IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3332, 23 January 1918, Page 47

IN A NUTSHELL.

All Pink is now a member of B. Ellis's stable at Biccarton.

Nobleman was pirominent from end to end in iho Wellington Cup. Biplane is again getting through good striding work on the tracks. Handicaps for the C.J.C. midsummer meeting are due on Friday next. The Greymouth Trotting Club's meeting resulted in a profit of £<X)O. The Wairio Cup produced an excellent race, the first five finishing in a bunch. Nanna led to the straight in the Telegraph Handicap, and then faded right out of it.

The Gore Racing Club will give 1145sovs In prize money at its one-day meeting in March.

Sasanof, Sweet Corn, and others of Mr W. G-. Stead's team arc to be shipped back from Australia. The Wingatui stables aro represented by Brdowa.and Polonius in the C.J.C. midsummer nominations.

The Trotting Association has declined to permit optional _ races at the Waimate Racing Club's meeting. Dunedin Clip candidates in Margerine and Wardancer aro getting through good solid work at Biccarton. An old-time Dunedin jockey and trainer in James Cotton won the first "Wellington Cup, which was run in 1874.

Bagdad and Post Haste scored the two easiest wins of the day on the opening of the Wellington Cup meeting. The well-known light-weight rider Ashley Reed is amongst those drawn in tho last ballot for military service. Nobleman, tho winner of tho Wellington Cup and Manawatu Cup, is amongst those engaged in tho Dunedin Cup. Fabia, the dam of Vascovia, a winner at the Wellington meeting, is now a member <* Mi- L. C. Hazlett's stud.

Acceptances for the first day of tho Forbury Park Trotting Club's meeting fall duo on Wednesday, January 23. Elgus, the two-year-old brother to Koesian, shaped promisingly in the Nursery Handicap run on Wellington Cup -day. —The Bonifonr.—Heatherbrac colt Heathercote is said to be one of the most promising two-year-olds in Sir George Clifford's stable. Adjutant was ono of the leaders in the Wellington Cup, but faded out ■ after running a good race up to about the distance post.

Almoner," 80-Peep and Demagogue, a trio ranking at the head of the betting on the Wellington Stakes, failed to gain a place.

—lt is reported that the smart pacer Frundocia has completely recovered from the injury to tho jaw which had been troubling him.

Two smart two-year-olds in 80-Peep and Almoner, who were both racing under penalties, failed to gain a place in tie Wellington Stakes. Subterfuge was reported to be lame last week, but apparently the trouble was not of a serious nature, as she is again getting through useful tasks.

Tho time record Wellington Cup is jointly held by Bee and Bunting, who both won in 2.31 3-5. Pavlova ranks next with 2.32 to her credit.

—lt is once3»moro reported from the north that T. F. Quinlivan will leave for Sydney in the near future to act as private trainer for Mr E. J. "Watt. A Dunedin-owned horse has never won a Wellington Cup. On the other hand, two Wellington-owned horses in Advance and Grhorka have won' the Dunedin Cup. The trotter Peter Bell recently met with an accident, but the mishap is not likely to prove serious enough to cancel engagements at tho Forbury Park meeting. Nominations for the Australian Cup and Newmarket Handicap show an increase over the figures recorded in connection with these events during the past three years. A West Australian owner was recently fined £25 for late scratching. It is a moro serious matter in connection with straightout betting than it is with the totalieator. Vascovia, the winner of the Apprentices' Plate, was got by Vasco from Fabia, the dam of Fabrikoff and Fabriquette. Vascovia sold at ,50gs at Mr H. Patterson's sale in 1915.

, There is a prospect of two star attractions being provided at the Forbury Park meeting by Adelaide Direct and Cathedral Chimes attacking the track record for - one mile.

—lt is reported that the owner of Evelyn considered his mare somewhat flattered in the handicap for the Dunedin Trotting Cup, and as a result has thrown her out of work.

Koesian made a bold show in the Telegraph, but failed to see out the distance. It was his second race this season, and he may not be strung right up to concert pitch; Only two favourites in Killowen and Nobleman scored at Trentham on Wellington Cup day. Two others in Robur and Battle Song succeeded in getting into third place.

The Riverton Cup will probably be run over a mile and a-quarter this season. The alteration will no doubt.meet with appreciative support by the general run of horseowners.

Southern reports concerning the Wairio meeting carried objection to the totalisator being run on the £1 basis, and suggest that the club should instal a more up-to-date machine.

The Canterbury Jockey Chib's summer meeting is regarded as a purely local affair, and seldom attracts much outside patronage. Even so, the stakes range from' HOsovs to 500sovs. /

—At a recent meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Association it was decided that all drivers and riders called off at the start of a lace should be reported to the association by the stipendiary steward attending the race meetings.

