THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 259, 2 August 1928, Page 14

THE RACING WORLD

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By

“The Watcher.”)

Patuki has been scratched for all engagements at the C’.J.C. Grand National meeting.

S. Henderson will ride Lady Gay in her engagements at the Grand National meeting. .

• Radiate has done well in.back steeplechase events this season, and at the recent Wellington meeting lie beat all but Matu in his only start. He was prevented from fulfilling his Trenthani programme owing to ricking a shoulder inside. Radiate has fully recovered, and he was taken to Riccarton last night by J. T. Wade.

Brigadier Bill and Kilburn went down to. Riccarton last night in charge of ,J. Morris.

Rang! Sarto still sports an unsightlylooking leg as the result of the cut. he received on the near forearm at Hastings. The wound is not properly healed, but he was taken down to Riccarton last night to fulfil forthcoming engagements.

Through the agency of Mackinnon and Cox Ptv., Ltd., the stallion Mercian King, by King Offa from Bunfeast, has been sold privately to Mr. J. J. Gatenby, of Hawke's Bay. Mercian King, who is a brother to Royal Feast, the championtwo-vcar-old of the 1926-27 season, was a highclass racehorse, and .among the races lie won were the V.R.C. Leonard Stakes and Yan Yean Stakes. Mercian King arrived by the Marama, and was railed through to his new home yesterday.

- No horse in this year's Grand National Steeplechase has better credentials than the locally-owned Tuki (says the Dunedin •‘Star”). He has won over the country at Riccarton on more than one occasion, is a great stayer, and a good jumper. The form he showed on the last day at Trent; ham when he was just beaten by Kawim shows that bo is wall, and even in a weak held he has not been overburdened with weight. Had the race at Wellington been over three and a half miles Tuki woitld have beaten Kawini, aud on the firmer going at Riccarton I select Tuki to race better than he did at Trout ham.

Prior io leaving for Riccarton Red Fuchsia and Peneus were sent a mile, Red Fuchsia galloping remarkably well, to hold Peneus safe throughout, and run the distaijce in' linin. 52 J sec. on a heavy track. Red Fuchsia, on this gallop, reveals himself to /be exceptionally well, and under present'racing conditions to be up to handicap (flat) class. Over the same distance, Locarno, Kalos, and Grand National (in that order) took two seconds longer, thus proving the quality of Red Fuchsia's effort. Locarno, who was carrying fully a stone less than Red Fuchsia, could have bettered his time had he had something to go with him, but nevertheless his gallop was not attractive from a Winter Cup point of view. Kalos was disappointing, while Grand National was beaten off.

Mithra, who successfully opened the Australian campaign of J. T. Jamieson’s stable at Rosehill on Saturday, might develop into a good sort of three-year-old. Last season she showed very, fair form, and was always sticking on well in her races. Mithra is by Australian Sun from Bonuin, and was purchased ' in Sydney on behalf of Mr. Colin Anderson, of Kohimarania. for 275gns. Mithra comes from a good family. She is a sister to Good Light and n half-sister to Bundrowse and Bronze Lady. Good Light was placed in her' first two starts, - while Bundrowse won on the flat and over hurdles. Bronze Lady was a good performer as a two-vear-old, but met with an accident Eusebius, the half-sister to Bonum, won rhe V.R.C. Derby and St. Lcger Stakes, besides numerous other events, while she was third in the Caulfield Cup aud Stakes and placed in other good races. ■

Royal Saxon is galloping well and is fancied for the Winter Cup (says the Dunedin writer "Sentinel”). He lias been off the scene for some time as a result of jarring himself at -the Oaniaru summer meeting. Royal Saxon, in receipt of 231 b.- finished- third to Overdrawn and Gay Sonnet in the Farewell Handicap. Overdrawn is meeting Royal Saxon on 171 b. better: terms in the Winter Cup. This means that Royal Saxon will have to show improvement of about 211 b. to beat Overdrawn, who, in turn, is on collateral form held safe by another below him in the list. .■ Royal Saxon has thickened and furnished during his compulsory spell, and is likely to show the improvement demanded frotq him by the handicapper. It is understood that Lorient U, one of J. T. Jamieson's, team, was beaten at llosehill, Sydney, last Saturday, and seeing that the English horse had done a particularly smart sprint a few mornings before he would probably be well backed. The success of Mithra (who was at a short priefc), however, was a good start' for the stable. .

