TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 116, 16 May 1906, Page 7

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

(.By Telejuaph— Own Correspondent.); ' CJJRISTCHTJRCH,' this " day. j : The Riccarton tracks have, for tbe last] i t ew days, 'been in very" fine order, and ! trainers have been able to give the necessary exercise to horses engaged at Oan-i aru and the various winter meetings. ■ Most of'the horses haying engagements': at ,I Wanganni -will leave on Thursday, and then matters -will be doll Indeed, until the: approach of the Grand National Heefing. ! ' ' Moraghajj's * team - Xae the "■ North!' win Consist of" Cdnvoy, Fbaetonitis, and : Abitity, so that -the lira; earned will sot con-!. test the Oaniaru Cap. All are looking well. Convoy gaye a yery satisfactory trial over hnrdles on Monilaj- morniriE, but Ab'llty made a very indifferent showing in a similar task, wliieh was.-very disappointing, as he has previously been jumping well. Possibly he would have done better had he* been* sent at the hnrdles at a faster nacc. Phaetonitln has been jumping fell over both big and little sticks, but regarding him also, the opinion ia that be' is set too slow a pace Jn' his schooling; After the ""Warigonul meeting, ■ Moraghan. will take his three charges to Auckland. W. Clarke has J3tarue\ and. Graduated Tax in .excellent trim. The former showed to advantage In schooling 'over the big fences with Phaetonitis last and;, is a highly promising-chaser, bat. Graduated Tax has only good fencing to recommend her, and is not likely to score where; speed is required. "*■"'. • _' " Slow Tom will not. go north, Taggart being unable to leave his numerous other; I charges. ' The old horse is jumping well,; but has not yet been given fast work. Tlrole has been bought.' by Mr R, C. Campbell, and has been transferred to J. Franks' stable. The horse is in capital condition, and should have a great say Iα the decision'of the Oamaru.-.•Cup. - > .Cz'arevna has. been of work for the winter. '" / '_ . Hilarity has retired from racing. She ! 1* said to be in foal to Royal Crown, which has just been taken up by Taggart being added to the list. Treadmill, looking * well, is being given light''Work on the tracks.'' ■ : •? Melodeon has joined Savonry at Riccarton. ' .'. A. by Medallion. — Kilmeny, purchased for Mr J. Brett, of Xtnnedin, at the Sydney sales, has joined McGninness' team. He is a fine .colt. A former Christchurch. resident,, writing from Orange River Colony," says that 'Altalr, Seringnpatam (late Screw Gun); and Uniform are all doing stud duty In or near tßat colony-.... Aijajr, especially,,.ls .v-ery , successful, bis yearUiise .being jot ~ jpreat promise. " -..«-■■ The retention In the conditions of the New Zealand Cup of ;the provision no penalty or penalties shall increase the' weight to tie carried by' a horse above weight for age, is widely disapproved. . It was thought "that after last year's experience, the Club would haye reverted Uf the former conditions regarding penalties; fault is also found' with, the apportionment of some of the increased stake money at the Grand National Meeting, peartlcularly with the meagre endowment of the minor, steeplechases. The Beaufort Steeplechase, with £180 for tSe winner, and the Lincoln Steeplechase/ with IBObovs for the" winner, being'very poor encouragement for; the same horses which compete' In the Grand National Steplechase, worth 7w soys to the winner; ' . L. H. property at Riccarton Iβ advertised for clearing sale, owing to the successful jockey's departure for England, where he proposes to practice liis profession. ' ■ ■ ■ ■"■•.■■■ ' .■'- Bensoln. was largely represented at the Ash burton meeting last week.* -In As- , segal, he has a very promlelng descendant, and it is to be hoped she Tfill stand a thoroagb training. ....■-; ,-' ; . '-'■+■■ ~ .Mr .Buckley doee cot, deliver Starebopti ;until after the Oamaru meeting." ' - ! There TvArp inquJries for ' the- prices of several horses at the AEhburton meeting, but owners' idea!) were in, most cases too high. s -'-■••• ■" ; - - - '■'■-•■ i Mr Jefferson, of Timaru, acquitted himself well as starter at "the Ashbnirton meet--:ing. Some of tho. decisions ,of judge I ! however, were not generally coincided InV J I There was some very bad riding at Aehjbprton, imd there ifc more'-than a sns-"l ,pldon that It was wilfully bo, but the (Stewards erWentlr did no.t see It, as they I took no action. . '** '■"'