THE TURF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14213, 14 May 1908, Page 10

THE TURF.

Br Sentinel. THE END OF THE SEASON

An far as racing in the South Island is concerned we are Quickly drawing near th'j end of the season. Tho Ashburton meeting ta«e3 nlacc this week, and on the 23rd and 25th wo liave the North Otago Jockey Club's gathering inviting attention. A visit io'the White City on the dates of the meeting (with a Sunday intervening) should form a pleasant trip tor a sportsman. - There are several places of interest to visit, and the fact that, an excellent programme will be got off at the meeting should result in largo attendances each day. Largo fields have been engaged in the various events, and it will not be surprising to find llio club experiencing a record meeting. On Friday next the nominations are due for the Dunedin Jockey Club's-winter meeting, and the Wingatui programme will furnish a final opportunity for South Island owners to garner their winter oats before tho curtain is rung down on our local racing season. Tho D.J.C. should experience a good meeting next month, and the combined attractions of the English football team matches, winter 6how, and the races will probably sec Durtedin's accommodation faxed. Speaking of the Dunedin winter meeting, thcro is a gradually growing impression that a oouplu of stceplediases should 1m added to future winter programnißs. A splendid crosscountry course i could ho laid out at Wingatui, and would no doubt, form an additional/ attraction to the, gathering. Nearly all the cross-country racing takes place in tin) North Island, and if a programme containing a couple of events were hung up some of the horses which arc sent to the ■ North _ Island meetings would pay us a Visit, in order to get a race or two prior to making an apjiearwice at Riccarton. • ' THE TAHUNA PARK MEETING. Although tho exact figures arc not available, the writer has been informed by Mr H. L. James that Jast week's meeting of Ibe Tahiuia, Park Trolting Club was the most successful ever held on the track. That is to say, from a finaucial point of view, and the tjucccsa achieved should greatly encourage the club in their efforts to themselves with an up-to-date track of their own, On both days of last week's meeting the fields were strong numerically, arid provided somo interesting sport. There was a regrettable conclusion to a good meeting, and the saturation that some of the public received at the latter end of the second day will not easily be forgotten. The track became a sea of mud at the 'finish, and no ono envied tho riders who bad mounts in the final items on tho programme. If, however, there was some good sport provided, there wa6 also some form exhibited whioh did not convey tho impression of being too genuine, and tho stewards of the club will .have to bo stronger -and more alert if they hope to retain the confidence of tho public. It is not necessary to carpet all those who control horses, either from the ground or with tho reins, when anything hapi>ens which does not ancet with general approval. Still, an official .word or two just to let it be known that this or that is not exactly what it might have been would have a good effect and if tho word in season fell on barren ground a holiday should be granted fothoso who were straying off the path of rectitude. J.O make the sport prosper along the right lines it is absolutely essential that it must be controlled with a strong hand, otherwise tho public, who fiiul the sinews of war, will inakc themselves conspicuous bv alisonce. One does not require to bo a wiseacro to recognise that there is a big future ahead for light-lsiriict*, racing. The public are. taking to it more and more and if it is properly eaterod for it will continue .to grow in popularity. The Tahuna Park stewards should • keep that idea steadily in view, aid tho progress of the future will easily dwarf what has been accomplished m the past. IN A NUTSHELL. - Bonifonn is to be retired to the stud - Pantutu has been shipped to Wangamn. Poseidon has won £19,016 in prize-money. - MaJatua was sofa at tte Sydney sales at IvOgs.

— Luresome has joined: J. Bite's stable at Wingatui.

—Tfia English Derby wto bo run on the 3rd of Jnjjc.

— The two-year-old sister to Cross Battery has Won put into work at Caulfield,

. — Nxmunaiiops for ibo Uunedin Jockey Club's winter meeting are due ou Friday. ■ — Gojd Crest star ten favourite in the Hawkc's Bay Stakes, but ran disappointingly. — Mr,?. A, Connolly gave G. Rosa a cheque for £500 for riding Dyed Garments a winner in the' Sydney Oup. — At tho jmriilig sates in Sydney a yearling from a mare called Chutney was purchased by a Hr "Carrie.

