SPORTING NOTES.
By " Mazeppa " in the Witness,
LOCAL NEW ZEALAND CUP CANDI-
DATES.
I reckon Pitch and Toss the best of; our division in the New Zealand Cup—a hardy mare, good at any distance, and likely to stand the necessary preparation. I do not say she is particularly brilliant, but taking into consideration, what has won this race, there are many that have only possessed what she does—a good con^itution and sound limbs. Long-distance .^ are not the forte nowaday, and I always reckon that the big chance of the season is 'in a two-mile race* like the New Zealand Cup, .assuming that you.'*"we ..riything 'probable,Vsuch as Mr Goodrran's mare, with "whom it' is certain she will get the best of preparation. Fulmen ran a real good horsa. last year,'-''and some fair judges say that had he been more vigorously ridden at the finish he would have about won. If he can be got fit again there is no reason why he should not repeat his good- doings, but when a horoe Las once gone wrong there is .always the doubt about winding him up again. Horses may flatter you until the last few gallops, when 'hey invariably go wrong again. mosc narrtetliately connected with Fulmen. have, however, thought it good enough to have him nominated for the Melboiirne Oup. Lord Eosslyn was much worse ■tfflicted than Fulmen, and is older, which .nders his chanro more hopeless. I do not uiink he will ever s,ee tho post. Jupiter is a horuc vcrj- £yddo=ly tror-'«t f«r"'.-jrr!, an" i? no doubt, a very fair plodder, but I cannot by any means bring him within the pre-cribeJ line, of a probable New Zealand Cup winner. He did not figure well at all at the finish in the big race at Oainaru woi^by Stiathnairn, for he tired, which was hot a good indication for a hard two miles.
TflF, TOTALISATOR IN AUCKLAND
. There appeap* to h& no stopping the increases in totalisalor investments enjoyed of late years by the Auckland Racing Club. To say the least, it is pimply astonishing how ihe Aucklanders are beating the rest of'the. colony in tfieir receipts. In the late A.R.C Grancl National meeting tlio club put through the sum of £17,050 for Hie two days, , which was £1144 in excess of last year, and _nll this in the face of licensing bookmakers, from which a large additional revenue is leceived. The kttof is "it great source 6f trouble to the. Middle Island clubs, and great precaution is displayed to prohibit the bookmaker from operating-, -while the Auckland Club give an ad lib. permit as long as the necessary licensing fees be paid, and still go on swimmingly, increasing- meeting after meeting. The earning capacity" of " ths northerners is not considered equal to what 1 his brother tradesman tltis way receives, still he appears to have more ready monej' to gamble wifh. I can only attribute it to one cause, which is' that the Otagoites were the first to take on with the machine, and for some time in its infancy topped the eoloiry with its 'totals, which have been gradually falling off until novf we- are a, long way behind other important centres, and all the inDreases in added money will not bring back fche lost patronage in IJunedin. My impression is *,ha,t tho community' here have- long ago realised that backing horses tinder any method is noE a good paying busin6ss, and especially with the facilities offered by the totalisator on every race; they arc therefore wise, and accordingly hold off. Tt is not the ' want of money here, or tho population, as, regarding the latter, latest statistics state we ai c now at the top of the tree in the colony. It is as I gay, a cttse of profit by experience, which I consider will ere long be followed throughout many other parts of the colony.'
VICTORY OF NEWHAVEN II IN THE NEWMARKET MARCH STAKES. ■
The Special Commissioner of the London Sportsman says:—lt ■was a. true-rim race throughout, and as they neaped thev Bushes there were tho usual cries that Sloan was winning. Berzak did in fact run well, but Nowhaven. II took his measure tuo instant Watts aoked him, and dashing to the front as they went into the dip, strode home a'ridiculously easy winnei 'by three lengths. "Wouldn't I like to ride him at Kerr.pion," said Watts after the vaee, or words tt thst affect; but M. Cp.nnonr did not fancy himself -uoh a benevolent Christian as to give up the mouqt. I stated- af tor the City and Suburban, and I will repeat it' now, that there are Dnly two horses in England who would have a ohance against Newhaven II at weight-for-age. These are Cyllene .and Flying Fox. What would be the result if these three met must be only mere surmise, but, personally, I think I ?hould go for Flying Fox.
