LONDON, August 21. THE TURF.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16678, 10 October 1914, Page 13

LONDON, August 21. THE TURF.

ABANDONED MEETINGS. THE ST LEGER. Still no racing, and no likelihood of any until Doncaster. It is an unparalleled position in the history of racing in England, which, after all, goes back to the eighteenth century. For instance, the St Leger was first in existence in 1773; some authorities put the year of origin at two years earlier than that. Less than a month ago (our correpondent “Centaur” write.,), vve who aro concerned more or .ess intimately with the sport from year’s ena to year’s end were pursuing Uie normal course ol the season, anticipating the quiet “dog” days of August, and then the sorious campaign 01 tiio autumn. Ui course, the longer the period of idleness grows the more difficult will it be to mdke a resumption on anything like serious lines. A few days ago there were strong hopes that the Hurst Parit meeting would be brought off this t riday and Saturday, but the fixture has been abandoned. If Hurst Park, which has an enterprising management, must cry off, then the position is overwhelmingly difficult. In accordance with the advice proffered by the stewards of the Jockey Club, the reasons for abandonment are not stated. Obviously they mu ;t have to do with the failure to have police protection guaranteed and the difficulties in the way of transporting racehorses. One can well understand this in the case of many stables served by the London and South-west-ern and the Great Western railways. Their services are practically in the hands of the military, and it is difficult enough for the public to get adequate moans of transit. The transport _of troops to the South Coast for expeditionary purposes and to the east coast for surveillance is not yet completed. York next week, Derby the week after, are already gone by the board. A meeting at Haydock Park in the north and Gatwick in the south may be brought off in the interval, but serious racing will not be resumed until Doncaster. No definite decision has been arrived at, but an intimation has been made that the holding of the meeting is prpet cally certain. Of course there will be a huge shrinkage in the attendance, and the money stringency will seriously affect Messrs Tattersalls great yearling sa'es, but there is a determination to bring off tho doiible* event and no doubt it will prevail. The way has been cleared by the mil'tary authorities, who have agreed to clear out the Territorial forces who at present occupy the grand stand buildings as a barracks. They will find other quarters for the week. The question of the presence of the soldiers on the Town Moor was the great bar, but as stated it has been removed, though naturally the municipal authorities at Doncaster did not wish to ->"033 anything that wou'd embarrass the military at a time l : ke this. The race for the St Leger attracts little int°rest at tho moment. Some very moderate hones look like competing for it, though even so there may not be one so bad as last year’s winner, Night Hank, who is probably tho worst horse that ever won a classic race. Most renreHable is : t tint the Marquis of Londonderry’s Corcyra, the nominal favourite, has had to b 3 scratched. His absence from exercise had been an ominous snn, and since the necessity for scratching hi n arose the well-known Newmarket “vet.,” Mr W. E. Livock, has issued the following statement as to the case of the horse: —“ Corcyra has always had a varicose ve : n running across the tendon of the off fore leg, and several times last year it caused inconvenience during his training. Corcvra has never been lame, but lately there has been a slight filling ana soreness of the leg. Under the circumstances I advised Captain Dowhurst not to continue the horse’s preparation for the St Leger.” At Ascot Corcyra was eas ; ly beaten by Peter the Hevmit for tli3 Hardwicke Stakes. The winner, however, had an advantage of lo'b, and the tables would doubtless have been turned at level weights in the St Leger. Corcyra’s default, however, banishes the necessity of disco's big that probability. Peter the Hermit will now come prominently into the reckoning, and so also will the fihies G’orvina and First Spear, as also Hapsburg, tho second in the Derbv and winner of the Eclipse Stakes. The latter may well start favourite. Kennymoro looms up again as being a horse that “could if he would.” The majority of people hive entirely forsaken his cause, but this galloping course of a mile and three-quarters will suit him far better than the mile and a half at Epsom and the .mile and a quarter at Sandown Park. If he would only consent to he well behaved at tho starting post—if 1 Princess Dorrie, the winner of the One Thousand Guineas and Oaks, is not in the race, which : s a misfortune for her owner, Mr J. B. Joel. She is such a fine stayer that she would probably have won. At the present time indications favour Hapsburg and Peter the Hermit, with the possibilities I mentioned in regard to Kennymoro.