TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3250, 28 June 1916, Page 48

TALK OF THE DAY.

Bt Sentinel.

THE WELLINGTON MEETING. The Wellington Racing Club's winter programme has mot with a very satisfactory response from horse-owners, particularly as far as the jumping events aro concerned. The Wellington Steeples, of ICOOsovs, has attracted an entry of 24; the Anzae Steeples, of 400sovs, an entry of 34; and the JulySteeples, of sCosovs, an entry of 30. The nominations include practically all the best chasers in commission, and with such numbers and quality to draw upon the cross country events to be run at Trentham next month seem to bo an assured success. The minor cross-country events havo also been liberally patronised. The Winter Hurdles, of bOOsovs, has attracted an entry of 27, and the Final Hurdles, of 350sovs, filled 'with 35 nominations. There seems, by the way, to be a blot on the programme in the fact that there is no* hurdle race on the second day's card for first-class hurdlers, and five of the seven races aro for flat racers. The only hurdle race is one for hacks, and as the principal hurdle events have filled so well, the club could have advantageously included another on the second day's card at the expense of one of the flat races. There is, of course, the Jumpers' flat race, which in a sense fills tho breach. The flat races havo received satisfactory attention, and the running during the three days is sure to bo followed with a good deal of interest. The fact that the handicaps for the New Zealand Grand National meeting are not to bo declared until after the Trentham and South Canterbury hunt meetings will have an important 'bearing on both fixtures, and should provo to their advantage. It has long been fairly obvious that meetings which immediately precced more important fixtures on the calendar suffer from such proximity owing to a desire on tho part of the average owner to avoid penalties. Three days' racing at Trentham should level up matters in tho way of form, and possibly provide a fresh <date of figures for Riecarton. This should enhance the interest in both meetings and provo of mutual advantage. THE HAWKE'S PAY STEEPLES. Although Braebum has experienced a run of success over big fences, his principal victory in the Wanganui Steeples was not devoid of luck, as mishaps were frequent, and it is doubtful if some of the runners were sufficiently forward in condition to Bhow their true form. Braebum will have a, much stronger test applied to his prowess if he goes to tho post for tho Hawke's Bay Steeples, in which he has been allotted 12.4, and set to concede 91b to Torero, who won the Winter Steeples at Auckland under 10.13. Torero beat a rather better field than Braebum has met, and the latter dors l ot read particularly well treated in being asked to give away 91b. Soporific was handicapped to give Braeburn'Slb in khe Napier Park", and now comes in on 151 b better terms. On the figures Soporific has benefited considerably by not starting, and supplies an example of where a horse has '' run off weight '" by being kept in' the stable. This lime last season Soporific was a much-talked-of horse, and was carrying 12.8 when he made a mistake in tho June Steeples. Tarero gave Idealism 171 b and a half-length beating at Auckland, and row allows an additional 41b. which oarr.o' be considered harsh treatment. Jackman made no .-.how at Wanganui. where he was giving Bracburn 211 b. and r.ow comes in on no less, than 361 b better terms. Jackman may be a better horse at Hawke's Bay than he was at Wanganui, and the change in poundage ought to give him a chance. Immensity won at Wanganui, but failed to concedo 171 b to Kirkby at the Otaki meeting. She has shown fair from on the flat, and won the Winter Hurdles at the last Wellington winter meeting. Captain Jack won tho Wellington Steeples with 10.10, and mete Torero on 181 b boiler terms than when they met at Auckland, and Captain Macky mots Nita on the same terms as when he beat iher at Wanganui. Acceptances have not yot fallen due, but there should be ample to supply a good race more likely io throw light on future events to be run at Trentham and Riecarton than the minor meetings which "have taken place sinoo_ the 'Wanganui and Auckland winter meetings.

