IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3293, 25 April 1917, Page 45

IN A NUTSHELL.

Acceptances for the Ashburton meeting are chte on May 2. Master Hamilton ran two good races under big .weights at Timaru. - The Warrington stud stallion Sarto has been brought back to Warrington.

The Toff is said to have been not quite at his best when racing at Trentham. Gunrest is reported to have received a. bad passage in the Thompson Handicap. Golden Rupee just cashed in and no more at the finish of his race at Timaru. Gunrest finished fourth under 9.13 on the second day of the Wellington meeting. The Auckland B-acing Club paid £sllO Os 8d in Government tax over its Easter meeting. The somewhat spidery-built Australianbred mare Marianne showed improved form at Timaru.

—C. Eromerson was carpeted for his horsemanship on Plymouth at the Wellington meeting.

Acceptances for the- first day of the Fbrbury Park Trotting Club's meeting are due on May 2. • Wbmmations for the Dunedin Jockey Club's winted meeting are due on Friday of next wsek —May 4. Two horses had to be withdrawn from the Timaru Cup because riders could not be obtained for them. Arthur George amd King Star both failed to run at Timaru in keeping with their recent Riccarton form. The well-known Southland rider A. M'Kay is amongst those called up for military service by the last ballot. Blackall is eaid to be " tapped in the wind." That is the end of his prospects, of being a winner ovor a distance. The Y.M.C.A. applied to the Auckland Racing Club for a donation in connection with their "War Work Fund, and received £SOO.

Oxenhopo made a bold bid in the Smithfield Handicap, but could not concede 2st Blb to a horse capable of running five furlongs \n 1.1.

Desert Gold was carrying 9.12 and conceding 3Slb to Kilflinn when the latter beat the crack in the North Island Challenge Stakes.

Sardinia put up an excellent performance when he ran second in the Muritai Handicap, as he was left several lengths at the start. * '

Tho American-bred stallion Don Pronto, who holds a record of 2.2 without hobbles, was awarded the championship at the Sydney Show. The dead-heaters Triple Eintento arid Charley, whom tho judge could not divide at Timaru, were both bred by tho late Mr St. John Buckley. —lt is veiy seldom indeed that the same stable lands tho double on each day of a two-day meeting, but D. P. Wilson accomplished it at QMmaru. The Gazeley gelding Spectual can skip fairly fast over a short course, and always looked to have a good winning chance when he scored at Timaru. The English-bred Santoi—-Lady Cynosure colt, who made IOOOgs at tho Sydney sales, is out of a full sister to the successful stallion Polymelua. When the coal strike is completely settled we will know more, as to how the racing season is likely to end up as far as the Sotith Island is concerned. Ogier seems to be putting far more heart into his races, and in his last few rans has put in some good work, although not quite good enough to win. The Australian-bred Blairfinde is speedy out of the barrier, but is not too sound a stayer. He was always well placed at Timaru, but failed to see it out. —J. M'Laughlin brought two North Islanders in Bainisdale and Blairfinde to the Tima.ru meeting-, but found the southerners too good for them at *no weights. - Charlemagne II is evidently a good foal-getter, as he wa> represented at last year's Sydney sale by 31 yearlings, and this year he had 33 on the catalogue. Marsa, the winner of tho Timaru Cup, has been in the market several times during the past couple of seasons, and now seems to be a far better mare than ever.

The Victorian Racing Club has made a rule which will debar any horse from racing in Victoria if entries for it have been refused for any meeting at Flemington. The Rokeby two-year-old Morthaur, who creaiec! a favourable impression at Riccarton, scored nicely at Timaru. He is a halfbrother to Bcllshire and a brother to Bellrock.

Rorke's Drift want out one of the rank outsiders in the Thnarui Cup, but, even when much more strongly supported on the second day, failed to get amongst the first half-dozen.

—P. T. Hogan had Rorke's Drift and Golden King, both representing his stable, in each of the two principal*""* events at Timaru, bul neither of the pair got amongst the money.

Some of the horses claiming engagements at Timaru had to be scratched.' through lack of riders, and others put up a great deal of overweight in order to figure amongst the starters.

