THE WORLD OF SPORT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4366, 25 May 1901, Page 7 (Supplement)

THE WORLD OF SPORT.

RACING CHATTER (By ‘'Advance.”) I have been asked ti; contradict ’the paragraph which inis been going the round.-. to the eiieet that Patchwork tr p-.-enter —Patch) was sold lor U io-- *'ly iuiurniant states that the horse was purchased for £IOO about seven years ago from Geo. W rigid, of Auckland, by Jit Walker, td Waverley, who still own, him. Racing in the colours of Mr VV. Bobbc-t-t, the Thames sportsman, Patchwork put up some of his best performances on the Whist Coast, where ho won the Egmont Cup and Waimate Handicap.

Mr ii. W. Alexander, ’a committeeman of thu Taranaki Jockey Cinq, at the anjtuai meeting of iiioiuber.s oii- I 1 nclay uist referred to an attack that had boon made upon him in the editorial columns of the ••i’ress” ami "Referee,” because ho expressed ‘his opinion m a lettel ill tno columns of that paper. He considered the attack was petty and grossly personal, ilr .Samuel said lie sympathised with Mr Alexander in the attack made on Idm bjj a writer in tho ‘'Press” and ‘■Referee,'’ but because one writer went out of his way to make a bitter attack, ho did net think that alono was a ground for taking such a step a.s to endeavour tc> take tho official calendar 'from the ‘’Press and ‘•Referee.” Ho would, however, admit that a feeling of antagonism had been created in th o North Island against the ‘"Press” and‘‘‘Referee.” Mr G. Newman said that there was a strong feeling in Auckland that some change in the centralising of the racing powers was •necessary • —Mr Samuel said that tho Chairman of tho Racing Conference, Sir U. Clifford, had the entire confidence 'of tho racing world in Ids administration, and it was therefore a delicate tiuestio.ll to alter conditions when racing matters were so well ‘managed. At a meeting of the Taranaki Jockey Club, tho "Herald” reports, Mr O. Newman ashed the Chairman what was his opinion of forming a North Island Racing Conference. The population of the North Island was increasing rapidly, and he thought tho time had arrived when the question of a North 'lsland Racing Club should he considered. Mr Samuel said tiie question was one that would probably cenio before the Conference to be dealt with -by that body. Ho might say that there was a feeling abroad in the North Island that the South Island was dominatin'' racing too much, and more especially avas this feeling strong on the question of the official calendar published at Christchurch. At the Upper Hunter (N.S.W.) Amateur meeting on tbo 7tb instant Loch Levcn (Lochiel—Saltnncllc) won two events, and his brother Saltown one. Tho Messrs White (111. B.» H. E. A.,V. J. C. and Edward) were all represented. their horses .running three times first and six times second.

Record Reign, upon arrival at Sydney, wont into McGrath’s stables at Kensington. Malvolio was represented by a couple of winners at the V.A.T.O. meeting tliis month. Novitiate, a four-year-old mare from Initial (by Emulation) won the Glen Huutly, of 200 sovs., one mile and three furlongs. Orsino, a four-year-old gelding from Sedition, who finished in front, of Lochicl and Carbine in the New market Handicap, won the Glcnforrio Welter, of 120 sovs.. seven furlongs. After the brilliant performances of Australian Colours at Ramlwick and the success of his brother, Australian Star, in tho City and .Suburban Handicap. it was rumoured that the sum of Phi'; guineas was offered for the colt by' ail English sportsman, but no offer of anv kind Ims been submitted to his owner, Mr .>■ .‘laeiten. At the Casilet ton (Vic.) meeting Parable, History aid Cairngorm, three of the prig.'iiy of Tradition, won five races. Hilly Aiiuiton, a fonrycar-old gelding bv Muntou, won a hurdlo race afc the Warwick Farm meeting on the 4th instant. Krom all accounts there is another cltver gang of punters operating on the Melbourne suburban courses. They do not bet heavily without judgment. Few of their inspired coups miss fire, or go off with the wrong sort of a hang. When they are plunging,, they may ho followed—at a safe distance —you must not interfere with their sweeping stride. If anyone gets in their way they are ready fo stick him on the post. If they cannot have all the cream of the market, they turn up their noses at the skim-milk, and their candidate toils not, neither does ho spin. There will ho another rip e case for the leading racing tribunal to deal with G. M’Sweeney, who held a foremost position in the ranks of West Australian jockeys, died last week at Perth, from plague. M’Sweeney hailed from Queensland, where he served his apprenticeship with .Harry Walsh. In the Northern colony he rode a number of winners, and in West Australia won among other good races the Kalgoorlie Cup on Limber. Ho was steady and unassuming, and his record was in every way a good one. Sportsman (late Victor), who is engaged in the Hack Hurdles at Wanganui, is a half-brother to Titokonaui and Plain Bill, bu the St. George—Rupee horse Exchange. He is a good out of a fire-year-old bav gelding and competed iu tlio Maiden Tlurdles at the Shannon meeting last month. Had he stood up ho would have had no difficulty in defeating his solitary opponent (Lockado).

