TALK OF THE DAY

Otago Witness, Issue 2451, 6 March 1901, Page 44

TALK OF THE DAY

By MENSCHIKOFF.

DUNEDIN CUP MEETING. The Dunedin Jockey Club have been rather unfortunate in the matisr of weather since they removed the scene of operations from the Forbury to the Wingatui course, but the atmospheric conditions during last week's meeting were, on Cup day and Saturday, pleasant, though Friday was quite a winter's Way, a cold south-west wind prevailing and showers falling during the afternoon. ,The attendance of the public on Cup day was '(distinctly good, while on the Saturday it *bonstituted a record, the presence of the In"dian contingent no doubt accounting for a large number. On the off day there was a ,J>oor muster of the public, the very threatening aspect of the weather being responsible 4o a great extent for this. Yet notwithstandt Sng the paucity of numbers., the amount put : through the machine on Friday was ovar !':£1000! ':£lOOO more than on the corresponding day of <la&b Autumn meeting, and the total investitnents for the three days totted up to £18,387, •which shows an increase of £1456, as compared with the amount handled at the preyious Cup meeting. Mr Dowses handicapping resulted in several very close finishes, one ►ace, indeed — the Abbotsford Welter— ending in a dead heat. One prominent Canterbury Jywner, howevei, who had brought down no [tess than four horses, was so dissatisfied, it is eaid, that he scratched all his horses for the ihird day as soon as he saw the weights. Mr §Piper was very successful at getting his fields away evenly, the only bad starts of the meeting being in the First Hack Handicap and the (Second Hack Handicap. There were, certainly, two cases where horses slewed round at the critical moment— Canteen m, the

