SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15900, 24 April 1915, Page 5

SPORTING.

RACING .FIXTURES. April 30, May I—Hawko's Bay Jockey Club. May 5, Marlborough Railing Club. May 6, Ashburton County Racing Club. May 12, 13—Egmont Racing ClubMay 20. 22—Wanganui Jockey Club. May 20, North Otago Jockey Club. June 3, 5— Dunedin Jockey Club. June 3, Otaki Maori Jockey Club. June 8, 5, 7—Auckland Racing Club. June 18, 18—Hawko's Bay Jockey Club. June 25. 26—Napier Purk. July 1, 3—Gisborne Racing Club. July 14, Wellington Racing Club ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. M.—Marshal McDonald was ridden by Clarke when he won the A.R.C. Handicap. L. K., Hamilton—The total capture of stakes by the two mares in question was as follow-::—Counterfeit, £5042; Bronze. £4922) J.J.L., Avondalo.—lt is an accented principle that where no special stipulations exist bets and sweeps follow the stakes. Tho holder of Gold Fran is theroforo the winner of tho sweep. Waobb.—At two years old Whakawatca contested 21 ruces, winning nine of his engagements. When that age he ran his first race on October 5. and his last on April 19. Whakawatea contested all his races ns a gelding.

NOTES BY PHAETON'. THE TAXATION OF RACING. In these strenuous times when a big war bill has to bo paid it requires everyone to cultivate the brave spirit in replenishing the coffers; but all the same it is highly necessary that proposals for taxation should bo properly weighod beforo adoption. I am led to refer to this question by reason of a memorandum recently submitted in Auckland in reference to tho proposed war tax, suggesting amongst other things that the totalisator tax should be doubled. The gentleman responsible for the suggestion failed to make it quite clear what he meant by doubling tho tax in question ; but I will assume- that his proposition is to be interpreted in the light that another 2J per cent, should be exacted from clubs in addition to the like amount which is now imposed. That is to say, out of the 10 per cent, charge allowed by statute tho clubs should be called upon to pay half that amount into the treasury. There seems to be a deal of misapprehension on the question of the liquid wealth of racing clubs because large figures are involved in totalisator investments. It lias to be remembered that the upkeep of

racecourses annually runs into very large sums, while rich stake-money must be provided as a necessary accompaniment to progress. Then, again, there are many small clubs which have great difficulty in making ends meet under the present order of taxation, which, it may be remarked, takes the wide scope of 2$ per cent, on the gross receipts; and if a double tax were imposed as suggested it is not hand to discern what would happen in such cases. It is assessed that under the taxation now imposed considerably over £100,000 is annually the contribution from racing clubs to the Consolidated Fund, and it can therefore .he justifiably argued that to impose any further burdens would be going a good way towards crippling a sport that is already sufficiently taxed. It may . be • further remarked that the racing ancl trotting clubs throughout the Dominion- have all como forward with solid donations to various funds; and that, too, in many instances when big financial liabilities in the shape of mortgages are being carried. Wliilo thoso identified in fostering sport would scout the selfish cry, " Not mo i the other fellow!" they still have a right to seo that in the adjustment of matters the hand of the. taxing master operates evenly.

THE AWAPUNI GOLD CUP. With a time-breaking performance down to the credit of Warstep in the running of tho Trentham Gold Cup, taken in connection with the fact that tho daughter of Martian is just as brilliant over a middlo courso as ono extending to two miles, matters assumed tho rosy tint for the bay marc to credit Mr. C. Q. Dalgety with another trophy when she was produced at Palmerston North on Wednesday last to contest the Awapuni Gold Cup. The unexpected happened, however, for Chortle developed weight-for-age form of a high-class order, and in a great finish the big son of Multilid won by a head from the three-year-old Balboa, with Merry Roe and Warstep only separated by a similar distanco from the two leaders. To find a fresh record entered on tho slate in such a race must bo termed a very fitting accompaniment, for the weight-forage feat accomplished by Chortle thereby receives the hall mark of excellence, and it will servo to prevent a lot of flippant talk that but for this or that happening the result might have been different.

