THE TURF

Evening Star, Issue 16784, 12 July 1918, Page 8

THE TURF

[Gossip by Old Identity.]

Master Strowan commenced this season by winning tho Grand National at Riccarton in August; then he won the Rangitikei Steeplechase; subsequently he raced on tho fiat; then ran second in the Wanganui Steeplechase and won the Grand Stand Steeplechase at the same meeting ; and now he has won tho Wellington Steeplechase. His Tecord for tho sea-son stands at four wins and a second out of five starts over country, his earnings in stakes being £2.425. GladfuTs win in the Winter HurdleHandicap -at Trentham was his first since he captured the Great Northern Hurdle Handicap more than a year ago. In tlie interval he was purchased for 510gs By Mr W. R. Kemboll. Gluepot's finale at Flcmingtou is thus recorded, in the ' Australasian ' : Ridden by C. Boyd, ho was sent over tho steeplechase course with his stable companion, John Bunny. He stood off too far at the second fence, and crashed into it with his chest. He earned away a panel, and fell. Gluepot was subsequently sent over the course again, this time ridden by J. Woods. He did not jump with any confidence, and fell again at tho logs near the abattoirs. Ho was remounted, and completed the courso. He soon afterwards returned to his quarters' at the Racecourse Hotel. A littlo later in the morning ho was found dead in his box. A post mortem examination revealed that the horse's heart had been ruptured audi Ills liver badly bruised. Tho New South Wales totaiisator, during the financial vear which ended on June 50, yielded to the Treasury £82,802, representing a capital sum of a. shade more than £1,182,885. Tho machines at Randwick alono handled £500,152 17s_6d. It is estimated, that the next year will yield a great deal more, as the machine la only in its infancy yet. Tt was no't "until 1881 that the- V.R.O. Grand National Meeting was inaugurated, and at first it was merely a one-dav affair. Starting in 1866, a Grand National Steeplechase was run at Fleming ton on New Year's Day for four years by tho V.R.C., and the Melbourne Hunt Club also brought off a race so called, but it was then dropped. Gaibye's only fail! In- a race_ prior to recently, when ho' carne to grief and was] killed, was in & Corinthian event on the fiat at Kyneton. Oaibyo's winnings in states iroro £3.174, ■ami ho was tenth, in tho list of cross-country stake, winners in I Australia. Diavolo nas changed hands, Mr F. J. I/ysnar, of Gishoroe, having- purchased the gelding front his breeder, Mr P. p. j Neagle. Tho price paid is said to bo 400 guineas. It is on the cards Uiat his -new owner will send Diavolo across to Australia to compete in steeplechases there. A few months ago, &ay r 3 the ' Australasian,' four- horses were found, to lx» " doped " at one of the race meetings held m the western division, and no one was brought to account. On the morning of the second day of Cowra races (Juno 28) two well-conditioned animals—Powdal and Flaveworth—were lame. They had raced the previous day, the former having won the Show Handicap. When examined it was found that an ordinary sewing needle had been driven intp each horse's fetlock. The 'horses were maltreated in their stalls on the course. A man was arreste3 on suspicion. Not long ago, at one of the rs>ce meetings held just outside the metropolitan .area, a horse was " doped" while his attendants were away looking at, a jglCßr

Norahquong, -winner of the V.R.O. National Hurdles, is by Amberite, one of Carbine's best sons, who has not been a great stud success, from Mary Leo by Yanlley—Enid, by Cheviot —Courtesy by Barbarian. " Goodwood " writes : That Redleap was tho best horse over jumps Unit ever earned a saddle in Australia, is the opinion of most racing men. Sussex may have been a better all-round horse, but as a jumper pure and simple Redleap stood alone. That is the estimate of Mr Septimus Miller and of tho lute Mr Albert Millei —two pretty cood judges. T did ' not seo Sussex race, out witness«di all Reclleap's victories, and if Sussex Awe better over fences (as some few contend), Sussex must have been a phenomenon. Diamio I would place next to Redleap as a fencer. Redleap only started in seven races, and ho won four—all Nationals. Mr Septimus Miller describes Redleap as having been a bright bay, with black points. 'Ho stood about--16.3 hands high, was lengthy, but not a heavy-bodied liorso for such a big one. He carried himself well, and looked a hk'hclass horse. Neither in schooling nor when racing did Redleap fall or attempt to run off. He wns a natural jumper, flying his fences whether they were hurdles or fences. Ho had perfectly clean legs to the day of his death. His trouble was his poor feet. He got fever in them—otherwise laminitis. Had there been no weakness in this direction, ho would, without doubt, have earned fa.me as a flat racer as well as a jumper. At Adelaide Ta-ttersall's Meeting on 24th June tire Oup was won by Pretty Bobby, and tho New Zealander The Toff (7.6) was third. Tho Hurdle Bato went to Williup. hy tho New Zealand-bred horse Trentbridge, and his victory was somewhat of a surprise.