TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1021, 30 September 1909, Page 7

TURF TOPICS.

The application of the Otahuhu Trotting Club to lease a portion of the A. and P. Associations. showground, at Otahuhu as ;a trofting-'racecoufse for a term of five years, was considered at a special meeting of the Associa- . tion on Friday last. After a good deal of discussion it was decided to adjourn the matter until the annual meeting of the Association, which takes place in ; March next. . « * * * The Menschikoff gelding Michaeloff was.: whispered about as the best of good thipgs for the Members’ Handicap on Saturday, and although Tanekaha was favourite with the pencillers Michaeloff was the most extensively backed on the machine, consequently' those who supported him with the books were on good terms with themselves. However, the good thing came undone, and Michaeloff failed to gain a place, the race going to Tanekaha. The latter appeared to interfere with Rarata in the straight, but it could not have made any difference in the result. * At Rosebery Park on September 15 the Rosebery Handicap was won by Ind Coope, by Explosion—Laetitia. • • * • Old Cavaliero was., amongst the starters for the Steeplechase on Saturday, and although he did not look like winning at any part of the race, he put up a creditable performance in finishing third. I fancy most of those present would have been satisfied to lose their money had they the pleasure of seeing the one-time champion come home in front. The visitor Lingerer was sent out favourite for the Steeplechase on Saturday, but the chestnut son of Apremont did not run up to expectations. He made a bit of a run when the final circuit was entered upon, but it was not sustained, and he soon died away again, eventually finishing outside a place. Lingerer jumped very high. * * * * Tanekaha and Seldom were the only double winners at Avondale, Tanekaha winning the Nihotapu and Members’ Handicaps, while Seldom annexed the Kingsland Handicap and ran a dead heat with Mistime in the Welter Handicap.

The six-year-old Musketry gelding, First Barrel, showed himself up attractively in the Second Steeplechase. Admirably ridden by Julian, he waited behind his field until four furlongs from home.'.when he was asked to hurry a bit. A furlong further on he 'was in front, and simply played with his opponents. It will not be long beBarrel, who is in J. B. Williamson’s stable, will again be seen out in front.

In the Avondale Cup Tattoo was out in front all the way, and ran the mile and a-quarter in 2.9 4-5. On the second day the son of Leolantis finished absolutely last in the Plumnton Handicap. Then again Miss Winnie fairly bolted in the Plumpton Handicap on the second day, but with a rise of 121 b. she finished absolutely last in the Grandstand Handicap run over the same distance on Saturday.

At the Hawkesbury Spring Meeting at Sydney on Saturday the Stewards’ Mile was won by Achillean.

D. Price has been retained by the Hon. J. D. Ormond, and in addition to flat racing will ride in hurdle races.

Awha’s two-year-old half-sister by Birkenhead has had the name of Sea Eagle claimed for her. This filly is reported to be very fast.

Dennis Morraghan left for New Plymouth on Sunday by the s.s. Rarawa, en route to Hawke’s Bay, taking with him Master Soult, Elysian, and First Gun. By the same steamer the steeplechaser Lingerer and the, sprinter Kareroa were also taken South.

The well-known Auckland trotting stallion Specialist, by Specification— Bonnie Veen, will be at the service of breeders this season at a fee of five guineas, as advertised in this issue. Specialist is a brown in colour, and exceptionally fast, and is the fastest trotting horse in Auckland. He holds the race record for a mile of 2.21 at Alexandra Park, and has won a number of good races, all in fast time. Several of his progeny are about, but have not yet raced, although they give promise of making a name for their sire on the turf. The thoroughbred horse Pukaki will also be at the service of breeders at a similar fee. Full particulars can be bad on application to Mr. J. Paul, Mangere.

A good-looking and perfectly sound filly by Ard Patrick was sold in England last month for 85gs. Mr. Allison, of the London “'Sportsman,”’ remarks that this seems an almost Gilbertian price, when we recall Ard Patrick’s race with Sceptre for. the Eclipse Stakes, and his sale for 20,OOOgs. The filly was,bought by Mr. Arthur Collins (whose brother was private secretary to Mr. George Musgrove, in Victoria), and is intended for a career on the, stage, instead of the race-course: '

A Half-crown Totalisator Bill is again before the South-'Australian Parliament. One clause of the Bill reads:—“Every club to which a license shall be granted under the Lottery and Gaming Act Amendment Act, 1888, and to which this Act applies, shall provide at least one totalisator for the use of its patrons, for which the minimum wager shall not exceed 2s 6d, and such totalisator shall be in a part of the racecourse to which the public shall have access on payment of not more than Is.”

The two New Zealand jumpers, Mr. F. Douglas’s Waipu and Messrs. Whitworth Bros., Wharekura, were brought back by the Moeraki from Sydney last week.

At the Wanganui Rowing Club’s bazaar on Thursday night, a goldmounted whip was presented to the rider of the Wanganui Guineas winner by the Mayor., Mr. C. E. Mackay, Owing to a slight indisposition, Jenkins was unable to be present, and Mr. J. O’Neill received the whip and returned thanks on his behalf.

The hurdle racer Carlyle was sold last Friday for 35guineas, and the trotting mare, Irish Molly for 47 guineas.

A Southern writer says that Soultline is carrying all before him in India, and has already won seven races.