TURF GOSSIP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1182, 26 October 1894, Page 23

TURF GOSSIP.

By “ Girsv King.” STARTING MACHINES. / , • i It would appear from the frequent comments and the prominence given to the success of tho starting apparatus used at the recent Australian Jockey Club Race Meeting that the machines are gaining the assent, of popular opinion. The machines, of various patents, have hitherto been used on suburban racecourses about Sydney and Melbourne, and although at times the starting has been somewhat erratic, tho majority of those competent to give an opinion oh such matters consider that the days of the “flag” are numbered. I had a chat with Mr Dan O’Brien, after his arrival in New Zealand from last year’s Melbourne Cup, and ho explained to me the working of the macliiues that lie had' seen in use during his visit to Australia, and as far as I was able to understand from tho description ho gave of the apparatus it is simplicity itself. The ono Mr O’Brien saw was made of light pieces of bamboo, but the “ barrier ” or “ screen ” of Gray’s machine is constructed with a. couple of bands of webbing, each about four inches in width, the top band being- about the height of the horse’s nose, and is dividod from the bottom band by about 18 inches. By touching a lever tho “ barrier ” runs diagonally away, from tho horses to tho top of the posts, which are about 14- to 16 foot high, and are erected one at oacli side of the course.

There has been so much experimenting’ and “fossicking,” trying to find men capable of acting as starters, without much success, that the racing clubs, horse-owners and the public generally are only too eager to welcome any apparatus that will more effectually prevent the scenos that at present take place at the starting-post at many of our race meetings. Not alone do the sporting public suffer pecuniarily from the defective starting, but if some radical change is not soon effected it will be almost impossible to get our racehorses to go near the starting-post. I know there are one or two men in the Colony that have demonstrated that tlroy are capable men as starters, notably Mr Piper, of Christchurch, while of the North Island men that I have seen so far I must say that Mr E. Woods, of Palmerston North, is a worthy successor to the late Mr S. Powell. Of course I admit that he has had more experience with the “flag” during the last two racing seasons than his rivals for the position of starter, but be it said to his credit ho has been steadily improving, until at the Kangitikei Spring Meeting last month he eclipsed all his previous efforts, and the most exacting owner could not cavil at any of the starts he effected. But the starting machine v/ill assist even

such capable men as I have mentioned. With the machine in use, it is almost impossible for a horse to break away, and so disorganise the other competitors, unless thoy smash through the frail ‘-'barrier.” This in itself is a material help, and it gets rid of ono of the chief evils of the present system of starting horses. The starter has only, therefore, to see that the horses are “breasting the barrier,” and, with the assistance of the clerk of the course, or other official, who would bo useful in making the jockeys keep their horsos up to the “barrier,” the possibility of a defective start is minimised. With the machine (which should bo tested before the horses are. brought up to it), there cannot be a false start or a general “hash up,” such as wo had at Wanganui last week in the Second Hack Race ; unless, as I explained before, a horse is wild or mad enough to smash through the “ barrier.” As with every new invention, the present patents will no doubt be greatly improved upon, until we get something very near perfection. The Victorian Racing Club, being- desirous of testing the various machines now in rise, had a trial on the training track at Flemington this week, and, although stable boys were mounted on all sorts and conditions of horses, the trials were very satisfactory. Tho result of the trial was that the committoc of tho V.R.C. decided to uso Messrs Johnstone and Gleeson’s invention during the Cup meeting. At tho Pakuranga (Auckland) Hunt Club Meeting, on Saturday last, “ Gray’s ” machine was used, with, wo are informed by telegraph, “fair results.” The same invention will bo used by the Canterbury Jockey Club at the New Zealand Cup meeting, when racing men 'will bo given an opportunity of judging for thomsolves the merits of the apparatus. Tho Wellington Racing Club is, undoubtedly, ono of the most progressive metropolitan clubs in the Colony, and if tho trial at Christchurch proves satisfactory, I would urge upon this institution the desirability of using the machine at their Spring Meeting, to be hold at the Hutt on November 22nd and 24th.

