SPORTING NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18676, 4 October 1922, Page 4

SPORTING NOTES.

' By Sentinel. A BATTLE ROYAL. The cable man in Sydney is not very complimentary to G. Young, whom be accuses of being outridden by Woods, the pilot of Beautoid. Incidentally it stands as a slap at R. ,). Mason, who lias proved himself a veritable Napoleon in the tmf world, and is far too great, a general to put up a rider whose ability is doubtful, it goes without saying that if R. J. Mason is content to giro Young the position of first horseman for several seasons to his stable, then Young stands recognised by the foremost trainer in Australasia as a competent rider. It must not bo overlooked that Young and other riders almost, invariably ride to orders, and if the instructions arc responsible for defeat the onus is just as much on the trainer us (lie rider. Every rider lias, of course, to bo allowed a certain amount of latitude. For instance, when Gloaming got. well away in his first race, dining his present campaign, it would have boon foolish not to make, the most of the opportunity. .Still the opinion was expressed hero that it was a rather doubtful policy (o make so much use of Gloaming instead of nursing his tremendous turn of speed for an electric finish such us he put. up when running half a mile in 45sec at Trentham. The waiting tactics were adopted with success at Rosebill, where Gloaming bad 71b in his favour, and just failed to materialise over a mile and a half at Randwick, a distance which is far beyond 99 9-10liis of Iho stock got by The Welkin. In the Spring Stakes, Boauford went out to force the pace and thus provide a lest for Gloamings ability to get a mile and a half. The Beau Soult gelding was thus under a disadvantage, but nevertheless had sufficient in reserve to stall off the New Zealander in- what lias been described as one of the finest struggles over seen at Randwick. The narrow margin between (he pair showed that, there was no disgrace iii defeat. Iho cabled report states that Bsnuford increased his lead to four lengths at (ho bend, where Gloaming was in hot pursuit, and from (his it appears that Wood got first break, and probably stole just sufficient, ground to make the difference between winning and losing. The race, in fact, may have been lost at the turn instead of at the post; through Young (apparently instructed to’ wait i)s long as possible) waiting a stride or two too late before going up to challenge bis doughty opponent. In any case it; must be recognised that Gloaming is indeed a great horse to be able to stand up the Australian champion four lengths and run him to a neck without the winner apparently having an ounce in reserve.

FOLLOWING THE FAVOURITE. Although the hard heads of racing are somewhat chary when (innting at the early spring meetings, as horses do not always run ut) to booh form, or. track work when they first sport silk the great rank and 1.10 of punters got fairly close to the spot at Ashburton, as “flop-ups” were few and Iho favourites wore frequently in the money. In fact, only, two favourites were out of a place on (ho first day, and they got n place in each event on the second day’s card. The trotting events are jlot included in the above results. On the first <lay two favourites scored, and throe ran, second, and on fwo occasions wore beaten by very narrow margins, whilst the other. Lovesign, in this case was beaten a length after losing ground at the homo thru. Five favourites thus ran first or second. On the second day two favourites scored, and live ran second, whilst: three second favourites wore first to salute (ho judge. One favourite, at least in Mantua, wa s unlucky, as she was beaten less than a length after getting knocked back and losing several lengths in the first quarter of a mile. Some Kid, the favourite in the Coldstream Welter. was beaten only in the last couple of strides. Foo Chow, favourite in tho principal event, lost far more than the two lengths by which he was defeated through having to race round on the outside of the field; and Falstnff, favourite in the Rakaia Hurdles, gave the winner a big start over tho last half-mile, and raced up into second place in such a manner that he must have seriously troubled the winner if he had not been so far out of his ground in the early part of tho race. This was distinctly good picking on the part of tho punters, and tho fact that the majority handled most, of the money no doubt helped to build up the grand total of investments recorded at the mooting. There was one great “flopup” when Boadicea paid close on half a century, and apparently allowed to “run loose” by (ho stable. The success cf another outsider in Songbird was not quite such a surprise, but ho dodged most people, as it wa.u generally considered (hat lack of racing condition would tell against him when carrying 9.11 in a hold containing veil-seasoned horses that had shaped prominently at the Grand National ( meeting. Some idea of the short prices on offer about tho favourites could be gathered from the fart that it was a slight odds : on chance about a punter picking 11 favourites to get amongst the money.

