NOTES BY RATA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 22

NOTES BY RATA.

*** It is evident that a big contingent of strangers— horses I mean — will visit the forth* comingAutumnmeeting. Already I have heard of the receipt of orders for 18 boxes, and these only represent the requirements of a limited number of owners. That Christchurch will be strongly represented is obvious, and it is equally apparent that Northern horses, collectively, are greatly superior to those trained locally. One or two of the richest prizes may be retained in Dunedin, but a goodly portion of the stake money will undoubtedly be carried to neighbouring centres. The Cup may be won by a local candidate, but the probability is comparatively remote. The field will comprise a bad lot by comparison, and Snapshot wholly wound up would have a chance second to none; but Snapshot is not by any means' fit now, and cannot possibly be pink by the day of the race ; moreover there is always a possibility of his "cracking" at any moment. Indeed, he limped very perceptibly after a strong gallop a few mornings since. His connections are sanguine, and he may run well, but his actual victory would be very condemnatory of the quality of his opponents. First Lord was tried on Monday, and if the trial was a true exposition of merit, he disposed of the pretensions of his stable companions, Silvermark and Apropos, without enhancing his own prospects in the estimation of the witnessing cognoscenti. He is very leniently weighted on his two-year-old form, but he certainly does not retain the fine turn of speed that distinguished his early career. Then there is St. Clair, who has been doing long strong work lately. That he is an excellent horse of his inches when thoroughly well is undoubted, but his preparation has been considerably hampered by slight accidents ; only three weeks since, for instance, he ran a nail into his foot, which necessitated several day's rotireirent, and he is a horso that wants perpetual galloping for several months to bring him to concert pitch. Moreover, he performed very disappointingly in tho New Zealand Cup; and were Gipsy fit, and well, to meet him at their present weights, that running would again in all probability be con» firmed. Gipsy King, however, appears to have gone off a bit ; and, in the event of his not competing, St. Clair's prospects will be augmented and Mr Stead's chance of success discounted. True, Beresford is a horse that is greatly fancied, and his success in the Wellington Oup shows that he is in form ; but his defeat by Lady Norah at the same meeting in a mile and three-quarters race argues inferiority at the Dunedin Cup weights— plus penalties— to the Auckland mare. Quibble, on his running at the Spring meeting, too, appears to hold him as safe as houses, provided that horse can get the distance. It will be time enough, however, to make a selection when the various candidates put in an appearance at tho Forbury.

*„* Text: " Man mind thyself." Scene— Forbury. Time— Early morning. Fnter Trainer No. 1 and the Calligraphist— good word that.

Trainer No. 1 : " The difficulties attendant upon winning big races with locally trained horses are centred in the non-production of animals good enough ; give us good horses and we of Dunedin can train them, and win with them."

The Calligraphist: "Then why the dickens don't you produce them ? You breed no end of hacks ; a good racer is bred as easily as a bad hack under circumstances of judgment and capital, and these you have. Why, the Christchurch division can whip you to Jericho at anything, from a hack sprint to a classic contest." Trainer No. 1 : " Well they've had a bit of luck in the North ; those mares Mr Stead imported all have running blood in their veins, and they have had some good sires at Auckland and Christchurch, too. Moreover, the principal Southern owners breed the major portion of their horses privately, and bar Le Loup, perhaps there is no sire in the province good enough to beget a first-class racehorse. In a year or two we will be on a level with them; they can't give us weight in point of practical knowledge." The Calh'graphist : No, Ido not think they can, and in some instances I am sure they cannot, though Mason and Webb, who visited us last meeting, want some doing at the game ; you could see it in their horses ; but how do you account for Mr Stead being the owner of such » team ? — a string that would sweep the board of weight-for-age races." Trainer No. 1: "The question is a difficult one, but there is no doubt his horses were never trained as they have been this season, and bandicappers, not knowing their real merits, ' chucked ' them in anyhow." The Calligraphist: "Yes; that argument is feasible, but I fancy there is something beyond it; Mr Stead must be an adept at racing.' (Enter trainer No. 2.) Trainer No. 2: " Good morning." '•

