TURF TOPICS.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 164, 22 August 1903, Page 25

TURF TOPICS.

By St. Simon.

brisk. •. Hurdles. Mr Jerry Driscoll, the popular New satisfactory. p,ni who ran without success at the ° Scallywag owned by Mr. D. Thompson of Si€ 'Albert Hotel, did his backSa nasty turn through turning a wen S "the Grand National Steeplechase Sid running disappointingly m has two other engagements. Much to the surprise of punters, Prosser's team did not score a win. Although Cstiak was withdrawn from hi eSSagements through breaking a. bioodv^sll in his head, it that Rawin and Exmoor would uphold the reputation of the Ponrua stable. It is only about three or four months of Dunedin, for £600 odd The Kony of it' Vladimir defeats the hon. gentleman's Pampero by a neck tor the valuable Winter Cup stake. It was thought that the snowstorms and heavy rains which had prevailed down South for some Tjeeks prior to tlhe meeting would have the effect ofoausine Southern horses to be short at work thereby minimising their chances, but, strange to relate, in the flat races they practically scooped the pool. The South is not strong in "leppers," and it was not expected that their representatives would have any chance with the big guns of the North. Suoh proved to be the case. Mr. Patersons Matuku, by Gold Reef has proved a good stake earner for the Wellington owner, and further added to the list by annexing the belwyn Haid.cap, paying a dividend, or one shilling short of a five* . The third day's ;neetmg was held in fine, but cold, weather. The total amount put through the totalisator during the three days i\ as £41,777, against £39,583 last year

A number of Wellington sportsmen, uho were present at the meeting, relo\t having had a leal good time, but Sad to "part up" pretty considerably crossing tiie strait on Saturday night on the homeward journey. One in Particular was so bad that he parted X his teeth, which may now adorn the mouth of a pretty mermaid. Tommy Godfrey, the owner of Pipi. Goldspur, and Petrovna, informs me that he is seriously contemplating disj posing of his Dunedm Property, and faking up his abode in Wellington so as to be more m touch with the numerous North Island meetings. 1 rumour gained currency in Auckland that Hewitt had returned from America with a cork leg. Bert smiled visibly when the report reached his ears. Lady Reay, a four^year-old sister^to Melwood, is highly spoken of. She is being trained by H. Moore, at Makaia. ka. Lord Falmouth's only bet on a race was a sixpence, lost to Ins trainers wife. He had the com set with dia^ monds prior to paying over. Bi<* betting still obtains in EnglandT. B. Zool, the S. outl \/ f "Tin m mo 0 ?o aire, landed the nice odds- £10 000 to £120 against the double, Rock Sand and Our Las Sl e. After Rock Sand had accounted for the Derby, Mr. Zoel faTd back £8000 to £1000 against Our Lassie. What's in a name? The well-known racer Frost, died the other night through exposuie. Champion Ribbonwood helped himself to the large finger of one of his groom's hands the other day m Lhnstchurch, whilst being groomed. Awaihuri covered the Steeplechase distance in 7mm 20sec, which is o*sec faster than Haydn put up last .year, and 3*sec slower than Gobo's 1901 record. "Phaeton," of the "New Zealand Herald " states that there is a story in. circulation to the effect that Mr. Donnelly owner of Awafcuri, promised to make a nresentation, of the horse to a friend for hunting purposes if he succeeded in winning the Grand National Steeplechase; therefore it is not likely that Awahuri will again carry Mr Donnellys colours. Sir George Clifford is not represented in this year's New Zealand Cup. The first four horses in the New Zealand Grand National Hurdles hailed from the North Island. Mr. DonneLly has twice won the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase, each time with a horse of his own breeding. Mangoahone carried the colours or the Napier sportsman to victory in 1888, and this year Awahuri achieved a like distinction in the big crosscountry event. North Island-owned horses appeal- to hold quite a mortgage on the New Zealand Grand Nationals of late years. In eleven successive years the winner of the Grand National Steeplechase 1 has hailed from the North, and the last five winners of the Grand National Hurdle Race have come from the same quarter. GlenaJadale, who has more than once been mentioned in connection with a New Zealand Cup, figured as a contestant in a selling race at Riccartoii , on Tuesday last, which he won, and Sir George CluTord elected to let him go at £85. Glenaladale, it may be remarked, was amongst the horses that were allowed to drop out of the New Zealand Cup on the 7th instant.

It is rumomed that Hewitt will, after all, be fit to proceed to Eandwick to steer Mr. Stead's horses in their engagements. A comparative table of winning sues, published by the Sydney "Mad," extending from 1899 to 1903, shows that Lochiel is at the head of the list, with £(56,486 to his credit. Then folLow — Gozo, £51,814 , Bill of Portland, £47,307, Tienton, £38,840, Metal, £27,017 , Pilgrim's Progress, £26,681. Three favourites out of four came home in the Grand Nationals decided at Flemington and Caulfield, thus giving the layers of odds a, bad time of it. Ciuciform and Orloff had a splendid passage, and were landed at Ran<lwick without a scratch. The New Zealand-bred pony. Belle Cole, won another race in New South Wales recently.