SPORTING NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18764, 18 January 1923, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES.

Bt Sentinel. THE CARNIVAL WEEK. There arc many fixtures on the Racing Calendar, and naturally more interest is taken in some than others. Every sportsman is anxious to see every meeting successful and the sport enjoying a general prosperity, but oven so it leaves room for a particular desire to see our own meetings flourish and grow in popularity. Hence it must, be particularly gratifying to local sports to see tho very pleasing list of nominations which have been published in con--'joction with the Forbury Park Trotting --nub's Summer meeting and tho Dunedin Cup mooting of time-honoured importance. " Kb Forbury Park programme has attracted

rather more patronage from owners than generally expected, and with such a foundation to work upon it stands an excellent choice of ultimately proving the best meeting over hold on the course. This your ilie Dunedin Jockey Club promptly availed .itself of an opportunity to restore tho Cup meeting lo tho historic strength of a three days’ card which it enjoyed in bygone years. In fact it has always been a matter of regret that the Winter meeting was built up at tho expense of the old-established Cup meeting, which once cut ns wide a swath as any other fixture held in New Zealand. There is not much doubt that the extra day which has been added to this year’s Dunedin Gup programme has greatly enhanced its attractiveness in tho eyes of owners, and hence tho general nominations for tho meeting appear to be a record, or as good as a record, for Wmgatui. The profits of the extra day are to bo devoted to a very worthy cause, and thus the club’s patrons can land two birds with' tho one stone by bestowing a little more attention than usual to what was generally regarded as (he “off day” of the fixture when it formerly spread

over three days. RACING IN ENGLAND. When the last mail to hand left London “Robert le Diable,” of the Winning Post, and "Vigilant,” of the Sportsman, were still crossing swords over the state of the turf in England. "Robert le Diable” is the pen-name of Mr R. S. Sievier, well known as the owner and trainer of Sceptre, and undoubtedly a really good judge of racing. Ho has often taken up the cudgels and been very outspoken in his remarks concerning reforms required on th turf. In a note in the London Sportsman of Novmbcr 20 “Vigilant” comes partially in agreement with (ho charges made by “Robert le .Diable” by saying: ‘‘My point, in fact, is not that malpractices do not exist; it is that they are exaggerated, and that no one having the best interests of the turf at heart can approve tho practice of making general charges. If tho true sportsman ‘ knows anything ’ ” (“Vigilant” maintains) “he should place his information at the disposal of the Jockey Club.” That is all very well, but “Vigilant” himself shows the futility of doing so by admitting that evils exist on the lurf. and, judging by comments from other writers, still exist, and without any drastic action being taken to suppress them, if the stewards in England are alive to duty and the interests of tho turf, they

must know without being told by private individuals that reform is required. They arc being frequently told so by the sporting press, and if they do not take notice of what is said there it would be a waste of breath to speak about it. No doubt racing stewards are much the same all over the world. They wish their own particular inetiiigs to run as smoothly as possible, and resent any allusion to some unsatisfactory running and riding which has been apparently passed over without any official notice. If it is merely doubtful running and riding it should be given the benefit of doubt and silence, but whore obvious pulling takes place or deliberate bumping or boring is seen, and the official silence still continues, then :t is up to someone to make a protest m the interests of the sport. Thank goodness. there is not much wrong with racing at the present time, and although it is still far from perfect :t could be made practically so if the right control was placed in charge. Any further improvement will have to come from the stipendiary stewards, but if that is to bo the case they will have to be more alert in the future than they have been in the past. THE GIMCRACK SPEECHES. The’ latest mail to hand from England brings full reports of the speeches made at the famous Gimcrack Dinner, when the most

