TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1097, 20 April 1911, Page 7

TURF TOPICS.

A. Whittaker, who is at the head of the list of winning jockeys this season had 18 rides at Ellerslie and won once. There were only two flat races in which he did not have a mount.

Gloy showed up attractively at Ellerslie and credited his owner, Mr. T. Barnaby, with a double. Gloy is a half brother to Sedition and promises to turn out well.

E. Lowe,, the Southern horseman, left for Feilding after the first dfay’s racing. Lowe rode a w'inner on Easter Monday at Feilding.

The facilities for betting on the totalisator at Ellerslie are inadequate, and a considerable amount of money was shut out during the meeting. Nevertheless, the totalisatoiv returns showed an increase of nearly £38,000. * * * ft.

Only six first favourites won. during the three days at Ellerslie.

C. Brown was the most successful rider at the Ellerslie meeting- He saluted the judge in first place on four occasions.

Mr. T. H. Lowry has disposed of Virtue and the horse will in future be trained by T. Williams, at Ellerslie.

Zinnia broke down while running in the Welter on Tuesday, and it will be some time before the mare will be able to race again.

The most popular victory during the three days at Ellerslie was Sol’s in the Steeplechase. The cheering commenced before the little fellow had passed, the post and continued till his rider (P. Brady) had weighed in. Sol is an honest little marvel over bigcountry and is a great favourite with the public.

A. Gray received a nasty fall when Excalibur fell in the Maiden Hurdles, and had to be removed to the hospital. At latest advices Gray was doing well and should soon be about again-

Loch Fyne ran well in the Autumn Steeplechase until the last three furlongs were undertaken, when he died away. The son of Lochness may do much better when he next sports silk.

Spectre was badly kicked by Regain while at the post for the Nelson Handicap and the bay horse did well under the circumstances to finish second.

Jack Delaval has 9.4 to carry in a hack event at Avondale, but the opposition is very weak and he should be in a position to down them all.

Tattoo was the most consistent horse seen out at the A.R.C. meeting. The son of Leolantis won on each of the first two days, and ran second to Fort William on the concluding day.

Kakama did not run up to her track form, and she ran very badly on the third day.

The local champion two-year-old, Miss .Winsome, . had her string of successes broken in the Champagne Stakes when she was beaten by Miscount. She ran a great race, and settled all doubts about her 'being in the same class as the southerners.

A , big disappointment in jumping events was Master William- In each of his essays he cut a very sorry figure, and his .displays were hard to understand.

Previous to the commencement of the meeting shrewd ones were quite confident that the Autumn Handicap

would be won by either Sedition; or Maxwell, as these were voted the only horses capable of running out a strong mile and a-half. • Despite this, Maxwell was allowed to pay a substantial two-figure dividend.

Afer summing up the performances of Tattoo one cannot help thinking that had the chestnut been left in the Easter Handicap, in which he had only 7.6, he would have been a very hard horse to beat.. He won the Eden Handicap, seven furlongs, with 8.0 on his ‘back, easily in 1.29 4-5, and the. Stewards’ Handicap, one mile, with 8-9, in. 1.41, similar time to that registered by Antoinette in the Easter. On the third day he carried 9.5 in the Buckland -Handicap, seven furlongs, and was beaten a length in 1.28 by Fort William, who was asked to concede Tattoo 151 b. in the Easter Handicap.

The • Menschikoff gelding Turbine, appeared to be running better each time he started, and he should soon be getting back to his best form.

Los Angelos upheld his reputation at the C.J.C. meeting, although he failed to score. Carrying 9.13, he was beaten a short head by Madam Madcap in the Great Easter Handicap, and with 9.9 he ran third, less than a length behind the winner, Cheddar, in the Great Autumn Handicap. Both races were run in fast time-

Sir Geo. Clifford had a great innings at the C.J.C. Easter meeting, winning the Chapmagne Stakes and Challenge Stakes with Counterfeit, Easter. Handicap with Madam Madcap, while Countermine and Sharpshooter also won a race each.

Counterfeit’s running at Riccarton makes her out to be the best two-year-old of the season. In the Champagne Stakes she defeated Culprit and Peirene easily, while she defeated the two and three year olds in the Challenge Stakes.

That the Auckland two-year-olds, if we except Miss Winsome, are a poor lot was once more emphasised as the Southerners just did as they liked with the local brigade.

Electrakoff was clearly above himself at Ellerslie, but the racing should do him a world of good and if produced at Avondale he may have to be reckoned with.

H. Gray had several mounts at the C.J.C. Easter meeting, but a victory on Formless was his only winning ride at the gathering. A. Whittaker still heads Gray in the winning jockeys’ list, the difference being six wins-

Harenoa showed a rare turn of speed in the Tourist Handicap, and it was only in the last bit that he failed. Over half a mile Harenoa should be very hard to beat.

Mr T. H. Lowry’s horses Bellah, Sea Pink and Cullinan failed to run up to expectations and it is the general opinion that with the exception of Bobrikoff the animals owned by the Hawke’s Bay sportsman are a poor lot.

The common looking Monoplane ran a couple of good races at Ellerslie although she did not actually score. She has fine quarters and will stand any amount of riding, and is just the sort to win a welter handicap at the June meeting.

Of the four two-year-old races decided at Ellerslie, only one was annexed by a local youngster, and on this occasion only local two-year-olds competed.

Bootle, who won a double at Ellerslie,- is a very fast beginner, and in each of his races had his field disorganised in the early stages. However, he does not stay well, and was vey tired when the box was reached.