TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1291, 26 November 1896, Page 24

TURF TOPICS.

[By Silverspub..]

The Exhibition Handicap at the Wellington Racing CI üb's Spring Meeting was a most runaway sort of an affair. Even after Armilla won the C.J.C. Oaks down South people wouldn't give her a chance, for what reason it is now of course difficult to understand. Seven stone was certainly a very nice weight, and she made good use of it. She looked very well indeed in the paddock, but one cannot always go on looks, St. Laiira being a notable instance. This mare wasn't generally fancied for the mile and a quarter, but if looks would have won a race the money would have gone to the coast. At the back she was a very bad last, there being a big gap between the main body and her. At the finish she pulled up fifth, but four horses that were in front of her had fallen. A great many were surprised at the position held in the raco by the Cap-a-pie gelding Errand Boy. He kept behind Armilla all the way, and finished there. He is a good horse, and ought to win many a good race if judiciously placed. The Miser had a fair local following, and appeared to be very fit, but he had no possible chance in the straight when he commenced to go after Armilla and Errand Boy. And I scarcely think he would have occupied a place had the accident not taken place. Mahaki was the real public choice, but the brown son of Steppe was unequal to conceding so much weight to a mare of Armilla's stamp, and when the whips were out he finished fourth. He did not look strung up, but his meritorious Christchurch efforts induced people to believe that he would have still further improved in the interim. There wasn't any difference worth speaking about between Defiance, Strathbraan and Waiuku in the public estimation, so far as the totalisator figures may be taken as a guide. Defiance did not take the eye as a likely, travelling perhaps does. not agree with him. And, no matter how he shapes on the second day, he certainly had no chance on the first. He was giving the winner 101 b, 'tis true, but he was a long way unequal to it. He fell away at the back, and he and St. Laura were the last two. Considering his fairly fast run in the Wanganui Derby, and his performance at Christchurch, Saturday's running cannot be his proper form. The top-weight, Acone, was going as well as anything when he fell. Before the road turn was reached he raced up, and was in third place when he fell. The cause of the accident was said to be a slip on some grass that had been laid on a piece of tan in order that the animals would not jump the latter. However, the caretaker, who subsequently removed the grass dressing, asserts that the accident occurred before that particular spot was reached. Anyhow, Acone took the corner badly, and Douglas, Flaneur and Eangipuhi came with him. The latter was going very well, but whether he would have brought his 100 admirers through is doubtful. Unlucky Gallagher was the victim of the party with a broken right arm, and some ribs. The ambulance was requisitioned, and after. Dr Pnrdy had attended him ho was shifted to McNab's Gardens. The mishap was a most unfortunate one in every respect. The finish may or may not have been robbed of interest; one cannot say. At any rate Acone is in the same stable as the winner, and the other three are likewise foreigners, In fact Strathbraan and The Miser were the only two locals in the race, which doesn't say much for Wellington stables in cases where big plums are going. Flaneur had no chance, nor do I think had Douglas, who had raced earlier in the day in different company, and got beaten. However, he is a fine looking animal, and worth investment in the near future. The stable must have had a good win over Armilla, whose £9 14s tots up to a good total if her connections were liberal with their investments, and it is said they were.

Acone got badly knocked about when ho fell. He was going very fast and got shaken up badly when he toppled over. He walked very lame in the paddock afterwards, and gave one the impression that it would be some time before he would race again. He was handicapped for the second day, but was not accepted for. It was a bit of bad luck for his owner, bfcause St. Leger's son was very fit, and being a cut above the majority at the meeting inay have won a race ere departing. "