notable events of the racing year generally come under review. The occasion of the dinner supplies an opportunity to bestow publicity on any subject connected with racing, and in a sense stands in the same light as the annual conference of racing clubs in the Dominion. During the present season in England, there has been a good deal of controversy on the'state of the turf, Die question of appointing stipendiary stewards, the introduction of the totalisator, and other matters in connection with the sport, and naturally some of the speakers were expected to touch on the most particular points of interest. The chief guest of the evening was Lord Woolavington, who, by virtue of winning the Gimcrack .Stakes with Town Guard, became entitled to be regarded as the person expected to deliver the most important speech of the evening. In the course of his remarks Lord Woolaiington strongly urged all sportsmen to give the Jockey Club their best support. He did not claim to be in a position to give advice to the Jockey Club, but ho did say as a plain business man that he could offer sound advice to all and sundry, and that is to stick to the powers that lie — stick to them firmly—even though they in trifling matters dissatisfy you. >.e know they make mistakes, but if they make them are honest and unintentional, and there is an end of the matter, except that

fair criticism is always welcome. Ho went on to plead for an alteration of the rnlc which makes nominations void on the death of the nominator. Mr to. Tattersnll referred to the fact that some stallions were serving quite a large number of mares, and said he did not think it fair to owners. The list of mares booked to a bores should be published iu advance, and stallion owners should not be allowed to take mares indiscriminately. It seemed to him that a horse w-as more likely to get good stock if he was limited to forty or fifty mares at the outside, rather than seventy or eighty. Sir Walter Gilbey. in proposing the toast of “The Jockey Club,” said the public were deeply indebted to the Jockey Club for what they had done for the benefit of the turf. He would like to see stipendiary stewards appointed to act in conjunction with the acting stewards. He was sure they would prove of invaluable assistance to stewards in their deliberations and decisions. Another question to which he directed their attention was the “PariMutuel” and the bookmakers. So long as they had to have bookmakers—very good fellow's they were, too. some of them, said Sir Walter—he would like to see them licensed. He believed it would be a great protection to the public generally. Lord Hamilton, of Dalzell, said the question of stipendiary stewards w r as a very vexed one. He had often acted as steward, and should only‘be too delighted to have anybody to take some of the work off his shoulders. Having added his tribute to the guest of the evening, he said the groat, edifice of modern racing had many different aspects, but. if they looked carefully they would find that the two solid stones on which it stood were the love of sport and the love of a good horse. To some racing was an amusement.

to others a business, but fundamentally, ana in its most important aspect, it was, and must remain a sport. It wmdd be a bad day for the turf if the spectacular or business side of racing was ever allowed to overshadow its purely sporting side. He did not suppose they would always be able to please everybody, but as long as they held fast to the one great principle of applying to every problem which came before them the question, “Is this thing in the best interest of sport?’’ they would have done their duty by racing and have kept it sound and wholesome at the core. Before they embarked on any proposal for change they had got to be very certain that it landed them in that direction. The turf was a field in which the reformer must walk warily indeed. If that was remembered, lie, thought that those critics of the Jockey Club who thought that it did not move quite so fast as they might wish would perhaps find cause for reflection. Valuable as speed was in a race, in the management of (he turf “festina lente” was a. very good maxim.

THE WELLINGTON MEETING. Trentham is becoming more and more established as the natural hub of our racing world, and this year’s Wellington Cup meeting promises to send it along into further popularity. A good field remains in (he Wellington Cup after the declaration of acceptances, and includes some of the best performers seen out this season. Income is at the head of the list, and reads nicely enough treated on paper, as he meets Scion on the same terms as when he finished in front of him hi the A.R-C. Handicap. Insurrection is let away 3Lb on his form in that race but as Scion is well treated with them on'Auckland Cup form reads as the pick of the trio. Cupidon has. according to reports, trained on since he ran such a. great race in the Metropolitan Handicap, and a repetition of that form would make him a particularly hard horse to heat. &iiaart fla* ajpparanlly struck form again.

