THE TURF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19503, 11 June 1925, Page 5

THE TURF.

By Sentinel.

THE DUNEDIN WINTER MEETING. r l'ho Dunedin Jockey Club was favoured with exceptionally fine weather on each day of the Wingatui Winter meeting ana the opening card attracted one of the largest attendances ever seen on the course. The crowd which witnessed the second day ■was very small for a place the size of Dunedin, and apparently there are large numbers of people who cannot tear themselves away from business on two consecutive days. A more satisfactory muster turned out to see the third day’s racing. Money did not seem to be in abundance, • and the totalisator returns showed a decided shrinkage on lost year’s figures, but perhaps this may b© balanced by the curtailment in the stakes. The track was a bit greasy on the first day, and after drying up considerably on the second day, became very sticky and holding for the final oara, ns a result of an exceptionally heavy frost. The programme provided some very interesting racing, and close finishes were quite common, and it .is pleasing to note that the judge’s verdicts in connection with the narrow margins were accepted without question. The fiat races attracted satisfactory fields, but the cross-country events, which are the star features of the Wingatui Winter meeting, were disappointingly small, and there continues to be quite a dearth of jumpers of a fair class about. Small as some of the‘fields were last week, candour compels one to state that some of the runners do not seem worth keeping in training, as they are too old and crippled. • Dunedin continues to be rather short of owners, and until some improvement is made in that respect wo will have to rely on Wingatui drawing all the outside patronage it can obtain, in order to build up the success of a meeting. With so many hunts in existence in the South Island, one could bo pardoned for expecting them to produce some jumpers , each season, but ovithey are not capable of doing so, as some of the winners last week were horses who have boon with us very many seasons. Despite the small fields, however, there were some really stirring contests between the flags. It is, however, obvious that they must attract much better patronage if the Wingatui Winter meeting, as a cross-counry carnival, is to hold its popularity. With all the drawbacks t each of the cards provided some very enjoyable sport, and it was quite a pleasure to enjoy it whilst basking in the warmth of a summer-like sun. Close finishes are usually attributed to good handicapping, and consequently Mr N. B- Lusk is entitled to a great deal of praise, but, at the same time, one cannot pass over the fact that in some instances ho asked losers to meet their victors on worse terms than those at which they had already suffered defeat. When there is a direct line to form this is inexcusable, and whilst, no doubt, Mr Lusk does some good work, the mistoxes such as those made between The Cheat and Warhaven cannot be allowed to pass without some allusion being made to them. Unfortunately the handicapping of The Cheat led to some hot words from his trainer, who was placed on the, carpet and fined £lO. Mr A. D. MTvor did some really good work at the barrier during each .of the three days, but with that common tendency to judge by faults rather than by general merit, there was more talk 1 about the consideration granted Francaise, a notoriously unruly horse at the barrier, than anything else which occurred during the meeting. There is, perhaps, a simple remedy for such things, and it should be carried into effect by the Rules of Racing. The honorary officials of the club and its staff had the business side of the meeting working in smooth order, and Mr W. F. James and his very efficient staff as usual handled the investments with the utmost dispatch. In connection with this side of the meeting, it was noted that the ladies seemed to appreciate the club’s consideration in providing special windows, as the latter were well patronised. A NEW RULE. A mnch-discussod subject during the Dunedin Winter meeting was the treatment meted out to fractious horses. It is inter* esting to note that amongst the remits which are to come before the Racing Conference is one which will absolutely debar a fractious horse from being nominated in a race. Uj der the proposed tule, a fractious horse xvijl be placed on a ‘‘schooling list,” and ■whilst its name remains there it will be ineligible to start in any race, and, if started, / shall be disqualified for the race. The power to place a horse on the schooling list shall rest on the report of a stipendiary steward or stewards of any club. At different times it has been pointed qut that horses notoriously bad in their behaviour at the barrier should never be allowed to line -up with the others. On the first day a: Wingatui, Cornflower went up with the other horses and buffeted them all over the place. She was finally sent to the outside, where she should have been from the outset, or behind the field. She again gave trouble on the second day. On the final day the start of her race took place in front of the stands. She was not allowed to line up with the others, and so gave very little trouble or delayed a prompt start. If similar treatment was bestowed on all fractious horses, their owners and backers would receive fair treatment and hold no grounds for complaint. If they are not satisfied, the nominations of their horses should be refused. Tho_ official starter has, under the Rules of Racing, power to place any horse which, in his opinion, is likely by misbehaviour, to prevent a fair start in any position he may think proper in the rear of the field. Where starters commit their most serious error is in allowing a fractious horse to . come up and have ‘‘one chance” with the others, and by so doing they create the very trouble which they should be most anxious to avoid. It is really an intolerable state