THE TURF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19262, 28 August 1924, Page 8

THE TURF.

Bi Sentinel. THE TROTTING REGISTER. The separation of the racing and trolling records into two different volumes is sure to win the appreciation of all interested in both branches of sport, because it facilitates reference to the information for which one peruses such books. The Trotting Register is worthy of more than passing notice such as that bestowed on it in last week’s notes. The new volume not only contains the records of all trotting which took place last season, but it also provides a lot of information which makes very interesting reading. It contains statistics, winning times, fastest times in New Zealand, I rotting calculator, (able of distances, leading sires, etc., and also a much appreciated inclusion of the Rules of Trotting. In addition to the above tables of winners of all the principal events have been compiled, and in regard to this the writer ventures to make tho suggestion that the sires of such , winners should be Included, particularly in classic events. A RICH STAKE. This year’s Grand Prix de Paris, ot 16,OOOsovs, one mile and seven furlongs, was run on Sunday, June 29, and contested by a field of 20. The winner turned up in a colt named Transvaal, who was one of the rank outsiders of the field. Transvaal was got by Tracery (sire of the Elderslio stud stallion Archery) from Wilfreda, a mare by William the Third from Free and Easy, by Melton from Slipnot, by Surefoot. The winner’s pedigree is of interest to New Zealand sportsmen, as Tracery is out of a sister to Childwick, the grandsire of Kilbroney. William* tho Third, tho sire of Transvaal’s dam, is a brother to the dam of Tractor, and, as mentioned above, Tracery is the sire of Archery, a handsome young horse who is standing at the Eldershe stud. It is rather interesting to note that, whilst there was such a rich stake on offer for throe-year-olds as tho Grand Prix do Paris, the day’s card also included another stake of 2000sovs for horses of tho same age. The latter race was run over nearly one mile and a-half. The balance of the card was made up with stakes of ICOOsovs, 1200sovs, LOOOsovs, and one of QOOsovs. It will be seen from these figures that there is good money to bo won on the French turf if an owner has the right class of goods to saddle up for a race. , ASKING QUESTIONS.

It is very seldom, indeed, that an owner obtains any satisfaction when asking for an explanation of an unsatisfactory handicap that may bo allotted his hprse in a race. The stewards generally reply that “ the handicappor’s reply has been deemed satisfactory,” even when the weight adjuster has made an obvious blunder. Owners are, in fact, rather diffident about asking a handicapper for an explanation of his work, because they fear that the weight adjustor will more than even up the challenge by keeping more than a fair weight on any such inquisitive owner’s horses. It seems to be the same in England, where “ explaration deemed satisfactory ” was the reply recently made to an owner who asked the why and wherefore of the handicap allotted his horse. A handicapper cannot be t' r d to rules, and ail that owners can expect is that winners should not bo allowed to meet losers on bettor terms. Rather too much of this sort of work occurred during the past season, and it appears as if some of our weight adjusters do not know how to extend and rehandicap a field so that there will bo at least some compensation for defeat towards horses which have pursued winners or placegetters past the winning post. In fact, the time seems to bo over-ripe for the Racing Conference to start a school for handicapping, so as to educate aspirants for work in that direction m the theories of balancing form over various distances, and the effect that weight has on time and distance from a theoretical point of view. Experience is then required to gauge how a race is run, and what readjustment of weight is likely to even up the running into a theoretical dead heat when the same horses meet again. AN UNTENABLE CLAIM.

