TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 49

TALK OF THE DAY.

By Sentinel.

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP. Bobrikoff :s not only one of the speediest horses, but he is also one of the greatest weight-carriers that has ever graced the New Zealand turf. His merit is not, however, solely confined to those highly desirable qualities in a horse, but lie has also demonstrated that ho can go a journey. Last season ho won the Auckland Cup under 8.8, and ho has also a second in the same race to his credit when carrying 3.12 and giving 6lb to All Red, who beat him two lengths, lie dead-heated with Goldfindor in the C.J.C. Metropolitan when conceding the latter 211 b, but could not finish in a place in the heavy ground over which the Canterbury Cup was run. He won the Auckland Plate, w.f.a., l' s miles, in 2.-37 3-5, and also carried off other races run over short courses when acting under big weight. The Finland freak is not getting any younger. He is now nine years old, and quite a veteran as far as flat races go. It is, however, form rather than age that has to be considered most in a handicap, and, despite h'S age, Bobrikoff displayed tip-top form last season. He may not bo like the poetical brook that runs for ever, and so bo endowed with a perpetual racing life, still his latest form show's no diminution of prowess to suggest that old ago has crept into hia sinew and

muecle. Bobrikoff is, however, not entirely free from the ills to which the equine flesh is heir, but nevertheless' he now, as always, stands as a most important factor in a handicap, and no one has earned a better right to top the last in the Now Zealand Cup, in which he has been allotted 9.6. This is a stiffish burden to shoulder over two miles. His handicap will give rise to the stereotyped remark that no horse has won with more than 8.9, but there is no law to prevent a new record being achieved in that direction. Bobrikoff won the last Auckland Cup with 8.8 in 3.29, beating La Koiua 7.6 a neck, with the New Zealand Cup winner Midnight Sun 8.11 about five lengths away. The unplaced lot included Goldfinder 9.0 Domino 8.9, Masterpiece 8.6, and Bon Ton 7.12. Bobrikoff now meets La Reina at lib, Midnight Sun 10!b, Masterpiece 7lb, Bon Ton lib, Goldtinder 171 b, and Domino at 201 b worse terms. La Reina beat him in the autumn at 191 b in the St George Handicap, lj miles, and there is now a margin of 2lb less between them over an additional half-mile. At the Auckland Gup meeting La Reina 8.7 finished second to Antoinette, and beat Domino 8.5, Midnight Sun 9.0, Goldfinder 8.13, and Masterpiece 8.5. She ran second in the Takapuna Cup with 9.0, and altogether has some good form to her credit. Midnight Sun gave Masterpiece lib and a half-head beating in the last New Zealand Cup, and in the previous Groat Autumn the latter finished a neck in front when in receipt of 2!b. On both occasions Midnight Sun came from well behind Masterpiece and was finishing the better of the two. Ho now gives away 2ib. Masterpiece is a big horse that may improve more than Midnight Sun. The former’s massive frame should gather strength with ago, and during the coming season he will very likely prove a better horse than at any previous time in his career. Masterpiece is not always at home in a big field, and is apt to get>, unbalanced and go all to pieces, but ho should be able to carve a clear passage with increasing strength. Another factor in his favour is likely to be duo to Decley, who rides a very patient race, and does not arrive until it is about time to win. This should suit Masterpiece, aud allow' him to get well into his stride. Goldfinder appears to bo a sound stayer. His win in the Canterbury Cup marked him down as such, and also as a good mud horse. He dead-heated with Bobrikoff when in receipt of 211 b in the Metropolitan, and now comes in 101 b worse. Too much weight should not be paid to his Canterbury Cup win, but it at least would show that tic had trained on and improved during the meeting to such an extent that ho must have been dangerous iu the Oup if as fit on the first day of the meeting as lie was at the end. He did not appear after the Auckland Cup meetmg, and, with a stone more