THE TURF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15063, 9 February 1911, Page 10

THE TURF.

By. SEXTKEr.. THE DUNEDIN CUP MEETING. Tho appewanco of tho handicaps for tho first day of tho Dunedin Cup mooting naturally aroused considerable interest in local sporting circles, and has given an impetus to market operations on tho timehonoured "Oup and Publicans'" double. j;Vlthougli Los Angelos lias missed his most important engagements during tho season, still ho has been on the threshold of success on several occasions, and his wins in other events easily prepared' one to find tho son of La Valiero in tho post of honour at the head of tho handicap. Los Angelos is unquestionably a brilliant horse up io 10 furlongs, but ho has failed to score beyond that distance. In the New Zealand Cup. lio had 7.8, and made the pace a cracker up to a mile and three-quarters, but when challenged at tho business end, ho faded out of a. place. Ho had 8.10 in tho J.O. Handicap, and' finished fifth after getting badly away, but ho retrieved 6omo of the lost reputation by scoring in tho Gold Cup and carrying 9.0 over 10 furlongs in 2.7. On that occasion Prim (who had scored brilliantly in tho Metropolitan, with 7.13 in 2.34-. 3-5) finished out of a place with a concession of 21b from Los Angelos. Now, Los Angelos is giving away 71b to the maro over an additional quarter of a mile. In tho Wellington Cup Los Angelos finished out of a place, and now meets Iranui, ■who finished second to Miss Mischief, on 181b better terms. Prim has a Dunedin Cup to her credit, and this , was achieved in 1909 when sho carried 8.3 homo in 2.36 3-5. On. that occasion Prim defeated Roso Noblo 7.11 (third) and Iranui 7.11 (unplaced), so that, on Duncdin Cup form, albeit it is two years old, the Pilgrim's Progress mare meets Iranui on 71b better terms and Rose Noble on 51b worso terms. Effort is a stablo companion of Iranui. and possibly may be reserved for tho Publicans' Handicap. When Los Angelos won the Summer Handicap at Wellington, ho conceeded. 81b and a halflength beating to Effort over a mile. Now the San Francisco gelding' is giving away 141b. Martine won the- Oaks Stakes, and galloped tho 12 furlongs' with 8.10 up in 2.36 4-5, so that, from merely a time point of view, ehe does not look badly treated in getting,B.4- at-Wingatui. Tho daughter of Martian followed up her classic success by winning the C.R.C. Anniversary Handicap, nine furlongs, 'with 8.6, and boat Rose Noble a head when in receipt of 31b. Now she gives him 31b. -Coroniform 8.10 firi- : ished third to Cronstadt 7.2 and Rose Noble 8.7 in- the Midsummer, and now meets them on 141b and 31b bettor terms respectively; Roso Noblo and Coroniform met ogain '.in the St. Albans Handicap, 10 furlongs.'and the former, in receipt of-lib, scored'by a head. Romany Maid, who is in at. tho minimum in tho Dunedin Cup, finished third. Waiju will not bo ham-pered-by his burden of 7.8, which will bo a lurury after some of his Southland imposts. He scored in tho Goro Oup with 9.1 in .2.9 3-5, and boat, amongst others, Stratagem 7.5 and Warsaw 9.3. ' Now ho meets Warsaw 71b wore© and Stratagem on 91b better terms. Stratagem, however, won the R.C. Handicap when in receipt of 301b.' and- Warsaw was just outside a place when getting 71b from Waiju. Waradministered a decisive beating to Waiju in the Invercargill Cup when get- * ting 51b, and on that form is by no means Vcadly treated at Wingatui. Adjudge is an 'unfortunate horse, and has several times met with accidents just as ho was striking form. Ho would be rather troubleeomo if fit and' well on the day. Fasnakylo scored over a mile at tho D.J.C. summer meeting, and gave 21b and a. beating to Cronstadt;:; whilst Waiju, giving 121b to the •winner, was close up third. Now she meets;.Cronstadt (with, of course, his midsummer success fresh unon him) en 41b better..terms and Waiju on 81b worso; terms.; Fasna-kyle won the Craven Plato last week with 8.0, and, amongst others, she defeated Chief Lochiel (giving 51b) and Prim (giving 211b) but the last-named was not running on that occasion over a Cup distance. Fasnakylo, Chief Lochiel, and Colleen Mary form a trio of smart ■ sprinters, and their allotted weights should not anchor thorn if their owners elect to try them over 12 furlongs. Boutado scored in tho Otago Handicap, one milo and with 7.13 when in receipt of 41b, from Waiju (second) and giving 3lb to Cronstadt, who : finished fourth. Now Waiju is not on tho samo terms, and Cronstadt has to give 61b away for his recent' win. Acceptances are duo on Friday of this week. THE FORBURY PARK MEETING.

