TURF TOPICS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1756, 1 November 1905, Page 44

TURF TOPICS

(By “Advance.”) THE CANTERBURY CARNIVAL. The Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting opens on Saturday. Entries, aC’ ceptanoes and final payments will not be made until after these notes appeal' in print consequently the writer is at a disadvantage in selecting probable winners of the different events. One way some backers will endeavour to get over the difficult task of picking winners will be the selecting of Hewitt’s mount throughout the nj&eting. In reviewing the weights for the New Zealand Cup the day after they appeared the writer gave Mr Stead’s best, Mahutonga and Achilles in that order to fill the 'places. Whichever of the three horses left in the race carry Mr Stead’s colours should have no difficulty in repeating Grand Ropids’ performance of twelve months ago. It looks a more difficult task to select the winner of the Stewards’ Handicap. Last year the Yaldhurst stable started two and missed. This year it may he considered advisable to start only one. Chivalry and Solution are a likely pair to keep Hewitt’s mount going. Of the known form in the Welcome Stakes Kirriemuir is the best. She may beat all the youngsters that have yet sported silk but will meet a couple of unknown quantities from Yaldhurst. Anticipations for the minor events to be run on the opening day will appear in the “New Zealand Times.” The Derby, to be run on the second day of the meeting, should go to Noctuiform, and Isolt should have no difficulty in accounting for the Oaks run on the third day. On the concluding day of the meeting Achilles will meet the best of the Yaldhurst team in the Jubilee Cup. TROUBLE FOR THE TOTALISATOR.

Under tlie above heading “Sentinel” writs as follows in the last issue of the “Otago Witness” r—The writer has heard that the bookmakers throughout the colony intend combining their forces and using their best endeavours to* get prohibition candidates into Parliament at the next election. The bookmakers are by no means partial to 'prohibitionists, but they contend that many of the liquor trade are as strong prohibi tionists as any of those who stump the country in its cause. Many of the leading spirits in the Jockey Clubs who> have been very hostile to the fielders are more or less closely identified with the liquor trade, and 'the bookmakers hope to give them a Poland for their Oliver by returning, if possible, prohibitionists pledged to oust the machine. This is calculated to he by no means comforting to those anxious to see the totalisaor kept in use on our racecourses, particularly when it is also remembered thait at the last annual Trotting Conference one of the speakers stated that there was a majority of five only at present in the House who are in favour of the machine. Pulpit utterances, press articles, and embezzlements which have been rightly or wrongly, attributed to betting may be taken to have, in all probability, caused a shrinkage in the majority mentioned above. In Auckland, it is said, the totalisa’tor has lost a lot of supporters as a result of the recent action* of the Auckland Pacing Club in deciding to discontinue licensing bookmakers, and if a local referendum were taken the ‘legalised Channel” would he promptly dried up. Coming further south there are reasons for stating that the machine is not resting on as stout a foundation as its admirers would like, and when it is considered what a serious blow its overthrow would give to racing it appears about time that some of its partisans woke up and did something to win it some friends to counter-balance the decided antagonism which appears to be growing up against it. THE MASTERTON MEETING. Twelve months ago the Masterton Club’s meeting was spoilt by the atrocious weather which prevailed’. This year the club was again unfortunate in striking bad weather, a similar experience to that of several other, clubs in, this island during the past couple of months. The weather broke fine on Thursday morning, but on account of

