TURF TOPICS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1686, 22 June 1904, Page 49

TURF TOPICS

(By/“Advanee.”l

THE HAWKE’S BAY MEETING

Tlia winter meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club opens at Hastings today and will bo concluded to-morrow. The fields in the flat events are good, but only fair in the jumping races. The first event each day is timed to start at 12.15 p.m. The following horses may ® run prominently on the opening day. Trial S'teepiecnase—Tawhatu. Winter Hack Handicap—Gold Trip and Rungaratva. Ladies’ Bracelet —Kaipetipeti and Dick Turpin. Hack Hurdles—Valima. Hawke’s Bay Hurdles—Midia and The Guesser. Hunt'Club Steeplechase—Nadador. Corinthian Stakes —Freeland . and Good Spec. The Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase is run on the second day of. the meeting. One of the two top weights, Papatu and Eclair, should win. THREE NOTEHPERFORMERS. < Referring to the deaths of Bendigo, Ormonde, and Foxhall, following 11 ' quick succession, “Ranger” writes:— <: lt was with really genuine regret that I heard of the death of poor old Bendigo; only a horse it may be, but still • he had a personality of his own; to all the tasks set before him he brought a courage that could not he broken, and a single-hearted honesty of purpose, combined with the sweetest and kindliest

nature that ever horse had., How well I .remember the old champion, and his curious habit of looking round him, when he got on to' the racecourse, as if he were sizing up the situation which I really believe he did. No effort of memory is required to recall the Cambridgeshire of 1883, there were twentylive starters, amongst them Fulrnen. Medicufr, the flying Thebais, Hackness, and; Ton an & —names that will linger long in our memory are these—hut Bendigo wen, and I can see the race before me, the three-year-old swerving from distress, but fighting it out with characteristic determination, to win by a neck from Tonans.

“In 1885 'Bendigo won the Lincoln Handicap, and the following year saw the inauguration of the first of the £IO,OOO races, the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park, which was won by Bendigo, amid rounds of Cheering for horse, ownei and trainer alike. 1887 was, of course, the Jubilee year of the reign of Queen Victoria, and the Kemp.ton Park authorities hit upou the happy idea of founding the Jubilee Stakes, which Bendigo carried off amidst the most enthusiastic surroundings, carrying 9st 71b and winning by three parts of a length. He had indeed deserved a reward, and so thought his trainer’s wife, for she gave him a fine, big. rosy-cheeked apple, which betook and munched with the utmost satisfaction. 1

“I doubt if we shall ever again see three such giants in the land as Ormonde, Minting, and Bendigo go forth to do battle for the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot. Each of them ln]d his own circle of admirers, and well they deserved it. What a race it was! but class told, and in spite of his already noticeable infirmity Ormonde won by a neck from Minting, • with .Bendigo still lighting on some two lengths behind. Well! now there is an end, and the Irishbred son cf-Ben Battle and Hasty Girl lies buried near Gaddesby, in. the heart of the shires.

“It never rains but it pours ; and I have just heard of the death of Foxhall who has left an ineffaceable mark on the racing history of his times; he was an American-bred horse, by King Alfonso out of Jamaica, and won many races, both in Britain and . France. I happened to he in Paris for the Grand Prix of 1880, and I do not think I ever saw such a terrific finish' to a race; Fordham rode Foxhall and Archer was on Tristan; the judge’s verdict was a short head in favour of Foxhall, who, that same year, not' only won many memorable races, but performed the feat of winning both the C'esarewitch and the Cambridgeshire, carrying 9st (as a three-year-old) in the latter race, which he won again by a short- head from Lucy Glitters, carrying 6st 71b. He made no mark at til© stud, which is in some sort oi way a corroboration of the correctness of the Bruce Lowe theory, for his family number (15)' has nothing to recommend it from the sire point of view.”

