IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 53

IN A NUTSHELL.

next season at a 75gs service. supported for a small heap of money. Commotion seemed to be about the only hurdler who could stay on at Wingatni last week. Slogan ran two excellent races last week, and was unlucky to miss the Provincial Handicap. Cortes has been gradually improving since coining to Wingatni, and may be useful next season. Mr sanies Barnes, president of the Now South Wales Trotting Club, has donated £SOO to the Belgian Fund. Multum in Parvo is only a handful, hut is apparently solid, and would be very useful round some of the small meetings. Emilius was sent out favourite for his race in Christchurch on Saturday, hut spoilt his chance by hanging on the mark. Eon mania was on the threshold of the firing line at Wingatni, but was never really dangerous amongst them in the real business. White Cockade, who has been off the seen l ' for some considerable time, was remarkably well backed for his race at Wingatni, but was soon tailing away behind his field. The last race of the Dunedin winter meeting was run in a rather bad light, and next year the chib should consider . the advisability of starting each day’s card at 1,2 noon instead of 12.13. Alton Loch was a shade unlucky in not getting aiumigst the winners at Wingatni. She again demonstrated herself as a speedy

sort, but has to have a good deal in lieu favour to get six furlongs.

Daytime looks only a galloway in height, but acted well under his weights at the Dunedin meeting. If he could be trimmed down a bit he would be a good sort for the Liliputian tracks in Australia.

Medley petered out after showing pace in the early part of both her races. Apparently she is not in such good shape as when racing and disputing matters with Daytime at the Ashburton meeting. Morecombe slipped at the water jump when leading in the Great Northern Hurdles, and almost broke down. Apparently El Gallo was thus somewhat lucky in landing the double.

- Hesione seemed to be fit and well when turned out for her races last week, but found others far too good for her at the weights.

,J^le Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club will, at the Racing Conference, bring forward a motion that full reports of evidence given in appeals to the conference he printed and circulated to all to-talisator clubs. United Service looked a bit above himself when racing last week, but nevertheless ran two of the best races and most consistent eftorts ho has ever displayed at Wingatni. - Me dal koked to have a chance m the W mgatm stakes about five furlongs | ro . m home, but he tired to nothing in the last quarter or a mile. On the first day ho tipped out at the port-aud-rails when fairly handy to the leaders.

Caher Davon, who was beaten by a, narrow margin hi the first day’s hurdles at Wingatui, and also gained a ulace on the second day is a half-brother'to Multiply, ills sire (Glenapp) was imported by the New Zealand Government.

Stepenna was well supported for both rmrdle races at Wingatui. He carried considerably more money than his stable companion Commotion, and apparently is a good horse “at home,” but not so reliable as the latter when in public. The well-known trotter Bill, who ■ wafl brought from Australia soma years ago by B. Emmerson, dropped at Eiccarton a few days ago. Bill was by Vancl-evo from A thoroughbred mare, and in hia young djSJ* : won a six-furlong flat race in 1.39. •

—EI Gallo is the first horse to win t r.o Great Northern double since Liberator scored in 1895. Liberator was ridden by F. Holmes, who also won a Grand National Hurdles on the Betrayer gelding. Liberator was ridden in his first National Hurdles bv Powell. -**•

—a John Barleycorn ran two good races last week, but he had a good horse’s weight to carry. The latter in addition to an effort to settle Daytime over two furlongs from home was responsible for his defeat in tha Provincial.

