SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15951, 23 June 1915, Page 4

SPORTING.

■; RACING FIXTURES. June 25, 26—Napier Park Racing Club. June 26-Waikato .Trotting Club. July 1. B—Gisboma Racing Club. July 2—Poverty Bay Trotting Club. July 14, 17—Wellington Racing Club July 31—Pakuranga Hunt Club. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Spout, Dargaville.-Tho absence of records bearing on the points named presents on answer being given to your query. N.Z., Rotorut.-Glenmore, 12st 21b, ran third to Dunloo and Myall Jack <9st Gib), in the Cup Steeplechase decided at Flemington on November 4, 1913. Glenmore won the Victoria Steeplechase under 12st 21b, on the fourth day of the same mcetin,?-

Tb ATA.—It was in 1885 that the Auckland Steeplechase was run twice- In tho first contest the places were filled by Clarence, King, and Julia Ann, who finished in that order. As the result of a protest from the owner of Sunray, on the ground that tho horses did not jump tho correct fences, the race was ordered to bo run over again on the following day. Clarence was not amongst the starters tor the second race, which was won by Linwood, who defeated Sunray by a nock.

NOTES BY PHAETON. The next race meeting to claim attention is he Napier Park fixture, which takes pla?e on Friday and Saturday next. The leading event of the first day's programme is the Napier Steeplechase, in which 11 horses aro still engaged, with Soporific (12st 41b) heading the list. The son of Lethe is thus called upon to carry Ist lib more than he had in the saddle when he won the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase at Hastings last Friday. Glenmore, who is in receipt of 161b' from the top weight is stated to have been much above himself when ho competed last week, and it is reasonable to suppose that he will show much improvement when he next sports silk.

' Those who contemplate a visit to Australia with horses will require to keep the regulations in force steadily in mind if they wish to avoid trouble. A Melbourne cablegram to hand states that the Federal authorities have increased the stringency of the regulations regarding the importation of New Zealand horses, and it is laid down that a certificate from the Government veterinary must accompany each horse, stating that of the veterinary's knowledge the animal hail not been within a country whence the '"importation of horses to Australia is forbidden under the Quarantine Act within the three preceding years. Colonel Lyons and Dr. C. Ring are the veterinaries empowered to issue certificates from Auckland. ■

The acceptances received»in connection with-the Waikato Trotting Club's meet-

ing, which is fixed to take place on Satur-

day next : at. Claudelands, Hamilton, are .-■ of such a Highly satisfactory character that ,; it would appear nothing but unpropitious ' weather can prevent a most enjoyable afternoon's sport at the Waikato township.

The -fact that several Canterbury-owned

fiv;horses being on the scene will be sure to ~; invest the various contests, with a deal of ,; - ' interest. Arrangements ■ have been made • '/-. for special railway facilities, particulars of iy/. which will be found ; set forth 1 in an ad- <...''■■ vertisement appearing in another column.

:.'Though Golden Glow is well entitled to be ranged up : with the well-preserved ■„ -veterans of the .New Zealand turf, the ~.; chestnut sop :of Saracen and Jeanette, it

•',transpires, is yet a long way off the age •j■'.-. : : ' that he his been passed along at- of late. |\ j> Mr.;H/CleJand, of Kaponga, writes me as ;'"' 's'.. follows :—" A mistake has been made in

regard; to -the age of,; Golden Glow. He has been : referred to as a 14-year-old, but his correct sge .' is , 10. years. >* In ' 1908 1 bought Go'den Glow from Messrs. Burt Brothers, of Featherston, who bred him. He was '.then three years old. "'."M sold him in 1911 (six rears old), when he was sent to the Wnikato. ; - While 1 had Golden

Glow I won three hurdle races with him,

: ~ and when" ho was five ytars 1 started 1 him v;: : in the : Maiden Steeplechase run at the y : Great Northern; meeting at * Eilerslie in >■-> the winter of 1910." ; v ''■■

li<; If -the statement that . comes from Gisborne to the effect that Chortle is beiig schooled ■ over hurdles be . correct, those who have teen contending that the New Zealand Cup is very much more likely to claim the attention of his owner, Mr. A. B. Williams, than the Now Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race, ti ill have to reconsider the situation. We will not, how-

;. ever, have to wait long for some light on > the intentions of Chortle's owner as nom;inations close on Friday for the Grand \ Nationals.' *. . , ' V .

