IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3348, 15 May 1918, Page 41

IN A NUTSHELL.

Art is to be schooled over big fences

Donnata is* to be retired to the stud

Palisade has joined J. A. White's team. Rcngahere has joined R. Mjuonald's stable.

The next Melbourne Cup will carry a stake of GOOOsovs. Flynn is to ride Waimai in the Great Northern Steeples The Boniform filly Bondage has been placed in work again. The North Otago Club's meeting takes place cm Thursday of next week. The Ibex case is still under consideration by the Manawatu stewards. Extra accommodation is badly required in the press room at Forbury Park. Hsctorata shaped well last week, but was apparently not quite class enough. Bore and Charley are both booked to fulfil engagements at the "Wanganui meeting. —• Sedd-el-B>ahr and Magdala were schooled over hurdles on Tuesday, audi shaped fairly well..

—As usual the Amateur Handicap at Forbury Park provided a big field, buo poor sport. Battlo Eve is not seriously amiss, and his owner hopes to give him a run at Oamaru.

Crib was struck out of the Great Northern Steeples shortly after the declaration of weights.

Banian did not look quite ready to raco when stripped for the Autumn Hurdles at Ashburton.

Koike's Drift was handicapped at 9.9 in the Oamaru Cup, and not at 9.8, as originally published The first, race at the North Otago meeting will start at 12.10, and the last on the card at 4 o'clock.

—W. S. Young has lodged an appeal against his disqualification by the Manawatu Racing Club. Handicaps for the first day of the Dimsdin winter meeting are due on May 24, and acceptances on May 27. Rcmgahare got in trouble whilst being schooled a few liays ago, and. afterwards showed signs of lainene£3.Jack Symon,s does not seem to be training on into half the horse ho promised to bo at tho outset of his career. Coalition, in charge of H. M'Sweeney, has left for Wanganui, and after racing thero will bo taken on to Auckland.

Satinwood, the sire of Dunspey, is in the private sale-list, owing to his owner being called up for military service.

Johnny Walker is to be treated to a lengthy spell, and may be schooled over hurdles when again placed in commission. Killjoy could not start at Ashburton, owing to Slogan giving her a tax) with one of his heels when running in the x>addock. Bramblctyo was staying on well under 9.9 in the Fairfield Welter, and that factmay bo worthy of note for future events. Art made a reappearance- at Ashburton, when he sx>orted silk for the first time sincerunning at the last Grand National meeting. The locally-owned All Pink did not begin at all well at Ashburton, but was moving up towards the finish, when she gained third Xnace.

Oeorge M. Junior pulled up lame after his race on Saturday, and as the trouble appears chronic, he should be thrown out of training. —S. Reid, who is filling G. Price's position as trainer to the Highden team, has been ordered to come up for further medical examination.

There was a rumour abroad that battle George had " come back," and in consequence he received a good deal of support. Ho stayed back. Spectual was schooled over hurdles after returning from Ashburton, but spoilt the exhibition by showing a return of bleeding from the nostrils.

Judging by results at Forbury Park, just as many, or even more, horses got left from a standing start as they do by any other method of desxsalch. The veteran Adelaide trainer, J. H. Hill, has retired. Ho rode in the Melbourne Gup of 1866, and trained Auraria when she won the Melbourne Cux>.

Bad going, changing from sloppy ground to sticky mud, tended, to upset form at Forbury Park last week. Perhaps other reasons also hampered action. —A. popular way of wagering amongst small backers and fielders in Victoria is on picking a placed horse in each of the events on a day's programme. Sleight of Hand and Braehurn were withdrawn from all engagements at the A.R.C. Great Northern meeting before the declaration of acceptances. Four horses in Rainitiariri, Acu3hla Machree, Dillon Maid, .and Stanley's Child had their ■ chance settled at the outset of the "Winter Oats Handicap. Nautical was fancied in some quarters for his Ashburton engagement, on account of good track work, but in the race ho was only one of the also started. . The brood mare Bonny Helen was sold at the Sydney sales, and has been brought back to New Zealand. Armistico broke her shoulder on the voyage, and was destroyed. —ln two breakaways in the Grove -Farm Handicap Gamecock was well away, but at the actual despatch he did not show out, and failed to become conspicuous when it came to business.

