NOTES BY RATA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1880, 2 December 1887, Page 22

NOTES BY RATA.

*** Excellent weather was associated with the opening afternoon of the D.J.C. Spring meeting, and the sport was of more than ordinary interest. Hostilities commenced with the Handicap Hurdle Race, for which five of the six coloured sported silk. Victory, on account of his recent brilliant performances on the flat — brilliant insofar as time is concerned — and the excellent form he exhibited under the tuition of Kean, the Auckland trainer, was well backed on the totalisator, as was alsa Effigy, a recent Ashburton winner. Victory ran very badly, however; and though he is an accomplished jumper, he loses a lot of ground on landing — indeed his performance was too bad to be true. The raco eventually resolved itself into a match between Garibaldi and Dunluce, and the former at a difference of 2sb ]lb ultimately won auybow. The official time wan 3min ssec ; and though that record is fairly good by comparison, the pace was undoubtedly sluggish, and the form wants some elucidation. The second race was the Maiden Plate, and five contestants also faced the starter for this event. Kimberley was at once pounced upon by the "talent," aud Springston was also supported. Le Temps, who did a big thing in private last week, showed unmistakable signs of soreness, and moved very short in the canter past the stand. The issue was wholly confined to the Northern horses, Kimberley and Springston, who ran a good race home, and finished in the order named. The St. Andrew's Handicap was, of course, the biic event of the afternoon, and a field of seven faced the starter. Of the e e, Beresford, St. Clair, and Ruby were all fancied, and Mr Stead's horse in particular had a big following. In point of looks he is a commoner, and his popularity was based solely on reputation. He was, however, as fit as a fiddle, and his light, " corky " action was very taking. St. Clair stripped in much better condition than he did for the New Zealand Cup, and he naturally had many friends. Ruby, too, was fancied, and Webb undoubtedly thought he had a good thing, but all calculations were upset when Quibble went to the front, defied heading, and won as he liked, paying a dividend of some £10. In the Selling Two-year-old Race Chic carried too many guns for Sophistry, and won easily, even at a difference of 71b ; and if Chic be not a "clipper" the Dunedin youngsters generally are a shady lot. Sophistry is considerably further in front of The Don than Chic is in front of Sophistry. The fifth race was the Handicap Timo Trotting Race, won anyhow by Reefer, and it is evident that there is room for improvement in trotting handicaps ; fancy a 70sec start in a three-mile trot — quite five furlongs ! The Selling Race followed the Trot, and of the five entered, but two started— viz., Sweetbriar and Daisy. Sweetbriar made all the running, and won hard held. The Spring Handicap was an interesting race, and St. Ives, Apropos, Ruby, and Jack were all well backed. A capital race ensued, and the Christchurch horse proved a bit too good for the local mare. The Post Stakes resulted in an easy victory for Sweetbriar. * # * A satisfactory adjustment of betting accounts on the New Zealand Cup seems well nigh impossible. In one or two instances, I believe, backers have accepted the proposals of layers, but in the majority of casr s the " talent " refuses the terms offered by fielders. A " smash up " like the present affects backers and legitimate layers equally. The compiler of one small volume, for instance, backed Lochiel to win him some £400, and afterwards laid off £200 of that money, independent of his book. He is now responsible for these bets, and cannot get a penny of the £400. Moreover, he is unable to collect the money on his book. " When you pay over Lochiel, we will pay over Gipsy King and C 0.," say his clients. This may be an isolated

