Turf Tattle.

NZ Truth, Issue 472, 4 July 1914, Page 8

Turf Tattle.

; BY : 'j SPEARMINT." I

RACING- FIXTURES. July 2 and 3 — Gisborne R.C. July 15 and 18— Wellington R.C. . . • NEWS AND NOTES. There is a very big ; entry for the. Winter Cup this year. , ■''„,. . , ; . . , The V.R.C. Grana National Hurdle race, three miles, will be run at, Flemington to-day. ' •■•;•. Contrary to custom, the bdoldes actually laid the winning* double on the second, day at Napier. Janitor,; the half brother to the Na-; tional -winner, Captain Jingle, showed a lot of pace at Napier. Imrner, who got into a wire fence some time back, is again being cxcr r cised on the. roads at Otakl. Pursefiller was seen at her best on her own course last week. Trainer George Colello has the Lethe filly very well now. , , \ Most of the Grand National candidates will be seen under silk at Trentham, and keen interest will be taken m thefr doings. , , ;...■ W. Bell got off Portraiture on the second day at Napier, and A. Oliver fluked- a winning ride after a very lucky run on the l ence. ■•' The cover of the Napier Park racecards was printed m mourning as a mark of respect to the club's late president, Mr. Jno. McVay. ; Listen was a great tip for the Winter Oats at Napier, but she had the bad luck to get carried* out wide when looking a likely winner. . . . ' Better handled, Bonny would have been second m the first Hack Steeplechase at Napier, but his rider had no idea of saving • any ground on the turns. .' :. "•• , ■''•"■ ■.■■■-■'■■■■• -'•■ -. _■■ ■■ ; The proverbial good luck followed both the Ha>yke's Bay and' Napier clubs for their winter, meetings, and /there", were very large atteiifl&hces at both places. The list of killed 'chasers and injured jockeys is not sd heavy this year a3 it was last season, when at nearly every meeting a horse was killed and two or three riders injured. - ; -- Kiwitea, a stable mate of Jackman's, .was a quiet tip for the Hunt Club Steeplechase at Napier, but his rudder must have been set badly for ho. had a roll early m the race. It looked very much as if Sir Alba should have been .second m the Newstead Hack Handicap at Napier. As it was, Deeleyon Andrea caught McMillen on Sir Alba napping, v Leonta may be seen to advantage m the Parliamentary Handicap at Trentham, for he likes the mud and should *bo better able to carry big weights than most of the other runners. . Perhaps has been tried all ways m his races lately, but he does not seem to be much good though he gallops well on the tracks. His failures have been costly to Hastings track watchers. ' ■ "■ • ' '' ' . ' v '.■ As W. Bell did not go to Giaborne, B. Deeloy will now have no difficulty m heading the list of winning, jockeys for the fifth time, W. Bell will take second place, and the consistent Oliver will bo next. When Waterworks fell m the Park Steeplechase at Napier It looked as if ho had broken his neck, for he lay a considerable time with his toes m the air. Later on ho got up and was ablo to reach his box. Hereford (Fontenoy— Melinite), who carries thu sarao colors as Blrkfleld, is a flno big sort. It was noticeable that ho was running on at the end of the second Hack Hurdles at Napior, and he may como good shortly. ■ The much-boomed Grey King started a 0 to 8 fayprlte m the open hurdles on the second day at Napier, and after getting left he was m front at the first fence and was not again headed. His showing must moke the Htlpes feel foolish every limp they compare it with his Hastings nm day's form. iNfatawcrewerc neemod to havo the second Hack Hurdles at Napier safe m his keeping at the turn for home, but he jumped tho last fence badly and ;Vi caught and boat him m tho run home. Ho hit some of tho fences' very hard at Hastings and this probably made him jump more carefully at Napier. Over it, thousand pounds were invested on tho machine on Amity's numberin the concluding event at Napier. This is considerably more than any other horse hus carried on the same course. Tho black gelding was very Boro and run a lot liolow what one would expect from ji horso thought capable of winning v Winter Cup. H is an open question whether tho use of brush fencos really minimises tho number of accident* m steeplechases. After witnessing tho racing, at Hastings and Napier and noting tho number of falls "at each mooting, the writer is led to iho conclusion that brush fences cause a lot of half-acnool-ed horsea to ra.ee In steeplechases — hence the accidents. Mt. Victoria had a big load m the Stewards' Stakes at Napier, and with hnlf v rallo to go ho looked unbeatable, but hIH hock boot camo'off and after striking himself ho quickly slopped. On tho second day ho hung out m hfs old Htylo and carried half the field oft the caursfl. Thiß allowed the favorlto Portraiture to gnt up on the fence ami hud it not boon for itaiH ho would probably have b««n out ftt v place, aa at tho time of tho trouble. Mi. Victoria, KflLUer, Amber Whlto ami UsUrn, all Bcumcd to havo him gone.

