THE TURF.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 79, 5 April 1910, Page 25

THE TURF.

WELLINGTON AUTUMN MEETING TO-MORROWS PROGRAMME. (By Sir Bedivere.) The thing that everybody is most anxious about just, now is the weather. This all important factor in the making or marring of a race meeting is wearing a more settled appearance, anH the indications at the time of writing are encouraging. As usual, special trains will run to and fiom the course at convenient intervals and if the sun should be bold enough to show his face, those that patronise the people's own conveniences wiil, in common with occupants of tho latent thing in motors, find Trentham looking ah green and gay as it was in January. Properly speaking, the North Island Challenge Stakes is the most important event to be decided to-morrow, but the field for it is likely to be small, and from the popular point of view the Thompson Handicap is undoubtedly tho chief attraction. Its result will largely depend upon the state of the going, for whilst Sir Tristram, Sir Frisco, Aboriginal, and possibly one or two others, would be best suited by deep ground, Armlet, Equitas, Husbandman, to mention only three, will be bes>t pleased to he«r their feet rnt'tle. It is said that •Effort may" be reserved for thd Railway Handicap, but personally I have no very definite information on the point, and in any ca&e we may, I think, reasonably expect to see twelve horses line up at the post. North East doee not, usually begin smartly nowadays, but when he does settle down into his stride it is a very telling one, and, somewhat harshly handicapped though he appears to be, his owner is said to fancy his chance. Armlet will almost ceitainly be much fancied, and on the ton of the ground she must be dangerous. As I have said before, however, she does not strike me as nearly so invincible as many people seem to believe. Of course, she may win, and win easily, for, with Crucinella and Gold Lace out of the way, and three or four of her probable opponents unable to show their best form when the going is hard, her task has been, and is likely to be, considerably simplified. Be this a» it may, a most interesting combat will be forthcoming, and if she should succeed quite a large number of people will have the satisfaction of saying, "I told you BO." The First Hurdle Handicap will be the opening event, and though the field is small it includes Whatakura (who was successful at Riccarton- last week), a promising horse in Gold Bird, the much-boomed Audax, and a new aspirant for jumping honours in Longner, who has pare -enough, and is said to get over his fence* both cleanly and quickly. Osiris is engaged in the Waiwetu Handicap, and it wilJ bo interesting to Bee how he bhapes against Bollin and that unlucky mare Truganini. Hilarian, Idealism, and Ukrainu nre three of thoss engaged in the Silverstream Hack Handicap that have recently shown fair form, and as others that, have won during the past few weeks are likely to compete, a good race should result. Lord Kelvin's reappearance Under silk in the Plunket Nursery will be keenly awaited, and speaking strictly by the book, his most favourably handicapped opponent is Tenterhook. If Effort should be reserved for the Railway' Handicap she is sure to, have a strong following, and judging' by the manner in which Kilindini has been supported in doubles, she too is likely to be well fancied. The last race of the- day wil> be the Tinakori Handicap, for which a round dozen are eligible to compete. Among them are Sea Queen, who ran third to Boanerges and Naumai in the Electric Handicap at the last meeting at Trentham, and Royal Marine who looked a bit backward at Feilding, but managed to finish thiid nevertheless. Penates' inclusion in the field for the Challenge Stakes will, no doubt, frighten away the majority of the others that still stand their ground, and it is not easy to predict how many may face the music. 'Polymorphous, however, is a sure starter, as, too, are Formby, King Soult, and, I think, Flitaway. Gold Lace, too, may be saddled up. All things being duly considered, there is every promise of an enjoyable day's sport, ano* the main thing now required is fine weather. Acceptances are due to-night for the Manawatu Racing Club's Autumn meeting. A sweepstake is payable in connection with the Hawkes Bay Stakes, aud final payments must bo made for the Manawatu Stakes. THE FINAL GALLOPS. ? SOME INTERESTING WORK. There were two or three degrees of frost at Trentham last night, and at daybreak this morning the grass was fairly white, and the air was exceptionally keen. No startling performance was registered, but the work dono by a number of horses was distinctly interesting. Tho outside of the course proper was thrown open, and provided excellent going. Parula (F. D. Jones) commenced by running five furlongs by herself in lmin 4sec. Kilwinniug was the next to step on to the track, and the St. Leger candidate got over two circuits of the tan at a nice three-quarter pace. Taitoko was allotted an easy task. Truganini (Ryan) and Sir Frisco (Kirk) broke away at the five-furlong post, and the latter, who was on the outside, held his companion quite safe as the pair got home in lmin 3sec ; his effort was an attractive one. ' Formby (F. D. Jones) proved too good for Belene, who carried a light weight, beating her by several lengths over five furlongs, in lmin 3- l-ssec. Sharpshooter beat Tenterhook over the same distance in lmin 3 4-ssec. Boanerges (Oliver) was given useful three-quarter pace exercise. Sea Queen, Magneto, and Lord Kelvin were associated in a spin over four furlongs on the tan, which was accomplished in Blsec ; the first named, who was on iho inside, had the best of it. Polymorphous and San Lass got through a working gallop over six furlongs, but neither Swimming Belt nor Succession was extended. Bollin (F. D. Jones), Husbandman (Chapman),, and Flitaway (Paul) struck out for ii gallop over six furlongs, at the conclusion of which Flitaway, who was on the outside, ran in a very comfortable two lengths winner, in lmin 16£ sec; Sir George Clifford's filly is evidently in good nick. Cronstadt beat Perle dOr and Golden Loop by a coupla of lengths over five furlongs in lmin 2 2-ssec ; All Red's brother's display was a pleasing one, and it' he can stay on an additional three furlongs, he niiist take beating in the Thompson Handicap. Laius cm prised tiack watchers by splinting half a milo in 48sec, and Effort finished many lengths ahead of Gold Lace, who is palpably off colour, after running five furlongs on the tan in lmin 2iiec. Tuirnu ran fiva furlongs at a good three-quarter pace, a speed at

which Audax completed a full circuit. Armlet (Begbie) and Adria were sent out to gallop six furlongs in company, but they did not keep together, and the former, who broke away soon after passing the seven-furlong post, shot past her companion before the latter was able to get going. Armlet's time for the sixfurlong trip was lmin 15 2-ssec ; she finished fairly well, and her performance was a smart one. Idealism easily beat Faunus over five furlongs in lmin 5 l-ssec, and Osiris showea more pace than Lady Kilcheran over half a mile. Kina worked steadily, and Kilindini galloped six furlongs alone. Sjr Tristram, carrying a light-weight, to the end of seven furlongs in lmin 32£ sec, but he did not appear to finish very strongly. SALE OF THOROUGHBREDS. Oy Telegraph. -Press Association.— Copyright. SYDNEY, 4th April. At the sale of thoroughbreds, including James Brennan's stud, Maranui was passed in at 500 guineas. The top prices realised were :—Stallions : Hautbrion, 525 guineas ; and Linacre, 1750 guineas. Brood mares : Pendant, 875 guineas; Istria, 1175 guineas; Beresina, 750 guineas; Country Dance, 750 guineas. The following New Zealand purchases were made : — Mare, Busy Girl, 170 guineas, W. Walters; stallion, King Eufus, 110 guineas, T. M. Curry, on account of J. Coe. The New Zealand stallion Cambrian sold for 150 guineas. Achillean brought 100 guineas, Hoax 700 guineas, and Beauvive 500 guineas. H. Weal (New Zealand) Daid 32£ guineas for Lovo.