TURF TOPICS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2030, 17 August 1920, Page 5

TURF TOPICS.

From every standpoint, the recentlyconcluded meeting at Addington can take rank as quite the most successful winter gathering held under the auspices of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club. Despite the unfavourable weather, which necessitated two postponements, the attendances on each day were of record proportions, and bore fitting testimony to increased popularity light-harness racing is gaining with all classes of sportsmen. It is quite safe to assert that there were thousands iu attendance at Addington, especially on the first and second days, who were strangers to the sport, and it is equally certain that they will take away with them favourable impressions of its conduct, Unfortunately, on no day was the track fast enough' to allow horses to reproduce their best form, nor were any enabled to earn qualifications for NewZealand Trotting Cup honours. Even so, the sport was of a particularly high standard all through, reflecting every credit on the handicapper's work. Quite the outstanding feature of the racing was Author Dillon's brilliant exhibitions on each day. Never has the champion showed to quite such advantage, even though the going was not to his liking, and he only needs to retain his form till next November to make his presence felt iu the big. harness event of the year. The stipendiary stewards had a fairly busy time, but nothing _ of a serious nature was dealt with. In all details, the management was of the high standard always associated with gatherings at Addington, and,all associated with its conduct can be congratulated on the outcome of their efforts. Despite his poor showing on the opening dav. Merry Bingen was entrusted with the confidence of backers for the Midwinter Handicap. Taking charge v.t the end of half a mile, the Oamarutrained gelding went a fine race, never giving the opposition a look in. For a voting trotter, his display was full of promise, and augurs well for his prospects during the remainder of the season. With A. Butterfield in the saddle. Succorv went his best race for a long time. His rider had a good hold on him all through the first mile, and he went the full journey without a bad mistake. Sally Dillon, the second favourite, was never prominent, while Lady Linwood and Maraina Girl put themselves out of court in the first furlong.

All the 17 acceptors went to the post | for the Lightning Handicap, ami most) of them came in for strong support. After .lovful had taken a turn at pacemaking, Mattv's Roy appeared to have his measure at the top turn. There Koike's Drift came along with a fine pffort. ami, outstaying Matty's P.oy a in"! Joyful, won nicely by nearly two li-ii -iths. The winner, handicapped at '.'.!.-.. took 2.151-" to complete the journey, which gives a fair indication i>f the state of the track. Xavier, the actual favourite; and Retreat. were never prominent, while Mintson and Strategy failed to strike a gait. Rorke's Drift was ridden a nice race by E. Red mond. and his supporters got a doublefigure dividend. Quite the must interesting event of the meeting was the National Cup, though it only attracted a field of eight. Author Dillon looked all the better for his earlier racing, nud has never been in belter trim. Emiiius, Sherwood and Monevmaker also stripped well, but, Trix Pointer was not nearly wound up. When a mile had been left behind, it looked as if Albert Cling would lie capable of keeping the rest in cheek, so comfortably was lie pacing along in front. When well into the concluding circuit. The leader commenced to shorten his stride, and a little further on Emiiius had his measure. When they rounded up for the run home, Author Dillon was only a length behind Emiiius. and a battle royal to the post resulted. Both horses responded very gamely under pressure, and it was only in the last few that Author Dillon got his head in front. Needless to say, the winner's great performance met with a hearty reception. He was driven a particularly well-judged race, Jarden nursing him for a final run with fine judgment. Emiiius went another scdid race, and it is unfortunate that such an improved horse is still ineligible for a nomination in the New Zealand Trotting Cup. Albert fling's form is hard to account for, as lie looked well, and had everything in his favour. General Link Mid not impress by his display,) while Rangitata Lass could uot go the pace from the start. The Federal Handicap was a good betting race, ami was fraught with more than average interest. Greta paced so solidly all through the first mile that it looked unlikely that she would be overhauled. Three furlongs from home. Legacy and All Bell simply raced over their field, and turned into the straight almost on terms. Staying on the better of the pair, Legacy scored a meritorious win by three lengths. Though beaten, the honours of the race rested with All Bell. When going in great style at the end of three furlongs, he was stopped by The Whip and lost several seconds, onlv for which he could hardly have lost. 'The Whip ran a patchy race, while Peter Mae, after getting badly away, paced really well for a mile. Followers of the Oakhampton sfnl.le vent strongly for Charms in the lleatheote Handicap, but she broke up just after the start, taking practically no part in the race. Doraldina was another that gave her supporters a very poor run. She looked on the light side, and would not strike a gait from the s : :nt. Getting to business very smartly. Onvx and Logan wood were well out in front all through the first circuit. A little further on, Loganwood gave place to I'eSer King, but, though the latter lini-hed gamely, lie was still two lengths to the bad when the post was reached. Onyx is a shapely filly by Logan Pointer from thai speedy mare. Cameos. Sio- is trained by .1. Messcrvey at New Brighton, and shows more than an average turn of speed, though whether she will star is doubtful, (run de Oro Jun. an I Cainmic both ran fair races. The two back-markers in tho Artdington Handicap were so slow in getting under way as to make their tasks doubly hard. Marietta showed a bold front till within two furlongs of the post, where Bluewood and Electrocute Lad her measure. A very bad break

