TURF TOPICS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 419, 28 April 1937, Page 7

TURF TOPICS.

To Be Eased Up Sir Simper is to be eased for a j while because of suspected trouble | in one of his front legs. His trainer, • T. H. Platt, has not yet ascertained ; the extent of the trouble. Sir Simper has had only two races since returning to Melbourne from a year’s spell in New Zealand. -X- -x- -XHawke’s Bay Entries Bigger prize-money than tor some time is provided by the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club for its meeting on May 8 and Coronation Day, May 12. This meetings marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Hawke’s Bay Cup, and the stake is well worthy of the occasion, there being a 50-guinea gold cup added to the £3OO prize-money. On Coronation Day, the chief event carries £2OO and a silver cup valued at 25 guineas. Nominations close to-night with the new secretary, Mr A. E. Wishart, Hastings. * 4k Suffered From Soreness After his fine showing over seven furlongs at Stratford Onewhetu looked likely to win a race at Easter, but soreness prevented him producing his best at Feilding. Reports from Hawera indicate that he has not yet thrown off this soreness. It is to bo hoped he will recover in time for the big meetings next month, as Onewhetu has only to be produced at his best to win a good race with the weights that he is now being allotted Onewhetu won the Cornwall Handicap at the last Great Northern meeting. * * * Rode Well R. Coveney, who rode The Sandrichman in both his successes at the elson meeting, was riding for the lan

first time since he- was seriously injured in a fall at the C.J.C. Easter meeting of 1933. Coveney, who is now training a small team at Blenheim, handled his mounts with all his old-time vigour, and the crowd was not slow in showing its appreciation of his comeback. * * * Wanganui Stake Increases The Wanganui Steeplechase this year is to carry a stake of £5OO, double the amount given last time and the biggest prize for a cross-coun-try event at the river city since 1930. The distance is about three miles. The Grandstand Steeplechase, run on the first day. has been increased to £350, which also represents a 100 per cent, increase. The Century Hurdles, run on the opening day, has gone up to £350, the distance having been increased from a mile and threequarters to two miles and 194 yards. The June Hurdles, a mile and threequarters, carries £3OO and the flat events have not been forgotten. The club is to be congratulated on its enterprising policy of the last season or two and owners are certain to do their part. Nominations close on Monday, May 17. -X- -X- -X’Chasing Recruit It is intended to give Black Marlin some schooling over the steeplechase fences at Ellerslie at an early date. This horse has proved himself a good jumper over hurdles, and with a bit. of experience he should be quite capable of negotiating the. big-fences at, Ellerslie safely. Black Marlin has made good headway during the past month,, and will be a fit horse by the time the winter meetings arrive, states a writer in the ' Auckland Star, I «- * -x|Made Good Impression | Mazzini created a good impression ! by his hold showing in his first race in ths South Island at Waimate last week. He is a three-year-old gelding by Chief Ruler from Dignified, an Australian-bred mare by Dignity from Queen Warbler, by Comedy King from Yippingdale, by William the Third. Mazzini was sold as a yearling in Trentham for 170gns, and after racing in the North Island was sold to Mr A. McDonald, of New Brighton, for whom he is trained by S. Barr. Dignified was never raced, being purchased by Mr J. Donald, of Westmere, for stud purposes on account of her blood lines, and she was only four years old when she produced Mazzini.