TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 41

TALK OF THE DAY.

Bv Sentinel.

JJJf X 111 THE DUNEDIN SPRING MEETING., Although the Dunedin Spring programme has not received such strong support aa what might have been expected from Canterbury, there is nevertheless a sufficient amount of material engaged to supply good cards for each day of the fixture. Daytime, Good Hope, and .Fiery Cross are the only Canterbury-trained horses engaged in the Mosgiel Handicap, but a little extra support comes from the north for the Ranfurly Handicap. The minor events have filled very satisfactorily, with the exception of the Spring Hurdles, in which only half a dozen have been entered. It is noticeable that several horses that ran at Ashburton and are also engaged at Geraldine and Oamaru are missing from the list of entries for Wingatui. Oxenhone, San Sebastian, Snub, Red Book, and others are conspicuous by absence, and probably some trainers overlooked the Dunedin programme whilst engaged "at the second day of the Ashburton meeting. The payment of forfeits for the M'Loan Stakes has not reduced the field to any great extent, and 11 youngsters still remain in tho race. The Dunedin Guineas has been reduced to a field of eight, and indications suggest that it will not attract a particularly strong list of contestants for classic honours. Handicaps for the first day are due on Saturday, September 29, and acceptances on Friday, October 5. THE ASHBURTON MEETING. It would not have occasioned any surprise to find a decided shrinkage in tho attendance which usually patronises tho Ashburton meetings, as the club’s Christchurch patrons were minus the usual excursion trains running in recent years. Nevertheless the enclosures presented a fairly well-filled appearance on both’days, and if tho gate was not up to past records there was compensation in the increased returns on tho total isator. This goes to show that a large attendance does not necessarily make a financial success of a meeting, and under the circumstances tho result must bo deemed very satisfactory to the club. The track was in good order, but perhaps not quite so fast as on previous occasions when some remarkably fast gallops havo been registered, and gained Ashburton a reputation for rapidity that is apt to ba misleading when applied to other tracks. Tho cards for both days supplied soma really good racing, although some of the winners scored rather easily. Fiery Cross, despite his credentials, was allowed to go out paying a false price in the Ashburton County Handicap, and the dividend showing led some to form an opinion that tho Glenapp gelding was not quite at his best. Fiery Cross was entitled to favouritism on paper, but neglect on the machine did nob mean n loss of form, as ho was first out and, running on tho rails, won from end to end. He was travelling well right through tho race, and although Sodd-el-Bahr closed on him at the finish it never conveyed the idea of ft challenge that was going to be successful. Daytime faded out to a fair"! third, and just beat Snub for the place;but Varnish and the others never ’ookcct dangerous at the businesas end. Fiery Cross again won decisively on tho second day. but perhaps with not quite so much in hand as when he stalled off Sedd-cl-Bahr. The Glanapp gelding showed both brilliancy and stamina, and was staying on well at the finish of both races. He, of course, demonstrated what he could do when he mads such a bold hid in both the Great _ Faster!, and Great Autumn Handicaps, and it is to be hoped that ho will train on in his preparation for tho Now Zealand Cup. A stable companion to Fiery Cross in the shape of tho Kilbroncy filly Killjoy galloped! homo an easy winner in the chief sprint, and gave nothing a look in as far as winning honours were concerned. She won so decisively that she should capture a good stake during the season. There was a good go for second money, and Sir Malt just beat Charley and Oxenhope, whilst Matty finished close up. Oil the second day Zuland, who had scored comfortably in the first day’s welter, again locked a#

