IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3215, 27 October 1915, Page 54

IN A NUTSHELL.

A winner in Tasmania recently paid a £62 d’vidend. retired from the turf. Naxberry is shaping well in his preparation for the Melbourne Cup. Rinaldo and Three are growing in favour for the big double at Riccarton. J. O’Shea has been retained to rid© Three in the Stewards’ Handicap. A sister to Nones is amongst the yearlings to be offered for sale during Cup Week. Marsa was galloped on and cut on on© of her hind legs when racing on the first day at Gore. The first race at Forbury Park will start at 12.30 instead of 1 p.m., as at last year's meeting. Mr W. Crossan’s Stepniak mare Aphaea has produced a filly to Tawhaki, and visits him again. Thaddeus -went a bit sore at Timaru, and hence did not start on the second day of the meeting. Maniaroa’s name was missed from the telegraphed list of acceptors for the New Zealand Cup. Pyjama is a “whistler,” but the trouble does not prevent him from going fast over five or six furlongs. Three of the winners at Timaru trace to Miss Kate. The trio are Madrid, Countess Tolstoi, and Pyjama. Louvain Chimes was a strong order for the Mataura Trot, in which she registered a fairly comfortable win. Disdainful resumed work after a short spell necessitated as a result of hex catching a slight cold whilst at Wingatui. Comely displayed unexpected stamina when she stuck to Pyjama and dead-heated with him in the October Handicap. Mr R. E. Harley did much better work at the barrier during the Timaru meeting than he did at Geraldine and Kurow. According to some of the track-watchers at Riccarton, Snub has been on the improve since he won the Dunedin Guineas. “ only a nice little horse.” The measure would find him bigger than he looks. Captain Gay Clarke, who owned and raced The Grafter, Battalion, Australian, and Mark Time, has been killed in France. After his running at Randwick, most of the Australian critics gave Reputation a good winning chance in the Caulfield Cup. Nominations for all events to be decided at the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting close on Wednesday, November 3. A sister to Plying Pox was recently sold in England at 15gs, and a yearling whose sire stands at 149 gs made a “ tenner.” An entrance by way of Plunket street is to be made at Forbury Park, and all vehicles will enter by the new gate at future meetings. Battle Eve seems to have retrieved some of his lost character by getting second in smart time on the opening day of the Wellington meeting. Aerial ran the first half of the ,T. C. Handicap in 49, and private watches mad© the mile a shade worse than 1 40, instead of the official 1.41 3-5. Peg ran two fairly good races at Timaru, but she will have to receive a big drop in the weights before turning the tables on those who beat her. Wardanccr, the brother to Warstep, met with slight injuries whilst running in a small paddock, and he was stopped in his work for a few days. Caher Davon went a bit sore, and hence did not figure amongst the starters at Timaru, although accepting for four races during the two days. The Rules of Trotting have not been reprinted for some years past, but they are now in the printer’s hands, and new books should shortly appear. Sfr George Clifford has a poor lot of horses in commission at present. In fact, some of them do not seem worthy of being in commission at all. A change of pilots on Master Hamilton resulted in the Grand Cross gelding giving an improved display over hurdles, and he won in good style at Timaru. Veritas was fairly well fancied for his race on the first day at Gore, but, after getting well away, his rider was hard at him three furlongs from homo. The Vasco—Flame filly Madrid was finishing iu good style when she was run on the second day at Timaru. She is a halfsister to Tikitere and Mumura The Forbury Park Trotting Club will arrange for a special train to Invercargill as well as one to Christchurch—to leave at the conclusion of the spring meeting. Agreement, a four-year-old sister to Darmgdale and Sir Brigid, caught Parkwater in the last stride of the District Hack, and won by the narrowest of margins. A special con.miftee has been appointed by the Forbury Park Trotting Club to carry out a beautifying programme on the course, and make it more pleasing to the eye. Palisade, Ardenvhor, and All Ready put up disappointing- displays at Timaru. Ardenvhor went well for about nine furlongs, but the others were well done at a mile. When Sant Ilario was in New Zealand he was a rather neglected stallion, and, judging by how some of his stock can gallop, lie was worthy of much better chances. Plenty of money came to Encore in hia races at Timaru. He was ridden a d'ff-rent race on the second day, and not made so much use of, but he failed to gain a place. Six boxes have been erected at Forbury Park, and will be leased at an annua] rental of 10 s to owners and trainers desirous of housing their sulkies and gear on the course. Medley displayed plenty of her pace at Timaru, but stopped after going half a mil©. She was apparently short of work, as the result of her mishap at the Ashburton meeting. Joanmt was finishing on well in the Stewards’ Welter; but his run came too late to have any chance of catching Countesa Tolstoi, who beat him well by nearly three lengths. A winner on the second day at Timaru carried £3lO 10s on the totalisator. It waa

