RACING CHATTER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1514, 7 March 1901, Page 39

RACING CHATTER.

BY “ADVANCE/" - Mr John Harris, manager of the Hon. J. D. Ormond’s Woodville property, kindly arranged for me to visit- the blood stock running out oil the farm during the Woodville meeting. There are a great number of horses running out on the estate, but there is such an abundance of feed that the retired racers and the youngsters who have yet to make their appearance in the “cerise” jacket all look particularly well on it. The best known of the retired divas ion was North Atlantic (Nordenfetdt Atlantis) half-brother to St. Leger. Such a highly performed and beautifully bred horse mjight have been left entire. Hussar (Cuirassier —Martyr) appears to- have quite recovered from the accident he met with while competing in a hurdle race at Hastings. A small but <,smart-looking bay filly rising three years from Maluri (Maina —Noma) is the only progeny of Defiance. When in training Defiance jumped a fence into a- paddock where Maluri was running and this filly (named Hoity Toity) was the result. An aged gelding by Voltiguer—Kurinui (named Powhatu) who was swopped for a three-year-old sister to Jabber, had not done the stable any service, and, like most of the Voltiguer tribe, is decidedly plain. Two three-year-old geldings by Dreadnought from Waterbaby (named Kelpy) and Lullaby (named: Moe) if they do not earn distinction oil the race track would make first-class hacks A three-year-old full sister to Defiance (Dreadnought—Legacy) named Codicil, resembles her relartive in a good deal. Although St. Anthony is infirm and practically useless for ordinary utility purposes, few better looking horses could be found ill the* colony. By St. Leger—Fanny Fishier (dam of Torpedo) it seems a pity such a well-bred horse was not left whole. The geldings Nansen (Dreadnought—Norse maid) and his full brother North Star, Reliance (Dreadnought-—-Dryad) Dasher (Dreadnaught Miss Evelyn), Valiant (Dreadnought —Waterbaby) and numerous others are spending their days in green pastures. Signs of the hot fly were unfortunately visible in the coats "of the horses, and the pests were paying attention to them while they were under inspection. In. an adjoining paddock were a splendid lot of fat lambs, some of which were bound for Tomoana the day following our visit. The cabbages grown in the market garden on the estate would hold their own in any show. A largei lagoon on the property, in which flocks of wild d'upks were disporting themselves, provided excellent shooting in the season and rowing as a recreation all the year round. After partaking: of our host’s hospitality the party —which consisted of Mr A. McCormick (a of the Woodville and Pahiatua clubs) Mi’ \V. Nightingale, the well-known Napier turf scribe, Mi* Jas. Walden, R. D. and Fred Davis, who carries the “cerise” jacket —were all aboard for Wodville, after expressing a hope that our visit would not be the last. Residing, in such pleasant surroundings it was notdifficult to. discover why Mr Harris—or “John,” as he is generally called —is such a hale fellow well met, always on the best of terms with himself and everybody else.

Eight yearlings by Trenton were sold by auction in England! last year ,and they averaged 1118 guineas. Two by Carbine averaged 1125 guineas, but Orme’s return of 3042 guineas each for 10 is the most extraordinary that has ever been made./

There was an extraordinary development after the placings for the S T.C. Anniversary Handicap l had been decided by the judge at Randwick. The owner of Bombshell was badly advised enough to demand that his protest against the placing of Dandy first instead of Soiufcshell should be received. The rules of racing do not allow of any such protest being received, andi that such a document should pass the club officials and reach, the stewards is somewhat puczling. However, some allowance may be possible for what an owner who is swayed by excitement might do. iinder the impression that a mistake jiad been made. If a judge makes an accidental mistake in putting numbers up, he can oorrest it himself, but the stewards have no control over his verdict in any case. Therefore, there could be no protest, but to mark their disapproval or such an attempt the stewards fined Bombshell’s owner £5. Geo. Walls is a particularly unlucky horseman. He had only recently recovered from the severe injuries received when Derry fell with him at. Riccarton, and on the second day at Woodville had the ride on Wonder in the jumping race. Wonder fell at the last hurdle and Walls was considerably shaken and bruised, although no bones were broken. It was expected that one of the attractions of the Flying Stakes at Tottor V Paddock would have been the fact that one of the riders -was a lady, namely, Miss Abbott, who was to have had the mount on Athel. The committee, however, refused to allow Miss Ab-

bott a license, and therefore she was unable to take part, as expected. There is no. more fearless horsewoman in Auckland than the daughter of the wellknown Otahuhu boniface, and she invariably rides the horse in his work ; but although Athel might no doubt have run more kindly with the young lady in the saddle, still perhaps the stewards were well advised not to allow her to ride in public, for, if by any mischance, an accident had occurred, there would have been a howl of indignation from the public.

