RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 21636, 3 February 1934, Page 8

RACING NOTES

[By Sr. Clair.]

RACING. February 8, 10. —Dunedin J.C. February 8, 10. --Poverty Bay T.C. February 8, 10.—Taranaki J.C. February 9, 10.—Marlborough R.C. February 10, 12.—Rotorua R.C. February 15.—Tologa Bay J.C. February 15, 17.—Dargaville R.C. February 15, 17.—Wanganui J.C. February 17. —Canterbury J.C. February 21, 22.—Woodville D.J.C. February 21, 22. —Gore R.C. February 22.—Waiapu R.C. February 24, 26. —To Aroha J.C. February 28.—Rangitikei R.C. March 1, 3.—Napier Park R.C. March 3.—Banks Peninsula R.C. March 3.—Franklin R.C. March 7, B. Dannevirke R.C. (at Woodville). March 8, 10.—Waikato R.C. March 9, 10. —Cromwell J.C. March 15. —Waimato R.C. March 15, 17.—Ohinemuri J.C. AT WINGATUI THIS MORNING. The weather was , again warm and still at Wingatui this morning, and the trestles were several feet closer to the rails than on Thursday morning, an excellent strip of fresh going being thus provided. Ventrac and Gold Paper were companions in a six-furlong gallop, and though neither was hunted out at the finish the former appeared to be going the better at the finish. June the Third, who during H. Ellis’s indisposition is under the care of J. W. Dooley, beat Hostage over six furlongs in Imin 20 4-ssec. Fair Weather and Salrao Salar finished on even terms at the end of a mile in Imin 50 l-ssec after running the first four furlongs in 54 l-ssec. Good Weather and Jacobin were sent nine furlongs on the plough, and there was little between them at the end of the journey, which occupied 2miu 19sec. Densem heat Brave Lad over five furlongs in Imin 8 3-ssec. Master Anomaly easily accounted for Reminder over six furlongs run in Imin 20 3-ssec, and appears to be very well just now. Dismiss ran right away from Queen of Song at the end of six furlongs on the inside of the course proper in Imin 17sec. Queen of Song is not a brilliant track worker, but Dismiss has done particularly well since he returned from the Trentham Meeting. Polling Day, who will now be F. Shaw’s only representative in the hurdle race next Thursday, ran six furlongs, going easily all the way, in Imin 24sec. He will be ridden by F. Beale. Meadow Lark was stepping slow towards the end of a six-furlong spin on the plough track Tun in Imin 20 3-ssec. Blazon showed up best in a five furlong sprint with Sungem, Red Eve, and Onyx. He stood them up a good start, and the journey was covered in Imin Bsec.

Mobile was going much better than Norman Conquest at the end of six furlongs run in Imin 20sec. Amy Johnson finished better than Daring Deed over seven furlongs, the last taking them Imin 21 l-ssec. Chhota, with ten stone or more in the saddle, was sent a circuit on the plough at about 14sec to the furlong throughout. This mare is very well just now, and her good gallop on Friday morning when she ' beat Tippling and Palmary over a mile and aquarter next to the rails in 2inin 10 3-ssec has brought her into local favour for the cup. So far she has done everything Shaw has asked her ior, and he is confident she will see the journey out. TRACK WORK AT RICCARTON. Some interesting track work, in view of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting, was done at Riccarton on Thursday (says the ‘Press’). The No. 6 grass track was open for fast work, and it provided excellent going. Trumpet Blast, by Jericho, shaped well in a gallop over half a_ mile, in company with Tunneller, finishing in front in 50sec. The former will be ridden at Wingatui by M. Kinvan. He is a most promising youngster belonging to Mr G. R. Macdonald, and is trained at Chokebore.

King March, carrying more than 9.0, reeled off half a mile in 50 l-ssec, the last three furlongs in 36 4-ssec. _ He is looking in great heart, and will add considerable interest to the Dunedin contest.

