TURF TOPICS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1787, 5 November 1919, Page 5

TURF TOPICS.

The rain that fell durtng the nightmade the tracks at Riccarton very heavy for training this morning, and no fast work was undertaken. The I sand, tan and inside No. 7 grass track I were open, the last-named for fast work ouly. I Gloaming was the first out, and, with i B. Deeley up, strode over a round of the grass in a good working gallop, pulling very hard all the way. Macduff strode round to the threefurlong post, and ran home from there in MS l-ssec. Miss Mimic's task was a good working gallop, with a brush down the straight. She appeared to revel in her work. Egmont Park finished several lengths in front of Bingham at the close of seven furlongs, ruu iu 1.40. Torfreda sprinted dowu the straight, going well. Volo, who has been on the easy lisg with a very badly bruised foot, was our, and did serviceable work. He may not start in the Cup. Maioha, who has also been amiss, was given a couple of rounds at barely halfpace, and, though he blew a lot, walked away soundly. Waimatao, who will be ridden by Deeley in the Stewards' Handicap,.was out, and did good work. He looks fresh and well. Gay Lad did a lot of trotting in the centre, being on the lead. Bon Spec was indulged in a similar task with W. Bush on him. Cerberus was given a nice working gallop over six furlongs, and moved along very well. Counterscarp was responsible for a round, the last five furlongs being done at three-quarter pace. Mustard Pot, Burrangong and Mantua did a lot of trotting in the centre, and they are all in good order. Acquittal moved resolutely in a brush over the last five furlongs of a round. Kilrush did serviceable work, and will strip one of the fittest horses in the Cup field on Saturday. He promises to be very hard to beat. Humbug just cantered round, while Silver Link did almost a round at a goad solid pace. ■ The North Island light-weights, A. MeCormack and Fred Cook, will ride Eleus and Bingham, respectively, in their Cup engagements. Rossini, with a companion, was given food, strong work, but he did not go indly, being inclined to hang out. Dribble, if started in the Riccarton Welter, will be ridden by C. Emerson. This morning he did a round of good, b( rong work, and shows improvement since coming to Riccarton. There will be racing at Riccarton and EMorslie on Saturday next. Some Boy continues to get through satisfactory tasks at Ellerslie, and is already being mentioned in connection with the Auckland Cup. As there is already a Some Boy in New Zealand, Hie Australian will in future race as Some Boy 11. B. Deeley has arrived at Riccarton. to do the riding for R. J. Mason's Btable at the C.f.C. meeting. He will probably have the mount on Vagabond iu the New Zealand Cup, and Waimatao in the Stewards' Handicap. Owners are given a final reminder that acceptances and final payments iu connection with the Canterbury Jockey Club's Metropolitan Meeting close at 8 p.m. to-day. The Australian-bred colt, Dunedin, has made many friends by the attractive nature of his track efforts since arriving at Ellerslie. He is a very free mover, and promises to race well at New Year time. An offer of 1000 guineas is reported to have been refused recently for Gasbag, the two-year-old son of Demosthenes and Lady C'elia. He is a stable com pnnion of the unbeaten colt. Humbug. Recently the Auckland sportsman, Mi J. H. Walters, had the misfortune to lose a very promising filly by Luenltus. When running in a paddock the juvenile got kicked, and. a broken leg resulting, she had to be destroyed. Delight put another excellent performance to her credit by defeating all but Capella in the November Nursery Handicap at Flemington yesterday. She will probably be racing at Ellerslie next month, ami her showings there should give a good idea as to the respective merits of Australian and New Zealand two-year-old form. It was mentioned a few days ago that Bnub was off colour, ami could be regarded as a doubtful starter in the Mel bourne Cup. Evidently the New Zealander must have made a speedy rehe put up one of his best performances, since arriving in Australia, by finishing sixth in the big twomile handicap. It seems probable that final payments for the New Zealand Cup will reduce the field to 14. Volo, Eleus, Lucid and

Bonnie Heather are unlikely to survive this evening's payment, while Sweet Tipperary can also be regarded as a doubtful competitor. According to a cable message from Melbourne, 12 of Mr W. R. KembaU's horses left for New Zealand yesterday. Snub claims further engagements at "the V.R.C. meeting, and his departure may not take place till next week.