eaey winner as lie came up the running in the Farewell Handicap, but he had to bo shaken up to stall off a late challenge from Daytime, who had received a bad run in the early part of the race. THE GERALDINE MEETING. The acceptances for the Geraldine meeting, which takes plo.ee on Thursday, promise to provide rather better fields than what is usually identified with the fixture, and the condensation from a two to a oneday card may supply an improvement in the sport. iSan Sebastian claims two engagements dtuing the day, and would start favourite if sent out in the hurdles, and, even if started in the Cup, would be entitled to respect in the not very strong field. Samiesen looks somewhat leniently treated in the Squatters' Handicap at 9.5. She was carrying 8.11 in the last Templeton Handicap in a very much better field than she is against at "Geraldine, where a furlong shorter course is also in her favour. Samiesen scored her latest win at the Dunedin Cup meeting, where she won the Domain Handicap with 9st, and (started favourite with 9.12 in the Flying Handicap on the last day of the same meeting. On that occasion she- was giving 311 b to Sir Malt, whom she meets on 151 b better terms in the Squatters' Handicap. Another good performance by Samiesen was her win in the Flying at Marlborough with 9.6 in 1.2. Sho also won a double at Invercargill, where sho scored on the second occasion with 9.8 in 1.14 1-5, and gave Sir Malt 271 b and a five-length beating when he finished third. Her win in the Cressy Welter with 8.2 in 1.12 was another very smart performance. In the Squatters' Handicap, run at the last Geraldine meeting, she bolted home with 9.3, or a couple of pounds loss than she is asked to carry this week. Sedd-el-Bahr is entitled to start favourite in the Geraldine Cup after his display at Ashburton. There is only a moderate lot engaged, and the Wingatui gelding is meeting Red Book on only 41b worse terms than when he finished well in front of him in the Islington Handicap, and on exactly the same terms as when._ he again beat him in the Ashburton Handicap lasfcc-week. This, by the way, goes to show what a greatly-mistaken idea it is to issue the weights for Geraldine before the running at Ashburton. San Sebastian would run a fair race if reserved for the Cup; but the strongest opponent to the topweight may be found in Redowa ; who finished in front of Sedd-el-Bahr in the Birthday Handicap, and now meets him on slightly better terms. Rcdowa is, however, not altogether-a boy's horse, but, if fairly well handled, should run a good race. Several horses claim more than one engagement, and some of the fields may bear a different aspect when they line up to the barrier, from what they do at present. THE KUROW MEETING. There is a rather marked difference of the Sveights allotted some of the horses engaged at both the Geraldine and Kurow meetings." In the Squatters' Handicap, for instance, Samiesen is set to give Sir Malt 161 b over five furlongs, and over the same distance on the Kurow card the margin between them is 271 b. Oxenhope has lost the place he usually occupies at the head of the handicaps, and in the Kurow Handicap is in receipt of slb from Fiery Cross, over a seven-furlong courF.e. Fiery Cross is set to give Rorke's Drift 101 b, and 131 bto John Barleycorn. Unless Oxenhope stays on better than ho did at Ashburton, Fiery Cross should be able to give him 51b; but he would find a harder proposition in tackling Rorke's Drift if the latter is forward enough to reproduce his form. Rorke's Drift beat John Barleycorn at a difference of lib when they last met, and should be able to give away an extra 31b, particularly as the Sarto gelding may not be up to concert pitch—unless he has come on quickly during the past few days. Zuland showed a.return of form at Ashburton, but Killjoy may prove the best of those handicapped above eight stone. She is meeting Oxenhope on 131 b worse terms than when she was galloping away from him at the end of six furlongs at Ashburton, and should account for him again. The one-day card has, as usual, resulted in several horses being engaged in more than one race, and perhaps a better idea of the strength of the fields may be found after the publication of the acceptances. It ; s in any case safe to predict that after a balance sheet has been struck over the racing at Oamaru on Thursday next it will be found to be the most successful card ever provided by the Kurow Club. THE GORE MEETING. The Gore Racing Club's programme for their spring meeting, which is to take place on October 22 and 23, has as its chief attractions the Spring Handicap of 210soA's (an increase of 50sovs over last year), one and a-quarter miles; and the Waikaka Handicap of 175sovs (an increase of 25sovs over last year), one mile and a distance." Other events on the programme have also received an increase of prize-money, and the progress displayed by the Gore Club whilst others are cutting stakes warrants the patronage of owners. The Flying Handicap has been increased to 150sovs, the Charlton Handicap to I3osovs, the Stewards' Handicap to HSsovs, the Murihiku Handicap to 120sovs, th'o Waimea Hack Handicap to 80sovs, the Eastern Steeples to 125sovs, the Wantwood Steeples to llOsovs, and the Dominion Hack Handicap to £osovs. The two district races remain at 70sovs each, but the trotting events also participate in the increase of stakes. The Mataura Trot goes up from 90sovs to llOsovs,, the Labour Day, Trot from 80sovs to 90sovs, the Otama Trot from 90sovs to lOOsovs. and the Balfour Trot from 75sovs to 85sovs. Nominations for all events close on Monday, October 8. IN A NUTSHELL. Good Hope ran like a forlorn hope at Ashburton. San Sebastian strode home a very comfortable winner at Ashburton. The much-par agraphed rider Hector Gray is reported to have received a license. Winter Cherry contracted a cold, and as a result was not asked to race at Ashburton Bellrock displayed a retention of pace at Ashburton, but did not show up at the business end. The Martian mare Fender has produced a colt to San Francisco. She is now on a visit to Markhope. The trotting events on the Gore Racing Club's programme will be handicapped by the yards system.

