TURF TALES AND TOPICS

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1935, Page 10

TURF TALES AND TOPICS

Brilliant Nightly. As the result of his excellent performance in the Craven Plate at Riccarton recently, Nightly’s success in the Hazlett classic mile at Dunedin last week was confidently anticipated. In winning decisively, Nightly never gave his big army of supporters much cause for anxiety, and it was obvious that none of the opposition was up' to his class. The time recorded by Nightly was slow, but fast times are very rare over a mile at Wingatui. Considering his wind affliction, Nightly finished full of running, and his performance made it obvious that he still retains his brilliancy. Had Silver Ring taken his place in the field, it is'probable that race-goerS would have been treated to one Of the best races witnessed down south for several seasons. As it was, even the Dunedin Cup and Dunedin Guineas winner, Tauramai, was not capable of making a race of it with Nightly. If he stays in New Zealand, Nightly appears to have excellent prospects for .the important Easter racing events, either at Riccarton or Ellerslie. Looks Like Good Horse. Colombo, who recently scored an attractive initial win in the Trial Stakes at Riccarton, is a Paper Money three-year-old gelding, and races in the colours of Mr. P. F. Campbell, who races Davolo and who formerly owned Compris. Colombo is a solid galloper with plenty of courage, and is expected to gain further success before winter comes.

Greek Gold Again. A probable competitor among the open company sprinters at Te Aroha this week will be Greek Gold, who recently made his reappearance at the Takapuna fixture at Ellerslie. At Takapuna, Grdek Gold showed sufficient form to suggest that he Would make an improved showing at his next appearance. Greek Gold is a wellknown “mud-lark,” but he can also muster up a lot of speed on hard going. The Lucullus gelding is reported to be in good racing trim. A hurdler who is expected to make Ills presence felt at early engagements is the northerner, Emancipation, who w'as lately produced at Rotorua, after having competed at the Taranaki holiday circuit. Emancipation now looks to be in much better racing condition that was the Case When he appeared at New Plymouth and Stratford. Being a reliable jumper, and a solid stayer with above average pace on the flat, Emancipation has all the

credentials which go to make a good class hurdler. Good in the Mood.

Although his record shows him to be anything but reliable, on his day King Ford takes beating, providing that he is allowed to stride along in front all the way. At Rotorua recently King Ford ran probably the best races he has so far produced, and a repetition of those performances may see him prominent in northern open sprints. King Ford appears to be best suited by a track which is slightly holding.

Breaks Down Badly. ! Owing to his having broken ddwn rather badly, there appears a possibility. that King’s Knave may not be seen Wifi' W| the colours up again. Although he faile? to show his best form in his outings thi season, King’s Knave had proved himsel to be one of the most genuine middledistance performers racing in the North. After giving him a slight let-up following the Ellerslie holiday racing, trainer W. Stone now has Solarium in active work once again. Earlier in the season Solarium carried all before him in the Mitchelscn and Avondale Cups, and the Limond gelding Is expected to be in good form by the time that the Ellerslie Easter carnival comes round. Likely Souther* Colt.

Southerners have a high opinion of the Iliad colt Greek Shepherd, who ran second to Emissary in the Middle Fork v Plate at Riccarton. Greek Shepherd has < been carefully nursed and has not done much racing. He gives the impression of having more stamina than the majority of the youngsters at present, racing in the South Island. He is owned by Mr. E. Hay, who purchased the colt for 300 guineas at the 1934 National Opunake Opinions. Although the nominations * wer* M large, it is pleasing to note that sat®* factory acceptances have been accorded the Opunake Racing Club’s annual meeting carded for next Wednesday.'