Both The Possible and Golden Plover were scratched for the big money on the first day, the latter reserved for a dead snip in the First Welter later on. He -was a very strong paddock tip, and would not have paid much had he won. However, after galloping away from the field at the road turn he went wide in the straight turn, and Kingsman,- who deemed to be much better manipulated, dashed up on the inside. Half way up it was seen that he had the favourite at his mercy, and drawing clear won comfortably. This was a facer for the public and for " Mr Portland," who entered a protest on the ground that Kingsman's running was not consistent with his performance earliei in the day in the November Handicap. The stewards met and decided to dismiss the protest after hearing Mr Siddell's explanation. The totalisator showed that in the November Handicap there were 53 on Kingsman, while in the race he won there were 92. However, the November field was a fairly hot one, and couldn't be compared with the "Welter crowd. I was told by a great many Hawke's Bay people that Kingsman is an in and outer and only races when he likes. This class of horse is an' unsatisfactory one to own, because he is apt to get one into trouble. The stewards apparently believed he was trying in the first race, and backers got their 18s. Kingsman originally came from Auckland,

and I believe his present proprietor's lease of him will soon run out. He is fullbrother to Launceston and Florrie, both good tins, the latter being- the better of the pair. Launceston promised \\ ell as a three-year-old, when he ran fourth, very green, in St. Hippo's New Zealand Cup, and he won some fair races afterwards, but on the other side he failed when the pinch came as often as not- when Dan O'Brien planked his dollars on him.

The race which Kingsman won was a very pretty one at the back, the horses being altogether, marshalled in two rows Lotion, who was second favourite, racing on the outside. However, when the whips came out h,e was in trouble, and wasn't near the winner at the finish. He looked none too bright, but his leg didn't appear to trouble him. The black horse Bona Fide didn't look strung up, but it should not be long before he lands a race. He managed to get an unremunerative third. Slaiden was a good deal fancied, but he was done with at six furlongs. The chestnut Porepo had his admirers, but nothing had a chance once Golden Plover took the lead and Kingsman sailed after him.

Harking back to a former race, I never saw a horse throw it up like Marino did in the November mile. As soon as the field entered the straight, the whips were used, Nelson's Roman-headed son dropped right back last, and came in in that position. He had been going fairly well previously, too. It almost appeared as if his rider had pulled him up into a canter. The first and second horses, Orion's Belt and Blarney, hail from Hawke's Bay, whose sports are generally most successful at Wellington meetings. I selected Orion's Belt, partially on account of his breeding and move so on account of the ridiculous weight he had to carry in 6st lllb. He was the fittest horse that saddled that day, and at the road turn his rider took the precaution to secure a good lead. A great many people who had seen him racing previously thought he would turn it up when caught, but Noble kept niggling at him, and he wasn't pushed. The local mare Leda, another Castor, was the absolute favourite, but she set sail too late, and just got beaten by Blarney for second place. Davis' mare was well backed and as she had done good work on the track was greatly fancied in preference to the foreigners. However, Orion's Belt led the field a hot dance, and didn't come back to them as expected. Blarney is a different stamp of horse to anything that started ; he looked rather big if anything, but I like them that way. It is a wonder he hasn't been tried ovor hurdles. Martyrdom, another Apremont, was fancied by Mr Ormond, but she didn't get up to the machine with the rest when the tapes flew up, and she got left behind. Another that got away indifferently was the fine looking Douglas, who fell in the big event later on. Quinlivan's luck was out. Even then he came with a strong run in the straight and was fourth. There was a lob of Hawke's Bay money on him, and Orion's Belt and Blarney were equally supported with 123 each on the machine.

There weren't a brilliant lot in the Maiden Hack race. The Guardsman, who ran unplaced in the Otaki Spring Handicap, was the general pick, but he did not run up to expectations. He is by Cuirassier out of Sybil, and isn't a bad one, but will have to improve wonderfully if his owner expects to make a turf fortune out of him. And fortunes on the turf aren't easily made nowadays, not with indifferent animals, at any rate. Whario, by Piscatorious—Polly, had a good deal to do to beat Steel Shot in the home drive, but he did it, and returned j£ll 19s. This animal ran third in the Taratahi-Carterton Guineas on Prince of Wales' Birthday to Canetand Roseleaf, and has apparently improved a good deal in the interim. The bay colt, Steel Shot, who would have paid a bigger dividend, is by Foulshot out of the coast mare Voltarina, and is in the same stable as the grey gelding Flying Shot. Thurlspot (Tim Whiffler —Barbarina) shaped well until the pinch came. The Australian-bred Goulbourn, by Palo Alto, had a fair following, but he doesn't appear to be very much chop. At Taratahi he ran third to Sir Agnes and Vaseline. Among the other Btarters in the Maiden were Ruby Twist, trained by W. Davis, who is not yet forward ; Sylph, a filly by Chainshot out of a mare by that name who used to carry Mr F. Martin's colours; the fine-looking Mizpah, by Lord Mandeville Biddy, raced by W. Strang ; Coin, by Louis d' Or—Konini, who hails from Nelson; Clieve, owned by Mr Ruddock, by Clieveden; Lady Agnes, by Master Agnes, and Oracle, by Castoff. A number of them weren't in a condition to race, and tailed off considerably long before the straight was reached.

