IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3304, 11 July 1917, Page 42

IN A NUTSHELL.

The Cannie Chief—Co unterfeit filly Siibteri'uge has joined J. M'Combe's stable. Tlie smart Kilrea is again in commission. Kaupokonui may help to keep them busy at Trentham. Query.—St. Elnm was nominated for the last New Zealand Cup. Nearly SO yearlings have been entered for the Tasmanian Derby of 1918. M/alvolia is again in commission, and should show improved form next season. The Melbourne Trotting Club will run another lOOOsovs race during October next. A rising two-year-old sister to Hymeetra is said to be ono of the most attractivelooking youngsters in S. Waddell's stable. The Stewards' stand at Adding!on will be completed in time for the August meeting. Comedy King, the sire of Biplane, Is standing at a fee of lOOgs during the coming season. St. Elmn was a good horse at Ellerslie. He may strike form again at Trentham or Riccarton. The Auckland Racing Club has paid £76,097 in Government tax during the past four years. —G. Jones will fake Sasanof, Shrill, Sweet Corn, and the All Black—Lily White youngster to Australia. Tip Up ran so well at Wingatui that N ho must be ticked off as a likely sort for future engagements Marc Antony is running off some of his weight, and should be hard to beat at the figures coming his way. Kaupokonui, who was going well when ho tipped out. at Wingatui, is amongst Triiford's team for Trenthnm.

The importeo Knkby Pleetham is on the improve, and may be given a run at the Grand National meeting. —lt is surmised that the well-known performer Commotion met his death through swallowing a tack in his food. —■ A runner-up in a hurdle race at the Adelaide Tatlersalls meeting on Juno 23 is credited with paying £lßl 10s.

if Kirkby misses on the first clay at Wellington he may find the distance more in his feyour in subsequent events. Tim Dcolan was shaping well in his schooling work at Caulfield just before the last mail to hand left Melbourne.

—ln discussing tha weights for the Mclbourne Cup, "Terlinga" says lie prefers Kilboy to Desert Gold over two miles. Sir Solo run a fair third in the last Gnnd National Hurdles. Al. Wellington he is meeting Art on 231 b better terms. The Eokeby—Ros-3 Red colt, in work at Trenthnm, is said to bo one of the smartest youngsters in commission on the course. Heavy rain set in at Trenthum. last week, and the going is likely to be en the heavy side, for the Wellington winter meeting.

The Downshir© thrso-yoar-old Amberdown has won tha right to be considered one of tlio best performers ever raised in Queensland.

The South Wairarapa Trotting Club have voted £IOO to the Crippled Soldiers' Fund and £SO to the "Wounded Soldiers' Fund.

—At present the. Auckland Racing Club are occupied with making improvements on their course by regrading the turn into the straight. The gentleman who races under the name of Mr H. Whitney is no* training his own horses Eoumania and Pall Mall at his stud t'arrn

—At a recent Caulfield meeting platforms were erected near the betting ring. Recruiting speeches were made and resulted in getting 10 men.

—Mr Morgan O'Brien, the well-known owner of trotters, who has been a resident of Waimate for some time, is removing to New Brighton. The winner and runner-up in the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdles are both by Carbinier, a son of Carbine and Barley (the dam of Malster). The Grand National meeting is set down to take place on August 16 and 18, and the Addington Trotting meeting on August 15 and 17.