THE APPRENTICE ALLOWANCE. With a view of encouraging apprentice riders, the Pacing Conference embodied in the Pules of Racin'? conditions which granted allowances to horsemen in ombyro so that owners'would bo tempted to accept concessions in weight; to balance inexperienced riding. The result has been greatly to the advantage of the apprentice riders, and to a certain extent detrimental to the interests of what might bo termed (lie veterans of the profession. The apprentice ‘ allowances are sometimes apt to upset the value of a handicap, and that fact is recognised by some of our weight adjusters who endeavour to guard against it as much as possible, and so to a certain extent nullify the intention of the racing authorities. Tor instance, in the Ashburton County Handicap, miles. Almoner beat Silent King a neck, and over the same distance at Oamaru has been asked to meet the latter on 101 b worse terms. Such an assesment would bo considered extremely harsh were it not for the fact an allowance is sure to be claimed for Peart, who will no doubt again ride Almoner if ho is sent to the post. In other words, the liandicapper has apparently, and, in fact, one'may say obviously made an attempt to guard against Almoner being sure to beat Silent, King through (ho former’s rider receiving an apprentice allowance. An apprentice ruler might, of course, be secured for Silent King, and the figures would then be hard to justify. Since resuming at- Ashburton, Almoner has been beaten out of a place in the Geraldine Cup when receiving 61b from Silent King, and later still weighted to receive 151 b from the same horse in the Mosgiel Handicap. Mr F. 1 homos, who handicaps for the Geraldine Pacing Club, did not altogether follow the example of Mr J. E. Henrys, and allowed Silent King to meet Almoner on 71b belter terms than when they mot at Ashburton, It will be seen that Mr Henrys guards against the apprentice allowance, to a greater extent than Mr Thomas, but both weight adjusters penalised Almoner more than what would be (he case if a capital apprentice had not been available for the Boniform- Cassock gelding. This is rather emphasised by fhe fact that in the Geraldine Cup Royal Mac carried 91b more than when he ran at Ashburton, whilst Almoner was sent up 71b for defeating Silent King a neck. A more noticeable case occurs in connection with the Taioma Handicap. At Geraldine. Warhaven got badly awav in the Gladstone Handicap, hut nevertheless ran a close third, and in fact was unlucky to lose. In (he same race he gave Sweetwater 351 b and. a good beating, but there is only 31b between them in / Taioma Handicap, s 0 that oven with the apprentice allowance Sweetwater has been treated in gn inexcusable manner.

KUROW AND OAMARU. The douhle-hamdlod al traction of the Knrow and Oarnarn meetings should assist towards the success of both these fixtures which arc to take place on Thursday and Saturday of this week. Intending patrons of the Dunedin Spring meeting will no doubt take extra interest in (ho running as it should help to throw some light on what is likely to happen at the Dunedin Spring meeting which takes_ place early this month. Sunny Loch is in a class by himself in Hie Hakntarnmoa Handicap, anil despite bis load should start, favourite. Twinkle shaped well at Geraldine, and will probably prove tb ( . popular nick for (he Knrow Handicap, although l-llla will also bud plenty of friends for the same race. Twinkle, however, will ■ lie more forward than the mare. Ruddy Gold's winning form at the Grand National meeting entitles him to ho regarded as a rather likely runner to start favourite for the Waitnngi Steeples, Hcsker Hoy has incurred a slb increase of weight for the Publicans' Handicap, but that will not stop him for being in strong demand for tbe race. Jackaroo goes up to 7.9 for the Meltiold Handicap, but, is nevertheless bound lo he troublesome over a five-furlong course which has a down hill finish to assist him at the business end. Roth be and Sweet Memory should keep (be lop-weights, Roseday and Radial, busy, and Happy Warrior may be selected nut of the unknown quantities which principally contribute In the strength of (he field in (bo Trial Plate, What is likely to occur at Onmani will depend to a. great extent on tbe running at the Knmw meeting. AI present Silent King reads fairly sure to start favourite for the North Otago Cup.

