SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18170, 16 August 1922, Page 5

SPORTING.

| RACING FIXTURES. ! August 23—Dannevirke Bunt Club. i August 21V—Egmont-Wansanui Hunt Club. September 2—North Taranaki Hunt Club. September 9—Marton Jockey Club. September 14. 16—Wanganui Jockey Club, September 20—Manawatu Hunt Club. September 22. 23—Ashburton County Racing Club. September 23. 25—Avondale Jockey Club. September 23. 25— Otaki Maori Racing Club. September 28. 29—Geraldine Racing Club. September 30—Napier Park Racing Club. October 4—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. October 6. 7—North Ot«vgb Jockey Club. October 7—Pakuranga Hunt Club. October 13. 14—Whangarei Jockey Club. October 12. It—Dunedin Jockey Club. October 13. 14—Masterton Racing Club. October 21. 23—Wellington Racing Club. October 21. 25—Auckland Trotting Club. October 21. 23— Gore Racine Club. October 23—Waipawa County Racing Club. October 23—Waverley-Waitotara Racing Club October 23—Waikato Hunt ClubOctober 26. 28—Poverty Bay Turf Club. October 27—Poverty Bay Hunt Club. October 28-Taratahi-Carterton Racing 'Club. JNoveraber 4. 6—Auckland Racine Club. November 10. 11—Hamilton Racing Club. November 18. 22—Otahuhu Trotting Club. December 26. 28. January 1. 2—Auckland Racing Club. December 27. 29. 30—Auckland Trotting Club. DATES OF COMING EVENTS, September 23-Avondale Cup. September 25— Avondale Guineas. .September 30—Australian J.C. Derby. October 21—Caulfield Cup. November 4—New Zealand Cup. November 4—Great Northern Guineas. November 4—MJtchelson Cup. November 4—V.R.C. Derby. November 6—Jung Edward Memorial Handicap. November 7—Melbourne Cup. December 2&-Auckland Cup. January 1— G-reat Northern Derby. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. G.G.H.. Matamata.—l. Soult was imported to Now Zealand in 1896. and he died in 1911. It is computed that descendants of Soult have won stake-money to the amount of about £200,000. W.W.W.—The last steeplechase was run at Takapuna in the winter of 1908. Sol won the race in auostion. It was in tho precedin b ' year that Haydn scored in the cross-country event run at the Devonport ground. F.H.8., Kaikohe.—Adjutant was got by Martian (son of Martagon and grandson of Bend Or) from Discipline, by Treadmill (son of Bill of Portland and grandson of St. Simon). Adjutant won races respectively at two, three, and four years old. His best form was registered at the latter age, when he won the Canterbury Jockey Club Handicap, Wellington Racing Club Handicap, Midsummer Handicap, and A.J.C. Handicap. NOTES BY PHAETON, AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. Tho annual meeting of members of the Auckland Racing Club, held on Monday afternoon, attracted a large attendance, and with the president, Sir Edwin Mitchelson, in the chair many interesting points in tfcgard to the turf, and especially Auckland Racing Club's affairs, received pointed attention. The heavy taxation imposed on racing clubs and on those who support racing formed the subject of pointed comment, and it was pleasing to note that in discussing the question the danger of the small clubs being crushed waa not overlooked. The strong part played by the A.R.C. in the elevation of racing, and the fine position to which it ha 9 attained, was warmly acclaimed, and in acknowledging his re-election as president Sir Edwin Mitchelson expressed the pleasure that it gave him to play a part in maintaining tho A.R.C. in the proud position whica,that body now occupies.

