IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3143, 10 June 1914, Page 58

IN A NUTSHELL.

R. J. Thorn leaves shortly for Australia to ride Berg in his engagements. Magdala’s three recent performances may be described as good, bad, best. John Barleycorn’s saddle shifted during his race in the Provincial Handicap. The state of the going at Wingatui helped to thin out the fields last week. The Ashburton Trotting Club’s winter meeting takes place on Thursday of this week. The ex-Sydney rider IV. Huxley rode Princess Doric when she won the One Thousand Guineas. C. Emerson left for Sydney by lasi week’s boat to ride R. J. Mason’s team in their engagements. Nominations for the principal events to be decided at the Grand National meeting close on the ‘26th inst. Reval acted with plenty of dash early in the Birthday Handicap, but was in trouble after goin" lass than a- mile. —< An invitation to the Wairio Jockey Club’s anntrat smoke concert is to hand, and acknowledged with thanks. The Spearmint filly Fanista won the Italian Derby, of JO2OOO, which was run on April 19, in the smart time of 2min 33 3-ssec. A horse running at Home this season rejoices (if possible) in the' name of Strike the Lyre. Certainly, if he does not run true to form. . Some of the running of late has been getting the benefit of the doubt, but it is doubtful if it confers much benefit to the sport. The imported horse Hallowmas appears to have at once jumped into favour, as it is reported his list is already full for next season. J. M'Combc intends shifting to Riccarton as -soon as arrangements can be made in the direction of obtaining suitable accommodation. None of Sir George Clifford’s horses were given a run on the second day at Wingatui, and Stevedore did not appear at all in public. The well-known Trentham trained J. W, Lowe was a visitor to Dunedin last week, and attended the second day of the Wingatui meeting. The well-known trainer Geo. Price leftlast week for Sydney, and whilst there it will be decided if Pariform will contest the next A.J.C. Derby. Some excellent betting races took place

at Wingatui last week, but on one or two occasions the betting did not seem to coincide with form. Kurnulpi tailed to get dangerous m his first race at Wingatui, but appeared to be winning with a good deal to spare when ho scored on the second day. first horseman to Mr J. F. Buchanan’s stable next season, and that Mr H. Friedlandor will have second call on his services. Peter did not show up so well in the Tradesmen’s Handicap as form at Oamaru suggested. He put up a better show when pursuing Afton Loch on the second day. Some owners appear to have an aptitude for picking up the worst horses in the country. It is bad luck, perhaps, to buy them; but is bad judgment to hang on to them. The first hurdle race decided at Wingatui was contested by a field of five, and won by Dan Roberts (the well-known trainer) on Nicholas. Social Pest 13.1 finished second. True Blue ran a good race in the Otago Steeplechase for u horse that has been labouring under the suspicion of vmsoundness; and hence likely to be running a bit short of work. Palisade is a fence that takes a bit of getting over at times, and one or two seemed to be having a good look at the obstacle when it bobbed up in the Tradesmen’s. The presidency of the Canterbury Jockey Club is a moving honour, and Mr W. F. M. Buckley has been elected to the presidential chair in succession to Mr C. G. Dalgety. Parable is to be sent to Riccarton and schooled by F. Douglas over hurdles. Some of Merriwee’s stock shape well over sticks, and Parable may redeem her character in that direction. Some of the horses drawing outside positions at the barrier at Wingatui last week had to act in deep going, and one or two that promptly found the rails had all the best of the run. “silks and satins’’ of the turf on the first day at Wingatui. One rider came down simply- because Ins hands were too benumbed to hold the reins. Bluelight, the sire of Bluestcne, who got amongst the winners at Auckland, is one whoso name has not often worked its way into' print. He was got by Hotchkiss from Repulse, by Castor from Aida. Peary’s tune over the Auckland Grand National course stands as the second fastest on record for the race. Corazon won in Bmin Ssec, or j seconds faster than last week's race occupied. Mr A. Ouidaillo only purchased Otehau a couple of days before the nominations closed for the D.J.C. meeting, and the Westmere gelding now reads as a bargain purchase to his new owner Bugle, who appeared somewhat unlucky in missing the Wingatui Steeples, is a horse that should pay his way over country. It is understood that a fairly big figure was quoted as his price last week. Form works out well at times; but not always. Horses at the top of their form are not always