TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1574, 24 June 1920, Page 12

TURF TOPICS.

Lochella has been withdrawn from Australian engagements. Tetratema won the Fernhill Stakes at Ascot last week. Mr. J. Hay, of Wanganui, has purchased a Piedmont —Adele 'filly in Australia for 360 guineas. When Polthogue fell whilst contesting the Napiei- Steeplechase his rider, N. McDonnell. sustained injuries which necessitated his removal to the hospital. The successes of Auckland horses at the Napier Park meeting were well received. Oakleigh, Sanacre, Gold Kip and Peneton were each in evidence.

A mistake in physic administered to three trotting horses caused the deaths of Silver Heir and Kaweah, while Albert Wallace was still in a bad way when the telegram was despatched from Christchurch announcing the fact.

The veteran Bollin was one of the four candidates who safely negotiated the course in the Napiei’ Steeplechase. in which there were eleven starters, though he cut out the final obstacle and was a long way back in fourth position at the finish. Bollin was started in the Hunt Club Steeplechase on the concluding day, but failed to run into a place. The son of Birkenhead was ridden in both his engagements by the Auckland horseman, S .Henderson. The win registered by the Waikatoowned Oakleigh in the Petane Hack Steeplechase on the opening day at Napier Park marked the third consecutive success of the St. Amans — Jean gelding, who had the services of his usual pilot, E. Warner. Oakleigh had a lot of ground to make up in the last half mile, and when the last obstacle was negotiated Slumix was several lengths in advance of the Aucklander. Despite his 11.12 impost, Oakleigh was responsible for a surprising finish, wearing Slumix down, and gaining half a length victory amid considerable excitement.

Meltchikoff, whose only start at the Great Northern meeting at Ellerslie was when he acted as runner-up to Kerehone in the Maiden Hurdle Race on the opening day, was a contestant in the Ahuriri Hurdle Race on the opening day of the Napier Park meeting. At one stage of the race Meltchikoff had charge from his five opponents, but was being hard ridden to keep his position, and took no prominent part in the finish, fourth being the best he could do. Meltchikoff did not start on the second day, but is expected to fulfil his engagements at the Hawke’s Bay meeting this week.

Auckland horses raced with a fair amount of success on the opening day of the Napier Park Racing Club’s winter meeting. Oakleigh fulfilled expectations by leading the field home in the Petane Hack Steeplechase, Gold Kip acted as runner-up to Heather Sprig in the Stewards’ Stakes Handicap, while Peneton was second to Khartoum in the Napier Steeplechase Handicap. On the second day, the Auckland contingent fared much better in their respective engagements. Gold Kip reversed places with his previous day’s conqueror, Heather Sprig, in the Winter Oats Handicap, which event, it is interesting to note, he also won last year. Peneton improved upon his first day’s performance by leading the field home in the Park Steeplechase Handicap (2?> miles), the shorter distance suiting the six-year-old son of Penury—Eton Lass. Sanacre scored decisively for his Auckland owner, Mr. L. H. Mathias, in the Meanee Hack Handicap, while another Auckland-owned candidate, in Walton, led from start to finish in the Newstead Hack Handicap, the concluding event at the Napier Park fixture.