THE TURF

Evening Star, Issue 16550, 9 October 1917, Page 7

THE TURF

[Gossip by Old Identity.] Tho acceptances for the New Zealand Cup number. 33, or only five fewer than last year. I thought the race would level up as time went on. The most unexpected withdrawal, to my mind, is Fiery Cross. Iu cannot be that he has gone amiss, since ho was entered for other races on Friday night.

Lyttelton Times' reports that Hendra has come in for a good deal of support for I the Now Zealand Cup during the last few days and he threatens to depose Client, who has been the popular fancy since the race first claimed attention from early backers. J Hendra is a five-year-old gelding by Royal Artillery-Hecuba. Last season, in his fourth race, he won tho Maiden Hack Scurry at Napier Park in March His next win was in the Si lverstream Handicap one mile, at Wellington, and he captured the Muritai Handicap on the second day of the same meeting. Probably his best perlormance was to run second (with 7.9) to Gang Awa (7.6) in the Connolly Handicap at Wangamii, for he had Rewi Poto (9 8) and a few fair horses behind him Sleight of Hand has done* all his recent racing in the name of his trainer, A. J. ?l ea ™ h ?> h Y wn °m ho was nominated for the W Zealand Cup. A change was made in connection with the acceptance however, his engagement being continued in the name of his owner, Mr F. Armstrong. Another horse in whom a change of ownership is announced is Colonel fcoult. He was raced early last season bv Messrs Collis and Casey, but later by Messrs Gleeson and Casey, who again figure as the owners, though 'in the list of Cup nominations Messrs Lang and Collis were given the credit of owning the Soult welding. \ The conditions of the A.J. C, programme provide that a certain proportion of the winners share of the stake in most of the races shall be paid in war savings certificates. Mr G. D. Greenwood would receive £750 of his Craven Plate winning in such certificates. ° "Gleneoe - ' says that Blackall does not make any noise now when galloping. The throat operation ho underwent appears to have been a complete success. The stallion Tho Rand died suddenly at Crissoge last week. He had been purchased the day previously by T. Quinhvan, who was acting for a Waverlev stud master but as delivery was not taken tho loss will tall on Mrs Perry. •' In the New Zealand Cup the handicapper asked Desert Gold to concede 231b to Rorkes Drift. Both these racers are m the Canterbury Cup, and Jf they both start Rorke's Drift will concede 31b. 1 hough Adjutant was not entered for tho !Ne\v Zealand Cup, he is given an engagement in the Canterbury Cup. it looks as if the owner has a, 'belief that the horse can stay.