TURF GOSSIP

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4313, 23 March 1901, Page 6 (Supplement)

TURF GOSSIP

CBY ADVANCE.) , • fixtures. ; MARCH. ‘ 22, 28—Eeeftoo. Autumn 23—AVaihi J.C. Annual 26, 27—Martin borough E.C. Autumn j 36, 27—Napier Park E.C. Autumn APRIL. B—Waipukurau Annual 1 8— Beaumont Annual i B—Patea Annual B—Taieri Autumn 8 9—Canterbury Autumn 8, 9 and 13—Auckland E.C. Autumn. 8. 9—Feilcling Autumn 8, 9—Kumara Annual ■ 8, 9—Wairarapa Autumn 8, 9 —Eiverton Annual a 9—Weatlaucl Autumn 17 13—South Canterbury Autumn 17* 18—Southland Autumn 17, 18—Nelson Annual 25 , 27—Wellington Autumn HORO WHENUA RACING CLUB. The annual meeting of tho Herowhoivun* Hack Booing 01u.b» hold on. Mon. - day last, was a very enjoyable affair. It was more like a picnic gathering than any mootings held in the Wairarapa or Manawatu districts. Tho usual crowd of hangers on, guetsers and spieler.-* were conspicuous by their absence. Whether this was due to the announce, ment that Racecourse Detective Walden would bo present I cannot say, but it was quite a treat to be able to travel without the undesirable element, botn male and female. The weather was perfect, and the attendance compared favourably with p ! 't‘~ vious meetings of tho club. Had the Manawatu Railway Company issued, excursion fares, probably a couple of hundred more people would have travelled 'between -Wellington and Palmerston to Levin. The olnb increased the stakes from £220 to- £3OO. Last season there were eight events, against seven this year. The totalisator turnover increased! from £1682 to £2783. The club has had a good meeting, and there aro one oi two matters which require the atton. tion of the stewards at once. At present the track is only about six fur. longs round, and the turns both going out of the straight and coming into it are really dangerous. That is the opinion of the jockeys who have ridden in races on it. It was through Tire-a crossing his legs, or them slipping from under him, that he lost the raco for the Electric Handicap. The difficulty exporienc. ed by horses endeavouring to keep their positions is also noticeable with a field racing out of the straight. To remedy this matter the club should endeavour to purchase the piece of ground on which the grand stand is at present erected, and! shift the buildings back a few chains. This would probably give sufficient room to provide a seven furlong track, which should be long enough, as there are at present only three races on tho programme over that distance. The dub should also endeavour to secure the services of Harry Piper, Mr ,T. Cameron, or some other competent official to do the starting. Mr R. Nicholson, a Maori sportsman, wtho owns Hokio, is not a success with the flag. Tho officials of the club are—-Patron: John Stevens, M.H.R.; President, J. R. McDonald; vice-presidents, P. Bar. tholomew, J. Kebbel, T. Bevan, J. Davies, J. McLeavey ; judge, H. F. Davidson; clerk of scales, J. H. Hankins; clerk of the course, 81. A. McDonald; bandicapper, G. Morse; treasurer, F. G. Roe; stewards, B. R. Gardener, J. Ryder, Winiata Pataka, Hunita'Henaro, J. Broughton, G. Hanlon, AV. Ryder; F. Burnell, A. W. Reeves, Hema Te Ao, G. Taipua, C. B. Tatum; timekeeper, (J. L. Barnard. To Mr C. K. Wilson Jam indebted for press privileges. He is courteous and! enstrgetio and well fitted for the position. Thp Trial Handicap introduced a good looking gelding named Missile, one of David Scott’s breeding, owned by Mr F. O. Bailey, who also owns Jones. Mis. silo (ridden by Geo. Reed) came rounding the bend! and won easily. He is a wall-grown and good-looking five-jear-old gelding by Flintlock—Vera Asset, by Ascot —Vera, by Puriri—Cornelia (dam of Ahua.). Nabaohlish (ridden by Geo. Laing) was favourite, and ran into third place. The latter was fortunate in winning the. Electric Handicap through Tirea meeting with an ac. cadent. Mr Messen© informed me that Nil Desperandum was a daughter of Mufti (by Tradiicer) and her progeny were Hippodamia (by , Hippocampus) Spreydon (by County Boy) Somnambulist andl Sudor (by Somnus) NabacMish (by Haero), etc. Kohuiuii’s 14'lbs penalty brought his impost up to 12st 51bs in the Hurdles. He stn ck the hurdle hard oh entering the straight, which is on a bad angle, and fell on his nose, but both horse and rider made a great recovery, for which. Mr Ussher was applauded. This is the first time Kohunui has been knowm to make a mistake iu a' jumping race. R. -Buckeridge kept Art' Jewel going from flag fall, but he failed to extend Kaiwhakaroa from the distance. The performance of Blueberry (Flintlock —Mistletoe) brother to Redberry, who parried Mr D. Scott’s colours and was ridden by Frank Cochrane, was a very moderate one, • The-Gup field was reduced to four and ihe performance of Art Jewel, who gave weight and a heating to Gold Cord and illusion, was the surprise of the meeting. .It was a peculiar race. At _ the start the riders ■ appeared undecided whether to go or not. The first four fsrlongs took about 60 secs, so slow was the pace. Crawford rode Art Jewel for about six furlongs, and' he won by half a, dozen lengths from Gold Cord, who made a poor display. Probably the track did not suit her. Art Jewel’s win was re. ooived with cheers, which could not 'have been heartier had! he been a strong first favourite. His owner only_ had ,£1 on him on the machine/ Particulars of a pleasant ceremony which followed in connection with the presentation of the President’s Cup have already appeared in the “New Zealand Times.’’ Moreze won tho President’s Cup last year.

