CLIPPINGS FROM EXCHANGES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2455, 3 April 1901, Page 44

CLIPPINGS FROM EXCHANGES.

The New York correspondent of the London Sportsman writes : — Jockey » in this country learn to regulate their pace better than others, for the reason that training is done entirely by watch, and bo3 r s are that way instructed. Instead of being told to go a half-speed gallop, for instance, a bo}' is tolti to go a mile at a fifty gait, which means a mile in lmin 50sec. You will hear a trainer give his orders somewhat in this faskion : "Break at the three-quarter pole, go the first half at a fifty gait, and then come along the last quarter about 25see." Every order is on time, and the trainer stands with watch in hand watching the work. If the boy is going too slowly he motions him on faster ; if too fast, ho checks him by holding up his hat. The boys soon come to be gopd judges of pace, and one often hears trainers, in speaking of jockeys or boys, say : "He was a first-class e?:erei c c boy. and whatever paco you told him to work) a horse, he would do it, and would not be a second out." That may sound rather far-fetched, but it 13 a fact that most of the good exercise boys here will gauge the pace they are going to a second, or two seconds at the outside. If they don't, they get blown up accordingly. Timing horses becomes spcoikl nature. And trainers on the track who are timing not only their own, but the horses of others, become so accustomed to timing horses, that they can come pretty near guessing how fast a horse works by merely watching him. One of our principal trainers, Wynaham Walden, when training for John A. Morris a few years Fince, wa^ sent over to England to look after the mare^> on Mr Morris's farm theTC, and also paid a vitit to the Donoaster race?. Ho timed the races as he had always been accustomed to time them in this country, and the course there must have been cxtiaor'lmarily fast, for the time made, as he related it to us on his return, was equal to rcccrd-brcaVing performances m this conntry Our tracks heir aie becoming faster each =caso;i, and the track last made — Empiio City — ib the fastest ot all. The reason of it j.s pnncipally that le c s loose sand is kept on the smhee nowadavn, tLe tracks beiug generally harder. It is found that hard t:acks do liot bipak hor c es down so frequently as softer ones, the strain on the tendons be ins? less. Another iea.son for our new track being faster is that it is fashioned moio on the pnr.cple of a bicycle track, the turns beng thro'\ n up v cry hiq;h, which enable* lie ses to get round them more easily >n J quickly. At lhe Autumn meeting at Empire City cne or rr.ore records were broken by hors-cs ne\ er Ik fore considered belter tran s-ceond c^ss, wb el wa^ entirely owirg to the build arc! nature of the track. Referring to the increase in the number of spielers to be seen during race meetings In ti 1!^1 !^ colony, "Sir M oil-red " says : Sonic Southland e!nb.=. m oicler to mise racing in tho minds of the public senerrj'y to tlie plane it should occupy, will reauire to take

stringent s-teps to exclude the gentry referred to fiom the course=. Not long ago there were fully a dozen of these sooial nobodys travelling about the distiiet, and judging from their liberal expenditure in the various centres they visited, and the fine clothing which was intended to grace their ugly forms, their designs upon the unwary must bear fruit. An association is being formed in London for the protection of s.p. bookmakers and commission agents as a countermove to the activity of faddists. The idea is to protect both bona fide commission agents and thenclients. The association will be conducted by a committee, periodically elected. Only unexceptionable candidates will be admitted to membership, no reason being assigned for non-acceptance. Every member must agree to furnish the committee with the names and addrePi.es of defaulting clients and their references, as greater care is necessary by bookmo kers trading on the credit system in opening new account". Such information is to bo in strictest confidence. This means the creation of a M: ck register to which reference can be made upon any known applicant requiring credit. I think that most people are. in a like manner with myself, somewhat in a fog in relation to those protests arising cv!. of the last meeting of the Yinccnt Jockey Cljb (says "Red Jacket,' in the Dur.sUr, Times). The money has hre;i paid o.