TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1125, 2 November 1911, Page 6

TURF TOPICS.

Iridescence, Semolina, and Belle Crispin, who were brought up from the Waikato to represent BL. Hannon at the A.R.C. meeting, have been withdrawn from their respective engagements at Ellerslie owing to the passing away of that trainer’s mother.

It is stated that the owner (“E. J. Craven’’) of Lady Medallist won over £10,900 in bets when his mare triumphed in the Caulfield Cup, and that he presented the winning jockey W, Barrett) with £lOOO.

The official time taken clocked the various sections of the Caulfield Cup to be run thus: First half-mile, b2i%|sec; second half-mile, 52sec; third half-mile, 50sec; last six furlongs, lmin. 16%sec.; last mile, lmin. 42sec. The time for Caulfield Cup, 2mm. 34% sec., equalled the previous best for the race —that made last year by Flavinius. It is a long way, however, under the Australian record, which is held by Comedy King, viz., 2. min. 31%sec., done at Flemington in March last. The world’s record is held by Finassuer, in France,' 2 min. 28 3-ssec.

Auckland will only be represented bv four horses at the principal events at the C.J.C. Metropolitan Meeting, .Domino, in the Cup; and Electrakoff, Hohungatahi and Turbine in the Stewards’ Handicap.

Mira has been allowed to drop out of his C.J.C. engagements. The grey full-brother to Iranui recently developed soreness, and it was deemed advisable to give him a brief respite from activity

O. Jenkins >is to ride Boanerges in the Cup and Royal Scotch in the Stewards’ Handicap at the C.J.C. Meeting.

j. George has arrived from New Plymouth with Crown Pearl and Royal Arms. '

The little hurdler Don Quex (Cardigan—Jessamine) has been jumping in capital style at Ellerslie, and he is expected to make a bold showing in events over the battens.

Entries for the Feilding J.C. meeting close on Friday next. The programme is about the best the club has ever submitted. The big sum of £2BOO will be distributed in stake money, and entries are certain to be large.

Bliss, who caused a sensation on fhe Riccarton tracks this week by running a mile in lmin 39%sec, has on occasion shown the possession of great pace. Notably was this the case in the King ; Edward Handicap ,at Hastings last springy when she fairly lost the field, winning, by ten lengths from Kopu. On the same afternoon she beat War Song without an effort in the Flying Handicap, running the six furlongs in lmin 14 3-sBec, Now that she has proved herself to be i good form the Stepniak filly will not be without friends in the Stewards Handicap, in which she will be asked to carry 7 st. lHb. Record breaking on the track does not always mean success with the colours up, as quite a number of backers found to their cost at Riccarton last spring. Nevertheless, the mare should run well, a fact which was pointed out in these columns some time ago. ## ■ *

H. D. Bell, K.C., who has been entrusted with the task of' forniulabng the rules for the New Zealand Sports Protection League, has stated that the object of the league was to Ps e^ nt the curtailment of any of the liberties of sports and athletic bodies. For instance, the league would interest itself if the question of what kind of garments should be worn by swimmers ever cropped up; the pros, and eons, of holding professional boxing competitions and other similar matters. No funds were asked for, members were admitted free, and legal assistance would also be given free to any sports body if required. * * * *

Despite the fact that Bobrikoff was reported to be badly broken down, his trainer F. Davies has taken him down to Canterbury with Beldame.

Lady Medallist was handicapped to carry 10% 31b In the Moonee Valley Cup.

J. D. Kemp, of Awhitu, was present -at Ellerslie thia week, and informed the writer his brood mare Cabinet has produced a filly foal to Heirarch. : > The racing mare J olie Fille, and two-year-old colt Prince Merriwee are looking at their best.

John Lennard, of Te Aroha, has a useful lot coming on, four two-year-olds: (Extractor —New Rose), (Soult —Alva Rose), and (Gluten —Margery), also three-year-old: (Seaton Delaval —Margery).

The cost of the Racing Commission to the Dominion was £2250. Was it worth it?

Taft and Coromandel both arrived from South last week in charge of A. Jackson to compete at the Ellerslie Meeting.

W. D. Wallace, of Sylvia Park, Otahuhu, has a beautiful filly foal to Monoform and Idas.

The Poverty Bay Turf Club’s meeting last week was the most successful yet held by the club. During the two days £18,096 passed through the totalisator, as against £11,644 for the corresponding day last year. The most successful owner during the meeting was F. Hall, who won £l6O in stakes. ’ Next came H. McManaway with £136,, and then L. Furr £155.

The r 'T'akk’puna Jockey Club have issued the programme in connection with their spring meeting, which is fixed to take , place bn .November ■'29 and December 2. Eight events figure on each day’s programme, and with - prize-money to the extent of £1750 there is something material to draw large entries. The St. Andrew s Handicap of 200sovs is the leading event on the opening day, and the Spring Handicap of 150sovs is the chief race on the second day. On each day there is a stake of lOOsovs set apart for the two-year-old division, while three hurdle races, each of 100 so vs, figure on the programme. \

Of the £lB2O given in stakes dt the Dunedin meeting Sir George Clifford won £485, Mr. D. Roberts £220, Mr. F. Armour £lB5, Mr Skinner £llO, Messrs Pyne and Boyle £llO, and Mr Donnellan £llO. The Government tax amounted ©a £504.

. “E. J. Craven” says the reason Lady Medallist was not nominated for the Melbourne Cup was that, guided by New Zealand reports, he did not think her a sufficiently good stayer to be put in that race.

Javelin, a grandson of Carbine (by Spearmint), who has been sorted out as a very fitting candidate to aspire to Derby honours, won another good race at Derby just before the last mail to hand left London.

The New Zealander Obsono, who carried 9st 71b, and won the Moonga Handicap, at Caulfield, run for over five and a-half furjtongs, Is possessed of a great turn of speed (says a Sydney sporting writer). The Australian record for the distance is lmin 7sec, done by Wild Rose; but she only had 7st 51b on her back.