TURF TOPICS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2125, 6 December 1920, Page 5

TURF TOPICS.

Clean Sweep and Some Kid are being Spelled, but will soon be taken in hand again. Mr W-. R. Kemball s team for the Auckland meeting is a particularly strong one, and will comprise Hymestra, Trespass, Vasilkov, Bonetter, Raceful, Dunedin, Weldone, Lord Nagar and Miss Cold. ' .„. . Nobleman ran a fair race at Feildmg, «mi pulled up so well as to suggest that he may pick up a stake at the holiday meetings. Trout ham stables will be strongly represented at" the Woodville meeting, which takes place on Wednesday and Thursday. J. McLaughlin's team will comprise Prince Ferouz, Backsheesh and Edendale; A. Goodman takes Rose Pink, S;.gacitv, and Trentham Rose; and A. Godfrey takes Lord Usk and Prince Hal. Those Canterbury owners who intend patronising the Southland Racing Club's Summer Meeting, to be held on January 8 and 4 should bear in mind that entries close this evening. After a fairly heavy season's racing, the three year-old Royal Mac has been turned out for a spell. His latest efforts suggested that he was going off, and a few weeks off the tracks should do him a lot. of good. A fire at Woodville recently destroyed five of the club's loose-boxes. Trainers are experiencing some difficulty in eeeurini; accommodation for their charges at the coming meeting. Old Gold was schooled over hurdles at Woodville on Thursday, and gave a good exhibition of jumping. It is the intention of his owner. Mr R. A. McKenzie, to race him in the Hack nurdles at the Woodville meeting, and the Hymettus gelding will be ridden by J. R. Kaan. After racing at the Feilding meeting, Blackhead, Sandy McDonald, and Martial Dawn were taken to Woodville, where they will be raced this week. As their owner will be in Auckland %t Christmas it is probable that the team will be racing at Ellerslie. The high-priced Martian —Secret Link filly is now commencing to show a bit of "form at Trcntham, and if she goes on the right way it is her owner's intention to race her at the Wairarapa meet-1 ing at the New Tear. Matatua has had a change of stables recently, and is no longer at Trentham. The Birkenhead gelding is being trained by his owner at Opaki, where he will be tried over hurdles when the tracks become softer. According to a report in circulation In London, S. Donoghue, who rode Bracket to victory in the Cesarewitch In October, was rewarded with a present ""considerably bigger than the annual salary of the Prime Minister." >- The Melbourne "Age" states that it is understood that an extension of his jockey's license has been granted by the V.R.C. to L. H. Hewitt up till January 31. Hewitt intends riding for -Jr. Scobie at the Perth Cup meeting. The New Zealand-bred Nystad fin-

ished among the unplaced division in the principal event at Perth last month. His running was challenged, the owner being exonerated, but the rider was suspended for 12 months. The American champion galloper, Man-o'-War, has a thorough English pedigree. He is by Pair Play, whose dam is a daughter of Bend Or, from Mahubah, by Rock Sand, from Merry Token, by Merry Hampton. The usual monthly meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Association will be held on December 16. Owners are given a final reminder that entries for the Ashburton,. Trotting Club's Summer Meeting close with Mr A. A. Fooks at 5 p.m. to-day. The Greymouth Trotting Club receives entries for its summer meeting up till to-morrow. Racing was concluded at Forbury Park ou Saturday, in fine weather, with ia fast track. 1 Calmness carried the confidence of backers in the Advance Handicap. She tangled at the start, and never threat-, ened danger. Winning honours went to May Tracey, a very promising three-year-old,- daughter of Captain Tracey and Lady Harold 11., who paced a solid race all through. Ben Ohau went unsteadily, but showed so much pace as to suggest that a race will come iis way before long. Anquilla was amongst those that went out for the Advance Handicap, but she got rid of her driver, and broke her sulky. The Suburban Handicap produced a rather disappointing contest. For half a mile, Rialto showed a bold front, and then gave way to Micky Marr. After disposing of Flower Bell, the New Brighton-trained gelding won, with a good deal in reserve. There was very spirited betting on the Forbury Cup, Jack Arrah being installed a staunch favourite. Vilo made ' the early running, and carried it on till within two furlongs from home. There she faltered, giving place to Jack Arrah, with Royal Step and Whispering Willie putting in good work. Drawing away in the last hundred yards, Whispering Willie won a fine race, while Royal Step went right up to his best form. Jack Arrah had every chance, but failed to stay on, while Asturio spoilt his chance by several Only Thixendale and The Rook were seriously considered for the Tainui Handicap, and they justified expectations by having the finish to themselves. Both put up the races of their careers, but Thixendale always had the measure of his Canterbury-trained rival. The winner was ridden a nice race by A. Pringle, and is bound to show to further advantage. Of the others, Cross Battery did best, but she is not"a generous pacer. Pringle had yet another winning turn, with Pieter Timmerman, in the Victoria Handicap. Taking charge early, the Riccarton-trained gelding was not afterwards troubled, winning in the smart time of 4.49 1-5. He was easily the most-improved trotter seen out- at the meeting. Several of the competitors in the Empire Handicap failed to go off to their bells. Biddy Tracey got such a big break in the early stageß as to make her chance look good, but over the last furlong Madeline wore her down, winning a great race by a neck. Sir Henry had his chance spoilt at the start, while Coil, after commencing smartly, never looked to have winning prospects. - Marie Tempest and Hickorywood had a decided call in the betting for the Recovery Handicap, the pool being one of the best of the meeting. Starting smartly, Hickorywood was in front for three parts of the -journey, where he was joined by Marie Tempest. From this out the result was never in doubt, Jarden's representative scoring by three lengths from Bellfashion. The In iter, by a late effort, just cut Hickorywood out of second money on the post. After a long run of bad luck, A. Fleming is again to the fore as a producer of winners. At Otahuhu he secured three events through the agency of Wonderland and Woodvale, while, at Forbury Park, Pieter Timmerman landed a double. According to a cablegram from London, it is reported that the Prince of Wales will ride Kinlark at the grand military meeting at Sandown in March, 1921. TEMPLAR. "Forewarned is forearmed." Your best weapon against a bad cold is "NAZOL." -It will quickly and easily rout the enemy. Sold everywhere. 1/6 a bottle. ' A