TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3214, 20 October 1915, Page 54

TALK OF THE DAY.

Br SsHTIHSL.

THE SOUTH CANTERBURY MEETING. Satisfactory acceptances have been received in connection with, the first day of tho South Canterbury Jockey Club’s spring meeting. The Shorts and Spring Stakes, which closed at the same time, have attracted a fairly liberal entry. Moddits and Cyro are the only two to drop out of the Hurdles, in which Steperina figures among the acceptors, although not appearing in the published handicaps. On the second day of the D.J.C. spring meeting Crib won so well that ho will probably go out favourite at Timaru. He is meeting Cervulue on Blb worse terms, and it is doubtful if the margin will bring them together. Silver Shield, who finished fourth at Wingatui, now meets Crib on 181 b better terms, and Kingsway oornos in on 18ib better terms, which reads liberal enough considering that the Phaeton gelding won on the first day of tho meeting. Caber Davon beat Kingsway at Geraldine when giving 71b, and the latter appears to have .none the best of it with tho former. Master Hamilton was attempting to give Caller Davon 31b when they met at Geraldine, and now the former corncs in on 151 b better terms. This should give Master Hamilton a chance if ho shapes better at his fences and more in keeping with tho display given at Ashburton. Daylight Bill gave Kingsway 101 b and a beating at Ashburton, and now allows an additional 31b. Silver Shield mots Master Hamilton on 161 b bettor terms than when they met on tho second day at Ashburton Bee, Meltchikoff, All Ready, and Maro Antony have dropped out, or tho Jockey Club Handicap. Palisade should bo improved by his racing at tho D.J.C. spring meeting, where ho ran an excellent second to Slogan. He has now to carry an additional 81b; but Pender, who goes up lib, is the only other engaged at Timaru that finished behind tho son of Red Peony at Wingatui. Special-

form has none tho best of it on paper, as she meets Palisade ou 61b worse terms than wnen the latter beat her at the Dunedin winter meeting, it is also interesting to note that at the same meeting Speciaiforra w;rs handicapped to give Pender 4ib, and now the Boniform mare has to allow 2st all but a pound. Teviotdalo won one of trie minor events at tne Grand National meeting, and has shown fair winning form up to seven furlongs. Down d;d not shape too well at Ashburton; but track reports suggest that he has trained on since then. He would need to do so, as Fender, after laying a good deal out of her ground, beat him at level weights, and now comes in on Tib better terms. Ardonvhor won the Geraldine Cup under all sorts of difficulties and, after appearing to be hopelessly out of it, simply bolted in at the finish. On that run Ardenvhor would be hard to beat; but he ran a bad race on the second day of the meeting, and apparently is not too reliable. Aerial ran a fair race in the President's Handicap, when a promising sort ih Treadiire beat him in the run home. But the distance may prove beyond him in the bettor company he will have to meet at Timaru. The sprint events are not likely to provide largo fields, as Afton Loch, Sveaborg, Sarniesen, and one or two others claim two engagements during the day. On Encore’s runn.ng at the National meeting he should help to make matters interesting in the Flying Handicap. Ho won tne Sclwyn Handicap under 10.4 in Imin 13 4-ssec, beating Pride o’ Clutlia out of a place when she was giving 21b. Martius should be more forward than wnen racing at Ashburton, where Medley beat him well at 171 b. Now there is 10lb between them. Peg deadhoated with Medley at the Ashburton autumn me, n y 81b, and, although Medley has won sinco, the margin should give tne tirst-nam. u a chance. Medley is, however, more reliable than the other. Afton Loch has her recent form to recommend her; but too much value should not be placed on her wins. She had nothing much to beat in tho Shorts, and at the Kurow meeting won her race at the rise of the barrier. There is no doubt, however, that she is staying on a bit better than formerly, and such a smart beginner is always worthy of respect. Medley beat Sveaborg at a stone in the Spring Handicap at Ashburton, and the latter docs not read to have much of a chance with her at 8!b. He ran a couple of good races at Geraldine; but Medley should account for him again. THE STEWARDS’ HANDICAP The peg on which the Stewards’ Handicap hung served its purpose, but did not remain long in tho field, as the pen wont through Chortle’s name on Saturday last. Biraetor was more promptly withdrawn, as the Maltster horse was struck out shortly after tho appearance of the weights. The object of analysing a handicap is not made altogether with the idea of pursuing the hundioapper’s motive in allotting a pound more or less hero and there, and its why and wherefore. The handicap