IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3211, 29 September 1915, Page 57

IN A NUTSHELL.

Fortify broke down on the first day of the Wanganui meeting. - The imported, stallion Solfernio arrived in Oamam on Saturday last.

The handicap per weights a horse, and sometimes the owner also waits.

Nominations for the Gore Racing Club’s spring meeting are due on October 11. Nominations for the Oamaru Trotting Club’s meeting are due on October 7. —No race on the New Zealand Cup programme carries a smaller stake than 200sovs. Peg looked well when racing at Geraldine, but failed to get a place in either of her races.

Acceptances for the first day of the D.J.C. spring meeting are dne on Friday of this week.

The Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring meeting takes xilace on Friday and Saturday of next week.

The stallion Marshall Macdonald has been purchased by Mr E. Eiddiford, and goes to the stud.

A conference of the leading racing clubs in Australia is to ho held in Melbourne during the cup week. A race meeting recently held in Adelaide turned in a profit of £3190 in aid of the Patriotic Funds.

Bonny Helen has incurred a. slh penally for the New Zealand Cup as the result of her win nt Wnngnnni. C. White, of Centra! Otago, has pur«hased the Martian —Everlasting filly Martigues from Mr J. E. Buchanan. One of the winners on the second day at Geraldine nearly got . lost in the dust in a previous race at the meeting. Owners are reminded that nominations close on Monday, October 4, for the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s spring meeting. Flying Start worked over seven furlongs m Imin 33sec at Riccarton on Saturday, atid

is ■evidently being keyed up for the Dunedin Guineas.

A copy of the C.J.C. programme for 1916-16 is to hand. It contains entries for forthcoming events and other information of interest.

Private watches made Nones gallop better than Imin 42sec in the Wanganui Guineas. This reads well for a horse easing up at the finish. The Canterbury Jockey Club will give away £37,840 in stakes this season. Of this amount £19,200 is attached to the New Zealand Cup programme. Bimeter is said to have been galloping over the field at the finish of the Flying Handicap at Wanganui after losing his place coming up the running. The Sant Ilario gelding Crib ran a good race in the Belfield Welter up to the home turn, and finally finished a fair third to Meltchikoff and Hap Dha. Old Kingsway ran a couple of good races at Geraldine, but the enemy carried too many guns for him, and the Phaeton gelding finished second each day. The Southland Racing Club has made a donation of £SOO to the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. The dub had previously contributed to the Belgian Relief Fund. The imported trotting sta.llicn Lorene Todd Iras been leased for two years to Mr H. Kitchenham, and will join that gentleman's stud at Christchurch.

A copy of the Winton Trotting Club’s programme is to hand. The principal event is to be the Winton Trotting Club Handicap, of 150sovs, for 5.4 or better class.

Multum in Parvo was inclined to playup when going out for the Geraldine Cup, in which she spoilt her chance by running wide round the turn out of the straight. Rehandicaps for the Kurow meeting are Waitaki Handicap, Reggie Kuon 9sec; George M'Kinney 18sec; Lash Handicap, John Dillon llsec; George M'Kinney 13aec. Judging bv the reported order of favouritism at Wanganui some of the New Zealand Cup candidates’ running at the meeting were not deemed quite ready to race.

Sveaborg was purchased for £6O by- Mr J. Biggins after running on the first day at Geraldine. On the second day Sveaborg won SOsovs in stakes by dead-heating with Meltchikoff and finishing second to Daytime. Shortly- after his arrival at Randwick Colonel Soult put up a gallop which favourably impressed the touts. The New Zealander ran over 10 furlongs in 2min 12£sec, and travelled strongly and w-ell throughout the task.

Geraldine. She was disputing leadership with Samisen in the Squatters’ Handicap from the rise of the barrier, but was finallybeaten by Sveaborg, who got up to win by a neck.

Battle Eve is said to have been troubled by the sharpish turns on the Wanganui course. A small track would play right into the hands of a smart nippy horse like Nones, who is apparently still as smart off the mark as ever.