CHORTLE, THE BRILLIANT. That Chortle had a right to be accepted as a good horse over 10 furlongs he demonstrated at Ellerslie in January lust, when he won the Grandstand Handicap from end to end under Bst 21b; but though the big brown gelding has many enthusiastic admirers, a triumph at weight-for-age over 10 furlongs with Warstep included in the field was not largely anticipated by them. In giving Chortle the opportunity to score at weight for ago Mr. A. I). Williams played the true sportsman's part; and no one should begrudge him the trophy whiqh goes to him as the result of his victory in the Awapuni Gold Cup. In physique there is very much to admire in Chortle, for ho is cast on those massive lines which mark descendants of tho Musket tribe out for special reference. It is not remarkable that tho massive quality should be an outstanding feature with Chortle, for on his sire's «idc he has two strains of Musket through what can be termed majestic channels. His sire, Multififl, was got by Hokhkiss, while bis grand-dam, Grafin, on the male side of the pedigree, claims Carbine as her sire. That Chortle will win further noteworthy honours is a pre diction that can, I think, be offered with a large amount of security.

A GOOD THREE-YEAR-OLD. It would of course have been highly appropriate had the colt winning the race with the high-sounding title of the New Zealand Derby topped off that performance by subsequently scoring a weight-for-age victory; but though Ualboa suffered defeat in both the Gold Cups, the- chestnut son of Varco and Nerve put up a, brace of performances that we.l entitles him to be accepted as a good three-year-old. In the settlement of the Trenlham Gold Cup, when a fresh two-mile Australasian record was registered by Warstep Balboa was within a length and ahalf of the winner; and going-on to IV.merston North ho ran Chortle to a head for first honours in the Awapuni Gold Gup in the swiftest mile and a-quarter recorded in these climes to date. It says much for the solidity of Balboa that he should have put up such a strong light for first honours at Awapuni on Wednesday after undergoing such a severe test at Trentham over a long course only a few days previously; and though the dual performance for which the chestnut colt was responsible meant defeat in each instance, the grit he displayed will serve to keep him well in the limelight. Balboa's next engaijement is in the Hawko's Bay Cup, in which event ho figures with Bfit 31b, or lib under weight-forage.

LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK.

On the strength of Desert Gold's two successive victories at Trenthara and Awapuni, it seemed to be quite in order that All Black's daughter should be made favourito for the Manawatu Stakes, despite the fact that she had incurred the maximum 1011) penalty. It was, however, left to ono of the old brigade in Empcrador, who was similarly penalised, to interrupt the sequence of wins for Mr. T. H. Lowry's filly. The account of the race to hand shows that Desert Gold gave way to Emperador in the closing stage, only a long neck separating the youngster from her elder opponent.

The Canterbury sportsman, Mr. G. D. Greenwood, has good reason to rejoice over Emperador running in his interests at the present time. The son of Charlemagne 11. developed a leg last year, and after winning the Kgmont Cup ho was placed on the sale list at £500. A lot of shrewd men inspected the hay gelding, but none was prepared to risk the £500 asked, with the result that the horse remained in Mr. Greenwood's hands. Within a few weeks Kmperador won the Jackson Stakes and Manawatu Stakes, while this season he has won several valuable, races, including the Jackson Stakes, Great Easter Handicap, ami Manawatu Stakes, and it is quite certain that he will once again occupy a good position on the winning list.

Not a little curiosity was evinced as to the manner in which the Hawke's Bay ! Jockey Club's handicapper, Mr. H. Coyle, 1 would sum up the situation in connection with his adjustment for the Hawke's Bay (,'up, when the weights already issued for that raco came to be reviewed after tho Manawatu meeting. Chortle, Emperador, and Mummer were the winning trio to come before tho handicapper. Mr. Ooylc elected to allow the original imposts allotted respectively to Emperador (9st 31b) and Chortle (Bst 121b) to remain unaltered; but in the case of Mummer (who won the Autumn Handicap at. Trentuam last Saturday under 7st 111b) ho raised that horse's impost from 7st 101b to 7sl 131b.