>t "n Hsyxnaier, but where door tVe Krl->y M E.-in trouble come in? It is a case of "Now you'ie here, and now you're not," and fohic people Bay Erin has been awarded the stakes, and some that Ruby M has rome out en top. I wonder if the secretary or some other official of the club will take pity on ray ignorance ! and let me know how the caae really stands. I bupposG they know themselves, although I shouldn't like to swear they do. It, however, passes the comprehension of ordinary intelligent men or women. When St. Gaticn beat Melton without an effort for the Jockey Club Cup at NewmarI ket in the back-end of 1886, the fact is bej'ond dispute that3lelton was under the influence of liquor. The race aroused a considerable amount of interest. for both ranked as Derby winners, Melton having gained a head victory" over Paradox at Epsom in the previous year, while St. Gatien had run a dead-heat with Harvester in 1884. It was thought that in a race decided a little time previously Melton had shown some lack of courage — a not unnatural result of running a horse with over lOst on his back— and it was determined to give him some whisky before the Cup contest. When Tom Cannon was about to get up, the whisky bottle was produced, and the remark made that it was well mixed with water. "The jockey wants some as well as the horse," Cannon said, chaffingly, but he took a eip and found it very strong. Before Melton had gone half a mile in the race his jockey said the horse was quite drunk, and a hack could have beaten him. It is extremely doubtful if, under ths circumstances, Melton would have beaten St. Gatien over the Cesarewitch course, but the horse would doubtless have made some sort of a show if he had been sober. The Spirit of the Times eavs that 18 track records were reduced at Chicago during the past sesu^nn, Orimar Towering the figures in three races. At Washington Park he lowered the- 6even furlongs and a-half record to lmin 33^sec, and the mile to lmin 3Ssee. At Hawthorne he lowered the seven furlongs record to lmin 25Jsec. B-eesie Maekinj, a three-year-old, smashed the five and R-balf furlongs at Harlem, while at the same track Mint Sauce lowered the record at a mile -and a furlong to lmin 52 l-ssec. Miss Bennett and Joe Frey brought the four anct a-half furlongs do-svn to S4?eq. Australian Star's win in the Grand Prize at Sandown Park on Saturday afternoon was received with particular pleasure in rowing circles (says the London Sportsman), and the result -published in the Star and Garter and at Messrs Ayliug's boathouse, Putney, gave the utmost satisfaction. There are few men more enthusiastic in aquatics than Mr Spencer Gollan, and certainly no one is better known on the river. He holds the Championship of Scotland and Essex as*a golf player, but still finds time to boat from the Thames Rowing Club daily. As a rule, Mr Gollan is accompanied by Tom Sullivan, the ex-champion, or George Towns, th present champion of England. Through the. Sportsman, Towns has challenged the world, and it is generally understood that Mr Gollan is behind the Now South Walian in his efforts to achieve the highest honours in the professional rowing world. "Honest" John Osbome, breeder, owner, trainer, and jockey, tells the following good story : — "On one occasion Billy Nichol, the famous Nottingham bookmaker, expressed himself wisely, in bis homely way, tibout betting A younor fellow, son of a dead friend of Billy's, had been going 'rocky' at the Doneaster one year. It was a case of an 'odds on' oh.inee to get him out of the 'bad week.' 