Moonglow’s withdrawn! from the Tradesmen's came as an unpleasant surprise to many people. On the second day he was established a sound favourite in the Wairongoa Handicap; but after being with the leaders for a few strides he failed to hold his position, and faded out of the- fray. —lt is understood that the well-known rider R. Berry contemplates retiring from the saddle. Pie has a farm in the North Otago district, and intends going for breeding, and may also train a horse or two. Amongst his ideas for the future is tho importation of a stallion from England. - A good deal of money seemed to be abroad for Spanish Princess in the Silverstream Handicap, when she carried nearly twice as much money as on the first day. On both occasions the good-looking sister to Buller was one of the also started, and failed to get amongst the first half dozen. The Advance—lrish Girl gelding Micky Free was finishing well in both his races at Wingatui. He, however, had to make up a good deal of ground after being slow on hia legs at the rise of the barrier. On tho second day he got well away, hut could nol hold his place after going a few strides. The Otago Hunt comes in for a little reflected glory by the win of Cardiff, as the Sou’-wester gelding has been one of the “flyers of the hunt’’ during the present season. Cardiff is also owned by the gentleman who acted as Master until this year, and was a leading spirit in the formation of the club. Kim is always worthy of respect in a mile and a-half hurdle race, and as he seems to be slightly improving in the staying department may yet do well over a hit more ground. The Sir Dove— Grand Rain gelding does not fence so wildly as formerly, although he is just as quick as ever at hia timber.

Sartomart is a big raking sort that is slowly building up in condition which should make'him a better horse in the future. Ha ran a good seven furlongs in the Invermay Welter, when he led into the straight, but faded out in the last bit. He, however, was putting up his second race during tha afternoon. ~ „ , The w r ell-bred filly Eed Shield, by All Eed from Eoseshield (sister to Eoyal Artillery), seems to be siowly on the improve. Sho he bred to make the pace in the Silverstream Hack, and this is the first time she has everbeen noticed near the front. In previous attempts she has been slow on her legs at tha rise of the barrier.

Golden King met with a bad passage in both his races at Timaru, and again at Oainarn. He, however, kept well ont of trouble in the Birthday Handicap, and making every post a winning one. had practically the race to himself, although there was apparently nothing much to spare beyond his winning margin when the post was reached. All Ready has been a consistent performer during the last half of the present season. He got a bad run in the Birthday Handicap, in which he finished second; but was lucky in the fact that the Provincial was over when Slogan arrived with a run that would have swamped the opposition only for the fact that it came too late to carry him nearer than third.

One of f hc runners on the second day at Wingatui on return to the birdcage boro signs of unusually severe punishment. Whether it was due to the fact of the stable having a good bet or fear of the stewards cannot be said, but, in any case, the punishment seemed most unnecessary as the horse had previously run far better without being cut about. i The well-known N.S.W. studmaster, Mr Hunter "White, has purchased the Englishbred horse Brakespear, who carried his Majesty King George’s colours. Brakespear • was got by Spearmint from Guinea Hon, by Gallinule —Ante Diem, by Musket. He belongs to the same family as Wakeful, , Mountain Knight, Noctuiform, Midnight Sun, Bon Ton and Bon Here. Very few of the spectators at Wingatui " who patronise the members’ stand obtain a view of the held negotiating the sod wall at _ the foot of the straight. Those nearest the jump invariably stand up, and so block the view one way; and others hang over the front rail, and block it another. It seems as U the'club should consider the advisability of either shifting this jump or the stand. j The conditions attached to the next iNeu? Zealand Cup will bo the same as last year. The Grand National Hurdles will be rt:» over two and miles, luid tlic fiisf race on each clay of the meeting is to stuf ■ at 11.30. Some of the minor events on th« •; National programme will have increased

stakes, and the distance attached to the Hunt Chib Cup will be reduced to two and a-ualt

miles. , ~ Buller came from last to first to win the Tradesmen’s Handicap. He and Clynehs were last to get going, and the Southland horse won nicely at the finish. On the second day he had a rise of a stone, and met Cljnclish on 151 b worse terms, but the public and those who knew Buller sent him nearly twice as well backed on the second day, when he caught Alton Loch in the last few strides in the Wairongoa Handicap. nj Steeplechase was won by Cardiff, a horse descending from Goldsbrough in tail male, and the Wingatui Steeples should be won by a horse descending from the same sire in tail female. Black sea is from a be a v\ ard mare, and Sea Ward was got by Hilarious a son of Goldsbrough, who won the first Welcome Stakes. Cardiff was got by Sou- . Wester, a son of Goldsbrough. The Southland-bred Buller runs back to Fairy Bell, and so to the Spray family, which has produced such good horses at British Lion, Templeton, Kuby, Pailadm, Pa-las, and other excellent performers in their clay. Lignite, the grandam of Buller, was got by Louis D’Or, the first son of the French-brea mare Eupee, who afterwards contributed Florin, Spade Guinea, Apropos, Silver Mar*, Merrie England, and others to the btucl