—Mr J. W. Nixon has reported to the New Zealand Trotting- Association that his mare Rema Rosa has been missing from her paddock for av-it two weeks. Owing to the increased cost of transport the "Wellington Racing Club will not make, any charge for admission to the outside enclosure at Trentham. The Hon. J. D. Ormond's horses are amongst the most notable absentees from the nominations for the principal events at the Grand National meeting. Art won the last Grand National Hurdles under 9.10; but whether he wins or loses at Trentham he is sure to make a marked difference in the figures. —Mr H. L. White, the well-known Australian studmaster, has presented his collection of stamps, valued at £14,500, to the New South Wales Public Library. S.P. betting is not very popular with punters in Australia; but when Orinico won at a recent Williamstown meeting lie was backed off the course to win £3OOO. —lt is reported from Christchiirch that the imported maro Flower of the West has a colt foal at foot ab a result of being sent over to Victoria on a visit to The Welkin. Murray Hobbs has left for Australia with a team of horsea, of which Kilboy is the bright star, and, it is to be hoped, will again play a leading role in the Commonwealth. . Harold Dillon heads the list of winning sires under trotting rules with winners of 69 races. The evergreen Rothschild is next with 353., and Wildwood Jr. third with 31. A Registration of Stallions Act came irto force at the beginning of the month in Tasmania. A fee of 2gs 13 charged for a certificate issued in connection with the Act. —EI Gallo is handicapped at 12.10 in the Wellington Steeples; but, under ihe conditions attached to the Grand National Steeples, he cannot be asked to carry over 12.7. The New Brighton Trotting Club will not allow the Trotting Derby to be dropped as a result of the curtailment of their racing dates. The classic will carry a stake of 500sovs. .TJ- 1 * i? * e P° rted from Sydney that the stallion Willowood (brother to Wildwood Jr) has been purchased by a New Zealand breeder and may be brought back to his native land. Anyone who witnessed Cherry Blossom streaking away with the last Winter Cup cannot fail to be attracted by the weight she is receiving nowadays. She may blossom forth again,. ma y bo this, that, or the other thmg to say m connection with form; but Braeburn stands, as one of the most consistent performers over country during the past couple of seasons. The attempt to change Crib from a hurdler mfo a 'chaser seems to be serious as he figures.as a 'chaser in the Wellington Steeples, but has been allowed to drop°out oi the big hurdle event. Apropos of the reduction of racing question, it should be noted that some clubs give more to the Patriotic Funds than others give m Stakes. Surely that aspect of the matter is worthy of consideration. Gluepot, the winnec of the Wanganui Steeples and Great Northern Steeples is not engaged in the Wellington Steeples; ' but in the meantime some of the others are not lightening their load for Riccarton. Crib, on paper, is one of the best hurdlers in New Zealand; but, according to figures, he is only a second-rate chance over country. How he comports himself ;,t Trenthem may make a great difference. —W. Bush, first cross-country horseman to the Hon. J. D. Ormond's stable, has made a good recovery from the results of his accident at Hawke's Bay, but will not be seen in the saddle until the Grand National meeting —J. Bryce heads the list of winning trainers in trotting with 35 wins to his credit, A. Fleming 15*, M. Edwards 13, A. Pringle 13, J. Lynch 10J, and B. Jarden 11 are the other trainers who have reached double figures. Lord Grey has finished in a place in the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdles on four consecutive occasions. He was second in 191-1 and 1915, third in 1916, and third again on Saturday last. Vary good, but not quite gcod enough. Bundong, the runner-up in the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdles, is owned by Mr E. A. Connolly, one of the best-known figures 111 Australian racing circles;. He has been «•.. near and yet so far on more occasions than one

—ln some quarters Johnny "Walker, Parisian Diamond, and Raumanawhiri arc regarded as favourites for the Winter Cup-. El Gallo stands in a similar light in connection with the Grand National Steeples and Grand National Hurdles.

The English four-year-old horso Polydamon is expected to arrive in Auckland within the present month. Polydamon was got by the successful siro Polymelus from Damia, by Diamond Jubilee, from Amphitheatre, by Ampion. immortel was not the only Now Zea-land-bred horso to score at Rosehill on -Tune 93. The other winners included La Penna, a mare bred by G. M. Currie, and got by King Rufus from Cintra by Eton—Cyreuse. by Cyrpnian—Lady Agnes. I have seen a letter (says ''Terlinga") from a leading New Zealand owner, m v.hich he emphasises the opinion that Simonides will turn out the beet of the

Dominion three-year-olds. Some of us in In is country may say, perhaps. J.mmortel was neglected in the market on the race which he won at Rosehill, and went ou', one oi the rank outsiders of the field of 25. The race was run over four furlongs and three-quarters, and Immortel won by a length and n-half in 57Jseo. The death is reported of the well-known West Australian performer Artesian. He cost 35 guineas as a yearling, and won A'7712 in stakes. Artesian put up the excellent record of scoring 17 wins, five seconds, and three thirds out of C 6 races. The English Stud Book supplement gliows that 3412 foals were produced during 1916, as against 3567 in 1915. Despite the large amount of thoroughbred stock sold to go out of England, the foalings are in excess of 1913, when 3180 foals appeared. Cincinnatua is doing useful work of a steady nature. He is, unfortunately, not too sound, and, unlike his historical namesake, may be more famous in connection with the plough (track) than with both the agricultural implement and the field of battle. t — To incur a penalty in connection with the Melbourne Cup a horse has to win not less than 500sovs or over lOOOsovs before having to take an extra 7lb. In connection with the Caulfield Cup a horse has to win a race with lOOOsovs before incurring a penalty. Grand National Steeples and Beaufort Steeples, but fell from grace on the third day of the meeting, when Braeburn started tavouri + e, Merry Lad second favourite, and Idealism third lavoruite in the Lincoln SteepJea.