case— do doubt it is so, — but it illustrates the* influen6es of " ring-bracking.'* How the settle* ment will be finally adjusted is a moot point, bull it seemß probable that ""posting " will eventually De resorted to. *#* The disinclination of subjecting thoroughbred stock to show- ring judgment has ever been marked,- and the reason, too, is frequently palpable. The exhibits at the recent Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society's show were very limited in comparison to the number of thoroughbreds located in and around Dunedin, and it is obvious that show-ring credentials are not particularly indispensable to success in the production of blood stock. On the contrary, breeding on a basis of show- ring judgment would undoubtedly result in a very smali modicum of success ; theory and practice are directly opposed to each other in racing matters. In class I (entire horse, any age) at the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society's show, Gorton' was adjudged first, Rubeiahl second, atid Le Loup third ; and in class IV (mare in foal, o* with foal at foot) Fallacy was placed firsty mare by Oassivelaunus— Tangi sedond* and Titania third. Now, gauged by previous stud records, it is obvious that the progeny of Gorton or Rubezabl — Tangi mare, by Cassivelaunu.*, would be inferior to that of Le Loup — Titania, and the latter would top the former in a Bale ring. Again, Titania's progeny by any of the sirts enumerated would prove superior to the relative offspring of the Tangi mare — determined by past results. Gorton, too, has hitherto had better opportunities of distinction than Le Loup, but Gorton's stock is inferior to Le Loup's. St Ivcs is incomparable to Gipsy King, and showring adjudication is too of ten contrary toaecom* plished fact, seen in effect. '\i* Apart from handicapping, the cause o/' the n cent success of Mr Stead's horses (ss acknowledged by Blr Stead) is illustrative of tl « efficacy of competent training No more difficult art exists than a successful manipulation of racehorses on the turf. " Placing " is perhaps tho key of success in raciDg, provided horses are. properly trained, but in the absence of proficiency iv the training department, " placing " is of little account. It is frequently thought that anybody of ordinary intelligence can train a racehorse, but this is not so. An accurate knowledge of the makes, shapes^ and condition of horses is primarily requisite in training } working by rule is a fallacy. The treatment necessary for one horse would prove wholly in* effective in the preparation of another. Mite* cular horses want continual galloping for months prior to running, whereas similar exercise would incapacitate naturally light animals. Different trainers adopt different methods of treatment, in accordance with the impressions inculcated by experience ; and it is matter of fact that one trainer will bring a horse to the post quite 141b better than another mentor equally reputed — that horse has then been benefited by a change of quarters, or vice versa. Heavy-topped horses with good legs are prepared more easily than those of the lean type — i.e., they are brought to an acme of perfection more easily; it is a comparatively easy matter to get flesh off, but it is an intricate art to put it on and convert it into muscle. In the preparation of horses for long journeys trainers frequently err in constantly galloping them over excessively long courses at steady paces. Now, sluggishness can be inculcated as well as speed, and independent of the length of the race to be runover and above sprint distances — the candidate naturally requires frequent racing over a mile or a mile and a-half (there or thereabouts) during the final stages of his preparation. A mile and a-half is about as far as a horse cares to race, aud pipe-opening gallops beyond that distance are rarely beneficial. *** An experienced eye can easily detect condition in a racer from lack of it, but only an accurate knowledge of the constitution and requirements of an individual horse can" dis-

tinguish actual fitness. How often do we see horses of the slab-sided, narrow-quartered type galloped off their logs in order to make them fitter. This is an effect of training by rule. No racehorse can be kept perfectly fit for any length of time either, and those who run all the year round, winning every now and again, invariably belong to the .non-flesby order, and are rarely within 71b or more of their possible best form at any part of the season. Muscular horses — by far the most brilliant performers— must be indulged in rest after preparation. Few of them can be wound up perfectly more than twice in a season aud last for any length of time. A good racehorse is commonly good enough to wear out two sets of legs. Of course many of the most matchless racers— and they have all been muscular, more or less— have gone on winning from month to month, and from year to year, but their trainers have always had a bit to work upon, except in very singular instances. A good horse, well trained too, is never drawn fine, and his muscle is as hard as nails.

'\.* It is stated that the box occupied by Sword Dance at the Royal paddocks, Hampton Court, is now filled by Melton. .There is nothing singular in this; the singular part of the business is that Sword Dance should have stood there. Whether Major Walmsley has made a mistake in the purchase of a stallion is a problem for future solution, but it is evident that Colonel Maude " tripped " in buying Sword Dance for the Hampton k«ras. At best; he is but a good kind of plater, and his purchase by Major Walmsley shows the difficulty of procuring good stock for stud purposes in England— that is at reasonable prices. But would it nofc be better to buy them while yet on the turf, and risk the quality of their procreative powers? Much better horses than Sword Dance can always be had for half the price paid by Major Walrasley, provided they are bought while in training. So long as the principle of buying stud horses from the stud obtains, it will be a difficult matter to get another Musket. That horse came to New Zealand by a mere fluke, and bearing in mind his relative position to first-class English stallions, it is evident that considerable improvement can be effected in blood stock here. The climate is admirably adapted for the producof racehorses, undoubtedly, as evinced in an almost total absence of respiratory ailments.

*** The pocket totalisator has hitherto been regarded as a kind of betting book compiled in the interests of backer?, but the case of Alexander Moss, duly considered and adjudicated upon^ at the City Police Court on Thursday morning, shows that it is considerably more reprehensible than actual bookwaking. Moss, apparently not relishing the idea of paying £5 18s to each of seven successful ticketholders, docked the dividend to £3 15s, by an addition of foi\r to Dunlop'a Melbourne Cup supporters. The case may be an exceptional one, or a similar game may have been played for some time back.

