SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14629, 15 March 1911, Page 9

SPORTING.

NOTES BY PHAETON. The Champion Stakes comes up for decision to-day at Flemington. Thirteen horses figured in the list at last advices, but it looks like a very small field, and maybe Trafalgar, Alawa, The Parisian, and Bobadea will bo the only starters.

Tho non-entry of Comedy King for the V.R.C. Champion Stakes detracted greatly from the Flemington three-milo race. There is, however, stated to bo a good prospect of seeing the English horse slackened out over a long course this autumn. The A.J.C. Plate, which is run over threo miles, and which comes up for decision at Randwick next month, will, it is expected, find Comedy King on the scene to dispute matters with Trafalgar and Co. It may be remarked that the A.J.C. rules provide for a 71b allowance for a four-year-old sired north of the line, and foaled between January 1 and July 31, while under V.R.C. rules the concession is only 31b. Comedy King will thereforo only have to ■ carry Bst 71b in the A.J.C. Plate, or 121b less than Trafalgar, who is a five-year-old.

The defeat of Blairgour in the Newmarket Handicap marked the downfall of one of the strongest favourites that has ever contested the Flemington sprint race. When the much-boomed son of Wallace and Wakeful was descried in trouble at the ond of four furlongs there was dismay all round tho compass. With the pace a fair cracker Blairgour fell back rapidly, and when the post was reached he was found in eighth position. An impression has prevailed that Blairgour is not a " battler," and tho weak display for which ho was responsible in the Newmarket Handicap is held to have further greatly strengthened that view.

Queen o' Scots and The Parisian, the respective winners of the Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup, are stable mates, though representing separate interests. C. Wheeler, of Caulfield, was the successful trainer. # In the spring of 1909, it may bo mentioned, Wheeler went very close to landing a great coup with Tulkeroo in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup. In the firstnamed race Tulkeroo ran Maranui to threequarters of a length, while in the 3ielbourno Cup ho was only separated by half a head from Lord Nolan.

The Ayr Laddie mare Apple Pie, who is engaged in carrying the colours of that estimable sportsman Mr. Agar Wynne, can be termed the unlucky performer of the season. At the Australian Jockey Club's Spring Meeting she ran third in the Epsom, Sydney, and Waverley Handicaps. Transported to Victoria she filled second place in the Caulfield Cup, a performance she followed up by running third in tho Melbourne Cup, and in the Australian Cup, run on Saturday last, she occupied second position.

Tho sal© of yearlings, held at Melbourne last week was the most successful hold there for years, 92 being sold for £11,659 i, an average of £126 i. The highest price, as generally expected, was realised for th© half-brother, by Positano, to Eye Glass. Mr. John Brown, the owner of Prince Foote, outstayed tho opposition at £1800, which, it may be remarked, is the highest price paid for a yearling in Victoria since Lord Randolph realised 2300gns. in 1889.

A most extraordinary case occupied th© attention of the Hawke's Bay Club Metropolitan Committee last week, in connection with th© recent meeting at Wairoa (remarks "Sir Bedevere.") Mr. G. Beafcon, it seems, entered his horse Boyne Water for the Maiden Plate. Either the same day or the following day the horse went amiss, and thereupon Mr. Beatson telegraphed the secretary of the Wairoa Club requesting that his filly Now Idea be entered for the race in question in lieu of Boyne Water. This telegram was not received until the day after the nominations had closed, but nevertheless the club accepted the entry of New Idea, and allowed her to start. She won, and on the irregularity becoming known a protest was lodged against her being awarded the stakes. This tho Wairoa Club, the stewards of which must be vastly ignorant of th© rules of racing, dismissed. Hence tho appeal to the Metropolitan Club. Naturally, the appeal was upheld, and the Wairoa Club was ordered to return the appellant's deposit of £5, lodged for the purposes of appeal. ,

Comedy winning total continues to mount up rapidly. As a result of hia success in the All-aged Stakes on Monday £750 has to be added, and that takes ■ the amount down to his credit in stakes to over £10,000.

Soult.line's brother Maxwell continues to make very satisfactory headway in his training work at Ellerslie, and he is evidently in great heart.

Mr. Morse's adjustments .for the Easter Handicap, Brighton Hurdlo Race, and Autumn Steeplechase, are duo to make their appearance on Friday next.

