THE TURF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14357, 29 October 1908, Page 10

THE TURF.

Br Sentinel.

THE NORTII OTAGO MEETING. The North Otago Jockey Club were unfortunate with the weather (or their spring meeting, hut still a success was achieve*] by the White City sports. That the Oamartt gatherings are popular is evident from tho number of visitors who put in an appearance, and it is a matter or mild surprise to tho writer that some northern owners patronise Ihe N.O.J.C. meetings, but which dovetails in with them. I'airly largo fields were seen out on both days at Oavnani, anil some really fmo sport was provided. Trior to the horses going out for tho Cup a very heavy fall of rain fairly swamped the track, and whether it is that All Guns is a veritable mudlark. or that the others arc bad actors in loose going, may bo an open question, but. there is no doubt that the son of Pallas made, hacks of tho opposition ho met in the race. Ho took charge goinir down the hill, and after putting a big gap between himself and tiio others sailed along, and finally ran homo a very comfortable winner. Considering the state of the going and tho ease with which lie scored, tho time of the race is very creditable. All Guns ran his first two furlong in 2fcec'. St. Joe ran jxitllv, and, like the other Clip candidates in the field, bis prospects at Ricearton by no meaas look rosy. Lupuiito and Persuader made great haste over the first three furlongs of the Flying Handicap, and after tliev ran themselves to a standstill Petrovna shot up, and won a pood rtioe ,in such an attractive style that slio now looks a remarkably clicai) ■piooe of property to her now owner. Neither Lupulite nor Persuader gained a place atthe finish, and luchljonny just boat Ard Reigli for second honours. The Stepniak Stakes only attracted a field of four, hut 'taking the quartet all round it must bo said lliey were a much belter-looking lot than what stripped at AVingatui. (Ironsta<lt, who proved the winner, had to get to work to stall off Fasnakyle at the finish, but Aeina r,poilt her chance at the start. Valdimar chopped across Lady Orizoni at the start of the Windsor, and the mishan put both out of the race. Lone Star wound up the day by winning tho Kedcastlo Welter in good style after Oivoi end Czar Kolohol had made tho pace over tho first part of the journey. There was an improvement in the weather on the second day, but, the track was heavy after the rain, and a cold wind was in uuwelconic presence. Tho President's Handicap attracted a field of seven, and All Guns, who figured as top weight with 9.3, had tho pen put through Ills name. A newcomer in Bountiful, a daughter of Pilgrim's' Progress and Noroli, took up the role of pacemaker as tho field ran along the back, •where Saga, who declined to leave the mark at the rise of the barrier, was fully half a furlong away. Bountiful led tho way until within a few strides from the post, where Annamento put in his claim »and won by a neck. Lone Star appeared to be travelling well for about seven furlongs, but he stopped badly at that stage, and finished a bad third. This is Armamento's best display this season, but he has dropped considerably in the handicaps of late. Even his winning form, however, is not suggestive of a Cup chance. Lupulite and Persuader again set up a very merry paco in the Waitaki Plate. They were both in t-roublb at ihe rlistanos, where Lady Orizoin and Petrovna put in their claims. Lady Orizoin got the benefit of fen inside passage, and just managed to beat, the Stcpniak mare by a head. Acnia was made a hot pot for the Juvenile Handicap owing to the general impression that she was well treated in the handicap, but' she only lasted a couple of furlongs, and Cronstadt confirmed his previous day's form by winning nicely from Caspian, who ran like an improving colt. Tho meeting was concluded with one of the finest races the writer has ever seen, and, in fact, a closer finish between an entire field of horses is not known'in our turf history. There were eight runners, and commencing tho last furlong tho field were bunohed. At the finish short heads were between the first six, whilst the balance of tho runners finished oil tho girths of those in front. The unlucky ones in the field appeared to be Hclianthus and Valdimar, who did i;ot get a clear run. The field was spread right across tho course at the finish, and no one but tho judge could give an emphatic opinion as to the placed horses. If Mr Henrys could produce such a finish in the New Zealand Cup it would creato an immense amount of enthusiasm, even moro than his famous National