TURF NEWS IN BRIEF

Evening Post, Issue 73, 23 September 1936, Page 15

TURF NEWS IN BRIEF

Custos.ran his best race yet in Sydney in coming from the rear to finish third in the Rosehill Guineas last Saturday. Gold Cross, who has been honoured with a New Zealand Cup entry, was a runner in hack company at Ashburton without ever becoming prominent. Taumau ran well enough at Foxton to suggest that his winning turn may not be long in coming. He is entered for Marton. ■ Sigurd's performances at Avondale were below what he is capable of doing and the most likely explanation is that he was troubled by the reverse way of going. Only three winners of events on the flat at Avondale carried eight stone or over, despite the new .7.7 minimum, and the highest weight carried to success was 8.11 by Teddy Boy in the final event.' It is risky to back weight in the spring. Marabou, who has broken down and is to be retired to the stud, was purchased at auction by Mr. C. B. Kellow after he won the Melbourne Cup last November for 5500 guineas. The outlay will now have to be recouped at the stud. Havering is not reliable and most of his form over hurdles has been disappointing. He was caught at his best at Ashburton last Saturday, and he had the race in safe keeping a long way from home. He was capably handled by K. Beale, who will be on Vitaphone at Geraldine this week. . Brabant, who was purchased in July by Sir Joseph B. Kobinson, arrived safely after his voyage to Cape Town. He has gone into Syd Garrett's stable. The Ellerslie trainer G. Holland has been out of luck for some time past, and he suffered another misfortune when Versant went amiss last week. Versant had been progressing welLm his preparation and looked like having prospects at the spring meetings. H and A. Cutts sent four horses from their team, representing two owners, to Ashburton last Saturday. They started in two races, finishing first and second on each occasion, with Sir Charles Clifford and Mr. G. E. Macdonald alternating in the winning posiAHhough not engaged, the two-year-old colt Eabboni was taken by C. C. McCarthy to Ashburton last Saturday for education, and he had a run down the straight. Mr. E. W. Spencer, of Greymouth, the owner of the colt, is leaving this week on the first stage of a two years' visit to South Africa.