TURF GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1461, 25 April 1918, Page 3

TURF GOSSIP.

Undecided and Doon are being prepared by F. Higgott at Otaki for winter jumping races.

The North Island horsemen H. Watson and G. Clarke fulfilled riding engagements at the South Canterbury J.C.’s recent meeting. The former was successful on Gay Lad and Mortham, and Clarke won the big handicap the second day on Battle Eve.

Recently J. McLaughlin, the Trentham trainer, made a trip to Blenheim and brought back some additions to his team. Sunburst, by Boniform —Rose Petal, is a half-brother to Imarose and Rosiam. Sunburst, who has been gelded since he arrived at Trentham, will race next season as a three-year-old. He was purchased from his breeder (Mr. H. L. Jackson) by McLaughlin. A six-year-old mare by Sensation is from Zither, who belongs to the same family as Merrie Zealand. Another of the’ Blenheim lot is a four-year-old unbroken mare by Marengo—Queen Margaret. A patron of the stable recently purchased from Messrs. Riddiford the four-year-old mare Ready Made, by All Red —Ancilla, a daughter of Chryseis, who belongs to the same family as Heatherbrae, dam of Heathercote. The other member of the team is a gelding by Chatsworth, who is intended for jumping races.

The Birkenhead —Peace filly which recently joined H. Telford’s stable is short and thick-set like Chakwana, and may come to hand early (writes “Sir Belvedere” in the Wellington “Evening Post”). The imported fillies will race next season as three-year-olds, although they will only be twoand a-half. Braxted, sire of the Bald Coot filly, is by Forlarshire (sire of Panmure), and was a good performer in England. Marajax, sire of the Viorne filly, is by Ajax, son of Flying Fox. Ajax won the Grand Prix, French Derby, and was unbeaten on the turf. Marajax was a good performer in England, where he won the Manchester Cup and other races.

Johnny Walker, Mascot and Cooing have been turned out for the winter months. Their boxes at Lowe’s establishment have been filled by three rising two-year-olds. They are a bay colt by Solferino —Rosalia, brown colt by Martian —Intelligence, and bay filly by Demosthenes —Formality. The latter was on the track recently, and trotted a couple of times round in company with Courtfield, who has recently been taken up after a good spell. The name “Solfanello” has been claimed for the Solferino colt, and the son of Intelligence will be known as Motuihi. The latter is a half-brother to Distinction (by Daunt), a useful handicap performer a few seasons back.