The Wanganui Jockey Club aro awaiting the result of the V.R.C. trials, and I think we will see the machine in uso at that club’s next race meeting, in March. I am of opinion that the time is not far distant when an electrical appliance will be used, and by simply pressing -a button tho “ barrier ” will be instantly hoisted, noiselessly, and in a perpendicular manner. This, I think, could be done now at Flemington, as all the distance-posts on that race track are connected by electric wires. Tho opinion of the following, Australian papers gives some idoa of the usefulness of the starting machine. The Australian Star writes:—“A feature of the meeting was the introduction of tho starting machine to Randwick racegoers, and it must be acknowledged that Gray’s apparatus answered all requirements. So much so, in fact, that the authorities are creditod with having given the inventor permission to erect additional machines at different starting places, consequently it may bo assumed that the instrument is a permanency. The races operated upon by the invention were tho Derby and Spring Stakes. In both evouts tho fields were despatched without a moment’s delay, and as'one horse.” The Daily Telegraph, in its report of Tattersall’s Meeting, remarks : “The starting machine was used to despatch the Tramway Handicap and Flying Welter fields with,-and in both cases the results were admirable, while in tho others the starts wore only effected after some delay.” Sydney Truth writes : —“ Looking back into the dim past of horse-racing in Australia, and remembering the thousands of times that bad starting has spoiled races, it is no wonder thaf all conditions of sporting men hail with pleasure the advent of the starting machine. Horse and pony-owners, trainers and jockeys are unstinted in their expressions of approval of tho machine.”

THE MARTON RACING CONFERENCE. It will be recollected that at the recent meeting of delegates, hold at Marion, representing the racing clubs in the Wanganui. Metropolitan district, that it was hinted that it would - probably- bo found that ono day more would bo allowed to the Wanganui district, as the Otago delegates to tho Racing Conference hold ill Wellington had said that perhaps Otago would be able to reduce its meetings' by moro than tho number required by the conference. This was cheerful nows to the Ashurst Club, which has spent so much money in improvements ; but it turns out that it is only a question of “ hope deferred,” as “ Mazoppa,” of tho Otago Witness, remarks :

“ On first reading the quoted remark, it seemed to mo highly probable that Mr J. Gr. Wilson (who had convened tho meeting of delegates at Marton) had been misunderstood that ho meant something quite different to what ho was sot down as saying. On enquiring into the matter, however, I learn that this impression was wrong. Strange as it may seem, it is a fact, that while tho conference was on something was said by an Otago delegate to the effect that Otago might bo able to save a day moro than was required when the reductions were made. I understand, however, that this observation, which -was made in the course of an informal conversation, mot -with a prompt challenge from another Otago delegate who was present. It is therefore scarcely correct, if I am rightly informed, to father the proposal on to the Otago delegates. In any case, it came from only, one of tho three, and possibly he was chaffing; and, moreover, the provincial district would not sanction any such arrangement. Of that. I feel sure. There would be a pretty ‘how-d’ye-do ’ if a proposition to surrender oven half a day were seriously made at a time when many of our clubs are wondering whether they can escape extinction.” It may be judged by the forogoing that “MaKeppa” has made it his business to

obtain the views of tlxo Otago delegates on the matter, and if rny surmise is correct, it is quito evident, we may conclude, that a day cannot bo gained from that district. Of course the meeting at Marton was purely a formal affair, called by Mr Wilson for the purpose of allowing the country clubs in the Wanganui district to settle amongst'' themselves which clubs they deemed should bo the victims of the curtailment policy, but the final allotment of racing days remains with the conference to be held at Christchurch during- the first week in November, but I have no doubt the delegates to this conference will be influenced to a certain oxtont in the decision arrived at by the Marton Conference. Pressure, 1 know, is to be brought to bear by the clubs threatened with extinction, and the delegates to the Christchurch Conference will have a thankless and delicate task to perform. The fairest way to sottle the matter without fear or favour is to ascertain the amounts spent in improvements and given away in stakes by the various clubs, and then decide accordingly. Preference, too, should be given to clubs that have recently purchased their racecourse property and have liabilities to moot, so that the members of such clubs are not threatened with “financial embarrassment."

THE NEW ZEALAND CtJP.

