ENGLISH RACING.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1918, Page 8

ENGLISH RACING.

Loudon, March 21. The National Steeplechase resulted: -eethlyn 1, Captain Dreyfus 2, Bally i.-.icad u. ' RACING FIXTURES. March 30, April I.—Auckland R.C. Autumn. April I.—Waimatc Plains T.C. Annual. April 1, 2.—Canterbury J.C. Autumn. April 1, 2.—Feikling J. C. Easter, TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa") A.R.C. Easter Handicap to-day weak. Parisian Diamond 13 worth following. Nobleman shaped very badly at Bulls. All Over is a paying proposition for Mr. J. Bull. Ibex is one of the most promising maidens on the coast. Ratnn.a is a long while making good over small timber. A brace of Campfire geldings, Warmth and Skedaddle, filled the places in the Pitkenui Welter at Bulls. Staccato ran two good races this week, but she is asked to carry too much weight for a three-year-old. Perfect Day, who showed,some pace at the Taranaki autumn meeting, was more successful when tried over a longer course at Opunake. L°st year Coropet ran second in the Rauniai Welter at Bulls, and on Thursday went- one better, scoring a long overdue win. Trainer "Jimmy" Thacker does not offtn get a turn of Fortune's wheel, but his luck changed this week, Gipsy Gem winning twice and Self Alliance running second at Bulls. With ordinary luck Turangapito would have won each day at Rar.gitikei. He got away badly on the first day, and was interfered with when making his run. The next day he strolled in. Gray is riding in great form now, and the local horseman is leaving the other joeksters well in the rear. He rode nine winners this week. Gold Problem (Gold Crest—Probability) won the Trial at Bulls from end to end, hut Ibex would have scored if he had been kept in a better position, Most of the riders in the Rangitikei Cup had their eyes on Nobleman, but | when they tried to overtake Kilters, who ! had made all the running, they were too late. Dasher Eoy made the pace for about a mile and a half in the Ohakoa Hurdles on Wednesday, which put many observant punters on to the Wanganui prad when he won the next day. His; r'srly got a good price, but they need it badly. (iold Soult carried Cllbs overweight in the Rangitikei Cup, and even then should have won. He was "hot orange" on Thursday. Warmth was always in the front, line in the ['ukeniii Welter, and when Gray gave him a reminder he went on and won in good style. Parisian Diamond was easily the best sprinter seen out at Bulls, and nothing will have it on him as regards fitness in the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie. He will take some "stoushing." Starengo and Rawakore both drew outside positions on Thursday, but ran great races, boating all but Parisian Diamond, who was only cantering at the finish. The win gives the last-named a 51b penalty in the Easter Handicap, which brings his weight to nearer Gray's minimum. Gray, of course, will ride the Charlemagi.e 11 gelding at Ellerslie. The road between Bulls and Wanganui takes first prise and dishonorable men-. iion for "stinks." Those who motored through hail their olfactory organs assaulted by the perfume of rotting turnips,') deceased animals, etc. "Near Warrengate a bullock that had quitted this baneful life for about a month caused several cars to skid, while a number of returned soldiers instinctively felt for 'their gas helmets. Nobleman looked a wreck on Thursday, the result of too much racing. The Sir Laddo gelding is well enough treated in the Feilding Cup, but will hardly have lime to freshen up before Monday week. If all they say is true about the doings of certain jockeys at Bulls, any youngster who has the temerity to try and upset the plans of those riders who "engineer" races stands a good chance of meeting with a serious mishap. This was common talk on the course, and the writer has no hesitation in saying that a big number of tho younger fry are terrorised by their more daring bigger brothers. One of these days the small boys will S(pieal, and several of the "engineers" will be given a rest in perpetuity. Colorado showed a lot of pace each day at Bulls, and, being a great jumper, looks like turning out a gold mine for J. Bull. The 'Frisco gelding was backed down to a short price in the Pukehou Welter, and never looked like getting beaten. He seems almost too good to be risked over fences. Whiro, by Advance, came from a long way back when he finished third in the Trian on Wednesday, and he walked in the next day. His victory was made easier by the scratching of Ibex, who would not have paid much better than evens if they had slipped him. , Gang Awa' showed improved form In his second start at Bulls, and paid a wonderful price when he followed Gold Soult homo in the Fraser Memorial Stakes. Dasher Boy was made a lot of use of in the Sandon Hurdles, and in the straight was going up and down in the same place. The others had tho tired feeling too. Piano was started twice on Thursday, but failed to connect. Arawia drew twelfth position, and won on his merits, while Staccato, who was overloaded with 0.8, also beat the filly. Most of the "heads" went for George on Thursday, but he was well beaten after looking a winner at the turn. A lot of money changed hands over his defeat. For some unaccountable reason Hushlad was heavily backed in the Maiden at Bulls. Gray is a good horseman, but the horse has to be capable of doing its bit as well as the man on top.