GOSSIP OF THE TURF

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12355, 27 January 1926, Page 10

GOSSIP OF THE TURF

Talk from Track and Stable

The Pahiatua Racing Club’s annual meeting will commence to-day. The club has received very good acceptances, and there is every reason to suppose it will have a good gathering. A number of horseß have, as a result of winning form since the publication of the handicaps, entailed penalties. Those who have incurred penalties are as follow: —Ballance High-Weight. Tongatotoa, 51b; Pahiatua Cup, Tall Timber, 101 b; Opa, 101 b; Makuri Hack Handicap, Bonideer, 101 b; President’s Handicap, Westbroke; 101 b; Eketahuna Welter, Rahepoto/ 101 b. In the Maiden there are a number of unknown sorts, and possibly there is a galloper included in this lot. One that can travel fast is Windy Night. He ran a good third to Plain Sailing at Hastings. Tongatotoa will come in for a lot of support in the Ballance High Weight Handicap. Sis most dangerous opponents appear to be Alabama and Mosthenes. Bevis, if started in the Hamas Handicap, will be fancied, but Pantagruel, if in the right mood, will be handy at the finish. For the Pahiatua Cup Modern will most likely go out favourite. Tall Timber and Bright Day will trouble the Trentham mare, while Opa is now showing her best form. Bright Knight is sure to he sought after in the Konini Handicap, for he really looks a class above the remainder of the field. There are several speedy hacks engaged in the Makuri Handicap, run over five furlongs. Three likely ones are The Bolter, Bevis, knd Bonideer. Ladyfingers and Standard are the favourites for the second leg of the double—the President’s Handicap. Hyde Park will run well. Newbury King failed badly at Trentham, and he may be left alone in the Hack Welter to-day. Rahepoto won at Fox ton.

If E. George takes his team to Sydney for the autumn meetings, J. Barry will go over to do the riding. It is no certainty that J. H. Jeiferd wilb make the Sydney trip in the autumn. The money at home over the same period would appear easier to win. On his running at Trentham, Tamatete is a distinct light of other days. He had a chance in both his starts, had he been good enough. Strange to say, he did not turn a hair in. either of his outings. Followers of the Trentham horseman, R.sßeed, had an expensive time, for in seventeen mounts he was only on two dividend-payers. Demure, “the horse who was kidnapped,” was brought to Trentham to take her place in the Douro Cup field, but owing to the possibility of some trouble over a lease she was sent home earlv in the fixture. It looks as if the Limonds are going to be good. Among thia sire’s winners in the current season are Commendation, Lady Desmond, Mask, Adavale and Holymond. Mr W. C. Price, of Wanganui, has been appointed 1 starter for the Westport .Jockey Club’s annual meeting on March 20th and 22nd. The connexions of Royal Present were keen to get C. Eastwood to ride the Australian-bred gelding in the Takapuna Cup thia week, hut the successful appro itice will not go north for the meeting. The Martian filly Torque struck herself when galloping at Trentham on the eve of the meeting and did not Tace until Saturday. AN hen doing her preliminary before the. Hopeful Stakes she seemed afraid to hit out, but after being slow to begin in the race improved her position, though she was still last when the field passed the post. \ The Hastings jockey, R. Hunt, is rf&w in Queensland, where he is receiving a fair amount of riding, but little success. He intends remaining oyer there for some time at least', as his family are about to join him. David, who has contested 98 races, and who lias recently been put into work again in Sydney, is stated to look 6o well that lie n ay he .a winner again before long. David has won 31,210 soys in stake money. Talking of the work of Mr R. Hatch, who officiated as starter at the Foxton meeting, a Manawatu writer cays: “On all sides one heard warm praise of the .work at the harrier, there was not the juggling for position that is so often seen at country j race meetings, and it was apparent that there was control on the one band and confidence on the other at the tapes. Mt Hatch has recently been appointed starter for the Hokitika and Kumara meetings, and thus now controls the starting at all meetings on the Southern West Coast.” Mr W. T. Hazlett has booked four of bis mares to horses standing at Ko-atanui next season. The imported mares Sprig of'Eric and Simper are to visit Absurd, and Illume and Razzle, who are sisters (by Kilbroney from Simper), will go 'to Limond. Razzle Dazzle this year is in foal to Mr T. H. Lowry’s imported horse Gran deourt. The yearling filly by Paper Money from Simper will go into S. Waddell’a stable at Greemmeadows to be trained for two-year-old engagements, while the colt by the same sire from Illume is to be taken home to Invercargill, and will be gelded before being put into work. Mr J. F. Buchanan’s young English sire Diacquenod arrived at Wellington by the Ruapehu on Saturday. After spending the neoessary period in quarantine he will go south, to take his place at the ICinloch Stud, Diacquenod was a smart performer in I'.'Hgl and. He is a four-year-old by Diadumenos, a son of Orby. Writing of the Ticntham winner Front Rank, “Argus” says: Front Rank is by Warplane by' Martian-Ade-licia, while her dam, Discipline, is by Treadmill—Madowla, so that she inherits stamina on boiii sides of her pedigree, and it will be no surprise if

she develops into a higli-clasc performer. Discipline produced Court Martial and Adjutant to Martian, and the form of Front Rank to date suggests that she has found an excellent mate now in Martian’s son.

