THE TURF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18876, 31 May 1923, Page 4

THE TURF

By Sentinel.

TOPSY-TURVEYDOM. The bulk of the riding at Oamaru seemed to bo done by the apprentices, whilst some of the leading riders in the South island filled the role of spectators. It is all very fine to encourage youngsters, but it can be overdone, and it is most unfair that the novice should get most of the work whilst the tradesman is idle. If such a thing obtained in ordinary labour circles, what a roar there would be. Kings would tremble on their thrones, and politicians would rush to manufacture and amend all the laws in the country to meet the case. Not so our turf legislators, who look on with unseeing eyes, and apparently do not recognise the topsy-turveydom of the situation. The situation is a serious one and under the circumstances one can hardly blame some riders if they fall from grace and make the very best use of the fewrides that come" their way. It is hard, indeed, on riders who cannot go to scale under Bst to go to the expense cf travelling from meeting to meeting and by force of circumstances created by the Ernes ot Racing tempted to mjike expenses by punting instead of getting it at the profession, to which they have devoted the best part of their lives. It is all very fine for tha apprentice, but it is inevitable that he, too. will in time join the partially unemployed unless more protection is bestowed on the rider who has emerged from his apprenticeship and can still do a handy weight, A remedy is required in both the interests of the sport and the full-blossomed rider, but although this aspect of the case has been touched upon on previous occasions, we will, no doubt, as usual, see the annual tinkering at the rules on minor points whilst ' most important matters are neglected. , i THE DUNKDIN WINTER MEETING.

Wingatui is a popular sporting rendezvous at this present time, as hosts of sportsmen regard the Dunedin Jockey Club’s Winter meeting as the most attractive fixture held on the course. The star attraction is, of course, the cross country events, and the battles over hurdles, and with a splendid array of nominations there should be some good fields seen out on each day of the gathering. One good reason why these classes of contests are so popular is due to tho fact; that whilst the cross country course is quite ample in to give every horse a chance, it still provides an excellent view of every jump in the circuit which extends to about a mile and a-half. The jumps require doing, particularly the two very substantial post and rail obstacles, one of which is opposite the old mile post, and the other near the fourfurlong post. The sod wall which takes a field off tho course proper is solid, but not particularly formidable except in bad weather, when the approach and take-off is apt to become boggy, and accentuates the difficulty of negotiating the jump. The rest of the course is quite fair and although a number of spectators concentrate their attention at the water jump, it is really the easiest jump on the course providing a rider gets a bit of pace on to carry his mount oyer. Whilst on this subject of the water jump, it is noticed that year after year a large number of spectators congregate on the north side and selfishly block the view ot those who remain in the enclosures. Tho stewards should take stops to prevent this state of affairs, and so earn the gratitude of tho multitude. The events on the flat should provide some interesting racing, and with a very desirable auxiliary on hand in the shape of good weather, the card for each day should attract a large attendance.