The Calligraphist : " Good morning ; we aro busily engaged discussing the New Zealand turf. Now, what is your opinion of the government of the turf as a national institution." Trainer No. 2: "Well, I rarely consider ita

political aspect ; give me good horses and I can : " But do you not think that an amalgamation of authority would be in ♦he interests of sport? It seems to me that a pfc is being made against racing, and that that 6 . jg an immediate outcome of loose government. Governed by one jockey club this would "It might" Trainer No. 1: "And ib might not; where tfould the advantages of such an alteration V 9 " The Calligraphist : "In the attested results c orec edent beyond the pale of the turf. What ; the strength of a political party divided into four sections? What is the position of a a country governed by principalities? Take Germany within living memory, for instance; a nation of trumpery kingdoms, badly governed in themselves, at eternal loggerheads with each other, aud unable to resist determined foreign invasion. What is Germany under a uuited lenislature ? One of the most powerful empires Europe has seen. This is a strong argument, and the principle is as applicable to the New Zealand turf as to the German Empire; division of authority will undoubtedly culminate in encroachment on totalisator revenue." Trainer No. 2: "Perhaps; but let's have a drink."

* * Time, in racing, is a subject on which there is considerable disparity of opinion, and its efficacy is open to argument. Tutored amid ecenes in which time is taken no cognisance of, I personally do not believe in the time test, and I entertain an opinion that merit can be better attested through collateral form. Yet my friend jUr Goodman maintains that time is an admirable method of guaging capacity, and I would want to know more than a lengthy and very varied experience has taught me ere I would turn round and say, " Harry, you are wrong," in any racing matter whatsoever. Time is relied upon here ; horses are tried by the watch and handicapped according to time records, and while the present system obtains time will remain a primary factor in horseracing. This test, however, has always been reliable ia connection with trotting, and an incorrect report is frequently calculated to hamper a blotter's future prospects very materially. In the first Handicap Time Trotting' Race on the second afternoon at Tokonmiriro I reported Boojum's time as 9min 9sec— the time given by an official (there was no official time-keeper). On being spoken to af ter : wards by the owner of another competitor, I corrected the time to Bmin 27sec. I have now received a letter from Boojum's owner stating that the original time— 9min 9sec— was correct ; but it is evident that Mr M'Laren has made a mistake in calculation, and I inadvertently made a similar mistake without affecting the reality. He says that if Boojum'a time was Bmin 27sec Duchess must have covered the course in 7min 45sec. Now it is apparent that Mr M'Laren has not deducted Boojum's start— 42se.c. Protided the scratch and limit horses had passed the post dead level, their official times would be identical. Boojum 'won in Bmiu 27sec, with Duchess within a dozen lengths of her; in the second trotting race, over the same distance, Duchess won in Bmin 28aec, and on comparison Boojum'a time is undoubtedly correct, or within *v ace of it.

*/ Perhaps no town of similar population in the habitable globe can boast a better race course than Dunedin. I take exception to its eize ; a circular mile is too small to run a big field of horses over in my opinion—but that opinion is merely an individual impression. I would rather witness a mile race on a perfectly straight course than on a circular one; yet there is no denying the facb that a circular course is the better from a spectacular point of view. Everything can be seen on tho Forbury track from start to finish, and on this account it is an admirable course for tout* ing. Tho tout has no excuse if he fails to gauge calibre, apart from the incidental excuses known to the racing man. The professional horse watcher, however, wants to be about at all hours; trainers make a point of hoodwinking him, and they have a perfect right to do so. If he be worth his salt, effrontery is an innate characteristic, and secrecy— beyond confidential limits— is unknown to him ; the knowledge of Brown, Jones, and Robinson may become public property with social advantage. But beyond its advantages from a training and touting point of view the Forbury is an excellently planned course, and improvements are rapidly bringing it to a state of absolute perfection. Carpenters are now busily engaged in connection with the stand and paddock, and every succeeding season something new is being added. The members of the committee, and more especially Mr W. L. Philp, who looks after the track, are deserving of great praise; and it cannot be gainsaid that the D.J.C. would require some beating on the score of managerial capacity.

