TURF TOPICS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 242, 16 November 1914, Page 8

TURF TOPICS.

Sweet Corn can muster up a lot of pace, but in both her races at Riccarton last week she failed to stay. Mr Harry Thompson has been appointed starter for the trotting event's at the Marlborough Racing Club's meeting. He will also officiate at the Marlborough Trotting Club's meeting. *■ St. Elmn was particularly well handled in the Seymour Handicap on Saturday by F. G. Holmes, a son of the well-known trainer Freeman Holmes. When The Pole fell in the Port Cooper Hurdle Handicap on Saturday,' his rider, P. Patterson, appeared to be rather badly hurt. He was carried off the course in an unconscious condition, but later in the afternoon was almost right again.

Riccarton-trained hurdlers were in good form at last week *s fixture, and on Saturday they filled the three places in the Port Cooper Hurdle Handicap. Autumnus and Reputation were the only two favourites, to prevail at Riccarton on Saturday, and both, returned" their backers satisfactory prices. Desert Gold's success in the Pioneer Handicap at Riccarton marked the first occasion on Which she has succeeded in catching the judge's eye. She showed a rare turn of speed and was staying on well at the,finish.

Most of the North Island sportsmen who were present at the Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting returned home on Saturday night. "•The starting at the Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting was uniformly good, and Mr Wood can be congratulated on his debut at the Riccarton course. •

As the result of his brilliant victory over the other three-year-olds in the Stead Memorial Cup on Saturday Beputation can well take rank as the best colt of the Reason. It was unfortunate that Balboa suffered some interference in the race, for his connections were confident that he would finish in front of his Canterbury Cup victor. The eight starters that contested the Stead Memorial Cup on Saturday constituted the largest field that has ever gone to the post for that event. Autumnus's achievement of winning the Members' Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday was one of the finest ever registered on that course. From a time standard he equalled the New Zealand record held jointly by Armlet and Sharpshooter, but he carried 9/8, as against the 7/10 of Sharpshooter and the 7/13 of Armlet. Reputation equalled/the time record of 2.6 established by Counterfeit in the Stead Memorial Gold Cup three years ago.

With the termination of the week/s racing, many of the local brigade are to be treated to a short respite prior to being recommissioned for the Christmas gatherings. A strong contingent of locally trainde animals claim engagements at the Auckland Cup meeting, and judging by their form shown at Riccarton it will be surprising if a fair share of the spoil does not come south.

The welcome rainfall will prove very beneficial to the tracks and general surroundings at headquarters, which were bearing a parched-up appearance. The tracks ,this morning were in little demand, walking exercise being mostly indulged in. ; .

B. J. Mason has recommisaioned the Charlemagne 11. mare Fastradi, who is looking in excellent trim to commence a preparation. ,P. MeGrath's team is to be strengthened in the near future by the addition of a two-year-old colt by Martian, from Gipsy Girl. Quarantine is still exhibiting slight symptoms of soreness. The unlucky son of Treadmill suffers when the ground is hard, and is unable to raise a gallop. Mr J. B. Eeid has disposed of the four-year-old colt Rinaldo to the North Island sportsman who races under the name of Mr Wire Tokena. The son of Charlemagne 11. has joined F. Tilley's active brigade, and will be shipped north to-morrow. E. Griffin left for Ashburton this morning in charge of -Birkbeck, Sveaborg, and Chudic. The following trainers are due to leave with their teams for the north tonight:—T. Quinlivan, D, Cameron, F. Lynd, J. Oldfield, E. J. Rae, "W. G. Trask, and S. Waddell.

The two-year-old filly Spangle received a nasty kick ift one of her fore legs just prior to the start of the Juvenile Plate. It wae not anticipated as likely to cause any trouble at the time, but such, however, has riot proved the case, as the filly is still very lame. It may be some time before the daughter of Martian is able to resume strong work.

The three-year-old filly S-apdragon has lightened up considerably after the racing. She is inclined to be a delicate feeder.