Cloudy Morn, Mr. H. R. McKenzie's recent acquisition, has not changed the luck of the master of Ascot, for the ex-Taranaki gelding fell while running in the Thames Steeplechase on Saturday. He was remounted, and eventually came in third, after jumping the last fence instead of running through a gap. On returning to the paddock Cloudy Morn was lame, but the injury was not serious.

Th© Seaton Dolaval gelding Master Delaval continues to pay his way in India. At Bombay on the Bth nit. he won th© Bombav City Plate, one mile and a-quarter, worth £450 to the winner. He ranked a warm favourite and beat a field of four. Master Delaval, is rising nine years, but in India geldings last a long time. '

The Napier Park Racine Club open their autumn meeting to-day. The following is a list of the horses engaged in the Napier Cup:—Kdpu 8.11, Parable 8.0, Rauparaha 8.0. Woodhey 7.13, Fort William 7.12, Iney 7.10, Vi 7.8, Ariom 7.2, Julian 6.9, Vootgang 6.7 More© 6.7.

When Comedy King registered an Australian record for one milo and a-half in th© V.R.C. Essendon Stakes, he cut out the first four furlongs in 53i5., the last mil© in lm. 38is.. the last six furlongs in lm. 1335., tho last four furlongs in 48|s., and tho one milo and a-half in 2m. 31|s.

J. McHugh has First Wairiki looking very nice at Onehunga, and it would be pleasing to record a victory for tho son of Wairiki in th© A.R.C. Easter Handicap, in which event he came to grief last year, when his little pilot lost his life.

Perhaps of th© youngsters engaged, most interest will be taken in the running of War Scare in the Sapling States at Napier Park to-day. Sho is said to be of the speedy order.

Eleven horses figure on the card for the Napier Park Cup, to bo run this afternoon. No Auckland 1 horso is engaged in the race, or for that part, at the meeting.

Coromandel continues to run without luck, for while contesting the Autumn Stakes at the Thames Jockey Club's meeting tho Mensehikoff horse stumbled, and almost came down, thus extinguishing his chance of success.

Engraver, by The Workman— who ran second in the Railway Handicap at the Thames was at one timo a promising sprinter, but used to bleed at the head a lot. Of late, however, ho seems to have got over his old affliction.

The fields were of the small order at the Thames on Saturday, bub th© dividends, although short-priced, wore very fair considering everything. Luscombe, winner of the hurdle race, returned th© best dividend of the afternoon.

The Ohinemuri Jockey Club hold their annual race meeting on Friday and Saturday next, and judging from the acceptances received for the first day's racing there should be some capital sport. With excursion trains from Waikato. Waihi, and Thames, a large attendance is promised.

Impulsive seems to have struck a winning vein, his latest victory being the Thames Autumn Stakes, ono mil© and 30yds. Impulsive is a full brother to tho Soult-St. Edith filly St. Margaret, who has been snowing good form of late in Australia.

Taiaha, by Singlestick ll.—Traviata, makes a bold showing over fences for a horse young at tho game, and it was only a half-a-head defeat which went down against him in the Thames Hurdles won by Luscombe.

The Hawke's Bay owned jumper Woolloomooloo, has been competing at tho V.R.C. Autumn Meeting at Flemington, but so far without success. »<

Bonnie Joan, who ran second to Laddie in the Thames Steeplechase, is the disappointing full-sister to the Great JSorthcrn victors, Capitol and Bed McGregor.

J. Williamson promises to become- as great a jumping horse enthusiast as _ his late lamented father. Amongst the "leppers now under his control are Black Northern, Luscombe, Okaihau, First Barrel, Armagh, and old Irish.

Of the five horses which contested the Thames Steeplechase, Laddie was the only one to complete the course without coming to grief. The winner is a useful gelding over country, having won several steeplechase events this season.

Jena, the half-sister to Soultline and Maxwell, is looking very well at present. The opposition was not formidable at the Thames on Saturday when sho won the Railway and Welter Handicaps, but still she galloped homo with a deal to spare in each of her efforts.

Amongst the winners at the recent 800 Jaroo meeting in New South Wale* was Chamade, a Now Zealand-bred filly by Uhlan— Chamade, who was ownod at one time by Mr. Dan O'Brien, went out favourite, and carried off tho March Handicap, one mile and a-quartor.