As at Hastings, Pelican fell m his only start at Napier. Timothy got badly left m the Ahurirl Hurdles at Napier.' Stroller pulled up lame after racing m the Petane Hack Steeplechase at Napier. •.• . •.-■'. . • , • Old Rangikapua lightened up a lot between the Hastings and Napier meetings. '. Though he schools well on the tracks Cousin Jack always manages to fall m his racesk . The defeat of Player at Napier is not likely t!o get any weight off the Sabretache gelding. • Microbe showed pace, m both his starts at Napier, but he could not go on >w4th,v the jbig, weights. f , Humakaka could not start at Napier as he' •: was i on the, forfeit list at the time of- nominations. Leolanter hit tho double hard m the Park Steeplechase at Napier, otherwise he might have been m a place! The new. owner of, Merrie Lad is now well even on the few 'pounds he gavefor him a .couple of months ago. T. Meagher had the misfortune to breali his collar bone when Exotic fell with him m the, Napier Steeplechase^ Fashion Plate is now, muscling up' nicely and' it won't be long before the '^heads" entrust her with a few] pounds. v ' * . . ; \ Exotic looked washed out before _, he ra,ced at-Nap'ler. In the blg^Steeples he fell at the second fence, land 1 was. *a good' deal cut about ?' , MbUington Is still beingikept on his feet, but heujs still very sore.- The big fellow had a run at Napier, but he did not c^ifipletiß th 6 course. V 'Dajrijly looked the. best conditioned' horse In the Settlers' Hack at Napier,' but^he^jran very, badly and" was not started on the second day. %." ' ■< v ' Bracken- started favorite m the. sec^ ond Hack Hurdles> at Napier, buti^-as; usual, he tried to run off the course and finished, tailed on*. ;Last- week Peary was J brought to Hastings^ and given a school over the big fences. v He acquitted himself- very badly and also had a fall. . u'The owner of Immensity put a hundred on his mare when she won at Napier. This would get him more than even- over the Hastings failure.. • -Braebura got a rare showing up m the first Hack Hurdles at Napier, for ho got left a furlong, but was then ridden right out and finished fourth m a 'big field. ■ Gondolier is not as good as we have been led, to believe. He ran off on the first day at Napier, and m his next attempt was pulled fup after going a couple of miles. . Eocene was a bit unlucky m having to run round her field on the bend In the Bracelet at Napier, but Bransfield would have been more so had he been defeated. \ jkiummer will again be In the boom for the Winter Cup $is year. He la now shaping up with tn"e racing he is getting, and the Gazeley gelding looks unco.mmpnly.wql].- „^ :, ' ' ■' .' Moirecambe- was too sore .to race at Napier. The big bay is entered for the Grand National Hurdles, so he may bo oxpec'ted to bo seen m action at Trentham and Rlccarton. Kauroa could not act m the mud when ho used to rac& on the flat and tho same order of things prevails now. Ho was dog tired at the finish of tho Napier Steeplechase. • ' Bransfleld Just walked m windy with tho Bracelet at Napier. Ho la a j useful horse and if bo takes kindly to the jumping business he should be able to win plenty, of hurdle races. Tyrannic was produced for tho first tlmo this season m the Hack Steeplechase on the opening day at Napier. Ho looks well and if he keepa sound, should win a race before tho season closes. ■ The Chief has been given a nomination m tho Grand National Steeplechase. Such a fine old plug has a chance m any race amongst such a lot of poor jumpers as are seen out at the present time. Odessa is now badly broken down and has been turned out at Trontham. Ei Dorado has gono for good this time, Ho broko down badly m tho Juuo Steeplechase at Hastings and husj been pensioned off. The Sir Lad do gelding was priced m several- quarters, . but owner Keith" Whlto decldodto' take htnx homo