Now that the coal strike ia reported at an end, the North Otago Jockey Club may decide to hold its winter meeting on the dates originally appearing in the calendar— May IA and 25. Sir George Clifford's horses engaged at Timaru were only nominated for the first day of the meeting. This perhaps was a mild protest against spreading the meetirg ever three days. Flying Start did not seem to be too well handled hi the Timaru Cup; but in any case he was getting a full share of the dust during the race, and that would not help his chance.

The Rokeby two-year-old Mortham. who right near the money on thw first day at "Wellington in a first-cass field of sprinters. Some of the spectators thought the southerner got a place. The Seadown Welter, which concluded the Tima.ru meeting, was a great betting race. Everything was so well supported that the betting seemed to be inspired on the final dash-and-die principle. Golden Prince, who was sold at £SOO in the early spring, has turned out a dear horse He is speedy, but does not stay on. This, in conjunction with a full share of weight, keeps him out of the money. The Calibre geld'Wg Hardshot, who has shown winning form in the south, set out to win the Autumn Handicap at Timaru from end to end, but after leading: for about a mil© he faded out and finished Ifth. Point Blank, the brother to Rorke's Drift, was amongst the runners at Timaru, but made no show. He may. improve, but does not fill the eye anything like so attractively as his Well-performed brother. Varnish is said to have shown signs of noreness after racing in the Timaru Cup, and 'vas not, in consequence, started on the second day of ths meeting. He, however, seemed to be all right when walking on Saturday.

The' North Otago sire Kilbroney gave further evidence of his merit last week, and'as all his winners were bred at Elderslie that limestone district incidentally received a further boost as great ground for breeding thoroughbreds. The two-year-old Claverhouse was made a strong order for the Electric Stakes, but he made a poor show and finished outside the places. Claverhouse is believed to be a bit faint-hearted, and accepts defeat when others fight on. Bill Terry made his reappearance in a hurdle field at Timaru, but tired after jumping three fences and never looked di.ngerous. He was pulled out twice on the second d.ay, and ran both over hurdles and on the flat. —At the Sydney sales the Wanganui ST3oTtsman Mr W. Duncan paid 900 gs for (the imported colt by Bayardo from Retort, by Hackler. Retort is a half-sister to Lavella, the dam of Lavendo, the winner of the Oaulfield Cup. Marc Antony either struck himself or was galloped on during the race for the Timaru Cup, and showed signs of lameness after running. He, however, appeared to bo. right again when he went out for his second ra-ce at the meeting Admiral Wood made a fairly quick recovery from the indisposition which kept him in his box on the last day of the Addington Easter meeting, as he is again doing useful work in view of his engagements at the New Brighton meeting. The Manawatu Racing Club has decided to abandon its autumn meeting. The club has given over £7OOO to Patriotic Funds since the outbreak of war, and if the meeting had been held it would no doubt have resulted in a few more hundred pounds going to the same funds.

Tho Polymelus colt sold at ]Gsogs at tho Sydney sales on bshalf of the Allendale Stock Farm is out of Aircraft, a half-sister to Absurdity, the dam of "Black Jester (the winner of the St. Leger), Jest, and Absurd, the son of Sundridge. imported by Mr E. M. Currie, of Wanganui. The imported mare Slrrill, who annexed the Thompson Handicap and the chief sprint, was got by Id-ansribby. who won £13,907 in stakes, and incidentally defeated the now great sire Polymerus when they met in tho Eclipse Stakes. Uangibby _ stands the present season at £49 19s service. Kilboyne still looks anything but In good racing shape. Ho made a poor show on the first aay at Timaru, but won comfortably on th* second day, and not only won well, but won tus if he could go on with the business in much the same manner as when he wor ai> Oamaru.

