TURF GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 31, 5 February 1910, Page 13

TURF GOSSIP.

They manage things In Australia In connection with fractlousness at the starting post very differently as compared with. New Zealand, as is evidenced by a recent meeting of the N.S.W. Racing Club's board of management, when it was decided that the application for a removal of a disqualification for fractiousness could not be acceded to. Such a rule, if adopted by our racing conference, would save starters a lot of trouble, and thus help to put this Important branch of racing on a better footing.

On and after January 31st last, horses running under National Hun* Rules in Ensland -will have to carry a saddie-cloth bearing a number corresponding with the horse's number on the racecard. The new rule passed ie as follows horse for which a rider presents himself to be weighed out shall, be required to carry a eaddlecloth. bearing a number corresponding with the horse's number upon the race-card. Such cloth, of a pattern approved by the stewards of the National Hunt Committee, shall be supplied to the rider at the time of weighing out; it must be put into the scale and included In the rider's weight, and, immediately after weighing in, he must deliver It up to the person appointed to receive it.

"Jack" Joyner, the American trainer, coming back to America from Great Britain, has epoken his mind very freely and to the point. He tells the people here that Sir. Martin, acknowledged one of the best two-year-olds we have produced for a long time, was only twenty-eight pounds behind thebest English horse. I wonder if you know what amount of courage—and the truth that compels self-respect—was required to come back here and say this, instead of pouring out a ton of excuses to explain the woful American failure. With Wilf. P. Pond signing two virile articles under the caption of "Are American thoroughbred horses deteriorating?" in "Collier's" and "Town Topics," assuming that they are deteriorating, and giving his opinions as the reason, Joyner's practical views come as a series of spirited Illustrations. But these Turf traitors ought to be deported! Unless the American two-year-olds now in England do something beyond the ordinary I fancy it will be a long time before there is another "Invasion" of the English Turf from this side.—"Chicago Post"

The opinion is being freely expressed In England that however much better horses of the Mother Country may be "on the ground"—better legs and feet —than they were a few years ago, in character, constitution, and nervous energy they certainly Show no Improvement: a fact which applies to practically all breeds. This opens up the oft-discussed question that if main attention Is given to developing one or two characters; other characters must suffer in the process. Now, It is commonly asserted by Home breeders that the Colonial gives more attention to the general character of a horse—the sloping shoulder, the lengthy hindquarter, the good barrel, etc.—and attaches too little importance to the legs and feet, whereas in England main consideration is given to the understandings. This may be true to a certain extent, but it would be nearer the truth to say that the colonial looks to every character, and, while he values good feet and the proper bone, he wants the evidences of constitution and proper composition of tfie animal. The evil of the Home tendency to place feet end legs before everything else is now being demonstrated, as shown by the opinion referred to in the opening statement of these remarks.

According to "the Kew York "Herald," ■E. Dugan, the leading American jockey, has been engaged by Mr. August Belmont to ride his racehorses next year. Dugan will receive a retainer of 12,000 dollars. Besides the contract with the chairman of the Jockey Club, Dugaa has affixed his signature to papers awarding second call to Hγ. S. Hildre'ch. It is understood Mr. Hlldreth will pay the young jockey a. retaining fee of 5000 dollars. Dugan Sias a certain income of 17,000 dollars. This amount, however, does not adequately tell the money that he will earn next year. In addition to his retaining fee, he will be paid 25 dollars for a winning mount, and 10 dollars for all losing mounts. This money, plus fees for outside mounts from other owners, will bring his earnings for the year close to the total of 30,000 dollars. Dugan rode for Messrs. Belmont and Hil* dreth last season.. That his work was satisfactory his new contracts' prove. Mr. Belmont raced only a few horses here last summer, as many of his thoroughbreds were in England, but this year he will have a strong stable numerically, as he sent only three yearlings abroad this year. Dugan's riding last season had only one flaw in ItHe had a tendency to "rough, house" tactics, which brought about his* punishment on one or two occasions. His skill and Integrity, however, never were questioned.

Touching upon! necessary reforms of the English Turf, "Spearmint" writes: The paid steward would do away with another bane to the Turf—the non-objecting owner. Usually that sentimental person Is praised sky-hlsh as a noble-minded sportsman—one who disdains • the "win-tie-or-wrangle" game. Jfever was such pitifnl piffle penned. If a man's horse has been, robbed of the spoils by an offence of the Rules of Racing, he should, in the Interests of the public and of sport, see the penalty is enforced. I am aware some owners will Lot object. Their presence creates a fresh necessity for the paid steward, who would promptly see that the offending party did not profit by reason of his offence. I have in mind a case where after a most foul piece of riding, a man eald to an owner, llJou'Te sure to get this race." "Oh, why?" Why, because the winner knocked yonrs over the rails. It's any odds on you. I'll b £t you two ponies you get the race." Don tibet, old man. I shan't object." And he did not—because he had backed tie winner 1 Next day, of course, the papers praised the restraining owner as a sportsman of the true type—one who, so to speak, wore the white flower of a blameless life, and bad a high disdain of objections. It did not matter to that owner that the public suffered by Tils restraint. Did he run Horses for the public? Of course he didn't With a paid steward that owner would have had the race he did not want forced on" him

