IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 49

IN A NUTSHELL.

, The Victoria Racing Club made n profit of ±30.(322 15s 9d last season. Nominations for the Ashburton spring meeting are due on August 2u. The list of registered colours occupies nearly 40 pages of the Turf Record. Mr Hennah has presented Captain J.ng.e to Mr D. J. Price, the Caulfield trainer. The Tapanui Racing Club have decided to have a seven-item card on each day of their meeting. _~During the racing season just closed Alb/,(66 was distributed in stakes throughout Aew South Wales. Claude Piper, the well-known trainer and reinsman. returned from Australia last week with a team of horses.. It is reported that a Sydney light-har-ness horse named Barium has been sold to a New Zealand buyer at SOOr-ovs. t The Newmarket Handicap winner 'Queen o Scots was recently sent to Sydney to visit the 12,000-guinea horse Bronzino. The owner of Teah Khvshna intends to send the mure to Eng’acd to participate in tile next Grand National Steeplechase. Bandiera is again in work. He has not appeared in public since he ran second to Crown Pearl at Hie last Grand National meeting. Nominations for tire Dunedin Stakes of 1914 _a:ul Dunedin Guineas of 1915 are due on 1' nday, September 5. No money is required at time of entry. Australian Commonwealth last year. There were about 4000 horses in training to compete for this amount. The “crow’s nost” for stewards seems co be growing in favour m England. The Newbury 'rack helped to popularise the idea, and now one is in use at Gatwick Albert Goodman has left Gisborne to start as a public trainer at Trentha.m. During the 11 months he acted as private trainer to Mr C. J. Parker he won 10 races. The Turf Register shows that -during the past season 1450 races were run on the flat or over hurdles and fences. Trotters and pacers were provided with 457 races. —lt is understood that the Rungitikei Racing Club will apply to the president of the New Zealand Racing Con tor (vice for March 25 and 25. 1914. on which to hold its race mooting.

The value of the Irish Derby for ISIS lias been increased 4 o 2500»0v5." and itbe Irish Oaks to lOOOsovs. The distance of the Oaks lias been altered from one mile to one mile and a-hnlf. __— Mr St. John Buckley, president of the North Otago Jockey Club, has signified hu intention of' giving a 50-guinea cup, to be attached to tlie principal event run at the January meeting.

Four of the events to be run at the Ashburton meeting range in value from lOOsovs to loOsovs, and the majority of the others closely approach the former figure in the way of prize-money. The Northumberland Plate,'of 025sovs, two miles, was run on Juno 25. and won by a four-year-old filly named The Tylt, who was got by Spearmint from a mare by Persimmon. She beat 12 others. The Geraldine Racing Chib has over * dozen stewards figuring on their programme, but do not notify as to who -will form tlio judicial committee which has to be .appointed under the Buies of Racing. The Auckland Racing Club made a profit of .£16,528 16s 3d over last season’s operations. In addition the club received £122."} 17s in members’’ fees, £362 10s in track- fees, and £123 7e Gd from other sources. Sea Prince is the ruling favourite for the Caulfield Cop. He was absent from tho tracks for a few days, but afterwards galloped in a manner which suggested that there is not much -wrong withi him. ' — The benefit race meeting tei.dered to ilia veteran South Australian handicupper, Ur Henry Hughes, who has been adjusting weights since about 1675, until recently, turned out a profit of about TOOsovs. From March 24 to Juno 20 D. Maher had 143 mounts, and rode 38 winners, 19 seconds, and 22 thirds. Judging from his splendid average of 26.57, Maher does not ride everything that comes on offer. —lt is reported that F. Davis will leavo for Australia with Soltano in the near future, in order to race the colt at the A,J.C. spring meeting A ’two-year-old half-sister to BoL-ri-koff is likely to accompany the colt. The veteran handicappcr, Mr Henry Hughes, recently cited the Adelaide Cup of 1882 as his greatest triumph. Euclid won by a short bead, and Commotion. Belladrum, and Polio dead-heated for second place. —An English-bred mare named Miracle, imported by her owner (Mr E. E. D. Clarke), lias joined James Scobie’s team at Fleming - ton. Miracle, who is by Florizel from Gremlin. raced with some success in England. Successful trials have been made in France of the Maison ’’Lafifte automatic photographic apparatus for judging horse races. The winning horse breaks a thread attached to the camera when passing the post. Dark Ronald left England on June 26 for Germany He was sold some time ago to the Prussian Government subject to being passed sound by the vet. This has been done. The price paid for the horse was