THE HAWKE’S. BAY STEEPLE CHASE

The old-time Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase has lost the important position it once held among cross-country events. When Clarence won his second race in 1884 the Hawke’s Bay event was worth double the value of the Grand National Steeplechase. When Mangaohane won in 1887 the Hastings race was worth £SO0 —a century more than the Grand National.- The. Great Northern Steeplechase was worth 300 sovs, the Wanganui Cjub added 200 sovs to big jumping race, and the principal obstacle event at the Hutt was worth 150 sovs. The Hawke’s Bay meetings have gradually gone back, and this season the winner’s end of the steeplechase is only 150 sovs. In consequence the competitors who will take part in to-morrow’s race, are only second raters, the money not being sufficiently attractive to fetch good horses from a distance. Hawke’s Bay uas never worse off for jumping horses than at present. The first contest for the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase took place in 1879, when the late Mr William Douglas. the best patron of the steeplechase game the colony ever had, won the race, which was then known as the Grand National Steeplechase, with Baron. He also won the Welter Steeplechase. Baron was successful at Ellerslie in* the autumn and was placed behind The Agent m the Grand National. The following season the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase meeting was held on November 9, the programme consisting of three events. Mr W Douglas won two of these with Venture, an aged mare by Diomedes he purchased from Alf Keith. The big event was run over three miles and the Napier Steeplechase Gup (for gentlemen riders) two miles and a-half. Venture was taken over to Wanganui and won the big handicap, run over three miles, and the Grandstand Steeplechase, three miles. In this race the grey Lonehand baulked and Eclipse fell, Venture winning as she liked. Mr Douglas also won the Maiden Steeplechase with Uira (darn of Kapo and Kapua). Alf Keith rode both winners and was also placed in the Hack and Consolation Steeplechases, both of which events were run over a mile and a half. During the afternoon Keith rode in all five events on the programme and rode about twelve miles over fences —a good day’s work. Baron was by Ravensworth, which sire of jumping horses was successfully represented b.y New Year in 1882. Clarence (also py Ravensworth) won the race two years la

