TALK OF THE TURF.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3259, 16 October 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

TALK OF THE TURF.

BY “ SILVKKfiI'UK." TURF TOPICS. One feature of the racing at Caulfield on opening day was the victories of tno two brothers. Coil and Cocos. The former was quit© unfancied in the Caulheld brakes, leaving the paddock at ten to one, but he romped in an easy winner, if the cable is to bo believed. Amberite, on theHtrength of his Sydney performances, was deemed the best of the field, but couldn’t get a place. If this is his beat form his chance of defeating Aurum at Flemington is extremely remote. The Padlock mare Key ran well enough to get an indifferent second, but there were some highly fancied cup candidates behind her, including Wait-a-bit, Ayreahire, Trent, and the Adelaide horse. Foliage, who is supposed to have a groat chance in_ the Caulfield Cup. Coil’s brother Cocos annexed the Debutante Stakes, beating a field of no less than nineteen. He has made a good start, and should follow in the footsteps of his elder brother who, by the way, ought to be worth watching dining the Spring campaign at Flemington. that Cocoa is a fast Tin was amply demonstrated on Saturday, when he wa s * oue of the la*>t away, and won easily by five lengths.

Mahaki has been jdaced at top in the Spring Handicap, to be run at the Poverty Bay Club’s Meeting, but, if well, Hunu should go very near winning the event. Popgun, however, Inta an enticing appearunco at Tat Tib, anil may beat Ilnmi at a difforoueo of 15109. Maxim’s s on has proved somewhat of a disappointment so far, bat may securo an event or two this Spring.

They have a “ Grand Consultation ” on tho Melbourne Cup at Suva, tbo tickets being five shillings each. Tbo winner takes a couple of hundred, and tho second seventy-five.

Tho run away victories of Vedette at Hastings have induced a Hawke's Bay writer to aver that the coastal horse is as good as the flying Goldepur. On what ground this assertion is mado does not appear, but never was a greater mistake mado. Qoldspur has no equal in the colony over a short course, and tho handicappor for Canterbury Jockey Club (Mr Henry), who was at tho H.B.J.C. Meeting, and saw Vedette perform, apparently agrees with myself. The difference between Goldspur and Vedette is shown in the C.J.C. Stewards Stakes, in which Mr Henry has allotted tho first-named 9st 121 b, and Vedette Bst 91b. Whether Goldspur will start is not known, but it is very certain that ho will not win many more races in Now Zealand owing to tho high oxnnion formed of him by haudicappors.

Several appear to have a show in the race mentioned above, but there will bo a weeding out ore tho day arrives, and one will then be able to form a better opinion. Sir Lancelot will probably be sent clown by Mr Ormond. Sir Mo Jrod’a half-brother, should be a better stable representative than Daunt or Target, and if the elect is bound to carry a lot of Hawkos Bay money. Belle Clair strikes one as having a good show although third on the list, and Jewel is another who may have to bo reckoned with. Of tho rest Goldloaf promises to run well, and Manawanui, who is in good form j ust now, may prove to bo quite equal to carrying his light impost of fist 13ib into a forward position.

There may not bo many starters for tho C.J.C. Curragh Handicap Steeplechase, but Violence is pretty certain to represent this province, and should run .well. Clarence may make a good showing, but on the weights Eosslyn has all the best of it, and should prove the winner.

Peeress, who is in M. Whi tty’s stable at Ascot Vale, is described as being low, but wonderfully compact and powerful. She is three year old, and is by the imported Pilgrim’s Progress out of the Musket mare Precedence.

The racehorse Battalion, en route to Melbourne from Sydney, was stopped at Albury by tho Victorian customs officials on the ground that the horse had recently arrived from Queensland, a tick infested country. Battalion will not arrive in Melbourne until a week before the Cup.

The St. Albans horses, with the exception of Aurnm, appear to be quite out of it lately, the stable representatives being beaten race after race. This was no doubt tho cause of a set being made against Aurnm recently by the ring in Melbourne for the Derby. After the colt’s Guineas win on Saturday, however, the metallicians are no doubt sorry they spoke.