It seems rather strange that a prize of 80 sovs, won't tempt owners of hurdlers in the spring. Only four accepted for the obstacle event on the first day. What has become of the remainder of our jumping beauties I don't know. Meagre patronage of this sort is apt to lead the W.R.C. stewards' to strike the event out of their programme next spring. Rangipai was top weight with only lOst, so that it was a light-weight quartette. And no horso could have won a hurdle race easier than did Kauri Gum, who is by King Quail — Lavender. Why Rangipai made the pace hot at the start seeing that there was two miles to go, I don't know, but she led them for a mile at a good bat, and after another half mile had been compassed was lying last. She was then quite out of it. The coast horse, Conscript, was the least fancied of the lot, and he and Kauri Gum raced together along the back. Before the road turn was reached, however, Kauri Gum had him done with, and he simply walked in. The rider of Billy (Perkin Warbeck II.), thought he would have a shot for second place, and people believed he would get it,

too, but Conscript held his own under the whip all the way up the straight and got the 10 sovs. Kauri Gum had certainly a mortgage over the race the way it was run, and paid the smallest div. of the day, £2 15s. It was the only event over which the public shook hands with itself. Conscript is a fine jumper. All Volunteer's stock are.

Despite the bird of ill-luck that perched itself on Mr Ormond's horses, the public fondly clung to the stable's chance of winning the Shorts with Dauntless, and Mr Ormond thought if he got well away he would win. The Karamu stock are so well bred and always have such a dangerous look about them that backers don't like giving them the go-by. Dauntless, with five pounds less than the penalised Armilla, was the absolute favourite, the Exhibition Handicap winner being next fancied, a lot of Auckland money going on her. There was scarcely a better-looking animal on the ground than the light-weighted southern horse, Tutanekai, and he was well supported, as was the big grey, Flying Shot, by Foulshot —Flirt. He is substantial enough to be placed behind a plough, and fast enough to get six furlongs in lmin 16sec under weight. Horses of his stamp are rare, but a great many people have a prejudice against greys. The Louis d'Or horse, Sedgebrook, came from Wanganui with a flying reputation, and Jack Belcher, who had tried the chestnut very fast, was confident of success. He just missed the 'bus. Barshot was better fancied by Hawke's Bay people than Torpina, but the first-named was last just after the start and never had a chance. Torpina was with them at the turn, but could get no nearer than sixth. Flying Shot's coat was prominent at the start, the cerise jacket on Dauntless being handy before they reached the road turn. Another red—a cardinal, at least—was prominent soon afterwards behind Ormond's horse, but one could not tell whether it was Tutanekai or Voltaire. Armilla didn't show until half-way up the straight, where Flying Shot was still pounding along in front of the field. Then Percy White came with a dash at the grey on Armilla, and Sedgwick also flashed up, the Oaks winner getting the best of it by a neck. It was a pietty finish, and Tutanekai was just behind Flying Shot, with Dauntless on his quarters. Gold Cup, by Ascot — Caller Henin, was one of the least fancied of the field, she and Seabreeze being only entrusted with .£l9 each, the total machined being <£1059. Among the starters was a three-year-old chestnut filly called Mist, by St. Clair—Mistral. She hails from Dunedin, and raced in the colours of the Hon Geo. McLean. Armilla's double was a good lift to Aucklanders, and more of the general ptiblic profited than in her first race, the dividend on this occasion being £4i 16s. She is without doubt a first-class mare, and perhaps much better than her Sydney brother, Cravat, who won a race at the Melbourne Cup Meeting the other day. Sedgebrook's owner had bad luck in meeting such a hot article over the five-furlong dash. Her seven pounds penalty certainly didn't trouble her over that distance. Satman, who rode her in the big money, stood down, and P. White was given the mount on this occasion.

