SPORT AND PASTIME. The Turf.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 47, 23 August 1902, Page 6 (Supplement)

SPORT AND PASTIME. The Turf.

[By Cbackshot.]

RACING FIXTURES. September 4 and s— Marton J.O. Hack September 3, 5, 10, 13— Australian Jockey Club's Spring NOTES. The Jet d'Eau— Forlorn Hope gelding Watoriord died at Mr. W. Davies's place at Waiwetu last week. The horse & few weeks back nearly lost his life through getting into a creek at the back of the paddocks, and never fully recovered from the effects of the immersion. Vvhile Mr. Davies .was away with his horses at the C.J.C. National Meeting, the horae, which was being well lookea •fter by J. Telford, in consequence of the mishap in the creek, took a very bad turn. Although every effort was made to save his life, it wm without avail. The gelding was owned by Mrs. H. Watson, of the Oriental Hotel, and wa« held on lease by Mr. Davies. As a hack flat racer, Waterford w*s fairly successful, and did his connections several good turns, his victories 'at Danuevirke and Wanganui costing the local bookmakers a big sum. the public sharing in the wins m well as the stable. Since Waterford aad to pass out of hack company, he has done ho good, and he was one of the jlnaa of horses that the compulsory passing on to handicap company pressed very hard , on. This season he appeared to got afflicted in the wind, but won a small open race at Blenheim in the spring. He went lame shortly afterwards, And was turned out for a spell, for the remainder of thi teaton

Mr. Stead's Frailty horse Siege Gun has come very Btrongly into favour Bince the C.J.C. National Meeting for the jtfew Zealand Cup, aud is now quoted at Bto 1. The Lorse was rather above himself when ho competed in the Winter Cup, yet he ran <t good race, despite the &ct- that ,he had a very bad passage, and ftni*hed about fifth, Hewitt knocking off riding him at tho end. He is likely to mak« much improvement between now and next November, if he goes on all right in his training, and promises to see a short price. Tho Southern bookmaker who was taking all tho 100's to 5 avail* able about the horso during the Hutt Winter Meeting must have had a fair idea that he could lay his money about Frailty's son at a much more remunerative price later on. This he can now do. v

It, is said that Blazer raced very ungenerously for his trainer (H. Jackson) at the National Meeting, and this was the reason why W. Clarke was placed in the saddle on the second day. But the St. Clair gelding treated \jiarke the same way. Perhaps the old horse W turned cunning. Prosser's stablo has entered tho disapSointing Elibank and 'a Grafton— Lady [ildred youngster for the sprint events at the Mnrton Meeting, to b» held on the Wanganui racecourse next month. Mr. Baldwin has nominated Cecile and a filly by Ein-oclydon— St. Katherine. Tho Guard's injuries were too serious for the liorso to be removed from Riccarton when Prosser came back from the Nivlional Meeting, and .he will remain thore until ho has sufficiently recovered to stand tlie journey home. Koliunui skinned his legs ' a deal through knocking his fences about in the Sydenhani Hurdle Race at Riccarton on Saturday. He gave a very poor exhibition, in his races.

Waiwhern, the Winter Cup winner, could not gain a situation in the other events she- competed in at Riccarton, but nevertheless ran good races, and people must not run away with the idea that her success in the Cup was a "fluke." There was merit in it, and she should be heard of again during, this season. The Quilt mare strikes me as one likely to stay. Ringlet, her stable-mate, again let her party down badly, and she must be written down as unreliable. Smithy was the only one of tho trio that W. Davies took to Riccarton that won a raoe. that success being gained in tho Final Hurdles. The chestnut hnd not been doing any too well at Riccarton, and therefore had not started at the other two day's racing. This made people think that the mtggety chestnut had been reserved for this special raco, and the consequence was that ha was sent out favourite. He had a very poor lot to beat, but it -took him all his time to struggle home in front of Long Tom Both horpcs wore very tired nt the end, nnd a man could lmve run them home It hns been stated in print that Smithy's connections had a big win ,over {he norm's victory. This, I understand, is incorrect, for neither trainer or owner backed him for a shilling, not being satisfied to tnko tlie prico on offer against' his chance. The public, however, supported him strongly, and the "guessers" were wiring him all over the country as a good thing. 3 Field Battery continues to run without success, and he has become an expensive horse- to his owner. Hotr-U-s«t' s son ran a clinking good race in the Winter Cun and saw it oat tight to the end, .but m his other faces he was done with after five fur.ones Lid bren gone. His condition looked splendid, i»nd his collapse cannot be accounted for. It would like to see Field Battery give his owner o winning turn, n, he „ a g Ood .portsman, tnd one deserving of better luck Barnett ami G.nnt. the Southern pen*s:£d *« win "ing National double a mlBm 18 ! o '." ;fcow*«nd of it going to an Auckland backer. *