Fiery Cross has been striding along in good useful work, and will probably bo one of the field seen out in the Hazlett Memorial Stakes, to be run at the Dunedin Cup meeting. The imported horse Land of Song recently met with an accident whilst running in a paddock. He was in a bad way as a result of the mishap, but hopes are held out for his recovery. ; —Post Haste, who got amongst the winners at Wellington, is a brother to Flying Start and First Flight. He was injured as a youngster, and purchased at a small figure by his present owner.

The death is reported of the once brilliant mare Nones, -who was one of the moat serious rivals Desert <3old encountered during her three-year-old season. Nones was a sister to Menelaus, the winner of this season's New Zealand Cup. Special Order, the winner of the TVairio Cnp, was got by Pallas from Order, by The Officer from Sport, by Albany—Zelica, by The Peer. Balboa was got by Varco from Nerve, by Birkenhead—Spot. The present owner of the New Zealandbred Sauci has' won twice with him since buying the Charlemagne IT gelding at 100s;s. Mr S. P. Ma-okay paid 850s:s for Sauci, but failed to win a race with him. The Australians are very keen on seeins Desert Gold in Australia. They will find she pans_ out real "mettle," and that there is nothing of the wild cat echemo about her "claim" for distinction.

Lionskin, Counterscap, Canamana, Bondnee, Preface, Scornful, Long Bange, and Afterglow are amongst the youngsters engaged at the Biccarton summer meeting and also at the Dunedin Cup meeting. Red Eobin again put up an unlucky performance by limning second in the Wellington Cup. She also acted as runner-up in the Auckland Cud and finished in a place in the A.B.C. Summer Cup. The Caet _ Iron case came before the Dunedin District Committee last week, and was adiourncd pending the production of some telegrams which passed between owner and trainer in the course of the Oamaru meeting.

The excellent entry received in connection _ with the Ashburton Trotting Club's Sapling Stakes marks the appreciation of light harness stock-breeders, as well as indicating a progressive step in catering for the sport.

Biplane and Hymeshra may meet in the- Jackson Stakes, and there is also a chance that Est land may make one of an interesting trio for a triangular duel in the Wanganui Guineas, which wiH be run at the autumn meeting. The Westland Bacing Club has decided to ircrease the stakes for next season by SOOsovs. This is rather noteworthy, as quito a number of clubs are more inclined to go

in for retrenchment than recording an increase of prize money. Tho following penalties ha.ro been incurred in connection with the Forbury Park meeting:—Trial Handicap—Maud Wilkes, 96ydB; Doreen Dillon, 00yds. King George Handicap—Birdwood, 24yds. Electric Handicap—Will o' tho Wisp, 12yds. .New Zealanders engaged in the Australian Cup include Kilboy, Desert Gold, Biplane, Beltane, Kilflimi, Kill'em, and Sauci. It will be interesting to not© how Desert Gold, Biplane, and Kilboy are treated by the V.R.C. weight adjuster. Tho Wellington Trotting Club ran a 15-rmnuto niotor bus service from Wellington to the Hutt racecourse in connection with its annual meeting. A few subsidised motor waggons would greatly assist towards tho success of the Dunedin Cup nieeting. .North Island horses engaged in the Dunedin Cup are Miss Do Val, Rose Pink, Devotion, Municipal, Chortle, and Nobleman. This entry represents a far more liberal patronage "than the North Islanders hare bestowed on the race during recent years.

. Vascovia, the winner of tho Apprentices' .Handicap, was missing from the list of acceptors for the race, and neither Bagdad, Paddington Green, or Buripos, the placed lot in the Trial Plate, figured in the list published locally a 3 likely runners in the race.

Galore was badly injured whilst on the journey to Trentham, and could not fulfil engagements at the meeting. It is suggested that the rarious clubs should ask the Railway Department for more consideration of bloodstock on trains during shunting operations.

Handicaps for the Dunedin Cup and other handicaps to be decided on the first day of the Dunedin Jockey Club's autumn meeting are due on Monday, Ferbuary 4. Acceptances are duo on Friday, February 8, when entries for the Apprentices' Plate also close. *

The principal event at the Tiinnru Trotting Club's-meeting, to be held on March 7, is the Timaru Handicap, of 250sovs, 4.44 or better. The sum of lOSOsova will bo given in stakes, and the fields handicapped on the tim« system. Nominations are due on Tuesday, February 19. Jiurrangong,. tho winner of the Maiden Plato at tho Wairio meeting, is a halfbrother to Lord Renown and full brother to Mysteriarch. Burrangong was got by Mystification from Stepdaughter, by Stepniak from. Marion, the dam of Strowan, Grand Cross, Motto, and Ismeno.