After their indifferent display in the Maiden, Oracle, Goulbourn and Ruby Twist were kept in the paddock when the First Hack Handicap was got off. The five-year-old horse 'Hillstone, by King Cole—Contessa, showed that he was a weight carrier, winning all the way with 9st 51b up. At the Otaki Meeting on the Prince of Wales' Birthday he ran third behind Milford and Indian Shot in the mile and a quarter Spring Handicap, and concluded proceedings by beating Indian Shot and Gaspard in the Flying, only the three starting. On Saturday there was a field of eleven, Alpha, by Louis d'Or— Barrossa, being a much-mentioned likelihood'in the paddock. King's Own, by King Cole—Contessa, and therefore full brother to Hillstone, was second favourite, but the lot were very evenly backed, it being no apparent moral for anyone. Marina, winner of the November mile at Otaki, beating First Result, Steelshot and Opai all the way, and who ran second to Zodiac in another event at the same meeting, appeared to be endowed with a winning chance. She had a betterpaper show than the majority of the others, but couldn't beat Hillstone. The pair had the race to themselves from start to finish, Hillstone leading and staying there. A good deal was thought of Stockade, who came fast at the close »nd ran third. He is by Flintlock —Ada. Among the other starters were First Result (Wapiti—Waltonia), Siug Soiur (Louis d'Or —Tui), Slumber (a Danevirke mare by Somnus), a fine-looking chestnut gelding Crescent (by Forester —Nancy Lee), Tu Kingi (by Flintlock—Moeatua), and The Drone (by Cocksure—Queen Bee). It was Tu Kingi who excited the whole of the Native population of Otaki on the 9th when he got home in the Raukawa Plate. He finished fifth on this occasion, Slumber being just in front of him. The time was 2 4-ssec slower than the November mile race, but Hillstone carried 361 b more than Orion's Belt. The hack paid the neat little dividend of £l3 Is. There were a few nasty remarks made in the paddock subsequently about the galloping exhibition given by a few of the starters. Unpleasant observations of this character are always made everywhere, on every course, whether there is any foundation for them or not. However, Hillstone's performance was a good one, and if there was anything behind him that could have beaten him it is a pity he wasn't known and his connections carpeted.

Good sized dividends were fashionable all day, and the public didn't have much of a good time. Endeavouring to pick winners isn't as pleasurable as collecting dividends subsequently. The Flying

Handicap, the last race on the card, saw a dividend of .£22 paid. Once again did the crowd go for the cerise jacket, and once again did Dreadnought's stock land them in misery. Daie Devil was the select this time, and he certainly took the eye as a probable, more especially as his Christchurch achievement was still fresh in mind. King's Bowman, who had bad luck in one race down South, was a confidential tip whispered all over the course, and people, knowing his speed, couldn't well discard him. Many an investor on Dare Devil had a shot on the Wairarapa horse as a "saver." Errand Boy's second to Armilla in the big money, and the latter's second win subsequently, put a good crowd on him, and he ran well, but not well enough. The nicecoated Orion's Belt was deemed capable of getting six furlongs, but shrewd judges from his own district wouldn't stand him. He was, however, much better fancied than Blarney, who was his runner up in the first race of the day. Tutanekai was left alone, but not so much so as Torpina, (Torpedo— Christina), who had about half as much less invested on him in the machine. Out of .£1052 there was only .£25 under his name. And he nearly brought off a much bigger surprise than did the ultimate winner, Flying Shot. One would have thought that after the latter's good third in the Shorts he would have received greater support, but he didn't, and the owner, even, profited but little. He planked the only pound he had in his pocket on him, and had the satisfaction of receiving .£22 in return. Dare Devil and King's Bowman shot to the front at the start, Forester's son subsequently undertaking the work of pace-making. Some seemed to think he would fade after the straight was reached, but he didn't. A few strides up and the watchers sang out, "Here comes Flying Shot." The grey, true to his name, shot up and got in front of King's Bowman at the distance, and going much the stronger, got home nicely, to the dismay of the crowd. Too late, on the other side, came Torpina from the ruck, just getting head and head with King's' Bowman on the post. Fred Young deserved his win ; his horses ran consistently all day, and he managed to get a first, second and third with the pair. Mr Tancred had hard luck with Bowman, and, I would have liked to have seen him get a crumb of consolation after his unsuccessful Southern trip. Torpina ran a greatly improved horse to what he did in the Shorts Handicap earlier in the day, and his position at the finish caused surprise. In fact, had he been brought up sooner, he may have absolutely Avon. Mist was withdrawn owing to her poor form in the Shorts. An animal that should be worth following in the future is Woodstock, by St. Leger—Cantiniere. He is not yet fit, although they travelled him down to Christchurch and back. Dare Devil ran a fair fourth, and Errand Boy was alongside him. Mahaki, the top weight, was neglected by the public, and he ran none too well. Blarney shaped even worse, being a bad last most of the way.

