TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Mail, 3 December 1896, Page 70

TURF TOPICS.

[Br SiiiVERSPUE.]

The Exhibition Meeting of the Wellington Racing Club was a most successful one in every respect, and the club may well feel proud at the result achieved. The tw© swells of the meeting were Armilla and Waiuku, the former appropriating two good races on the first day, and Waiuku two on the concluding day, including the big event. Errand Boy was the absolute favorite for the Pearce Handicap, but got beaten a length, and, as he had raced second to Armilla the day previously in the Cup, he must be regarded as the most uufortunate animal of the meeting. Waiuku shaped far better on the second day than ho did on the first, and his owner had to run the gauntlet of two protests, one for alleged inconsistency, and the other for crossing at the top of the straight. Both were dismissed by the stewards, and the coastal pecple netted a good sum. He paid £7 5s in one event and six guineas in the other. Every horse in the Pearc9 Handicap was well backed, and Orion’s Belt ran a great deal better than some people expected. He was a good third. Raugipuhi, who fell the previous day, was fourth. His connections thought they were bound to annex a race before they went away, but were disappointed, Mahaki was another that carried a lot of money during the meeting, but failed. The Shrew, whp raced at Christchurch, did not appear to be so very bad. In fact she was started for the big event on the second day, but did not show up prominently. A spell should do her good. St. Laura appeared to be completely out oj form, and wouldn’t race a yard on either day. She was very fractious, too, but this is quite a usual thing with her. Lotion was altogether out of sorts, and Strathbraan did not appear to be good enough, even under medium weights. Golden Plover, who didn’t start for the Cup on the first day, saddled tip for the Pearce Handicap on the second, but ho wasn’t near the first three.

Another animal that raced better on the second than on the first day was Marino. He ran second in the Petone Handicap mile to Leda, and subsequently got home in the Second Welter, for which Torpina was a very warm selection. Marino raced very well in both events. The Miser was deemed the best in the first one by backers, but he was unequal to the finish. Leda, the winner, is a really good mare, and should be heard from in the near future. She was one of the few local horses to win a race at the meeting. Outsiders had it practically all their own way right through. Leda’s stable mate, Ruby Twist, paid a good dividend, <£l2 143, in the Hack Welter. After his running on the first day his chance was nob believed to be very bright. Come Again, who didn’t start at all onjthe first day, was second. She is by Forester —G-entle Annie. The Danevirke mare, Slumber, by _ Somnus, was a good third. She should win a race ere long, being a galloper apparently. I watched her on the first day when she ran fourth.

It was Conscript’s turn to win in the Second Hurdles, Volunteer’s son beating Kauri Cum and Tally-ho, who were in the places. The distance was half a mile less than when he ran second previously, and it suited him. The public thought it knew a thing or two when it made Revelution favourite. He made a very poor showing, and struck most of his hurdles. He will have to improve a great deal to win a hurdle race in any company. The chestnut did not seem to relish obstacles, whereas Conscript, on the other hand, flew over every one, and showed himself >to be the best jumper in the field. Mr Mcßae seldom owns anything bad; he gives his horses first-class schooling over timber, and they invariably win good races.

“ Mr. A. Portland ” informed me that he sold ' The ’Guardsman (by CuirassierSybil) before he won* the Filing Hack Handicap, the buyer being the Southern

sport to whom, he sold Lady SomnU3 some time ago: The Guardsman paid four shillings short of seventeen pounds* arid if his Palmerston North connections supported him they must have had a fair return. Marino, who ran home behind Hillstone jn the First Hack event, was again second. She was conceding the winner 151 b, and was unable to do it. On Dit, by Lord Mandeville out of that consistent mare Rumour, occupied third position. Hillstone was fairly anchored with a pound under ten stone, and Stockade and Alpha had not so many admirers as they had on. the first day.

The well-bred Barshot, by Chainshot— Watersprite, wound up the meeting by paying £7 12s in the Waiwetu Handicap. He ran none too well in his previous efforts, but on this occasion he skipped over the five furlongs in smart time. King’s Bowman was the elect of the public, but he went down as usual. He was one of the best fancied horses that ran at the meeting, and raced well, but faded at the critical point. Flying Shot was unconspicyious on the second day. He bad plenty of weight to carry, but he is built on weight-carrying lines. He rfl u sixth in the event under discussion. Armilla was not started, her trainer not wishing to knock her about, and her chance under 9st 31b looked none too rosy. Sedgebrook, who got a place, carried a lot of Wanganui money. He was very fit, and ought to reward Belcher with a win before long. The Dunedin filly Mist, by little St. Clair, wants time. She is nicely shaped, and bears a racy appearance. Quinlivan trains the winner, Barshot, and thinks a lot of him. It was a crumb of comfort after the failures of the fine-looking Douglas in his three attempts.