The well-known trainer J. TT. Prosser -is suffering from an attack of pneumonia, and ■will be unable to attend tin? National meetin". His horses that are engaged at the meet in? will be under tlie charge of H. Telford. The Auckland Racing Clnh hare decided to giro 35.740.90v9 in stakes this season. Last season the amount of prize-money ran to £32,(575 and the previous year it amounted to £38.015. The cluh has assets amounting to £53 817. The Irish Tferbv, run -Tunc 25. was won by Bachelor's 'Wedding, who finished eighth, to Abnyenr at Epsom. The event at the Curragh. however, is more in the nature of a handicap, the weights carried varying a good deal. As it has been stated in several quarters that the stake attached to the President’s Handicap at the Oamaru Trotting Club's meeting is 40sovs, it may bo pointed out that this is an error. The amount should |>c 1 fOsovs. Not one of the horses that were in the field for last eoaetm’s 'Winter Cun .are included in this year’s race, and The Native is the only Grand National Hurdle horse that ran in last year’s race and also claims engagement this season. Jta-itcr Paul came to grief in a steeple-

chase at Moonee Valley on July 27, and L. Hegarty injured both his ankles. Bullawar:*., who finished fourth in the V.ILL. Grand National Steeplechase with 12.7, carried 12.10, and won easily. There are over 300 horses in work at Flemington. This is not a record, as the previous total was 400. aro c\ct 4 yearlings in training. _ The 300 horses ere divided among 63 trainers, and about same number are in work at Caul ic.d Rather a daring theft was perpetrated daring the Ascot meeting, a motor car being stolen. The car had been hired at Birmingham to take visitors to Ascot and was stolen from the paddock of the residence of Major Clive Wigram, Equerry to t.ie King. The question of increasing the membership of the Auckland Racing Club cropped up at the annual meeting. It is a< - preseru. limited to 250, and a proposal was put forth that the number be extended to 300. and that the entrance fee be increased to £lO 10s. —ln 1911-12 the trotting clubs of New Zealand gave £36,661 5s in stakes, and for the season of 1912-13 the prize-money had increased to £13,026. During the past season S 7 meetings were held, and these were spread over 59 days, on which 451 races were run. , „ , The Union Club of Berlin has followed the example set by the Belgian Turf authorities, and gives stewards every latitude when complaints are made against a winner for boring, jostling, and interfering to place him second or third, and merely disqua ily him as a winner.

The disappointing Charlatan, who cost 630 gs as a yearling, won his first race by scoring in a Maiden Plate at Aspenclale Park. Ho was got by Charlemagne II from Fan Tan, by Gosoon. Fan Tan was sent to Australia when carrying Charlatan who appeal's to be somewhat aptly named. The English Racing Calendar says; "The clerk of the course of the Manchester Easter meeting has been fined lOsovs by the stewards of the National Hunt Committee, on account of delay which occurred in rendering medical assistance to a jockey who had sustained injuries through a fall.” The resumption of racing at Belmont Park, New York, was witnessed _by 25.000 people on the opening day. but this number fell away to 5009 on the second day. Betting is carried on 'under much restriction, but it goes on despite a small army of policemen and club officials on guard to prevent public

•wagering. . _ A copy of J. and J. Miller’s Sporting Pamphlet is to hand. It gives the performances of the horses engaged in the principal events to be run in Australia during the coming spring Huntings, racing and trott'ng records, blood stock sales, and a vast amount of other information much appreciated by sportsmen. , , . , Mr H. F. Nicoll. the well-known Ashburton sportsman, topped the winning list of trotting owners with £987 lbs. Other owners to win £SOO or more were;—,M. Maher, £687; W. N. Wilson. £851; P. Delargey. £603 10s; A. Smith, £562; J. LTCutcheon, £560; M. Clarice, £539 10s; J. Dennett, £518; and J. Lorgelly. £sll. Some years ago Baron Rothschild was shipped from Dunedin to Australia, and subsequently took up stud work in South Australia. At a recent meeting in Melbourne hs was represented by a winner named County Antrim, who defeated 14 others in a trotter’s handicap, run over nine furlongs

