THE TURF

Evening Star, Issue 18808, 5 December 1924, Page 4

THE TURF

[Gossip by Old Identity.] I am authorised to contradict the rumor that Loughrea is to be sent to _ btuart Waddell to complete his preparation tor the Auckland races. Mr L. 0. Hazlett told me this morning that it Loughrea coos up ho will be in Ellis’s charge; but it is very unlikely that Loughrea will go, as Mr Hazlett considers ho has too much " Tamatete, the six-year-old Absurd geldinrr that won each day at Feildnig, is a useful sort—very. Prior to this season he had a record of nineteen wins in twenty nine starts, and £8,825 stood to Ins account in prize-money. The Fcilding Stakes on the first day was only an exercise gallop for him. Kiliocra might have been closci up, they sav, if ridden right out in the bending Stakes. But ho had no chance of winning, and few probably gave bun a hope The important fact is that he ran courageously and pulled up sound. As to the Feilding Cup, “ledetle reports that Avola, well handled by L. A. Pine, won very nicely. She had a good run all the way, but iier rider, timing his effort to a nicety, came in the last half-furlong to win by a narrow margin. Mount Marta, and Gaze made the running practically all the way, and at the turn it appeared as if they would have the finish to themselves. Blount Marta lasted best, but did not have a great deal to spare from Gaze. First Salute made a brilliant run from last place over the last six furlongs, and appeared still dangerous at the turn. He weakened a little at the end, finishing fifth. It was a great improvement on his Ash hurst running. Muraahi was noticed galloping well, and will bo ready to win very soon. Diamond Ring was in all the trouble that was going, and, in addition, J. Barry did not ride "one of his best races. Tanadces went a poor rnce, not being prominent at any stage. Te Knri registered an excellent performance, for he was failed off last, less than six furlongs from home. He (hen commenced a- run which landed him in sixth place. After the race T. Tito, the rider of Black Cruiser, was cautioned for interfering with, .Merry Singer and Diamond Ring.

Surveyor, who has been two seasons at, the stud, was allowed to go out, at a longish price in the Borough Handicap at Tnkapuna, and ho smothered his opponents for pace in the last two furlongs. Raceful, Master Boon, Royal Present, and Illumination eacli took a turn in the lead for the Alison Cup at Takapunn, anti it was in the straight that Polonett ranged up alongside Illumination and made a dead heat.

With regard to the overtures made for the purchase of the thrce-year-old colt Heroic, it is now staled that the offer of 20,000 gs for the colt was made on account of Mr Leslie Aldridge, of South Australia, and a. well-known Victorian sportsman. One well-known New Zealand racing man who saw Heroic racing at Randwick thinks he is overpraised, and that his real place is as a lirst-classer only up to a mile and n-quarter. Probably the best two-year-old owned by tho Aga Khan is a, colt called Lionist, by Spearmint from Judea. So writes an English reporter, and he. adds -. The winning debut was common knowledge on the course at Newbury, and at no time did the leading bookmakers lay more than short odds against to big money. The price speedily came to odds on, but a reaction just before the start took place, and brought it to a shade of odds against. Archibald had the mount, and, finding the youngster standing almost too well at the post, he swung him around, and was in lime to leave the gate with the co.lt on the move. He was always prominent, but at five- furlongs Oojah, in Sir Edward Hultou’s colors, was going so easily that Archibald showed Lionist the whip. The latter gave an idea of Lis merit by responding instantly, and from that moment went on to win in right good stylo by four lengths, Tho winner was receiving 141 b from Oojah, and tho form, as it stands, is not very wonderful, but I am sure Lionist is a high-class colt, and will do better things in the future. The best about him at present is his action and his excellent temperament for racing.

The three American appearances of Epinard have done much to establish international racing (says a New York message to the Paris ‘ Herald ’). Already a proposal has been made to bring thn nest horses in Europe to America next year for a, series of four races. The mammoth crowds attracted by the special events have prompted racing directors to plan more international tests, A proposal laid before Major August Belmont, chairman of the Westchester Jockey Club, by Matt. J. Winn, president of the Kentucky Jockey Club, provides for bringing Europe’s best to America for two races on Long Island tracks, and two on Kentucky courses next year. The purses would amount to 200,000d01. Epinard’s owner has received two offers for 25,000d0l races from Jim Crotfoth, manager of the track at Tijuana. The plan would be to stage the first race on the opening day of the Tijuana season in the latter part of November, and the second on Christmas Day.

According to reports to hand by the last mail, a number of racehorses in England this season have been attacked by influenza, and many others by the disease commonly known as '‘heel bug.” The influenza has been of a particularly virulent type, and has spread right through some of the training establishments. The socalled “heel bug” made its first- appearance some years ago, and has scourged the racing stables every season since. Apparently veterinary surgeons and trainers have still a great deal to learn about the cause, prevention, and cure of “heel bug,” but there seems no doubt that the horse’s heels and fetlocks arc attacked by a microbe, and that the disease is highly contagious. The A.R.C. belting rule regarding the refund of bets on non-starters has been amended (says a Sydney paper). The new rule reads as follows:—“In double and treble event- betting the taker of the wager shall be entitled to a start in each event, otherwise the bet is off. This is to apply only to bets made on the course on the day of the. races.” The last- provision of the rule quoted gives the layer of odds a. chance, for, without its inclusion, it would have been necessary to refund all bats made on horses scratched any time prior to the races in question. Tims there would hare been no “dead wood ” for the layers’ profit. This, of course, would have operated harshly against the bookmaker, and almost certainly would have effectively stopped the opening of set books on the double. Now that the amendment has been effected, the double is sure to become popular with both the bookmakers and the public. Longhrea seems to have been fairly beaten at Wintou. He tried to give Baldowa 281 b and Happy Warrior 351 b, and couldn’t. I do not think he is yet quite cherry ripe. Baldowa did a good gallop at Wingatui just before leaving.

It is said to bo some internal trouble that is keeping Nigger Minstrel idle. A lucky Aucklander will thank his stars that the Tye-Corteen disqualification over Purser did not affect the horse’s winning of the Caulfield Cup, for he drew the Sea Prince gelding in one of Tattcrsall’s sweeps, thereby netting £5,000. . A new claimant for ■ two-year-old honors

came to light at Takapuna. in King's Speech, who won the Cambric Handicap and the Rakino Handicap. He is a son of Demosthenes from Dragon Queen, who was purchased by Mr J. T. Jamieson at the Sydney Easter sales for 460 gs. E. Corlett was fined £1 for using cutting spurs on Sir Wai at Feilding, and R. Knox was fined £2 for instructing him to use them. C. Garment was fined £1 for a similar offence when riding Helen Rufus.