■;"-.". The fact of Scots Guard not having been !\ .-",/ nominated for minor events at the V.R.C. (/ Grand •. National Meeting, and that the ' ;' Cuirassier gelding figures amongst the en- ;."<:'■ trants for .the Wellington Steeplechase ;. <;V ; : and July to be run at Trent- ■;-■:;'., ham next month, it would seem as though : his owner is more likely to make an early .' return-to New Zealand than to attack :" ! -:''Flemington , at the present time.

,V During the course of his bankruptcy examination, the King's trainer, 'R. J. Marsh, fairly broke down, and left the box' in tears. He stated that during 1914 ho made payments to 14 moneylenders, amounting to £15,856. The .'; ■wholo of that was borrowed from other '~ money-lenders. The debtor said he had .;;> been insolvent for some years, and .it rv"-would, have been much better if ho had ,-.;■ filed his petition several years ago. He ' iept up.a fair establishment at Egerton - House, but had not been extravagant. He had made applications to money- ,. "lenders, and he had made statements in •" some cases which were not correct. He had lost a good amount of money through betting, possibly £2000 a year, but he ;.'; had' kept no account of the transactions. Marsh stated • that when he became trainer for King Edward and Lord Marcus Beresford, in 1908, it was understood he was to clear off all his debts, .. but he-found he was not in a position . to do so, and had to borrow money, as well as to increase his indebtedness to the bank. Ever since 1906 until last year he had been borrowing from moneylenders. Concerning certain affidavits Marsh was taken to task by the solicitor representing one of the creditors, and . subsequently the Official Receiver said that as the debtor bad admitted incorrectness of some statements in these affidavits he did not wish to enlarge upon them. A composition was finally effected! at the rate of 5s in the £.

If the veteran Golden Glow scores a victory at the approaching Gisborne meeting he will, apparently, have to work hard for it, for the handicapper has awarded him pride of place in the leading event with list 131b, 61b in advance of Glenmore.

The New Zealand trainer, G. Price, who has been buying in England for the Wellington horseowner, "Mr. Highden," left London on his return trip to New. Zealand at the commencement of this month. Ee is reported to have four horses with him.

It is stated in a Berlin paper that, owing to lack of sufficient substitutes, rac- , ~ ing cannot take place in Germany Without . : the assistance of foreigners, and that in) ~v; '.consequence.' 11 English trainers were re- ■':■ l * cently . released from , : the concentration ' f ; camp at Ruhleben. Several others are still • interned, tmong *. these being Richard •';;;. Waugh (formerly the Graditz trainer,'and ' / later manager of Count A. Henckleschen's racing \ stable), and. his cousin, B. A.i Wanghj who -managed an. extensive racing r stable in'Hoppegarten. '■'''?■./: s . .-."'.

I .George' Jones, who acta'' as : private trainer to the Poverty ; Bay sportsman, Messrs. A. B. and K., S. Williams, -has about a dozen horses under his care at present. ..The- atar members of' the team, aro Chortle and Multiply, belli by Multifid, who figures as the sire «if 10 horses in the stable.' " ' v

It is understood that L. ■ Wilson lias made arrangements to ride again next season for Mr. E. J. Watt. Another prominent owner was anxious to retain lis services, but Wilson was disinclined to sever his association with the Hawke's Bay sportsman.

j The Duke of Portland, who has expressed himself strongly against racing during war time, sold somo of his racehorses in training at Newmarket in April, and received. 1650 guineas for Orangeman, a four-vear-old, bv Willi) m the Third from Fair Nell.

/ As showing the difficulty of getting horses from England at the "present time, a London paper of April 28 mentioned that one had been at Liverpool for a month awaiting shipment to Australia, and added that it would Iw lucky if it got away the following week.

It is announced by a Paris paper that the withdrawal of Lutleur 111. from the last Liverpool Grand National was not entirely due to lameness, but to the conviction of his owner, Mr. J. Hennessey, that racing might prove prejudicial to recruiting, and that the fact of showing his colours in public in England might induce his compatriots to follow his example.

At a sale of blood stock at Newmarket, England, in April, a two-year-old colt by Spearmint from Skyscraper was knocked down to the ex-Australian E. 0. de Alestre at 2100 guineas.

