TURF GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1598, 9 December 1920, Page 39

TURF GOSSIP.

The little mare, Miss Muriel, shipped from Auckland for Dunedin ion the Wanaka, was a fortnight making the trip—a record surely.

At least one driver at the Otahuhu Trotting Club’s meeting was caught napping when he looked to be a sure winin er. ■

Jockey Goldsmith appears to have thrown a race away at Feilding through over confidence and was ordered to stand down for fourteen days.

The splendid rainfall on Friday last freshened up the grass plots and course at Ellerslie which have been looking green all through the spring; and were never in bettei* condition at any time of year.

It is understood that a substantial offer was refused for the English horse, Prince Willonyx, soon after the Takapuna meeting. Mr. J. J. Spratt bought him for stud purposes. The trotter Rio Grande and the pacer Inora, and it is understood, several other visitors are remaining in Auckland for the summer meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club'

The owner of one of the winners at the Otahuhu Trotting Club’s meeting had over £lOO on his horse the first day when it lost, and a fiver on it when it won on the second day. If it had been the opposite way about a big scoop would probably have resulted. The Minister of Internal Affairs, who has more than once warned bookmakers and tote odds layers, is in dead earnest, and three convictions were recorded last month. £4OO in fines in Auckland have been paid. The Southern case goes before a jury on an appeal.