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS TIMES AND VALUES.
The Duke of Westminster's Flying Fox (9.0) cm April 26 won the above race, rim over the Rowley Mile (jmc mile and 11yds), in lmin 43see,' according to Benson's chronograph, and credited his owner with £4250. Last year Mr Wallace Johnstone's Disraeli (9.0) covered tho distance in lmin W 4-s'eo, and the value of the stakes was £4900. In 1897 the stakes- amounted to £3700, and Mr J. 3-ssec, the' record time for the course. In 1896 Mr L. de Rothschild's St. Frusquin (9.0) occupied lmin 43 3-ss.ee, and the stakes were represented by £4250. In 1895, when the rtakes amounted to £4000, Sir J. Blundell Maple's Eirkconnel (9.0) was successful in lmin-'42 2-ssec, and the edit thus tied, with Isinglass, who established the previous best record in connection with the race in 1893. when, the stake value was .£4250. Iri: 1894Lord Rosebery's Ludas (9.0) won in lmin'44 l-sseo, and accounted for x,6500. The weights carried iii the Two Thousand were altered from—colts 8.10, fillies 8.5, to colts 9.0, fillies 5.9 in 1882. Regarding Flying Fox's win, the Special Cb'ih'missionor of the London Sportsman says:—"Nfcvei in tny experience has the Two: Thousand Guinea* been won anything'like'go easily. :'jthere Was only one in it from start to finish,- and the son of Orme ivas to all intents and purposes only hack cantering* for the last furlong."
NEWHAVEN 11,
r /At the very Iseginnittg df the present racing Reason {says ."Ranger'- in the Sporting, and Dramatic News) ifc was stated in these notes that Australian imported h6rses would probably'■ have'a good time this year; but iio one could have anticipated that this opinion ■would be so early verified as it has by Newhaven II anch Survivor running first and second for the City and Suburban Handicap. .The first of these two was a very nigh-class horse in his own country, and he ran an extraordinary race iii this same event last year, and it was only the fear that he is unreliable which prevented me from going far him for the Epsom Handicap. Survivor alsoshowed himself useful by his running in last year's Oe'Earewitch, and it only needed him to be thoroughly: acclimatised and-in his best form to have a great chance with only 7.9. That he had satisfied his connections on these two points was shown by the way in which he was backed to the last. In the race he looked ' all over a winner until close home, when he. Was tackled by Newhaven, who, dashing away with..the same brilliant speed that he showed V m; the same event last year, soon had him beaten arid won by two lengths. Tom Cringle,- of whom I Wrote favourably, w&s third; and Pheoi] ran well for a mile or so. This was a smart performance on the part of , the. winner, who carried the top weight of 9.0, and although the best of all these " "Walers," Ajinim 11, is now hbrS lie" combat, there are others that will have to be reckoned with. At the risk' of incurring the wrath oE my editor, who accuses me of being a "..faddist'' -onthe subject of Birdcateher \>lood, I must point out that Newhaven II is strongly inbred to-it; ;being directly descended' from Stockwell; -in tail male, on both sides of his pedigreei
THE CITY AND" SUKURBAN HANDI- .; ■ CAP.
Referring, to the City and Suburban Han- ', dicKp the London Sporisrnan says: "It was 1 a magnificent tribute to the country and to' the jockey club to note the varied nationalities Of the horses that took part in the big race at Epsom. There wore 17 runners, and four of them came .from Australasia, one frqm America, one from France, arid the remainder from (Treat Britain or Ireland. Australia furnished ttte first two, Newhaven 11, who carried top weight, winning comfortably frdrft' Survivor, and evoking, cheers loud and long, as lie deserved to do, for since his arrival inthis country there has been no endeavour to disguise his form or to hoodwink the handicappers by .running himuiifit. Six weeks ago (a'...:fortiiight. before the season started) Mr
■Cooper,..thinking his horse had a big chance!' entered;, into.". negotiations with Morningtori' Cannon-.to ride him; and on him that jockey ron his fifth. City and Suburban." " . .....'