The imported horse El Carbine gave bursts of epeed indicating a high-class trotter, but he continually ran over himself last week. He should do much better on a larger track. ' —The Danube—Miss Mischief filly Missouri went out favourite for the Longbsach Handicap, but failed to stay on seven furlongs under 9.2. She looks as if she could be improved. * Good money came for the imported horse Fletham for his race at Ashburton, but he has not been long enough up after a season at the stud to show his true form on the track.

Pita-Roa is only a pony, but he is a. solid little chap, with a good pedigree, as he was got by. Petereta from. Aotea Boa, by Mauritius—lvy Dean, by x Wildwood —Wild Rose, by Childe Harold. Admiral Hal was finishing on well in the Jeff's Memorial, but Pita-Roa and Ramitiairi handed him some ground as they came up the straight at the finish, owing to travelling away from the rails. Tremens looked well to the eye when stripped at Ashburton, but she made no show. It was, however, cm excuse for her that she could not give 101 b and a start to Mortham over six furlongs. Six coloured on the card for the Ashburton Cup, and it is a notable fact that each of the field represented Stockwell in tail male. Four Martians figured in the field, a Kilbroney, and a Delaware. With all our much-vaunted improvement in the tone of the tiu'f (ill -some QTiareaSS) there are still many owners who prefer giving rides to half-baked jockeys, whose capability is a secondary consideration. Matty was beat for speed in her races at Ashburton, but travelling on afc the end, and perhaps she would be more at home over a longer course than six furlongs. Some of her early form Suggests the same opinion. The attractively-bred filly Braid won going away from her field at Ashburton, and added to the merit of her win by staying on rather better than expected. She is very speedy, and should keep on showing improvement.

There seemed to bo a good deal of interference taking place at Ashburton, and amongst the horses who did not appear to bo getting a clear run in their races were Jeanont, Golden Prince, Matty, FJeetham, and Furling. Bideus scored at Ashburton in about a 2.20 gait, whilst Colenut, after hanging- on the mark, failed to Rive away his handicap, lie, however, went better than he did at New Brighton, where he put up 3.27 from a moving start. O. Bred rode a pood race when he scored on Silver Shoe, .and his handy weight should make good amongst tho light-harness fields. Silver Shoe lias improved a good deal lately, and G. Becd had him kc3 r ed up to go a good race last week. Donnata is second to none over a short dash in track work at Riccnrion, but sho failed to begin smartly at Ashburton. Perhaps it represents only the difference between a standing start in a race and a moving start in a gallop. The Vasco filly Moorabse, who acted as runner-up to Braid at Ashburton, is a, halfsister to Majestikoff, and a promising sort. She, however, got well away in her race, and, with that in her favour, held an advr.:it/iffe over others in the field. Acushla ilachree v."is one of the great disappointments at Forbury Park She failed to leave tho mark in the big harness race, but that did not dete'r punters from making her a red-hot pot in the Flying Handicap, run under saddle; but she again failed badly. Waimai was schooled over big country recently in company with Moddito and Captain Lock, and shaped pleasinghy. Moddite was useful on the flat and over hurdles when trained .by W. M'Donald at Kiccarton. and should develop into a good sort over country. Golden Prince fenced very well .at Ashburton for a novice making his first appearance in a hurdle race. He was quick at his fences, and might have been a bit closer up if ho had not suffered an apparent interference when running with the leaders less than a mile from home. G-ladeye and Homeland appeared to be about the only horses in the Flying Handicap that hopped away smartly at the word

" go." Strategy, however, was soon in hot pursuit, and the trio got well clear of the others in the first half, where Strategy already looked a sure winner.

—lt is understood that owing to a-spell of bad weather in the south Nihilist was not quite at his best last week; hence his failure to stay on in tho Beach Handicap. He, however, would have required to do something if Silver Shoo realty accomplished the 5.4 with which ho is officially credited. Kimbolton scored only by a narrow margin at Ash burton, but when shaken up to stall off -Matty was going on again at the finish. Matty failed to hold her place when running with tho leaders after going about three furlongs, but she obtained a lucky passago on tho rails when in the straight. —lt is rumoured that a prominent figure in the trotting world who is consrucuous as a trainer and reinsman contemplates an early retirement from the sport in order to take up agricultural pursuits. It may be a more hurried change than originally contemplated, unless thero is a mend in manners when holding the lines.

