TURF TOPICS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1687, 29 June 1904, Page 48

TURF TOPICS

(By “Advance.")

HAWKE’S BAY WINTER MEETING.

The-Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club was particularly fortunate in the weather experienced for its winter meeting, heal at Hastings on Wednesday and Thursday last. The attendance was above the average. The jumping contests attracted •h few visitors from outside districts including Mr Duncan Rutherford, of Canterbury, a well-known patron of jumping races and Mr John Cotter, who had the bad luck to lose Great Scott’s services through that gelding breaking down. v * ' The class of jumpers at the meeting was somewhat below that usually seen out at important gatherings. Rhyl, who waf making his first appearance over country in the Trial Steeplechase, is a fine fencer but somewhat deficient in pace. On the first day he jumped cleverly and won without being extended. The best of the others was the ten-year-old Sabreur, who as a five-year-old was nearly at the top of the tree over hurdles before, he went wrong. He made a race of it with the winner. The Wel-lington-trained Dismal only got as far as the sod wail, with which no liberties could be taken, and Taniwha was in trouble all the way. Ip the Final Steeplechase Sabreur met Rhyl on 101 b better terms. They ran together most of the way. Rhyl gained ground at every fence, which Sabreur made up on .the (fiat. They cleared the last obstacle together, Sabreur drawing away in the run home. Tonhatu. an aged gelding by Voltigeur, who ran in the ownersh.p of Messrs Riddiford and Wilson, the well-known Rangitikei hunting men, did snot shape well in the Trial Steeplechase. He was ridden by J. Camenm, who was indisposed, which probably accounts fo: the gelding’s form as compared with

that in, the big steeplechase on the second day when ridden by R. McGregor. Nadador was a out above the hunters competing at the meeting. She is good enough to meet such horses as competed in the-open events. Erebus, a Torpedo gelding hailing, from the Rangitikei district and Vagrant (by Wanderer) toppled over at the sod wall when the pace was put on. The same fence brought Vagrant down on the second day. Gun Metal and La Belle are hunters' pure and simple. Erebus was made favourite for the Hunters’ Hurdles, but Cavill (a Natator gelding) always had a bit the best of it. The name Erebus belongs to a well-known hurdler by Treason. The duplication should not be allowed. Mr Deebie came down from Auckland but did not bring Stockman. This withdrawal from the list of acceptances from the Hawke’s Bdy Steeplechase reduced th-M field to.seven. The Aucklander Papatu was backed down to level money. Towhatu set out to make the juice with Victory. These two gradually drew away from the others and were allowed to get a great break on. Mourner ran off at the sod wall the second time round and Evening came to grief in the last circuit. Rapanui found the pace too hot and was not persevered with after two rounds had been covered. Towhatu began to tire after going two miles and a quarter. Papatu went after the leaders and made up his ground in great style. He headed Towhatu at the bend joined Victory at the last fence. The effort proved too much and the Canterbury owned horse won by a neck. Hid Papatu been allowed to run instead oi being kept so far back he would probably have beaten Victory. Burns must htve a great opinion of Papatu as a sprinter. Eclair was about half-a-dozen lengths away just clear of Towhatu. F. Lind made a similar error of judgment on Creusot in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles’. Roller and Defoe set out to make the pace solid from the jump. Aioha joined Defoe when Roller had enough. Creusot was lying third at the bend. His rider appeared to stop "at the turn,, but rode hard in the straight. When Creusot felt the whip he ran over on to the rails and had jO be straightened up again. This allowed Aroha to score by a narrow margin. Defoe, who was a good third, ran the best race of his career. Midia was fourth. The Guesser did not shape well and was pot brought out again at the meeting - Rags, who had earlier in the day rai second in the Ladies Bracelet, was among the other starters. Over the same distance the following day Creusot met Aroha on only 31b better terms. The pace was not so solid as on the previous day. Creusot was allowed to run along the back stretch and coming away ai the bend had everything settled before the straight was reached. Aroha and Defoe again filled the places. Three of the six runners in the Hack Hurdle Race on the first day were no vices. No Shot and Otetiak made the pace very hot, the mile and three-quar-ters being run in almost as fast time us the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles. Ostiak was favourite and ran well to the turn. He and No Shot knocked some of the fences about. Warwick, who was their nearest attendant throughout, jumped well and lasted it out better than the other pair, la and Ontario took charge at the bend, the first named winning an exciting raco bv a head. Valima made a very poor exhibition, running a bad last all the way.

