IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3277, 3 January 1917, Page 39

IN A NUTSHELL.

A miss is as good as a try to a blind steward. Warstep holds the record for the Auckland Cup at 3.2 C 3-5. Tattcrlcy pulled up lams after running in the Railway Handicap. - oolden King scored a very comfortable win in the Federal Handicap. Sedd-el-Bahr put up a moderate performance in the Otago Handicap. Hot Air lias greatly improved since she raced at the Gere spring meeting. A bad horse is as good as a good horse when it is good in bad company. Blackall was apparently lost to sight during the race for the Auckland Cup. The investments on the Auckland Cup totalled £13,780—a record for New Zealand. The two-year-old events at Wingatui were three-horse nominations and one-horse races. Thaddeus and Linden were amongst the also started at Wingatui, but may do better at Oamaru. —ln a work out with a galloping pacemaker at Auckland Admiral Wood went a mile, in 2.10. The war tax on'dividends on Auckland Cup day placed £1792 2s Gd in the Government coffers. Pourparler, a winner at Auckland, is a three-year-old sister to the flying black demon Bobrikoff. Both Ben and Leading Lady are a bit Mire, and will be treated to a spell after the holiday meetings. A mile and a-half is about the full length of Bore's distance since ho became tapped ir. the wind. Leading Lady has been treated to swimming exercise since arriving in Dunedin for the holiday meetings. Fender is in foal to San Francisco, but will probably be kept in work until tho Dunedin Cup meeting.

The attendance at Ellerslie on Auckland Cup Day is said to have been the largest ever seen on th? course. Phil May is a useful sort that shotild soon enter the winning ranks, as he shaped well in his work at Wingatui. Admiral "Wood won the Auckland Trotting Cup in very deep going. Lady Haldane did not got going in the race. Cast iron ran two good solid races at Wingatui. E. Redmond has tho Castashore gelding looking well at present. When he won the President's Handicap at Manawatu, Client is said to have scored tho easiest win of the meeting. Oxenhopc was travelling for well over a mile in both his races at Wingatui, but failed to see out the full joumev. Kilmeny ha '.■ ks as if it would not las u r ■ ng, and a very short peri id on ! Farkwater eh:\\ ". iviee in tho hurdle races ■" t 11-'-. however, can still be a heuuful :a :.S : ....

Glendower was unable to start at Wingatui owing to the accident 'no met with whilst going out l.) work prior to the mooting. —L. Wilson, the rider of Bunting; on the first day of the Auckland Cup meeting, was asked for nu explanation of his riding. Owners tire reminded that nominations for the Forbury Park Trotting Club's summer meeting close on Friday, January 5. Snub made no sho'V in either 'of his races at Wingatui. lie was a bit short of work, and th« hard goinp: did not suit him. Tamarisk was tho feature performer at the Asbburton Trotting meeting-, where ho got away with two events on tho programme. Placed is on tho improve, and if more vigorously handled in tho Fernhill Handicap would have very probably beaten Volspeil. Margerine, who ran like a stayer when she won the St. Andrew's Handicap, is a sister to Martius, a really good horse, when well. Li. G. King was again in the saddle at tho D.J.C. meeting, and as lie seems to be quite in his old form should get plenty of riding. Judged by the winners on the West Coast, the form there is about 21ib belowwinning form on the other side of this island. Adjutant got in contact with a wire fence whilst at Wingatui, and, as a result, did not start on the second day of the meeting. Battle Eve ran like two horses at Wingatui. On the first day he was finishing on well, but on the second he never raised a gallop. The hard going at Wingatui sent some of tha runners at the meeting a bit eore, whilst others brought to the meeting were not started.