— Pofilano, who was recently purchased by Mr.S. Green at 45COgs, is advertised to stand fit a 100-guinca {03. — It is reported that the New Zealand Cup winner Frisco, and tho usei'u] Apa, will visit .Now South Wales next spring. • — The Tahuna Park Trotting Club held its isaugutal meeting on May 28. 1892,' and last week's meeting was tho most successful ever held on the truck.

— Bonnie Glco has again joined the active brigade at Riccarton, and has apparently thrown off tho effects of the mishap he received at Auckland.

— The woll-known Australian racer Tartan is to take up stud work next season at a 30-guinea fee. During his turf career Tarian won £8537 in stajtes.

— Wilkio was regarded in some quarters as a sure thing for the Winter Oats Handicap, but he mixed a good deal, and was always apparently in trouble.

— B'omfonteiii, who won the first Bracelet, also acted well for about a mile and a-kalf in tl» Second Amateur Race, but he tired to nothing in the last lap.

—At the Sydney Wood stock sales 310 yearlings were sold for 3S,BS7Jgs, an average cf 125 l-3gs. Last year 255 avoraged 138 l-3gs, and ill 190G 217 averaged 146gs. — Seal Rock has again changed owners, and reports from Sydney state that the son of Sam Francisco and Miss Gladys lias been sold for 550gs to R. 31. Fitzgerald. —Mr I!. 0. Duncan, who acts as judge to the N.Z.M.T.C., aud alsq ait Timaru and Oamaru, was olootcd lust week to the vacancy on the K.Z. Trotting Association.

— The grey gelding Walnut showed fairly good form when lie won the Dash Handicap in 2.20, and it is the first raco the writer remembers him naming without mixing his gait. — Mr T. Kelt v.-i'.l probably contest the next vacancy which occurs in the list or Tahuna PaTk stewards, and strcli a thoroughly practical man should command a large number of votes.

— Lady Linton actcd well for a little over a mile ill the Winter Oats Handicap, but was tiring at the finish. In her first Taco sbo lost her handicap, and was never dangerous.

— Swift, an attractively-bred filly by Rothschild from tlio Vanclevo mare Cling, was a strong fancy for the Farewell Handicap . oi> Saturday, but was not near the money at tho finish.

— Ucnukti, the winner of the Hawke's Bay Cup. was got by Stopniak from Rairfbow, a daughter of Cudogau <md Iris, that was sold as.a cull from tho Elderslio stud. Uenuku cost 200gs aa a yearlmg. { —A rccord financial success was achieved at the Tahuna Park mooting, which 'was concluded on Saturday. The club has experienced a very successful season, and everything augurs well for its future operations. • — There is a strong prospect of trotting being boomed in Wungamii, as at a meeting bold to form a. club there CO members were enrolled, and it is confidently expected that the roll will be considerably increased. — Receiver put in a couple of ted breaks when running in the Peninsula Handicap at Tahuna Pa/rk, or ho would seriously disputed Separator's ■winning position. Separator also mixed, bnt did not lose much ground. — Dovonia, who won at tie C.R.C. meeting was an unplaced starter in. the Orari Ha.txlicap, ono mile and a-quartcr, which was won by Roscommon last week. Other winners at the mooting were The Norman, Salaam, aud Sunburst.

—A. recent addition to M'Kay's ieum at the Forbury is an upstanding chestnut four-ycar-old got by Brighton from an Apremont marc. He was got when bis sire was a two-year-old, and is a good-looking edition of the son of Eurocydcm and Ma Belle, — Young Edith, a diminutive pacer from Southland,' was expcctod to ma it a a bold show in her race on tha first day of the Tahuna meeting,' but she Mver displayed anything like the promise which was suggested by her form when slio won at Ijivercwgill.

— General Babington was a. strong order for (ho Peninsula. Haadicsp, but Pringle could never get any pace out of the son of General Trwy and Sailhomo. The horse was hanging a good deal, and did not act very generously or display tho pace suggested by his breeding, — Ima, D. had a comfoitablo win in the Otngo Handicap, in which the strongest opposition was expected to coma from Esrna. The latter did not act too kindly in the first mile o{ the race, and had a good deal o£ ground to make up when she settled down to her work.

