IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3097, 23 July 1913, Page 49

IN A NUTSHELL.

Domino is not likely to be seen out at Ricearton. Nominations for the Wmton Guineas are duo on August 1. Darby Raul is spoken of as a likely visitor to Australia. Kilrain was sold under the hammer at 50gs when a yearling. The Dunedin Jockey Club held a record season for 1912-13. The Waimatc Racing Club has the excellent membership of 173. The Otago Hunt Club will hold their final run of the season on Saturday next. —At future race meetings it will lie compulsory for each club to elect a judicial committee. Maple Loaf, the Now Zealand-bred mare, by Canada, is amongst the horses in training at Flemmgtou. —-Tim Doolan has won three out of four since ho was purchased by Mr G. L. Stead, at 150 gs. The Multifid—lndian Queen horse. Our King, is reported to have become a very pronounced roarer. Buff Gauntlet leaves this week for laccarton to fulfil his engagements at the National meeting. ii. Deeley will commence his retainership for the bluo-and-gold chequers with a rkle on Glenfnnan in the Winter Cup. The Rover was said to be in a bad way after his fall at Treuthara, and in consequence is regarded as an unlikely starter at Kiccarton. , , Palisade is again in easy work at Tapanui. and his owner has also a couple of rising three-year-olds by Pallas in commission. Acceptances for the principal events to bo run at the Grand National meeting, together with general entries, are due on July 35. —A cablegram from Melbourne states that Captain Jmg.c started in the Llupna Steeplechase, but broke down and had to lie pulled up. Domino’s rider received a kick when at the barrier for the Parliamentary Handicap, and in the actual race the horse received a bad passage. The Native scored his first win over big fences on Saturday. He is inclined to twist at Ins fences, and this does not tend towards success. Darby Paul landed a long-distance double when he scored in the Final Hurdles at Trentham, as he won the same race on last year’s card. —F. Tilley hacT a particularly successful run at the Wellington meeting, where he won five races with three horses, and also recorded a second. The Sylvia Park gelding Kew who won a double at Trentham, ran second to Peary in the Trial Plato, run on the same track 12 months ago. The Spaniard was beaten out of sight in the last National Steeples when carrying 9.7. Improvement in form has resulted in 11.0 being awarded him for next month’s race. Dorando made a very creditable show in the Wellington Steeplechase He was racing under the disadvantage of a weeks forced spell, owing to striking one of bis heels. The lead important, the most said, seemed to have been tno case in reference to the motion before the Racing Conference, making it a breach of racing law to bet with a bookmaker. The Maniopoto colt, Kaniki, scored decisively in both bis races at Trentham. In the Stewards' Handicap be carried nearly twice as much money as Mummer, who ruled as second choice. Duke Foote was the ruling favourite for the Melbourne Cup when the last mail to hand left Australia, but there is. so far, no pronounced choise for any of tHe big spring handicaps. The Cornet and Kilmeny were offered for sale in Christchurch on Saturday, to close a partnership account. Both horses were bought in at lOlgs apiece by Mr 11. D. Roberts, of Greymouth. —Mr D. W. Gibson lias resigned his position as stipendiary steward. He has generally been identified with South Island meetings, unci commenced duties at the Tapanui annual meeting. Apropos cf tlie smallpox scare in the north, there scorns to be a suspicion abroad that all the horses running at Trentham last week did not sport vaccination marks behind their girths after their races The V.A.T.C. committee are following the example set by the Australian Jockey Club, and have installed brush fences on their schooling course, and will consider the advisability of having similar jumps on their steeple dn-e course Sir George Clifford stated at the Racing Conference, “that double betting with the bookmakers is the curse of racing in this country.” One could sav w : th canal truth that single betting with the totalizator is open t.. the same charge. Grit Lawless paid a thumping big dividend when he won at Trentham on Saturday. Tie was the rank outsider of the fie'd, hut the Gaming Amendment Act debars mention o; n dividmul or which wo all know the she but mustn’t toll in print. Sir Georg!.- Clifford attenuated to make “doujdo bitting” a crime. 1* is worse than a. crime. It f= oxtremeL* foolish, because bring dj.wn two 1 irds with one shot. St!!!, ham tend J o confirm the* good iinurcs-don hr* of the tournee in the last Mew Zealand Gun He Hubscq-icntlv wo; the J.C. Handicap. ami ran second to Bon Rcve in the hr. oy.