Sunny Loch and Mantua will have an opportunity to Tight out their Ashburton battle again if (hey meet in the Flying Handicap. Both are, however, in other events on the card. Kerb and Warhaven read well in (ho Aldorsyde Handicap, and as Linden finished close up in the Unweld Handicap, lie is no), likely to bo neglected in the BolfieUl Welter. Lonclonderrv would be dangerous in _ the Spring Hurdles if he would repeat his form and the promise he displayed when winning at the bnnedin Winter meeting, and Phil .May will also be fancied for the same rare. Strathglass looks the pick cf the handicap in the Jumpers’ Flat.

AX UX RECOGNISED HANDICAP. II is a rather remarkable fad. tb:il not ouo of the critics in their comment on (ho. b-itl.lcs between Boanford and Gloaminn; gave any consideration to the possible disadvantages under which the latter w-as labouring when running on the ngnthanded course at Randwick. Gloaming has always been trained oil a left-handed course at Riccarton, and ran most of his races on the same class of track. It is true that when he has been set for a race at Randwick or Auckland, which is also a right-handed track, Gloaming has been prepared for the change by being worked the reverse way to the general method of travelling. Still, it is move than doubtful if a horse, trained from the first time he has ever carried a saddle, on a lef I -handed course, will reproduce the apex of his form or go one better on a right-banded course. The fact is not forgotten that Gloaming has been keeping the watch extremely busy in his gallon's at Ranwick, but there may be a vast difference between the clear run obtained in a training gallop and what may be the case in a race contested by a. fielfl of horses. Wo all know that a man may be a much better oar when rowing Xo 4 than Xo. 3 or Xo. 2 than Xo. 1, or a rowlock on a right or left side of a boat, and in just the same way some bowlers can toss up a better ball, or rather a more difficult ball, from one end of a pitch than he can from the other. Some horses accustomed to train and race on a left-handed course are apt to "change their legs'' and loso balance when asked to gallop the reverso way. This is only natural, as a horse may be accustomed to lead with the near foreleg when laying up to the rails on a left-handed course, and bo inclined to use the off foreleg when galloping the reverse way. It is a 'mora or less well-known fact that a horse . "changing his legs" during a race may run pounds below form, and yet, 1 although this is indisputable, it has never, so far as the writer is aware, been put forward as an explanation (honest?) of apparent inconsistent'running. Yet. it should bo a per fectly legitimate, and hence an acceptable, explanation. Bustling a horse from a flatfoot start is apt to tangle him up, and be responsible for a loss of ground at a breakaway, and in fact completely wreck a chance in a race. This comes about by a horse leading off on the wrong leg. The average ,"pcd" strikes off by leading with his right leg, and so runs to his best, but if ho led out with the loft defeat would be certain. It is frequently noticeable in flatfoot starts that hobbled pacers "stand on the mark" and tangle up at the start of a race, and cannot strike into their gait. This, no doubt, is due to leading off with the wrong leg, and in consequence of doing so a horse tights in his hobbles, and fails to get going, instead of striking speed that could be almost immediately gathered from a moving start. Judging by the result of the Spring Plate run at Randwick, it seems to be the toss cf a coin between Beauford and Gloaming up to a mile and a-half, but if they met at Flemington or Riccarton Gloaming would in all probability give his rival in the lists a tougher battle than when galloping the reverse way to which he lias boon accustomed. An ordinary [ hack, when striking off into a canter dn his wrong leg makes ho as jolty, until checked, as "a five-legged horse, whereas under a proper lead he may be a rockingchair mount, and travel as'smoothly as cream. Of course, after all is said and done, Gloaming may travol just as well one way as the other, but all the wiseacres seem to overlook tho possibility that such may not be the case. It is a fact that Gloaming has shed some of his laurels when galloping on the right-handed tracks at Auckland and Randwick. whereas he has never suffered defeat at Riccarton. THE DUXEDFN SPRING MEETING. The Dunedin Jockey Club will start and