TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1581, 12 August 1920, Page 16

TURF TOPICS.

Mr. Geo. Wells, of Feilding, has disposed of Engari to a Feilding sportsman. The daughter of King Rufus is in foal to Elysian.

The Victoria Racing Club made a profit of £26.750 on the last Melbourne Cup meeting. The previous best for the fixture was £25.355 in 1888. Each of the V.R.C. meetings during the past year gave a profit. The W.A.T.C. Derby winner Eurythmic. who also dead-heated in the Perth Cup, has been well supported for the Caulfield Cup. He is now in equal‘demand with Richmond Mam and Chrysolaus.

With the new season about to commence owners are now making arrangements for the riding of their teams for the year It is expected (says “Glencoe” in the “Dominion”) that C. Emerson will be retained by the Douglas Estate, H. Gray by Mr. W. G. Stead, B. Deeley for R. J. Mason’s team, H. Young for the Chokebore team, G. Young for Mr. W. Stone’s horses, and A. Reed for the Riddiford team.

We have all along contended that more racing and trotting permits could well be granted in New Zealand. The redistribution of permits is absurd. The clubs that have spent their profits judiciously on improvements and those that have mortgaged their futures in order to cater for their patrons are entitled to every consideration. New clubs will have to work their way into prominence in friendly rivalry with clubs that have the advantage of a good start. They will succeed, but some will have to wait before they can obtain the permits, even should all suggested be granted this session. What should be insisted upon is that the meetings in all provinces should come at sensible intervals. The suggestion that between May 1 and August 1 not moie than seven races should figure on programmes is a good one, and we hope to see it become law, also we should like to see the long intervals between meetings in some provincial districts sensibly abridged. In Auckland suburban area, for instance, a longer interval than a month is unreasonable.

Lord Desmond, who was recently operated upon by Veterinary F. Crossley, has again made his appearance on the Awapuni tracks. The operation was a great success and the gelding is getting through his work in a satisfactory manner.

Gaekwar (Ghoorka —Phyllis), owned by a popular Palmerston North sportsman in Mr. L. H. Collinson, is a regular follower with the Manawatu Hunt. The gelding, who is jumping with his old-time cleverness, should be getting his name on the winning list in the near future.

The enterprising spirit of the members of the North Canterbury and Oxford Jockey Club was clearly demonstrated at the annual meeting recently held at Rangiora, when it was unanimously resolved that it be a recommendation to the general committee to consider the raising of the stakes to within the vicinity of £l2OO.

In connection with Mr. C. O’Connor’s present holiday visit to Sydney “Pilot,” of the “Referee,” mentions the interesting fact that the wellknown starter has not visited Australia for about 35 years, his previous trip to the Commonwealth being with Welcome Jack and the steeplechaser Clarence, whom he trained. He retired from that calling 25 or 26 years ago, and since then has made a great name for himself as a starter. In addition to New South Wales, Mr. O’Connor will visit several other Australian States prior to returning to the Dominion.

Niu Tireni. the full-brother to Merrie Poto. some twelve months back developed roaring troubles, and the noise the gelding made in his training was very noticeable. Realising the hoplessness of racing the horse under such conditions, Owner W- H. Paddy, of Palmerston North, instructed Veterinary - Surgeon F. Crossley to operate for respiratory troubles. The operation, which was lately carried out, proved a great success. and the noise the horse made when galloping has completely disappeared. Niu Tirini. which, by the way, is the Maori appellation for New Zealand, is again a regular attendant on the Awapuni tracks, where he is giving evidence of his undoubted galloping powers. *

The report presented by the committee at the annual meeting of the North Canterbury and Oxford Jockey Club, held at Rangiora, stated that the season had been a record one in the history of the club. The revenue from the totalisator amounted to £lB9B 15s. 9d., as against £1244 9s. 6d. for the previous year, and there was a considerable increase in revenue from other sources. The incoming committee would commence the new season ■vitb a credit balance of £1123 ISs. 7d. Plans w r ere in hand for removing and enlarging the horse boxes, enlarging the saddling paddock. increasing the lawn area, installing a water supply, and duplicating the admission gates. The membership was 186. At the annual meeting of the North Canterbury and Oxford Jockey Club the following officers ■were elected for the ensuing year: —President, Mr. H. C. D. van Asch (re-elected); vicepresidents. Messrs. A. Henderson, W. A. Kelcher, and H. Ensor; representative on the district committee, Mr. G. N .McLean (Amberley); judicial committee, Messrs. W. A. Kelcher, W. Parsons, J. G. McDonald, A. Howard, and G. Cudby; general committee, Messrs. G'. Cudby, W. Parsons, A. Howard, F. Johns, W. Crothers, A. Blunden, T. Frame, R. F. Henderson, J. McCracken. J. G. McDonald, E. Fear, and F. Weatherspoon; auditor, Mr. L. W. Harley; treasurer, Mr. G. Leech. The death is reported from Greymouth of a keen sportsman in Mr. Edmund Wickes, who until recently acted as secretary of the Greymouth Trotting Club, which institution made excellent progress during his term of office. The late Mr. Wickes was not only a staunch supporter of trotting but also took an active interest in racing, and was a regular patron at the various turf fixtures on the West Coast and in Canterbury. At the time of his death, which occurred at a comparatively early age, Mr. Wickes, who was connected with the timber and gold-mining industries, was managing a leading commission business in Greymouth. Much regret has been expressed in sporting circles at his untimely death.