Champagne and St. Denis in the Farewell, — but no blame could be attached to the Btarter in these instances. A word of praise is due to the caretaker, Fletcher, for the splendid condition of the course, while the lawn was perfect. The most successful riders were M'Comb and Hewitt, with four wins each, and King and Derrett, both of whom were successful on three occasions. Among the visiting sportsmen were Sir George Clifford, Mr J. B. Beid, Mr P. Campbell, Mr W. G, Stead, Mr J, A. Holmes, Mr V. Harris, Mr Parata, Mr G. Gould, Mr J. F. Reid, Mr C. Palairet, Mr A. L Rattray, Mr F. Beverley, Mr J. M'lntyre, Mr G. M'Clatchie, and others. Now a word about the racing. Both of the Hurdle Races on the programme turned out very unsatisfactorily. The First Hurdles on Wednesday had but two starters— llex 12.5 and Dundee 11.7— and Mr Wise's gelding had the race at his mercy at any time during the journey. On Saturday— there was no contest for the jumpers on Friday— three faced Mr Piper— Hex 13.3, Dundee 11.10, and Sub Rosa 10.0,— and Dundee had an even easier task than Ilex on the first day, the Duntroon gelding winning, pulling up, by yards. Sub Rosa had kept Dundee company until they reached the hurdle at the six-furlong post, which she ran round, and walked back to the saddling paddock. What the result would have been had the daughter of Son-of-a-Gun run straight is quite problematical. At the time she made the mistake there was, apparently, an excellent chance of a close finish, and it was a pity that it happened. Ilex's showing in this race was in striking contrast to his performance on Cup day, and I don't think anybody would have been surprised if the stewards had asked for an explanation. It is true that he met Dundee on 91b worse terms, but the distance was shorter by a quarter of a mile, and that he could gallop under his impost of 13.3 was evident in the last half mile of the race, when he came at a great bat, but it was then too late. History repeats itself very closely here, for at the Cup meeting 12 months ago Ilex won on the first day and Dundee on the second, the only difference being that the son of Le Loup broke down last March. The field of seven that lined up for the First Hack Handicap included three of the goldfields division. Horry Lunn's gelding Redan was made a strong order, Wild West (a daughter of old Silvermark) and Muscovite being next in' demand. The aptly-named son of Stepniak gave away no chances, for jumping away at the start he kept at the head of affairs till he had passed the winning post, and he seemed to have a bit in hand at the finish. The Ashburton gelding Gunrose secured second position, with the '.favourite, who finished fast, aoout a length and a-half away. This was the first win for the goldfields contingent, but it was not to be the last. Mr G. G. Stead's beautiful colt Menschikoff had the softest of soft things in the Champagne. What little interest attached to this event was lost when Canteen slewed round the wrong way on the barrier being raised. The only hope the public had of anything approaching a contest was that Mr Moss's grey colt might possibly compel the son of Stepniak to extend himself, but when it was seen that -Canteen had not started the result was a foregone conclusion, and the only thing one could do was to see for himself how the crack two-year-old presented himself when galloping. Mr Stead's colt is not a big fellow, but is exceedingly well put together, and one does not quickly get tired of looking at him. At the starting post he behaves himself like the gentleman he is, and sets a good example to many an older horse. To show what an easy task was set Menschikoff in this race_ it may be mentioned that the time occupied in compassing the journey was lmin 20sec, whereas* on the third day, in the Wingatui Slakes, he romped home in front of Goldspur in lmin 18 2-ssec. Mr Piper had charge of a field of eight for the Cup. and the public ouickly made the Hon. G. M'Lean's colt Pampero favourite, the next in order of public frncv being Tortulla and Cameo, while the outsider of the party wa3 Nihilist, Jupiter being next lowest. The race was a pretty me. The first to get to the front was the favourite, who was closely pursued by Strathnairn. and -these two went away at a great bat, Tortulla and Glenaladale bringing up the rear some distance away. The son of St. Clair— Mistral practically kept the lead till a couple of furlongs from home, when Jupiter came at him, and a ding-dong finish saw the last-named returned winner by a head. Glenaladale, who could not get going for the first part of the journey, was a long way behind at the. four furlong post, but he made a sustained run from there, and got fourth place, about a length behind Nihilist. Tortulla was the disappointment of the race. She was, from start to finish, last, and, not being engaged on the other days of the meeting, left for the North on the following day, together with Windwhistle and Glenaladale. The Jupiter stable, it is said, threw in for a very fair stake, being confident that the son of St. Clair and Evening Star would run very forward, if not actually win, though they were somewhat afraid of the resident's colt, who had all along been regarded as rather leniently dealt with by Mr Dowse. Mr M'Lean's colt had improved very much in thp few days immediately preceding the meeting, and I doubt not that with another day or two on the track he would have had little or no difficulty in winning. The great pace at which the early part of the journey was run was also detrimental to the ycung one's chance, for had the race been a slower one for the first two or three furlongs, the colt's fine turn of speed would have held him in good stead at the finish. Paladin, iust aftei getting into the straight, fell and broke a lesr, and as a consequence had to be shot. Most people who know Mr Victor Harris will regret to hear of his misfortune. M'Comb's riding is held in some quarters to have been blameworthy, for the reason that he bored Hewitt on to the rails, and as a consequence the latter had not that freedom necessary in a close finish. Be this as it may. it goes without saying that the president of the D.J.C. would not attempt to interfere with the judge's verdict. The time recorded is 1 2-ssec faster than when Djin-Djin won two years ago, but 2sec slower than last year's Cup. when that galloping machine Advance walked away with the race. Eicrht toed the mark for the Maiden Plate, Mr J. A. Holmes's colt Terrapin being a particularly strong fancy, the Gorton filly Komuri coming next in public estimation. The second favourite led till the distance post was reached, whn Terrapin joined issue, and an exciting finish saw the favourite get home by about a neck ; The second of the double — the Publicnns' Handicap— was the medium of a lot of betting, no less than £1268 being invested on the machine, which compared favourable- with the £1615 handled on the Cun. The larg'ft number of investors was on St. Denis. Hermosa beintr next in request and V,n*\ mini. Mr J. B. Reid's mare took command of the field of six at the start, and was never headed, though Brisa disputed her claim at the finish,