and; spell him^next season. Ho is auro to I be on* tho "boom for tho Grand Nil-' tional Hurdles nfcxt year. ' For a maiden and considering that it was- only his second school over bis fences, Idealism did fairly well In tho. Napier Steeplechase. Ho fenced well for two and a-half miles, but he was tired then and McCn.be wisoly pulled him up. Tho Australian Jockoy Club haa Just received from England a Jlfellfe presentment In oils of tho renowned Carbine, from tho brush of Mr. A. C. Havell. Tho picture came under iho notice of Messrs. John McDonald untl Walter Brunton, during thoir recent .aojourn In England; and they wore «o MHlfifled with tho artist's treatment of .tho subject thnt they recommended Ha jwrehttKO by the Australian Jockoy Club, and that was effected by Mr. Edmunds, manager of Lord Roscbcry's stud. The painting makes a valuable addition to the collection of oqulno colebrlUrH that ndorn the AJ.C. com- , inHioc room.

The useful Settler ran a good race on both days at Napier. . Acceptances for the Wellington Winter meeting close on Monday night. Chortle is m the Winter Cup, but not m the Grand National Hurdles. Mr. J. McMahon, chief stipendiary left on a holiday visit to Sydney last i week. f .Peary and The Spaniard overshadow the other entrants for the' Grand National Steeplechase. . ' -Goodwin Park; 11 stone, is one of the early fancies for the Winter Hurdles. Another well treated horse is Huia, "9st 91b. The horses that fell to the list of R Gooseman, at the Douglas sale, at Hastings, were secured, on behalf of Mr. W. J. Douglas. " At Riccarton, last week; the wellknown trainer, R. Q'Donnell, had the misfortune to be burnt out. He was a heavy loser over the deal. Morning was scratched for the Winter Hurdles as soon as the weights appeared.. His owner could not have imagined he would get less than 11 2 and probably he only wanted to save double bettors. ' Otatala Js to be given an easy time of it and will not be aaked to race again until the spring. The big gelding has only been up about two months and lacks condition, so that his trainer is adopting a very wise policy m not/ asking him to undergo a Grand National preparation. C. Cochrane who rode Sam Pan to votory m the Ahuriri Hurdles at Napier,, has not been seen m the saddle much during the last two years, but he gave a- very fl ne exhibition, and the public gave him a great reception when he returned to weigh m.. His riding companions .also mustered up and gave him a hearty cheer. Even though the. fences at Napier are- probably the smallest of any Steeplechase course m New Zealand, and 1 are comprised, mainly of brush, there were innumerable falls on both days. This does not say much for the quality of jumpers at present . m commission and^ jumpers like Xady Bibbero, Sir Lethe and Bonny, got away up In the air and did not gain the ground ona would have vexpected from euch proficient jumpers. v-pld ,Sir, Lethe can still hold his own. He ; was In front nearly the whole way m; the Napier Steeplechase, but another .veteran m The Chief wore him down. i^-, the run' from the last fence. On the, second day with a half mile less to go he walked m. A peculiarity about the two horses named was that m the Napier Steeplechase they were evenly backed.- A similar, state of affairs existed m the opening race on the second day when Bodenham and Ranfurly each carried 1 the same amount of •'money. •.; :• .-.;■ •■ .- . • •■. -.-'■.■ .'