TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 41

TALK OF THE DAY.

By Sentinel.

THE FORBURY PARK MEETING. Those anxious to see light-harness racing make- further progress in Dunedin must feel highly gratified at the splendid response which owners have made to the Jborbury Park Trotting Club's" summer programme, which will come up for decision on January 31 and February 2. Tho nomi-nation-list is so numerically strong that unusually large fields are a foregone conclusion—in fact, if about the average proportion of those handicapped figure as starters, the fields in some cases will be dangerously large in some of tho harness events; nor will anyone envy Mr W. F. Dunne his ■ position as starter. No fewer than 45 horses have boon engaged in the Trial Handicap, and close on a score of them figure on the limit. Such a field would make a most interesting sight even though it might not prove particularly exciting as a contest. Unusually largo fields aro also engaged in several other events; but whilst there is quantity in superabundance, quality is also very well represented by an entry of 23 in the Dunedin Cup, of 600sovs, and an even larger entry in other high-class events on the list. In the- Dunedin Cup Adelaide Direct has been invited to give away Usee, or 132 yards, in a 4.40 class, and has thus been let away 1 l-ssec on her New Zealand Cup record, put up when starting near the front of a handicap. She will have all her work cut out to get through what is sure to bo a fairly' large field. Next to her is Agathos, who Van fourth in the New Zealand Trotting Oup when starting off tho same mark as-the winner, and who is now in receipt of 2soc. Both of those at the back of the handicap will have to cover about half a furlong more ground than tho limitdivision, and those anxious to anticipate tho judge's decision will very probably look nearer the front for the winner. Acceptances for the- first day are due on the 23rd inst. SIDE-STEPPING SUCCESS. Tho splendid list of entries received in connection with the Forbury Park meeting strongly suggests that if the club linked forces with the Dunedin Jockey Club a verv successful gathering would result, if both held their meetings during the same week. The principal meetings held at Riccarton. when hold in conjunction with the Addington fixtures, have for many years filled Christchuxch to overcrowding, and, whilst building up a great sporting week. incidentally confers a tremendous benefit on the tradespeople of _ that city. Jho same thing is noticeablo in connection with tho Auckland Racing Club's and Auckland Trotting Club's principal meetings, and Wellington is in a minor degree moving along in lino with what has time and again proved a most successful combination. Our local clubs may be able to advance good reasons for keeping clear of each other; but it was not always so, and, judging by conversations held with many of the principal trotting men in Canterbury, the latter would be very pleased to see both meetings held during tho same week. It has to be remembered that the sporting public and very many owners are equally interested in both tho thoroughbred and trotier, and when that is so the linking of forces is not only of mutual advantage to the clubs, but also to tho travelling public, who would then require to make only one jour-

ney where, under existing conditions, two are necessary. The oontinuccl attractiveness of tho two meetings would certainly bring many people along who probably attend only one or the other of our local meetings, but who would bo pleased to patroniso both if they occurred during tho same week. The Forbury Park Club would, no doubt, b;; the strongest objector to this frequently-proposed sporting -amalgamation, because it would mean the loss of a halfholiday crowd which they get at present; but it would be more than compensated by larger attendances of tho racing public supplying the sinews of war, and not merely spectators of the game. There is, of course, no possibility of anything being done in the matter at present; but one is being continually asked if our clubs will ever fall in line with what has proved such a great success in tho north—-a sporting and commercial success.