Hawke’s Bay horses shaped very prominently at the meeting, and a good of machine money went to that district. The winning sires were —Castor, four * St.Leger, three ; Piscatorious, King Quail, King Cole, Tasman, Foul Shot, Cuirassier, Chainshot, Volunteer and Nelson one each.

The innovation adopted by the Wellington Racing Club in order to keep the bookmakers out of touch was not realised by the general public who were in the outside en.r closure. They couldn’t see into the paddock, a galvanised iron wall obstructing the view. Outside patrons like to see what is going on inside, and generally get a few tips over the fence, but at the late meeting this was impracticable,and they v/ere effectually cut off. Whether the fence served its original purpose is not known ; it i 3 pretty safe to say that it didn’t.

The Otago Cup this year was a very hollow race. There were only four starters, and Euroclydon made his three opponents look small at the end of the mile and a half run. The big horse carried 9st 61b, and won in 2min 43\sec, which isn’t very fast. As he won in a canter, Epaulet, who ran second, cannot be a very bright three-year-old. Old Ilippomenes, who was an indifferent third, was in receipt of seventeen pounds from Gorton’s son, who is without doubt a real good one. His trainer must have reckoned it a dead moral when he gave instructions to win from end to end. And ho didn’t make any mistake about it either. Captive made oue of the field, but that was about all he did do. Plotter didn’t start, being sent for the Maiden Plate instead. This little event he lost, the unthought of Starshot putting him down, and paying a good dividend. The fast Blazer had a most hollow victory in the Dunedin stakes, which he won by half a dozen lengths from Senior Wrangler. Blazer is apparently up to top form, and worth haying in a stable. St. Clements was a very hot thing for the Federal Handicap, of six furlongs, but could get no nearer than third, and Southerners got a sight of a lot of Auckland money. Personally I had a fancy for Missfire, but he ran unplaced, Belle Clair winning by a neck and paying over £2O on one machine. Bay Bell, by Hilco, who was bred by Mr Douglas, of Te Mahanga, also paid good dividends in the St. Kilda Welter, in which tho Marquis of Zetland, a coming prize-winner, was second.

“ Nemo/’ of the Sydney Mail (Mr Ro;.vley Pickering), one of the oldest sporting pressmen in the colonies, has left the Mail with the intention of turning farmer.

The hearing of the Melbourne) totalisator cases resulting from the laid made on the 13th October, when 14 persons were arrested and charged with offences under the gaming sections, resulted in the infliction of <£l3o in fines and costs. On one of the persons arrested at the place in Lithgow street when the raid was made a ticket was found showing that he had backed Cremorne and Newhaven for the two cups, a double that eventually proved to be worth .£3O. Incidentally it was stated that the photographs of the premises alone cost the prosecution <£3o.

Paul Pry, who went' into Mr R. 11. Frew’s stable recently, has been sold to go to West Australia, and will shortly leave for his new home. The recent extensive purchases of Victorian horses for the West should have the effect of making the New Year’s meeting of the West Australian Turf Club very interesting. Straightfire was .sold to go to Perth, but there has been a hitch about accepting delivery, owing to the son of Grand Flaneur failing to pass a strict veterinary examination.

Attention has again to be drawn (says the Melbourne Age) to the objectionable practice of running steeplechases without a break from August to August. The injurious effects which are inevitable under the present system are noticeable at present, f when the ; great majority of our steeplechase horses are unfit through the strain of the past six months to continue service without a spell. At Caulfield the

other day a miserable field of two monopolised the attention of the public while they did an exercise cantfer, and there was a very palpable feeling of disgust that the reputation of the “Heath” should have been somewhat besmirched by an exhibition which would have done discredit to even a low class pony racing club. The generality of the steeplechasers racing in Melbourne now are of very poor quality, and there is danger of the sport, which numbers of patrons of racing have a preference for, languishing if action is not: taken to reform its management.

