TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 45

TALK OF THE DAY.

By

Sentinel.

THE NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE. When Oakleigh and Omahu last met at Riccarton it was in the Lincoln Steeples, when the former was attempting to concede 15Ih. Omahu led over the last jump, and when appearing to have the result in safe keeping his rider allowed his mount to ease up. Oakleigh came with a rush, probably looking doubly brilliant because one horse was stopping and the other coming with his final run. Passing the press stand Oakleigh had his head in front, but M'Donald had got to work on Omahu, and recovered sufficient ground to gain the verdict. If Omahu had been kept fairly busy in the run from the last jump ir is doubtful if Oakleigh would have reached him. In the Grand National Steeplechase Oakleigh meets Omahu on 61b better terms, and as the latter has improved a good deal during the past year he should beat Oakleigh again. In fact, apart from the handicap, those who saw Omahu at the Auckland Winter meeting claim that lie is a stone better horse than when lastseen at Riccarton. Oakleigh had nothing to spare when he won at Trentham, and only beat Dick and Snake in the last few strides, when all were under punishment. Beth Dick (who comes in on 61b) and Snake (who comes in on 71b better terms) have a fair ciiance of beating him if they meet at Riccarton. Red Cent, who finished a moderate fourth, has 101 b, Rariui has 101 b better terms, and First Line only lib Ranui may train on, and he will require to, as he was beaten a long way from home. Palencia has to enter the excuse book, as he seems to strike all the tipuble that is going. His stable companion, Pamplona, may prove the more reliable horse to follow', although he has to pay 131 b for beating General Petain in the Otago Steeplechase. At the present time Omahu is regarded as the pick of the top weights, and although Pamplona reads a hit close to him he is nevertheless worthy of respect. Young Thumham. Whipcord, and Ranui are a trio that may show improvement on recent form. THE WINTER Clip. 1 here seems to be an impression abroad that Loughrea has “caught it hot’’ in the Winter Cup in being awarded 10.13, and also that the high price paid for the Kilhroney—Sister Radius gelding influenced the weight-adjuster. Mr J. E. Henrys may at times appear to handicap a horse as if afraid it might win, but he is far too good a judge and too wise a man to pile on weight without good and sufficient reason-—that is to say. his own reasons, although they may not coincide with those held by thd*owner. As a matter of fact, Loughrea was handicapped after his win in the Timari.i Clip at 9.8 in the mile race on the second day of the same

meeting, and incidentally asked to give (writing from memory) a stone to Boadicea, who won the race. Boadicea was afterwards handicapped to receive less than a stone over the same distance at Ashburton from Bonnie Winkie. Hence over a mile, on collateral form, Loughrea was rated the equal or better than Bonnie Winkie. In the Winter Cup Loughrea is asked to give Boadicea 121 b. It is a wellestablished fact that tile Winter Oup is one of the hardest races to win on the Racing Calendar. A horse to he able to win lias to begin well in order to avoid the risk of being “snowed in,” carry weight, and go all the way from end to end. A race decided over any journey from seven furlongs to 10 furlongs is particularly hard to win, as they are invariably run at a solid pace all the way. The handicap plainly declares that there is a good deal of rough stuff engaged in the Winter Cup, but there are some likely sorts that may show vastly improved form on what th'y have displayed up to date. With such a large field it would be a waste of time to wade through the handicap, but there will be ample and sufficient time to return to the race after the declaration of acceptances. THE NATIONAL HURDLES. In compiling the handicaps for the Grand National Hurdles. Mr J. E. Henrys practically follows the figures issued by Sir B. Coyle in connection with the Winter Hurdles run at the recent Wellington meeting, although the Riccarton race is run over an extra quarter of a mile, and a quarter of a mile taqifced on to a previous two miles and a-quarter is sure to tell a tale. It will be seen from the appended comparison that, with few exceptions, the Riccarton figures in the majority of cases show practically no material difference to those issued in connection with the Winter Hurdles. Apparently Mr Henrys accepts Mr Coyle’s opinion, although the latter might alter his figures if he recast a handicap for the Winter Hurdles field after viewing the three days’ running at Trentham. Possibly the false going at Trentham suggests that the figures should stand, but it is quite obvious that Mr Coyle is paid a very high compliment. It will lie seen that the Riccarton handicap is cast on a slightly higher scale of weights than the Winter Hurdles, but although the form in the latter event is past and gone, quite a number of horses are invited to meet again at the same handicaps. Here are the figures, and note the similarity:—