— The Wellington Racing Club’s winter meeting resulted in £30,034 10s going through the totalisator. This is £21,431 10s in excess of last year, or less than 2009sovs below what was handled in 1911, when the winter meeting at Trentham extended over three days. Paritutu beat Corazon by a head when carrying 10.2, to the latter’s 12.3, in tiro A.vional Steeples of 1911. In 1012 he ran second to Captain Jingle with 11.2. Parit u • i; galloped Tuan 12 4-5 sec when he won, and the record is held b; Eclair at Tmin 10 2-s.~ec. Beacon, Stamboul, Watchchain, Prince Eddie, Red Earl, and the Rover fell, and Nyland made his exit from the turf through breaking a fetlock. Prior to the meeting strong exception was taken to the type of hurdles on the course. The Native and The Rover had 10.13 each in the last Grand National Hurdles. In the coming race the latter has a concession of 41 b. In the Jumpers’ Flat, which The Rover won on the first first day of tiie meeting, he was hanaicapped to give The Native 9lb. The German Government is said to have drafted a Bill legalising bookmakers, and this provides a tax of G per cent, on bookmakers’ takings, in addition to a graduated tax on the winnings of backers. It would bo interesting to know how the latter is to be worked out. Marton’s record in the Great Northern Hurdles was “won easily by four lengths.’’ and in the Winter Hurdles at Trentham lie again appears to have won comfortably. Marton carried 9st Gib in the Great Northern, 10.7 in the Winter Hurdles, and is set to carry 11.5 in the Grand National Hurdles. More than one figuring in the principal events to be run at the National meeting may bo regarded as unlikely starters, .among them being Sunray (who is very unlikely to start, unless the report of his death is grossly exaggerated), Wirral (said to have broken down), Hoanga (ditto) and one or two others. Doran do should have won the Wellington Steeplechase if he had not ran off at the last fence. He was giving Nedra a stone, and in the July Steeples was handicapped on 113 b better terms with her, but did not go to the post. In the National Steeples Doran do is giving 3ib to Nedra. History teems with attempts to achieve tire impossible. Building a tower to reae.h heaven, sweeping the ocean back with a broom, catching Niagara Falls in a- teacup, and attempting to dictate how people should spend their money all belong to the same family. So is Sir George Clifford’s attempt to stop double betting The latest mail to hand from England brings illustrated papers showing pictures of the English Derby finish. Craganour, Aboyeur, Louvois, and Great <5 port are finishing almost in line, with Aboyeur on the inside. Aboyeur’s rider is .seen using his whip with the left hand, presumably because Craganour is crowding on the other side. Sir George Clifford gave a hint that ho would not be averse to someone else filling the presidential chair of the Racing Conference. He has occupied the position with general satisfaction for 17 years, and was unanimously elected for another year. Most people would like to see Sir George gain liis “majority” at least, before obtaining a chance to quit office. The Racing Conference appointed six stipendiary stewards during tiro past season, and the Stipendiary Stewards’ Committee believe it will be necessary to appoint more substitute stipendiary men in future, if discontent at the absence of such assistance is to bo avoided. At one time only a few wanted the stipendiary stewards, now clubs won’t be happy till they get them. The proposed amendments to the rules of racing, having for their effect, that ail trainers’ and riders’ licenses be granted by a committee appointed by the Racing Conference; that “no horse three years old and upwards, shall run in any handicaps over a distance of less than five furlongs,” and the motion to increase the minimum weight bo raised to 7at, were all lost at the conference. Harry Harrison, who had the pleasure of training Obi, the winner of this year’s Victorian Grand National Hurdle Race, was not always in the racing line. Originally lie was a compositor, and later took to raceriding, and steered a few winners in the country districts of Victoria. Harrison was long private trainer for the Messrs Manifold, and won the Grand National Steeplechase with Dungan and Mysore. The Trotting Conference shelved the question of appointing stipendiary stewards. Some of the members were in favour of the appointments being made, but the question of coat was evidently a stumbling block with them. Pure sport, apparently, costs money, but nevertheless, those antagonistic to the appointment of experts, do not know trotting, and that is all there is to be said about the matter. -—Kilrain, the winner of the Parliamentary Handicap, was bred by Mr Bruce Christie, at Gamaru. He was got by the imported Ivilcheran (son of Rihvarlin), from Grand Rain by Gipsy Grand, from Rainbow by Cadogan, from Iris, the dam of Bloodshot. A half-brother to Kilrain is now trained by C Christie, at Wingatui. Kilrain’s halfbrother