TURF TOPICS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1309, 24 April 1918, Page 3

TURF TOPICS.

At Ricearton this morning the only item of interest was a schooling task over four hurdles by Art and Vascular. Seeing that he has not done any Jumping since last August, Art gave a very satisfactory display, and showed more pace «i the flat than his companion. Banian and Dylans arc t« be schooled tomorrow morning. Since his return from the Timaru Meeting Gay Lad has quite, thrown off his soreness, and should be capable of giving a good account of himself at Ashburton next mouth. Rorke's Drift is none the worse for his exertions at Timaru, and is being kept up to the collar in view of the Duuedin Winter Meeting.

After a lengthy spell Highwatcr has been recommissionrd again. At present the daughter of Martian is bdng hacked about at lnvercargill prior to being got ready for spring engagements. . At lnvercargill P. Hogan is still working Golden King and Wild Pilgrim, with a view to the Oamaru and Dunedin Winter Meetings. Golden Queen, who siiowed signs of soreness across the kidneys, is still enjoying a spell. According to a southern authority, A. McMullan, who has been attached to Hogan's stable since early in the year, has returned to Biccarton, where he resumes his retained engagement. According to reports, McMullan was loath to leave Hogan's stable, which he considers is at the present time sheltering some of the best 'chasers in the South Island.

The Invercarglll-trained 'chaser Giralda j was tried out over the Southland R.C.'s country one day last week, witli J. Weir in the saddle, and the son of Canrobert and Minaret completed the course without putting a foot wrong. The only horse R. Reay has in work at present is Ridens, who is being got ready for the Forbury Park Meeting. Since returning home from the Manawatu Meeting, J. Messervey has been busy with a good-sized team that he is getting ready for the New Brighton and Canterbury Park Meetings. His charges include lx>rd Dillon, Miss Havoc, Jessie Dillon, Proud Elsie, and Goodchild. The Auckland mentor W. G. Abbott contemplates a trip to Australia with his pacers Tim Dooian, Strategy, and Brown's Nugget. A recent addition to M. Edwards's big team at New Brighton is the West Coast trotting mare Miss Rye. Though the American-bred Young Star Pointer failed badly in a slow class race at the recent Mcthren Meeting, he has been engaged in a flvc-mlnutc class saddle race i at Forbury Park.

Acceptances for the New Brighton Trotting Club's Meeting fall due on the 30th lust.

The death is announced of two wellknown trotting brood mares in Black Angel and Wild Lou. The well-known Wanganui horseman, W. Price, is seriously ill at present, and was unable to fulfil his riding engagements at the Manawatu Meeting last week. The name of Hyades has been claimed for the full sister to Hymestrn and Torfreda. She is at present being handled by J. Jamieson at Opakl. The Trentham mentor, 3. Lowe, will be represented at the Hawke's Bay Meeting by Menelaus, Coalition, and Seadown. The first-named is in the best of health, and is expected to give a good account of himself in the Hawke's Bay Cup.

Bonnie Maid is a certain starter in the Hawke's Bay Cup, in which she will be ridden by A. J. McFiinn, who was associated with the. Honiforra filly's recent successes at Ellcrslic and Awapuni. On his return to Gisborne from Auckland, Gazique was kept going in view of his engagement in the Hawke's Bay Cup. Though he has not shown winning form over a mile and a-half journey, the gelding's trainer is confident that on a dry track the distance will not be beyond his capabilities. The two English fillies in H. Telford's stable, says a Wdiington writer, have been ridden and have created a favourable impression. Bald Coot, the dam of the Braxted youngster, is similarly bred to Spearmint, by Fowling Piece, son of Carbine, from a daughter of Minting.

Handicaps for the Ashburton Racing Club's Autumn Meeting are due to-morrow. TEMPLAR.