at the top of the market, and some winners can only be found by going it blind on a happy inspiration. Te Onga’s win in the Great Northern Hurdles was remarkable in the fact that he went out one of the rank outsiders in the field, and he also paid a good price when he won on the -second day of the meeting. Self, the winner of the Ladies’ Bracelet, run on the second day of the Auckland meeting, is a threc-year-old sister to Bleriot. Self won as a two-year-old last season, but was still eligible to run in her race on Saturday Russo on occasions displays a marked reluctance to go on the track, and this helped to build up his dividend in the Invermay Welter, which he appeared to win fairly comfortably from a full brother in the shape of Czar Kolohol. Salathiel appeared to hold a winning chance when he tipped out at Wingatui, and so did Lord Frederick when he refused; but the decisive manner iu which Kurnalpi finally -scored suggested that he would have required not a little beating. finished her racing career, and will finally retire to the paddock. She was most unluckily kicked when running in a paddock at Wingatui, and that appears to have been the beginning of the end with her. St. Leger bicod showed up prominently at Wingatui last week. His sens Handsome Jack, Sant Ilario, Sylvia Park, each had winning representatives, or, as in the case of Cianranaid, had something closely threatening the destination of the money. United Service appears to be in no hurry to fulfil his early promise, and his form last week was somewhat disappointing. He may be doing something next season in keeping-with his appearance and pedigree, but he is a- hit slow in making good. V. Coleman is building a range of stabling comprising 10 boxes, etc., at Hawthorndale. near the Invercargill racecourse. At present Coleman has two or three horses under his charge,- but expects to have a full stable to operate on next season. meetings at Wingatui to make an earlier start with the card. When the final field of the meeting was at the post it became rather difficult to distinguish the horses, and racing under such conditions is not particularly enjoyable. Admiral Soult put up a useful sort of day’s work on the second day of the Auckland meeting by scoring over hurdles and subsequently landing the Jumpers’ - Flat Race. Another win went down to him in tho Campbell Hurdles, run on the last day of the meeting. The D.J.C. winter meeting was unfortunately accompanied by had weather, which appeared to he solely responsible for barring the way to a big success. Bearing in mind tho antagonistic weather and I ho consequent state of the going, the financial returns were very good indeed. Both Sportsman and Royal Medal appear to be quite at home over Wingatui country, as both of teem won at last season’s winter” meeting. Royal Medal’s win did not appear to be entirely devoid of the element of luck, hut ho is a useful sort that is likely to improve, . It evidently requires a fairly solid fence to bring Kim to the grass, as ho occasionally clouts hard enough to tip over the average horse. At present the class of hurdler abroad, does not rank particularly high, and when more experienced the Sir Dove gelding should pay his way. Firmhold made up a lot of ground towards the finish of the Winter Welter, in which ho ended up second to Wild Pilgrim. On that run a, number - hacked him in the Provincial Handicap, in which he reversed his form by fading away after going well for about seven furlongs,. . Mr R. M. Paterson contemplates sending Pride of Clutha to the stud, and may brood to Bonifonn next season. Pride of Clutha’s form last week was a bit' disappointing; but she is still quite a young mare that would probably show improved form next season if kept going. Captain Jack, who acted as runner-up to Peary in the Great Northern Steeplechase, down to the last National meeting with a reputation of being a likely sort to score. Ho

failed to show up in the rVational Steeples, but ran third to Otaio in the Hunt Club Cup, and was second in the United Hunt Steeples to Fritz. t — There was a mild surprise about Merrie Aalet dropping out the second day at Wingatui, as one or two entertained the idea of backing him for the race. It is, however, doubtful if the Merriwee gelding would have had a chance with Kurnalpi, who apparently was considerably benefited by his first race at the meeting. llie VMngatui steeplechase course may not be difficult country to a fairly clever fencer, but it tangled up the bulk of the fields that attempted it last week. Tho state of the going, of course, did not help matters, and this appeared to be responsible for Otaio s mishap, which appeared to he caused by a slip on landing. „ Ihe experiment of having raised platforms at the starting posts at Newmarket * ] - S salr to k° meeting with