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TALK OF THE DAY.

By Sentinel. A VISIT TO REDCASTLE. The proverbial dark cloud is said to have the jeroverbiai silver lining. Such is not always the case, but it really happened (o bo so at Oam aru last week, where a postponed race meeting left several jjeople confronted with a blank day ahead. Fortunately, Mr J. Buckley stepped into the breach, and kindly invited a small crowd to visit Redcastle, and, needless to say, the invitation was accepted with alacrity. Shortly _ after midday four motor cars uetroUed their way to the picturesque rendezvous, and after absorbing something more than the scenic beauty of the place, we wandered off to visit the stud, which to the racing man is the real picture in any gallery. Wo were first introduced to a really fine yearling got ; !by Charlemagne II from Hormosa, the | dam of Oiyoi, and another proved galloper ( in Kopek, whoso racing merit is unques- i tionable, but, unfortunately, at present (it . is hoped temporarily) in abeyance. The , youngster is a compactly-built brown, rather above than below medium size, and looks a good sort from ton to too. In j walking, he carries himself with a nice \ liberty. Ho is a rare-bodied, good-legged, ■ chap and if good looks and attractive breeding were the forerunner of success on the turf, it wOuld be a safe thing to predict the Charlemagne ll—Hormosa colt as a good winner next season. He is a compact and nippy sort that one expects to show up early, but one gathers from Mr Buckley that horses destined to carry colours aro given every opportunity to mature, and consequently ho may not be ’bustled into an attempt to score early honours on tho turf, although the colt looks just the sort to win a Welcome. Ho comes of the Puicnra family, which has scored well in tho juvenile “classics” with such members as Multiform, Cruciform, Lady Evelyn, and eo. Tho next to come into view was a Martian—Siberia colt. He stands remarkably high for a youngster, but shows no sign of Lankiness or the latjiiness generally identified with yearlings inclined to grow into the sky. The Siberia eolt is a fine individual, and in time should let down into a handsome horse, although some little time may bo required to give him a good racing strength. Siberia was got by Stepniak from Faraway, bv Bill o’ Portland (son of St. Simon) from Happy Land (dam of Hova), by Musket from Atlantis, the dam of St. Leger. tho successful son of Doncaster, who kept up the Stockwell line in this country per medium of Clanranald, St. Hippo. Cruciform. Impulse, HLppomenes, St. Michael, and others who bred on in the paddock if they did not score on tho track. Next oame Peter Pan, a son of Armilla, who strongly favours his sire in appearance, but has, unfortunately, a doubtful-looking pair of legs below the knee. Still, his owner is not ! beyond hope, and holds the opinion that 1 the colt will yet redeem the promise j formed on his breeding and juvenile attractiveness. Wo next had a glance at Fougasse (KLlcheran —Ambush), who made a bold show in her subsequent races at the mooting, getting short-headed in one as a result of vigorous horsemanship on an opponent, end St. Aidan, who is leading an easy life at present, and looks in excellent health. Of tho horses that have carried silk tho writer was most inclined to linger over tho Charlemagne ll—Hormosa colt Champagne, who has just been returned from Porirua owing to showing signs of lameness in one of his knees, which has since been treated to a 'blister. The oolt is now doing easy exercise, and shows no signs of lameness. He is a richly-lustred bay with black points, showing fair height and nice length, and carries such quality and power that only accident can rob him of turf honours. No doubt ho may require judicious and patient treatment to train him into racing shape. His half-brother, Oiyoi, who was one of the best handicap horses wo had a couple of seasons back, required time; but onoo ho arrived there was no doubting his merit. Another of Hormosa’s produce in Kopek also demonstrated ability to gallop fast, and consequently her sons, bv Charlemagne 11. on individuality as well as breeding, should not be found Lacking in tho family merit of speed. On the way 'to pay our respects to All Red. wo had a glance at Dorando, who looked in tho rough, and has just been taken in from one of the out-paddocks. Dorando won over hurdles, hut did not fulfil, expectations over big country; but he was set a task in being schooled and trained for n National at the same time. He sports an enlarged knee, but the enlargement is not on the joint, and as it is not callous, maybe removed under treatment. In any case, it is not likely to interfere with his galloning or fencing. All Red ha« been liberally used 'bv breeders, and bred to 44 marcs. Naturally, he is not at present carrying a great deal of superfluous beef, but is in great heart, and shows such lieautiful muscularity that one is more inclined to regard him as a racehorse rather than as a stallion. It really as if his high vitality will not allow him to dove-100 into (he aldermanio stallion estate, which some studmasters endeavour to build on to their horses, hut which some per contra, by liberal exercise, endeavour to keep at buy. A tfue tesi of symmetry is really furnished