the great amount of rain that had fallen a postponement was deemed necessary. This decision 'materially helped to swell the gate receipts of the Carterton Show, as many of those who had reacned Masterton journeyed across by road and mil and the Wellington contingent mostly broke the journey at Carterton and put in the day there. Since last year the road from the siding at Opaki to the course has been improved by a liberal topdressing of shingle and even in bad weather pedestrians can now reach the enclosures in fairly good! order. Since last meeting the club has purchased a totalisator of its own, and is laying down a grass track for the convenience of local trainers whose numbers have considerably improved during the past two seasons. The Masterton officials include several horseowners, no less than six of the executive being represented at last week’s fixture. Mr C. H. Smith won a double with Gawain and Dulcinea and Mr A. Reside scored a win with Bounce. The Cup stake this year was increased from 125 to 150 sovs, but the field did not include as many runners or as good class competitor© as Asteroid, Armistice and Jeanne d’Arc, who started last year. The withdrawals in last week’s race were Tikarawa and Capulet. The latter was well placed and scored each day. That his victory in ‘the publicans’ Handicap, although unexpected, was no fluke, he demonstrated in the principal event on the second day, when be put down the Gup winner comfortably. On this form Oapulet must have nearly won the Gup, in 'which he was in with the minimum weight, had he been started. Oapulet seemed quite at home in the mud and was cleverly handled by his light weight horseman each day. S. Reid only tackled Oapulet well inside the distance, and got his mount home by half a length. A. Oliver hung on to Oapulet until well into the straight, and his win in the President’s Handicap appeared easy because his opponent stuck his toes in. Last season Capulet did not appear until the autumn, and finished out of a place on half-a-dozen occasions. He runs in the nomination of Mrs S. W. Tatham, being trained by Mr Tatham, who has a useful horse to take Jeanne d’Arc’s place. Capulet is by tbe Oadogan horse Lethe, who has sired a number of winners in the Wairarapa, from Princess Agnes, by Master Agnes—Princess Royal. Oapulet is full brother to Montague, who won a double at Blenheim last year, and half brother to Bionnie Prince (by Bennie Scotland,), who scored in a maiden race at Woodville last February. The only Cup competitor Capulet met in the President’s Handicap was the winner (Flamen), who was giving away 211 b. In the Cup) there was 191 b between the pair. Spoil made her reappearance in the Cup and was not so well backed as the other half-dozen competitors, all of which have been seen out this season. Royal Blue adopted his usual tactics of trying to win from end to end. He had Submarine and Flamen with, him most of the way. When the first-named stopped the latter came on and scored in the easiest manner. After his Wellington running backers would not stand him, and although he had O. Jenkins in the saddle he was one of the least fancied and paid £5 3s. Last season Flamen scored three times over a distance of ground and gave promise of _ better things by beating Signalman in the 0.J.0. Derby and N.Z. St. Leger Stakes. There is no doubt the son of Sou’-wester Balm (by Dunlop—Frou Frou) can gallop when in the humour. Balm was brought from Australia by J. Gleesoai with Megaphone, and has produced Vamoos (by Haere), Balmy (by Gold Reef), Amyris (by Gold Reef), and Highden (by Merriwee). The last-named was bred by the Hon. W. W. Johnston, and is named after that gentleman’s estate. In the President’s Handicap on the second day Flamen was the only Oup competitor to acoept. Jenkins hung on to him to make a race of it, but when Oapulet joined in Jenkins hit Flamen with the whip, but the hope did not make an effort to go on with

it. Ngatarua, Hydrant and Whakawehi did not begin as smartly as some of the others, and had the water splashed in their faces by the leaders. The coupe was covered with surface water, which splashed up all the way round, and seriously handicapped the horses carrying weight. Needlework has so far proved an unprofitable purchase for Mr A. F. Douglas. He was installed first favourite on the opening day, the distance being a mile and three quarters. Although he had only 91b above the minimum weight to carry he finished behind Grand Jury, who shot past the others when F. Lind shook him up at the back of the course, and was not afterwards headed. On the second day Bounce was whispered about the paddock as the correct pea. Grand J ’jry ran gamely under punishment, bub had no chance with Bounce, who met the first day’s winner on a stone better terms. Bounce was not asked to gallop in the last part, and won with a lot in hand. On the first day, when he finished fifth, £7O was invested on Bounce, and when he won £179. Flanagan was started on the second day, but the best he could do was to finish third. After giving Red Cross and Gawain the benefit of a break in the Flying Handicap, Aberration won with a good deal in hand. On the second day Dulcinea got a flying start and McKay keeping her going it appeared as if none of the others would reach her. In the Straight Reid straightened Aberration up and the latter shooting out scored comfortably. Excepting Kurolu, who could not act in the heavy going, the lot behind the winner were moderate. The Hutt-trained pair, Grand Circle and ALexieff, carried £252 of the £542 invested on the Maiden Race. They ra,n in different ownerships and consequently were not bracketed. Alexieff finished fifth and Grand Circle absolutely Ust. The support given this pair was responsible for the good price paid on Dulcinea, who showed some form at Hastings. She scored comfortably from Rosegrove who was engaged in the New Zealand Cup, but has so far failed to score. Dulcinea was bred by Mr J. Macara. by Bonnie Scotland (brother to Loyalty) from Minnie Palmer (by Dan-bury-—Sweetheart), who won the Wairarapa Cup in Mr Macana’s colours. He was represented in the race by Rifle Maid, by Needlegun from Russley Belle

