SPORTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18587, 22 June 1922, Page 2

SPORTING.

’TaNIINHS AH SSTXOM TROTTING STATISTICS. According to statistics compiled for the Lyttelton Times, the Austrahan-bred horse Man-o’-War tops the list of winning horses under the Rules of Trotting with a total of £2935. Man-o’-War would have very probably increased his total if he had not developed a strong tendency to hang in his races. His pilot has thus the necessity forced upon him of being hard at work to keep his horse out of trouble and at tho same time drive him, if possible, to a winning mark. The tendency to hang or bore naturally prevents the horse from gathering up and holding his best speed,. Tarsy Dillon is second on the list with £2605, and then in the order named cornea N'ta Bell, £2250: First Carbine, £2215; Locanda Dillon, £2025; Onyx, £2Cofi; Paul Dufdult, £1900; Vilo, £1890; Wild Briar, £1307, Gold Girl, £1550; Albert Cling, £1525; Moneymaker, £1515; Reta Peter, £1500; Whispering Willie. £1415; Ballin, £1405; Vice-Admiral, £1400! Willie Lincoln, £1310; Trademan, £1275; Wild Lad. £1205; Gold Boy, £1110; Partner, £1100; and Prince Huon with £lOls completes the list of winners of lOOOsovs or more. Ihe list- of winning owners is topped by -Mr J. R. Corrigan with £B2ll 10s. or nearly double the amount won by the second owner on the list. Mr Corrigan ha? been a plucky buyer, as he gave 1500sovs for Man-o’-\Var "ul lOOOsovs for Groat Hope, and consequently deserves a liberal share of the prize money hung up during the season. Mr T. Roe is second on the list with £4234; end then follow Mr G. Paton, £2995; Mr J. Dench, £2605; Mr H. F. Nicoll, £2467 10s; Messrs Clarkson and Graham, £2205; Mr H. M. Allen, £2025; Mr R. C. Fisken, £2010; and Mr L. G. King, £2005. The list of successful stallions is once again topped by Harold Dillon, who continues to retain his vitality in a remarkable manner. Harold Dillon sired winners of £12,501 during the season, and is followed by Logan Pointer with £10,274.; Wildwood Junior, £9706; Pete reta, £9011; Gold Bell, £8480; Brent Locanda, £6635; Rothschild. £5602; Galindo, £3345; Advance, £3301; Marvin Wilkes, £3205: Peri Huon, £2935; First Voyage, £2635; El Carbine, £2440; Young M’Kinney, £2402: 0.Y.M., £2215; and Nelson Bingen with £2116 completes the list of stallions whose stock have won 2000sovs or more m stakes.

A STARTLING CHARGE. Those clcsely in touch with racing matters in the Dominion (writes ‘ Whalebone”) have been aware for some months past that the electric battery has been in use in various parts of New Zealand, but unfortunately it has not been possible to catch any of the offenders, although special officers have been employed for the purpose. As far ago as last October the authorities wore informed that illegal methods were being practised, and a complete outfit was exhibited for their inspection, but tho matter was hardly treated as seriously as was deserved, some doubts being cast on tho motive for the supplying of the information. This was to bo regretted, for since then there is not the slightest doubt that at least on half a dozen occasions, principally at smaller meetings, has the battery been used, while in one instance a wire fused and a horse was the sufferer. Latterly a much keener lookout has been kept, and at a recent meeting a search was made without result; while a well-known rider-was also challenged after winning in a somewhat exciting finish, but he was found guiltless. Such a state of affairs ag has existed is a serious menace to the sport, and it will ease the minds of a big majority if the president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, in hia annual speech, gives some indication of the steps taken to suppress the evil. Under the old way of using a battery on a , horse, the wires were carried on the body of a rider and contact made through the spurs, but tho latest contrivance is considerably more up to date, and is concealed in the lead bag. ,Tlie battery itself is placed in the front pocket of the bag and connected by wires cu each side, while a button in the front par , on the wither of the horse, is pressed to make the connection. It is a certainty that its use has affected the results of numbers of races at various times; but it is to be hoped that the publicity given will prevent it for all time from ever being used again.

