IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 40

IN A NUTSHELL.

"Winter Cherry haa gene amiss. Waxdancei ia regarded as a certain starter in the Dunedin Cup. Paste Haste was bleeding after his race in tho Trial Stakes at Riccarton. There ie a tendency in some quarters to go fox Miarea m the Dunedin Cup. Adjutant may contest the W'anganui Cup in preference to the Dunedin Cup, The Rothschild gelding Mammon ie to join B. Jar din's stable at Cliristchurcn. The well-bred mare Brfghtchild continues to be a failure on the racecourse. The Dunedin Cup meeting takes place on Thursday and Saturday of next week, The Cast Iron cage will be further considered by the Dunedin Distriot Committee next week. Multicipal was finishing on well when he got second to Wardancer in the Midsummer Handicap. —■ Wiikie a glimpse of his old speed at Forbury Pavk last week, but could not see it out to the end. C. Read intends coming down to the Dunedin Cup meeting after riding at ihs New Plymouth meeting. The Geo. M.. Patchin gelding Sunrise was stopping good over the first mile and a-half of the Crescent Handicap. C. Emmerson rode three winners at the C.J.C. midsummer meeting, where he steered Almoner, Lionskin, and Daytime. Wardancer's last win prior to his recent success at Riccarton was scored in the Dunedin Guineas, rim last season. Nihilist is one of the most consistent

pacers in commission, and can generally bo relied upon to run a game, honest race. Tlib rideor of Bleus, who feted as runner-up to Almoner in the Middle Park Plate, lost a stirrup leather during the race. Adelaide Direct looked bright and well to the eye, but fli-q could not get near the danger zone hi either of her races last week. S. Walls, a young apprentice, who won a double on Majestikoff at Itiocarton, is a eon of the old-iimo cross-country rider J. Walls. work last w-eek, but knocks himself, and 13 a very difficult horse to balance up to his best speed. The well-known rider Asiilej Heed has been classed Cl, and will probably have to go into the special straining camp at Featherston. Wingatui trainer will be asked a question or two at the next meeting of the Dunedin District Committee. Mx Harvey Patterson has presented Fabrikoff, six fillies, and four brood maresthree with foals at foot—to the Canterbury Bed doss Fund. L. • H. Hewitt, who has been riding in his old form lately, will probably be seen in the saddle at Wingatui during the Dunedin Cup meeting. ,;'. Torlreda, the two-year-old sister to Hymeatra, showed the way in tha early part of the Lyttelton Plate; but Lionskrn beat her easily at the finish. Nominations for the Waiinate meeting are due on Monday, February IS. The Wairnate Cup, of SOOsovs, forms the chief feature of an attractive programme. . The Southland Cup, to be run on March 20 is to carry a stake of 350»0v5. The Southland Steeplechase, to bo run at the sani-3 meeting, ha* a stake of 250sovs. Long Range's withdrawal from the Middle Park Plate was owing to development of a curb, whioh may also debar him from starting in the D.J.C. Champagne Stakes Manresa won three races on the West Coast prior to winning the Otago Handicap. He cost his present owner 50sovs, but was on offer at lOOsova after his latest success. Moorland was a bit on the boom tor his engagements at the Forbury Park meeting ; but he failed to get anywhere near the money at the business end of his races. Margerine was showing the way down the baok stretch in the Midsummer Handicap, and followed Wardancer into the straight; but she petered out in the run home. * —"Disdainful made no show In the Craven Plate, and her poor form was subsequently explained by the fact that a veterinary surgeon had to bo called in to attend her after the race. —Pieter Timmerman lies down to his work in good, solid style, but at present is a bit lacking in brilliancy, and St. Anthony beat him badly for speed in the New Zealand Trotting Stakes. The starters' stands at Forbury Park hava not been shifted far enough tack, and the official flag-weilder would get a much better view of his fields if he took up a position on the outside of the track. Mortham showed sufficient speed" to pilot the way to the distance in the Middle Park Plate, but he was last at the business end. When placed less ambitiously Mortham should pick up another sprint race or two. The enly blot on the picture at Forbury Park last week was the antiquated stewards' stand. It is a ramshackle relio of the past that should be wiped out of existence even in these days, of costly building. There has been an impression abroad that the inquiry into W anna's running on the first day at Wellington is still under consideration; but a report from the north states that nothing more is to be done in the matter. —7 Young Star Pointer, who was amongst the runners at