—P. D. Jones keeps on saddling up win« ners, even though he trains a team of only ordinary racing merit. Perhaps he will get another Reputation, with whom he made his first success as a trainer, but in the mean-; time ho is showing that he can turn them ~.. oiit ready to race, even when operating on the rank-and-file brigade. Nancy Stair was up in the lead with

Joan of Arc when about half the journey had been traversed in the Winter Oats. Had she maintained her position she would have been much more dangerous at the finish, aa she afterwards made up a good deal of ground. Site, however, has trained very light, and looked to ba only the frame of a horse. ;

Silver-and-Black was finishing on in. third place behind Braid in the Lughmor Plate, and afterwards scored a comfortable; win when saddled up again for the "Winchmore Hack Welter. She appears to be mending her manners since going under P. D. Jones's charge, and if there is rot too much truth in the rex>ort as to her respiratory organs, is one worth bearing in mind. Joan of Arc and Hectoraia were setting the pace in the Winter Oats, but after leaving the three-furlong peg from home both mixed, and blocked Trix Pointer, who was running behind them on the rails. Duuspey, who was a bit wide, quickly opened up a gap, and never left the result in doubt in the last quarter. Trix Pointer might have been a lot closer up with moro luck in her favour.

Tlio imported colt Gay Lad won very nicely at Ashburton, and confirmed the good opinion he gathered when first appearing- in public. Still, common prudence cannot disguise the fact that he did not beat anything like a good field, and one should not lend too open an ear when they are ringing the bell a« to his alleged prowess. He is a good colt, however, with good prospects ahead. if all goes well. ' . Thero seems to have been something wrong with the start of the Grove Farm Handicap, when rapid beginners such as Donnata and Speetual and others in the race that are usually smart off the mark failed' to show out at the break-away. Mortharrt soon became prominent, and Purling ran up,' and then Donnata, but. Furling appeared to get cut out, and then Mortham had matters fairly comfortable. Jeannot was sent out a strong favourite for the Autumn Hurdles at Ashburton, bvJi had to bo content with second place to Naupata. The favourite got to Nuupat-a at tho last fence, but the latter screwed out on to Jcannot's line when landing, and apparently cost him a little ground. In the run i home Naupata won nicely in the smart tinia of 2.43 3-5, which reads rather rapid even for a fast track like that of Ashburton. Spangle has been doing some smart track work, and in consequence held to have a good chance in the Ashburton Cup. She, however, kept fiddling about when there was no pace on in the early stages, and when she should have been malting use of her light weight if any justification existed for her inclusion in the field. It seemed to bo a false-run race, and in consequence told more against Adjutant than anything elso. in the field. Majestikoff, the v. v inner of the Ashburton Cup, was nearly knocked completely horsde combat on tho eve of the race whilst being! worked on the track with Charlie. It appears that two hacks were also on tho track, and before their riders could get out of the way of the oncoming gallopers a collision sent all fc-av sprawling, hut, fortunately, without! serious' damag-3. Majestikoff was cut about, and one of Her legs Hurt, but the nr.shap did not prevent her from going to the post and scoring a good win. —■ None of the "Wingatui horses taken up to Ashburton was capable of threatening danger at tho business end of their races. . Marsa and Kilboyne both put up disappointing displays in the Cup. Helicon ran a fair third in "the Welter, but Hot Air ran badly in the same race, and Spcctu-al failed to shc-W out in the Grove Farm Handicap. Possibly they had not shaken off th> effects of their long and tiring journey to the meeting; butj whatever the reason, there is no doubt about tho fact that they made a poor show.