OAKLEIGH'S' BREEDING. The statemenflhat Oakleigh. winner of the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase, was out of a trotting mare, appeared to be baaed on reliable data. A letter which I received yesterday from Mr. H. Hentoa, of Paeroa, however, makes it pretty clear that there has been a misstatement. Mr. Henton's letter to me reads as follows: —" Tho mother of Oakleish. a mare called Jean, was sired by Conqueror. Jean is stiU in the possession of Mr. G. Hunt, ol i. ; aeroa, who bred Oakleigh. also a horse called Roller, which ho Taced at Paeroa and afterwards sold to Mr. E. Fathers for £25. I may say the horse called Grand Canyon was not toaled by Jean, tho mothor of Oakleigh. My brother came into possession of Oakleigh in exchange for another horse, and after breaking him m he was such a nuisance in jumping fences and getting into trouble by running after cattle that he decided to get rid of him. He was put up at Hamilton by auction, no reserve, and fetched £0." If, as Mr. Henton states, Oakleigh's dam, Jean, was got by Conqueror, it is another illustration of happy results | following the alliance of the St. Simon and Musket families. Conqueror was got by Medallion (eon of Nordenfeldt). and it may I bo further remarked Traducar comes into the pedigree. Siesta (dam of Conqueror) being got by The Libel's son. VICTORIA AND THE TOTE. A Bill to legalise the use of the totalisator in tho Stato of Victoria waft tabled in the Victorian Parliament recently, and tho prospects of tho measure surviving attacks and ol becoming law this year arc held to have strengthened, considerably. The committee of the Victoria Racing Club have declared themselves in full accord with those advocating th» machine, but they have made it quite clear that they consider the bookmakers should bo allowed also to do business. LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK. The motion which camo before the members of the Auckland Raping Club for tho alteration of rule 30, by deleting the words. " Trotting Club " from the sixth line, and ' for which Mr. T. Rowe. president of the Auckland Trotting. Club, stood sponsor, and Mr It. W. Duder was seconder, was defeated by'a considerable majority. The rule in which amendment was sought reads as follows:—" If any person holding omce *n the club as president, vice-president, trustee, or member of committee, or as a. steward of tho club, shall accept or permit himself to bo elected or appointed to any , such office in any other Racing Club or Trotting Club, he shall ipso, facto cease to hold offico in the club, and tho office in the rlub held by him shall thereupon become vacant." In the course of a spirited speech. Mr. Rowe complained that his motion hail not been treated fairly by the A.R.C- committee, which had sent out a circular stating that they were against the alteration. Mr. Rowe stated that in proposing the altera-tion he was simply actuated by a .desire to have the best possible relations. LveiyoEa "cognised the fine position to which, the A.K.C. had attained, and the good feeling «»sting between the two. branches of. sport, but he considered the, tuxw had arrived when the alteration of the rule at which his motion a mod should be made. Mr. H. R. £«*«»»• chairman of the Otahuhu Trotting. Club, who followed Mr. Rowe, spoke in a similar strain, indthe latter remarked that the most costly thoroughbred sire brought to Auckland was imported by men identified with trotting: and that they were playing a strong part in that direction-" Mr C E. Major invariably takes the floor at the annual meeting of members of the Auckland Racing Club, and ho always succeeds in keeping the attention of those present for he doesn't hesitate to touch on matters in an all-round manner. Mr. Major s remarks, though direct, are never, however, cast in the acrid form, and when hoi directs a. finger on any alleged breach of sport ho does so with a force which makes him welcome as a, speaker. At Monday s meeting of the A.R.C., Mr. Major handled the various points on which ho touched in his best form, and lie had the ear of tho members throughout. That ' C.E.M. ' in a very keen observer ho furnishes plenty of proof, and he can in all respects be termed a strong member of the leading club. One of the thorny subjects which Mr. Major referred to was.tho retirement of a candidate nominated this year for a seat on the A.R.C. committee, and whose retirement prevented a contest, Mr. Major said that an impression prevailed that the committee had exercised pressure,'and, if that were eo, he maintained that it wss a tactical blunder. The president, Sir Edwin Mitcbelson, in replying, did not seek to avoid a clear statement on the point at issue. Be stated that the circumstances were exceptional. It waa made quite clear that a concorted movement was in progress against one of tho candidates for election, «vho happened to be one ot the five members of the Racing Commission apnointed by Parliament, and the committee did not consider this fair, and acted accordingly. Ngata is stated to have displayed marked evidence of distress after his effort in the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race, in which he finished third to Gladful s=" Ore Ore. and his rider. McDonald,, deemed, it advisable to dismount before coming back to the enclosure. There is an impression, that too much use was made of NBata. ami that under different -conditions ho might bave been, expected to see out the long journey more attractively than was the case. The Auckland horeo Loyal Irish was awardedMS in the Xhiada. Handicap, which event h« won at Rosebill (N.S.W.). on SaturHdaar i**4. ■'•• ' ;