by the latter made matters easy for Blucwood, who scored a lucky win. Quito the feature of the contest was Rota Peter's great run over the last half-mile. At this stage her chance looked hopeless, but, sticking to her task much better than the others, she headed everything but Bluowood in the run to the post. It was a great effort —one well deserving of better reward. Whispering Willie was also finishing on well, after going unsteadily in the early stages, while Theseus was inclined to mix his gait at even' corner.

Probably from the fact ' that A. Fleming's stable had not so far turned out a winner, its representative, Partner, was installed favourite for the Islington Handicap, in an excellent betting race. Irvar showed a bold front till his sulky collapsed, and then Paul Dufault, Partner and Silver Nut took up the argument. When the last-named headed Partner, three furlongs from home, it looked as it' he would prevail. Then Sympathy and Asturio joined in, and, though the latter was run to the outside of the course at the home turn, lie got to within a head of Sympathy as the post was reached. Sympathy put up a very game race, and well deserved her win. Like Asturio, she made her task hard by losing her place in the early stages. After showing a fine turn of speed, Silver Nut was tiring over the last furlong, while Partner appeared to cover a lot of superfluous ground. After his great exhibition under difficulties in the Federal Handicap, it looked good business to support All Bell for the concluding event of the day. He ran a fair race, but, after being in front for most of the journey, had nothing in reserve when tackled by Chid and Albert Cling a furlong from the post. Doubtless his earlier exertions had taken a good deal of steel out of tiie Gold Bell gelding. Staying on in greatly improved style. Chid, who was less fancied than his stable-mate, Maoriland, scored in very decisive style, and put up one of the speediest efforts of the meeting by covering the 12 furlongs in "min 51 2-osee. Albert Cling ran a very solid race, but his form all through the meeting suggested that he is still somewhat deficient in stamina.

The Timnru sportsmen Messrs 11. Akcr and D. Rodgera have purchased the pacing stallion John Dillon, who will in future be trained by F. E. Jones. On his return home, Crib is to be treated-to a lengthy spell, and may not sport silk again till next autumn.

A big batch of North Island horses which competed at the Grand National Meeting returned home last evening. Amongst them were Dainty Step, Onnesby, Sir Fanciful, Diavolo, Bill, Fisher, Siguysiau, Ladogeur, All Talk, Coalition, Astinome and Falstaff. Two prominent cross-country horsemen, 11. Lorigan ami Rang! Thompson, announce their intention of retiring from race riding, in favour of the less exciting calling of farming. A few days ago the Antagonist geldinff. Checkmate, was sold by Sir Geo. Clifford to the Southland sportsman, Mr W. Stone. TEMPLAR.