SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14928, 28 February 1912, Page 9

SPORTING.

NOTES BY PHAETON. THE WAXGAXUI CUP. The opening day's racing in connection with the Wanganui Jockey Club's autumn meeting, will bo brought off to-morrow. Eight races will be decided, for which tho total acceptors number 110, or an average of just on 14- horses per race. The chief event, the thirty-ninth Wanganui Cup, li miles, has attracted 13 acceptors, and tho issue bears a decidedly open appearance. Each horse engaged has a following, but Undecided, Bronze. Domino, and Midnight Sun are most in favour. Undecided, Bst 51b, heads the list, and with his recent Wellington Cup victory to Tecommond him, the son of Menschikoff may ho relied upcu to make a bold showing. Next comes that good filly Bronze, Bst 31b, who won the last Egmont Cup, 1$ miles, •under Bat 91b, and her chance is being highly extolled. At a differimco of lib comes Midnight Sun, winner of the A.It.C. Summer Cup, and the Auckland-owned Domino, both of whom claim a legion of admirers. Domino is a proved stayer, as his C.J.C. spring performances, and" his second to Santa Rosa in the Auckland Cup, prove. On this occasion Domino will have- the services of that lino horseman, H. Grav, which will also bo in his favour. Merrivonia, Tsfc 121b, won last year, and her connections aro confident that' she can repeat that form. Dearest, 7st 111b, will bo ridden by Ben Deeley, but this useful sister to Matter Souk and Prince Soult, has yet to prove- her ability to encompass a long journey. Maxwell, 7st 71b, liko Domino, is an Auckland representative, and as this brother to Sou Itlino has proved his ability to get to iho end of a true-run milo and a-half, thero is every reason to anticipate that ho will perform creditably in the race under review, in which he will bo ridden by M. Ryan, who has already piloted two winners of the event. Lady Menschikoff, 7st 91b, has her recent Taranaki Cup win to prove that she is in form, &nd a good Tace may bo expected from her. Idealism, 6st 81b, is quietly mentioned in certain well-informed quarters, while Goodwin Park, who finished second in last year's cup, u espected by his party to go ono bettor to-morrow. Kuroa, fast Vlb, is an equine capable of bringing off a surprise, while Uhlando, also on tho minimum mark, has a victory in this event in 1908 to his orodit. Viewed from this distance tho talent engaged is well up to tho average, and a, fast-run race should result. The following are the acceptors for the oup:Undecided, Sst slbj Bronze, 8s 3lb; Midnight Sun, 8&t 21b; Domino, Sst 2lb; Merrivonia, 7st Lilb| Dearest, 7st llib; Maxwell, 7st 71b; Lady Menschikoff, 7st 9lb; Idealism, 6st Sib; Goodwin, Park, ost Vibi Kauroa, tot 71b; Uhlando, feat 'lib.

Sportsmen will learn with regret that Mr. Jas. Aluir, ono of our most popular owners, has deemed to retire fronij horsoraeing, aim on Friday his six-year gelding JBiuu Garment, by Blualignt—Seamstress, will uo otferod lor sale by Messrs. Alfred Buckland and Sous. iir. Aluir is also offering tor private sale Blue Thread, a iutl-Dro-ther to Blue Garment and VVairenga, a lullbrother to the well-performed Waipuna, and also a half-sister to the, latter.

JTgatimuru, who won the District Hack Handicap at (Jlaudelands on Friday, is six-year-old gelding by Freedom—Modesty, and therefore fuil-brotner to Domino.

The various improvements recently undertaken at Ellerslie are now woll underway, including the fencing of the two-year-old track, and the alterations to tho nithcrt/i highly inconvenient 6tairs in the steward/ stand..

At the conclusion of the Welter Handicap at South Auckland on Saturday, the winner Manuwera, was protested against by thu owner of Zinnia on the grounds of alleged crossing. Tho complaint was dismissed after a careful hearing.

