THE WINTER MEETING

Evening Star, Issue 19263, 31 May 1926, Page 13

THE WINTER MEETING

PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW' All the horses engaged at Wingatui to-morrow are now at headquarters, the last of the northern horses arriving at midday on Saturday and the Southlanders in the evening. Never in the previous history of Winter Meetings at Wingatui have the conditions for training been so bad, and even after watching the training operations every morning it is difficult to gauge form and make anticipations for tomorrow’s races. The outside of the course proper has been open two or three mornings during the week, but even on that track it has been so wet and heavy that the time recorded by the different horses has really been little more than a guide_ ns to which handled that class of going best. The sunshine and light breeze on Saturday and Sunday, and more bright sunshine to-day. have done a great deal of good to the racing track, which, if no more rain falls during the next twenty-four hours, will now provide fair winter going. Racing will commence at 11 a.m. with the Trial Hurdles, for which the field is a weak one, and Bonatic, on recent form at Timaru and Ashburton, should provide the public with a good favorite. Sa'yonara is a doubtful starter, but in any case is a bad fencer, while Toa Taua may not like the going. Cashman has improved a lot since his arrival at headquarters, and is the most likely of the others to trouble Bonatic, with Beauty Light the best of the! others.

Ono of the best fields of the day will go to tho post for the Brighton Handicap, and the heavy going^will be all against the top weights. Kilris has been staying on in her races, and will probably have tho services of Emerson, which will help her. Bilbo is tho pick of the handicap, but it is reported he has not been doing well lately. Of the lighter-weighted division T like Clarion, Buoyant, and Spcarmaid, the last-named two having been working very well on the tracks. The Birthday Handicap is a race that has been won fairly consistently by horses carrying good weights, and after his double win at Ashburton (both days in heavy going) Deucalion (who will bo ridden by J. A. Beale) is well treated at 9.6, and is nearly sure to go out favorite. He carries weight well, and stays out a good mile and a-halt, a distance which most if not all of the opposition has yet to prove themselves over. His most formidable rival will bo Overdrawn, who will probably have A. E. Didham in the saddle. Overdrawn (7.10) won the Wyndham Cup (Urn) well, and in the last Dunedin Cup, with 7.0 up, heat all but Count Cavour. That was a much better field than he meets to-morrow, and he has been galloping very well in the mud. Mountain Lion (8.11) does not stay a mile and a-half. Goosestcp (7 .i) ran badly at Ashburton, and did not appear to like the mud. Full Swing (7.2) is well but tho last two furlongs may he troublesome to her. However, her running at Riverton shows she can handle mud. Mantua 7.0 is too sore to show her best. Geranial 7.0 should finish behind Full Swing again on _ Riverton form, and Roman Archer 7.0 is too uncertain. Kilfano 7.0 is the pick of ijJie handicap, and as ho has won most ot his races in tho mud, and is a good stayer, everything is in his favor. But there is always the doubt about a horse like Kilfano 'coming back, and I don’t think ho will. The field for the Otago Steeplechase, which this year will bo run over nearly three and a-half miles, is n poor one, and may be reduced by Uncle being reserved for the Jumpers’ Flat. Balencia 11.0 (A. E. Ellis) is bachy handicapped with Kipling 10.9 (W. Cooper), who is the best treated and moat seasoned horse iry the _ >aoe. Frenchman 10.5 (L. E. Smith) will find the distance too far, but nothing in the race will jump better. Cartoon 9.11 (Ruthven) will he Kipling’s hardest opponent to beat, but he has not had a race for a lone: time. He, too, is a fine fencer. Whipcord 9.7 (G. Salt) has no recent form to recommend him. Night Raid 9.0 (E. Mnckie) looks and jumps well. He looks like handling the going well, and should prove the best of the light-weights. Another good field has accepted in tlv* Tradesman's Handicap, for which Sun Up 9.3 on his Timaru form is sure to go out one of the best-backed horses. Warhaven 8.0 is well treated, and Clnntarf 7.9 is well, and the going will suit him. Carnot 7.5 is nicely handicapped, and nothing has been galloping more attractively in the heavy going than Miss Wink’ie 7.0. Her double at Riverton was scored in hack class, and tho field she is up against to-mnrrmv may be just too good for her just yet. Of tho others Eaton Reds 7.10 and Ecuador 7.5 must he given consideration. Manama’s good schnokng on Saturday morning lias brought him into favor for the St. Clair Steeplechase, and he will probably find most trouble from Vine-Grand and Happy Mac. T understand Qsterman is a doubtful starter. The Jumpers’ Flat Handicap should provide an interesting guide U the Otago Hurdle Race to he run on Thursday. Last year Bonomel won both, and he is engaged again this year. Sayonara, in the same stable, lias a lot of pace. Coastguard is going very well just now’, and with Bonomel will be hard to beat. The day’s racing will conclude with the Winter Welter, and Pin 1 -- Note on his Timaru form rends well at 8.9. Bonena is galloping well, and with Viewpoint and Apache looks to he the best of the others.