finish, when Medallions scored his memorable win. The management of the meeting was excellent, and Mr L. C. Hazlett's succcssful ivork at the barrier came in for a great deal of praise. IN A NUTSHELL. — Count Witte and G-lencuUoch continue to stand up to their work at Ricearton. —Mr J. E. Henrys lias been appointed' liandicapper to the Greymoirth Jockey Club. — Nominations for the South Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting are due on Novomfcor 10. — Zetland ran two good races at Gr.ir.p.ru, and appears to be getting track to his Iwsfc form again < — Ringdove has been scratched for tho New Zealand Cup and Nobel for the Stewards' Handicap. — Chantress was scratched for all engagements at the New Zealand Cup meeting on "Wednesday afternoon. — (Men(it Id, the oolt by G-lenapp—Maid of Belfield, was priced list week, and 250sovs was the figure given. No business resulted. — Obligate looked a better horse at Oamwi than when at Geraldine. whore he proved a winner, but nevertheless lie foiled to gather any money. —The two principal events at the S.C.J.C. spring meeting tiro worth lSOsovs and ISOscys, and, in addition, they are backed up by four SOsov races. — Tllo South Canterbury Jockey Club have i couple of .races for two-year-olds in their spring programme. Both events are worth 70sovs, and are handicap?. — Excellent entries have been received for the Winton meeting, and this year's fixture l>ears a promise of being the best ever held on the course. — The Multiform coH. Bcneforni and the Stepuiak—Royal Plumes celt are probably included in the C'.J.C. Derby through error on the part of their owners. — Contender has been a disappoienlniciii since carrying Mt \V. 0. Rutherford's colours, but last week he shaped as if he should win in the near future. — Leonmrdo was supposed to be (he good goods for tile hurdles on the second day of Oamaru, but he failed by a head, after a good finish with, is stable mate Oasis. —An old-timer, in the shape of St. Michael figures in the list of entries for the New Zealand Cirp meeting. He won the Auckland Cup and Wellington Cup six years ago. — Wliito Cockade is ill work again at Hiccarton. but evidently is still fooling the clients of being galloped on at AVingatui, as lie is reported to be moving a bit short. — Liza, the Obligado—Miss Betty filly got bad passages in both hct races at Oamani. but even then would have probably given a better showing with a more experienced rid;r on licr back. — Frisco's name was left out. of the list of telegraphed acceptances for the New Zealand Cup, but the Christchnreh exchanges have last year's winner down us an acceptor for the race. — Although Ringdove has been withdrawn from the New Zealand Cup, she has !>ccii engaged ill several events to lie decided at the C.J.C. spring meeting. It is understood she will visit Boniform. — The Benzoin gelding Persuader paccd it with Impolite over about half a mile oil each day of tho Oamurti meeting, lr.it ccmnicnccd'to slop at fet stage. The pace killed their own chaucc. — Farley Grove ran indifferently in the hurdle even's at Oumarn. On the first day sho was going well up to the last fence, but on the second day she jumped bad'y. end was never dangerous. — Broadsword has evidently made a. good recovery from the nccidcnt ho met with a, few weeks ago as he ran half a mile on Saturday in i!>. and is reported to liavo moved ill very taking style. — A promising sort of a filly in Passion, by Pilgrim's Progress from Greek Maid Warn of All Guns), got amongst the winners last week, and will improve on that showing when a bit moTe seasoned. — Splendid nominations hnvc hern received for tho minor events to be decided at tho Cun meeting and this year's C'.J.C. spring, gathering holds as much attractiveness as on any previous occasion, — Cross Battery was put wider the hammer recently in Melbourne, and purchased by Mr Sol Green at STOsp. The Stcpniak mare will eventually join the Shipley stud, and probably he mated with Positano. — Tho Pilgrim's Progress gelding Valdimar Tan two unlucky races last week. In his first attempt he behaved badly at the barrier, and in his second was only beaten after getting blocked twice during the race. — After a long series of non-successes. Armamento won ou tho second day at Oamaru. Ho has dropped a good deal in the handicaps, but wtarcver ho is tlie e~gneJcenti gencrallv ic;:anl him as a dangerous horse, — Cronstadt, the winner of both the two-year-old races at Oamaru last week is engaged 1 in the Welcome Stakes. He has only boat moderate opposition, but is a promising youngster nevertheless, and should be heard of (igria.