than last year, he meets Midnight Sun 31b and Masterpiece 21b worse than last year, he is best left alone until again displaying somethinf like the form on the track, or, better still, under silk in public. Goldfinder meets Midnight Sun on 71b better terms than when they met in the Auckland Cup. Bon Ton won the Great Autumn with 8.4, beating Bronze 8.3, Masterpiece 9.2, whilst Cheddar 8.5. Sir Solo 8.9, and Mira 8.3 were unplaced. Bon Ton now meets Bronze on 81b worse terms for a head boating, and this reads something iu favour of the mare. Masterpiece, instead of giving 121 b, comes in at 101 b better terms. Cheddar and Mira get allowances of 91b and 71b respectively. Bon Ton subsequently won the St. Loger, when ho was followed homo by Canute and Haekaync. Vice-Admiral has no cause for complaint as far as weight is concerned, but he is given out as a very doubtful starter. Ho started second favourite in last year’s race with 9.1. Bon Reve won the Derby, dead-heated in the Stewards, beat Bon Ton in the Gold Cup in which Bobrikoff and Haskuyne were unplaced, third to Bobrikoff 8.13 and Bleriot 7.11 with 7.13 in the Islington Plato, one mile in Imin 38 4-s<sec, with a neck and head between the trio, beat Bon Ton in the Great Northern Derby, and ran second to Sokano in the Royal Stakes when giving away 221 b in a three-quarter-length beating in Imin Msec. Ho missed a place in the Challenge Stakes with 8.13 when Autumnus 8.11, Night watch 7.5, and Empcrador 8.6 filled the places, and was beat a head in the Manuwatu Stakes when Autumnus gave him 31b. Bon Reve roads bettor than Bon Ton, and there are already indications that the market suggests something in his favour. Bleriot ran nine times last season, won six times, second twice, and was only once out of a'place. She won the Avondale Cup ami Guineas in the spring. Great Northern Guineas, King Edward Memorial. split Bobrikoff and Bon Reve in the Islington Plate (and thus showed her best form up to that stage), second in the Easter Handicap, won the Great Northern Oaks, and wound up with a win in flic Avondale Handicap. Bleriot set a mark on her form in the Islington Plato, and as she appears to bo a fair stayer is fairly placed through both Bobrikoff and Bon Reve. La Reina is alluded to above, and so also is Domino and Mira. Labour Day ran third to Cheddar in the Napier Cup, ' giving the winner 201 b; Haskayne 0.6 unplaced. In the Wanganui Stakes she was third to Masterpiece 7.13 and Laclv Mcnschikoff 6.10, with Mira 8.7. Domino 7.13, and Cheddar 7.0 unplaced. Masterpiece goes up 121 b and the mare is dropped 41b. Labour Day brat La Reina in the Auckland Summer Cup when giving slb, and also won the Christmas Handicap anil York Stakes. She seems to be in her right place with La Rolna. Undecided was for a considerable time one of the favourites for last year’s race when handicapped at 8.4. and started third favourite on the day. Ho did not show up at the finish, and as ho has been operated on for respiratory troubles a two-milo journey may find him out; consequently he is not fancied from either a physical point of view or on paper. Modern veterinary science has accomplished wonders, but when there has been a rift in the lute 111 * 1 re must a.lwavs be a doubt about the music. Sir Solo 'won the Wellington Cup with 7.8 in 2min 35 2-ssec, Coroniform 7.6 and Bobrikoff 9.9 in the other places, whilst tho unplaced lot included Soldier's Chorus 8.3, Undecided 8.3, Bronze 8.4. Masterpiece 8.0,’ Sinapis 7.10, and Mira 7.10. He was subsequently unplaced in the Great Autumn with 8.9. and now meets Bon at 131 b, Bronze at 51b, and Masterpiece at 31b better terms. Bronze 8.10 again beat him when running, over 11 furlongs at Wellington when giving him 41b, when she finished second to Mira 8.0 in the Autumn Handicap. Soldier’s Chorus has 91b more than when he finished fourth in last year’s race, and now meets Midnight Sun at 41b, Masterpiece at 3!b better terms, and Sinapis at 31b worse terms. Soldier’s Chorus ran a great race on what appears to have been a too easy preparation for a two-mile journey. Masterpiece had him beat below the distance, but the fact of going out after him as they entered the straight did not help the Chokobore horse to