Consequent upon the injuries which Lady Norah received on board the Mararoa, she has seceded in the betting market from 7 to 1 to 12 to 1. Quotations on Wednesday night were as follow :— •nolagstGipayKlng (5 _ i . Snapshot and Quibble 1— \ . Bereiford ■ 8 — 1 Ruby and Torrent 10 _1 . Tetford, Artillery, and Springston 12_i , St. Glair, First Lord, and Lady Norah 15 _ i . Silvermark and Apropos 20 — 1 . Captain Cook 25 — 1 Wildrake. Doubles. 100 to 5 on the field for the Dunedin Cup and Publicans' Handicap.

Tetford and Cinderella have arrived from the North. Lady Norah was lauded at Lyttelton, aud will probably arrive by train in a day or two.

Cuirassier was scratched for the Dunedin Champagne Stakes ax 11.30 a.m. on Saturday.

The adjourned meeting of the liiverton Racing Club was held on the 30fch ult. A letter was read from the secretary of the Orepuki Race Club, stating that the usual races would not take place at Orepuki on St. Patrick's Day. It was resolved, after discussion, that the Riverton races take place on Easter Tuesday— the day after the regatta. Encouraging reports were f eceived, and it is expected that about £100 will be available wherewith to frame the programme, which will include two cross-country events. Mr kyle stated that his business engagements would prevent him accepting the office of secretary, and Mr Hutchison was appointed in his stead, t)r Nelson undertaking the duties of hon. treasurer. A committee consisting of Messrs Bridge, Fraser, Lyle, the secretary, and treasurer were appointed to make all necessary arrangements for the forthcoming meeting,

Our Palmerston correspondent writes :-^-At & tneeting of the Palmerston and Shag Valley Jockey Club, held on Tuesday evening, the programme committee brought up their report, which was adopted. It was decided to hold a two-days' meeting this year, in the first week of April, on the old course (Mr B, O'Neill's). The sum of £310 will be given in stakes. The programme consists of seven events for each d&y, the chief items being -.—Cap, £45; Shag Valley fiaadicsp, £35; Trot, each day, £25; Novel,