Marcli 16, 17. —Wellington R.C. March 17.—Birch-wood Hunt Club. Marcli 17.—Opunake R.C. March 21.—Opotiki J.C. March 21, 22.—Manawatu R.C. March 23, 24.—Oamaru J.C. March 24. —Otautau R.C. TROTTING. February 17, 21.—Auckland T.C. February 24.—New Brighton T.C. March 2, 3.—lnvercargill T.C. March 3.—Wellington T.C. March 10.—Timaru T.C. March 14.—Kaikoura T.C. Marcli 14. —Wyndham T.C. Marcli 14. —Manawatu T.C. March 17.—Cheviot T.C. March 17, 24.—Wanganui T.C. March 23. —South Otago T.C. March 24.—Roxburgh T.C. March 31, April 2.—Hawera T.C. March 31, April 4.—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C.

Guarantee ran half a mile in Slsec, the last three furlongs in 37 3-ssec. There is nothing amiss with this horse, but he does not seem able to show his best with the colours up. St. Joan sprinted three furlongs in 38sec. She has been suffering from slight soreness, but will probably make the trip south. High .Rank and Wild Sky attracted attention by covering seven furlongs in Imin 28 2-ssec, finishing together. Both will be ridden by A. Eastwood at Dunedin.

Silver Ring galloped six furlongs in Imin 19sec, the last three in 38 l-ssec. Great Star pleased by covering five furlongs in Imin 2 4-ssec, the last three in 38sec. He is in excellent order again, and with his comparatively easy impost he will have to be seriously considered in the Publicans’ Handicap. His stable mate, Grand Review, galloped seven furlongs in Imin 32 2-ssec, the last three in 38 l-ssec. Rational 11. beat Doiran over six furlongs in Imin 19 2-ssec, and Don Jose and Fleeting Glance were given strong work on the plough, Cranford covered half a mile in 50 3-ssec, and Davolo did similar work in 50sec, having Friday Night as a companion. • Gaysome reeled off five furlongs comfortably in Imin 3 4-ssec, the last three in 39sec. Croupier, joined by Marcus Cicero at the six-furlong peg, galloped seven furlongs in Imin Slsec, the last fjhree in 39 2-ssec. Croupier had his trainer in the saddle and went very well. Vintage, joined by Concentrate at the mile post, galloped a mile and a quarter in the good time of 2min 8 2-5 sec, the first half taking 51 2-ssec, the last half 51sec. Vintage was always going freely, and although Concentrate held on to him for most of the run home, he was going away at the post. Concentrate walked off apparently sound, but there is a fear that he may not stand up to a complete preparation. Some Shamble was also sent from the mile and a-quarter post with Silver Sight and Niggerhead to assist him on the journey. Silver Sight was eased off after going seven furlongs, and Some Shamble and Niggerhead, who ran the last seven furlongs, finished together. The full journey occnpiecl 2min lOsec, the last mile taking Imin 44sec and the last half-mile 52 3-ssec. This was a serviceable gallop, but could hardly compare with that credited to Vintage. Cup Bearer and Bell Hill ran five furlongs in Imin 4sec; GENTLEMEN! THE HORSE. In the past thirty or forty years great advances have been made in the better treatment of the horse, comments Colonel M. F. M’Taggart, in an interesting discussion on the need for improved methods in the handling of horses. In every army the old dragooning methods have been superseded by those which, although less severe, are more efficacious. Seldom do we see to-day gross abuse of the whip in racing, the sharp spur has been abolished on the polo ground, and the blunted rowel is prevalent throughout the army and in hunting circles as well. But I believe we have yet only touched upon the fringe of improvement] w© can, and will, go much further, as our study of the psychology of the horse deepens. Unfortunately it is the horse himself who is his own enemy. Ho has a temperament which is difficult for man to understand, and ho bears pain, suffering, and discomfort with a stolidity and fortitude which is misleading. Unlike the dog, whose mental outlook is fairly easy to understand, and who takes good care that all the world shall know when he is hurt, the horse gives so little sign of either his thoughts or his sufferings that many proclaim him to be an animal without sense of reasoning powers.

Often a new horse to my stable will be listless and stupid. Ho does annoying things. When you put your hand up to bridle him he raises his head instead of lowering it, showing that ho fears the raised hand, and he stands there with his ears half-back, and an eye that is either dull or startled. If you raise your hand or stick when on his back he gets excited at once. Such horses may well be accounted stupid. After a while a change takes place. The eye becomes soft and round, and bis real character begins to display itself. He is pleased at your approach, and when being saddled up he almost bridles himself. He will walk out of the box on his own initiative directly the door is opened, as if he were anxious to get out with you, and he soon becomes both friendly and a friend, a condition very different from that in which ho arrived.