The consistent Aerial put up a couple of good races at Ashburton by running a first and a second. The Grand National Hurdle winner,

Sleight of Hand, has been nominated for the New Zealand Cup. Varnish failed to get in the limelight at Ashburton, although ha put up a, fair third on the second day. Fiery Cross is a commoner in appearance until he is in action, and he then strides out like a racehorse.

—lt is understood that the Forbury Park Trotting Club will give 1500sovs in stakes for their one-day spring meeting. Both hurdle races at Ashburton were very solidly run from end to end, and were fast even for such a fast track.

Wingatui is represented by Marsa, Minesweeper, Thaddeus, Sedd-el-Bahr, and John Barleycorn in the New Zealand Cup. A good deal of money came for Matty at Ashburton; but she failed to make any return for the confidence bestowed upon her.

From some unexplained cause cur Canterbury budget' of newp did not reach us in time for this week's issue. The Danube gelding Tyne ran a good race on the second day at Ashburton, where Aerial just beat him. On that display Tyne should win before long. Red Book ran a fair race on the second day at Ashburton, but struck himself. He, however, is on the improve, and may pick up a prize before long. Bon was produced only once at Ashburton, and was pacing it on the outside of Oxenhope and Zuland up to the distance; but he then dropped away. Minesweeper ran disappointingly in both his races at Ashburton. On the first day he played up a good deal, and did not seem inclined to get to business. Kilboy's breakdown will be received with general regret, as he is one of the bsst advertisements the New Zealand thoroughbred has had for some time in Australia.

The Martian filly Nanna was easily the hottest favourite that started at Ashburton, and as she scored the easiest win of the meeting, punters were right on the target. All Serene looked to have a good winning chance at the distance in' his race on the second day at Ashburton; but Subterfuge beat him very easily in the run home. Lady Wayward was hanging badly when finishing a good second to Whixall at Ashburton. She went about 2.19, and should carry a good deal of support at Geraldine. -w Zuland won both his races at Ashburton in good style; but he was; perhaps, a shade lucky on the second day in Daytime getting a bad run with a novice pilot in the saddle. Some rather indifferent horsemanship was witnessed at Ashburton, and, with capable riders up, one or two results might have been different from the official placings. Desert Gold's nomination in the New Zealand Cup represents the first occasion ill which she has been entered in a handicap in the Dominion since racing as a tWo-year-ol<s. One runner at Ashburton was a rank outsider, on the first day and a. well-backed fancy, carrying six times more money, on the second;"but the "'wait" made no difference to the result.

The conference of delegates from the Southland clubs which met in Invercargill to consider the question of starting and handicapping trotting races decided in favour of the yards system. .. Glenthorpe made no show in his races at Ashburton. On the first day he attempted to pace it with Jeannot in the early part of the race; but the. former scon settled the Southlander.