Handy and Nightwitch were not included in the list of acceptors for the Gisborne meeting on Saturday. ' Handy won and Nightwitch got secoud.

Solferino sired winners of over £15,000 this‘season; He has been one of the most consistently successful sires ever imported to New Zealand. Not only that, but his stock have almost invariably been sound, courageous racehorses that train on aud improve with age.

The numbers of nominations for various offices in the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club do not more than meet the requirements, and all the nominees are therefore appointed to their respective positions. They are as'follow:—President, Mr. T. 11. Lowry; vice-presidents, Messrs; A. Rqid and 11. A. Russell; honorary treasurer, Mr. J. 8. McLeod; committee, Messrs. G. D. Beatson, 11. R. Campbell, J. H. Colebourne, G. Ebbctt, M. Greenwood, J. Landels, J. A. Macfarlanc, T. V. Morriu, O. Nelson, and 11. R. Peacock.

It was not surprising to find Greenstone racing badly at the South Canterbury Hunt meeting, states a ' Southland writer, as the descendant of Pallas was short of real galloping and jumping work when he left home, because the schooling country and grass tracks are out of commission at present. He is tough, though, and. racing and schooling may put him into form to race over short cross-country courses, apart from the. Grand National ordeal.

While the question of curtailing the distance of early two-year-old races is under consideration it may be of inte’rest to recall the fact that the greatest auhority on training, the late Mr. William Day. field that youngsters should never be tried over less than six furlongs. The great mistake present-day trainers make is sprinting youngsters over three furlongs for races over five furlongs. Day’s practice was to.work them at a solid pace over the distance of a race, and be satisfied with one "trial” gallop. Now wo read of horses being subjected to several trials before a meeting. . The mighty Ormonde, never had a trial gallop Jn his life. lie was trained and got ready to race', and his trainer knew be had. a good horse without looking at the watch except to see the time of day. . , .

At Park on July 21. First. Acre rau third in the Flying Handicap and Amplifier second in the second division of the' Nursery Handicap. First Acre was a length and a half from the winner, to whom he was conceding 201 b., but Amplifier ' conceding 71b. was beaten by four lengths.

H'. Cairns rode a double at the V.A.T.C. meeting on July 21. scoring on Henare In the Hurdle race and on Vinstra in the Malvina' Welter.

M. McCarten rode two and a half winners at Canterbury on July 21. and. for a time, at least, he is safe from that accusation of. “He can't ride.” I cannot recall any ■ prominent jockey (says "Pilot”) of whom that was not said, and it was principally based on the fact the; rider, had struqk that run of bad luck which falls to everyone in the racing game at sonic time or other. With Limerick as ono of liis mounts, McCarten has another profitable season ahead.

Australian writers recently suggested the possibiliv of B. A. Connolly dropping out of racing as an'owner. It is now stated that though, at tirst, it was his intention, he has determined to race again when his disqualification expires. It would take the spice out of life for him to refrain, and, when he resumes, Broken Doll and Dark Man -will carry Ills colours. Those are two he is not selling.

tn June S. Donoghue intended flying to Austria to ride Talpa in the Austrian Derbv However, he changed his plans at the last moment, and travelled by train and boat. Questioned as to the reason. Donoghue replied: "Sir Frederick Eley thought it best, since lie might lie left to ride the horse himself.” Evidently Talpa s owner thought an aeroplane crash was si possibility .for a jockey who was recently unlucky enough to ride 108 successive losers.

Up to .Tune 11. <». Richards bail fairly run awav from all the other jockeys 111 England this season. ITo bad won 50 races to tlio 25 of F. Fox, who bundl'd the remainder. Tilclinrds hail ridden in ‘-l.i. races. In wiiiuinu pcreenlngr lie was behind If. Wragg. with 24 wins in 177 rides: and B. Carslake, with 15 wins in 79.