Book. , Lord Frederick schooled rather attractively in his work at Wingatui, but fenced badly when under silk. The schooling hurdles are next the rails, and this prevented him from running down his fences as he is apt to do. If he had got up on the inside of Kim on the second clay this would in all probability have made him jump straighter, and helped his chance. As it was he was giving away lengths at some of his fences, and then had to make it up The cross-country races at Wingatui last week were interesting in a way, but nothing engaged seemed to have a million-to-one chance of becoming a national horse. Such a state of affairs is rather disappointing, considering there was a £'soo stake, and a £3OO stake for the open class. The hunters seen out in the minor events between the flags were a slow, plodding lot, and the owners in both events should congratulate themselves on' having the luck to run for such good stakes with such bad horses. Castiron could not got dangerous in either of his races at Wingatui. Ho was carrying a stone more than at Oamaru, where he jarred a shoulder, and probably had not made a complete recovery from his mishap. The extra burden, however, would find him out, and he could not get near Kim either day of the meeting. Ho also looked to be held fairly safe by, Commotion on Ashburton running, where the latter ran him to a head when giving away 19lh, and heat him at 12lb over a mile and a-half on the second day. —As a foal Lion was such a weakling and had a joint so bent that he looked hopeless as a racing proposition. So much eo was this the case that Mr Brown, who purchased Zemlia and oilier mares for Mr S. Green at ■the dispersal of the Elderslie stud, gave him away to the stud groom of the latter establishment. The gelding, however, thrived, and grew into the commanding and robust horse that won at Wingatui last week. Mr Green

■will be pleased that Zemlia, who is now at i« the Shipley stud, can produce winners. Lion is Zemlia’s first foal. - The Wellington Winter programme ' carries the same amount of prize money as last year. The Steeples is to bo a lODOsovs |p- stake, the Winter Hurdles has 600sovs, and Jhe Parliamentary Handicap lOOsovs. The M July Steeples on the second day has SOOsovs. i ;The first race will start at 11.30 each day, V; and it is noticed that whilst Mr J. H. Pollock has resumed work by issuing trotting handicaps, Mir H. Coyle still figures as handicapper for the coming meeting at Trentham. This, however, may be duo to the i;, fact that Mr Pol’ock, owing fo his illness, has not seen much racing this season. During the currency of the Dunedin winter meeting the writer learnt that Lady -Lillian, the winner of the Great Easter and G reat Autumn double of 1903, died a few weeks ago. Lady Lillian was a good perX former in, her day, but at the stud has pro- % duced. nothing with anything like her own ■lacing merit. Some of her later contributions |i to the Stud Book may, however, help to keep her memory green. Lady Lillian was foaled in 189(, and got by Phaeton (son of Trenton) from Lady Zetland (also a winner of the Great Easter and Great Autumn), by Perkin Warbeck II from the imported King Lud mar© Forget-me-not. When on the carpet in reference to the running of Clynelish in the Tradesmen's I Handicap R. Berry, who rode the horse, was .asked why he did not take his mount to the (front. He replied that he could not carry the horse there. That may seem to savour of an incolent and repiesensihle reply. It, however, should be remembered that the mode of expression amongst horsemen may at times aeound somewhat crude, hut becomes pardonable because it is their language, and probably the only one they know. It is understood that Clynelish received a humb at the rise of the barrier, and this prevented him from getting off with his usual brilliancy. The programme of the South Canterbury Trotting Club’s meeting to be held on July Sis made up as follows Trial Handicap, o'f VOsovs, 3.57 or better; Waimate Handicap, of 90sovs (trotters), two miles; Timaru Hanof ISOsovs, 4.57 or belter; Amateur Handicap, of SCsovs, one mil© and a-half; Scadown Handicap, of 90sovs, 3.51 or better, one mile and a-half; Washdyke Handicap, or 90sovs, 2.2 G or better; and Farewell Handicap, of 90scv6, 2.24 or better. Nominations for all events, are due on Tuesday, Juno 22. handicaps on June 23. and acceptances must be declared on July 2. The secretary, of the club is Mr H. H. Eraser," P.O. Box 57, Timaru. Both Palisade and Sister (Radius showed retention of pace in their race last week, but failed to see out their tasks. They were up igainst things by coming from Australia on© week and racing in holding ground a little rver a week later. It is understood that Sister Radius has terminated her racing sareer, and will go to the stud next season. such a speedy well-bred mare should derelop into a good stud matron, as, in addiiion to breeding and performances, she is i rangy and roomy sort that could do a foal ustioe. She wag got by the St. Simon horse Jharlemagne II from St. Regis, by Hotchiss—St. Evelyn, by St. Legcr—Lady Evelyn, y Perkin Warbeck—Pulchra. Sister Radius lelonga to the- same family ns such good or see as Multiform, St. Clair, ' Cruciform, tc.