The flat events provided interesting lacing. Eight of the eleven accepto \s for the Winter Hack Handicap went to the post. Mourn and Ice were best away with Gold Trip and British Navy next. The latter ran well while his condition lasted and should win races'for Mr Watt. The favourite, Ico, came well in the straight, but suffered defeat by Talune in the last hit. In the June Hack Handicap, six furlongs, on the second oa.y, Mourn was a big pot. The Befiait gelding got well away and had everything in his favour, but suffered defeat by Ice, who is consistent, and liungarawa. British Navy started in this race and yas well backed. R’ingarawa came out again in the June Handicap, six furlongs, and ran another good race, but suffered defeat at the hands of the Gisborne owned Paria, who was well ridd m in front by J. Griffiths. Repulse, wi:.was a big pot, was third. The Te Mahunga bracketed pair, Tyrone and Mahiti (Quilt —Basilisk) carred more money in the Ladies’ Bracelet Handicap than Kaipetipeti. The latter was ridden by Mr Doable, the Auckland horseman, and ran well for a mile and a-quarter, but found the extra distance too far. Optimist headed Kaipetipeti at the distance, P. Neagle leaving his final effort as late as possible. Most of the others were „ stopping and Rag 3 secured second place. Mrs Douglas’s nominations again received good support for the Necklace. Tyrone managed to run fourth. Bandmaster, who ran in the nomination of Miss Ormond always had a bit the best of it.' P. Neagle made a big effort nn the favourite (Sleepwell) who suffer k! defeat by half a length. Joe Chamberlain, who was making his third appearance filled the other place. On the first day he managed to get fourth in the Bracelet. For the Corinthian Stakes had few. supporters and put down two much better backed .candidates in Sleepwell and Freeland. The Bonnie Scotland gelding paid the great price of £ll 13s in a field of five.

The meeting was a most successful one from a financial point of view. The totalisator turnover was over £3OOO in excess of last year. Next season the Club should do something in the way of attracting outside competitors by raising the stakes and reducing the fees for entrance and acceptance. PALMERSTON NORTH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) N. Ooqrich’s recent purchase, Bonhour, has gone into A l . Attwood’s stable, where the same owner’s Woodguard is trained. It is understood, though the time is somewhat previous, that Attwood contemplates a descent upon the West Coast of the South Island at Christmas time with Killarney, Woodguard and Booheur. Attwcod’s trip last season, resulting in one or two wins, was not ns successful as was anticipated. K. Fowler, date of the Hutt, has secured boxes in Palmerston and intends commencing training operations here. He will commence with a string of three. Work on the Awapuni course is far from exciting at the present time, Trephine, the Aurum colt, Mussel and Ngaturua being the only regular attendants, ants. Trephine is doing slow work but is moving along nicely and should bo in good condition when wanted. Mussel has been plodding along and may be tried over sticks. Ngaturua is being prepared for the Wellington meeting. Sports will be glad to see J. McT'aggart annex a race. Ngaturua has not been successful since he won the Ashhurst Guineas.

W. Higgins, Valima’s pilot, has gone to live in Bulls, where the mare is now located. The Vanguard mare was the sole Manawatu representative at the Hawke’s Bay meeting and did not manage to earn a winning bracket. During the past week the Pahiatua Racing Club was cast in damages to the extent of £SO and costs, that amount; being awarded the wife of a settler knocked down by a cab on the course at the January meeting At the last Feilding meeting the greatly improved form shown by Sabrenr and his apparent soundness was marked by everyone acquainted with the capabilities of the gelding during the time be was trained by Homes at Bulls. At that time I ventured the opinion that if he remained sound there was every picfoability that his number would be hoisted again at no distant date. The result of the Hunters’ Steeplechase at the Hawke’s Bay meeting, which Slabroiir, won by six lengths, shows the gelding has again struck form. Rhyl, Moifia’s half-brother, ran second to Hre Cuirassier gelding. Another ancient one that is showing good form is Plain Bill, Mr T. Scott’s well-known chaser. The old* fellow has been doing very satisfactory work lately and has fully demonstrated ho has not lest his aptitude for getting over country, Ail going well, it is understood he will be a starter at the Grand National meeting in August.

WAIRARAPA NOTES

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

A Lethe-Noisette colt, owned by Mr R. Tiilson, and now being handled, is one wof the nicest stamp of juveniles bred here for some time. He is very strongly set together, lias good bone, and altogether is a decidedly taking colt. Good offers have already been made for him, and it is quite on the cards that he may change hands very soon.