The Sydney Referee states that New Zealand kandicappors are not taking any risk of imported horses getting away with rnoro than their share of races in the Dominion. They are giving them a full shar* of weight, the success of English-bred horses in Australia evidently having scared them. —On hia ran to Thaddeus in the Doncastor Welter ivaniinohe appeared to hold a fairly good chano in the Steadown Welter, but ho got badly placed, and after being last into ths> straight finished up sixth in a field of 12. His owner, Mr P. Holmes, goes into camp in th© course of a few day's. Placid scored at Timaru by a narrow margin, but he would have been very unlucky to lose, as ho caught th© barrier at the start and appeared to be hopelessly left, Beale, however, gradually and patiently improved his position, and just got up in time to head off Borodino in the last few strides. Southland trainers were strong supporters of the Timaru meeting with Rorke a Drift, Golden King, Lady Buller, Kedshiro, Highwater, Hardshot, Peerless, GlenthorpOy Honest Fred, Orderdown, Minesweeper, Muzzle, and Wild Pilgrim, hut failed t<£ saddle a winner during either of the two days' racing. Whilst attending the South Canterbury meeting th© Wingatui trainer C. Christif purchased a three-year-old gelding by ism from a sister to Ikowai, who was got by Kulnino from Tigv>r Lily. The threa« year-old will not be taken in hand for soma time, and in the meantime is to be built up in condition. . Speedometer created a surprise when he won at Timaru. Ho won easily at ths finish, but was perhaps assisted to victory by the fact that Sir Malt, Tremena,, and Kilboyno ran themselves out in the first half-mile. Speedometer ran a good race on the se<cnd day, when Tremena, meeting him on 16lb better terms, vtoa nicely. The 'chaser Ikowai proved to be mora seriously injured than what was originally believed at the time of his recent accident, and it has since been deemed advisable to destroy the Kulnine gelding. Ikowai wai a promising sort that would have shown improved form this season, and his ' loss through an unlucky accident is a matter o£ regret —lt would not be surprising to find Triple Entente furnishing into one of tha be3t horses left by Ail Red up to date. At Timaru he showed a good deal of pac«' in both his races, but hia dead heat on the second day* was due to Bealo out* riding F. Ellis on Charley. With another season on him Triple Entente should prov« rather useful. Winter Cherry left the mark at Timaru, but did not get going properly' over th* first furlong, and even then was a bit unlucky to lose, as she got blocked in an attempt to get up on the rails, and then had to come round. She appears to be on* that has never been jumped off from 4 stand, and wants schooling in that department of the business.

Ardenvhor mad© a bold show in theAutumn Handicap, when running his first race after a spell. He "was always with th« leaders, and took charge in the straight, but fet the finish Thaddeue, in receipt of 151 b, beat the, New Zealand Cup winnetf nicely. Ardenvhor ran a good generous race, and may do better later on if there are any more meetings to run at.

Malvolia has built up and strengthened in appearance since joining W. M'Donald'a stable. She was always, fairly speedy, but at Timaru won by. staying on, and gave indication of all-round improvement. It ia, however, a noteworthy fact that her Menschikoff, never sired anything of hia own class. Probably the very be3t wa» Tawhaki, who never shewed his best form. —Mr S. P. Mackay made an offer of £SOOO for Thrice prior to the colt's success at Randwick, but the offer was refused by Mr E. E. D. Clarke, as he had no wish! to sell. Thrice is the best two-year-old in. Australia, and is the first to account for the four big two-year-old events—the V.K|.C. Sires' Produce Stakes, Ascot Vala Stakes, A.J.C. Sires' Produce Stakes, and Champagne Stakes. —lf the coal miners' strike had killed racing it would not have been a particularly serious matter as far as the South Island was concerned, as the Ashburton, Oamaru, and Dunedin meetings bring the season to * close. The Forbury Park Trotting Club meeting would probably have shared the fate of the others, and it would then have been, a case of marking time until next season, or until happier days arrived. Desert Gold's defeat on tho first da; at Trentham was in part attributed to th< heavy going; but the ground was a bit deep on the eve of the meeting, when she -tfae credited with running half -a mile in <lߣ. The crack filly, however, always- aits best on top of the ground, and, with track conditions against her, she was defeated but not disgraced. On the second day the going waa apparently fairly sound, as Shrill won in lmin 12 4-ssec and Ample in lmin 13 l-sse<* Thaddeus showed quite his best fori* at Timaru, where he won the Doncastt Welter under 9.9 in 1.28 1-5, and scored h£ first important win ,in good company whett he won the principal event on the second day's card. Thaddona was got by Vasccs from Jessie Lewars, by Steprfiak—Merisette, by Medallion —Huguenot, by Apremont. Hi> comes of a good family, and as he waa nnishing on when he ,won over 10 furlongs may be found scoring again over a bit of ground.

