TURF TOPICS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4806, 8 November 1902, Page 6 (Supplement)

TURF TOPICS

(By “Advance.”)

TUN C.J.C. MEETING. Tlio Canterbury Jockey Club’s spring carnival opens on Saturday next, and r. ili bo continued on the following Monday (Derby Day), Wednesday (Canterbury Cup and Oaks Day), and Saturday (Jubilee Cup Day). Final payments for tin) Now Zealand Cup and Welcome Stakes, acceptances fur tho lliccarton Welter, Dailies’ Purse and Spring Hurdles, and entries for tho Maiden Plato and Sapling Plato are duo to-night. Tho events mentioned aro ail included in Saturday’s programme. Tho following is a list of probable starters and riders in tho New Zealand Cup:— Nonotto, Dsb 91b (AI. Tortulla, list 31b (T. Wilson). Pampero, Bst 31b (J. McC'ombc). Halbcrciior, Bst 21b (It. Derrclt). Cannio Chid, Sst lib (McCTusky). Sicgo Gun. 7st 91b (L. H. flewitt). Canfcoon, 7sfc 91b (L. King). Porirua, 7sb 71b (C. Jenkins). Glonaladale, 7st 41b (J. Pino). Wclbock, 7.sb 41b (T. CBBrien). Faldr, (isfc 101 b (W. Price). Sirius. 6sfc 81b (W. King).

Notwithstanding that the race is said to ho a good thing for Sicgo Gun, who lias been blindly followed by a large number of people in no way connected with Mr Stead or the Yaldhurst stablein the hope of his proving another St. Michael—l refuse to take him on trust. I see no reason to alter my opinion expressed last week that the winner will conic from Y/elbcck or GJonaladalo, and that tho two top weights may light out tho other place. Blazer has boon responsible for some good work at Riccarton during tho past week, and with a resolute horseman like T. Wilson in the saddle is sure to have liis opponents at top pressure. As the representative of strong stables, Orlotf and Ghoorka—who has been heavily backed in doubles coupled with Porirua and Siego Gun for tho Cup—aro sure to have a strong following on the day. Ono of tho three horses named' should supply the winner. Tho withdrawal of several horses left in the Welcome Stakes in error will reduce the field in that event to about nine. Starshoot, Kamo and Bandmaster, tho best of the known quantities engaged, are pretty sure to meet with strong opposition from tho Yaldhurst. stable, at present represented by De La Bey and King Log. Of the twelve horses engaged in tho Spring Hurdles, two miles, six represent tho North Island. Huku \llst 61h) and Evening Wonder (lOst 131 b) appear well handicapped. Tho Biccarton Welter is a pretty hard race to pick, especially before the acceptances arc known. Bosmcro (lOst 31b), Muscovite (9st 131 b), and Petrovna (9st 31b) appear a likely trio. Skobeleff (lOst 91b), if any good at all, ought to -win the Ladies’ Bracelet, oue mile and a half. Dunclas (12st 91b) would probably account for most of the others, notwithstanding his steadier.

CHATTER. With, tho exception of the Wainui Handicap, a seven furlong race with Bst minimum, in which eleven horses aro engaged, the entries for the Wellington Racing Club’s spring meeting are very satisfactory. Tho only Auckland trainer represented is Ered Stenning, who has engaged Hohoro, Camille, and Matua (half sister by Cuirassier to Hohoro) in' tho two-year-old races. It was expected that Mr Stead would nominate largely, but ho has only entered Siogo Gun and Cruciform in ome event each day. Wainku’s brother, Eauirl, is liberally engaged. Ho is trained by Prosser, as also is tho unnamed Mahaki—Waingongoro- gelding. Ostiak is only engaged in tho Nainai Handicap, tho concluding event on the second day. Tho handicaps aro due on tho I7th inst., tho Monday after the C.J.C. meeting. The Newcastle Jockey Club held a meeting on tho 16th October, tho sixtysixth anniversary of tho birthday of Mr C. H. Haunell, who has been connected with the club for a number of years, and filled the offices of president, secretary and treasurer. Tho principal event was the Hannell Handicap. One of the other events was called tho Many Happy Returns of the Day Handicap. Tlie time for Lieutenant Bill’s Caulfield Cup, 2min 36seo, has only once been equalled in tho history of the race, viz., in 1891, when G’Naroo proved successful, and only once beaten, viz., last year, when Hymettus won in 2min 35i sec. Prior to winning tho Caulfield Cup, Lieutenant Bill had' won three races, all as a three-year-old, viz., a Trial Handicap at Aspondale Park last April; the Eclipse Stakes, at Corowa, also in April; and tho High-weight Handicap, at Flemington, also in April. At tho monthly meeting of' the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Chib’s committee on Friday last, three months’ leave of absence was granted to tho secretary, Mr F. D. Luckio, on account of illness, and Mr W. J., Stratton was appointed acting-secretary.