Red Ribbon was badly ■ placed on the outside of the field in the early stages of tho "Wellington Cup. A horse badly placed as they turn out of the straight and run to the back stretch has a hard row to hoo, as those on the rails hold a decided advantage round the sharp turn.

—R. Derrett rodo no fewer than six Weilington Cup winners during his career in y

the saddle. He steered Foul Play in 1880, Nntator in 1881, Tasman in 1885, Cyneca in 1892 (when she recorded the last of her three consecutive wins in the race), Vogengang in 1894, and Uniform in 1898. A prominent "West Australian sportsman

received 20 tickets in mistake for one of hie investments at the Perth Cup meeting l , and, while the horse he intended to back ran nowhere, the tickets represented a good dividend, which was handed over to the secretary for charitable distribution, "Whilst Mr T. 11. JJavey, chief stipendiary steward, was in the north at tho Auckland Trotting Club's meeting he held on inquiry into the ownership of several horses in the Auckland province. A report in connection with tho matter will be submitted to tho next meeting of the Trotting Association. •

After putting in somewhat unlucky runs at Timaru and Oamaru Post Haste scored and paid a good, price at the Wellington Cup meeting. He was badly left in both Ilia races at Oamaru, but afterwards gathered up ground in a maimer suggesting that he would not require much luck to enter the winning list. Cyrisian, the runner-up in the Nursery Handicap at Wellington, carried Mr G. Li Stead's colours, and is a youngster got by Ifilyeiam from Cyirine, by Cyrenian from Irma, by Neckersgat—Perhaps, by Gang l Forward. Cyrisian cost ISOgs as a yearling, and was bred by Mr H. R. Mackenzie at th 4 Ascot stud. i

Dong Range is reported ' to have smartened up as the result of his racing at the Auckland Cup meeting, and will probably show improving form during the balance of- the season. His next engagement is in the Middle Pa.rk Plate, in which, on form, Almoner represents the most foimidable opposition. \

Apropos of Desert Gold : 3 engagement in the Australian Cup, it is interesting to recall that only one New Zeala.nd-brcd mare, how won the "race. Dtirline, who won in/ 1875, holds that unique distinction. New Zealand-bred horses in the shape of Loehiel, Havoc, and Cheurbini have also won tho Australian Cup, but since its introduction in 1563 only three from this part of tha world have succeeded in winning. The Finland filly Chimera, who ran « good race in the Wellington Stakes, finishing in front of 80-Peep, Almoner, and Demagogue, was bred by Mr T. 11. Dowry, the owner of Finmark. who scored his first success in the race. Chimera is out of an Australian-bred mare named Dandrail, who was got by Grafton from Dangrel, by Projectile—Gold Dust, by Niagara—Goldhke, by Trenton, a half-brother to Niagara. A good deal of bumping and crowding took place- in some of the racing on the first day at Wellington. Miss De Val was running well with the leaders about half a mile from home when she got, sent right back, and her subsequent third is a meritorious performance under the circumstances. Miss Do Val's Wellington Cup run marks her best performance as a stayer. She ran second to Adjutant in the last Sockburn Handicap, but she was then in receipt of 161 b. dominations for tho Ganterbuiy Jockey Club's summer meeting are, as usual, not particularly stronjr from a numerical point of view, but the fields carry a fair amount of quality. Dunedin Cup candidates in the shape of Multlcipal, Adjutant, Morgerine, Wardaneer, Rose. Pink, Spangle, and Ascalaphus comprise- the bulk of ' the list nominated in the Midsummer Handicap, and the form in that particular race will be followed with a srocd deal of interest. The Craven Plate field includes several horses also engaged in tho D.J.C. Publicans' Handicap. —Wo do not have many weight-for-age events at this end of the world, and as a rule they draw small fields This year, however, tho Hazlett Memorial* has drawn the pleasing enliy of 16 including Chortle, Fiery Cross, Koesian, Winter Cherry, and (pleasing to note) southerners in the shape of Aychffo, Hot. Air, Mohawk. Kanwhoro, and others below tho w.f.a. standard, but which have been accorded a sporting entry. The conditions of the race are w.f.a., over one mile, with winners after August 1 carrying 31b extra for a win of lOOsovs, 7lb for 200SOVS, 101 b for 400sovs, and 141 b . for GOOsovs.

