IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 47

IN A NUTSHELL.

—J. Jarden has purchased Huia Grey. Master Lupin has been put into work again after a long spell. B. Dceley is to have a ride on Johnny Walker in the Auckland Cup. Sir Fulhim has been shipped north to race in the Auckland Trotting Cup. Nominations for the Wyndham meeting are due on Wednesday, December 19. Belair has not been asked to do much solid -work since joining J. M'Combe's team. Under existing law in Tasmania not moro than seven races are allowed on a caid. Kilrea lias been showing fractiousness when sent out to gallop on the training track. Robert Bell at something like bis old form would be dangerous at 8.2 in the Federal. Hymestra and his two year-old sister, Torfreda, both won fir3t time out for their new owners.

Acceptances for the first day's card of the North Otago meeting are due on Friday, December 21.

Hymestra does not incur a penalty for the Railway Handicap by bis win in Mr Kemball's colotirs.

C. Reed has been engaged to ride Paraoa in tho Auckland Cup and "Waiutu in the Railway Handicap. Marc Antony will probably race at the Wingatui and Invercargill meetings if be stands tip to his work. A rough balance issued in connection with the Winton Jockey Club's meeting showed a credit of £ 471.

Rad Book is doing well in bis work, and should run a good race or two at some of the holiday meetings. —An effort is being made in Tasmania to introduce an automatic system of handicapping pacers and trotters. Saaanof started at a good price at a recent Canterbury meeting, and % won a sixfurlong race with 9.1 in 1.15 J. —A" 60-year-old trainer named T. Clifford rode his own mare, Gratiosa, to victory art a recent meeting in South Australia. Fiery Cross should not come back from Auckland without, running amongst the money in some of his engagements. Colonel Strait was withdrawn from the Auckland Cup shortly after bis purchase by Mr J. Gleeson, his former part-owner.

Posto Haeto, who is engaged in the Bumside Handicap, has been snowing improved form in his work at Riccarton. Hymestra and Nanna will carry Mr Kemball's colours in the Railway Handicap.Parisian Diamond is reported to be shaping well in his work, and is expected to shape well in his engagements at Auckland.