The scale adopted at Riccarton is 21b higher than that at Trentham, and in no less than 16 oases of horses handicapped above 10.0, the variance of opinion does not exceed the margin showing the higher scale of weights. This is a mast remarkable unanimity of opinion amongst so many of the lop weight division. Rouen made a poor showing in his initial effort over hurdles, and reads harshly treated in being asked to meet Red Gown and Penury Rose on only 21b better terms Ilian when they met at Trentham, and the first named finished about eighth, whilst the other two filled file places behind First Born. Royal Abbey and Snake are the best, treated of the field, as they each meet Red Gown and Penury Rose on 131 b better terms.

Winners are generally supposed to pay for success, and as far as Penury Rose is concerned, Red Gown, who carried 41b over at Trentham, is a winner, and yet the former has to meet her on level terms. Red Gown met with a mishap in her race at Trentham and'as she still had sufficient iu reserve to stall off Penury Rose, she has rather the best of it on paper. The order behind the placed lot at Trentham was Poanui, Peter Ainans, and Alteration, and they are asked to meet again on the same terms, except that Alteration is let away lib. The worst treated horse at Riccarton is En Route, who has shown poor form and nothing like the figures against him at Trentham, and yet he was asked to meet Alteration on worse terms than when the latter beat him. The essense of handicapping consists in making allowance for defeat, if it is an honest defeat, and imposing a judicious penalty for success, so as to balance form. Otherwise handicaps may as well be thrown to the discard. IN A NUTSHELL Omahu promises to start favourite for the Grand National Steeplechase. Gamecock was noticed to be looking bright and healthy at Riccarton last week. Oinnahu had 10.6 in the last Grand National Steenlechase, and this year has been allotted 11.5. The IVannate Hunt Club will hold their steeplechase meeting on Thursday of this week. Pluto lias been sold from R. J. Mason’s stable, and joins that of L. Itobertson ft Mentone. If Pitprop stands up to his work he will not lack friends for engagements at the Grand National meeting. Gladful has been allotted 11.9 in the Grand National Hurdles, or Tib more than he successfully carried iast season. The much-talked-about Musketoon was struck out of the Winter Cup shortly after the appearance of ti.e handicap. Limelight has freshened up as a result of her spell, and looks in good order to begin a preparation for spring engagements. The well-known rider J. Olsen, after a long absence from the saddle in public, again d-onnecl silk at the Wellington Winter meeting. Romance was striding along nicely and lying fairly handy when Red Cent him off in the South Canterbury Steeplechase. Sartoline is compiling a good record for baulking. He has refused to complete the course in the last six races in which he has been sent to the pest. Tracks are bad all over the country, and liorse-s which have been raced recently should have a decided pull over those doing what little track work they can get. Carmine shaped well when he scored in the Claremont Welter, which he won with 10.3 in 1.49 on a heavy track. He will carry 17lb less weight in the Winter Cup. Tata.u Tatau has been sent north to Auckland to see if she can achieve success in that part of the world. She is very speedy, but does not always race up to track form. On his running at Wellington Rouen is badly treated in the Grand National Hurdles in being asked to meet Red Gown and Penury Rose on only 2lb better terms. There seems to be a consensus of opinion that Loughrea was rather highly rated in the Winter Cup, and hence it was not surprising to find him struck out of the race. Loughrea was treated to a higher burden than any weight successfully carried in the Winter Cup. As he is a bad actor in soft ground he may not be seen at the meeting. The Waimate Hunt Club’s race meeting will take place on Thursday of this week, and it will probably be found that the South Canterbury form will be a good guide to follow. A likely looking sort in Message Boy, a four-year-old by Clarenceux from Heather Dew, was seen out in the Hunters’ Steeples at Timaru, and may develop into a useful sort with more age. In advocating the allowance of lib to riders who weighed in short of weight, it was stated at the Conference that a. well-known trainer was in the liabit of taking a rubber or two away after weighing out. It is stated that Escort, who was sent over to Sydney some few weeks ago, made the journey with the principal object of giving him every chance to be prepared for tlie next Auckland Trotting Cup. The Wingatui trained Tainui II bumped his rider off in both his races at the South Canterbury Hunt meeting. He was running along nicely and showing a fair amount of pace when lie dropped his pilot. Clonta-rf, who ran second to Agnola in the Levels Handicap, is a promising sort of a four-year-old, got by Mark Hope from Oratava. He shewed a fair amount of pace and may prove useful when in proper racing shape. Very satisfactory acceptances have bi-ell received for the principal events on the Grand National programme, and a lengthy list of nominations for the minor events promise to provide good fields throughout the meeting. General Advance appeared unable to pace it with the opposition and ran with Dame Straitlace at the tail of the field. He pulled up all right and looks well to the eye, so that oil better ground he may get closer to the money. “Are those your racing colours?” asked the chairman (Mr W. "VV. Scott) at Kingston Court (London) of a stable hand, alluding to ribbons he was wearing. “No. sir; they are the South African and Great War medals,” was the reply. Manawaponga gave a beautiful exhibition of fencing in the South Canterbury Steeplechase, and is considered, one of the finest jumpers ever seen in the country. Unfortunately he is amiss in the respiratory organs and cannot stay a journey. G un-case's trouble was due to striking himself and bursting a hoof near the coronet. A. Shearsby attended to the wound and laced it with catgut. ,and it is expected that a brief period will see the Calibre gelding ready to resume ivork. Red Kriss has been recommissioned and appears to have grown and thrived during his -spell. He looks a bit in the rough, and it is to be hoped -will put more heart into his work than he did when last appearing in public. When General Advance last met Rowan over hurdles at Riccarton the former was conceeding 221 b. In the Grand National Hurdles there is half that margin between them, and in a match it would be odds on Rowan being second. Lord AVoolavington arranged for two char a-banca to convey as many of his employees as they hold to Epsom on the Derby and Coronation Cup days. They drew lots for who should go, and each one who drew a seat was provided with a sovereign to deal with as he or she thought best. First Born was ridden an excellent race in the Winter Hurdles until he had the race won ait-er landing over the last ob-

