TURF TOPICS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 868, 21 November 1916, Page 5

TURF TOPICS.

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. "Interested," Pa pa mi i.—-Sasanof drew No 3 position at the start of the Melbourne Cup. Two days after winning the Melbourne Cup Sasanof put in an appearance at Flemington, and went once round the tan, moving nicely. Evidently he was none the worse for his Cup race. With such a mixed lot to deal with as those engaged in the Hororata Cup, Mr Henrys had no choice but to make a substantial dilfercnce between the top and bottom weights in that event. Battle Eve and Recorder are not overburdened at !).? and 8.11 respectively, and both should run well. '

If caught in a generous mood Ogier would have a chance second to none, but unfortunately the Charlemagne gelding is just as unreliable as ever. One bump in a race seems to lake all the heart out of him. Peronilla's recent form has been so disappointing that she cannot he recommended, while Gallupin and Treadfire will be troubled by the distance. Amongst the light-weight division Thames and Bomb read well placed. It is stated that when Foley went out on Sasanof for the Melbourne Cup he had no instructions from the horse's owners or trainer as to what sort of a race he was to ride.

Mr C. 11. Piper will officiate as stipendiary steward at the Ashburton Trotting Club's Boxing Day meeting, and Mr T. H. Davey will be in attendance at Alexandra Park, Auckland. The Akaroa County Racing Club has decided to have the handicapping of the two trotting events at its annual meeting done by yards instead of seconds. In view of recent happenings the club's decision comes as something of a surprise, There has been a rather heavy defection in several of the events at the Forbury Park Trotting Club's Spring Meeting, more especially in the Progressive Handicap, President's Handicap, and Dominion Handicap. The falling out in the big harness event is rather hard to understand, for recent form was well followed out in the adjustments. One contributing factor, that is becoming more noticeable each meeting, is the number of horses engaged from the same stables. Frequently three or four stable ; ' s figure in the list, and as only one is usually paid up for the proportion of acceptors is seriously affected. Another cause is the large number of trolling meetings owners have to choose from al this particular lime of year. Following on three strenuous days at Addington, in close succession come meetings atOtahuhu, Forbury, New Brighton, Ashburton, Auckland, and Canterbury Park. This must have a prejudicial effect, no! only on the size of the fields, hut also on the success of (he various fixtures. Quite a number of trainers and owners are evidently so dissatisfied with (lie new system of shirting thai they are disinclined to patronise meetings .-it which it is in vogue, especially when (here are other fixtures al which no change has been

Local owners should not overlook the fact that entries for the New Brighton Trolling Club's Summer Meeting close al 8 o'clock to-morrow evening.

The annual meeting of Ihe AshurstPohangina Racing Club is set down for to-morrow. If Square Deal is back to his best form he should give a good account of himself in the Ashurst Cup, but Montana will have lo improve greatly on his Riccarton showings lo have much chance. Murray Hobbs has engaged accommodation for eight horses at ,1. Bae's establishment Ellerslie. According lo a Melbourne authority the lameness which was responsible for Kilboy's withdrawal from the Melbourne Cup turns out not to be as serious as was expected, and all going well he will be a runner in the Great Northern Derby run at Auckland on New Year's Day.

returning to Ellerslie Merry Roe was very sore as Ihe result of her Kiccarton exertions, and her trainer will have his work out out to gel her right by the lime the A.R.C. Meeting comes round. II is generally considered that hut for Ihe very rough passage he experienced in the Melbourne Cup, AVolaroi would have troubled Sasanof. This opinion was borne out by Wolaroi's brilliant victory in Ihe Linlithgow Slakes on the third day of the meeting. At Kllcrslic Arran, who ricked liimself a short time back, is again in easy work. This son of Marble Arch, who can lay claim to defeating Desert Gold, is a very delicate customer. Something in the nature of a breeding curiosity is reported from the Ascot Stud l-'arm. On October 2 Mr G. I). Greenwood's imported marc Adra foaled a dead colt, and then twelve days later, October 1 I, foaled a live colt, which is still living. Miss Deval is still suffering from the effects of the kick she received from Tctc-a-Tefc at Ihe post at Trenlham. Ae< ording to Auckland papers, Balboa was scratched for all engage•nents at the A.H.C. Summer Meeting some days ago. Mr G. Morse, the club's handicapper, was evidently not apprised of the withdrawal,

otherwise he would not have taken the trouble to handicap him. Housewife has not yet sufficiently recovered from the injuries she received at Wellington to resume work again, and the daughter of Kenilworth is hardly likely to fulfil her engagements at the Takapuna Jockey Club's Spring Meeting. The Otahuhti Trotting Club's meeting will be brought to a conclusion to-morrow. It is understood that several of the southern horses will again be seen out. "TEMPLAR."