TURF TOPICS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 194, 21 September 1914, Page 7

TURF TOPICS.

Eieearton-trained horses bulk largely iin the list of nominations received for the Dimedin Jockey Club's Spring Meeting, and it is evident that most of the local trainers intend taking teams to the southern fixture. The Wanganui Jockey Club receives acceptances for its Spring Meeting up till 9 o'clock this evening. Quite a number of South Island New Zealand Cup candidates will be seen under silk at the Timaru meeting next month. This will be the only oppor'tunitv most of them will have of a race in public before the November meeting comes round. Flagfall's victory" at -- Avondale on Saturday goes to show what a great factor time and attention is in restoring apparently hopeless cases o£- breakdown in thoroughbreds. The son of Bezonian and Fleettoot was bred at Stonyhurst by Sir George Clifford, but while being taken to .Riecarton broke away from his attendant and collided with a tramway pole. So severe were the injuries sustained to his shoulder that his chance of ever standing a preparation were despaired of, and eventually he was sold to the Waikato sportsman Mr R. Hannon, who acquired him to use as a sire. Under the circumstances it speaks wonders for the recuperative powers of the colt, and the trouble bestowed on him, that he should now be winning races, instead of being, as-was originally anticipated, a confirmed cripple. With such a serviceable quartet to rely on as Don Francisco, First Flight, Botanist, and Bold Stroke, the Chokebore stable should play a prominent part in the decision of the Dunedin Guineas next month.

Tragedy King, who won the hurdle race at Avondale on Saturday, is a halfbrother to the Guineas hero MuUingar. This was his first essay over the obstacles, aud his showing for a maiden was a distinctly promising one.

Bimeter showeit up in a still more favourable light by acting as runner-up to Carlita in the Rosehill Guineas on Saturday. This event is usually regarded as almost a dress rehearsal for the A.J.C. Derby, but it is doubtful if Woorak, Mountain Knight, or Ravello ■were amongst those that finished behind Carlita.

When competing in the Plumpton Handicap at Avondale on Saturday, King Soult suddenly collapsed, and had to be pulled up. An examination revealed the fact that the Cup-winner had fractured his near hind fetlock joint. The happening was enquired into by the stewards, and the evidence showed that in rounding the top turn King Soult came out from the rails, and was struck by Devastation, who was racing immediately behind him. Every effort is being made to save the sou of y Soult for stud purposes. Like so many other good ones, Carlita who won the Kosehill Guineas on Saturday, was bred at Eldcrslie, and subsequently found, her way to Australia. Last season she showed a lot of speed in all her two-year-old essays, and was successful on a couple of occasions. The form showed by Mullingar at the Avondale Meeting, lias been of such si high order as to suggest liim playing a prominent part in other of the season's classic .-events.: Prom the, mawier in which he downed the opposition on

Saturday, it is quite evident that Marble Arch's son is by no means deficient iri stamina, for he finished full of running after getting to the end of eight furlongs in 1.42 3-5, an achievement that from a time standpoint has only once been bettered in the history of the race. Mullingar-is "certainly bred on staying lines, for his sire is by . the Derby-winner Isinglass, and his dam is a daughter of Wallace and Lissadurn,; the latter by Bill of Portland from Cooya, by Nordenfeldt from Badianee. Unfortunately: he was not at all freely engaged as a yearling, and his only opportunities of meeting the best of his age under equal conditions will be in the Great Northern Guineas and Great Northern Derby. , ; The Avondale Jockey Club has the distinction of being the 'first club to race this season whose totalisator receipts showed an increase. Mullingar bore out his promising display in the Avondale Cup by appropriating the Avondale Guineas on Saturday. He was followed home by another of Marble Arch's progeny in Castalia, who 12 months ago defeated him: in the Avondale Stakes. • ,v-

Two of the best handicap horses in Australia, in Cagou and Aurofodina, have recently , gone amiss and will not be able' to fulfil engagements at the Australian Jockey Club's Spring meeting.

His many friends will be pleased to learn that Mr J. H. Pollock is at length recovering from the illness that has laid him aside for some months. The well-known handicapper has had a hard bout, and the news "of his recovery will be pleasing itnelligence to all sportsmen.

Thrax and Flora Macdonald are both under a cloud, and their prospects of standing up till November do not look at all bright. Bribery's sister, Bequest, lias been recommiesioned again and is now a regular attendant at Addington. As yet she is very backward, and it'will require a lot of work to get her fit to race.

Those who decry the trotter as a remount will be surprised to learn that Sir John French, commanding the British forces in France, has chosen a trotting horse for his charger. Govair, as the horse is calledj was. bred in America being by Barrongale (2.11£) from Earalma Lawson, by Boreal.

Since the August meeting the centre of the Addington track has been levelled off and sown in grass seed. When covered with its green sward this previously unsightly portion of the course will add greatly to the appearance of the surroundings. No doubt it will eventually become popular as a recreation ground, for vhicli it is eminently suitable.

The liglit tasks being apportioned Michael Galindo evidently agree with him, for lie is fining down nicely. Though his legs are still unsightly he goes fairly sound, but it is doubtful ii ! he will ever stand a great amount of work. TEMPLAR.