IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3247, 7 June 1916, Page 54

IN A NUTSHELL.

Quirinua has joined R. M'Donalds stable. Twelfth Night has joined J. Euttlcdgo's stable. Oratonu was going well when he tipped out in both his races last week. Chortle will probably be given a chance to distinguish himself at Randwiek. Taking ihem all round, the 'chasers seen out at Wingatui were a rather poor lot. ln the Oiago Steeples the field travels "about" 24 furlongs and jumps 20 fences. Sant llano had two representatives and two winners at the D.J.C. winter meeting. The first race at the Ashburton Trolling Club's meeting is timed to start a.t 11.50 a.m. All Ready gave a glimpse of his best form when he ran second in the Winter Welter. There is a growing agitation in favour of introducing the totalisator to English racecourses. The Cobham stud, one of tho best known in England, is to go under the hammer on July 26. lt is understood that Marsa cost her new owner £4OO, and Twelfth Night changed hands at £2OO. June 16 is an important dale for owners and breeders, as entries for several classic events then fall due. Reports from the north state that Bon Reve continues to show very pleasing work over tho schooling hurdles. Qbsono is getting into more like his old racing form, but his s'peed does not at present carry him very far. One of the winners on the flat on the second day at Wingatui scored just as easily as he missed on the first day. Koike's Drift just got beaten in the Provincial Handicap with exactly 3st more than ho scored with in tho Dunedin Cup. When cab-hoises can win steeplechases it is high time that some of Ihe steeplechasers were converted into cab-horses. The Kulnine gelding Ikowai ran like an improved 'chaser last week, and apparently has benefited considerably by schooling. Porumem, the winner of last year's English Derby, is said to have developed into a particularly fine-looking four-year-old. Rongahere seemed to stride out much •-better when in front of his field than he did at Oaniaru or on the first day at Wingatui. The Trotting Association have declined to sanction tho inclusion of an optional race on the Geraldine Racing Club's next programme The Brewer's displays in the- 'chases last week wree rather disappointing for a horse with a second in the Grand National h-teenies to his credit. Mr H. S. Moss, of Carterton, has been appointed secretary to the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. Seventy applications were received for tho position. Black Sea was strongly supported for both her races last week, but failed to deliver the goods, and, even amongst a moderate lot, seems to be rather overrated. Tho Wingatui totalisator did not seem bip enough to cope with investors when, betting was in full swing on Saturday, and it was a bit of a task to reach a window. Twelfth Night was a strong order for the Wairongoa Handicap, in which he appeared to get tangled up, as he failed to make a show in the race after getting well away. A great deal more money came for Redshire in the Wairongoa Handicap than what was staked on him in the Tradesman's. He, however, could only finish a moderate third. Last year's Grand National Hurdles was run over "about" two miles and a-quarter. The programme for next season states that the distance is to be "about" two miles and a-half. lcilma got well away in the Wairongoa Handicap, and appeared to hold a good chance, even though not regarded as likely to see it on*. At the finish Builer headed him off nicely. Buller's form may be described as good, bad, and indifferent. Still, it is more profitable than being continually 'bad, even though one is not able to pick the mood of the moment. Last year the Oiago Steeples was run in 6min 42 l-s.;cc, or a. fifth of a second slower than this year. Tho Wingatui Steeples was run 6 l-ssec faster this year than last season. Samiel was sent out a well-backed chance in the Silverstream Handicap; but, after being well tip at the turn, he faded away. Tho Downshire gelding is now raced under lease by W. M'Donald. Magdfl-la ran two moderate races last wrok. Ho was apparently very lucky to beat Rorke's Drift at Gore when in receipt of 51b, as he made no show in tho Provincial Handicap at a difference, of 211 b. Builer carried £364 10s in the tote in the Tradesman's Handicap, and £6lB 10s in the Wairongoa Handicap. He went out third favourite for each race, and so was supported pro rata in each day's "pool." --The Forbury Park Trotting Club have declined to take any action in connection with a request on behalf of T. Butler for the removal of his disqualification in connection with the Conocrah case. Tho advantage of a berth near the rails at a ptart over a mile at Wingatui seems to be fully supplied by the fact of a. moderate like Pleasure Bent staying with tho leaders so long after the rise of the barrier. The Ashburton Trotting Club issued a very attractive one-day programme for their Winter meeting, which takes place on Thurs-

