LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14972, 20 April 1912, Page 9

LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK.

Once again the uncertainty that overhangs racing has been forcibly exemplified. With high honours down to the credit of Sir George Clifford's two-year-old Autumnus at the O.J.C. Autumn Meeting last week, ■and the son of Treadmill being ' landed at Trentharo in great heart to contest the North Island Challenge Stakes, it was only to be expected that, tho Wellington race would be summed up greatly in his favour, •for though ho was by reason of victories cast in the maximum 14lb penalty, the three-year-old Bronze was also penalised to a like extent. In summing up tho * two-year-old son of Treadmill and the three-year-old daughter of Field Battery it had to bo remembered that the first-named scored decisively in his two races at Riccarton last week, while Bronze had failed to get *nto a place in the two events she contested at the O.J.C- course. Autumnus was found cutting out ,the pace in the North Island Challenge Stakes after two furlongs of the seven to which the race extended had been traversed. In the concluding stage Bronze came upon the scene with such an overwhelming run as to quite puzzle her youthful rival, and the Field Battery mare scored by half a length. While Bronze is given credit for a very brilliant finish, Autumnus is stated to have faded perceptibly when the real test came to him. As the seven furlongs was cut out in lm. 29 4-53., and Bronze carried 9st 61b,the performance for which riio was responsible will stand a deal of looking into.

The Wellington Racing Club's Autumn Meeting will be brought to a conclusion to day. Counterfeit may bo expected to content the New Zealand St. Leger Stakes, and should a victory attend Treadmill's daughter in the Trentham race sho will have the interesting record of having captured five of the seven leading classio events in which three-year-olds are eligible to compete in the Dominion.

t Were Bronze engaged in the Manawatu •Stakes that circumstance would have added considerably to the interest attaching to that event. However, the fact of tho Auckland colt, Prince Soult. having been sent down to Awapuni, and that Errnengarde will likely bo given an opportunity to retrieve the laurels she lost at- Iliccarton last week to Autumnus (who will probably bo found on the seen 6 again next week), such may bo regarded as powerful factors, making for a highly interesting contest at Awapuni.

Tri running the winner, Gipsy Belle, to a neck in the Thompson Handicap, Boanerges must be accounted to have to a certain extent redeemed his character. There was somo good galloping material behind Boanerges, and it has to be also born© in mind that ho was called upon to concede 41b to Gipsy Belle.

In a leading article referring to the disqualification of Hector Gray, that rider is referred to as: " the Auckland horseman." I'- may bo pointed out that Gray held his recent, license to rid© from the" Taranaki metropolitan authorities.

Merry Frank, who won the Railway Handicap at. the Wellington Pacing Club's meeting on Wednesday, is a five-year-old 'celdiriß by Meriweti from Valois, and belongs to Mr. W. Smart, owner of the Wellington Cup winner Undecided. Merry Frank returned each of his supporters close on a score.

Although Dorando was beaten in the steeplechase at Trentham on Wednesday by Beeline, bo ran a good race, after having been kept too far out of it. Good judges consider Dorando capablc of a big performance over steeplechase country.

1.3 Tieinm 7st 21h. has a good following for the Avondale Handicap, one mile and * quarter, to be run next Wednesday. The Soult 'filly is galloping freely at present.