A Calcutta astrologer of some note, who is stated to have given out that the big sweep on the English Derby would be won by a ticket the digits of which totalled seven, is in disrepute just at present. lie caused a rush for tickets that worked out at seven, and, according to an exchange, this caused some to change hands at nearly £ 100—a useful profit on 15s. The astrologer missed by four, the number of the ticket that drew, Felstcad being 8K1730.

A Melbourne Cup victory ended the winning careers of several horses, and racing men who are superstitious—and many are —are not losing sight of the fact that three of the last four A.7.C. Sires' Produce Stakes winners went no further In respect of success. They are wondering whether Mollison will escape similar bad luck. Leslie Wallace, the 1924 Produce Stakes winner, has not since won anything; Los Gatos, who scored the following year, did not after figure in the winning list; and the 1927 winner, Royal Feast, who raced early the following season, died‘without adding to his credit account. On her way back to Melbourne, after pulling off the A.J.C. Sires' Produce Stakes at Sydney in 1926, Cvden won the Albury Sires’ Produce Stakes. The following season she did. not get beyond minor' placing®, ! and now she is at the stud.

The Maitland handicapper was unaware of the identity of the New Zealander Eden Hall, and gave him 6.7 in the Maitland Cup. After the weights were published he was apprised of his error, and, without consulting the owner, raised the gelding’s weight to 9.7. Such procedure is decidedly irregular (comments "Pilot'” in "The Referee'’), and though I am unaware of Mr. T. C. Trautwein’s intentions, be is, according to all precedent, entitled to run the horse at the weight, originally allotted him. If it were otherwise, handicappers could, as a general thing, claim the right of revising their weights after they were published, and that certainly • would not do. It is an unfortunate error, but I have known similar ones to be overcome by an owner consenting to a re-handicap, or by scratching his horse. Many years ago, a New Zealand gelding, a good performer named Chivalry, raced in Sydney, and was then nominated for the Oma Plate at Caulfield. The handicapper confused him with another horse, and let him in at less than 7st. At the weight allotted him, Chivalry would have spoilt the race, and the V.A.T.C.-chairman asked his owner, Mr. C. Payne, whether ho would permit the handicap to be amended. The latter agreed, and Chivalry was raised to 8.11. He was beaten half a length by Riversdale, and G. Price, who rode him, said he would have won only for the saddle slipping soon after the start. Price has a keen memory of the fact, because, the Melbourne pressmeu, being unaware of the trouble with the saddle, slated liim for sitting up and riding as, if he wer.e “monarch of all he surveyed.”

W. Duncan lias once more beaded the winning jockeys’ list in Melbourne. Duncan’s record is 54 wins, 47 seconds and 37 thirds from 295 mounts in the metropolitan area. Duncan has .headed the Melbourne winning jockeys lists on several previous occasions. Last year he was first with 48J wins, 35 seconds, and 28* thirds, while the previous season his record ■ was 57 wins, 42 seconds, and 404 thirds at Melbourne meetings. Duncan's record is all the more remarkable because he has had to stand down since July 7, but he will be resuming riding at the start of the new season. In addition to his Melbourne .successes, ■ Duncan rode numerous provincial winners, and he also scored several big Interstate successes.

Nothing Greengrocer bad shown in public in Sydney warranted the short price taken about him for the Club Welter at Canterbury Park on July 21 (says the "Referee”). He was handicapped at least 71b. worse than would have been the case in similar company in New Zealand, and yet backers sent him out at short odds; in fact, he touched even money with some books. Failing to improve upon his New Zealand form, he was one of the last three half a mile from home, and did not afterwards threaten flanger.