unsighted on the first day—finishing outside the first six,—when supported to the extent of £l7 10s. —; Owing- to the large entries made for some of the races ■ decided at Newmarket, the stewards instructed their handioapper that he could make divided handicaps. In one race 42 horses started. The well-known breeder and owner, Mr O. R. Wise, had a pleasing turn of fortune at the South Canterbury meeting, where he scored three races and a dead heat with two horses of his own breeding. Gunrest was bleeding from the mouth after finishing second to Countess Tolstoi in the Stewards’ Welter. It was his first race up against good company, and the gelding made a very creditable show. Sveahorg was taken to the West Coast after racing on the first day of the Timaru meeting. It is not expected that the slight mishap received in his race will affect his chance at the Greymouth meeting. The well-known horse Oxenhope will be offered for sale during the Cup -week. He has been under the ban for nearly two years, and his term of disqualification expires at the Dunedin Christmas meeting. Golden Rupee was sent out favourite for the Waimea Hack at Gore, hut after being prominent right through the race he was cut down at the finish by Lady Trent and Fitzoshorne, who both finished cn well. The Phoenix Park Racecourse in Ireland is claimed to be one of the most, if not the most, beautiful course in the world. Its only rivals are said to he Longchamps in France, and the course at Bombay. The Martian—Greek Maid colt Dorian was sent out favourite for his race on the first card at Gore, but failed to show up. He is a shapely colt, and. like most of the Martian stock, looks a bit on the small side. Aero was made a red-hot shot for the Labour Day Trot, but after being a bit slowoff the mark she broke up in the first coiiple of furlongs, and was never dangerous. The winner. Ridicule, paid the bulk of a centuiy. The Sydney Referee reports that A. Wood, who was the most successful rider at the A.J.C. spring meeting, gathered over £IOOO in riding foes. Bracken also netted close on four figures, and so did W. Barnett. The Riccarton trainer R. Longley was “the proud man” when Bee came away heat First Glance and others in the h arewell at Timaru. In fact, he indicated long odds as to what would happen in the future. ■— Bon got badly away at the start of the October Hack, and lost four lengths at the rise of the barrier. He finally finished a shade over two lengths behind Pyjama and Comely, the pair dead-heating for winning honours. First Glance stripped in beautiful order at Timaru. She has hardened in colour, and looks very clean and muscular in condition. The Irish mare will, however, have to smarten up to finish in front of Bee when they meet at Riccarton. At the Shirley Stud, Victoria, some of the returns are of interest to this_ country. Solution has foaled a filly to White Star; Eonnetta, Rattler, and Petruviat (sister to Indian Queen) have produced fillies to Comedy King. From what one can gather the admirers of John Barleycorn’s chance in the Cup are not by any means down-hearted. The Wingatui horse will in all probability be given a run at Rangiora, where a win does not incur a penalty. Rod Charm lost two or three lengths at the rise of the barrier in the Flying Handicap, and this cost her second money. She, however, had no chance of beating the winner. Icilma stayed on surprisingly well. Duller does not look quite readjn is so pleased with the promising filly Week End that he has sent Home to try and obtain a full sister to her. Week End is racing as a three-year-old, but she is only about two and a-half years old. Amongst the block stock to he offered during the Cun week are two English fillies imported by Mr W. H. E. Wanklyn. Both are bred on attractive lines, and their inclusion in the list furnishes an unusual opportunity to owners and breeders. The balance of events on the New Zealand Cup programme have attracted a great array of nominations, and these, with satisfactorv payments in the Cup and Stewards, the Welcome Stakes, Oaks Stakes, and Derby promise to make a highly successful meeting. Track-watchers at Riccarton regarded Down as holding an excellent chance in the S. Jockey Club Handicap ; hut he ran a. ton below expectations. He was handicapned for the principal event on the second day although he had not been nominated for the race. •» Ogier and the King’s Guest colt owned by Mr W. Crossan will shortly join J. Euttledge’s stable. Ogier is looking in excellent order to begin another preparation, and the colt is a promising sort that should win a, race or two if appearances count for any-, thing. The death is reported from America of the famous mare Nancy Hanks. She was the first trotter to beat 2.5, and went 2.4 while hitched to a sulky weighing 621 b. At the stud she produced Admiral