the Wingatui racing season of 1922-23 on Thursday a-nd Friday next week, and judging by the response made bi' owners there is an excellent prospect of it proving the most successful opening fixture that has ever been held on tho course. It is quite obvious that the introduction of the M'Lcan Staikes and Dunedin Guineas has born good fruit, as these important events stand responsible for the .continually growing importance which has'followed their inclusion on the spring programmes. Tho Mosgiel Handicap, which forms the principal handicap on the programme, did not fill (thanks to the penalty conditions attached to the N.Z. Cup) so well as might reasonably be expected by the drawing power of a 500sovs stake. Sti'll the field is quite satisfactory, as good sport is not dependant on "the numerical strength of a field. We have, for instance, the duels between Gloaming and Beauford completely .-overshadowing events which ordinarily attract a wealth of publicity. Songbird opened up with a win at Ashburton over seven furlongs under 9.11, but as he was rather weary after tho race the effort may have made it necessary to call a temporary halt in his' work, and so he may not be tuned up to cover ten furlongs. Ho has always been a more than j doubtful stayer, although possessing plenty [ of brilliance, and for that reason it is difficult; to fancy his chance in the Mosgiel Handicap under 9.9. At Ashburton he successfully conceded 16lb to Bonnie Winkie over seven furlongs, and in the same race gave Silent King 321 b, Linden 3'Jlb, and Twinkle three stone all but one pound. Over an extra three furlongs he is now asked to meet Bonnie Winkie on 91b better terms, or on exactly the same- terms as when the latter beat him but of a place in tho Great Autumn Handicap. Bonnie Winkie should beat Songbird at the weights, which are formidable enough to accentuate tho journey and so tell in favour of the Wingatui-lrained gelding, providing that a solid pace is ensured. Songbird, it is not. forgotten, rati a good ten-furlong race under 9.2 when finishing third to Foo Chow and Twinkle in the Timaru Cup run in 2.6. Bonnie Winkie easily accounted for Silent. King in the Awariia Handicap, li miles, when giving 41b, and should be able to increase the margin to tho . between them in the Mosgiel Handicap. Bonnie Winkie gave 161 b to Silent King over seven furlongs at Ashburton, and looks sure to beat him again at 21b less over an extra throe furlongs. General Advance looks a bit close to Bonnie Winkie, but is well treated through Silent King and Twinkle, both of whom he comfortably defeated at the Dunedin Benefit meeting on about the same terms as they are invited fo meet again at Wingatui next week. Corn Rigs has been successful over a mile and a-quarter course. He won the Kiverton Cup with 8.2, with General Advance 9.2, Silent King 8.1, and Twinkle 7.7 Qiitsido tho place*, whilst Redstone 6.13, who was placed subsequently, ran second in the Birthday and -Provincial at the Dunedin Winter meeting, and incidentally enhanced tho merit of tlwj form displayed by Corn Rigs at Riverton. Corn Rigs also won the Wuimate Cup with 7.10 in 2.64-5, and on paper holds a. good chance on Riverton form, of beating General Advance, Silent King, and Twinkle, in the Mosgiel Handicap. Macduff was galloping well prior to the Grand National meeting, but met with a mishap and could not run. He has been credited with a good recovery, and is nicely treated at 8.1. fie won the Geraldine Cup last season with 8.3 i in 2.8 3-5, when Linden 7.9, Almoner 7.11, and Foo Chow 5.13 were amongst the beaten division. He failed in the Mosgiel Handicap under 8.11, but won the Ranfurly under 9.0 at the same meeting. Angolo won four times, and was phce-d twice out of nine stn.rts last, season, and his form makes him worthy of respect as well as the- fact that ho promised to train on into a rather useful four-year-old. He won the Sockluini with 7.6 in 2.71-5, and the Yaldlvurst Welter with 9.2 in 1.26. Prior t,> the above performances he won the Mir-itai Handicap, one mile, in 1.412-5 at the Wellington Autumn meeting, and altogether the Choke boro l Lodge representative fills the eye as one that should be hard to beat if sent to tho post. Almoner shaped disappointingly at Geraldine. where neither the track nor the going suited him. and hence it need not be surprising if he shapes better at Wingalui. lie bent Silent King at Ashburton after getting a bad pnssage, and now meets him on 7Mi