*** It has been decided to turn out Snapshot, who has been a bit "off colour" for several weeks ; and Cotton is evidently untainted with a tardiness commonly noticeable in racing stables ■with regard to the calling in of professional assistance in cases of unsoundness. Men who have been amongst horses for many years often surmise that they understand the nature and requisite treatment of every ailment " horseflesh is heir to," and this confidence frequently culminates unprofitably for owners and trainers alike. The necessity of turaiDg out a howe who

has exhibited brilliant winning form is always a i disappointment, but as a rule nothing short of absolute inaction and veterinary skill will restore soundness in a really unsound horso. Mr Stead has taken occasion to defend himself in the Canterbury Press from criticisms about his horses having been treated most leniently by the C. J.C. Handicapping Committee. He points out that since 1882 up to and including April 1887 ho made 227 entries for 100 different handicaps, and during the whole of that period he only won 13 small races, not one of which was worth 150sovs. He considers that most of his wins at the late meeting were due to his trainer, Mr Mason. At the second day of the Ashburton races Mr Warner's Wrangler (lOst 21b) won the County Hurdle Race. Quibble (9st 61b) was made a favourite for the R.C. Handicap, of 55sovs, one mile and a-quarter, but could only get third, Mr R. Rutherford's Ravenscraig (7*t 131b) and Messrs Hobbs' Jack (Bst 3lb) being first and second. The winner paid a dividend of £5 14s. Marengo, with a Btartof 40see, won the District Trot; and Goldfinch the Novel Race. MijW. O. Rutherford's Tornado (7st 91b) wonf 'the Flying Handicap, of 30sovs, beating College Boy (7st 91b), St. Agnes (Gst 81b), and four others. The sum of £3250 went through the machine on both days. The programme for the Lake County s Annual meeting, to be held on the Frankton racecourse on the 12th and 13th January next, will be found elsewhere. The principal event, the Lake County Cup Handicap, of lOOsovs, will be run on the second day. In addition to this there are several substantial amounts offered on both days, so that the meeting should prove a really attractive one. Readers are reminded that acceptances for the Auckland Summer meeting and nominations for the Napier Park Racing Club's Summer meeting must be sent in to-night (Friday). Nominations for the Northern Jockey Club and Vincent County meetings are due to-morrow (Saturday). At the Hon. G. M'Lean's stud farm at Seacliff, Dione has dropped a chestnut colt to Gorton; and at Tahuna Park Martyrdom has slipped twins (both dead) to Le Loup, and will visit him again. A meeting of the Oamaru Jockey Club Committee was held in the Royal Hotel on Tuesday last week, when there were present— Messrs Hamilton (in the chair), Curran, Johnston, Barton, Sanderson, and Greenfield (secretary). The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed. The Ground Committee reported that the expenditure of £7 10s authorised to be expended on the improvement of the course would be carried out as soon as possible. Mr Johnston moved that Mr G. Robinson's protest money, £2, be returned. He considered that there were grounds for the protest. Mr Barton supported the motion. The protest was perfectly legitimate, as Mr Robinson was not supposed to have known that an advertised race of £15 was not a race of £15, as commissions and charges had to be deducted. That had been the decision of the Dunedin Jockey Club, and it appeared that the horse Derby had won a £15 race previously to his being entered for the Oamaru Maiden, which was only open to horses who had not won an advertised race of £15. He would therefore second Mr Johnstan's motion, which, being put, was carried, and the secretary was instructed to refund the protest money. Mr Hamilton submitted a draft programme for the autumn meeting. The money offered amounted to £415 for both days. It was suggested that the date of the meeting should be fixed about the 12th and 13th of April— a week or ten days after the autumn handicap in Dunedin, and before the T imam races. The date, however, was not definitely fixed. It was resolved that the Programme Committee be asked to draw up a programme, and submit printed proof at next meeting to be held that night fortnight. This was all the business, and a vote of thanks to the chair closed the meeting. A general meeting of the Wyndham Jockey Club was held in Mortimer's Hotel on November 21. Mr John Templeton was in the chair, and about 20 gentlemen were present. The secretary explained that the priucipal object of the meeting was to consider the advisableness of holding a "Hack" meeting instead of the usual one run under the Dunedin Jockey Olub rules, as the last meeting was a considerable loss. Mr Raymond moved that the club hold a hack meeting, aud that the races beheld on the 27th December, seconded by Mr Monaghan, and carried. Mr J. Templeton was elected president; Messrs Mortimer and Beaton, vicepresidents; Mr Raymond, treasurer; and Mr Smythies, secretary ; John Templeton, judge ; Thomas Golden, starter ; E. Forsyth, clerk of course; T. A. Westacott, clerk of scales; M. Monaghan, T. B. Mortimer, and W. J. Winter handicappers. It was resolved that the sub-, scription be 10s (3d, instead of 21s as before. About £45 will bo given away in prizes, and all events will be post entry. There seems every probability of the meeting being a great success, judging from the interest taken in it already, and as numbers of people have a hack that they " fancy," there is no doubt it will be such. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.