and although the field? he beat at wutu wove not particularly high-class, R air least represents a success likely to bo repeated. and he and Cupidon may bo found disputing favouritism on the day, whilst it would not be safe to discard Insurrection. Uoseday would bo easily the best of the lie lit weights if he has thrown off the effects of his Riccnrton experience. co"!™ 5 crack sprinter? in Tarnatote and Iho HawU lend distinction to the field engaged in the Telegraph Handicap, and it will bo iiitcrc.lin" to -see how they shape when asked to give a lot of weight to such as Pone ns who was a rather smart two-year-old, bo d Light and Mirensonta should also help to trv out the top-weights, whilst ..liver ieix would Vo running on at the finish, her chance may make a stronger appeal when she is running over more ground at the meeting. At trio present time it appears as if Pencils may be selected as one most likely to trouble Tamateto m tho race.

S Donohue has headed the list of winning riders in England for the oast nmc yearn Listenin'* Post will not be sent th.ough lo fulfil Ills engagements at the Wellington C TLun C ectmn won tho Wellington Cup of 1922 with 7st on his back. This 5 car he will have to carry 8.7. , , , ~ Danger Zone, who ranks as almost full brother in blood to Sasanof, has been sold to go to Australia. , „ Handicaps for the first day of Hie Dunediu Cup meeting are due on January ,o and acceptances on January 31. Mr A. Chisholm, tho owner of Glcntniin, has purchased Some Boy II from Mr E. W. Allison, jun., of Auckland. The Auckland Racing Chib has decided to refuse nominations for Paddington Green owing to his bad behaviour at the post. Owners have made a- very pleasing response with noniinatons for the Forbury Park meeting and the Dunedin Cun meeting, Deucalion galloped a sound mile and aquarter last week with the assistance of Red Gown and Pilliewinkie. Owing to meeting with an accident, ,Ta<k Arrnh is regardlcd as a very unlikely starter at the Forbury Park Summer meeting. Pillie Winkie is engaged in the Apprentices’ Plate, to be run at Trcntham. So far he has an unbeaten record of two starts, two wins.

Cupidon is said to bear an improved appearance since he sported silk at the New Zealand Cup meeting, and is striding along well in his work; Tho Kilbroney gelding L'Amour, who shaped so well ot the Grand National meeting, is amongst the acceptors for the Wellington Cup meeting. An Auckland scribe states that Bonny Logan, Acron, and Ahuriri will have difficulty in shaking off Logan Chief when they meet in classic events.

If Cupidon wins tho Wellington Cup there should be keen competition for his yearling half-brother by Kilbroney, to be sold at Wellington next week. Silver Peak was brought up to Wingatui last week, and after putting in two or threo days there is due to land in Wellington on Wednesday morning. Royal Star was nicely enough treated in the Wellington Cup at 7.10, or Ulb less than he carried in the Metropolitan Handicap, but was allowed to drop out of the race. R. J. Mason will be represented by » strong team at the Wellington Cup meeting, where he has Cupidon, Pluto, Vespucci, Veil, Valdamo, and Tressayr engaged. When the Foxton Racing Chib has celebrated its jubilee meeting it may, with tho wisdom born of age, realise the folly of clashing with tho Wellington Cup meeting.

Mr T. M. Wilford has sold the-two-year-old half brother by Kilbroney to Sasauof to an Australian buyer, and the youngster joins L. Robertson’s stable at Mentone. The crack pacer Realm, who went amiss on the eve of the last Trotting Cup, has derived considerable benefit from a spell, and may bo recommissioned in the near future.

Maioha was sore after racing at the Auckland Cup meeting, and that is probably the reason why he dropped out of his engagements on the first day of the Wellington Cup meeting.

