TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1563, 8 April 1920, Page 2

TURF TOPICS.

Geoffrey, winner of the A.R.C. Onslow Stakes, is a December foal. Mr. Kemball’s horses go straight from Ellerslie to Trentham this week, and will probably reach there on Thursday.

Khartoum’s withdrawal from the A.R.C. Brighton Hurdles was reported to be due to that gelding getting a kick from another horse after his arrival at Ellerslie.

On Saturday afternoon Mr. Kemball’s Bonnetter won the President’s Handicap of a mile and a-Quarter at Ellerslie in 2min. 7 4-ssec., f>nd at the Wairarapa meeting Multaine, one of his representatives, won the Easter Handicap in 2min. 7 l-ssec. It is understood that the owner of a winner at Ellerslie on Saturday backed his horse straight out and also backed the winning double, Marconi and Gazique, and thus had a good day. Anyone who’ imagines the “poor bookies” had a good time are much mistaken.

Some of those who backed Rekanui for the Brighton Hurdles and then rushed in and supported Mill o’ Gowrie when Rekanui was scratched, are very sore. Rekanui is understood to have met with an accident. Mr. FI. Coyle, handicapper, was present watching the form at Ellerslie in view of the fact that the handicaps for the Wellington meeting are due this week and that the Avondale weights also had to be issued on Tuesday.

Record and very fast times have been registered all along the line in Australia, and Randwick and Riccarton have made fresh history in that respect. Arrowsmith’s narrow margin win in the Great Easter Handicap in lmin. 25 l-ssec. is an Australasian record for seven furlongs. The New Zealand Jockey’s Association are evidently disinclined to await the result of the next meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference, without some assurance from the president of that organisation, and they have issued a circular letter to that effect. A. McFlynn was in good form on Saturday at Ellerslie, on Matatane (Oaks), Geoffrey (Onslow Stakes), Humbug (G. N. Champagne Stakes), Tigritiya (2nd Easter), and Vagabond (3rd Eden Handicap.) T. Glover won two races by narrow margins on Tinohoro and Tama-a-roa. J. O’Shea won on Bonnetter, Robinson on Gazique, and R. Manson on Marconi.

Mr. Fred Eearl, K.C., with his recently purchased filly, Dovelet, by Malter —San Dove, came nearly landing the Onslow Stakes with her. The winner, Geoffrey, Dovelet, Dunedin, Bright light, Tresor and Illumination —six of the eleven starters —-were bred in Australia.