Five hurdlers have been entered for the obstacles events on both days at tho forthcoming Marlborough meeting. There are thirteen in the Trial Handicap on the first day, eight in tho Blenheim Handicap, ten in the Electric Handicap, eleven in the Plying and seven in the First Welter. The same horses are running on the second day, the biggest entry for which is fifteen in the Scurry.

One of tho moat prolific mares in Australia.in Bridesmaid, hasdiedather owner’s station at Bllengerah, in the Warren district of New South Wales. She was by Yattendon from Eaperanoe, by Glauous, and the sterling merit of her strains of blood was frequently evidenced by tho success of her stock, the moat notable of her winners being Pet Girl, Bliss and the A.J.C. Derby winner. Trenchant. She was foaled in 1889, and ran third in Tattersails Cup in Sydney in 1873.

Fitzioy, second in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield last Saturday is only a galloway, but a very smart one. He won a race over a mile and a quarter at a pony meeting the other day in such good style that his owner determined to send him to Melbourne. The little fellow had only Cst 131 bto carry in the Toorak. He is by erst New Zealander Eussloy out of a mare called Young Mona.

The commission appointed to report upon horse-breeding in Ireland, have made the following recommendations: That it is desirable for the welfare of tho country that greater aid should be given by the State to the industry of horse breeding. That a system of registration of stallions, similar to that now in operation under the Koyal Dublin Society’s scheme should be established in a more extended form. That money should be spent in distributing stallions where wanted throughout tho country, and - giving premiums to private owners of suitable sires. That substantial premiums should be given to brood mares, especially those between the ages of three and six. That additional prizes should be given in tho early spring to yearlings. That the encouragement of hackney stallions should not be continued at the public expense. That all money devoted by the Government to the encouragement of horse breeding should be administered by one department or body, acting through local bodies and satisfying local requirements,

an far as is consistent with tho welfare and improvement of this industry ay a whole.

Coil's owner lots decided to reserve him for the Melbourne Cup, In widen lie must undoubtedly play a piomment part. Abercorn’s son h eveiy incli a racehoite, and although lie has lLb Gib to carry, he should be quite equal to doing it. His Australian Cup win in the Autumn proves that he la a stayer. He got homo on that occasion with b'st up. Ho has considerably more to carry at Flemington m the next cup but hia backers are bound to get a great run for their money if Mr Bailey's horse ha.'umy sort of luck at all.

Paul Fry, the Toorak llandlcaj> winner, is a son of Lochiol and Busybody and was only recently brought to Melbourne from the W.A. goldfields, where he performed with considerable success, albeit ho had nothing very high class to beat. Paul X f ry originally raced in Sydney but was.nob very successful, being nowlure on numerous occasions. Ho was then taken to Melbourne whore he made a bolter showing, running second in the Coburg Handicap to Ayrshire, dead heat for second with Lieutenant in tho Hallway Handicap to Armenia at tho same meeting, and second in tho Final to Homespun. Then ho won a race at Williamstown and ran third in ( another. Taken to Western Australia ho 1 was beaten at Canning Park by Tellus, and »in another race by Stilloto. At Perth, / however, he won the Stakes, turning the I tables on Stiletto, but with Sat 111 b up bo ] failed in tho Perth Cup, ran third in the I Railway Stakes won by Primrose, and third lin the Annivors.ary Handicap won by I Scarpia. Taken to Khlgoorlio Paul Pry ( annexed the Summer Cup with Oat Mb in the saddle, the Publicans Purse with Sat Olb up, and tho Farewell Handicap with 9ab Gib. Lochiera son was then brought back to Perth where ho was responsible for the Autumn Cup. Ho was given lOat 4<lb in a five furlong race but failed, and a couple of months afterwards won the Birthday Handicap with 9at Olb up and was again drafted to the Goldfields. His weight in the Toorak Handicap was Ssfc 71b. On paper tho Caulfield Cup field does ; not present a very high-class appearance; in fact, all the big guns have dropped out. i ( Mediocrity is unmistakoably stamped upon ; 1 the list, but tho race may nevertheless i prove as fast and well-contested as any I that have preceded it. Of tho twontyi eight who have paid up, the best three in . rny opinion are—- • Mischief , Foliaok Dreamland

One of old Cremorne’s forelegs is said to be giving his trainer trouble, hut tho sou of Glorious is otherwise in great nick.

