INTER-PROVINCIAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15649, 1 July 1914, Page 5

INTER-PROVINCIAL GOSSIP.

[BY mEORiPH.-HOWN CORRESPONDENTS.] WELLINGTON. ' Tuesday. The hurdlers Julian and Forest Prince at present in Australia, have been en gaged at Trentham. The horses' named both competed in the Australian Hurdle Race last season, but as their names do not appear in the list of this year's race, probably it was an oversight. Forest Prince ran third and Julian was unplaced in the last V.R.C. Grand . National Hurdles. Considerable surprise was expressed here at the absence of Chortle from tho 'entries for the Grand National Hurdle. Race. As the gelding is only a four-y<ar-old probably his owner intends giving aim a bit more time.

Mount Victoria is not to be taken to Gisborno, and his next public appearance will be at Trentham next month. His stable mate, Odessa, broke down in the Bracelet at Hastings, and will require a good spell.

Mr. J. McMahon, chief stipendiary steward, left for Sydney on Wednesday He will not be back until the Marton meeting in September.

The weights for the Wellington Winter Meeting were the subject of much comment. In the Parliamentary Handicap tho Auckland horse Bluostone does not appear to be badly treated, while tho top-weight, La Ruina, has not been dropped for her failure on the last day of the Ellerslio meeting, Mr. Coyle evidently preferring to discard that form.

Silver w King, the maiden hurdler horse, recently acquired by Mr. E. S. Liittrcll, will be shipped to Sydney this week It is expected that ho will join R. J Mason's team on arrival there.

Varna (by Stepniak—Decoy) has been taken in hand by 0. Prichard after a spell extending over two years, duung which time he was added to the list of geldings. He has thickened out consider ibly.

The colt by Bezoniair—Lady .Creswick, recently purchased by Mr. Harris at Otaki has been broken in/ by J. Scott. and is being ridden about the roads. The youngster in question is not very tall, but there is plenty of him, and with time should furnish into a good cut of a thoroughbred.

Mr. D, Rutherford's horses Sunbeam, Daylight Bill, Mescal, 'and Andrea arrived from Napier last Friday, and were shipped South by the ferry steamer.

Encouraged by the success of several light-weight jockeys who havo taken to' piloting hurdlers, the Trentham horseman, M. McDonald, intends to try hia skill, and will commence at the Wellington meeting. One of his mounts will be Alt car in the hack hurdles. Altcar and Merry Guy are regularly schooled over the small fences at Trentham, and both jump well. They will race in hack hurdle events at the Wellington Winter Meeting.

There is a likelihood of the owner of Gold Bird putting the old Love Shot gelding into work again, as he is of the opinion that the general run of jumpers seen out now are a poor -lot, and wellplaced his horse could win. The Martian mare limner, who was in{'itred by getting into a fence some time tack, is nearly right again, and will be ridden out at exercise this week. CANTERBURY. , Tuesday. There has been no great room fcr complaint concerning the weather conditions experienced this winter, but the past week has been very rough. There havo been some breaks,' but the chief item in the week's programme has been rain. The ground lias- been thoroughly soaked, and the tracks are at present quite unfit for fast work. As a result training operations navo been seriously interfered with, and horses that are being got ready for the Trentham or Grand National fixtures are in sore need of ground on which they can be hustled along. Trainers with jumpers in their stables have not fared quite so badly. Their schooling ground is in food 'order, and strong work has thus been possible. Taking the obstacles in the way there is a big team of jumpers at Riccarton just now, but they are a very moderate lot in tho matter of quality.