Caretaker Alfred Hill has the tracks at Ellerslie in excellent condition at present, and ready for trainers to shortly commence serious work in connection with tho approaching A.K.C. Easter carnival.

Owing to her disappointing displays of late,, it has been decided by Mr. .las." Hill t> relegate the three-year-old filly Maria Kegina to the stud next season, and it is improbable that the daughter of Hicrarch and Senga will again carry silk.

Sir Artegal, the Waikato Handicap winter of last Saturday, was sent over the pony hurdles at Ellenilie yesterday with A. j Julian in the saddle. The Stepniak gelding did not give an over convincing display, but ho got through his mission safeJy. Bonnie Jean was responsible for a great surprise when &he won tie First Hurdle Race at South Auckland on Friday, and j returned in. the region of half-a-century. This mare is an aged sister to the Great! Northern Steeplechase winners Capitol and Red McGregor, and although the company was not high-class, still she gave evidence of marked improvement. On Saturday she again carried off the hurdle event, starting third favourite, and returning a remunerative dividend. Mavourneen, by Singlestick Rita, acted" as runner-up in both hurdle races at South Auckland last week. On the opening day she paid a very large second dividend, and had she won would have returned a longer price than did tho winner, Bonnie Jean, Excellent nominations have been received for the Ohinemuri Jockey Club's gathering, which is to bo held on March 16 and 18. Black Northern, tho useful Salvadan hurdler, is entered for the jumping events carded at the Ohinemnri Jockey Club's meeting. Black Northern, is carrying himself nicely at present. The —Thea gelding Hyperion seemed to be coming on at South Auckland last week, and it was unfortunate that he fell in tho Welter Handicap on Saturday. In the event of the fall having not affected him, Hyperion should run well in minor sprints ahead. Admiral Soult, tho favourite for the Waikato Handicap on Saturday, was badly placed in the early stages, but finished well, and was only beaten for second place by Miss Livonia by the narrowest of margins. T. A. Williams, 0. W. Coleman, IL C. Tonks, and A. E. Kelly each trained two winners at South Auckland, whilo N. Dickey, C. Winder, Jones, G. Duncan, W. C. Ring. N. Cunningham, G. F. Malcolm, and F. Burns each trained one. Tho Westmero gelding Westerly, who was taken to the South Auckland meeting by T. A. Williams, broke down while contesting the hurdlo race on the opening day. Ben Dceley, the Auckland horseman, is much in request at present, _ and will bo fully occupied at Wanganui to-morrow, where, amongst others, he will pilot Dearest, Styx, and Nukuatau in their respective races. Amongst the horses trained by F. Tonga at Ngaruawahia is a nice looking three-year-old by Spalpeen. This gelding is said to be full of promise.

Napper Tandy, a gelding by Joe Chamberlain, has been taken in hand by F. Tonga at Ngaruawahia, with a view to hurdle events ahead. Maheno disappointed her connections each day at Hamilton. In the i South Auckland Cup she was interfered with 'when Scotch fell, but on Saturday tbor© wa3 no excuse for her showing in the Waikato Handicap. Seldom, by Freedom—Mere, was sold during the progress or the South Auckland meeting by Mr. G. Ring, and Mr. W. Montgomery, owner of Hoanga and Dido, is now the possessor of the Waikato gelding. The Spermaceti gelding Ambergris fell in the First Hurdlo race at Claudelands. Subsequently he was disposed of to Mr. Windsor for 36 guineas. Domino, who was sent down to Wanganui hj Mr. W. 0- King, will bo ridden in the Oup to-morrow by H. Gray.

Prior to the start for the Shorts Handicap at Hamilton on Saturday, the Wainki— Bonus gelding Surplus gavo one of l.ho worst displays of unruliness imaginable, although in tho hands of so capable and determined a rider as A. J. MeFlynn, and eventually got loft at the post.