Hikatoa, by Strathbraan-Blue Belle, a rising three-year-old gelding, has been purchased by a Greytown sdoHsman. The colt will be ridden about for a couple of months before being put into work. The first of the Strathbraans will be seen out under colours in October, and are expected to be at least fairly speedy. Wairarapa is well represented in the nomination list for the Wellington meeting, no less than 25 having been nominated. The allotments being satisfactory Masterton will send Noneen, Joe Chamberlain, Torowai, Moeraki, Hatley, Hinurewa, Gawain, Plaidie. Athol Brose and Laertes; Olareville

willl be represented by Capulet, Te 'Kohau, Raema, Lardinyx, Seascape, Matamua and Ruer; Tauherenikau by Matakokiri, Waitoti, Ambrosia; Martinborough by Narcotic, Rungarawa, and Mourner. Those privately trained are Good Intent and Koingo. Mr Hutana’s Rungarawa was unfortunate in registering two seconds at the Hawke's Bay meeting, but now that he is showing better staying power should do better before the winter racing is over. Probably he may show to better advantage at hurdje racing, for be is of the strongly built order. All being well he will make his debut over sticks at the Wellington winter meeting.

Koingo, by Loveshot-Traiior mare, is again in work. As a three-year-old he showed considerable speed, but last season did nothing of merit. Having been well looked after si.nco, ho should show to advantage—at least in short races—when lit.

!M!r O. A, VallaumVa To Kohau is now in strong work in view of the Wellington mooting. During the winter he has taken part at meets of the Wairarapa Hunt Club, and lias been showing his usual fine jumping powers. The Saracen—Dromedary mare, Sara-

band, is being wintered by her owner, and being well looked after will be in splendid order to commence work in view of spring engagements. , The Wairarapa candidate for the New Zealand Cup, Joe Chamberlain, showed his quality at the Hawke’s Bay meeting by winning the Corinthian Stakes. Under heavy weights this Bonnie Scotland horse takes beating. His win is another tribute to the Opaki trainer P. McGrath, who has had a decidedly successful season.

The Quilt gelding, Waitoa, is now be-' ine trained at Tauherenikau by K. McKenzie. As he is perfectly sound, and now well matured, there is no reason why he should not race with success during the coming season.

Tikarawa has been thrown out cf work, having gone slightly lame. He will be given an extended rest, before being put into work again. At Tauherenikau on Thursday morning serviceable work w r as executed by W aitoa. Ambrosia, Sunfish, Waitoti, Petroleum mare, Foulspot, Strathcona, Lady Campbell, Marstone and Strathbraan—Waikino gelding. The winter track is in splendid order, despite the amount of rain that has fallen, and Tauherenikau trained horses should not be backward in racing condition when the events at .Wellington come up for settlement. The timber for the erection of a custodian’s house. at the Tauherenikau course is now on tlfe ground. The site for the buildings for the accommodation oi trainers and jockeys has been selected.

TARANAKI

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The Taranaki Metropolitan Committee met on Monday night to consider the alleged corrupt practices of certain individuals at the Taranaki Christmaa meeting. I have forwarded a full account of the proceedings to “Advance,” who no doubt will make some lengthy extracts trom it. The report makes interesting reading for the average punter, as it gives the procedure when- fixing or arranging a race. The result of the inquiry was that Messrs James Randall. Corrigan, of Hawera, the then owner of the hurdle horse R’anana; Hugh Paltridge, of Waitara. the then owner of the hurdle horse Pharos; and George Roberts, of Hawera, the then trainer and rider of Ranana were disqualified foi life, and ordered to be warned off the racecourses. Percy Johnson, the rider ot the hurdle racer Toledo, was let off on the ground that there was not sufficient corroborative evidence in his case. I hear some members were in favour of disqualifying him for two years. The voting in his case was 7to 5. J O’Connell, the rider of the hurdle racer, Moturoa, was dealt with as lie was already under a disqualification for two years for “pulling” Moturoa in the Second Hurdles, which Pharos won. ifc is reported that Corrigan and Paltridgo intend to' appeal against the decision. Roberts turned informer on account of some difference he had with Corrigan, for whom he then worked, and Paltridge, who, he alleged, had not paid up what he had promised Roberts. While on this subject I may state that if a few more clubs on this coast took such vigorous action it would be all the better for racing as a sport. One of the telegrams produced at the inquiry referred to putting “Stump” up on a horse at Wanganui Cup meeting. This nickname is bestowed X believe on a prominent lightweight horseman. There was an impression current before the inquiry that several punters’ names would be disclosed, this idea was not verified. The name of a business man at Waitara, and that of a resident of Wanganui were mentioned, but in r* sense to implicate them in the affair. Taranaki owners have nominated pretty liberally at the Wellington Winter meeting, and there is every promise of a large competing contingent from this district. I notice that Tukapa and Little Turk are to be given a chance to earn distinction at the jumping game. W. Elliot, of Waitara, has now in hand a commanding looking Soult colt, bred by Mr Walters, of Papakura. There are a good few youngsters being taken in hand in different parts of the district and on breeding lines a fair proportion should turn out useful for money earning.