The American horse Don Pernio, the fastest stalliou ever imported to Australia, is to go into work at the end of the present stud season. _ —Benefit made a bold showSn the Burnsidc Handicap, and. after setting the pace, finished close up to the dead-Jieaters Kilbrogan and Bomb. John Barleycorn was one cf the fir»l to show out at the start in the AucklandCup, but failed to maintain bis place, and finally finished seventh. Rorke's Di'ift practically won the Otsgo Handicap nil the way, as he took charge aa soon as the field settled down, and afterwards gave nothing a chance. Depredation suffered from (sesamoid lameness prior to the Auckland Cup, and the trouble was principally responsible for the excellent price he paid. Childsdale paced two miles in 4.35 a couple of days before the Auckland trotting meeling. Lady Haldane also worked a good two miles by going 4.3-3 2-5. Ardenvhor received a bad passage in the Auckland Cup, and his trainei sent word south that the horse was an unlikely starter during the rest of the meeting. , Kazan was putting in a good run when he landed the Taihoa Handicap, and the manner in which he finished suggested that he could go a longer journey. Aerial put up some good, track wart at Wingatui. and was in consequence strong'.j farcied for the Federal Handicap. Tie, however, made a poor show in the race, —W. M'Donald will probably receive an addition to his team in the shape of Madam Butterfly and Malvolia when he returns to Eiccarton after the holiday meetings. Some horses are that plow in striking form that it becomes an open question as to whether they are training for a race or merely Qualifying for the old-age pension. —J. Ruttledge had a well-deserved tnrn of luck with Yoispeil and Salzburg at Wingatui. Both horses have given him a lot of trouble to get right and in winning form. Although Kilrea had nothing io beat at "Wingatui. she ran a very good gallop on the second day, when she cantered home at the end of half a mile with 9.1 Sup in 50 3-5. Golden Rupee does not seem So he training on into the horse he promised to ba when racing a couple of seasons ago. Ho hais a fair amount of pace, but does not stay out his tasks. Twelfth Night was galloping well in the Otokia Welter as they ran along the back stretch, but when he trot on the hard going as they swung into the straight he gradually fell away. Desert Gold set a new mile record for Xew Zealand when she won the Islington Plate in I.SS 2-5, The Australian record stands at 1.37?, put up by Montcalm at Randwick in 1909. —Mr A. .T. Gibbs declines to accept .Balboa as a has-been, and made the Marco horse give Korke's Drift 7lb over 10 furl rmgs, whereas Mr J. E. Henrys placed hot!; liorcea at the game weight. Chrnelish seems to hare turned sour, but from all accounts moves aiong al! right in his work, and if he can be tempted away from the barrier might be found repeating some of his old form. Sir Malt's win in the Grand Stand Handicap should make him a cheap horse for his new owner. He now races in the r:3:w of C. Giesler. and should prove a u»efui addition to his stable.

Those, whose duty it is to purify the turf would probably learn a pood deal if they paid attention to the S.P. betting market. They might learn more than what can be seen in a race. c .

Peerless and Bore had a battle royal in the second day's hurdles, and lie- just got there at the finish, although the latter carried him out to the judge's box in the run from the last fence. Tararu Jack was. "from information received," a particularly strong order for the race which' he won on the second day at Auckland, where .he put up a record gallop over a mile and three-quarter?,. Colonel Percy Machell, who was killed in action in France, was a nephew" of famous Captain Machell. for so long a great figure on the English turf, and from him inherited Crackenthcrpe Hall. "Westmorland. One of the best three-year-olds in America is a colt named Dodge, who wa# cot by .Tim Gafinev. a son of the Bend. Or horse Golden Garter and Miss Maxim, a daughter of the New Zealand-bred Maxim. Siraonides did not prove himself the crack daisy clioper which his Welcome S'akes win suggested. His win at Riccarton was said to be duo in a great measure to getting well awa v. P. T. Hogan was the Mat. Dawson of the hour on the first day at Wingatui. where lie saddled up three winners in Rorke'a Drift, Golden King, and Night Alarm. The last-named is a useful three-year-old gelding got by Calibre. Sister Regis made n surprisingly bold show in her races ai Wingatui. and is evidently b<jst suited over a mile or more than in a short dash. She, however, had nothing to carry, and did not star on too well at the business end of her tasks. Ringform has been one of the most consis+ent performers scon out for manv a day. In every race this sea?":! he lias been there or thereabouts, and at Riccarton it way only Ihe bad run he received iu his races that blocked him from getting nea.er th« money. Bisogne ptit up a very meritorious performance in the Railway Handicap, as he was one of the Inst to cot going at the rise of the barrier. The official time is recorded