Strategy, according to rumour, was fancied for both his races at Forbury Park, but settled his chance in the first event by twisting a shoe. He made no mistake tho second time out, and had bis race won a long way from homo in comparatively smart time. He is a brother to St. Ursula, and half-brother to Ludski, and, judging by hig smart display, should gather another good slake or two in the future. Strategy waa cot by Pananui from Lucy Hinton, by Bell Boy. Papanui is an almost full brother to Admiral Wood. Majestikoff, tho winner of the Ashburlon Cup, has been a fairly good winner this season. Shs> wou a double at North Canterbury, a double at the C.J.C. midsummer meeting, a race at Akaroa, second in tho Timaru Cup, and also ran third in tho Autumn Handicap run at the last-named fixture. She is a plain-looking sort, but bred on good lines, as she was got by Delaware from Lady 'Majestic, by Majestic (son of Trenton) from Lady Melton, by Bill o' Portland—Litigant, by Martini Henry—Leonie, by Yattendon. Delaware was got by Seaton Delaval from Stcpfeldt, the dam of Reputation, Provocation, and Elevation. Mr R. C. Gillies picked up a bargain when lie secured Canterbury Belle, in foal to Downshire, at tho Elderslie stud sale of 1912 for lOOgs. The fonl proved to be Bellshiro, and Canterbury Belle afterwards threw Bellrock and Mortham to Bokeby. Mortham is turning out the best of the lot so far, and as he is a speedy and improving sort, should with ordinary luck bring more grist to tho mill. Mortham went away from his field at Ashburton and gave nothing a chance at tho business end. He, however, got none tha worst of the Btart. His dam, Canterbury Belle, was foaled in 1906, and pot by Stepniak from Bello Clair, by St. Clair—Dioue, by Traohicer —G-ilda, by Ravcnsworfh —Mermaid, by King Tom. She was bred to Masterpiece in 1914, And to Solferino hist season. Colenut was generally regarded as & can't-lose proposition at Ashburton, but, even so, it was noticed that a fair amount of money kept coming for Bidens, and this faot must have made punters on the i*.vourita

& bit uneasy. Bidens began smartly, whilst Colenut dwelt, and did not get going for fully lialf a furlong, and hence- gave away about ssec instead of tho handicap of 3sec. Coicxrat got to Bidens down tho running, but had to bo driven to get there, and the latter held him at bay in tho run to the post. ■Soma of tho wiseacres apparently had a win on the one upsetting the favourite, as 1 - ju3t as the betting closed a friend from the backblocks of nowhere in the North Island gave the writer facts and figures pointing to Bidens having a really good chance on paper. Strange how some folk gather winning information even v/ith the tongue-tying totaliBOior, which snips a point off the odds with each whisper about a likely winner. There is no shadow of doubt that a keen going sprinter giving indications of being able to stay must be taught to tone down the vigoxir of hi'3 stride and race ■without fighting before achieving success over extra ground. A puller is- very, very seldom found at homo over a distance, and oftentimes beaten by inferiors in a journey by others that will sit quietly on the bit and stride along without tho tendency to sprint ■ when staying is the business in hand. At Ashburton, cs at Timaru, Kilboyne* fought for his head in the Cup, and this, no doubt, materially contributed to him being the first horse in trouble. Tho slow-run race, coupled ■with a railway journey not likely to help *" his chance, found him. the first to collapse. He is a much better horse than his Ashburton Cup form suggests, and when set and steadied for anything up to a fair distance should be able to make good. Changing a horse's distance in either direction is very seldom an immediate success. A schooled sprinter waut3 to sprint, and a stayer cannot gather the speed essential to a successful hurry over a short course. Adjutant was elected a fairly sound favourite for the Ashburton Cup, and, considering his credentials as the only proved stayer in the hold, well entitled to the position, particularly in a yound-run race. A muddling pace, however, in the early stages saw him running in behind Majestikoff and Xilboyne, and this, in the writer's estimation, was responsible for his defeat. After Kilboyne retired Adjutmt moved up to Majestikoff, and looked ;dl over a winner in the distance, but the latter pulled out a little touch of speed at the climax, and scored by a very narrow margin. If Adjutant had been taken up to the leaders when apparently well on his legs after going a couple I of furlongs, and bv his presence in that part of the picture "kidded" the others to make it a sounder-run race, he would have probably scored cleverly instead of suffering a next-to-nothing to defeat. Adjutant in point of fact was not too well handled, and lost a berth on the rails for no apparent reason, except that his pilot would not go up to the leaders and assist in the sound pace which obviously stood essential to his success. It was just this which made the difference between a narrow defeat and victory. ■j.

The memory of Carbine, the famous i ace horse, who was bred at Auckland, will bo kept green hero by two mementoes. Some time ago Carbine’s owner (the Duke of Portland) forwarded the skin as a gift to s ho Auckland Pacing Club. The club decided that such portion of the gift as was suitable for public exhibition should be presented to the Auckland Museum. The ekin was found unsuitable for full mounting in the ordinary manner, and it was decided to present the iaad and neck portion to the museum. This has been successfully mounted, and will shortly bo on exhibition in the museum. The remainder of the. akin will be converted by the club into a chair cover.