TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 190, 10 August 1904, Page 3

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

<By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CIsU—SXCHUBCH, Tuesday, in spite of Mr Wi-agge, tlie weatlier holds fine. Saturday was a cloudless day; Sunday was gloomy, but tine; and yesterday waa bright and sunny. The snow, however, was disappearing but slowly. We nay« not had „ really warm day yet, and until we do the snow is bound to be stubborn. Meanwhile, tlie caretaker at Rlccarton and -is staff are busy clearing the approaches to tlie schooling fe'ntes, and so well have they done their work that this (Tuesday) morning the trainers were able to school then- charges for the first time for 10 days.

Kiatere's withdrawal from the Grand National Steeplechase ou Friday surprised nobody. The Auckland representative is suffering from strangles. Plain Bill, I suppose, has again failed to stand winding-up. The scratching of Ostiak and The Guesser for the Grand National Hurdle Race, however, did cause surprise, and a similar remark applies to Oblivion 11. in the Winter Cup. The other important defections from the flat race were Vladimir, Float, Lady i-illian, and ___ oor . _ady Lillian's withdrawal was expected. She is making a good recovery from her attack of influenza, but it would have beeu madness to ask her to race next week. Haydn and Slow Tom are now favourites for the Grand National Steeplechase, coupled with Waiwera aud Spalpeen for the Hurdle Race. Aka Aka and Pipi are the next best fancies for the cross -country race, while Kremlin, Tupara, la, Huku, and Zealous are amongst the other shortpriced ones in the Hurdle Race.

Although Kiatere is amiss, J. Rae's other two, Ranana and rilnekoa, are doing well. Waddell's team—Nadador, Bandmaster, and Repulse — arrived on Saturday, on which day Webster with Evening and" Anadeja, and Cochrane with Tukapa, Cavalry, and Eclair, also put in an appearance. The horses had a rough trip, especially Waddell's three, whose trainer is likely to remember the journey for some time to come.

Bombardo also arrived on Saturday, looking well, and other recent arrivals are Scottish Minstrel, Miss Jewel, Sophistic, Terrapin, and Royal Crown.

Creusot has shaken off his cold and is in work again, but he has done practically nothing since his arrival, and cannot be expected to do himself justice, if he does start in the Grand National Hurdle Race. Huku will be ridden by S. Fergus. None of the local jumping brigade i 3 creating a more favourable impression than I'haetonltis, who promises to develop into a high-class steeplechaser. Magniflcent's disappearance from the Grand National Hurdle Race caused surprise until it was discovered that his owner's local agent had neglected to make the payment on Friday. Happy Home's absence from the nominations for the flat events, which closed on Saturday Is attributed to the letter containing them not coming to hand in time, and a similar cause accounts for the disappearance of Armistice from the New Zealand Cup. Merry Boy is showing signs of soreness. During the week the following business has been transacted on the Grand National Steeplechase and Hurdle Race:—2ooo to 5 against Princess of Thnle and Catherine Gordon, 1050 to 17 against Aka Aka and Aka Aka. 1200 to 2 against Star and Moccasin, 1000 to 10 against Aka Aka and Llssa, 1000 to 5 against Pipi aud Cavalry, 1000 to 2 against Papatu aud MedalUus, 750 to 12 Aka Aka and la, 750 to 11 against Haydn and Huku, 500 to 10 against Aka Aka and Cavalry, COO to 7J against Moccasin and Hautapu, 500 to 6 against Haydn ant! Zealous, 500 to 3 against Moccasin aud la, 500 to 2_ against Merry Boy and Kremlin, 500 to 2_ against Slow Tom and Medallius, 500 to 2_ against Victoiy and Kremlin. 500 to 2 against Moccasin and Medallius, 000 to 1 against Haydn and Hostage.

D. J. Price returned from Sydney on Friday after disposing of h's horse Ribbonwood for 1100 guineas. The champion trotter is now under the care of W. Price, who is wel known in New Zealand.

The Canterbury Jockey Club has ample reason to feel satisfied with both the quantity and quality of tbe horses remaining 4a the New Zealand Cup after the closing of the acceptances on Friday. Fortythree horses are left in, and of those which have gone out none had been seriously thought of in connection with the race. Moreover, as I have explained, had the letter containing Armistice's acceptance reached Its destination earlier the number would have been 44 instead of 43. Perhaps the only defection which created surprise was Roseal's. The sou of Handsome Jack had been backed for the race, and was regarded as fairly well treated. I hope his absence is not to be interpreted to mean that he Is amiss.

Cruciform and Golden Knight we expected to go out, and a similar remark applies to Red Gauntlet and Ouidaform. 1 suppose that Shrapnel Shell's connections have at length decided that shorter courses are more to his liking, and that those of Zetland and Solution are wisely averse to training young horses for two mile races. As for Ideal, Provost-Marshal, Red Hart, and Manawala, their disappearance is not calculated to disturb the betting market. Buluwayo is now favourite at 12 to 1, 14 to 1 being offered against Achilles, Lady Lillian, Martian, and Melodeon, and 16 to 1 against Ghoorka and Romeo. The following business has been done during the week:—looo to 20 against Nonette, 600 to 12 against Joe Chamberlain, 200 to 10 against Ghoorka, 200 to 6 against Heroism. Forty-five youngsters remain in the Welcome stakes. Many of them have clearly been left in owing to their owners' neglect, but among the balance are the material for a large field, and an interesting race. The field includes the first of the progeny of Benzoin, Merriwee, and Finland, and four belonging to Sir George Clifford, and six to Mr Stead. Among the Chokebore lot is Treadmill's half brother, Gay Spark, and Quarrymau's half sister, Glenowiet, and among Mr Stead's are Sun God, Oclawre, aud Lottykofl'. The Hon. G. McLean has left in Alexis. Namontana, and Arments. and Mr J. B. Reid has the piomising Seaton Delaval—Cantatrice filly. Among the others is the Medallion -Choice colt, which has been named Handel. Stronghold, Signalman, Tessera, Beau Seaton Veldt, Malakoff. Silkworm, Savoury, Nightfall, Golden Knight (who, 1 understand, is to resume work shortlyj, Golden Lily, TJranns, Boris, Ailsa, General Average, Solution, and Akarana are among the 29 three year olds remaining in the Derby. Chryseis, Lady Wayward, Tessera, Golden Lily, Nightfall, Soln.'.on, Ailsa, Balois, and Quickflre are among the fifteen fillies left In the Oaks. About a dozen of tbe British footballers visited Mr Stead's training stables and stud farm on Saturday morning.

For "that tired feelinr-" try WOLFE'S SCHNAPPS—it dispels languor. ■