stall olf Midnight Bun when the latter arrived with a strong challenge. Masterpiece and Midnight turn both looked lit and well on chat day, and if thoroughly set lor his task S>oidier s Chorus would prove a big thorn in their sides if the trio went to the post again next November. The poundage m favour of .Soldier's Chorus does not read much, but the others arc now racing with burdens on the threshold of 9.0, whilst the southern horse has what is to him a handy racing weight. The difference between 8.0 and 9.0 is a margin that tells considerably at the end of a two-mile task. Haekavno finished just behind Soldiers’ Chorus last year when oarying 5.8, and now conics in at 101 b worse. He wound up the season with a win, and ran a good second to Bon Keve in the Derby, won the J. C. Handicap with 8.2, when he beat Bronze**B.lo and Tannhauser 7.5 (amongst others) out of a place. Emperodor won the Middle Park Plato, ran third in the Great Easter with 8.5, when Bon Ton 8.7, Bronze 8.4, and Sir Solo 8.2 finished behind him. In the Challenge Stakes A u turn hub and Nightwatch just pipped him, and he in thru was in front of Bon Rove and Mowbray. His prospects over a journey have to remain a matter of surmise, but there is no • doubt about hia brilliancy, and he must command respect?. In fact, the quartet on the 8.0 mark are ali worthy of attention if the race lay in their owners’ ambition. ■ Byron won the Fcilding Oup with B,IU and tiie Paul Memorial; but there was not a particularly good lot behind him in either race. He beat Haskayno when giving him. Sib over 10 furlongs at; Wellington, but has never come back to the form he displayed when running second to Royal Scotch 'ra the Great Easter. King Mark can be passed over in the meantime. Pert 'William was attempting to give Haskayno 12lb when he finished second to the latter in the Yoi it Welter, and this was the only occasion he gained a place lust season. Quarantine beat Potoa a head in the Spring Plate, and did not start again after running unplaced in the Fcndalton Handicap. Potoa afterwards showed brilliant and successful form over six furlongs, and wound up by tunning a close second to Cheddar in tun Thompson Handicap, when giving tno winner 21b. Potoa carried 3.0, and the defeated lot included Undecided S.lO, Byrcra 8.0, and Haskaync 7.12 Expect, was'beaten half a lonsfth by Passadena in the Burke Memorial Stakes when getting bib from Tils victress. Labour Day 8.7, Haskayn® 7.9, and several others being unplaced. IVadena, ’who is a half-sister to Parky, waa beaten by a head in the Connolly Handicap at Wanganui by Otahu when giving away 181 b, and on the following day handicapped to give weight to both Byron and'*

Sir William. Mr J. F. Buchanan has three engaged in Bulletin, Thrr.s, and TunnhaU'er. 'The iast-named won the Dunedin Cup with 7.4 a. Soldiers’ Chorus afterwards gave him 1.71 b and a. heating n the Anivcrsary, and on the third day >5 the same meeting Tannhnuser finished third with 8.5 to" Brown Owl 7.3 and Goronifoi-.u 9.0 in the D.J.CJ. Handicap. Kopu started once last year. Sinapis is up 51b on whaG she carried into third place lass year, and since then she has shown fairly useful form, and won occasionally, hut has meft and defeated nothing of note Sh* meets Soldiers’ Chorus on 41b better verms, and as she has shown an indication of staying i« not* out of the possibles Multiply won six times last year. He ran Mummer 'o half a length, at Gisborne when carry); g 11.11 and giving away 151 b to the winner, who galloped 1.29. Multiply has r.vioe won ever a mile and a-quarter, and comes from a good staying family. Peroneal has scored over a mile and a-quarter. Site won tno Marlborough Cup and beat Sinapis at je'.b. Mowbray is marked ns the best of the three-year-olds, and. with Solt-no and Night watch out of the way. the Mensem* koff colt is entitled to the honour. -V stable companion in Rinaido runs Mowbray close, and Cherubini, on the Champagne Stakes form, cannot be far away from the best of the year. A fairly good three-year-old that has shown something on the fringe of first-class form as a two-year-old is always a dange-oua clement when they have wintered well and trained on nicely; but what neejus to have estabbshed itself as a far more dangerous factor i< a good four-year-old in at almost a three-year-old’s w.f.a. Four-year-okle have had a remarkable run of success in roccur years, and have swept the board since 19/1, wh>r> Frisco won with 7.6. Then came TXownfail 7.8. Lady Lucy 7.1. Bridge 7.1 C, 3 iceAdmiral 7.3, and Midnight Sun 8.0. As far ae the writer’s search of the handicap discloses, it appears that anything that h ■<? shown form has been kept fairly web up to the mark, and nr, risks appear to have been taken by the weight ad i lister. T') reads a close handicap, with nothing Branding out conspicuously, and the best indication of the winner may be foiled on the spring running or the track work that must be got through by a Cup horse.