A few months ago some of the principal sporting scribes in Australia advocated a delay in the publication of the handicaps for the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup. They could see no necessity for such an early publication of the weights, but in making such statements *<. was quite dear that they did not fully grasp the situation. Something on the same lines has been said in connection with the early publication of the handicaps for the N.Z. Cup. 'i'ho subject has been revived again by the sporting scribe of tno Sydney Bulletin, who claims that the handicaps for the Melbourne Oup and Caulfield Cup might well bo postponed until the end of August. lie says the practice of issuing them in June naa outlived its usefulness, if it. over had any. This is tantamount - to advocating that the handicaps for the Melbourne Oup should bo partly framed on form displayed m the off season existing between the conclusion of the autumn meetings and the early spring meetings, and at a time when all the best horses of the previous season are having a let up in their training. This savours of asking an artist to paint a picture without using his best materials in the way of colour. No doubt some good lorm is displayed in the off season, but it is invariably over short distances and conveys little as to what is likely to happen over a two-mi!e course. Form displayed when the best horses are off the scene cannot bo highly assessed, and it is very_ doubtful indeed if any racing takes place in the off season which would justify a material increase of weight in the Melbourne Oup on any of the winners during that period. It may not appear so to those who do not understand handicapping, and the vast difference between winning races over up to a mile and a-quarter and then tackling an extra Six furlongs under an increased burden. There is certainly no racing in New Zealand which warrants a delay in the publication of the weights for the N.Z. Cup, and much the same state of affairs exists in Australia. The form displayed so late as that shown at the A.J.C. Spring meeting, held towards the end of September, is the only running which causes an important change in a horse’s handicap, but tliis is far too late a date to hold up the weights for the most important handicap in the world. Take the cose of Sasanof. who won the Melbourne Oup with 6 12. Would any of the winners in the off season prior to his year have deserved an increase of weight, when they already had far too much for them to give the Martian—Ukraine gelding? A WISE MOVE. At different times during past years the writer has drawn attention to a very undesirable clashing on the calendar between the N.Z. Cup meeting and the Auckland Spring meeting.. The New Zealand Cup meeting, it was quite obvious, could not attain its greatest possibilities so long ns the clash existed, and it continued to exist long after the November 9 date was dropped as a public holiday when King EdwaVd VII died. The Auskland club offered such rich stakes that it seriously interfered with the success of the principal fixture at Ricearicm, and the proof that it did so was evident by the lack of Auckland horses'seen out at the Riccarton Spring meeting. This year the two fixtures will not clash, and the value of the change has at once became evident by the fact that several Aucklanders have been engaged in the New Zealand Cup—in fact, far more than what has been the case since the Mitohehon Oup and other rich stakes figured on the Auckland Spring meeting. The clash also deprived owners of first-dass tiwo-vear-olds and throe-year-olds from racing in some of the richest special weight races decided during the season, and this, of course, was dead against the best interests of racing and breeding. The two fixtures are still a bit too close together, and as it now must bo recognised that the clashing is detrimental to the interests of owners, breeders, and racing in general, the fixtures will no doubt see even more room made between them. It will no doubt, he seen that the removal of the clash will bear even better fruit when the general entries close for the New Zealand Cup meeting. A SERIOUS RIVAL. Wo have always been accustomed to regard England as the founder and everlasting fountain of the strains which brought the thoroughbred to a pitch of perfection and world-wide admiration. England has always been the homo of the thoroughbred, and the world owes all it has obtained in the way of (ho thoroughbred horse to the Mother Country. Even the light harness horse owes its merit to the thoroughbred, and the more of the strain there is at the back of a pacer or trotter’s pedigree, the more it has in Che way of qualities of conformation and .speed. It is true that Franco, America, Australia, New Zealand, and Continental countries have shot England with her own guns by sending thoroughbreds from these countries and successfully exploiting the English turf. France. Hungary, and America produced horses goed enough to win the English Derby, New Zealand won the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase with Moifaa, and Australia scored some notable triumphs on the English turf with Paris, Merman, The Grafter, and several other horses. England still retains her supremacy as the fountain head of the thoroughbred, but