Messrs Barnett and Grant report the following business for tho week: —N.Z. Cup—7oo to 37 Lord Eoslyn, 300 to 15 Douglas, 200 to 15 Epaulet, 150 to 10 Huria, 100 to 12 Daystar, 100 to 10 St. Paul, 100 to 3 Mountebank, 100 to 4 Strathbraau, 50 to 7 Euroolydon. Tho Double, N.Z. Cup and Steward’s Handicap—soo to 7 Eurooiydon and Daunt, 500 to 7 Daystar and Daunt, 500 to 5 Lord Boslyn and Uniform, 500 to 74 Epaulet and Uniform, 500 to 5 Lord Eoslyn and Vedette, 500 to 5 Daystar and Vedetto, 500 to 4 Daystar and Uniform, 500 to 74 Euroolydon and Cannonshot, 500 to 74 St. Paul and Vedetto, 500 to 3 St. Conou and Si. Onida, 300 to 4 Euroclydon and Blazer, 250 to 74 Euroclydon and Mountebank, 200 to 24 St. Paul and Blazer, 200 to 24 St. Paul and Qoldspur, 200 to 2 Euroclydon and Bracelet, 200 to 2 Euroclydon and Blazer, 100 to 1 Euroolydon and Vedetto, 100 to 15 Lord Eoslyn and Blazer, 100 to 1 Euioelydon and Culverin, 100 to 1 Waiuku and Vedette, 100 to 1 Strathbraan and Vedette, 100 to 11 St. Paul and Arlino, 100 to 1 St Paul and Sedgebrook, 100 to 1 Waiuku and Goldspur, 100 to 1 Epaulet and Vedette. Tho Double, Melbourne and N.Z. Cups—soo to 24 The Merry Boy and Waiuku, 500 to 1 Dreamland and Venus 500 to 24 Fleet Admiral and Waiuku, 400 to 4 Positano and St. Paul, 300 to 3 Amberite and Waiuku, 250 to 1 Majestic and Fulmen, 200 to 3 Wait-a-bit and St. Paul.

The Waitara Jockey Club has elected Mr C. E. Brewer starter for its next meeting. It is intended to license bookmakers, the fee being fixed at .So. Jookeys are to pay at the gate. Two passes are to be issued for one horse and one for every additional horse. The committee of the club are considering the question of erecting a new grandstand.

The Dunedin Jockey Club committee does not apparently intend giving much quarter to bookmakers, A large number have been disqualified from time to time for laying tote odds and an effort was made lately by the metallioana to got reinstated in the good graces of the club. The works committee reported having considered the position of those disqualified and recommended, that the embargo be removed from about forty of them. This recommendation was not acted upon by the stewards, however,. it being resolved not to confirm the report but to continue to exclude all bookmakers. '

The fondness of Australians for double event betting is an absolute mania. In several instances lately, says a Melbourne writer, Derby and Cup doubles commencing with Aurnm have been backed at a single point longer odds than are freely offered against the Cup horses straight out without leading to business. Surely a moment’s reflection is hardly neoyssary to show that “ this is the very ecstacy of madness.”

Mr W. E. Hall, of N.S.W., has disposed of his brood mares Blue and Gold and Chlorine to Mr Frank Keynolds, of Tooal. Blue and Gold is by Grand Flaneur from White and Blue (imp.), the great-grand-dam of tho Crack Now Zealander, Gold Medallist, by Medallion. Chlorine is by Grand Flaneur from Banksia (imp.), by Wild Oats from Steppe, dam of Eussley, Mahaki, Stepniak and Co. Both these high-class dames are to be mated with the Tocal stallion Medallion.

The Duke of Portland is said to have received £ 10,000 from St. Simon’s fees this year. The horse served 46 mares, 42 of which, are in foal. The Duke’s return from the fees of Carbine, St. Serf, Ayrshire and Donovan must have amounted to over .£20,000 besides. St. Simon is insured for .£30,000, the premium being at the rate of 7 per cent. St. Simon will not this year have a long lead in the list of winning sires, and unless he has some good twoyear olds to run for him during the autumn, it is doubtful whether ho will obtain the first place.

