SPORTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17328, 30 May 1918, Page 6

SPORTING.

J WINGATUI jSTOTIiS. ! Tho weather at Wingatui was beautifully I fine yesterday morning, but although a large number of horses wore on tho coursc very httJo fast work took place. .Rorke's Urift cantered and trotted, and then shaped well in a final sprint over half a. mile, with Tin Soldier, in a, shade woiße than 5590 c. Thaddeus and Night Alarm ]>olh finished up well at tho end of six furlongs in Imin 24 l-ssec, and Aycliffe and Muzzle occupied Imin j 26 3-ssec over tho same ground. Ardenvhor fit rode over a couple of circuits at good Bound lialf-paco, and then got through bojuo leisurely work on the inside grass. Mohawk worked at hal f-pneo, <md then did some trotting and cantering. Kauwhero rau over five furlongs in Imin lOsec. K.ilbrogan and Samiol worked six furlongs in Imin -6 3-ssec, and Turehaua, after striding over a couple of circuits, jumped the stand treble. Marsa worked twioo round, and most of the other work was from easy to the half-pace order. Wellwood, Vascular, All Pink, Kaminobe, Naupata, Kirkby, and Fleetham arrived during ihe morning frrini Christchurch. the afternoon Zarkoma, Sylva, and •Palladio were schooled over 14 jumps. The two first-named drew away towards the finish, and gave a. good exhibition. Accommodation was engaged for Adjutant, Brombletye, and Gamecock, but acceptances lor the trio were missed.

RACING PERMITS.