Geo. Reed l had his second win at the meeting on Aqninaldo in the St.' Patrick’s Handicap. Gipsy Jack was a level money favourite, but was defeated somewhat easily by the Rangitikei owned gelding. After finishing third in the CupNgabihuia waa saddled up- for the next race (Flying Handicap) and he occupied a similar position behind Gipsy Jack and Tirea. Both of ' Ngatihuia’s displays Were disappointingly poor. Gold! Cord was again selected by the public as the best of the Steward’s Handicap lot, but performed no better than in the Cup. Lethargy, a pony mare by Lethe, owned by Mr R. Aohoson, - of Greytown North, and trained by H. MoPhee, got a • good start. James Wallace, a light-weight lad, formerly coil, nected with some of the Hutt stables, had the mount and never stopped riding till he passed the post, which he did with a clear lead of about ten lengths. Kohnnui, who was going faster than any. thing else at the finish, ran second. The Wellington owned' Bonfield (by Piscator) started twice during the day. On both occasions he had to carry overweight. So many oases of jockeys oar-

rying overweight are rarely seen at a meeting. In other oases, none of the trainers having brought any lead, there was difficulty in making weight, and a heavy saddle belonging to the starter and sacks had to bo brought into use. MASTERTON RACING' CLUB. Tho Masterton people do not appear to support the meetings at Opaki so well as might be expected. The wet weather on Thursday last no doubt seriously interfered with the attendance on tbd first day cf the autumn meeting. Thursday being the weekly half-holiday with business people in Masterton, the crowd pre- | sent might reasonably have been expeot!ed to be larger. The weather on the | second day was fine and the attendance | was increased, probably about 800 being j present. Tho totalisator turnover on the. i first day showed a falling eff of £13,0 ’ compared with last year. Over £6OO of this was made upoq :he second day, leaving the balance only £754 on the wrong side compared with the previous year’s figures. Kohonui and his owner, Mr E. ,J. Dasher, have become well-nown figures at Wairarapa meetings. On tho first day he experienced little difficulty in defeating Master Jack at a differenca of a stone. Next day Mr Hcnrys raised him 161bs—to 12st 12lbs. lie was meeting four fresh horses in Arabi Pasha, Cyclist, Jim Campbell and Flying Colours. Mr Ussher was content to run in tho rear till two furlongs from homo, when lie commanced to go through, and only caught the leading horse (Cyclist) at the last fence. To receive nearly three stone and a half and a beating does not make Cyclist out much class.

