RACING CHATTER

New Zealand Mail, 21 February 1901, Page 44

RACING CHATTER

BY “ADVANCE.” Another important change has recently taken place in the ranks of the sporting scribes. Mr Joseph Chadwick (“Spectator”) has been appointed to succeed Mr A. Jackson as sporting editor of the Auckland! Chadwick’s contributions to the sporting journalism of the colony extends over a great many years. He left Auckland—where he- was writing for the "Observer’’—about .1890 to join the "Weekly Press.” The wellknown scribe "Lenex” and "Hermit’’ were also attached to the paper. When the N.Z. “Referee” amalgamated with the “Weekly Press” in July, 1891, “Spectator” was assisted by "Sir Launcelot,” and has continued to do work for the paper up to the present time. Mr Chadwick’s presence in Auckland is sure to improve the sport of trotting there, and as a weight adjustor for galloping or trotting events he can hold his own with the best. B. Derritt’s health would not permit of hi s' riding at the C.J.C. meeting. Derritt has ridden eight winners of the Middle Park Plate and would no doubt have been on the back of Menschikoff last week.

At Chiltern (Victoria) on January 2 a. mare running as Gooramadda Avon the Galloway Handicap, but as it Avas noticed, her legs Avere painted it was naturally concluded she Avas "rung; in,” and the stakes were Avithh'eld pending inquiries as to her identity. The matter Avas further gone into at a meeting of the -stewards last - week, and, says an exchange, after a lot of evidence had been considered, showing that The pony AA’as identical with Music and Melody, who ran at unregistered courses, J. W. Truskett, the nominator, . announced that he would make a clean breast of the affair. His statement was taken cloAvn for the club by Mr C. IV. C. Hodgson, solicitor. The statement showed that Truskett Avas a tool in the hands of others. It Avas resolved that J. W. Truskett and the bay mare Gooramadda (late Music, etc.), be disqualified for life for fraudulent nomination, and that R. S. Henry, of Melbourne, be summoned to appear before the stewards on February 1-5 to explain his actions in connection Avith such nomination. The 'above reads like the Ethel case oyer again, Truskett taking the part a Wairarapa man played at Master ton. Mr Walter .Armstrong liars been appointed to succeed Mr Geo. Bennett as .secretary to th e South Wairarapa Trotting Chib. Mr .Armstrong Avas for some years, secretary of the Lower. Valley Jockey Club and should therefore thoroughly understand the AAork. Mr* Budge started at the Taranaki meeting excepting the Grand Stand Handicap,. in Avhich he had BoAvsprit engaged and Mr Paul officiated. A thus . refers to .. the. death of . a gentleman, ;who for many years filled the judge’s box at Riccarton: —The many friends of Mr Francis C. Tabart, the .well-known auctioneer, of Christchurch, aa ill regret to hear of his death, Avhich took place on Tuesday morning, at the age of seventy-one years. Mr Tabart Avas a lifelong sportsman, gaining his first experiences m Tasmania, Avhere he arrived from London at an early age. He hvas' afterwards a station manager in Riverina, and during this period h© was noted as one of _ the best amateur riders in Australia. Avinuing in 1855 the Grand National Steeplechase on a horse oiled Teuton. A few veais after this he returned to Tasmania, and later came to New’'Zealand, taking up first the Highfield run, Amuri, and subsequently entering into business as a.n auctioneer at Greymouth. ultimately settling in ChristclnTrch in the wool and stock, agency business, first a.s a. member of the late firm, of , Messrs Robert Wilkin and Co., and since on his own account. Mr Tabart kept, up his association, wit n sport a.s an amateur rider for -some time, but of recent years Avas ■■'•best known as

honorary judge for the Canterbury Jockey Club, a position from which he retired about- two years ago, receding a handsome presentation and the lifemembership of the Club in recognition of his services. Mr Tabart Avas one of the most popular and respected of men, both in sporting and business circles. Mr Stead lias sold the two-year-old gelding Diplomat (Stepniak—Adulation) tot W. Ta.tham, of Carterton, and the youngster arrh*ed from the- south last week. Diplomat is half brother to Bracelet, and was the subject of a good deal of neAA'spaper correspondence in the south a.s to the manner in vrhich. he was handicapped with other untried two-year-olds. Mr Stead declined to give the handicappers another opportunity of Aveighting the colt while he was his property, and got rid of him. The correspondence Avas at all eA'ents a cheap advertisement.