Dewey (2.4 f), Lord Roberts (2.7 J), and Nancy M’Kerron (2.10 J) Bcllshire stumbled and unshipped his rider shortly after the start for the field. He afterwards ran to the head of the field, and showed the wav until well inside the distance. On that run he is clearly entitled to carry nothing in his next race amongst good sprinters. According to Reputation’s running in Australia. Warstep comes out as the present queen of the Australian turf. She presented Reputation wilh 81b and a beating in the Auckland Cup. and gave the same horse lllb and a good beating over a mile and a-half. Charleville made hacks of the field in the Kiugsdown Welter Hack 'Handicap, and as both she and her sister Charlotte have improved, further wins should come thenway. Charleville shapes more like a stayer than Charlotte, but the latter has improved a good deal in that respect. Rookbonnd, the winner of the Wellesley Stakes, was got by Rokeby from Seashell, the dam of Sen King and Downham. Seashell was got by Chainsbot—Nautilus, by Tvaduoer. The win should draw more attention to Rokeby’s stock going under the hammer during Cup Week. Robert Bell put a meritorious performance when he won the Flying, as he lost three or four lengths when Cortes fell. O’Halloran, however, waited patiently on the favourite, and won in fine style at the finish. The same rider also rode an excellent race on Hap Dim in the Charlton. Robert Bell is on the improve, and his gallon over six furlongs at Gore was an attractive performance. He was credited with Imin 15°ec, but private watches made the race Imin 15 2-ssec. He was subjected to interference during the race, and this enhances the merit of the gallop. Some nttractivelv-brod yearlings are booked to go under the hammer during the New Zealand Cup week. The sires represented arc Rokeby (whose death occurred some months ago), Kilbronoy, Demosthenes, Achilles, Bczonian, Cakewalk, Treadmill, Martian, Boniform. Birkenhead. The Gore Club led a g-'-id deal of the fruits of running an ■ ■ train to their meeting. The ira n „ vi " ' at Gore shortly

before 12 noon, but as it did not leave for the course until about 25 minutes later, a large number of the passengers did not get a chance to bet on the first race. The Dunedin Jockey Club’s programme for the Wingatui summer meeting is the next to invite the attention of owners. The principal event is the Qtago Handicap, of 700sovs, one mile and a-half, and next in point of value is the St. Andrew’s Handicap, of 400sovs, one mile and a-quarter. The market was exploited for all it was worth in connection with a combination of Specialform and Bee for the second day at Timaru. The couple were backed down to almost as short a price as only the brave and successful would take, and both “ legs ” eventually proved the best of good things. Leading Lady beat Countess Tolstoi nicely in the President’s Welter, in which, after getting well away, the former won by a short half-length with nothing much to spare. On the second day, with Blb in her favour, Countess Tolstoi won handsomely, and the other mare could not get a jßace- — Redshire would appear to be more at home over six furlongs than any other distance just at present. He was travelling- well up to about that distance in the Charlton Handicap, but Olsen was at him shortly afterwards. Redshire looked in better shape than when contesting the Dunedin Guineas. Until Finless came along Zephyr was practically a failure at the stud. Her first return figures in the Stud Book at 1900, and it was not until 1915 when her five-year-old daughter Finless gave her prominence as the producer of a winner. Zephyr was got by St. Clair —Mistral, by a sister to Euroclydon. The scratching pen was used with unaccustomed liberality in connection with the Otaio Hurdles at Timaru, when five out of the 10 on the card were struck out. Silver Shield won after a good finish with Daylight Bill; but the latter would have been doubly dangerous if better placed in the early stages of the race. Those in search of blood stock should note that the Meadowbank stud comes under the hammer on November 5, and there should be some bargains amongst the lengthy list on the calendar. During the Cup Week, in addition to the yearling sales, several likely sorts from the Esdcastle stud will go under the hammer. Finless was well on her toes when going out to race for the second day at Timaru, and the practice of having horses about half under silk before a start did net help her chance. She was breaking out in a lather when in the birdcage, and after being a bit fractious at the post got badly away, and made no show in the race. F. D. Jones, who formerly trained Reputation, and probably had him as good or better than Jhc son of Martian has so far proved in Australia, ha.s latterly been doing well since setting up at Riccarton. He rau two' horses at Timaru, scoring- a win and a dead heat, and has shown plenty of ability tliat should fill any boxes he has. Fields threatened to ha small in some of the events on the second card at Timaru. Specialform, Palisade, and Fender were the only runners in the chief event on the first