The ex - Queensland horse Euroka (Wheatmeat —My Fancy), who was purchased some months back by R. Woo teen for =£2oo, died the other day from the effects of a dose of physic. The chestnut was a good performer in Queensland, and also won a few races while in Sydney. During the last couple of years, however, he was a decided failure, as, though few horses could do better in private, he was invariably found wanting with the colours up.

There are not many horses who can boast of such a record as the English horse Redpath, by Uncas from Maggie. He has been located in Belgium for years past, and recently won, after falling at the last fence, the Prix du Cinquantenaire or Grand Steeplechase de Flanders, and there were five runners, of whom Ipswich fell, and his rider, Cobb, broke his collarbone and fractured his ribs. Digitale, another of tho competitors, also fell, and Kearns, his jockey, was severely injured, whilst a third competitor, Gamelle, threw his rider. Only two finished, Redpath and Recoil, and the former, who has now taken part in the race for nine years, won by a length, this being his eighth victory in the race. He was ridden by Buckley, and his success called forth a demonstration from the largo crowds present, the cheering lasting for quite twenty minutes after the horse had passed the post. Baron E. Grenier received many hearty congratulations, as his old horse is evidently a great favourite in Belgium. Redpath, who, it may be mentioned, ivon the Grand Steeplechase de Paris as long ago as ISBS, was then an aged horse.

A lady who drew a cash prize in one of Tattersall’s cup sweeps, had tivo tickets on the Guardsman at the (Hutt .£l6 17s) and two on Barshot (£7 12s) when he won tho Waiwetu Handicap. When people are in luck, there is nothing like folloy/ing it up,

The blot in the pedigree of the champion Newhaven is causing a great deal of discussion on the other side. A writer in the Melbourne Leader says : “ Fancy the champion three-year-old of all time being without a figure in Mr Lowe’s categorical list, which embraces all the thoroughbred families of the entire universe traceable to the several taproots ! And all owing to a missing link in the champion’s pedigree. This will mean nothing as far as Newhaven’s racing career is concerned, but if, after his retirement from the turf, it is desired to sell him, it would make a difference of several thousands of pounds in his in-ice. In the first place, it is certain Messrs Weatherby will not admit him into the English Stud Look, and .this will at once damn him in the eyes of English breeders, who are great sticklers for purity of pedigree. They will have nothing but whose every line can be traced' to a recognised taproot; and many notable performers in England have been rejected at the stud because of a similar fiaiv in their pedigrees to that which occurs in Newhaven’s chronological line’s. The black spot in Newhaven’s podigree occurs with his maternal ancestress Dinah, a mare brought from New South Wales to Melbourne and bought out of a mob by AJr .James Wilson, of whose stud she subsequently formed one of the corner stones. She was said to be by Gratis out of an Emigrant mare, and herein lies the trouble. Even her sire is not authenticated, and as for her dam she is a “ myth unknown.” That Dinali was purely bred there can scarcely be any doubt, but tho bar sinister rests in the failure to establish her identity. Dinah made herself famous as the dam of Musidora, whose descendants (including Driseis and Newliaven) are so notable for characteristic fineness of quality that no doubt can rest in respect to tho purity of their blood were it possible tq determine it with accuracy. Thore is no suggestion of coarseness in ar.y of the Digah or Musidora family. It is thought that Dinah came originally from the stud of the wellknown New South Wales breeders, the Messrs Wyndham, who were well known for tho pprity of their stock. Jt would be a good thiug were it possible tq clear up the doubtful point which presents itself in Newhaven’s pedigree, and perhaps were diligent inquiries instituted the identity of Dinah’s parentage may yet be satisfactorily established.

The Melbourne Cup winner Auraria will probably be sent to England. Mr D. James, her owner, says the mare is at present in splendid health, the unsoundness which necessitated her retirement from the Cup having disappeared, and he is hopeful of securing a good price for her in England, especially as the blood she boasts is generally admired. Her brother, Aurura, who ran at Flemington, promises to be a prominent Derby candidate next year, and his victory in that event would considerably enhance Auraria’s value in England. It is likely Auraria will be shipped with Newhaven in the autumn of next year.