THE CHESTER CUP,...., The latest mail to hand from England brings full particulars of the result of the time honoured Chester Cup, which attracted a field of twenty-two runners. The winner turned up in a four-year-old colt named Chivalrous, who was not mentioned in the betting but won “hard held” after leading from end to end and running the two miles and a quarter in 4rain 4-ssec. The winner has rather an interesting pedigree as he is a tail male descendant of Rataplan, the half brother to Stockwell, whose line has almost become extinct. Chivalrous was got by Amadis and traces back to Rataplan through Lovewisely—Wisdom and Blinkhoolio. Wisdow is a grandson of Rataplan, and his dam, Alime, was, got by his 'halfbrother Stockwell. Courtesy, the dam cf Chivalrous, was got by Isinglass from Cor-' tc-gar by Galliard from Agnes Courts ly Hampton from Orphan Agnes by Spcoulum. Chivalrous is inbred to Hampton and Galopin and is rich in No. 3 family strains which he inherits from Rataplan, Stockwell, Galopin, and Isinglass, who supply him with six infusions of tho strain. Such an important win will no doubt help to revive interest in stallions of the Rataplan line, and make a valuable outoross for some of the more fashionable strains of blood.

A SERIOUS MATTER. An eternally vigilant eye has to be kept on racing, not because evildoers, are a dominating factor in the game, but because there are some few known as the clover division who never fail to take advantage of opportunity to help themselves to all they can grab. To guard against this undesirable element we have in tho first place all the racing law that can be created in the mind of man, and several so-called experts on racing to keep their eyes open and eliminate everything that endangers the purity of our sport. We have all the machinery in full working order to lift the sport on a par with the reputation o ( Caasar’s Wife, but it fails, and fails most lamentably at times. The occasional and more or less palpable stoppage of a horse or one getting suspiciously well away from the barrier pales into insignificance beside the bomb which “Whalebone” of the Auckland Star throws out in the statement that the electric battery has been in use presumably at some of the meetings which he attends in the course of the season. That is a very strong charge to make, and it is to be sincerely hoped that the perperlrators will be tracked down and punished, not only with the full severity of Racing Law, but also with the mote drastic laws which can put a criminal in his proper place. We are on the eve of another Racing Conference, but it seems utterly futile to tinker with the Rules of Racing whilst a charge of such a heinous offence as the use of an electric battery on a horse remains to be probed with a thoroughness that leaves not a scrap of evidence to bo shifted to the bottom. The full force of our racing officials together with all the aid the Police Department can give should be set on the trail which is quite easy to pick up although promising no easy task to discover the truth of the accusation. It is at least a paramount duty of our racing authorities to quit swatting the flies in our racing atmosphere and turn their attention to the bigger vermin which requires squelching out of existence as far as sport is concerned.

AN UNLUCKY ’CHASER. Waimai’s record of six starts in the Great Northern Steeplechase, which he captured on one occasion and performed creditably on other occasions ranks as one of the best ever accomplished over country. Waimai also won the Grand National Steeplechase, and came within an aoe of repeating that performance last year, but unluckily slipped up and fell when landing over the last fence. One of the most unlucky horses that ever raced over the Riccarton country was undoubtedly the Natator gelding Pipi. He made his first appearance at Riccarton in 1900, when he failed to gain a place in the Enfield Steeples. The following year he won the Enfield with H. Carr up, in fact the horse and pilot were associated with each other in many great contests oyer the Riccarton fences. At tile same meeting he finished second to Roller in the Lincoln Steeples, in which Moifa unsuccessfully carried 13.13 In 1902. Pipi ran second io Haydn in tho Grand National Sltoeples, and might have won had not Carr badly damaged one of Ills feet by a fall with Tufto in the opening event on the card. Pipi then put up a second to Sultana in the Beaufort p.t the same meeting. In the following year be finished second to Awalnui in tho Grand National Steeples, and he occupied a similar position behind Slow Tom in 1904. Tills latter was a memorable battle between the first two. Slow Tom and Pipi were in charge of the field over the last circuit, and travelling side by side, flew the fences in rare style, and after running in company a fighting finish saw slow Tom win a great race by half a length. Pipi thus