The disappointing gelding Bulrush (Dreadnought—Martyr) has been disposed of by W. Holmes to Mr Harding, of Kaikoura, and he was shipped across to Blenheim on Saturday last. A Wellington punter, who can speak with experience of Bulrush, says he is not worth “two penn’orth of jin.” The present excellent position of the Woodville District Jockey Club is greatly due to the capable management of Mr K. J. McLennan, secretary, who is a most obliging and hardworking officer. Mr McLennan, is also secretary of the Woodville A. and P. Association, and agent for Abraham and Williams 1 , the wel 1-known auctioneers. When the; nominator of the mare Gooramadda (late Music, late Melody), and the mare were disqualified for life by the Chiltern stewards for alleged fraudulent practices in connection with a galloway handicap at the ordinary meeting, it was decided to allow Mr R, S. Henry, of Melbourne, a chance to' explain his position, the date of hearing being fixed for Friday last. Mr Henry excused himself on account of having met with an accident, but stated he would appear for ceetaiu on Monday night. A meeting of the local stewards was held on February 19th, but there wag no appearance of or apology from Mr Henry, and he was disqualified for life.

Mr R. Smith—perhaps better knows as “Kiltie” on account of his connection with Caledonian sports—was president at the Woodville meeting, of which, club he is a steward,and gave v me some particulars of racing in the bush districts.; The first meeting was held at Tahoraite in 1875, the club being known as the Woodville-Tahoraite xvacing Club. Mr Smith was secretary and treasurer. When the clhb increased, a. move was made to Mr Gaisford’s property, known as Oringi Flat, where the Woodville District Jockey Club’s meetings were first held. When Mr Smith left the district for Napier he was elected a life member of the club. bnortly afterwards, the Dannevirke and Woodville settlers split out and decided to race on their own. The club lias since made steady progress and has purchased the property on which the meetings are held. Secretaries E. E. Lewis (Pahiatua) and Ltiekie (Hawke’s Bay) jvere present at the Woodville District Jockey Club’s meeting.

As was only to- be expected, most o£ Mr O. L. Macdonald’s investments at the St. Albans sale are turning out well. Regained unluckily went wrong prior to the Spring Meetings, and Revenue cost the stable a bit- of money in connection with the Cup and the Final Handicap at Fleming; but Kinglike, Wakeful, axld Aurous have each been successful-, and in good races, too. Aurous, who cost her present owner 350 gs, won the Caulfield Futurity Stakes very easily onf Saturday, and now hackers are puzzled; to know which is going to be Mr Macdonald’s Newmarket representative, as in addition to Aurous and Wakeful, Revenue has to be taken into consideration. Although backed for long races by his connections, Revenue has generally shaped more like a sprinter than a stayer, and there are many who believe hie will prove to be the correct pea. The; V.A.T'.C. bandicapper is evidently of opinion that of Wakeful and Aurous the latter is the better of the two &t : their Newmarket weights, for in the Hawksbum Handicap, to be run on Saturday, she is placed within 21b of Wake-, ; ful, while at Flemingtbn 81b divides them.

Among the probable applicants foa* • the position of secretary to the Wellington Racing Club, which close on the 18th inst., I have heard the names of racing club secretaries, horse owners, newspaper writers and! others. There has been a lot of talk about it being cut and dried for a member of the club, - but the condition that the successful applicant must devote the whole of big time to the position and not be otherwise employed will be an obstacle for him'. The best man for the position- — if he could sink his personal difference® with some of the younger stewards of the club, and be prevailed upon to apply—is undoubtedly Mr H. M. Lyon. J. B. Williamson, the well-known Auckland! trainer, who raced Coronet andl Eton at Taranaki and the latter at Egmont, was present at the Woodville meeting.

Great things were expected from Gosr soon when Mr Harry Mackellar brought him' out to Kirkham (writes “Milroy ), but his first batches of foals ran disappointingly and weakly. This can only, bs attributed to the horse not having thoroughly thrown off the effects oaf training, because as he grew older Ma stock came better. Fulminate belongs to bis third batch, and Ibex, who is set far the best two-year-old of the season, is one of the fifth lot. On figures orline Fulminate’s is a very choice pedigree, and the same may be said of Aurous, with whom Mr McDonald surprise*! the bookmakers on Saturday.