A rnbro solid evidence of the growth and inoreasing popularity of light-harness racing in.Dunedin could not be desired than thai provided by the lengthy array of nominations which have been received for tho Jorbufy Park Trotting Club's autumn meeting, which takes place on February it, and March 1. The club issued an excel--lent programme, well endowed with prize money, and it is pleasing to ncte that owners have made a very liberal response. This must be very gratifying to the club, and provides further incentive to continue

to issue programmes of a progressive nature. The entries are not only pleasing from a numerical point'of. view, but quality' is also-well represented, and: patrons of the Forbury lave every prospect of witnessing the best trotting and pacing collectively displayed on a Dunedin track. Seme of tho fastest horses in training; are engaged in the principal events, and if a fair percentage of them'find their way to the post, some.:-excellent sport fchould be provided.. The .minor events .have filletl remarkably weil, -and this fact alone serves to arouse interest in the meeting, as one could pick out the nominations for Wo or thr<?e events and find in them ample material to provide a day's racing. The handicaps for the first day are due on Friday of this week, and. acceptances have to be declared on Wednesday, tho 15th.

— The first race on each day of the Forbury.Park Trotting Club's meeting will start at 1.30.

— The half brother to Oiyoi, got'by Charlemagne TI from Hermosa, has been named United- Service.

— The Dunedin Jockey Club "hang up" 156Ssovs in prize-money on the first day of their autumn meeting.

— From a private" source it is'learnt that Genius has been sold, and is now a stable companion of Los Angelos.

— The New Zealand system of making it compulsory to pay losing mounts at sealo has been adopted in South Australia.

— 7'iis Ecaksd Trotting Association have decided to issite tho third volume of the New Zealand Trotting Stud Book.

— Luperin, who cantered off with the Gladbrook Handicap at the last Dunedin Cup meeting, was recently sold for 25g3. — Khamsin, who won the Lyttelton Plate last .week, was bred at the Warrington Stud. She cost IGogs as a yearling, and is a half sister to Vladimir.

— Byron, Masterpiece, Avarice, Khamsin, and'Phobus are amongst those that at present claim engagement in tho D.J.C. Champagne Stakes.

—It is understood that, according to present' intentions, Los Angelos will bo sent to Dunedin to fulfil his engagements at the Dunedin Cup meeting.

— Genius and White Cockade, who finished first end second in the CJ.C. Post Handicap, run on Saturday, also acted as winner and runner-up in the same race last year. — When Mr W. E. White commissioned Mr H. Chisholm to buy Golden Slipper he did not sta.to a price, but merely ordered that she was to come here as his property. — Iranui and Effort arc regarded as certain starters at. the Dunedin Cup meeting, and they will bo accompanied south by another member of tho stable in Miss Murph>-. — Romany Maid, who claims engagement in tho Dunedin Cup. was sent out second favourite for the St. Alban9 Handicap, in which she finished third to Kosri Noble and Coroniforia.

-At the beginning of tho current raein» season in England J. E. BreweT, the ex° Australian .trainer, has 30 horses in work Of that lot 20 belonged to Messrs L. Robinson and W. Ckrk, and the others to Sir E Oassel, ' .

—At tho C.J.C. midsummer meeting more morcy was registered on tho totolisator on each of |br •i-.vo days than was tho coso for meeting leaf year. Last year's total vas £l%i, and '.his year, minus tho fielders, the amount was £17,552. — Acceptances and further payments for the events on tho first day's card of the Duncdin Cup meeting arc due on Friday of this ■week. Entries for tho Trial Plate, of lOfeovs, close at tho same time.