Killjoy scored an easy win at Ashbuiton, and finished fairly full of running in 1.13 3-5. The Ashburton track was not quite so fast as it has been on other occasions, and the Kilbroney filly put up a smart gallop. Oxenhope ran two good solid races at Ashburton; but the opposition was too good for him at the weights. On the second day he got well away, and was running close to Zuland tip to inside the distance; but then faded away.

—Mr O. R. Wise has experienced a lump of very bad luck in losing a Markhope yearling and a San Francisco—Janet yearling. Both were very promising-looking youngsters, but, unfortunately, met with accidents in the paddock. A London cable states that Mr J. B. Joel has sold Prince Palatine by Persimmon, winner of the St. Leger Eclipse Stakes and the Aiscot Gold Cup (twice), to the Due de Castries for J62501X The price paid is probably ;£25,000. The Hyniettus gelding Euripos was a strong fancy for the Braemar Welter, in which he made a rather poor show. He never seemed able to get on his legs in the hot pace set in the early stages, and finished well outside the money. With a good run in the Coldstream Welter Charley and Sir Malt would have very probably finished first and second. They both got into bad positions at the home turn, and even then Charley was only just beaten into third place. Sir Malt ran two good but unlucky races at Ashburton. On the first day he was second to Killjoy, but had no chance of beating the winner, and on the second day both he and Charley got a bad run in the Coldstream Welter.

Astrophal, the winier of the Maide'i Plate at Otaki, was got by Finland from Asteroid, by Apremont—Planet, by Castor. He is a brother to a smart two-year-old in Asterias, a winner of the Hastings Stakes and Wellesley Stakes in 1914. Jeannot made a promising debut as a at the Ashburton meeting, and shaped really well for a novice—in fact, had he been made less use of in the early stages he might have troubled the placed lot a good deal more at the finish. —Mr R. B. Harley got his fields at AshbuTton away in good line k Mr Harley is becoming more in request in the North Island, and, in consequence of being appointed starter at Feilding, will not be able to act at the Riverton meeting. Don Francisco is generally credited with a will of his own, and as a result is a bettor track horse than a- racehorse. At Ashburton, however, he put some heart into his, work, and succeeded in somewhat luckily beating Turahaua in the First Hurdles. • Jack Symons, a half-brother to Reval, who has not raced for over 12 months, figures amongst the acceptors at Geraldine. When he commenced racing as a three-year-olcT* the Handsome Jack gelding gave promise of developing- into a useful sort of a horse. Golden Rupee went out a strong second favourite in the Second Hurdles at Arshburton; but, after being prominent in the lead to the home turn, he dropped back He moved a bit sore in his preliminary, and was, in consequence, not quite at his best.

The Vice-admiral three-vear-old gelding Mythology, who was amongst the runners at Ashburton is a half-brother to that good, solid sort. Goldsn King. Mythology is the first of Vice-admiral's stock the writer has seen; but he is not yet in racing shape. Mrs H. W.. Kitchingham has received the unique- honour of being elected a lifemember of the Greymouth Trotting Club. The distinction was bestowed as a mark of appreciation of the manner in which Mrs Kitchingham has supervised the club's tea rooms.

Quincey Belle looked a winner when she took charge after entering the straight in the Longbeasli Trot; but she spoilt ber

chance by mixing twice in the run. home. When she ran to the fiont she was on the point of giving 7sec to Norwood, who won in 3.37 2-5.

Some idea of the task the back-markers are sometimes set in a handicap was evidenced at Ashburton, where Evelyn in a 2.32 class was handicapped to give away 1-isec to Whixall, who won in 2.18 1-5. Evelyn would have required to threaten a two-minute mark to get up and win. Hector Gray rode Polynesian at Otaki into second place, and the spectators welcomed him back into the fold with loud cheers. It seems strange that the racing public can cheer a rider who has been refused a license in Australia and subjected to the same treatment in this country. — The A.J.C. Derby will be run on Saturday next, when the New Zealand colt, will seek classic honouis. Some of the Australiai critics are debating the question of Biplane's stamina;' but, judging by the way he strode liome when winning in 1.13 the Middle Park Plate, there need be no surprise if he stayed on for a month. Daytime was elected favourite for the Ashburton Handicap, but faded out a r ter being close up for about seven furlongs. With a more experienced pilot up on the second day he might have beaten Zuland in the Farewell Handicap. Daytime got a bad run on the second day, and did well under the circumstances to get so close to Znland at the finish.