A retentive memory or swatting tip ?rm will sometimes do a punter a good j rn, or may get him into trouble. 'For istance, many thought John Barleycorn mid not get beaten in the Provincial Hanieap; but ethers remembered that Slogan in a great race in the last C. J.C. Metropolian and should have finished in front of the I’isa gelding in the Fendalton, when the tier was giving away 81b. In that race logan was galloped on, and did not reipear until racing in the Tradesmen’s andicap, in which he gave indication of ting in shape by staying on to finish third, i the Provincial, John Barleycorn was atmpting to give away 251 b, and only bad ck or something prevented Slogan from

showing what a nopeless task the top weight was taking on. The Southland contingent had a great innings at Wingatui last week. On the first day they landed the “double” with Golden King and Buller, and also had a win with Neuroma and Prairie Fire, whilst Giralda, got into the money in two races, and the Southland-trained The Brewer acted as runner-up in the Steeples. On the second day the South again had a winning turn with Buller, Prairie Fire, and Black Sea, and got into the money with Lord Frederick. If Neuroma had reached the money in the final e.vent the southerners would have practically carried their bat,_ although some of the team may have failed to score over Hesior.e and Spanish Princess. Tim Southland owners are good patrons of Wingatui, and it is pleasing to note their success. Good customers are entitled to get away with the real goods occasionally. The history of Cardiff in talc male spreads over a long period. He was got by Sou’-wester, who was imported to New Zealand in 1880 as a yearling. He won the Hawse's Bay. Cup, but will be_ best remembered by the fact that he went into the Forbury ditch when sent out a red-hot favourite for the Dunedin Cup of 1884. Sou’-wester finished third to Lady Emma and July after getting back to the track. He sired sonie useful performers over fences, notably Nor - west and Haydn, the latter a winner of the National Hurdles and Grand National Steeples. Another good performer he got was Boreas, a winner of the C.J.C. Stewards’ Handicap and Great Easter, D.J.C, Handicap, and Thompson Handicap. Early in life Cardiff slipped a fetlock, and was made a present to a vet., who got him right, and won a hurdle race or two with him. The luckiest win at Wingatui last week was undoubtedly that of Cardiff in the Otago Steeples. At Oamaru a couple of weeks ago he was beat off nearly a quarter of a mile in a hurdle race, and in his schooling over the low fences prior to the meeting put in a run-off and two falls. The only excuse that can be offered on behalf of the falls it that the two different riders he had did not understand the horse. Fortunately, and here is where the real reason comes in, L. Hegarty, who had ridden Cardiff to hounds, and incidentally crossed wire and a varied line of country, was on hand, and he accepted the mount" in face of the fact that more than one advised him to stand on the ground. On the way to the post Hegarty endeavoured to “save” a tenner, or less, with others riding in the race, hut could not get a taker. Finally, he had the satisfaction of winning, but in all probability he was the only rider open for engagement at the meeting that could have won on the Sou’-wester gelding. W. Jarvis, who usually rides for the stable, was upon Stone Ginger, and was leading Cardiff several lengths when the former came down at the sod wall. On the second day Cardiff came to grief at the same fence. ■l It will be remembered that some few weeks ago an outcry arose in England against the continuation of racing. This principally arose because it was alleged in some ill-informed quarters that wounded soldiers were to be turned out of the Epsom stands, which had been converted into temporary hospital quarters, in order that racing might be continued in the usual way at Gie start of the season. This was proved to l>e an unjust charge against, the Grand Stand Association in control at Epsom, and latest reports from England state that the most cordial relations exist between the soldiers and the Epsom managers. If the soldiers were ill-treated in any shape or form it is needless to say that their “brothers in arms” would resent it very much. To show that there was no cause for complaint it may be mentioned that the soldiers’ quartered at Epsom lent valuable assistance towards getting the Epsom course in order for the spring meeting, and their help was most welcome owing to the shortage of labour. The soldiers furthermore mounted guard over the stands at night, and special accommodation was provided for the wounded and their nurses in the “boxes” in the stands during the spring meeting.