In the interval between the two jumping races Kohonui carried top weight, 12st 81bs, and won the Ladies’ Bracelet. He again kept a long way out at cho start of the race, but smothered Forest Oak (who was in receipt of 15lbs) in tne run home. The Maiden Hack field included several useful sorts, any of whom may score shortly. Komutu (ridden by Dan Kingau), who acted as runner-up to Blackring, received a lot of support, but was left standing on the mark when thelliold got away. actually first favourite, but was never dangerous. Air Jas. Macara’s Greenslecves (Forester — Tattler mare), a half-sister to Brookfield. won all the way. Her nearest attendant at the finish was War Dog, also one of Mr Macara’s breeding. Zisoa filled the third place. Waterford promises to do Mr Davis as good service as Ruby Twist. Under 9st 81b he won the Masterton Hack Handicap fairly easily. Although first favourite he paid! the fair price of £3 10s. The Petroleum pony Sylvie 11. looked likely to score at the top of the straight, but had to be content with second place. She was putting in about two strides to Waterford’s one at the finish trying to kdcp up with him. Plaidie was one of tho last to move, and ran into third place.

AVest Guard and Prologue were withdrawn from the St. Patrick’s Handicap, leaving five starters. The field included Defwdrop and 1 Conspirer, who earned lllbs and! 71bs overweight respectively, conspirer tailed off from tho start and finished some way in the rear. Volley was favourite and won by a little over a length from Gipsy Queen, who slipped about a good deal when Gosnell called on her in the straight. Meeting Volley at a difference of lOlbs with two furlongs letes to go, the Autumn Handicap on the second day looked a fair thing for the Taranaki mare. She defeated Volley easily enough, but could not foot it with Sir Agnes, who was in with the light impost of 6st 13Ibs. The previous day in a six furlongs race (March Handicap) Sir Agnes received weight and a beating from such as Warnote and Osborne. Mr Lambert objected to Sir Agnes receiving the stakes on the ground of inconsistency. Mr W. Ccrlett was called in and produced some tickets to show he had backed his horse the first day when he lost, hut not on the second day when he had won. The stewards therefore dismissed the objection. To my mind it did seem a great reversal of form. At the same time Mr Corlett’s luck has been out for some time, and everybody would be sorry to see the stake taken away, from him. Judging by the way Sir Agnes galloped in this race he is not yet a back number. Mr Lambert was- a bit sore at the stewards, but his feelings were somewhat improved when Gipsy Queen scored iu the Telephone Handicap, six furlongs, in which Sir Agnes was second and Lady Agnes unplaced. The latter was, however, meeting her brother on l2lbs worse tdrms compared with the previous dav. Rosette did Mr Olay a good turn in the Telegraph Hack Handicap, and paid the fair price of £9 13s. In this race PJaidie was ridden by Gosnell. Had the latter not attempted to get up on the inside of Rosette and got blocked she would probably have won. The stewards held! there • was not room for Paidie to take inside running and that O’Brien was justified in blocking her. Had Plaidie not met with this interference and won, I understand it was Mr Macara’s intention to get the stewards to ask T. Wilson, to explain his riding of the mare earlier in the day. Mr Macara did not accept with anything on the second day, nor did he enter either of his horses at the Wairarapa meeting.