fl Alli ! on Is as enthusiastic as ever wn« c S , U t 3 ? Ct ? f Carbine and Trentoi TJrlting lately, he said:—"Mares of the Galopin and St. Simon lice are as good ?hat c rs less blood is not to be played out, as iiany other good lines have been. There are not a rew mares by Trenton and Carbine to be sold during the week, and some of them In foal to St. Simon horses the same mating, therefore, as that which produced the Floors colt bought by Sam Darling, or for example, Land League, who is by Desmond out of a Carbine mare. There are also mares in foal to Torpoint (son of Trenton), who Is one of the gamest and truest stayers that ever trod the turf. Such a horse may well do wonders with mares of the class which we have bred in recent years. It Is all very well for Chauvinist and ultra-conservative breeders to look askance at colonial-bred horses, or, indeed at any 'that were not bred in England, but facts are accumulating against such insular prejudices, and Spearmint (son of the colonial-bred Carbine) fills at a 230 guineas fee. 'It is quite right that we badly want this stout blood,' said Sam Darling the other day; and who that saw Dibs when really untrained battle out the finish for the Kbor Handicap can doubt the efficacy of the Trenton blood which his dam gave him? There has been little time as yet for the Trenton and Carbine brood mares to prove their full value In England; but enough has been done to show that they have a great future before them and I confidently believe that sires by these horses will be equally successful. There were but few St. Simon mares ever mated with Trenton himself, but he got that good colt Longy from the first 'that was ever pat to him. Similarly, we have seen wellremembered winners by Carbine out of Galopin or St. Simon mares, e.g., Pistol, Carabine, Fowling Piece, etc. I do not wish to needlessly labour this question, but as I commenced by giving statistics of what has been the undiluted fashion for too many years past, I thought It only right to balance that statement by indicating the lines of blood which are the necessary corrective if the pre-eminence of the British thoroughbred Iβ still to be* maintained. I

(Us WHALEBONE.)

A "cutting" from the Old Country:— "X* sooner is one racing season ended than w» commence thinking of the next. Host of ua profess to be tired of flat-racing when November arrives, but enthusiasm for the jump>. ing season Is far from keen, and we are posk sloly bored by seeing the Eame'oM cruckebeatlng each other long before March- ais rivea. Still, the National -Hunt season i»not to be despised, and It fulfils a purpose.! Laudable efforts have been made In recent years by the authorities to place the sport" on a higher level, and these efforts have mefcwith considerable success. There Is mucl*that yet remains to be done, but the men who rule the sport have their hearts in th* - game, and their hands at the plough. Th* class of owners running horses under Xa tional Hunt rules is much better than It was; and many of the most famous patrons of-" flat racing now take a certain amount of in--terest in National Hunt sport. .This is a, good sign; but I have one complaint tomake against them. They mostly put their flat-racing failures to jumping. The Vport '■ would be all the better for more horses of a high class. This Is too much to hope, for, . however, for few owners would care to rlslc their best animals over hurdles "and fences. There is one curious point worth noting in. ' connection with this matter. The best flat» racers often make the worst jumpers, and cases have been known of horses being able to give weight to others over jumps who were immeasurably superior on the flat. Thie • Is an encouragement for owners to put their ■ worst .horses to jumping. They may discover a diamond or they may not. If a - •moderate ffcrti-raeer remains a\ moderate ~; jumper nobody is much the worse,-and l£v an accident occurs—which Is not infrequent —well, the loss of a bad horse is not felt M" much as the loss of a good one." ■

The annual dinner of the English .Gim- - crack Club was not so largely- attended as : usual, and the speeches were not of a very momentous character. Mr Leopold da Rothschild, who had been to!d off to do duty for the Jockey Club, acquitted himself admirably, and it -was gathered from" certain of his remarks, says an exchange, that the Jockey Club, conservative as It is,, -would not hesitate to appeal to the public against some remarks that have appeared in the Press, in which, rt -was stated that malpractices were indulged in as freely a* ever -under the very nose of the club, and that the stewards took no action with regard to them. The writers of these word* were asked to confer iwith the stewards— not ordered to attend, it will be: observed,as would, have .been the. case In. the oIS days—and were received In the most courteous manner. The stewards 6tated that It was. their earnest desire to suppress anything that savoured of malpractice? but they, could not -take action on what they had not themselves seen, and of whlcli theyliad no ■evidence. They would, therefore, be muck, obliged to these writers if they would mention the instances to which, they had re-, f erred, so thnt the Jockey Club might cause an Investigation to be made, and the parties;-, if the case was proved against them, punished. The writers in question refused to. give the Information asked for, on, we believe, the plea of the anonymity of the Press; or, In other words; Press privilege. As the stewards of the Jockey Club consider that It. is most nnfair to the Turf and themselves to use the Press I'or the purpose of casting suspicion on the sport, *nd, at-, the same time, refuse to give any direct information, or Indication, which would enable the truth, or otherwise, of the charges that have been made to be investigated, they will print the correspondence that has taken place on the matter, and leave the public to determine whether there has been any supineness In their administration, and whether It is fair to make sweeping charges and offer no evidence with, regard to them.