The highly satisfactory acceptance of 25 horses received by the Canterbury Jockey Jockey Club on Friday last must have beeu very gratifying alike to the Club aud their painstaking and competent handicapper, Mr J. E. Henry. Last year the acceptance numbered 18, and 12 horses went to the post, the favourite for the race being Response, next in order being Dilemma and Prime Warden, while the winner —Rosefeldt, 7st 71b —was so carefully concealed that Mr Douglas’ mare paid dividends of .£l9 12s 6d inside and JJ23 12s outside; Icli Dicn, 6st 121 b, who finished two lengths behind, defeating Liberator, 7st 101 b, by three-quarters of a length j Prime Warden, Bst 7lb, fourth. Last year’s winner is asked to carry Bst 31b this year, which is an increase of 101 b, and up to last week the betting market indicated that Rosefeldt had little or no chance of repeating her victory, but her running at Wanganui last week, when she ran second in the Flying Handicap, of six furlongs, carrying 9st, and second in the Wanganui Stakes, of one mile and a half, carrying Bst 101 b, proves conclusively that she has not lost her dash of pace nor stamina. Those who closely observed her running in the Wanganui Stakes are content to thinic the mare could have won that event had she tackled the leaders at the bottom of the straight, and I must say that their argument' is good. Last year. Rosefeldt, Bst 121 b, competed in this race, which was won by Rangipulii, Bst 41b, in the slow time of 2min 51 l-ssec, accounted for by the state of the course, which Avas very heavy from the rain which had fallen during the progress of the meeting. This year the distance (one mile and a half) was traversed by Purepo in 2min 42sec, but as I remarked after last year’s Wanganui Stakes, I think Rosefeldt would have been returned the winner had her jockey made his run earlier. It will be inferred from the foregoing that I favour Rosefeldt’s chance this year, taking a line,through her Wanganui running. We have been told that the mare has recently suffered from “ thorough-pin,” which will be very prejudicial to her, but I fear moi-o trouble from her off fore leg than the “thorough-pin,” and if she stands the winding-up gallops I must have her on my side. Saracen is nominally favourite for this year’s Cup at 100 to 16, but, as I have stated before in these columns, nearly all the'money in the market has been laid about Mr Allen’s full brother to Loyalty. People Avonder Avhy Saracen should be favourite, as ho has not established his claim to be termed a stayer; but Avhen the stable prefer to put their dollars on this horse, it may be taken for granted that he has answered a “private question,” in which, no doubt, Prime Warden and Lady Zetland, two good performers, Avore the trial horses. An Revoir, Bst 61b, lias been kept up to the collar in his training at Riccarton, and he has his last year’s Wanganui Cup running to recommend him as a stayer, many still being of opinion that he coil Id have landed the stake for Mr Butler had ho not made all the running for his stable,companion, but my opinion is that if both horses had been playing for keeps, either to win, the result Avouid liavo been the same, because it must bej remembered that Liberator Avas on Au Rovoir’s quarters all the way in the Wanganui Cup, so, that, Au Revoir* did not assist Liberator so very much. llippomones, Bst 41b, and Clanranald, Bst 31b, I do not consider —or, at least, have not been satisfied —are endowed Avith stamina such as is required for a trip like the Cup distance. Skirmisher, Sst 31b, is more to my liking*. Last season he proved himself a colt of exceptional merit, and in annexing the C.J.C. Derby, one mile and a half, with Sst 101 b in 2 in in 42.1 sec (average time for the race), and the Canterbury Cup, tAVO miles and a quarter, Avith 7st 61b (easily defeating Prime Warden and Pegasus) in 4min 4.1 sec, or lialf a second faster time than Avhen Stepniak defeated St. Hippo, is evidence that the son of Vanguard—Ouida is Avorthy of respect. His sire Avon tbo New Zealand Cup in 1884 as a five-year-old, carrying Bst 91b, and although I do not pretend to say Skirmisher is as good a racehorse as his sire, still I think ho is one of the best four-year-olds in the race. It must not bo forgotten, either, that his trainer (J. McG uiness) knows exactly how good a horse must bo to land tliis important race, as he was in Mr Dan O’Brien’s employ as head lad, if 1 remember rightly —Avhen Tasman won, in 1883, and MoG-uiness Avas successful in , training Wolverine Avhen Mr Reid’s horse j Avon, in 1890, and ho trained Dilemma [ wlion he ran second ,to St. Hippo so that . ho is a good mentor to follow. Rangipuhi, ; Bst, is a clinking good horse, when well, up to one mile and a half, but oyer that dis-