by a horse the ■weight of which is not apparent or convincing until one stands up to his shoulder and finds the withers frontting the eyes of a fairly tall man. Such is the case with All Red, who at a slight distance does not convey the suggestion ot being a big horse, although no one view mg him from any point could think him lacking in size. On standing up to him and atier making a box inspection of the son o Madder, his conformation and general quality easily disarms the critics, who leave him quite convinced that ho is sure make a big name in the paddock, as well as on the turf, where his speed and stamina were established' beyond question as matter of foot. Stepniak, like many other crack hires, seems likely to prove a great sire of brood- mares; but All Red appeals to one as Ihe horse most likely to keep the family (going in the male line. From All Red we icros ed to the paddocks, and by this time the writer forgot he was a pressman, and hen o3 no detail was taken of the breeding (of tile equine babies running at the side v>f their dams. The main object was to (view All Red’s stock to see if they gave (promise of carrying out the good opinion baa'jd on an anoreciat.ion of the sire. Ine (youngsters without exaggeration won general approval. They are all strong-bodied, (good-legged f*>rts, that are really a fine advertisement for their sire, and a horse s rtock forms his best claim (or othepvise) to recognition/ as a stallion. They in all bases aro powerful over the back and loins, good-legged ones, and are further i©imartfcable for the unusual docility they show. Evidently their early speed is not developed by stone-thro wing, cracking of .whips, or shooing away with dogs. They 'ar© a bit backward, but very obviously really fine youngsters, and any breeder (fortunate to possess one is not likely to hesitate in sending back mares to the son of Stepniak and Madder. The on© regret ’about the afternoon consisted in the fact that it was all too short, as the arrival at Redoastflo and a parting toast _to the colours formed an unoonscious.y brief span to what threatened; to he a long blank ’period in, the calendar.

THE SOUTHLAND MEETING. ’ Tho Southland Racing Club’s summer meeting proved highly successful particularly from a financial point of view, as the totalisator returns totalled the substantial sum of £21.104. or £8693 in excess of last year’s summer fixture, • which was identified with the opening’ of tho now stands aud other improvements carried out on the course. The fielders were in evidence last year, and the substantial increase in the investments is partly accounted for by their absence last week. It is reported that the club made a profit of close upon lOOOsovs over the meeting, and this should provide a big stimulus to further progress. Fields were of a good numerical strength on the first day, but fell away on tho second, and only a' quartet contested the principal event on the second day’s card. Despite tho drawback, speculation was particularly brisk, and it would seem that punters bet with greater freedom on a small field than on one where numbers are inclined to puzzle those in search of a winner. On tho first dav Soldiers’ Chorus appears to have made hacks of the opposition, and repeated the performance on the second day, whfen ho took up 9.12 and ran a mile in the track record time of 1.42. This is a rather good performance, as tho Invercarg’ll track, although well turfed, tgrourjd, is made a bit slow by sharpish turns. Soldiers’ Chorus is clearly well up to weight, and ■ his trainer deserves not a little praiso for the great improvement ho has made in the son of Martian, who appears to have trained on into at least a three stone better horse than when he was in work at Wingatui. Soldiers’ Chorus convinced most peoolo bv the excellent form he displayed at the South Canterbury meeting that ho was distinctly a better horse than generally supposed, and his recent form goes to substantiate the good opinions formed about the son of Martian and Grand Opera, who should now be given a chance to distinguish himself in better company. In fact, it seems to have been a golden onpor tunity lost through not taking tho horse to tho last Now Zealand Oup meeting, where ho figured at the bottom of the handicaps in which he had been nominated. The ohiof sprint event on the first day wont to Gold Sail, who evidently shows far better form in tho south than ho has when brought to Wingatui. On tho second day Gapon won nicely from Lupulite, but on" this ocasion Gold Sail got badly away. Tho trotting events as usual attracted largo fields, and continue to furnish ample evi- : dence of tho great popularity of tho lightharnoss sport in the south. The practice, i however, of putting in unknown horses at 1 what is practically tho limit will help to kill these events. At present smart maiden i horses are nominated, and either win or i give the opposition such a big fright that | the owner who trains and rides his own j horse will get tired of chafing the bottledup goods if the existing state of affairs is | not altered. Each day’s card at Invorcar- | gill concluded with a mile race. On the i first day Obolous, a son of Obligado, who appears to stay better than the general run of that tribe, won. although ho had • previously been included in the field which ' contested the chief event of the day. On . the concluding day the promising colt Palisade was reported to have beaten his field in a very hollow style.