Bronze having decisively disposed of the crack two-year-old Autumnus in the North Island Challenge Stakes, such may bo expected to go a long way in keeping alivo the discussion as to her right to bo considered as good as Counterfeit. As Ijeforo remarked, however, there is apparently no chance of the two bay fillies crossing each other's paths at the back end of tho present season. Bronze's 41am0 is missing both from tho St. Leger Stakes and Manawatu Stakes, in both of which Counterfeit is engaged. Atahaere (O'Brien), Zinnia (V. Coleman), and Blue Mount (F. Speakman) wore associated over the' hurdles at Ellerslie tho other morning. After going half way Zinnia fell, but afterwards completed tho journey and fenced without fault. Eluo Mount and Atahaere made no mistakes. Beoline, the Captain —Beeswing gelding, who took tho wrong course in the A.R.C. Autumn Steeplechase, experienced better luck at Trentham on Wednieday, when, starting favourite, and ably ridden by A. Julian, ho easily won tho First Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase. flea Quoen, who put up a oiw milt end a-quarter track record of 2m. 7s. at tho Wairarapa Racing Club's autumn meeting, when slio won tho Easter Handicap under B.st 91b, is well treated in the Autumn Handicap at Wellington to-day with 7at 61b. Distinction ran a good race in the Tirakori Handicap at Trentham, ami was only beaten a head by .Mount Viotoria. Ho is a threo-year-old golding by Daunt from Intelligence, and is owned by Mr. W. 13. Bidwill. Beeline and Haskyne wero the only favourites to triumph at Wellington on Wednesday, and the dividends an _ the whole wore long priced, especially so in the case of Merry Frank, Gipsy Belle, and Mount Victoria. It is considered that th« gallop in the Thompson Handicap will have a beneficial effect on Midnight Sun, and that the Multiform colt should show better form in the Autumn Handicap at Trentham this afternoon. True Blue, the grey gelding by Black and Red from a Patchwork mare, won the Great Western Steeplechase of 200sovs., at Riverton, in good stylo. On the second day of the meeting he broke down and finished third, carrying 12st 101b., Tho Gluten Avalanche mar© Avalon is possessed of pace, but up till tho present this four-year-old has failed to run into prizemoney- It is probable that Mr. Knott will retire her to the stud after this season. Zinnia, one of W. G. Irwin's charges, continues to shape well over fences, although she fell last Tuesday. _ It ' la probable that the Explosion mare will raoe at the next Egmont meeting in the hurdlo events, with V. Coleman as pilot. ,' The Miscalculation gel ft Pukewera (lato Commotion), who was killed at Ellerslie tho other day while schooling, could muster up a fair amount of pace on occasions, and promised to turn out useful as a jumper. Prior to the reoent _ A.R.C. Autumn Meeting, Surplus had quietened down considerably, but when the colours were up he resorted to his old unruly" tactics. It is probable that he will be kept at hurdling for the future.

Haskyne, who got away badly and then ran a good race for the AJUO. Victoria Handicap, made some amends for his failure by carrying off tho Plunket Nursery Handicap for two-year-olds at Trentham on Wednesday.

According to a report from the South that speedy filly Winning Way waa recently fobnd to be suffering from a fractured jaw, from which Mr. H. Tinker, tho well-known Southern horse dentist, removal several splinters of bone.

Mount "Victoria, by Signalman Primula, is said to be the making of a good horae. It was sheer giamenese that landed, this three-year-old as winner of the Tinakori Handicap on Wednesday at Trentham.

B. Deeley, the crack Auckland horseman, was riding at Trentham on Wednesday, having mounts on Dearest, Jan, and Stepney. His luck was out, however, for ho failed to even secure a place.

Loch&no's success in the A. J O. Doncaster Handicap was worth £1724 to Mr. J. McMaster, while Saxonito, by his victory in the Sydney Gold Cup, added £3884- to Mr. T. Scott's* banking account.

The Great Northern Hurdlo Raco winner Whakaweira is being trained over the big country at Hastings, with a view to winter jumping events ahead. Stourton is a stable companion to Whakaweira.

,-fi Bronze started second favourite to the bracketed pair.Autumnus and Brown Owl for the North Island Challenge Stakes. This latter pair carried about two-thirds of the money invested, and Bronzo returned. a most' remunerative dividend when she . won.

Mr. Ja?. Knott, of Rama Rama, has a nice bay filly bv Marble Arch from Oyrona on his farm. The youngster injured, one of its - feet a few weeks back, but is now thoroughly recovered from tho mishap.

In the decision of , the Thompson Handi cap at Trentham on Wednesday last the smart little Gipsy Belle showed herself tip attractively, for she led throughout.

Blue Mountain i 3 being apportioned good steady work at headquarters. This gelding is a smart fencer, and should pay his way over the obstacles this winter.

Surplus (R. Percival) and Tore (J. Brady) were sent over the schooling hurdles at EHerslie on Wednesday morning, when both horse® acquitted themselves welL

The Pakuranga hounds will meet on Monday, next at Panmure, and on the succeeding Thursday at the creamery, Papatoetoe, at 1.30 each day.

Everv Jockey taking part in the Urst Hurdles at the recent A.J.O. meeting at Rar.dwick was fined £1 for late arrival at the post.