— Old Tirolo shaped fairly v.cll over hurdles at Oamaru. and is evidently not yet a back number. — St. Joe finished a bad last in the North Obgo Clip, and also finished in the ruck in ■lis race on the second day of the same meeting, lie will have to improve a great deal on that form to have a ch-aiice at Ricearton. , — The Slcpniak—lrene gelding Balaclava has grown into a, gocd stamp of n horse, and won the Spring Handicap last week in pleasing style. Jlc was slow away on the second day, but when sharpened up with a race or two. should prove useful. — Caspian, who acted as runner-up to his stable male Cronstadt in the two-year-old event on the second day at Oamaru, is a handsome colt got by Skpniak from Git-a-uclla, a sister to Arline. lie cost 2!»gs last spring, and shaped promisingly in both his mes, — Oasis was much bigger when he won last ; week than when he scored at the last 'National meeting. Ho was well ridden by W. O'Conne!-!, and his win on the second day was a surprise after his first day's form. His first gallop evidently improved him a good deal — A good cut of a filly in I'enzoiT. by Benzoin from Clymenc, by Phaeton—Burlesque, by Cadogan. was amongst the runners at Oamaru last week. She is rather green at present, but her appearance and breeding suggest she should he heard of as a winner. — At Oamaru last week CV.ar Kolohol gave Ample indication that he is likely to fulfil his onrly promise, and although his win was due in a greater measure to R. King's excellent horsemanship, the Stcpniak gelding is suro to make good again with ordinary luck. — Lady Orizr-n gave a taste of her quality in tiio Waitaki Handicap, and won nicely in a brilliant field. Lupulite and Petrovna ran a bit wide from the last turn, but although the Benzoin mare gained an advantage by slipping up on the rails, she had something in hand at the' finish. — Says an Australian writer: —"Sou'tline won the Toorak Handicap all the way with 9.1, and I still think that if he had jumped away cleanly -ait barrier-rise in the Epsom Handicap, ho would have gained such an advantage in the first five furlongs that lie would never have been overhauled." — Fasn-akyle. tho fwo-ycnr-okl which carried Sir Geo, Clifford's colours in the Step--niak Stakes, is a racy-looking filly, which should be a winner before the scsson closes. •She wa.s got by C'anranald from Tercdin.a. and-is a sister to Terrapin and Cianchattan, but resembles neither of the latter horses. — Some of the Cup candidates In work at Riccarton were sent over 10 furlongs on Pv.tuiduy morning at liiccarton. Over the distance named Stra'.ajem defeated Husbandman in 2.1 -l 3-5. Hcorthcn heat Mahuta over tho same distance in 2.17. Probable and Tangitncana were allotted easv tasks. . — During a heavy siorm of rain which fell prior to the running of tho North Oiagu Cup a mare running in a paddock next- the racccourse produced a colt to Kilcheran. The marc is called Grand Rain, and was got by Gipsy Grand from Rainbow. The coincidence should find a namo for the ncwcomer. Deluge, for instance, — The Ckrk-Robinson cciinbination baa now won this season in Ergland over £10.500 as the result of 25 whip, for which 11 liorpcs liavo been responsible. The Australian firm stands fourth list of winning owners, headed hy Mr J. R. Joo.l. who has won over .£26,000, but they have taken more races than tiny other owner this season. — Sinco bis return from England the horses carrying Mr Si.. John Bucklcy's colourn have bad no luck. At Ojinwru they were carried by Master Alix, Oiyoi, and ftoyal Purple. Mister Alix ran a good race in the Clifton Welter. He looks a lot on (ho big ekle, but sb lie is apparently sound lie should experience a win before long. — Some bloodstock ebruigcd bands on the morning of the second d?y at the Oamaru meeting. The principal sale cffcetcd war. that of Miss Gal. who was purchased by Mr T. Johnston at GOgs. A filly by Tread-mill—Merry-go-round brought 32gs. and !i filly by Stcpniak—Pelerine sold at. 37gs. Both the latter were in very pcor condition. —It is rumourod that H. Donovan will ! net as chief horseman for tho stable under the control of Mr 1?. J. Moron. Donovan has achieved a good deal of success, both over fences and 011 the tint, but latterly has not been riding between tho flags. Ho can only go to scale at a shade under Bst. mid consequently a light-weight will be a necessary adjunct to the stable. — The medical foru'ty, after exhaustive experiment, assert that a lew bTeafhs of oxygen is a wonderful restorative for a distressed athlete, and ii minded before a test on cinder path or rand very much improved timo results follow. A doctor suggests the use of it br rncc-horscs; but Mr John Corlett is of opinion that- it will conxj under the heading of "dope." which means disqualification in England. One of the r.wt cnjovable racin.