•and won in 2min 54isec. A three-year-old colt named Derby Bells, a son of Abbey Beils and the well-known performer Notice, got amongst the winners at a recent trotting meeting held in Melbourne. Ho started a strong favourite in a field of 11, and won in 2min 33jscc. Another winner during the day was Almost, a son of Almont, who won in 2min 32Jaec. The late Sir Charles D. Bose, a member of the English Jockey Club, and a wellknown sportsman, left estate valued for probate of the gross value of £355.417 9s 2d. of which the net personality has been sworn at £150,534 4s 6d. The duties on the property at this valuation, exclusive of the duties on settled property, will abount to about £42,000. —Mr 11. Brinkman has been appointed handioapper for the trotting events to be run at the Geraldine meeting. Formerly one official acted for both trots and gallops. Mr A. J. Gibbs will continue to act as handioapper for the flat races and hurdle events. Mr R. E. Harley has been appointed starter, except in the case of the trotting events, for which Mr H. Reynolds will act. A northern paper states that Grit Lawless, who paid the big dividend at Trentham. was bought out of the saleyards in Palmerston for the magnificent sum of £4 10s. He is by Toa, a son of Dreadnought from Homai. dam of Ha-kari. who was successful at Riccarton last year, and subsequently broke his neck at Marion. As Hakari was

by Rangipuhi. a half-brother of Toa. Grit Lawless is a three-parts brother to the dead stcenlechaser.

— 'Mr James Brennan, the well-known sportsman, who imported the thoroughbreds Linacre and Hallowmass to Australia and successfully raced Pendant, Scotland, and other horses, has for some time past been residing in England, where he ran a few' horses. He is returning to Svdney by the steamer Otway, which leaves the Old Country at the end of the present month, and has forwarded, via the Cape of Good Hope a draft of seven thoroughbred mares, in charge of his son, Mr Herbert Brennan, Mr Horatio Bottomley, M.P. thus addresses himself (through the medium of John Bull) to the Eord Mayor of London: “My dear Lord Mavor —-Allow me to wish you all success in your efforts to save the Crystal Palace for the nation. Should your appeal meet with an adequate response you will have signalised your vear of office in a way which will not soon be forgotten. But let me give you a tin. Why not lay out a model racecourse, with a meeting every Saturday afternoon? Then it ‘would’ pay!” At the annual meeting of the North Otago Jockey Club Mr Win. Gardiner, vicepresident. occupied the chair, and in the course of his address said; “Tn regard to the election of delegates to the Baring Conference by country clubs an effort should be made to secure an alteration of the boundaries. At present both the delegates resided in Southland the clubs in the northern end of the district being practically disfranchised. for with so many clnhs in the south it was almost useless to try to return a representative for the north. Ni"hf watch was one of the best two-year-olds seen out last season and if he was not exactly at the ton of the tree in form he is at least entitled to the honour of bebig the much-travelled eolt of the year. He made his debut at Wingatui in October, when Warstep beat him in tli" Dunedin Stakes. During the balance of the season Ni"htwateh travelled to Auckland FeiMing. hack to Dunedin back to Feildin" then to Manawatn. to finish his first season. TCighf.wnteh started 12 times and scored twice, whilst lie gained a place in six other races. The followin'* have Icon nominated for the. respective offices in the Ashburton Trotting Club for the ensuing year:—President Mr H. F. Nicoll; committee—Messrs J. D Stowart. A. Brav. and J. M‘Donn-1!; lion, treasurer. Mr W. H. Buie; stewards—Messrs XV. Anderson, J. B. Brown. B. F. Curtis, J. Davison. W. B. Denshire, J. Ilcseltine, J.