Nominations for the principal events at the C.J.C. Grand National Meeting closed last night, and on the whole they must be regarded as very satisfactory. The totals for six races ran, out to 245, compared with 234 last year. Included in the nominations for the big cross-country event are all the principal winners of the the present season, among them being Jackman (Wanganui. Steeplechase), Peary (Great Northern Steeplechase), Exotic (Hawke's Bay Steeplechase), The Chief (Napier Steeplechase), Captain Jack (Winter Steeplechase), and Sir Lethe (Park Steeplechase). The three horses that filled the places last year, Bercola, The Spaniard, and Glenmore, aw again in the list, besides on earlier winner in Paritutu. Other horses of note include Ruffy, Antarctic, and Armagh; while among the young horses of promise are Rapid and Darby Paul. As usual the South Island is poorly represented, having only Tim Doolan, Sportsman, Daylight Bill, True Blue, and Game in the Grand National; but Kingsway, Royal Medal, Kia Ora, Silver Blaze, Bugle, Obligate, and Fritz help to swell the numbers in the other crews-country events. Turning to the hurdle ::aces it is pleasing to find all the recent winners engaged, among them being Te Onga (Great Northern Hurdles), Admiral Soult \, (Campbell Hurdles), Player (Century Hurdles), Aruake (Hawke's Bay Hurdles), Hatana (Turamoo Hardies, as well as Goodwin Park, Leapuke, Grey King, and Sam Pan, who have all earned some distinction in the North Island lately. Then there is last year's winner. Morning, Jpgether with Forest Prince and Julian, two useful hurdlers, who are now in Australia. The South Island contingent includes Kilmeny, Kim, Margo, Sunbeam, Mescal, and Conic, while Royal Arms, Leonta, and Morekoahe are the most notable of the new brigade. Turning to the Winter Cup the prospects look good. The list includes a lot of horses that have been racing lately in the North and South Islands. As usual there is a big array of hacks in tho list, and I always have great respect for them in tho Winter Cup. Altogether, judging by the nominations the Grand t National Meeting this year should be a big success. Ruffy, Peary, and Darby Paul claim hurdle and steeplechase engagements at tho Grand National Meeting, while Royal Arms figures 'as an asirarit for honours over hurdles and on tho flat. It is interesting to note that Bercola, The Spaniard, and Glenmoso, who filled the places in the Grand National Steeplechase last year are likely to take part in tho big cross-country race again this year; but of the other horses that competed a year ago Paritutu and Captain Jack are the only ones that have again been nominated. Morning, last years winner of the Grand National Hurdles, is in that race again as are Ngaftruamii, Beacon, Goodwin Park, and Flingot, who were also iu the field; but Marten and Loch Mabin, who followed Morning home, are no longer on tho scene. Parky and Kilrain, first and second in the last Winter Cup, are missing from this year's nominations, which, however, include Mummer (third), Royal Arms, Glenfinnan, and Black Lupin, who were included in last year's field,

Tho weights to be allotted The Cornet and Kilmeny on the first day of the V.'el lington meeting were not viewed -vith favour by their connections, and they have been scratched for all engagements at the meeting. The Cornet has been turned out, and he will be treated to throe months' spell. The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club will distribute £10,000 in stakes during the three days at tin. November meeting. This is £2000 increase on lastyear, and is easily ?. record for a meeting in Australasia. of the programme are not available yet. I learn, however, that £500 will he allocated to a free for all of a mile and a-quarter. The club is to bo complimented on at last taking up this class of race. It has alw) beer decided to inaugurate a Derby race for three-year-olds, but this will noi be put on till next year. Altogether the chance of seeing class racing established by our trotting clubs appears to be very bright. Trainers with rising two-year-olds in their stables are somewhat handicapped just now by the absence of giod working

grounds. They are anxious to sprint the I youngsters, but the stale of the tracks prevent them from doing much iu that direction. lam disposed to thinl; that Eiccarton stables will play a very prominent part in the two-year-old events next season, there being several juveniles about of exceptional promise. P. McGrath has put Tannhauser and Thrax in work again, and the two Martian gelds look in good health after their shirt spell, They will now be pushed ahead in view of cariy engagements, the ] resent intentions being to race them at '.be Grand National Meeting. (The two-year-old filly Honesty (by MarSuccess) has resumed work after being off the scene for a couple of months. This filly was a disappointment more than once, but there is no doubt about her ability to gallop, and if she trains on all right she should develop into a three-year-old much above the ordinary. J. Bridges is giving the brother to Gold Pin plenty of useful work, and as ho shapes well in his schooling lie may earn distinction over the obstacles before long. The steeplechaser Silver Blaze, who met with some injuries while running in a paddock, appears to be all right again. Ho was out exorcising during the week, and seemed perfectly sound. Kilmeny is moving along well in his work. He was schooled during the week in company with Combination. Both horses jumped attractively, but, as was expected, Kilmeny carried too many guns for his companion at the finish. Kilmeny is being got ready for a trip to Trentham; but it has to be admitted that the handicapper hae not been over kind to him. Among the other horses schooled during the week may be mentioned Lupin Girl, Opuka, Don Charl, Corie, Martial, Rescued, Ovar, Salathiel, and Obligate. They all rive evidence of some ability as jumpers, but f doubt if any of them will ever take a high place. A useful-looking mare named Ciss (by St. Paul from King Sway's dam) has gone into W. McDonald's stables. She is owned by the North Canterbury sportsman Mr. G. N. McLean, and is Doing finished off for the sports meeting to be held at Rangiora in a fortnight's time. The Treadmill gelding Taskmaster in E. Cutts' stable, has resumed work after a. short spell. Ho looks bright and well, and provided ho goes on all right he may be given a run at the Grand National Meet ing. Salathiel, who has bumped his kneea while racing over hurdles at Wingatui a few welts aro, is again in commission. He is a useful sort, who should pay his way over obstacles next season.

Query, who has been in work for a few weeks is going on nicely, but his legs have a doubtful appearance, and I am afraid R. King will have ajnv) trouble keeping him sound.

J. MeCombe has not troubled the Riccarton tracks much since he arrived from the South. In the meantime he is exercising his team on the road, but he will soon begin to send them along.

