Turf Topics

Free Lance, Volume XVI, Issue 871, 16 March 1917, Page 21

Turf Topics

3y Torpedo

is more than useful. In his last six starts he has put up the good record of four wins and' two seconds. Another in Sabana, who beat Card- . rona in .the : Telegraph Hack Handicap at Napier Park, is a reliable sort. In her four starts at Napier Park she ran two firsts and two seconds. ' The public went hot and strong for Hymeneus in the Trial Stakes at Dahnevirke, but he only looked good' at the end of the first three furlongs, when Cardrona joined in the argument and got the best of it. The movement afoot for the reduction of the number of days' racing in the year is gaining in popularity, judging by the applause that follows any wowseristic suggestion in that direction. But,, of course, you don't find sports at wowser meetings; therefore the applause is one-sided. - A well-known local sport in Mr. Bob Xaw has "copped" the marble in this week's military ballot, and ere- long will be getting into'-his military stride, provided he passes the "docs." Bob would have been first Out of the barrier when the war broke out, but certain physical defects marred his intentions. Good old Tim Doolan, one of our best 'chasers of the past, has been taken up again, and is being hacked about preparatory to going into training for National honours. Methinks he is like a, lot more of us—beaten by old Father ■'-. Time. .' ', ■ ' Shrill is said to be developing into a beautiful filly and putting up track records that suggest wins in the near future.. ... '■,'■■'.- "' Mr. Paul Holmes, owner of Ormond's cast-off, Kaminohe, goes into camp this month." The sporting world is paying- .;. .its toll. .'"■-'■' .-'-"■ ■_■■'■■ Stead's pair ■ Sasanoff and Kalboy, are moving along nicely in their work at Riccarton, v a,nd it is anticipated that the latter -will'make-the trip to Auckland for the St. Leger, although at the last moment Sasanoff might be the elect.- • '"-■' Sedd-el-Bahr is how owned - in the south, and is having af-brief "respite- ere being worked for racing\at the end of the season. There, is a brother of that good performer, Rorke's Drift, in work down in the far south, who gives promise of de-

veloping into something good. He is a big, sluggish colt, but a friend of mine recently saw him stirred up, and he did get a move on. Twenty goidies wasn't much "to give for a colt by Fbrmby from Jingle. That is what Mr. J. Adams, owner of Bairnsdale, gave for the colt at the Dannevirke sales. Regret is expressed at the recurrence of the illness from which Handicapper Morse recently recovered! Best wishes for a speedy return to normal. } The Opunakemeeting takes place tomorrow, 17th inst., and all the boys (jwhat's left of them), and all the girls in the coWjuice country will don their Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes, and break ""' open their money-boxes for a flutter. Ifooks as if the Cup should provide a good contest, and Zetes seems nicely treated, as does also. Hushman, who can get the distance well. Flying Camp should have a host of supporters in the Hurdles, whilst Revocation in the Flying will keep them all busy. Bivouac . be doing something shortly. Bear this fact in mind and benefit accordingly. Red Ribbon is having a rest, and richly deserves it. Rangitlkei R.C. Meeting. - This popular gathering drew record entries, and, as ' the season is growing old, it follows that quite a lot of horses that have been on the ice will be brought into the market, and interesting racing should result. ' There is quite a big parcel of jumpers in the Ohaka Hurdles, prospective National performers perhaps. - I am writing prior to acceptance day, and, of course, in attempting to indicate horses with chances, I am stabbing in the dark. : Just fancy. 25 horses in a hurdle race worth about 70 sovs to the winner! How many of them will be out for breathing exercise only? Methinks more than a few. They tell me that Waitoma can jump some, and 9.0 is a handy weight. Combustion keeps knocking at the door, and 10.6 shouldn't prevent him from taking niore than a passing interest in the event. The Carnarvon Handicap is run, over six furlongs. It has a big entry, and contains some neddies that can skip. Rewa. Rewa is nicely in with 7.12, and so is' Humorist with 31bs less. I like Rio, Harry McManaway's filly. She has been: behind the scenes, lately, but : don't forget her with 7.2. There are "only" 31 horses in the Ngatipapa Handicap, run over five furlongs. If Humorist is kept for this event be in the joke. There is also another of __whom great things have been expected, but they, did not materialise'. I refer'.to Goldbearing, who has been allotted' 7.9. It can get a move on from barrier-rise, and will be handy when the judge slips tip the numbers. , The- Pukenui Welter is a seven-fur-long race, which should suit Silenus

with 8.0, but don't forget that Hastie is a hasty customer with but 21bs more to carry. - : v , The Rangitikei Cup is a several horses having a big chance. Being a ,it should suit Ladify down to the ground with 8.6, but a'little bird warbles to the. tune that Pacific : Slope is about to catch, and 7.5 should not be too much to carry, to victory. Bronk Delaval is also nicely; weighted, with 7.10. ' , The - Parawanui Welter' and Scott Memorial are very open. The horses appearing well treated are: Revalenta, 8.2, in the former, and Coropett, 7.5, in, the latter. ■..?■ / ' !\