The concluding day of the Grand National Meeting at Riccarton on Saturday last saw *°e Auckland-owned gelding Oakleigh, make a bold bid for victory in tho decision of the 'Lincoln Steeplechaap. in which he was i e £ u P°n to carry the steadier of 12.2, and by all accounts he had bad luck not to seenre a verdict in his favour. The account of tho race shows that Oakleigh came home with a fine run from tho concluding obstacle, and that he appeared to head Qmahu. but the judge's decision was in favour of the latter by half-a-head. There can be no quest'°n »s to Oakleigh having developed highJ}«" form in his ninth year, and his trainer. *->■ Coleman, is entitled to » warm compliment on the result of his patient work with tho St. Amans geldins.

The Auckland-owned horse Loyal Irish made a satisfactory debut at four years old ft Rosehill on Saturday last when he led the field home in the Dundas Handicap. It was only a 0 furlongs event in which the good-looking chestnut triumphed, and the winner a portion of th& stake was probably not shove £100. All the same, it is highly pioasmg to find Loyal Irish in good form, and as a result his spring prospects will bo further brightened. Mr. J. Williamson, owner of Loyal Irish, journeyed to Sydney about a fortnight back, and the Aucklander was no doubt on hand at Rosehill when Irish carried the purple jacket to victory in Saturday's race. Loyal Irish is trained by the New Zealanderj George Price, who recently went to Australia with a view to following his profession there.

Advic<:3 to hand from Wellington stato that Mr. Eric Riddiford has decided to retire Coalition, and that tho turf career of tho Patronus gelding-came to an end after contesting the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton on the Bth inst. Possibly Coalition was a lucky horse, but all the same his record is decidedly attractive, for he proved himself a true stayer, and one that was up to carrying heavy weights. From' hunter to Grand ■ National winner is the interesting record bound up in the career of Coalition, and it is a matter for jubilation that he won his honours when, racinsr in the colours of such good Bportemcn as tho Messrs. Riddiford. Explorer was a contestant on each day of tho C.J.C. Grand National Meeting, but he was counted out of place-getters in each of the races ho contested at Riccarton. The Kenilworth gelding has been hard worked, and had ho been treated to a rest after tho autumn such would, I think, have proved a wise proceeding. As matters now stand Explorer :may never again be in a position to reproduce that fine dash of brilliancy .that enabled him to play such a highly-at-tractive part at Ellerslie last summer when he won tho three hurdle races he contested; winding up with a time record performance for 2 inil'jß under the steadier of 12.2

.Poanui, it must bo said,_ has lost caste since he achieved his dual triumph at Ellerslie iu June- Possibly the Potoa gelding was not quite the same horse in July and Auguat that he was in May and June,, but there is some reason to accept the view that his party entertained no doubtii that he was capable of reproducing his best form, both at Trentham and Riccarton. Poanui may be all the better for a rest at this stage, and Mr. W. Casey may still be in the happy position of claiming the leading hurdler m Auckland when the spring meeting at Ellerslie conies round. '

Yearlings from the National Stud are among the best sellers in England. The last mail brought particulars of the July sale 3 at Newmarket, and they show that the youngsters from the National Stud brought the highest prices. The brother to Eaglehawk. (by Spearmint—Countess Zia), vrho recently won the Liverpool Cup, was sold for 2400 guineas, the buyer being Sir Hugo Cunliffe Owen, who also paid 4000 guineas for the celt by Sir Archibald from Coronation IV. The breeding of the Coronation IV. colt is interesting He is by Sir Archibald (son of Desmond) from Coronation IV.. by Isinglass (son of Isonomy; from Sceptre, by Persimmon (son of St. Simon) from Ornament, by Bend Or from Lily Agnes, by Macaroni. Coronation IV. was taken to Italy, and when she was returned to England by Count Tesio she was purchased on behalf of the National Stud, with satisfactory results to all concerned. Auckland claims a descendant of Sir Archibald in Archiestown, who is at tho stud in the Waikato. In discussing the English Derby, the London Sporting Life says a race against time was made by. some well-known sportsmen in order to witness the contest for thjs year's time-honoured race at Epsom Downs. They left Paris by aeroplane at 12.15 p.m. on the dwr of its decision. When over the Channel they telephoned to the. Handley Fa;e office and asked for a special car to take them from the aerodrome to Epsom. Tho machine, which carried 11 passengers, landed at 2.45. A motor-car was waiting on the arrival portion of the aerodrome*, and. by special permission of the customs authorities, who facilitated the enortsmen's departure in every way, they wer* on the way to Epeoin within one and a-half minutes after they landed. They arrived in time to see the race, which was timed to start at 3 p.m.