Mr O'Reilly, of Taktikn, recently lost a horse named Silver Light (Manawanni—Lignite) in a' peculiar manner. The animal was being exercised when it suddenly became frightened, jumped into a ditch and was drowned. Silverlight was a full brother to First Light, who won a hack race at the Nelson meeting last month. Mr George Vowles, the V.A.T.C. handicappcr, is on his «wav back to Victoria. He was, when he last wrote, much improved in health. His son. Mr A. Vowles, has filled the position of handicapper at Caulfield and on suburban courses very well while Mr George Vowles has been away. The New Zealand horse. The Laborer (by. Tho Workman), who came to Melbourne with Seahorse, was tried over the schooling hurdles at Flemingt.on last week, but was a. ghastly failure. He is not to bo further persevered with, and is to go to tho stud. Mr Alister Clark, of Glenara, Bulla, the newly-appointed master of tho Oaklands Hounds, had a '■-cry fortunate escape from a serious injury on Wednesday. Ho was riding n hunter ho had just imported from New Zealand over the fences on Ids estate, when the animal clouted heavily., and came down. Mr Clark was thrown with great force to tho ground. Docs tho above paragraph refer to the gentleman who took part in th e polo meeting at Miramar as one of the Christchurch team ?

Mr W. E. Bidwill. who presided at the meeting of members of the Wnirarapa Racing Club held on tho Kith instant, said it bad been called to consider the advisability of applying for a permit for a steeplechase meeting to be held on the Tanherenikau coarse in July of the coming year. The stewards had considered the pros and cons rcla-

live to holding the meeting, and had arrived ;-V a unanimous decision that it would he advisable to hold such meetings. In the matter of tho general advantages of holding a steeplechase meeting, he would say that at present the Club hold meetings in January and at Easter. There was but three months —and sometimes less —between, and during the remainder of the year no meetings were held on tho Tauherenikau course. Property to tho value of from JJ.TOOO to £IOOO was thus lying idle during that period at the course. At present horse-owners in W airarapa wore at, a disadvantage m comparison with those of other parts in having no winter meetings hero., and if they wished to take part in racing they had to journey to outside districts, and this they knew was a source of expense and trouble. The consequence was that there were fewer cross-country horses than ever in Wairarapa, as there was not .sufficient i ndueoment lor owners to put their horses to this branch .of sport. Euless the Club catered for this they would not get the horses, and he thought they were fully entitled to apply to tho Conference for a permit. At present the Club gave £2300 per annum in stakes, and if they had a steeplechase meeting £9OO could be added to the amount, making a total of £3200. He would propose "That an application be mado to the Conference for a permit for a steeplechase meeting, to be held by tin; Wairarapa Racing Club in July, 1902.” It was unanimously decided that, in the event of a permit being obtained, £IOOO he given in stakes. It is proposed to hold the meetings between tho Napier Park and Wellington meeting.-;. July 9th and 10th would ho suitable dates. Tho Club is to bo congratulated on its liberality, in distributing £IOOO in stakes to provide winter oats for the district horse owners. There is not likely to be any opposition to the Club’s application for a permit.