ran second in three consecutive years, and also filled a place in the Beaufort, won by Eclair. In 1905 Pipi finished third to Inniskillen and Haydn, and then came his only important win at Riccarton. He won the Lincoln, and scored one of the most popular wins ever registered on the course. He was well clear at the last fence, and the spectators commenced to cheer as soon as he landed safely, and cheered him to- the post, and back to the paddock. Pipi was unplaced in the National of 1906, but managed to get third in the Lincoln. Ho was not produced at the National meeting of 1907, and gradually faded out of the picture. He put up a record at Riccarton that was most remarkable as well as' most unlucky. He was placed four times m the Grand National Steeples, and raced many times over the same country without over putting a foot wrong. Pipi was born under an unlucky star, but despite the handicap he at least proved himself one of the best jumpers that ever tackled the Riccarton raspers as they wore termed in bygone years. THE WAIMATE HUNT. The Waimate Hunt will hold their annual race meeting on Thursday, duly 27, when a seven-item card will come up for discussion. The principal event will be the Waimate Steeples, of 125sovs, about 2i miles and next comes thne Hunt Club Cup Handicap of COsovs. including cup valued at 20sovs. The balance of the card consists of the Studholme Hunters Hurdles, of 75sovs, 1 mile 5 furlongs; Bluecliffs Hunters Steeplechase Handicap of 75sovs, about 2} mih»; VVaihao Hack Handicap of 75sovs, 6 furlongs; Morven Welter Handicap of 75 sovs, 7 furlongs; and the Hunters’ Flat Handicap of 65sovs, li miles. Nominations arc due on July 5.

The Poseidon gelding Thrace has joined C. Christie's stable. Betting on a system has been described as a degraded form of losing money. Tho Nassau colt Royal Box has been eold by Mr G. L. Stead to Mr Eric Riddiford. Poanui cost his present owner 100 gs as a yearling, and has won close on 4000sovs in stakes. The ifntagonist gelding Macduff is being kept busy with a view of racing him at the Wellington Winter meeting. George Price will take .Royal Irish across to Sydney early next month, and race him there during tho winter months. The Geraldine Racing Club lias decided that their next programme will carry the ■ same amount of prize-money as given last year. Mr W. G. Stead is sending Absurdum, Radiant Light, Truthful, and a rising three-ycar-old filly by Absurd from Ursula to Australia. The imported horse Feremorz, who was sold some few weeks ago at 50gs, has been purchased by Mr G. Carrington, of Gisborne. The Wellington' Racing Club has decided to give one-third ol the surplus profits over its Winter meeting to the Unemployed ad. It is reported that a small army of workmen are making excellent progress with the construction of the new grand stand at Riccaiton. Tile Metropolitan Trotting Club has decided to increase tho prize-money attached to the Champion Stakes from oOCsovs to 760frovs. Tho one-time champion (in New Zealand) Desert Gold is believed to be safe in foal to King John, and has been booked to Absurd. After being off the scene for some considerable time tho speedy gelding Croesus, is to be raced again during tie winter months. The Victorian House, of Representatives will shortly have before it a private,Bill introduced with the object of legalising the totalisator. The Goodwood Cup of 1899, won by the Australian-bred Merman, was recently advertised for private sale in the London Sportsman. The Kilbroney filly Just has been shipped to Sydney, and may ultimately be taken to India. Just may be raced amongst the ponies in Sydney. The numbered saddle-cloth was used at the Newmarket Spring meeting, and won general approbation as an easy method of identifying tho various horses. It is reported that the Otaki Maori Racing Club cut down the list of complimentary tickets at their last meeting, and got increased revenue os a result. The yearling brother, to Desert Gold is growing into a particularly nice stamp of a youngster, and according to reports from the north shows a lot of power and quality. J. Walsh has won the distinction of being tho most successful reinsmon in the Otago and Southland disuicts lor the past season, and wins Mr A. D. Hudson’s presentation whip. Miss J.