TURF.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 11280, 9 August 1930, Page 7

TURF.

A CRUSHING BURDEN. PROTEST AGATNST EXTRA TOTE TAX. (Press Association.) " HASTINGS, August 8. ' • General condemnation b£. the tote tax was voiced at the annual meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club to-day. The president (Mr, T. MLjowryV said that the proposal to increase the totalisator tax bv 2s'per cent., had come as a bombshell to chibs. It reminded him of the tax organised by Sir Robert Peel in England called the window tax.”.. It was enforced, .as a last, resort olid when . the. collectors came round to get. the tax they found the windows biased up. It looked as though some: of the clubs might have to close up if the present tax were increased. Mr. Massey had led 'them to understand that the original tax was duo to the necessity of obtaining additional revenue during the war ar.d, owing to the war expenses, it bad accumulated. He thought the '.Tunc Minister had over-run his object with this taxation. _ Mr. H. A. Russell said that, on the year’s operation,s, tho. Government lind 'made £237 more than the Hawke’s Bay Club. In the first instance,' the tax had been put on to help lncidp. but now its principal purpose was to help the'Government." If the same amount’ went through the. totalisator next year as last, then the Gove*nnient," with Hie increased -tax, would net a .further 1 £2804. It would;-thus seem as though racing was to bo ini mainly for the benefit of the Government'." The effect would he to drive, •business into the hands of- the. bookmakers. ~ ~ . ,;Mr. J. S. McLeod believed that something would have to he done to Impress the gravity of the position on the responsible l politicians' of every, party that came info power. Politicians 'seemed tfl think that racing clubs Were to be made"the-chopping blocks of taxation schemes.'.' ' Mr. Massmv had p-iven- them to understand , that tiio tax would be repealed .after the war, but - instead of that, it bad been increased. j-A .'great niany owners wore now sciriously considering as to wbetber racing paid. It had come-to ilii's: That neither they nor the curbs were getting;”fair' treatment. -For himself, if he coiild. lie would sell ins horses to-morrow. Outside Sir .George fin liter’s Bill, notliirighad been even attempted to help racing. .Very, lew chibs' liad bod a. prosperous year. ’The •Government. .gave them -no, •consido'-n----fion whatsoever, but merely sopnied desirous of ithreshing the last gram of corn out of them. . , ’ AUSTRALIAN STEEPLES. '.' . United Prp.B? Asm by El. Tel. Copyright (Received Augustß, 9.15 p.m.l MELBOURNE, August 8 ; Moss Trooper has beeti withdrawn from the Australian Steeplechase, to be run to-morrow.

GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES

UNLUCKY TOPWEIGHTS.

Statistics instance the indifferent fortunes which top,weights in the Grand National Hurdles at Riccarton liavo almost • invariably-' experienced, for, over a period of 30 years, the topweight has led the Held home on three occasions only, although they have been placed second three times and have filled third berth once. Tho record of topweights for the. three, decades is as under: — 1900—Record Reign, 12.12,- first. 1901.—Moifaa, 12.10, unplaced. 1902 Cavnliero, 12.9, unplaced. 1903 Battleaxe, 11.13, unplaced. 1904 Waiwora, 11.9, unplaced. 1905 Romeo, 11.0, unplaced. 1906 Kremlin, 10.12, unplaced. 1907 Pari tutu, 11.4, second. 1908— Paritutu, 11.9, second. 1909 Exmoor, 11.0, unplaced. 1910— Raisuno, 12.1, first. 1911— Paisano, 12.8, unj)laccd.. 1912 Black Northern, 12.2, unplaced 1913 The Native, 11.6, discjualified. 1914 Player—ll. 7, unplaced. 1915 Leonta, 10.13, second. 1916 Crib, 11.2, unplaced. 1917 Art, 11.8, unplaced. 1918— Gladful, 11.9, .unplaced. 1919 Rewi Poto, 11.6, unplaced. Art, 11.6, unplaced/ 1920 Loehella', 12.6, unplaced; 1921 Fisher, 11.11, unplaced. •1922—Ngata, 11.9, third. 1923—Gladful. 11.9, unplaced. 1921—Nukumai, 11.8, unplaced. 1925 -Sir Roseborry, 11.9, unplaced. 1926 Ngata, 11.9, unplaced. 1927 Kawini, 10.6, unplaced. 1928 -Nukumai,'• 11.11. first. 1929 Mister Gamp, unplaced.

GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLES

LITTLE BETTER FORTUNE

The fortune of topweights in tho big steeples at Riccarton is little better limn in. the case of the hurdlers, for horses carrying No. 1 saddle-cloth have registered victories on but three occasions. They have, however, run second twice and been placed third on three, occasions. The records covering a period of 30 years are as under 1900— Black Dust, 11.6, unplaced. 1901— Moifaa, 13.6, unplaced. 1902 The Guard, 13.2, unplaced. ■ 1903—Scallywag. 11.5, unplaced. 1904 Haydn, 12.0, unplaced. 1905 Knitero, 12.5, unplaced. ,1906—ICaitere, 12.0, unplaced. 11907—Kaitere, 13.3, third. .) ,19p§—-Kaitero, 12.8, unplaced. t;l9^ r -Eurus, 11.3, unplaced. f r: 19k>—Capitol 12.0 unplaced. |k 1911-—Gorazon, 12.3, second. 1912-L Continuance, 12.3," unplaced. 1914—Bercola;’ 11.13, second. Captain Jack, 11.13, unplaced 1915„Tim Doolan, 11.7, unplaced. 1916—Braeburn, 11.11,' unplaced, . 1917—Crib, 11.13, .third. 1918— Master Strownn, 12.7, third. 1919 Waimai, 12.7, unplaced. 1920 Loehella, 12.7, unplaced. 1921 Coalition, 12.7, first. 1922 Coalition, 12.7; unplaced. : 1923—Oakleigb, 12,0, first, 1924 Oakleigb, 12.5, unplaced. 1925 Sir: RoseberrV, 12.3, unplaced. 1926 Passin’ 3’hrough, 10.11, unplaced. 1927—Beau Cavalier. 11.7, first. • 1928—-Beau Cavalier, 12.5, Unplaced. , 1929—Kawini, 10.13, unplaced. ■ ■ NOTE’S ANIMNEWS,. During the past- -seven seasons' A. E. Ellis has ridden 293* winners. In 1927-28 ho finished third on the list witli sixty-nino winners to his credit ; in 1928-29 ho Was first with sixty-one wins; and the season which closed' last week he was second on the list with seventy winners. During the last, three years Ellis, lias been riding as a free lance, and he-has ridden 200 , winners. .

The brilliant' spripter Paganelli is in splendid-order to undergo another preparation and should not ‘ take long to strike form. The present intention is to race him at the Avondale meeting. While he won nearly £2OOO in stakes last: season. Paganelli wais rather- unlucky, on several occasions', and the present season should again see him to the fore in the principal sprint races.

' Of the eiglit -Winter- Clip l candidates who raced at Awapuni .last, week, the three wlio impressed ■ niost, writes “Vodett'o-’; were- Ota'ifl,.- Best Friend, and Paddon, while Black Mint also did fairly, well, and Teri showed.some pace in his races. Of these the most likely'to improve is Otairi. The manner in which he clashed up on Saturdhy at the end of six furlongs to finish just out of a' place’, ivas impressive. Prior to this meeting li e had not raced since- the AYangamii February fixture, so the two races.lie had at. Awapuni should ‘ improve him considerably. Even..if he fails in the Winter Cup, lie should pick up some stake money at Riccarton.' Both Best Friend and Marjoram also, shaped very well, hut they have done plenty of racing. Oil actual figures Marjoram appears now to have the he t st of IF with Best Friend, for the latter has to concede 1.011). . at Biccarton, where-as-lie failed to give 51b. to Majorain at Awapuni over ton furlongs. ; Hymestratioir lias been . destroyed ,as- ' the result lof injuries received while competing in tb o Awapuni-Stee-plechaso at 1 ' Manawatu. H'ymestration was owned by tho-trainer, R. E. Hatclv, and was by Hymestra-—Native Lady; 1 Ho /'was regarded as '.ono-'of the most, promising .'steeplechasers seen out this winter, and bis owner bad several enquiries lor him from Australia. ■ *'

Prime?,Moiltoa, whe fniislied fifth in the event of the Manawatu meeting on Saturday,'was having his. first, race. 'He is a. three-year-old ' by' Shamble's from • Moivtoa’s Gift, by Absurd' from -Prince,ss'’Moutoa, by Martian, lie. shaped as if ho will bo : a tisful galloper,. ’ ; .

' Originally, Powhi’ri showed promise on the flat, but his breeding indicated that liis mission would be jumping later, on, In'due course he figured in the role of hurdler with some small success, but-he-went--wrong and had to bo. turned out for a lengthy spell. Rejoining L,; Knapp’s team at Awapuni, he 'was' pp.it. to tho steeplechasing game and"iat his first appearance in the new season ho proved’ capable of getting on the winning list in tho Flaxbourne Hunters’. Steeplechase.

So far as the; Grand’National candidates at the Manawatu fixture were concerned, there was little about their performances there to enthuse over. After .''suffering a fall on the opening day, Omco,’who'had'been in marked favour for his Riccarton engagements, had-i to submit to defeat in the Longbunl Hurdles, the winner ;turning up in Disrank, a newcomer ito the game who had won in hack hurdle'company on the openilig day. The Fox ton trained gelding thus appears to have a very promising future ahead of him.-

Mister Gamp, who appears to have thrown off the effects of his fall at Wellington,, rail quite a good race in tho- Longbni'il Huddles, although the Bronzetti gelding did not unfold his customary finishing run. He was well ujj with his field in the early stages, hut Was allowed to drift slightly going away from the stands. Half a mile'from home he' again commenced to' make up his leeway, ■ but "found the-, leaders too far'Ahead to gather •'tliem' up before the post was reached. The outiiig should, however, do'him

good iii preparation for his Grand National engagements.

