TURF TOPICS

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 137, 14 February 1903, Page 23

TURF TOPICS

By 'Krect-Card.

Mr J. Henrys was up to time with his adjustments for the summer meeting of the Egmont Racing Club which takes, place cm Wednesday and Thursday next and there should be a liberal response from owners. He seems to have concealed the winners very well, but doubtless, the racing at New Plymouth will throw some light on the chances of several of the candidates. For the Flying Handicap, Okoan 1S at the head of the list, with 9st 131b, and the daughter of St. Leger has: well earned her impost when one remembers her recent form at Ellerslie. Since then she has raced unsuccessfully at Takapuna, but her form there need not be taken seriously. Westguard and Oinw, on the Bst 131b m,ark, are staLle mates, and whichever one is selected to represent it will command attention. Melwood has been so long an absentee from the racing arena that I do not fancy his chance with Bst 31b Kansjtata and Perfection are nicely treated, and on Manawatu form, the latter should be held safe by the former. Shrarmel has the reputation of being a flier and he is riven an opportunity of distinguishing himself m high-er-class company than he has previously met. Float hast no recent form to recommend her, but Livonia, on Hutt form., must beat more than will beat her. Ihe daughter of Stepniak proved her ability to gallop fast over short courses last. season, and her running in the Anniversary Handicap, on, the first day of the local meeting proves that she is regaining last season's form. Governess has been promoted from hack company, and her initial performance in open handicap will be a creditable one. Anchorite is another that is fast, and has 1 some good races to her credit and has been given a chance. Ido not like Ringlet's prospects, and Sunfish will find the company too select. To sum up, with a start, I would take Westguard to win, and next to him I like Livonia. Thirty-two horses are entered for the First Hack, but doubtless when the starters' bell rings this number will be considerably reduced. At present, 1 like the prospects of Waireka, Tikirawa Recoil, The Lurcher, and Matuku and in reducing this number down to one my vote foes to The Lurcher. Waiwera has more than once already this season carried heavy imposts to victory in hurdle races, and it comes with no surprise to find him occupying the post, of honour m the First Hurdle Race at, this meeting, with list ldlb. His nearest opponent is the Wonderland gelding, Eclair, who is in receipt of lib. The handicapper has- about gauged the extent of the opposition, for the only one that will at all trouble the top weights will be Kohunui, who is asked to carry 10s?t 131b. Rufus has received hi£ full share of weight in being allotted list, and I do not recommend his chance. Plaanstone, on West Coast form, must run well with 9st 31b, but 1 think the issue will be fought out between Waiwera and Eclair, and I shall pin my faith to the latter. A number of those engaged in the Hack Hurdles are making their first appearance over stacks, and their performances will be watched with interest. The best of the "known" ones appear to be Awahuri, Midia, Evermore, Moleskin and Haw era. Perhaps the winner will come from amongst this number, and of these I favour the chances of Midia most. If there is to be a surprise from amongst the unknown candidates, it may come from Muralo. For the Egmont. Cup, the New Zearland Cup winner, Halberdier, has been given the post of honour, with 9st 71b opposite' his name. The son of Cuirassier is paying dearly for his success at Riccarton in the spring, for, although started several times since, he has not won a race. This is not very encouraging for his owner, and it. is- about time that the handioappers gave the horse a chance. Battleaxe has been leniently treated in being aw r arded Bst 131b, amd if he regains his last year's form, will prove one of the hardest to beat. Last year he won the Taranaki Cup easily, with 9st 21b in the saddle, in the good tune of 2min 39sec, his nearest opponent being Fakir, who was in receipt of 341b. Convoy has been running consistently of late, but I should be more partial to

his chance if the distance w a& a quaiter oi a, mil© shorter. Okoari is an. unlikely starter, but, if this race and not the Flying is her mission, she ought to be labelled dangerous. She has never won over this distance, and yet she is bred well enough to stay for a week. Motor is well in with Bst 31b, and I think he will prove one of the hardest to beaitu Melwood would have a chance if the little fellow had regained his form, bait he has been an absentee for so long that I shall discard him. The Shannon has got her full deserts in the matter of weight. Still, if fit and well on the daiy of the race, I think she would just about win. Further down, Fakir and Kahuwai are a pair that should run well under their light imposts. They are too erratic to depend on, however. To sum up, I think they will finish in the following order : — The Shannon Halberdier Motor. Reclaimer and Dexterity look the pick of the handicap for the Haw era Welter and I think the winner of the Second Hack Flat will come from Impati, The Lurcher, or Maureen. The former for choice. * * * An Auckland breeder of thoroughbreds has been talking lately of sending two of his brood mares to Australia, on a, visit to Pilgrim's Progress, sire of Abundance, the dual Derby winner and other good ones. It is currently reported in town, since the Chief -Justice gave his decision in fa,vour of the bookmakers in the recent appeal case with the Wellington Racing Club, that a number of Australian "bookies" intend to make a descent upon the colony, and ply their calling with book and pencil. This should be prevented a>t all costs. Though Moifaa is understood to have strained a ligament in on© of his forelegs, he is to be shipped to England in March. It is to be hoped that the injury will not be a permanent one, for all sportsmen would be pleased to hear of Natator'si son distinguishing himself over the fences in the Old Country. Mongonui, who last week was racing at Wairoa, is the only representative of Carbine left on the 1 New Zealand turf. She has put up some smart times in. several of her races, but she is too erratic to make much of a, name for herself on the turf. Levanter, the ex-New Zealander. took part in the Winter Steeplechase, at the Gatwick December meeting, but was. the last past the judge's box. The son of Captivator — Steel All has not been under silk since he met with an accident in February last, which prevented him from competing in the Grand National Steeplechase, at Liverpool. The late Colonel McCalmont won £134.368 during the twelve years he raced horses on the turf, and in four season® with Isinglass he won £57,455, the largest amount ever won by any single* horse. With four months of the racing season gone, Pilgrim's Progress heads the winning sires in Australia, with £8212 10s. followed by The Admiral £6590, Bill of Portland £5159, Graf ton £5086 105, and Lochiel £4987 10s. The news that Mr. G. G. Stead has disposed of Siege Gun to a buyer from Australia, will be welcomed by the majontv of backers in New Zealand. H s failure in the New Zealand Cup, for which he started such, a red-hot favourite, and the demonstration that, followed his victory in the Metropolitan Handicap, on thp second day, will long be remembered. Then came his win m the Auckland Cup, followed by his unsuccessful appearance in Wellington. Truly, he has been the sensational horse of the season. It is stated that he will take up stud duties on the "other sid£," and his career will be watched with interest. He is well bred, and, as he is closely related to Trenton, should command respect as a sire.