An old way of making a trifle at. Iho races was practised at tho Egmoot meeting. An admission ticket to the lawn was purchased, when tho holder went outside, obtaining a pass. Tins was sold for a, .small sum, and then tho holder walked out th o 2s entrance, and back to the lawn gate,-presenting the original ticket, and outside by anothe gate where passes were given. The game worked all right while it lasted, but it didn’t last very Ion".

At th e Egmont meeting inr E. Williams offered two of his horses at Messrs Nolan, Tonks and Co.’s fair, but neither found a purchaser. £25 was bid for the gelding Reynard, by Lo Loup—-Miss Kate, and the same figure was offered for The Major, by Vanguard—Miss Cole.

An inventor who has noticed the extraordinary number of times unfortunate jockey’s stirrup leathers break (explanation always accepted as satisiactory) has come to their rescue with an ingenious arrangement that will prevent accidents in future, and prevent disappointment. In tliis invention, tlio stirrup leathers are double-banked, one coming from the pommel of the saddle and the other from the back of the seat. Of course some riders are very strong, but it will want a youthful .Sampson to “break’’ both leathers. Should this happen, and the stewards consider the “explanation satisfactory,” then the rider will be very lucky indeed.

A strong committee was aopointed by tho Manawatu Racing Club recently to obtain an estimate, survey, etc., and ascertain possible arrangements as to ways and means for the immediate utilisation of the new racecourse at xivapnni. It is stated that the recent invasion of tho present course by bookmakers has helped considerably in the decision to at once proceed with the preparation of the now course. J. V. Reed appearec! in support of his application for a jockey’s license at the monthly meeting of stewards of the Wairarapa Racing Club held on xnursday last and in answer to the Chairman, said h e did not know why lie had been asked to put in an attendance after having applied for a jockey’s license. The Chairman informed the applicant that he understood he behaved in a manner not satisfactory on the occasion of the Forest Oak-Cavalier dead heat on Easter Tuesday. The applicant said he baa never misbehaved at Tauherenikau, and had no recollection of having hooted the judge. After further questioning, Reed said if ho had been guilty of misbehaviour ho regretted it. Mr G. Tally proposed and Mr J. W. Card seconded that, taking into consideration his previous good conduct, a license be granted to J. V. Reed, hut that he he cautioned as to his future behaviour. Mr L. D. Westmaoott lias sold the gelding. Raukura, to Mrs Abbott, of Wanganui. The gelding will go into J. Belcher’s stable. The price is stated to be £9O. The following statement has been filed in the estate of Kenneth McKenzie, horse-trainer, of Featherston:—Creditors —Masterton : Lowes and lorns, £7 10s; V> Dougall, £7; J. Renall, £44. Carterton: E. Feist, £5 10s; T. .Kay, £3O; G. Heller, £l3; R. Buckeridge, £l2 10s. Featherston: W. Toogood, £B3- W. Burt, £10; T. McMaster, £l3; Tait and Cox, £10; W. Buckeridge, £23; Mr Selby, Ashurst, £3 Is W. Lemon, Palmerston North, £4O; J. J. Strang, Gladstone, £SO ; Plaillo, Gi;cytown, £ll 17s 6d : “New Zealand Sporting and s Dramatic Review,” Auckland, £4 10s: Townsend and Pauli, Wellington, £80; H. O. Williams, Grcytown, £l6 10s; Mrs Mclvaue, Kaiapoi, £i2 10s; H. J- Unwin, Featherston, £1 14s“New Zealand Mail,” Wellington, £5 10s; H. E. Rowe, Christchurch, £l6 15s lid; total, -t043 0s oil. The assets of the debtor consist of two saddles and bridles, valued at £4, leaving a total deficit of £530 0s ud.