Zinnia (Explosion— was left off the card for the Welter Handicap at Hamilton on Saturday, and eventually finished second to Manurewa. Zinnia, who was ridden by M. Ryan, returned a good-priced second dividend.

Master Tupuhi, who claims engagement in the Wiritoa Hack Handicap at Wanijimii to-morrow, is reported to be a decidedly useful sort of horse.

The Gossoon—Windmill horse Spalpeen was represented on the winning list at South Auckland by Kaween and Spalfish.

Blue Mountain seems to have completely recovered from the effects of the accident that befol him while racing at To Kuiti. and will race in the hurdle events at Te Aroha next week, when his pilot will bo A. Julian.

Manuwera, tho half-brother to Leonator, by Cuirassier from, a Natator mare, i*an second to Kaween on Friday at South Auckland, and with ' anything liko luck should have won. On the following day, Manuwera started in two events, and succeeded on each occasion.

Watch Chain has cost his admirers a lot of money so far this season, for tho Cuirassier Decoration horse has been well supported each time he has started, while his performances have been most disappointing.

A. Whittaker rode five winners at the South Auckland Racing Club's meeting, J. Roach, 0. Brown, H- Curran, and B. Deeley two each, and A. J. MeFlynn, E. Crotty, and J. McGregor one each.

Antarctic (Salvadan—Coryphee), the crack steeplechaser, is looking big and healthy. Yesterday morning ho was allotted useful work at EUerslie, and moved freely.

A. J. McFlvnn had quit© an exciting afternoon at Claudelands on Saturday. In tho Hurdle Race his mount (Seldom) fell; in the Shorts Handicap, Surplus played up badly, and several times got rid of MeFlynn. In the last race, tho Farewell Handicap. Mahinga fell soon after tho start, giving MeFlynn a heavy spill.

A. Whittaker made a good start, at the South Auckland meeting, piloting his first four mounts to victory. Subsequently, ho was successful once only, thus ending up with five wins.

The report that Scotch had broken his leg while contesting the South Auckland Cup proved to be incorrect, although tho Soult- gelding injured his shoulder badly.

Dinkum (W. Chaafe) and Lloyds (V. Coleman) were schooled together over the- hurdles yesterday at Ellerslic. The pair finished on terms after giving a good display of fencing.

The Cordon Rouge gelding, Tobias, who ■recently joined W. Shares stablo at Onehunga, is a probable starter at To Aroha. The black horse has been showing some pace in his track efforts of late.

At the recent Cootamundra Turf Club meeting in New South Wales a filly named My Nance carried off two races on tho second day- My Nance -was bred at Papakura. by Mr. W- Walters, and is returned as by Soult or Gluten from Helen 'McGregor.

Moreykoff is looking well at present. This horse, who is an crratio track performer, skipped over four furlongs on tho sand yesterday morning in 535.

Litte Jack Dclaval is riding along freely at headquarters, and it should not be long era F. Stenning has the Seaton Dclaval yelding reproducing his best paces.

C. Brown, the Auckland horseman, left for Wanganui on Monday, having several fengagements to fulfil. It is said that one of his mounts will bo Royal Scotch in the Flying Handicap.

After enjoying a good spell, the steeplechase horso Dinkum has been again placed lin commission at Ellerslio by John Ohaafo, j/jun.

The two-year-old Geneva is both looking and galloping well at headquarters. Yesterday morning he skipped over three furlongs smartly, and easily held Pekeratigi.

Tui Cakab'au (A. Rao) was twice Kent over the sod wall, stand double, and stono wall yesterday morning. The big fellow made no mistake, and altogether created a good impression.

Rakau (V. Coleman) covered a round over hurdles yesterday at Ellorslie. The first three fences were negotiated in iino style, but he ran down the next obstacle, and very nearly came to grief.

lion Cyr was second favourite for the Second Hurdle Handicap at South Auckland on Saturday, but, although he had tho services of the crack horseman A. Julian, ho finished last, tailed off.

