 3.' Thirteen started; Won by half a neck; half a length between second and third. Time, lmin 16^sec. Of all the Winter Cup candidates seen out at Trentham on Saturday, Crown Pearl, ' Haskayne, and Bluestone gave the best displays, and as the result of his victory Haskayne will have to put up an extra 61b in the Eiccarton race, bringing his weight up to 11.9.

At Richmond (Vic.) on the 9th inst., progeny of the America bred stallion Abbey Bells were in great form. Belmont Chimes won the" event for 2-year-old trotters, Honest Bells filling third place. Normalene was twice second in the events for 2-year-old pacers, and in the open 2.32 class handicap Ribbon Bells scored a narrow victory, after starting at long odds. Cleve Bells then annexed the Flying Handicap, after starting favourite, and in the concluding £IOO Trot Cathedral Chimes finished second. This is surely a unique record for the progeny of one particular sire in an afternoon's racing. Though he was too unwell to don silk at the Wellington Racing Club's meeting last week, Frank Flynn is on the improve and hopes to be able to fulfil engagements at Ric carton next month. After disappointing his connections in all his recent essays, Idealism effected a surprise win in the Final Hurdles on Saturday, as the result of which he will have to put up a 121b penalty in the Grand National Hurdles. When being prepared for the WJS.C. Meeting Bracken broke down, and it is very doubtful, if he will ever race again. S. Neary, a well-known New Zealand horseman, was seen to advantage on P'ladda in the Kensington Steeplechase at Flemington on the Bth inst. Another New Zealander in L. Hegarty rode the third place filler in the same event.

Portraiture was not started in the Winter Oats at Trentham on Saturday, and he is to be specially reserved for the New Zealand Cup. Consequent on his victory in the July Steeplechase on Saturday, Sir Lethe will have to put up a stone penalty in the Grand National Steeplechase. With list 101b in the saddle the Lethe gelding cannot have much chance with some for the other heavy-weighted division, and it would come as no surprise to find him reserved for some of the shorter cross-country events. As in other centres, trotting is making steady progress in Melbourne,, but judging from the happenings at the big meeting recently held at Richmond,, its conduct still leaves a good deal to be desired. After one heat of the Sires'' Produce Stakes a large section of the crowd made a hostile demonstration against the tactics of two brother reinsmen whose mounts finished .first and second. The stipendiary stewards had an exceptionally busy time, and between the ten races practically their whole time was occupied in investigating cases of suspicious trotting. They had not concluded their enquiries at 6.30 p.m., when an adjournment was made. As a result of their investigations, the Sydney pacing colt Lord Elmo, together with his lessee, and D. Riddle, his were all disqualified for a period of two years for questionable practices in the Sires' Produce Stakes for pacers. Notice of appeal has been given. They opened and adjourned enquiries into the performances of two other Sydney competitors in Cyril C. (D. Riddle) and Countess Chimes (P. Riddle). The explanations tendered by the owner, train-

er, and driver of Allie 8., who exhibited inconsistent form by winning the con,-, eluding £IOO race easily, were accepted as satisfactory; but P. Glasheen, the driver, who was fined £2 for delaying the start of the last race, is accused of having caused interference to Royal Sovereign in the Flying Handicap, which caused the driver (F. Ridley) to be thrown out of the sulky attached to Royal Sovereign and fracture his left leg. The charge will be iijvestigated when the injured reinsman has sufficiently recovered to give evidence. WINTER CUP ADJUSTMENTS. A v HUGE FIELD.

The inadvisability of issuing handicaps for the three principal events at the Canterbury Jockey Club's Grand National Meeting before racing is concluded at Trentham has frequently been commented on. With only the first day's form to work on, Mr Henrys is placed at a der cided disadvantage, for though a series of penalties is provided they do not meet the case as effectively as a postponement of handicaps till the conclusion of the Wellington fixture would do. For instance, in the Winter Cup, Haskayne will have his already solid b ur( len of 11.3 increased by 61bs as the result of li.is paltry win in the Winter Oats, and though he is probably the best milef; in the Dominion under welter weights , the task now set him seems an undue ' one. Black Lupin and Try Fluke are in much the same case, but with them a rise of 81b and. 61b respectively will not be such a serious matter as witi . the top-weight. Of Mr Buchanan's .pair Thrax is the most probable starter, but ; his slowness off the mark will place him at a serious disadvantage in such a big\; field. Miscount is not overweighted at. 10.13, nor is Leonta at 31b less ; but, like Thrax, the latter is hardly quick enough a beginner, to have l much chance. On the publication of weights, Bluestohe's owner-, took exception to the treatment meted out to his representative, and announced his intention of returning to Auckland. On his form- in the Parliamentary Han- i dicap, Bluestone certainly looked to have none the better of it in. being lifted 51b' for an unplaced performance, but after his fine race on Saturday in the Winter Oats no doubt his owner will be induced to change,' his mind. Magdala and Mummer seem equitably placed, while , Crown Pearl will only have to improve ever so little on his Wellington showing to be one of the hardest to-beat. The. distance rather than the weight will trouble Peter, but Kaniki must riot -be . left out of considerations for he is a quick beginner and stays fairly well. Chortle and Clynelish are not over burn dened, and both can be relied on to cut out a very speedy mile. Judging by present indications, Raupani is likely to go out'one of the staunchest favourites on record. There was a good deal of meri) associated with his dual victory at'Gia» borne, and it is generally accepted that; he is likely to prove a much better horse When he appears at Riccarton. He is certainly not overweighted, but there doer., not seem full justification for the extreme favour in whieh hf; is- held< bj early speculators. Like: several i' Pursefiller. may be troubled: fcy utshftis«B»* tance,. and Royad no doubt be the Grand National Hurdles. There are quite a numbedr amongst the-light-weight division who can be expected to improve, while others coitfd "not hatfe much chance with the proverbial postage stamp on, their- backs;- v mer those that commend themselves are Sveaborg, Great Mogul, Mount Victoria, Kimbombi, Silver Shield, and Sir Hamilton. TEMPLAR.