A paragraph that appeared purporting to set forth a statement of the incidents which led to the Victorian rider IS. J. Moonev declining to ride Fiscom after that horse had won the V.R-C Grand National Hurdie Race in hiß hands, it turns out. was unfair to the jockey. The statement oublished made it appear that the owner of Fiscom, Mr. C. L. Moorhouso, presented Mooney with ft cheque for £300 for winninsr the Grand National, but Mooney, states that such covered two wins recorded at Adelaide and Mooney Valley respectively on the horso na,med. Mooney contends that his request wus for £500 for the three wins, and not simply for the win in the Grand National. For some time past the mares have been right out of it in important jumping events. One of tho weaker sex. however, was seen to advantage at Caulfield on Saturday last, when Bright Maid disposed of tho opposition in the Australian Steeplechase.

An interesting incident in conection . with the Lincoln Steeplechase, decided at Riccarton on Saturday last, is that tho battle for tho leading position was fought out by two grandsons of Soult. Maniapoto was responsible for Omahu, and St. Amaus for Oakleigh.

According to tho Sydney Referee, tho three-year-olds The Dunce (Absurd—Graduate) and Uncle Alex (Bezonian —Bonny Helen), have been bought in New Zealand on behalf of Mr. T. C. Trautwein, and are due to arrive in Sydney shortly.

The Hardwicke Stakes (one mile and ahalf) is one of the star events at the Royal Ascot Meeting, and this year's Tacc fell to a grandson of Carbine in the shape of Welsh Spear (a son of Spearmint), who won easily.

"Waikaretu is stated to have displayed symptoms of unsoundness after contesting the Grand Nationnl Steeplechase at Riccarton last week, and bo wan allowed to drop out of his subsequent engagements. Advices to hand from Hastings stato that The Hawk is again in Bteady work, and that he looks like training on satisfactorily. The annual meeting of tho Takapuna Jockey Club will he held at tho club's office, 3hortland Stfeet, on Wednesday next.

AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB. The programme issued by the Avondale Jockey Club in connection with the approachin? spring meeting at. the western suburb, is cast-on such high lines as to bo sure of pointed attent ; on from owners. The first batch of handicap events which Trill require attention from horeeowners on Friday next includes the Avondaio Cud of £2000: Flying Slakes of £"700; and the Plumpton Handicap of £1000. STUD NOTES. BT PHAETON. Horse 3 tracing to St.. Simon were strikingly in evidence in the decision of the Australian Steeplechase on Saturday last. Bright Maid, who led tho field home, was got by Bright Steel (a son of St. Simon); tho runner-up. Haoma, is by Persian Knight (son of Persimmon, and grandson of St. Simon); while Mountain God, who finished third, is out of Demoiselle, a daughter of San Francisco (son of St. Simon). The annual general meeting of tho Auckland Country Racing Clubs' Breeders' Association was held at Hamilton last week. The chairman (Mr. G. W. Vercoe). in proposing the adoption of the balance-sheet, congratulated the members on the association having had- another successful year. The profit and loss account for tho year showed that after writing down the horses by £205 and transferring £50 to the reservo for bad debts, there was a surplus of £257. Forty-two mares came forward for Day Comet and forty-seven for Archiestown.