£30; Hurdles, £25; Maiden, £25; District Handicap, £25; and other events ranging from £15 to £10. A Wellington telegram states that MrM'Coll, owner of the horse Fabrication, has commenced an action against the Wellington Racing Club for the recovery of the stakes in the Selling Race at the Hutt on Saturday.last, for !which Fabrication came in first, but was disqualified. The Commiltee of the Tuapeka Jockey Club met on the evening of the Ist (writes our correspondent), when there were present — Messrs J. C. Arbuckle (in the chair), Chalmers, Tucker, Hart, Johnson, Arthur, M. Potts, H. Craig, O. Potts. The Secretary read the balance sheet, which showed the receipts from all sources to be £572 2s 8d (including deposit in bank from last year, amounting to £84), and the expenditure £524 0s 3d, thus leaving a credit balance of £48 23 sd. This shows a loss of nearly £38 on the annual meeting, accounted for by the £50 extra paid in stakes. A finance committee, consisting of Messrs Arthur and O. Potts, was appointed to go over the accounts and pass them for payment, if correct. The sum of £8 was voted to Mr J. J. Woods for his services in getting up the concert on the race night. A subcommittee, consisting of Messrs Arbuckle, Craig, Chalmera, and secretary, were elected re racecourse matters. It was resolved— " That the gates on the course be closed ; trainers of horses to have the use of the key when required." On the motion of Mr Potts, and seconded by Mr J. Chalmers, it was resolved—" That Messrs Hart and Arbuckle be appointed to interview Messrs M'Cluskey and Cowie re obtaining ground for a new course." It was also resolved, on the motion of Mr Arbuckle, seconded by Mr M. Potts—" That the secretary make application to the warden for a Igrant of land on Wetherstones Flat for racecourse purposes."— Carried. The Gore Jockey Club have had some little difficulty in deciding whether their advertising should be distributed between both local papers or only given to one. A resolution that the committee's action in giving ib to the Ensign alone be upheld was proposed and seconded. Mr Howells moved as an amendment that the advertising be divided between the two papers, but did not find a seconder, and the original motion was carried on the voices, no one speaking for the " Noes," although Mr Howells was presumably in opposition. Mr Howells, at this stage, withdrew from the meeting, and subsequently sent in his resignation as handioapper and withdrew his subscription list. No action was taken upon the letter, as it was hoped that Mr Howells might yet be persuaded to help to make the meeting a success. The question of the privileges next came up for discussion, aud it was resolved, on the motion of Messrs Roche and Hewitt, to sell the privileges, except the gates, by auction. It was decided that the club should retain the gates. The committee thought any of the auctioneers would sell the privileges free of charge, and the names being put in a hat the president extracted the slip on which Mr Simson's name was written, and the secretary was asked to request Mr Simson to act. Several offers for working the totalisator were before the meeting, and Mr Mason, who had put in an offer, and was in the hotel, was asked into the room. He then made an offer on behalf of his firm, Messrs Mason and Roberts, to work the totalisator for 2| per cent., and the committee decided, on the motion of Messrs Beecott and Hewitt, to accept these terms. There was a lower offer, but the opinion of the meeting, was that the machine should be in the hands of men whom they knew to be trustworthy, and in whom the public would have confidence. A sub-com-mittee, composed of Messrs Roche, Beecot, and Harper, was appointed to get the course in proper order at a cost not to exceed^ £2. Arrangements were made for advertising in the Otago Daily Times, the Witness, and the Southland Times, it being left with Messrs Donald and Harper to draw up the advertisements. Messrs Hewitt, Symes, and several other members expressed a wish that the president would wait upon Mr Howells and endeavour to persuade him to give the club his assistance, and at the same time assure him that no bitterness of feeling remained on their side. Charles Parker, now with Sam Mercer, made a very good record at the Naseby race meeting, scoring four wins and two thirds out of six mounts. His wins were as follow :— Jockey Club Handicap, on Diappointment ; Flying Handicap, on Thespis ; Maiden Plate, on Rosie ; President's Handicap, on Disappointment. The Auckland Herald in a strong article on the totalisator and racing gambling says :— " Since the beginning of the present year we have had no less than six days' racing in and near Auckland, and when we come to consider that during that short period something like £20,000 has been put through the machines, it will readily be seen that the time has fully arrived for the break to be applied if we wish to see this fair land saved from becoming a gambling hell. Since the legalising of the totalisator eight years ago, it is estimated a million and a-balf sterling has passed through the machine, and unless the metropolitan racing clubs compel reforms, the totalisator will have to be wiped out of the Statute Book altogether."

FORBURY TRAINING NOTES. A beautiful morning was that of the sth, and most of the horses located in the vicinity of the Forbury put in an appearance. Trapper was sent three times round at three-part speed, accompanied by Nightshade over the second and third circuits, with Sweetlips joining in over the last mile and a-half. Apropos and Silvermark went a useful mile and a-half gallop, and Mokoia cantered a mile and threequarters. St. Ives compassed three circuits steadily, as did also Dunluce, and St. Clair covered a like distance at a better pace. La Rose was given a half-speed gallop twice round, and Fairy Maid and Captain Cook negotiated an additional seven furlongs at a strong pace. St. Swithin cantered once round, and afterwards accompanied Wolverine in a fast^ gallop over a mile and three-quarters. Sweetbriar was sent twice round at an easy rate, and Sommeil went a similar journey, led by Little Nell over the first seven furlongs. Little Nell also accompanied Shifnal and First Lord over the last halfmile of a sweating gallop, four times round. West colt and Dispute went twice round, racing home over the last half-mile; and Dodger covered a similar distance, attended by Gitana colt the second time round. Haka was given a long steady gallop. % Friday was a very stormy morning, and quite a gale blew across the Forbury during exercise hours. Trapper and Nightshade were sent three times round at three-part speed, and Sweetlips negotiated a mile and a*half at a slower rate. St. Ives and Haka went a similar distance at an easy pace, as did also Fairy Maid. Dunluce covered two circuits steadily, and West colt, Captain Cook, Gitana colt, and Dodger covered the same ground at half speed. Mokoia and St. Swithin cantered seven furlongs, and Snapshot was sent three times round at a like rate. Shifnal and Wolverine galloped a mile sharply, and Mon Loup, Louis Philippe, and Dispute went a mile and three-quarters at three-part speed. Silvermark was given a good mile and three-quarters spin, and afterwards cantwed seven furlongs. Apropos compassed