Slirapnol Shell, who was reported amiss, has accepted for the Mastcrton Cup. Ho and Marianthus are a likely pair to score in some of the big races at Masterton and Carterton. There can bo no doubt that Carbine, as a sire, is improving with ago. On September sth, his progeny had won £IB,OOO in England, and it is not too much to expect that ho would finish up the season with £20,000 to his credit. The principal contributor to this amount was howling Pieoo, with five races of a total value of £O7OO. Altogether, up to the date mentioned, the Carbines had won thirty-one races, and from being described as a failure last year, tho son of Musket is now in such demand that for tho next couple of soa-sons it will bo difficult to got a subscription to him. On the other hand, Trenton continues to decline in favour, and as he is now in his twenty-second year, his prospects of making a name for himself in England are decidedly poor. Ho commenced rather unluckily in the Old ,Country, and has never since had a fair chance of making up his lost ground. The principal nominators at the Hutt are the Porirua and J. Lowe’s stables, each of which havo horses engaged in every race. Out of tho total nominations received, tho Porirua stables are responsible for forty-one entries, and Lowe’s patrons for twenty-two. Overtures have been made for the

purcliaso of Sir Rupert Clarke’s brilliant mare, La Carabine, by Mr nennessy, of Hennessy’s bram iy fame, who is at present on a trip to Australia, Mr Hennessy’s object being to export bor to France, where ho has a breeding establishment. Sir Rupert Clarke named 2300 guineas as the price at which tho maro could bo bought, bub as yet no reply lias been received. Mr Hennessy is reported to have v; on £4OOO over Lieutenant Bill’s Caulfield Cup victory.

A local .sport was offered Roaeplot for £OO, but declined to purchase, as he was advised he was unsound, Tho Catcsby gelding won a double for Frank Rhodes at Gisborne this week. Mr J. Atkinson had bad luck with Drakensberg. When being shipped at the Wellington wharf she jumped clean out of her box, and her owner, writing from the Bluff, informed mo that it would bo some time before she was able to race.

The leading spirits of tho Forbury Park Racing Olub evidently do not intend to let tho grass grow over their actions in their endeavours to further tho interests of tho now chib, and following quickly on the first general meeting came a committee meeting, at which a number of officials were appointed. With one exception (writes “Sentinel”) those appointments have met with tho almost general approval of those who take an interest in the club. The exception alluded to is the appointment c*f Mr Gourloy as handicappcr to the club. Tho filling of that position was ouo in which great interest was taken, and it was commonly supposed that applications would bo invited for the post. There is no doubt that tho position of handicappor is tho most important one connected with racing, and even allowing Mr Gcwrley to possess a combination of all the qualities which go to make a successful handicappor, there is not tho slightest doubt that tho position was filled somewhat hastily by tho 'committee. A handicappor is one who makes or mars tho success of a club and experience proves that where a club (providing it gives decent stakes) has a handicappor in whom owners have confidence good nominations at least aro assured. Tho gentleman appointed may bo tho • best man available, but it is nevertheless a position for which applications should have boon publicly invited. The interest aroused by tho appointment of Mr J. Chadwick as handicappor to tho Wellington Racing Club indicates what a burning question tho filling of a handicapper’s position becomes when it is throwm open. It is understood that Mr Gourloy’s appointment is a temporary one only; still, it would have been more wise on the part of tho F.P.R.C. if they bad thrown open tho position and found out what talent was available.

Polly 11., who walked over for tho class trot at Auckland on. Saturday last, is a black pony by Yiking and was bred in Australia. She 1 -.d tho limit in n 2min 46sec class. Tho best she had previously done was smin 34sec (2rain 47seo) at Christchurch, whore she won a double last August. She was then owned by Mr J. August, of Petone. Earlier in tho afternoon she won easily in smin 25sec, and that probably ■ was the cause cf her four opponents withdrawing ff-om tho class races. Of the new horses engaged at the Hutt the secretary has not yet received particulars concerning Notos (owned at Eeatherston) and Waipai. Iniwa is by Petroleum—Spider; Hatoly, by Saracen —Mnkura; Mafiuku, by Gold Beef— Kotuku; Omorard, by Vanguard—Lady Grey; Banjo, by His Lordship; Waikanao is a three-year-old bay geldiug by Cateshy—Somnus mare trained by Wi Hutana at Martinborough. On Saturday last tho 1300 guineas yearling Strata Florida, failed to get a place in the Victoria Derby. Mr VV. T. Jones, who owned Bravo when he won tho Caulfield Cup and is at present in England, was also unsuccessfully represented in the race by Maltster’s brother Maelgwyn.