tanco he has not had anything very . brilliant written against his name, although ho has scored a Aviu at one mile and threequarters ; but I think, as far as this disi tanco alone is conccx-nod, ho is held safe by Impulse, 7st 91b. I like them clean bred for a strong-run two-mile race, and Rung-i-------puhi docs not trace his ancestral lines back for many generations, although I admit l e is a better shaped ’an and a better performer than hundreds of the aristocratically bred ones. 1 shall trust him to run an honest race, but I am afraid tho length of the journey Avill trouble him. BeadonwelJ, 7st 111 b, and Lottio, 7at 81b, may bo bracketed togothcr, on tho score of not having done any tiling startling at two miles, although Beadonwell is* bred tho right Avay for staying purposes, and lie may fulfil liis OAvner’s prophecy, and bo returned the winner. Vogengang, 7 at 131 b (by Burlington—Psycho, by Aulcros, beldam, Atalanta, by Tow ton, out of Crescent, by Sir Hercules), is another candidate that has not yet demonstrated his ability, to run out a solid two miles, but the above breeding is certainly suggestive of stamina. Vogengang is not generally taken into serious consideration for the race uudeinotice, . but, talcing- a line through his Timaru running- early in the spring, I am going to venture the opinion that ho has as much chance of winning tho Cup as Prime Warden or Saracen. I am not goirg: to say that Vogengang’s performances have been so consistent as Prime Warden’s, but one or tAvo races that lie has placed to his credit incline me to the belief that ho is a better horse than lie is given credit to be; and it must bo recollected that in most of his races he has .had tho services of R. Derrett, and he is not the horseman to alloAv his mount to be galloping away from everything at the finish of a race, and in many instances when Vogengang has won it Avouid indeed be difficult to say how much ho could have won by. At Ashburton, as late as April last, he Avon the Ashburton Autumn Handicap, of one mile and a half, carrying Bst 101 b, and defeating Prime Warden, 9st 61b, winning by three lengths in 2min 42scc; and later on ip tho day he Avon the Flying Handicap, of six furlongs, carrying 9st 121 b and galloping the distance in linin' 18sec;- Then, again, Ave have his Wellington Cup performance in January last, carrying 7st 10lb, apd defeating Clanranald, Sst 71b (second), and Rosefeldt, Sst 81b (third), in 2min 41sec. These facts impress themselves on me, and I must place a mark against Vogengang’s name. .Pegasus, 7st 131 b, is.a strong tip from Auckland, and I must say I.prefer his chance before the other Auckland horses engaged. By Nelson, from-Tenam-bra, who is by The Marquis (imp.), son of Stockwoll —Cinizelli, he should stay for a. Aveek, and I am inclined to think that; staying, more than brilliancy, is his forte. I Avill be much surprised if he does not reverse his defeat by Lottie in the Spring Handicap at Auckland. Impulse looks very taking to tho eye at 7st 91b. His connections have supported the son of St. Leger—Aida (by Loolinus), throughout tho winter, buo, as an Auckland trainer observed to me, “What had they to go onP” The horse has been worked on a private track, and even if he had been tried against tho watch, it would be almost impossible to estimate the value of the gallop, on account of the state of this track. I do not profess to knoAv anything about tho track, but Impulse’s second, Avith 7st 111 b on his back, to St. Katherine in the Wanganui Cup, the distance (one mile and three-quarters) being- run in 3min ssec—and he had bad luck in not putting that; race to his credit—convinc3s me that if Avell on the day he must bo in front of An Revoir, Rangipuhi and Beadonwell, each of Avhom I pick out as being Avell supported, Avhich is a fair sign of the estimation in. which they are held by the sporting public. Impulse has failed, I know, to do the bigthings expected of him on the Australian turf, but he certainly must bo given credit; for his performance as a five-year-old, when he carried Sst 121 b and Avon the* Easter Handicap, of one mile and a half, ah Auckland, defeating- St. Katherine, Sst 61b. the Wanganui Cup winner, and.recorded the fast time of 2min 37sec for ; the distance. He is now two years oldei-, and, assisted by his comparatively light impost of 7st 91b, he should bo ablo to get the extra quarter of a mile further than the Wanganui Cup distance, although I mush say he does not look as avoll as when he stripped for tho Wanganui Cup. Royal Rose, Sst lib, avlxo is fresh from his, RaudAviclc victory and his meritorious performance in tho Waverley Handicap, of one mile and three-quarters, is seized upon as the likely winner. I remarked a'wellknown jockey who saw Royal Rose run for the Waverley Handicap that tho time recorded (3min 7sec) was nothing sensational, "aud ho answered ho thought it would beat most of tho handicap horses in. New Zealand, as tho race Avas not 2 >ar ~ tieularly fast for the first half mile, and all the fast galloping had to bo done in tho last mile. Royal Rose has practically proved his ability as a three-year-old to stay tho two miles, as ho was only beaten a length (with 7st 41b up) by Rosefeldt, Sst 91b, in tho Egmont Handicap, of two miles, last February, the time recorded being 3min 41 3-ssec. I do licfc think Royal Rose Avas as Avell then as his recent performances would suggest, in fact; ho looked tueked-up aud draAvn out, still lie finished gamely, and Avitli 7st Blb in tho saddle the next day in the Atkinson Memorial Stakes, of one mile and a half, ho Avon comfortably from Pinrose, 6st 121 b ; Rosefeldt, Oat 31b, third ; time, 2min 40sec. His breeding, by King Cole, from Rcsa’ind, by Albany, her dam Red Rose, by Traducer, out of Moss Rose, by Camden Young Rosebud, by Sir Hercules, suggests staying XJOAvers, and if bis exertions at Rand wick have not knocked the steam out of him .ho must bo a hard horse to beat. Dilemma, although six years old, Avith only 7st 61b on his back, and old Scot Free, Avith only 7st 41b, and Captive, 7st 41b, are no fancy of mine, Three Star (by Castoiy--Yivau-