Last week I received the following letter: —"Sporting Editor N.Z. Mail, — Sir : I just wish to write a few words to you on this subject: 'ls the totalisator conducive to stiff running ?' and also to I reply to your article ra the tote paying out on two or more horses owned by one man. I will admit that the latter is a good idea, but owners of racehorses can still run a second string and win with what they like without in any way letting the public know what they are backing. It would be a good thing for punters, and you would find instead of one horse being heavily backed, as is the case now, money on the tote would be evenly distributed, and the result would be larger dividends. Also it would practically do away with favourites. The idea, I suppose, is to try and prevent an owner winning with an outsider, and not sending the favourite to win, but that you will find i 3 an impossibility. If an outsider is sent to win by the owner it is obvious that his other horse won't win. Punters will not back the horses, but will follow the stable that has the most number of horses running in the race so as to have a better chance for their money. I have noticed on New Zealand courses case 3 of inconsistent running caused by the totalisator that if the same thing was done in Australia they would most likely get sent up for a term. How many times do you read in the papers of a horse finishing nearly last in a race, and a week afterwards coming out and running in the same company over same distance and winning easily ? Until betting on the machine is abolished and bookmakers licensed you will very seldom have a straight run for your money. Supposing a hor&e is let in at a meeting and the public pick it, do you think, unless the owner has his money on otherwise than with the machine that he is goin# to run his horse for the benefit of the public? Is it likely he is going to pay for training, entrance fees, &c, for his horse and then perhaps only get even money on the machine ? That is why I contend that the tote does make owners, when they see that their horse is heavily backed, stiffen it and let it have a go at a future meeting with a chance of a bigger dividend. —I am &c,

" Punter."

In reference to the above, the proposal to pay out on the first two horses may be regarded as being temporarily laid aside. As to stiff running, I suppose it will always exist whether undei the totalisator or bookmaking regime, or both. At present there is certainly cronk racing reported at nearly every meeting; it seems to be chronic with some owners. And it is often gratifying to know that when they do try they go down. Under present conditions some back their animals with the books and leave the machine alone, or they back with both. My correspondent would no doubt say to this that it shows that they cannot do without the books. Perhaps not, but it also shows that they

try to take down the public, investing with the metallicians in the hope of securing a bigger dividend than they would get if they planked it on the machine. And in trying to take down the public they take down the books too, if the latter have not put the money back on the tote. So far as the question " Books or Machine" is concerned, racing clubs view it from a financial standpoint. They do not consider altogether which is the best system for owners. The machine method pays them best, and they stick to it. The Auckland Club is the only one that allows books to compete with the machine on their couise,and the scheme seems to work all right, but t.'ie pencillers have to pay for the privilege. The allusion in the above letter to passing out non-triers in Australia deserves a passing word. The cronkest racing in the world takes plac« in Sydney. If you are a small man with only a horse or two, out you go for a few months; but if you are wealthy, or have influence, no notice is taken. The A.J.C. committee, however, appear to have awakened to a sense of their duty, and their proceedings against " J. B.Clark" at their meeting held before the Melbourne Cup took me completely by surprise. That may prove to be only a flash in the pan, as it were. It is to be hoped not. The swindles that are worked on some proprietary club courses would flabbergast the public if they knew all about them, but they don't. And their money goes to keep the game in a state of continuity. Daily papers dare not touch them; exposure would mean a heavy libel bill. What is wanted everywhere in racing is men at the helm who won't wink at crooked practices. They must be practical racing men who will treat big and small owners alike, and make inquiries in all cases where animals have raced suspiciously or shaped worse than they ought to have done, especially in cases where their running is in total opposition to previous good form. It is cronkness that kills the sport, and the public cannot be expected to support it when they are milked at every meeting in the most barefaced manner.