-- Thomas,, a young clerk-in the 'Royal Ihauiance Company, London, drew Captain Cuttle in. the Calcutta Derby Sweep. She sold a half share for several thousands and won 66,00050v5. Corogien and Kohu ax© included in the nominations for tho Australian Hurdles, of 2Coosovs, and the Australian Steeplechase, of 2000sovs, to bo run at Caulfield in the early part of August. Tne Trentham trainer A. Goodman, who has been saddling up plenty' of winners, has been inundated witn offers to send himhorses sine© Prin temps ■ and others of his team struck "Winning lorm. Excuse was made for Captain Cuttle’s defeat in the Two Thousand Guineas.' H© got badly away, and making up his ground too quickly was left without a struggle alter taking charge some distance from home. It is a strange thing, but nevertheless a fact, says a Sydney paper, that country owners and trainers are responsible for more knavery on the. turf than all. the metropolitan men put togptner. At the last, Racing Conference it . was decided, in view of the plethoric state of the Accident Funds, to reduce the accident inauiance fee to 10s for each horse. It is now proposed to bring the fee back to £1 per horse. The latest thing in nomenclature from England is HeloUjest, a fiily by Black Jester from Helium that got amongst the winners at Hurst Park at the later end 1 of April. It is reported from Wellington that R. J. Mason has booked space for four horses on j-he Ulimaxce, wliich leaves for Sydney on the 23rd inst. The team will probably consist of Gloaming, Farceur-, Treasayr, and Cupidon. There is a rumour abroad that the wellknown starter, Mr R. H. Skipworth, is giving up starting, and that he will bo a candidate for the position oi Judge to several race clubs. The late Lord Manton’s horses in training were sent under the hammer .just before the last mail to hand left England. His son intends to - keep the stud going, but does not intend to race any horses tor three or lour years to come. The death is reported from Buenos Aires of the famous horse Botafogo, who coat his owner £40,000 in : 1919. Botafogo was only once beaten during his turf career, and that woe when he ran second to Grey Pox, h horse now at the stud in England. St, Lois, the winner of this year’s Two Thousand Guineas, and Sliver Urn, the winner of the One Thousand Guineas, have the same .maternal grand dam. This matron is Sterling Balm, by Friar’s Balsam from Testerling, by Sterling from Vessel. In conversation with a North Islander now on a visit to Dunedin it was gathered that some of tho northern owners contemplate going out of the business, not because of the slump, but because they are not satisfied about "getting a go” for their money. In referring to tho death of the South American horse Botafogo the “Special Commissioner” of tho London Sportsman said: “Botafogo was out of an imported mare, but it is very unusual to find a really successful stallion whose male line is two removes from imported blood. “Had I my will,” says tho “Special Commissioner” of the London Sportsman, '“I would not allow tubed horses to run any more than doped horses, for racing is for the benefit of the breed at large, and we do not want false credit to be given to winners by artificial assistance." The Australasian states that a racing man on June 1 supported his opinion that Montague le Roi and Truepenny would win the Grand National double. Tho first-named was killed at Randwick, and on the same day Truepenny was fatally injured at Flemington. Two "dead certainties.” The leading French owners frequently sig. noliso a success in a race by making generous donations to charity. Lord Queensborough, who won the Two Thousand Guineas with St'. Louis, followed their example by giving £IOO to tho Rous Memorial Fund., and a similar amount to the Bentinck Benevolent Fund. The jockeys of this country will shower a few blessings on the head of the Stipendiary Stewards' Committee if it succeeds in its proposal to have riding fees reduced by 20 per cent. The jockeys have not the right of representation at tho Racing Conference, but will no doubt find eome champion to defend their aide of the case. In commenting on tho start of the City and Suburban Handicap, run in April, the London Sportsman said it was a good start except that one horse was sideways or- when the barrier rose. They seem to reverse things in England where the field gets away except one horse; in New Zealand we have seen one house get away and the field left. Rothschild’s wonderful merit as a sire received further proof by his stock placing him seventh on the list of winning stallions for the post season. All light harness men are familiar with the value of the Rothschild strain, and it is to be hoped that breeders will not allow it to drift into oblivion through a careless lack ot appreciation An Auckland owner who booked a couple of boxes early for a recent meeting, but cancelled them as soon. after seeing the weights as possible, has been billed for £4, one week's rent of the boxes. He will probably contest tho claim, and if so the outcome will bo of considerable interest to racing men generally, for the practice is a common one.