Forbury Park, is an Ameri-can-bred son - of June Pointer and Lady Estelle, a mare brought out by Mr J. Porter, of North. Otago. Mr Porter also imported El Carbine. Several well-backed horses failed to get near the money at Forbury Park on Saturday. There was a breeze almost amounting to a gale in evidence, and perhaps some of the pilots could not trim their sails and dodge the wind to the beat advantage. Pita-Boa looked an improved horse when stripped last week to what he did on the occasion of his visit to Dunedin in. the spring; but he did not act with any great dash, although he seemed to grow in favour with each succeeding race at the meeting. Hardy Wilkes did stud duty in Victoria Drior to coming to New Zealand, and one of his get in a three-year-old named Guy Wilkes is in the private sale Hst in Melbourne. The stallion Cleve Bells is a halfbrother by Abbey Bells to Hardy Wilkes. asked to meet Margerine on 131 b worse terms than in the North Ota-go Cup, run over seven furlongs, and was also given a full share of weight in comparison with others who have shown good form over a distance. Agathos did not get in tha money at Forbury Park, but) he was stepping along well in both the Dunedin Cup and Royal Handicap. He did not begin too well in either of his starts, and when he gets off without losing ground should land a good Btake, , The Sydney Show- will commence on March 26, and ll,Qoosov.'9 will be distributed in prize money. Amongst the prize money will be £IOO the best thoroughbred stallion, and £SO for the thoroughbred stallion most suitable for getting horses for military purposes. —■Adverse conditions to time-making existed on both days of the Forbury Park meeting. • On the first day the ground was slow and sticky in patcnes, as the result of rain, and on the second day ay gaie of wind prevented anything in the shape of watchsmashing records. Stopdancer won tw;> Dunedin Cups. Her daughter Waratep won under 9.18, the heaviest burden ever carried successfully in the history of the race, and Wardancer, a brother to Warstep, will probably make a bold bid to add another Cup victory to the fame of the family, When Billy Parole turned out of the straight for the final lap in the Crescent .Handicap he had Hardy Wilkes in fairly close, attendance, and the fact that he kept the latte-r at bay until right on the post proves that the Australian Parole gelding can step a lively gait. The paa-ty behind Fernleigh is credited with gathering a good win over the Au Bevoir Handicap. Ho was coupled with several likelv sorts in tlw principal event, but not with Harold Junior. Fernlegh scored very comfortably, and apparently won with a fair amount in hand. Harold Junior scored nicely in the Forbury Handicap. He lay in <he wake of Pax until reaching the straight, when he drew out to win with apparently something in hand. On the first day he played up -at the post, and not only spoilt, his own chance, but interfered with others in the race. The Riccarton track is generally particularly fa3t at the midsummer meeting-. end on? should not over-value the times put up at the meeting. At last week's meeting,

however, the horses hud to finish in the face of a breeze, and that fact enhances the merit of {-omc of the times put up curing the ' A II Son'" well-backed horses 4, that failed to deliver the goods last week included Will o ilie Wisp, JJirdwood, Admiral Hal, Moorland, Peter Bell, Pita-Roa, Rita Peter, Osier, lion Ami, Bill Parole, Pieter Timmerrcan, and Pet/;r Mac. Anything that Las teen strongly supported in a race should always be remembered. ' . Majestiboff, a, double winner at Riccarfon, claiming engagements at the Dunedin Cup meetinsr, was got by Delawaie (halfbrother to Reputation) from Lady Majestic, by Majestic (son of Trenton) from Laciy Melton, by Bill o' ' Portland—Litigant, by Martini Henry. Lady Melton is the dame of Mestichikoff. Snub's win at Pahiatua is the nrs„ he has scored sinco winning the Dunedin Guineas of 1915. Sinco then he haa been placed in several important races, and has lun some gocd, but unlucky, gallops under silk, lie has been twice placed m the New Zealand Cup, and also gained a place in the Auckland Cup. lute backmarker wins a trotting race, but Hardy Wilkes did so at Forbury Park when he gave away just on a furlong and a-hal and, mowing down his field, won in 4.36 2-5. Hardy WJkes had to step 312 yards over two rnile.i, and was travelling faster at the finish lhan in any part of the race. Tamerisk made a bold bid for success in the Dunedin Cup, but stopped badly, and Moneymaker just headed him off in the last few strides. On the second day Taroea-isk had tho assistance of A.' Pringlo, but he could not make any show in the race. The son of Wildwood hangs badly, and is not too reliable when the pressure is applied. A