day, and mot with a really splendid response from owners in the way of nominations. The N.Z. Trotting Association has decided to send a circular to all cluba informing them that onco a handicap was published it could not be altered by the handicapper, except in the case of subsequent winners. Glenongly shows a marked reluctance to face tho barrier, and is aiso loth to leave the mark. Canrobur is in the same box. They can gallop, and a turn over the sticks might result in the pair proving more profitable. The well-known Australian rider, 3. P. Edwards, met with fatal injuries whilst ridin? in a steeplechase at a, recent Epsom meeting. His principal success in the saddle was when he won the V.R.C. Grand National Steeples on Zephuron. _ Tannhauser is not yet playing in the right key. His form at Oamaru suggested that he might bo dangerous at Wingatui, where he has generally run well, but no danger was supplied from his quarter towards the money-gathering horses. Mr H. J. Palmer, a member of tho N.Z. Trotting Associatiou, went into camp at Trentham during the latter end of last month. The association intend making a presentation to Mr Palmer in appreciation of his loyal and patriotic action. Mr J. G-rigg purchased the dam of Rorke's Drift with tho idea of breeding junipers, and there is a strong possibility of the Calibre gelding figuring in the field for the next Grand National Hurdles. O'Rorke's Fancy, the dam of Rorke's Drift, is said to be by Leolantis. _ —Mr John E. Madden's stud at Lexington, Kentucky, contains 235 brood mares in its 2240 acres of land. In 1015 the produce of the stud marcs a.rid stallions won 325 races worth £58,065, and during the past seven years the stallions at Mr Madden's stud have sired winners of £321,000. When Debonaire fell after going out for his race on the first dav at Wingatui, and took no further part in the business, some of his supporters expected to get their money hack. There is, however, a ruio which debars a clu'b from refunding money invested on la horse after it has weighed .out for a race. Mr A. Hill, who purchased Twelfth Night during the D.J.C. winter meeting, was a former owner of Firegod, and a few years ago owned Hawthorn and other horses. Latterly he has not figured prominently as an owner. Firegod, who was a runner at Wingatui last week, was sold by Mr Hill at £5. Mars a came away from, her field in the Tradesmen's, and was afterwards a fairly si long order for the Provincial. She ran well to the home turn in the latter race, but then petered out. Tho Martian—Nantes mare looks a, bit delicnto, atid one not likely to standi up to a couple of strong raoes in rapid order. ■ — Mr J. C. Whiitemon, the ownter of Adonis, is at present on a visit to Sydney. He informed a pressman that but for the outbreak of war the New Zealand Trotting Cup, run in November last, would have carried a stake of £3OOO, and in a year or so probably increased to £SOOO, and so on up to £IO,OOO. reach tho bottom) of an ordinary handicap than any other horse in training, despite the fact that the horse can show worse form. It is astonishing to find the money that comes for him in his races. Some people apparently blindfold themselves when chasing Dame Fortune*. The Hawke's Bay Jockey Club has granted a jockey's license to Rangi Thompson, who has been off the scone for some time. Thompson was a good horseman over fences some little time back, and won the National Steeples on Paritutu, the Hawke's Bay Steeples on Glenmore, and the Wellington Steaples on Hoanga. bad form of some horse as being incorrect rather than a defeat on merits. In other words, when a horse finishes down the straight ono day and strolls in the next it is safe to say that the defeat cannot be accepted as correct. Strange to say, stewards seem to see and say nothing. Caraid Dileas carried 13lb overweight in the Tradesmen's Handicap, and £B9- on the Totalisator. In the Wairongoa Handicap ho was lifted his overweight turd lib extra. On this occasion his moderate third on the first day *urned into a distinct failure to get anywhere near the money, despite the fact of carrying £644 10s on the tote. Ardenvhor was one of the most disappointing horses racing last- weak. On his best form he should have been there or thereabouts at tho finish of his races; .but perhaps a fairly busy season does not always find him too keen for the