THE WELLINGTON CUP MEETING. A field of 14 has paid up in tho Wellington Cup, and with such star attractions as Desert Gold,. Hymestra, and somo of tho best two-year-olds seen out during tho season likely to run the oiub will be able to issue an attractive card for the gathering. A light scale of weights was adopted in connection with the handicap for the Wellington Cup, and this no doubt materially assisted in squeezing out almost the entire tail figuring at the minimum. Apart from, that, however, most of the notable horses engaged still stand their ground. Menelaus dropped out in favour of his stable companion Johnny Walker. Hymestra will attack the Wellington Stakes, and Form Up and Cynic remain as about the only noticeable absentees originally figuring in the field. Chortle has not been harshly treated at the head of the list with 9.4 opposite his name. Ho has time alter time proved himself an exceptional horse under weight, and has ran some sterling performances up to a mile and three furlongs, and also holds some very creditable form up to a mile and a-half. Ho dead heated with Sasanoff in the last Hawko's Bay Cup, when they finished a length and a-half behind Multifual, who carried 8.6 and won in 2.35, Chortle carrying 9.9 and Sasanoff 8.13. At the Wellington autumn meeting Seadown 7.10 beat Chortle 9.9 in 2.23 over a mile and three furlongs. Chortle won the Easter Handicap at the Wairarapa autumn meeting with 10.3, beating Teka 9.0 half a length in 2.6 3-5, and his other winning performance last season was at the Wellington summer meeting, whore ho carried 9.3 and won the Consolation Handicap in 2.8 2-5. This season Chortle won tho Avondale Cup with 9.9 in 2.9 1-5, ran close third with 10.4 in the City Handicap (won by Mullingar in 2.8 2-5), and was third with 10.1 to Devotion 7.7 and Nobleman 7.1 in the Manchester Handicap run at tho Feilding spring meeting, finishing juat over two lengths away in 2.7 2-5. At the recent Auckland Cup meeting Chortle 9.9 ran unplaced behind his stable companion Multiply, when the latter won the A.R.C. Handicap with 7.10 in 2.35. The unplaced lot included Wellington Cup candidates in Red Ribbon 7.12 (fourth), Johnny Walker 7.8 (fifth), Adjutant 8.6, and Snub 8.2. Both Chortle and Multiply are remaining in the Wellington Gup, but at the figures the top weight seems to hold tho best chance. Teka should account for Multiply, who has to meet tho former on 111 b worse terms than at Auckland and on 151 b worse terms than when the Mystification gelding- won tho Metropolitan. Adjutant is nicely treated when it is recalled that he finished right up with Killboy and Fiery Cross in the Great Autumn, when carrying 9.0 and giving- 191 b to tho recent winner of the Auckland Cup. That performance suggests Adjutant as one of the picks of the handicap. There is a direct lino to Devotion's form with Nobleman and Chortle, already quoted above, and as Nobleman appears to have won well at Manawatu and still has an easy burden to handlo he reads as a 'very hard horse to boat. Nobleman won with 6.12 in 2.32 1-5, beating Square Deal 8.10 and Devotion 8.10 out of a place. He is ,paying well for his success, as he meets Devotion on 201 b and Square Deal on 211 b worse terms. Still, a rise from 6.12 to 7.9 should not prove much of an anchor to speed, and Nobleman ought to be capable of putting up a good mile and a-half at Trentham. Devotion has recently been showing good wining form, but on Riccarton form, where she carried 7.1 and finished outside of a place, behind Teka 8.5, Multiply 7.2, and Johnny Walker 7.11, it looks as if that trio should beat her again. Devotion probably improved after Riccarton, but it is very obvious that she will have to show great improvement if she is to beat, say, Johnny Walker on 191 b worse terms than when the latter beat her in tho Metropolitan. In fact, Devotion and Square Deal both have their full share of weight. Snub has run so disappointingly that one is tempted to ignore his chance, but apparently the stable is not without hope or they would not cart him about the country. On form Adjutant should bent him over a mile and a-half; but a win for Snub would not surprise the writer. Red Ribbon shaped well at the Auckland Cup meeting, where she bca't Multiply at even weights in the Oup, when the,y filled the places behind Fiery Cross, and she finished close up fourth in tho A.R.C. Handicap when giving the winner 21b. Now she comes in on 101 b better terms. _ Rod Ribbon should boat Vagabond on their Summer Cup form. Johnny Walker has only to repeat his R:Vcarton form and his fifth in the A.R.C. Handicap to make matters warm for the opposition. Ho has ran consistently, but without any luck, and his pilot will have to handle him much better than he did in the Metropolitan or ho will again wreck an excellent chance of success. THE SHIPLEY STUD SALE. It has been estimated that tho Shipley stud stock cost Mr S. Green about 50.000g5, and when under tho hammer last week the 'total made only went to 31,245g5. Tho Persimmon horse Comedy King made 7300g5, and this is one of tho highest" figures ever made by a stallion under the hammer in Australasia, Trafalgar, who <?old at 7500g5. holding' Ihe record. Comedy Kingwon just on 13.000sovs in stakes, and since taking up stud life has sired somo firstclass racehorses, including Biplane, who achieved such o brilliant success during tho Australian .'pring meetings. When the Sylvia Park S'tud was dispersed in 1891 Nordenfcldt was purchased by the late Mr S. Horden, of New South Wales, at 560%5, and that price ranks as the leading figure ever paid for a stallion in this country. It is Interesting to recall tho fact that at the,, same sale St. Legor made only 400<rs. and another subsequently very successful sire. Hotchkiss, went at 355g5. Mersey, the dam of Carbine, with Carnage as a aeft

foal at foot, made 23C0gs. Other notable prices paid for stallions under tho hammer in New Zealand includo tho 3750 gs paid for Multiform, and tho 23C0gs paid for Charlemagne 11. Top price for a brood mare sold at £he Shipley sale was tho 14O0gs paid for Livonia, a mare by Stepniak from Gloronia, by Apremont, whoso best; foal in this country was Merrivonia. Air Motor, the dam of Biplane, sold at 750 gs. She roads cheap; but apart from Mr G. D. Greenwood's crack, 'the daughter of Ayr Laddie has not been a success at the stud, and as she was foaled in 18S8, she is not likely to make many additions to the Stud Book. Rattler, tho dam of Vice-Admiral, a mare that made IOOOgs at tho late Mr Stead's sale, won't at 150 gs; but sho has been a comparative failure since going to Australia. White Star, whoso first stock made their appearance on .the turf this season, does not seem dear at 2700g5, and tha't price is a big shrinkage on tho SOCOgs it is understood tho son ,of Dundridgo and Doris cost in England. White Star had Tragic Star, who ran second in tho Maribyrnong Plato and Mimosa. Stakes, as his first representative on tho turf, and quite recently he had his first winner in Constellation, a daughter of Lady Wallace. Mr Green, the owner of the Shipley Stud, was a liberal buyer of New Zealand-bred mares, or mares that were members of New Zealand studs. At the Elderslio 2* ld sale of 1912 he naid 80Ogs for Ingoda, 750 gs for Watershoot, 850 gs for tho English mare Ronetta, 750 gs for Kora, and 550 gs for Petruvia. Other New Zealand mares at Shipley Stud included Artillerie, Cross Battery, and Indian Queen. THE DUNEDIN CUP MEETING. A long-established fixture on tho racing calendar in the shape of the Diinedin Cup meeting comes a step nearer this week, as nominations fall due om Friday next, January 13. This year's programme will be condensed to a two davs' card, to bo got off on February 14 and 16. Tho Duncdin Cup still retains its financial attractiveness of lOOOsovs. and next in point of value comes the Publicans' Handicap, of 4XX)sovs, the D.J.C. Handicap, of 4Oosovs, and the Hazlett memorial, of 300sovs.