Kohinoor and Flipflap, a pair of Southerners with engagements at Avondalo, have reached headquarters, and will be seen out at the Avondalo Jockey Club's gathering next week.

Solus, after a lengthy spell, is*to be recommissioned at Ettlerslio, find will again figure as one of W. Gall's charges.

Paisano, by Strowan—Booby, who was iuvincible over hurdles a couple of season's ago, is again in work at Gisborne, and is said to bo going along nicely.

The Native, by Worry— Cord, is in work again after a long spell at Feilding, and is said to be looking fresh and well.

Explosive and Blue Mount are* being trained at Ellerslie by Robt. MoMiken, with a view to taking part in jumping events to be decided this coming winter.

Tho only Auckland representative left in tho Hawke's Bay Stakes of 400sovi, for two-year-olds and thrce-year-olda, is Prince Soult. Autumnus and ErmengartLo are not in the race, but Brown Owl is.

The aged Takapuna gelding Taka. who won the Polo Cup at Alexandra Park on Saturday, also carried off that event last year.

Byron, who wa3 purchased thr other day by the Messrs. Stead Bros., for ISOgnn., and was subsequently parted with for 250gns„ is said to have been trotting lame at Trentham on Thursday morning.

Mr. George Dunnet's two-year-old colt Devastation came through his racing tho riirhfc way at Ellerslio, and is carrying himself well.

Takanini, the disappoints three-quarter brother, to Ngapuka, by Pnkaki—Paulina, has left Mangere, and is now in training at Ellerslie.

Los Angelos was a warm favourite for the Thompson Handicap at Trentham, but his weight, Sit 111b, proved too much for him, and he finished in sixth position.

Otahu, winner of the Awah'uri Welter at Feilding. is bv the Auckland Cup victor Nestor from Vapour, dam of Xgaruaboc, Emblem, and Co.

. A dozen horses remain in the Avondale Handicap after the final payment, the de fections being Sir Arteral, Miss Winsome, and Goldsize. Royal Soult, Bst ll!b still heads tho list.

The hurdle horse Lloyds ha.* got over the effects of thfl injury sustained while contesting the Brighton Hurdles, and in a. schooling gallop the other morning shaped at his best.

Nominations for,loading events to be run at the Auckland Racing Club's Winter Meeting close on Friday next, at nine p.m.

STUD NOTES. x [bt phaeton.] Tho celebrated Wakeful duly went up to auction at Rand during tho present week; but, as the bidding only reached to ISOOgns, sho was passed in. According to tho catalogue, Wakeful would go into the ring with a colt foal by Maltster at foot and, as t.lio youngster was well spoken of, it is a little surprising that bidding shonld have ceased at the sum named. Tho fact that Wakeful's two first contributions to the Stud Book (Balgowni© and., Blairgowr) have proved erratic runners may possibly have told against her when sho this week stood in front of tho auctioneer at Randwick. But in that connection it should bo remembered that not a few considered the mating of Wakeful with Wallace a somewhat daring experiment. • Wakeful's matings in respective seasons with Positano and Maltster mar bring tho Trenton mare into great prominence; and possibly some regrets may have to bo expressed that they did not raise tho bidding; to tho owner's reserve when tho and her colt foal figured in the ealo ring at Randwick in tho autumn.of 1912. Mr. H. R. Mackenzie certainly secured a great bargain when ho bought Eady Hester in til© summer of 1907 for 120gns. When quitted at that period the St. Leger mare had a colt, foal at foot by Seaton Delaval and was in foal to Soult. Tho oolt foal raced as Royal Scotland, and was sold for sQogna. In tho same year as sho was sold for 120gns. Lady Hester throw a filly to Soult (Dearest), and Mr. Maokonzie quitted her also for SOOgris. Lady Hester's next foal was Princo Soult, and at two months old he was sold for 500gns. With 800gns. realised for Lady Hester's Soult colt this year, it is a pleasant little document that Mr. Mackenzio has to peruse. Lady Hester, it may be added, last season threw a i'lnT fine filly to the Galiinule horse Penury. Wh«n looking oyer the youngster in question in December last I had 110 hesitation in elevating her to a place with tho bestlooking foals of the season: indeed, I do not know that I should not absolutely give her the palm. I am looking forward with not a little interest to my next visit to Ascot, in order to eeo tho nature . of the development made by Lady Hester's vouthful daughter-