Turf Topics

Free Lance, Volume XIX, Issue 1029, 17 March 1920, Page 20

Turf Topics

By Torpedo.

THE lipholding of the appeal of the two brothers Young was very well received in sporting , circles. Their four weeks' suspension from riding must have resulted in a considerable monetary loss, whilst throwing them out of their stride in the,winning jockeys' competition. The case of the Youngs and that of F. ' Cress, who has had hisi license returned, suggests that the clubs responsible for the suspensions were too hasty in. their actions. If so, it provides .another argument in favour or the ioriiiaxioii of the Jockeys' Association, which is not receiving the support , from the Racing Conference that its import- • ance demands. I' note that that body has requested the racing clubs through- ' out the Dominion to take no cognisance of the Association until its annual meeting in July. Methinks there will be something, doing ere then, as the "boys in many cases are finding it hard to keep themselves on their .earnings, and they are quite within their rights in formulating suggestions for an improvement - in their conditions. The Executive of the Association recently circularised all racing clubs in the Dominion, setting out suggestions having, for their object the improvement of present conditions as regards better pay, surgipal attendance, and ambulance conveniences, asking them to support the proposals. The Taratahi-Carterton Club, upon receipt of the circular, recognised that it contained a number of valuable suggestions. It immediately set up a committee to go. into.'the matter and report, thereon. ' The Dannevirke Meeting c/pened on Saturday last, and was continued on . Monday. The Cup was one by Maioha, ~ ridden by-Roy Reed, a warm favourite in Goldshine bejng second, arid Mul--taine third. The second leg of the double was won by All Talk,' ridd,en _ by Hector Gray, who paid a nice price', considering the' good thing-he .looked for the event. . I am pleased .to see iny old friend, ' L. H. Hewitt, coming right back to •'his ' own as a horseman. "Where are those who' were wont to scry, that he had lost his dash? I always contended that! it was lack of opportunity, not disability, that prevented "Bert" • from winning, and now that.he has the opportunity he'll make> the/most of it. Deep regret was expressed in sporting' circles when it became known, that Mr Harry Dodson's wife had died in a private hospital in Wellington last week. Harry is a good chap, with hosts of friends .who- deplore the sad bereavement. H e himself was laid low with influenza at the time his wife passed away. Horse i owners . and trainers are re.minded that nominations . for all events for Manawatu Racing Club's autumn meeting close at 9 p.ni. on . Friday next, the 19th inst. A forfeit is also due for the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes, and the Manawatu-Stakes; See advt. elsewhere on this pa'ge. Mr Jce Henrys has compiled his handicaps for the Great Easter and

Autumn Handicaps, ancl had to start on on a high, scale owing to the presence of Saaanoff, who has been allotted 9*7 in the first-named and 9.10 in the ureat Autumn. The Easter is run o vex- seven furlongs, and as Mr Stead's horse has been showing good sprinting powers of late I _ really thoughtciiat he would have been asked to carry more over the seven furlongs than over the Autumn Handicap distance of one mile and ai-half. Arrow smith is not treated harshly with 8.13. nor is Brackenfield with 7.7; the latter is especially well treated. I would expect to see the three horses named _ early favourites for the Easter Handicap, whilst Karo (9.8), Kilrush (8.10), and First' Salute (7 V 7) should find early supporters for the , Autumn Handicap. , There is a possibility, however, that Sasanoff and First Salute will race at Auckland, instead.! -

It was most gratifying to all equine lovers to note that a- man was a few days ago in Wellington sentenced to three months', imprisonment, for cruelty to a horse. The case, was a most atrocious one, hence the severe penalty. I wonder if it will ever come to pass that the use of spurs will.be barred. As an instrument of torture the smir is one of the'.worst. If you don't believe it just prick your shins with one, and then you will have some ideahow a horse feels after being spurred from shoulder to rump by some of the cheap leg flappers at-present doing a g"o<id jockey out' of a job.

Matty, who was offered- for sale prior to running at Marlborough, has probably redeemed the good opinion of her owner, and now that she has once more found her way to _ the front she may continue in a winning vein.

By Analyst'.