Dunedin Cup candidate in Glendower won the Trial Stakes at Riccartoo. in tho fairly smart times of i. 28 2-6. Glendower is a stable mate of Fiery Cross, and is an improving sort. He was got by Glen&pp from Ecarte, by Sant llario—Fan Tan, by Gosoon —Wheel "ot Fortune, by Goldsbrough, so that there is nothing lacking on the scoro of breeding. Elvina went out" a well-fancied article for each of the mile races at Forbury Park, but she failed to get amongst the money. She, however, shapes with a good deal of dash, and it is interesting to recall the fact that she was got by Geo. -M. Patchen from Whroo, by Berlin from Wanderoo, the first mare that ever won a three-mile race run in New Zealand in Bmin. Lionskin put up a smart gallop when winning the Lyttelton Plate in 1.1 8-5, as she is' reported to have scored easily. In tho er>rly part of the season Lionskin showed promise on tho track, but had to be put by. She claims an engagement in the Dun'.din Champagne Stakes, and was got by Kilbrony from Counterfeit, one of the best performers left by Treadmill. Almoner put up a race record when he won tho Middle Park Plate in 1.12 2-5. He had to finish in the face of a strong breeze. Almoner, who is booked to contest the next A.J.C. Derby, was got by Boniform from Cassock, by Ladurlad from Urania, by Elected, a con of Trenton. He belongs to the samo family as Wakeful, Noctuiform, Eligible, The Toff, Bon Reve, and others, keeping the value of the Musket line in evidence. The imported filly Trix Pointer stayed on well when she won the King George Handicap, and also put up a good display when finishing second to H. ai 'old Junior in tho Forbury Handicap. She is apparently on the improve, and, as she wa3 foaled in 1914, is only a young mare with all her career in froirt of her. Trix Pointer wa3 got by Demonio (2.11 J) from Bally Pointer, a daughter of Star Pointer (1.59 J). Demonio is a son of Charles Derby. The Crescent, Handicap won by Hardy Wilkes provided one of the best racing spectacles ever seen at Forbury Park, and the spectators, despite the ■ fact that the winner was anything but a public fancy, rose to the occasion, and sent up a salvo of applause at the conclusion of the race. Sometimes the sporting public may take their pleasures a bit sadly, but a meritorious performance is never allowed to pass without an appreciative recognition. ■ —■ Hardy Wilkes slaughtered the trotters in the Crescent Handicap; but, even so, he did not go up to tho mark standing against him when racing with the pacers. He went 4.36 2-5 on the second day, and 4.39 in the Dunedin Cup, whilst his winning mark is 4.36, and best placed performance 4.33 2-5. Moneymaker won the Dunedin Cup in 4.36 3-5, or a shade slower than the mark Hardy Wilkes reached under worse conditions than the Rothschild gelding had to contend against. Many tales are told about the selling price of a racehorse, and one recently related to the writer deserves to go on record. A party of sports were discussing the pros and cons of the game when one offered to give away his interest in a horse to tl-ie person shouting a round of drinks. The offer was taken up. at nn expenditure of 4s 6d, and the horse duly handed over; but as the new owner subsequently borrowed £SO from the old owner, and the debt is still, owinß, tho sporting gift stands the "vendor" half a century. There are several attractively-bred young trotters about, and next year's New Zealand Trotting Stakes will in all probability prove a far more attractive race than it has been up to date. Such a race, however, cannot become established at once, and the club has already achieved a great deal towards the encouragement of the straight-out trotter. It is, by the way. pleasing io note that the most popular performance" of the meeting was put up by a trotter in Hardy Wilkes on the track of a club which has been endeavouring to win the righ 1 recognition for the genuine light-harness horse. A. Pringle was in great form on the first day of the Forbury Park meeting; but he failed to get -into the limelight on the second day. He broke into the business in Dunedin, and none cf us down this way will listen to anyone disputing the claim that he is the best all-round man in saddle or sulky in the Dominion. His wins were solely due to horsemanship, and very few would.have chased Tamerisk in th* Dunedin Cup, but Andrew Pring'-a proved that a race is never lost until it is won by snatching success from R. R-oay after the latter had established what looked to be an unbridgable gnp. which continued to exist right up to the homo turn. Moneymaker', tho winner of the Dunedin Cup, also won the same race last year. Ho scored last week in meritorious t?tylo. and "stayed on very pleasingly. 'V'op Rothschild gelding sttinped in fiiif shape,- looking stronger and more muscuKr than previously noticed, and has apparently improved since racing in the Now Zealand Trotting Cup. Moneymaker was got bv that very sucooAsful sire Rothschild front Cocoamit, ' by Princ--; Imperial—Poplar, by Burlington from Jessie Wood, by Blackwood Abdullah. Burlington vmf <rot by Albany from tV> Traducer mare Gossip, the dam oi On Dit, a place-getter in the Dunedin Cup. and Canard, one of the best.'chasers ever seen in New Zealand. St. Anthonv, the winner of the New Zealand Trotting Stakes, is a converted pacer. EJ*