better_ tonus. Further consider it ion can be safely left over until the declaration of acceptances on October 9. THE GORE MEETIXG. The .Southland racing season will open with the Gore Racing Club's Spring meeting, which takes place on Saturday and Monday, October 21 and 23. Tho club is offer in;' £3OOO in stakes, and the principal events will be the Waikaka Handicap of 275sovs and the Gore Cup of 450?0v5. The principal events are supported hy the Charlion Handicap of 180?ovs. Flying Handicap of 2Cosovs, Murihiku of lßOsovs, two cross country events, four trotting events, and others which go to make up an attractive programme. Nominations are duo on Friday, October 6. at 5 p.m., with Mr F. Young, Gore, and telephone address 82,

The Maniopoto gelding Mannish pulled UP lame after his race at Geraldine. The New Zealand-bred Meymm is shaping well in his work at Flemington. . Bellrock stopped towards the finish ot his races at the Geraldine meeting. Nominations for the Gore bpnng meetm., are due on Friday, October G at a p. Silent Elinff lias now won the A.hbnrton Cup, Invercargill Cup, and Geraldine Cup. Acceptances for, the first £^.9. coin Spring meeting aie du- t> i j ra The Trotting Cup candidate *'“* been cased in his work, owing to contract in i a com d 'of the New. Zealand, Rules of Racing, 1922, is to hand, and acanowlcosed "'Waito miparently struck treble in th» Gladstone Handicap, and finished well b. hind th-0 hold- , j TJvmpr? O. Voiglit's apprenticeship , to r J * fl^filer ' a has expired, and he ling joined St '.J jl 'Brvce has°purchased the Alto, who won the Unhopplcd Handicap iun at Victoria Park in Juno last. All the horses handicapped for the Nc Zealand Trotting Cup continue in the race after declaration cf the acceptances. Brown Willie ran two goofi ( ff* Geraldine, and although he is taj pea m the wind” he should pick up a sprint cient Nominations are due on October r 3 for tno Otago Hunt Club’s annual race which takes place at Wmgatm on October

28 ‘ Silent King won the Geraldine Gup m good style, and also ran an excellent race in the principal event on the second da> a CJ The Hal Zolock gelding Brutus was sent out. a good favourite for the Geraldine Trot, and won well after losing ground at the Twinkle shaped well enough in his races at Geraldine to suggest that he will he h. to beat in the principal event at t.ie Kuio meeting. . ~ Warhavcn was unlucky to miss on tne second day at Geraldine, when he ] missed the’ Gladstone Handicap, af.er getting badly away. , , , ... _ A woman fined at Hull for street, was loitering with a baby in a. perambulator, and hid betting slips and money under the canvas cover. , Wartime can go fast, but so far has not developed much stamina, although got by Martian, wdiosc slock are generally at home over a distance. ... , . C. Emmerson is riding in great term at present, and built up his winning record bv steering eight winners at the Ashburton and Geraldine meetings. , An offer of £3650 and an additional £IoOU if he wins either the Caulfield or Melbourne Cup has been refused for the West Australian horse Easingwold. Falstaff ran creditably at Geraldine on tha flat, and is not likely to be a false staff for punters to depend on when fancied for his next effort over hurdles. The Lake County Jockey Club has retired from the field as far as a totah-ator meeting is concerned. It was an axe in the shape of tax that did the deed. The Cup candidate Almoner was elected favourite for the Geraldine Cup. but could not act on the course. He is not at home on a small track or on sticky giculm. On each day of the Geraldine meeting the Dunedin Stakes candidate The Moa was sprinted down the straight. He 13 a lust.looking youngster and-strides out well. The two-year-old brother to Rational in training at Flemington shows a rare turn of speed in his work. He cost l-00 s sus a yearling, and is owned by Mr A. G. Lye. After running so well in good company at the Otaki meeting Jackaroo paid a good dividend when winning at Geraldine last £Uk. Jackaroo, is fast over a short course, and is engaged at the Kurow meeting. Headlong was a bit of a hand-ill ui the hurdle events at Geraldine, as he bo-e out and lost ground. He went, a better race on the second day, and was evidently improved by the previous race. Tioaker Bov finished in resolute mannewhen under” pressure at Geraldine, and promises to lie a payable proposi FFj" is a half-brother by Markehope to Borodino, who was a winner of several