NAPIER NOTES. [FROM OUR OWN' CORRESPONDENT.] Soporific has not defeated anything really classical in hi« victories ever country, but at Hastings he 3eft the impression that up to two miles and a-half at reasonable weights ho may be capable of keeping the best in the hind busy. He was a little unfortunate in being crowded off the track at the second fence of the double in front of the stand at Hastings last Saturday, for of lato he. has proved a bold fencer, with no sign of being a shirker.

As a result of his display in the Juno Steeplechase at Hastings on Saturday there is no doubt that Morning will be one of the early selections for the Grand National Siwplechase, and with El Gailo promises to be disputing favouritism as soon as business opens. With Morecambe under a cloud and an unlikely nominee, it is certain that nothing has been seen out this winter within range of either Morning or El Gallo, who are a long way ahead of anything yet produced over country, even including Soporific and Daylight Bill. Morning not only has pace, but is built on' weight-carrying lines, and is * capable fencer. This son of Sylvia Evening, who won the Grand. National Hurdle Race from Marton in 1913, was nowhere near his best when he completed the stiff Hastings country without the semblance of a mistake last Saturday, and much improvement can ba worked in his condition by the second week in August.

Horses of the stamp of Cloudy Dawn and Dogger Bank missed a rare opportunity 01 picking up stake money at Hastings, where both the Hack Steeplechase events were - easy to capture. Fond Memory, who won on the opening day, was :really a. bit lame before contesting the event, while Merry Lad only defeated Golden Water on Saturday because the latter had no condition to sea out the journey at his best pace.

Toki was a costly order to 1 his admirers at Hastings last Saturday. He looked tho picture oi condition as he'paraded beforethe event, and although he drew an outside position at the starting barrier, Deeley got him into a good position early, but when expected to cut down the leaders Deeley's efforts were of no avail. He may have been feeling the effects of his exertions on the previous day, but still some credit.must be given to the winner, Alan[doline, for registering lm 23s for the six furlongs and a-half, when it is remembered that it .took Ardent lm 26s for the same distance the previous day when the son of Royal Fusilier—Sanguine defeated an open class. ,'' > ■. »

Cornelian may be expected to shape well over Napier country, for ho has been schooled to effect in private. Nevertheless, his owner-trainer informs mo that he lias' ho intention of pitting him against Morning and J Co. in the Grand National, but may enter the chestnut son of Coronet for some of the minor steeplechase events at Riccarton.

On the first day at Hastings no less than half a dozen* received injuries from falls, which kept them from following their calling on the second day of the meeting. Sid. Reid, ■L. Traill, and J. O'Connell were not badly hurt, and may be able to take to the saddle again this week, but H. McSweeney, B. Thompson, and A. Ridge way have each got an arm in sling, indicating that -they are compulsoriiy on the retired list for the time being.

The steeplechase country at Napier Park is much easier to negotiate than at Hastings, and last week's racing is not likely to throw a great deal of light on Napier results, as several fresh competitors are likely to be seen out at the Park next Friday and Saturday.

,The model of the improved patent starting barrier of an Auckland sportsman was well received by visitors to the Hawke's Bay meeting, and it is quite probable it will be freely used in this district. The main improvement on the barrier now in existence on most courses is the attachment of a hinged short-arm, which makes it impossible for horses to be caught in the tapes when the barrier is released. .

There is not much of Plunder, but what there is, is good, for with lOst 131b on her back in her only start at Hastings the daughter of Achilles—Spoil fought out every inch of the circuit when defeated only by the English-bred Heather Mixture, who was in' receipt of 271b from the New Zealander.

Miacara, by Boniform— had not had a race for a long time prior to Hastings on Saturday last, and it may be reasonable to expect her to race more prominently than third at Napier Park. She looked just a little above herself last week.

The Hereford boom burst badly at Hastings, where the son of Fontenoy failed to return a dividend in either of his starts when carrying the confidence of his party. It may not do to decry him entirely, for he has lightened up a lot of late, and with, a much-needed spell may return to form.

Aratiatia's winning performance of Saturday last was in distinct contrast to his poor showing of the previous day. He was always amongst the leaders when he won, while he simply could not foot it with the place-fillers in the Hawke's Bay Hurdles field.

Aruake showed some pace out in front of the Hawke's Bay Hurdles field for a term, but when it is remembered that it took the winner 3m 59s to complete the two miles too much notice cannot be.taken of that fact.

Sam Pan was badly in need of his race in the open hurdles at Hastings last Saturday, and the nice should work great improvement in the son of San Fran.

Admiral Beatty was only poorly supported for his only start at Hastings, and was probably in Want of the race. .This 60n of Gold Reef has a big reputation.

