In Field and Playground.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3802, 12 April 1913, Page 9

In Field and Playground.

THE TURF.

FIXTURES,

v April 16 and 17—Hawke’s Bay J.C. 'A Autumn. April 30 and May I—Marlboroughl—Marlborough R.C. Autumn. May 8 and 9—Ashburton County 11. C. Autumn. Juno 3 and 4 —Dunedin J.C. Winter. (By “Trenton.”) The Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting is tho next important fixture to engage the attention of racing enthusiasts. At one time this meeting was reckoned as one of the most prominent held in the Dominion, and its ohief event—the Hawke’s Bay Cup—attracted the best horses from one end of New Zealand to the other. Of late years, however, the fixture, althought still a good one, has diminished in popular favor outside its own immediate environments, but this may

be accounted for by tho fact that the

meeting is now held later in the sea--i son than it originally was, a date when » pretty well the majority of horses have had enough. The acceptances for the various events on the first day this year must, however, be considered fairly satisfactory, and as a result the racing should prove both interesting and enjoyable. For the Hawke’s Bay Cup 1 like the chances of Bronze 8.12 and Labor Day 5.9. Birkline 7.13 and Lady Moutoa 6.12 have excellent shows of distinguishing themselves. Among the candidates in the Karamu Handicap Hurdles I like the chances of Bollin 10.9 and Bravest 10.3 the best. The Gisborne horses Player and Cally Bridge have not accepted. In the Autumn Handicap, once round, Mr. C. Morse’s Birkline 8.11, has no reason to complain, and Mr. F. Hall’s Obligant 8.2 should run well.

A rumor is going the rounds that Phroso, who lias beaten some really gcrad horses on the flat, will bo among the contestants for the Grand National Steeplechase. The horse is said to bo a very proficient jumper, and will be ridden by a -well-known Gisborne rider. I give the rumor, however, for what it is worth.

The Wellington Pacing Club's Autumn Meeting was a great success. The attendance on both days was good, the racing excellent, and speculation on the totalisator brisk. One of the features of the meeting was the win of ALi-. F. Hall’s Mira in the big event on the second day. The other Poverty Bay horses Caber Davon, Multiply, and Our Queen ran disappointingly, and must have either lost their form or found their opponents a cut above them.

A Oliver, who has long been looked on as one of New Zealand's leading horsemen, is now at the head of the list of winning jockeys. B. Deeley is next.

Cheddar was not greatly fancied for the Thompson Handicap, and lie paid a good dividend. The “Times” says that L. Wilson, who rode him, always had the gelding in a nice position, and when asked for the finishing effort he responded in good style. He was, however, lucky to beat Potoa. The latter was almost last to begin, and ho got into a very bad place. Then O’Shea had to bring him right round on tho outside of the field. From below the distance Mr Ring’s colt was going faster than anything else, and it showed great brilliancy and high courage to get within a neck of tho winner. If Potoa could have been kept anywhere within striking distance he must have won.

Although carrying a 141 b penalty. Sir George Clifford’s Autumnus had no difficulty in winning the North Island Challenge Stakes, and this makes tho third successive victory for the popular Southern owner in that event. Autumnus is said to have finished in very resolute style, the win being quite an impressive one. The winner was bred by his owner, being by Treadmill from Gold Leaf, by StonyJiui'st—Golden Crest, by ’Sprcmont. Mowbray ran a good colt under his 141 b penalty, but it seems he does not stay too well. At six furlongs Autumnus would have had trouble to beat the two-year-old, but the last bit found the latter out. Bronze only ran fairly, and she seemed to lack her former dash. Bon Revo was obviously not at his best, and Ogier was hardly class enough.

The Railway Handicap, at the Wellington meeting, resulted in a boilover, the winner turning up in Merry Frank; by Merrivveo from Valois. He was sixth favortie. The money simply poured in on Ventura; who looked in the pink of condition. She had an outsido position at tho barrier, where she was very restive. Wilson, however, got her off well enough, and she had every chance- to score. Something went wrong at the entrance 10 the straight, where she dropped back, and after that- was not prominent again. Merry Frank showed a lot •of pace over the last furlong, coming ■well away from the field and winning ;handsomely. Emperador finished second, and as he was carrying 41b (i”-r weight-for-age and was presenting the winner with three years and 131 b. the -performance was not without merit. Crown Pearl was well backed, but, as on several other occasions this season, ran indifferently.