G. Price has left England with four horses in his charge. Obsono, the hero of many a good race, will go to the stud next season. Mr W. F. M. Buckley has been re-elected chairman of the Canterbury Jockey Club. Clynelish will go to his owner’s farm near Lawrence this week, and will take up stud work next season.

The Southland owner and trainer, Mr J. Hymer, has purchased the Martian filly Marsa from Mr H. G. Taylor. The conditions of the next Now Zealand Trotting- Cup are the same as last year, except that the class has been cut from 4rnin 38sec to 4min 37sec. The South Canterbury Jockey Club has granted permission to the South Canterbury Hunt to hold a race meeting in July on the Washdyke racecourse. Mr '“Whitney,” who is racing- Mount Victoria, Cyra, and Roiimania at Wingatui this week, has presented one of his horses, Cadonia, to the Belgian Relief Fund.

Encore and Banian are to be schooled over hurdles on their return to Riccarton. The last-named was not started on the second day at Wingatui owing to striking himself whilst running in the Winter Welter.

Tim Doolan recently had his first school over fences since his arrival in Australia. Ho was ridden by J. N. M‘Gregor, and went over the Caulfield country in good stylo. Mr A. Robertson, of the Allendale Stock Farm, lias left on another visit to America, gnd from there will journey on to England. A further importation of stock from both countries is likely to be the basis of ihe trip. The imported horse Danum, presented by Mr H. R. Domson to the A.J.C. Belgian Relief Fund race meeting, realised £939 by means of an art union. Private subscriptions to the . race meeting amounted to £4200, and about £IO,OOO was gathered in all.

At n wecding-out sale of rnarce from tho Warrington Stud, held yesterday morning, Tourmaline made £6 10s, La Reina £7, Venctia 181>gs, and Lady Rosslyn Ventosa and Komuri failed to attract a bid. All the mares wore carrying a service from Sarto.

Specialform has been leased bv her owner to Mr A. W. Rutherford, Jun., and will join A. M’Auley’s stable with Daytime, Encore, and company. She ran badly in both her races last week, hut is at least running herself down in the handicaps, and this may bo something in her favour in the future.

Tho well-known rider, W. Jarvis, was more seriously injured than was originally believed when Stone Ginger came down with him in the Otago Steeplechase. In addition to fracturing a cellar-bone, bo received other injuries whk-h necessitated the attendance of a' dcr/rvr Jarvis was unable to attend tho second day of the meeting, but it is hoped that ho will soon make a complete recovery. The roan gelding Giralda. was purchased during the Wingatui meeting by Mr R. B.

Stevens, and goes into his brother’s stable at Wingatui. The price is said to bo £4OO. Like oilier Southland-bred horses, Lira Ida is inclined to be a bit loan and lathy, but nevertheless he demonstrated his ability to gallop on the first day of the meeting. In both his races Girakla was staying on well, after being badly placed in the early stages. On the second day ho was handicapped by being drawn wide at the barrier, and, although showing in third place shortly after the start, he dropped away again, and then came on to get fourth. Apparently he had run a very severe race, after which ho showed signs of punishment.