fray. He has been kept going right through the season, and has won a spell as well as a stake or two. The attention of owners and breeders is drawn to tho fact that on June 16 nominations close for the Dunedin Stakes (1916), of £300; Champagne Stakes (1917), of 350sovs; and the Dunedin Guineas (1917), of £4OO. Entries are free, and a nomination can be cancelled on a payment of lsov on the date of general entry for the meetings at which these events are d'>cided. Not by any means the least pleasing part of the 'chasing at Wingatui last consisted in the fact that none of the unshipped riders was seriously injured. It was twice rumoured that T. H. Fa hey had died from injuries received when Debonaire reared over with him prior to the Hunters' Steeples being run; but the rumour, pleasing io relate, was lacking in faof. Clynclish looked bright and gay when going out for his races last week, and appeared more forward than at any part of the season. He, however, only showed speed, and dropped away at the business end of his races. The Soult horse is dropping a good deal in tho handicaps, and at last season's winter meeting had to run under 10.3 in the Tradesmen's Handicap. Recharge, the winner of th© Wingatui Steeples, does not altogether fill the eye as a thing of beauty, and sports a pair of mis-shapen fore-legs. He, however, carries tho right engine under his hide, and was got by Renown from Tomboy, by Sou'wester from Romp, the dam of Norton, one of tho best 'chasers ever seen in New Zealand. Sou'-wcster was very successful as a sire of fencers. The going was a bit on the soft and sticky side at Wingatui last week, but not ono horse was noticed going out with the well-oiled feet calculated to minimise the risk of balling 'ho hoof. On the other- hand, several went out with well-clogged feet and la vers of dried mud on the wall of tho hoof. This carelessness docs not help to ease a horse's task on bad ground, and nowadays there is not a little of the don't-know, don'tcare, what-does-it-matter sort of training in evidence. Findhom is one of the tinluckiest horses that has been raced in the South Island this season. He was unlucky in the Waimato Cup, in Which Ardenvhor beat him a short neck. In the Autumn Handicap at Tnnaru Marc Antony scored a somewhat lucky deadheat with 'Findhorn, who again seemed unfortunate in missing the Great Easter, in which he finished second to Reval. He also got a bad run in the Provincial Handicap, and the defeats, or partial defeats, were not altogether the fault of the horse. champion by winn ! ng the Great Northern Hurdles and Steeples double in two conseou-

tive years. It is a most leniarkable performance, and one that will take some equalling. _EI Gallo was got by Spalpeen irom Lobelia, a mare said to be by Albert (brollier to Leopold, the son of Leolinus and Lovebird, who won the Auckland Cup of 1889). El Gallo's pedigree, on the dam's side, is unknown to any great extent. El Gallo, by the way, was handicapped at 11.2 in the A.J.C. Grand National Steeples last year, and 10.11 in the Grand National Hurdles. During the past week the writer made inquiries as to the breeding of the dam of a well-known performer whose pedigree does not figure in the Stud Book. The information gathered was very interesting, but did not shed much light on the matter. She was described as "a mar.o by a thoroughbred horse from a good mare that used to hunt, and she, in turn, was out of another good mare, and, further, that it was a good pedigree as far as it went." It sounds like a good pedigree, oven thoi'.gh it is mostly composed of missing links like an unlucky punter's watchchain after a bad meeting. The Sant llano gelding Crib, who haa been showing such excellent form over hurdles was imported from Australia by Mr J. B. Beid as a yearling, and received his early education in J. Bultledge's stable at Wingatui, when sent there in company with Volspiel. Mr J. B. Beid at one time owned Sant Ilario, the sire of Crib. Cryde. the dam of Crib, was got by Lochiel from Cradle, by Gozo—Carmen, by Goldsbroiagh. Sant Ilario was got by St. Leger from Cissy, a sister to Trenton, and on form and breeding there is reason to hope that Crib may develop into a Grand National steeplechaser. Neuroma made a hack of Bingform over a mile at In ve rear gill, and, after the latter's form in the Birthday Handicap and Provincial Handicap, the former looked to hold an excellent chance in the Invermay Welter. Neuroma ran a fair third in the Birthday, and gave an indication that he was in racing shape. The Delarey gelding won without difficulty, and ran the mile in lmin 45 3-Sseo under 9.13, or £9lb more than Bingform carried in lmin 44&C0. Furthermore, Neuroma did not get such a good run as Bingform, as he started from the outside of the course, and had to go round a bigger field, but not such a good class as that contesting the Provincial. 