G. Scohie, who acted as private trainer for Mr Harvey Patterson, has returned to the saddle since going back to Australia, and recently was unlucky enough to oreak a collarbone whilst schooling a horse at Flemington. Fields were small in nearly every event on the Geraldine programme, but they nevertheless provided some interesting racing. The trotting events, however, were merely a case of follow the leader, who in each race was a strong favourite. The Gluten filly Comely is not much to look at, but she can skip fairly fast over half a mile or so. She is w-ell bred enough to go fast and far in being got by Gluten from Soult Rose, by Boult from Rose and White, the dam of Wairiki. Petrosus was sent out a strong fancy for the Squatters’ Handicap, but she received a bad passage early in the race, and failed to get near the money. After the race A. Griffin, the rider of Sveaborg. was cautioned for cutting across Petrosus shortly after the start. _ , , ... The Royal Fusilier—Busybody July Meddlesome "displayed improved form at Geraldine. She showed pace in the early part of her race, but dropped away afterbeing next in pursuit at the home turn to Comely, who had the advantage c! a moving start. When the money commenced to gather for the Geraldine Cup Jeannot was always the popular pick, and finished up a sound favourite. The favourite and Cervnlus cut out the running, but both were under strong pressure at the distance, and finally finished out of a place. Mcddite was sent out favourite for the Second Hurdles at Geraldine, and after lookinn- to have a chance towards the latter part of ° the race; faded out over the last couple of furlongs. On the first day he ran a fairrace in the cup, and was staying on when most of the others were stopping. Bonny Helen is understood to have paid a remarkably good dividend when she won at Wanganui, and evidently the public did not anticipate the success of the Boniform mare. Last season she won the Metropolitan Handicap in good style with 8.7, and was not at all badly treated at Wanganui. Gold Coin has now scored two wins and a second in the Geraldine Cup. She looked an improved mare last week; but a fairly solid pace set in the early stages found her too far out to have a winning chance in the run home, although she beat all bar the “dropped from the clouds” Ardenvhor. The Second Amateur Handicap to be run at tbe Forbury Park spring meeting is not to be restricted to unhoppled trotters, but is open to both pacers and trotters. Some of the programmes issued state that the race is restricted to trotters, and the secretary wishes special attention to be drawn to the C 1^ I Comely was a shade lucky to catch the Ohaki Hack. She broke away, and on coming back to line up got away on the move, and this won her the race. Gunrest was rapidly overhauling her in the straight, and Reveller was also putting in good work; out the break at tbe start was too much in Com-eiy s favour. One of the winners at the Otago Hunt meeting that was supposed in some quarters to be ‘“not wanted on the voyage” was in reality well hacked at S.P. to turn in a good win for the stable. The winner in question has been bruited about as a non-trier; but in this case, at least, appearances were verydeceptive. Hap Dha ran a couple of good but unlucky races at Geraldine, and will not require to have much in his favour to pet amongst the winners of the season. In the Bolfield Welter he came with a strong challenge to MelichikofT, who looked unbeatable on paper, and on the second day had his chance wrecked by- a* bad start. At Geraldine Petrosus was handicapped to give Meltchikoff 121 b. The pair did not meet, and at Wingatui Meltchikoff is set to meet the mare on 221 b worse terms. M’eltchikr.ff won at Geraldine; but nevertheless did not show any improvement in form, and the case is cited to show a remarkable difference of opinion between handicappers. Aerial went out to win the President’s Handicap at Geraldine from end to end. He nipped away smartly at the rise of the barrier, and at the end of a couple of fur-

longs was leading Treadfire by about iouj lengths, biit ho petered out in the last hundred yards, and the Treadmill filly went past to win well by over a length. Warstep worked over a mile and aquarter at Biccarton on Saturday in 2m in 17 3-ssec. Judging by the amount oi useful work Warstep has been getting through, she should be quite ready to race at the Dunedin spring meeting, which takes place next week, She would not incur a penalty in the NeW Zealand Cup by a win at Wingatui. • The Downshirc gelding Bellshire, who showed fairly good form as a two-year-old, was amongst the runners at Geraldine. He has thickened out since last year, and now fills the eye as a fairly attractive three-year, old. Bellshire ran a good race on the secon<| day of the meeting when he was close to Daytime when the Tatter won in Imin Isec.

