THE TURF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13263, 20 April 1905, Page 4

THE TURF.

By Sentinel,

RACING CALENDAR, 1903.

April 2 1 ! and 24—Wairarapa E.G. Autumn. April 22, 24, and 25—Auckland B.C. Autumn. April 22, 24, 2G, and 29—Australian Jockey Club's Autumn (Doncaster Handicap and , Sydney Cup). •April 21 and 25—Canterbury J.C. Autumn. April 24-Tnieri Amateur T.C. Autumn. April 21—Patca R.C. Annual. April 2t—Waipukurau J.C.-Annual. April 24 aud 25—IUvenjon R.C, Annual. April 24 and 25—Feilding J.C. Autumn. April 24 and 25—Canterbury J.C. Autumn.' April 21 and 25—Kumar,v li.C. Autumn. April 27 and 28—Westland E.G. Autumn. May 3 and '4—Marlborough R.C. Autumn. May 3 and 4—Hawke's Bay J.C. Autumn. May G—Chrislchureh lt.C. Autumn. May 10—Tahumi Park meeting, May 10 and 11—Egmont B.C. Winter. May 11 and 12—Ashburton County R,C. Autumn. May 20 and 21—Takapuna J.C. Winter. May 21 and 25—Wangauui J.C. Winter. May 24 and 25—North Otago J.C. Winter, June 2 and 3—Dunedin J.C. Winter. June 3 and s—Otaki Maori lt.C. Winter] Juno 3, 7, and 10—Auckland lt.C. Great Northern Steeplechase. June 21 and 22—Hawke's Bay J.C, Winter. June 28 nnd.29—Napier Park B.C. Winter. July 6 and 7—Gisborne II.C. Winter. July 11 and 14—Wellington R.C. Winter. Although it is very probable that the acceptances which were (lauded in for tho principal events to be decided at tho Canterbury Jockey Club's autumn meeting will undergo a further shrinkage when the final payments are made, still there seems to be excellent grounds for tho belief that there will he sufficient material left, to furnish highly interesting contests for the valuable prizes attached to these races. When a race is regarded as being open by the link-eyed public it is generally safe to assume that good sport may be anticipated; and tho substantial proof thai such is the case with the Easter and Autumn Handicaps is revealed by anyone who cares to study the betting market, where investors have by no means confined their attention to ono or two horses. Double investors

have been placed in a bit of a quandary as to which of tho Yaldlnirst hordes it is most advisable to support; and going hy the book Savoury would appear to bo the best business. Mnciiino Run has been found capable of lowering the flag of tho speedy Achilles—whatever excuse may be rendered for the latter,—and tho Itii'bina horse is ono whom weight docs not. appear to hamper a great ileal; as witness his Randolph Handicap win, with 11.5 on his back, in lhe record timo of BfSsec. Was over a time record registered with such a. burden? liis Challenge Stakes form, where he ran a good lioi"se to Martian, with 9.4, on a track which admittedly did not suit llio long-striding son of Hotchkiss; bis form oyer tho same distance at- Wellington, and his six-furlong form at Manawatu strongly suggest that, even under 10.4, should the conditions bo at all favourable, he. must have a great chance in the Easter, particularly in a slow-run race, although there does not appear to be much chance of thatoccurring, with so many speedy light-weights engaged in the race. Nightfall has proved herself a great mare, and if there is any truth in tho published contention that she is the greatest, mare that ever carried the yellow and blaek, then on C'rueifonn's showing in the same raco the handsome daughter of Multiform will be an extremely dangerous contender if she orocs to the post. She is smart on her legs, can stay and carrv weight, but despite the great chances both tho heavily-burdened Yaldlnirst candidates appear to possess, it is Savoury to whom, although probably allotted a little more than many weight-adjusters would have meted out to the son of Simmer, the writer is inclined to pin his