THE SOUTHLAND RACING CLUB The annual balance sheet of the Southland Racing Club goes to show that they have spent a lot of money and made lot of money. The progress recorded by the club in recent years stands as <.u object-lesson to other clubs that eho-.v a chronic diffidence in launching out in the matter of prize money. When the writer first made the acquaintance of tin* Inver-

cargill meetings some 12 or 13 ycats ago, the attendance waft comparatively nothin:; to what it has grown to during t.iio past couple of seasons. The club launched out in the way of stakes, provided attractive and comfortable accommodation for their patrons, and at once met with a prompt response from the sporting public. Of course a great factor in the success jf tho Southland Boeing G!ub, as '.veil as others that have made solid progress, consists in the great increase of the horses in training compared with the number in commission some few years ago. Still, there is plenty of competition abroad, and clubs which do not keep pace with the times have their metings used to an undesirable degree j stopping stones to ibe more progressiva gatherings identified with attractive pregrammes. . The fact of clubs lagging behind tends to enhance tho progress of the bolder caterers for tho s:tort. Instances of thi* could be quoted in connection with Ins< soaeon’e racing, but it is enough to mention the fact. The Southland Racing Club have a racecourse covering an area of over 127 acres, valued at £3813, and their total asreta stand at £11,140 7s 6cT, The estimated surplus of Rftsetfe over liabilities stands at the substantial sum of £B3BO, and, as growing profit; have been in evidence it seems quito safe to forecasts a much bigger increase of stakes during tho next few years if tt:a tctalisator stands its ground end the sport-

jng public do not tire of racing. Last rear the club attached a SOOsovs etake to (he principal race at their summer meeting, which had a 2400sove prize list The profit on the meeting amounted to £1022 17s id, 16 against £953 12s lOd in 1912, £921 Is lOd in 1911, £722 17s 5d in 1910, and £54-2 in lfa)9. During the season the club gave 4500sovs in stakes, spread over four days’ racing, and the balance sheet shows quite a mass of figures which it is unnecessary to quote in detail. It is sufficient to say that they all spell progress, and as some substantial sums that have been expended during the past two or three seasons are not of a recurring nature the prospects of racing at Invercargill look particularly bright. *. THE KUROW MEETING. The Kurow meeting ranks as one of the most popular one-day meetings on the racing calendar, and excellent progress has been recorded by the club during recent years. Increasing stakes has attracted a better class of horse to the gathering, and so provided the club’s patrons with more pleasing racing. For the coming meeting the principal stake is one of 150sovs attached to the Kurow Handicap, of six furlongs. Tins shows an increase of 25sovs over last year. There is also the Bclficld Handicap of lOOsovs. five furlongs, which also shows an increase of 25sovs. Other events on the programme are as follow : —Tolamba Handicap (hack conditions), of 70sovs (increase of 20sovs), five furlongs; Flying Handicap, of 45sovs (increase of ssovs), four furlongs, for horses that have not won a race of the value of 35sovs at time of starting; Ladies Bracelet, of 35s<yvs, U miles; and Hakataramea Handicap (hack _ conditions), of 75sovs (increase of 20fiovs), six furlongs. The programme also contains two trots—the W aitaki Trot, of 65sovs, miles, and the Dash Trot, of bOsovs, one. mile. Both these are also increased over their value at last season’s meeting. Nominations eve due on Tuesday, September 9, handicaps on September' 19, and acceptances on September 24.