TURE

NZ Truth, Issue 931, 29 September 1923, Page 9

TURE

TATTLE

Admiral Codrington scored the easiest of wins at Otaki, and won hard held. This is one to keep on following. Hallowroz was turned out m firstclass condition at Otaki, but she was outclassed by a very rough "lot. ■ Punters are queer creatures, and i how they had the hide to make Queen March favorite m the open six the first day at Avolidale is past me. Sh3 finished -stone cold last. During the race she, bled, so it can be taken that Ashley . Reed did not hurry her too .much, o ■ There ire still a few horses left that have yet to feel the sting of the whip. Ar Otaki the first day Idanoe was given a cut a furlong- from home, and the ' shock of such treatment caused her to dive from the outer to the rails. It was a good thing the field was weil strung out, else there might have been a nasty accident. : It is seldom that there is so much enthusiasm shown on a -course as was displayed at Otaki last Saturday. Callaghan's rider- was attending an in^ quiry, and as it was getting late his trainer told the one-time crack. Charlie Jenkins, to take the imported horse out for his preliminary'/ When he rode down past the stands Jenkins received a salvo of cheers that must have taken him back to the days when he was the undisputed champion of pigskin knights. I Mr. G. L. Stead has sold his sire Nassau (William the First— Stolen Love) to the Victorian breeder, Mr. P. Miller, owner of Sarchedon, Demosthenes, and Magpie. The stallion is not to be handed over till after the finish of • the . season. Though he has only had limited opportunities, Nassau sired a number of useful performers, and last season his progeny gathered ;in i stake money £8044. In Surveyor he got a horse of more than average ability. Another one of the Nassau tribe is Director, who was sold m Sydney a fortnight ago for 1800gns. The Feramorz gelding, Watchman, who is engaged at the Napier Park and Hawkes Bay meetings, is very fast I and, if labelled, will cause a lot of bother to his opponents. • .. ' Fort Regel ran a fair race at Ashburton and as considerable improvement: can be worked m the son of Fortifix he will not be long In returning his new owner some of the purchase money. When Sunny Loch went out for the Tinwald Handicap at Ashburton he looked too big to compete m the show ring. Despite this the public made him a good second favorite, but, tailing off from barrier rise, he cantered, past the post a hundred yards m the rear of the field. That, horses improve considerably m a few months was again demonstrated by Danger Zone (8.8) running a close sixth (just behind Sunburst) m the Tramway Handicap at Rosehill. Paphian was on his worst behavior at Ashburton and kicked viciously, at his opponents when at the post In fairness to other owners this- gelding should have been placed outside a sheep hurdle.. Once he jumps out Paphian can show a.' lot of speed, as the opposition will know In the Belfleld Handicap at Kurow on Thursday next. Like many clubs m the North Island, the Ashburton Racing Club is not blessed with a huge credit balance, and is, m fact, on the wrong side of the ledger. At their recent gathering both horses and punters were scarce, with the result that the club will possibly again face a loss over their meeting. It is obvious to all that such clubs will have to get relief. When approaching the hurdle m front of the stand m the hurdle race at Ashburton on Saturday several horses were racing m close formation, when Wormald, on Noble, allowed that gelding to bore, with the result that a couple of the runners were almost put over the rails. No official notice was taken of the incident. The owner of Ferino was a lucky man at Ashburton, as, after accepting for the Eiffleton Welter at the club's meeting, he sent down a message to the secretary instructing him to scratch the Solforlno filly. The official refused to do so unless the demand was made m writing, so Ferino was allowed to take her place m the field and duly won. The South Island hack, Kenmore, was started only once at Ashburton and won very easily. As the Nassau gelding has size to help him he should be equal to winning m good company. During the Ashburton meeting an offer of £1000 was made for Kenmore, but was turned down. When sent to the post for the Tinwald Handicap at Ashburton Viewpoint was not at his best and at no stage of the race did the colt threaten danger. As he is a likely looking sort Viewpoint may do better at Riccai*«s ton. Before racing m the Wanganui Guineas, R&zzle Dazzle went off her feed, but immediately after winning that event the daughter of Kilbroney settled down and m the Eclipse Stakes woa actually a hotter filly than on the opening day. As Razzle Dazzle is of a contented nature she should stand up to plenty of racing. Quest was produced each day of the Wanganui meeting and he looked bright, but robust. The Bon of Martian did not fill a place, but ran as well as expected. Since her last appearance as a two-year-old Gay Juliet has furnished remarkably well and is now the beau ideal of an Oaks winner. She was not handled very artistically when beaten by Dame Straltlace at Ashburton. One Is safe m stating that Gay Juliet will play her part well during the current season. The well-bred Warhue (Solfevlno — Warstep) was a competitor at Ashburton, but his showing was very moderate. The New Zealand Cup candidate, Many Kittle, is very backward m condition, and his chance of winning the event named is very remote. Kilkee is well at present and Bhould make hiß presence felt m the welter races at Qeraldine and Kurow. Boadicea stripped well at Ashburton, but does not strike one as a likely winner over a two-mile Journey. Over-confidence on the part of her rider cost Wink the Braemar Welter at Ashburton. This daughter o£ Winkle will certainly win races during the season. Sinco being operated on for throat troublo Lochson has run some really good races and ho now stays n», well aa the best of them. * Bosidea operating on Lochson, Vet. Brodle also operated on Amber Tips and Malingerer. All tho throo havo raced hotter sinco their throats were attended to and havo won races m their turn. Old Sir Fanciful has again been put m work by A. Atwood. This goldlng looks well after his spell and should be equal to winning a hurdlo race during tho eumraer.