'I'll lay 700 to 400 on,' said the young plunger Knowing that the lad was getting out of his depth, and having a respect for his father, Billy declined the 'deal,' remarking at the same time, 'Naa lad, never thee lay 700 to 400 on a horse unless thee knaae five things. First of all, thaa mun knaa if the owner's on the job, next the trainer, next the jockey, next the bookmaker, and, above awl, thaa, mun knaa if the horse is good enough to win. Get. taa knaa these five tHntrs, maw lad, and aal tak thee 700 to 400.' " Curiously enough — such are the fluctuations of equine forluup* — the three best living descendants of Whisker, through The Colonel, are now in England (remarks the "Soocial Commissioner" of the Sportsman in his review of prominent Fires), though for many years past there had been in this country no representative of the tribe. The hrrses I refer to are Abercorn, Patron, and Merman, and any Australian would e^ss them in the ord^r in which they are written, though it may be invidious to draw distinctions air.on? eurh redoubtable champions. Sign* a^e not wantina: that breeders are at last bejinning to appreciate Abereorn in this his thirr 1 season in Enar'anc'. It was ju°t the same with Trenton who received practically no pptrotiaee bis first two years, but ha 3 I b^PTi full ever since FjnGfliph riuvers havp a way of t^eir own about te^in^ thf» wind of a horse. Goinc into the «t:ilj l-">"ri" the animal, and takine: a firm hold nf the hslter close up to the head, th" R^iti=li horseman makes p sudden frint vith the butt end of h's vlii?), as if to )aV> tVip an'mal in the rib°. The horse crin-'os in=ta"*V. If he grunts as he doe-, so. the intepflir,sr buyer is almost certain to n»'t Mm. To "frnint at the stick." a« the savino- <roe« is regarded as a sure sign of un soundness in tbe vril. Vt a 'rnrtinsr. c^-'b in London (wiites " .Ta\ nhn "l th<^v wovp discussm"" "\ sucee««fnl tr.rf pchievemont by a fine Tionourable young fellow, the son of an immensely

wealthy British manufacturer, when the dispolute and spendthrift scion of a noble family drawled : "Oh, yaas, the fellah's goE heap=> of coin, but fancy having your name on a biscuit or a jam tin ! " There wao a. better youngster, of equally "good family," present, who pertinently retorted : "Well, I suppose it's all a matter of taste, but I'd rather see my name stamped on a cough, lozenge or printed on a pot of marmalade, than written on a dishonoured P.N!" The stewards of the English Jockey Club cannot be charged with leaving matters open to doubt in endea\ouiing to deal with the joc'tey trouble. In a recent issue of the Racing Calendar the following notice is published : — "The stewards of the Jockey Club gne notice that licenses are only granted to jockeys on condition that they are not owners or part-owners of any racehorses. The stewards having on previous occasions observed that many jockeys have been in the habit of betting on horse lacing, and of receiving presents in connection with races from persons other than the owner of the hor.=e they ride in such races, give notice that sueli practices will not be tolerated, and that any jockey who may be proved to their satisfaction to have any interest in any racehorse, or to have been engaged in any betting transactions or otherwise to have disragerded this notice, will have his license afc once withdrawn. Any person knowingly acting in the capacity of part-owner or trainer of any horse in which a jockey possesses any interest, or making any bet with or on behalf of any jockey, or otherwise aiding or abetting in any breach of the rules of the stewards, will be warned off Newmarket Heath." In referring to the American " feather," Johnny Reiff, who was third on the winning list in England laet season, Mr John Corlett writes: — J. Reiff is certainly 3 wonder, but we are not prepared to say that he is better as a light weight than Jimmy Grimshaw "vra=. His pinning total is a high one, but thit> ho oiea to the iaet that he is often put i*p on Lcaviiy-'<veic;hted horse?. In Grimshaw's day no one would La\e dreamt of putting up a 5.7 jocvey on a 9.0 bor^e. It os used mueii svrpr.se when Lord Fr.'mouth put the ft.C _'>ieher up on Atis.;itic in the Two ThoucanJ. The following- from the " Spirit of the Times" shows that in Amerl a tome owners do not lose an/ time in finclmg out whether their young>-i"t.rj can gallop :— " Ant -ng the trials of yearlmjrs at the old iientuc'.y Association hepd?iiiiiters, ihc-e is ols n-pcrrted of a M'Gra'. iiis-r.a-bred cLc-sfcir.it fiJly by bano\rr, rut of Imp. Aquila, by St^rlmsr. She wa3 bou^'iv on D<?ce:nSr r 4, wa3 bitted, broken, and y J 'lop3d, and on il,e umpteenth, day ehe v. ore a saddle, end is oaul to have covered a quaner in 2<^st?c on a track th' 1 was not r-ihi. This filly is .