WINNING SIRES. The Australasian of May 12 supplies statistics of the winning stallions in Australia from August 1 to April 30. ComedyKing tops the list with 26 winners of 72 races worthy 38,57950v5, and he is so far ahead of Tinaero that he will retain his position at the end of the season. Tinacre had 37 winners of 63 races worth 21,28750v5, and he is followed by a comparatively young sire in Woorak. who had 17 winners of 30 races worth 20.14750v5. St. Anton, who ranks third in the list is a proliffic sire of winners, although they may not be topnotchers on the turf. He got 51 winners of 94 races worth 18,23050v5. Sea Prince is next with 27 winners of 504 races worth 1.5.55050v5, and then comes the Welkin withi 15 winners of 33 races worth 14,74750v5. 1 Endorus follows with 36 winners of 63 races worth 14,32250v5, and Tressady has 28 winners of 584 races worth 13.36250v5. A notable feature of those that figure at Hie top of the list consists in the fact that Persimmon sired Comedy' King, Sea Prince and Tressady, who figure in the first eight. ." Woorak. who ranks third, is the only J colonial-bred stallion in the' first eleven on the list. Four of the first eight represent the St. Simon line. Pistol and Beragoon J are the only representatives of Musket in the first twenty. Right near the bottom of the list is En Garde, the son of St. Simon and the New Zealand mare Engagement, who was once described by the “Special Commissioner” of the London Sportsman as the best bred horse in the world, but nevertheless has failed to achieve any prominence as a : stallion. Jazz continues to shape promisingly in hid schooling over hurdles. Bloom was fancied at Oamaru, but each day found the journey a shade too far. Grange broke down badly when running on the second day at Oamaru. Fabrinade again, showed his usual brilliancy, but failed, to land the money all Oamaru. ■ Genera] Retain won nicely at Oamaru, and has apparently trained on well since running at the Timaru meeting. Dancing Days shaped well under big loads at Oamaru, but they anchored her at the finish. Goldspinner was a good second favourite for the Fernbrook Handicap, but failed to justify the confidence of his supporters. Tlie Dunedin Jockey Club’s Winter meeting will take place on Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday next. General Advance has been mentioned in connection with the two Great Northerns, and he may follow the example of Lochella. Handicaps for the Ashburton Trotting meeting ar© due on Juno 5, ana acceptances on June 6. Ruddy Gold finished a good third in the Empire Hurdles at Oamaru, but was not produced on the second day of the meeting. Killowen ran twice over hurdles at Oamaru, but although jumping fairly well, he failed to, get dangerous in either race. , Bonnie Winkle gave a pleasing display when he ran last week, and the race should tune him up for his Wingatui engagements. Some of the horses engaged at Oamaru did not appear because they received a stronger invitation to- wait until Wingatui. The well-performed mare Michaela is now at the Elderalio stud, and booked to visit Archery. She has been on a visit to KiV broney. , The Reaver was galloped on whilst racing at Ashburton, and lias been given a spell, Oricot, another of the team, has also been turned out. Another case cropped up during the Oamaru meeting which will assit in bringing about tbo coupling of all horses in a stable when they meet in a race. Guncase is improving, and if he had not dropped back in the early part of his race on the second day at Oamaru might have landed a double. . Happy Warrior was the shortest-priced winner at Oamaru. He paid considerably less than even money, but returned a much better price on the second day. Wharfedale was prominent in the early part of his races at Oamaru, but when asked to carry on he beat a retreat instead of battling to the front. If one of the riders at Oamaru had given vent to a good, hearty, noisy sneeze, his ’ mount might have been startled into a win instead of being close up to it. At tbo end of the present racing season in England, F. Bullock, who has been riding with conspicuous success there, intends to' return to Victoria and set up, as a trainer. Nominations are due on Friday. June 8, for tli© M'Lean Stakes, of 750sovs; Champagne Stakes, of 750sovs; and Dunedin Guineas, of 7-oOsovs, to be run in 1924. Silk Rein was dry in the coat and lightish in condition when she ran at Oamaru, and will have to freshen, up before able to show her true form. 1 The young are generally ambitious, but at Oamaru one youngster appeared to be riding to orders and not with a desire to add to liia list of winning rides. Paphian stayed on better when finishing up the Oanmi-u hill than generally anticipated, He can go fast, but even six furlongs is a shade too far unless he has the wind in his favour. Mirza was seriously- injured when he fell at Oamaru through Staff Officer, who was in his immediate wake, tramping on the prostrated horse’s head. W. Foilding, the rider of Mirza, escaped with a shaking. The Gay Lad— Dabchick gelding Kaotana . was one the leaders into the straight ”i the Connolly Handicap, and with a stronger . rider may bo found doing better in future events. Boadioea was struck out. of the Birthday Handicap shortly after the appearance of tie weights, and Sunny Loch and Some Kid were withdrawn from their engagements in the Tradesmen's Handicap and Winter Welter. Bosker Boy put up a meritorious performance when he won at Oamaru, as he was rather sore when doing his preliminary. Ha also ran a good race on the second day, when he was making up ground towards the