»t 1.14, and Bisogne's gallop from start to finish must have been smarter than the ofiicia' figures. Palisade Rave a display of something like hia old form when he fought the Grand Stand Handicap with Sir Malt. He seemed to be greatly improved by his first race, and vent down well 'n his preliminary. J'alieade had been treated to swimming exercise before the meeting The two year-old Bingham, who won on the second day at Auckland, was also a winner at tho recent Waipa meeting, where he beat 21 others over live furlongs. He was got by All Black from Esmah, by Merfiwee from Ismene, a half-sister by Dreadpought to Strowan. Although Killjoy won the Trial Stakes In excellent style, and should win again, shemight have some trouble in beating Matty if they meet again. Mr Roberts, by the way, states that Killjoy's name should be apelt with the double " 1," and not a» it has been appearing in print. The cra-jk sprinter Bisogne's brilliant form gives his biro Bezonian a lift. Bisognc i 3 out of St. Evangeline, a mare by Ho!chkiss—St. Evelyn, by St. Legcr— Lady Evelyn, by Pcrkin Warbeck—Pulchra, and hence traces back to one of the best taproots in the New Zealand Stud Book.

Judged by his form at Winga'tui, and also by the fact that Aerial was easily his master over five furlongs on the track. Golden Prince is an over-estimated horse Ho is a winner, but none of his form suggests that ha should give weight to most of those he met in the Federal Handicap.

—An English writer stated that £SOO was required for V. Smyth's services in the saddle in the Cambridgeshire Handicap. He is an apprentice attached to R. Wooton's stable, and Wooton contradicted the statement. Nevertheless a high fee ha 3 to bo paid for a good light-weiglft, win or lose. Kilbrogan is growing into a raking big colt that should improve with age. Ho finished very gam-?]y when he dead-heated with Bomb, and never flinched under tho rib-roasting he got from Hewitt in a strong fighting finish. Kilboyne is speedy, but at present six furlongs is far enough for him. Hymestra put up a good gallop in tho Great Northern Foal Stakes, and _ although he did not win, showed that he is one of the best youngsters out this season. He was only defeated by a narrow margin by Biplane, and the close result was probably due to horsemanship as much as anything else.

The Gore Trotting Club has been hold' ing successful meetings ever since it obtained • totalizator permit, but a big stumbling' blcck to further progress in the fact that the fixture clashes with that at Ashburton. If it were free from opposition the Gore Club could safely run a two days' programme. Many trainers have a positive mania for •working their horses in a plough gallop. They pay for it rather clearly by the fact that their horses will not stride out when they get on the unaccustomed grass, where they have to go for the money. Some horses do not know the feel of a. grass gallop, except in their races.

• —Despite the fact that Balboa was hardly out of walk after his arrival at Wingatui, there was a good deal of money for him in the St. Andrew's Handicap. He ran a fair race, and was coming on at the finish. It was very risky to start him, and he should be kept in reserve until the sting goes out of the ground. —S. Reid had the ride on Bimeter in the Railway Handicap, whilst the stable rider B. Deeley was up on Downham. It seems strange that Deeley would get down off such a good horse as Bimeter; but as Downham ran second and Bimeter finished about eighth there was apparently good judgment displayed in the selection of mounts.

—At the anmial meeting of the Gore Trotting Club the investments showed a slight decrease on the previous year's total. Sir Gavin won the principal event in 451, and as the track was said to be in perfect order.the various times put up during the day suggest that there was not a particularly high-class lot of horses supplying the enort.

The Dunedin Jockey Ckib recent'y granted a one-tims bookmaker the privilege of attending- the Wingatui meetings. The person to whom the privilege was granted was at one time a leading penciller, but for several years past has abandoned fielding either the favourite or the rank outsider, generally supposed to bring profit and joy to metallicians. Marabout's win in the Otokia Welter was materially assisted Comely and others in the race running themselves to a standstill. When more patiently handled Comely ran a much better race, but was lucky to beat All Ready, whose rider handed away a good winning chance by waiting behind with Comely, and then going round the field at the home turn. The D.J.C. should consider the advisability of putting in a rail from ih.e scraping sheds to the tracks at Wingatui. Gowanbrae has apparently ended her racing career through falling in the dip near the casualty room, and Glendower slipped up near the Mime place. Both accidents would have probably been avoided if a rail had been laid down as suggested.

