TURF TOPICS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 244, 18 November 1914, Page 8

TURF TOPICS.

Matters at Eiccarton are at present rather quiet, as many of the local brigade are enjoying a short let-up. A. McAulay has recommissioned Encore, after a short respite. He is looking lusty and well, and should not take long to prepare for future engagements. The Birkenhead —Guitar, filly Samisen is going on the right way. This filly can command a fair turn of speed, and should she train on satisfactorily is sure to win races before the season closes.

The two-year-old Sutala has lightened up considerably during the past week. lie will probably represent Mason's stable in the Northern Foal Stakes at Auckland, but will have to exhibit improved form to what he showed at Eiccarton to be considered a likely winner. Holiday is enjoying a rest. This filly did not run up •to expectations at Eiccarton, but she may take after her dam, and gallop best when least expected to do so. -Pilgrim's Way is a regular attendant at. the local tracks. So far, he has not been asked to perform anything of a strenuous nature.

Leading Lady and Bon are looking in excellent trim just now. The former ran convincingly last week, and may catch the judge's eye again in the near future.

With the exception of % few > untried-two-year-olds, the members of the Chokebore Lodge active brigade are enjoying a well-earned spell. The stable favour- v ite, Autumnus, looks well after his victories, and appears quite sound, although his off fore-leg is decidedly filled.

; * Quarantine is being restricted to i walking exercise. One of his joints, is bearing an enlarged appearance, and -he still favours it slightly. Court-Martial has improved in looks, and her racing appears to* have sharpened her up considerably. Bold Stroke ran disappointingly last week, but she looks well find gallops best in private. G. Jones, in charge of Multiply and Chortle, is due to leave for Gisborne by to-night's boat. . Eaglestone is being kept up to the collar. The old fellow appears a trifle sore. , . ■

If. Emerson lias Mark Anthony looking in fine trim. The son of Varco and Volodia may be given an opportunity to earn distinction at the coming Hororata fixture.' .

D. Roberts received a nasty kick on the forearm while saddling one of his charges before a race last week; The wound is healing fast, and Roberts considers, himself lucky that his arm was not broken.

Slogan went amiss while taking part in the Fendalton Handicap on the Jast 'da;y bf the' Cup meeting. Tlie sorf of Sir Ladda is a useful galloper, and with the Christmas and New Year gatherings to ecme, he looked like doing his connections good service. His trainer has decided to treat him to a lengthy, respite. - D. Moraglian has Kilts and Don Cliarl looking bright and well. It is a great pity that the former cannot be induced to run more kindly, as he gallops fast, and when in the mood few can jump hurdles better. .. Fire Gad burst a blood-vessel while taking part in. the Seymour Handicap on Saturday. He ia a. useful galloper, and one that may be to win races - where the company is not too select. His trainer has decided to treat hiiri t© a short rest*

Atheldana haf , ;apparently lost, all form. The daughter of Menschikoff and Thelmia looks well enough, but seems unable to gallop-fast. / Olga Carlovna exhibits plenty of speed on the tracks, and Pine has' her looking weli jusk now.. . Should shei reproduce her track form when the colours are up it will not be long before she captures a race. * Mum'ura is a regular attendant • on the local tracks. He looks muscular and well.

Though without the services of Labour Day, who is unlikely to. race again this season, Mr T. H. Lowry has three representatives in the Auckland Cup, namely:—Balboa, Campeador,. and Marshal Me Donald.

Mr R. E. Harley has been appointed starter for the Taratahi-Carterton Racing Club's annual- meeting on Boxing Day. Indigo is not engaged in the Auckland Cup, so there is no chance of his meeting Warstep over a two mile journey again this season. The" three placed horses in the C.J.C. Derby., Balboa, Reputation, and First Flight, figure in the Auckland Cup, and the weighting of them by Handicapper Morse is being awaited with a good deal of interest. A southern authority states that there is every prospect of the Southland and Winton Trotting Clubs being favoured with permits when the extra days are distributed.

Warstep figures in the Auckland Cup and. the Railway Handicap on the first day of the A.E.C. Summer Meeting. Though the weights are not yet out she is one of the favourite selections for the former event.

A very attractive programme has been drawn up for the New Brighton Trotting Club's Summer Meeting,*entries for which close on the 25th inst.

Mr Morse declares his adjustments for the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap on. Friday next. Commenting on the three-vear-old form of the present season in England the special commissioner of the "Sportsman" says:—lt seems to have been a year in which the best three-year-olds have been peculiarly liable to mischance, whether of their own seeking, as in the case of Kennymore, or from no fault of their own, as witness Corcyra, Peter the Hermit, Brakespear, Torchlight, and others, but none of them have been in such difficulties as the Derby winner, Durbar, who was practically lost in the wood uorth of Chantilly for ten days when the Germans got so near that the inhabitants of that famous training metropolis had to clear out. In most cases horses in training were taken to stud farms, but Durbar, in charge of a black stableman and recently fired, was led away in the wrong direction. The man did not know the country, and found himself within the German lines, but managed to conceal himself and horse in some small farm which was not interfered with, but lie doubtless was

under apprehension that his black face would convict him as a disguised Turco if the Germans came across him. And so for ten days he lay low, but I understand from Edward Johnson, who has arrived safely in England, that the iriaa never realy lost his horse, as some people have been saying. Anyhow, the Derby winner is all right, except that he is not likely to run again, the strained tendons for which he was fiz*ed having naturally suffered from his arduous peregrinations. Many others of the best Chantilly horses have had equallyexciting adventures, but they are not of the same interest- to us in England, for did we not see Durbar win our own Derby this year?