As Highway is at the top of his form and will be opposed by a weak field at Napier Park to-day careful punters will be with. him. Although Cerberus won at Ashburton he is not the gelding he was last spring and if opposed by anything good at Riccarton may have to play second fiddle. .In Firestick (Antagonist — Heatherbrae) Sir George Clifford possesses a promising filly. Her finishing effort m the Allerton Hack at was a good one. Last season the Solferino gelding, Soliform, had a bad habit of bolting, but by use of a patent holder was cured of the habit and is now most generous on the track. Muraahi will make his next appearance at Masterton, after which he will compete m the Waverley Cup. These races should sharpen him up for his important Canterbury t engagements. Gloaming has returned to Riccarton. Present intentions are to blister the champion, after, which he will be spelled for a while: and -thferi another attempt will be made to wind him' up. The ' Cheat; was In the ; market at Ashburton last. Saturday and ; finished second, but with any luck McCombe's gelding might have won. He will run well at Geraldine and Kurow. Gererilal is fast and is looking well so Trainer McCombe should have little difficulty m making her pay expenses at Geraldine and Kurow. j Little Limelight made her. first ap- I I pearance for the season at Ashburton I and won m a very easy manner. She : waited on Dancing Days till the last 1 half -furlong, and finished full of running. . ' i Freddy Jones, on Happy Warrior, simply stole the Braemar Welter from Were, on Wink, and to save backers from similar cases, and also as a warning to other riders, the offending rider should have been called before ! the stewards. The Timaru: owner, John P. Murphy, | gave 750 guineas for Golden Light, and he has also purchased the Te Ma-hanga-bred Mountain Lion. The J Hogan patron will not be long In getting his money back off Golden Light. . Royal Star was given a run both i days at Ashburton, but did not show , any form. As he is ,not getting any ! younger it may not be wise to serious- j ly consider his New Zealand Cup j prospects. A good judge who has seen Beauford m action this season, says that he is not as good as of yore, and the same sportsman contends that the hard races with Gloaming last season has l not improved the , courage of the Australian idol. The Polymnian broke his maiden status last week and m the near future should add more cash to his owner's banking account, but it does not look as if he will reach anywhere near the class of his brother, The < Cypher. The two-year-old Dangle (Heather) -Mixture — Chancery) went particularly well m the parade at Wanganui and m the Debutante Stakes finished as well as any other runner. When more seasoned Dangle will win races, but, be- ! ing on the small side, may never carry < big weights. ' ] The Gisborne trainer, Cuth Morse, hopes to get his ticket at the end of the month, and he has six horses to start with, including Jovial and Prowl- ' I er. He is now experiencing a lot of trouble m getting stable lads, which seem remarkably In Gisborne. The appeal judges who sat at Wanganui to hear S. A. Lindsay's appeal for a trainer's license were Messrs H. M. and E. A. Campbell and J. H. Porrett. In giving their decision, the judges reckoned Lindsay had brought no evidence to justify them allowing his appeal. They were satisfied, they | said, that although not licensed as a trainer, Sam worked his. own horse, Muria, on the Ellerslie racecourse last I autumn, which was a breach of Part XX, rule 2, of the sacred Rules of Racing, which apparently prohibits an owner supervising a gallop of his own horse. The judges not only slammed the door m Sam's face, but gave the Auckland District Committee a smack m the eye, remarking it was "most regrettable" that when the A.D.C. were requested by tho President of the Racing Conference (who, I believe, is still Sir Geo. Clifford, Bart.) to hold an inquiry into the training of the Absurd*— Marsuma filly of Mr. Lindsay's, the Committee failed to obey the ukase of the racing Czai\ and were satisfied with the personal observations and report of two members of tho Committee. At the time m question the filly Muria was trained by Bert Rae, and the A.R.C. were satisfied to accept her nominations at the Easter meeting. Meantime it would be interesting to learn whether the Racing Conference have remitted to the two Auckland witnesses, who were dragged to Wanganui to give evidence, the costs of their trip South? When the next Gaming Act comes up for serious and detailed discussion it is hoped that the autocratic powers at present invested In the racing authorities will be put on a proper footi ing. At present they compel every person who applies for admlsßion to a racecourse, or for ten bob's worth of investment on the tote, to be bound by the decisions of the racing authorities (the Chrlstchurch clique) on any matter which may arise, see Part 11, rule 1, Rules of Racing, and no such person shall institute any action In the Court against any club, or officials of any club, otherwise they are "deemed guilty of a cori-upt practice" (see Part XXXII, rule 1, section p. of tho same sacred Rules), and may be disqualified for life. A correspondent draws "Spearmint's" attention to thiß particular iniquity because ho is Interested m the Cool Stimulants case and would like to collect a fiver's worth of just dues. The racing club's agents at tho tote took this fiver for investment, the judge declared Cool Stimulants the winner, and the dividend was published. Owing to faulty scales, which were found crooked on the spot by the Government inspector of weights and measures, the horse was declared short weight and disqualified by the stipe; then he was declared the winner after Inquiry by tho Judicial Committee: then the J.C. decided they had no right to inquire or declare him the winner, but awarded him the equivalent of the winning stake. How is tho poor punter's (Ivor heading In all thin unholy tangle? The/ club was caught with scales which would have landed a Christian coal merchant m tho police court. In all justice and equity tho dlvidand is duo to the Investors on the wronged horse, but if the holder sues In all Innocence for what ho regardß as his lawful winnings ho Is liable to bo outed for life and be hunted and hounded off every courso by the Conference bloodhounds if he puts hla nose insldo the gates at a race meeting. Surely such a travesty of Justice will not be tolerated indefinitely m an enlightened and civilised democracy.