While American trainers have taught the English trainers many tricks in. the fitting and racing of hoises, the trainers on Long Island are, says the "New Xork Herald,"

following an English custom this winter— that is, permitting the yearlings to rua about in paddocks during the cold months. It has been usual to keep the young horses going all through the winter, when the track condition would permit, bnt this winter that has all been changed. Another change is in the trials. In former seasons it has been usual to try- the yearlings foe speed, and long before this. dftte« this jag" that yearling would be credited with fui» longs in better than 12 seconds and quai* ters in better than 23 seconds. This winter the same trainers who formerly tried oat their charges for speed and kept .them going more or less all through the cold' weamar. have had no real'speed trials, and tnatemil. of keeping the youngsters going they h»v* been, building paddocks for them to ma in until spring. The only real speed trial* have been of the yeerllnge that ere foe sale, and when the prospective purchaser insisted upon such a test. , At Sheepshead Bay there are more yearlings than eve* before, and at the eaine time there have been fewer trials. There axe more pad*' docks than ever before, and the new cropis generally a better looking one than ever before. This system of permitting tl* yearlings to run. loose and harden''in "the cold weather is one that -has been followed! by R. Marsh, and -while it may be thtft_ the successes of the horses in his. care have" nothing to do "With the present system of the American trainers, the method Is' pat*' temed after that of Egerton House, which! has been eminently "satisfactory, Sam illldreth has made no pretence of training or galloping fcis horses .thin season, and ha* constructed big paddocks at Sheepeheae. Bay for them to run about In, but he he* only one yearling In his etrlng, and. !the idea of permitting the horses to grow big and.strong does not apply with the sam* force as it does to tome o£ th.» tabllßoments, ■-'-r-'r'jr~

Evidently H&f ere iworee off !»' the xnefr ±er of horse boxes In "the Old: Country tTietfr In New Zealand." Bef erring to the deslifr ability of exercising better supervision,'aßTtjJh the sanitary condition of the boxes, a Lojr Uon journal says:—"The eervlces of" tht police are utilised in a. nraltttude of differ ent <wa.ys, and. we are led to wontler if Ik would 'be asking itoo much, th£.t' there ehoule , J>e GoV&rnmjent inspectors appointed ■■*!•• supervise the boxes In Tvhioh horaes travel. Having regard to the number of..police Sβ* to watch, motor cars and: other things, the does not seem to .be asking. a great lieaj.. It must be admitted: that horse boxes are not always k-ept- in a state of epotlea* cleanliness, yet, in order to avoid the many ailments -which, horses pick up, J this ir essential. Fever, which Is easily contract-, ed, and wnica is a epecies of malaria, or influenza, often enough ruins the careers good horses. Take, for instance, one of oiifr big race-rveelE, say Doncaster." It Is not aa exaggeration to say that dose on a thoo» sand horse boxes are brought into requiab tlon in one week, conveying horses to one from the sales and races. Bow seldoa does a week of that sort go by without on* hearing of 'horses returning home witfc come ailment or other on them. During such a heavy "week, and under existing conditions, it would be almost strange if such were not the case. So far as the higher authorities of the railways ere concerned, no blame can be attached to them, for thef! give stringent orders that the boxes shouMl be cleaned, but when it Is left to the ordinary cleaner be cares little whet happen* so long as he gets hds wages. We oMV selves when training have had to put horse into 'boxes where the droppings have, not ! even been taVen out, and if we had not ; used these boxes we should have had to g» I without. "While on this subject, the delay* i which happen to racehorses and never t* I hunters are unfair and unreasonable. .. Iβ this respect also we are quite conversant with our subject, for we toave trained a* many as forty-four horses at one time, ana, on the other hand, have owned some sixteen or twenty hunters, doing six days * week in the shires. We have had race- ; horses hung up for four or five hour*. : but a hunter, for which only half the price is charged compared with a racehorse, w« have never had any trouble whatsoever In sending ta a meet Some of the larger lines, which earn so much from -the racing public, and whose dividends In one or tw* instances are almost dependent npon soroe of our big meetings, mJff&t extend a little more consideration to the owners and trainers of racehorses, while we certainly think tho traffic in these valuable horses la so We that the eppolntmen'" of Government " inspectors of norse-boiee is necaey j eary/ .