Masterton Races. ' The autumn meeting of the Masterton Racing Club takes place this week. Thirteen acceptors are programmed for the Telephone Hack (six furlongs). Stutter (7.12) and Glentour (7.6) should be hard to beat. Sasanoff (10.11) heads the list in. the Flying Handicap (six furlongs), but has a later engagement in the Autumn Handicap, and may he reserved for that event. If so, Bonnetter (8.9) and Torfreda (7.13) may be the best of an even lot. In the Autumn Handicap (li miles) Sasancff (10.9) has not a strong field to meet, and (if started) with all his weight should be able to account for . the opposition. But he has some valuable engagements ahead, and a win for him would mean a penalty. A light-weight that catches the eye is Dainty Step (6.7). Multaine (6.9) should also run well.' In the Juvenile Handicap (five furlongs), Rieuse (8.1), who> is in winning form, Canyon (8.1), and Celmisia- (7.0) should keep the field moving. Several recent winners are enga_ged in the Masterton Hack Handicap (seven furlongs). Probate (7.6) and

Sweet Song (7.5) are exceedingly well treated. " A smalL field of six only appear in the Stewards' Handicap (seven furlongs). Golden Bubble (8.13). if ready, 1 reads the best. Galore (6.7) showed good form at Nelson and Marlborough, but the light weight may be against her. * The last event of the day is the Dash Handicap (five furlongs). Hori (7.13), who ha : s- at last struck form, may, go" on with the game. Import (8.3) should also show form. , -K- , Auckland Easter Meeting. The first acceptance-for the Brighton Hurdles, Easter Handicap, and Autumn- Steeplechase having fallen due, prospects of good fields look very premising. ~ r - , : In the Brighton Hurdles, Thrace (12.91 holds pride of place, and good as the Australian-bred. one is at the illegitimate game he has a bio; task ahead of him. I like Rekanui (11:9) much better, although for a beginner she has been given all she deserves'. - But much less could not be looked -for after her marvellous display at her initial performance on the same course at Christmas last. Kauri King (11.9) has not been in the foreground for some time, but if ; he was O.K. his chance would be second to none. GHietanus (10.8) and "Waimai (10.7), the last two years' winners, are given a good chance again. The chance of Explorer (10.4) appeals strongly, a's .he is well seasoned. The same can be said of Marconi (9.7). who has recent honours to his credit. The rest- of the field are weighted at 9st, and of these Battletide may prove the best. Still, Explorer and Marconi should, take some beating. In the Easter Handicap (one mile) Sasanoff (9.10) is top weight, and ,a good burden to carry when the pace is on from.the barrier rise. Still, he is such a good-one over all distances that nothing appears to be beyond him, rind his defeat of Spanriler .in the Thompson Handicap (one mile), when carrying 9.0 in lmin 38sec, is not easily forgotten. Next follows Uncle Ned (8.10) a'stone less, and the same remarks about the top-weight * fit him 'also.' Last year he won the race" under review carrying 8.11, so he has only 91bs more to carry: He should finish well, as he knows the shortest way home on the Ellerslie course arid his two'placed performances at tile Christmas meeting won't be forgotten when the tote opens Gazique (8.6). is also given a good chance, but I like Taiamai (8.2) .better. at a difference of 41bs, and the Aus-tralian-bred mare has already proved that she "is a good one from six furlongs to 1£ miles. Rockfield (8.0), a stable mate to Taiamai, has paid his way this season, but he is now in much better company. Maihoa (7.6) should account for those weighted below him, as he has proved he can run a good mile, when he won the Jockey Club Handicap at the New Zealand Cup Meeting, carrying 31b s more, in lmin 40 l-ssec. Of those 'lower down the list; that may effect a surprise may be mentioned Bonnetter (6.13), Golden "Bubble (6.12), and Demos (6.11). The trouble with these will be to find a boy at the weights to ride as vigorous a finish as is wanted in races of such description. Present indications point to TJncle Ned, Taiamai and Maihoa. ' In the Autumn Steeplechase (three miles) there are thirteen acceptors, but eight of them are weighted under lOst. So the field is not a strong one. Waimai (12.11) is in pride of - place. 1 think it up to the Racing Conference to fix a. maximum weight for steeplechases when the distance is beyond 21miles —the same as with the Grand National Steeplechase, where the maximum is 12.7. The Ellerslie country is much more difficult to. negotiate than

Riccarton, yet there is ,no rule to stop a handicapper from putting crushing weights on, as in the case, of Waiinai, where he is,asked.to give some of thohorses engaged 3st 4lbs. , Tenacious(ll.o) follows next, and as he is_ just as much at home at Ellerslie as Waimai he should be yery hard to dispose of . No Surrender (10*2) has also won at Ellerslie, and is in /with n handy weight. Of the others, engaged, Jacaranda (9.7) should account for those on the samemark. Tenacious, No - Surrender, and Jacaranda appear to be the plums.