P. M’Qnilkin, G. M‘Donne!l, F. B. Robilliard, W. G. Roberts, J. D. Stewart, and J. T. Thomas. A ballot will be taken for 10 of the stewards nominated. The other officers will be duty declared elected. That brilliant sprinter Hornet’s _ Beauty is a pronounced ‘‘roarer, ’ and to relieve the trouble, the operation of tracheotomy was performed upon him. It might be thought this would have caused his absence from the race track for two or three weeks; but six days after the operation he walked away with the All-aged Stakes, six furlongs, at Ascot, long odds being laid on him to defeat his solitary opponent, a two-year-old named Golden Import. Hornet's Beauty subsequently won two more races, and thus scored three successes in a brief period after his operation. The Australian Jockey Club recentlyadopted the following rule: —“Prom and after November 1, 1913. no horse wholly or partly owned by, or leased to, a person who carries on, or assists in carrying on, the business of a bookmaker, or acts as clerk to any person carrying on such business, at any registered meeting, shall bo eligible to run for any race at any registered meeting held within a radius of 40 miles from the General Post Office at Sydney, unless such _ horse siiail be trained by a person licensed as a trainer by the committee of the Australian Jockey Club." The inconsistent performances of horses and ponies which race in Melbourne at Ascot and Richmond are never allowed to pass unchallenged by the local stipendiary stewards. One performer, who won at after starting favourite, ran second last in the concluding event of a meeting held a few days later when at forlorn odds in the betting. The owner was informed that any of his future nominations, together with that of the horse in question, would be rejected. The owner of another competitor, which won when well backed after giving a different display on the same course a fortnight ago, when unmarketable, was severely- warned, and advised to race his horses elsewhere. After a lengthy discussion the stewards of the English Jockey Club recently decided upon the following alterations to the Rules of Racing:—llo. (i) A horse which crosses another in any part of the race so as to interfere with that or any other horse’s chance is liable to disqualification, unless it be proved that he was two clear lengths in front when he crossed, (ii) A horse which jostles another horse in the race is liable to disqualification unless it be proved that the horse interfered with was wholly at fault, fiv) If a jockey jostle another horse or jockey, bis horse is disqualified unless it be proved that the jostle was accidental, or was caused bv the fault of some other horse or jockey-. Sir Frederick Johnstone, who owned Common when the son of Isonomy and Thistle won the Two Guineas, Derby, and St. Leger. died on June 20. He was also part-owner of St. Blaise, when the latter beat Highland Chief in the Derby-. Sir Frederick Johnstone was born in 1841, and was one of the best-known members of the English Jockey Club, and also ranked as a close personal friend of the late King Edward. Sir Frederick owned Friar's Balsam, who is bed known to us as the sire of Benzoin. Friar’s Balsam was the best two-vear-old of his time, and won the Middle Park Plate, Dcwhurst Plate. July Stakes. New Stakes, and became a strong favourite for the Derby, but owing to severe teeth trouble did not start. The French Grand National Steeplechase of GOfXPovs, and a work of art valued at 400sovs and a 40sovs sweepstake, was run on Sunday June 22. The winner turned up in Mr A. Veil Picard’s Ultimatum, ridden bv