Totalisator Turf Topics.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 103, 21 June 1902, Page 21

Totalisator Turf Topics.

By 'Krect-Card.

Mr. J. P. Clark, the sectetary of the local Racing Club, must feel giatified at the liberal response of horse-owner, 1 , for the events set down for decision at the winter fixtuie The total number of horses nominated is 352, and they are scattered over the different laces as. follows —Maiden Hurdles, 23 Stewards Handicap, 28 , Wellington Steeplechase, 22 , Parliamentary Handicap, 16, Winter Hurdles, 35, Hack Hunters' Steeplechase, 17 , First Hack, 2b Hutt Flying 30 July Steeplechase, 26, Winter Oats, 27 Final Hurdles, 44 , Second Hunters' Steeplechase, 17 , Final Handicap, 31 As will be seen, the two clnef leaping contests have filled well, and lriclude all the big guns over obstacle*. The two principal flat races are als6 well patronised, and it only remains for the handieappers, Messrs. Evett arid Henrys, to satisfy horse-owners for the meeting to be the most successful Aimtea- gathering yet held on the Hutt Park. The wmtei fixture of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club commences on Wednesday next, and, judging from the nominations received, a vefy successful gathering should be held. As this is the last opportunity I shall have of discussing the handicaps, I shall try and sort out hkelj w inner? for the benefit of my leaders, and in doing so am somewhat in the dark as regards owners'' intentions, the acceptances not closing at time of writing. In the TnaJ Steeplechase, run over two miles Lochade is at the head of affairs, with list 71b, and, although he ran a second to The Guard at Wanga^ nui, sitill there are others lower down the list who, in my opinion, hold the top-weight safe. Penrose, after an absence from the turf of some years, is on the list mark, and would, if still the horse he was of old, make the best of them gallon. Buohans, Great Scott, and Shy lock are all well treated, and the same remark applies to Phantom, Mangatera, and Tukurangi. Abe-r-geldie the half-brother to Moifaa, who has been doinfe excellent work on tlhe track is amongst the entrants, but I think he will be reserved for the big event. With a start, I think the latter would win and next to him Eucharis. For the Winter Handicap, Ideal occupies pride of position, with lOst 131b opposite he£ name, and must be given a chance. Fleka and Will-o'-the-Wisp have got quite their deserts with 41b less. Materoa and Convoy are well treated, and if fit the former would take a lof of beating. Lower down, Hinetaura possesses a chance second to none, and I shall select her to win. with Loon Erin and Lady's Link to occupy the positions. Moifaa and The Guard are on the same mark m the big Hurdles, with 12st 71b, and, should both face the starter, an interesting race would ensue Neither is overburdened Waawera is nicely treated with list 91b, and so is Gobo with lOst 121b, and I think both hold the top weights safe. Sabreur and Plain Bill have no reason to complain with lOst 91b, and if the latter were at his best would have the race

at his moicv. Rulus and The Hempie lui\e been given a chance of distinguishing themsehcs SeAeial new aspirants at the illegitimate game in Kahuw ai, Strathnairn, Rua,mahunga, Wilson, and Reliance aio making their debut, and their effoite aa ill be closelj matched. The lattei has a gie&t reputation on tho tiack, and should he sustain it at hen the colours are up, then one need go no further foi the winnei Smitliv is well tieated Auth 9st olb, and aaill hoat »ioi e than will beat him, and on the 9st ma,ik Roseplot has an outside slioaa To sum up, my a ote goes to Reliance, and next to him I like Smitln and G'oho. Foi the Hunt Club Steeplechase, Phantom and Jack o' Lantern aie givuig away a lot of aa eight to those loA\ei down and these two aa ill probably have the finish to themselves. I think the latter's chance, is more favourable, and I shall theirefoie select him to win If theie is a boil-oA T er, it may be effected by Chance — suggestive name for such a happening In the Hack Hurlles, Roseplot is at the head of affairs, and, if reserved for this, aa ould take no end of beating. Aitua, aalio won at Otaki, is AAell treats ed with 9st 131b, and Noith Star and Le Vent have not received prohibitive imposts. I think the winner will be found in Aitua, and that Lochade and North Star will occupy the places. Convoy occupies the post of honour for the Corinthian Stakes, with 12st 71b but I do not think he will face the barrier Tavo old-time battlers in Daiedevil and Penrose are making their le-appearance. and have been AAell looked after bv the Aveight-adiuster Passion Fruit looks to haA-e a chance AAith list olb, and the same may be said of Legion of Honour and Lady's Link. Boko, on Wairarapa foim. is not harshly treated with list 31b. The consistent, but unlucky, Waitoa ought to be galloping at the right end of the journey Avhen others ai-e tiring. Pearl Shot comes from a lucky stable at aa inter gatherings, and he reads Avell. A 8.N., from Gisborne, has good credentials to recommend him, and so also have Andree aaid Defoe. Rhodara looks to me to be the pick of the handicap, and I shall expect him to be theie or thereabouts when the numbers go up. Next to him, I like Pearl Shot and Waitoa. The Guaaxl has the flattering impost oi 13st olb to carry m the big Steeplecha&e, and, if started, must be held in respect Moifaa is Avithin six pounds of the top aa eight, and if he has impioved on hisi Wanganui and Auckland l mining, will not be far away when the numbeas g.o up. Gobo is given a chance Avitih list 91b, and so also are Plain Bill and Scallywag. The latter is a proficient jumper, and Avill be AA-ith his field, at the finish. Waiwera, Rufus, and Lochade have all handy weights, and should give good accounts of themselves. Abergeldie on track form is giA^en a chance of distinguishing himself, and so also is X Jam To pick the winner is a difficult task, but I shall pin my faith to X Jam, Avith Abeigeldie and Waiwera in the places. This yea.is New Zealand Cup entries total sixty-six The follow ing are the numbeirs for the previous six years — 189(5. (54 1897. 59, 1898, 49, 1900, (>() 1901 43 A feature of the nominations is the large number of rising three-year-olds wliose names appear in the list, no fewer than tAvonty-seven being of that age including amongst others Golden Vein, Ponrua Ringinan, Stepdancer, Achilles, Exmoor, Ghooika, Sensation, Impeiatoi. Welbeck, Romany Queen, and Grand Ra,pids. In the four-year-old division, appear the names of Calibre, Cruciform, Siege Gun, Laureate Nonette Canteen, and

