TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3489, 25 January 1921, Page 45

TALK OF THE DAY.

By

Sentinel.

AN OLD BANNER. The colours carried by Glentanner awake a Hood of memories of old-time racing, and the pity is that the present standard-bearer i 9 not good enough to carry them with the proud distinction of the past. Still, he at least is good enough to air them and remind one of their prowess in the past. The “white, black and gold sash, black cap” was the racing banner of “Ready Money Robinson,” who once came withn an ace of hitting the English ring over the fence with Gratitude, a mare he backed for a "ton of money, but just missed by the narrowest of margins. The colours were better known in the days when Vanguard won the N.Z. Cup of 1884 and the Dunedin Cup of 1885. In the last-named race Vanguard beat Trenton, a then fat and lusty colt, who afterwards went to Victoria and made racing history by the prominent part he played in two Melbourne Cups and subsequently at the stud in Australia and England. In the first N.Z. Cup a difference of opinion about something or other saw Derrett get off Nonsense and just beat the “white, black and gold sash” on Tasman, and thus it was that “Old Bob” steered the first two winners of New Zealand’s most important handicap. Natator won the first and third Metropolitan in the Hon. W. Robinson’s colours, but ho did not carry them when earlier in his career he won the Derby of 1878. The colours were, however, successfully carried in the Canterbury classic, by Cheviot in 1882, Oudeis in 1883. and Disowned in 1886. D isowned also won the Great Northern Derby and C.J.C. Champagne Stakes. Liverpool also won for the colours in the Champagne Stakes. Grip won the Canterbury Cup in them in 1881. and Salvage won the Great Autumn of 1882 and Vanguard the same race in 1884. Old-time sports will remember the colours being carried in the Dunedin J.C. Handicap with success by Foul Play in 1880, and again by Natator in 1881. Oudeis was another triumphant bearer of the banner at Forbury Park, where he won the Champagne Stakes of 1883, and thus linked his name with Carbine, a winner of the same race, and one of the very greatest horses the world has ever known. Foul Play and Vanguard also won the Forbury Handicap, and so did Sjlver Prince, who was afterwards taken to Australia, but never ran up to the hopes based on the form when carrying the colours in this country. The “white, gold and black” were carried by Foul Play and Natator when they won the Wellington Cups of 1880 and 1881, and, in fact, always played prominent parts in the big things of the old turf days, and one is inclined to ask. will they ever regain the prominence, they won in the days verging round 40 years ago. WELLINGTON RACES. There was a large attendance at Trcntham, but not quite so good as was generally expected. The track was fast, and some smart gallops were registered during the day, as well as close and exciting finisnes. The Wellington Cup was climaxed by a battle-royal between the placed horses,' of which Liens had the worst of the deal through being squeezed in the middle. He perhaps also suffered through G. Young having to undergo a severe waste to do the weight and on top of tire lot: being unable to use Ins whip, if, however, more use had been made ot Punka, to get her to a fair position as they ran along the back she would have taken a power ot beating. As it was, she was one of the last into the straight and then finished on the girths of tlie two lighting for the money. First Salute died in tire last couple of strides, and Maioha got a good run on the rails from start to finish and was lucky to get a fixed, opening which made the difference between winning and losing. Evidently the stable did not greatly fancy Vespucci, as Dooley was allowed to get down and ride Red Ribbon. Nevertheless Vespucci was always handy, and finished close to the placed lot. Warplane was the unlucky horse in the Telegraph Handicap, in which he was bumped back at tiie start, and then made his run right round the field. Had his rider elected to remain near the rails he might have just about beaten Statuette, who was winning comfortably until Warplane arrived on the scene after covering a lot of ground. Silver Link was temporarily off colour, and Silver Peak contracted a cold on the voyage from- Lyttelton to Wellington, and it was decided to put the pen through her name. Miss Mimic was not very prominent in the early stages of the race, but finished close up. Rossini was never sighted, and practically the first two had the race to themselves. The time put up in the Wellington Cup is an Australasian record, and a particularly smart gallop was also put up in the Telegraph Handicap. Mr C. O’Connor got his fields away from a good line, and in every race took pains to make every horse stand flat foot at tire barrier, a practice which gives universal satisfaction. The electric totalisator promptly handled the investments and there was no loss of time in getting the fields away. There is no doubt of its great superiority over tire ordinary totalisator. Quest and Pluto were the smartest out in the Nursery Handicap. Quest led into the straight, where Princess Pat got the verdict from bleeping Beauty. Pluto ran greenly,

