RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 617, 1 February 1916, Page 5

RACING AND TROTTING.

RACING FIXTURES. February 2 and 3-Egmont B.C. Summer. February :t and s—tiisborne B.C. Summer. February S—C.J-C. Summer. February !t and 10 Taranaki J.C. Autumn. February 10 and 12 Poverty Bay T.C.. Summer. ACCEPTANCES. February 8 C..J.C. Sunnncr. February f. Taranaki J.C. Autumn. February 7 Poverty Bay T.C. Summer. February 10 Woodville J.C. Autumn. February ll—Uunediii J.C. Autumn. February 11 South Auckland R.C. Annu:.l. TROTTING FIXTURES. February !» Nelson T.C. Annual. February II Poverty Ray T.C. Annual. February 12 N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. Summer. ACCEPTANCES.February .'! Nelson T.C. Annual. February 7 Poverty Bay T.C. Annual. February X N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. Sum mer. TURF TOPICS. THIS MORNING'S TRACK WORK. A good number of horses are being ■worked at Riccarlon in view of next Saturday's meeting, but in the absence of outside competitors little interest is being taken in the morning tasks. Trainers had a variety of tracks :it their disposal this morning, those in use being the plough, tan, and trial grass, while two-year-olds were allowed to gallop down the straight for six furlongs. All the tracks are in nice order, but would be benefited by a heavy downpour. Nones (dray) was not fully extended in a serviceable task over live furlongs, on the tan, which she compassed nicely in lmin 2sec. (ireenstreet got over four furlongs on the tan in 50 t-ssec, while there was little to choose between Xanthos and Swale, who were ridden out to compass five furlongs in lmin 2 2-sscc. Nightwatch, who is improving fast, accounted for six furlongs on the tan in lmin 19 l-ssec, and Don Paciflco showed to rather more advantage than Gottd Mope over five furlongs on the course proper. Findhorn went attractively in his task, which consisted of seven furlongs on the tan run in lmin 3-1 2-sscc. With a light-weight in the saddle Handy skipped over six furlongs on the plough in lmin IDscc, and Snapdragon, with the assistance of Harlequin, got to the end of a mile on the plough in lmin 45sec. Snub, who has been having ;m easy lime since the Wellington Meeting, was restricted to a slow pace work on the tan. His stable companion Wardancer moved really well in a gallop over five furlongs on the course proper. St. Ewe was too good for Don Francisco at the business end of seven furlongs, run on the plough in lmin 3. r ).scc, while there was nothing to choose between Twelfth Night and Gnome in a gallop over six furlongs on the same track which occupied lmin 19 l-ssec. One of the most attractive gallops of the morning was that in which Down (Anderson), Marc Antony (W. Lowe) and Countess Tolstoi (Shore) were associated in over a mile on the plough. The trio finished in the order named, Down, who went the journey in lmin 44scc, finishing several lengths in front of, Marc Antony, with Countess Tolstoi a length further back. It was a high-class performance on the part of the Downshirc gelding and is sure to gain him friends for his immediate engagements. Bee, who has been allowed to take matters easy since returning from Trentham, was restricted to three-quarter pace on the plough.