is, to students of form and those who take more than a superficial interest in racing, an interesting basis of opinion which is the backbone of the sport. Without difference of opinion there would bo no racing from a sporting point of view. In analysing a handicap anyone in search of the winner should seek out and select certain horses in the field deemed capable of something difficult to boat, and then endeavour to find a reason for and the horse likely to supply what is required. Tho result should be, and is; the best means of a likely winner. Take, for instance, a trio in Desert Gold, Flying Start, and Nones. They wore all particularly smart two-year-olds, and, apart from the Chokeboro _ representative, have given ample indication of having trained on since last season. Flying Sto.rt is, unfortunately, troubled in the respiratory organs, but apparently it does not anchor him over short courses, as he is galloping really well up to about seven furlongs. Nones is quick and smart from tho barrier, and so is Desert Gold. Chakwana won the Electric Handicap in 46 4-ssoo, and boat a fairly smart field. She has apparently trained on and would be dangerous although close to Nones in the handicap, who was a better two-year-old. Chakwana beat Downham at 21b in the Electric, and now the latter has to allow her 61b. It would seem then that Chakwana has a chanoo through a smart sprinter such as Downham. ». She has since won well up to six furlongs. Bertrada ran second last year with 7.8, and Mas now 31b more, whilst Martius, who should have beaten both the Charlemagne II filly and Obsono meets her on 81b better terras. Several engaged were, no doubt, put in on hope, and as a payment is duo on Friday, further consideration is delayed until the owners have declared their opinion to whether they have any intention of starting. THE BLOOD STOCK SALES. Racing men inclined to own a horse, but who are without the facilities of ground at their disposal for breeding therm will have an unusual opportunity of making a purchase during the New Zealand Cup week and the day preceding the fixture. It has long been recognised that it is more profitable to purchase a likely yearling titan attempt to breed one The studmaster offering stock for public sale has to depend on° his average price: whereas the purchaser can pick and choose or leave alone. Oftentimes the highest-priced yearling is the greatest bargain, and sometimes a good judge or lucky buyer can pick up a great bargain. Buying representatives of a winning line by proved sires, or those who by every rhyme and reason should make good, is not such a risky proposition as some are inclined to behove. Well-bred colts and fillies that have missed expectations on the turf have always a stud value that rot infrequently affords ample compensation for a comparative lack of success in racing, and if one selects a yearling that oan gallop at all, one should not be a loser if the youngster is placed in the hands of a capable trainer. Tho value of stakes and the fact that there are hundreds more stakes on offer than yearlings greatly reduces a purchaser’s risks if a purchase is followed with only ordinary luck. Strange to say that whilst stakes have been mounting higher and higher with each succeeding season in New Zealand, yearlings have not shown anything like a proportionate increase in their selling value. No better evidence of-this oan be furnished than by drawing attention to !he_ inclination of breeders to exploit tho Australian market. Many and many a yearling, subsequently proving a high-class racehorse, has been sold in tho ring under a quarter of the cost required to bring it under the hammer. That is the breeder’s bad luck and the buyer’s opportunity. At the forthcoming blood stock sales in Christchurch intending purchasers will have the opportunity of selecting youngsters by Kilbroney, whose

stock carry exceptional promise, and fill the eye as all that a promising young thoroughbred should be. A final opportunity will be offered of picking something by Rokeby, whose stock, like that of Kilbronoy, have mado a highly promising debut under silk. Better-looking and more promising sorts are seldom seen under the hammer. The majority are from producers of good winners or closely related to high-class performers. Another stallion that may supply the basis of a bargain is Cakewalk, a wellbred horse that has got winners in Australia. A couple offered by him at last year’s sales looked undoubted bargains; and if the son of Slimmer can supply stock of equal quality, they should not go begging in the ring. Martian’s success as a sire stands beyond dispute, and there should bo eager competition for anything by the successful son of Martagqn. Achilles, Bezonian, Boniform, and Birkenhead arc also represented, and stock by them from ■well-bred mares should be worthy of_ inspection from prospective buyers; and