-TO REDUCTION THIS YEAR. Though no reduction of racing totalisator permits is intended by the Government this year, there is an element of uneasiness among some country clubs (aays the Wellmg.on Post). They fear that they may Buffer m a rearrangement of the permits by the Racing Conference, in conjunction with tie District Committees to wliioh the con fore nee has referred these matters. As a case in point, tie District Committee which is conoerned with the allocation of a permit to the Manawalu Racing Ciub lias its headquarters in Wanganui. It is feajed m Palmerston that Manawatu may lose a 1 permit because the Wanganui committee may Prefer to favour ano.'her "locality. This possibility hae been referred! to the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Horn. G. W. Russell), who has passed on the puzzle to the Racing Conference. COURSING. The following is the draw for the coursing meeting, which will be commenced on Friday at Forbury Park:—Quickstep meete Dashing Star, Black Satin meets Sparrowhawk, Daeh Kaka meets Grand March, The Joker mests Croix d'Or, Marquis Queeneberry meete Wardancer, Oamaru Brick meets Black Mush Searchlight meets Marseillaise. \ By Sentinel. THE DUNEDIN WINTER MEETING. A continuance of the existing fine weather would greatly assist the Dunedin Jockey Club towards bringing the Wingatui racing season to a successful termination on Saturday and Monday next. Tne course is in excellent order tor this time of the year, but, perhaps, tho going is a shade too firm for cross-country racing. It would, however, give general satisfaction if the ground remained as it is at present. Tho aceptarices for the Birthday Handicap are somewhat disappointing, as practically' all the tail of the field has dropped out, whilst Adjutant, who would have lent considerable interest to the fray, is also amongst the missing, as well as his stable companion Brambletyo, and another Canterbury-owned one in Killjoy. Of the remaining lot Golden King has been lame since running at Oamaru, and Balboa moves a bit short, whilst Ardenvhor has a pair of joints that may not allow him to strip at his best. He, however, pulled up sound and well after a solid gallop over 10 furlongs on' Tuesday morning. The really sound division is thus confined to Rorke's Drift, Marsa, Thaddeus (who is also engaged in the Welter), and Don Pacificio. Each o£ the quartet has been getting through useful work on the track, but, nevertheless, the field as it stands is a bit disappointing with a 400sov stake for competition. Rorke's Drift is meeting Marsa on lib worse terms than when he ran second to Battle Eve at Timaru, when Marsa was left at the post. A,t Riverton Marsa beat Thaddeus when giving 141b, and Rorke's Drift, who was giving nor 1.13. Balboa was unplaced with 8.10, and Golden King also figured in the field with 8.7. On the second day of the same meeting Thaddeus won over a mile and a distance with 7.11 from Marsa 9.2 and Golden King 8.6, Rorke's Drift being unplaced with 10.6. On this form Marsa has the best of it on paper, and reads well handicapped, as she beat Thaddeus when giving him 141b, and now only allows 21b over the same distance, whilst on the second day at Riverton 6he comes in on 17lb better terms. She also beat Rorke's Drift twice on the same course. In the Riverton Cup, when in receipt of 271b and over a mile and a distance, at 181b. Now there is 221b between them, with, of course, the drop from 10.6 to 9.6 in Rorke's Drift's favour. Ardenvhor has been off the scene for some considerable time, and his only appearance this season was in the Otago Handicap, in which he was unplaced with 9.1 behind Margerine, Rorke's Drift, and Marsa. He now meets tho top-weight at 61b better terms, and' Marsa at the same margin as when they last met. Golden King would be worthy of respect, but he is unsound, and the same remark applies to Balboa, who, however, is in light, and has been getting through a. fair amount of work. Don Pacifico is the only unknown quantity in the field, but he shaped fairly well in a gallop over a mile with the top-weight on Tuesday morning. If Marsa was a more reliable performer she would be entitled to favouritism, but that honour will, no doubt, bo awarded to the consistent Rorke's Drift] whilst Thaddeus on his running at Riverton and his second to Killara in the D.J.C. Handicap must be worthy of consideration. Mohawk will, no doubt, start favourite for the Tradesmen's Handicap, with Kilboyne probably next in demand. An excellent field has paid in the Otago Steeples, which forms the feature item on the card, and in this event last year's winner, Kirkby, Zarkoma, Paramata, and Recharge may come in for sound support, whilst Sylva and Turehaua would probably be more dangerous in the Hunters* Steeples. The minor events promise to furnish good fields, and read fairly open. The first race is timed to start at 11.15. THE SEVEN-STONE MINIMUM. The aceptances for the Birthday Handicap strongly suggest that the Dunedin Joc'tey Club is paying rather dearly for its adoption of the 7st minimum, as there is no doubt it was responsible for squeezing out the rank and file of the field. At Oamaru Golden King gave 111b to Kilbrogan and 171b to Spangle, and was going away from them at the finish, even though he short-headed by Mohawk as they crossed the line. In the Birthday Handicap Golden King was meeting Kilbrogan on oidy 31b worse terms, whilst Spangle had to come in on 31bwor»e terms for &n equally decisive beating. Still more noticeable is tho fact that Thaddeus is only allowing 101b to Don Pacifico in the mile and a-quarter—a distance over which the former hoJds good credentials, —whilst in the Welter he was «givinjj the same horse 211b over a mile. There ha 6 also been a mild exodus in connection with the tail of the field in the Tradesmen's Handicap. and no doubt for 'the eame reason, and that, is because only a remote chance existed on paper. A handicapper does not, of course, desire to load ud and undulv crush the ton-weight division to tho full margin of form, or to exact poundage, and hence the light-weights have to Fuffer. From a racing spectator's point of view | one has to agree with the handicapper, because it is the best horses wnich th« public desire to eee under silk: but some owners may Jiild, and undoubtedly do hold] a to'tallv different opinion. Tho club's policy, however, helps to sift the grain from the ch*fF. and a condensation of fields and form should help to build up the interest in the racing. — Killird is in work again. — Samuel has shaped pleasingly in his work since arriving a* Wingatui. — Leaping Burn looked too big in condition ( o run to form laet week. — Ma?rdaH as o thoroughly sound horse would figure as a likclv hurdler. — Art and B"n:a.n arc to be raccd at the Hawke's Bay meeting. — Burraneong arrived at Wingatui looking muscular and we'l. ™ — Idealism broke down whilst racing at Wanganui. — Th"ddeus is moving along fairly well in his work. — The disappointing Salzburg may be tak n n in hand again af'cr the D.J.C. winter mating. — Gknshine bumped at the atart of the Fernbronk Hand'cap, and also got a bid run in 'lie "arlv nar* of 'h« rae» — Coal« ion cave a disappoin'ing display in the Wangarui Stoeplea, and lapt vear'e vrin'>r. G!u"not. also made a poor fhow. — Night Alarm suffered no damage as a result of his effori at Oamaru, and has since been moving nicely in his work. — Rongahere is now trained privately, but * from all accounts has not latterly been re- 1 sponsible for a great deal of work. - —-Turehaua seems to be on the improve, ; and hns latterly been moving nicely over the fl"ts and m his oelioiling. ' — Tho Government tax paid over in con- ' nection with tho Manawatu Gold Cup meot- ' in? amounted to X-IMG Is 10d,