was got by Sir Dove, a son of Sir Tristram, and the Grand Flaneur mare, Grand Love. The Native lias incurred a 7!b penalty for the Grand National Steeples and a similar increase in the Grand National Hurdles. This brings his weight in the former race up to 11.7. and in the latter to lI.IT. Haskayne incurs an Sib penalty in the Winter Cup, Darby Paul gets an additional 1211) in the National Steeples—making his wen/’ t 10.11. Kew goes up Gib in the Winter Cup, and Commotion incurs a similar penalty for lire same race. The Wuimate Racing Club closed the season with a credit balance of £844 8s Id. This is £132 18s Cd in excess of the previous year, although £209 lis Id has recently been spent on permanent improvements. The \\ aimate meeting is one of the most popular fixtures in the South Island, and always attracts patronage from a wide-spread area. Last season the Wairnate meeting clashed with the Southland Racing Club autumn meeting, but next year they keep apart on the calendar. T. Pritchard, who broke a log whilst riding at Feihling last year, had his name mentioned at the Racing Conference during a discussion on the accident fund. Pritchard lias had a particularly bad time since his accident, and there was an impression abroad that the trustees of the accident fund were not inclined .to grant assistance sufficiently adequate to meet the case; but Sir George Clifford stated that, the trustees were quite willing to pay Pritchard more had he asked for it. Slaney, the Dirk Hamrnerhand horse, has been distinguishing himself in a new rod- of late, for he is identical with the equ nti shod by Alien Doone on each occasion during the run of “Sweet Count*/ Kerry at His Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland. Mr Doone, who is an adopt at making a plate and shoeing a horse, experienced considerable difficulty with Slaney at times. a.s that horse resented the company of another

quadruped, a small white donkey, on the stage, but carried out his task successfully each night. is participated in by 30,009 cable operators, all over the world. Mr Herbert W. Robinson, from Manchester, drew the favourite. Craganour. the first prize being £3400. Mr Robinson is now in the employ of the Commercial Cable Company in New York. He was receiving operator on the cable when the first result was received in New York, which, he thought, made him the winner of £3IOO. A little later he received another despatch, disqualifying the horse. Onlookers declare that he never turned a hair. At a meeting of the Manawatu Racing Club, Mr J. H. P. Strang, presiding, the -programme for the summer meeting was approved, increasing the stakes by £4BO, and making a total of £4585 for the meeting. Plans were submitted for additions to the stewards’ stand, , increasing it to two storeys, and adding a new jockey’s room, weighing room, and giving separate rooms with separate entrances downstairs. The work is being carried out by contract. Further improvements will bo made to the grounds. Altogether a considerable sum of money will be spent before the Christmas meeting. Clifford’s remarks in reference to accidents and falls in steeplechases is the death knell of the Sloan scat as far as cross-country and hurdle racing is concerned. Sir George said:—“The faulty jumping which has conspicuously marred our recent steeplechases cannot be attributed to the difficulty of tho fences. Its explanation must rather be sought in tho insufficiency of the schooling given to their charges by trainers, or to the desire of riders to apply the short-stirrup scat to a task for which it is obviously unsuited. It common sense docs not provide a remedy, the conference should take steps in that direction.” There seems to be a prospect of the next Dunedin Cup carrying a stake of lOOOsovs, and there is a suggestion in the air that a 75050 v stake will be attached to tho D.J.C. Handicap, which carried 300 s ov at tnis season’s meetings. It is to he hoped that a substantial stake will also g<> to the Pijbliciui’s Handicap, the Anniversary Handicap, and the other chief short-distance events on the programme. With at least two solidly-endowed events in each clay s card, tho Cup meeting should get a great boost in popularity with owners. At present, some of the chief sprints carry very little more money than a welter or hack race, and they, consequently, lack an attractive distinction on the programme. ■—Setting up a body containing a lawbreaking element in its composition to make laws, savours of absurdity. Malefactors making laws as it were; but it is to oe hoped that it is not so bad as all that. Still Mr E. W. Allison, one of the representatives of the Auckland Country Clubs, stated during the discussion in the motion to debar owners from betting with bookmakers, that even members of the conference watered with bookmakers, ilns was doubted by "Mr G. Hunter, but Mr Allison, in reply, repeated hii statement and reiterated it during subsequent discussion on the matter In fact Mr Allison was so positive unit u is evident that racing