TURF TOPICS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1628, 3 May 1919, Page 13

TURF TOPICS.

The weather was again beautifully Hue at Riccarton this morning, but the amount of fast work done was by no means great. ' The plough and tan tracks ■were open, the plough only being availed of by trainers for fast work. Jcannot and St. Clctus were the first pair to be stripped, and they ran six furlongs, doing their best, and finishing together. Sisyphus followed with a useful working* gallop over the same distance. Paremata, after cantering once round, sprinted three furlongs in 41 l-ssec, but was doing is easily. Tunic ran half a mile in 52 2-ssec.

Sir x-anciful was a shade better than Immense, who was on the outside, at the end of a six-furlong sprint in 1.19. Both are engaged at the South Canterbury meeting. Braid sprinted half a mile attractively. She looks better now than for some time past. Jingo went four furlongs in 51 l-ssec. Wardancer, with a light boy up, was Bent nine furlongs, which he covered in 3.58. Wrestler showed a lot of pace by casting half a mile behind in 48 l-ssee, doing his best. Moorabbe ran nearly five furlongs, the last four in 50 4-ssec. Hands Off and a companion got to the end of four furlongs in 50 l-ssec. Vascular was given a working gallop over nine furlongs, the last seven taking 1.35 3-5. Afterglow gave B. Decley his third win in the New Zealand St. Legcr, his previous successes having been attained on Balboa and Kilboy. Author Dillon has been turned out for e spell, and may not sport silk again till August. Ringleader, who is now an inmate of B. Jarden's stable, is to be fired and turned out for a lengthy spell. The Wellington sportsman who races as Mr Lance AVood has leased Sonnino for his racing career. According to a northern authority, Almoner changed hands recently, his new owner being Mr W. G. Stead. Sporting journalists throughout the Dominion will sympathise with Mr "Jim" Farquhar in his recent accident, which is reported to be of a rather serious nature. Judging by his opening display, Cynic looks like proving useful as a hurdler, and with the ground soft and a fairly long journey, may make amends for past failures on the flat. Private information received in Auckland states that Hoprig was only beaten by a head in a race at Melbourne last Saturday, when backed for a big stake. J. O'Shea had the mount on Hoprig. Bitholia, who was purchased at auction at Feilding recently by Mr B. Goldwater, Auckland, is a two-year-old gelding by Demosthenes, from the Goldreef mare Rangiao. Bitholia has not, so far, succeeded in losing her maiden status, but he is regarded in promising light.

With Gloaming, claiming an engagement in the Fifteenth Manawatu Stakes there was some interest as to how Mr G. D. Greenwood would accept the position, in view of the resolution of the Manawatu stewards in connection with the Biplane incident last year, says an Auckland writer. Mr Greenwood adopted the only course expected from a sportsman of his standing, and allowed Gloaming to drop out, saving an unpleasant situation. It is something of a coincidence that for the past three years the Hack Hurdles and the Chevalier Steeplechase Handicap at tho Avondale autumn meeting have been won by the same horseman. In 1917 T. Scott scored on Yankee Doodle and Ranza Mist; in 1918 TP. Tutchen was successful on Thrace and Golden Glow; and on Saturday J. Hoaeh won on Monopole and Tirau. Word is to hand from Auckland that Tirau way be taken south to Dunedin to contest the steeplechase events at the June meeting at Wingatui. He scored a very easy win at Avondale on Saturday, and started one of the warmest selections ever made in the Dominion for a crosscountry jumping event of the value of £250.

H. Eames, a prominent Melbourne jockey, died at the Exhibition Hospital recently from influenza. He was admitted to the institution on April 8. Eames won the Grand National Hurdle Race last July on Narahquong. An Auckland writer is responsible for the announcement that A. Hall, who was disqualified for five years by the Manawatu Club in connection with the running of Ibex a year ago, has had another four years and uine months added to his disqualification by the Wanganui District Committee.

After his display at New Brighton on Thursday Peter Mac is not likely to be further persevered with by trainer A. Fleming. Very satisfactory acceptances have been received for the opening day events at the Forbury Park Trotting Club's meeting. Only live fell out of the big harness event, and as there will now be a limit of only CO yards the field should be well together' all through. The pacer Golden Peter is in steady work under his owner's supervision. He is being got ready for the Forbury Park meeting, at which he will be handled by A. Buttertield.

Willie Lincoln was slightly sore after his exertions at Addington, and will not be taken to the Forbury meeting. After her great showing in the Pearcc Handicap at New Brighton on Thursday, Intolerance is bound to start at a short price for the Railway Handicap on the opening day of the Forbury Park meeting.

"Whalebone," of the. "Auckland Star,'.' says:—One of the strongest opponents of the yards system of starting is the Christchurch trainer B. Jarden. At the recent Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting Jarden was lined £lO for starting before his bell, and a few such incidents may cause him to change his mind. TEMPLAR.