INTERPROVINCIAL GOSSIP.

iBT TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday. A big crowd of Wellington sportsmen went South for the Grand National Meeting, but it was noticeable that the number who stayed throughout tho carnival was not as great as "formerly. One pretty keen enthusiast put it that times are a lot harder than they used to be. Taking it all through the Grand National Meeting at Riccarton has been unprofitable for tho average Wellington investor. Coalition, Dainty Step, and Royal Exchange, who hailed from this quarter, all failed, and I with the lowering of their colours a lot of Wellington money was lost. The only one of tho trio on whom bettors seorn likely to got oven in the near future is Royal Exchange, who should win a hurdle race over a short course if the, handicapper takes a little weight off her back. XTo ,; n „ al tion for the "fW* V* k was excellent, the season. Hi'track *wk found but the b-g race a* rw heig tfaftt ] wanting, «wav not to race I nis owue. ."""":-icsi Mr. Riddiford once him ■*""•_» „!ind there retires to < %° C ° ilekof the notable chasers of recent | the paddock ot ™e m>.j» . fa t a safe umpe?. and one of the most honest horses that was ever saddled liP Royal Exchange ran Well up to a certainpoint at Riccarton. but she is not a ! S«r and with a B°od weight np she I ffi W iad& ot* the final few furlongs.

Dainty Stop's 'Riocaxton showing was not her true fosro. It is doubtful whether she will bo given * spell or kept coins in view of the Otaki meeting early next month. Princess Pst hasf been put into work by C. Pritchard. The Ail Black maro looks well but needs a litlte building up. She is to be, go'i ready tj? race at the Mastcrton meeting in' October. The smart Trcntham hack,. Ania. is to be sent to the stud- sbo. having failed to recover satisfactorily from injuries received while racing at Foxton last summer.