General entries for tho Auckland Trotting Club's autumn meeting, to bo hold at Takapuna on April 1, 5, and) 8, c?ose with th© secretary (Mr. 0. F. Mark) at nine o'clock this evening. INTERPROVINCIAL GOSSIP. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday. Peacemaker is tho making of a fine horse, and only requires a little time to build up. In his stylo of galloping he very much resembles California, and it is quite possible that later he will make a valuable substitute for the champion California, whose days of usefulness are generally regarded as over. Prior to tho Nelson meeting the West Coast trainor purchased Rurik from Mr. A. Pringlo. The purchase price was 250gns.

King Logs, full brother to Hereward, has been purchased by Mr. D. Egan, and is to bo shipped to the West Coast on Tuesday next.

Considering that ho is only a novice at tho business, and, furthermore, was not greatly assisted by his rider, Marton made an uncommonly good showing in th© Hack Hurdle Rao© at Dannevirko on the opening day. Ho did not look to possess a winning chanco at the turn, but a splendid jump landed him alongside Waiputcre, whom ho beat for place in th© run homo. Tho big Multiform horse Polymorphous is shortly to bo operated on to see if his wind troubles can bo cured.

Toanga was heavily backed all over the tho country for tho concluding event at Dannevirko, in which he showed up very prominently, and was within a length of the finish. Most of those present thought him very unlucky to lose. Waiputcre, who lost the second Hack Hurducs at Dannovirko owing to failing to weigh in correctly, is a fino big mar© by The Officer, of whom more will be hoard. Sho was formerly trained by A. Atwood at Feilding, but it is understood a change has been decided upon. Makara was recently taken charge of by his owner, Mr. A. W. Budge, of Hawera, and a subsequent attempt by his trainer, C. Millen, to purchase him proved abortive. Mr. W. E. Bidwill has sqld Tribulation to Mr. F. Armstrong, and although tho colt's trainer is of opinion that after a lengthy spell ho might again stand a preparation, it is probable that his racing days are over. Ho is a young horso with plenty of quality, and bred as ho is ho should leave good stock if suitably mated; Waikaraka has proved a great .disappointment on tho flat and over hurdles, and ho has appeared in many different colours. At the Dannevirke meeting he changed hands one© agin, and in future will be trained at Hastings by W. Kirk. His purchase price was £40. CANTERBURY. Tuesday. Mr. Murray Hobbs has put up a remarkablo sequence of wins lately with Chief Lochiel and Crosbie. Each won a double at South Canterbury last week, and they followed up these successes by scoring another win each at tho Akaroa meeting. Chief Lochiel carried 9st 91b in tho Peninsula Cup, and won like a tradesman. Ho is without doubt an improving horse, and we have not yet seen the best of him.

Grand Slam ran a fair race in th© Peninsula Cup, but th© brother to Bridge is a long way below his best form, which ho may Tever recover. Though Crosbie has won three races on end I am still of opinion he is only a •moderate yet, as ho has not yet beaten anything decent. He is, however, a usefullooking horse, who may improve a lot. It was quite refreshing to see a field of eight start for the Hurdlo Handicap at the Akaroa meeting, oven if they wore moderate in quality. Rangiwhenua, the winner created a favourable impression, and he may develop fair form yet. Tho field for th© Maiden Plate at the Akaroa meeting included somo particularly well-bred horses, among them being Canterbury (by Pilgrim's Progress—Susannah (Mcrcedo by Welbeck—Nantiloid), and a high-priced Charlcmangno yearling sold this season, Torrential (by Stepniak—Tempest), Veda (by Waiuku—Juliet), Wedre (by Finland— Annabellelj and Gold Times, by Treadmill— Maid). At present, however, they aro a moderate lot, but" I expect to see one or two develop into useful horses later. Wodre, for instance, may pay his way over hurdles. White Cockade, who won a hurdles race at Dunedin, ran fairly well in tho Peninsula Cup, won by his full brother, Chief Lochiel. I expect White Cockade to do well in hurdle events this year. Zetland, after a long run of failures, won a race at tho Akaroa meeting. The son of Obligado and Lady Zetland gave promise at one tim© of being a high grade horse, but he never fulfilled expectations, and th© company has to bo moderate to give him a chance now. Foinollih, th© three-year-old filly by Pallas—Pleasure Seeker, is slowly on the improve. She won a spring race at Akaroa in nice style, and I havo hopes of seeing her develop into a useful maro. Th© interest of racing men will shortly bo centred in the big autumn .nectings. From what can be learned at present tho Manawatu fixture to bo held early next month should provide some notable racing, especially among the two-year-olds. With the Sires' Produce Stakes and Manawatu Stakes owners have two rich prizes to*go for, and I expect there will be sport of a a very high order. I understand Sir G. Clifford will send both Antagonist and Counterfeit. The Stead Bros, ar© expected to have Culprit on the scene, and Mr. Greenwood Peireno. With tho best of the North Islanders thrown in, the two Manawata races aro likely to give us somo further insight into tho two-year-old problem.