entire satisfaction, and the innovation is likely to he extended to other meetings. The starter looks down upon the horses, and none of t.iem can escape his view, as was possible uhen he was standing level with his charge.' wa s originally believed that J. N. M Ciegor, who met with a. serious accident whilst riding at Moonee Valley, would lose his damaged leg; but at latest advices there seems to he a good chance of it being saved M Gregor has received some had falls in his time, and was at one time in hospital for several months as the result of a particularly bad toss. J None of the unshipped riders at Wingatui met with serious damage, but L L J oyd, whose mount (Simon Pure) came aowa in the Pacific Hurdles, sustained a jaoly cut hand, which required (several stitches. Lloyd was struck whilst on the ground, and it will be some two or three weeks before he regains the use of his damaged hand. i , mile ancl “-quarter events seem to be latterly contested by very poor fields in point of quality. Some of the horses may be aide to get a good mile and a-quarter unde! favourable circumstances, and o-o fast over a distance, but judging by recent form the speed and stamina is more likelv to he shown en route (per train) to a track than on the track itself. ~k- H. Hewitt, who obtained very little riding and a minimum of success in England recently, rode a big-priced winner that should create a better demand for his cervices, When Hewitt was taken off Ta°-alte r’hG ° 1 , V T nn , m " the Derby it gave'him a b, « ,® 9t bac, M '>ut a couple of good wins generally restore a rider to favour even after he has been almost forgotten. TT~ p Charn b “ half-sister by Charlemagne 11 to 1 ahsado accompanied the latter to Wingatui last week and got through useful work. She was sprinted up a couple of furlongs, in company with the General Average— Silver Rupee two-year-old, and strode out in pleasing style. Red Charm carries plenty of size .and shou.d develop into a useful filly next ser.su,. The General Average colt is in J. Rae’s stable, and is such a raking big chap that he will require plenty of time-. L. 11. Hewitt cams into the limelight as a winner at tho Ponteeroft meeting on Thursday, April 20. He has been doing some riding for Mr J. Muskor, and had the mount on a twc-year-old filly named Faithful Girl, who gave, Hewitt a toss whilst on the wav to the Post. Hewitt, however, got away first from the barrier and landed a long-priced shot. Later in the day he was short-headed at the finish of another race -after being first out ana leading to the last stride. W et weather racing has been much in evidence of late. At Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, and again at Wingatui rain materially blocked the way to greater success that was achieved at each of those meetings. At most of our tracks the clubs spread a liberal layer of stravy or bay on the lawn, and where the public generally congregate most thickly. At Wingatui a heavy carpet of hay would have been appreciated by the public, and it is to be hoped that in future the club will store up -some of their crop for use under such circumstances. Mr A. E. Wood created a good impression by his work at the barrier during the D.J.C. winter meeting. He adopts the somewhat laborious method of placing the field in line by hauling np those inclined to be fractious or else too partial- to the hackin°* and ni ling process. His method, however, is evidently effective, as he invariably had his fie la s in good line wiien the start was made. Briar Patch was obviously overlooked in her race on the first day, and so hopelessly left; lint taking his work all round, Mr Wood did remarkably well. Glenfinnan is one of the biggest horses in training, and hardly looks the sort to act well on deep ground. Still, he lan an excellent race in the Birthday Handicap, and would have probably provided serious menace to Magdala had the gallop taken place on top of the ground. He should gather more strength round his big frame by next season when he will probably be a better horse than over. The lanky gelding has filled out a good deal of late, and it may have been due to his increasing strength that he ran so consistently at Ashburton, Oamaru, and Wingatui. Ciynelish was the hottest 'favourite to score at Wingatui last week, and ho won fairly well under 9.7 in deep ground. His rider, however, did not throw aWay any chances, but was moving on him coming up tiie running, although tho result never looked in doubt. Ciynelish spoils an enlarged fetlock joint in front, and has evidently been in trouble at some time or other, but "moves quite soundly at present. Judging from his display at the meeting he must have been troublesome if given a run under a comparatively light weight in the chief sprints on the programme. Kcnnymore’s display