THE NORTH OTAGO MEETING. Leaving- Dunedin in a downpour of rain did not augur well for the opening of the North Otago Jockey Club’s meeting, and under the circumstances it was a matter of mild astonishment to note what a large •miini'ber of sports braved tho elements m the hope that the weather would bo better ‘in the north. Several motor parties cancelled orders for cars, and a few would Inot face tho music under such antagonistic conditions. These who did turn out wore doomed to disappointment, as on arrival i o t Oa.maru it was learnt that the club had reluctantly decided to put off the opening 'of the meeting until the following day. [An inspection of the track in tho morning tfound it carrying sufficient water to make it dangerous, and as tho rain was still coming down the club kept, the track closed, fshortly after midday the weather cleared, but by this time tourist sports from Dunedin, Timaru, Waimate, and elsewhere had alreadv commenced to make the homeward journey, although a fairly large number decided to bravo the deadly tediousness of a wet day in tho White City. Oamaru was once a cheery town, but in recent years general opinion marks it, down as a good place to avoid except on special occasions, such as when a race meeting is in progress. Postponements generally moan disaster, but not so in the present case, as

the attendance on the following day was one 1 of the best the writer has seen in Oamaru | in -recent years. . .Many of those who journeyed to Oamaru on the 2nd did not return, and it was- very obvious that the club had lost a golden opportunity through the forced postponement. The success achieved was consequently highly satisfactory under the circumstances, particularly os the totahsator returns for the day were more than •double the amount pint through at both days of last season’s spring meeting. The track had made wonderful recovery from ■the effects of the heavy rainfall, and some fairly smart gallops were recorded. The programme opened somewhat disastrously through the hurdle race becoming a onehorse race after the second fence; but the balance of thp card provided plenty of interesting sport, The Kilcheran —Ambush filly Fougasse was .prominent from the rise of the barrier, and looked all over a. winner until a few strides from home, where the resolutely-ridden Foil got up in time to gather a short head win. True Knight was made a slightly better favourite than The Cornet in the President’s Handicap, in which Fisticuff took up the running shortly after the rise of the barrier; but in the straight -St:.penefcer, who was carrying a 101 b penaiiy, strode home a comfortable winner.' It was generally believed that the distance and track conditions would tie up the son of Stcpmak • and Dameter; but he won very decisively. Rose Nob.e put up a noor display, and was in trouble a long way from home; but Oiyoi, looking considerably above himself, put up a race which suggests he will bo heard of in the near future. Peg was made favourite for the Juvenile, but after fluttering her supporters in-the-ear-ly stages, she gave way to Mav Dalrymp-e, who won with a good margin. Don- Ruby! scored a comfortable win in the Bracelet, and- My Lawyer was elected a hot chance for the Flying, which ho won oaring lip iti the litst 50 yards. The sciNttChing pen was freely used in the Aidersyde Handicap, as -nine out of the 17 on the card were struck out. Gryta was made a pronounced fnvourita, but nothing had ft ohan-oo with Safety Pin at the finish. Pleasure Bent was left standing at the post, and Xyloidiuo also had his chance killed at the start. The day concluded with Merry Lass galloping away from her opponents in the concluding stages of the Clifton Welter. Miss Advance was made a pronounced favourite, but after running with San Seven-o for about six furlongs s-ho beat a retreat. Heavy rain set in shortly after the racing, and continued until about mjdnight. hurt the following day was beautifully fine. The track was, perhaps, a shade heavier than on tho opening duy. but improved os tihe day wore on. Old Ringma.n made the opposition look small in the concluding furlong of the Hurdles, when lie came away and won comfortably. The Obligado gelding Icilma was always prominent in the Trial. Stakes, -and won handsomely. My Lawyer almost monopolised the betting in the Redcastle Handicap, and until shortly before the totalisator closed threatened to pay a very short price. He, however, lengthened a bit at the finish. The confidence was amply justified, ns ho won from end to end, ayd give ppthing a chance. Oratava.. who got shut out at Hi' 1 rise of the barrier, made up a good deal of ground, and was g.alloning on at the finish when she just pipped Oiyoi for a place. Troon, who finished last in tho Clifton Welter on the previous day. came out in the Bolfield We'ter. and won very comfortably at the finish. The coupled pair, Poppin and Shona Mav. were a strong fnnev for the Nursery Handicap, but May Dalrymplo followed up her success of the previous dav by scoring another comfortable win. A bad start robbed the Wa.itaki Handicap of half its interest, as I,and Rose ‘was left, and Ban Severe and Ex-pansio.n got Ibadly away. Pilgrim’s Way won jail out from the fast-finishing Expansion, who got up in time to out Mhos Advance but of second mouev. Icilma took uo his nenaltv. and scored h’s second win of the Idav in the Windsor Handicap.' Tho writer did not see the Inst race, as there was a slight lack of promptness in getting away •the fields, and it heoatne necessary to hurry 'off to connect with the second express train Ifor Dunedin.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19120110.2.211

Bibliographic details

Otago Witness, Issue 3017, 10 January 1912, Page 53

Word Count
2,896

TALK OF THE DAY. Otago Witness, Issue 3017, 10 January 1912, Page 53

TALK OF THE DAY. Otago Witness, Issue 3017, 10 January 1912, Page 53

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