Turf Potics

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 50, 15 June 1901, Page 16

Turf Potics

By Seahorse.

The Christchurch Sportsman" has ceased publication. Nor'-west has been placed in the Gieat Northern Steeplechase three years in succession, and Kaimate twice. T. Clark, who was mimed while schooling Zithci at Riccaiton last week, is a horseman who came across from Sydney with Mi D. O'Brien. Natatoi harl tuo winning repiesentati\ es at Ellershc on Saturday last Plinau and JVloifaa Both came from jumping families Hinau being halfbrother to Westhnd. Although the attendance at Ellershe last Saturday \\ as stated to be below the average, and certainly not up to expectation, the totahsator turnover (£10,235) was £1852 more than the corresponding day last year. The Messrs. Nathan have won the Welter at the Auckland Racing Club's meeting two years in succession with Rosella. On eacli occasion the daughter of Seat-on Delavel was ridden by J Gallaghei, and got home by a head. Hohoro was not engaged in the New Zealand Cup. He has been on the retired list for some time past, having contracted a severe cold. He has caused his trainer a great amount of anxiety in getting him round, but is now improving. Verdi won his first stake the other day at Ellerslie. He was going out to do a gallop with Fairy house, over six furlongs, when another trainer wagered half a sovereign with Verdi's owner that Verdi would be beaten. Verdi can beat a lot of the Fairyhouse sort. The horses engaged in the last New Zealand Cup, who will again be handicapped "on or about July Ist," are Fulmen, Ideal, Renown, Formula, Seahorse, Advance, Tortulla, Glenaladale, Kahuwai, Military, Djin Djin, Sant llano, Strathnairn, and Volley. Coral (by Gladiator), who won hurdle races and steeplechases in the Auckland district, was half-sister to Linda (dam of Hinau). Sundial was put about as a good jumper, and likely starter, and was laid in several doubles. He, however, took part in a flat race. Torpina broke down at Wanganui, and is unlikely to race again. He is to spend the remainder of his days on Mr C. Mackersey's station, at Waipukarau. At his best the son of Torpedo — Christina was not many removes from first-class. He put up two good winning performances at Riccarton, running a mile and a half and a distance, with 12st 31b, in 3min 2 4-ssec, and a mile and three-quarters, with 12st, in 3min 22sec. Rufus, who ran third in the Remuera Hurdle Race, at Ellerslie last Saturday, and was nearly as good a favourite as Cavahero, is by Muskapeer (sire of Lottie) from Haricot (by Fere — Clipper), a successful performer in the Auckland district. Haricot's brother Victory, who won at all the Auckland country meetings, pulled off the Egmont Handicap, and afterwards won a steeplechase at Takapuna and a hurdle race at Ellerslie. Some time ago an Auckland ownei lent a we'l-known betting man a favourite steed to go a-hunting The horse, did not prove a very pleasant ride , he had seen too much racing, and was evidently in a greater hurry than his rider at the fences. Next day the owner, who had viewed the run from the roads, met his friend, and, getting m the first words, kindly offered to lend the horse again, adding, "I know you were in love with him, old fellow you are welcome to him next Saturday." "Thanks, very much," was the reply, "but I'm not in love with him at all , far from it " "Well," said the owner, "I thought you were " "What made you think so 2 " said the betting man. '"What made me think so? Well, seeing that you stooped to fondle the old fellow round the neck after taking you safe over every fence, I most certainly thought so." Fishmonger was the name of the horse.

The biggest entry received for the New Zealand Cup was 7() in 1891, and the smallest this year (43). Some sui prise has been expressed in sporting circles at prominent bookmakeis entering their horses for the New Zealand Cup after the peisistcnt manner in which the Cajnteibury Jockey Club has fought the pencilleis, and endeavoured to keep them out of the enclosure by force. What weight will Advance carry in the New Zealand Cup? Last year he was awarded 9st 91b, but did not accept. According to \veight-for-f>ge standard he is supposed to impiove five pounds, which would bring his impost up to lOst. Waiuku is the only horse that has yet been asked to carry lOst in the Cup. The unknown quantities engaged in the New Zealand Cup aie Pearl Diver (Wehikoic--Peail), who was lepoited to bo burnt m a hie on Mr. G. D. Donnellys station, Tignsona (Strephon — Tigiedia\ half-brother to Tigiess, San Rrmo (St. Leger — Cism), brother to Sant llano, Comfort (Quilt — Vista), and the Aubtiahan-bied Heriot (Grafton — Grahn). Mr H. Tooman persevered with the Vanguard gelding, Kowhai, who won the Maiden Steeplechase at Ellershe last Satin day. He staited in the same lace last season, also in ..the Great Northern Steeplechase, then run on the second day, and fell. He was taken to Chnstcburch, and raced in the last Grand National, but was not class enough. The owner and rider of Vanula were each disqualified for twelve months for alleged malpractice. The trainer, who instructed the rider, got off with six months. Jim McGuinness is the principal trainer at Wingatui, the Hon. Geo. McLean (president of the Dunedin Jockey Club) and Mr. Abe. Moss being among his patrons. Three of his team are entered for the New Zealand Cup, viz., Pampero, Canteen, and Valentma. For the third time the Taranaki Jockey Club refused to endorse the Egmont Jockey Club's disqualification. The fact that the owner and trainer (D. Crozier) was not guilty of any offence in connection with Tukapa's running may have had something to do with the decision. W. Holmes, the jockey, has been given a week to prepare his defence. He is at present in R. Gooseman's employ, and is pretty sure to> be reinstated. It does not appeal- to be a very difficult matter to get disqualified by some of the West Coast people between Palmerston and Hawera The weight carried by Cavahero (13&t 131b) in the Hurdle Race at Eller&he, last Saturday, is probably the biggest impost ever borne to victory in a hurdle race in the colony. The son of Cuirassier won with 13st 51b at Riccarton last November. He and Record Reign will probably be entered for the Victorian Giand National Hurdles, weights for which event are due on Monday next. It will be interesting to bee how the Victorian handicapper treats them. They are pretty certain to be about top of the list. In the last Grand National Hurdles at Riccarton Cavahero had 12st Bibs and Record Reign 12st 51b. The former did not start, but the latter put up 71bs penalty and won. They are a wonderful pair of jumpers. In letting Hinau in the Maiden Steeplechase and Maiden Hurdles with the minimum weight, Mr. Evitt was probably unaware he was dealing with the well-known Wanganui performer of that name. Hinau had a trip to Australia, and, ridden by Geo. Johnston (brother to Percy), ran a dead heat m a hurdle race at Warwick Farm with Mist (ridden by Harry Underwood). Hinau was backed down to less than level money, and won easily. Dartmoor evidently showed some promise at the business, or else the fact that Percy Johnston rode him brought him into favour, as he carried as much money as the other eight starters. Fashion greatly disappointed his connections by getting beaten in the Ladies' Bracelet, at Ellerslie. With Mars withdrawn, the opposition did not appear very stiong. Paul Seaton i&. the same age as Fashion, and won a race at Eller&he for Mr. John Marshall as a two-year-old. Fashion would have paid £2 11s It was some consolation for Alf. Shearsbv to win the Maiden Welter with Stepina. She paid £15 16s in the machine. Her sister (Jemima), who w out first favourite, would ha\e paid £3 9s. George Price has been fortunate riding for the stable. This was his second mount. He rode Fashion at the Hutt, when he ran second to Palaver in the Autumn Handicap.