succession. The late Mr James Pilbrow’s .old time champion was brought in the Marlborough district, where he was owned and ridden by the late Walter Clifford. The first steeplechase ho took part in was a maiden at the Gram National meeting in 1880. He won his first race at Waimate the same season. In both races at Hastings he was ridden by Mr H. Lunn. He carried 12st 121 b and 13st 31b. The following season Mr W. Proffitt started two, Scrutineer, who the previous season ran third to Clarence and Macaroni. Hie creamy started at 2 to 1 against in a field of fifteen and won from Borneo with Denbigh third. The writer witnessed Denbigh’s success in 1886. The Painter mare came down, to the ITutt and scored in the Wellington Steeplechase. Mr G. P. Donnelly ran first and second in 1887 with Maugaohane and Chvhaoko. Mr Alf ISllingham scored his second victory in the race in 1888, which was a good contest considering that only half a dozen started. Chemist carried 12st 61b and beat Mangaohane a length, Denbigh being * good third-. Oddfellow, who was second • n the Maiden aud Consolation race.-,, scored the following season for Mr Teddy McElwain, the Wanganui owner. Oddfellow gave The Painter his third success in the race. Previous winners sired by him were Denbigh and Chemist. The Taranaki contingent scored the following season with the Puriri maro Jenny, who had P. Johnston in the saddle.. The Terenga gelding Tauraekaitai beat a moderate lot- in 1891. Whalebone’s victory was one of the softest ever recorded. The Volunteer gelding, .won by aboflt half a mile, and scored a somewhat easy win at Napier Park a few days later. It was a real good field that Gondolier settled. including Norton. Tiritea, Couranto and Waterbury, Norton and Tiritea followed Morag home in 1894. Norton was conceding the winner 3st 31b and might have been second. Norton made his third appearance in the race in Mr Gollan’s interest and was ridden by his owner. Fourteen started and only four finished. Norton won by two lengths from Bombardier, Booties third. Tt was a good field that Norton finished in front of including Liberator, Roscius, Tiritea and Mutiny. Kafka, a pony by The Admiral, brought the race to the Wairarapa in 1898. He put down Mutiny, Tiritea Booties and Morag. The latter scored his second success in the contest a year later. The Plug, who ran third to Kaika. acted as runner up, Mr Douglas started Mutiny, who came third, and Tiritea. Morag was unplaced m the noor field that finished behind Rhino. Morag was again seen out in 1899—five years after he had won his first race—but did not shew up prominently. The Auckland pair, Kanaka and were best backed, but Ruby (Denbigh’s daughter), who was the least, fancied, scored a eoftifortable victory. The Hon. J. D. Ormond owned Roller, who scored three years back. Mr Ellingham scored bis fourth win with Moifaa (Denb ah’ son) who was successful in a mission in which Levanter and Norton had failed, the Liverpool Grand National. THE SIEVIER CASE. The Sievier slander action was reported fully in the English sporting papers. Counsel for the. plaintiff in his address made somewhat of a review of the situation, from which I clip the following extracts :—Sir James, Duke posed as the custodian of the honour of the Raleigh Club, and one of the rules of the club was that in case the conduct of any member, either in or out of it, should' be injurious to the character and interests of the club, the member should be summoned before the committee for the consideration of his case. A by-law provided that the club should be open from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. the next morning, and that cards could not be played on credit for more than £2OO at a time. He did not mention this to discredit the club, but because his case was that, amongst other things, the plaintiff was a man whoi had lived a life in which lie had betted a great deal, raced a great deal, and played cards a great deal, and whether they approved of that or not they were not entitled to gibbet a man so long as he lived that life fairly. That- was the character of the club and the rules, and another rule was that if a member introduced an undesirable person, that member could be called to account by the committee. On the occasion in October the plaintiff, returning from Newmarket, went to the Raleigh Club with a friend, and went into speak to a member. He remained talking to this member and others for the best part of an hour, and was seen there by the defendant, who asked Major Sellar, a member of the club, if he had introduced plaintiff. The Major said he lxad not. and then the defendant made the statements complained or. But the defendant bad another and an ungenerous line, viz., that he would try and save his pocket by trying to satisfy the jury that the plaintiff was a man of general had character who ought not to be allowed to bring an action for slander at all. It was because of that line taken that lie wished to say a few words about the plaintiff’s history, because apparently no expense or pains had been spared in raking up evidence, not only here hut in Australia, against the plaintiff. Shortly, the plaintiff's history was* this. He was born in the year 1860 in London, his father and grandfather holding good positions. He was educated, at

Cheltenham, and on leaving school' went to South Africa, serving with distinction in one of the Kaffir wars. After that for several years plaintiff earned. liis living on the stage, both in England l and India. In the year 1882,. when- 22 years of age, plaintiff went to Australia, where he earned his living as a bookmaker, carrying on the business in the name of Robert Sutton. There, after a few. weeks’ acquaintance, he married a lady, iwas divorced, and that divorce was made the subject of comment and introduced into the particulars. He would not go into that, however, but leave it for his learned friends if they thought it advisable. The only incident of any account that happened in Australia was that plaintiff, at a pigeon shooting match in Melbourne, was foolish enough to say that one of the shooters deliberately missed his bird. A rumpus took placeand plaintiff was taken before the police court and had to pay the costs. In March, 1886, the plaintiff returned* to England, and was elected a member -

of Boodle’s Club, being proposed by a great friend of plaintiff’s father and seconded by a person of high position. Fie remained a member of that club ftntiL his subscription lapsed,, upon his return to Australia.