Maxwell, who was sliipped to "Wanganui on Sunday, looked well to tho eye, and is expected to run well forward in the Cup tomorrow. Mark Ryan, who will pilot the Soult horse, left for Wanganui last evening. Bully was given schooling work at Ellerslie yesterday, and shaped well. It is intended to race the Freedom gelding in the hurdle events at To Aroha, when F. Speakman will be in the saddle. Bow Bells, a St. Clement's mare, recently brought from tho South by A. Barron, is amongst those getting_ through useful work at Ellerslie, with a view to racing at To Aroha next week. Defunct Cuirassier was responsible for the winners of three events at tho South Auckland fixture, defunct Soidt and Leolantis for two each, and Rambler for a like number. Freedom, Musketry', and Stepniak each sired one winner. The useful SoultMerry Maid mare Jolio Fillo was a starter lor tho South Auckland Cup last Friday, but failed to secure a place. Probably she was feeling the effects of her injury sustained prior to being entrained for Hamilton. Sho was not a runner on tho second day. Snalfish, the three-old gelding by Spalpeenflying Fish displayed gamenoss, and a fair turn of speed when ho beat Ha-renoa and uino others in the District Welter at Hamilton on Saturday. Ho should win again shortly. INTERPROVINCIAL GOSSIP. [BT TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CANTERBURY. Tuesday. Tho Dunedin Jockey Club had a pretty good meeting this week, thanks largely to the presence of a strong team of Canterbury horses, which provided a good proportion of the fields in most of tho events. They did not, however, do nearly so well a3 sportsmen at this end expected, their share of tho prize-money being disappointingly small. At the same time it is pleasing to find Otago and Southland stables holding their own in this way, as it augurs well for tho future of racing in the South. With just a little more improvement, we might once more look forward to horses from that quarter successfully invading Riccarton at our principal meetings, as was th.j case very regularly a fow years ago. Parable, who won the Dunedin Cup, was bred by Mr. E. J- Watt, and is by Merriwce from the Great Autumn Handicap winner Palaver, by Apr«montFlatter. She did a lot of racing in the North Island with a fair amount of success. A few months ago she was purchased by Mr. W. Crossan, and went into J. McCombe's stable at Wingatui, after which she ran into a place several times before scoring her first win for her now owner at Gore at the beginning of this month. She raced at Riccarton, but I her form was very moderate, and she must have come on quite surprisingly to enable her to beat some of the horses she met on Wednesday. From what I can hear the win was freely anticipated by a section of backers away from, the course. Outlander is showing better form now than he has done for a long time past. He ran a good race in the Midsummer Handicap, and repeated the effort twice at Wingatui this week, each time, however, having to put up with second honours. Dan Moraghan has got the Finland— pade gelding very well just now, and ho should not be long before he notches a win. Brown Owl credited Sir Geo. Clifford with hi 3 seventh win in the Dunedin Champagne Stakes on Wednesday, her dam, Glonowlet,. being one of tho previous winners turned

out from the same quarter. Brown Owl is a rare galloper, for whom I have more than once had a good word to say, but early in tho season sho did not feed well. She. is beginning to thrive better now, and it will bo no surprise if she finishes up tho season as a candidate for premier honours. Sir Geo. Clifford is in a nice position, at any rate, in having Brown Owl in addition to Autumnus and Winning Way to rely on for the Champagne Stakes at Biccarton arid other events to be decided during the autumn. , , Sir Geo. Clifford met with a piece of very bad luck at Wingatui on .Thursday. When the two-year-old filly Scottish Star was leaving the course she was frightened by a motor-car which was passing, and slued into a barb-wire fence, which cut her badly on the body and on one leg. Just how serious the "injuries are I am not certain yet, but there is a fear that it may settlo her for racing. As I have more than once stated, this filly Mas a groat galloper on the tracks, and her trainer was hopeful that sho would yet do something out of the ordinary with tho colours up, though her form so far has been very moderate. The nominations received on Friday _ for the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps aro scarcely as largo as one could have wished. For tho Easter they number 37. compared with 46 last year and 48 in 1910, and for the Autumn 36. compared with 28 last year and 36 in 1910. The .North Island has contributed well to each event, having 19 in tho Easter and 18 in tho AutumnA feature of the lists is the fact that practically all tho best three-year-olds of the season figure in one or 'both races, there being 14- in the Easter and 10 in the Autumn. If the majority of them could bo induced to start wo would have two interesting contests, apart altogether from the older horses, which also include some very capable performers. The Boniform—lngleneuk two-year-old filly became entangled in a wire fence and out herself badly. This is tho second accident of a similar nature sho has met with. Muskadine, Margo, and Feathorstone have been shaping creditably in schooling tasks over the hurdles. Coroniform still shows signs of lameness, but'he is galloping particularly well, despite the disability.