The well-known owner-trainer Mr Murray Hobbs turned out some good winners at Trent ham, but was again unlucky enough to miss the double when Sweet Corn ran second in the Railway Handicap. "It Wa* reported from the north some little time ago that Mr W, G. Stead's team would in future bo trained at Hawke's Bay, but there is a possibility that several members oi the team will be taken to Austraia in ih* near future under the charge of their present trainer.

The Australasian states that The Fortune Hunter, who won the Sydney Cup, ia supposed to bo " touched in the wind." If that is so, it is a unique event in racing nietory, as horses suffering from trouble In the respiratory organs invariably fail ove* a distance of ground. Other reports stai< that the horse is not broken-winded. hv£ may be a high blower or a whistler. That however, is a totally different thing, those who cannot distinguish between "high blower" arid a roarer" know little about the troubles which fall to the lot of the horse-.

Wingatui stables played a strong hand at the Timaru meeting, and gathered alt the pluma of the programme. On the first day C. Christie won with Compulsion. Spectual. and Speedometer, and D. P. "Wilson with ( Mkrsa. and Thaddeus. On the second day "Wilson won with Thaddeus and Kilboyne. J. A. White with -Placid, R. M'Doriala dead-hea-ted with Triple Entente J end other "Wipgatui horses to run well wor< Ardenvhor, Marianne, Borodino, OgieA Volspeil, Redowa (who got hopelessly plaoea oa-rlv in her races), and Sir Malt. Othe* "Wingatui-ites that ran moderately wei* Benefit, The White King, Sedd-el-Bahxi Linden, Kazan, and Helicon. Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson has eented to each, of the principal agrioultural shows in Australia a trophy to the value

f 25ga to go to tho thoroughbred stallion "suitable for producing remounts. The Conditions provide that tho stallions entered 6hall bo four years old and not over 15 years, that they shall bo in the Australian or English Stud Books, and shall carry voterinray certificates of 'soundness. A further clause provides that tho owner of oach stallion shall place a- price on him at which the Commonwealth Government may' purchase the Horse, and this price is not to exceed £IOO. Tho Stud Book qualification has been mado because the authorities aro convinced that the best animal to sire remounts is the thoroughbred. - -Tho well-known iSforth Island trainer J. M'Laughlin. ventilated a grievance at tho Timaru meeting. He purchased the Antonio gelding Blairfindo in Australia, and tho horse landed hero with a declaration of identity from J. Feilder (who is well known in Victoria), tho previous owner, and also, It is understood, a. declaration made before a magistrate with the Viotoria Racing Club. •The horao was not alloyed to start at tho Wairarapa meeting, and could not start on the first day of tho Timaru meeting, but, at the cost of several pounds expended in cables, figured in a field on the second day. M'Laughlin claims that ho has been badly treated in the matter, and put to a great deal of expense that should not have been incurred in connection with a horse about ■which all tho necessary certificates had been lodged in order to comply with the Now Zealand Rules of Racing. Tho Southland owners with horses engaged at Timaru were seriously considering the advisability of cutting out the last "day of the S.C.J.C. meeting and making for home. It was suggested to the club that the second day should bo held on the Friday, but to this th* club was not inclined to agree. Tho difficulty was, however, solved by an assurance from the Minister of Railways that his department would complete its contract and transport the horses home at the earliest opportunity. _ Tho Southland horses were shipped from Timaru to Wingatui on Saturday night, and were io bo taken on a couple of days afterwards. The absence of the Southland and Wingatui horses would have proved a serious_ blow to the success of the meeting, and evidence of that is supplied by the fact that 10 out of the dozen colouring on the card for the chief event on the second day came from Southland and Wingatui. In their absence the race would have become a match between Marc Antony and San Sebastian.