REDUCING RACE MEETINGS INVICTORIA. . >
The "MelbbiJirne^ Sportsman's Special Commissioner, descants on the proposed reductions in the following terms:—"The "Victoriaßacing Club consists of some- 1400 mem-' bersj and of all such bodies is, perhaps, the most popular and representative in the world. These members elect a- committee by ballot to control and regulate the racing df the colony, on theii' behalf, for the good of the sport. The idea became current that we had1 more racing about Melbourne than was to its advantage. Accordingly the committee formulated a proposal to reduce the number of days allotted to it. But the method they proposed, whereby ihe clubs giving most money were deprived of. certain days, mot with general disapproval; and, having heard influential and representative deputations in deprecation, the committee, _ whilst deciding to adhere to .their. -original determination.to curtail racing^
came to the conclusion to retain the-two-days I they had proposed to lop from- Flemington> and two of the three o£ which Caulfiekl was to have been deprived, whilst allotting the reconstructed Findon Harriers' Club the extra day availed of last season by the V.A.T.C, when it did not hold a meeting. The day proposed to be taken from the Victorian Club is also to be allowed to remain. The.meetings are social -functions', popular with members, and it is liberal in the matter of added money. Y^illiamstown has been, favoured in the- way of good clays. It is- to lose one. Sufferers there must be. Vox popiili, vox.dci, and so the fiat- has gone forth that the proprietary clubs, • which give the least money,, shall be the victims. Mooneo Valley, Epsom, Mentone, arid Samlown Park arfr each to be deprived of two days, Maribyrnpng of three, and Aspendale of four. This is to be- regretted,'because they have afforded- the public good ; sport, and one and all have been well martj aged. • Biit as it appears to be the opinion of the V-R-Cj/'that registered racing should be : curtailed, it will be generally allowed that its 'committee has acted for. the best, with due consideration to the interests of all."
SYDNEY BIRTHDAY C^P,
The Sydney Referee says:—Print's (fe.Tbme's starting price indicated that his .vuoactioriS were satisfied be had a. «><•.:".:-■ .•.I'-lj/^
n the .Birthday Cup, and.,there was no surprise evinced when be got !,uine in front. But it was certainly surpiising to soo April Fool and Nuka m the oilier places, as the former had gone completely out of favour conrequent on his poor track work, while Nuka performed indifferently when backed for the Turf Club Hnndinii nn tho previous Saturday. ' Alimenc tried to win pretty well all the and the task was too much for' her, while Eastern King cannot be said to have ever looked really dangerous, and on what we have seen of him we incline to tho idea that^a. mile and a-half is the least bit too far foi-.him. Cavalier was another troubled by the distance. Up to the three-furlong post he was-, going, very nicely in a good position, but as soon as heads were returned for home he was in trouble. W'atercolouT, as' we anticipated, could not last it out, and anyone who closely noticed her rui.ning when she won the Turf Club Handi-ca-p could not have well come to any other conclusion than that a mile and a quarter i> the icngLh of her tether in good company. Fairy Prince finished fourth, and as his ricVr. X. Wondgale, said he had a wretched run, t!i<brown gelding -might have made things unsettled for Prince Carbine with ordinary luck. Old York was prominent at- the turn, and ai that point Carronade's colours were also to be teen, but she dropped out of it immediately after, and no matter;'what she may be at home, she is a failure in public. However, taking ii, nltogelher,_ it cannot be said that the race was a particularly exciting one. ai all the way from the turn into the straight Prince Cavbirio1 looked 'a winner.