(by Russley). Solid support being forthcoming for Flanagan and Waipunehu in the Ladies’ Bracelet, Togos paid the good price of £4 10s. "With Mr Vivian in the saddle Togos took charge in the race and had. the trophy won a furlong from home. Kuremoana came with a great dash on the outside of the course, and a few strides past the post was in front of Pemmican. Sherlock Holmes (The Officer —Spinney), The Ruler and The Shadow (Putangata—Momokai) halfbrother to Grand Jury, were prominent for about seven furlongs. In the gentlemen riders’ event on-the second day nothing had any chance with Huremcana, who fills the eye as a. likely timber topner. In the October Hack Handicap Operetta failed to make any sort of show in the heavy going. Silverlene scored from Hatley, who had not sported silk since he fell at Otaki nearly eighteen months ago. The Publicans’ Handicap field .included Pop a., who had not sported silk since he competed at the Wellington Cup meeting. He got off the mark in good style and carted the field along at a solid pace, but died out of it before the business end. The heavy going and the pace set by Ropa completely extinguished any chance Exmoor had. The latter was made the biggest pot at the meeting and carried £304 of the £939 invested on the race, which was responsible for more speculation than any other, event. Another good favourite in Contender went down in the Dash Hack Handicap, which Moatai (Daunt —Hiamoe) won from end to end. Moata was fancied on his running at Napier Park, where he beat

Contender, The Seer and others over six furlongs. Gawam. put down Contender, who strikes the writer as an overrated animal, in the Scurry Hack Handicap. The Ruler put down a good favourite in Hatley in the Welter Hack Handicap and paid the biggest dividend at the meeting. The Ruler was bred in Canterbury in 1896 by Lord of Misrule —Cornrose, by Hornby—Wild Rose. Hinurewa got better away in the Stewards’ Handicap than on the previous day, when both Rustique and Narcotic finished in front of her. Red Chess, on whom Mr Young was'' substituted for Rainbridge, the English jockey, won the final event on Red Cross. DEATH OF TRENTON. The son of Musket —Frailty, whose death in England was announced by cable last week, has earned world-wide reputation as a sire. His progeny have been . successful in Australia, India, England, South Africa, Germany and other countries.. Trenton was bred at Auckland in 1881, and was the first progeny of the Goldsborough mare Frailty, and full-brother to Cuirassier and Cissy. As a two-year-old Trenton started three times, and was unbeaten. Ho made his first appearance in the Welcome Stakes at Ellerslie in Colonel Dawson’s colours when he beat eight others, including five of the Musket tribe. At the Auckland Cup meeting he ran in the colours of Mr W. S. Somerville, and! heat eight others in the Midsummer Stakes. His other appearance was in the Champagne Stakes at the 0.J.0. Autumn meeting, when he carried Mr G. G. Stead’s colours. He met five others, the best of them being Lady Evelyn. He was afterwards purchased by Mr D. O'Brien for a good sum and as a three-year-old made his firsc appearance in the “rose and black” stripes in the Dunedin Cup and beat everything except Vanguard. His last appearance in this colony was in the Challenge Stakes at the C.J.C. Easter meeting, in which he put down, a small but select field, consisting of Russley, Lpchiel, Taiaroa, Nelson and Stoneyhfirst. As a four-year-old he was taken across to Melbourne in the Spring, where he was engaged in the Melbourne Cup with 7.13. He was beaten by Sheet Anchor and Grace Darling, heads separating the three horses. He was afterwards sold to Mr W. C. Cooper for a big sum and competed in that owner’s colours as a five-year-old. In the Melbourne Cup he carried 9.5 in a field of twenty-eight and was beaten a neck by Arsenal, who was in receipt of two stone from the New Zealander. At the same meeting he won the Royal Park Stakes, weight-for-age, two miles, and was beaten a length by Trident (a three-year-old) in the Canterbury Plate, three miles. These three severe races in one week were responsible for Trenton’s retirement to the stud. At the sale of Mr W. O. Cooper’s horses two good bargains were secured in Trenton (800 guineas, and Niagara, half-brother to Trenton (330 guineas). Trenton took up stud duty at Hobartville stud (N.S.W.) .and having a good opportunity made a name for himself, before being sold for Ehgland. During the past five seasons _ in Australia Trenton’s stock in Australia have won £30,373 in stakes. His sons and daughters are making a name for themselves in the Commonwealth,_and in this colony he is represented by Phaeton, Delusive, Elllerslie (dam of Putty), Elusive (dam of Lady Wayward), Girofla (dam of Hipporoffla), Madowla (dam of Quarryman) and Trentalto (dam of Sir Percivale). Trenton’s sons are in demand with breeders throughout Australia. The following appeared on the winning sires list for the past season:—Oambopya. Climax, Gydnus (sire of Hamua), Ennistymon, Gerard, Goodfellow, The Inquisitor, Musketoon, Trenchant, Burton, Courage, La Perouse, Mandrake, Preston, Renowned and! Trertmoor. Trenton is represented; by about sixty daughters in Australia. A list of the successes of their 'progeny would take up considerable space and! the names of a few will suffice. Alga (dam of Hautesse), Belle of Trent (dam of Beilis), Etra Weenie (dam of Merriwee), Lady Trenton (dam of Lord. Cardi-