It is assessed that the sum paid in Government tax by four clubs respectively promoting racing and trotting in Auckland will reach to over £<sa,ooo when the season ends. So far these clubs have made the following payments durinj the :—Auckland Racing Club, £10,343 10s 2d; Auckland Trotting Club, £3049 7s 4d; Takapuna Jockey Club, £2981 15s; Avondale Jockey Cub. £2500; Otahuhu Trottintr Club, £1289 19s lid. Young Kelly, who had one of his feet crushed through being jammed on the rails whilst riding 'at Avondale, is still an inmate of the hospital, his injuries being so serious that he will not be discharged from that institution for some weeks yet. With 83 wins already to his credit, and the best part of three months still to go, it seems reasonable to expect B. Deeley to top the record score registered by C. Jenkins some years ago for one season's riding. , Most critics are agreed that it was Deeley's superb horsemanship which landed Chortle first past the post in the Awapuni Gold Cup, when the Multifid gelding credited himself with an Australasian record for the ten furlongsBereola arrived back in Wellington on Tuesday last free) his unsuccessful visit to Randwick, .and was railed home to Haw era to be prepared for the approaching Wanganui and Ellerslie meetings.

Sir Solo, who arrived back from Australia during the week, is to be indulged in ft lengthy spell at his owner's place at Opaki. Masterton.

NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE. Soultane who has been somewhat of a disappointment is to be spelled during the winter in the hope that jie may build up somewhat. There is no doubt that this brother to Colonel Soult possesses plenty of pace but he is not solidly enough conformed to survive when the contest has been severe. When Soultane has won he has had matters all his own way. Ago may improve him.

RaAher an amusing exhibition of jumping was witnescd at Ellerslie on Thursday morning last, when Lady Sabretache was acting as schoolmistress to Cloudy Dawn, Prophet, and Whakanui over the steeplechase obstacles on the flat. Lady Sabretache herself showed improvement, but each of the others cither baulked, fell, or lost riders at various stages of the lesson. However, all three showed ability to jump, and may only want a little education over the big obstacles to become proficient.

Phosphorus must bo intended for compe tition at the A.R.C. Winter Meeting for he is still in commission. This son of Wairiki has won something like £1200 in place-monev this season- and is evidently a very payable proposition. The statement published that Signature did not shape too pleasingly over the pony hurdles Inst Tuesday morning should nave referred to Tararu Jack. Each time Signature has been schooled the St. A mans representative has given a splendid exhibition. Nicomar is still in work at Ellerslie in view of competing at the approaching A.R.C. winter meeting. On the dam's side this chestnut is said to be a blood relative of Leonator. Spanish, with Gunning in the saddle, was schooled at Ellerslie the other morning, and cleared the fences in his best style. Koss Heaton has evidently serious intentions of making a jumper of Kaimanuka, for that gelding was schooled again the other morning. Admiral Soult and Valentine, a pair of C. Coleman's fencers, are both going on the right way, and were worked at headquarters yesterday. Loloma, who has always been running on at the business end of her races, is still being kept up to solid work to contest winter events. Toreador was schooled a.gain on Thursday morning, A. Julian acting as his pilot. The Spalpeen gelding shaped well. Colonel Sonlt was out doing useful work on tho tan yesterday moving along very freely. Glutaneus, the full-brother to Lady Middleton, is now a member of Koss Heaton's team at Ellerslie.

STUD NOTES. The stallion Sylvia Park was recently numbered amongst the defunct. It transpires that he got badly bogged in a drain on an estate at Hawke'a Bay, and it was deemed mericful to requisition the friendly bullet. Foaled as far back as 1890, Sylvia Park had reached an extended age, so that his death under ordinary circumstances could have been looked for before long. Sylvia Park was a son of St. Leger and the Dainty Ariel mare Atalanta. During his stud career ho sired a largo number of winners, and his descendants have proved a useful class.

Honours were evenly distributed amongst the sires represented at the recent Avondale meeting. Sixteen races were run during tho two days over which the meeting extended, and with only two sires claiming more than one winner the winning list found 14 different names entered thereon. Monoform, who was responsible for Monathol and Potoa, and Saracen, who claimed a double winner in Golden Glow, were the two sires to top the list. The other sires to claim a winning representative were Soult, Marble Arch, Gluten, Wairiki, San Fran, Salvadan, Glenaff, Obligado, Stepniak, Coronet, Spalpeen, and Lupin. DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN TRAINER. [BT TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dpneddj, Friday. Harry Goodman, the well-known trainer, died to-day.