Gold Light shaped well at the Auckland meeting, but she may go better at Wellington, whore she will he galloping on a lefthanded .rail, to which she has been more accustomed than the right-handed rail., at El erslie. Ever since Ares won the D.J.C. Champagne Stakes with 9.6 in 1.15 3-5 the writer has been waiting for him to run as a K) ee-year-old up to the promise of his two-year-old form. He is engaged in the Telegraph Handicap at 6.7. The yearling brother to Warhavcn, who is to be sold at Wellington next week, is said to be a far more robust youngster than the Southland-owned three-year-old, who, however, has paid his way and should do a lot better when fully furnished. The Wellington Cup candidate Scrimmage has been responsible for some fairly attractive work at Kiocarton. She was fancied for her races at the New Zealand Cup meeting, but settled her chances by being alow to begin at the rise of the barrier. The declaration of acceptances for the Welling Cup considerably reduced the strength of the field, as 18 horses remain out of the 35 handicapped. The most notable absentees are Marquetenr, Winning Hit, Pluto, Royal Box, Royal Star, and Many Kittle. According to reports from the north, Muraahi is strongly fancied for the Wellington Cup. As. he meets Cupidon on 101 b worse terms than when the latter heat him in the Metropolitan it should be 10lb to loz that the result will be the same if they meet, at Trontham.

The imported Polymelus horse Scorpios went out a strong favourite for the Perth Cup, but suffered a neck defeat by Jolly Cosy. Scorpius won the All-Aged Stakes with 8.13 in 1.25 4 ? 5, and is evidently smart over a middle course. He goes to Flemington and joins J. ocobic’s stable. Martis, who is engaged in the Ruapehu Handicap at 7.4. put up a smart sprint at Riccarton last week, where he broke 50 for half a mile when carrying a light weight. Martin ran a good' third in the Linwood Handicap, run at. the New Zealand Cup meeting and won by IVink in 1.11 4-5. Insurrection has run some of his best performances on the Trentham course. One of his best was put up at the ,'ast Autumn meeting when running in the Autumn Handicap ill furlongs). On that occasion Gasbag (8.0) beat Quest (7.2) a neck, whilst Insurrection (8.9) was another head away in third place. It is stated that Mr G. L. Stead exchanged the two-year-old’ colt Soltano for Royal Box. who, in the light of his latest form, is evidently a better horse in private than he is in public. Possibly Royal Box is not at home in a big field, but may shape all right in a small one, where crowding is not likely to take place. The New Zealand-bred mare Radiant Light started favourite when she won the Denman Handicap, run at the Sydney Tattersall’a meeting held at Eandwick on December 30. She, however, went under to the Queensland horse Tom M’Carthy when they met iu the Tattersall’a Club Cup, which the latter won easily in 2.59 i when carrying 8.10.

The imported horse Paper Money has been transferred to the Waikanae stud, and one has only to see the splendid crop of foals he has loft in his first season to create regret that the son of Greenback has left the South Island. The imported horse Archery has been sent south to the Elderslie stud to take the place vacated by Paper Money. Killicrankie, who won the West Australian Derby on Boxing Day, was got in New Zealand by Kitbroney from Flowery Speech, a more imported to this country by Mr J. B. Reid. Flowery Speech was in foal when sold at the dispersal of the Elchrslie stud in 1919 to Mr E. E. D. Clarke, of Victoria. She was got bv Cicero from Persian Lilac by Persim-mon-—White Lilac by Springfield.

yiircnHonta, who figures amongst the acceptors for the Telegraph Handicap at Wellington, has not been seen out since she ran in the last Great Easter Handicap, when suffering lameness caused by a pricked foot. Just before that she showed brilliant form at the Wellington Autumn meeting by winning tbo Railway Handicap with 6.9 in 1.13, and the .Suburban Handicap with 7.7 in. i.ll. Reports speak highly of the Kilbroney— Afterglow yearling colt that will be offered by the Waikanae stud at the Wellington sales to be held on January 23. Afterglow was a good performer in her time, and is a most attractively-bred mare in being got by Demosthenes from Sunglow, own sister to Boniform and aalf-sister to Martian. Sunglow is the dam of Many Kittle, who bolted away with the Stead Gold Cup at Riccarton in November last. Pluto meets The Hawk in (be Telegraph Handicap on lib better terms than when the hitter ran third in the Stewards’ Handicap. The Hawk won the Telegraph Handicap run at the Wellington Cup of 1922 with 8.13 in 1.11 1-3. when Pluto 8.10 was unplaced. Both horses afterwards won at