virtues are not absolutely centred in the gentlemen composing the conference. . , , , the Trotting .Conference, to wait upon the Minister of Railways, with a view to obtaining improved horse boxes and means of transit, tho Minister said:— I have de interest of racing at heart, and any .Ling 1 can do to further the interests of racing or trotting will be done.” Ho explained that new and up-to-date boxes had been provided in parts, and they were gradual > increasing them. As far ns possme, department would try and meet horseowners. Ho pointed out, however, that nursing grievances for an annual deputation was not the proper course. Complaints m particular cases were easier to deal vvitn. Instructions had already been issued regarding the shunting of live stock trams, and in cases where engine-drivers were proved to be responsible for excessive shunting, they would be warned that a repetition of the offence might lead to disrating, and even dismissal. , _ The pedigree of Bruleur, this year s winner of tho Grand Prix do Pans, is of interest to New Zealanders, as the colt is a direct descendant and in-bred to Dollar a horse of The Herod, that was a groat said success in France. Dollar had only one representative in New Zealand, and that was Rupee who produced Louis d Or, Florin, Spado Guinea, Apropos, Silver Mark. Exchange, Metric England, and others of lesser note. Spade Guinea won the Dunedin Cup, New Zealand Cup, etc. Memo England won the Great Autumn as a three-year-old, with 9 1 whilst some of the others were good .performers. Chain Armour, tho sire of Pallas was a son of Apropos, and Rupee was no doubt a valuable importation in this country. Bin,otto, who threw Omnium II (sire of Bruleur's dam), was got by Weili.mtouia, a half-brother to Apremont. Dollar was a son of the famous Flying Dutchman, who sired the dam of Mermaid, one of the most .successful tap roots to be found in the Australasian stud books. Some comment has lately appeared as to who were amongst the first to adopt the crouch seat in this country. There is a difference between the crouch and tire extreme perch, which allows the knees of a man to almost meet in front of a horse s withers. The latter is the crouch carried to absurdity, and never identified with fully successful horsemanship, although, not without a certain amount of success. The first rider tho writer remembers riding with a fairly short leather, and laying over in front of the saddle, and with reins gripped near the ring of the bit, was one named K. Dunn, who won a steeplechase on Ben H. at a hunt club meeting held at Forbury Park in 18S6. Before that time, (he late J. Poole, the well-known cross-country rider, who was I killed whilst riding Rebel in a hurdle race at Timaru, occasionally rode Mr J. F. Kitching’s Oliver, one of the best trotters of that" period. Poole stood in his irons and crouched over Oliver’s neck whilst riding his mount, who was, if memory is not at fault, one’ of the first—if not the first — Ameiican horses ever brought to New Zealand. Oliver was a true actioned trotter, and another rider in George Smith, rode Duchess, a well-known performer of the same time, in a similar style. These were the first three riders whom the writer can remember taking a short hold of some of, their mounts, but they did not use a particularly short leather, although their “seat” threw the body in front of the saddle. dale”), I had the firm impression that a horse had galloped a mile in a minute. The idea was gain id from hearing old Englishmen say so. Since then I have found that it was Flying Childers that was supposed to have done it, but it is said that he galloped at the rate of a mile in a minute—according to the time he made over a furlong in tho middle of a trial. In those days there were not even common chronographs to bo had. Nowhere in tho known racing world is the timing of a race so accurately done a? in Australia on tho leading race tracks. Electricity has been intro-

duced, and tho groat chronographs at Flcmiugton and Randwick arc worked by that. Strange to say, they are not more accurate than such men as Messrs Earnshaw, Raynor, Burton, Dexter, or Franks, with the watch. They are men of experience, at it almost every day in the year. So far, even in cur excellent climate, the. times made are not quite up to those accomplished in America and England. The 3-year-old Preferment, in England, has a record of Jmia 30scc, with Tst up, over TA miles, also miles, with 7.9, in 2min 1 4-sscc. She is evidently a smart filly, but her time —good as it is—was badly beaten on July 2 at New York. The racing season has opened there, and - evidently the Yankee horses have lost nothing in the way of pace during their enforced retirement. The cable slates that Whisk Broom won the- Suburban Handicap, run for over IT miles, in 2min. In England, Stedfast. in 1911, ran the distance at Newbury in 2miu 1 l-ssec. In America, Broomstick, 7.5, ran 1J miles, also in 1904, in 2min 2 4-ssec. At Randwick, Son of the Marsh got over the same journey in 2min oisec.