faith. Savour" in IHIi his races at Riccarton last November travelling on at the finish, and there is no questioning liis speed. He, in the writer's opinion, appeared to win with at least, 10ll> or a stone in hand when lie capturcd the Members' Handicap. lie. now meets Vladimir on 15Ih worse terms; but Ailsa, to whom all and sundrv give a great chance, only meets the Yaldlnirst horse on 41b bolter terms. Ailsa in the Members' Handicap did not finish in the first, six. although she ran well in the Stewards'; but she is now travelling well on the training track, and is entitled to more consideration than she- appears to possess on paper. Vladimir lias a good chance oil paper. and be will land at the post fit and well, so that under ordinary circumstances ho should bo there or thereaboufs at the business end of lhe journey. Petrovna. is also very well, but many are inclined to think that the journey is beyond her. A elos-: study of her form, particularly by those who have witnessed it, will do a great deal lo disabuse that doubt. Convoy showed himself lo be. in good order by his form at Timaru last week; and Boris is the first met in I lie handicap of a stable team which holds a strong hand in the race. His chance- is highly estimated by those who know his brat; and Ghoorka who is getting better with age. has a racintr weight which should not greatly hamper the nace ho can show when in tile humour, ('olden Vein and Stronghold possess a mat chance, if one is inclined to look with a favourable eye on their form; but the former is a bit slow on bis legs sometimes in the »arlv liart of his races; but. if his Avon Welter form (9.3 in lniin ?,9 2-ssec), together wilh the best, of his other form, can be reproduced. there is trouble in store for the opposition, Strom/hold is a bit soft-hom'ted. and may find things too busy for his likimr. The fact that- Lady Lyonors has been sold, practically on tho ove of battle, suggests (hat- although she may possess a great chance, some of her recent stable companions may be better at the weights. One or two of the others may be found competing in something easier when tho. time comes lo weigh out, except, perhaps, Sandy, who has a drop of ]slh on his Craven Plate form to rccommcnd him, in addition to his moro recent running. Ailsa will probably be the stable elect- of her lot, and consequently Qrichlon, who is going well, will be found missing irom the field and a likely winner of the Autumn Plate. Whatever may be said in favour of the various candidates, jt still remains a fact that t.hcy can t all win, and to sum llioiu up, they may read as lhe placed lot at the finishSavoury 1, Ailsa 2, Vladimir 3. The result of tho Great .Easter will have a considerable influence on what is likely to happen in the. 12-fnrlong race. For instance, Convoy may run a good horse in the Easter, but still get beaten, and that would lw taken as something tending to enhance his Autumn "prospects. In the event of bis winning tho Easier with its 141b penalty, this would have a contrary clFecl. The same remark applies lo Vladimir, Savoury, and others also engaged in the first leg of tie double. If Savoury were reserved for the long race he would constitute tho writer's lossiblc No. 1 for the Autumn, but it appears idle to wander in the realms of what might be, and treating the Easter as non-existent, the following forecast of tho judge s verdict is made:—Savoury 1 Qunrryman 2, Convoy or Ghoorka 3. The minor cvenls oil tho first day may result, as follows:—Kildare Hurdles. The Mohican; Russlejr Plate. Ouh'assctia or Mead s plect: Epsom Welter. Signalman: oockburn, Calibre; Autumn Plate, Criehton: Cliaimwgnc Stakes, Sungod; and the Challenge Stakes mil the second dav may lie captured by Achilfes.