/ ■■■. - The "stipes"'' missed several opportunities t . to themselves at Hastings and Najrter: From what can be , Jse _ e , n :of the trio they are oply capable of doing, what may be termed the "parlor maid" part of the work, but the running of the horses, which should be their first duty, is as m and out as ever it was. At Hastings there was a particularly strong ramp worked m connection with a jumper; there who raced out next to the steeplechase fences the first day and strolled m on the second day. At Napier the week following two horses closely connected started m the same race, and the right one scored, but the wrong one had to be pulled up at the barrier and also m the straight to allow of this. Then there was a case on the second day, when a rider allowed a favorite to run off without any apparent effort to .stop him. An up-to-date "stipe," who knew his business, would have been down on the workers like a ton of bricks, but m the absence of Mr. J, MacMahon, m Australia, it looks as if the wrongdoers are going to have a royal time, as' the other "stipes" 1 have very .little knowledge of the game, and the wonder is, however did they get their well paid billets?,

The Gisborne meeting concludes today. ■'■/■.,■ • ■ ; ■;. = , Mescal will win a flat race m the Soutti.lslandnejct spring. His three wins at Napier has placed P. F.- Lynn at the head of the list of hurdle riders. The entries for the Nationals are good, but there is a lot of "old iron" m the Steeplechase. Byron could not act m. the going at Napier and he was Bent home without racing ; on the second day. ' lieapuki's form at Napier did not entitle him to a nomination m the ' Grand National Hurdles. , Sir Daniel could not act m the mud at Napier, but he may do better on a dry track at Gisborne. : AlceS (MyßtiQcation— Eland) is itbeautiful mover. It is sjaid that she is the equal of Settler on the tracks. If he keeps sound, Omanawa may win a race, but at present there are grave doubts about him standing a prepara-, tion. Fair Rosamond ran a good race under, her big weight m: the Stewards' Stakes at Napier, but she could not get a drum. Judging by the way licapukl'ran at Napier, his win .the week previous must have been something m the nature of a fluke. Big fields contested the different events at Napier and a fresh record for a winter meeting was established on "the machine. , . Sunbeam was knocking at tho, door m the Motea Hack Hurdles, at Napier, but he was quite unable to concede 171 b to Immensity. Vi was offered for sale at Hastings last week, but no one wanted her. She i is a perfect jumper and this won her the second Hack Hurdles at Napier. Formby was produced on the second day at Napier, but he broke down badly at the second fence. It was bad luck for T. Long to have the horse go wrong on him' after spending such a lot of .time over him. There were a lot of careful take no risks at fences Jockeys riding at Hastings and Napier. The general practice is to allow a horse to run off if he Is not Jumping too well. No wonder owners prefer to give their riding to the younger Jockeys. y Purseflller and Portraiture were moat consistent during Hastings and the Napier meetings. Considering the form of the pair It was surprising that The Summit— runner-up to them tit Hastings— should have been allowed top at such a good price m the concluding event. * Raheon, the half sister to Ataahua, fell In the Stewards* Stakes' at Napier. At the subsequent inquiry, Taylor, rider of the mare, said that W. Price, on Byron, waa responsible for the accident, but as that rider was m the van at tho time of tho foil, bo could not havo been responsible and no action was taken. Parawanui seemed to be knocked out by the two falls ho hud at Hastings and at no atago gf the first Hack Hurdles at Napier did ho ever look like a 1 winner. He was not produced on tho second day and will probably bo given a short spell before being asked to race again. > At Nupler, Chatmoss had done no work since the Hastings mooting owi injy to having received a bad kick whilo at tho post In his race the week previous. On tho second, day at Napier bo was well backed, but he failed to go tho pace hoi by VI nnd. at tho finish, he was just beside thfe placed horses. Morrlo Lad lias a very unsightly knee, and the wonder Is that