The twelfth annual report of the Waivarapa Rnein? Club atatcs that the year ■toned with a.; overdraft of £1241 2s 10d, and liabilities £291 5s 5d Tho 6986 13s 4d,, and habMitiea £369 15s 5d being a reduction of £175 0s 5d for tho year. In addition to this the stewards expended out of revenue the sum of *»Slb in permanent improvements. Tho stakes were £220 in excess of the previous year, while ,t be return* from the lotalis.ittn snou a dectease of £185, owing possibly to the competition' of bookmakers at the incrtiiiHs. The assets of tho club exceed tho habilitieo by the sum of £2555 9s -V,. .It ia proposed to give tho nanio amount in stakes ac wos ai"*n last yc-r—v.'sc., .CCGQO. "

Under the heading "A Good Example" the Aus-tinUsi.in devotes an article commending the Australian Jockey Club on its appointment of paid steward*. The detail* of the ochevn? lme yet to bo determined, (hough it has been decided that tho stewards shall exercise their powers within a radius of forly mile* of Sydney. Many important provincial meetings nro mused, but it was inevitable where tlie distances make control over the whole .State inipossible. On this subject ths Aiwlralasiun say 9 :—"lt: — "It is oot ie,w»nnb!c to expect too much from the honorary steward. His main purpose is not detecting. As a rule, he is well content lo do just enongl^to escape the accusation of being a mere 3gurc-head, and the impulse to energy may not always come just when the need for it is greatest. In the case of the V.R.C, where all committeemen are stewards, a man may have bebn appointed to the committee for reasons quite other than his quickness to judge the merits of either a race or a racehorse. An institution like the V.R.C. requires upon its committed men of varied abilities. It h not essential that all should be racing exports, but experts are wanted /or itsworda' work. The main point

against honorary stewards, however, is that, should any individual man really have the necessary ardour and inclination to throw himself heartily into tho work of turf reform, he might only succeed in getting himself widely disliked. Few meu care to embroil themselves in such contentions for the sake of tho sport, for while we admire energy in the paid official, if he combine knowledge «nd judgment with it, the some qualities in the honorary are condemned as the interference of a busybody. The Crown Solicitor may, of his own impulso, initiate a prosecution, but a private individual who does the stuue thing from possibly higher motives would be called au informer or a notoriety-hunter, perhaps both. The honorary steward who recognises the full measure of his duty must

sacrifice a good deal of both leisure and pleasure. Such a man has been rarely found in the past, and he will not be abundant in the future."

"Ribbleden" is inclined to look upon Colonel Shilinski's performance in carrying 13st 51b to victory in the Oaulfield Grand National Steeplechase as one of .the best things ever done in Australia. Colonel Shilinski's was an extraordinary performance. It must be remembered that he was not only starting for the first time in. a steeplechase, but was weighted with a burden that is only apportioned to experienced and successful horses— horses whioh have won their way to the top of the tree, such, for instance, as Redleap (13st 121b), Daimio (13st 31b), and Domino (I3st 51b). Colonel Shilinski, jumping like a stag, had the race won half a mile from home. Colonel Shilinski affords an apt illustration of how horses sometimes improve. Twelve months ago, or even less, I question if Colonel Shilinski would have fetched moro than £100 in the sale-yards ; but now — well, he is a different horse altogether. The credit of "making" the horse — all steeplechase horses have to be "made" — belongs to Mr. Alex. Taylor, and it is a- pity that the veteran trainer — the wizard of Winderraere he has been styled — could not reap the fruits of his patience and skill ; but in an evil moment he elected to sell, and assessed th« labour ho had expended, with the horse thr6wn in, at 600 guineas. As it turned out, it was a modest assessment ; and Mr. Albert Miller, with keen characteristic foresight, took tho lot at Mr. Taylor's own valuation, and made a profit of £2500, more or less, on tho. transaction. It's the way of the world. And now Mr. Taylor is trying to persuade Mr. Miller to take Colonel Shilinski to England, with the view of winning the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase. And what more likely 1 The first two-year-old raco of the season in Australia was run at the Adelaide Racing Club Grand National Meeting on the 9th instant, and resulted in the victory of St. Vincent, a half-brothor to Royal Artillery, and full brother to Dirk Hammorhaud and Troubridge, by Carlyon from 'Lady Doris, by Neckersgat from Emily. Faithful, by Lecturer. For lome time the committee of tho Australian Jockey Club has boon enquiring into the running of a racehorse named The Friar at Scone and other parts of tho State, and several adjourned meetings have been held. Last week the matter was brought to a conclusion, tho following resolution being adopted: — "After hearing the evidence it was resolved to disqualify The Friar for the Scono Jockey Club Handicap, run on 29th May, and also that he be disqualified for life. It was also resolved that J. Barnett, Alfred Hukins, and J. M'Coy be disqualified for life for their connection with the horse Tho Frinr."