I notice that Danube, Miss Mischief, and Vice-Admiral have been nominated for the principal handicaps at the Auckland autumn meeting. It is, I understand, Mr. Greenwood's present intention to be represented at Ellerslie at Easter not only by an old horse, but also in the Northern Champagne Stakes. Tho racing at Manawatu earlier in the month may cause a change of plans, but it is also probable that Sir G. Clifford will send a two-year-old to Ellerslie for the Champagne Stakes. The position with both these owners is that they have no need to keep all their two-year-olds at home for the Canterbury Jockey Club's Meeting. Mr. John Grigg, who is leaving for a trip to England, sold a large number of horsea at Ashburton last week. Unbroken fillies and geldings by Golden Knight, Calibre, Sant Ilario, Welbeck, Pilgrim's Progress, and Formosan were sold from £3 to £20. Of the horses in training Silver Bullet brought 70gns., Gold Coin 30gns., and Slaney 85gs. Alexis, who burst a foot on tho eve of the summer meeting at Riccarton, has resumed work.

Th© Seer has reappeared on the tracks, and tho hardy son of Turquoise may yet prove capable of winning races. Sir George Clifford has sold True Knight to a client of W. McDonald's, and the son of Sir Laddo will race in his new owner's colours at Waimate this, week.

Slaney has gone into D. Moraghan's stable. He gave great promise as a hurdler some time- ago, and he should pay his way in th© Riccarton trainer's hands. Cronstadt has resumed work, and though he moves stiffly his trainer is hopeful the trouble will wear off.

Los Angelos and Genius are in work again, and look well after their brief spoil. Sapience, who was brought to Now Zealand from Sydney at the same time as Genius, but who has proved a failure on the flat, is to be tried at hurdling. Ho jumped two of tho pony hurdles in good style this morning.

' •••" *" ; WANGANUI. Tuesday. It is probable that In addition to being nominated for tho Feilding meeting John and Taft will figure in the lists for the C.J.C. Easter meeting, John in the Easter Handicap and other big ©vents, and Taft in the five furlong hack race the first day. The Freedom gelding showed great pace for a furlong or two in his races here, and as he is bound to improve with another two or three weeks' work, should take a lot of beating. F. Coleman had tho mount on Astraea on each day at the Dannevirke meeting, but had no luck. On the first day the daughter of Daystar "pecked" very badly at the second to last hurdle, and unseated her rider. Previous to this the Wanganui jockey had the excellent record of five wins out of six mounts over hurdles. The amount of tax paid to the Government by the Wanganui Jockey Club in connection with the Cup meeting totalled just over £800.

Jackpin is making a name for himself as a second-day horse. He won at Wanganui on tho second day after being unplaced on the first day, and scored at Dannevirko on tho concluding day, after running third the previous day. It is said that the Lupin gelding ran six furlongs under lm. 15s. prior to the Wanganui meeting, so that ho must be a very good sort of " hack." Many of those who saw To Puia run such a good race in the Wanganui Stakes backed her to win the Cup at Dannevirke, and the result fully justified tho confidence reposed in hor. The daughter of San Fran is in splendid form just now. Waikaraka, the Wanganui-owned hurdler, shows great pace, and jumps well in the early part of all his races, but always cracks up after going a mile or so. First Battery, who went lame tho day before the Wanganui meeting opened, and was unable to race here, is to be shipped to India shortly. He will bo used for stud purposes in the East. There is a likelihood of Llanwern also being sold to go to India. Though Roosevelt is in work again, he will scarcely bo forward enough to do himself justice at the Easter meetings, but should bo in good nick by the time the Wanganui Winter Meeting comes around. Mr. H. J. Camoron's gelding Kauroa is engaged in tho Waipipi Cup, one mile and a quarter, at the Masterton meeting on the 23rd inst., and is weighted at 7s.t. He should make a good showing if started, while if Meroze, the winner of th© Harrison Hack at Wanganui on Saturday last, shows her best form in this event she will take a power of beating, as the weight she has to carry, 6st 101b, will be a luxury to her after lumping 9st 41b to victory here in such great style. Grandee, the Merriweo two-year-cid colt in W. Rayner's stable, has been galloping very freely since taking part in the Juvenile Handicap last week, that race having apparently done him good. He will not be hurried in his preparation. North-east, St. Bell, and St. Gate have done very little since the Wanganui meeting. They will soon be in strong work again in view of the Feilding meeting at Easter.