and was only a neck away when the post was passed, the favourite being a bad third. This was the third occasion during the day that the Zetland spots had been carried into second place, and there was a very general sympathy with the Hon. G. M'Lean at his ill-luck. There was, however, some consolation to the president in the fact that the winners in two of the events were the progeny of animals that had been his property — viz., St. Clair and Lady Evelyn. The Selling Race was contested "by nine of the 13 on the card, Mr V. Harris's two-year-old Battle Cry having the call in the betting, Belligerent being second in favour. The race was an interesting one, though at one time it looked very much like a runaway victory for Young Fox, who secured such a commanding lead as to lead to the supposition that he would not be caught. However, niumination and Battle Cry caught him at about the distance post, and an exciting finish saw the daughter of Petroleum land the stake with little to spare. On being put up to auction Harry Beatty bought her in for £70. The last item on the day's programme was the Stewards' Welter, for which eight cried content. Spider was installed favourite, La Reine being also well supported. Goldspur showed that he had not lost the knack of getting away quickly, for as soon as Mr Piper cried "Go !" "Old Gokly" assumed the lead, and was not displaced until the half-distance was reached, when the whip had to be used on him ; but it was of no avail, as La Reine with a fine run passed the old gelding and secured the first winning bracket for the Hon. G. M'Lean. That the victory was a popular one was evidenced by tne loud applause of the public as the daughter of Lady Gertrude passed the post a length in front of "the old battler."

The weather on the second day was extremely uninviting, but those who braved the elements were well rewarded, for there was some excellent racing. The first event of the day, the Second Hack High-weight Handicap, brought the good field of eight to the post. The Goldfields representative Wild West shot out with a strong lead, which she kept for about four furlongs, when Terrapin and Off Chance closed up. A great race up th? straight ended in the daughter of Foulshot getting home by a neck from Mr J. A. Holmes's colt. That Fighting Mac is wellnamed was evidenced by the way he conducted himself. In the First Hack Handicap on the first day he fought with his rider at the post, and eventually was left. In his engagement on the Friday he ran for about a furlong, and then bucked young O'Brien off, and came sailing home riderless among the ruck; If he would devote his energies to fighting out a finish with the other horses his owner, no doubt, would be the better pleased. The City Stakes Handicap had five contestants, Mr Moss's colt Canteen being generally regarded as the most probable winner. Coming up the straight it looked a guinea to a gooseberry on the son of Castor, for Len King on two or three occasions looked back to see how the others were doing, and being satisfied that nothing could trouble him, took matters easy. Howati. when within the half distance Derrett brought Komuri up with such a run that he passed Canteen near the post, and the latter had no time to respond, and was defeated by about three-quarters of a length. There were no defections from the D.J.C. Handicap, so the six that had accepted comprised the field. Pampero was a strong order, as it was recognised that on his showing in t'jc Cup he must have a great say with only 8.3 on his back and a quarter of a mile less to travel. That the public made no mistake was demonstrated by the result, for Mr M'Lean's colt was always in a handy position, and came at the business end of the journey with so much pace that he settled all opposition by the time the distance post was reached. This win, as was the case with La Reine on the Wednesday, was loudly aplauded. Jupiter struck himself when going round the turn out of the straight, and ran last all the way. Harry Ellis tells me he intends giving the son of St. Clair— Evening Star a prolonged spell. The Disposal Handicap was the means of giving the country contingent another turn. Jack Perriam's mare Bizarre had an easy victory in this event, and paid the dividend of the meeting — £33 6s. Of the 13 investors on the daughter of Apremont the owner claimed two of tiV*a spare. On being put up to auction Horry Beatty secured the mare for £21. The race in the Domain Handicap is easily described. Old Goldspur lead the other six contestants from start to finish, but inside the distance post Hermosa so stoutly disputed the position that the son of Rubezahl was returned winaer by only a nose. The biggest field ef the meeting was that in the Trial Handicap, when Mr Piper had charge of 11. Mr L. 0. Hazlett's mare Mosca got well away, andy with the exception of a bit of »a tussle with Sharpshell coming up the straight, was never bothered. The stable connections are said to have done very well over the win. The Railway Plate gave us another opportunity of seeing the crack) two-year-old of the season, though on this occasion he ran solus, the other four who were entered consenting to Mr Stead's colt having a walk-over. Menschikoff covered the five furlongs in 1.6, which is quite an exceptional speed for a walk-over. The last item of the day, the Suburban Welter, was the means of giving Free Holmes a turn, his charge Cadet securing the verdict somewhat easily from Brisa. The big son of Vanguard has a sweeping stride, and looks capable of carrying a house.