| Polonius went well for about a milo in i th© Fornbrook Handicap, and then faded away from the front divison. *- T. W. Pric<?, wlio had acted aa assists ant-stortor at for several years, went into camp last week. — Form Up was submitted to auction at \\ iingojiui, and purchased at 130gs by Mr IT. \V. Brown, of Wellington. — Kiibrogan did not relish the hard going .it Oamaru. 110 is at his best when the sting is out of tl>e going. Korke's Drift has had a fairly busy seaeon, but looks bright and well for his engagements at Wingatui. —L. G. King will join Mr J. B. Raid's stable at the conclusion of tho Dunedin winter meeting. — Mohawk won at the first time of asking in his near colours, and now stands as a cheap horse. Olaen will rido Rorke's Drift and Ivmmereon Thaddeus in the Birthday Handicap. Midnight Star was making his first appearance over hurdles when lie won at Waaigarui. — Sedd-el-Bahr gave a moderate display when making his debut over hurdles at Oamaru. Tha run over the sticks should, however, help to open his eyes to the game. Michaela was withdrawn from her engagements at the Dunedin winter meeting prior to the declaration of weights. She h<ts been eased up in her work for the present. Jearmot was just beaten at Ashburton with 10.12 in 2.43 3-5, and with 11.6 at Oamaru suffered a similar fate in 2.45 3-5. The foim was v»iy grod, but unlucky. — Kirkby gave a pleasing display over big country at Riccaiton on Saturday. He has 11.11 in the Otago Steeples, or 9lb more than he won with last year. — Silver Shield displayed improving form at Oamaru, ajvd_ after his win is not badly treated in meeting Niaupata t.t 3lb better terms than at Ashburton. — Several of the horses engaged at "Wingatui have far too much "ooi.dition" below the knee to inspire confidence in their chance at the ooming meeting. — Zarkoma is an improved 'chaser, who has come on considerably since he tipoed out in both his races at the last Dunedm winter meeting. — Glenahine received a rough passage in the early stages of his Tace at Oamaru, but that is no reason why he should be overlooked at Wingatui. —It was mildly surprising to find Mohawk payuig a pod dividend in ihe Oamaru after shaping so well at Riccarton and Timarj. —fuller looks bright and well, but a shade big. He, however, generally carries a round appearance, and runs well in that oondition. — Bon Reve is reported to be shaping well oyer oountry, but neverthless has been allowed to drop out of the Great Northern Steeples. _ time began str.artly in ".he Stewards' Handicap, but failed to see it right out. He was a bit short of work owing to lameness. — Ardmore had not been long in commission when he scored last week, so that he should show improvement next time out. — Mohawk moved a bit tenderly at Oamaru, but nevertheless fought out a resolute finish when lie won tlie Oamaru Cup. Since his return to Wingatui he has been striding along freely enough in his work. Linden was one of the last to get going in his race last week, and did not make up much of his lost ground, -tie, however, was giving away bo'h weight and distance, and hence was doubly handicapped. — Sir Fisher won the Century Hurdles in decisive style. He took charge before reaching the straight, and won by the liberal margin of six lengths. Sir Fisher also won the same race last year. — Hornbeam changed owners at the conclusion of the Oamaru meeting, and she is now the property of Captain Deans, who no doubt intends adding the daughter of Martian to his stud. . Rorke's Drift galloped on Monday morning as if his gallop on the previous Saturday had smartened him up a good deal; hence he shoul 1 be better still when saddled up at the meeting. — Both Mohawk and Golden King walked a bit sore after theiT raoe in the Oamaru Cup. Mohawk, however, has been moving soundly enough in -his work since returning to Wingatui.