temporarily seems to bo looking in slayers, no doubt as a result of a superabundance of sprint racing. This remark, may bo said in passing, also applies to Now Zealand and Australia, possibly because the modern trainer is not such an adept at developing stayers as those of bygone generations. This season Franco has been avenging Waterloo with a vengeance by the remarkable prowess displayed by french-bred horses racing on (he English turf. Last season Sir Galahad and Epinard crossed the Channel and won in England, but they rnerelv displayed speed. This season the French horses have been dominating the situation with displays of stamina. This year’s Ascot Gold Cup of 3l7osovs, 2i miles, was a veritable triumph for Franco. The French colts Massine and Fih'bert. de Savoie fought out a close finish, and another from the same land in La Oapucin finished fourth in a field of eleven which included the Derby winner Papyrus, who was unplaced. A redeeming feature of the success is the fact, t.nnt Massine in tail male is a descendant of St. Simon through Florizel 11, Derides, and Consols, the sire of the winner; Consols is out of a Bendor mare. In tail female Massine comes from Flying Fox through Ajax, and from her grand-dam through Le Camargo, a daughter of Childwick. This reads like an English thoroughbred “made in France,” but it. is at, least temporarily, if not permanently, superior to what has been “made in England.” Following this success came that of another Frenchman in Rose Prince, who won the Alexandra Stakes of 1785sovs, two miles six furlongs and 85 yards, from another French-bred horse in Keror, who carried Lord Woolavington’s colours. A French horse was fourth in the same race, contested by a field of nine. There was only one English horse in the field for the Grand Prix de Paris, and this was Coramoncl, who finished fourth. The winner turned up in a colt named Transvaal. who won the 16,000sovs stake after starting a rank outsider in the field. Transvaal was got by Tracery from Wilfroda by William the Third, one of St. Simon’s best, sons. Transvaal will probably run in the St. Leger, and may give further proof that the English thoroughlrred when transplanted to France can outstay the homebred stock when it comes to tests of stamina. THE SALISBURY SIRE. A sire is best judged by his stock, and all going well, the Salisbury stud stadion Tractor will have some smart voungsters representing him this season. Unfortunately one of them, in Windshield, by Tractor from Kilbreeze by Kilbroney from Bonnie Winkio’s dam, contracted a severe cold, and hence was not, as originally intended, included in the team which F. D. Jones took over to Sydney. When seen in her box a few days before the rest of the, team were shipped, Windshield was found to have developed into a fine, sturdy looking filly, and her trainer said that m her first sprint or two she had no difficulty in breaking a quarter in Apparently she had inherited the f.i .n.> speed bequeathed by Tractor, who is a son o,‘ ihe flying wonder The Tetrarch, whilst, of course, speed is not lacking on (’ e dam’s side. There are others got by Tractor who have displayed signs of proving more than useful, and there are some particularly fine yearlings about by him, which are a rather more likely looking lot tnan his first crop of foals. There are there good indications that Tractor will make good as a sire, and this is not astonishing when his parent line of blood has proved one of the most successful seen oh the English turf in recent years. His line in tailmale has proved remarkably speedy, and has also two St. Rogers and long distance handicaps to its credit. In tail female, Tractor is out of a sister to William the Third, who proved to be one of the greatest stayers and sires ever left by the phenomenal St. Simon. William the Third has just gained fresh honours by siring the dam of this year’s winner of the Grand Prix cle Paris of 16,0C0sovs, and which ranks as the richest stake offered in the world. Tractor was got by The Tetrarch from Gravitation (sister to William the Third) by St, Simon from Gravity by Windsor from Enigma by The Rake. No student requires to bo told anvthing about the great turf career of The Tetrarch, who retired unbeaten, and has since proved equally successful at the Stud. He brings along a new lino of blood, or, rather, old and successful line of blood in a new channel which we formally appreciated through the agency of Traducer. one of the greatest sires ever seen or likely to be seen in New Zealand. Tractor should be doubly welcome on that account, and if he can, as ho promises to do. revive the glories of the Herod line, as Tratlucer did, as also did Albany, then the future will find us plucking leaves to weave laurels to bestow on his prowess as a sire.