Yesterday's contest for the Melbourne Cup provided the unusual spectacle of two three year-olds, in Artilleryman and Richmond Main fighting out the finish. The decisive manner in which Artilleryman defeated his rival should effectually settle tho question of supremacy as between them, though yesterday's form makes their showings iu the V.R.C. Derby hard to follow. In the latter race Richmond Main defeated the Comedy King colt with apparent ease, and was staying on so well at the business end as to suggest an extra halfmile being all in his favour. The Melbourne Cup marked the fifth occasion this season on which two colts have measured strides. Early in the season both were unplaced in the Rosehill Guineas, but Artilleryman put up the better showing. At Randwick they dead-heated for the A..J.C. Derby, but, on going to Melbourne, Artilleryman inflicted a severe defeat on his rival in the Caulfield Guineas, though on this occasion excuses could be found for Richmond Main in that he got seriously interfered with. On Saturday Mr Baron 's colt had his revenge by capturing the V.R.C. Derby, and, no doubt as a result of that showing, he would be elected favourite for the Melbourne Cup. Evidently both are really highclass three-year-olds, and their further efforts at Flemington this week in weight-forage contests will be followed with the keenest interest.

Excellent support has. been received by the Forbury Park Trotting Club for its spring meeting, and, as usual, Canterbury stables have contributed very freely. Amongst the best known of the performers are: Reta Peter, Albert Cling, Matchlight, Moneymaker, Colenut, Denn Dillon, Vice-Admiral, Sympathy, Trix Pointer and Don C;rsar. Mr Brinkman 's first-day handicaps are due on November IS. The Belfast mentor, K. Smith, expects to get away this evening for Auckland with Mykot, Peter Mac, Peter McMillan and Harold Devon. All of them are well forward in their performances, and a stake or two should come their way. Moneymaker, Succory and Proudspring" have arrived from Ashburton, and will complete their preparation at Addington. Pringle has his Cup horse in excellent racing trim, and expects him to put up the race of his career in the big event. A meeting of the newly-formed Methven Trotting Club was held in the A. and P. Association room on Monday evening, 24 members being present. Mr W. Buchan presided. The following officers were elected:—Patrons, Mr Thos. Dowling and Mr W. ,T. Dickie, M.P.; president, Mr W. Buchan; vicepresidents, Messrs T. S. Harrison, T. Aspell, J. Stewart, D. McKendry and ..T. F. Poff; committee, Messrs .Y. P. McKendry, D. McNamara, C. Ireland, C. Nordqvist, D. Neill, W. Carleton, J. Dowling, J. McAnulty, D. McKendry, jun., P. McNeill, W. Morgan, R. Henderson, Jos. McGirr, W. J. Owen; secretary, Mr J. F. Stone; treasurer, Mr H. Green. Subject to getting permission for the day, February 5 was fixed as the date for the first meeting. Messrs T. Dowling, W. Buchan and T. S. Harrison were appointed a committee to interview members of Parliament and candidates, to get their views with regard to increased totalisator permits for trotting clubs. It was decided that the committee of the club meet on Monday, November 17, to make arrangements for the programme for the races. Donations from the following v.err received in the room:—Mr T. A. Aspeil, silvei cup; Mr T. S. Harrison, £?>; Mr D. Neill, £5. The big track at Addington was quite unfit for work this morning, and a number of horses were given light tasks on the small course. Author Dillon was worked on his trainer's track this morning, and, if the going is satisfactory at Addington to-morrow, will be given a fast mile and a-half there. Very satisfactory acceptances have been received for first-day events at Jhe New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's spring meeting. Both in regard to size and quality, the fields promise exceptionally well. Oinako was the only New Zealand Trotting Cup candidate that failed to have the final payment made for him. This leaves 11 in the big race of the year. TEMPLAR.