WELLINGTON. Tuesday. Local horses did -well at Wingatui last week, when Odessa won tho 'big handicap on the second day and Gold Bird won two hurdle races. .A. Gray, late head lad at Karamu, but now private trainer to Mr. F. S. Fasten at Foxton, opened his winning account at Woodvillo last week, when Lady Moiitoa scored and Moutda Girl filled second position. It is understood that Gold Bird will ho sold in Dunedin if a suitable offer can bo obtained for the old Loveshot gelding. Mr. Giblin, who came to the Dominion in search of horses, returned to Victoria recently without making any purchases. Tho big prices put on horses considered capable of winning a race on tho other side was a bar to business. After tho first dav of the Woodvillo meeting, where he did the hat trick by riding threo successive winners, B. Deeley hastened back to Hamilton, where he was engaged on Friday and Saturday. Deeley is very popular in these parts, and always commands a lot of riding when he comes South.

Tho local owner Mr. H. Whitney, whose colours havo been meeting -with much success lately, has a largo team engaged at the Nelson meeting next month. Lourdesjwinner of tho Railway Plato at \Vinsrat\ii, is an Australian-bred fijly, owned 'by Mr. J, B. Reich but held on lease by the Riccarton trainer A. MeAulcy- Prior to leaving for the South tho filly finished in front of Autumnus in a gallop over five furlongs, and as a result was backed with great confidence to defeat Naumai in the race she won. Ngatapa, runner-up to Stardancor at Wingatui on Thursday, is tho bay colt by St. Ambrose from Ambush that Mr. G. B. Reid sent to Sydney for tho autumn sales. i WANGANUI. Tuesday. The withdrawal of Coromandel from tho Wanganui Cup was not expected, but tho Menschikoff gelding has done very little work since the Taranaki meeting, and it was deemed advisable not to keep him _in the big race. He had dono a lot of racing up to winning at New Plymouth, and was showing signs of staleness, so that a let up was necessary. Ho should freshen up as a result of his -easy work recently, and will be a startor in tho Stewards' Handicap. It. is understood that Theodore and Royal Scotch will both start in tho Flying on Thursday. In addition to the pair named, Mr. K. -1. Watt will bo represented bore by Midnight Sun and Montiform. All four horses are in capital trim, and should win a race or two at tho meeting between them. 0 Jenkins will have tho mount on Midnight Sun in tho Cup. It -was reported that W- Young had had his collarbone broken at Woodvillo on Thursday when Eiya fell with him, but it seems this was not so, and it is expected that he will bo ablo to rido hero next week. J. Pressor's Cup candidate Dearest shows signs of having undergone a thorough preparation, and as she will 'bo ridden by 18. Deeley she is sure to havo many friends for the big event on Thursday, though it is generally thought that the mile and threequarters will prove rather too far for herIn a gallop over a milo this morning she appeared to tiro towards the end, but sho must have been carrying about 9st.