The appended items on the Taranaki meeting are taken from the “Herald” : Vanquish sustained some knocking about when she fell at th e , last fence in the Hurdles. It is reported that the daughter of Flageolet broke a rib/ After the victory of Battleaxe in th e C'up Mr N. King iiiA-itecl the stewards, officials, and those friends avlio Avere about in tile steward-’ luncheon room to honour the victory of Battleaxe in the Cup. The opportunity was taken to wish Mr King bon voyage on the extended trip be intends to take, starting on Friday. In the Mile Hack Handicap four of th candidates Avere bred by Mr A. , Standish. They Avere Tukapa, Moturoa, Wai-iti, and Onutae. Mr E. Laurent states that

reports having been circulated that others besides himself have: an interest in Full Cry. He denies that such is the case, as the gelding is entirely oAA’ned by himself.

Harry Pipei* has arranged with C. O'Connor to act as starter at the Poa*erty Bay meeting. At the Cup Meeting of the Taranaki Jockey Club thre e full brothers —Battleaxe, BroAA'n Bill and Tup ar a were competing.

In the final race Tukapa, thanks to ’the splendid riding of Gallagher, justmanaged to defeat Onutae by a shorthead. The latter Avas paying a dividend of about £45.

Sir Bupert Clai’ke, having discoA-ered that the name Commonwealth Avas not available for his colt by Bilk of Portland from Happy Land, has decided to call him United States. The youngster is engaged in the Doncaster Handicap. Euclid, who Avon the Grand National Hurdle Knee at the Viceroy’s Cub meeting last month, aa t rs according to his OAvner, Dr. Spooner Jdart, bred in the north-eastern district of Victoria by Mrs H. BoAA'ler, and got by. Euclid. He never raced in Australia, and Avas sent to India by Mr C. F. Glasscock as a re-mount a couple of years ago-, but the Government refusing to accept him, Dr. Hart purchased the gelding, and he has in all Avon 8500 rupees in stakes with him. Dr Hart states that Euclid is a “wonder” over jumps, has plenty of pace, and can stay all day.

It does not appear to be generally knoAvn that that successful stallion, Lochiel, had a severe attack, of illness quite recently, and was sc. bad that the services of a veterinary surgeon AA'ere requisitioned. He is alright again, now, however.

Inishfree, the American-bred threeyear old Avith Avhich Mr T. G. Muir Avon three races right off the reel, aaws sold privately just before our last files left England to Mr S. B. Joel. . The English horse Count Schomberg was sold just prior to our last files leaA 7 - ing England, to go to the stud, having broken doAvn. He AA r on a lot of races, including the Liverpool Autumn and Chester Cups, seme seasons ago, very little good after being sold for 5000 soa 7 s, though on several occasions he Avas heavily backed on the flat and OA r cr hurdles. Count Schomberg and the Viceroy’s Cup Avinner Up Guards are brothers. Sir William Anstruther has by cable rescinded the order to ship Caledonia to England, and the son of Gozo goes into Kelso,’s stable to be trained. Bookmakers Avho folloAV their calling in the West do not get much consideration from the West Australian, Turf Club. That institution charged the ring men 60 guineas for the privilege of betting m the bird-cage at the New Year Meeting, and they had to pay for their clerks, in addition. Then the bookmaker is “shut in” the bird-cage, so that anyone desiring to patronise him has to spend am other couple of shillings to reach him. That the bookmaker continues to exist in spite of these almost prohibitive restrictions is a proof that the public want him. , . , ■ '_ Mr A. E. Anderson, aaJio bought the two-year-old Haut Brian filly Valento, has decided not to race her, and she Avill go to the stud at Mynangle. Valento is beautifully bred, for, in addition to being by imported Haut Brion, she is out of Lady Helena (half-sister to EtraWeenie, the dam of Merriwee, Wigelmar, and Diffidence), uy Trident from the A.J.C. Derby winner iAellie (dam of Wilga, Yarran, etc.), bv English Tim Whiffler from grand old Sappho, who was by Sir Hercules.