Mr. J. R. McKenzie, writing from England on June 10, to a Christchurch friend, says:—"l had an invitation to inspect the Duke of Westminster's stud farm, and this was most interesting. Twelve Pointer, a stallion, is a beautiful brown horse that one could stand and admire by the hour. He was given only a few mares last year for his first season. The Duke has only one colt by him, as he had booked his mares up before he bad decided to put him to the stud. This colt, is to be sold at the Newmarket sales next month, as the Duke does not race anything himself. Unforunately, I am leaving before -the sale, but I intend to go a thousand for him. It is. a good price for a first foal, but he is a beauty, and if ever a yearling should gallop this one should; but you can. never tell with yearlings. Then there is another, a chestnut colt by Spion Kop— Eager Eyes, that is anything but handsome, but the longer I looked at him the more lie seemed to grow on mo. and before I left he struck, me as one that might do anything, and T intend going seven hundred for this-fellow. But since the Derby was. won by his sire's son, he may bring much >more than I am prepared now to go. There are two fillies, Hurry On— Edna and Hurry On—Comtessine. The latter has a reserve of four thousand—no good to yours truly at these prices. There is another nice colt, Ellangowan—Vlleration, that I intend going eight hundred for, so perhaps I might get otic of the four. Two of-these are by horses in their first stud season. But yearlings by wellfancied horses bring big prices here. This is a wonderful stud farm. One could see money does not count. Every yearling colt has a paddock to himself, with double fences round it: and never more than three mares with foals In one paddock. Wonderful grazing—it is springtime—and great shelter. The head ■ gardener's house is like a young palace; Hie same with the manager’s. The colt T liked so much is by Twelve Pointer—Stowell. Perhaps you may sec by the papers what these are sold for.” Mr. McKenzie.is spending five weeks in America, but he says in his letter that he will be glad to be back. He is due this month.

Loughrca and Scion were schooled over four flights of hurdles at IVingatui on Saturday morning, and' ran their task in Imin. 18 2-ssee. (writes "Sentinel”). Loughrea gave a pleasing exhibition, and seemed to be waiting on bis companion. The Kilbroney gelding will probably see a short price when he is saddled for a race over the small sticks. Scion seems to be brighter aud more buoyant than when he raced at the Dunedin winter .meeting, aud as a true stayer may get closer at the finish of the Grand National Hurdles than the same trainer’s Jack Symons did in his year. Loughrea was scanned with a good deal of interest after his task. He walked soundly, and is apparently well forward in condition. As a hunter-hurdler Loug'hrea should bo well worthy of note, as liis form on the flat made him ono of the best..

The weather was gloriously line for training operations at Hawera on Saturday, with all the tracks except No. 1 plough in capital order (reports “Limited” in the “Star”). The fast work was all accomplished ou the trial grass, while the hand was used for strong pace work, trotting and cantering on No. 2 plough, with the youngsters exercising on t’he two-year-old track. W. Pine was tirst to.work, and sent Trollus and Calamine half a mile in 521 sec., Troiltis showing to advantage. -E. Murtagh gave Buster Cut a sprint over a similar distance by herself, which she did comfortably in 534scc. M. Conway worked Gasnapper on the sand, San' Fera on the inside grass, and Calapat on the two-year-old track. Bisox and Royal Mint started off from the six-furlong disc, being picked up by Captain Gazeley at the five furlongs. Blsox and Captain Gazeley were together at the half-mile, the former assert ■ ing herself from t'here on and finishing well in front of the other pair. Bisox’s sectional times were two furlongs in 20sec.. three in 39see., half-mile in 52see., the full journey occupying Inifn. I'Jlsec. Bright Glow worked nicely on the sand, and Mendip, looking particularly well, also went a couple of rounds of pace work on this track. R. Brough's two-year-olds Cool Mint and Egerin were given useful parrwork. The Peach Brandy yearling in this stable has been absent from the tracks for a. white owing to contracting a cold, but is now on the improve. Paitonu and Saggitarius were responsible for a good gallop over five furlongs, the pair running t’he first two furlongs In 25Jsec.. three in 3S4sec.. and registering Imlh. 54sec. for the full distance, and finishing together. I’aitonu galloped more generously than Usual, and should strip well for the National meeting. Saggattarius is a good track horse and looks like, proving useful. Lady Desmond lias made her reappearance on the tracks again, mid is being pottered about In her preliminary work. Rcremoana is also being given just exercise enough to keep him from becoming gross: .1. Fryer, who has been laid up with influenza for some weeks, was out on the tracks again.