There was a certain noble lord at Mel-, bourne at this time, and he occupied a high social position, being aide-de-camp to the Governor. He owed 4 Mr Sievier some money, and, as he did not. pay, Mr Sievier informed him that unless he paid he would post him at the Victoria Club, which was a racing club at Melbourne. The young gentleman wrote to Mr Sievier a letter, in which he said : “I hope to be able to pay you the £287 by Friday week. Meanwhile,, . post me in the club, and be d d.” Mr Sievier determined to have the measure of this young gentleman, and he told him he must apologise. The young gentleman did not apologise, and When Mr Sievier met him in one of the rooms of the club he spoke to him about his insulting letter- Obtaining no satisfaction, Mr Sievier bundled him out of the room of the club. The case came before the committee of the club, and Mr Sievier was expelled. Mi' Sievier thought that he would have a public vindication of the matter, and took out a summons against the noble lord, .who also issued a summons against Mr Sievier. The two summonses were heard before a large Bench, and by a majority of one the Bencn convicted Mr Sievier and he got fourteen days. On appeal that conviction was quashed, and the noble lord had to pay tne costs of both hearings. CHATTER. Improvements are still going on in a quiet way on uhe Lower Valley Jockey Club’s property at Martinborough. A drain is being dug round the inside of the training track, with outlets. This will keep the water off the track and enable trainers to train longer into the winter. Horses are now training on the course which is usually closed at this time of the year. The club submitted to the conference. Boxing Day and the day following for their annual race-meet-ing, which are the original dates. Narcotic is now being trained by Mr J. Russell. It is understood lie has hadthe promise of training Rebel King early in the spring. J. McGrath, who has been training Narcotic, has left the district.

The ex-New Zealander Wester ley is in Messrs W. C. Yuille’s private sale list. A Melbourne .scribe states that he lias been transferred to Fiemington, and is under* the car© of J. Morrison. Wester ley, who ran second to Marmont in the V.R.O. Grand National Hurdle Race, has defied all attempts to train him since. He is now a hopeless case. 5L Carmody, who recently had him,, gave him up as such.. A two-year-old half-brother to Oapulet, by Bonnie Scotland, was passed in at 90 guineas at Masterbon last week. Mr E. Heppell, the well-known New South Wales bookmaker, has returned from New Zealand, and, despite the “Tote,” reckons it is a good place for “ringmen” to ply their vocation, more especially if they run a shop. On those courses where bookmakers are permitted to do business, they receive plenty of patronage, and the Sydney man is not surprised that they stick to New Zealand in view of the prices that, backers take. Mr Heppell also says it is a mistaken idea that credit is not given in connection with the totalisator. Mr J. Cotter’s hurdle horse Great Scot has again gone lame. He was engaged at the Hawke’s Bay winter meetin- where it was expected he would acquit himself creditably. The two yearlings sold on account of Mr T. Payton, the Sydney trainer, at Christchurch recently, brought 245 sovs more than when sold in Sydney in April last. They brought slightly more than double the amount when sold in Sydney. Otairi. who had been entered for the 11.8. Jockey Club’s races, met with an accident on Wednesday morning that will incapacitate him probably from any future racing. The Kempenfeldt gelding was exercising on the flat with Matador and Evening, when lie slipped and broke a ligament of the near fore leg. Tho annual conference of deleirates of trotting clubs will be held in Wellington on July 11th, and tho Racing Conference on. Jnlv 12th. The Manawatu Racing: Club has decided to recommend the following alterations in tho Rules of Racing at the conference to be held in Wellington next month: “That at meetings- held under the auspices of tho New Zealand Polo Associ®-

