TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3542, 31 January 1922, Page 39

TALK OF THE DAY.

By

SENTINEL

THE DUNEDIN CUP MEETING. At one time the publication of the handicaps for the Dunedin Cup and Publicans’ Handicap created quite a stir in the racing world but the decline of ante-post betting has robbed both races of a good deal of their old-tnno prominence. Then again there is such a large proportion of the Dunedin Cup field engaged in the Midsummer Handicap, run over ihe same distance, that those in search of winners are practically forced to wait until the form has been displayed at Riecarton. To do otherwise would strongly savour of rushing in where wise punters fear to tread. A my thas has naturally been allotted the pride of place in the Dunedin Cup with the solid burden of 10.5 to carry if sent to the post. He is a big strong horse, well up to weight, and fit and well, with all the avoirdupois to contend against, would take a power beating. He was, however, laid aside for some time after running at the New Zealand Cup meeting and may not be properly tuned up to run a strenuous tune and a half. He cantered the same course as a three-year-old with 9.1 in 2min 32 2-ssec, a race record, and last season won the Ranfurly Handicap with 10.8 in Imin 42 3 ssec. He won the Canterbury Gup last November and in the Stead Gold Cup just failed to beat Winning Hit when giving 91b at w.f.a. over 10 furlongs. They are now invited to meet at 141 b over 12 furlongs, and at the scale of weights the top weight, would probably have the best of it. Insurrection has been jumped 271 b on what he won the Wellington Cup under and 131 b on his W.R.C. Hand icap burden, lie has been asked to meet Winning Hit on 191 b worse terms, and such a substantial increase should give the colt a very much better chance than he held at Trentham. in fact he ought to be able to turn the tables at (be difference. Malaga in comparison has been better treated than Insurrection, as the later meets the Auckland Cup winner on over 51b worse terms than when they last, met. F co Chow meets Malaga at 141 b better terms than in the Auckland Cup. and as be was close un fourth should beat both Insurrection and Malaga. Rorkes Drift is an old standing di.-h for the Dunedin Cup which he bas wen on two previous occasions—the first ]op, fj,..< ; s n<|( . petting any younger. Elens at his best would be narticdarlv dangerous at 8.2. He ran a. really good third last year under 9.7. and was unlucky to suffer defeat in the Well in-Aon Cun when carrying 7,7. He won the W.R.C. Handicap with 7.1?, in 2ndn IDsee and with 41b more on his back looks well ip. Palestrina with ij, 7st minimum, has

71b more than she carried in the Wellington Cup, and has been given a good chance in meeting Insurrection on 2@lb better terms for a race in which she was debarred by accident from showing her true form. Warlove generally shapes well at Wingatui, but she is a lady of moods. There, however, will be a better opportunity to review the form after the declaration of acceptances and the display of running at Riecarton on Saturday next. THE FORBURY PARK MEETING. The Forbury Park Trotting dub has been favoured with an excellent list of acceptances for the opening' day of their Summer meeting and this fact augurs well for the general success of the fixture for which good fields seem to be assured. The opening card will serve to set the ball rolling for the Dunedin Carnival Week -which, with its varied attractions, will no doubt attract a lot of visitors. A field of 15 continues in the Dunedin Cup of 1025-sovs (including a cup valued at 2550v5),~ and as the list includes some of the smartest light harness horses in training it should furnish an excellent race. On a track reported to be slow First Carbine was beat a head by Man-o’-War in the Auckland Trotting Cup, and on that form he should be dangerous with a start amongst the front rankers in the handicap for the Dunedin Cup. Paul Dufault is another of the front brigade that reads nicely handicapped as he gave lsec to Royal Step and 2sec to Nellie Scott when he finished in front of them in the Canterbury Handicap run at Addington in August last. On that occasion he was beat half a length by Wild Briar when the latter was in receipt of 3sec. Loeanda Dillon has been showing good winning form and with the best of the front rankers should keep the backmarkers fairly busv. The minor events have filled well and should contribute towards an interesting day’s sport. WINNING SIRES. The latest mail to hand from England brings full particulars of the list of winning stallions for the past season, and it is interesting to note that a horse of St. Simon descent docs not figure in the first nine. Polymelus, the son of Cylleue and Maid Marian, tops the list with 31 winners of 47 races worth £34,307. His record is not so great as last year when he topped the list with winners of £39,704 in stakes. Sunstar is second on the list with 23 winners of £29,213, won in connection with 41 races. The son of Sundridge and Doris had a good contributor to the list, in Craig - an Eran, who won over 15,0G050v6 in stakes, or just about half the total put on record by his sire. Swynford, the son of John o’ Gaunt and Canterbury Pilgrim, ranks third on the list with 22 winners of 32 races worth £28,322. Cyllene, the sire of Polymelus, again figures prominently, as the sire of Lemberg, who is fourth with 18 winners of 31 races worth £18,474 10s. Santoi, who was foaled as far back as 189/, comes next with 16 winners of 22 races worth £17,871; and then cornea the Rock Sand horse Tracery with 13 winners < f £17,608. The Phenomenal horse The Tetrarch follows with 13 winners of 29 races worth £16,114. It is a noteworthy fact that, whilst The Tetrarch had an unbeaten career as a two-year-old, he has not one of that age amongst his list of winners during the past season. Bachelor’s Double follows the “spotted wonder” with 20 wins worth £16,000, and it- is pleasing to note that the Musket line is well represented by Spearmint, who comes next on the list with 18 winners of 3-4 races worth £15,812. Radium with £15,437 and C'orcyra with £12,918 follow, and then comes Chaucer, the first St. Simon horse on the list. He has 18 winners of 36 races worth £12,898. Chaucer is best known to ns as the sire of Arrowsmith, and he also claims recognition as a half-brother to John o’ Gaunt, who is third on the list, as mentioned above.

LOCAL STEWARDS. Where were the stewards? The question is often asked by backers and layers alike in the first blush of a disappointment, and the query, “Did you notice the running of .——is common enough. Most of this sort of talk is simply idle gossip, the remarks of men who have lost their money, but it would be folly to deny that there are cases which call for investigation by the local stewards, for there is sometimes real smoke and real fire. I recall an occasion (says “Vigilant,” of the London Sportsman) when almost everybody agreed that a particular horse should have won instead of losing. Now, as far as the public knows, the stewards instigated no inquiry, although they may have done so in camera, and the public therefore naturally run away with the impression that the stewards have seen nothing or that they do not care to interfere. With owners, trainers, and jockeys it is, of course, different, for they can generally find out ; f any official inquiries have been made. If the public are correct, then it would seem, fair to assume that the stewards hold most of the inquiries" in camera or that they are not held at all. Should the latter De the explanation, the case against the local stewards seems to be made out, and the stipendiary steward looms in the near dis tanoe. Readers of the Note Book know my views about the multiplication of officials, and that personally I have much faith in the rulers of the turf. I, and others like me. appreciate their attitude, but I am inclined to think that if stewards generally made a little more display of activity, not only by asking questions, but by issuing more notices, we should hear less criticism.