!•' The Diver was very sore after his Hastings engagements, which may mean .his absence from the turf for a few" weeks.

Naupata may, turn out »-bold; fencer later on, but had no distinct liking for the big obstacles -at Hastings. •'.:. p\ •.'; '■■;

INTER-PROVINCIAL GOSSIP.

[B? TELEGRAPH.—OW.V COIUIESPONMNTS.] , CANTERBURY. \ Tuesday. White Cockade acted a«> schoolmaster to Ladrono in a turn over the hurdles last Tuesday,', and jumped in his customary finished style. Ladrone, on the other hand, gave an indifferent display, and it looks as if he was growing sick of jumping. Ho has certainly had more schooling than is usually given to green horses all at once, and it is significant that he does not improve, but rather the reverse.

On Thursday White Cockade and Pliamos were schooled over fences. Phamos ran off at the first of the double, while his companion, who is a novice at the game, took the hurdle instead of the double, and then refused at the sod wall. In the meantime Phamos got over the double at the second attempt, and on rejoining White Cockade, the pair negotiated the- sod wall, post and rails, and brush without further mishap. Though not particularly striking, the display ' was satisfactory Phamos is being prepared for hunters''events and he should hi useful in that i class, while White Cockade may pick up a decent race boforo Jong if he romains sound. Daylight Bill has been enjoying a rest for a few days, having met with slight injuries wliilo schooling recently. He is not quite' sound yet, but it is hoped that ho will soon be well enough to resume work. The spell should not do him any harm however, or prejudice his prospects at the Grand National mooting, as he is well off in the matter of condition. Provided he goes on alright in the meantime, he will take part in the Wellington Steeplechase next month.

The outside of the course proper was again open for tho yearlings on Thursday afternoon, and most of the trainers took advantage of the privilege to give the juveniles a spin on the grass. It is much too early yet to be making definite selections, but the general impression is that several of tho local youngsters are likely to bo smart. In the meantime, however, I have seen decided symptoms of lameness in three of them during the past week. There may be nothing seriously wrong with any of the trio, but it is not encouraging to find them" going lame so early before they have had any severe tasks in fact. F. Gray, an apprentice in R. J. .Mason's stables, had a painful experience last Tuesday morning. He was riding the yearling filly by Tetrazzini on the sand track when two other horses passed, one going on each side. This startled the filly, who swerved suddenly and threw the lad, who struck, his head on a post. He was dazed for a time and badly bruised, but was able to walk away soon afterwards, Tho incident serves to direct attention to the fact that though there may bo recognised track rules they aro not posted up anywhere, and it is therefore difficult to secure a uniform observance of them.

Mi«. H. G. Taylor left last week for Sydney, where he will remain for the winter. He has made arrangements for Bee and Multum in Parvo to follow him in ft few weeks, and they will be raced in New South Wales for some time.

V C. Emerson intends to have a rest from race riding for a month or two, and he left last week for Sydney. The trip will be entirely of a holiday nature, as I understand he has no intention of doing any riding until he returns. From what I can learn he will not renew his engagement with Mr, G. D. Greenwood for next season, • preferring to act as a free-lance.

Corrie met with some injuries when she fell at EHerslie, and though she has been home for more than a week, she has done no work. Her owner, Mr. Hobbs, is not certain as to the extent of the trouble, but it may be bad luck for her owner should Corrie be seriously amiss. Sho is a goo'd mare over hurdles, and being a gTeat stayer she looked like playing a prominent part in the Grand National Hurdle Race.

'' In' conversation this morning R' J. Mason' informed me' that he would not make a trip to Sydney with any horses this year. If the winter continues mild he will remain at home, but will get away to the North a months or more before the Wanganui spring meeting.

No horse at Riccarton is doing .better than Slogan. He was considered unlucky in not winning a race at the Dunedin winter meeting. Since then he has' improved and will be hard to beat the next time he races.

Nominations for the Canterbury Jockey Club classic races closed last night, the total for seven events was 619, compared with 811 last year. The decrease is accounted for to a large extent by the fact that prior to this season the nominations were taken in the spring before owner* had an opportunity of trying the youngsters.