Downetoppy made hie reappearance at Geraldine after a long absence as the result of his accident last season. He still gailopa well, and was moving up well at the finish of the Ohapi Handicap after being slowish off the mark. On the second day Downsteepy was close to the leaders turning for horn* in the Walmea Hack, but he got shut cut, and lost a place. Meltchikoff looked the greatest certainty that aver stepped on a track when he went out for the Belfield Welter, but the good thing nearly came undone, as Hap Dha made up a good deal of ground and ran him a head. On the second day Sveaborg went with Meltchikoff and scored a dead heat. Perhaps Meltchikoff won’t go away, and will make a gallop with anything. The Forbury Park Trotting Chib is again anxious to provide their patrons with th« spectacle of some high-class performer* making an assault on time, and with that object is offering a purse oi 250sovs for a match that has to be won under certain con* ditions. Failing a match £IOO is offered for anything capable of lowering the present track record of 2min 6 3-ssec.

The Aurow Jockey Club's annual mcf meeting takes place on Thursday of ibis week* and promises to be as successful ne usual. Some of the fields may, however, weaken a good -deal, as a few of the horses are engaged in two or more races during the day. Consequently the fields as they muster at tin* post may carry a rather different aspect from what they do at present. One or two horses looked so well in at Geraldine that the opposition apparently hold a very remote chance, and could almost ba pardoned for declining battle and indulging in a sham fight or demonstration. Still, nothing bolted in, and so Hie har.dicapper’i opinion was to a certain extent justified, and might have been upheld if belated challenges came earlier in the fray. —Cervulus made his debut over hurdle* at Geraldine, and seemed to have a good chance if the sticks did not tangle him up. In the Cup Cerbulus and Mode. u met on even terms, but in the Hurdles iho laftor had to allow 211 b. Cervulus moved up towards Caher Davon (who led along the back), but got into a fence when threatening to play a strong part at the business end, and A faulty jump more than counter-balanced any advantage held on paper. . The Winton Jockey Chib has bestowed an all-ronnd increase on the stakes attached to their programme. The increase amount* to over 400sovs, and makes a total value or £IBOO in stakes. The programme is drawn, up on good sporting lines, covering wellendowed flat races, steeplechases, and (rotting events. The principal event is the Wmtoa Cup, of 250sovs, one and a-qu. tier milea. Nominations close on Friday, Octobei 15. Master Hamilton wag made a strong order for the Hurdles run on the first day at Geraldine, but he failed to make good. He wag kept in a bad position throughout the race, and, following in the immediate wake of Caher Davon, got into two or three fences except the stand obstacle, which ha took in company with the Glenapp gelding. Master Hamilton was stripped down both front legs after the race, and was apparently luckv to complete the course. . Gnnrest was finishing strongly m both, his races at Geraldine. He is a shade slow to move, but, once in his stride, can hit up a good pace. At present he is troub.ed with bad heels, and this accentuates the merit of his win. Gnnrest is a half-brother to Balsam (a good performer in his day), and was crot by Calibre from Tinwald Beauty, by Ferkin li T arbeck II from Beauti Sleep, A sister to Conqueror and half-sister to Day Dream, two of the speediest two-year-olds of their time. ■ , , , .. The Cornel still carries a oit of tno roughness left by winter on his appearance} brittle is galloping rather better than 4 casual glance would suggest. He ran a fair race in the Ashburton Cup, and in tha Geraldine Cup he loomed up on the rails at the distance, but could not come on. Ho did not have too much room, and perhaps brushing the rails may not appeal _ to the old chan. On the second day Aerial and Threaclfire made it too warm in the early stages; but The Cornet was coming on at the finish, and is not yet a back number. According to accounts Nones beat. Battle Eve all the way in the Wanganui Guineas; but nevertheless, the colt was asked to concede 41b to the filly when they were handicapped over six furlongs on the second day of the meeting. Last season Nones decidedly scored in the Dunedin Guineas, when sh« beat Battle Eve out of a place. Battle Eve won the Welcome Stakes, but None* hud gone off in the meantime, and did noi reappear! until she ran two seconds at the Wellington summer meeting. She did not meet Battle Eve again until the Great Autumn meeting, when she was beat by a head by Flying Start in the Champagne Stakes.'with Battle Eve a length away. At Manawatu Nones enhanced her form by beating Flying Start in the Sires’ Produce Stakes, and hence was remarkably well treated at Wanganui last week. The advisability of using a recall was made very noticeable at Geraldine, when a muddled-up start occurred in the. Stakes, in which Meltchikoff and Sveaborgf opened up a gap of half a dozen length* from Hap" Dha and Moneymaker in the first few strides. After the race the steward* hold an inquiry into the matter, and it wa* learnt that the starter, Mr B. E. Harley, stated that the horses were in line when he pulled the lever, but thought one of them ■would be caught in the tapes, so he called them, back. In the same breath, however, he called out for the riders to on, but the change of mind spoilt Hap Dhn’s chance of making a win. Hap Dha was rapidly overhauling the leaders in the run home, hut they had obtained too big a- brealt. Meltchikoff and Sveaborg ran together all the way, and the judge was unable to divide them in a good finish. With a- recall flag the field could have been _ stopped, and each, of the horses given a fair chance to win j but under the circumstances nothing had ft chance of getting to the leaders unless tlte latter ran off the course, When in the humour the three-year-old colt Ardenvhor can gallop fairly well. Ha lost ground at the start of the Geraldine Cup. ran wide at ihs first turn, and ball a mile from home looked hopelessly out of, it when running fully three lengths away from the leaders as they ran along the back., Ardenvhor turned a bit wide for the straight, but in the last furlong ho galloped past.