A cable message has been received in Melbourne to the effect that the Singapore Derby (for horses of all ages), run a few days ago, was won by the ex-Sydney gelding Buccleugh, a son of Goldsbrough. Locky, a cast-off of the Messrs Miller, started favourite for the race. Bruin, who was purchased at a high price for racing in Singapore, is understood to have broken down,

The Singapore syndicate which pur r chased The Skipper art syery dissatisfied with Mr S. Hordern for the action he took jn respect to that horse. The conditions of §alo were that The Skipper should be delivered after running in the Melbourne Cup, with a special stipulation that he must leave the colony. It was intended by the syndicate to run him in some of his remaining engagements at the V.R.C. Meeting, either the Veteran Stakes, the V.R.C. Handicap, or the C. B. Fisher Plate, but this intention was frustrated by Mr Hordern’s arbitrary action in scratching the horse without consulting the wishes of the new owners, who were naturally any. thing but pleased with the discourteous treatment they received at the hands of The Skipper’s former owner. To say the least of it, there was nothing very sportsmanlike about the dog -in - the - manger policy which the Sydney owner chose to follow.

In regard to the ability of our present racehorses to run long distances and heats under heavy weights compared with the horses of forty years ago, a Sydney correspondent says that if thoroughbreds wero turned out on good and extensive runs—as many were in days'gone by - until'they were four or five years old, they would grow into hardier and better horses than if reared in a paddock and hand-fed. But then the rich two-year-Old stake,5 —fifiq Derbies and Legers—would have to be giyon up ; and that would never do ! The performances of Samson he says were very good. Have we a racehorse now on the turf that could come near them ? In 1853, three miles, 10st lib, in Ijmiri ; next day, three miles, 12st 71b in Grnin ssec. Going tv7enty years further back, he shows, on the authority of an old sporting pajDer, that the horses then could go flfster for long distances under heavy weights and saddle up oftener than they can now.' Mr 1 Osbaldstou, on November 5, 1831, riding l ist 31b, for a match of 1000 s6vs’, undertook to ride at Newmarket 200, miles in ten successive hours. Ha psed seventeen horses, and completed the undertaking in 8 hours 39 minutes, having 1 hour 21 minutes to the good. He rode four miles at a stretch. borne horses he roda two and three, and one—Tranby—four times, The first time ho (Tranby) did the four miles in Bmiu lOsec ; in less than half an hour brought out again fie did the socond ip Srnin. Ho questions whether wo have a horse now, starting fresh, that could do the distance in the same time under the same weight. Tranby was saddled up twice after, and tiro 10 mile 3 was covered in 33min losec. If such a match wore made now, there would be odds on time.

Palo Alto will shortly reappear in public. Mr F. W. Purches has him in work at Flemington now, and thinks he will stand another preparation. Mr Purches has been induced to take the horse up by the fact that the quality of the stock running in the metropolis now is very poor.

At the St. Albans stud, Victoria, the brood mare Maid of Honour, by Kelpie from Fairy Queen, has produced a colt foal to Carnage. :

The following are the nominations of stallions for the Canterbury Trotting Club’s Second Sires Produce Stakes, of 200 sovs., one mile, to be run May, 1898 : Specification, Lincoln Yet, Mambrino Mac, Del Paso, Gremlin, Vauclive, St. Lonis, Kentucky Wilkes, Brooklyn, Young Irvington, Kothschild, Imperious, Electioneer, La Hue, Albert Victor and General Tracy. ' <

A country paper records that » good laugh was raised at Dr Newman’s expense

at Wereroa the other night. After he had denounced gambling in every shape and form, in answer as to whether he favoured sweeps, some one asked him, “ Now, doctor, is it not a fact that you put a pound on the totalisatorat theOtakiraces last week:'” After a blush and a smile the doctor admitted the impeachmeut, saying, "Well, you know every one likes to have a little on, you know.” “ And, doctor, what is your opinion on raffling at church bazaars?”, came as the next puzzle. Quick ypts tlfo, reply, *' Oh, they, as a pay \ory poor diys,” ' ' '

On a Sydney suburban course, one of the very “smartest” trainers called the handicapper aside and asked him particularly “ to watch the running of his horse, which had only been in hand three weeks.” Now, before starting for the course, the horse had got fairly stuffed with bran—probably wandered from his box to the feed room—and the owner’s instructions tO‘ jockey were, “ Make every post a winning one.” During 'the running of" thb 'rdca owner and handicapper stood together," The bran seemed rather to agree with the, gee, arid he rounded into the straight with a strong/ lead, the handicapper remarking fc'o the'owner, “Tin watching him Q&ye* triilly, old man!” And as the horse finished, with his field nearly distanced, the owner almost fell down dead as the handicapper, putting his glasses away with thougliful mien, shook him heartily by the hand with the remark—“ If that’s three weeks’ work, in the name of thunder what’ll he bo like in six!”