tion, and with the approval of the metropolitan club interested, riders should not be liable to disqualification; (2) that hacks be allowed to win ,£IOO net, or <£3oo collectively, before entering into open company The club intends to make application at the conference for a steeplechase meeting for next year. The Wellington Racing Club has been fortunate in securing the services of Mr Thos. King, caterer to the Auckland Racing Club, who will have charge of the luncheon booths and tea room at the winter meeting. Visitors to Ellerslie have expressed themselves highly pleased with the catering arrangements there, ,which are said to be superior to those of anv other course in the colony. The luncheon difficulty at the Hutt promises to be settled once and for all. Mr King came down specially from Auckland last week to make the necessary arrangements. * The Hutt stables will be represented at the Hawke's Bay meeting by Levant and Warwick.' The Melbourne Cup will be run on November 4st. .... Tho Hutt steeplechase course is being put in order for the forthcoming meeting. There have been some alterations made to the obstacles. The sod wall in front of Che people's stand has been done away with, and in its place a substantial log fence has been erected. A stiff brush fence, about 4ft 9in high, has been put up in front of the grandstand. The post and rail fepjie. approaching the home turn has been removed, and in its place a solid sod wall has •been ' built. The Waitaraph Racing Club intends to provide accommodation for visiting trainers at the Tanherehikau course. On Friday last Messrs W. E. Bidmell, W..J. Nix, F. Pearce, Benton Allan- and Quinton Donald, members of that club's course committee, paid a visit to Mastertoh for the purpose of inspecting the loose boxes at the Opaki racecourse. They were met at the railway staton by Messrs A. W. Cave, C. P. Vallance, F. Hill, -J. Macara, F. Moore, A. G. Pilmer, D. Caselberg and T. Duncan, the Masterton Racing Club's course committee. After inspecting the racing stock at Mr J. Macara's farm, the party visited the Opaki course where the visitors were entertained and shown the loose boxes and buildings which have been erected for visiting trainers and’ jockeys. On returning to Masterton the party were entertained at the Club Hotel, by Mr A. ;W. Cave, president of the Masterton Eacing Club. ' ? .

TARANAKI NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

- Mr A-. Champion evidently intends to get a string of horses together. He has had Tukapa and Cavalry for some time, and raced both at the Northern meeting. Cavalry paid his way well, and as lyfr Champion got him for £SO the deal has proved remunerative. Tukapa, I think, is a light of other days. T notice that Mr Champion on Friday last purchased Kamo and Cygnet at Auckland, and no doubt he will bring the pair to Now Plymouth to be trained. His stables are at Fitzroy, about two miles from the centre of town.

I hear that Full Cry has apparently quite recovered .from the trouble that suddenly affected him at Wanganui, and C understand that Mr Laurent will put him in work a-s soon as possible. Mr Dan O’Brien’s pair, Heroism and Grenade, are wintering well, and wall ' b» seen out in the spring. There was a good deal of wagering here over the Northern meeting. The layers. 1 think, got the better of the struggle iii the finish.

The inquiry to be held on Monday next - (June 20) is creating a, good deal On* interest in sporting circles as “reflations” are expected. June 18.

WAIRARAPA. fFrom Our Own Correspondent.) i The Wairarapa Hunt Club intend holding a Point to Point Steeplechase on 'August 25. The course will be from Dry River Station to Martinborough, and the jumps will include post and rail fences, hedges, ditches and creeks. Great interest is being taken in the event, and - the horses that will enter the contest are now. being looked after with, a view to performing with credit to'their riders and themselves. Mr John ,Cotter’s Great Scott, who has been doing good work at Palmerston in view of the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase , went lame the other day. and will be * brought back to Grey town shortly. That the horse did not stand a preparation is unfortunate, for Mr Cotter, who expected him to show good form this winter. Among other horses owned bv him however, are at least one or two that, with ordinary luck, should make names for themselves as jumpers, and these may be seen out next season, it being too late now to put them into work for this winter’s events.

The,Martinborough horses Mourner

and Rungarawa will represent the Lower Valley at the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase meeting. The many friends of Wi Hu-

tana, the well-known trainer, will be glad to hear of the success of either contestC ant. > The Flintlock —Blue Belle horses, Ngatitoa will probably be taken in hand again in a few days, and will be worked on the Tauherenilzau tracks. This horse is rising five years old and properly placed. should tfuow to advantage when : hi? condition is rig J b. Mr R. Bright’s Au Revoir gelding, Rino, has been given a couple of runs ; afc, the Hunt Club meets, and acquitted T himself in fine style.

A Greytown sportsman has lately put into work a four-year-old mare by Flintlock —Treason mare, which is acquitting herself well for a beginner. The Lower Valley Jockey Club has recently effected various improvements to its course, the principal of which is the cutting of a drain round the inside of the winter track, so as to enable trainers to work as far into the season as possible. The Club has again selected Boxing Day and the following day on which to hold the annual race meeting.