Ascalaphus strode home a nice winner on the first day at Ashburton, and in the Tinwald Handicap went out in company with a well-bred duffer in the shape of Xantho3 and Fiery Cross at the rise of the barrier. The Glenapp gelding soon shook them off, and registered the second occasion on which he has scoied in each of the principal events at the Ashburton spring meeting. Sedd-el-B.ihr was -he only one to threaten danger to Fiery Cross in the Ashburton Handicap; but the latter always appeared to have the result in safe keeping when the Wingatui horse put in a challenge. Sedd-el-Bahr did not get too good a run on the second day; but even with, that excuse ho did not appear to have much chance on the first day's ""run in meeting Fiery Cross at only 41b better terms. Tnere was nothing :-urprising about the win of Fiery Cross in the Ashburton Handicap. He was well treated on paper, and reported to be doing good work; but there was a surprise about the price showing on the totalisator and what he was. allowed- to pay. Daytime, Sedd-el-Bahr, and Snub were all better backed than Fiery Cross, and following money instead of form proved a serious mistake on this particular oc:asion.

—ll l with Nanny's win at Ashburton it was a case of " Eclipse first and th© rest nowhere." She simply cleared away from her field, and, although there wa3 nothing much to beat, she is obviously a smart filly. Nanna is a sister to Matty, Spangle, Alarsa, and Martyre, and a halfsister to Prim and/ ArtilWie. One win does not constitute a championship; but she is easily one of the smartest ol her family. Tbe Winter Cup winner Kiag Star was in the field contesting the Tinwald Handicap, and, meeting Fiery Cross at slb worse terms than in the mile race at Eiccarton. King Star finished a fair fourth, but never threatened danger to Fiery Cross, who gave away 18lb, and could have conceded a good bit more. In the Kurow Handicap Fiery Cross is set to give King Star 231 b, or the same margin as they met at in the Winter Cup. - , '

Nominations for the New Zealand Cup totalled 48, or 15 less than last year. One of the most notable absentees from the list is Adjutant, who was generally deemed to be getting through a Cup preparation at Riccarton. Others missing from the list include last year's winner, Ardenvhor, as well as Sasanof, Biplane, and others of lesser note that it would not have been surprising l to find honoured or flattered with a nomination.

A gentleman who is officially prominent in trotting circles, as well as b-.ung a leading owner, informed the writer whilst at the Ashburton 'meeting that the seconds system of handicapping which i* to be attached to the JSTew Zealand Metropolitan "-Club's programme was adopted only by the casting vote of the chaiiman. It is understood that a couple of absentee members would in all probability have turned the scale in favour of the yards system. Both Bonsign and Formnal ' ran fair races on the first day at the Ashburton meeting, but did not look forward enough in condition to go a repeat on the second day. Bonsign had none the best of it on the second day, as she was more harshly treated tnan some of the winners on the first day. She was, for instance, meeting Kilbrogan Blb worse for beating hini into i.hifd place, and should not te discarded because she failed to show up in her second race.

Apparently the new totalisator at Ellerslie is not altogether an unqualified success, as It is reported that two members of the Auckland Racing Club will probably journey to Rand wick to note the working of the totalisator installed there In the event of the Randwick machine fulfilling expectations, it may be installed- at Ellerslie. The electrical machine i>ow in use at Auckland was supposed to be booked for installation at Wingatui, and perhaps it is just as well that the order has not been fulfilled.