* 1 * trips iii the South Maud is that to the Lake County meeting, and this year tho club hf.ve boon successful in nrranging excursion rates to the meeting. The meeting is • dated .to take place 011 a Thursday, and Friday, and anj 0110 who can spure the timo is sure to ei'.joy n ploESMit outing, as. apart from Hie racing, the scenic enjoyment of the trip appeals to everyone, — Oamaru form makes Petrovna. a. better performer than Lupulite, but the latter apparently pays dearly for his brilliancy off ths mark. Brilliancy over a couple of furlongs is not much good when others aro capable of coming from behind and giving the gc-bye at the business end of a race, and this is an all-important fact that many are prone to overlook. On recent lorni Petrovna should beat Lupulito in the Stewards'. The Castor —Bangle gelding Ringmnn coated a surprise and a fairly largs dividend when he won the Belfiekl Hurdles at Oamaru. He won nicely, but on. the second day he appeared to have had at least one lbo at his fences prior to coming down at die six-iurlong post obstacle. 111 1903 Kinsman won the Hawkc's Bay Cup and Manawai.ll Cup. and showed good form in other r&oos. Since then, however, he has shaped somewhat indifferently. -Tho Taieri Amateur Turf Club have been favoured with really fine entries for their spring meeting. This is particular!;' the case in the trotting events, which look ® K very profitable to the club. The .t.A.I.C. has not been a particularly progressive body in the past. In fact, they have been remarkably standstill, and although it, has been suggested that a two- | day meeting should bo held at Mosgiel Park, a lot more progress over the onc-dav fixture will have to be made before an extension is justified. — The Hippocampus mare Satanclla (dam of St. Clements, St. Paul, St. Ursula, and other good performers), who has completed ner twenty-seventh year, is this season in foal to W'airiki. No less than 11 foals arcalready down against Safanclla's name (says " I haeton"), and that she should be in a fair way to make another contribution to the Stud Book at 2?" years old has a right to he termed 011 c of the most interestihg incidents of the fouling season. Santanella, it mav b Q remarked, is now owned by Mr S. Bradlev the owner of "Wairiki. — Subscriptions are being invited for Australasian Kacehorsc." a record of successful racehorses and sires from tho Vp \v ii PC rMi' of M Vustralasil, com l'i'«l bv 7.1 V , ""'™ k| yn, secretary, to the Canterbury Jockey Club. The book aims at being a brief and succinct record of ths sueIT 1 r f elwtse3 Ascended from each of ■he breed mares imported from England to the Australasian colonies, and promises to hire ' addition to our equine litera®)'dney writer in meufioning Pilot's departure for his new home at !"'ta>urne expresses the opinion "when ho Ms over .he other side among the mo ro st-vliJh-!ookiii« s.eeplcchasors, his appearance will c.uifc S 0,1 * but Remington will come e.cry bit as easy to him as ltnndwk-k." Iwiinr "■ -n f el i, IS CTl(to| y » firm be. lover 111 lod Moaning tactics. The reason assigned for \Y. M'Laclihm being put np on Malatua ? son instead of the usual pilot Bmdshiuv, in the Melbourne Cup is thr.t Marjnui s owner considered tho httcr too pronounceii a disciple of tho once famous American jockey. "7 r^vo „ r well-known ilirce-year-old iHhos, Mr A'. I). Plnyfair's "Ribbons (by lvibbonwood). and Messrs A. and G Tvc's •fti'inklc _ Bella (by Abbey Bells). are likely to engage m a match contest of speed early in .November 011 the Richmond Racecourse (u rites Ajn:c ) ( both owners having signified their willingness to meet, provided condiV°, ns bc drawn up. Mr John M ren otters a iot) purse as a prize for the winner, and side-wagers will bring the amount up tp tho total of £150, or probably more. The Melbourne Trotting Club wifl arrange a programme of other events should this contcst bo decided upon. Bibbous has s- winning record in Melbourne of 3.41 4-5 for a mile and a-lmtf, and Twinkle has -a place tocord of a- mile in 2.K}. — All Giuis won the A'orth Otago Clip in a most convincing stylo, and judging by the way lie strode hmno after galloping 10 furlongs in the nmd. it is safe tc- ?a.y a much longer journey would not find him lackin,? in stamina. All Guns is the only oiw of Pallns's stock to nice, and is a splendid advertisement for that sire. He was got when IVln- was in training, and if suitable oppprtu!ii;io* mine bis way there is 110 doubt that !ii? son of Chain Armour will be a stud surccss. Pallas is allowed by experts to b? ii ho™ oi splendid conformation—in fact, a vet., who looked him over sonic little time back said he was 11 per-fectly-shaped animal, and breeders cannot go far wrong in brooding lo a horse who siros stcok of the All Guns calibre.