i Owners who are desirous of giving their I. houses a chance to earn winter oats before being eaeed off at tlio arid of the season would do well to cast their eyes oyer an attractive progriimmd which has been issued by tile North Otago Jockey Club for a meeting to be held, on May 24 and 25. The programme is divided into 14 events, and soito well-endowed races will' come Up for decision. Tho principal events are the Empire Handicap, of 85sovs, ono milo and a. >• distance, which will be on the first day's i card, and tho Victoria Handicap, of 80sovs, one inilo, which will form the principal prizo given away on the second day. Otherevents on tho first day's card are tho Bunisido Handicap, of 60sovs, fivo furlongs; tho Clifton Welter Handicap, of SOsovs, sovori furlongs; tho Winter Handicap, of 45sovs, six furlongs; tho Oamaru Trot, of 50sovs, two miles; Waikaura Trot, of 40s6vs, one mile; and a 30sov Hack Scurry, over a four-furlong course. Tho balance of the events on the second day arc: Redcastlo Handicap, of 55sovs, fivo furlongs; Parkside Handicap, of 40sovs. six furlongs; Te Puko Welter Handicap, of 45sovs, six furlongs; Shorts Handicap, of 35sovs, four • furlongs; Grange Handicap Trot, of 50sovs, one. milo and a-half; and the Pukeuri'Handicap Trot, of 35sovs, once round tho cottrso. Nominations for all events, except tho Ha"' Scurry, closo on May 4, and handicaps ma£ bo looked for about. May 15, and are to bo compiled as usual by Messrs J. 0. Henrys and 11. Brinkman. — Slow Tom is reported to be showing signs of lameness. — Tho rising two-year-old sister to OrlolT lias been named Tatiana. — The Dunedin Champagne Slakes winner, Glenowlet, is doing good work at present. ! . — Ribbonwood was exhibited at the Welling- > ton show (N.S.W.), and wont a half in - 1.4 4-5. I —An English-bred colt, by Bumptious from I Miss Miivionette, lias gone into Paytcn's stable ! at Itßnclwick. ' i —Convoy's form at Timarii has won him i a few additional admirers for his Riccarton i engagements. — Tho Oamaru track has been top-dressed, i and is said to lie in capital order for the i meeting next month. — Complimentary tickets for (lie Taieri Amateur Turf Club's meeting are to hand, and acknowledged with thanks. — A complimentary ticket for the Riverton Racing Club's meeting is to hand, and acknowledged with thanks. — Ailsa is looking and galloping well at present, and should be a "strong contender" in' the Great Easter next week. -- A Christehuich message staten that Melodcon and King Billy have ben scratched for all engagements at the autumn meeting. — A complimentary ticket for lhe Beaumont Jockey Club's annual meeting is lo hand, and acknowledged with thanks. — Quarrynian is shaping pleasingly in his work at "Riccarton, and finished well on Saturday after reeling off 10 furlongs in 2.15 J. —Mr G. G. Stead's two-year-old colt Delaware has been shipped to Auckland to fulfil his engogeme'its at the A.lt.C. meeting. — Tho withdrawal of Mclodeon from his Riccarton engagements was a piece of unwelcome news for a large number of punters. — It is ropcrled that Mr J. Monk, (he owner of the famous flier Achilles, was recently desirous of becoming the owner of llaniopoto. — Tho 'i'asiiianian Trotting Association authorities have appointed a stipendiary steward to watch the running, etc,, at their meetings. — The Medallion gelding Oblivion 11, who was raced here by W. J. Taggart, is to ho given a chance lo distinguish himself over hurdles. — .Petrovna has been pleasing the touts sincc her arrival at Riccarton, and on Saturday stood on the mark and ran out four furlongs in 40 4-5. — Tugela looked light in conditon when she was stripped at Invcrcargill last week, and was not so lusty looking as when she has displayed her best form. — Nominations of mares for the Nov; Zealand Futurity Slakes, of 11.000, for foals drooped in 1903, will close with the (ireymouth Trotting Club on Monday, May 1. — Ono of tho next improvements lo be effected hy the Southland Hoeing Club on the course will probably consist of the erection or a new stewards' stand. — Parilulu is doing good work at Auckland. — The troller Harold Grey, who got amongst the winners at Invcrcargill last week, has been purchased by Mr J. L. Jopp. -It is stated that in future tliero is a probability 01 the V.lt.C. declining to issue licenses to bookmakers who arc interested in betting shons in Melbourne. — Ailsa, Chriehton, Riviera, Cavatina, Alexis, Apollcdoris, and Yliulimir leave to-day for lliccarton in order to fulfil their engagements at the C.J.C. autumn meeting. — Prosser's Riccarton team wilt probably consist- of Achilles, Boris, Ghoorka, Kxmoar, and Marguerite. Gold Crown and Flamen are down to compete at Feilding. — Lady Lyonors has been purchased by Mr C. Gorton, who formerly owned Master Alix. The Multiform filly is now worked at Riccarton, and is reported to be looking in fine order. — Stepchild (Slepniak—Cobweb) is