It is stated that the last has not yet been heard of what may be termed the West Coast hurdle race (when five jockeys were disqualified). An endeavour is now being made to locate the outsiders who were associated with the jockeys. Qold Brick is now a member of E Sooullar’s team at Riccarton. The Solferino gelding was until recently trained by R.. C. Keeper at Orari. W. Holmes, the Riccarton mentor, jeaves next Tuesday for Canada. He is taking over four horses for Mr F Behan. They are a two-year-old gelding by Quin , Abbey from Tinoreka; a two-year-old filly by Quin Abbey—Glenopal ; a two-year-old gelding by the same sire from Cubross, and a yearling colt by Kilbroney from Favcmrita. There is a possibility of another being added to (the number before they take their departure. According to a southern writer Rawene has been retired permanently from the race track. She is to join the matrons’ paddock next season. Courtly Rose has joined R. C. Reed’s string at Wingatui. Red Admiral has also joined Reed’s establishment. He is to be tried over steeplechase country, and such a proficient fencer is likely to make good over tbe bigger obstacles. A two-year-old filly by Gay Lad from Flower of the We6t is a recent addition to F. -Christmas’s team at Riccarton. As the result of the visit of the works committee of the Dunedin Jockey Club to AVingatui on Saturday ■last some finality has been reached regarding a general scheme of improvements at the course. Included in these improvements is a new members’ stand and a new totalisator house.

Bloodstock sales held last year In England are rendered very noteworthy by reason of the large sums paid for brood mares. The sale of Straitlaco (by Son-in-Law—Stolen Kiss) for 17,000 guineas beat all previous records in a pronounced degree. Soubriquet (by Lemberg—Silver Fowl) brought 12,500 guineas, and Fifinella (by Polymelus— Silver Fowl) was sold for 12,000 guineas. The last-named mare, however, had a colt foal at foot by Tho Tetrarcli, and that fact no doubt was responsible for the high bidding. Recent London papers to hand show that at the December sales there was a very spirited competition for Ishtar, a daughter of The Tetrarch and Perfect Peach, and she was sold for 8000 guineas. Foreign speculators, _it is stated, were largely in evideneo throughout the season, and to that fact is attributed the strong competition that ensured for brood mares.

The new owner of Runnymede has apparently decided on concentrating his hopes on Randwick during the coming Easter with the New Zealand gelding. By the time the A.J.C. meeting comes round in April, Manfred will probably have added to his record, and much curiosity will be evinced as to whether Runnymede has any chance with his rival either in the A.J.C. St. Leger or in weight-for-age events. Those who can claim to know a great .deal about Runnymede give him credit for being a good three-year-old, hut that he does not come up to the standard of Manfred. , The exact sum paid for Runnymede when he was sold in November last has not transpired. hut it is_ generally assumed that the figures, involved entitle the transaction to be included with the most noteworthy sales recorded in the Dominion. In view of all the circumstances ruling, the purchase of Runnvmede by the Sydney sportsman, Mr T. C. Trautwein, was decidedly courageous, and that quality is always to b<* admired. It will be highly pleasing to chronicle that Rnnnvmede has justified his purchase when the autumn meetings roll round.

A horse whose name is not pleasant reading for a lot of people who sought to find the winner of the English Derby of 1913 is Aboyeur, who was awarded the race on the grounds of interference by the favourite. Craganour. Aboyeur was located in Russia when War broke out in IOH. and when the revolution in that country came about it went hard with a lot of high-class thoroughbreds. Aboyeur was; however, got through the border lines to Serbia by a well-known resident of that country. and the horse was still alive in Serbia last yeflr. Minoru, who won the Derby of 1909 under the colours of King Edward VTT.. was- also numbered among the English-bred horses in Russia in the stress period, hut his fate is shrouded in mystery. This much, however, is known in regard to the son of Cyllene—that he was seized hy a Bolshevist soldier, who rode him away.

The death occurred at Dannevirke of Mr James Barron Huntley, aged 74. Born in Auckland, the late Mr Huntley went to Hawke’s Bay as a young man, and some 50 years ago acted as private trainer to the late Mr Henry Gaisford at Otane, then known as Kaikaura. Mr. Huntley was always interested in racing, and was tlje original handicapper . for the Woodyille Jockey Club, of which he was later elected a life member, his first handicapping being done at a race meeting ■ —said to be the first held by the Woodville Jockey Club —on the racing track at Oringi. Mr Huntley resided at Oringi for about 35 years. Of late years he was manager of the late Mr W. H. Hartgill’s property at Ngapaeriiru. He leaves a widow and family of nine, and there are 14 grandcb;Mren.

•ere is a line programme ahead for Kampion, which up to now stands head and shoulders above the rest of his age. ’ All the rich two-year-old events in the autumn appear to be at his mercy (says an Australian writer). As a betting proposition he may not make a strong appeal except to those backers who fancy a plunge, seeing that he is always likely to be at a somewhat prohibitive price; but his owners do not worry about that. The stake money at the disposal of Rampion will total a handsome sum without “market considerations” entering into the calculations at all. It is

true that Rampion so far has not been asked to go beyond five furlongs in public, but there is no reasop to fear that he will be found wanting when the distances are increased. As for that he may not be expected to travel further than seven furlongs in the autumn, and this journey, among his own age, should be well within ; liis range. A glance through Rampion’s pedigree should justify the belief that when given the opportunity he will prove that he is possessed of some, thing more than speed, even though he may not be destined to develop into a great stayer. Bossendale, like other sons of St. Frusquin, generally imparts stoutness to his stock, and on the other side there is another distinguished representative of St. Simon in Persimmon, whose family is noted for staying powers. There are also other strong lines in the pedigree which should help Rampion when his turn comes’ to attempt something more than a short course. The blood is there sure enough, and Rampion alone may be said to fully uphold the reputation ot his sire brought with him from England. The Messrs Brian, who imported Rossendale, have shown much enterprise in stocking their Kingsclere stud, and any success they achieve is therefore well deserved.