tlic same meeting, but honours still rest with The Hawk, who won the Waterloo Stakes with 9.2 in 1.9 4-S, whilst Pluto won the Metropolitan Handicap with 8.9 in 1.11. Palestrina is a bit slow on her legs at the start of a race, and on that account is doubly handicapped, particularly in an effort to secure a good position at tbo turn out of tho straight at Trentham, She is also a bit moody, as she showed unaccountably bad form at the Dunedin Gup meeting and again made a very poor display in the Groat Autumn Handicap. She is. however, a better marc than her pub’ic form suggests, and it in the mood may prove hard to beat in tho Wellington Cup. . Tho Manchester Handicap, which is one of the most important events decided at the back end of the English racing season, was won oh November 25 by Foreloire, who carried 9.0 and beat 13 others over a mile and a-lialf run in 2.36. Foreloire is a brown horse got by Beppo (son of Marco) from Torpor, by Volodyovski (son of Florizell II) from La ' Mortoin, by Martngon from a Hermit mare. Forloire is in-bred to SH Simon and Hermit, and a descendant of Earcaldino in tail male.

Killashandra, the three-year-old gelding by Kilbroney—Symbolism, who is engaged in the Telegraph Handicap at 6.7, may be one that will make the top-weights feel their burden at the finish. He won ns a Iwo-ycar-okl at the last 'Wellington Cup meeting when landing t lie Nursery Handicap with 7.10 in 59 1-5, and later in the season ran Rapine to a head at Manawntu when in receipt of 5U> over five furlongs. Killashandra. wen at the Avondale Spring meeting with 7.7. over six furlongs in 1 .IT l-o, but has since been unplaced in throe races. Rapine is said to be fancied in some quarters for tho Wellington Cup. A Hireo-yoar-old has not won the race since Nightfall scored with 8.2 in 1905. (lladsome v.'on with 8.5 in 1901, but lost the stakes on a technical point of racing law. Renown won with 8.10 in 1901, and Cynisca commenced her remarkable aeries of three consecutive wins when she won as a three-year-old with 7.1 in ISU9. Castaway and Korari are tho only other three-year-olds to win the Wellington Cup, mid the first scored in the first race run in 1871 when handled by James Cotton, who still is occasionally seen about Dunedin. Up lo the time the last mail to hand left England J 6 yearling? hud been sold' for IGOOgs oi 0.-or. Top price was realised by. a grey filly by Tho Totrarch from tho Sunbridgo more Lady Josephine, who was bougtit by the Aga Khan for 9100 gs, the next highest price being llOOgs, which Sir (1. Bullough paid for a Polymelus colt from a sister to Dark Ronald. Two colts and a similar number of fillies made 400Jgs each, and 10 brought between 3000 gs and IOOOgs. The beat average in England this j'eur is held by The Totrarch, who had six descendants that realised an average of 3773g5. A case is at present under review by the Auckland authorities where a rider accuses an owner of asking him to take hold of his horse, and when he refused another horseman was given the mount. The second horseman also had tho question put lo him (says "Whalebone), but he also refused, and the horse '.von. A little while after, however, tho last-named rider was accused of stopping tho horse on his own account —sort of getting even by tho owner. At present it is only tho boy's word against tho owner, but the matter is not likely to be allowed to remain where it is, and the evidence of the second boy must bo taken.