started off his career in the straps, but went amiss, and, on being tried again, showed a tendency to trot, and it was decided to keep him at that gait. He steps along like one that should make a smart trotter if he trains on. St. Anthony was got by Lord Derby from Gianelki, by Quinccy from yneen V, by Kentucky from Harold's Rest, by King Harold. The trotting influence in his pedigree is much stronger than tho pacing gait, as Lord Derby is a straight-out trotter, and so was Quincey, Kentucky, and King Harold. Gia-nclla was a smart pacer with a 4.36 mark, and St. Anthony is her first foal. The racing public is not alone in the big grievance against the present method of running tho railway service. The wellknown Lake County sportsman Mr R. M. Paterson recently bought several stud rams in the North Island, including one costing 200 gs, one of I7sgs, and another at 165 gs, the lot totalling just about lOOOgs. They were landed in Dunedin on Friday last, and, owing 1o lack of railway transport or too much rod tape, could not bo shipped to Queenstown for several days. Mr Paterson endeavoured to solve the difficulty by engaging a horse-box at special rates; but the railway' authorities, although it meant seveial pounds more in transport fees, declined to allow the sheep to travel as thoroughbreds. One could bo pardoned for thinking that stud stock, whether rams or stalliors, calculated to improve their species, would be granted every facility for travelling, but apparently siich is not the case. The dust evil is a serious drawback to racing on dirt tracks. It spoils tho view of the sport, doubly hampers horses running at the back of a field, a,hd imparts an unnecessary danger to the running. Dust was in very unpleasant evidence in the concluding day of the Forbury Park meeting, and totally obscured the start of the final event on the programme, and made it very difficult to distinguish the horses as they ran down the back stretch in almost* every event on the card. A gale of wind and large fields naturally lifted dense clouds of dust from a dry track; but down the straight a much better state of affairs existed. The club sprinkled the "home stretch" with sea water, and on that part of the track, despite the gale of wind, the dust was comparatively non-existent to what it was down the back stretch. Under ordinary circumstances- it eeems clear that salt water will tie up the dust, and-so kill one of the greatest drawbacks to the pleasure of racing on dirt tracks. It only remains for the club to make sufficient provision for the watering of the entire track to find salf water one of tho greatest factors identified with the success of light-haraess racing. When the field lined up to their marks in the Crescent Handicap Hardy Wilkes stood so far back that his chance of overhauling the front lot looked somewhat remote. Whilst waiting for tho word Hardy Wilkes was circling on the track just, in front of the mile post, or a quarter of a mile behind the scratch horses. He was giving away 312 yards, or just under a furlong end a-half; but the handicap looked far more on the track than it did on paper. He was conceding 26 seconds to the scratch horses, and handicapped to go about 4.40. The son of Marvin Wilkes was doubly handicapped through having io work his way in a strong wind, and in the dust of the leaders, but he gradually cut them down, and won a fine race in 4.36 2-5, or just a fraction inside' his previous winning record. He, however, went 4.33 23> in the Dominion Trotting Handicap, run in November last, and under adverse conditions stepped a great two miles when he won last week. Hardy Wilke3 was got by the imported horse Marvin Wilkes (now in North Otago) from. Doris M, a mare by Vanclcve from Lady Harold, by Childe Harold. Primula, the third dam of Hardy Wilkes, was got by a thoroughbred sire in Odd Trick from a daughter of the imported thoroughbred horse Potentate. Desert Gold's record : Thirty-eight starts. 29 firsts, six seconds-, three thirds. As a three-year-old sho won the 14 races she started in. Value of stakes won, £16.890. Carlita won £17.525. Winter Cherry was scratched at 3.50 p.m. and Wishful and Koosian were scratched, at 7.10 p.m. on Monday for all engagements at the forthcoming D.J.C. races.