TURF GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1599, 16 December 1920, Page 12

TURF GOSSIP.

Arrow smith and Chrysostom are two of the most fancied candidates in the south for the Railway Handicap, to be decided at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

The Forbury Park Trotting Club experienced a record summer meeting, the attendance on the opening day being the largest that has ever assembled at the course. The totalisator investments for the two days amounted to £74,485 10s., as compared with £62,836 10s. last year, an increase of £11,549.

Mr. W. H. Robbins, of Christchurch, contemplates having his colours carried at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting, at which his three-year-old pacer, Copa de Oro Junior claims an engagement in the Great Northern Trotting Derby. Mr. Robbins won the Great Northern Trotting Derby with the colt’s half-brother, Locanda Dillon two years ago. At a meeting of the committee of the Waipa Racing Club it was decided that the first race at Saturday’s annual gathering be started at 11.45 a m., half an rour earlier than at the last, fixture. Arrangements have been made with the Railway Department to enable passengers by train to reach Te Awamutu in ample time for the first race.

In winning the Forbury Cup Handicap (two miles), Whispering Willie, who was one of fhe outsiders of the field, covered the distance in 4min. 38sec., thereby establishing a track record for trotting horses.

At a meeting of the committee of the Inangahua Trotting Club it was carried: “That this club place on record its protest against the legislation re totalisator fractions, and that the members for Westland, Buller, and Motueka be written to soliciting their support, and the New Zealand Trotting Association be written to asking that the matter be placed on the agenda paper for next conference.”

Both Gasbag and Oratress, who filled second and third positions behind Duo in the Canterbury Cup (2 1 4 miles), still remain in the Auckland Cup. In the Riccarton event Oratress conceded G'asbag 221 b., while in the Auckland Cup the latter is in receipt of 191 b. from the N.Z. Cup winner.

Paddington Green made his first appearance this season when he contested the Borough Handicap on the opening day of the Woodville meeting last week. The son of Flagfall— Polly Perkins, who was ridden by A. Reed, was the outsider of th? field of 16 with the exception of Potentiality, and in view of it being his first race since he contested the hurdle events at Trentham in July last it was no surprise to find him among the “also started” division at the finish. Paddington Green will be a starter in the two principal handicap.at the Taranaki Christmas meeting and it is interesting to note that he won both of the corresponding events at last year’s fixture at New Plvmouth. J