I hear several complaints about jookev not being paid their riding fees. If such is the case it no doubt acts as an incentive to jockies to have a “go on their own” occasionally, or to arrange a race for one horse. This payment of jockeys’ fees should be regulated by the Conference in some way in order to protect riders from unscrupulous owners.

CHATTER. Mr W. H. HartgiU, the well-known stipendiary judge, was a spectator on the second day of the Hawke’s Bay meeting. Sabreur and Victory, winners at the Hawke’s Bay meeting, were bred by the Hon. J. D. Ormond. During the Hawke’s Bay meeting several rising two-year-olds were in the paddock getting used to the people. Mr Piper was in his best form at Hastings last week.

Mr W. Proffitt, well-known in Hawkefa Bay racing circles some years back had

the misfortune to break his right arm a couple of weeks ago. During the Auckland meeting Mr T. Quinlivan sold k Jam and he was shipped to Auckland from Napier on Friday last and will be used for hunting purposes. Roseshoot cut himself at the Wanganui meeting, .and it is feared that the injury opened at Auckland. The horse has been taking matters quietly since and may not put in an appearance at the Wellington meeting. - Mr B. Gaisford, the well-known Waipukurau sportsman, has.nearly recovered from the accident he met with in the hunting field and was present at Hastings last week.

Among the entries for the W.R.C. win-' ter meeting appear two well-known competitors at the Hutt in Straybird and Plain Bill. The Wanderer gelding has competed at five local winter meetings. In 1898-99 he ran unplaced in the Winter Hurdles and second in the Final Hurdles. The following season he dead-heated for bird place in the July Steeplechase. A year later he ran unplaced in the Wellington Steeplechase, and won the July Steeplechase. In 1902 he was again unplaced in the Wellington Steeplechase and ran second in the July Steeplechase. Last year he finished out of a place in the Wellington Steeplechase and won the July Steeplechase for the' second time. This year Straybird is only engaged in the July Steeplechase, in which been. placed four years in succession—a* record pretty hard to beat. Plain Bill won the Wellington Steeplechase ..four years ago, after running unplaced in the Hurdles. Two years later he won the July Steeplecase after competing unsuccessfully in the big event on the first day. The Flintlock gelding has not been seen out since be competed in the Grand National Steeplechase two ago. It is to be hoped thgt he will stand a preparation, as there is no doubt about his being one of the best steeplechasers seen out of recent years. The Parliamentary Handicap field includes Shrapnel Shell, last year's winner, and Loch Erne, who acted as runner-up to Will-o’-the-Wisp two years’ ago. The entries received for the Wellington Racing Club’s winter meeting are very satisfactory both in quality and numbers. The hack hurdle races, which take the place of the hack and hunters’ steeplechases on last year’s programme, have filled well. As shown by the appended - comparative figures the total nominations for the meeting to be held next month show a substantial increase oom- * pared with the previous winter fixture -. 1903. 1904. Stewards’ Handicap 22 25 Hunters’ Hurdles ... ... 24 • First Hack Hurdles ... ... Miramar Hack Handicap ... 30 32 Wellington Steeplechase ... 18 24 Parliamentary Handicap ... 28 27 Winter Hurdles 21 24 Te Aro Hack Handicap ... 35 35 Onslow Handicap 21 24 Hunters’ Hurdles - 20 Hack Hurdles ... ... ... July Steeplechase 19 34 Winter Oats Handicap 30 35 Final Hurdles 28 27 ' Thorndon Hack ... ... ••• 39 40 Total ... ... ... ... 335 3/8