Secretary “Tocl” Lewis informed me at Wo.odvi.lle that the Pahiatua Racing Club are pushing on with the work m connection with the new course. work is being carried out by day labour under the supervision of the club’s engineer, Mr R. Greville. The course will be sown in the Autumn and everything should be ready for tue next 111 1)? Reed, of Palmerston North, formerly owner cf Dreamland, an T other horses, was present at one Woodville meeting, and attended to w alls after his accident in the hurdle race. Althouoia not connected with the ciub in any way and only present as a visitor, the Doctor refused to accept a tee for his services, for which he was thanked by the President (Mr Bolton) oil behalf of the club.

Owners and trainers are getting into a very careless style with reference to the colours. Hardly a meeting passes that there are not alterations made m several races of the colours. as they appear in the official book. This gives the secretary extra work, misleads tlie puolie -and makes the description of a race more difficult than it otherwise would be. Some jockeys go out with wrong colours and the persons responsible have not even taken, the trouble to notify the public. Rule 152 gives stewards the power to impose a fine of £2, and until this is done no improvement can be expected in the present state of affairs. _ . Fred Watson did not journey to Woodville to see Dartmoor and Battleaxe race there. Percy Johnston was very annoyed at the judge’s decision in the Autumn Handicap on the second day. Joe Gallagher appeared to be a good deal cut up over it. Probably no one was more surprised when they saw the numbers go up than Sam Lincisay, who rode Will o’ the Wisp. The victory of Aurous in the rich Fourth Futurity Stakes, further enbailees the value of her dam, Aura, who was recently purchased by the Southern sportsman, Mr G. G. Stead. Having already thrown two such wonderful performers as Auraria, a Melbourne Cup winner, and Aurum, one of the best ever seen in Australia, Aura should be a great acquisition to the Y aid hurst stud.

Skobeleff was accompanied to Wanganui by Cruciform, who claims an engagement in the Hawke’s Bay Stakes, and should have no difficulty in winning that event. There were a large number of ladies present at the Woodville meeting—the stand seating accommodation was at times filled to overflowing—and the absence of a band to enliven proceedings during the intervals between the races was commented upon. Prior to the start for the St. George’s Stakes a commission was executed in favour of Lancaster for the Australian Cup, fully £3OOO being secured on th® ground about the Auckland-bred one. The ‘'Sportsman,” referring to tlia house’s running in the* Stakes, says: “Lancaster looked well —a trifle too well, perhaps—and was heavily backed by his party, only to cut up badly. Cooper was riding the half-brother to Trenton three furlongs* from home, and lie did not appear to respond any too gamely. Very likely. Lancaster was short of. a fast gallop or two, and will show improved form' next time he appears in public.” The totalisator turnover at the Woodville District Jockey Club meeting last week showed a decrease of £1165, compared with last year. The people were there, but they did not have the money to spend. The pockets of the public have been pretty heavily taxed lately for demonstrations of one kind and another, and the totalisator and other luxuries must suffer.

The time . taken by Aureus, Imin 29sec., when she won the Caulfield Futurity Stakes recently, was a record for the race. The daughter of Wallace has been withdrawn from the Newmarket Handicap, but she is engaged in the Sydney Cup with the light impost of 6st 91b opposite her name. The South Australian horse Security won the Metropolitan Stakes of 8000 rupees, three-quarters of a mile, which is the chief event of the Calcutta meeting, in January. He carried 9.2. and heat Strathioy Bst 21b, Vigorous Bst 71b, Forest 7st 91b, Veneda 9st 51b, Amourette Bst 31b, . Malto Bst lib, Merloolas 7st 121 b, and 1 Luxury 7st 21b. Vigorous started a strong favourite. The weight Berloolas carried shows that that gelding itiust be quite all to pieces. , It was stated that Dewey, who ran third in Merriwee’s Melbourne Cup, was returning to Australia, and now there is word from India stating that he died at Singapore l from an affection of the lungs. Dewey, who cost the Sultan of Johore about £2500, was attacked by some illness or other soon after reaching India, and never quite shook it off. At one of the Singapore meetings, a horse named The Crown ran in the name of the Sultan of Johore as a maiden, but upon inquiry it was proved that he was identical with Truth, who went from Australia to India with Dewey and some others of the Sultan’s horses. Subsequently the person who took Truth to India signed a confession in which be stated that he alono knew of the identity of the horse. In mentioning the matter, an Indian paper says: *‘Soaae doubt has been raised concerning iT.it. the Siiitan of Johore’s connection with the unfortunate business. It is only just to his Highness that it should bo specifically stated that hLs conduct

was never caked in question, and tnat not a shadow of suspicion ever rested unon him.” "The following are the office-bearers of the Woodville District Jockey Club : President, Mr S. Bolton; vice-presi-dent, -Mr J. 11. Monteith; judge, Mr H. D. Buchanan; clerk of scales, Mr G. H. Redwood; handicapper, Mr J. E. Henrys; starter, Mr T. Cameron; timekeeper, Mr F. M. Kenney; clerk of course, Mr G. Peebles; stewards, Mr A. i*xcCcrmick, Mr J. Troup, Mr J. Harris, Mr R. Smith, Mr E. J. Gofchard, Mr J. Leithead, Mr A. H. Ross, Mr A. Yule, Mr H. Monteith; treasurer, Mr G. T. Hall; secretary, Mr K. J. McLennan.