W. Edwards informed me a few days ago that he lias no ' intention of nominating the Australian pacer Denver Huori for the New Zealand Trotting Cup. The absence of the. two . milo recordholder will leave a gap in the field, but as it is proposed to do a stud season with Denver Huon, the decision not to nominate him for the Trotting Cup ia to be commended. Edwards will still be able to claim a strong representative in the race, as his stable shelters Adelaide Direct, Dillon Bell, Red Mac, Red Child, and Wallace Wood, all of whom art' qualified for nomination.

It was stated some time ago that arrangements had been made for Mr. Edwards to train the Auckland mare St. Ursula for the New Zealand Trotting Cup. Negotiations have since been broken off, and I understand there is a prospect of the maU»r being ventilated in the law courts.

The North Island trotter Hova, who has been trained here for some time, will bo sent North for the Waikato Trotting Club meeting, at which J. Brice will also be present with several horses.

WANGANUI. Tuesday. It is considered more than likely that Bcrcola will not race again. The gelding went very sore after racing at EUerslie, the trouble being in the suspensory ligament.

After competing at the Hawko's Bay and Napier Park meeting J. Fryer will take Cornelian on to Gisborne, where the gelding has been entered for the crosscountry events. That good sprinter, Tree Lucerne, is in commission again, after a spell in the paddock at Hawera.

Maniaroa has gone into the Foxton stable presided over by A. Wright, to lie schooled over tho small sticks.

The Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Club will not hold a race meeting this year, but next season, when they will be entitled to ii tote permit, no doubt the club will put on an attractivo programme. W. Rayner took Aruake over to Napier for the Hawke's Bay Hurdles, but the gelding could only manage to run into third place. The race should do him good, and he may win a race before he returns home.

Ardent's win at Hastings on Friday came as no surprise, as the son of Royal Artillery had been galloping well before leaving Fordell. Now that he has struck winning form again lie should not be long in placing other races to his credit, as ho is very fast when at his best and the tracks are to his liking.

The Diver ran two seconds at tho re-

cent Wanganni meeting, and had to bo content with the same position in the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase. The grey gelding is a very sure 'jumper, and has plenty of pace. When ho has had a little more experience over big fences he ought to win a race for his owner, Mr, W. Phillips, of Bulls, who is one of the most popular of sports. • Miacara was taken to Hastings with Ardent and Kew. The former did not have an engagement the first day, but ran third in the Raukawa Hack on Saturday. The racing should > do her good for the Napier- Park meting next week. ' i ;, ;Mr.H. M - Speed, owner ofjfow, Interlude, and other horses, is tf£ „| j™.

tham training camp, having enlisted with Mr, C. J. Paterson, another steward of the Wangar.ui 'Jockey Club. • WELLINGTON. Tuesday. Aratiatia and Doon we?e the only Well-ington-owned horses to troublo the judge at Hastings. Tho mare has improved a lot lately, and her trainer was. very confident she would win. In.a way she was lucky, as her pilot had/broken his collarbone in a previous race, and he only just got the mare home by a head. Aratiatia won tho Turamoe Hurdle Race on the second day, and his stable companion, Scrutineer, acted as runner-up to Hurakia in the Hack Hurdles. Scrutineer is by Mahaki, a breed that J. H. Prosser is very fond of. The gelding named looks like having a useful cai eer on the racecourse.

Two of tho mares recently imported to this country by a local resident have been purchased by Messrs. lliddiford, and they will form the nucleus of the stud which the gentlemen named intended starting later on.

Horses working well at Trentham includo the two-year-old Seadown (Downshire—Sequin). This well-grown youngster will probably be given a run in the Trial Plate next month. This raco generally goes to a representative from the Karamu stable, but rumour says there is a change in store, and this year a very hot favourite from a Wairarapa stable will take part. The locally-owned Kilrain has probably seen the end of the racecourse. One -of his joints has again been giving Trainer J. Lowe trouble, and it was decided not to nominate him at the Trentham meeting in July. His breeder, Air. B. Christie, of Oamaru, has been negotiating for his purchase as a sire, ana it is quite probable ■ that an exchange may be arranged, Mr. Riddiford taking a youngster in payment for the Kilcheran horse.

Altcar was lame after racing at Otaki, and at present he is running out at Trentham. One of his joints is to be blistered. His 'trainer, H. A. Telford, has nothing in work just now, and he intends taking a holiday. Mr. G. L. Stead's English horse Nassau arrived here by tl» Remuera. The Christcnurch trotting trainer, M. Edwards, passed through Wellington this week on his way to the* Waikato meeting. He had with-him Red Mac.. Hova, and The Whip.