What with, the riding-out rule being continually quoted to him on the one hand, and the fear existing on the other that a too liberal use of whip and spur may earn the displeasure of the authorities — racing and civil — the poor jockey in Australia- is in a quandary. D. Coloman, rider of Tasman in the Caulfield Grand National Steeplechase) was asked by the stewards after the race why the horse's sides were bleeding when ho came in. Tasman, it appears, is a thinskinned horse, and after inspecting the animal and receiving a report from tho club's veterinary burgeon, Mr. S. O. Wood, tlie stewards accepted Coleman's explanation as satisfactory. • Walter Hickinbothnm sent Foolbolt (9st 71b) and Strata Florida (7st 91b) out to represent his stuble in the Mnlakoff Stakes at the V.A.T.C. Grand National Meeting, but Seclusion (Carnage — The Nuh), carrying 7st 61b, beat the pair, winning easily by a length and a quarter from Strata Florida, with Footboll half a length off. Strata Florida will have to improve a deal to have any chance with Brakpan and Abundance in the V.R.C. Derby. Seclusion is engaged in the Melbourne Cup at 6st

Lowland Chief made up for his defeat in the Caulfield National Hurdles by accounting for the Arknringa Hurdle Race of 250 soys, two miles and 64ydr, on the third day of the meeting. Ho curried list 61b, and boat the favourit© Speculation (list lib) nicely by half a length.

Debenture, by Eiridspord or Wallace — Water Lily, who was purchaFed at the St.'Albans sale for 575 guineas, and has raced unsuccessfully ever since, broke tho ice at last at the recent Caulfield Meeting, when she won the Oma Plate, five and a half furlongs, in imin lOsec. Patronugo, by ""Grand Fieueur— Olga, who split San Frau and Sequeuce in lust year's Sydney Metropolitan, won the Warwick Farm Handicap in good style on the 9th inst., from T.M.S. (7st) and Fanfare (7st 71b). Patronage carried 6st 81b, started favourite at 3 to 1. and ran the mile and three furlongs in 2min 25sec. His chanco in the Metropolitan, run on tho BUi of next month, is considered a. good one. Bon Voyage and Abington are the two beet- backed horses for tho Epsom Handicap, und they rule as favourites for' tho event. The Persian aud Patronage are most enquired for in Bontlcction with the Metropolitan. The ex-Now Zeaiander Soringapatam finished third in tho Woldngham Stakes, six furlongs, at Ascot, conceding St. Quintin, tho winner, IMb. Mr. Spencer GollanT liorso Australian Star won tho London Cordnatiou Cup, of 977 soys, one mile und a quarter, in very easy style by four lengths, the race being all over half a mile from home when Australian Star c«une right away .from the field. He carried Bst 131b, and his time was 2min 2bcc— a slashing go. St. Umomher (6»t 81b) and Volonel (ost 71b) finished in tho places. Tho winner wiw all the rage in tlm betOiug, and w«s very heavilj backed, despite Ins poor running- this ycftr. to repjat his Inst yew's hollow win in thin event. Ho was reported, and certainly looked,, veiy fit, and on the strength of a reported 1 good trial vras supported down at sto 2. Carbinn's son Warg,?nvo was the best lanocd of the remainder. "Robin Hood ' mys the victory of Mr. Gollan's horso was. of oourw, ver^- veil received, and it was, indeed, a. smashing I victory. Australiiin Star ha*, evidently | got back to his true form, a no 1 Ilickey musfc be heartily congratulated: By the way, that trahier will have n nico memento of this victory, as tha executive had cet asid/ 1 a cup value £50 for tho trainer of 'lue winner.

Lord Carbine, by Carbine, out ot Leap vrtig, put- down a, well-b(icked qne in Tho Solicitor, winner of the Royal Hunt Cup, at Salisbury. The r,ice was considered a giood thing for Sfoe Solicitor, but he was beaten all the way by Lord Carbine. The stanting-gate is causing much frktion in the O!a Country, and doubtless this has caused the retirement of tho

starter (Mr. Coventry). It appears that the starlet m England is not vested with suiticicnt power, and Mr. T. »S. Clibbow, A.J.C. Secretary, who is on a visit to England, thinks that the starters should, as in Australia, be empowered to send any unruly jockey back to the paddock with his mount, and, unless a fresh jockey is put- up, to start without the animal. Tihen, too, the starter should be allowed to place any unruly horso or horses in any position he thinks fit. Mr. Clibbow had a long interview with Lord Durham in connection with tho starting-gate, und he suggested that tho Gray machine should be adopted in England.

There is much discussion going on amongst the members of the Wellington Racing Club as to the position of the club at the present time, and there promises to be a stirring annual meeting next month. The election of officers is also likely to be keenly contested. The Haydn party coupled the Souwester gelding with, Tresham in the National double for over £1000. He cost his owners £250 in October last, and although he was a good while earning his purchase money, he has in tho end turned out a profitable investment. The owner of the Two Thousand. and One Thousand Guinea winner Sceptre has given plenty of illustrations during his career of being well entitled to be dubbeel "a card." This is one of the latest credited to the redoubtable "Bob 1 ' — "I object to the way you speak of me in your paper," said Mr. Sievier to a Sporting Times man at Epsom. "You say I am a gambler pure and simple. Pure I may be, but I'm dasihed if I am simple."

Siege Gun has been backed locally' for tho New Zealand Cup from the right quarter, and he can be regarded as the Ynlhurst stable's New Zealand Cup candidale. I attach no importance to the slight backing of Romany Queen.