Johnny Faa and Fish Oh are to be taken to the West Coast of the other island next month by V. Collelo.

The Wyndham Eacing Club are giving =£l7o in prizes for their New Year Meeting.

Duggan takes Bloomsbury to the West Coast to race him there this Christmas.

At the North Otago Show Cajolery beat Mount Eoyal in the thoroughbred stallion class the other day.

Sydney Methodists are petitioning Pai'liament to adopt urgent measures for the suppression of gambling. The old, old petition!

The following are the entrants for the G-reymoufch races : —Araotumotu Handicap —Taipari, King Lear, Arquebus, Black Eagle, Flying Artillery, Deknite, Campboll, Speculator, Cyrus, Bloomsbury, Johnny Faa, G-loire de Dijon, Starshot, Marino, Epilogue, Florin, Countess Cole, Geraint, Belligerent, Quiltiri, Tupu, Tutanekai, Silver Rose, Ben More, Tonganui, Banner, Home Rule, Surrey. Greymouth Cup—Arquebus, Captive, Slaiden, Cyrus, Bloomsbury, Johnny Faa, Starshot, Marino, Epilogue, Geraint, Quiltiri, Tutanekai, Tupu, Silver Rose, Banner, Tonganui, Home Rule, "Surrey. Hurdles Rebel, Regalia, Slaiden, Couranto, Minerva, Clarence. Produce—Deknite, Moonlight, Faux Pas, Ahaura, Florin, Silver Rose, Ben More, Home Rule, National.

Mr W. R. Wilson ran first and second with Merman and Trentham in the Williamstown Cup. The first named carried 9st 41b, and Lochiel's relative 7st 131 b. Mischief was third. The Skipper, 9st lib ; Bloodshot, Bst 12ib ; Cinder Ellen, Bst 31b ; Le Var, 7st 121 b ; Veronica, 7st 81b ; Miraculum, 7st 51b; Lord Richmond, 7st 21b ; and Miraculeux, 7st, were among the starters. The betting was : —Even money on Bloodshot, 8 to 1 v. Le Var, 12 to 1 v. Merman, The Skipper, Cinder Ellen, Trentham, Mischief and'Bundook, 15 to 20 to 1 v. others. Cinder Ellen was first off from Merman, Mischief, Trentham, and Miraculeux. Racing out of the straight, Trentham was in front from Miraculeux, Mischief, Cinder Ellen, Merman, The Skipper audLe Var. Trentham took them the back of the course, Miraculeux and Mischief being next, and Lord Richmond last. Power was hard at Bloodshot coming round the side, where he ran into sixth place. Trentham was first into the straight from Le Var and Bloodshot, and a great r?ee resulted in a win for Merman, who beat his stable companion, Trentham, by a nose. Mischief was half a length off third, Bloodshot, who finished very fast, fourth, then Le Var, Cinder Ellen, Lord Richmond, and The Skipper, with Veronica last. Time, 2min 26isec. On the same day The Captain got home from Beverly, Paul Pry, Miraculeux and Lena in thoPrinco of Wales 5 Stakes, one mile. Beverly was favourite, but Robinson Crusoe's son beat him easily.

At the last Queensland Turf Club's meeting North Australian beat 13 others in the Pace Welter and paid -843 13s dividend. Freedom, who beat Zingara, Battalion, Clythe, Avenue, Black Harry, Narcissus, Czarina, Cap-a-pie, Loch Leigh, Dalnair, Premier, Tridentate, Adonis, Sybil, Brazenface and Mayflower, paid a div. of <£33 in the Prince of Wales' Cup.