One of the most useful two-year-olds racing in Australia is a colt named St. Mna, a son of S':. Anton and Mira, a mare by Malvolio from My Lady, by Trsnton. St. Anton is a son of St. Frustum. St. Mira. is engaged in both the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups. A race meeting in aid of a Repatriation of Soldiers "Fund was to be held at Moonee Valley on June 20. The V.R.C. and V.A.T.C. both gave sOoosovs to the funds, and it is expected that £17,000 or £IB,OOO will be gathered. —Mr W. H. Denton has been elected president of the New Brighton Trotting Club, and in taking the chair at the annual meeting, stated that Mir Thompson, the previous President would still have been in office if he was not in favour of the mov-ing-up principle. The well-known amateur rider, Mr A. Gordon, died at Wanganui a few days ago. He sustained some injuries while riding at Napier Park, and it is believed that his death was caused by complications setting in. The late Mr Gordon rode at the Dunedin Winter meeting of 1915.

The Martian—Grand Rain colt, which made top price under the hammer at the .November sales, has been doing well since going into work. Persic, a filly by Athenio from Perseis, is said to be a likely sort of a youngster at Hawke's Bay, and eo is Pontoon, a Wolawa—Float colt.

—D. M'Kay has been granted leave from military duty in order to ride Art in his Trentham engagements. Tt is only 12 months ago that Art bled for a couple 01 days when taken to the Wellington meeting. The mishap did not prevent him from developing into on© of the best hurdlers in commission.

Merry Lad shaped so well at Hawke's Bay that he must threaten great danger in the near future. He looked all over a winner when he fell, and it will be remembered that Merry Lad was one of the front division in the last Grand National Steeples, and beat them all at the finish bar Waimai, who is one out of the ordinary. The Emilius case has reached a finality, »nd now rests where it obviously stood at the outset, and that is that no appeal can be entertained on questions of fact which are specifically mentioned in the Rules of Trotting. It is understood that the owners interested solved the financial side' of the question by dividing the stakes. The Auckland trainers have circularised a petition amongst trainers throughout New Zealand protesting strongly against the proposal to prohibit trainers from owning horses. A delegate has been appointed to visit Wellington to confer with southern trainers and p-«esent the petition to the chairman of the Racing Conference. According to the conditions attached to the race no horse can .be handicapped above 12,7 in the Grand National Steeples; hence El Gallo must get 3lb less to carry at Riccarton than he has been allotted at Trentham. even if he wins at the latter meeting. Taking off weight from one, however, is equivalent to putting it on to another.

Meranqua, the winner of the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdles, gave some indication of that success by winning the Toolambool Hurdles run at Canlfield on June 23. On that occasion he went out third favourite, with H. Cairns in the saddle, and defeated Bundong (runner-up in the National Hurdles) and 22 others. Meranqua was got by Carbinier, from Meroven, by Padlock— Stella, by Nowminster, from Needle, a daughter of Mosquito, a lister to Musket. Carbinier was got by Carbine, from Barley, the dam of Ma-lster.

The late Mr Duncan Rutherford, whose death is just announced, has been for many years one of Canterbury's best-known sportsmen. He devoted his attention principally to sport between the flags, and in 1892 won the Grand National Steeples with Ahua. and again in 3908 with Enrus. Ho won the Grand National Hurdles with Kulnine in 1892, completing the double with Ahua. The late Mr Rutherford also won the Grand National Hurdles with Social Pest in 1898. His colours were successfully carried in the Wanganui Steeplechase by Eurus in 1906, and Daylight Bill in 1915. At present Mal\olia and Madam Butterfly are the only horses running under his colours.