diere), 7st 41b, is the mysterious horse of the race. I certainly did not care for his condition when he passed through Y 7 elling- : ton en rot tie for Christchurch, as he looked too light, but he may not be one of the . fleshy sort. All sorts of rumours are afloat respecting this three-year-old colt, the latest being that he will not be a starter. Last week I won my wager with the “office boy” that Pinrose would not Start, and I have now another wager on with him that Three Star will start, unless he is physically unable to do so. Again, his detractors say he cannot stay. How do t ey know ? He has only started once since he scored as a two-year-old, and I think it was staying power that enabled him o beat Nixie at Auckland—not that she is any great wonder. It must not be torgotten that Son-of-a-Gun (by AnterosVivandiere), the half-brother to Three Star, ran second to the doughty Manton, and perhaps R. Ray, sen., could tell us the trouble he-had in getting Son-of-a-Gun to the post for “Manton’s Cup,” as the horse was virtually unsound when he started for the race, yet he managed to secure second place. think Castor is just as likely to produce a stayer as Anteros, and were I sure that Three Star is the selected of G. Wright’s stable, I would stand him in preference to Royal Rose. Magazine, 7st 31b, by St. George, from Martim-Henri s own sister, Engagement, reads like blue blood,” and as he. is receiving liis preparation at the hands of the astute R.J. Mason, the Yaldhurst trainer, it may be taken tor granted that Mr Campbell’s horse has a •. chance. During the week there has been a. disposition to back Magazine at 100 to 10, and as the enquiries were from the proper quarter it looks like business. So far Magazine has not given us any particular performance to warrant the public -T in believing that he is to be the winnei, ' but when the Yaldhurst stable makes anxious enquiries in the betting market one can rest assured they are coming with something pretty good. A reliable judge in. Canterbury writes me that if a Christ-church-owned horse is to land this year s Cup it wiH fall to Magazine, whom he * as having answered a satisfact6ty question. I have no fancy for Mahaki, Piarepo, Casket, Westmere or Aldershot, but-aTbig, strapping five-year-old horse like Leontine (by Leolinus —Woodnymph), with only 6st 121 b to carry, commends himself to. one’s notice, He has only a Brace- • let win to his credit, but he was coming at - the fight end of his races at Napier Park. As far as I can learn, he is a trifle backward in his preparation, otherwise he may have played an important part in this race. Hn-running through the chances of the - 25 horses that have accepted, I have endeavoured to stick to public form; and although Mr Henry has baffled me, as well as .mapy others, I will pick out five to furnish the winner, and will await the receipt . qf this week’s doings on the training track before making a final selection, but in the ine&ntime will write down the five as follow :—-*, - ' Rosefeldt VOGENGANG Skirmisher Royal Rose wjtli Leontine as the outsider.