Jas. Campbell, formerly a resident ol Wellington, but now residing in Taranaki, brought do wn a Vanguard gelding, named the Bugler. In the Dash on the first day he got home by a short head from Te Pake. The latter is getting into a bad habit of playing up at the post. She got away 'with the field on each qccasion with a flying start after delaying the start, by refusing to go up to the barrier. The Bugler’s supporters received the good dividend of £lO 14s the first day and must have had a decent win. When he put down a better favourite in Gipsy Jack at a difference of 11b the second day he returned £4 13s. Had the going been firm J. Armstrong’s gelding would probably have deafeated him at the weights. The Bugler .was formerly owned iby Mr L. Pitzmauricei, and in the colours of that owner defeated Will-o’-the-Wisp and a good field in the Flying at Marton last season. At Patea he defeated Cora Linn level weights over four and a half furlongs. The sensational dividend of the meeting was provided by Roney, trained by the veteran R. Knox, on the Opaki course. She carried 9st 11b and was ridden by Watson, a 6-stone boy. She had only; six supporters, each of whom received £53 19s. Among thef starters in this race was Leinster Lass (a six-year-old mare by Vanguard-r-Diike mare), who was paying double that price. . Four of the nine starters in the Final Hack were well backed. War Dog, a stable companion of Ready's on the) strength of their track work, received! most support, but was defeated by Zjs-1 ca (Flintlock —Thelma), owned and trained by F. Lecombe. Nightmare, who j ran into third place, is a six-year-old] gelding by Lethe, trained by Isaac! Freetb. j Oh previous occasions I have pointed-i out the great inconvenience that the judge, public and press are put to byj riders not carrying colours which corres-; pond with those on the! official card. In, several cases at Opaki jockeys carried the wrong colours, which made it difficult to distinguish what the horses were.

The officials of the Masterton Racing Club are President, A. W'. Cave ; VicePrdsidcnts, J. Macara, C. A. Pownall C. F. Vallanco and John Macrae; Judge, Joseph lorns; Hamlicapp Gl % J. -tienrys; Clerk of Scales, F. E. Chalmers; Timekeeper, Fred Hill; Clerk of Herbert Welch; Assistant Clerk ot Ccusa, Chas. Bannister; Honorary surgeon, Dr. Butement; Treasurer,. J. Macara; Secretary, Thos. Duncan; Stewards T. V/. Warded, Jas. Ewart, A. lorns, C. H. Smith, F. E. Chalmers, E. M D. Whatman, J. D. CruikshauK, Fred. Moore, D. Casolherg Duncan McLachlan, A. G. Pilmer and F. A. Sheatn. They wore all present with tne exception of Mr C. A. Pownall, who had in Wellington. The meeting was capao.y conducted, and I am indebted to Mr Thos. Duncan, the Club’s up-to-date and obliging secretary, for press privileges. CHATTER. IMazer has never won tho Great Easter Handicap, and tho weight lie has been asked to carry is more than any horse has yet won with. Boreas has one pound more than ho won with two years back, .nalatua lias 31b more than ho carried to the front last year. In the Groat Autumn Dundas has one pound less than he won with last year. A horse named King Edward won the Farmers’ Plato at the Stratford meeting| last Monday. G. Price and T. O’Brien wore riding at Masterton on Thursday and Friday, and Hastings on Saturday last. Besides tho Hlawiie’s Bay Cup, t.ie Hon J. D. Ormond won tho Juvenile Elandicap tho second day at Hastings with xvienura (Flintlock— Byrebird), Renown’s half-sister. Robert Miller, of Pakuranga, has been disqualified for twelve months by the Otaliuhu Trotting Club for having used insulting and provoking language towards tho stewards. The following are the winning owners at tho Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s meotint!f:—G. G. Stead, £440; Hon J. D. Ormond, £3SU; E. J. AVatt, £240; Sir Geo. Clifford, £190; J. T. Ryan, £160; J. A Harding, £160; C L Mackersey, £iw; G ColJelo, £130; D Thomson, £9O; Mrs A. Elhngham, £9O; H. O. Caulton, £SO; G. E. G. Richardson, £35; F.' AVatson, £3O; R. Conuop, £3O; J. T. Blake, £25; b, E. W. Cooper, £2O ; P. Martin, £ls f D. Scally, £10; V. Colielo, £10; J. Cameron, £5 ; G. P. Donnelly, £5. "Spectator” writes as follows concerning tho well-known Taranaki horse-own-er, J. J. Russell:—Mr Russell, the wellknown Taranaki owner, and onetime horseman, is still confined to his bed. I paid him a visit on Tuesday afternoon of last week, and found him very weak, but his pluck keeps him 'up and lie was aide to chat over old-time racing. His memory is as wonderful as are Ids powers of oratory in matters in which the horse plays a part. AVhat a long time Mr Russell has been ailing! He has been confined to his nome for about nine months, and during the last four or five months has only left his room once, and that was to be carried to seo several races run on tho Taranaki racecourse, in which he was interested.