-aid ta have been th" revolt of artificial 'nvprejjr.a-ion. The f'.-i'i ■v/irg- anecdee is lxlsied of E. H. G:)rri3'm, who a few yra, 5 rp v.as pounds &heail 01 :i->y oilier ■jooliey lii America: — " Unfortui.i.t^ly for Gairison he was very cheeLy,' and no lespecter of ptr^oiiS. On© day, after having tmexpeetediy won a race for hJa master, Mr Belmout, he stood talfoii.sr to him on the track about it. Mr Belmont, who was exceedingly received in his manner, and was fully aw.u'3 that 1 c was August Bchnont, the great b.-iaier, and president of the jockey cUvs, :n the c> urse of the conversation faid: ' YO3, I isalljr think I have the best trainer if America* — referring to James Howe, bow tiaiufr to Mr Keene. Garrison's reply to t'.e old gentleman was somewhat astounding. ' Yes, old boy, ' he s lowered, patting him on the chest to emphasise what he had to say. ' and I would w-ish you to k^Cvv ti.it yon have the best jockey in America, too.' Mr B.'lmont V(.X3 aghast at sue., ar. unwarrantable liberty, and, needleF3 to say could not forgive it." Garrieon, w'.io nov, trains a few horses at Shcep^head Bay. w<as seriously ill when the 3&-t nail left Anujr.ta. Maltster's brother i* '■jnin-t sure (siya " Milroy ") to \op Mi PorJ-m's sale, and is most likely to ~o ocrc-s iVie Murray. He is a late foa!, well crroA'n, a-.d qi'ite as well developed, I am tola, as Maltster was at the same age. Compared the dual Derby winner, th^ vearlir.g has the better of it oa poinis, as his bead and neck are better on, and he carries the- head better than his illustrious brother tioeE — he carries it in such a way as to give his splendid gullet the best of chances. He is an even-tempered fellow, as clf-an as a whistle from ttem to stern, and a first rate mover. The brother to Hautvilliers i 3, in my opinion, a great improvement on his well-performed brother. He 1* an c-ven whole brown who favours his sire greatly ; he is exceptionally good underneath, having four sound steely legs, with, cannons, short and hocks well down. His quarters are most powerful, his shoulders flat, and he shows plenty of breathing room, as all the way from between his extra wide jaws down to the chest an extra wide windpipe shows; in short, he io his sire o\er again. f Another lamentable sample of stewards, justice was presented at Caulfield on Saturday. Coffin, the rider of Norman, was wiped out for 12 months for not trying to win the Steeplechase, but nobody shared the punishment with him. The Y.A.T.C. stewards as a body are about the most capable and practical lot to be found on any racecourse in Victoria, but they erred terribly on Saturday in delivering such an incomplete verdict. The m=tigator of Coffin's offence should have borne at least a moiety of the punishment, and if the Caulfield stewards' couldn't convict the arch offender, then all I (" Javelin ") can soy is that their inquiries could not have been very searching. A bigger scoundrel than the jockey has gone scot free over the pulling of Norman, ana so the glorious " sport " 'goes on, while the cork^ continue to pop and the stewards back their fancy. While he is "doing" his term of disqualification. Coffin will have time to reflect upon the unpleasantness of his experience of the elastic health — "bumped out when he was trying and " rubbed "' out when he wasn't. That was a bad double to pull off at two successive meetings on the same course. Here's a positively true dream story (say 3 ' a Melbourne Exchange). A man living afc Middle Park dreamt that he saw a wooden horse win a jumping race. At Caulfield next rlnv he saw in the list of starters tor the Narong Hurdle Race— Overwood, tiained and ridden by Underwood. It would have been, a <*reat dream if Mine hadn't worn Overwood down jii the run home, but as things turned out it cost the dreamer a sovereignReferring to the departed coin its former owner remarked sadly to a friend, indicating by a motion of the thumb the bookmaker in whose satchel it was deposited :— " 'Twas Mine, 'tis Ins, and now I come to think of in considering that Underwood was over Overwood, and that Overwood was under Underwood, and that both Overwood and Underwood were over wood. I'm afraid I must Lave got a bit mixed, either in dreaming that dream or trying to make out the meaning of it."