The West Australian Turf Club has decided to cancel tire apprentice allowance rule after July 1. The system is said to have given great dissatisfaction over there, and it is not altogether an unmixed blessing in New Zeeland, where we see many races lost through the inexperienced handling pf apprentices put up in order to get an allowance in weight. “Whalebone,’ of the Auckland Star, recently stated that some riders in the North Island have been using an electric battery on their mounts, but so far have ©scaped detection. It is stated that the instrument can be carried in the hand, so small is its compass, and when the race is over it con be dropped at some apparently safe distance beyond the winning post. F. M‘Cabe, well known in Now Zealand and Australia, brought off a coup at Epsom on April 19 with the assistance of Hector Gray. M’Cabe saddled up Arcturus in tho Kmgawood Plate, and starting one of. the rank outsiders of the field the horse won in a canter. If the party helped themselves to the odds they must have scored a substantial win at very little risk. The shrinkage in receipts over race meetings in Now Zealand is not purely a local matter. The attendance at the Chester meeting numbered 87,860, and tho receipts amounted to £25,772. In 1920 122,420 persons passed through the turnstiles, and the tak ings were £33,546. The pre-war race record was reached in 1914, when 69,003 people paid for admission, and the receipts amounted to £11,899. S. Donohue has now equalled the feat of F. Archer by riding five winners of the •orby. No other jockey has done well in the lost 90 years of the race <inyway. Donoghue has won on Pommern (1915), Gay Crusader (1017), Gainsborough (1918), Humorist (192 T), and Captain Cuttle H 922). Archer was successful on Ormonde (1886), Melton (1885), Iroquois (1381), Bend Or (1880), and Silvio (1877). Seme of the northern critics have been Venturing the opinion that Cupidon, who has been liberally engaged in important events to be run in Australia, did not show much form in New Zealand. That may ,bo so, bnt he appeared to be finishing on stronger than Winning Hot and The Hawk when tho trio' filled the places in the New Zealand Derby, and filled the eye as the best stayer of the party. The National Hunt Committee recently met in London and decided to alter the rules so that every jockey stall pay £1 10s for his license to bo applied as to one-half as his subscription to the Hendlesham Benevolent Fund, and the other half to a Jockey’s Insurance Fund. It has also been decided that for every horse ridden by a professional rider 2s 6d shall be paid to the Jockey’s Insurance Fund. The late William Day, one of the shrewdest masters of his business in Turf history, used to maintain that a trial was generally more to be depended upon. than a race, and he preferred stable boys to jockeys for the purpose. The jockeys, skilled in tricks and manoeuvres, were loss apt to get a correct result than the lade, who came along as they were told, whilst he could see what they were doing and usually what proved to bo the best horse at the weights won. Mr R. A. Smith, of Los Angeles, paid a flying visit to Dunedin last week, and .was shown over the Porbury Park Trotting Club's course. He was pleased with the appointments and grading of the track, which he stated to tho writer provided better going than that at Addington, where he considered the turns were not sufficiently banked. It was Mr Smith who sold Capo de Ora to Mr C Hudson, and the object of his visit is to spy out the land with a view of establishing an export business in trotting stock. The late Captain Maohell, listening to the laments' of a guest who had not backed a winner all the afternoon, remarked, ’ Xou don't bet high enough.” But the shrewd captain proceeded to explain. The loser had been betting in ponies, and occasionally throwing away a tenner on something that seemed to have a chance. If he made it a rule, the captain urged, never to have less than a sum of money on a horse, the, loss of which would be a somewhat serious consideration, he would not bet without what, at any rate, appeared to him a sound reason. The American rider G. Archibald scored his first win in England by steering Paragon home an easy winner in the City and Suburban Handicap, of ISSlsovs, one mile and