The handicappar’s troubles are not altogether confined to weight adjusters out here, for latest advices from England cho\V that the question of handicapping lihshot been satisfactorily solved in that country. At a’ meeting of. the English Jockey 0!,nB, h'eldj at Newnyiyket on ljth October, a notico from Lord Durham, “to draw attention to the present unsatisfactory manner in which handicaps are made,’ - ' was discussed, with the result that a committee, consisting of Lord Durham, Lord Suffolk, Mr L de Ilothschild, Mr D. Cooper and prince Solly leaf?, was appointed to consider the question of handicapping and to report what changes in the present system are desirable. In an interviow with a representative of the Pall Mall Gazette Lord Durham said: “I suggest that the stewards of the Jockey Club should appoint handicappers for every meeting, and that there should not be less than two for every meeting, one of whom, at least, ought to be present to watch the running. In this way I think we should avoid those glaring errors in the weights which have astonished and dismayed owners. My own impression about the faults of the handicappers is that they do not increase the weight of horses that have won, and do not let down horses that have run second and third.” Asked if he meant by his resolution to devise a system of watching horses eased up in a race, Lord Durham said that would be a very difficult thing to do. “ I think,” he added, “ the running has.boeni very honest. This is proved by the numbered favourites which have won this year; but that many cases have been ; due to. strangely lenient treatment by. the handicappers is clear. . . .. I know one owner who always run his horses out and backs them both ways. Well, the more and more they are run out, the more weight do they get, although it is perfectly obvious • that they cannot beat the winner. It is. not encouraging to nwnersf and -there is no wonder many of. theihfiiifi* that the only chance of getting weight off' is fo run them when they are pot fit. _ I have full particulars of many astonishing examples of handicapping this year, In a

jeiOOO handicap at Gatwick there were 25 entries, of which eighteen paid the minor forfeit. Only two horses weht to the post, and Paris 111. won at 100 to 9 on. It was handicapped so lightly by the handicappers that all opposition was frightened away. This sort of thing is bad for the race fund, bad for owners and bad for the public. There was a loss all round. You see there is no method in the handicapping. Sometimes the handicapper puts a light weight upon a horse which has run once before in its life and won, and another time a horse which runs badly two or three times has a considerable weight put on him. In a nursery at Sandown, for example, Wreath Or carried only 6st 91b, after having won a thousand-pound stake at Manchester. These are the sort of things which are the despair of racing men who race in the North.” In conclusion, Lord Durham said he believed the stewards of the jockey club were with him in thinking the present system very bad.

Mr Chapman, the manager of the Eaton stud, says that the Duke of Westminster takes a genuine love in the thoroughbred, and regards him not as a money-making machine. Omladina he took from training because, through illness, she became wind affected, and was no longer aeliable. “The personal question does not concern ‘ Our Duke ’ at all,” says his stud groom. “He knows the public back hoises, and he is sorry when the public lose. No horse is allowed to run unless Porter thinks it has a chance —and a good chance —of winning. Here stands the true type of the aristocratic owner —the kind of owner that America lacks, and whose absence Australia mourns.

The German St. Leger was run for at Hanover on October 5, Pablmann, ridden by E. Martin, finishing first, Goldschraube (Pajlan'tyne) second, and Eisvogel (Warne), third. Tho winner wrs trained by J. Daley, of Hermit fame.

It is reported that an offer has been made by an English purchaser for The Officer.

For some time past Morocco has net been doing well, so that his owner is acting wisely in giving him a lengthy spell in tho paddocks at Havilah (N.S.W.).

Bribery of jockeys has caused ructions in, New York, necessitating the intorferenc? of the Turf Club, who have odp.wn with a heavy hand. Thus siley Grannin and Dr Burrow bay? been warned off. Tho entries of W. M- Wallace have been Ordered to. be refused, the jockey Martin fias been suspended, and Coyle’s license revoked. Taral has been reprimanded, and ordered to refund a present of 500dol he has accepted; and an order has been issued that no stable employees, including trainers, shall be permitted to bet.

When the last mail left the winnings of St. Simon’s stock for the season had reached the high total of .£56,240. Persimmon’s win in the Jockey Club stakes credited him with •■£8990. ' '