THE RACING WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 114, 13 May 1908, Page 9

THE RACING WORLD.

— . . ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Stepnlak. — Bobrikoff Is 'by Finland —• Gossip. B. Towers has had his license returned Iby the Auckland Metropolitan Committee. The three placed fillies in the One Thousand Guineas are all by sons of St. Simon. The weights for the minor events on the opening day of the A.X.C. Winter Meeting are due on Friday next. Tae Thames gelding Soultline was withdrawn from the "Royal Handicap on the opening day of the Takapuna meeting on Monday last. Inuuenza amougst horses is said to be prevalent in and around Hastings, and several of the youngsters in T. Qulnlivan's establishment are laid up with It. The pony Hughie has been disposed of to a Melbourne buyer, and is to be sbippea to his new home ou Monday next. It is understood that the price received for the sou of Soult was laOgs. Mr Richard Croker's filly Rhodora, which won the Oue Thousand Guineas, is a threequarter sister in blood to last year's Derby winner Orby. Messrs A. Buckland and Sons will offer the racehorses Haldane, Swagsmau, Luros, aud Mawhiti for sale by auction at their yards on Friday next at 12 noon. I have to acknowledge with thanks receipt of a complimentary ticket for the Huntly Raclug Club's Annual Meeting, which takes place -on the Ngaruawahla course on Saturday next. The Hotehkiss — Mantilla horse Motor, which was Untely taken across to Sydney hy Mr W. Blythe, died there recently, and a nost mortem revealed the presence of a tumour as large as. an average cauliflower. The mare Lady Clements, which raced in and arouDd Auckland for some time, was recently sold in Sydney to go to Western Australia. ' ) The Auckland Racing Club have decided to charge bookmakers £20 per day with an extra 111/ for a clerk, for the right to bet at the forthcoming A.R.C. Winter Meeting. The Flintlock gelding Landlock Is evidently to be given an opportunity to earn distinction over the big fences, as his name appeals In the list of nominations for the Tally-ho Steeplechase at tho forthcoming A.R.C. winter meeting. Acceptances for the whole of the events on the opening day, and the Steeplechase on the second day, of the Takapuna Jockey Club's Winter Meeting close with the secretary, Mr R Wynyard, on Friday next, the loth inst., at 9 p.m. A man may train a horse to the acme of fitness, he may try him to have a stone In hand, he may back him to win a fortune, but the minute he leads him out of the paddock aud lets go his head he is no longer the master. At the Sydney yearling sales, 332 youngstcre realised 42,508 guineas, an average of 127 i guineas. San Francisco had the best average, ten of his stock realising £30G5. Mr McDonald got a great bargain when he secured San Francisco for 1500 guineas. One hears tales about horses "being stopped" by giving them buckets of water, but there is not one horse out of ten that has been raced thai will drink more than is good for him ou the day when he has to complete, says a Loudon writer. J. E. Brewer, the ex-Australian trainer, turned out the first winner of the English llat-raclng season, Laveuse (owned by Mr L. Robinson), accounting for the Trial Plate at Lincoln. Laveuse, who is stated by the English papers to be in foal, was bought for 220gs. The Leolautis gelding which claims engagements at the Takapuna Jockey Club's winter meeting was bought from the Bay of Islands during the week, and is now located at tho North Shore. Franklin has been schooled over the hurdles since his arrival, and Jumped satisfactorily. . The ex-New Zealand Jockey Hewitt had had two winning rides when the last mail left England, riding Sandbath to victory In the Lingiield Spring Foal Stakes.and the Orontes 11. fllly in the Home Bred Two-year-old Plate. The latter started second favourite in her race, but Sandbath was the outsider of the six runners in his event. In one of Gilbert and Sullivan's inimitable operas, is is said "the policeman's lot Is not a happy one," and in many instances, with far more reason, the trainer's lot la certainly the reverse of felicitous. By the Man in the Street It Is frequently thought that the trainer, or the owner and trainer combines nave only, like the Centurion or old, to say, "do this," and he doeth it. People thiuk if a man has a good horse he has only to "be out" and a win is assured, but they quite forget that "even as one stun dieters from another." so differ the merits of horses, so the judgment ot trainers, and so, likewise, the opinions of jockeys. There Is a diversity of opinion amongst Southern writers in connection