Tho well-known Victorian trainer R. H. Frew has retired after over 25 years' connection with the sport in the above-named capacity Desert Gold has' been nominated in the Newmarket Handicap, to be nn over six furlongs, on the last • day of the Auckland Cup meeting. Spangle meets Placid on slightly better terms than when she beat him in the Apprentices' Plate at the Cup meeting over seven furlongs. Two imported horses in Marie Odile (SU Amant—Hungry Bird) and Tossin (Mackintosh—Aurora) were winners at a recent Canterbury meoting. A half-sister by Charlemagne II to Moddite wis amongst the winners at a recent Canterbury- Park meeting. She is a mare named Charlene. —ln the G.J.C. Metropolitan Client was handicapped to give Devotion 211 b, and he is handicapped to meet her on 141 b better terms at Manawatu. —H. Gaskill is taking a team consisting of Lluira d'Oro, Camille, Pegasus, Donebird, Golden Pippen, and Auriferous over to the West Coast meetings. G. Price intends taking Birkenvale and ■ Cherry Mart to the Auckland Cup meeting. BothXhorses can travel fast, and should pay their way on the trip. ' Killjoy reads a 3 well treated as anything in the Federal Handicap, and, If brought to Wingatui, would not lack plenty of friends for the race. There will, as usual, be racing' galore during the coming holiday season. The ball . will open at this end with the D.J.C. summer meeting at Wingattii. Sleight of Hand is said to have made a good recovery since going off colour whilst' at Riccarton, and will probably be seen out at the Manawatu meeting. Acceptaiicea for the Dunedin Jockey, Club's summer meeting are due on Wednesday, December 19. Entries for the Trial Stakes Tall due on-the same date. Fiery Cross, who has been doing good solid work up to a little over a mile and a-half. was shipped north with Glendowcr to fulfil engagements at Auckland. Handicap at 9.6; but on his form and the fact of the weights being at a 7st minimum, he reads to have a good chance.' Handicaps for the first day of the Invercargill. meeting are due on December 27 f and owners should note that acceptances are due on the following day, December 28./ —lt is considered doubtful if Zuland can bo got ready to race'at the holiday, meetings. The gelding is, however, making a recovery front his mishap, but is still not too sound. The form at Timaru should throw some light on possibilities at Wingatui, as several horses engaged at the former meeting also booked to race here on Boxing Day. The Melbourne Cup winner West Court has won £11,371 in prize money, and of that amount no less than £4910 was gathered by. running second or third in some of his races. Zuland put up a good /performance at the Cup meeting when he ran second to Birkenvale in the Avon Welter when giving, the latter slb over six furlongs, run iri 1.11 4-6. ' Wet Time, by Martian from* the English maro Wet Day, recently ran into a place at a. Queensland meeting. Wet Day was bred twice to Martian before being sold to go to Australia. Tasman's sister, the winner of the first tv?o-year-old race of the season in Tasmania, claims as her fourth dam- The West, who produced Occident, the winner of the Dunedin Cup of 1892. Risingham, who ran second to Cherry Mart at Riccarton, is handicapped to give slb to Torfreda, the sister to Hyme-stra, in the Juvenile Handicap to be run at the Manawatu meeting Johnny Walker is credited with beating Seadown in a gallop over 10 furlongs prior to leaving for Auckland. Menelaus also did a good gallop' over the same distance with thf> assistance of Mascot. Racing men in Sydney hold the opinion, that the authorities are allowing too much .use to -be made of apprentices, with the result that some of the best riders are obtaining very few mounts. A half-brother to Sir Fulham. by Mauritius, was amongst the winners at a recent Melbourne Trotting Club meeting. He is an aged gelding named Lord Fulham, and won a nine-furlong race in 2.47 J. Hiion Patch, who won in 2.17 2-5 at Forbury. Park after losing ground at th« start, is giving away Ssec in a 2.20 class at Auckland. Two others in Pax and Birdwood are rn the limit in the same race. The racing authorities occasionally pass some idoiic names into .the calendar, and such as Willy's Knight and Master Inez—a pair that figure in the Trial Plate at Mana» watu —furnish further evidence in that direc- - tion. The once crack colt Aurum left very little stock when at the stud in England, and has had very few representatives sine*. returning to Australia. The son of Trentorl has, however, recently had a couple of winners in. Victoria. —lt may be worthy of note during the Auckland Cup mpetint- that Gazique finished fourth in tlie Avon Welter with 9.7, and was not far away from Birkenvale, who won Iri 1.11 4-5. At_ his weight in. the Railway Handioap Gazique should run a merry tit furlongs. Nominations are due on Friday, December 21, for the Southland Racing Club's summer meeting, at which the -principal events will be the Invercargrill Cup, of 650<30v5, and the Southland Handicap, of 400sova. The club is giving SOOOsovs in prize monev at the meeting. The Auckland Trotting Cup,'of .lOOOsovs, is for a 4.42 class, and forms a marked contrast to the Forbury Park Cup worth 400sovs, and also for a 4.42 class. Sir Fulham was handicapped at 4.40 when he won here, and is not badly treated at Auckland in being classed at 4.39 after his win. Client figures as an acceptor at Manawatu, and has only lib more than he, went out a red-hot favourite under in the Metropolitan. He looked to hold a good winning chance during the running in the Now Zealand Cup, and may be favoured by the shorter distance at Manawatu. Before winning his first Chamoion Stakes, run at Flemington in 3878, First King was srnlloped in a trial with four horses at him. They were Bosworth, Plunge, Savanaka, and Pardon, nnd the merit of the gallop was demonstrated by each of the trial horses winning on the same day as First 'ving. The Victorian fiacing Club Committee ~. recently cancelled tho license of a bookmaker in consequence of his being convicted of an offenco against the Police Offences Act. The committee also decided that in future any bookmaker who is convicted in a police court ~ on a charge under the Act named will ba refused a license. Tho Duke of Westminster has presented Eaton Hall to tho British nation. It was at the Eaton Hall stud that Ormonde, Bend 'Or, Flying Fox, Sceptre, and other notable horses were bred. Some months ago the present Duke of Westminster sold off -all his horses in training, but still retains the stock compris'ng the Eaton si-ud. —At the monthly meeting of tho Wintor