The Gore Racing Club's spring programme shows an increase of prize money to every event except the two district events. The Spring Handicap has been increased from IGOsovs to 210sovs, and tne Waikaka. Handicap from 150sovs to 175sovs> An increase of prize money has also been made to the trotting events, steeplechases, and all the open races. The progressive policyadopted in connection with the programme should be appreciated by owners, and draw increased patronage. Nominations are due on Monday, October 8. Snub looked .fairly well to the eye when shipped at Ashburton, and more forward than he was this time last year. They-were a bit too speedy for him in the Ashburton Handicap, and he was more at home over the longer distance attached to the Tinwald Handicap. In this race,- however, he was running not too well placed, about third horse from the rail, and at the finish his light-weight pilot hardly got to the bottom of his mount. On the other hand, FieryCross had a nice run all the way, and was too good for the Lady Disdain gelding. After Jeannot carried on the running " in the First Hurdles at Ashburton Turehaua ran past about three furlongs from home, and looked all over- a winner as lie came up the running. His rider, however, to be over-confident, and Don Francisco, getting up in the last few strides, just pipped him on the post. A section of the spectators did not agrea with the judge's decision, -and voiced their disapproval; but those in good enough line to justify an opinior. upheld xhe official verdict. Turehaua had to be also content with second place on the next day, when San Sebastian strode home a comfortable winner. A winner at Ashburton in the shape of Subterfuge is only a pony, and is said to have cost her present, owner a " tenner." She was got by Cannie Chiel from Counter* feit, and is the first foal of her dam. Counterfeit won the Oaks, Stead Memorial

Gold Cup, Champagne Stakes, Challenge Stakes, D.J.C. Champagne Stakes, Wanganui Guineas, and New Zealand St. and a real live racehorse from hex was cer tainly a bargain at a tenner. She was probably discarded from the Ohokebore Jjodge ntables owing to her laok of sme; but that did not stop her from walking homo an easy winner, and she would make a good sort for the lihpuiian ranks in Australia. Fiery Cross won the Ashburton Handicap from end to end, and Sedd-el-Bahr was the only one to threaten danger _ at the business end; but the Glenapp gelding comfortably held him at bay. Fiery Cross again (jeorod nicely on the isecond day, but ofl this Occasion he went out a good favourite —in fact, whether he won or lost the Tmwald Handicap, he was on paper easily entitled to favouritism, as ho was meeting Scdd-el-Bahr on only 41b worse terms, whilst Snub came in on 61b worse terms. Fiery Cross, again, won from end to «nd, and found Snub as his most > formidable _ opponent. Snub shaped better' over the increased distance, and might have stretched out the winner a bit more if a stronger horseman had been in the saddle. - Three-year-olds an very poorly represented in the nomination-list for the New Zealand Cup, as only two in Kill’em (brother to Kilboy) and Nottata (Maori King—Ha Notte) have been engaged in the race. Three-year-olds have not been particularly successful in the race during past years, as, apart from Indigo dead-heating with Warstep in 1914, a horse of that age has not scored since Noctuiform won in 1905. Three-year-olds gathered a goodly share of the stakes hung up in the earlier history of the race, as Seahorse, Efuroolydon, Tirailleur, Manton, and Fusilade rank as winners, whilst some of the best of their age, such as Multiform, were not asked to take part in the race, or more of that age would very probably have to be included in the winninglist. This year the Cup and Derby will be run on the same day, and henoe the absence of three-year-olds with the classic engagement is easily understood. A good deal of interest was taken in the English horse Fleetham at Ashburton, where he made his debut in public. He is a good, solid-looking sort, and was stoutly' supported in each of his races. On the first day he failed to get amongst the money; but on the second day he was backed with more confidence, as it was thought his eyeopener would do him a world of good. He got well away, and the Second Hack Welter was practically a duel between the English horse and Kilbrogan, and P. E : . Jones won cleverly on the latter. Fleetham pulled up Well, end was not greatly troubled by his race. His defeat was not due to lack of condition, and he will have to deliver tlxe goods before his reputation as a swallowcatcher is justified. In his race there was. nothing much behind him, and even a win would not have made him anything like a champion. Still, he should improve; but at present his supporters have a good deal ol lost gold to recover.