Walter Buddicomhc, a well-known Dunedin horseman, at present attached to J. Lawe’s stable at the Hutt received a jockey’s license at the monthly meeting of the Wellington Racing Club on Monday last. T. Wilson has been riding Blazer in his work at Riccarton and "will have tho mount in his engagements next week. Wilson returns from Christchurch tomorrow and will be riding at Masterton this week. ~ . , , Duke of Grafton is tho tlurd horse to win the double of Caulfield Debutant Stakes and V.R.C. Maribyrnong Plate. Tho previous winners were Acme (1885) and Hortonse (1886). Mr H. Piper is to bo invited to act as Starter for tho meeting at Forbury Park, on Deo. 20. As Mr Piper has an engagement at Wingatui on Boxing Day and Deo. 27 it is anticipated that ho will see his way to comply with the request. It is rumoured that Melwood is working at Yaldhurst and cither he or Siege Chin will bo a non-starter in the Cup. The last foreign Cup horse trained at Yaldhurst (Tirant d’Eau) won that event.

Concerning matters of detail at tho Gore meeting “Sentinel” states that Mr Latham, tho club’s secretary, was, as usual, very careful to make the labours of the pressmen as easy as possible, and for which he well earned the thanks .of the knights of the pen. Mr Latham’s method of supplying the pressroom with information is very simple, and might be copied by secretaries of other clubs who. at present allow the reporters to find out all they require. Tho leaves of a race book are pasted on cards, and immediately after each race the machine figures, totals of same, penalties, riders’ names, fines, time of race, dividends, etc., are all marked on the margins, and are allowed to remain on the press table for reference during the day. Abundance put up a now time record for tho Victorian Derby, 2min 36iseo. Tho previous best was 2min 37seo by Ilautvillers last year. Wolbeck has incurred 51b penalty in the Now Zealand Cup and will consequently carry 7st 41b in that race. It is reported that Ostiak has been suffering froni an attack of strangles and will not accompany Prosser’s team South. The programme for tho Forbury Park Racing Club’s initial meeting has been adopted, and been passed on to the metropolitan club for approval. Tho total amount given in stakes will be £3OO. The principal races are tho Forbury Cup, of 70 sots, one mile and a distance; Publicans’ Handicap (subscribed by tho licensed victuallers of Dunedin), of 50 sovs, six furlongs; and Two-mile Trot, of 50 sovs. It is reported that 0. Jenkins will ride Porirua in the New Zealand Cup. Evidently the colt has shaped well in the trials at Porirua to cause the stable to back him.

J. Duff, who had tho .mount of Halberdier in the New Zealand Cup, bad the misfortune to break an arm while riding at the Poverty Bay meeting last week and another pilot will have to bo obtained for tho Cuirassier gelding. Tho accident was rather unfortunate for Mr Bennett, as Duff had ridden.

Halberdier in a]l bis races, also for tho jockey, who will have to stand down and look on during tho busiest part of tho season. Ora’s name was omitted from tho Oaks Stakes. She will represent Mr Douglas Gordon in that race, T. Wilson has been engaged to ride Tortulla in the Cup. Tho team Air Prosser took .South on Saturday consisted of Porirua, Ghooka, Exmoor, Tortulla, Achilles and Ora. Tho stable connections expect Porirua to run well in tho Cup and Ohoorka in tho Stewards Handicap.

In the list of entries for tho Wellington Racing Club Wainai appeared in tho Flying and Nai Nai Handicaps in error, instead of the Spring and Ruahino Hack Handicaps. Waipai is a thrco-year-old chestnut filly by Master —Agues Waikino, trained at Fcatberston.

A good judge informs mo that Siege Gun cannot lose the Now Zealand Cup. Clavolly will represent Mr Douglas Gordon in tho Wnirarapa Hack Guineas, and Elibank will carry Air Turnbull’s colours in the hack races. They will bo ridden by W. Price. Mr Baldwin will probably send Dodona South to compete in the Oaks Stakes.

Mr Joseph Chadwick, handicappor to the Masterton Racing Club, will bo present at tho Alastorton Racing Chib’s meeting this week, and also journey to Christchurch to witness tho racing at Riccarton. Tho nominations received for the forthcoming spring mooting of tho Wellington Pacing Club number 374 against 281 last year—an increase of £93.