of temper when at the post for the Derby was not the first time he exhibited fractiousness. Prior to winning the Two Thuosand Guineas he was given a run in tho Craven Stakes at Newmarket on April 17. On the way to the post he went down in tearaway style, and later gave at the barrier. He got into trouble coming down, but once on fair ground soon placed the result beyond doubt. Kennymore is said to have doubtful forelegs, and this would help to stride and negotiate the Epsom course even if fairly well placed with the field, instead of getting badly away owing to a display of temper The Cornet is one of the most useful old battlers in training, -and carries extra danger when the ground is a bit deep. A glance at his pedigree will show that a win or two for him does not read amiss. He was got by Handsome Jack from Orchestra, a mare brought from Australia by Messrs L. S. and N. A. Nation. Orchestra was got by Goldsbrough from Melody, and is in consequence a sister to Melodious, the dam of Wallace. She, however, has produced nothing of note except The Cornet. Tympan, a brother to Tho Cornet, was taken to Australia .some months ago, and has been performing amongst the ponies. The popularity of Wingatui was so great last week that the majority of those witnessing the sport took fairly large samples of it home on their attire. It was a mild mud regatta, particularly on the going between the entrance gates and station, and matters were not rendered more pleasant by getting splashed by passing motors. No doubt the clu-b will see to it that no similar grievance

will exist next 3 r ear. This could b© easily accomplished by improving the roadway on their own account, and not leaving it to the doubtful care of the district authorities. An improved motor entrance is also a muchneeded want at the course. Red tape was fractured in a manner particularly pleasing to Sorrthland visitors to the Wingatui meeting. The exxrress on the first day was running an hour late, and tiro southerners would have missed part of the card if they had been carried on to Dunedin in the usual way. The railway authorities, however —probably acting under entirely new management—as the theatrical folks say—stopped the train at Wingatui and saved the situation. The Railway Department gathers a considerable amount of revenue from racing, and it is pleasing to see that it can occasionally show a special consideration to those travelling for the very special sport of kings and other folks. The following are the details of the sale of the late Charles Kerr’s trotting stock: Day stallion Wildmoor, by Wildwood —Alice Azmoor, 9yrs, Mr R. D. Petrie, 140 gs; bay gelding Wild Arab, by Wildwcod —Lady Agues, aged, Mr P. Reddington, 13gs; cream gelding Master Poole, by Wildwood —Miss Poole, aged Mr Ireland. Bgs; grey mare Sweet Agnes, by Rothschild—Wiki Agues, Mr J. Bryce, 321igs; grey colt by Franz —Wild Agnes, 4yrs, Mr J. Bran kin, 147Ags; brown filly by Woodburn Chief —Wild Agnes, Mr J. Deyell, 4Dgs; black colt by Prince Imperial—Wild Agnes, Mr J. Bryce, oOgs; grey mare Wild Agnes, by Wildwood—Lady Agnes, with foal by Wildwood Junior, and in foal to Galindo, Mr J. Geddes. 36gs. Magdala’s decisive win in the Birthday set some gf the folk t)iinking who had backed him on the second day at Oamaru, but discarded him after his display in that event. He finished up at Wingatui in a manner which suggests an extra distance might not trouble him. His sire, Comedian, is a brother to Tim Swiveller, a winner of the Victoria oraud Rational Hurdles and Australian Hurdles. Tim Swiveller also won the_ Caulfield Cup, but was disqualified for boring, and the stakes went to Sainfoin. Swiveller, the sire of Tim Swiveller, also got the crack ’chaser Dairmo. Minaret, the dam of Magdala, was got by Medallion from Miss Lucy (dam of Barraby), by St, George from Miss Flat, tl*j dam of Welcome Jack, a winner of the Auckland Cup, Great Northern Derby, and two Canterbury Cups. They do not have stipendiary stewards at all country races. The honoraries recently had charge at a meeting somewhere between Mount Gambler and Wolsely, and after a horse had won the third race easily his owner was invited to attend the stewards’ room. The president, who can- look very severe on occasions, told him the stewards wanted an explanation of his horses’s in-and-out running. "Do you mean last-year’s running?’’ queried the ownef. “Ro, said the president sternly, "we want an explanation of Iris running in the first race to-day.” “But he didn’t run,” replied the owner. “I scratched, and thought you would have fined me £'l for being late.” The stewards gazed at each other, found out from the secretary that the owner was right, and broke up without imposing any fine for late scratching. The success of Peary in the Great Rorthern Steeplechase marks the first success of the Hon. J, D. Ormond’s colours in the race. Peary created a very favourable impression by the manner in which he won two of the hurdle events on the last Rew Zealand Cup programme His form at Riccarton consisted of winning over two miles in 3min 46 l-sssc under 10.8, and over a mile and three-quarters in 3min 19 2-osoc under 11.11. Peary was got by Birkenhead (son of Ormc) from Rorsemaid (dam of North Pole, North Head. etc.), by Rordenfeldt from Maid of Athol (dam of Scots Grey, Krupp, Soudan, Cannon, Kotuku, Queen of Trumps, and others), by Maribyrnong (son of Fisherman) from Paraguay. Peary is a raking big gelding sporting lop ears. He appears to stay well, and there should be further distinction awaiting him between the flags. The deep and greasy going at ‘Wingatui last week accentuated the height and difficulty of the steeplechase course; but nothing that reached it came down at the dangerous-looking fence near the mile post. It was not the height nor the solidarity of the obstacle that caused the writer to take objection to it, but almost solely on account of its approach on a sloping take-off, very apt to make a horse lose its feet. Its twin near the half-mils post caused plenty of disaster, hut the obstacle that was condemned by nearly all who were sufficiently interested to make a close inspection did not fall any horse that rose at it. Otaio crossed it in excellent style, but slipped up when landing over the following sod wall, which is apparently a much easier jump to negotiate. The fence" at least stands as a testimonial of the jumping abilities of a few of our horses and the courage of those who rids them. A special word of praise is certainly duo to the riders over fences and hurdles at Wingatui last week, and one can easily forgive them a mild peccadillo after witnessing the horsemanship over by no means easy country under the most adverse conditions imaginable. Cross-country riding in rain, snow, and sleet is not an enviable part to play, and the indulgence of a cigarette in the" jockeys’ room should not cause the rules of racing to bristle with anger; neither would there be any objection to the room being supplied with a cup or two of beef tea or something showing a little touch of hospitality from racing stewards, which, of course, would not trespass on them either individually or collectively, but only on th© club’s coffers and coffee pot. It is perhaps farcical to think of such a thing; but it at least would help to kill a desire for a more potent “jumping powder” that is apt to play havoc with these going a bit short to do a mount or two. The necessity for a winter track at Wingatui of some sort or other on which horses could trot and canter, or even be more fully extended, was never more noticeable than during the week or so prior to the recent meeting. The sticky going drags horses considerably, and fast work instead of improving or holding their condition is apt to send them back. Material would not be more difficult to obtain than it is at other tracks (such as carting sand from Rew Brighton to- Riccarton), and the expenditure of a few pounds would supply all that is required if the club choose to put the matter in hand. As it is, we see trainers stayingaway from the track as long as possible so as to make a visit of the least possible extent, whilst others are shifting to Riccartou or elsewhere to prepare horses for the Rational mooting or the early spring fixtures. Wingatui holds a very poor reputation as a training centre, and it is to be hoped that the club will soon set about making an improvement in that respect. Palisade put up a very attractive performance by the convincing style he won the -Tradesmen’s Handicap in deep ground and acting under 9.13. The state of the ground and his heavy weight might have pulled him up, but he won, and won so well that it would have required far more weight to bring him hack to his field. On Oamaru form, where Peter acted so well under similar conditions to those existing at Wingatui, the St. Clements gelding would

have given Palisade a race for it; hut the former never appeared dangerous at any part of it. Palisade,., whose racing merit once more draws attention to Pallas as a sire, belongs to the Rosebud family, wh;ch has produced Red Lancer, \\ arrington, Bltizei, Black Rose, Royal Rose, Chancellor, Star Rose, Sinapis, Peroneal, Peronilla, and other smart performers. Palisade is out oi Red Peony, by St. Clair from Red Ensign, by St. George (brother to Chester) from Red Rose, by Producer. St. .Clair was got by Musket from Pulchra, and inherits a good stamina as well ns speed. His win last week was further accentuated: he looked a shade on the bid side, and would have probably put up a good display on the second day if the track conditions were at all favourable.