with the merit of BobrllcofTs victory in the Hawke's Bay Stakes, and id this connection, "Gleucoe," in the "Dominion," says: — "The fact that a moderate performer like King Post should finish second to the winner icakes the opposition look weak. Gold Crest, 0.13. had a lot of weight, and may be a trifle oft colour after all the racing he has done. Still in a handicap race, he woula have been asked to concede more weight to Bobrikoff. All Red has shown no exceptional brilliancy up till the present, ana Aborigine, the best of the two-year-olds, was only receiving 21b, and' would find the distance somewhat far. Against thls v it must be considered that Bobrikoff ran a good third in the Hawke's Bay Guineas In October after getting tho worst of the, start. He beat AH Red on that occasion when In receipt of Gib, and now beats him again In receipt of 13!b. King Post has plenty of pace, but keeps very poor in condition It Gold Crest was in proper form yesterday, the Seaton Delaval gelding must have run the race of his life, for at Trentham last week he was beaten among the hack division." Mr Hugh R. Denlson, the owner, Interviewed by the "Australian Star," contends that he has acted In perfect good faitn towards the public, which, as a rule, he says, forms Its judgment upon insufficient knowledge. He explains that he decided to start Poseidon in the last Melbourne Cup against the advice of his trainer for the ->eason that the public had backed the horse. The strain of that race, under such a weight as 10.3, was such that he was turned out until the second week in January, so that he might be got thoroughly well for the Sydney Cup. But about two weeks before this race, .the horse began to go unaccountably etale, and after a lot of consideration, the owner had to scratch him. In the Autumn Stakes, Mr Denlson adds, Poseidon was badly knocked about, otherwise ha would have won, whilst, on the other hand, the Cumberland Stakes race was fairly run to suit him, and he galloped true to his form. "Was I very keen on winning the Sydney Cup? Put it on the lowest plane, that my desire had been merely to make' money, and supposing mc unscrupulous, I did the clumsiest thing possible to scratch him for the Cup, and win the Cumberland Stakes. To say nothing of the far greater value of the Cup prize money, I could have operated with a free hand in the ring to win a small fortune; but I am a most moderate better, and I do not race to make money. If the public cares to class mc as a blackleg, it-can do so; but 1 do not believe that it does. By the public, I mean the sane, manly section of racegoers, who are in a majority. I do not mean a hooting minority, who, in proportion to the smaliness of their losses, fiercely execrate the unwitting cause of these." TURF TALK FBOJtf THE SOUTH. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star." j CHHISTCHTXRCH, Tuesday. The tracks at Rlccarton have been fairly busy during the past week, several local horses being spun out, In view of the Ashbnrton meeting, which takes place on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Prim which won the "chief event-at- the j Christchurcu Kacing Club's meeting is gal- < loping in greatly improved style, as is Pro- ( bable, which looks greatly benefited as the i result of a short spell; ■ • , Since his return from Wellington, Sea , King has shown slight traces of lameness, , and is having an easy time of it. Another , which Is not too sound after his racing at ; the Easter meeting is Ability. lie has been j lightly blistered, but is still kept up to the , collar. I am afraid, however, that Holmes > will have considerable trouble to keep this useful gelding going through the winter months. The only two local 'chasers that have done any jumping of late are Canton and liurus, in W. Clark's stable. Both have been getting over the big obstacles in finished style, and though Canton has not so much pace as his mate; his hopping is quite as good. J.. A. McGuinness is breaking in two rising. two-year-olds for Mr .T. B. Reid. Both are by the imported stallion St. Ambrose, one being from Savannah, and the other from Pauna.. F. Cotton is breaking in Raurik, a promising brother to Petrovna, which resembles that useful sprinter considerably. The same mentor also has in hand a half brother to The Mohieian, a hurdler that did good service for G. M. Aynesley a few seasons back. Ronaldshay and Ben-Zoic have been sent to their owner's place at Teviot, and neither will be raced again till nest season. The trial track at Riccarton has recently received a liberal top-dressing: Ttie Forbury trainer, McKay, has had two additions to his