TURF NEWS IN BRIEF

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 3, 3 July 1940, Page 11

TURF NEWS IN BRIEF

The first race at Trentham next Tuesday is due to start at 11.27 a.m. The Wellington Steeplechase will be run at about 2.7 p.m.

It is reported from the south that Turaki will be kept to hurdling at Trentham next week, leaving the steeplechases to his stablemate Ballybrit.

The taxes in connection with the recent Otaki Meeting totalled £1829 2s, which indicates* how profitable even the provincial meetings are _to the Treasury.

Though Trentham is generally regarded as among the most difficult testing grounds in the Dominion, three each-way favourites were winners on steeplechase day last July.

Provision for divisions had to be made for both the Woburn Handicap and the Whyte Handicap at Trentham last July, but scratchings reduced the fields sufficiently for single heats.

Golden Melody, a four-year-old gelding by Hunting Song out of Blue Jay, and still a maiden, has been transferred to Sydney and is now in G. Price's stable. He is eventually to race in Brisbane in the interests of Mr. T. M. Ahem.

Ballybrit hit one of the fences of the double in a school at Riccarton on Monday and dropped his rider, but he was later remounted and went over eight fences without further mistake. His stablemate, Surcoat, gave a clean exhibition, over eight fences.

W. J. Mudford has been engaged for Ruatiti, Tuatara, and Red Cat at the Wellington Meeting. Ruatiti, who has done well since the Wanganui Meeting, is to start in the Whyte Handicap. Red Cat will not come on till the second day.

The following nominations have been received for the committee of the South Canterbury Jockey Club: — Messrs. A. E. Elworthy, H. S. Macey, C. R. Orbell, T. R. Rhodes, and T. Seaton. As this is the required number no election will be necessary.

According to a Wanganui report, Sir Beau, the best-performed two-year-old of the season, though he was unable to race after January, is getting through some useful work at present while the tracks are in good order. He has furnished well and it is expected that he will fulfil all hopes as a three-year-old in the new term.

Survoy has not been nominated for either of the Grand Nationals, so it is now fairly certain that he will not race this winter.

The Hawke's Bay winner The Ring is doing light work and is in good shape to begin a preparation for the New Zealand Cup, which will be her particular mission in the spring.

An addition to P. Burgess's team at Trentham is a two-year-old chestnut filly by Foxlight out of the Grandcourt —Marion's Birthday mare Court Gossip, an unnamed half-sister to Birthday Party and Hui. The filly is owned by her. breeder, Mr. S. F. Cooper, of Weber.