and won going away from the otheis. On this performance it would appear tnat he could put up a very fair performance if running the nearest way home. In the president's Handicap, with Olsen up, Ardcnvhor was in the light of his first day's run quite entitled to go out favourite; but on this occasion ho failed to make any show. He appeared to win with a couple of stone in hand on the first day, but the shorter distance and rise in weight, and perhaps a change of humour, saw him apparently well beaten. Under a light scale of weights Ardenvhor appears to be a stayer, as he was full of running when winning over a mile and a-quaider. When a race begins near a turn a smart nippy beginner has a decided advantage. Most horses cannot get going when they strike a sharpish turn in the first few strides after being hunted off the mark, and whilst they are slightly at sea some of the more quick and lively sort are gathering an advantage which is a great assistance to success. This was the case with the mile race on the second day at Geraldine, which started near the turn out of the straight. The field was well in line when the barrier rose; but before going a furlong Aerial was out three lengths in front of Treadfire, who was a couple of lengths or more in front _of the others. Turning info the back Aerial had increased his advantage to over four lengths from Treadfire, who had drawn over three lengths out from the others. From that out, or one might say, from the rise of the barrier, the race lay between two horses. At the jump-off the field quickly stretched out in the manner indicated, and those who judge the value of a start by the appearance of the field about 10 minutes, more or less, after the barrier rises proclaimed it a bad dispatch. Mr Harley mads a couple of mistakes at the meeting, but the mile start was not one of them.

The Glenapp gelding Caher Davon has apparently improved a bit since he ran at the Grand National meeting, as ho won both hurdle events at. Geraldine in good style. On the first day lie set a strong pace throughout, and kept Master Hamilton so busy as to get the latter a bit tangled at his fences. This, however, was principally duo to the fact that Master Hamilton’s rider had his mount, badly placed in Caher Davon’s wake. On the second day Caher Davon’s task was not so easy, as he lost the leadership at the turn, and just cut down Kingsway in the run from the last fence. He had the luck to get through on the rails when making a final effort. Caher Davon strode out with more freedom than previously noticed, and should win again before long. Ho is a half-brother to Multiply and Kolhnrn, and on his breeding one could be pardoned for expecting the Glenapp gelding to have been - a much better performer. Glenapp was imported bv the New Zealand Government, and got by Enthusiast (Sterling—Cherry Duchess) from Finnart, by Ayrshire—Spray, by Springfield—Sunray. Spray is a sister to Spring Morn, the dam of Otterden, the producer of Martian, Boniforrrr, and Co., and, by the way, it would seem on pedigree that Glenapp was worthy of a far bettor chance at the stud than ho has received.