Horseman ship played a large "part towards tho success of Paddon in the Newbury Handicap, for Gray forced his mount through on the rails in the run up the straight. Probably the fact that- Black Mint had come up on the outside of Marjoram resulted in the .first day’s winner, who was on the fails, coming outwards, and Paddon slipped through the gap. Last season’s premier jockey thus commenced the new term’s activities in promising fashion. He, ' however, proved expensive •to hackers as the day progressed for lie did not figure in the monev thereafter.

Charlatan has returned to Ricearton, where he has been a visitor to the tracks during the last day or two. He accompanied his sta-blemate, Wharncliffe, over a round of the steeplechase fences this week, the pair jumping well though the pace was not fast. When-formerly trained at Riccarton, Charlatan was a good performer in cross-country events, but lie became unsound, and was sent to Hawke's Bay for a spell. llis racing career may not last much longer, hut if lie keeps all right he may be a starter on the second or third day of the Grand National meeting.

Abbey Queen, who is well known on this circuit, although she is now trained in the north, made two appearances at Awapuni, and in both instances made creditable showings. In the Rangiotu Handicap the Quin Abbey mare was in the picture at the distance, but weakened over the final stages to finish eighth. Saddled up again for the Milson Handicap, she boat all but Sporting Chance over the scurrv distance.

The - saving that more races are won by holding on to the rails than are lost was illustrated on several occasions at the Awapuni fixture. Broad Acre was probably the outstanding illustration for the Acre gelding got through on the rails both days after being in behind at the turn. Paddon, Adventus, Courageous and Glenßossie were similarly favoured by the horse or horses in front swerving outwards slightly when under presigtire or when challenged by a 1 Dorse on the outside.

A private letter received in Palmerston North from. Sydney" states that Jamieson’s stable achieved a most successful coup with King March in a recent race. He started at • nearly double figures to one and as £2,000 was invested on its chances, the horse’s connections' had a royal win.

Mirabilinrv has the distinction of being one of the few grey horses racing on. Dominion courses, but the Mira mare has still to prove herself as a realty good performer. In the Terraco Handicap at Awapuni she had the services of H. Gray in the saddle and she came in for-strong support in cbnseciucnce, but she ran very indifferently, and finished at the tail, of the field.

Fiery Comet, who was. tubed some little time back,rail a surprisingly good face, in the Terrace Handicap at Awapuni, the. Day Coihet gelding putting in a bid crossing the top and was ,ip the firing line at the distance. While he dropped out before the post was reached, it is evident that he will play a part in a hurdle race in the near.future.

, While Mister Gamp ran a fair race at Awapuni, it was not a very encouraging Grand National trial.. Certainly the distance was a« trifle short for him, but his was-a long way behind. Lynn Dlip at the finish, and Lynn Dliu logt ' cfiste, as a, National horse by his. effort into third place. Mister Gamp has had tho falling habit this season-in* good' hurdle races, b‘ut he looked bright enough at Awapuni, and jumped safely. . It- is understood' he is‘to take his chance in the National field.

'Considering ho had raced over, the steeplechase fences two days earlier, and fallen heavily, into the bargain, Omeo ran a dashing race over hurdles at Awapuni. Certainly, ho divided? two novice jumpers at the finish in Disrank; Omeo gave Llyn Dliu none not of the ordinary novices for these times. He jumped just as fast as they did over the last two fences, and

he was,' equal to. .leaving,:. Lypii Dhu from tho last obstacle, and-to extend Disrank. Omco gave Bvn Dhu none th 0 best of it coming round .the turn to -the last' fence, 1 but it.’is’dotihtful if the incident made any "difference to the result. Omco , completely rehabilitated'himself, and has to come into the National pictur© again.

• The l dash displayed by Ilynanna at A wapuni’ showed that ho has only to keep sound td' .win a raqe. Ho 'has lost n little, if-any of his galloping ability.. s But for a little bad luck alt the turn lie would have been’closer tip at. the finish, and it-is not too much to say that; desperately .ridden out he would have (filled a placer ’He might not 'ho the Hynanna-iof a season or?two ago, but at hi's plaCe.in the handicaps he will be mighty hard to beat, at the early springe meetings.

• Most folk apparently thought that Arrow Lad would not be ready at A wapuni', but lie belied 'his rather backward'appearance by just failing"; There is no doubt that he is a very solid sprinter,' and with 10.7 he registered a very pleasing performance to run second. He began smartly, and was always up'in> the van. When Tinker drove him along in the straight he soon - collared the lead, but over the'last few yards Broad Acr e finished just too solidly; '-Arfow. Lad should pay his way at tho early spring meetings.

. Zafene showed plenty of pace in tho Rangiotu Hack Handicap at Awapuni. She began smartly,- and the more seasoned Glenrossie. had to be kicked right out to beat her. Zarene looked bigger and brighter than ever before, arid her effort suggested her winning a good race or two in the spring. She should be better suited by the lighter scale of weights, and she has shown pace enough in her work on the track to win in any company.