but came on again and got third place, with Quest and Creme de Mentho right up with the placed lot. A section of the public was under the impression that Sleeping Beauty was first past the post. Creme de Menthe would have won with a better run. Starters : Backsheesh, Creme de Menthe, Taiparu, Witchley. Quest, Princess Pat, Soldier’s Love, Martial Dawn, Pluto, Zero Hour, Kilreid, Sleeping Beauty. All the horses went to the post for the Wellington Cup. They g'ot away to an excellent line, from which Maioha was the first to show out, but was steadied; and Bonnie Heather led Dusky Eve, Maioha, Nobleman, and Elens out of the straight, with Punka and Tenterfield bringing up the rear. The leaders, aftfer going past the mile post, were Bonnie Heather, Dusky Eve, Maioha, Nobleman, First Salue, and Eleus in close order; and then Vespucci moved up. The field was in close order at the far turn, wthere Punka and Tenterfield were still at the tail of the runners. Bonnie Heather was still in charge as they straightened for home, where Eleus, First Salute, and Maioha put in their claims. The two last-named fought out a great finish. First Eleus looked a winner, and then First Salute; but Maioha, on the rails, stuck to his guns, and won by a head from Eleus, who beat First Salute by another head. Punka came with a groat run, and finished a short half-length away fourth. Eleus wa-s unlucky, as ho got badly placed at the turn, and then had to fight his way between the winner and First Salute, the latter not giving him too much room. After the first four came Lovematch, Vespucci, Idle- Talk, Red Ribbon, and Bonnie Heather. The pool on the race amounted to £11,879 10s. Starters: Fifst Salute, Eleus, Esperance, Veppuoci, Red Ribbon, Punka, Client, Maioha? Lovematch, Bonnie Heather, Tenterfield, Idle Talk, Dusky Eve, Nobleman. Rational, Anomaly, and Tommy Rot were smartest out in the Wellington Stakes. Rational was out clear as they turned for home, but at the distance had to be shaken up to stall off Anomaly. Rational drew out again, and beat Anomaly by a length and a-half. Kick-off was about four lengths away third, and Little River next. Starters; Rational, Kick-off, Anomaly, Tommy Rot, Little River, Welldone. SECOND DAY'. The Weliii igtun Cup meeting was continued in beautiiuily tine vveatlier, and the attendance was very much larger than on the opening day. The track was in splendid prder and very fast, Gloaming putting up an Australasian record for half a mile. Eleus won decisively in record time for the dominion, and proved that he was unlucky on the first day. Decley weighed out for Egotism in the last race but was twice unshipped, and the mount was then given M'Carten, as Decley was dazed by his two falls. The public naturally went strongly for Gloaming in the Kelburn Plate, but the Statuette stable also thought they had a chance. They got away on good terms, Rational and Statuette being a shade smarter than Gloaming. Rational drew out from Statuette as they came to the distance, and when Gloaming made an attempt he got blocked. Rational came on, and appeared to hold a good winning chance, but Gloaming was pulled out, and putting in a lightning run over the last 100 yards, he got up and beat Rational by a short head. Statuette was not ridden out when the result was obvious, and finished about five lengths away. Starters; Gloaming, Statuette, Rational, Sweet Memory. They went strongly for Eleus in the Wellington Racing Club Handicap, in which the field got away to an excellent start, from which Esperance led from Maioha and Eleus as they turned out of the straight. They ran that way along the back in "a close field, with Volo bringing up the rear. Client and Pente were improving their positions as they turned for home, and as they swept into the straight Eleus took charge, and under pressure came on and won nicely in the last few strides by a short length from Esperance, who beat Lovematch by a neck. Then, in a bunch, came First Salute, Client. Maioha. and Ponte. Starters: Eleus, First Salute. Pente, Maioha, Red Ribbon, Volo, Lovematch, Esperance, Client, Dusky Eve.