of affairs that one or two notoriously fractious horses should be allowed to line up and upset what would be a wellbehaved lot at the barrier. There need not be any reason to return to this subject again. A LEAN SEASON. It will be probably founu that the Dunedin Jockey Club has experienced a somewhat lean season, and, if that is so, there does not seem much hope for a progressive programme next season. This season a substantial cut has been made in stakes on offer at Wingatui, and only this fact will help the club along rather than the amount of revenue received as sort of crumbs from the Government’s table, wmch is rich with the fruits of taxation on racing. This taxation has been principally responsible for an almost complete hale in • the improvements which the club contemplated carrying out at Wingatui. At the present rate of progress', or lack of it, as there has been a decided retreat in the wav of prize-money, it will be a century or so before vVingatui is properly equipped as the metropolitan racecourse of Otago. A dream of making it so stands a chance of developing into an annoying nightmare with those who have been anxious to make improvements. The contemplated erection of a new stand for the outside public halted at putting in the mound which was to front tne building, and it now seems to mark the grave of a good idea. If this stand could be erected, it would not only meet a long-felt want and modernise the accommodation, but it would «lso permit the club to form a large parking paddock for motor cars at the south end of their enclosures, and so avoid the necessity of having cars and pedestrians moving in a comewhat congested mass between the gates and the railway station. Members will still have to practise mountaineering to their seats on the stewards’ stand until financially happier days arrive, and the whole outlook for the completion of any progressive ideas held by the club does not look particularly bright. Perhaps some extra special effort could be made, and so convert further signs ot retreat into an advance against whatever is standing in the way of progress in connection with our race meetings. Tenterfield’s record last week was three starts, three falls. Kilbrcney sired four of the winners at the Dunedin Winter meeting. Nominations for the Ashburton Winter meeting are due on June 15. Nominations for the Wellington Winter meeting are due on Juno 22. Nomination-* for the Dunedin classh events close to-morrow. The Boniform gelding Bonena was milucky to miss a race last week. Solferino sired winners of six races at W ingatui last week, and 11 pheo-getters Finora raced like a much over burdened horse last week, and never got near ihe money. Moorland made a fair show in the Tradesmen’s, but failed badly in the Wairongoa Handicap. Ked Kriss arrived at Wingatui last week, but was sent back to Ric Carton without being raced. Prosperity looked a much improved horse when produced last week, but his form was rather patchy. J. M'Combe will probably take a small team to Sydney towards the end of the present month. Eaton Bells shaped veil in her races last week, but found others too good for her at the weights. Nominations are due on June 26 for the principal event* to bo rim at tho C.J.C. Grand National meeting.

Happy Days stands quieflv enough at the barrier if allowed to keep two or three lengths behind the rest of the field. Mountain Lion ran a good race in the Birthday Handicap, but he did not shape so well in his subsequent engagements tt the meeting. T. Metcalf was riding last week under the disadvantage of a damaged hand, caused by a nail entering the pad of one of his thumbs. Valdamo was a paddock tip for tho Farewell Handicap, but Clontarf, well handled by J. Beale, carried too many guns for the southerner. Hie fact that the stakes at Wingatui last week were 650sovs less than in 1924 will help to counterbalance tho shrinkage in the totalisator returns. Golden King, who was amongst tho runners at Wingatui last week, is said to bo IS years, old, and, even so, was whispered as a tip for the Farewell Handicap. Tho Solferino three-year-old gelding Ophir put up two seconds last week, and may grow into a useful sort next season, as most of his tribe improve with ace. The sod wall which “opens the fall’ in tho Otago Steeples is generally considered far too big and solid as a first _ fence in a cross-country race. It tops 4ft in places. An anaylsis of the liouid said to have been administered to Aurore failed to discover any drug such as cocaine, and it has been sent back to bo submitted to another test. Ravenna raced very consistently, but with rather unlucky results last week, when she was twice beaten by narrow margins for first money, and in her final race for second place. Many a useful horse goes begging for an owner. Since Comic Song was placed under offer at 250gns he has won five races on end, and finished close up in the Empire Handicap. C. Dawson had the mount in Kipling each day of tho Wingatui meeting, and handled his mount in a capable manner. He sat close to his horse, and scored a win and two seconds on him. Baldowa did not shape up to expectations based on rumours of good gallops he is said to have put up prior to the meeting. He looked rather big in condition when he appeared in the birdcage. L. J. Ellis is one of the most diminutive jockeys ever seen on a racecourse. His logs cannot span an ordinary saddle flap, but he is long enough to steer winners by the shortest route near the rails. The principal business to be transacted at the next Trotting Conference bo based on a proposal to dissolve the Trotting Association and place tho power it wields in tho hands of district committees. Perhaps some of us when thinking of the Musket line are ant to overlook tho fact that Calibre, tho siro of Guncase, is a tail male descendant of the famous son ot Toxophilite, through Trenton and Light Artillery. Ecuador came from tho North Island with a reputation of being a