A THOROUGH TRAINING. With the examples of waywardness such ns Heroic, Manfred, and other colts by Valais fresh in his mind, (writes “Poseidon,” in the Sydney ‘Sun’), it is only natural that a man who had the courage to pay 5,5(10 guineas for a colt by the celebrated sire should be deeply concerned about his early education. Mr K. ; M. Pearce, who gave the record price for Valicare’s handsome brother, has not allowed himself to be lulled into the belief that because Valicare has proved herself so amenable to the ways or the racecourse that her brother will, as a. matter of course, prove equally tracnble. The fact that Valais mares and geldings have given little trouble, whereas so many of the stallions have worried their trainers, has no doubt led Mr Pearce to have .special pains taken over the early education of the

Courante colt. According to a report from Melbourne, the was placed under the tutelage of J. McCarthy, manager of Mr Pearce s “Melrose” stud, and he has adopted novel methods to give the high-spirited colt confidence in strange surroundings.' The youngster will he cantering along a country road, when a loaded motor car will draw up alongside him; then the chauffeur will toot the horn, and allow the engine to race. The colt will take no notice. Later, Leo Daniels, the boy who rides him. vaults to his bare back and slips off down his shoulder or his hind quarters. A band record is played on a gramophone, a bell rung close to his ear, but nothing seems to disturb his equanimity. Never is a whip used on the colt. M'Carthy always treats him with kindness. The youngster lias been “mouthed,” and now takes the road regularly in company with Joey, M'Carthy’s pony. While Mr Pearce was at “Melrose” a few days ago the colt was given the freedom of a small paddock, and he pleased everybody by his perfect action and quickness at the turns. The colt is to be given to A. Mortimer, at Mordialloc, in about a month, to begin his acquaintance with a ra%ecour.se, and be trained for the Breeders’ Plate. Mr Pearce’s idea is to run him in that race and the Mnribyrnong Plate, then put him aside for the autumn classics. As the ’colt was an early September foal, there is every reason for expecting that ho will come to hand early, but Mr Pearce has not the remotest idea of over-racing him as a two-year-old. JACK HORNER.

In furnishing particulars relating to tho career of this year’s winner of the Liverpool Grand National, Jack Horner, Colonel F. Vernon Willey penned the following:—“Melton’s Guide, dam of Jack Horner, was bought by my fattier at the Newmarket sales in 1917 with foal at foot; tho foal was Jack Horner, He was reared at Blyth, in Nottinghamshire, and there broken. As a four-year-old Jack Horner passed into tho Blanknoy Hunt stables, and carried the first whipper-in regularly for tho season 1921-22. After being out at grass in tho usual way, ho came up and took Ids turn for tho season 1922-23, being mostly ridden by tho first whipper-in up to Christmas, and after Christmas by myself. It happened that I rode him as first horse in the historical run from Southery Wood on January 22, a fourleen-miio point and twenty-six miles as hounds run. We marked the ground near Hagworthingham, in the South Wold country, east of Horncastle. I rode him for tho first half of the run, when fortunately a lucky turn brought us upon the second horseman, when, of course, I changed. I imagine we had then covered about fifteen miles, and he had carried me brilliantly with only one fall at a big brook, which was hardly jnmnable. Jack Horner used to carry his head low, and for that reason was rather an uncomfortable ride hunting. He was bought at Leicester in October, 1923, by Major Leonard Tate for 160 gs for his wifo to ride. She did not like Him, and after a few months sold him to Colonel B. Nichols, who trained him, after which ho was sold to Mr Kenneth Mackay.” ERIE AND HER RECORD.