gan and Dividend), Treason (dam of Elvo), Trent Rose (clam of Master Bernie). Trenton’s best representatives on the turf in Australia were Auraria (winner of the Melbourne Cup) and her full brother Aurum, who ran third in the Melbourne Cup as a three-year-old with 8.6 on his back. Etra Wennie won the Maribyrnong Plate, Trenchant ran second in the Caulfield Gup, Lady Trenton won the Sydney Cup, Quiver won Sydney Tattersall’s Cup, dead-heated with Wallace in the Champion Stakes, and the same season won the Viceroy's Cup in India. Trenton vets sent to England! in 1898 and Aurum two- years later. Resolute (winner of the Caulfield Futurity Stakes) was sent- Horne the same year. Sprig o’ Myrtle, and the son of Trenton, made the journey in 1893. A daughter of Trentom .La Tosca, was sent to England in 1896 and Dovecote, Gloria and Goldlike in 1900. CHATTER. Mr J. B. He’d recently expressed the opinion that Gladsome w r as a much improved mar© and expects her to- run well in the Melbourne Cup. The disqualification imposed on T. Quinlivcn, sen., in 1903 by the Auckland Racing Club in connection with the running of the pony Imp at Ellerslie, has been removed. Whilst on .a visit- to the Elderslie stud last week “Sentinel” was informed of the death of the one-time well-known performer Arline. who dropped dead shortly after giving birth to a Stepniak foal. The youngster is being reared by a foster-mother, and is thriving -well. Mr J. F. Reid rubbed the motherless equine with brandy, a liquid which is said to immediately cement the affections and nourishment of the fostermother to its adopted foal, and in this case the trick worked like a charm. Arline, who was got by St. Clair out- of Gitana, the Australian-bred daughter of Rapid Boy and the Yattendon mare Gipsy, was bred by Mr J. Fleming, wh© won the Dunedin Cup with Adamant ; and in addition to others; he also bred and, raced Gipsy King, who is a halibrother to Arline. At the stud Arline has produced Makarcff and Ivonoff, who ran second to Kirriemuir at the Hutt. Mr Geo. Morse, the Wanganui handieapper, witnessed the racing at- Opaki last week.

The chances of Kingsborough, a grey gelding by Master Agnes, were totally exinguished. at Masterton by his riders carrying overweight. In the Hurdles on the first day he put up 211 b extra and in the Hack Welter on the second 191 b in addition to liis original handicap. “Hewitt’s mount each start*!’ Avill be a popular form of betting with punters at the C.J.C. meeting.. The racing partnership which existed betweeai Messrs “Masters” and “Seton” at the Wellington meeting has since been dissolved. At Masterton Prelude was entered in the nomination, of Mr Masters and Tikirawa in Mr Setotn’s colours. Sir Trisram, who shoAved some form in the hack class last season, has been engaged at the Carterton meeting. Mr J. W. Stratton, secretary of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey dub, had charge of the totalisator arrangements at Master ton last week. Several visitors to the meeting were shown the working of the Turnbull and Jones’ machine. Kuroki will probably make his first appearance in open company at the Carterton meeting next month. St. daimer was allowed to drop out of his Auckland engagements. Secretaries G. H. Hawley Drew (Pahiatua), J. B. BairstoAV (Taratahi —Gar terton) and E. A. Leary (Wairarapa) were present at the Masterton meeting. After the Wanganui meeting it was intemded to give Jolly Friar a few months spell, and he was withdrawn fromi his Wellington and Biccarton engagements. Mr Cotter informed ,m© at Masterton that the St. Hippo gelding had freshioned up considerably since he was last seen out and that he would probably be seen out at Carterton, at wbich meeting he has been entered. Saracen, and his brother Bonnie Scotland, met in the thoroughbred class at Carterton last week, when the first named, who is two years older than his

relative, got the ribbon. The other horses shown in the thoroughbred class were Knight Errant (St. Leger—Forma) and OhainKnk (Chainshot —Nautilus). Wairarapa breeders have two imported roadsters of good class in Paddy’s Land and Wicklow. The last named was, represented in the same class by Ivanhoe. Sir Agnes, -winner of the Parliamentary Handicap in 1889, was shown in the hack class. Messrs G. Hunter (Porangahau) and Hamish Wilson (Bulls) judged the horses. The Feilding Cup winner, Good Intent, has this season visited Merriwee. The Takapuna Jockey Club’s book programme for the season is to hand. Mr J. O. Evitt has been appointed handicapper to the Club. From Mr W. H. B. Wanklyn (secretary of the Canterbury Jockey Club) we have received a sheet programme of entries for all events at the Metropoliton meeting, similar to that issued by the leading clubs in Australia.