Tho Hawera-ownod mare Whitt]csea (Gipsy King—Steel All), therefore halfsister to Levanter, sustained injuries last week necessitating her being destroyed. First of all, she foil into a hole in the paddock where she was running. She was got out, placed in a box, and her injuries attended to, after which she broke her leg. A bullet then ended her sufferings. Wbittlesea was a full sister to Steel King, wno did good service for the Porirua stable. Messrs G- Hunter and J. IT. Williams, representatives of the Hawkes Bay Jockey Club and Hawke’s Bay A. and p. Society, interviewed the committee of the Wanganui Jockey Club, with uie result that the Wanganui Jockey Club ■have arranged to hold their spring meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, Ist aiul 2nd October. This will enable tho Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club to hold their spring meeting on Saturday and Monday, = October nth and 7th, and tho Society’s annual show will bo held on the following Thursday and Friday. This highly satisfactory arrangement will he beneficial to the interests of the three functions.

The Wairarapa Racing Club Ims instructed its delegates to the Racing Conference to move: —That the wonts 'kind also that no jockey’s license should be issued to a jockey who is owner, part owner, or lessee of any racehorse in training,” be struck out part 3 of rule 142. "That the trustees of the Trainers’ and Jockeys’ Provident Fund in each district be authorised to invest

such portion of the funds as .they think fit in ambulance and medical outfits for tho various clubs in their respective districts. That in the rule providing that jockey shall ride their horses out, the words "if they have a reasonable chance of winning” be deleted.

On the third day of tho South Australian Jockey Club’s meeting, La Carabine won the handicap, one mile and a half, carrying IQst 51b, in 2min UOiscc. She paid £2 Is in a field of ten. "Loo Ellis, who for a number of years rode so successfully for the late Hon. James White, in whose colours he won the Ascot Vale Stakes on Ural la, A.J.C. Derbv on Nordenfeldt, A.J.C. Champagne Stakes on Acmena, besides Melos in the A.J.C. St. Leger for the late Mr W. Gannon, and numerous other winners, made his appearance among tho ponies at Forest Lodge on Monday last (says a Sydney exchange), and at the first time of asking rode Hilda to -victory into the Fourteen-two Handicap. Ho was loudly applauded when passing the winning post, and the cheering he received on returning to scale was tremendous.

Concerning Mr Leslie Macdonalu s team, ‘'Reginald” writes;—Since their return from Sydney, Wakeful and Aurous have been allotted the easiest of tasks, and on this treatment both arc, of course, making flesh, it would not, however, take long to clean them up again. Kinglike has greatly improved in frame since he was last seen under silk, but he is doing nothing, and he may strip off again when he has to stand up to tho work. Revenue is likewise being gently used, but Regained occasionally varies his cantering with a little half pacing. This Half-brother to ova. does not betray any very pronounced signs of lameness now, and the chances are that ho will weather another stout preparation.

One morning last week at Ellerslie The Swimmer, a horse by Captain Webb —Princess Helen, treated the onlookers to some capital jumping, being schooled in company with Natation. He jumped the sod wall, water and double jumps in splendid style, if anything better than his companion.

Racing Clubs in tins island strongly object to tho exorbitant fee charged for .advertising in the Official Calendar. The Wairarapa Racing Club has instructed its delegates to move at the Conference:—“That when the Official Calendar is fixed by the Conference a scale of charges for advertisements should bo fixed by arrangement between the Conference and the publishers of the Official Calendar.

The first of the progeny of Captain Webb (Natator —Fame) to score was tlio half-brother to Jadoo and Daphne, taken by Mr uollau to England, llio performance is referred to as follows by an English paner;—“At a meeting held at Plumpton this week a horse that had not very long loft Now Zealand, his native land, made his debut. This was Mr Spencer Golian’s four-year-old gelding Ocean Blue, whose breeding is given as by Captain Webb out of Violet. He is trained by Hickey, at Epsom, and having shown exceedingly good form over hurdles at exercise, he was immediately pounced on as a good thing when he weighed out for the Ringmer Maiden Hurdle Race, of 40 syivs, in which four-year-olds carried lOat 21b, and five-year-olds list 51b. Among the half-dozen runners were four of tho same age as Ocean Blue, two of which had earned penalties. So much money was there for .the New Zealander that he went out first favourite at 15 to 8, and ho amply justified this confidence, for, ably ridden by JdicKey, he shot to the front as soon as asked, and won in a hack canter.’’