Menuia, whilst amongst others in the oldei division may be mentioned Haiberchei, Tortulla, Canine Chiel, Glenaladale, Pampero, Sinus, Ostiak, Renown, Melwood, St. Michael, and Kahuwai. Taken all round, the quality of the animals engaged is all that could be desiied, and if Mr. Henrys can only satisf\ owneis with liis ad]ustments, tins year's Cup should prove one of the best betting contests so* far held. At pi csent, Siege Gun is a pronounced ra\omite, with Achilles and Kxmoor nest in demand The former has only (started once as vet, and his display was far tiora mentonous, but he comes out of Frailty, and doubtless was far from being at his best on the occasion, beside^, which he repiesents the poweiful Yaldhurst stable, and they have some good tiving tackle Achilles and kxmoor are two of the Poiirua stable representatives, and, on that ground alone apart from performances, are entitled to respect. I shaJl deal with the 1 a,ce more fully w hen the handicaps are made known. The Auckland - bred pony, Clansman, ran two seconds during the last week m May at Sydney. He made amends in his third* effort ,aiiid won the 14.3 Handicap, at Robbery Park, after going out favourite at 5 to 4 against. The Aus+iralian-bred gelding Oban, by LochieJ-Vene&ta, won the Hooton Park (England) Hurdle Race, of 823 soys, two miles and a quarter, on April 19th. Oban staited at 6to 4 on, and won easily bv six lengths from seven others. George R Sims, in the London "Refeiee," saj s> — I \u& talking over the betting inquiry with a workhouse master, and asked him if he had many bi ok en-down backers in his establishment. I don't know about backers,' he said, but there's a street bookmaker who comes in occasionally when he's had a bad week, and you may take that as a fact ' " The cable informs us that the wellknown envs-country jockey. Harry Underwood, was killed by the horse Inkermaai falling with him in a steeplechase at the June meeting of Victoria Racing Club. Underwood at one time resided in New Zealand, but went to Australia fifteen years ago. He was a fearless hoiseman across country, and was very popular. He has several lelatives in Wanganui and Wellington. Two leading bookmakers compared books the day before the Northern Giand National meeting, says "Boz." Both had laid full books against The Guard the one with Tresham, and the othei with Royal Conqueror. The first .suggested swopping two or three hundred of Tresham for Royal Conqueior. The second was agreeable, but. as Tiesham was at a much shorter pi ice than the other, he naturally wanted a concession This the first pencillei could not see, and no business was done. The result was, of course, that the first penciller got a "skinner " and the second w as hit for his book When the expense attendant on hoise-iacmg in South Africa is noted, it is astonishing to find that a craze has recently been evinced by some owners to bei off to the land of the subjugated Boers The prize money is good at some of the meetings, but nominations and acceptances are decidedly stiff. At the South African Turf Club's race meeting, which was to have taken place last month, the principal event was the Turf Club Handicap, of 325 soys. The entry fee for this race was 5 soys, and the acceptance 15 soys. so that it would only need seventeen runnei s for the club to get more than the stake back in fees. This may be pood for the club, but surely not for the owners of horses. The conditions for the minor events were framed on the same scale so that surely South Africa cannot be regarded as an ow ner's paradise.