for private sale, and failing finding anew owner, will bo shipped to South Australia, where bis owner lias Evening Wonder doing utility work on a station. — The attendance of the Invcrcargill Battalion Band at tho S.R.C. meeting was frequently favourably commented on during the currency of tho racing, and much appreciated by the club's patrons. — Mclodeon has been greatly pleasing touts with his work i.n the Hastings tracks. This piece of news is to chcer up those who supported the Medallion horse for his cancelled engagements at lliccarton. —J. M'Guire, the young Dunedin lightweight, who was injured recently, is progressing favorably towards complete; recovery, but it is expected to be some time before ho will be able to get about again. — Potrcvua left last week for lliccarton to undergo ilie filial work for her Greal Easter preparation. She is in good order, and is expected lo give a good account of herself in her engagements at the meeting. — Stepdanccr shaped pleasingly over a 12furlnng gallop at lliccarton oil Saturday. She ran the first half in 53 1-5, six furlongs in 1.19 il-5, eight furlongs in 1.47, '12 furlongs in 2.40 il-5, and finished well. — The New South Wales Trotting Cub has issued a trotting resistor which has been compiled by Mr R. C. Hungerford, who has been largely instrumental in giving the sport u : great boost in that part of the world. — The two-year-old colt Astrakhan (Slepniak—lrene) has been having a- fairly easy time sincc the Cup meeting, and will not sport silk again until next season. lie appears to be growing the right way, and is at present looking big and healthy. — The well-known cross-country horseman H. Can- rode Miss May ill the Tally-ho Steeplechase, at Invcrcargill, and after his mount refused one of her fences, she came down at tho second fence of the stand double. Both Carr and his horse escaped without injury. — Regiment, the brother to Casket, was a sh'ong order for the. four-furlong race at Invcrcargill last week, but after getting a decided advantage at the start lie stonped a bit ill the run home, and was defeated by Lilyslonc, who got on terms with him a few strides from the post. — The disappointing Sliogun, the brother lo Pallas, figures amongst the nominations for the Beiiumcnt meeting.' Shognn has a bit of pace, bnt up to Ihft present has always failed to slay over three furlongs in decent company, and as he is an aged horse, much impiovcmeut is not likely lo be cllcctcd in the gelding. — The Melbourne Cup winner Acrasia was sent out favourite at 3's lo 1 in a field of 10 for the Rosehill Handicap, one mile and throe furlongs, run on the Ist of April, but she fooled her backers by finishing second to Tho Admiral colt Fansliawo, to whom she was conceding 2'Jlb. — Amongst, the bloodstock auctioned recently at the Turanville stud (N.S.W.) was a three-year-old gelding by Ruenalf irom Lady Modred, one of the few daughters v.hicli the famous Sir Modred left behind him in tho southern hemisphere. A bid of 51gs found a new owner for the gelding — Vladimir luis been supported for the Easier and Autumn double, but should he sneered in landing the first leg, his chance in the Autumn under 9.4 would not read too rosy, over a 12-furlong journey, unless he has 1 been showing something in private much superior tlmn his public form suggests. —The North Otago Jockey Club has four well-endowed trotting events on its winter programme, and a sum of 175sovs will be given away as prize-money in connection with them. Two of the events have SOsovs as prizes, and a liberal response from-owners may be safely anticipated. Nominations 'closo on Thursday, May 4. ' — Attention is called lo the fact that on Monday, May 1, nominations olosc for the Grcymoutli Trotting Club's Futurity Stakes, of lOOOsovs. The race is. for two or three year old trotters and pacers, and as the nomination is set at the figure of half .a-sovereign, a liberal response from breeders' is suro to result — The committee of the A..T.C. have decided not to accept the entry of tho ch g Grandby for any race under the 'management of that club, in oonseqiienco of his fract-iousness at the starter's post. Grandby at each of his latest appearances in public played up in great styla, and gave the starter considerable trouble. — Tho prohibition of the sale of liquor on racecourses has not borne the best of results, and m many cases the cure in .often marked to be worse than the evil. At last week's meeting of the S.R.C. it created a number of thieves, and the Unauthorised despoliation of luncheon hampers was" brought under the writer's, notice. — Of. Byrne, who was formerly identified with n couple of Wingalui stables, has been for some time with the Messrs Kennedy Bros. ■ at Drummond, near Riverton. Tho stable had a good innings at Invcrcargill last week, and Byrne,.in addition to winning the Steeplechase on Crorije, also won a couple of flat races on Paparoa.