Slogan, with the assistance of Bore and Fiery Cross at different parts of the journey, cast a mile behind in lmin ltisec, and Trevena covered the last four of five furlongs in 51 l-sscc. Kilkee and Kilboyuc were well matched in a' gallop over six furlongs on the the course proper, both showing to more advantage than Killena. Multoe and Dan Cameron were given serviceable tasks. After the breakfast interval Specialform, carrying a light weight, was extended over a mile and aquarter on the grass, the journey taking her 2min 1 tsec. Site was slopping at the finish and her effort was disappointing. Thestius dashed over half a mile, on the plough in 51 l-ssec, a task that Mellchikoff got through on the grass in 5(1 l-ssec. Kaminohe and Silent Way appeared to be well matched at the end of six furlongs run in lmin 17 3-ssec', while Malvolio, with a light-weight in the saddle, reeled olf half a mile on the plough in 49 l-ssec. Martuk's task extended over a mile on the plough, the last half taking 51 2-ssec, and Jeannol cast a mile behind in lmin 46 l-ssec. With the assistance of Reveller Nver the last part, Moddite (Gibbs) ran a mile on the grass in lmin 45 l-ssec, and Spangle sprinted over live furlongs on the same track in lmin 5 2-ssec. The fact of three prominent Canterbury stables being represented at the Egmont Racing Club's Meeting, which starts to-morrow, is investing the fixture with more than ordinary interest in local sporting circles. As Merry Roe was not accepted for on the second day at Takapuna it looks as if she is to be taken south for the Egmont Cup, in'which she heads the list at 9.0. Judging by her recent track work, the brilliant Aucklander would be more at home over a shorter journey. Welcome Nugget ran two fair races at Trentham, and though weighted up to his best form such a proved slayer is entitled to respect. Ever since the weights appeared Empcrador has been sorted out as the best treated horse in the race. Two years ago he won the Cup under 8.6, and on that occasion beat a much stronger field than is engaged in to-morrow's contest. In the interim most of his efforts have been made over short courses, but that is no reason why he should not be capable of seeing out a mile and a-half journey. Ineuru has little in the way of recent form to recommend her, while Byron seems to have gone sour on the business. In the Flying Handicap Bimctcr is by on means overweighted at 8.13, for he has a fine turn of speed and is a good weight carrier. Tree Lucerne and Glenroy arc brilliant, but even more favourable are Battle Eve's prospects, and he may be one of the top-weight's most worthy opponents. Nones has been engaged in the Wanganui Cup, and it will be interesting to sec how she shapes in good handicap company. A recent addition to the big team trained from Chokebore Lodge is Post Haste, a two-year-old full brother to Flying Start. He was broken in some lime ago, and then turned out for a spell. At the recent Trentham Meeting Tangihou was sore and could not raise a gallop. It was quite expected that the New Zealand Cup winner would be given a greatly needed spell, but as he has been engaged in the Wanganui Cup such is evidently not the case. The Otaki trainer, Frank Higgott, sustained a severe loss a few days ago when his homestead at Otaki

was totally destroyed by fire. Both Mr and Mrs Higgott were away from home at the time, being on a visit io the Foxton races. The Takapuna Jockey Club's Meeting will be brought to a conclusion I to-morrow, when another good afternoon's sport should be witnessed. Despite his rise in weight to 9.8, King Lupin is sure to be in the fighting line at the finish of the Jockey Club Handicap, but he will have a very worthy opponent in Mullingar, who should he suited by the shorter journey. In the Suburban Handicap Denise Orme is by no means overweighted in what looks like being a weak field. The Victorian-bred coll Three, who went near to winning the C.J.C. Stewards' Handicap last November, is likely to receive a special preparation for the Oakleigh Plate in Victoria, and bis New Zealand connections have made no secret of their belief that he is capable of carrying oil* the stake mentioned. The Auckland-bred horse Troublesome, which was purchased some time ago from Mr Alison by a Melbourne sportsman, recently won a hurdle race at one of the Melbourne suburban meetings. After a lengthy absence from the tracks the Mauritius stallion Seychelles is being got ready again for the Metropolitan Trotting Club's February Meeting. It is nearly 18 months since he last sported silk. The stallion Betel Nut has been in steady work at Canterbury Park for some time, and will make his reappearance at Addillgton in the Members' Handicap without the straps. J. Bryce has rcconunissioned Ad 7 miral Wood, but the son of Wildwood Junior has hardly done sufficient work to show his best form at the February Meeting. The entries received last evening for the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Summer Meeting are easily the best ever taken for that fixture.. Though the principal harness race is only endowed to the extent of £350, it has drawn a particularly high-class lot, which includes Admiral Wood, Jingle, Tommy C, Persuader, Adonis, Prince Berlin, Frandocia, and Wallace Wood. Very high-class fields figure in the mile saddle and mile harness events, while the Speedwell Handicap and Addington Handicap lack nothing either in numbers or quality. Altogether it looks as if the club is in for a record February Meeting. North Island stables have three prominent representatives engaged at the Metropolitan Trotting Club's February Meeting in Hal Zolock, Parole Bells, and Rawene. The injuries received by Our Thorpe when he fell at Forhury on Saturday were of such a serious nature as to prevent his being immediately sent back to Riccarton. His driver, A. Fleming, was more knocked about than at first supposed, and had to remain in bed for a day. Mr Brinkman's adjustments for the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's February Meeting arc due on Thursday, and acceptances will be received up till the Bth insl. Further enquiries into the bona fides of the pacer George Berlin will be made at to-morrow's meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Association. On the" conclusion of the Egmont Meeting C. Emerson, W. Bell, L. Wilson, and the brothers Reed journey south for the Canterbury Jockey Ciub's fixture. TEMPLAR.