day that paid up on the second day. but the new-comers in the shape of Meltehikoff, Scotch Melody, All Ready, Ardcnvhor, and Gold Coin built up the acceptances. Afton Loch was not started at the Timaru meeting owing to striking herself whilst racing at Wingatui. Cluidic ran a good race under 9.13 in the Electric Handicap at Timaru, and was coming on towards the finish. Bcllshire ran a disappointing race in the Trial Hack Handicap at Timaru, and docs not seem to be doing too well just at present. The Nautiform gelding Reveller was finishing faster than anything behind Finless in the Spring Stakes, and a win should soon come his way. Kingsway occasionally puts in a tremendous jump when crossing a fence, and it was by over-jumping that ho pulled his rider out of the saddle at Timaru. Charlotte won her race on the first day at Timaru rather decisively. Samiscn was a strong fancy, but she stopped badly after going well until nearing the homo turn. Finless soon took charge in the Spring Stakes at Timaru, and she was never troubled at any subsequent stage of the race. She promises to develop into a useful sort of mare. Ail Ready was struck out of the Now Zealand Cup on Thursday at 11.45 a.m. Potoa was withdrawn at 9 a.m. 'the same day. Pavlova has been struck out of ail engagements at the Cup meeting. Week End and Pyjama had the Trial Hack Handicap to themselves at the business end, but in the last half-furlong Bon was overhauling the leaders, and would probably have troubled them over a bit more ground. Lion received a bad passage in the President’s "Welter at Timaru. Ho was with the leaders racing to the far turn, but was bumped on to the rails, and was so badly knocked about that the “vet” had to be called in. Several attending the first day at Timaru left for Wellington, and others again went away to connect with the West Coast. The Timaru meeting thus suffers from its proximity on the calendar to 'Wellington and Groymouth as well as Gore. Aerial made a one horse race of the principal event on the first day at Timaru. He was tiring towards the finish, but still had a three lengths margin in his favour as they ran past the post. His form makes Treadfiro look useful, as the latter administered a handsome beating to the Sant Ilario gelding over a mile at Geraldine. Aerial has, however, trained on a good deal during the past few weeks. Specialform and Fender were staying far better than anything in the Jockey Club Handicap at Timaru. Specialform was lying a good deal out of her ground in the first half-mile, which was run in 49sec, but from that on she was gradually making up, and she just suffered defeat by Fender by the narrow margin of a head. Specialform should bo improved by her race. Down was a fancy, but ran disappointingly after travelling well for the first three furlongs. Gunrcst received a bad bump as the field was approaching the homo turn, and lost several lengths. He, however, was again handy to the loaders at the distance, and finally won rather comfortably. The promise he displayed at Ashburton and Geraldine stands an excellent chance of fulfilment, and he should win again before long. Some little time back he could have been purchased cheaply, and was given to his present trainer with a sort of do-as-you-likc idea as to future operations. Encore and Medley cut each other’s throats in the Flying Handicap at Timaru, and after opening up a gap of half a dozen lengths from Peg and Martins at the end of three furlongs, the loaders stopped in the run home, and Martins won comfortably. Single lengths separated the quartet as they passed the post. Encore might have won if less use had been made of him in the first

part. Martins has improved since Ashburton, and although still on the big side, looks more firm in condition. Some bumping took place between Davlight Bill and Silver Shield as they came on alter landing over the last fence in the Otaio Hurdles at Timaru. It interfered most with Daylight Bill, who looked a winner until a second collision resulted in Silver Shield drawing away to win with very little to spare. After the race Daylight Bill’s rider was 2;}!b short, and he then lost second money. Daylight Bill lay a good deal out of his ground in the early part of the race, and if ho had been better placed must have won. The missing lead was afterwards picked up near the starting post. Palisade Is not showing to advantage over a distance of ground, and perhaps one reason for the failure to stay on is due to the fact that a bit too much use is made of him in the early part of a race. Palisade in his best day was one of the speediest horses in training, but now appears to have lost some of his brilliancy. It would not, however, be surprising to find him a winner over a mile and a-quartor if he was ridden a quiet race in a good position, and then tried over the last bit for a speed homo. Palisade is on the improve in appearance in condition, but on Timaru running Specialform should boat him if they meet in the New Zealand Cup, in which the mare would be entitled to an outside chance if she has done the necessary preparation to get her over two miles.