Jockey Club a letter was received from Sir George Clifford, president of the Racing Conference, drawing attention to the fact that portion of a club's surplus funds had to be reserved for the maintenance of racecourses The latter was the outcome of » report that the club intended to devote all profits to stock .old at Invercargill last week read cheap on paper. A, veariin ° brother to Silent Way sold at 91gs, and a four-year-old gelding brother to Gunvestwent at dOes Tbo Downshue gelding, Samiel, Sid to have cost Mr J. Grigg fOOgs, eold at 13gs. Top price was made by a. three-voar-old gelding by Vice-AdnnraWrom Lady Talbot, a mare by Pilgrim's Progress from Lady Lillian. , : ■ _ . _Bedshlre, Marsa, Battle Eve, Palamon, Benefit, Sir Mart, Matty, Subterfuge, gpangk, Aycliffe, Placid, Quirmus, Belair, Helicon, Micky Free, Leaping Burn, Lawsuit, Whip Cord, Euripos, Ogier, Awahou, Bon, and Margarine are amongst the horses claimling more than one engagement at Wingatul, an* this state of affairs may result in » izae-W field or two by the time the horses Una up to the barrier. • The Ashburton Trotting Club; will be %hU to present their patrons with an excellent card on Boxing Day, as several highglass performers claim -engagements at the Sleeting, a.nd the improved travelling' facilities ehould assist in the success of the fixtar«. The Gore Trotting Club is also eatertog lor that branch of the sport on the atuno day, and southerners will appreciate ihe chanc* of some racing in their own «\ist.rict. > —Mr W. Crossan recently experienced a piece of bad luck in losing his stallion Tawhaki, who broke a leg whilst running in a paddock, and had to be destroyed. Tawhaki was a better galloper than generally supposed, but just as ho was coming into form he wrenched a joint, and thus put an end to his racing career. Tawhaki has left a few foals, and some, of .them look Tfkely loTts. They may one day bestow a little posthumous glory on their sire. Rorke's Drift, who figures at the top of the list with 9.6 in the Otago Handicap, has, tw-cn- a good performer under weight. ■Last season he won the Riverton Cup, one mile and a-half, with 9.11 in 2.41 3-5, and gave 251 b and a beating to Marsa, who finished third. In the Otago Handicap, run "over the same distance, Mar,sa is in receipt of 161 b. At the South Canterbury autumn meeting Marsa won the Timaru Cup with 8.2, whilst Rorke's Drift 9.13 was unplaced, but close up. to the leaders. Sir George Clifford has sold Good Hope to Mr J. J. Cbrry, of Marlborough. At one time Good Hope threatened to develop into a good racehorse, but after winning the Middle Park Plate, C.J.C. Champagne Stakes, and D.J.C. Champagne Stakes, he seemed content to rest on the laurels he gathered in his. first season- on the turf. During one stage of last season's Derby, in which he was placed behind: The Toff and Egypt, he moved tip when turning for home as if he intended making a bold bid'for winning Apparently lie changed his mind, and was content with a moderate third. . —Several horses from Mr J. Grieg's stud *«re sold under the hammer last week, when the following prices wore made:—Calibre— Walda filly, 26gs; Golden Knight—Glory filly, Hga; Vice-Admiral— Lady Talbot .geld»ng, lS?-gs; Rorke's Drift —Mettle colt, 16gs; Golden "Knight—Storm filly, 18|gs; -ViceAdrniral—Blue Stocking gelding, 30g3; YiceAdmiral —Pearl gelding. 17gs f Calibre — Golden Way yearling colt, 91gs; Calibre— Alumini yearling colt, GOgs; Calibre—Tinwald Beauty gelding, 40gs; Calibre—Sevres Vhina inare, 3Ggs; Samiel, 15gs ; Gay Spark —Lady Tnlbot yearling, 19gs. —J. W. Lowe lias left for Auckland with Menelaus, Johnny Walker, Seadown, and Ayah. This settles the question as to whether Menelaus and Seadown are to be raced at the Manawatu meeting. If one can credit reports, Seadown is one of • the best-backed horse 3 engaged in the Auckland Cup, and if he has shaped well with such excellent trying tackle as Menelaus and Johnny Walker,, then he must hold a rosy chance at Auckland. It would be a most remarkable Htate of affairs if Lowe went, one better tha'n he did at.Riccarton by saddling up the placed Jot in the Auckland Cup. ---Adelaide Direct is handicapped "at 4.29 in the Auckland Trotting Cup, and is in receipt of-"2scc from Author Dillon. Sir Fulhnm .i« in receipt of lOsec from Adelaide Direct, and, taking a line through Pax, who is on the limit, and in receipt of 3sec from the Forbury Cup winner, the son of Marvin Wilkes does not read' badly treated. Sir Fulham won in a 4.42 class at the Forbury Park meeting when giving 2sec to the" ? cratch horse, and is now tightened up only soo for his win. Adelaide Direct is let out 1 l-sscc on her 4.27 4-5 mark at which she went in the New Zealand Trotting Cup. andAuthor Dillon now meets her on 2sec better t*rms. .. •'

