TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 78, 1 April 1905, Page 6

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

(By Teletrraph.—Own Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, this day.

The Oxford Racing Club's annual race meeting, which was held on Thursday, was a purely local gathering. Only two horses went up from Riccarton, and very few townsfolk were present. There was no totaiisator on the course. The Oxford Cup fell to the Riccarton-trained Saranges, by Saracen—Jenny, who won In a canter from Coalgate and Lepanto, the latter an ancient Australian bred horse by Corinth. Black Diamond, a three-year-old gelding by Reflector, appropriated the Stewards' Handicap, and the Flying Handicap, beating the Riccarton-trained Te Taiana in both races, tnd Fhroso, an aged mare by Stronghurst, annexed the Maiden StaKes. A half-brother to Phroso named M.D., by the Ingomar horse Doctor, won the Selling Race. The Welter Handicap fell to Blue Peter, a gelding by the Escutcheon toorse Banner.

Noctrlform is still resting as the result of the accident he met with before our summer meeting, and it may be taken for granted that he will not race again this season. Sungod will probably represent Mr. fcstead in tbe Champagne Stakes.

The Hotchkiss colt Great Gun changed bands at auction on Saturday. He is hoc likely to stand another preparation. Vladimir is much In request here for the Great Easter Handicap.

Miss Button has had the misfortune to to lose her three-year-old colt by Cuirassier —Annabel le, which broke its leg, and hau to be destroyed.

It appears that Golden Lily took her departure for Western Australia some time ago. The bookmakers who have been laying her for the Great Easter Handicap will have a nice point to settle with their clients. Mr. Stead's cast-off was accompanied by Nestling, the yearling filly by Royal Artillery from Bellicent,

The withdrawal of Master Alix from the Great Easter Handicap caused some surprise here. It was generally considered that the son of Stepniak was not badly treated.

A great deal of interest was taken here In the struggle between Achilles and Machine Gun in the North Island Challenge Stakes. Most people would have been better pleased if the race had been run on absolutely firm ground, but there is a general feeling of satisfaction at Achilles having fully redeemed his tarnished reputation.

Matters locally are rather quiet, save for the Akaroa County Racing Club's annual race meeting, which Is being held at Plumpton Park, Riccarton, to-day. Wtti: the retura of the contingent now In Wellington, Riccarton will become busier, and continue busy until our Easter meeting is over.

At a meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Jockey Club, held on Tuesday, a request from Hewitt, that the committee should reduce hla period of disqualification so as to enable him to ride at the Canterbury Jockey Club's Autumn Meeting, was declined.

Mr. Brown, who owned Sir Foote when the son of Sir Hugo won the Newmarket Handicap, is at present in Dunedin.

One of the first- mares booked to the St Simon horse St. Ambrose is Zephyr, the full sister to the defunct Pampero. She has a foal at foot by the Australian Peer horse Peerage. Kathlinda, the dam or St. Dennis, also has a nice looking foal, a colt by Peerage.

Wairiki, on board the Monowai, passed through Lytteiton yesterday. He will be transhipped at Wellington for Auckland. Considering the trying experl_nce he has had, the son of Soult looks wonderfully well.