: William Cubbitt, aa 7 lio was a lvell-knoAvn cross-country rider in Victoria, and Avho aa'oii the Grand National Steeplechase on Royal Oak, died a short while ago in India of smallpox. He had gone to that country in charge of Government horses. A London paper publishes an item Avhich Avill come as neA\ 7 s to most racing men. It says that Avhen Prince Charlie AA-on the Middle-park Plate in 1871 and the Tavo, Thousand of 1872, he not

qualified to start- for either race. Prince Charlie had been foaled in France, his dam Eastern Princess having been sentover to a foreign sire, but the necessity for lodging certificates (then a new rule) Avas OA’erlooked by his breeder, Mr Jones, and by his trainer, Joseph Dawson. The betting on the Tavo Thousand was prodigiously heavy in that year, and it Avould ha\*e been a fine thing for Mr Henry Saville (oAvner of Cremorne, who finished second) and his friends if Prince Charlie had been disqualified after his A'ictory. It Avas said afterwards that T. Jennings «,was the only person who knew of the flaAv, but he held his tongue until he could use it to some useful purpose. Same months later Prince Charlie Avas intended to run for a valuable stake, Avhich AA-as at his mercy, but which race Avould be a good thing in his absence for a horse trained by Jennings, and owned by M. Lefeviere. Then Jennings made the objection, and it was found 1 necessary to withdraw Prince Charlie from the raca.

The Ballarat trainer, Scobie, who met Avith phenomenal success in the spring, looks like being equally dangerous at the coming autumn meetings in Victoria. His stable 'contains in full Avork Maltster, Banfuriy, Clean Sweep, HautA'illers, United States, The Bride, Paul Pry, Dreamland and ua Carabine and that aristocratic lot are now quartered at Fiemington. Bill of Portland, who is on his Avay to England, looks like proving a very fine spec, for Mr Joel, who gaA*e 4900 guineas for him. Soon after his list for 1901 Avas opened, at 100 guineas, it filled, and other subscriptions were taken for 1902 and 1903 at the same rate. The. fact that the ex-New Zealander Levanter had accepted for the Liverpool Grand National and Lancashire steeplechases Avas guarantee enough that Captain Scott had sold hnn, and since then word has been received, giving Mr S. B. Joel as the buyer. If Levanter has not lost his form he should be hard to heat in. the races mentioned, for he is not illused AA*itli 9.10 and 9.13 respectively. The death of the Queen will probably prevent King Edward Yil. running any. horses in England this year, or at all events until towards the close of the season, Avhich expires on ; NoA-ember 30. Sometimes horses have been in another name AA'lien the owner has been in mourning, but it sems unlikely that such a course Avill be adopted Avith the King’s horses. The first animal to be put out of a A*aluahle engagement Avill be Ambush 11., Avho Avon the Grand National Steeplechase for the Prince of Wales last year. The R-oya-1 two-year-olds did! not slioav much form in 1900, and their OAvner may lose nothing through Lauz-un, Lord Quex, Frusquina, and Lady Lade being retired from the Derby and Oaks. In the case of Diamond' Jubilee it is a different matter. He is engaged in the Bous Memorial and HardAvicke Stakes at Ascot, the Princess of Wales Stake of 10,000 soa*s. at Newmarket (July 4), and'

the Jockey Club Stakes of 10,000 sots. a- NeAvmarket on Oct. 4. On paper Diamond Jubilee looked very like winning the tAvo ten thousand pound stakes—the Princess of Wales Stakes, in fact, looked a certainty fc-r him, but Disguise 11. and Lord Melton are in the Jockey Club Stakes. The lot left in the first big race are very sc-so on public form, and Diamond Jubilee’s AvithdraAval is very likely to advantage the gentleman who gaA*e 1250 guineas for Downham at Mr Musker’s sale in December. With everybody jn mourning the racing season in Engloiid must of necessity b© even duller than that of last year, when the war took so many sportsmen out g£ England. A cable message this week announced that the Duke of Devonshire had leased the King’s racehorses, for the season.