it is interesting to note that the Desmond horse Demosthenes is also represented. Desmond was one of St. Simon s most successful sons at the stud, and none of the line furnished more evidence of its power to breed on than the son of St Simon and L’Abbesse do Jouaree. It is always a matter of regret to note the breaking-up of a stud, but It furnishes the opportunity of buyers, and perhaps makes a dozen breeders where formerly only one existed. There is no cause for sorrow, unless the stock is sent out of the country. The Meadowbank Stud is to be dispersed on the Friday preceding the Cup meeting, and here it is almost quite safe to say that some good bargains will bo going among the 45 Tots that arc to go under the hammer. Vasco, the sire of Do Gama and Menschikoff, one of the best that ever carried sdk in this country, are well represented, in addition to well-bred mares and stock likely to win races or breed winners. The hammer will also fall on a couplo of imported fillies got by Earla Mor and Henry the First, and no doubt they will be eagerly scanned to see if they are likely winners, or something that may develop into successful brood mares. It is an extensive and most interesting catalogue on offer that should be perused by everybody interested in racing and breeding. THE BIG DOUBLE. The adjustment of weights for the Stewards’ Handicap is viewed with as much interest as that of any other race decided in the Dominion. This is due to the fact that, in addition to its individual importance, it gathers further attention as a result of providing a popular couple with the New Zealand Gup. Nowadays there is a tendency to decry the practice of publishing handicaps a considerable period in advance of the date of the decision of the race, but there is not much doubt that, even - though ante-post betting is supposed to be a dead letter, both, the New Zealand Cup and the Stewards’ Handicap would lose the bulk of their interest if they were decided on an overnight handicap such as may bo compiled during the currency of a race meeting. Advertisement counts in racing just the same as in ordinary business, otherwise the Melbourne Cup would not have attained world-wide prominence. Then again it has to be remembered that a handicap for the New Zealand Cup could not bo compiled either this year or any other on the spring form immediately preceding it. Note, for instance, the apologies offered on behalf of some of the Cup candidates. Most of them appear to be obviously out of condition, and spoken of as being short of a race or two or three. Others again are running over distances which form no indication as to how they are likely to shape over two miles. In much the same manner several of those engaged in the Stewards’ Handicap have either not yet appeared this season, or else raced in a condition which did not allow them to exhibit their racing merit when fit and well. Both the Cup and Stewards’ are races well worth -waiting for, and, as it is not a crime to run a horse above itself in condition so long as it is apparently a sure trier, owners will continue to wait; but, at the same, time, too much weight should not be attached to the running in the early spring or early days of the racing season. As years go on owners are loss and less inclined to set a three-year-old for the New Zealand Cup, even though horses of such ago have played prominent parts in bygone contests. In such a race as the Stewards’ Handicap owners of what has been a fairly smart two-year-old showing improvement without being fully exposed are generally hard to beat over the boomerang six furlongs at Riccarton, and those seeking for the winner should pay attention to the fact. Warstep and Stardancer were not regarded as first-class two-year-olds, yet they trained on and put up great gallops in .fhe following spring. Stardancer had to chase Bon Reve and catch him to make a dead-heat. Another moderate two-year-old in Immer ran third to Warstep. Peircne beat them all, for Nyland and other three-year-olds such as Gold Crest, Machine Gun, Vladimir, Pampero, and Royal Artillery would have taken a good deal of beating in their respective years. Hence the wisdom of looking for the nimble, supple, young horse that is to act under a fairly easy weight. They are the sort to begin quickly and threaten a heap of danger at the finish. FIGURES AND FORM. When Admiral Rouse was dictator and uncrowned king of the English turf by reason of his influence on the sport, and as its great match-maker and handicappor, he did not by any means stick to form in compiling his adjustments. Sentiment and prejudice caused him to deal out weight as he thought fit. Sometimes, as it were, he handicapped the horse, and sometimes the owner or stable. Sometimes, agaci’, he would “fire” a horse in if he thought it was o back number, and where there was a suspicion of a ramp he would clap the weight on in a