'} -The ,New ; : !seaiat)'d" Trotting. Aasociation i ; hiive issued a list of the horses registered from : August 1, 1903, to July 31, 1004, together with' j a list of alterations and additions to tho pre- : viouSly-issuecl list bf horses registered from , 1899 to 1003. It is all extremely useful pro- : duclioii, anil all clubs and owners should proI vido tliemseWes witli a copy of the publication. —It ia understood that (he Southland Racing Club wrote to the Racing Conference drawing-attention to the fact that the South . Canterbury Jockey Club has appropriated tho dates allotted by the Racing Conference to . the former club for their autumn meeting, and suggested that the fixtures should not- he a,.lowed to clash, 'but for some reason or other no answer was received to the letter, • —H. Ellis has recently been teaching some youngsters the rudiments of their business and has broken and ridden tho risin» two-year-old col by Multiform—St. Ouidn? Obiigado—Emmeiinej and n filly by Lord Rosslyn out of Orlofrs hnlf-sistcr i'oruy. A Youngster by Stepniak out of Evening Star, the dam of Jupiter, will be next to receive attention and the quartet should be a useful lot- next year. — The Lochiel colt Crichton, who has been n- failure since lie made a winning debut at limaru in the spring is looking bright and well, and galloping with plenty of dash at present. He has not displayed indomitable courage, and has won tho stigma of being a Sunday horse; but he should set amon»st the winners next week, particularly if he°is reserved for some of the minor events at Riccarton. — Owing to the lack of patronage accorded tho cross-country events on their autumn programme, the Southland Racing Club contemplate striking tlieso races out in future. The club has a fine steeplechase course, and it is to be hoped that in their own interests owners of 'chafers will remove the cause of dissatisfaction by making it their intention of according these events a liberal patronage in the future. ■ -A subscription was started in Invercargil last week for CI-. Cameron, a lad well known by his connection with different racing stables, in order to furnish the means to allow him to have ou operation performed to cure his deafness. A fairly liberal response was being met with, and as the money is being solicited in a good cause, it is to be hoped the good work will he carried to a successful issue. -The rumour that the gentleman whoso colours arc carried by Ailsa and Co. is about to retire from taking an active interest in racing, and that the. Wallace fillv is io go under the hammer at Chrislclmrcii, there is good reason for believing lacks truth. The writer lias always been under ilio impression that, Ailsa is only held under a lease, and will ultimately become one of the matrons of tho E'lderslie stud. — Vladimir's exertions at InvercargiU bad a beneficial effect o:i him, as the son of Stepmale strode pleadingly over half- a mile at AVingatui on Saturday in 53 2-5, on the outside of the course proper, fie was assisted over the latter quarter by Astrakhan, who, however, owing to having an easy time of it lately, was not a great deal of assistance to the fireat Easter and Autumn candidate. J. Ituttledge has Vladimir in nice order, and the horse should give a good account of himself at Riccarton. — There is every nrospect of the Taieri Amateur Turf Club holding a very successful meeting at its popular course on Monday iiext. Paparoa should be dangerous in anything in which he is started; Blackstone may capture (lie President's rlandicap; (lie 1' lying may go to Becky Sealon; tho Easter Handicap t° Donna Rosa; and the Farewellto bt. Denis. selections are made under the impression that Redstart and ivoputai may journey to Christchurch. — Men of note ore recognised in various ways, and a not infrequent happening in this respect was chronicled tho otlmr' evtnin» Some congenial souls had met together to christen a colt, of whom the fond owner held ugh hopes, and after the cordial had'circu- ' aicd a, number of times, and manv cognomens had been rejected, the yonng thoroughbred ' was saddled with the title of "Father Havs " One of the party subsequently gave the breeding or the gee-gee to an inquirer as by Torpedo ' from iirewater. '