Erie, who is standing up to her racing in such attractive style at seven years old, it is interesting to note, is included with the division that was not required to carry silk in their youthful days. Up to date (says “Phaeton,” in the Auckland ‘ Herald ’) Erie has contested seventy-one races, and her record stands as follows:

In her five seasons’ racing Erie has won stakes to the value of £.3,914, and matters shape promisingly for the chestnut mare increasing the total in a substantial manner ere the present season ends. JOTTINGS.

Tn a computation of the sum won in stakes by descendants of Cylleuo the same is set down at £404,284 1 Os —viz., £181,994 10s in England and 1222,290 in the Argentine. Cyllenc, who was got by Bona Vista (son of Bond Or), was one of the most noteworthy horses of the Stockwell line through Doncaster. At ten years old he was sold for 30,000g5, and throe years subsequently* a breeder in the Argentine bought him for 25,000g5. Eleven winners of the Derbv figure among sires at the stud iti England at the present juncture, tbo list being made np as follows:—Lemberg (by Cyllene), Sinister (by Sundridge), Pommern (by Polymelus), Gay Crusader (by Bayardo), Gainsborough (by Baynrdo), Grand Parade (by Orby), Spion Kop (by Spearmint), Captain Cuttle (by Hurry On), Papyrus (by Tracery), Sansovino (by Swynford), Manna (by Phalaris). The Raimitikoi hack. Brigadier Bill, is called after one of New Zealand’s best-known soldiers, who is now a magistrate in the South Island. The brigadier was visiting a Rangitikci sportsman’s homestead the day the horse was foaled. “If it’s a colt, Eli call him after yon,” said the owner. A colt it was; lienee “Brigadier Bill.” The following is clipped from t lie Melbourne ‘Leader’:—“A northern district racehor-e which line! disappointed its owner on many occasions was recently sold m a barber’s she]) for the price of the owner's shave. The new owner entered the horse for the Maiden Handicap at an important meeting held at Gratton. and the animal won and returned the new owner a handsome amount in slake and bets ”

Listening Post is tn be offered for sale by auction on the second day of the Dunedin J.G. Meeting next week. 0. Gieseler 3(1, J. T. Jamieson 25, E. W. Ellis 24], and S. CL Ware 24 winners head the list of winning trainers to date.

0. Emerson (19, Hoy Rood fi7], J. Barry 54, and M. M'Carten of) are at the head of the list of winning jockeys to dale.

B. Donley’s name has boon removed from the list of licensed jockeys. Some trainers who paid a lot more attention to John Barleycorn than it is wise to do are feeling a hit uneasy since a recent meeting (says the Wellington writer “Carbine”). A jockey who allowed the self-same John Barleycorn to bolt with him is another who will not forget the meeting. “Snowden,” in the ‘Australasian,’ summing up Hie Derby candidates for next season, says: One of the “dark ones ” is Windbag’s high-priced brother, Bicnlor. The breeding, of course, is right, but beyond that wo are in the dark, so must await for Ids appearance under colors tn know whether he lias inherited the family galloping trait, and is worth the-money expended on him. . The two-year-old Martian-—Lady Kinloch filly Battle Flag is being indulged in light exercise at Riverton, and she is reported to bo developing into a fine-looking sort. Mantua will definitely retire from tlie furf after next week’s meeting.