With so many instances of this nature occurring, I cannot help feeling that many stables treat their horses only like so many wheelbarrows, to be locked up for the night. They get watered, fed, and groomed at prescribed hours certainly, but they are treated without sympathy, 'and are often frightened by shouting and rough handling. We all notice how observant a horse is when he sees something to shy at, showing that his brain, even though it may be a little illogical, is active and alert; but we stable him for twentytwo hours out of every twenty-four, locked np in a box from which he can often never see out, or tied up to a blank wall, and then we wonder that he appears stupid! The sympathetic handling, treatment, and training of a horse must start in the stable, which lays the foundation of his confidence and contentment. Let uS see how far we apply these principles to our saddle work.

Perhaps the majority of people mount with both whip and spurs, and that in itself is a bad start._ I do not see why we should require either. But as this” is rather a lengthy matter to discuss, I must take the various circumstances separately. With a sluggish horse both appear necessary, and there seems to be little effect from applying either or both with vigour. But a horse in good health and condition is not a slug, except perhaps in rare instances. If we

find a horse to he dull, listless, and lazy, there is usually something definitely amiss. For instance, a horse that has been overworked may take as much as six mouths to recover his vivacity, and one that has had a had cold or other illness may suffer from debility long after all symptoms have passed. Therefore, instead of punishing for apparent laziness, we should do better to rest him more and treat him as a convalescent.

So much for the slug. Now let us consider the circumstances that arise in riding and racing horses that arc full of life and vigour. When a horse shies at some object many people use tire stick, thinking that a little punishment will teach him not to do it again. But there is hardly a moment when the whip should be less used. The hand placed upon the outer side of the neck, combined with a strong pressure of the outward leg is what is required, with the voice perhaps used in gentle tones. With such treatment most horses soon give up the habit. But if they are hit or shouted at, they begin to dread the treatment they have learnt to expect more than the object at which they shy. Sometimes a horse when under-exer-cised and a bit “ spoilt ” by bad riding, shies, not because he fears the object but from guile. He wants an excuse to get back to his stable. Many people consider this to be an occasion for showing their mastery, and a serious fight often ensues. But this brings its own punishment to the rider, because the next day the horse is fretful, refuses to walk or stand still, and generally makes himself uncomfortable. The best cure for this trouble is a strong application of the legs, and a resolution to have him more exercised in the future.