The weather for the third day was all that could be desired, and the attendance was probably a record for Wingatui. Taking the racing as a whole for the day. it was of an interesting nature. Proceedings opened with the Second Hurdle Race, for which Dundee, Hex, and Sub Rosa were the only acceptors. The race requires little description. From the start Sub Rosa and Dundee led alternately to the fourth jump, when Sub Rosa ran off. This left Dundee to finish the journey on his own, Ilex plodding along, and making a semblance of a gallop towards the finish. Half a dozen saddled up for the Abbotsford Welter Handicap, Cadet holding most estimation with the public. As is usual with the Hon. G. M'Lean's horses, La Reine carried a fair amount of money. Decoy was given out as a good thing — in fact, a moral — and it nearly came off, for although the speedy La Reine jumped away at the start and led li^ht up io within half a furlong of the judge's box, Dcoy set sail, after runnir.g second all the way, and made a dead-heat of it. It was a fine set-To for the last 100 yds. Cadet looked like winning a furlong from home, but, unlike his finish of the previous dpy he died away suddenly. Red Bannei beating him for the other oluce. For the Popetul Stakes it was thought by many that Red Gauntlet would again give Canteen Hie go-by. However, the positions of tbe previous contest between these two colts were re\crsed, as Mr Mos3*s gre/ had the rat-p at his mercy, iind proved his superiority by rvnning through his field a furling from home and winning by two lengths, Battler and Ko-

muri toiling in the rear. Canteen is a fine colt, and will be heard of in some of the big spring events. Many people are averse to following grey horses, but this son of Castor is an exception, and is worth all the fcOGgs paid for him The Anniversary Handicap brought out six starters, and Pampero, although carying 8.12, was elected favourite. Excepting Fulmen, the other four were also well backed. From a good start Strathnairn shot out, with Pampero next. Rounding the bend Hermosa displaced Pampero, and Cameo, who had been the list horse to move at the start, began to make up his leeway, going strongly. Half a mile from home Hermosa was showing the way, Nihilist threading his way through his field in a trades manlike manner, and at the distance post racing a length in front of Cameo. The latter, hard ridden, ran on gamely, but, although in the last stride or so he gained on Nihilist, the black lasted long enough to win by about half a length. Muscovite was responsible for the Third Hack Handicap, which he won easily, after allowing Terrapin to lead the field for a couple of furlongs. This was his second win at the meeting, and from his running he is entitled to rank as a fair sort of hack. In this race Mosca and Off Chance started, and though they had both run more than respectably — each having won a race — on the previous day, they finished amongst the "others." Gladys II started favourite, but was not in the hunt at the end. Brisa^ St. Denis, Cherrystone, Hypnotist, and Spicier made their appearance in the Flying Handicap, Cherrystone being the popular fancy, and St. Denis next. On her running lately at Christchurch and North Island Cherrystone looked like a winner, but ran a bad last Brisa came through in the run fer home, and beat Hypnotist by half a length, with Spider third. St. Denis got away first in this race. The Wingatui Stakes was* looked upon as a foregone conclusion, and so it proved. Goldspur and Mensohikoff jumped away together, and after the colt had allowed the ancient to keep his nose in front tor a furlong or so, he piled it on and ran home an easy winner by some 15 lengths, old Goldspur being pulled up. The final race of the meeting — the Farewell Handicap — was responsible foi a great reversal of' form on the part of St. Denis. Just as the tape was released he turned round, but Hewitt, who rode him, soon got him goiug. and, chasing his field, he was up amongst them before they had gone three furlongs. From the start Hermosa led, and continued to hold her place till inside the distance, where St. Denis passed her, Belligerent, who came well at the finish, occupying third position. After the race the stewards intimated that an inquiry would be held into the running of St. Denis in his earlier engagements, and decided not to pay out till an explanation was forthcoming. The finding of the stewards will tiot be available till the 26th March. In the meantime holders of totalisator tickets on St. Denis and Formosa are requested to register same at the office of the D.J.C. on or before Saturday next.