Narcotic is now being trained by J. Bussell, at Martinborough. This trainer who has been successful with horses trained by him in late years, will probably have Rebel King as an addition to his team very shortly. At the sale of thoroughbred horses at Masterton on Wednesday there was » large attendance, including sporting men fiom the length and breadth of the district. It was soon evident, however, that there were few buyers among the crowd, for, bidding was anything but spirited. Out of a catalogue of twentyseven only one was sold, a two-year-old filly byHipsy King—Try Luck, at eleven guineas. A two-year-old gelding by Bonnie Scotland —Princess Agnes, bred by Mr James Macara was passed in at 90 guineas; Mr W. Corlett’s Sir Agnes was withdrawn at 50 guineas, the bidding for the balance offered being on a low margin. The horses offered in addition to those mentioned were Hurimoana, gelding by ,St. Hippo—Merry Maiden, Flying Cloud, Flintlock —Radiant gelding, Sbu’-wester —Cornelia gelding, by filly by Bonnie Scotland —-Minnie Palmer, Master Agnes —Foreshore filly, Foreshore with colt foal by Mauser, Dormitery. Black Dust, Artisan, Chainlink First Water gelding, Mountain Dew, Tally-ho, Ramrod, Try Luck, Lady Manderville and two or three juveniles. One of the best quality horses bred in Wairarapa for some time is Mr J. Macara’s two-year-old bay gelding by Bonnie Scotland—Princess Agnes, who is also dam of Capulefc and Montague. The colt is a nice level, animal in conformation, with clean shoulders and good quarters. His limbs are in no way faulty, and as he is not one of the leggy kind, and his action is stylish, lie should be well worth the figure required for him. It is probable, however, that his owner mav race him on his own account.

NAPIER.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

F. Tilley experienced a stroke of bad luck yesterday morning. When Otairi went out the gelding was working over the country in company with Nadador and Evening. The trio had successfully got over seven fences and after clearing the eighth-(the post and rails) Otairi was seen to go short after landing, arid upon examination it was seen that the susp< nsory ligament of the near fore-leg had given way. Comfort and Cruesot arrived from Auckland by the Waikare this morning, the pair looking in fine fettle, despite the racing and travelling that they have Ead of late.

A. Woods has set Gold Seal going again. The son of Gold Reef, who has been resting for a good period, was ridden for the first-time for months this week. Woods has also got amongst others, the younger half-brother, by Daunt, to Gold Seal; stepping out, the youngster shapes well. Mr A. Hyde has been engaged to ride Rags in the Ladies’ Bracelet at Hastings next week. Previously this able exponent of the art of riding has been associated with Mr Lowry’s horses when they required the services of a gentleman horseman.

Kanuwai is giving every satisfaction in her tasks, the state of the going being all in her favour.

Dalny, the two-year-old full sister to Orloff, regularly puts in an appearance or the trying out grounds at Hastings. She is a sweet turned filly, whose appearance suggests the endowment of pace. John Quintlivan, who is in charge of the thoroughbred stock at Longlands station, has Dalny under his tuition. Mr P. Neagle has been educating Amadeja over the country during 'the past week, the chestnut mare having been his mount at the last two" meets oi the Hawke’s Bay Hounds. Douche, Hydrant’s younger sister, ha& created a favourable impression by the good style in which she gets*through her tasks. She is under the care of H. Whitaker, who also has Ice under his supervision. Quilted is one of the hospital lot, the Quilt gelding having went amiss after doing a serviceable gallop with Rags last Saturday morning.

Several sports in the Waipawa district had a good time of it over the concluding da> or the Auckland Winter meeting, their choice, Eclair, landing the Winter Steeplechase. The Possible—Violet filly, who fell to the bid of Mr McLemon. of Tomcana, when the last batch of Mangatarata ■juveniles went up for sale in January, has been named Flower Girl. J. Lowry, who for a number of years was associated with Mr J. T. Blaste’s team has the youngster in hand. Provost Marshal’s efforts lately have been of a meritorious order, and it looks like good business, prophesying winning honours for him at the approaching Hawke’s Bay and Napier Park meetings.