The annual meeting of the Rissington Hack Racing Club—Avhich Jprovides an enjoyable outing in the Hawke’s Bay district—was- held on Saturday last. There is no tot-alisator at Rissington, and in other respects the meeting resembles the picnic gatherings held in New South Wales. This year Wacerport, an aged! chestnut gelding by Daniel O’Rorke, pulled off a treble. He was successful in the Hurdles, one mile and a half; Rissington Cup, one mile and a, half; and V oodthorpe Handicap, one mil© and three quarters. On each occasion Waterport Avas ridden by his owner, Mr C. E. Small.. Waterport’s performance was repeated by The Plug a feuseasons back. Other winners at the meeting: Avere Neptune, by Jet d’Eau— Minerva (probably The Poet’s old stable companion) Avho won the Potaka Handicap. .The Wellington Park-bred Woodthorp© (Cuirassier—-Agnes), got-,home m the Hurry Scurry. Wooclthorpe is owned by Mr T. H. Lowry , and a, particularly Avell-bred one, Agnes being a daughter of,. St. Leger and Lovebird. Koratvai (an.aged gelding by Quilt) succeeded in the Consolation.

The Christ church correspondent of the' Auckland “Star” thus refers to the Dr Bill case : —The . Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club have done what is right by R. A, Patterson, the. Wellington, bookmaker. The Appeal Court, having shoivn them that they exceeded their powers in withholding the stakes- von • by his horses, Dr Bill and Ringlety at their spring meeting, there-Ava-s only one course open, to them so* far a.s the disposal of they stakes Avas concerned, a nd Patterson % claim lias beeis settled. "The sentence of iweUe months’ disqualification was imposed upon Patterson for having obtained the agency of representative in one of the-:leading centres to back his hors©** at totalisator odds for him. The only

evidence on point was voluntarily tendered by Patterson himself, who had to answer • a protest for alleged inconsistency of Dr Bill, and, believing that the best answer to the charge would be the proof that he had . backed his horses, supplied the information. Patterson quite established all xhat it was possible for an owner to show —that his horse had been run bona fide. It was a case of getting out of the frying pan into the fire. A remission of half the term of disqualification under all the circumstances is just. On the same subject /•'Phaeton” writes : —The Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club have reconsidered the case of Mr It. W. Patterson, whom,_ it will he remembered, they disqualified for a period of 12 months for having hacked his horses at “tote” odds with the bookmakers, with the result that the term has been reduced by half. Considering that it was a first case of the kind to come before a body of stewards, and that it was not what could be termed a corrupt offence, the Hawke’s Bay Club might very well have been satisfied with a three months’ disqualification.

The death of a well-known Victorian sportsman is thus referred to by. “Terdinga” :—A good old sportsman, in the person of Mr John Wagner, died last Kunday. In the palmy days of coursing in Victoria Mr “Jack” Wagner was a steady supporter of the sport. Sandy, Rhodanthe, and Miss Walker each won him a Waterloo Cup, though they ran in the nomination of Mr G. Watson, Mr J. W. Crosbie, and Mr J. Grice respectively. Of all the Waterloo Cup winners, Miss Walker is perhaps the bestremembered. She appeared to be lucky all through the stake,- and finally Cockatoo, who was to contest the final with her, was withdrawn. Tameness was the cause of the withdrawal, but the rule which provides that in the case of a final the stewards must- examine a dog, and satisfy themselves as to its incapacity to run, was not complied with. As Miss Walker had been heavily backed, and Cockatoo was an outsider, there was a rumpus, but the committee decided that .all was right, and the bookmakers had to pay and look pleasant. One man went out of Tattersall’s rather than bow to the decision, and it was years before he got back again. Mr Wagner owned several horses. .His first venture was Welcome Jack, who ran a dead heat with Lavinia for the Maribrynong Plate in 1880. Strange to say, Lavinia was the first racehorse Mr John Hart ever owned. Great Western Mr Wagner owned in conjunction with Mr A. W. Robertson, and be won them the Grand National Steeplechase. The firm agso owned St. Lawrence when he won tile Debutant Stakes, and; Ontario, who was afterwards turned out- on of, Sir Thomas Elder’s horse stations, was another pretty good horse Messrs Robertson and Wagner owned. Of late years Mr Wagner dropped out of racing, except as a spectator. He was a cheery, likeable man, who will be much missed in* Mel bourne.