Mr J. B. Henrys is at present on a visit to Sydney. The well-known Eicoarton trainer, H. Cutts, has been drawn in tho local ballot. The Grand National programme will carry 530sovs mora prize money than the first two days of last year's meeting. Waimai, Tenacious, and Luperino arrived in Sydney from New Zealand on Monday, and ere going on to Melbourne immediately. The taxes paid by the Oisborne Racing Club in connection with its recent steeplechase meeting totalled £l2-16 Gs. The totalisator tax was £571 7s.

Lanius, who figures as top weight in the Metropolitan Handicap, is an imported horse by Llancribby. who lias won £ll,-10G in stakes on the Kncrlish turf. Marc Antony, Kirkby, Crib, Kaupokonui, Art, Kilkee, Dlonysnis, Salathiel, Tip-up, Fiery Cross, Kiijoy, and San Se.bastian ar3 to fulfil engagements at the Wellington meeting. The stewards of the Wellington Bacing Club have decided to admit patrons to the outside enclosure at the coming meeting free of charge. This will make up for the increased cost of getting to and from Trentham.

The Southland owner, J. E. Thomson, who is new in khaki, heads the list of winning owners in light .harness racing with a total of £2719. Mrs A° M~ Seymour, is second with £2320 10s, and M. Kdwards third with £IBB2 10s. The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club has, in response to a request, made a donation ot 200 ladlM' tickets for tho August meeting to the Lady Liverpool Fundi. Hi« ticketi will bs

used In connection with a prize packet day, to bo held in Cbrigtchurcli on July 20. Sneaking at a recent meeting of owners ancl trainers in Auckland concerning the importance of conserving racing interests, Mr Mackenzie pointed out that New Zealand horses were conaidered the best in Egypt, where many representative breed? were gathered for war purposes. All the Xew Zealand owners who were at the front were still racing their horses. Under the reduction scheme recently entered, into by the Racing Conference, the Wairarapa Racing Club has selected December 13 for a one-day meeting, and March 11 and 15 for a two-day meeting. For many years past the club has raced oa holiday dates—viz., January 1 and 2 and Easter Saturday and Monday, so the proposed alteration marks an important change of opinion as to the advisability of holding meetings on the sarao dates as several other clubs, which has the effect of reducing the number of competing horses. Other considerations taken into account were the railway facilities and the interests of horse-owners in respect to minimising travelling expense*. at a meeting convened by the League of the Man in the Street and Federated Club's Council (a body formed recently in London), the following resolution, proposed by Mr F. Crane (president at tin club), and supported by several members of the Political Council, was carried nam con:—» 'That this meeting earnestly urges the Govern' ment. to reconsider its determination to prohibit) racing during the war on the following grounds! (1) That such stoppage is contrary to "the preponderating weight of public opinion in this country; (2) that it will cause grave offence to our French allies, who are still conducting their race meetings; (3) that Germany and Austria still continue to race; (4) that it will tend to prolong the war. inasmuch as it will put fresh heart into the German people, who will b? persneded ' that we are on the verge of starvation; (5) that it will put many thousands out of employment, and ruin one of Ireland's chief industries. The meeting 1 also requests the Government to make public the evMence upon which its decision was come to. The Government of In&Va is not squeamish in the matter, and recently gave the Western India Turf Olub (Bombay) permission to run a £250,000 war loan lottery. All prizes were in 5& per cent. bonds, repayable in 1920. and of the ticket money 5 per cent, was to be deducted for expenses and war funds. In India the natives take very kindly to anything with an element of chance in it, and the Western India Turf Club had no fear that its lottery would drag, seeing that though it was only opened in Bombay on April 16, closing day Was fixed for June 14, while provision was made, if tickets were sold to a greater value than £250,000, that the prizes would be increased accordingly. The tickets were l.Ors (13s 4d) each, and approximately the values of the thousand prizes were as under] First prize £06X66. second prize £33,333, third prize £16,666, five prizes each £BGG6, 10 prizes each £3333, 25 prizes each £G6G, 100 prizes each £333, 200 prizes each £166, 657 prizes each £76. The lucky drawer of the first prize will presumably receive his 5J per cent, interest annually, and should be well able to struggle along with that return until his £fi6,GGG is bonded over to him in 1920. Most of the banks in India, as well as other prominent commercial firms, are agents for tickets.