TURF TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 April 1919, Page 8

TURF TOPICS.

,;By "Moturoa.")

To-day (Easter Monday) will gee racing at Ellcrslie, Eicearton, Feilding, Hawera, Riverton, Waipukurau, and Beaumont- The principal events to be decided at Ellerslie are the Great Northern St. Leger Stakes, 1J miles, and the St. George's 'Handicap, 1% miles. The Great Easter Handicap, 7 furlongs, and Champagne Stakes, 6 furlongs, are the chief races at Riccarton, while the Feilding Cup, 1J miles, and Mangaone Stakes, G furlongs, will supply the chief excitement at iFeiiding to-day. Good sport is promised at Hawera, where the Waitnat.e Plains Cup, 2 miles, and other events promise to provide Taranaki sportsmen with a good day's outing. A large number of visiting horseowners, trainers, and horse 3 will put in an appearance at Hawera to-day, on the occasion of the Waimate Plains Trotting Club's annual meeting. Amongst those bringing teams to the gathering arc the well-known Canterbury trainers, J. Bryce and F. Holmes, while Vic. Alborn (West Coasc), Phil Green (Wanganui), and several Aucklander3 have also made the trip. Fourteen remain in the Cup, including Hal Junior and Lord Rose, both of which are at home over a two miles journey. Plain Rose is well treated in the Maiden, and the same remark applies to the Canterbury horse Lord Rokeby. The latter is also engaged in the Normanby Handicap, and is likely to go well in whichever race Bryce elects to start him. Lockwood may beat the others engaged in the Normanby Handicap. Oapillose, on scratch, may beat the moderates engaged in the District handicap. Wanganui sports will not hear of Rio Grande's defeat in the Hawera Handicap, but Grattan Chimes will make the race interesting. Jimmy Richmond and Inora are spoken of as likely to show up ir. the Stratford Handicap, and Molly Chimes and Prince Akwood are on good' marks in the Eltham Handicap.

Trainer J. Bryce's team for Hawera includes Some Boy, Idris, Lord Rokeby, and Xavier. V. Alborn has Dixie Lee and Ringleader engaged, and F. Holmes, jnnr., will be represented by Star Queen and Happy JackIt would take a brave man to pick anything against Sasanof in the Great Easter Handicap. He has won over sprint distances lately, and begins like a two-year-old. It is not often that you find a Melbourne and New Zealand Cup winner capable of winning over six or seven furlongs afterwards, but Sasanof Is one of those marvellous equines that seems capable of anything. The Champagne Stakes looks at the mercy of Surveyor. The Nassau colt is reported to he in'the pink of condition at present. Of the hurdlers likely to be seen out at Riccarton Art is in a class of his own, but he has not been in work very long. Of the seasoned brigade Vascular seems to be the best treated. Some Kid is the most experienced of the two-year-olds engaged in the Russley Plate, and Vagabond and Eleus are recent winners that are likely to be well supported in the Sockburn Handicap. Post Haste, a member of F. Jones' team, and Naughty Queen are well treated in the Gimcrack Handicap, and John Barleycorn and Claverhouse in the Courtney Welter

Hi» fialds will contest all events at Foildinpr to-day. The Cup looks a very open event, with Pacific Slope, Nobleman, and Master Moutoa most in demand. Chimera, Demos, Slmonides. and Waimatao are all fancied for the Mangaone Stakes, and the last-named has only to be as fit as he was at Hawera to have a royal chance. Want, on Wanganui and Wuodvillc form, reads well in the Kawa Kawa Hurdles, though Whiro and Hushman can also travel fast and jump cleanly. Papanui and Lord Muskerry may have another due! in the Taonui Hack Handicap, and Jiu Jitsu and Master Iney may be the best stayers produced in the Hack Welter. Vance, Samarang, Zola, Black Mark, and Bitholia may run well in the other events.