The forthcoming meeting of the Wanganui Trotting Club is being looked forward to with considerable interest. The handicaps appear to have given satisfaction, and tho acceptances ore expected to be large. Some interesting trotting should, therefore, bo witnessed on tho 23rd and 24th inst. METROPOLITAN RACING COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Metropolitan Committee was held last night, the Hon. E. Mitehelson presiding. It was decided to hear the appeal of A. E. Pearse against his disqualification imposed by the Bay of Plenty Jockey Club, at the next monthly meeting. The following licenses were granted:— P. Howard. Jockeys: A. E. Cox, J. J. Griffin, R. W. Brown. Apprentice jockeys: H. Green, C. H. Ponlgrain. Gentleman rider: Mr. Frank Wilson. A.R.C. COMMITTEE. At a meeting of the Auckland Racing Club Committee, held subsequently, the Hon. E. Mitchelson again presided. The following transfers were approved:—A. Hanson to J. Knott, br f Avalon; J. Lynch to J. Hill, b f by Hlerarch— J. Cavanagh to N. Dickey, b f by Spalpeen—Waimangu; F. Potts to H. de Lautour, b c by Spalpeen —Dalmatia; G. M. Currie to C. Glasgow, br f Field Battery—Minola; G. M. Currie to W. Cook, ch f by Field Battery—Moira ma Chrea: G. M. Currie to J. Musk, b or br f by Merriwee— and br f by Field Battery—; W. Dunn to F. Williams. brc by Gluten—Alicia: W. Dunn to E. Donovan, ch c by Gluten—Miss Hippo; W. Walters to R. Stanfield, br c by GlutenPrincess Alice W. Walters to J. H. Walters, ch cby Gluten—Gold Web W. Walters to Foss and Steuar, br c by Soult—Lady Hester; W. Walters to D. P. Moraghan, br c by Bomola; W. Walters to H. Friedlander. b f by Soult-St. Edith; W. AValters to W. Montgomery, ch c by Gluten --Helen Macgregor; W. Walters to J. Harper, br c by Soult— Arawa; W. Walters to H. Friedlander, b c by Soult—Merry Nif; W. Walters to H. J. Connop. b f by Soult Corusa; W. Walters to H. Friedlander, b c bv Soult—St. Margaretta; W. Walters to W. Ryan, br or blk c by Soult— and br c bv Soult— Ou: W. Walters to J. R. McDonald, br c by Gluten— Bobs; W. Walters to Murray Hobbs, b f by Scottish King—Busy Girl; W. Walters to F. Hall.' br f by Soult—Elf; Cambria Park Stud Co. to D. Mailer, ch f by Obligado— Cyrenaica; Cambria Park Stud Co. to F. H. Pyne, b c by Soult—Gladys May; Cambria Park Stud Co. to P. J. Delany. b c Obligado —Miss Annie Cambria Park Stud Co. to E. Shee Evelvn, b c by Hierarch—Merry Soult; Cambria Park Stud Co. to F. Hall, b c by Oblitcado— Cambria Park Stud Co. to F. W. Arnold, ch c by Obligado—Guinevere; Cambria Park Stud Co. to C. H. Leigh, b f bv Hierarch—Gweniad; Cambria Park Stud Co. to A. L D. Fraser, b f by Hierarch—The Dell Cambria Park Stud Co. to V. Bolger, b c by Hierarch—Harpist.

The nomination of Laddie was omitted from the A.R.C. Autumn Steeplechase.