three circuits at a sweating pace, and First Lord cantered twice round. ' Blue Nell was sent a rasping mile and three-quarter gallop. The near approach of the Autumn meeting is now perceptible in training operations at the Forbury. On Saturday morning Wolverine aud Lady Constance were sent seven furlongs steadily, and St. Ives went three times round, going the first circuit at a serviceable rate, and cantering the remainder of the journey. Trapper negotiated a mile and three-quarters, Sweetlips and Nightshade accompanying him over the latter half of the journey at three-part speed. La Rose cantered twice round, and Apropos went a similar distance at a fast rate. Captain Cook and St. Clair were given a twomile top gallop, as were also First Lord and Silvermark. First Lord afterwards accomr panied Little Nell and Sommeil in a half-mile spin, and Blue Nell was sent a three-quarter pace gallop twice round. Mokoia and Captain Webster cantered, and Louis Philippe and Mon Loup went twice round the tan steadily. Fairy Maid, St. Swithin, and Haka were given a good mile gallop, and West colt and Dispute raced four furlongs. Sweetbriar and Shifnal compassed a mile and three-quarters^ covering the last half-mile at top in company with St. Malo. On Sunday Silvermark and Apropos were given a rasping gallop once round the course proper. Shifnal went twice round steadily, and Sweetbriar travelled a similar distance at a better rate. St. Clair was sent three and a-half miles at three-quarter pace, attended by Louis Philippe and Mon Loup over the last mile and three-quarters. Firet Lord compassed two circuits, accompanied by Little Nell over the last mile, and Sommeil (in clothing) cantered twice round the turf gallop. Firat Lord was tried on Monday forenoon with his stable companions, Silvermark and Apropos, and the result of the gallop appears to have been satisfactory. In the morning Trapper, Nightshade, and Sweetlips were given a strong twomile gallop, and St. Clair went four times round, attended by Haka over the first three miles and Wolverine over the last circuit. Sommeil (in clothing) was sent a mile and three-quarters steadily, and Ap/opos negotiated an additional circuit similarly, while Silvermark was restricted to seven furlong work. La Rose went a mile and three-quarters, covering the last five furlongs at top. Snapshot travelled three times round at a fast rate unattended, and Dodger covered seven furlongs at a like rate, cantering a mile and three-quarters afterwards. St. Ives and Mokoia were Bent a mile and three-quarters in company at three-part speed. Mon Loup and Louis Philippe were given a good two-mile gallop on the course proper, and St. Malo and Lady Constance went a mile and three-quarters at half speed. Shifnal compassed two circuits steadily, and Dunluce was sent an additional seven furlongs at a like pace. Captain Webster, who seems to have got partially rid of his leg ailment, cantered twice round, and Blue Nell covered the same ground at three-quarter 3peed. Fairy Maid Cm sweaters) went four miles steadily, and Dispute was sent half that distance at a useful rate. Apres Moi and Gitana colt covered a mile fast, and Garibaldi compassed seven furlongs, going the last half mile at top. Some good work was done at the Forbury o» Tuesday morning, Poole was out early, and sent Sweetlips and Nightshade two miles at a strong pace. Trapper negotiated a mile and three-quarters sharply, and St. Ives and Mokoia raced a mile and a-quarter after the latter- had galloped a circuit in consequence of having overpowered his jockey. La Rose went two miles at top on the inside of the course proper, and Little Nell and Sommeil were sent four furlongs, the former being outpaced from the start. Snapshot and Dodger cantered two circuits, and Mon Loup, Louis Philippe, and Dunluce raced a mile and three-quarters. Haka went three times round at three-part speed, accompanied by Wolverine over the last two miles. Gitana colt and Apres Moi went a mile at threequarter pace, finishing up fast; and Captain Cook and St. Clair galloped a mile and a-half in company against ihe watch. Shifnal and Sweetbriar compassed a mile at their best pace, and West colt, Chic, and Dispute were given a halfmile spin. Blue Nell wect a mile at a clinking pace, and Garibaldi covered a similar distance, finishing fast. Lady Constance and St. Malo raced half-a-mile.