Glontruin failed at the Auckland Cup meeting, although she got close up in her races. In the Telegraph Handicap at Wellington she was handicapped to meet The Hawk on 30lb worse terms than when she boat him into third place in the Stewards’ Handicap. The figures show how quickly some horses rise in the weights. Songbird did not show his form until the final day of the Cup meeting, when he ran third with 8.10 in the Members’ Handicap. Since then he. has been allotted 8.12 in the Telegraph Handicap, and so meets Glentmin on 161 b better terms than in the Criterion Handicap. One of the problems of breeding is supplied by the fact that brothers and .sisters may he as wide as the poles in racing merit. No one has heard of the Linnet as a racing proposition, and she is merely known because she comes into the reflected glory ohono by Songbird, a full brother who is one of the best horses in frainng at the present time. Songbird has had a rather strenuous career for what is still a yenirr horse, but he has stood up to his woik like a lion-hearted thoroughbred, and keeps on winning. On the other hand, his sister has achieved practically nothing on the turf, and yet may do more at (he stud than her well-performed brother. Deucalion has good form up to a mile and a-qunrfe:. He won the Otaia Plato with 3.18 in 2.6 1-5 and the Otago Handicap with 8.1" in 2.5. On both occasions he finished on strongly and may make a hold show in the Wellington Cup with 8.1. He is, however, in much better company than ho has tackled up to date, and he reads badly treated through Bonnie Heather, who beat him at 8.6 each in the Fcndnlton Handicap and now meets the Riccarton-trained gelding on Gib better terms. Bonnie Heather also reads nicely treated 1 through Cupidon, who was unplaced in the Fendalton Handicap with 9.2 mid now meets the former on Db belter terms.

Some very remarkable records have been compiled in connection with one or two of the principal handicaps decided in the Dominion. Very few instances can be quoted where a horse has won an important handicap on three consecutive occasions, and although at weight-for-nge or special weight races the record has been rn-ill-il, the list is very limited. Cyn w.mi ib- Wellington Cup on three cons'cui ire occasions, and Nelson achieved a s'milar vcco’-I in connection with the Auck'.md Cio. but after recalling that Waiuku achieved similar distinction in the Thompson Handicap the list becomes exhausted of horses ho have scored three times running in an important handicap decided in the Domiuon. Foxton won the Rangitikei Cup on three consecutive occasions. but it cannot be quite classed as such a difficult race to win as those captured by Cynisca, Nelson, and Waiuku.

Pcneus has not struck form this season, but so far has only been produced once. As a two-year-old he showed rather brilliant form by winning six races and gaining a place out of nine starts. He opened his winning account in the Nursery Handicap, at Wairarapa, when he won over five furlongs on each day of the meeting. At Wooctvillc he carried B.f* and won over five furlongs in 1.1 1-5, and at Masterton he carried 0.6 and won in 1.2 2-5. The Ilnnco beat him a length in the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes, but King’s Trumpeter, Killashandra, Highland, Arcs, Enthusiasm, and Zany were behind him. He showed his best form at Riccarton, where he won the Russ ley Plate with 9.2 in 1.0 4-5 and the Autumn Nursery with 9.9 in 1.11. If Peneus is ready at Ticntham he should skip a good six furlongs under 7.12. The discovery that Dora Derby had been masquerading as Traylaco shows that it requires eternal vigilance to keep racing and trotting clean and free from malpractice so that genuine sportsmen can enjoy their participation in the game. If some boneheaded ideas were carried to their logical conclusion nothing should have been said about the case, as it would place a stick in the hands of the enemy of sport. It was, by the way. a rather impudent matter to produce Dora Derby as Traylace at a Tapanui meeting when she was well known by her performances at Invercargill, Forbury Park, and Gore, a trio of fixtures which supply a good deal of patronage to the Tapanui meetings. Evidently some people were not blind to the merit of Dora Derby, alias Traylace, ns she started favourto at Tapanui, when she won from the limit in a 9.40 class, which would be a fairly good bet for a mare with 2.16 3-5 against her.