Turf Topics.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 175, 7 November 1903, Page 19

Turf Topics.

By St. Simon.

SHOULD the present glorious weather continue, Carnival week in Christchuroh should prove a most enjoyable one to the inhabitants of the plains, and the large gathering of visitors from all parts of the colony. * * * Christchurch is undoubtedly the headquarters of racing in the colony, and the New Zealand Cup is the most popular event. Right down, from nomination day till flag fall, it is made the medium of extensive speculation, and the chances of the vanous candidates are discussed with avidity among all cla&ses of society. A question that puzzled backers for some weeks was whether the Porirua candidate, Achilles, would be a starter In my notes of last week I gave a bird's whisper to the effect that he would start, would be ridden by Hewitt, and would win. I now learn that he will be a certain starter, and, as I notice that Jenkins, who has first call at Porirua, is to ride something else in the race. I take it that the little bird's information will prove to be pretty correct. The Auckland colt, Wairiki. who held the position of first favourite for a long while, has receded in the betting, despite the fact of his rider's remark to McComb, the rider of St. Denis, at Oamaru. "Thanks you have won me the New Zealand Cup," referring to the high-pressure gallop caused by St. Denis winning the race from Wairiki. The track work of the colt has not been as searching as most people like, and reports as to his condition suggest his unfitness to n-et to the end of a fast^run two-mile race. Canteen, the Dunedin grey son of Castor, is reported to be in rare buckle, and should run the race of his life. Southern sports, should he win, will packet a lot of dollars, as they harre stuck to him consistently throughout. His city mate, Pampero, however, has gone wrong on the eve of the meeting, just as he did last year, and the 1 friends of that popular Otago sportsman, the Hon. Geo. McLean, will deplore the fact. If my memory serves me aright, the same owner's Lord Rosslyn also went out on the eve of battle two Cups ago. At time of writing Pampero is still in, but I think he can be safely numbered among the non-starters. This comes as a facer to backers, for the horse was heavily supported in doubles and straight-out bets. Melwood continues sound, and, should he not develop soreness, as he did last year, St. Leger's son should be seen well to the front at the finish. Bill Davis is having a change of luck, and I understand that the stable connections mSde quite a pot of money over Melwood's victory at the W.R.C. meeting. Old Mars, with fourteen years of active life to his credit, has arrived at Riccarton and will show some of his younger opponents a clean nair of heels at the end of the race. What about Shrapnel's chance? That is what you hear where sports frequent. Certainly, his recent displays at Wellington do not lead one to believe that the son of The Workman has a chance, but then, there is the word of old Dame Rumour to consider, and sometimes the old girl worms out stable secrets in a most bewildering manner. She says that Shrapnel has given a trial that puts the result beyond doubt, and that the connections stand to win a pot of money over him. That may be, but I don't give Mm a place. On Saturday afternoon the race* will be run before what will probably nrove a record attendance. Wellington will send a larger contingent of sportsmen than for many years, judging by the booking of passages, and, as already written, it only wants fine weather to ensure a most enjoyable meeting. • ♦ * In endeavouring to sort out the placed horses for the principal events, I am eluded more by form than rumour — the latter often, however, proving correct. Take the case of Shrapnel, for instance, and Heroism, too, who, bv the way, is reported to be a snip for the event, form cannot be taken into account, and, on their recent performances, should chase the others home.

11l making this, my final, selection, I place the first three as follows — Achilles, 1 Canteen 2 Roseal 3, with Melwood close up For the Stewards' Stakes, I like the follow nig, in the order named — Petrovna, 1 Machine Gun, 2 St. Denis, 3. As the acceptances will not be available for the other events until after "copy hour," I am not in a position to anticipate, but I do think that the stables of the Hon. J. D. Ormond, Porirua, and Friedlander Brothers will be worthily represented at the meeting The Auckland Racing Club's spring meeting will be commenced at Ellerslie on Saturday, when some excellent racing should be witnessed, as the fields are large and the quality good. In the Auckland Derby I like — Ropa 1 Gordon Rouge, 2 Onewa, 3. Pie&ident's Handicap. — Soultfish! 1, Sw agsman 2, Geordie 3. Shorts Handicap. — Glasgow 1, Paratutu 2, Numa 3. Pony Handicap. — Annoyed 1, Centinel 2, Stepaway 3. Flying Handicap. — -Cygnet 1, Marshal Soult 2, Green and Gold 3. * # ♦ On Monday next the Wayerley meeting takes place, and, as excellent acceotances have been received!, splendid sport should be witnessed. I like the following in their respective engagements — Hurdles. — Moturoa 1, Pharos 2. Prince of Wales Handicap. — Little Turk 1, Noneen 2. Flying Handicap. — Contingent 1, Firelight 2. Waverley Cup. — Wet Reef 1, Inglewood 2. Morton Memorial — Contingent 1, Pharos 2. Momahaki Stakes. — Moetoropuku 1, Wet Reef 2. * * ¥■ Pallas was sore after the Wellington meeting, but soon shook it off. The hard-going at Riccarton has again had a bad effect on his legs, latest reports being that he is very groggy. More unlikely things have happened than Blazer's reappearance on the turf being signalised by a victory in the Stewards' Handicap. Enquiries are being made as to- the ownership of Roseal, a fancied Cup candidate, under one of the Jockey Club rules, which is very stringent on the matter of ownership. Lord Ranfurly has notified the Manawatu Racing Club of his inability to be present at that club's meeting, owing to a nrior engagement with the Auckland Racing Club. Many punters, who had visions of at an early date- getting their money back on The Rioter, are doomed to disappointment, as that erratic neddy dropped dead at Napier the other day. Sceptre, the English 1 crack, has won £40,000 in stakes during her three years' racing and must therefore have proved a veritable gold mine to her owner. The V.R.C. Derby was run on Saturday last, and resulted m a victory for F.J.A., his stable companion, Sweet Nell being second, and Belah third. A demonstration was made against the winner, Sweet Nell being a very hot faivounte. The- stable backed Sweet Nell, therefore the demonstration w r as unwarranted.