—It costs lOsovs to start a horao tho Dimedin Ctrp, of SOOsovs. A nomination costs Isov, acceptance -tsove, and thoro is a final ptyment of osovs to bo made half an hour before the advertised timo of starting.

— Tho death is announced of the worldfamous pacer S'Tr Pointer, who achieved a record of lmin 59} sec. Tho crack was 21 years old at the time of his death. Tho world's pacing record is held by Dan Patch, who went 1.-55 in, 1906.

—Tho stewards supervising tho racing at tho FoibuTy Park Trotting, Club's meeting have decided to meet immediately after each race and compare notes on tho running. By this means anything requiring official "notice will icccivo prompt 'attention.

— Iranui and Cronstadt, who. aro amongst those er.gaged in the Duncdin Cup, had a close battle in tho D.J.C. Handicap, 1J miles, run at the last Dunedin Cup meeting. On that occasion Iranui 8.7 defeated Cronstadt (carrying 7.22) by a head.

— ■Winning horses at tho CJ.C meeting who claim engagements in the Dunedin Cup aro Colleen Mary, Cronstadt, Hose Noule, and Romany Maid The last-named was got by Calibre trom Romany Lass, by Gipsy Grand from Iris (dam of Bloodshot), by Traduccr.

— Martine, who is engaged in the Dunedin Cup with 8.-1, galloped tho Oaks distance in 2min 30 4 ssec with 8.10 up. Colleen Mary, in receipt of lib, beat her out of a place over six furlongs in the Filly Stakes, and meets her on 91b better terms over a milo and a-half.

— Believers in the one-strand starting machine will be pleased to Imow that their opinion is endorsed by Mr Godfrey Watson, starter to the Victoria Racing Club. Mr Watson recently recommended the Higgins one-strand machine to the Adelaide R.C., and his suggestion mil probably be adopted. — Iranui carried 7.4 in the Wellington Cup when sho ran Miss Mischief to a. head. Los Angelos was amongst the unplaced lot, and in tho Duncdin Cup meets Iranui on 18lb better terms. On tho last day of the Wellington meeting Los Angelos" 9.0 defeated Effort B.G over a mile, and now meets her on 61b worse terms over an additional half mile.

— Dunedin holds the honour of winning tho first Middle Park Plate, and this was achieved by Sir Geo. M'Lean's Lady Evelvn, who won the race in 18S4. First Lord scored' in ISS6, but since then no fouthern ; horso has scored in the race. The Perldn Win-beck filly also scored in the D.J.C. Champagne Stakes, and this includes her name with Carbine and others who landed both "events.

— Antagonist, who administered a handsome boating to Vice-admiral and Orton (one of_ the best two-year-olds of the year) in the Middle Park Plate, has some good enga"o- - ahead. He figures in tho North Island Challenge Stakes of GoOscvs, Manawatn Stakes of SOOsovs, Manawatn Sires' Produce Stakes of 600sovs. and CJ.C. Challenge Slakes, and possibly may meet Culprit in some of tho abovo events.

— Cronstadt won tho Midsummer Handicap comfortably by a length and a-half. and in tho Dunedin Cup meets Roso Noble on 111b and Coroniform on 141b worse terms. Another lino of form between Coroniform nnd_ Ro.=o Noblo was furnished by tho last Otaio Plate, wbioh Coroniform won with 8.2_ in 2min 37 2-ssec, and Roso Noble finished third with'9.B. The pair were split by Adago 8.8.

— A notable featuro of tho CJ.C. midsummer meeting consisted in the fact that, although the bookmakers have lest their legal status, they wcro allowed to attend both days of the meeting. According to:tho Gaming Act the racing clubs aro bound "to use all reasonable and lawful means of preventing bookmakers from plying their calling on the racecourses," but that does not necessarily melon that the fielders havo to be' excluded from' tho course.