Parfrement, who won the Liverpool National on Luttcur 111. The winner’s nedi-rree is of interest to Now Zealanders, as he is inbred to Dollar (sire of Rupee, dam of Snad© Guinea. Morrie England, etc.), and other names fairly close up in bis breeding include Cremorne (sire of Cndogan) and See Saw (the sire of Rubazhal). Like most horses who race over hurdles and fences in France, Ultimatum is a stallion, and the fact of him being inbred to Herod and so also to Bruleur. the winner of the Grand Prix de Paris, suggests a revival of the line. Tctrach. the best two-war-old this season in England, is another of T-I-rod descent. News is to hand of the death of that once good performer Paris, who was by Grandmaster from Enone, by Yot tendon, from Valetta (imn.) and was bred by Mr TT. C. White in 1887. As a three-year-old Haris won the Doncaster Handicap with 7.10. and in so doing ran the mile in Imin 10-Qc. which was a second better than anything previously recorded in the race. His Inter victories included the Metropolitan of 1893 with 9.2. and the Caulfield Cuds of 1892 and 1894. with B.S. and 9.2 respectively. A 1 though he was so good in handicaps Paris d-d not shine in w.f.a. events. In 1895 he was sent to England, and while there won several races. On his return to Australia, he was too old for racing purposes, and, being a gelding, his days of usefulness were over 7 For some years past he was located at Mr Hunter White’s place, “Wollara,” and it was there he died. A New Zealand-bred filly that won in ■Sydney recently appears to have a fair amount of family soeod. In referring to the win. the Svdnev Referee said; “The Bomform fillv Former won the Canterbury Handican from start to finish. Apparently acting to instructions. Dickson gained a lead of fully 10 lengths in the first l7iroc_ furlongs. and though going mi the hill it s-emed as if Pan Out would have no difficulty in c l o-ing on Former the latter’s 1 milt imnost stood to her in the run home. SHll, the fact of forcing the pace for the first ’ half-mile on a heavy track, and then being able to finish, suggested that, more will be heard of her as a staver. She is by that -nod little horse Bonifonn. from Gyre, by Cvrenian from Miss Delava' bv Seaton Delaval from Campania, by Robinson Crusoe. ->nd as a yearling was bought by Mr D. O’Brien for 170gs.’’ According to a Sydneyite who recently vbited England, and on bis return was interviewed by the representative of a contemporary, there is a likelihood of a- syndicate being formed in the Old Country with a view to sending horses to Australia to co-nneto for the rich prizes offered bv the Ao'.C. and V.R.C. I take it (savs “Pilot’’) this means they have an idea of breeding with the object of being represented in the two and tbree-year-o!d races, as it might scarcely pav to give high prices for horses te run in the w.f.a. races alone, and any En-lvsh b.-.-se with pretensions to form ou'd r a lot of weight in handicans. Exactly what plan would be favoured is hard to say but nerhans it would not be a bad idea to have a few marcs served to Australian time, and tb-n shipped out here. A syndicate could not well go on buying mares but it might be worth while experimenting in. this fashion with one shipment ; and then, after a couple of seasons, it would not be altogether impossible to send some of the mares back to England to be again mated there with prominent sires, B. .Sutherland, a Victorian jockey, who is returning to Australia after six months’ absence, has something interesting to say about race-riding in G> ninny and Austria, lie is alleged to have said on reaching Fre-