The . Waikalp-owned Wiltshire is a mucli-diseussed animal just, now, in view of Ills Rieearlon engagements. That Wiltshire is a promising young steeplechaser, there Is no doubt, and bis prospects over the big fences are just, as bright as any of the younger brigade, but

whether he will successfully negotiate the bi" jumps at Riccarton remains to be seen Wiltshire can be described as a -ood jumper, but at times is inclined to "chance” his jumps. This fault at Riccarton would, of course, bring about his undoing, but it is possible that this season's racing has made Wiltshire more sober- If that is so, then he can be relied on to" give a good account of himself, even in a race like the Grand National Steeplechase.

'rhe Swell was jumped over two hurdles at~New Plymouth on Saturday, but bis display was not very impressive. He skipped over the first and jumped very high at the second. However, lie made no attempt to shirk the fences and will probably improve. He is a good cut of a horse for a jumper.

Aberfeldy is receiving attention every day for the leg which was injured at Trentham by the skin being stripped off. He still looks n sick horse from the effects of his fall, and when his leg improves lie will be turned out for a six months’ spell. R W King will then start him on another preparation, but until then it will be impossible to say whether the accident has left permanent injuries. Wharncliffe is enjoying a spell at present. He appears to have got over the trouble which prevented him from being trained for the Grand National Steeplechase, and it is intended to get him ready for hurdle races. Probably he will be included in T. H. Gillett’s. team for Auckland in December.

Dubious got through useful work at Wingatul on Saturday morning, and seems to lack nothing in the way of condition for future engagements. Pamplona did long slow work, and seems to be keeping fairly sound. Overdrawn does not fill the eye as a welter-weight horse, but is in good shape at the present time (says “Sentinel”). Putting up overweight seemed to make the margin between -winning and losing at the Dunedin winter meeting. He meets Black Mint on 151 b. better terms than in the Birthday Handicap. “A SENSIBLE MEASURE” THE GAMING BILL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Pahiatua, August 1. At' the annual meeting of the Pahiatua Racing Club, the president (Mr. J. McCardle) drew attention to the Gaming Bill brought down by the Government and its bearing on the bookmaker. He emphasised that It was through the totalisator that the club obtained its revenue, and it fixed the stakes accordingly. It was ridiculous that, such things as dividends could not be published in the newspapers, as was done in other countries. It would bo a benefit to the community at large. Every member of Parliament who voted against the Bill was really voting for the bookmaker. There was an “unholy foolish alliance” of certain people against gambling of every description. This section combined to defeat its own ends. He deemed the Bill a sensible measure. As things were, the information suppressed from the Press - was always obtainable now from the right sources, whereas it should bo made open to the public. MASTERTON CLUB ANNUAL MEETING. Dominion Special Service. Mastorton, August 1. The annual meeting of the Masterton Racing Club was held on Tuesday night, Mr. C. F.- Vallance occupying the chair. In discussing the debit balance, Mr. D. Ogilvy suggested that as a means of popularising the club, greater hospitality be extended to visitors and that the stakes be increased. If. was decided that not more than £5OOO be expended in stakes. On the suggestion of Mr. K. McßeanStewart, it was decided that a race for two-year-olds over four furlongs be included in the programme for the spring meeting. It was decided to make application for alteration of racing dates from October 27 to October fl, and from April 12 and 13 to February 15 and 16. RACING JN ENGLAND THE STEWARDS’ CUP (Australian Press Assn.—United Service) London, July 31. The following is the result of the STEWARDS’ GUP, of 1400 sovs. Six furlongs. Lord Glanely's ch. c. Navigator, by Blue Ensign—Chronometer, Syrs. .. 1 Lord Lonsdale’s ch. f. Endowment, by Silvern—Enrichment, 4yrs 2 A.'B. Walker’s br. c. Stranathro, by Tredennis—Mertoy, 4yrs 3 There were sixteen starters. Won by ’two lengths and a half. RECOVERY OF FORFEITS A FRIENDLY ACTION IN ENGLAND. (Australian Press Association.) , London, July 31. Mr. Edgar Wallace, the novelist, won a friendly action brought by the Jockey Club to recover forfeits for void nominations for the Newmarket Races, in which Mr. Wallace’s horse did not run. Mr. Justice Clansou held that the forfeits were not enforceable, as the contracts were wager contracts under the Gaming Act.