TOTALISATOR v. BOOKMAKERS. --Visitors from this Colony to Australia n6ver seem to tire of delivering themselves of their opinions about the much-abused totalisator and the ruin it is said to be working amongst horse owners in this ColQny. The latest to enter the breach is Mr George Wright, the trainer of Royal Rose, &c., who has been “preaching a sermon about the totalisator,” as reported by the Sydney correspondent of the Sportsman. Mr Wright’s chief complaint appears to lie in. the' fact- that the totalisator makes a man’s horse everybody’s horse. This has beeh; a reasonable. complaint by horse owners and trainers ever since the totalisator feame into general use; but in a small colony like New Zealand, with a limited population, it cannot be expected that, even were the totalisator abolished, o wners here would be able to win the same large amounts as owners in Australia have the opportunity of winning. It is simply a matter'of population. I maintain that if the totalisator, with one grand total, were in use, say, at Flemington, owners on the “other side” would be able to win more money at less outlay. To win a large stake, :one must be prepared to lose a proportionate amount, and in New Zealand we fiave not the same wealth, or, at least, our ' sporting men have not tlio same amount of cash to spare as sporting men have "in the neighbouring colony. Therefore the totalisator suggests itself as the “ happy medium,” and although all owners cannoi; win an item of <£lo,ooo or <£15,000 on one race, such as the Caulfield or Melbourne Cups, they can, with the co-opera-tion of the totalisator and bookmakers, win a very fair stake. A writer in a Sydney contemporary, who claims to have studied the ins and outs of totalisator betting, considers that it is almost impossible to get anything like legitimate odds on the totalisator, and just for the edification of this writer and Mr Wright I will quote to figures or dividends that would have been paid iu the last New Zealand Cup. They are merely the aggregate amounts, and might bo a few shillings under or over the exact amount any of the horses mentioned would have returned, to investors. Last year’s winner of the New Zealand Cup— Rosefeldt—paid an average of <£2l, as between the difference of the inside, <£l9 12s 6d, and outsdie, <£23 12s. But to simplify the subject, the' amounts- written against each horse’s name represents the amount that the totalizator .yvppld have paid out: — Rosefeldt (first) ... ... •• £2l Ich Dien (second) ... ... 39 Liberator (third) .. ... Prime Warden ... ... 7 Hippomenes ... .. ..39 The Workman ... .. . • 28 Dilemma .. •. • • 5 Thame 21 Melinite .. .. • • • • 10 Boadonwell Wa ' ... •• ••• 40

To prove that last year was nothin .exceptional year, I wilL quote St. Hippo’s cup year : ; St. Hippo (first) ... •» £9 Dilemma (second) .. .. 18 Boulanger (third) ’ ... ... 90 Crackshot ... ... ... 3 Prime Warden .. ... 9 Merrie England 26 Cynisca .;. "\~.nr 69 Crcwn Jewel ... 70 Morion ... ... ... ... 60 Yogengang ... ... ... 135 Rosefeldt ... ... ... 70 Flinders I ... 60 The Dreamer • ... 112 Launceston ... ... ... 7 Awarua Rose ... 18 It will thus bo seen that the favourite last year (Dilemma) would have paid a dividend of L 5, and in St. Hippo’s year the favourite (Crackshot) would have paid £3. Surely the prices quoted pro7e that an owner can get a fair price about his horse, whether the fact of using the totalisator makes his horse everybody’s horse” or not. lam sorry that I cannot traverse Mr Wright’s remarks more exhaustively, bub want of space will not permit me to do so.