TOPICS of the TURF

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20599, 27 April 1935, Page 17

TOPICS of the TURF

S/ores AND NEWS FROM EVERYWHERE

AX DICAPS for the Amberley meeting are due next Saturday. i * * # * Acceptances for the Reef ton Jockey ! Clubs meeting close on Tuesdav, at 9 p.m. * * * * Acceptances for the Westland Racing Club’s meeting close on Fridav at 5 p.m. * * =s* * Nominations for the Wanganui Jockey Club’s meeting on May 16 and IS close at 9 pun. on Monday. * * * * 3fC Nominations for the Southland Racing Club’s meeting on May 17 and IS close on Tuesday, at 5 p.m. HURDLERS SCARCE. Amberley Racing Club has fared well enough with its nominations apart from the Brackenfield Brush Hurdle. This race replaced a high-weight event which had failed to draw a good entry in either 1933 or 1934. The hurdle race idea looked rather ambitious because Riccarton, nowadays, is weak as a jumping centre and Southerners were not likely to be attracted. There are four entries and* quite likely they will all go to the post. Except for this misadventure, the club has the material for a good meeting. JOCKEYS IN FORM. L. J. Ellis rode a winning double at Omoto. yesterday, and is, at the time of writing, only two wins behind W. J. Broughton, who is riding at Avondale to-day and on Monday. G. H. Humphries also had two wins at Omoto yesterday. He rides his full share of work at Riccarton and, therefore, any success that comes his way is deserved. E. Pinn has flashed on the racing horizon like a meteor. Quite unknown to the general racing public before this month, he won a double at Waimate on April 4, another at Washdyke on April 6. two more at Riccarton on Tuesday, while at Omoto yesterday he won the chief event on Sisterina. As he is a West Coaster by birth, it follows that this Greymouth success was highly popular. FASHIONABLE BLOOD. Good prices have been obtained at the Sydney yearling sales for the progeny of Caledon, Marconigram, The Buzzard and Silverburn. His youngsters at this sale are the eldest of Silverburn’s stock. He is by the Polymelus horse Phalaris from Silver Urn (winner of the One Thousand Guineas), by Juggernaut fson of St Simon) from Queen Silver, by Queen’s Birthday, (winner of the Doncaster Cup and sire of Santoi). The Buzzard has so far had only a few representatives on the, race track. He is at the Lyndhurst stud at Warwick (Queensland). He is by the Spearmint horse, Spion Kop (winner of the Derby and sire of Felstead, also a Derby winner), from Yalescuxe by Swynford, from Valve by Velasquez, from Gas (three-quarter Sister to Ladas and half-sister to Chelandry). by Ayrshire from Illumination, by Rosicrucian. The Buzzard, who was a good performer in England fcimself, is a half-brother to Flamenco, winner of the Lincolnshire last month. Marconigram has been getting winners. He is by the Tracery horse Abbot’s Trace, from Marcia Blanche (half-sister to Limond) by Lemberg. Caledon, one of Mr Percy Miller’s Kia Ora stallions, is by the unbeaten Hurry On (sire of Hunting Song and Lord Warden), from Wet Kiss by Tredennis. Caledon is a brother to Coronach, winner of the Derby and of £48,224 in stakes. BRED IN THE PURPLE. J. S. Shaw gave Royal Gallant two runs at Omoto yesterday, but had to rest content with a third and a second. This six-year-old gelding was imported from Australia in 1930. He is by Top Gallant, a very speedy son of Swynford, from Princess Ilona by Troutbeck (son of Ladas) from Princess Mary by Bend Or from Saint Mary hjv Hermit. Princess Mary was a half-sister to La Sagesse. winner of the Oaks at Epsom. Top Gallant created the world’s record for a mile and a grafter at Newmar’jst and he has transmitted his speed to most of his progeny. AMATEUR WON 1000 RACES. Mr John Johnstone, who died suddenly on his return from the Cheltenham (England) races on March 13, was a breeder and owner, an in earlier years excelled as an amateur rider. While he was at Eton and only sixteen, he won his first point-to-point steeplechase. At one time, when senior partner in the firm of China merchants, Messrs Jardine, Mathieson and Co., he went to the Far East, where he quickly became a leading sportsman. As an owner and amateur jockey he won nearly a thousand races in China and Hong Kong. In China he rode the winners of fourteen Grand Nationals, and at one meeting in Hong Kong he competed in thirty flat races and won sixteen. He returned to Great Britain in 1923, and started a breeding and racing establishment at Halleaths, Lochmaben, Dumfrieshire. Mr Johnstone, who was fifty-four years of age, was a member of the National Hunt Committee and formerly a steward.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS.