CANTERBURY. k Tuesday. Several jockeys met with injuries at the Grand National Meeting, held at Riccarton this week, which sent them into retirement. A. Wormald went out on the first day, being rather badly knocked about when Kolm fell while contesting in the Grand National Steeplechase; and W. Young had his back hurt when ho came down with Master Strowan at the same fence. On Thursday T. L. Reid broke a collarbone when Romance fell in the Beaufort Stoeplcohase contest; and G. F. Fielding suffered a similar injury when Thracr. came to grief in tho Grand National Hurdle Race. Zeus, who won the Beaufort Steeplechase, is at present an inmate of tho Gilletts' Riccarton stable, whore ho was finished on for this week's engagements, but ho did most of his preparation on tho Hawke's Bay station of-Jhis owner. Mr. T. E. Whelch. who superintended all the work of tho Martian gelding. Mr. Whelch is, an adept in ltandhng jumpers, of whom he has had quite a number under his care, among his other recent winnjrs being Red Cent, who captured the Hawko's Bay Steeplechase about two months ago. Macduff was unable to fulfil his engagements in the Winter Cup owing to an injury to a fetlock, but it is hoped that tho trouble will not prove serious. The judicial stewards of the Canterbury Jockey Club held an inquiry on Thursday into the riding in the Enfield Steeplechase, and decided to caution A. S. Ellets, the rider of Staff Officer, to bo more careful in the use of his whip when riding a horse who was inclined to run down. The time registered by Oakleigh in winning the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase was a record for the race. He covered tho distance in 6m 55 1 -ss, the previous best being 7m 10s, to the credit of Lochella three years ago. Bon Spec, in winnioc tho Wintar Cup in lm 41s, also set fresh figures for that race, the previous record being Bunksias', lm 41 4-6b in 1915. Omahu gave a good display of jumping when he won the Lincoln Steeplechase today, and if kept at it he will do a lot of winning oiar country. Oakleigh came through the week as the star performer among tho chasers. He was set a great task in tho Lincoln Steeplechase to-day. as he was giving away what looked an impossible start o/er. the last mile. It was a fine effort to finish where he did. Waimai did not jump so well as usual. Quite apart from the fact that he fell twice he shaped badly at a number of other obstacles. With a stand up he might have won the Beaufort or the Lincoln Steeplechases, as he was in front in each race when he fell. Golden Bubble showed pace in his races this week, but ho failed to run on. Economist is a very speedy galloper; but I do not think, judging from his recent efforts, that he will do much good _ when ho meets o_L>po&»nts who can keep him on tho stretch. WANGANUL Tuesday. Indications point to the steeplechase metling of the Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Club proving successlul lrom a racing poiat 01 view. It is expected that the fields will be large in most of the events, particularly the hack flat handicaps. There are a large number of decent jumpers among the hunters seen out at the various meets this season. and it is to be hoped that the steeplechase events will fill welt Ji. Rayner has Lady Faa and Warrav.ee. in steady work at Wavcrley, and intends taking them to Hawers, for the hunt meeting. They have both been shaping well in their schooling essays over the small sticks. It is probable that H. Johnston will give Empyrean a run at the hunt meeting • t Hawcra. The son of The Welkin is moving nicely, and gives promise of shortly making amends for his previous failures. Malingerer has been in work about a iortmght after a long spell, which appears to have done him good. Very marked improvement has been made during the last couple of weeks by Deluge, the two-year-old son of Absurd—Liquify, and there are not wanting l those who predict that if he goea on all right ho wiU prove one of the best of his age. Orchid has been slipped along a bit lately, and has given evidence that he is as brilliant as ever over a short course. Ho has built up nicely, and looks likely to run out six furlongs at a fast bat when property ready. He will be seeu out at the Marton meeting, all going wellAt the annual meeting of the Opunake Racing Club the president (Mr. A. Good), m referring to the debit balance on the past season of £406 17s 6d, said he considered that this compared more than favourably with the losses ahown by the Egmont Racing Club. Tho three-year-old filly Civility (by Elysiau —Civilisation) has not been in work very long, but is already shaping in .attractive style, and gives promise of developing into a good one. That she will gallop fast whisn ready to rr.ee may be predicted with every confidenoe from the way she is going along now, and she ought to stay well. Though the Wanganui Jockey Club has found it necessary to cut down the staksrnoney for its spring meeting, it may lie taken for granted that the club will receive excellent nominations for the vanouß events, as tho clnb'e gatherings are always very popular with owners. With three such good Taces on the programme as the Debutant© Htakes. the Guineas, and tho New Zealand Eclipse Slakes the best horses of all ages are well catered for, and those events alono serve to make the meeting a very interesting oneIt is said that Tamatets has gone on the right way since last seen out. and he is expected to give further evidence of his gallopingl ability when he races as a four-year-old. It is nrobable he and Thespian will meet u> the New Zealand Eclipee Stakes at the Wanganui Spring Meeting, and great interest will be taken in the result. Thespian looks to be in capital fettle, and should bo at his best bv the time the meeting comes round. Tho two local crackg are likely to keep tne best of tho visitors very busy in thin event, ■which should provide a etirnnu contest. Moulu continues to do good steady work, and should bo in fairly forward condition for th© Marton meeting, at which he may bo given a run in tho hack hurdles. He has shown that he can jump ail right, and with the pace he can muster up should prove useful over the small sticks. A. Jackson gave Rada. Merry Ann. and Lady Nassau a flutter ov-r six furlongs tho other morning, when Merry Ann showed greatly improved form. The latter has been galloping well lately and should bo hard to beat in whatever she starts at tho Marton meeting. Merry Ann is a long-striding mare by Merry Moments out of Sweet.Zinia. but she moves very nicely, and it will com© as no surprise to find her among the winners early in the season. Hindi knocked himself a week or so ago and had to have a few days' spell, which appears to have done him good. He is going along well again, and should bo fairly fit for the Marton meeting. News' was received in town on Thursday of the death of Joe Watson at Greymouth. In his early days Wr.tson was apprenticed to F. Tilley and proved veTy successful as a. rider, winning many good races for the Fordcll stable. Later on he wen* down tho West Coast wl'.ere he did well. On six different occasions he won the Reeftpn Cup. He was well known in this district;- and very popular with all who knew him, and his many friends will hear with sincere reeret of his death. There is every reason to believe that Thespian will give further proof this season of being a great galloper, in fact somegood judges aro of opiuion that tho son of Absurd will bo better as a four-year-old than ho was last season. He certainly gives that impression, and h° promises to make tho best of the opposition gallop verv fast to beat him in the New Zealand Eclipse Stakes, which event is run over a mile and distance. It is probable that Tamstfte will prove' the toughest opponent for Thespian in the event in question.