, Had Elevator, who ran second in "fclie'Tinakori Handicap at the Wellingv . ton Meeting, finished first in that .event he would have paid liis supporters a dividend amounting to over half ra century. . \

\At tho Reef ton Autumn Meeting.

News of the WeeK.

A PAGE FOR SPORTSMEN.

tho Aut-dnm Handicap of 100 sovs, ono mile and a quarter, was won by Divorce 10.1, Waipunai 9.1 2, Corrio 9.1 3. The winner won By ten lengths. Divorce also won the Farewell Handicap, 6 furlongs. <* * * *

By winning the Longburn Handicap at the Palmerston. Meeting, Mr. O. J. Parker’s Multiply has made some amends for his previous erratic form He had a nice handy weight, am: cut out the mile and a quarter m good time. The theory propounued :n certain quarters that he could uot» stay ihe distance is now explodei. and there is now no doubt that the support accorded him for the Napier Park Cup was not unwarranted. B. Dee by had the mount on Multiply m the Longburn Handicap, and perhaps teat made all the difference.

F. D. Jones contemplates a trip to Australia shortly. Luke Wilson and C. Emmerson will also go across- the Tasman this winter.

When Autumnus won the Challenge Stakes the other day he created a fresh record for that event, running the 7 furlongs in lmin 27 2-osec. smarter than the previous best, viz., that of Formby.

At Feilding recently Wire Tokeua gave lOOgns for a filly by Advance out of Ballarat. This filly, unless there is anything the matter with her, is very cheap.

Peg (Charlemagne ll—Corie Lvnn) is at present enjoying a gpell.

Jolly Beggar, winner of the Doncaster and All Aged Stakes, belongs to Mr. P. A. Connolly, the luckiest owner in Australasia, and is by Ayr Laddie (imp.) out of Lady Trenvillc, who is a daughter of Trenton.

The winner of the Williamsiown Steeples recently decided is by Gold Reef—Lady Paris. It is not the defunct Gold Reef who has sired so many winners in this country.

T. Pritchard, who some twelve months back had his leg broken badly, is now on the right road to recovery, and hopes to be able to ply bis calling this winter.

It is stated that North East will be a bidder for National honors this winter. * * » Messrs Payne and Co. recently field a sale at Christchurch. Culprit was passed in at 400gns, and- Los Angelos at 250gns. A yearling colt by Signor —Helen Portland only realised 50gns. * *■ * The Manawatu Racing Club’s Autumn Meeting lias proved a great success, both from a financial and racing point of view. The classic events attracted some of the best horses in the Dominion, while the other races were contested by equines above the average class. Sir Geo. Clifford’s fine colt Autumnus again demonstrated his claim to be the best three-year-old of the season by winning the Manawatu Stakes, of 500 sovs, six furlongs, but Bon Rove, who appears to be fast coming back to form after his recent accident, was only beaten by a neck, proving that he will be heard of again later on. Surprises of the meeting were the victory of Mr C. J. Parker’s Multiply and the defeat of Sir Geo. Clifford’s crack Nightwatch.

The Menschikoff gelding Electrakoff finished fourth in the C'oogee Handicap at the recent meeting of the Australian Jockey Club. His showing was a good one, and it is anticipated that the New Zealander will pay his way veil in Sydney.

Royal Scotch, for whom Mr E. J. Matt got a big price just before tho last Caulfield Cup, and who failed to win a race for his new owner, has now been retired to tho stud. Later on an attempt may be made to again get the son of Barley Bree to stand a preparation. * * * 111-fortune continues to follow the black gelding Manakau in Sydney. A recent communication from there stated that lie had picked up a nail in his root ,and would be unable to race for some time. ** *■ * Secret (Mcrrie England—Oblivion), a well-known winner oi a few seasons back, is (according to a Southland paper) now tending a neat colt foal by Glenculloch.

G. Price is leaving Awapuni for Hastings to-day with the Field Battery mare Bronze, who will be a competitor in the Hawke’s Bay Cup. Plaice may also take Gerberga to Hastings.

The earnings of a successful jockey in New Zealand compare more than favorably with any of the professions. During the last three weeks L. Wilson, who is retained by Mr E. J. Watt, has earned over £2OO in fees.