Daniel Sullivan, who had the base of Ins skull fractured and received other injuries when the INe-.v Zealand racehorse Boreas kicked him while being dressed on February 13th, was m a. serious condition at St. Vincent’s Hospital. A telephonic message I rout the hospital authorities on. the .201 h ult. stated that Sullivan was a t rifle better than he had been, a.ndP’they had hopes that he would recover.

Mr Baxter, of (J ivy mouth, purchased Will o’ the Wisp for £3OO at Fgmonh, delivery to be taken a Her tlie Woodville meeting. He was shipped to the West Coast on Saturday ln.sfc. Mr Baxter has not yet. decided who will train the gelding, bid E. Moran will, rule The strongest opposition Will o' the Wisp will have to meet down there is Hotu, a cut and come again customer like himself. Percy Martin did not appear to get the Mystical gelding as well as when Mr Robinson had him.

The luncheon given by the stewards of the Woodville District Jockey Club is laid out in a specially erected marquee on the lawn, and is a first-class spread. Visiting owners, racing club officials and pressmen are the guests of the club, and the general opinion of the visitors was that the Woodville luncheon compared favourably with other North Island clubs. The “Planters’ Gazette” states: —“If, as is stated in Bombay, the two turf clubs are considering the question of horses which have run at unsanctioned or unrecognised meetings in Australiabeing allowed to run in India, we shall see. all Australian and English ponies barred, for in neither country is pony racing recognised or run under the aegis of the recognised turf authorities.” Mr Joseph Chadwick arrived from the South on Sunday last on his way to Auckland, and will be present at the Wanganui meeting this week. The Christchurch people recognise the loss they have sustained in the departure of “Spectator,” and are endeavouring to get “Mi'lroy” (Mr T. Willis), of the “Sydney Mail,” to fill the vacancy.

The building at present doing service at Woodville for clerk of the scales, secretary, press and telegraph office is altogether too. small, and the officials mentioned have to work under a great disadvantage. I understand it is the intention of the club to erect an up-to-date' stewards’ stand to meet present requirements. It is to be hoped the work will be started shortly, so as to be finished in time for next season. T. Cameron started at tlie Woodville meeting in Harry Piper’s absence at Dunedin. With one exception the starting was satisfactory. In the Grand Stand Handicap on the first day Mr Cameron sent them away in very straggling order. In one or two events horses were slow to begin—which is not always the starter’s fault—and in the Scurry Wilson got a flying start on Valkrye. Mr. Cameron’s services are coming into request with clubs. He acted at Dannevirke in Mr Piper’s absence, and has been appointed for Stratford meeting next week. Other clubs Mr Cameron starts for are Foxton, Rangitikei, Ashurst, and Feilding. Con O’Donoghue was disappointed with the way Derringcotte shaped on the second day at Woodville. The Napier . trainers do not appear to get the Derringer gelding as well as when Jim Reed had him. In Mr John Harris tlie Woodville District Jockey Club have" a hard-work-ing steward, Who acts as clerk of the totalisator. Mr Harris assists the Pahiatua Club in a similar manner.

Representatives from all departments connected with the “Press 3 ’ Office met together last Friday for the purpose of making a presentation to a departing comrade, Mr Joseph Chadwick (“Spectator” of the “Weekly Press and Refeiree '). Mr G. G. Stead, the managing director, who acted as Chairman, said that Mr Chadwick had been one of the most popular members of the staff. Mr Chadwick was leaving almost entiredy on account of his health, but he was not severing his connection with the paper, for he would represent the “Weekly Press and Referee” in Auckland. Mr Stead then presented Mr Chadwick, on behalf of the subscribers, with a portmanteau, a handbag, and a Pelican fountain pen. Mr Chadwick, in returning thinks, said that while in Auckland he hoped to do better work for the “Weekly Press and Referee’’ than he had done in the past. There was a big field there for anybody whocould do the work. Cheers were then given for Mr and Mrs Chadwick, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings.The following horses hare made the final payments for the Wanganui Cup, one mild and three-quarters : —Renown Bst 131 b, Ideal Bst 41b, Nobility Bst 21b, Skobeloff 7st 91b, Dayntree 7st 51b, Palaver 7st 51b, K&lruwai 7sfc,- Qixgqh s Guard 6st 81b.