Thrax and Tannhauser are looking in great heart. The former is already being freely discussed in connection with tho New Zealand Cup, and certainly an improving young horse like the son of Martian has good claims for consideration, assuming, of course, that ho trains on all right in the interval.

F. J. Smith, in charge of Mr. Duncan Rutherford's horses, from Napier on Sunday after a fairly successful trip, inasmuch "as Daylight Bill scored a win and Sunbeam was in the money on two occasions when he finished second. ■ Sunbeam was severely kicked by Rook Ferry while at the post on the first day of the Napier Park meeting, and be was unabln to start on the second day. The son of Sant Ilario and Mona is still lame from tho effect of the kick, but it is hoped that a few days respite will put the injured leg right again. ' Mr. Rutherford made three purchases while in Hawke's Bay, they are Mescal, and a rising two-year-old gelding named Philadelphia (by Rezonian—Waikaka) and a hunter by Swordfish. The last-named will bo given an early opportunity to show his ability, and should he fail to give sufficient promise he will probably be sent to his owner's station.

The report that W. Ayre will do tho riding on Mr. Duncan Rutherford's jumpers is incorrect. Ayre has taken service with F. T. Smith, and he will be open for engagement, but H. Coker will continue to ride Mr, Ruthcrford'3 horses in their jumping engagements. ' WANGANUI. Tuesday. A substantial increase has been made to the prize-money to bo given away at tiie spring meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club, to be held on September 24 and 26. The value of the Flying Handicap has been increased from 150sovs to 200sovs; Gonville Hack Hurdles, from 110sov8 to 120sovs; the Spring Handicap, from 150sovs to 250sovs; the Higgle Handicap from 250sovs to 350sovs; the Owen Handicap from 150sovs to 200sovs; tho Railway Hack Handicap from HOsovs to 120sovs; Moutoa Hack Handicap from liOsovs to 200sovs.- In addition to the above increases, the new race, the Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase, which will take the place of the Aramoho Hack Hurdles, will be worth 200sovs, .'is against, the HOsovs given away last year in the old race. The steeplechase will be over a distance of two miles and a-lialf. It will be seen from the above that the Wanganui Jockey Club is a progressive ».nd prosperous institution, and it is not surprising that its meetings are so popular with owners and racing enthusiasts generally. • It was reported that Gondolier had broken down badly during the Hawke's Bay meeting, but fortunately the news proved incorrect. Th.» Gipsy King gelding started at the Napier Park meeting, but did no good, although the opposition did not arjpiar to ba of much clase. Aruake failed to run into a place either day it the Napier Park meeting, and ho appears to have gone a bit stale. However, by winning the Hawke's Bay Hurdles he made the trip a profitable one to both his owner and trainer. The suggestion that the Egmorit-Wanga-nui Hunt should hold its annual race meeting on the date between the Wanganui Jockey Club's spring racing days, appears to meet with general approval amongst racing and hunting enthusiasts. If the Hunt should got a totalisator permit for its meeting, which it. is anticipated will be the case if Mr. G. Hunter's Bill is carried, and hopes are entertained that it will be, the gathering would become very popular. The Wanganui horses engaged at tho Wellington Winter Meeting all appear to have been fairly well treated by Handicapper Coylo. In the Stewards' Handicap, seven furlongs, Raniki is nicely weighted with 9st 101b, and Kew, with 61b loss, has also been given a chance. The former is said to be very well, and is being spoken of as a likely Winter Cup candidate, so that it will be interesting to see how ho shapes at Treat-ham. Kew has had a long spell, and may be ail the better for it. Ho can gallop when properly fit, and according to all accounts gives promiso of being back to his best form shortly. It remains to bo seen whether Antarctic will go to tho post in _ the Wellington Steepleohase, but present indications point to the likelihood of the Salvadan gelding being seen out at Trentham. He continues to get through his work in very pleasing style, and Jim Peachey is hopeM of the old fellov getting through the winding-up process satisfactorily. If he does keep sound enough to start, then ho will be very hard to beat, as at his best he was a topnotcher over the big fences. The weight '(list 71b) should not trouble him. Jackman has not been seen out over the femes since ho romped home in the Wangan'ii Steeplechase, but he is reported to be ir. excellent fettle, and, is rot over-burdened with lOst 131b. Still, he wit! find two or three of the horses which he raced away from here much harder to beat at Trentham, as The Spaniard, Glenmore, and Bercola are in bettor form now, while Peary is a highclass 'chaser, and thoro is no doubt about Antarctic being in tho first flight if at all fit. •

Goodwin Pwk is said to have been doing good work recently at Fordell over the schooling hurdles, and if he lias improved since tile Wanganui meeting, then his prospects must be very rosy. In tho Century Hurdles Player gate him 31b and a beating. Now there ?Je 31b between them, and as Goodwin Park has probably made Lhe most improvement ic the interval, his chance oi turning tio tables » a bright one.