manner which unmistakably indicated his opinion of some of the running. The famous admiral, when viewing a race from a position close to the sporting scribes, on one occasion said: “Gentlemen of the press, I hope you are taking notice of the way that dam scoundrel So-and-So is riding So-ar.d-So, and don’t forget to write about it in your columns.” The pressmen, however, even in those days were not quite so free with their quiffs as the admiral with his tongue. We have no handicappcrs nowadays who draw particularly pointed attention by the manner in which they ignore the form of a horse “racing” into condition, or one suffering from a temporary loss of form sometimes noticeable on the approach of important events. _ 0 f course, it eroos without saying the; racing luiwada;. ;• i- ilkt Caesar’s wife, and it for tins re;.: 1 on no

doubt, that suspects are invariably handicapped as genuine losers. A_h an dicapper is paid to express his opinions in avoirdupois, and as a rule his opinion in figures is seldom wide apart from those hold by students of form. This train of thought has been created by some of the figures in the handicaps for Timaru; but, whilst that is so, there is not the remotest idea of suggesting that the reasons which influenced tne late Admiral Rous on occasions are not the same as those which wqre_ responsible for the adjustments in the principal event at the South Canterbury meeting. Since she raced at the Dunedin winter meeting Specialform has changed stables. At the meeting named Palisade was handicapped to give her 71b over a mile, and at Timaru the mare was asked to come in on 61b worse terms. In the same race at Wingatui Fender was handicapped at 41b _ from Specialform, but at Timaru there is 271 b between them. This is rather remarkable, and so is the fact that Fender beat Down at Ashburton, and at Timaru meets the latter on 71b better terms. The form of a horse varies like New Zealand weather, and it should be interesting to note how the running pans out at Timaru, where some of the handicapping appears to favour the successful rather than the comparatively unsuccessful. THE GORE MEETING. The Gore Racing Culb’s spring meeting takes place on Monday and Tuesday _oi next week, and as there is an excursion train available on the first day, it should attract a good deal of patronage from Dunedin. The large fields engaged m the steeplechase events should prove a, big draw for the club, and the fields in the other events also bear promise of good sport. Magdala, who heads the list in the Spring Handicap, has not yet raced this season. At the back end of last season he won the Ashburton Cup with 8.5 in 2min 7 3-ssec, and was unplaced in the Oamaru Cup with 8.13. In this race, however, he got a bad passage and finished unplaced. On that occasion Magdala was giving Moltchikoff, who was also unplaced, 221 b, and now meets the latter on 181 b better terms. Meltchikoff showed improved form at Wingatui, and os a result of his win the Mosgicl Handicap meets Golden King on 141 b worse terms. In the Birthday Handicap, Golden King, in receipt of 121 b, beat Hesion© into third place, and now meets her on 111 b worse terms. Stevedore ran twice at the Dunedin spring meeting, but it is doubtful if he can be got ready to run a mile and a-quarter at Gore, and his weight is a secondary consideration. Neuroma won at the Dunedin winter meeting and ran United Service to head when they finished behind The Cornet in the Invermay Welter. United Service was giving Neuroma 11b, and taking a line through Golden King, who beat tne first-named handsomely in the Birthday, Neuroma has been kept up fairly well. King Torrent and Micky Free have all they are entitled to at or near the minimum. My Lawyer, who heads the list in the Flying Handicap, has been off the scene for nearly 12 months. He won twice last spring. At Timaru My Lawyer won the South Canterbury Handicap with B.Bj.- in 2min 10 4-ssec. and at the Dunedin spring meeting won the October Welter with 9.13. when Buffer 8.12 was unplaced. Buffer’s best form was demonstrated at the last Dunedin winter meeting, when he won a doublo consisting of the Tradesmen’s and Wai-rongoa Handicaps. In the latter race ho gave 71b and a boating to Afton Loch. On the second day at Dunedin Robert 801 l was handicapped to give Afton Loch 101 b, so that the line between the two geldings is not wide. Red Charm should be an improved mare if she strips at Gore. Robert Bell and Lion were separated by half a length at the finish of their race at the Kurow meeting, when the latter was in receipt of 91b, and now comes in on 161 b better terms. Icilma is more at home over a shorter course than six furlongs, and Mama reads well if she runs to her best form last season. At Invercargill she gave 131 b and a boating to Cortes, and was not less than 211 bin front of him. Now she is only giving away 81b to the lima gelding.