THE TURF. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 119, 23 May 1910, Page 2

THE TURF. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Argument. — There have been two mares called Radiant, in New Zealand. Ona of these, got by Suwarrow from Topaz, died in 1905, having 'produced, whilst at the Karamu stud. Halo, Glisten,, Lustrous (dam of Gloss), Nimbus, Burnisher, Garry, Lightsome, Togo, Radiator, and two others. The second Radiant was by Robinson Crusoe, from Radiance, and produced Lustre, Handsome Jack, Dazzle, Sequin, Heliograph,, Do la Roy, Piata, and a brown filly by Blue Jacket. Each of theso mares was Australian-bred. NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By Sir Bedivere.) Winter sport commences to-morrow, when tliß Wanganui Steeplecha.s3 will bai decided. Cross-country racing has a special charm of its own, and appeals to many of us in a way that not even the highest-class sport on the flat can approach. Perhaps it is that we admire the cleverness displayed by horses abl» to clear big fences at racing speed and the pluck of those that ride them. But apart from this, and all the excitement which a keen contest between the flags engenders, there is something about tha 'chaser himself that entirely pleases. The typical cross-country performerlooks his part. He may not be handsome — much less what the womenkind' would term "pretty" — but his plain, bony, honest head at once attracts tha eye, and he has size, power, and a certain appearance of agility which tells of the possession of what hunting men call "a spare leg." He is, in fact, practical in every respect, and is gifted with that which is chiefly to admired about any) class cf horse, namely, stamina. Yes, there is none of tho go-like-the-very-dickens and stop like a well-shot birdi about the 'chaser ; instead, he laya downj to his work at just a nice racing pace, and keeps on going and jumping all tha time. And how clever some of his triba are. No matter whether there be others immediately in front and at both sides of him, he still manages to lake off afe the right moment and screw to one sida on landing to avoid a fallen horse or to jump him if necessary. Some horses I have known — old Mutiny, for instance—. would, on finding as they approached a fence that their stride would carry them too close to it, promptly run down to right or left so as to get more room to clear it. Watch them, again, "put in a short one," when they find themselves in difficulties, and do it, too, so quickly that they lose no ground. It is due to his knowledge of such tricks that tha old stager so frequently scores from th« more brilliant novice, for there is a lot lo learn about steeplechasing, and, generally speaking, a horse's third yeaT is his best. To-morrow's race promises to be one of the best ever seen at Wanganui. The top-weight El Dorado gained many friends at the last Grand National Meeting at Riccarton, when, after running second to Nad a dor in the big event, he won both tho Beaufort and Lincoln Steeplechases in. very decisive fashion. Good reports have recently been forthcoming with Tespect to the. form he has) been showing in private, and if as fit as we are Jed to believe, he must be a very difficult horse- to bear*. Having! negotiated the Riccarton country successfully fche ; Wanganui fences should not trouble him in the least. Jack Pot is another of tho younger generation that can both gallop and jump to som« purpose. Had he not come to grief at the back of the course when he was contesting tlus-tweut *wq years ago, h« would almost assuredly have won, and his subsequent form at Hastings was most creditable. Moccasin was successful last year, and cannot, therefore, ba left entirely out of calculations, but if all goes well with the pair first named, they will probably make things too merry for tho old black gelding. Sir Lethe was once spoken of as being something a bit out of the common,, and there is no doubt he is a most accomplished fencer. He has been out of tho limelight for a considerable period however, and though his connections ar» said to fancy his chance, he may ba scarcely forward enough in condition to successfully cope with the opposition he will meet to-morrow. Bullworth, on. the other hand, has the advantage of being thoroughly seasoned, but is lacking in brilliancy, whilst the prospects of Lingerer and Lovell rest mainly in respect to their jumping ability. Penates has, I hear, been showing good form in private, and has quit* satisfied his owner as to his ability to gat to the end of ten furlongs. If this be so he will tak6 all sorts of beating, for there is no question that he was leniently handicapped for Wanganui. Sir Antrim must be dangerous, and if Maori King has come on at all sinco tho last meeting at Hastings, when ha looked as though he required a race or two, he may be relied upon to give a satisfactory account of himself. When reviewing the weights, I selected Merrivonia, as one of the most leniently dealt with, but .as to her condition I have no authentic information. The Hon. Thomas Reibey, of Tasmania, who can claim the distinction of being one of tho oldest turfites in tha Commonwealth, never permits his jockey to use either whip or spur, and, according to the many race followers in the tight little island, has thereby lost innumerable races which ho might hay* won. One day during his absence, however, says a writer in the Referee, his trainer started a horse in each of three races at Carrick, and, per medium of whip and spur, enabled the followers or the stable to land a pile of money. A few days later the veteran, sport heard that his orders had been disobeyed, with the result that the trainer and all the fctablo hands vrere summarily dismissed. TAKAPUNA MEETING. [BY XELEGRAPH — I'RESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, 21st May. The Takapuna Jockey Club's winter meeting was held this afternoon in fina weather. Remaining results :—: — Empire Handicap, of 250 soys ; one mile and a quarter. — Sea Elf, 7.9, 1; Uranium, 7.13, 2 ; Sir Artegal, 7.13, '3. All started. Won by three lengths. Time, 2min. 16sec. Maiden Hurdles, of 100_ soys ; cm* mile and a half. — King Hippo, 9.0, 1 ; Matarere, 9.0, 2; Spectre, 9.0,3. Scratched — Oudweed, Golcfcmilh, Powerful, and Celtic. Won by half a longth. Time, 3min 6scc. Royal Handicap, of 125 sovt>; Bevea furlongs — Lady Frances, 6.10, 1; Dogger Bank, 7.1, 2; Impulsive, 7.9, 3. Scratched — Admiral Soolt and Moni>pelier. Won by a length. Time, lmin 32 3-5 sec. First Pony Handicap, of 100 soys. — Peggy Pryde, 1; Miss Stella, 2; Leafire, 3. Won easily. Time, lmin 18 l-ssec. Scratched — Necktio. liauraki Hurdles, of 150 eovs ; two miles. — Tui Cakobau, 9.10, 1 : Armagh, 9.4, 2: Commander, 96, 3. Scratched — Pukenui, Cnvalwro, and Wellcnsl. Won by a head. Time, 3m in 57.«ec. Ngo. Taringa Handicap. — Flying Soult, 8.0, 1; Maroon and Black, 7.13, 2; Captain Soult, 7.13, 6. Won by a length. Time, lmin Msec,.