The Masterton meeting is thus referred to by the “Press” correspondent: —Tho general arrangements for the meeting were good, but minor details could be improved upon for future gatherings. The number board facing the paddock was worked in a somewhat erratic manner, and on more than one occasion had to be altered before being correct. ‘ Owing to the unpropitious state of the elements, shelter was in great demqnd, and tho Press room was invaded by tho police, detectives, hanclicapper, and sundry persons, for whom accommodation should have been specially provided. It is impossible for members of the Press to do really satisfactory work when their room is crowded with people. No ddqbt this will be attended to on future occasions. The winning post is not yet provided with a black background,and it is therefore very difficult for tho judge to give correct verdicts in very close finishes, especially when such moving objects as sheep and horses are in full view. The club might consider the advisability of being more strict in the matter of the colours worn by uie riders. In more than one case each day riders had colours other than those mentioned in the official book, and in big fields this was confusing. Stewards who may visit tho course periodically should 1 see., that 'huge haystacks do not in future block tho view of quite half the straight from those who patronise tho grand stand. Harry Hales, in tho early days associated with racing in New Zealand, was in Wanganui during racd week, and I (Spectator) had hoped to meet him. Men liko Halos, who have revisited the old hunting grounds after the lapse of so many years, are tho ones who can note tho changes made. Only last night the old-time trainer and rider, Donald Taylor, father of 'Dhugald and “Tommy” Taylor (tho last named one of our best horsemen), was talking with mo over old times, and ho related with pride how lie walked all the way from Auckland to Napier to ride the Riddlesworth horse, Hurricane, in a match —which he had the satisfaction of winning. Boats only left Auckland for Napier twice a fortnight then, and Donald would not wait and take tho risk of not being landed there, but walked the journey in ten days. How many of our horsemen are there who would take on a contract of that kind.

Mr E. J. Watt, the well-known Hawke’s Bay owner, is stated to be the purchaser of the beautifully-bred Merriwee, by Bill of Portland —Etra AA r ecnie, by Trenton. Merriwee won the Melbourne Qup and Victorian Derby last season.