It is roughly estimated that the amount Advance lias been backed for to win the Newmarket Handicap in Melbourne and Sydney is between £40,000 and £50,000. After his arrival in Sydney the best price on offer there was 6 to 1. Mr Dan O’Brien returned from Sydney by the Mokoia on Wednesday last. He journeyed on to Christchurch by the Kotomabana the same evening, and was present at Riccarton on Thursday. H. Cook, a well-known. Sydney jockey, who came under engagement to Mr O’Brien, was also a passenger. Mr O’Brien brought across with him a two-year-old colt and yearling filly by Grafton (imp.) from Grafin (by Carbine—Royal Peeress). Grafin, who is the property of Mr O’Brien, and was raced by him in Sydney, was left at the Widden Stud. The youngsters have numerous classic engagements, for which the- will be prepared at Riccarton. Australian Star (by The Australian Peer.: —Colours) who won the Grand Prize Hurdle Race, of 200 sovs, two miles, at the Sundown Park February meeting, was ~ purchased by Mr S. H. Gollan. in Australia, at a, big figure. This was his first victory in England. The general entries and nominations for w.f.a. events at the V.R.C. Autumn Meeting closed on Monday last, but are not yet to hand. The w.f.a. events at Flemington are : Essendon Stakes, of 650 sovs ;^second 200 sovs, and third 100 sovs from the stakes. One mile and a half. Run on March 2nd.

Champion Stakes, of 1000 sovs; secmid 3C_O sc vs, and third 150 sovs from the stakes. Three miles. Run on March 7th.

All Aged Stakes, of 500 sovs, second 100 .sovs, and third 50 sovs from the stake. One mile. Bun on March 9th. Loeh Plate, of 50 sovs, second 100 sovs, and third 50 sovs from the stake. One mile and three quarters. Run on March 9th.

Advance’s name will probably appear in the w.f.a events, and Boreas in the handicaps, and perhaps the All Aged Stakes.

An Australian writer argues that pro-viding--.stewards see nothing to eause piem to Suspect that any horse had not

J keen ridden to win, that horse should •Tie handicapped on his running, and that a handicapper has no right to assume that he could see more than the stewards.” The sporting contriDutor to the “Canterbury Times” adds : “if any ordinary handicapper could not perceive mere

than the majority of stewards acting in this colony he would produce some funny work.”

It is very seldom that one hears of a starter being fined at a race meeting. This happened, however, at a recent meeting held in Adelaide, when the local wielder of the flag despatched the fieid when one of the horses at least was in front of the post. The stewards met and fined the starter £1 and ordered the race to be re-run, but that made no difference to the result, as Pisboage won in both instances.

At the monthly meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club, the disqualification of W. Mitchell for three years, by the 'Westland Racing Club, for foul riding, was endorsed. Colonel Fox tendered his resignation of the position of judge, which was accepted with great regret, and Mr W. H. Hartgill -was appointed judge for the remainder of the racing season.

A Napier correspondent writes : —Mr W. Robinson has sold Bedtick"(Quilt — Scylla) to a patron of D. Wright’s stable. J. Griffiths, who was stationed at: Greenmeadows a few months ago in charge of Christmas and Pinepinetekura, rode Cory don when he Avon the First Hack at Wniroa on Tuesday. Coelgardie and The Miner have started in work again. Derringcotte’s connections landed a good bet over the dual triumph of Derringcotte’s son this week at the Wairca fixture. Mr Lowry is having the rising two-year-eld fillies by Sou*-wester—Bijou, and Stepniak—Madder, broken in. Arthur Goodwin, who is now in residence at Okawa station, is attending to tueir education. Lady Lome got cut above the hocks through being galloped on in the Awatere Handicap at Wairoa and she was therefore unable to start on the second day of the meeting. Lady Lome, who is in foal to Torpedo, has severed her connection with the racing path. Mr T. Carson, the owner of Wilson, has placed the Dauphin’s son under the tuition of M. Maher. Honours ran in the nomination of Mr G. E. Ormond when, she captured the double of Ma.iu.en Plate and Awatere Handicap on Thursday at Wairoa. Dreadnaught’s grey-coated daughter will for the future form one of Mr Ormond’s team at Mahia. Air J. B. A’Deano is having a three-year-old halfsister by Quilt to Aide-de-Camp and Here broken in.