races The Southland sportsman, Mi VV. i. MazMt, successfully carried war into the aorta bv winning the Prince of Wales Stakes at Napier with Razzia Dazzle, a two-jear-old filly by Kilbroney from Simper. , Full particulars ot the running, in tha Avondale Guineas show that Rapine won easily, and as he did not get a good passage his success was more meritorious than su 0 gested by the telegraphed report of the is credited with running, a really good race in the Avondale Cup, in which Inexperienced a bad run He is apparently on the improve, and should win a good iace :x continues to stand up to ms woiK. lf Owners s'hould note that there ,s not much time between the declaration handicaps fnr +h<* Gore bpnng meeting and the i Gen nf acceptances. Handicaps are t"o“ 0 Frisco Mail, who was amongst the runners at Geraldine and pa.d a good dividend when he finished second to Ardour, « a hal S“&£ n ia^ a =-s°N^taland first dayf blit had to receive a crack or « th Miss° St Camouilage was rather cramped in effects of a bump which she, rece.ved on,.,the o^n^’kaudicatb Juc-nf’| S pia Id e a . n and P Fendalton Handicap. oHih Hnning efforts. He was well handled £ inch oc-asion bv C. Emmerson, and the Buccesa wojT probably- « to^secolt w “ s.-sjtis ss

kl The 'London Sportsman of August 0 publishes a note from Hr J. B. Reid. in winch he sent 10 guineas to tire Sceptre Fund, which is being gathered to help the London hospitals. Mr Reid was to leave on his return to Sow Zealand some time rn A 'Tllc Jockey Club has decided to abolish the Middle Park Plate which was inaugurated in IBS4, and won b\ .1 crack performers as Carbine. Bloodshot, Go,d Medallist, Conqueror, Maxim, Achilles, Cruciform, Mcnschikoff, Machine Gun, and Biplane. , . ~ Morven Lass hopped off the mark in the Winchester Trot and quickly estabhsnea a big lead, which she lost through muting after going about a couple of furlongs. She lost a lot of ground, but afterwards camo on and finished third, and is one worthy of remembrance. • ... Treviilla shaped promisingly at Geraldine, and may be found developing ,n *° JJ sort. She is a chestnut sister to St. Basel and half-sister to Kiljoy, Placid, and Rs*Trefalla carried Mr Gordon FuUon s co our , and was purchased by him during the As burton meeting. . Bonnio Winkie has been somewhat ambitiously engaged in the Champion Plate, to be run at the Wellington Spring meeting, Us ho is liable to meet Amytbas, Gloaming, The Hawk, Thespian, Rapine, V. inning Hit, Tressayv, and others at weight-for-ago over 10 furlongs. , . . , _ Bosker Bov has appareiuly trained on since last season, and ran a resolute race at Geraldine, where he won the Gnldston Handicap. He was, however, lucky to bea Warhaven, who got badly away and ran the winner to a head after the extra handicap of making up a lot of ground. At Riron on August 8 Hector Gray rode Sir H. Cunliffe-Owen's filly by. Snnstai Besmodimii, which started favourite for tno Claro T.Y.O; Plate. Gray was in a winmiicr position with the leader, when his mount stumbled at the half-distance, and lost a place in a close finish between the first, four, Tho Nassau filly Eighteenpence has won three times on end, and although she has oulv met moderate opposition there is no doubt thot aim can skip_ fast over a short course. She is out of Garstou. a male oy Birkenhead from Lullaby, by Apremont from Hammock, one of (he great fountains of speed in the Stud Book. Sweetwater received 15ih and a good Denting from Warhaven at Geraldine, but has neverthcles been asked to meet him at a, difference of Mb in the Taioma, Handicap to he run at the Dunedin Spring meeting. She is also badly treated through Kerry Star, to. whom she failed to give 211> in the Gladstone Handicap, but is giving mm 101 b at Wingatui. . According to the rules in existence in Victoria, a backer cannot back a horso for a nlace miles lie also supports it to win Piece bets collided with a win are 1, 'i, ii if there arc nine or more horses in the race, and 1,2 when there are than nine horses. The odds in L’-° |US J instance are oue-fourth and in the second one-third c.f the odds for a straight-out "’sir George Hunter, in addressing the members of the Wr.ipukurau Jockey Club at the annual meeting, stated the indications were that, before the session of Parliament comes to an end. legislation would ho passed allowing the publication of dividends, and also the receiving of moneys by Lie secretaries of lacing clubs for investment on the tntalisator.