The following are the winning owners at the Masterton meeting; J. Cress, £105; E. J. XJssher, £95; T. Coriett, £80; x. Lambert, £65; J. Campbell, £6O; VV. Smart, £uO ; W. Martin, £-15; W .Davies, £45; R. Knox, £35; H. W. CJay, £35; F Seacorabe, £3O; J. Macara, £25; C. F. Balance, £25; J. Bacovich, £ls; T. Murcott, W. McKenzie. W. J. Nix, H. Peters, A. G. Pilmer and J. Armstrong, £5 each. “Phaeton,” the “New Zealand. Herald’s’’ sporting writer, commenting on the action of the Taranaki Jockey Club in finally removing the disqualification (if any exist) from Messrs Beckett agd McAuliffe, says:—“That, I suppose, . wo may safely conclude, brings to a close the Minerva 11. drama. It will always be a puzzle to most people how the Egmont Racing Club inflicted punishment on men who, throughout an unfortunate piece of business, had shown every desire; to be open and above board in their actions. Fortunately for Messrs Beckett and Mc- | Auliffe, they found men ready to stand up and fight it opt, and the plucky stand it took in declining to be a party to inflicting unjust punishment, will always redound to the credit of the Taranaki Jockey Club.” The following arc the winning payments over the Wanganui Cup meeting: —E. J. Watt £930, G. G. Stedd £460, Mrs A. Ellingbam £235. E. G. Rae £l3O. W. Davies £llO, Y. H. Colello £9O, F. H. Lambert £9O. V. Harris £9O, P. E. Baldwin £9O, J. D. Ormond £BO, T. Been £65. J. J. Connell £6O, F. Walcot £3O. The-. Scott £25, E. W. Morse £2O, T Newman £2O, S. E. H. Coopefr £ls, J. R. McDonald £lO, David Scott £lO, Doug-

las Gordon £lO, M. Kaiwbata £lO, G- P. Dcnnellv £lO, AV. H. Churton £lO. lotah £2600. Harry Piper wa.s among the visitors, r o the Masterton races last Thursday, and journeyed on to Hastings the following day. ' „

Mr Jas. Macara has leased Dum-Dum (Romington-Minnie nalisor), full brother to C'anet and AVar Dog, to a patron of AV. H. Topham’s. Four two-year-olds were entered at the Masterton meeting, but the only one who took part was Diplomat (StepniakAdulation). The half-brother to Bracelet ran in the name of Mr R. Acheron and was, ridden by his trainer, J. Gravestock. He showed some pace for about throe furlongs, but died away after entering the straight. The other juveniles entered at the meeting wei'e Mr Baldwin’s pair, Benefactor and Spun Gold, and Mr Henare Parata’s Autahi (Lethe —Remington maie). Waterford arid Kohunui made their final appearance in hack company at the Masterton meeting. AVaterford is engaged in the principal events at tho autumn meeting of tho Wairarapa Racing Club. Tho placed horses in the Hack Hurdles' on the seoond day at Masterton were all sired by Voltigour. Among the visitors at the Ma-storton meeting were—Messrs AV. E. Bidwill ami J. Card, vice-president and steward of 1 the Wairarapa Racing Club, Mes-srs McCormick, Husband and Quirke, stewards of tho Pahiatua Racing Club, and Mr AA 7 . McKenzie, secretary of the Car-terton-Taratahi Racing Club. Flying Colours lias recently been purchased by Mr C. F. A 7 a!lanoe, and the Somnus gelding ran in his new owner’s colours at Masterton.

Mr E. Laurent, owner of Full Cry, was present at tho Masterton meeting with Exception, a five-year-old mare by Tim AVhiffier Primrose. Her track form with The Bugler was good enough to win cither of tho races she started in, but sho shaped disappointingly. All meetings of stewards of the Mastorton Racing Club are open to the press, who aro informed of the nature of the inquiry and requested to attend if they think it necessary. News is to hand that Tabilk. shipped to Java last seapon by Mr T. C. Naples, for the Sultan of Djoeclja, has won the principal race in Java, namely, the Djoeclja Cup (two miles), iu great stylo. Tabilk will bo remembered as carx-ying Mr J. H. Davis’s colors into second place in the Australian Cup, won, by La Carabine.

Mr Vowles has left on a trip to, England. He intends returning to Victoria in time to frame the Handicaps for tho next Caulfield Cup, which are due in June.

Trainers are cautioned against employing the jockeys Alfred Neale and Stephen Neary, without first obtaining a written discharge from their late employer, these lads having left their employer without completing tho term of their engagement. '' A six-year-old full brother to Kohinui, named Mourner, competed in tho Maiden Hack Raco at Masterton. Tirohea, dam of these horses, is by Remington from a Glymenus mare.