Topics of the Turf

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20282, 17 April 1934, Page 12

Topics of the Turf

C J /VOTES AND NEWS FROMJVERYWHERE

ACCEPTANCES for the AmberTey Racing Club's meeting close at 8 p.m. on Friday at the C.J.C. offices. * * * * Nominations for the Great Northern Hurdle Race and Steeplechase. Cornwall, York and King George Handicaps and Winter Steeplechase, to be run at the Auckland winter meeting on June 2, 4 and 6, close at 5 p.m. on Friday. # * * * Nominations for the Soi’thlard winter meeting on May 11 and 12 close at 5 p.m. on Friday. * * * * Jockeys’ tickets for the South Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting on Saturday may be obtained from Mr P. D. M’Nab at Riccarton. SHOULD r,Q WELL. On Oamaru form, Violenta should give a good account of herself m the Trial Plate at Waimate on Thursday. This two-year-old is trained by her owner, J. Henderson, at Oamaru. She is a bay filly by Tea Tray from I.ady i Violet, by Boniform from Vicereine, by Birkenhead from Roie, by St Lever or •; Captivator from Hippona, by Robinson Crusoe from Lamorna, by Pirevoik.s. She was bred at Elderslie. In the five furlong Trial Stakes on the first day, she was third to Red Dance and Brian Boru. On the second day in the six furlong Novice Stakes, Viole-.ta 'ost a - couple of lengths at barrier rise. She showed great pace to lun into tnird place at the end of a quarter of a mile. Air Pocket obtained a remarkable run through on the rails at the home turn and up the straight. This enabled Air Pocket to win by a length and a half from Violenta. GOLDEN MILLER. Golden Miller preceded his Grand National triumph by a Proliant win in the # Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeplechase on March 6. This race, which i> run pver three miles and three Furlongs, carries in addition to its £IOOO stake a challenge cup valued at £IOO. Golden Miller won by six lengths from Avenger, with Kellsboro’ Jack third. Miss Dorothy Paget owns Golden Miller. Avenger is the property of Mrs Mundy and Kellsboro’ Jack belongs to Mrs F. Ambrose Clark, so that lady owners swept the board. This was the third consecutive victory of Golden Miller with the Grand National ahead of him. The London correspondent of the “ Star ” states that this Gold Cup victory of Golden Miller was received with enthusiasm, even the bookmakers cheering the success of the favourite. THROWN OFF SORENESS. Gay Sheila appears to have thrown off the soreness which has affected her since the Ellerslie meeting, and she should soon be ready to sport silk again. This filly will not have .many opportunities before the close of die season, but ft is only a question cf her keeping right to again be found on the winning list. Up to the present she has not been easy to train and has developed temporary soreness at inconvenient times, but hopes are entertained that her present preparation will be uninterrupted. PROMISING COLT. Among the yearlings undergoing tuition at Hawera at present is Golden Promise, who is in the care of O. Cox. This Limond—Lady Bentinck colt is, as his name implies, full of rich hopes. Although offered for sale at the Trentham sales it would have taken a tempting offer to induce his owner (Mr G. F. Moore) to dispose of him. He is a commanding-looking youngster and even at this stage arrests immediate attention. Lady Bentinck, his dam, a sister to Lady Cavendish (dam of Golden Hair), who was a splendidlyproportioned and beautifully-disposi-tioned mare, has already produced fast gallopers in Belvoir, Topthorn and Etiquette, and was a good performer herself. Golden Promise gives distinct promise of turning out a real racehorse, and his progress will be keenly watched. HURDLER DOING WELL.

Since his success in the Brighton Hurdles last month Thespis has not been overtaxed, but J. Burgess has the brown gelding looking very bright and healthy. This horse is likely to be a tough proposition in hurdle races during the v/inter season, despite the fact that he is sure to be meeting stronger and better seasoned fields than he encountered at Ellerslie. Thespis may be given a race at one of the smaller meetings before the Great Northern fixture takes place—probably at the Te Kuiti meeting, to be held at Te Rapa next month. It is over six weeks before the big hurdle contest will be decided at Ellerslie, and with a race in the interim Thespis should be at the top of his form for that event. COPEY’S INJURY. Copey received a knock on one of his legs at Hawera recently, and as it has filled slightly he may not meet his engagement at Marton on Saturday. J. Fryer will take Oriel, Ruri, Chief Line and Gibraltar to Marton, with the addition of Copey if he is all right in time. * # * * In connection with the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting next Saturday, the Railway Department will run a special passenger train, leaving Christchurch at 7.30 a.m. It will stop at intermediate stations and is due to arrive at Timaru at 11.10 a.m. The 8.35 a.m. Christchurch-Invercargill express will also stop to set down racegoers if required. A return train leaves Timaru at 5.54 pin. and is due to arrive at Christchurch at 9.29 p.m.