After the Dunedin Meeting next week there will be a spell of racing in the South Island. Andy M'Kay’s team for this week s meeting is very light, but for educational purposes he brought up a very handsome brown gelding by ArcheryMiss Signal, rising two years old. He is well grown, and has evoked praise from the Wingatui trainers. It is a strange coincidence that Los Ambus and Tommy Dodd should occupy adjoining stalls on their way to Melbourne this week. When Mr W. Stone purchased then* as yearlings they travelled from Elders!ie to Invercargill in the same truck, and the _ last time they met in a race they finished first and second. Mr A. S. Cambridge, who has nothing in training just now, was on the course on Thursday morning. Ho told the writer that he has sold Happy Days to a New Zealand buyer, who intends taking the Merry Moments gelding to Melbourne next August. During last week L. Christie received an addition to his stable in Glencree, by Masterpiece from Hinefoa, by Ccsur de Lion. He hails from North Canterbury, and is to bo qualified with the Otago hounds before being put into work Tor the Hunt meetings. His dam ran second to Piasano in the Napier Park and also won a race or two about North Canterbury. One trainer at Wingatui does not consider the class engaged in the Otago Steeplechase very good, for he has been laying even money (in cigarettes) against any of them getting round without making a mistake. He certainly has a lot of fences and some heavy going working for him. No horse at Wingatui looks better than Cartoon, and, though he has not bcen in long, he was hacked about on his owner’s station. This has built him up well, and his trainer has no doubt about him staying out the Otago Steeplechase course. E. J. Ellis is educating two goodlooking rising two-year-olds at Wingatui just now. One, a half-sister to Ravenna, by Tractor, and the other a colt by Tractor from Bon Maid. The latter is a very nuggety little chap, while the filly is like Ravenna in color as well as conformation. Black Diikej who was in D. P. Wilson’s stable, lias been turned out for the winter. Ho should be more than i useful next season.

Taboo was gelded about three months ago, and M'Donald informed me that though it was a very complicated operation Taboo has made a good recovery; hut lie is not nearly as good as Mr Lusk thinks him to bo. Charlatan has returned to Riccarton from tho North Island, and lie may bo started at Wingatui on the second or third day. There will bo twenty-three fences to negotiate in the Otago Steeplechase to-morrow.

The first race to-morrow will start at 11 a.m. and the last at 4 p.m. The non-acceptance of Brightling was not due to there being anything wrong with the Tractor gelding. His owner was not satisfied with the handi-

cap. H. M'Donald is busy handling a half-brother to Good As Gold, by Archery, lie is on the small side, but was badly done by when he was a foal. Pink Terrace has been taken in hand again by J. Ruttledge, and if all goes well she will he prepared for the New Zealand Oaks, to he run at Riccarton next November. Tho Otago Steeplechase, which has always been started from the It-mile barrier, will this year be started further back, probably near tho water jump. It has always been considered a long throe miles, and this year wiM bo over three and a-quarter miles. C. Christie is educating a good-lnok-ing filly named Honey by Kilhroncy— Heliiia, now rising two years old. Christie has always been an optimist (it is necessary for a trainer), but he says there will be' no mistake about this mare winning. E. Huxley, who has ridden many winners in England and India, and who is a son of the one-time widely known jockey, “Ernie” Huxley, who was associated with the stable of his brother-in-law, the late T. Payton, for a long time, is now on a visit to Melbourne, and has commenced riding work at Flomington. I'he Night Patrol has run his last race (says “Cardigan,” in the ‘Australasian’). Ho was inclined to bo a little tender on his off foreleg early in the week, and Lewis, who is deputising for James Scohic, was a trifle worried, but the gallant English horse overcame his trouble, and ran iu the Elder Stakes. Ho won easily enough, and pulled up sound, hut I understand that Lewis was not keen on running him in the Parkside Stakes at tho A.R.C. Meeting, and The Night Patrol will be cased up immediately. It is fitting that he should retire from Hie furl with a win, as few English horses in Australia have such a brilliant winning record, and he has certainly been at it fairly solidly since Ins arrival in Australia. 1 do not think he Inis been away for a spell, and was racing eight months after his arrival. He is cast iron all right, and it is to he hoped that he proves a success at the stud. Mr Gerald Buckley certainly deserves success with him, as Kl.OOOgs is a lot nt money to give for an eight years horse. Reviewing the racing at Hie May Meeting at Warwick Farm, “ Randwick,” in the ‘Australasian,’ says: “ So far as the flat racing events were concerned at the Farm, all the honors were with horses bred at Will's Gully by Air John Brown and the local trainer, I. H. Andrews, who has in work a numerous team at Warwick Farm, among them that famous gelding Heauford, who figured as top weight with 10.3 iu the Prospect Handicap.' Rising ten years, Beauiord has never thoroughly got over the effects of a (ree gallop which he had on the hard road when ho broke away irom his leader some years ago. tie looked, for a gelding, big and well, hut there is a limp in his gait when walking. However, he was all life when J. Pike got in the saddle, and from an outside position went to the front, loading the speedy Valais Queen, Father's Voice, Bunting Wallace, and Duke Isinglass to the distance,. There lie tired, and Valais Queen tackled him, followed by Duke Isinglass, who, finishing strongly, heat the mare by half a length, with Beauford a length away, just in front of his stable companion, Bunting Wallace.