—It ie understood that Night Alarm was strongly supported by the stable when the Calibre gelding won at Oamaru, where he went out a good second favourite in a field of 11.

Robert Bell was on the big side in oondition when raced last week, and will have to improve a good deal before getting amongst the winners at the Dunedin winter meeting.

— After Zephland won over four furlongs at Oamaru he was saddled up for the mile-and-a-quarter race which concluded the card. He eet the pace in the early stages, and then retired.

— A good fall of rain would be welcomed by some of the 1 miners with horses engaged at the- Dunedin witner meeting. The course proper and grass tracks are quite hard.

— Helicon hit the front in ■ the Electrio | Handicap, but instead of staying there, as usual he beat a retreat. Probably he is not sufficiently versatile in his paces to run over middle distances and sprints within a brief period. — Tremena set the pace from end to end in th<s Oamaxu Cup, and just failed to see it out, ue there was very little between the placed lot as they flashed past the post. Mohawk and Golden King were, however, finishing an much stronger than the mare. —It iB understood that the well-known Canterbury rider, reineman, and trainer, J. MTjennan, will come south in the near future, and take up a position of trainer to Mr J. A. Sligo aaid Mr T. Ritchie. Ha will work his torses on the Evanadiale track. —In the best interests of North Otago meetings there should V"- a reconsideration of programmer, particularly as 1o distamoee, as from what ore can gather several horses would have r*eer_ saddled up there if a suitable raoe had figured on the card. —C. Christie has a promising rising-five-year-old gelding that is shaping well in his schooling over fences. Tli3 gelding was got by Heroism from Wild Lily, by MorpheusTiger Lily, by Le Loup—Tangi 11, by Cassiveleunus. A. suitable name for him would be Courage or Valour, Hero or Heroic. — For some reason or other trainers do not seem to appreciate the presence of the poßt-«.nd-rail fence at the north end of the schooling coQrse at Wingatui. It is more ofien missed 'than jumped, even though fences of a similar build have to be negotiated on the steeplechase course. — Night Alarm and John Reilly came together towards the finish of the Fernbrook Handicap, and Ludlow, the rider of the latter, drew hie whip on Dawson, the rider of the former after they pulled up. The stewards fined Ludlow £5 and suspended him for three months. — Balboa presents an appearance suggesting that he has got through a fair amount of work. He, howev>ar, walks rather gingerly in front, and is not likely to stride out in his best form on hard ground. Balboa has been very leniently treated in the weights, but may not bo sound and well enough to take advantage of the opportunity. — Lovesick could have been a little closer up in her raoe a.t Oamaru, but L. G. King wisely dropped his hands a few strides from home, when there was no chance of getting in the money. The mare, however, did not present an attractive appearance when stripped for the race, and is evidently not in the best of racing shape. —It is undersrtood that Mohawk was to be started in the Railway Handioa.p in preference to the Oamaru Cup, but the stewards prevailed upon Mr H. Friedlander to run his horse in the chief event l in order to add to the interest of the race. 1 If that is so, it must be said that very few ownerß run their horses to please a club, and a win under euch circumstances is well deserved. — Ardmore's success was the popular win of the day at Oamaru, and Mr 0. R. Wise's gelding was greeted with a salvo of cheers whe.n ho returned from the birdcage. Unlike many others who saddle up winners, Mr Wiso likes to have all his friends with him, and he is such a sport that his colours aro always sure of a good reception when they win. ■—Bon Spec got out nicely in the Trial Plate at Oamaru, whilst others Btraggled off the mark. He won nil the way; but they were a bad lot b?hind him, and Killency, who finished seoond, hung out badly instead of coming straight on. Bon Spec is a sturdily-built rroMing <hat should make a useful thrce-yenr-old. He, however, did not create any confidence at Oamaru by "going to market" and trying to spill his rider when fiddling about in the parade down the straight prior to the race.