— A change of liarsemen on Bermeline effected a change of luok. On tha first day she could hardly haro lost if she hsd not tan over herself repostedly, but on the socond day she was kept fairly lovol by G. S. 'Wallace, and won after a good wjth friflsl? on Miss LfjWU

—Mr M'Laren, who rode Esma a good race when she won the Beach Handicap, is one of flic oldest trotting riders in the l)o----lniiiion, but lie continues to show good form in the saddle in additon to getting his horses in good order for their races.

.— Mantle's win in tho Farewell Handicap was tho luckiest victory of the Tahuna meeting, as, bar the mix in the straight, The Pigeon would have won by a dozen lengths. The Southland marc struck herself -when she had the race won, and tho mishap sent her from first to third place.

—At the request of the owner (Mr James Jeffs), the stewards of tho Talnuu Park Trotting Club on Saturday evening held an inquiry into Wilkie's running on Wednesday last, and.allcr hearing evidence and discussing the matter, the conclusion was arrived at that the horse was driven to win, if possible. — Prince Randle was never particularly dangerous when he was amongst the runners behind Exchequer in the President's Handicap, but he was always on the premises when he scored in the Winter Oats. , lie appeared to win his race with something in hand; and evidently ho is at home in loose going.

— Tho Pigeon was one of tho speediest horses which ran at Tahnna Park last week, hut she w»r unlucky in losing the FarewcH Handicap. She went through her field so quickly that several thought" she was galloping, but they overlooked the fact that her hobbles would not allow her to. join the "runners."

— Advance, a crack racer and one of tho few dircct desendants that now represents the Troducer line, is gotting' a winner or two, although one fails to hear of any highclass mares geting on his visiting list. It is astonishing that bveoders should neglcct such a successful strain of Wood in order to follow fashion. -

— Bobrikoff, the winner of the Hawko's Bay Stakes, cost 80gs at the dispersal sale of the Kelburn Lodge Stud. Ho was got by' Finland from Gossip, a daughter of Wallace from Caroline, by Carlyon from Tuberose, by. Grand Flaneur. Gossip was purchased at the same sale by Mr J. F. Buchanan at 340gs. — A notable absentee from the Tahtina Park Troting Club's winter meeting wis C. Piper, the woll-known Canterbury reinsman and trainer. Piper usually brings down a horse or two for our' meetings, but he was not represented last week—aiegrettablo fact, because he controls a team oi horses tbat can usually stop a good gait. —E. M'Kewen displayed good form in the saddle at Tahuna Park last week, and rode three winners on the first day and two on. Saturday. A. Pringle bad to keep Vixen rather busy to win the Pony Hace in the slow time of 4 29, and also had to drive a fairly good race to get Exchequer home on the first day of the meeting. — Some oi the critics on the ground, where nil good critics are generally found, were inclined to blame 11. Allan for allowing Receiver to break badly in his race. When the gelding goes up, as they say, ho takes a bit of getting down again, and is evidently a bit of a handful even for the capable horseman who was up last week. — Exchequer was made an odds-on chance for the Presidont's Handicap, but although ho won comfortably at the finish, Ins chance did! not look too rosy in the early stages of the race. It is understood that the Rothschild gelding was not too sound prior to his race, and was subjected to veterinary treatment in- order to get him to the post. — Owners are reminded that on Friday next nominations aro due for the Dunedin Jockey Cub's winter meeting. The Birthday Handicap, of 200sovs, and the Provincial Handicap, of laOsovs, are tho chief items on the programme, whilst, with the exception of the Trial Plate, the balance of .the races carry "lOOsovs or more in prize money.

— The North Otago Jockey Club notify owners , that acceptances for tho first day's events at their winter meeting, together with tho entries fnr tho Trial Plate and the Shorts run on the second day, will close at 9 p.m. Monday, May 18. with the secretary, 111- G. Jf. Procter. The nominations are such as to lead tho club to anticipate the best meeting it has yet held.