TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1557, 26 February 1920, Page 14

TURF TOPICS.

Amongst the team trained by W. Kirk at Woodville for Mr. W. H. Gaisford is Jolly Cove, a four-year-old half brother by Rokeby to Bindle. Hymestra scored his first success over a mile course when he won the Hawera Stakes on the second day of the Egmont meeting.

On the concluding day of the Egmont meeting, under Rule 3, part 30, of the Rules of Racing, the owners of Egmont Park and Empyrean were fined the sum of £5 for not notifying the secretary that the horses were to be bracketed for the Inaha Hack Flat. Canyon will be the only member of C. Pritchard’s team to compete at Wanganui this week. She shaped well in a try-out with Insurrection over four furlongs at Trentham on Saturday morning. On several occasions this season Canyon showed signs of lameness after working. The cause of the trouble was found to be in the feet, and the difficulty has been got over by having her specially shod. Trotting owners will be interested to learn that the three-year-old bay filly Milda Pointer, by Logan Pointer —Milda, is offered for sale. This speedy performer, who in seven starts has only been once unplaced, is guaranteed sound and quiet, and should prove a worthy investment. A bay colt, 17 months old, full-brother to Milda Pointer, is also offered for sale. He is well grown and has been broken to lead with hopples, and being a good trotter looks like developing into a champion. Price and any further particulars required can be obtained from Mr. A. C- Watson, Temuka.

The well-known Masterton lightweight, R. S.' Bagby, headed the list of winning horsemen at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s Cup meeting with four victories (Belgian King, Silver Peak, Swanee River and Rose Wreath). J. Campbell was next ’On the list with three winning rides (Amythas twice and Mandrake). Other riders to salute the judge were: T. Ruthven, J. Andrews, S. McDonald, F. C. Porter, T. Humphries, A. McMullari, I. Tilson, E. L. Rowlands and T. L. Reid.

J. Ayres took Dainty Step, Hallowvonia and Astinome to the Woodville meeting, where the trio showed up prominently in their respective engagements. On the opening day Dainty Step justified the confidence of her supporters by annexing the County Hack Handicap (six furlongs), in convincing style. She followed up her success by winning the Kumeroa Hack Handicap (five furlongs) with 9.9 in the saddle without being seriously troubled at the finish. The four-year-old daughter of Lucullus —Adoption was a staunch favourite on both occasions, and as a result of her double win will have to put up a 101 b. penalty in her engagement in the Petre Hack Handicap on the opening day of the Wanganui J.C.’s autumn meeting this Thursday, which brings her weight up to 9st. Hallowvonia ran second in the Whariti Hack Handicap (seven furlongs) on the first day at Woodville, and was placed third in her engagement in the Settlers’ Handicap (one mile and 170 yards) on the second day. J. Ayres’ third string, Astinome, acted as runner-up to Sasanof in the open sprint, the Telephone Handicap (five furlongs) on the opening day at Woodville, and

occupied a similar position to Arrowsmith in the Shorts Handicap (five furlongs) on the concluding day. The form shown by the trio named augurs well for their prospects in their Wanganui engagements this week. In connection with the forthcoming race meetings at Thames and Paeroa, those who contemplate making the trip to either or both these 'fixtures should note that special boat arrangements have been made by the Northern Steamship Company. For the convenience of racegoers from Auckland who intend being present at the Thames J.C.’s annual meeting on Saturday and Monday, March 6 and 8, the p.s. Whakatere will leave Auckland on Friday, March 5, at 3 p.m., and again on Sunday, March 7, at 4 p.m., returning from the Thames after each day’s races. In order to cope with the large number of Aucklanders who wish to attend the Ohinemuri J.C.’s annual meeting on Saturday and Wednesday, March 13 and 17, the Northern S-S. Co. will despatch two steamers, s.s. Taniwha and s.s. Waimarie, from Auckland for Paeroa on Friday, March 12, at 3.30 p.m., while the same two boats will again leave Auckland on Tuesday, March 16, at 7 p.m-, in order to enable racegoers to attend the second days racing at Paeroa,