—L. H. Hewitt displayed a very pleasing trait in his character whilst in Dunedin for the On nod in Jockev Club's meeting. It was his. firs' stay here for several years past, and he took the opportunity to place a handsome wreath on the grave of his old schoolmaster, the late Mr Harry Goodman, to whom he gives credit for thoroughly grounding him in the art of horsemanship.

—On several occasions in hurdle events at Wincrntui horses have swerved over the rails and, landing on the inside gallop, put themselves ont of a race. The clnb should place guard wings on the rails, and so reduce _ the risk of a- horse landing on the rail instead of clearing it. The Wingatui hurdles are a shade higher than, or just as high as, the rail, and certainly Tcquire an inside guard rail. Palamon was a bit on the boom before the D.J.C. meeting, but ran like a moderate. There was some excuse for him on the first day, as ho did not get too well away, and afterwards found all the trouble that was going in the race. On the second day, however, he got a fair chance until pocketed inside the distance, but, nevertheless, did not seem good enough to win. He is only a younor horse, and should improve.

One seldom or never notices a rider nowadays changin? his whiphand on a horse. Hewitt did so on Kilfinnan to straighten hei up, as she ran very greenly. By doing so the filly was kept on a fairly straight courso as she came up the running. Some riders cannot find their whip at all at the right moment, and would probably drop off if attempted to transfer their balancing pole from one hand to the other.

A census taken at Ihe end of 1915 showed that there were 22,000. 000 horses in tile United Suites. When, however, the military authorities probed into the character and ■quality of these animals discovery was made that not mnro than 30.000 wore of the typo for remounts, and that only 10,000 Were available for immediate, service. The number of horses shipped to Europe and Canada since the outbreak of war totals 880,185, and. in addition, 185,000 mules were 111 so shipped Wwtrag to the Hon* and Hound, a

breeder says: "I like mares to go over timo and always find their offspring have great, constitutions. I am glad to any all my mares have gone considerably over their times this year. Two of them went a year, and theirs are certainly the best two fouls." It may be recalled that when Lily Agnes was carrying Ormonde she went, three weeks past her time. Sceptre, who is out of a sister to Ormonde, has carried each of her foals more than 11 months.

When glancing over the English filly Winter Cherry it struck the writer that she resembled something else in tho way of an equine acquaintance,. It soon dawned that she was rather like, and built on similar lines to, the imported young stallion Mark Hope, who is out of a sister to iho sire of Winter Cherry's dam. Evidently the trio of famous brothers in Florizell 11, Persimmon, and Diamond Jubilee impart a family stamp to some of their stock, and the same applies to the female side of the tribe.

v —Wardancer went very lame and sore after racing in the Otago Handicap, and is not likely to run again for some timo. A collision with Snub ; as they were jumping away to do a preliminary in the Otago Handicap was the cause of the trouble, and tho brother to Warstcp ran a good race under difficulties, as he was lame when lining up to the barriers Owing to Wardancer going amiss, the Southland trip with Snub and the first-named was abandoned. Doubts as to Wardanccr's courage have arisen on more than one occasion, but as he struggled on three legs into second place over a fast-run mile and a-half ho apparently is not eo weak-hearted as some of his performances would lead one to believe.

—R. Longley brought two English fillies and a five-year-old gelding named Phil Slay to Wingatui, but, on account of the hard going, did not start any. of the trio. Phil May was got by Comto W T itte from Edna May. One of the fillies is a raking, fine sort, showing a lot of quality and general appearance and track work suggestive of a winner of the future. She is named Winter Cherry, and was got by the English Derbywinner Minora from Florette. by Florizel 11, a brother to Persimmon and Diamond Jubilee. Winter Cherry ran a good five furlongs prior to the meeting; but it was not deemed advisable to race on tho hard going, and she will probably be kept until the C.J.C. midsummer meeting. The other filly is named Love Token, and was got by Santry from Amarosa by Love Wisely. Slip is not so forward a 3 her stable companion, but is, nevertheless, a nice sort of a young mare.

A Press Association ruble from Sydney reports that it is stated that the Australian Jockey Cinb has decider? to send a commission to New Zealand to report upon the totalizator machines.