THE TURF IN FRANCE.
i " Aftmodeus" in the Melbourne Leader says;—" The turf in France is at the present lime undof drastic surveillance, such as would scarcely be tolera'.ed in any other country under the sun, e^opting, perhaps, where prevaik the tyrannical rule of the Czar of all the Eussias, or that despotic old Culch humbug. Kruger. The passage into law that all betting on French' racecourse? must be done in the Parr-mntuek to the complete stoppage of bookmaknig is a sufficiently arbitrary enactment, but not content with this assumption of power, we are now informed "that in order to further restrict the pursuits of followers of the races a bill is to be introduced into thq Chamber of Deputies making it a criminal f^o 'give out tips or other information regarding racehorse', their chances of winning, etc. This measure is obviously directed against articles in the newspapers and tipsters' advertisements, and it remains to b? sden to what length French -politicians will go in the daring endeavour to pass a law savouring so strongly of the " dark ages." Its passage would mean the total annihilation of tho sporting press in the great republic, but strana© as are the political and social changes- which are constantly taking place in that country, the bulk of-the French nation will, no doubt, protest strongly against this particular attempt to interfere with supreme rights. j
MAKINA IN THE NORTH GRAND N-ATIONAL'HUPvDLBS.
''Petronel," in tKe Sporting Review, says: Thtr& aro a!I sort 3of rumours flying about regarding Uaiijia. Some people assart that the mare had an injection of morphia administered; odiers say that sho was overtrained; and others, again, say she was short of work. One thing is quite certain, Mr Proctor's mare did not run well at any part of the journey, and never looked likely to win. Sho started a tremendously hot favourite, and tho public fell in heavily. • We do not credit the idea that sho was got at for an instant, for it would lake a very clever rogue indeed to administer morphia, and wo do not think New Zealand contains one capablo enough to do 'the trick. Nevertheless, the rumour that Marina had been " got at" created a feeling of _ widespread uneasiness. We have >made careful inquiries, and have ascertained thai the Grand National favourite, on her arrival from Now PiyinoutJi, was-put in the Ellerslie stables and on the night before the race was 1 morning she was taken to tho course, and alI though sho was surrounded by her party, not one of them lost confidence, albeit there were those who thought when the mare \\*-as doing her preliminary that she had had, perhaps, a little mere work than she wanted. Be that ac it may, she ran and lost. After the race a wound was discovered on the inside of the near olbow, and it only required a whisper to cause the story tp flpat through the atmosphere that Marina had been "got at" and an injection of morphia put in her leg. Mr E. Halstead was called in, but he could throw no light on tho wound under the elbow, and neither could any of the experienced trainers, including Mr Jack Ohaafe artd Mr Jack Booth. In the opinion of many it was possible foi the mare to have sustained the injury in the race.
THE TTVO THOUSAND GUINEAS. n The Aristocratic Tout" in the Licensed Victuallers' Gazette says of the above:—'■ Another of the. classics is added to. the past, and once again has John Porter the cfedit,6f send: irid forth the winner of the Two ThotiSbnd Guineas in Flying Fox, of whose.brilliant, victory I was never in doubt.i The betting, however, on the race was of a most meagre descriptian,even from the first introduction: of the/race as a medium for speculation, as the numlM* d( animals quoted have been very few; Wd gradually they dropped-out One by one) .The race heeds very little description,- as between Scintillant, Birkenhead,' and Caiman vtbere was little to choose for the first quarter, of a mile 4 when Morny Cannon, full .of confidence, took Flying Fox to the.fore, and'before;he had<reached the Bushes he had placed half a 1 dozen lengths between himself, Caiman', Trident, arid Birkenhead, and had the Kingsclere jockey kept this high pressure up tho judge's fiat would have been tlie widest in the history of the Two Thousand Guiflca.s, but he suddenly eased his moiint when he had established his superiority beyond doubt, and passed the post only, two lengths in front of his Middle Park Plate.conqueror.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 11455, 21 June 1899, Page 7
Word Count
2,953SPORTING NOTES. Otago Daily Times, Issue 11455, 21 June 1899, Page 7
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