string, in Derwent and au untried four-year-old colt by Brighton, out of a Chantilly nuire. The colt was sired by Brighton when that horse was only two years of age. The Australian-bred colt. Grafton Loch is in work again at Wingatui, and is bowling along in great style. The well known trainer of gallopers and trotters, C. Piper, intends going ou a visit to Sydney after the Tlumpton Park meeting, anfl it is quite on the cards that, bo will bring two or three horses back with him from Mr Buckland's station. ENGLISH KACING. LOKDOS, April 3. THE GRAND N'ATWXAI. The Grand National Steeplechase of 1008, which was deeiued at Ainiree last Friday, place no less man two-thirus of the four-and-twenty runners failed tv finish, and of tlie eight who completed the course, oue had beeu down and remounted. The winner turned up in the rankest of rank outsiders, a ten-year-old i'aukee-bred horse named ltubio, the property ul Aiajor JJouglas i'eunaiit, which, carrying 10.5, started absolutely friendless. Rubio, though weil enough bred for anything—he is related through his sire Star Huby (Hampton—Ornament) to the famous mare Sceptre—was brought from America, and sold as a yearling at -Newmarket for lugs to a local farmer. He in turn sold the horse as a hunter for 95gs, but iiubio broke down, and suffered the indignity of being jobbed about in a 'bus at Towoester. Then he recovered from his breakdown, and at five years of age ajipeai- ,- events, winning three in succession. Theu lor a couple of years he was absent from the Turf, and his only appearance in 'iauu resulted-in defeat. Last year Rubio won a couple of steeplechases, and early this year he wou the Molesey Handicap Steeplecnase at Hurst Park, iv moderate company, his other outings resulting in defeats. Kubio has won a good many prizes iv the show ring since he became a steeplechaser. The favourite for the race was Kirklaud (12yrs, 11.12), which won in 11)05, and was on Friday backed for big money. Nest in popular favour were Tom West (Oyrs 10 7) and Springbok (Byrs, ILS). Johnstown Lad (7yrs, O.my nad also friends in plenty to back him, and other rather fancied goods were Paddy Maher (Syrs, 10.3), Roman Law (lOyrs, 11.2), Mount Prospect's Fortune (Oyrs, 11.11), Seisdon Pitnee (9yrs, 11.0),' Extravagance (7yrs, 10.13), and The Lawyer 111. llyrs, 10.13), against which good odds were current at flas fall. The King's 'chaser, Flaxman (Byrs, U. 12) was at a long price; whilst Mattle Macgregor (6yrs, 10.6), and Lara (7yrs, 10.0), were occasionally backed. Against the rest it was a case of "any price you like" almost. The tumbling act commenced eaxly, for Jie first fence disposed of Phophet 111., ilount Prospect's Fortune and Nanoya. and the third obstacle saw Paddy Maher "onted," whilst Seisdon Prince came a purler at the fence after Valentine's Brook lhen \ork 11. anS Wee Busbis came croppers, and Jenkinstown cried enough, and was pulled up; whilst Flaxman's jockey broke a stirrnp leather, and rode the rest Of the course under difficulties. The next batch to disappear consisted of Extravagance, Roman Law, and Johnstown Lad, and the fence after Beeches Brook put ■ paid to the accounts of Tom West and Wild fox. Thus when RuMo led the way on to the racecourse after coming out of the country, the second time there were but eight runners on their feet. Rubio was well clear of Mattie Macgregor, Flaxman and bpriugbok at this point, and these- in turn led Xirkland and The Lawyer by several lengths, with Red Hall and Chorus bringing up the rear. Rubio, full of running, drew away at every stride, and wou yery easily by ten lengths from Mattie Macgregor. Kirkland came down at the last fence, but was remounted to finish seventh, behind The Lawyer 111., Flaxmill, Springbox, and Red Hall, which ran home In the orders named. The Lawyer beiu" fully half a dozan lengths behind Mattie Macgregor. ~-...■., The Grand National, which is worth £2400, is ruu over a course a little short of 41 miles. Rubio negotiated the distance in 10m .3 3-ss. The time record is 0m 34 2-os. accomplished by Ascetic's Silver (9yrs, 10.9) in 1806. Previous to that the record was held by the famous Cloister, which, though carrying the crusher of 12tr, won the race in 1593 in 9m i"> °-5« This performance undoubtedly ranks as t£e finest ever accomplished ■ over the trying Alntrt>-«iaurse, and nest to it was Manifesto's feat e~ carrying the same weight to victory in 1599 in 9m 48 4-ss. KUbio is oniy tne second horsa bred out of the United Kingdom to carry off this, tho moat important event of the "illegitimate season," the first ''stranger" to do so being the New Zealand 'chaser Moifaa, which