TURF TOPICS

Free Lance, Volume V, Issue 214, 6 August 1904, Page 19

TURF TOPICS

By the "Old 'Un."

THE Committee of the Wellington Racing Club want to get a freehold for a laceoouise woithy of the metropolitan club. With tlus object in view, it was decided at the club s monthly meeting on Monday last that the whole Committee pioceed tins week to Silverstream (sixteen male* horn the city, on the Wairaiapa railway line) and inspect some 145 acres of flat land adjacent to the lailway, wi.ich has been placed undei offei to the Committee at a moderate puce The club has for yeais labouied under ereat difficulties, inasmuch as means ot SommurucaUon with their racecourse was not up to date. In addition to th» disadvantage, the Hutt Pa.k hems public pioperty, the club could not lav a claim to the buildings erected thereon. Consequently, the money spent in improvements has not resulted in such conveniences being; erected as were demanded bv the club's pati ons When the Hutt line is straightened, the sixteen miles between the city and Silverstream would, at the outside, not occupy moiethan thntv minutes, and passengers could be landed right on the course. This should make an appreciable diffeience in the attendance, damages from town would certainly have some four miles fuither to go, but the road is a level one, and the extra drive would, no doubt, be enjoyed by the club's patrons * * * A new 1 acing club has been formed at Greytown, Wairarapa, with a membeiship of upwards of 140 leading residents of that town. The Moroa racecouise, which is situated adjacent to Greytown, will be the convincing ground. Mi. John Cotter, one of Wanarapas bestknown settlers, and a thorough sport accompanied by Mr. Bicknell, Mayor of Greytown, waited (as a deputation tiom the" club) on the Committee of the Wellington Racing Club, and i equested that the club be recommended for registration, a,nd their programme passed for a meeting this spring. The request was acceded to, and the recommendation forwarded to the secretary of the New Zealand Racing Conference. The Greytown Club will hold its first meeting without the aid of the totalisatoi . Early settlers will thus be reminded of racing as it was earned on prior to the introduction of the betting machine. * * * The report that Canteen is to be taken, to Melbourne, and prepared foi the Melbourne Cup, will not be welcome news to those who supported Mr. Moss s hoise for the New Zealand Cup. Canteen's owner, however, eaily gave sporting writers to understand that he had not decided as to which Cup he would "take on " The tempting impost (Bst lib) awarded the last New Zealand Cup winner weighed no doubt with the owner. Many racing men hold that a Melbourne Cup is more easily won than a New Zealand Oup. They argue that heavily-weighted 1 horses have frequently outstayed the rank and file that run m Melbourne Cups, and that a horse only requii es to be a genuine stayer to take a prominent part in the race. New Zealand sportsmen will, no doubt, ioin in wishing Mr. Moss the best of luck in his ventu'e. With Wairiki, Canteen, and Gladsome in the Melbourne Cup, New Zealanders will commence to feel interested. The former is reported to be a certain starter should all go well with him. His party complained loudly after last New Zealand Cup that, but for interference on the nart of Canteen's rider, Wairiki would have beaten Mr. Moss's horse. Ido not hold! with them in that opinion, and venture to predict that should the pair meet fit and well on the Flemmgton racecourse, the arev horse will again defeat the Aucklamder. The Victorian weight-adjuster, probably taking Waiiiki's Auckland Cup victory into consideration, has asked him to meet Canteen on only lib better terms than when he met with defeat at the hands of the latter The pair will thus practically run their New Zealand Cup race over again. It is only reasonable to suppose that many side waerers will depend on the result of their meeting. Encouraged by the success of Ciuciform last spring, Mr. Geo. G. Stead decided upon another invasion into the

land of cornstalks. The US. Moeraki, which, left foi Sydney on Saturday last, had on board a team from the Yaldhuist stable, consisting or Cruciform, Grand Rapids, Mai turn, and the maiden tin ee-yeai -old filly Nightfall, bv Multif oim — La Notti Mr. R J Mason, as a matten of course, accompanies the team, and L. H. Hewitt, who is in Austiaha at piesent will join him in Sydney, and pilot the horses m their engagements. Crucifoim, when viewed in her box on the steamer, appeared quite contented. Her tiainer does not consider her as forwaid in condition as when she left for Sydney on her last tup She has, however, done solid work, and', as Mason will have five weeks wherein to administer fast gallops, Oi-ucifoim may hold her own in the weight-foii -age events. Mr. Stead's mare will not, on thus occasion, have to contend with Wakeful whose great performance of canying lOst into second place in the Melbourne Cup demonstrated that she is one of the best mares ever saddled up in Australasia. Grand Rapids is a bound hoise, and should have a chance in handicap events Martian shows more quality, but has not the size of his stable companion, who is a beautiful and resolute mover. If he is lucky enough to obtain a cleai run in his races, he will give the 'Walers a taste of his quality. Nightfall is lathei a nice-shaped filly, and her first appeal ance will probably be in. the A.J.C. Spiing Maiden Stakes. This filly is engaged m the Hawke's Bay Guineas, and there is time for her to letuin after the A.J.C. spring meeting, and fulfil her engagements. Mr Stead intends pi oceeding to Sydney at the end of this month to witness his horses run in theii engagements. It would 1 be mteiesting should Mr. Bradley send Wainki aci oss in time to take pait m the weight-for-age races. With Cruciform, Wainki, and Gladsome competing in events with the pick of the AustraJian-bi ed hoises, much interest would be oenti ed in the meeting. • * • Judged by the number of hoi ses supported in doubles for the C.J.C Grand National events, the acceptances should be good. Most of the top-weight brigade will pay up in the Steeplechase. Aka Aka has been displaying oonsideiable proficiency in his schooling essays ovei the fences at Riccaiton, and is now a slightly better favourite than Haydn. Slow Tom has shown a desire to shirk some of the jumps, but will probably go straight enough when the colours are up Papatu is 1 eported a bit sore but this may not interfere with his chance, as he has been more or less unsound for some time, and yet runs well. Kaitere and Moccasin have progressed satisfactorily m tJieir training since reaching headquarters. This remark also applies to Pipi. Plain Bill iis repoited as doing sound work at his owner's place, near Foxton, and is said to be a sui c starter. This old 'chaser has come in for a lot of support during the last week. He undoubtedly is thrown into the handicap, and, if fit and well on the day, should stall off all opposition . Kremlin is a popular fancy for the Grand National Hurdle Race. A numbei of shrewd backers have supported him heavily in doubles with the favourites in the Steeplechase. The two Kremlins (for Winter Cup and Hurdle