J. Watts, the English jockey, recently spent a few days in Ireland, and had his first mount in that country through the Gap of Diinloe. As he stood by the pony tho pony boy carefully explained to him that ho was on tho wrong side to get up, and when the rider of four Derby winners was in the saddle the boy led the animal carefully along for about 200yds and then said, “Are you safe, and can I let her go ?’’

Aurnm had a very soft thing in the Caulfield Guineas, and it is very obvious that nothing can stop him winning the Victoria Derby. He is far and away ahead of the colts of his age, and if lie is a

sterling stayer there is a probability of Auraria’s brother carrying hia Bst Olb (an unheard-of weight lor a three-year-old to victory in the Melbourne Cup. He is bred on slaying Unf*», and may emulate his who, however, had less weight lo carry when ;-be secured the coveted prize. From all accounts Aurum is a certain starter fur Melbourne Cup, and if ho wins 'the double the ring will get a mighty bad turn. Mr S. G. Cook managed to get second place in the Guineas with Tho Hypnotist, who outpaced the Adelaide colt Fleet Admiral, who was at one time thought to be Aurttrn’a most formidable rival. That Fleet Admiral has not been himself is pretly well known, but even were he in the best of form he would have to bo a nailing good colt to beat Mr W. R. Wilson’s crack. On Saturday’s running Aurum is probably over 201 b batter than anything he met.

The first three in the Caulfield Debutante Stakes are engaged in the Marlbyrnong Plato, which may provo a good thing for Cocos. Ormuz, second last Saturday, belongs to Mr W. R. "Wilson, and is by Bill of Portland out of the Now Zealand bred Cooya. Canadian, who was third, is by Niagara—Welcome, and belongs to Mr Hordern, of Sydney.

Prior to his win at Flemington the other day Ayrshire had not been successful since last Spring, when he won the Coburg Handicap at tho V.R.C. Spring Meeting.

Virtue, who ran third in the Toorak Handicap last Saturday, is by Trenton— Maid of Honour, and consequently full sister to Man of Honour, from whom great things were expected last year. Virtue won tbo Paddock Handicap at the Flemingtou September Meeting.

The Caulfield Cup takes place this Saturday. The first year the race was run, a mistake is said to have been made by tho Judge, Master Avenal’s name being hoisted instead of that of Woodlands. ** Milroy ” says that if a mistake was made it was a lucky one for Air Ivory who owned Master A venal, a horse of ths useful order, but by no means a slasher. Concerning ether contests for this prize it ’might be mentioned that The Assyrian, who afterwards won the Melbourne Cup, was the public idol in 1832, but he did not find a placo in the first dozen, the winner turning up in Little Jack, a 20 to 1 chance* who beat Verdure, now tho dam of Foliage. Will the latter avenge his mother’s defeat on tho IGth ? Little Jack and Verdure blocked tho way to a fortune for Mr William Forrester, who supported his horse Gipsy Cooper for a trifle under The ring felt the strength of Mr Donald Wallace's hand in 1883, when his Yattendon horse Oalma beat 24 others in the easiest fashion; but the metallioians took a bitter revenge tho following year, when Blink Bonny brought wealth and joy into the ranks of the ringmen. Blink Bonny had been tried at Ballarat with her countryman and relation, Ringwood, and the result of that gallop caused her to go out unsupported by the stable, who could see no profit in backing a Cup chance that had been beaten by a ‘*inere hurdle-racer/’ Ringwood afterwards won the Hobart and Australian Cups.

Grace Darling’s Caulfield Cup will ever be remembered by the terrible accident that happened during the rnco. Chicago's year was remarkable for tho amount of money that changed hands, remarks “ Milroy,” and remarkable also for a supposed “ dead ” horse to win the cup. Chicago, who Buffered badly with his feet, was removed from Flemington to Sandringham a few weeks before the Cup, for which he was very much fancied. Consequently rumours and counter-rumours were circulated daily about Chicago’s condition, and when one morning the handsome son of The Drummer returned to his quarters lame, after being beaten by Dick Swiveller in a Cup trial, tho work of burial began by a few of the better informed bookmakers, some of whom extended the odds to 100 to 1. The efforts of the layers to knock Chicago out were futile, as there was always a quiet man booking the long odds, and when they ranged up to start on the eventful day the money simply poured into the ring for the son of The Drummer. How he galloped over his field and how a well-known plunger lost a fortune on one of the other runners is now turf history. Bravo, erratically’ ridden, got third place behind Chicago and Tradition, and in the race of 1889 he was third again, this time to Boz and The Charmer. He went back to Ballarat a lame horse, and at one period of the betting on the Melbourne Gup as much as one thousand pounds to one shilling was laid against him, but that did not prevent him from winning the most important handicap in Australia after missing two Caulfield Cups.