THE SLOAN SEAT. One of the questions to be discussed at the coming Racing Conference is the use of the Sloan seat over fences, 'iho Taranaki Joekev Club is bringing up a motion which reads: "A stipendiary steward may, if authorised to do so by the stewards, cause the. stirrup leathers of the rider of any horse about to start in a hurdle race or a steeplechase to be lengthened, if he is of opinion that it is necessary in order that the rider should have proper control over his horse in a race." The old tongs seat and the extreme perch are both, things of the past as far as riding over fences is concerned, and even on the flat the former seat is never seen nowadays. Both scats were full of faults—the lengthy leather generally making a rider ride too heavy, and the other a passing fad which resulted in too many riders being unshipped when a horse rapped or pecked on landing. A fairly short leather is required to give a rider a good firm seat, but both styles, the extremes of long and short, have been adopted with success in their clay. Archer was the greatest exponent of the tongs style, which practically received its death blow when Sloan appeared on the English turf. Sloan's extreme crouch has been considerably modified in recent years, but at first ho had many blind imitators, who failed to recognise that good judgment had as much to do with Sloan's success as anything else. He practically revolutionised race-riding in England, and, in addition to putting the long-legged seat out of action, also ended the days of waiting and winning with a run at the finish. There is, of course, always a certain amount of waiting; but Sloan taught other riders the great danger of waiting too long. His advent marked a new era- of race-riding, and was followed by races being more soundly run than formerly. The Taranaki Club's suggestion is a step in the right direction, but one that would achieve better results if it took the form of a general instruction to riders that the extreme crouch would not be allowed in hurdle races or steeplechases. An abrupt order making a rider lengthen his leathers when on the point of going out for a race might bring- about, instead of avoiding, disaster, and it would be preferable to issue an earlier intimation as to what is reqirred by the authorities. The crouch seat has always appeared to be unnecessarily dangerous, and comparatively useless on a lazy horse or in a finish. Custom, however, gives one a certain amount of capability even with such a seat, and an habitual crouchor might find it awkward if compelled to change his style at a moment's notice. THE MINIMUM WEIGHT. It will bo interesting to note how the Racing Conference will treat the Dunedin Jockey Club's next attempt to .increase the minimum weight in handicaps to 7.0. The local club will receive a certain amount of support from the Auckland district clubs, which are bringing up a motion to have the minimum weight for all handicap races outside metropolitan meetings increased to 7.0. The northern suggestion is one that may win more sympathy than the D.J.C. idea, as the principal handicaps decided over a distance of ground at the metropolitan meetings are never too well patronised, and an increase' of weight on thoso at the tail of handicap is not calculated to give them further strength to see out the fray. There are numbers of horses capable of stf.ymg a fair journey when acting under a light weight, but who would be anchored with an additional half a stone in a solid race. The ever-present dearth of capable light-weights will in all probability never be lessened by merely lifting the minimum. The real remedy lies in making the profession more attractive. The general run of parents are loth to allow their boys to enter a racing stable, even though they may be fully aware that a capable rider can earn far and away more money than what might bo the case if following another calling. In much the same manner a prejudice exists against the stage as a pro fession. Tho improved conditions and the strict control of racing is breaking down the opposition, but wilt always remain with thoso who are not identified with racmg in some shapo or foam, or who are not in sympathy with tho sport. A fear may exist that an apprenticeship in a racing stable may interfere with a boy's education, and so handicap him in the future; but there is no barrier to a boy being taught knowledge in both stable and school The great drawback to the adoption of a jockey's career is that not infrequently increasing weight deprives ono of mounts just as experienoe is turning out a proficient horseman. It is, unfortunately, true that with jockeys experience and eppertunity do not happen along so rapidly as increasing weight of the flesh; hence there must be always a certain amount of objection to a continuous round of light-weight handicaps, which compel riders to stand down just as they are becoming proficient in tho business. It cannot be said' that the Dunedin Jockey Club do otherwise than practice what they preach, as no fewer than 22 handicaps on their annual programme go considerably over tho minimum allowed by the Rules of Racing. In addition, they also provide special weight races, which grant the medium-weight rider opportunity to obtain plenty of mounts. Every hack race on the D.J.C. programme departs from the ordinary minimum, which is. however, adhered to in all the important handicaps. In England some races carry tho condition which provides for the raising of the top-weight to 9.0 when tho highest accepting weight is below that poundage, and, of course, all other weights are proportionately increased. This also assists the most capable riders to obtain plenty of riding, irstoad of, as at present, placing far too large a portion of it in the hands of comparatively inexperienced riders, whilst capable horsemen are standing on tho ground. It is a poor profession which favours the apprentice to the detriment of the tiadesmen. Then. again, anything which makes " wasting" unnecessary is worthy of consideration; but oven though much ran be said in favour of increasing the minimum, it is doubtful if a universal adoption of the_ idea will bo converted into racing law. Still, even if it fails, there is no reason why clubs should not emulate the example of the D.J.C. and have all their minor handicaps run at a welter or semi welter scale of woights. ENGLISH RACING. Tho latest mail to hand from England shows that a field of 17 went to the post for the Two Thousand Guineas, run at Newmarket on May 3. Mr L. Neuman's colt Figaro, by Sundiidgc—Siremia. dominated the betting market, and led •' up to about a hundred yards from t i >-.-i. where he tired, and Lord Falmouth • ■ ; ; simus won by three parts of a lenf ',• Kwang Su (a half-brother to Baya ' ■■ ;>,.1

Lcznberg), with Nassovian third, whilst tlio favourite finished close up fourth. Clarissimus was got by Radium from Quintessence, by St. Frusquin from Margarine, by Petrarch. Radium was got by Bcndor, and so allows the Sltockwel) line to continue in winning evidence. Lord Falmouth's father won the Two Thousand Guineas with Atlantic, Charibert, and Galliard. The One Thousand Guineas was on form regarded as the best of good things for Filinella (subsequently winner of the Derby), but she was beat by a length by Lord Derby's Canyon, who scored a highly popular win. Canyon was got by Chausor (son of St. Simon and Canterbury Pilgrim) from GJlassalt, by Isinglass—Broad Corric, by Hampton from Conic Roy, by Galopin. Like tho winner of the Two Thousand, Canyon is inbred to Galopin. The defeated lot included Pomerania, sister to Pommera, but a filly said to require time. None of the other races on the card call for notice beyond remarking that tho Duke of Portland won a race. Tho critics were of opinion that Fifinella would see a better day, and so she proved by winning tho Derby'?* After tho Two Thousand and One Thousand it was, however, thought that Kwang Su, Nassovian. and Clarifsimu.s were a likely trio to fill the places of the New Derby, tho result of which wo learnt by cable. Kwang Su went out favourite, but was beaten by a neck by Fifinella. - -with Nassovian a head away third. Fifinella was got by Polymelus, and it will thus be seen that both the Two Thousand and Derbv were won by tail male descendants of Bend Or. This should interest those who have bred or arc breeding mares to Kilbroiuy. as he is inbred to Bend Or. An interesting fact in connection with Fifinella's pedigree is that it docs not contain a strain of tho St. Simon or Galopin blood which has featured so largely on the turf. Fifinella was got. by Polymelus from Silver Fowl, by Wildflower from L'Argent. by Jacobite, a son of the Rosicrucian, whom we have learnt to appreciate as the sire of Pulchra. Polymelus has proved a most successful sire, and his continued success should help breeders to further appreciate anything left by tho defunct Grafton, as the latter was a half-brother to now famous English stallions.