much better horse in soft ground than he is on a hard track. He gave evidence tb support that opinion by running second in tne Empire Handicap. Tho introduction of special windows for ladies at the totalisator seemed to bo appreciated last week, although it proved an utter failure when introduced at tho Addington meetings some years ago, and the idea was abandoned. ’The Ashburton Trotting Club’s Winter meeting will take place to-morrow and on Saturday, when tho star attraction will bo the Free-for-all, which has attracted a nomination for several of the smartest pacers in training.J. Beale has purchased tho property formerly occupied by G. Reed at' Riccarton, and has leased the stables, consisting of five boxes, to J. Lindsay. Rex Beale, a. son of J. Beale, has been apprenticed to J. Lindsay, and shows promise in tho saddle. . After Bonomel followed his win in the Jumpers’ Flat with another success in the more important Otago Hurdles his trainer stated that he would not start the geldipg again at the meeting. A change of mind saw Bonomel go out at the first jump in the Greenfield Hurdles. Tho Solferino gelding Irish gained the distinction of being the only double winner at Wingatui last week. Sprig of Erin, the dam of Irish, was got by Desmond (sire of Demosthenes) from Sweet Vernal, by Sainfoin from Musa, by Martagon (siro of Martian) from Palmflowcr. Fulmar has neither grown nor furnished Out during tho season. This is not, however, due to being overworked, as although kept going ho is not by any means galloped too often. He was coming on towards the finish of the Farewell Handicap, and may yet win beyond a six furlong journey Monto Carlo, the siro of the dam of Cassells, was, got by Ascot, who got Norton, the winner of the Grand National Steeples of 1894. Monto Carlo was a black stallion who once carried a butcher’s basket in Dunedin. Ho was got my Ascot from Speculation, by Hippocampus—Slander, by Traducer. Comic Song looks wonderfully well at present, and pulled up without showing any sign of distress after his races. He is generally supposed to be best suited by soft going, but he failed to successfully extract himself from the sticky ground in evidence on the final day at Wingatui. Set Sail, the winner of the Empire Handicap, is a compactly built young mare, and has a good turn of speed. She was got by Solferino from Strathpeffer, by Birkenhead from Ideal, by Dreadnought— Mount Ida, by Apremont—ldalia, and so lacks nothing on the score of breeding. W. Bush, who formerly was a well-known rider on the flat and over fences, has decided to take out a trainer’s license. He has been associated with several good stables, and when formerly acting as a trainer had a fair amount of success with Gnome, whom he turned out as a useful winner. The going at Wingatui on the final day of the meeting was much more trying than tho first two days of the fixture. An exceptionally heavy frost fell overnight, and vihen it thawed it loft the track sticky and holding. A notable feature of the day was tho downfall of horses carrying top weights in their races. Kilfane has always been shaping freer than Bonena in their work together nn to about seven furlongs or a mile, and then tho latter seemed to bo travelling the stronger of the two. Kilfane nearly effected a big surprise in the King George Handicap, which Bonena found too short to suit him. Tho Harp was a fancied article for the King George Handicap, in which ho finished fourth. Ho had a 51b allowance, but his diminutive pilot, who looked los, on top of a big saddlo and leadbag, put up to draw 7.5, could not have been much use to his mount beyond steering him on tho journey. Sun Up stopped badly at the end of both his races last week, and perhaps is showing the result of rather too much racing being given an overgrown threo-vear-old. Ho has had 30 races and a good deal of travelling since he first appeared as a two-year-old at the Dunedin Cup •meeting of 1924. Gay Juliet ' won handsomely when she scored in the Invermay Welter, but she made a poor show in the King George Handicap. Perhaps one reason for it was ‘hat she was meeting Guncase on 81b fin"l ding 31b allowance) worse terms than when tho fatter finished in front of her in the Tradesmen’s Handicap. 11. Donovan was on the carpet on the first day at Wingatui for endeavouring to c oreo. an opening whilst riding Sunny T.ooh : u tho Winter Welter. Donovan did not ■oem to be the cause of the trouble. It is n noteworthy fact that when Runny I oeh -offered interference in the Timani Cup •■hero was apparently nothing said about the matter. c imnv Loch has not recovered the form ho displayed when winning the Winter Cup anff other races. He has. however, been tairlv well taken care of by the weight adjusters. For instance, he finished fifth to Warbavcn’s second in the Whiter Welter •hen giving 91b, and yet in tho Farewell Handicap an additional 21b was placed between them. Rir Rosebery has added his name to tho select band of horses who rank ns winners of both Great Northern Hurdles and Great Northern Steeples, run at the same meeting. Sir Rosebery also won the Great Northern Steeples last season. El Gallo won the same double in two consecutive vears. Lochella and Liberator complete Mm small list. _ J Bede reM’oed that too much use had i-mmi pinde of Clontarf and R"n Up in the '''airengoa Handicap. b”t he feared to 4ron hack. - because it meant the risk of •rpftirig boxed in the field. In the Fare--o'l Handicap be rode i wailing rare in f-ont. and as they were not s ,- ch a speedy let a ,r ninst him as in the sprint races, ho l ’ad matters all his own way. Clontarf and Sun Up ran themselves into the ground when they met in tho Tradesmen’s Handicap, hut when more patientlv handled in the Farewell Handicap the former stayed on and won over seven furlongs, which has generally been considered bovond his distance. 11 is this sort, of thing which emphasises ihe truth of tho old saw, “It is the pace that kills.” ■