"Wrestler lias been standing tip to his *" wock, and was sent north in company with Adjutant, Gamecock, and Long Range. No one seems to think about .Adjutant in connection with the Auckland Cup; but if ever U horse ran like a stayer the son of Martian and Discipline did when he was overhauling Kilboy and Fierv Cross at the finish of the Great Autumn Handicap. He finished half a length away from Fiery Cross, who was pnat a neck in 2.33 2-5. Adjutant carried S>.o, and put up a really fine performance. He, however, did not get prominent at the Chip meeting, but may not have been at his boat. Adjutant is bred to stay, and it may be of interest to recall the fact that his dam was tot by Treadmill (son of Bill of Portland) from Mad owl a, by Trenton— AizahMi, by Galliard. Tn framing the fiVures for the Federal Handicap Mr J. E. Henrys has shown a gooci d<?al oT respect for The "White King as tli« result of his dual success at the Cud mooting. There was, however, nothing of much wot© behind him in the Linwood Handicap, wh«H hia win was in a great measure due to horsemanship, and a similar state of affairn njristed vheu he again bsat Subterfuge in the Randolph. Giving The White King full credit for his success, he now looks rather olose at 41b to a much better performer, s. Z-aland, Margerine,. and Killjoy. Kauwhero is another that has yet to prove himself in good company, and he seems to have his full share of weight in the same race. Either of them may win; but there is no occasion to enthuse over their chance on paper, even thonifth they hit the eye as recent winners. Th,j three-year-old Hymestra put up an attrnotive performance last week by winning under 9.9 in the smart time of 1.14. In doing so he not only gave a prompt return of JKtrliffn of the 2030 gs paid for him at the l&te Hop J. D. Ormond's sale, but also g?av6 an indication that he has trained on adnoe last season. Doubts hove frequently oeon expressed as to whether the colt will atay or»not, but there is no doubting that ha ha 3 a rare, turn of speed. There is no *eason why Hymestra should not develop Into a fair stayer if trained to go a distance. His dam supplies him .with a goodly wa&re of staying blood, as she was got by Birkenhead from Witchot, by Sir Lancelot— Elfiooi, by Nordenfeldt—Elfin, by Musket— Sylvia., by Fisherman—Juli«t. Hymottus, the

sire or Hymestra, is a stoutly-bred horse, as he was got by Cyllene (the sire of Polymelia, Cicero, Lemberg, Minora) from Sweet Balsam, by Friar's Balsam from Ennerdale, "by Galliard (son of Galopin) from Thirlmere, by Doncaster.