Espada has been sold to a West Coast owner. Penury Rose has been purchased by a Southland owner. Some horses stay well—stay too long on the course when in a race. Mr E. K. Hinder has been elected president of the Gore Racing Club. Carawook is to be treated to a lengthy spell before being asked to race again. All Style is still on the jazz when brought out to the tracks at Wingatui. Vasilkov will probably be schooled over hurdles during the spring of this season. Royal Star has been retired from the turf, and will in future do duty as a hack. The Otahuhu Trotting Club will include a Free-For-All on its programme for this season. King Sol has not suffered any damage by recent racing, and is shaping well in his work. Mantua has resumed work being treated to a spell, which has built her up in condition. Loughrea is a conspicuous absentee from the nominations received for the New Zealand Cup. R. C. N. Reed has taken out a jockey’s license, and will be riding at the Otago Hunt meeting. It is reported that the Grand National Steeplechase winner Sturdoe has been retired from racing. Royal Wink is moving along nicely in his work, and has furnished out a bit more during the off season. It is understood that Mr H. Nathan, the owner of Chrysostem, has purchased the Hymettus gelding Wrangle. Fort Regal showed a good turn of speed in the early part of a six-furlong gallop with Wapping on Saturday last. There will probably be a parade of two-year-olds and novice horses between the races at Wingatui on Saturday. It was claimed at the annual meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club that the grass track had proved a great success. Raconteur has built up considerably during the winter, and is now more robust looking than'what was formerly the case. ( Alto Chimes has changed hands, and figures in the nomination of Mrs M. Lawrence in the New Zealand Trotting Cup. In the telegraphed list of nominations for tile New Zealand Cup Listening Post’s name appeared instead of Listening Point. The Scotch Melody gelding in A. Masters’s stable has grown up and thickened out a good deal since last season. Incursio has not built up much during the winter months, but several of Solferino’s stock do not show any superfluous flesh. The Otago Hunt Club will hold its annual race meeting at Wingatui on Saturday. The first race will start at 12.20. Toralga was under offer to a Dunedin owner, but, as a deal was not effected ho dropped out of his engagement in the Hunt Cup. Nominations for the Ashburton Spring meeting are duo on Thursday, September 4, and for the Kurow meeting on September 10. Avispado ran disappointingly at (he Grand National meeting. He is shaping well in his work, and may do better in the near future. The Forbury Park trotting track is in good order at present, and quite a large number of horses are being worked into racing shape. A chestnut gelding by Balboa in D. P. Wilson’s stable strides along in promising style. Ho will race under the name of Wo tile Bloom. The Oama.ru Spring meeting will be held on October 16 and 17, and follows the Dunedin Spring meeting, which is dated for October 9 and 11. Kilfane, who was more than useful last season, has rejoined S. Trilford’s stable. Ho went off colour last season after proving a consistently good winner. Much interest is being taken in the. result of the appeal which Jones and McCartcn have lodijed against their disqualification by the*Australian Jockey Club. Transvaal, tho winner of this year’s Grand Prix do Paris, was got by Tracery, who is also the sire of Archery, a handsome young stallion at tho Elderslio stud. French sportsmen seem to be the most liberal hearted men in the world, as they generally give largo donations tet charity whenever they win a good stake. Wilfreda, tho dam of Transvaal, the winner of this year’s Grand Prix de Paris, was bought, in England at _4ooogns when carrying her most famous winner. Sherlock is a good handful for his riders, and is about the strongest puller in work at Wingatui. He dashes into his work and has not been troubled by his racing at Riocarton.

Wingatui is%epresentcd in the New Zealand Cup by Roseday, Bonnie Winkie. and Mantua,

The Auckland Racing dub will attach 66,15050 vs in stakes to the programme for the present season, as against £65,800 last year. £71,000 for 1922-23. and £72J'OO for 1921-22.

Arc!) Salute was handicapped to give Wassail 6lhs in the Winter Cup. At the Rungitikoi Hunt meeting Wassail meets Arch Salute in 22lbs worse terms over seven, furlongs. A. MTCay has made an almost complete recovery from the effects of Iris fall at the Dunedin Winter meeting, but is still talcing matters easy in the way of any connection with horses.

Heather Lad has grown into a fine big three-year-old, and as he always puts plenty of heart into his finishes should bo found slaying on in his three-yoar-old engagements. Cassells did not suffer any damage when he tipped out at RiccartPn, and is bowling along freely in his work. His fall broke down the opinion that ho is a dead sure horse at his fences.

Reports from England state that Salmon Trout, the three-year-old son of The Tetraroh, won the Prince of Wales Stakes, of 25O0sovs, one mile and a-half, in a canter by three lengths. Tlie Paper Money- two-year-old Pink Note is training on nicely under J. Ruttledgo’s tuition. Another in the same stable in the shape of Wensleydale is bearing an improved appearance.

Roseday was allowed to run along over half a mile at Wingatui on Saturday morning, and pulled up well. He is very bright and healthy, and sporting a good deal of condition, but is a horse that comes on quickly.

Wnppino; js the latest addition to Fred Shaw’s stable. Jt was reported that this horse was amiss in the respiratory organs, hut he did not display any signs of trouble when galloning at Wingatui last week. Transvaal, the winner of this year’s Crane Prix de Paris, is out of a mare by William the Third, who is own brother to the dam of Tractor, the Salisbury Stud sire. Tractor, by the way, is getting some likely looking stook.