The principal event at tho Gort) Racing Club's autumn meeting will bo the Gor<9 Cup, of 300sova, one milo and a-quarter. Tho programme will include a steeplechase

with a stake of 115sova, and stakes will be divided on~a 70 per cent., 20 per cent., and 10 per-ccnt. basis between the placed horses. —lt is rather interesting to note that Desert Gold has been engaged in the Australian Cup as well, as the Newmarket Handicap. Evidently, her owner holds the opinion that she will yet add the distinction of success over a distance to trw many laurels she has gathered over shorter courses. JN'obleman, who has gained the dual distinction of coring in the Manawatu and Wellington Cups, was got by th« imported stallion Sir Laddo from Lady Stockwell, by The Officer from Temr.raire, by Dreadnought from Sister Mary, by Ingomar from Sister Agnes, by Rosicrucian. Sister Agnes produced Percussion, the dam of the wellknown Austral r.n performers Projectile and Fulminate. Sir Laddo, the sire of Nobleman, was got By Sir Hu«o from Golden Moments, by Sheen from Memoir, by St. Simon from Quiver, an almost full sister to Musket. Quiver is the grand-dam of Grafton and the successful English sire Poly met us. Hymestra was not produced in the Wellington Stakes, and apparently his recent mishap caused .more damage than originally stated. It is rather interesting to note that three of the most stalwart opponents Desert Gold could have met up to date in this oountry met with interruption in their training, whilst she has never been seriously sick or sorry. Nones began her career as a very brilliant two-year-old, but tiained off bud caused some little anxiety to her trainer during subsequent portions of her racing career. Biplane split a hoof, and now Hymestra I ia also temporarily off the scene when he was booked to meet her in the Kelbum Plate. The Kilbroney youngster Killowen followed up his previous success by scoring by over four lengths in the Nursery Handicap at Wellington in 40sec. Evidently bo wouJ I have put' up a rather smart gallop if anything could have put in a serious c' -.1lenge instead of allowing him to run home with such a liberal margin in bis favour. Killowen was . bred by Mr T. G. Duncan, of the Waikauae stud, and got bv Kilbroney from Success, by The Officer—Content, by Dreadnought— I/u'ilaby, by ,Apr«niont—Hammock. Honesty and the Great Northern Derby. winner Kilwinning are also out of Success; but Killowen will rery probably aohieve far more distinction on the turf than, any of his close relations. —'Finmark's success in the Wellington Stakes was a mild surprise, although he has been consistent and - running olose to the best out this season. It marked his first win, and he would have a pull in the weights over the best of ihe opposition racing under a penalty. Finmstfk raa second to Informal in the Wellesley Stakes, third to 80-Peep and Pontoon in the Welcome Stakes, second to Demutjsogxie in the C.J.C. spring Nursery, second '» Demagogue in the oiroat Northren Foal -efekos, and third to Hymestra and 80-Peep in hl.i Royal Stakes. Finmark is a brother to inland, but is a chestnut, whilst the lati.T is a brown in colour. Finmark was got, bv Finland from Warscare, by Martian from Gossip, the dam of Bobrikoff.

The late Mr A.' M'Gavm, news of whoso death was cabled from France lar-t week, was a well-known and-—popular figure in sporting 1 circles. He owned and raced Gannie Hug-hie, and was a keen follower of the Otago Hunt. He wrote a chatty letter to the writer under date of November 3, and it cania to hand the day before news of his death arrfvpd. He was a sport to the end, and in the course of his letter said that on New Zealand Cup day they were occupying a brewery barn and chatting about what was likely to win at Riccarton, and expressing regret that it would be some time before they got the result of the Cup. Poor "Mao" has seen his last Cup, and joined the great band of good fellows who donned khaki and found a grave beyond the seas. Aiter -knocking at the door in several races not easy to win, Wrestler scored in the Telegraph Handicap at T.rentham. He has always been more or iegs labouring under unsoundness, but latterly has stood up fairly well to his work a.nd .earned a well-deserved win. Had he. trained Oil 3:nce goiffg into work there is not much z'oubt that Wrestler would have won a good race or two for the blue and gold chequers, as lie has demonstrated a rare turn of speed, on She tracK, but he has always been a matter ot anxiety to his trainers. His win justifies the good- opinions expressed about Wrestler, who was gof by Antagonist from Ehieive, by Trent^jrti—Eleusis, by Bn.rcaldine. Elusive is also the dam of To-morrow, Flitaway, Snapdragon, and Thistledown. ' Thistle Crown, a -oungster being trained at Wingatui for Mr A. B. Armour, Was got by Rokeby from Thistledown. The D.J.C. District Committee met on Thursday night to consider an appeal lodged! bv E. . Redmond against the disqualification imposed upon him and the horse Cast Iron by the North Otago Jockey Club. Final consideration of the matter was postponed until some time during the Dunedlin Cup meeting.