'chaser; but one of that colour took the cream of the stake attached to the Ota go Steeples. Carnmore, despite his soft colour, is fairly solid, and has improved a lot since he fust came out, although there is no reason at present to laud him a crack 'chaser. They, however, run in all shapes and colours. It was, for instance, a bold man who first trained Recharge, who is a tremendously bandy horse in front, and has the most unlikely set of forelegs the writer has ever fjcen on a 'chaser. Still, there is some brc-ed-ing behind his name, and Recharge would not look half a bad sort if standing well over his knees in water. At last week's meeting of the N.Z. Trotting Association, Mr H. W. Kitchingham made reference to his mare Nora M'Kinney, whose running at the Forbury Park meeting was the subject of an inquiry. Mr Kitchingham said he had no right to sit while this matter was being considered, but ha desired to make a statement as the owner of the mare. He claimed that there was nothing in the evidence: to justify the decision of the stewards that the running of Nora M'Kinney was suspicious. He also took exception to the procedure adopted by the stewards. The association decided to write to the Forbury Park Clu'b that the rules had not been carried out, as the inquiry should have been conducted as on a protest, a deposit of £o being required from the owner protesting. Some excellent weight-carrying performances were put up last week at Wingatui. Crib annexed the Pacific Hurdles with 12.13. and did not appear to be fully extended at the finish. He also made a bold show under 13.8 on the second day, after dropping back a good deal in the early part of the race. Kilmeny also made a good show,- but Crib put up a fine performance when conceding 211 b at such a high scale of weights. Rorke's Drift also proved himself up to big burdens, even when the going could not be considered in his favour. He won the Birthday Hav.dican under 10.0, and with 10.9 beat all the others but Bingform on the second day. -Neuroma also put up a good show by winning well tinder 9.13, and their form goes to show that a good horse is generally a good horse under any circumstances. The nominations received in connection with the principal event on the Ashbnrton Trotting Club's* winter programme, which is to bo got off on Thursday of this week, supplies the basis of an interesting comparison with what was received m connection with the Forbury Park winter meeting. For the Ashbnrton Trotting Club Handicap, of £350, 4.43 class, 33 nominations were made; whilst for the Kitchener Handicap, of £'2so, 4.44 e!a<;s, 14 nominations were received, and a similar number for the T\ 7 inter Oats, of £2OO, 4.44 class. It will be seen that one race' at Ashburton for a faster class than at Forbury Park atfraeted more than double the entries for both the principal events on the local track. Of course, Ashburton rs much easier and cheaper oi access for th« Christchurch stables than Forbury Park; but the Ashburton nominations go to show what a large field can be drawn from amongst the fastest light-harness horses in training when the conditions are sufficiently attractive Until the present seaaon very tew of Calibre's stock got mto the limelight, and one reason advanced for that result is the fact that very little use was made of the son of Light Artillery after Mr J. Grigg put Golden Knight to the- stud. Calibre was leased for about five years, and p-ot very few thoroughbred mares during that period Hence most of his representatives on the turf are at present ranging from fotir-vear-olds and upwards, whilst during the past few seasons very few youngsters got by him ha.'O been figuring in public. It 19 iMeasing to note that Rorke's Dxtlt s success once again finds the Musket lino in tail male coming to the front. Calibre was got bv Light Artillery, a son of Trenton and Peno-af Light, she by Beauclerc (son of Bosicrucian) from Blue- Light, by Bat»luC~ Borealis Sunnrngdalo, the dam of Calibre, was got by Hampton from Sally Port, by Theobold (son of Siockwell) from Fortress-. Calibre was foaled in 1898, and is a member of the No. 20 family, which is regarded as a somewhat effeminate line. Its best representative in this country, if not m the whole world, was Traducer, who was undoubtedly a high-class sire. Crowds of selfish people, or who are temporarily thoughtless for consideration of others were allowed to congregate nn the stands' side of the water-jump at Wingatui, an d so blind the view of the fields crossing one of the most interesting jumps on the circuit. Proof of the public interest in the rump is supplied by the crowds which flock closely to the obstacle; but that is no reason whv they should be allowed to monopolise the view. At different times the writer has drawn attention to a similar state of affairs, and in the Interests of the majority the committee should allow only spectators to view the racing from the enclosures or else take precautions that they do not congregate on the north side of the obstacle. Ine big sod wall is another interesting jump lost