So well has Bronze progressed since tho Egmont meeting that her connections make no secret of the opinion that sho will run a great race in the Cup hero. It is said that; tho filly has been coupled with everything thought to have a chance in tho Inlying.

The acceptances for tho 'Wanganui Cup meeting are eminently satisfactory, and some splendid racing is bound to bo witnessed on Thursday and Saturday next. Thirteen havo been left in the Wanganui Cup, which promises to bo one of the best races ever seen for this event. Just at present it is hard to say what will start favourite, but Undecided, Bronzo, Midnight .Sun, and Domino all have many friends. The connections of the former aro _ very confident, and if tho Menschikoff gelding is able to reproduce his Wellington Cup form ho must ho very dangorous. It is claimed for him that he is better than ever just now. Rumour credits Bronze with galloping in a style which pleases her trainer, G." Price, who has great hopes of landing tho Cup, and bearing in mind the way she acted at the end of the Egmont Cup, there seemsno reason to doubt her ability to stay out tho distance. She must bo very handy at tho finish. Midnight Sun and Domino, both of whom arrived to-day, aro amongst the most fancied, especially the Aucklander. Somo have an idea that Domino will bo a 'hotter horse on tho second day, as they fancy he has had rather an easy time of it lately. Merrivonia. (7st 121b) will havo to rifn a lot better than sho has done recently to win, but evidently some believe she will do so. Maxwell is reported to have done a capital trial, while Lady Menschikoff made j friends by her display in the Taranaki Cup. ! Goodwin Park looks the best of the"others, Tho prospects for a contest in keeping with ! the best traditions of tho Cup being witI nessed are very bright.

Goodwin Park is sail to have been gallapinct in quite his best stylo at Foretell recently, and is credited with an attractive gallop over a mile. E. Tilley is expected to bring his team into town on Tuesday. In addition to the Cup candidate ho has Miscal, Sanguinary, Nukuata, Tiwari, and Leonta engaged, and they aro all in capital nick. Sanguinary is much fancied for the Juvenile Handicap. Undecided and Byron are the popular pick for the double here, but, tho two "B's," Bronze and Byron, are also much inquired after. Byron is the favourite for tho Flying, but Boanerges, Royal Scotch, and Lady Lad lo are sure to bo well backed on the day. It is considered that G. Price has a big chance of winning tho double with Boanerges and Bronze.

WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB'S AUTUMN MEETING. TRAINING NOTES. [BT TELEGRATH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION".] vVaxgaxci, Tuesday. A heavy fog this morning prevented watchholders iri.tu knapping many of the gallops. Ikilden Loop and Master Sylvia separately galloped sis furlongs fast. Autuninus and 'Byron covered a solid six furlongs, which distance Electrakoff covered in lm. 165., beating St. Gate. Royal Scotch took half-a-second longer to traverse the same distance. Dearest covered a mile and ahalf, the last sis furlongs taking lm. 245. Domino ran a like distance, the last six furlongs taking lm. 22s Merrie Frank and Theodore were associated over six furlongs, the latter pleating the best, in lm. 18a. Midnight Sun (with Deeley up and sweaters on) and Undecided wcro companions over a. mile, finishing abreast in lm. 465. Bronze (George Price) ran a mile and aquarter, the last mile taking lm. 45 4-ss. Jlerrivonia and Maxwell (who arrived last night) did useful work. Idealism covered two rounds, the last bit fast. Boanerges, Ermcngarde, Mallard, and Lockwood did solid work. Grandee and Montiform, covered a mile, finishing abreast in lm. 465. Coromandcl easily beat Ainu Rose over seven furlongs in lm. 32 l-ss. Xavier did a couple of rounds of the schooling hurdles, jumping well. Idealism, Maxwell, Undecided, and Merrivonia are amongst the latest arrivals. Royal Arms was lame after his spin yesterday, which accounts for his withdrawal from the Cup. Sea Queen ran six furlongs, from a barrier start, yesteiUftj ia lm. 17a. She is very -veil.