At one period in-breeding to the Musket line would have been roundly challenged, hut a lot of old prejudices have long since been abandoned. The victory registered by Spearer in the Adelaide Cup, run on the Bth inst., furnishes an illustration of happy results attending in-breeding to the Musket line, and, remarkable to relate, through the same branch. Spearer, the winner, is a descendant of Spearhead, son of Spearmint (by Carbine), while his dam, Francette’s Daughter, is by Charles Stuart, son of Wallace (by Carbine). At two years old Wnakawatea (by Apremont—Hlecky Sharp) contested 21 races, which may be regarded ns the record for a horse of that age so far as this dominion i.s concerned.

An interesting fact to bo noted in connection with Cruciform, Gladsome, Desert Gold, Warstep, and Gold Light, five of the best mares bred and raced in the dominion during the past twenty rears, is that four of them claim Musket blond in their pedigrees. Cruciform’s dam, Forme, was got by Nordenfeldt (son of a Musket); Gladsome’s dam, Miss Gladys, is a daughter of Cuirassier (son of Musket); Warstep’s dam, Stepdanccr, was got by Stcpniak (son of Nordcnfeldt), while Desert Gold’s graml-dam, Aurous, was got by Wallace (sou of Carbine). The acceptance for to-morrow’s races number eighty-four--quito sufficient to provide a good afternoon's sport. Tbe yearling colt by Valais—Courante, sold recently for stsoogs,5 t soogs, amd

who thus holds the record as the highest-priced colt sold in Australia and New Zealand, has been named Gourenr. Tho day prior to tho opening of the Wanganui meeting Passin’ Through had a recurrence of bleeding trouble, arid ho pulled up without completing the journey in the Wanganui Steeplechase. The black gelding is a very honest customer, hut is very unlucky. For the time being ho may not he seen at his be/st.

Sun Up was priced by an Australian buyer recently, but no business resulted. The owner, it is stated, asked £2,000. They are apparently a very poor lot in the Jervois Handicap, to he run at tho Auckland Racing Club’s Winter Meeting, if the handicaps are any guide. Out of fifty horses engaged, all hut thirteen are on the minimum. Australian buyers seem to ho keen on New Zealand horses, for during the last month the owners have been asked to put a price on Desert Glow, Commendation, Limerick, Mask, Diogenes, Benzora, Sun Up, Star Stranger, and Ballymoy 11.

1st. 2nd. 11 n3rd. placed. At 3 years ... 4 o 0 20 At 4 ycnrs ... 1 2 4 14 At 5 ycnrs ... 4 1 2 5 At 6 years 2 0 0 4 At 7 years !!! 4 0 1 1 — —— — 15 5 7 44