— Prim has. been allotted 8.12 in the Dunedin Cup, or Gib more, than when she won tho race of 1903 in 2min 36 2-ssec. On that occasion Prim defeated Glenculloch 8.4 and Roso Noblo 7.4 (in the places), and the unplaced division included Iranui'7.ll. At the New Zealand Cup meeting Prim won the Metropolitan with 7.13 in 2min 34 3-Ssec. It to note, by tho'way, that Mio3 Mischief 7.13 was amongst the unplaced lot (in fact, did not finish in tho first oix. according to the marking of the writer's hook) in Prim's "Metrop.," and the Treadmill maro otarfed one of the outsiders of the field. — The well-known New Zealand-bred maro Gladsome, has commenced fairly well at the stud, as her first foal, named Blytlwome, turned up a winner at the V.A.T.C. January meeting, whero she won tho Holiday Stakes of SOOsovs, 5£ furlongs. Blythsome was got by Positano, and her dam on breeding lines should do well at tho stud if an attrnctivo pedigree is any criterion of success. Gladeome was got by Seaton Delaval (son of Melton) from Mis 3 Gladys, by Cuirassier' (brother_to Trenton) from "Sybil, by Leolinus from Atlantis, the dam of St. Leg'cr. Happy Land (3am of Horn), and Norlh Atlantic. — A mishap deprived My Lawyer of a chanco to distinguish himself at 'the New Zealand Cup meeting, but his caae furnishes an instance of how a horse may benefit from enforced idleness as far as handicapping is concerned. In tho Stewards' Handicap My Lawyer was set to give Obsono ■ 141b. Prior to that Obsono beat My Lawyer a length over five furlongs in tho D.J.C. Shorts Handicap when getting 271b; My Lawyer afterwards turned the tables, and beat Obsono out of a place over six furlongs at Oamaru when giving away 14lb; My Lawyer then retires from tho scene, and Obsono shows improved form, and now moots the son of Blackstonc on even t-orms in tho Publicans' Handicap,

' — Sceino- that we have n. snn of Melton in Soaion ■ Dolaval in Now Zealand, owners of stock carrying that strain of blood ,will bo interested to read a clippine; from nn American paper, which said: "AVe havo boon more or loss offended here regarding the obituary roles vritten about.Melton. To a Very groat extent the fact was 'omitted that ho sired Mr J. It. Kccne's great horse Sysoiiby, who won £!G,£97 during a comparatively short career. Mr Kccne never would commit himself as to which was tho greatest horso he ever owi.od-in reply to that question he once .answered!.that he could not say, as he h\<\ owr.ed a.few good ones—Foxhall, Disguise, St. Cloud, Domino, Commando, Svson'by, Peter. Pan, Colin-but he evidently thought a great deal of 'Melton's son, whoso skeleton he presented to tho American Museum of Natural History in this city."

— The victory of Antagonist in the Middle Park Plato marks the fifth consecutive win of Sir George Clifford's colours in Hie race. The hearers of the colours in order have been Glcnculloch, Floetfoot, Sharpshooter, and Madam Madcap. Stronghold is another ■winner of the race in tho same colours, and they wer call bred by SiT George Clifford, This year's winner was purchased under the hammer at the annual sale of the Cambria, Park yearlings, and made 820 guineas. Antagonist was got by Soult from Miss Annie, by Scaton Moral (son of Melton) from First Love, by Nordcnfcldt (son of Musket) from Fishirirl, by Yattendon from Fanny Fisher, by Fisherman. Tim reads a stayer's pedigree, and Antagonist has already displayed; brilliancy on the first occasion he has sported silk. Sir George Clifford, by the way, has also a sister to Antagonist in Lady Annie, who carried his colours successfully, and is now a member of his stud.

— Tho proverbial coach and four is being harnessed up, and an attempt will possibly be made to drive the law-smashing team through tho Gaming Amendment Act. which deprived tho bookmakers ot the legsil status which they enjoyed for the past three years. It is understood that a prominent Wellington lawyer with a rjenchant for racing is undertaking the handling of the legal ribbons. From all accounts a. good deal of money has been raised to fight tho question, and if necessary cany the case Home to the Privy Council. Tho idea of fighting the matter arose, it_ is understood, through the lawyer in question discovering an alleged loophole in the act. The legal gentleman is taking such an interest in tho case that he evidently entertains hopes of winning a case for his clients; but even in tho event of snecossonly a temporary benefit may be gained, as no doubt Parliament would make a strenuous effort to block a gap by making furthor amendments to tho Gaming Act, It is, howover, in the bookmakers' favour that our Solons do not Beem particularly solid on any question, and tho burning subject of to-day may bo the ashes of to-morrow.