ho can jump at all with it. He was quite equal to tho small fences at Napier m tho Hack Steeplechisc on the opening day. On tho second day, Handlcapper Coyle classed him as tho equal of Sir Ixstho, but though accepted for he waa scratched on the <iour»e. I^aat year's CJranh National Hurdles { winner, Morning, yma given a raco j m tho Settlers' Ha k at Napier nnd did well considering U waa his first outIng this year. T^?ro Is much speculation as to what yelght ho will get m this year's race. >The Wellington han* dlcopper, Mr. H Coyle, probably hit the null fairly <\i the head when ho gdvo him 11,2 Injtho Winter Hurdles. I In one of tho »turdlo races at Napier, two of the runnjrs were out by thmnHolves, racing t»» tho laut fence. One rider badly Inu MVred with tho other*, find those who -/ere at tho turn expected there woulA. bo trouble,, but to the surprise of everybody not a word w»« said. Hero is /mother Instance of tho pdrlorimald business. Borne of the "stipen" are vety goml at reporting on the parlance or* bettln*r with th«» bf>okmakers and of /the Jockeys* smoking m their colors, tfc, but they cAnnot *«c a bad chop oiit Hk« tho on<» jriven by MAtawarewero to VI In the «econd Uack Hunilej» at Napier. r

Neza tine ran third In the big handicap on the second day at Napier. While at Hastings Mr. W. Rutherford bought a big Benzohian colt from C; L. Lagor. The price was 400 guineas. A. McMilletv who haa not ridden a winner for some time, scored on Sir Alba Jind VI at Napier. , • As a sprinter Sylvander must be second only to Gigandra. ,At Warwick T'arm last month he carried lOst 41ba to victory m the Flying Handicap. Diavolo was heavily commissioned for the first Hack Hurdles at Napier, but his showing was very poor and not m keeping, with the excellent schooling tasks performed by him at Napier. Paramata paid a record price when he ran' second to Merrle Lad at Napier. He looked to have a chance m the open race on tho second day, but he collided with the fallen Water Works and he got a bad gash m the chest. At the conclusion of tho racing at Napier, Mr, C. Morso purchased Jessamine on bohalf of a, Giaborne client. The black maro will be useful In the hunting field, but she is not worth a dish of tripe as a racer and' her owner was Wise m passing' her on. Andrea has not enjoyed much of a reputation, so far, VbuV he x lookri ' liko turning out useful and should win a hack race m the South Island, beeloy rode him very hard- m the concluding event at Napier, and he just wore down Sir Alba on the post.' ' Tho New Zealand cross-country Jockey, L. Hagerty, who seems, to take a deal of shifting, made quite! a remarkable recovery when Sam Cook blundered at a fence In the Steeplechase at Moonee. The Btccarton rider is get-> ting plenty of engagements m the Southern State. Probate of the will of Jockey W. H. Smith, who died from the erteot of an acoldent at Rosehlll, has been proved at £14,966. The widow and son get tho estate, BUbJect to payment of £ 1 10s per week -to tho deceased's mother.The know-alls -reckoned that Smith was worth over £50,000, Melbourne "Truth" says: "The New, Zealand-bred Mbro, who Is rather a good sort of gelding, was expected by his connections to give a good account of himself m the hurdle race at Moonee, but he proved a great disappointment, aa hiu jumping was faulty, and^he soon beat a retreat from tho front division and was a long way back at the end. He will need to Improve a deal on this I display if ho is to win. At the conclusion of the race at.Naplcr, Mr. James Armstrong, Vicepresident of tho Dannovirko Racing Club purchased tho Finland gelding, Freak, for 150 gqtneas. Trainer A. Neal's patron is getting- qulto a uso- | ful team around him now and, well placed, his latest acquisition should bo easily able to pay hla way, for considering his condition ho ran two Stirling races at Napier.