Race) have also been backed for all the available money with the metalhcraais. Waawera, Tupara, Tahoe, la, and Liss i have also been in good demand, and layeis of doubles should have good volumes. Kiemlin and Cannie Chiel aie still favouute selections for the Wintei Cup Oblivion 11. and Waitarere are also freely supported for the same event

A great deal of mteiest was taken in the Lower Hutt and Petone distncts m the match for the junior championship, between the Kia Oia and Petone teams, last Saturday. Botli teams had, up to this match, succeeded in escaping defeat — the Kia< Ora hoys having beaten all the othei teaims m the competition with the exception of the Athletics, with whom they drew The Petone lad-, were even more successful, all the matches they played having been won by them. When the teams lined out, the Kia Oras had the advantage of then opponents in the matter of weight, but. as the game progie«sed, the extra cleverness of Petone moi c than made up foa their lack of weieht, and they cime out victorious bv nine points (two tnes and a penalty goal) to nil The game. wa« bittei ly contested a,nd was altogether too rough. Both teams were equally to blame and the referee must be credited with i portion of it Indiscriminate kicking nndi unnecessaiv bustlinf were some of the featuies ot the game unpleasant to notice, and it everybody Wl Ivs dues many of the players in the match would have to toe the line befo> c the Rugby Union to answer for their laches from fair play. True many of the instnnces in oiwstjon could not possibly have been =een bv the referee, he^ee the j»reT«nents m favour of responsible officials on the touch-lme havin« power to report offenders received another hoi*t alone. The Petone team, however, deserved their win, for they played the better game. Their backs, particularly Ryan, Instone, and Kelly, were very solid in defence, Jones and Thomson being the most aggressive in attack. The forwards played hard against a Javier pack, the most prominent being Phillips, Henry, and Fmchan The Kia Ora team were unfortunate in losing the services of W. Jones— their star back— early in the same a brokem rib resulting from a S>lid 'tackle by one of the opposing backs. His departure seemed to disorganise the Hutt lads, for with the possible exceptions of McGurk and Meyrick, they appeared to shirk anything in the nature of a forward rush. Tanna. hill, Pringte. and J. McGurk were the best of a williner set of forwards, who took a lot of shifting m the solid work. P Hayes was playing wing-forward, and 'has received a similar position in the junior representative team, but he played the man too much, and resorted to more, tricks than Pearce does at the Choral Hall in his efforts to throw his opponents in the time he stipulate' Hayes if he persists in the same style of play, should early find a position amonof the spectators. The Petone team have yet to play Oriental and JohnsonviUe, but, as they have to lose both matches to be deprived of their lead for the Junior Championship it may safely be assumed that they will be the ultimate winners. » * * "Warner, of the Wairarapa, who is classed by those who have witnessed his play as the very best winger ever seen in Wellington." This sentence m an exchange caught my eye and set me thinking. Personally, I cannot subBoribe to the opinion therein. Warner is a fine player, I am willing to admit, but he is not a wing forward to my views of a playeT in that position Give Warner possession of the ball, and he will beat many of his opponent® by the manoeuvring he does with his feet, and when that is said the major portion of Warner's usefulness is expressed. A wing-forward is a player who can take a hand in a passing rush— initiate one if need be — who can handle the ball with precision, who can tackle with the best defensive back, and who is quick on his feet, and therefore fast in getting down on to the opposing backs. The best friend of Warner's cannot claim that he fulfils the above conditions, and in comparing him with say "Off-side Mac," "Hen" Kelly," " 'Ard" Kelly, "Bob" Oliphant, the late Harry Lee, and others who were prominent wingforwards in Wellington representative football, the words used in the extract I have quoted will be admitted to be much overdrawn • • The Auckland Rugby Union have erected temporary stand accommodation for the British match that will seat 1700 people. An Auckland writer, judging by his display in the Auckland-Goldfields match, says it will take McDuff at least six months to get into condition. The tour of the Wellington team so far has been satisfactory. Manawatu (8 to 5) and Hawke's Bay (16 to nil) are wins to be inscribed on the banner. The match of the tour is to be played tomorrow (Saturday), in Auckland. As the match is a challenge one for the Ranfurly Shield, much interest is being taken in it in consequence. May oni boys arrive in the Northern city fit and well, and the best team win the match, is the wish of an ex-Auoklander and am enthusiastic supporter of the Wellington team.