Messrs Grey and Selby have been elected trustees of the Ashurst Pohangina Club, vice Messrs Cotter and Arboe resigned.

The Manawatu Eaoing Club committee has decided to strictly enforce the rule prohibiting anyone riding work on the Palmerston track unless he be registered as a trainer, jockey or apprentice. Gentlemen riders are to be allowed to ride work on obtaining a special permit from the secretary.

SHOELETS. Moonraker is to bo turned out for a spell. The chaser St. Simon is being given an easy time just now. Paddy’s Land, tho hunting stallion, is to be taken to Sydney if the reserve of ,£2OO wanted for him is not obtained in Auckland. Lo Grand is being used as a butcher’s hack at Blenheim. The Otago Cup nominations number three less than last year. Tho Palmerston North Trotting Club has been granted a totalisator permit for its next meeting. The Egmont Eaoing Club holds an additional two days meeting for hacks in May next, when it is proposed to give nearly £BOO in stakes. H. Craig, the former owner of Euroclydon, has taken out a trainers license. Diploma has been turned out for a spell. Eosospur, dam of Goldspur, has been purchased by Mr J. F. Eeid, and goes to Stepniak. Tho Hutt horse. Strath Braan was eased in his work for a few days lately. lie is in great heart. Purimu (Vasco di Gama—Soylla) and Leontini broke down at Hastings. The Dunedin Jockey Club has disquali-

fied four persons for laying tote odds at the , Hunt Club meeting. ' A members’ diniug-room, BQj:eet long, is to be erected at Ellerslie. It is expected rhat half-a-dozen will face the starter for the next Auckland Guineas. W. Gillet has Fore Royal, Awatere, Horton and Sing Song in training at Blenheim. A colt foal by Sou’-wester from Martha 1 was drowned in a shallow creek near Blenheim the other day. The Stonoyhurst—Dudu colt in Cutts* stable has been named ** Boccaccio.” Bogengang went lame after winning at Geraldine. Miss Emmy will be a starter for the Auckland Guineas. She will not be a starter in the Canterbury Oaks. Irish Twist, who has been in the paddock for some time, is in work again at Wanganui. A post mortem examination made recently upon Scout, who was killed at Moonee Valley, showed that the horse had broken his pelvis bone into lo pieces. Such a smash has seldom happened. The sound of the break could have been heard yards away. Since the Victoria Amateur Turf Club was established in 1875 the total amount of money paid away in stakes has been .£212,190, A horse named Carbine won a race at the Adelaide Hunt Meeting lately. Paul Pry carries Lord Rosebeiy s racing livery in his races—primrose and rose hoops. Murdoch, winner of tho hurdles at Caulfield, is by Swiveller. • Ennis, a four-year-old half brother to Robin Hood, has been put into work at Sydney by P. Flanagan. A Sydney two-year-old by Forest King from Ghinni Gninni has been given the name of Ranjitsinghi. Fleet Admiral’s lameness is said to be not due to rheumatism but to a nerve in the shoulder being affected. Leonidas won the August Stakes at Bangalore, India, with 10st 91b up, in a canter. He is now being mentioned in connection with tho Viceroy’s Cup. A half share in the American crack three-year-old Ornament was recently sold for 7000dol.

The Sydney mare Albecore, whose recent displays were very disappointing, has finished her turf career, and will this season visit Medallion.

Mournpool, winner of a hunters* race at Melbourne the other day, used to be driven by Mr S. Miller in a buggy. Fitzsimmons, the world’s champion boxer, now owns a string of racehorses. Mr Stead’s Epaulet is said to be in a very forward condition. Taldhurst horses are likely to play a very prominent.part at the Cup meeting. Trenton sired tho first and second horses in tho Caulfield Guineas. Tho Westport Jockey Club stewards intend using two totalisators at their Christmas meeting. Mr P. N. Jones will work tho machines.