mantle, of his experience in Germany, where he went, hoping to secure an engagement; "Gut. my! Those German people are hot if you are riding a gee-gee that is carrying people’s money, and you don’t happen to win The crowd rushes around after yon. calling out, ‘Schuster, schuster’ (‘Thief, thief’). Ferguson, eo Sutherland alleges, who hailed from Australia, was called some very naughty names, and he had to leave Germany quicker than a walk. On one race day he was mounted on a favourite, and was winning easily. He eased his horse a bit, thinking ho had the race won, and while he was doing it Brownie Cursiak© flashed up and pipped him on the pest. Then the fun started, and ‘Fergy’ had to be escorted off

surrounded by about 50 policemen. ll© was told that he would be killed if he did not leave the country. The racing authorities said to him. ‘We are sorry; but the crowd will surely do what they threaten. You had better got out.’ ”

During the season just closed tho Wellington Racing Club has made rapid strides, or, rather, steady prospers, in all departments Compared with the previous year, t.ie tot a. lis a tor returns, showing an increase of TH.091, exceeded nil expectations. Even this year a grand total of £247,335 might have been improved upon had the facilities of tho si.aff been bettor. One occasionally hears a growl from some investor who lias been shut out when his speculation would have been on a winning horse, says a writer in the Post. The writer has a word on behalf of the worker inside the machine, who is sometimes going at top pressure in a bad Tight, and has to stand in a draught all day. The building at present in use at Tronthum has no doubt outgrown its usefulness. Wmru the publican’s booth was first provided for it was under the grandstand. In its present position it has taken up one side of the totalisator house, and spoilt the building. The difficulty under which the staff work would lx? removed if another place could be found for the bar No doubt this matter will receive the attention of the executive of the club at the proper time. With the aid of a smile from Dame Fortune, the Dunedin Guineas, of SOOsovs, which will be run for the first time at the tViiigatiii spring meeting, promises to provide an interesting race, as some of the best two-year-olds that were seen out last year claim engagement. Sir George Clifford is represented by 10, which include Nightwatch, Veritas, and Briar Patch. Mr J. Grigg has Whiz and a brother to Gunboat included in his quartet. Mr G. D. Greenwood has Cherubini engaged, but he is not likely to be back in time to run. Tho stable, however, has seven others engaged, and may find something worthy of carrying the colours. Mr J. B. Reid has Mowbray, Rinaldo, Salzburg, Ogjer, and a couple of others engaged, and may elect to send one or two down. Messrs W. G. and G, L. Stead have a couple in. and so also has Mr “ J. Brett,” but neither of their lots have shown form. In fact. Somniform, the sister •to Bon Reve. is the only one that has faced the starter. Promising sorts such as Martius, United Service, Sea Maid, Warstep, Ay© Aye, and several other unknown quantities that are engaged should result in a field that it is to be hoped will help to provide a good race and give encouragement to the club to place high-class events on their programme. Tho Tetrach, who is the best two-year-old in England, is _by Roi Herode, who is not one of the fashionable sires of the day. Last year ho stood «at 18gs, but this year iris services command 35gs, and the latter is only a small amount in England, where foes go as high as 300 gs. The two-year-old is by Roi Herode out of Vahren, so that lie is bred away from the St. Simon strain. His sire was got by Le Samaratan—Roxolane, and Vahren is by Bonovista—Caatina. An English writer, in dealing with the two victories of the colt, remarks that the chief attraction of the opening day of the Royal Ascot meeting on J unc 17 was tho Coventry Stakes, and those who decried the earlier victories of The Tetrach will now have to sing in a minor key. He won just as easily as he did at Epsom, and is undoubtedly the best two-year-old -seen for many a decade. A son of Roi Herode and Vahren, he inherits his colour from both sides of his pedigree, and, if ho is not attractive to look at, he has

extraordinary galloping ability. Except for tiro fault—if it can bo so called—that he skims the ground with his forelegs, his action reminds one of Pretty Polly. Perhaps ho may not bo a champion, but certainly there was never a two-year-old claiming greater probabilities. I was struck by his change of coat, and ho seems destined to become a bard typo of steel grey. Tn consequence, the peculiar spots aro less dis-

nctive. Tho stake record put up by None tie i >

the season 1901-2 still figures in the leading position in Now Zealand, which is not a little remarkable considering the manner in which stakes have gone up in the interval. Xorctte’s stake record, which, it is interest-

ing to note, he put up at three years old, may bo expected to go in time; but while that may be duly chronicled, the sterling performances of Seaton Delaval’s doughty

son will take a lot of knocking out. An interesting fact to he chronicled in connection with last season’s racing is that for the seventh year in succession a horse of the bay shade has topped the list as a stakeearner in Alaoriland. The following little table which T have compiled, says “Phaeton,” will show how Bon Revo's record comas oi.t when ranged with tho leading winners during the past 17 season® :

Season Horso. Winnings 1891-95—Mahaki, 4yrs 1895-96—Kuroclydon, Svrs .. .. .,£1,434 15 .. .. 2,090 18 180G-97 —Multiform. 2vrs .. .. .. 2.761 13 1897-98— Multiform. Svrs .. .. 2 114 10 1898-99—Screw Gun, 2yra .. .. .. 1,782 0 18i)9-00—Advance, 3vrs .. .. 8.251 0 1900- —Renown, 3yrs 1901- —-Xdnetto, Syrs .. .. 3.185 0 .. .. 3,900 0 1902-03 —Achilles, Syrs .. .. 2,685 0 1903-04 —Gladsome, Syrs .. .. 2.665 0 1904-05 —Mahutonga, -ivrs .. .. .. 2.977 0 *1905-6—Noctuiform, Syrs .. .. .. 3,747 0 1906-07—Master Delaval, 4yrt .. 2,356 0 1907-08 —Zimmerman, 4vrs .. .. 3.375 0 1908-09 —All Red. 4yrs .. .. 3,230 0 1999-10 —Formby, 2yrs .. .. 2.610 0 1910-11—Danube, Svrs .. .. 3,185 0 1911-12—Counterfeit, Svrs .. .. 3,547 10 1912-13 —Bon Reve, Svrs .. . . .. 3.742 10 * Including winnings in Australia.