Mr V. Riddiford left Wellington by the Rangitane on Saturday on a trip to England. WIN FOR SMITH BROS. Colenso, on whom A. E. Ellis won at Canterbury Park (New South Wales) on Saturday, belongs to Messrs Smith brothers, owners of Peter Jackson. This was his maiden win. He is a.three- ' ear-old gelding by Grand Knight from A vena. OFF TO AUSTRALIA. The Te Rapa trainer, A. P. Brady, will leave for Sydney with Royal \ isitor and Teak by the Wanganella on April 27. Teak is a rising two-year-old by Tea Tray from Kilcalm, and cost Mr C. Dawson 100 guineas at the last Trentham sales. WIN NAG AN WELL. Winnagan, that consistent Birkdale Blue Cross jumper belonging to Mr G. R. Grace, of YVaitvi, Inglewood, has been in work since the New Year (says the “Taranaki Herald'"), and in spite of the lack >of recent racing, will be found as fit as anything in the Marton Steeplechase, in which he is nicely handicapped with 9.9. Winnagan rose to winning in open company in the spring of this season, but unfortunately he lacks the stamina to be considered for the major steeplechases, though he should be a payable proposition in the smaller events. MANY THIRDS. Speedmint is being sent along in her work and she is showing some dash. This mare had an easy time fir a month following the Te Aroha meeting, and with the approach of the winter meetings she will have tracks to her liking, and she should again be found annexing a handicap before the season closes. Although a winner of three handicaps this season, her record is conspicuous for her number of third placings in big handicap events. She occupied this position, in the Auckland Cup. Summer Cup, Mitchelson Cup, Waikato Cup, Goldfields Cup and Pukekohe Cup. MARTON’S IMPROVED OUTLOOK At a meeting of the committee of the Marton Jockey Club last w T eek the chairman, Mr H. M’Manaway, stated that the financial position of the club had improved considerably during the past season and was undoubtedly the best that had been presented for the past five years. He congratulated the committee, on their progressive policy during the past season in raising the stakes and in looking after the welfare of their patrons. He sincerely hoped that the club would continue on its wave of prosperity, and thanks were due to all those who had contributed towards this success. IN NEW STABLE. Royal Gallant, who ran third in the Mount Roskill 'Handicap, Avondale, last Wednesday, will in future be trained at Takanini, where he is now a member of F. Smith’s team. The Top Gallant gelding is owned by Mr W. Hosking, who recently purchased Greek Gold, and was taken over by F. Smith after the Avondale meeting. This mentor now has a team of lour, comprising the above-mentioned pair, Expectancy and Nun Nicer. HAS DONE WELL. Granc| Jury, winner of the Wellington Cup in January, has finished racing for the season and is now spelling on the farm of his owner, Mr D. Lourie. In twelve starts this season he has won six times, was second twice and third once, and earned £I6OO in stakes. He is rising nine years, but is quite sound. L. G. Morris trains Grand Jury. CHANGE OF QUARTERS. Tavern Knight, who has been trained at Takanini for some time, is now located at Avondale, where he is under J. G. Farrell’s guidance. Tavern Knight was a winner early in the season, but did not show a great deal of improvement on those efforts and failed to live up to expectations. He has been on the easy list for a couple of months, and should derive a lot of benefit from the respite he has had, and, freshened up, should be capable of doing well, as he possesses the ability when right. GOOD RECOVERY, Arch Ruler has made a good -ecovery from the injury he received at Tauranga, and C. Morse expects to be able to take him to the Whangarei meeting. It is not anticipated that his short period of idleness will have thrown him back a great deal, and he should again prove his usefulness at the forthcoming meeting. Arch Ruler has recorded fout wins and a second in his last five starts and will always be a force to be reckoned with when the company is not too select. OP BETTTNG. A letter received by the Dunedin Jockey 'Club from the Racing Conference advised that the executive committee would not authorise one machine for win betting and one machine for betting on the 75-25 per cent basis, ft was resolved that the matter be again discussed at the next meeting of the committee, when the system of betting for the winter meeting will be decided on. BIG ACCEPTANCE. Acceptances for the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting on Saturday are the best received for a South Island meeting for some time. The total is 123 for the eight races. RACING FIXTURES. April 19—Waimate R.C. April 19, 21—Whangarei R.C. April 21 Marton J.C. April 21—South Canterbury J.C. April 21, 23—Nelson J.C. April 27, 28—Pahiatua R.C. April 27, 28—Marlborough R.C. April 28—Amber ley R.C. May 2, 3—Kgrnont R.C. May 10, 12—Wanganui J.C. May 11, 12—Southland R.C. May 19—Ashburton C.R.C. Mav 19—Rangitikei R.C. May 19. 21—Te Kuiti R.C. May 26—South Canterbury J.C.