In schooling, many a horse will refuse for no apparent reason. _ When this occurs many believe that if they allow the horse to win the day he will be more difficult in the future, and they set about getting him over somehow. If they succeed, and they usually do in the end. if they have sufficient time at their disposal, they think they have done a good day’s schooling. But here I must disagree and choose the easiest way, such as jumping a smaller place, facing toward home, waiting for a lead, or postponing the lesson for another day. Here is a point upon which I want to lay emphasis. If a horse has refused a fence, but has not been punished for it, he will think the matter over in his stable, and the next day, it is very usual to find him hopping over it without any trouble. But if he has been punished, then his thoughts are not upon his actions, but upon yours, and the result is different. Wo want our horse, after all, to jump fences temperately and freely, and he will never achieve that result unless we can eradicate all ideas and memories of punishment or of discomfort. Even under the best , conditions jumping is so exciting to horses, it is always difficult to keep them cool and collected, and that should always be our aim. That the spur has been for so long the emblem of the horseman is a curious thing. The horse is by nature a docile animal, quite ready to do anything the rider wants, provided he understands. what is required, and can do it without fear. Thus he will turn to the right or left, he will trot, canter, or gallop without any difficulty, and as those things are about all that many a rider ever asks it is quite clear that for such exercises the spur is not - required. It never has made a horse jump, of that I am convinced, but the harm it does is often painfully obvious. If we are more advanced in our riding, and require the horse to pass to the, right or left, we certainly do not want the spur to teach him. The pressure of the leg, supported, perhaps, by, taps with a cane, will very soon teach him all we need. The application of the spur definitely makes training moredifficult, because the horse, instead of being able to concentrate upon his les-' sons, is worrying about the discomfort he is expecting every moment. There is nothing which has done more harm than the abuse of the whip. This applied with especial force to two-year-old racing, but whenever _ any horse experiences a punishing finish in a race, his temper is sorely tried, so much so that in many cases he will never race again. I think it is perhaps asking too much to expect to see the whip abolished entirely in racing, and, indeed, I do not think it would _ he right, because many a horse has just pulled off a win by a .short head when the whip has been applied at the right moment by an artist who knows his job. But I think we should institute those leather-covered whips with flaps. They make a bit of a noise against the skin, and they act sufficiently as an “urge” without being very painful. These, then, are some of the points I would like to see acted upon by all horse owners. Let us remember that a horse is as sensitive as a dog, and responds to gentle handling in just the same way. His misfortune is that he has’ so little powers of expression, and so is misunderstood and often bullied unmercifully. With _ a systematic, gentle treatment his intelligence has scope to expand, and ho soon becomes a different animal, and one that is a pelasure to ride and to handle. We near too much of vice in horses. I do not believe that it is ever inherent; Such examples as do occur are, I am sure, the result of bad treatment somewhere and somewheu. So let us all review our stable habits, and our riding and schooling practices, and see if there is not room for a little more sympathy, and a little more understanding, of the animal who is always ready to be our faithful friend. Here’s to that bundle of sentient nerves, with the heart of a woman and the eye of a gazelle, the courage of a gladiator, the docility of a slave, and the proud obedience of the soldier. Gentlemen! The Horse! YOUTH RIDES 300 WINNERS. American newspapers touch on the stir made by the feat of Gordon Richards in beating Fred Archer’s record' of 246 wins in a season, and then point to what Westrope has achieved, English newspapers point out that_ racing carries on throughout the year in some part or other of the United States, whereas in England flat racing is confined to nine months. In actual fact, Westrope took just on eleven months to amass his 300 wins. Walter Miller and Vincent Powers, both Americans, are the only jockeys who ever rode more than 300 winners in a season. Miller rode 388 winners in 1906 and 337 in 1907, while Powers had 324 wins in 1908. No other jockey has reached 300, except Westrope. Like most boys in Montana, Johnny knew horses and how to ride them at an early age. In 1932 he attracted the attention of Mr O. L. Foster, owner and trainer of a small Western racing stable, who arranged a three years’ contract for his services. As Johnny was not sixteen years of age, and therefore ineligible to ride under American Jockey Club rules, his employer took him to Cuba, where, on January 25 of last year, at Oriental Park, Havana, he had his first public mount —a winner. Since that day he has been the talk of the American racing world. Phenomenal is the only word which describes his success. George Daley, in the New lork ‘ Herald-Tribune,’ says of Westrope: “This youth is a natural rider, with a firm se.it and light hands. Horses run for him as they did for the late Tod Sloan.”