won in 1804 under lOst Tib in 0m 58 3-OS, TSE HORSE OF THE CENTTJKY. ii.c queauou us u> v.mcli was liie moat iauious auiou oL mc ±xim ceu'tlu'y vmi never oe settled to tuu su.Uiixacuun oi everyouuy, but -among vie iiu.M-q lituiiuir- oi noises with claims to that msomimou lew U uuy, woula cuuinionu. a biggei- j.ouo\vmt uiau die JJUKe o£ Portland >> iiorotoc. Simon, v tue matter wab stwca iw popular vote, it is true that uwiuy lo tne waul of nis breeaer, pt. sinion was uname u> compete iv any oi fae ■ cuiasic ' events ox nis au>, auu vuac uuiiua nis toniyaluLiveiy brief career lie ouiy won uuite a. modest amount as compaixti wun tue iHUUKS ul 10-iuiy. tui diuiug tnat cutec»iie suirwed no defeat, and it can oe uuiy »aid thut he was never even asKed to do nis very best. St. biinun, imleeu, liiaue iiucks (,f everything he met. eituer. in ururiung sprluta or races over a distance. Ana x.o\\ ut Uie i-ipe old age of 27 iiaiopiu a most miaous bou lias passed away, ills deatn occurred very suudeuly at yestertl:iy. The horse waa out ac exercise, and benaved as though he had many years oi life in him. Suddenly, however, lie lay down, roiled over, and was dead. Great as he proved himself on the racecourse, it wus at the stud that Si. Simon really mude his mail; iv tlie nistory of the .ci&giish thoroughbred. Commencing stud liie in ISoti at mc modest fee of iiu snineas, at. Simon proved a great success as a sire n:oni the outset, ana there a.re few races of vote that his offspring have not won. Ills sons and daughters have accounted tor tuu following classic events: —Two Thousuud tiuineab, St. Frusquin, in 1890, Mid ijiamoud Jubilee, in li)W>; One Thousand Uuluetie, bfcjnollua in u>3o, La Fleche in IMM, Amiable in ISO 4, aud Winifreda in IOWj tho Dorby, Persimmon in ISO 6 and yiumoud Jubilee in 1800; the Oaks,. Memoir in ISOO, Lα Fleche in ISS>:>, Mrs. Butterwiok itt 18DU, Amiable in lSEii, and La Roche in lOOO; the Leger, Memoir in 1800, La Flecha in 1592, Persimmon in 189 a, and Diamond Jubilee in 1900. Of the £10,000 races, St. Frusquin won the Eclipse Stakes in 1596, Persimmon in 1897, Diamond -Jubilee in 1900, and Darley Dale in 1904; St Frusquin won the Princess of Wales Stakes In IS9C and St Denis in 1903; Persimmon the Jockey uiud Stakes in 1835 ana Pietermaritzbnrg in 1307. Other good horses sired T, y « St -^ Blmo « St. Brla, ChlKhvielc. TJtiea, Collar, Desmond, Victoria May Perigerd, Silene. ft, Hilaire, ot, Windoline, Haut Brion, Bearare Wtmfreda, Chaucer HaboJaiD Matehbos, gt, Maoiau, Floriael II and William tie Third, nis stouU paa won altegethei in etakes the enormous total of £529,451 15/, and foi> many years past hia fee. has been 500 guineas. m g owner Who gave the modest price of 10,000 guineas for St, Simon as a yeunester,. ia nuid to v have received finite half a million pounds fer stud fees einee he retired Galopln's son from racing, St, Simon's Btoek showed

marked excellence from" the fifit;:a.nd ".to'recapitulate ..with .anything like fulness the doings ofilis progeny v;ould lie to write tae-'-stor'y of many years and to tell the tale of "some of the most brilliant and exciting episodes iv the ctirpnieles of racing- As the sire and grandsire of "classic- , -heroes* and heroines,. St. Siuion's Vname Is .writtevf' indelibly in Turf story. - It was in-ASSUtliat his progeny Cbmm'eoced ;to; carry silk,.nnJ' with the exception of three lean years during .his declining, days .his stock- have .each ' season credited him with five ligure totals in the sires' wlnuing-list. On nine occasions since ISOO St. Simon has .headed- the sires' list. - ..- . .:' ■• ■ -~,. . The following sets^put the.ainmints "won (not including place money) by St. Simon's sons and daughters since they first appeared on the Turf.— ISSO ' 24;25« 0 isoo* . .......'.„.. ai;,7f)s> o . IS9l* 3P.80Q..0 ISO 2- .. [>6,130- 0 IS93* ........»:-.: -' 30a*»O. ISO 4* ; ..... -12.00:2 0 j.895* .... .... Wi.-IGO " ■/>■ ■" 1893* ...... ... 50.740 0 ISO 7 22,541 O 1898 15.210 0 ISO!) 17.00~> 0 1900* ........ 54.400 0 - ittOl* ' - ' 2DiOS" to 1802 35.531 10 IGO.'i ........ ' S.OM 10 1901" 1.'.'.. 17.576 0 mo.l I2,snr> o 1906 4.r>«n n 1007 -. ;.... 4.787 0 lsds' ' :...'.■.'..."...■ '' ■'603 o Grand total £529,.1n2 13/. -"- Headed the list of winning stallions of the season in these years. The. following sons of St. Simon won "ten-tfcousand-pounders" as under:— ;." . ECLIPSE STAKES. )■'- ; : .. St. Frnsnoin .'. IStKJ Diamond Jubi- . . ' lee. WOO Tersimmon ... 1597 Darley Dale ■• 1301 PRINCESS OF "WADES' STAKES. •St. Frusquin ... 1896 St. Denis 1905 JOCKEY CLUB STAKES, Persimmon ... IS9G" . PSetermarltz- ■ ' burg .;.. l<lol