Trainer Higgott is getting the disappointing English gelding Counter Attack to put more heart into his work and at Otaki he ran a first and a second. There was a lot of jostling at the start of the Taumaka Welter at Otaki, and Bonifant, who.was^well supported, received all the worst of it. Ralston, the Vice-Regal' gelding, was above himself at Otaki, and was always m the rear. Though so far a disappointment, there is time for him yet to make good. Bonnie Winkie is to be treated to a long spell. That Canterbury Cup got right to the bottom of him, and the race he had at the last Dunedin meeting did not improve matters. It is a pity, as there is no doubt as to his quality. A visitor to the Avondale spring meeting after a lapse of a year would miss many old familiar faces, and feel almost among strangers, for m the last season the ranks of the club were sadly depleted by the grim reaper. President Foley, one of the finest of good sports, had gone West, and his successor, Bob Duder, died before he presided at a meeting. Dad Hayr, a third- member of the founders of -the club, and . secretary from its humble initiation, had joined the great majority after a strenuous sporting life, and the popular steward, Charlie Levers, was numbered among the missing. The present President, Donald McLeod, had a close call at the time of the autumn meeting, and was heartily congratulated on his restoration to health and strength, but Committeeman Jas. Gleeson could only be reached by wireless, as he had deserted the day before and was crossing the Tasman to enjoy the pleasures of Randwick. ' Judge Robt. Wynyard had handed his box over to Mr. Robt Lusk, and Mr. Frank McManemin was acting as adjuster in -place of Mr. Bert Coyle. The Avondale J.C. is m a remarkably strong position, thanks to prudent administration In the past, as it owes nothing on its property and has a substantial sum m the bank to start on its improvement scheme. The present stand accommodation is not half large enough for the big crowd which congregates. If the present grandstand was jacked over to the outer and replaced by a modern two-decker on the lawn it would be greatly appreciated by patrons m both places and do much to relieve the discomfort they suffer now m showery weather.