TURF TOPICS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 964, 14 March 1917, Page 5

TURF TOPICS.

Canterbury spoilsmen will be asked to give their patronage to-morrow to the annual meeting of the Geraldine Racing Club. The southern fixture is always a popular one, but labours under a great disadvantage, so far as Christchurch sportsmen are concerned, in that they cannot get back home till the evening of the day following the meeting. Only for this drawback much more liberal support could be counted on. The fields for to-morrow's events are Well up to the average of former years, and there is every likelihood of high-class sport. Though seven stand their ground in the Waimatc Cup, there is a probability of the field being further reduced. Oxenhope has been set a racehorse's task, but it is the distance rather than the weight that is likely to find him wanting. In all his past essays the big Obligado gelding has shown a decided partiality to shorter journeys than ten furlongs, and on this ground he cannot be strongly recommended. John Barleycorn is particularly well just at present and is bound to run a good race even though weighted at 9.3. As with the top-weight the distance may trouble Daytime, who, owing to a slight accident, has not done a great deal of fast work lately. Marco Bello can hardly be at his best, otherwise his chance could not be overlooked. Ringform recently changed hands and may not be a starter, while Varnish's condition has to be taken on trust as he is trained privately. Should Jcannot be raced in this event instead of the Stewards' Welter he is assured of liberal support. He won the Peninsula Cup in most convincing style, and has improved to such an extent in the interim that even with a 101b penalty his chance looks really good. There are several speedy horses engaged in the Studholme Stakes of whom Sir Malt and Tantalus should command respect. The Trial Plate includes a number of highly-bred candidates of whom Tip Up and Donnata have the best public credentials. Many of those engaged in the Waitangi Hack Handicap claim other engagements, but with a start Arthur George and Kilkee may race prominently. With all her weight Samiscn is by no means out of the President's Handicap, and Marsa is not badly placed. In the Stewards Welter two such quick beginners as Yes and Ardmore are enfiiled to respect. Very big fields figure in bolh the trolling events, the residls of which .seem particularly open. Peter Mac, Palmdale and Mabel Wood are a trio likely to show improved form. The Riccarton-lraincd horses claiming engagements at the Waimatc Racing Club's meeting left for the south this morning. As they will not get back till Friday, it is a rather protracted journey for a one day's meeting. The little Martian mare Bee is very well just at present, and is striding out in her work with the greatest freedom. She claims engagement in both the C.J.C. Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps, also in the A.Pi.C. Easier Handicap. The Auckland weight adjuster has taken no liberty with her, and it is quite probable thai Bee will remain at Riccarton for the local fixture. It is reported by a Wellington writer that a northern sportsman recently tried to acquire Biplane; but the price asked quite exceeded his idea of the colt's value. An overnight cable message from Sydney mentions that Kilboy and Sasanof have been withdrawn from the Sydney Cup, in which they were weighted at 8.7 and 5.6 respectively. The well-known Riccarton mentor, I). Moraghan, has, it is understood, taken service with Mr F. Hall, of Gishorne. lie left for Hie north last evening, taking with him the best wishes of his many Riccarton friends. A sister lo Biplane was purchased by the Victorian sportsman, Mr J. N. Falkiner, at the recent Melbourne yearling sales at 47ogs. If the juvenile turns out as well as Mr Greenwood's crack two-year-old Mr .Falkincr will have no cause to regret his enterprise. There were only three starters in the Lake County Cup on Monday, but the finish between All Beady and Cannot was full of interest. The former, conceding his opponent 171b, and, well handled by L. G. King, who now holds a conditional license, got the belter in Hie final struggle, eventually winning by a neck. Tiie well-known horseman. Boy Berry, has disposed of his farm at Oamaru, and is reported lo be standing !>y with military service in view. The Finland mare Finless was in great form at the Lake County meeting on Monday, both the Arrow Hack and the Queenstown Hack Handicaps falling lo her. In neither race was she asked to do her best. Alter limning a had third in the Luke County Cup on Monday, Baritone came out later in the afternoon and easily accounted for Hie Slewards' Handicap, in which he was followed home by Wild Pilgrim and Obsonn. After the race the starter called the committee's attention to the fact that the rider of Baritone (Beale) crossed in front of Obsono. The committee investigated the matter, and, having the evidence of L. King, the rider of Obsono, that lie did not think the crossing was intentional, simply cautioned Beale. The work of rebuilding the slewiirds' stand at Addington has now )cen put in hand, but owing lo the difficulty of procuring certain necessary material there is no chance of its being completed before Hie August meeting. The local light-harness mentor, T. Fox, is reducing Ids team, and on Monday quilled Rothannic to J.

Wright. In his early essays the son of Rothschild gave a lot of promise, which he has failed to reproduce. There are some very unreasonable people in this world, particularly in Maoriland, opposed to the racing game, but the palm must he awarded to a Nelson resident. At a meeting of the Nelson Licensing Committee Mr T. Pettit moved: "That the Committee should invite the Government to consider the passing of legislation prohibiting race meetings in the Dominion for the duration of the war .... If food became needed it might be necessary to destroy every horse in the country." TEMPLAR. THE EMILIUS CASE. BACKERS CLAIM DIVIDENDS. A GILBERTIAN SITUATION. When the New Zealand Trotting Association came to its decision in the Emilius case whereby the disqualification of that horse for the Christchurch Handicap was removed, quite a number of ticket-holders on the Ashburton horse came to the conclusion that they were entitled to a dividend. During the past few days a number of these have held informal meetings, and they have decided to take concerted action against the club for the recovery of dividends on Emilius. Proceedings have been instituted, and it is understood that a representative of the ticket-holders has made a request to the club for the full amount of a totalisator dividend on Emilius, threatening legal proceedings if the request is not acceded to. The club's position in the matter is a remarkable one. It decided, on what was regarded as a question of fact (from which there is no appeal) that Emilius deliberately crossed Capriccio in the Christchurch Handicap. It disqualified Emilius for the race, and awarded the stake to Erin's King who finished second. Though there was no appeal, R. McDonnell, owner of Emilius, lodged an objection to the stake being paid over. Subsequently he brought his case before the New Zealand Trotling Association under rule 286, which says:—"The association may, whether there be an appeal or not, either approve of the decision of the stewards in whole or in part, or vary or reverse the same, and may increase or diminish any disqualification or fine thereby imposed." Under this rule the association reviewed the club's action and decided that McDonnell had been too severely dealt with. Eventually it was decided to remove the disqualification of Emilius and fine his ownerdriver £SO. Needless to say the stewards of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club take the reversal of their finding with anything but a good grace. They hold the opinion that they were the best judges of what punishment should have been meted out to McDonnell, and rumour has it that should the association's decision hold good several of them may resign as a protest. It is understood that further action to test the validity of the association's action may arise. The position as it at present stands is certainly a complex one. Emilius gets the stake he won.' but backers of Erin's King and Cappricio get the dividends. Further, if those who intend urging their claims for payment of Emilius tickets succeed, the club will have to pay out yet another first dividend on the race. Under the circumstances interesting developments may be expected.