TURF TOPICS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 858, 9 November 1916, Page 15

TURF TOPICS.

Tor the "off" day of the Racing! Carnival yesterday's attendance at j Riccarton was quite satisfactory.! Though the fields seen out in most of the events were not particularly large that had no ill effect on the sport, which was even belter than that witnessed on Cup or Derby days. The course was in great order for fast time making, and by winning the Canterbury Cup in 3min 53 3-ssec. The Toff got to within a fraction of the two mile and a-quarter record established by Signor in the same event eight years ago. There was a substantial increase in the tolalisator figures and :it present these show an increase of j £527 over last year's total. That the result of the Jockey Club Handicap was regarded as particularly open found evidence in the wide range taken by the betting. Most of the 10 competitors had j strong followings and though Tar- j ingamutu wound up actual favourite she was only in little more demand than Egypt, Multiplication, or Oxenhope. Egypt looked to have winning prospects when the field straightened up for the run home. By a tine effort the well handicapped Adjutant gradually overhauled the three-year-old, and, slaying on well under his light weight, scored a decisive win. Though beaten, the honours of the race rested with Egypt, and quite bore out his Derby running. Rewi Polo was putting in good work at the finish, but there was nothing very attractive about the displays of Rorke's Drift, Taringamutu, Fiery Cross, or Multiplication. Adjutant ran his best raco for some time, as he was lying a good way back in the early slases of the contest, and finished full of running. The biggest field of the day lined up at the harrier for the Randolph Handicap, the majority of whom came in for solid support. They were by no means a high-class lot, and from a racing standpoint the event gave rise to little interest. One of the outside division in Furling was lucky enough to get a good passage ail through, whereas several of the well fancied candidates suffered interference just after the start. Sticking to her task with Ihe utmost gameness Furling just managed to liead Ardmore as Ihe post was reached after a spirited finish. Kil- j joy put up her best race to date in getting third place, but Margerine, the favourite, faded out rather badly at Ihe business end. Though none of the eight fillies that went out to contest the Oaks Slakes were of outstanding merit they were a decidedly useful lot. Mr J. B. Reid's shapely Kilbroney filly Killena carried the confidence of hackers, and nothing in the field stripped in better trim. All through the first mile it was a pretty race. Then Devotion drew right away, landing into the straight well clear of Rose Pink and Ihe favourite. Striding along in great stvle the handsome daughter of x\ll Black and Culmination never gave the opposition a look in from this onward, eventually defeating Killena comfort ably by four lengths. The winner comes from an excellent family, on her dam's side, and she is sure to do Mr Bidwill still further good service. Killena is at present not overburdened with pace, but .she has stamina and courage. None of the others are likely to do much good except over short courses. Only half-a-dozen went out lo contest the Olaio Plate, two North Island representatives in Sedd-el-Bahr and Marco Bello carrying the bulk of the investments. With half the journey left behind Sedd-el-Bahr put in a fine run, which landed him into the home straight well clear of his field. Just when his victory was being acclaimed Marco Bello put in his claim. Responding with the utmost gameness the Hawke's Bay representative gradually wore the leader down, and, finishing the slraighter of the pair, gol the judge's verdiel by half a length. .San Sebastian was also putting in good work at the finish after being well back in Ihe early stages. At Riccarton yesterday the stewards held an inquiry into a complaint lodged by G. Clarke, rider of Bpnsign, against J. Olsen, rider of Ardmore, for alleged interference. After hearing considerable evidence the stewards came lo Ihe conclusion that there had been some interference, but there was nothing lo show who was responsible. According lo a cable message from Melbourne, Miss Pootbolt won the run off for Ihe Ascot Thousand by a length, in 1.10 !-.">. The Bezonian filly Struggle gol east in her box at Trenlham one day last week. She was exercised Ihe Following day and did not appear lo be any the worse i'<.v i(. Subsequently she look ill and died before the services of a veterinary surgeon co : ild be secured. This was "bad lurk for her owner, also her trainer, who had her in good fett'u-. She had been engaged al Ashhursi. Piobation (Down shire—Culmination) and Association (Elevation Blacl Scotiai recently joined 11. Telford's Trcntham stable. The lalter

was engaged in Ihe Feilding Stakes, but will not make the trip. Our Thorpe is at present suffering from a slight eold and will not fulfil either of his engagements at Addinglon to-morrow. The Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting will he brought to a conclusion at Addington to-morrow. Most of I lie cracks claim engagements in the Christchurch Handicap and Hornby Handicap, while particularly speedy iields figure in the two-mile races. "TEMPLAR."