to view owing to the angle -which it occupies in connection with the stewards stand. Those on the stewards' stand nearest the jump invariably hang over the front rail or stand up on their seats, and so completely block the view from the other end of the stand Starting a race in the field beyond the four-furlong post is not beyond criticism from a spectators' point of view, as it is irvariably difficult to pick up the horses as they muster at the start. Apart from these drawbacks the Wingatui cross-country course provides an excellent opportunity for participating in the sport between the flags and so much is evidenced by the interest taken in the meeting. Thrax has rejoined P. M'Grath's stable. The stake attached to the next New Zealand Chip will again be £2OOO in value. W Scobie injured a collarbone when Daylight Bill fell with him at Wanganui. R. W. King has left for Bydnoy with Bee," Briar Patch, Spangle, Zuland, and Martuk. Art is said to have suffered a good deal of interference in the Century Hurdles at Wanganui. The Ashburton Trotting Club has received remarkably good entries for its winter meeting. Marsa and Redshire becamo a popular pick for the double at Wingatui after the declaration of weights. , . Marsa changed ownership after winning the Tradesmen's Handicap, and is now in D. P. Wilson's stable. Wardancer has again made an excellent recovery from his recent operation, arid is to be recommissioned for racing next spring. Mr A. Hill has purchased Twelfth Night. Red Charm pulled up lame after running in the Tradesmen's Handicap on ThursP. Willis, the rider of Black Sea in the Otago Steeplechase, broke a Collarbone when his mount fell with him at the sod wall. It is reported that 0. Emmerson will ride Reval and Silent W T ay in their Australian engagements, and will also do the riding for Mr H. G. Taylor's team. Owing to tho fact that the Canterbury Jockey Club decided to give the profits for the year to the war funds, expenditure has been kept as low as possible with regard to efficiency. The cross-country rider, L. Traill, has been rejected by the Defence Department as being physically unfit for military purposes. He will ride Ngatoa in tho Great Northern Steeplechase. Mr J. Fleming, the owner of Our Thorpe, " has purchased the Australian trotter Sir Fulham, who finished second in the last Sydney Thousand Trot. Sir Fulham went 3min 28sec, and afterwards won over 10 furlongs in 2min 54sec. Since the outbreak of the war the Canterbury Jockey Club has contributed £5658 12s 3d to the war funds. The taxes paid by the club last year amounted to £16,392 6s Id, and during the last five years the club has paid £51,629 4s lOd into the Government Treasury. The Forbury Park Trotting Club's Committee is evidently not in agreement with the fairly common opinion that its summer meeting should dovetail with the Dunedin Cup meeting, and so make a carnival week. The Trotting Club will again race in January if present intentions are adhered to. The Mastsrton Racing Club in 1914-15 paid £1034 5s lid by way of Government totalisator tax. and in 1915-16 a sum of £llß6 12s. During the latter year the club has paid £706 19s war tax. £2O 4s stake tax. £7OO to the Patriotic Funds, and £IOO to the Belgian Relief Fund, a total of £3748 0s lid. In the Railway Handicap at Canterbury NPark last Thursday Tamarisk went away before his bell, and his driver (R-. Reay) was fined £lO by the starter. Tamarisk continued in the race, and finished in second place, behind John Dillon, with Bingana next. With Tamarisk out. Bingana took second money, while Franzalena was placed third, though there seemed little doubt that she finished behind Louie Drift. The Forbury Park Trotting Club intends to bring a motion before the Trotting Conference to the effect—" That all clubs holding more than one a year_ shall place on their programmes, in addition to those provided for by rule 87, a race for threo-vear-old rmhoppled trotters." The club will probably give a substantial stake for three-year-old unhoppled trotters on one of its next season's programme.