Miscount figures amongst the entrants for the Winter Cup. • The ex- Wellington jockey, H. Cairns, will ride Clontaft m the V.R.C. Nation- ,? al Hurdles to-day, i' > Obi, the favorite < for . this .yeafs V.R.C. Grand National Hurdles* has already won the race oh two previous • occasions. .- v ' '/ t Ruffy is booked to leave for Tren- — tham this week m charge of G. Morris, The 'chaser will be ridden by McFlyiui m his races. '■' "Dick" Pdrcivars broken legfis just about right again and he hopes to be hunting them along again at the Na<tional' meeting. ; • Jockey W. Ayre has gone sou(h and will ; ride Mr. D. Rutherford's fla"t horses next season, while H. Coker . will, as m the past, steer the jumpers. ' At the conclusion of the racing at v*' Napier, Sam Pan was brought by Mr. ~ Hassel, who it is thought, was actingon behalf of Mr. H.^M. Campbell,;M.P. • ; .\ The "Sydney Sportsman' 1 says : J. E. v'Henrys, the star weight-scatterer of " ; New Zealand, has been on a visit \o " '••' Sydney; he and John Daly hid a royal s time of it consoling each other. , ■■-, One horse that finished second In a, / !- hurdle race at Napier, yras handled In, v a most peculiar manner,, but the scajnpX escaped the notice of Stipendiary Duk- <**''- ■:^:^y-- : '«./■ .-...■>■:,. +:»\ Different taoiica wer© tried on Aru- , \. ako on the second day at Napier, Hhe . was ridden m behind, but it made no// difference 'and the chestnut gelding-:' " would seem to be going, off. 1 , v {.-.' The New Zealander, dorm the Shau-'*' ghrau, jumped very indifferently m th«t ; . hurdle race at Moonee, losing ground v at each obstacle, and he was la^me oil' ' pulling up. He has been scratched tor the y.R.C. Grand National Hurdles. A The Southern scribes are oryfng out r t about the weight glvW Glynelish at .'.,. Trentham. These worthies did .the . samo thing iabout Daylight Bill, but,h«u started a red-hot favorite and walked* mat Hastings. : ; : .; . P. W. McCabewaß aboard the outward boat lost week. ; Ho has gone to* ' Melbourne to rido Obi" to-day. Allgo-' ' ing well, the Karamu horseman wltt ! : * bo back m time for tho Trentliwn ' meeting this month. l . « buke Foot©, owned by "Paton*^ ■» Brown^ has gone dotty m ono btb4a ; . ■(-. pins, and has been told oft for Btud • -,' duties. Daring his racing career h©; < started 23 ttmea In races, won- .13 and - dead -heated In another. Hia earnings • m stakes amounted to £14.026 lOA. '

j J. Larnbess has a team of half ; •> ■ '^ dozeu going. King Soult, who was only v>'l worked on the hills prior to the Great • Northern meeting', is now a regular ■at-v • tendant on the tracks, and if ho stands a up to his workwill bo taken to the Wellington meeting to contest the big handicaps. . \ „ „ < The cross-country jockey, J. N^ Me- " Qregor, who had a leg so badly broken at Moonee Valley last month, Is mkking v « such good reoovery that he- was able to leave St. Vincent's Hospital for hi* T home last week. The Injured limb, ia ' m plastqr of Parld, and it must necessarily be somo time before McGregor v will bo able to resume his calling, ' The. big bet of £600 to iWO^WT^ by Jti wctl-Known Auckland punter 'to a: Wellington ' bookmaker that ■M%!- !^ max would get a place In the* Great . Northern Hardies has not bo far- been paid, and according to all accounts, is • not likely to be. The ptinter ia looking for a way out— £6oo is a, lot of. money — and alleges that tho taker of tho wager had "wood" on^. ( Him., What the 'Hvood" consisted of- he does not say, but, m a letter to the bookmaker, ho implies, that the latter had ' something m his' favor. Aa B. Ra<vu son of the trainer of Merrimax, rode tho horso when he fell over Donnel on » the. fiat, only a madman would suggest that he was In It, and probably the Auokland punter refers to other rid- \, crs m the race. It will be remember- '' : od that the Auokland stewards held an , inquiry into the fall at tho time and . found that it was an accident, but^la^ ( week a writer' In an Auckland, pj^per, urges a fresh inquiry by the A.R.C., \\ and for the sake of all the riders Ja the race it Is to be coped that jthls Will be held.' Probably because a book-' maker is interested m the business no inquiry will bo held, tu»(l ( ,thp«e t who are refusing to pay hive'A^gt^iJ Idla •'■ of this. It will be interostirig to* sß© ; whether 1 tho wager will bo paid, lf*jtMe' inquiry is held and the ohargea foutM to bo groundless. What probably;' Jnduood the rash punter to make the -bit is that Merrimax galloped exceptionally well with a noted .performoTvode morning prior to the rgco, and It^op/c---ed pounds to pennies, aa the wwmlt tof that gallop, that he would K«t < a place. Tho unforeseen happonod^-aind now those concerned aro looklni fjor a square off to dodge their liabilities. With them it was a case of "head*) I win, and tails, you lose." T ?. -V (Continued on Next Page.) |, * -_ _ _ <t v ' .