NOTES AND COMMENTS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 37, 12 August 1918, Page 5

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(IV "SIR LANCELOT.")

A correspondent, "Pair Play," writes with, reference to what is known as the Ibex case; and the position of backet's who lhave supported that horse for the Winter Cup. The correspondent blames the racing authorities for the time taken to give ai decision, and states that backers have not had 1 a run for their money. It might be explained that it took some time to hear the case by the Manawatu Club. The. decision to disqualify W. Young was sent forward to the Metropolitan Club 'Wanganui). Against the decision Young appealed. The appeal judges heard' the appeal in Wellington, and) the decision was sent on to the conference in Christchurch. That body referred the matter back to the Manawatu Club, which reopened the case and sent its decision to Christchureh, with the result known. • Under the circumstances, it is questionable if the Racing Confeience and the clubs concerned are any more to blame than the backers of the horse, who did not wait until the case was definitely decided. The Rules of Racing in New Zealand only affect betting done through the medium of the totalisator. Ante-post betting, is illegal, and! settlement of disputes in such cases is a matter between. . thfc parties concerned.

None of the place-getters in the Australian Steeplechase, decided at Caulfield on Saturday, competed in the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase last monthT The Caulfield fences are much easier than Flemington, and the race has often been won by horses with previous performances as hurdle racers. This was the case on Saturday, when two -of the places were filled by horses making their first appearance as steeplechasers. The race was quite of. an international character. The winner, Cuffs, is a Britisher, while Jack Eice represented New South Wales, and Westendale was bred in New Zealand. It ■ is claimed that the time for the race, 7min 49£ sec, is a world's record. The distance is about four miles, and the previous best time -was 7min 50-J sec, put. up by Ungala two years ago. Imported horses have won all the important flat races on the Australian Turf, and are ma-king a name in big jumping races. Lord Cecil's performances at Randwick entitle him to be considered the best steeplechaser in New South Wales. Last season Polygamist won the Australian Hurdle Race, and now one of the imported horses has captured the Steeplechase. They have yot to add the Victorian Grand Nationals to the list. Saturday's race was worth over 1000 soys to the owner of the winner, and will give. Cuffs; an ap-propriately-named son of Collar (St. Simon —Ornament), a good start on the winning list. Cuffs had winning performances both, across country and on the flat in Victoria last season. He was successful in steeplechase events both at Epsom and Mentpne in May, and towards the end of the season was raced in flat events. In the Steeplechasers' Flat Race at Flemington last month ho was beaten into second place, but he scored in a similar class of event at Moonee Valley on 27th July. Murcia (dam of Cuffs) was sent to Australia in 1912 after being served by Collar. She was by Martagon—Santa Regale, by Royal Hampton—Santa Mana, by Minting., A half-brother to Murcia, by Chaucer, went to South America, and a full-sister named Marsimah to Australia. The Victorian form of Cuffs was not taken very seriously, and he got into the race with 10.1. Jack Rice was given 12.9, two .pounds more than Lord Cecil, and just sufficient to handicap him out of it. In the Australian Hurdle Race he was top weight, with 11.11. His best performances have been put up in hurdle races at Randwick, carrying up to 14.0. Westendale won the Adelaide Grand National Hurdles at the beginning of the season but has not done much since, except to run second to Lord Grey in the Cup.Hurdle Race at Flemington in' November. Since then he was purchased by Mr. Connolly, and went into L. Robertson's stable. He Ml in the V.R.C. G-rand National Hurdles, and was unplaced at Caulfield, and so far has proved a costly purchase. He is by Birkenhead from Windlass, and was bred by the Manawatu Stud Company. When the stud was purchased by Mr. R. C. Allen, of Now South Wales, the dam of Westendale was among the lot sent across. Windlass was by Buroclydcn from Miss Betty (dam of Ostiak), and had produce by Antonio and Persian Knight after going to New South Wales. Her New Zealand progeny included Ladis and Ladino (by SirLaddo).

With the approach of the Marton and Dannevirke meetings the Trenthamtrained horses are being sprinted. Several of them were galloped on Saturday. The local sportsman who used to race as Mr. Liskirk informs me that Succession (Conqueror—Success), who is now owned in the Wadkato, has a two-year-old filly by imported Quin Abbey.

During the last season the progeny of Birkenheadl won 1802 soys in stakes in Australia. Mischief (Birkenhead — Miss Never) sired winners of 2384 soys in Queensland.

The Queensland Turf Club held a meeting in aid of the Red Cross on 27th July. In the principal event Bunting (All Black—Red Plume) carried 9.11, and won pulling up by eight lengths in 2nrin lOsec. Amberdown (Downshire — Miss Muriel) carried 10.7, and ran six furlongs in Imin 15§sec. The imported colt All In (Sunflower—Battles) was successful in a welter handicap.