On March 21 the young Newmarket (England) trainer, Basil Briscoe had in his stable the absolute favourites for the Lincolnshire (Commander III), Grand National Steeplechase (Golden Miller) and Liverpool Cup (Gay Dancer). They all got beaten. TRENTHAM COMES BACK. Trentham as a training centre suffered a very severe slump last year but it is coming into its own again. The acquisition of T. R. George has added greatly to its importance. During the Easter racing, Trentham stables won eleven races and their representatives also gained a number of minor placings. George had seven successes. Trentham won races at Ellerslie, Riccarton, Riverton, Feilding and Tauherenikau, which is not bad going. The centre’s Easter record, all things considered, compares more than favourably with that of Riccarton.

MAKING GOOD. Sisterina. winner of the Hannan Memorial Handicap at Omoto, yesterday, began racing only in January. She was also successful at Westport this month and would seem worth giving a trial on this side of the Alps. She is a four-year-old mare by Arrowsmith from Matty Carling, who was by Kilbroney from Marta by Martagon from the English mare Ronnetta by Bay Ronald. M. Conza trains her -t Omoto for Mr J. Leonard. AMATEUR RIDER’S MISHAP. Mr W. R. Duncan, well-known North Island amateur rider in the Rangitikei district, received painful injuries when he fell 30ft from a walnut tree on Tuesday afternoon. His back was slightly injured- at*d he suffered from' shock. He had intended to ride his own horse, Croon, in the Ladies’ Necklace at Marton. ROYAL SCEPTRE. Mr C. L. Kettle, honorary treasurer of the Greymouth Jockey Club, deserved a win with Royal Sceptre, and his turn came in the Stewards’ Handicap at Omoto yesterday. Royal Sceptre has such a turn of speed that he should have achieved a great deal more than he has. He is capable of setting the pace in the best company, but lacks something when it comes to fighting out a finish. E. Kingan trains Royal Sceptre at Omoto and has him very well just now. HIS FIRST WIN. Latitude scored his first win when he captured the Novice Stakes at Omoto yesterday. He is five years old, but his racing experience is limited to half a dozen starts this season. He was originally trained for his breeder and owner. Mr W. Crossan, at Wingatui by L. Smith, but H. Nurse took charge of him after the Dunedin Cup meeting in February. He is by the Polymelus horse Polazel from Similitude by Kilbroney from Parable by the Bill of Portland horse Merriwee, who landed a fortune for the late Mr Herbert Power, when he won the Victoria Derbv_ and Melbourne Cup of 1899.

NOMINATIONS.

Amberley Racing Club’s Meeting.

The following nominations have been received for the Amberley Racing Club’s meeting:— BRACKENFIELD BRt'SH HURDLES RACE, of 100 sovs; one mile and threequarters—Fleeting Glance, High Speed, Radiant Rose, Coll. NOVICE STAKES, of 60 sovs: five furlongs—Tail Light, Panegyric, Dover Patrol, Doctor Duthie, Honours Lass, The Surgeon, Gold Label, Proscenium, Pompeii, Ponty, Malvasia, Polygraph, Rotokino, Cape Gabo, Matron, Nardoo, Teresina, Master Tony, M Heath, Coalpit, Fiord. KOWAI TROT HANDICAP, of 80 sovs; class 3.5: one mile and a quarter —Hidden Charm, Big Nelson, Voluntary, Olive King, Elite Ray, Cream Harvester, Native Son, Waitaki Power, Audrey Dillon, True Reflection, Grace Harvester. Pot Luck, Cadiz. Bluff. Accel, Royalty, Evie Denver. Beverley King, Brigadier. Slippery Sam. Redwood Maid, Golden Miller, Hydraulic. GLASNEVIN HANDICAP, of 90 sovs; seven furlongs—Court Yard, Sam Smith, Cyclonic, Fairweather, Manetho, Imperial Spear. Royal Amphora, Cleaner. Capital, Royal Gallant. G. B. STARKEY MEMORIAL HANDICAP. of 130 sovs: hack conditions; one mile and a quarter —Chidden, Sky Rover. Free Air, Glowlight. Red Dance, Grand* Review, Importance, Quebec. Colossian, Latitude, Royal Gallant, Bella Rosa, Wino, Golden Dart SEADOWN HANDICAP, of 75 sovs; special conditions: minimum weight 7.7reven furlongs—Patrqje, Ladv Zephyr', Proscenium, Knowledge, Polygraph, Battle Queen. Quebec, Riptide. Bella Rosa. Wino. Golden Dart, Colombo. AMBERLEY HANDICAP of 300 sovs; -line furlongs—Court Yard. Sam Smith. Battle Queen, Horowhenua. Fa irweather, Manetho, Imperial Spear, Cleaner, Grand Review, Quietly, Royal Gallant, Joppa, Gay Crest. TEVIOTDALE TROT HANDICAP, of 85 sovs; class 3.45: one mile and a half —Hidden Charm, Marie Louise, Voluntary, Olive King. Red Flush.’ Cream Harvester. Pot Luck, Cadiz. Bluff. Hillard. Evie Denver, Beverlev King, i Sickle, Slippery Sam, Golden Miller. ;