a-quarter, run at the Epsom Spring meeting. Archibald’s addition to the list of horsemen in England was received somewhat antagonistically in. some quarters, as it was hold that he stood in rather too high favour with the Germans through escaping internment at the outbreak of the war. Apparently the matter has blown over, and tho American will no doubt be quite welcome if he continues to ride winners. The Kentucky Derby, run annually at Louisville, is the great event of the American turf. Papers to hand state that the race was run on May 15, and was won in brilliant style by Morvich, who cut out the mile and .in 2min , 4 3-saec. Morvich, whd-waia sold by his breeder, AV'B. Spreckles, early in his two-yeerrold career for £6OO, won nearly £23,000 in stakes last season. The added money for the Kentucky Derby was SO.OOOdoI (roughly £10,06o); and it was anticipated that after the deductions • for places and breeder's premium were made the winner would receive about £9335. If that estimate proved correct, Morvich has already something, like £30,000 to his credit. He is by_ Runnymede, who is by Voter from Running Stream, by Domino. Voter was an English-bred' horse by Friar’s Balsam from the Barcaldine nrare Mavoumeen. An unusual action was heard in the District Court at Glen ■ Innes (Victoria) recently, when ,W. J. R. Hilton, of Tenterfield, unsuccessfully proceeded against George Reid, a grazier, also of Tenterfield, to recover £4OO damages for injuries alleged to have been received while riding a' horse named Hymist for Reid at Tenterfield races. Plaintiff said that in a preliminary canter before the Maiden Handicap the mare bolted, a,nd in trying to hold her one rein broke, causing him' to lose control. The mare fell under a fence, throwing him into it, and breaking his hip, which necessitated a stay of H weeks in hospital, and expenses totalling £SB were incurred. For the defence it was stated that Hilton was riding with the stirrups too long,' and he flogged tho mare, causing her to bolt. Reid also denied any negligence with regard to the bridle, which the trainer had been using every day. In any case the breaking of onfe rein would not lessen control over tho animal. A verdict was given for defendant. Every season we expect some important two or three year, old races in Sydney or Melbourne to be won by horses not offered at auction as yearlings, and generally raced by their breeders, remarks “Pilot,” of the Sydney Referee. It is unusual, though, for the Melbourne, Sydney, and Australian Cups of one season to go to horses not sold as yearlings. For that matter, it has been the case with the last two Melborn© Cup winners. Poitrel being left with his breeders because no one wanted him at a reserve of about SOOgs. Tlda year’s • Cup winner, Sister Olive, was bred by her owner, Mr F. W. Norman, who fared better than generally anticipated when he decided to use Red Dennis at the stud. Mr P. C. Nixon had •the luck to buy Harvest King (then a foal) and his dam for 230 gs, and among the races that colt has won him are the Australian Cup, King’s Plato, and A.J.C. St. Leger. Mr E. E. D. Clarke let Gloaming go at 230 gs as a yearling, but he is generally fortunate in retaining some real top-notohers to carry his colours. Furious has won him the Victoria Derby and St. Leger this season, Rosina the Asoott Vale Stakes and A.J.C. Champagne Stakes, and Etherian the Mimosa Stakes, as'well as other races. Mr' J. i. Winter-Irving won the V.R.C. Sires’ Produce Stakes 'with Scarlet, one of his own breeding, and “Mr J. Baron” bred and owns the Sydney Cup winner, Prince Charles. Julia Grey (Doncaster Handicap and Tattersall’s Cup) was another not sold as a yearling, and Beauford was also bred by his present owner. The writer met a kindred spirit last week in Mr R A. Smith, who hails from Los Angeles, California, and is now on a flying visit to New Zealand. He has been keenly interested in the light harness horse, and has owned and handled some amort performers, notably Sweet Marie, who had a record of ' 2.2. Mr Smith condemns the hoppled paoer look, stock, and barrel, and states that the leading horsemen in the States will not give them paddock room, and, in fact, if they happen to breed one from straight-out trotting stock get rid of it and smother the fact as if it was a scandal.