Westrope, to December 28, had had 1,207 mounts for 300 wins, 231 seconds,; and 165 thirds, being unplaced in 511 1 races. ■ His winning average is thus 25 per cent. Johnny’s career may not be long.; His riding weight increased lllb to 7st during the year, and he has a tendency to put on flesh. JOTTINGS. Chhota will be ridden in the Dunedin Cup by J. W. Dooley, and Ventrac by P. W. Powell. R. Beale will have the mount on Polling Day in the hurdle race on the first day, now that Morena is not able to start. • The Dunedin Jockey Club has good; cause to be well pleased with the acceptances for the first day of the Cup Meeting, and with a continuation of tbe present fine weather • a most in-. teresting day’s racing is assured. The withdrawals from the- Dunedin Cup last evening were Minerval, Cricket Bat, Rocket, Sweet Agnes, Tippling, and Palmary, and from the Publican’s Handicap Golden Wings, Autopay, Cranford, Chrysology, and Royal l Duke. St. Joan is an acceptor for the Trial Stakes at Wingatui. Whether she makes the trip will depend on how she shapes in her gallop this morning. ft transpires_ that the reason for Silver Ring being unsighted until the final furlong of his race on the third 1 1 day at Wellington was that ho stumbled early and was down on hia nose. This emphasises the merit of his performance. Friday Night, the two-year-old brother to Phar Lap, is going on well in bis preparation. It is intended to nominate him for the Lyttelton Handicap at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Summer Meeting, though he may no# be quite ready to show ins best form. . At a meeting of the Date Sub-com-mittee of the New Zealand Racing Con* foresee Executive last week the Strafford Racing Club was granted an extra; day’s racing this season on a date yet' to b© approved. The day became available as a result of the Poverty Bay; Trotting Club’s abandoning its Boxing Day fixture. - There is no more popular jockey; under National Hunt rules in England' than “ Billy ” Stott. He is noted aliko for his skill and pluck, also unfortunately for the number of times be has met with injury in races. After many, months of inactivity owing to injuries and sickness he resumed riding at Dunstall Park on December 27, and rode three winners. His success delighted the crowd. • It is interesting to note that the automatic handicapping system operating ini Sydney is not giving satisfaction, and in the latest issue of the Sydney, ‘ Sportsman ’ to hand the opinion is expressed that if the sport is to hold' owners the old order of assessments being made by a ; competent handicapped will have to he reverted to. _ It would be interesting to note which’ of the following pacers, who are handicapped on 2.10 or better, are selected to oppose the crack Australian pacer Walla Walla when the invitation races are decided: —Red Shadow (2.7), Harold Logan (2.6)j Roi I’Or (2.6), Jewel Pointer (2.7), Satin King (2.9 V, Kingcraft (2.9), Royal Silk (2.9), Gold Country (2.9), Glenrossio (2.9), _ and Sir Gny (2.10), and maybe Indianapolis. _ . ’ . K. Voitre failed, to ride a winner during the three days of the Wellington Meeting, but he still has a substantial lead on the winning jockeys'! list with fqrty-two winners to the conclusion of that meeting. L. J. Ellis and W. J. Broughton are next with twenty-nine each. A. H. Eastwood has had twenty-eight P. Atkins and A. E; Ellis twenty-five each, Bi H.. Morris and H. N. Wiggins twentythree each, N.'.’ M'Kenzie fifteen, MKirwan fourteen, A. Russell fourteen, H. Goldfinch fourteen, J. W. Dooley thirteen, L. 1 Dulieii thirteen, R< M‘lavish twelve are next. The Duke of Portland, one of the most prominent figures in the racing world in Victorian and Edwardian days, was seventy-six on December 28.' There were no special celebrations, the duke spending the day with member# of bis family at picturesque Welbeck Abbey, Worksop. Ayrshire, winner off the Two Thousand Guineas and Derby, in 1888, was the first classic colt -to' carry the Duke of Portland’s colours' to the fore. The following year ha won the Derby and St. Leger with Donovan. In all he won no_ fewer than! eleven classic races, and in 1899 Ha set up a record which has never beenl .equalled by winning thirty-three event# of the total stake value of 73,85850v5, It was His Grace who purchased Carbine in Australia for 13,500g5. : ' • Commenting on last week’s meeting at Forbury Park, the. Christchurch ‘ Star ’ says ; ' One mile and a-quarter t races are popular with owners and the public, and tbe distance is recognised all over the world; but at Dunedin an' opinion obtains among followers ol trotting that ten-furlong races .should be eliminated from the Forbury Park Club’s programmes in favour oLelevenfurlong events. The opinion i# prompted by the start for mile and a-quarter races at Forbury being close to a turn, and rarely'has a race oyer that distance been a success on the Dunedin course. If the races were decided over eleven furlongs the field would have over a furlong to travel before reaching the first turn. . . ; Tbe first mile of the Metropolitan! Handicap run at Forbury Park on Saturday last is considered one of the fastest, 'if not the fastest, first half ofi a two-mile race ever run in New Zea-j land. In the New Zealand Trotting! Cup the leader went a shade than 2min 14sec for the first mile ant# 2min 10 3-sscc for the second and 4mm( 24 l-ssec for the full distance. la thaj Metropolitan Handicap the first mil# was covered in 2min llsec and the: final in 2min 10 2-ssec. The pace wa3> forced from end to end, and Silver de Oro and Blue Mountain compassed the final half-mile in Irain 4sec and the last two furlongs in 30 245 sec. The full time on Saturday was 4min 21 2-ssec.