stacle. His pilot then allowed his mount to sloiv clown, and if anything with a run left had been handy Bagby might have woke up and found himself second. Pamplona is regarded as a better horse than Palencia, and hence was one whose presence in the Grand National Steeplechase would have lent additional interest to the race even though he had his full share of weight. Unfortunately a mishap has been responsible for stopping him in his work. Red Cent was the one who was considered most capable of extending Omahu in the South Canterbury Steeplechase, but he settled his chance by bumping his rider off early in the race. Red Cent looked in good shape and may give a more satisfactory account of himself in the future. Snake and King Abbey -were more leniently treated in the Grand Nutional Hurdles than any other horse, which ran in the Winter Hurdles at Trentham. Young Thurnham has been dropped 111 b on what w’as against, him in the Winter ILardles, and seems to have been handicapped as a steeplechaser amongst hurdlers. The American gelding Exterminator, by winning the Philadelphia Handicap at- Havre de Grace, Maryland, U.S.A., on April 21, reduced the amount which separates him from reaching the aggregate netted by Man o’ War by 3350d01. Exterminator is now within 1409d01. of the total of 249,465d01. to the credit of Man o’ AVar (say’s Horse and Hound). Even where wise men congregate a prophet is not regarded as a prophet in liis own country. The “Special Commissioner,” of the -Sportsman, went strongly for Papyrus on each occasion when he mentioned the Derby, and also cast doubts about Town Guard. Nevertheles the last-named continued to be favourite and the former at 10 to 1 right up to the eve of the race. By the right- of might as well as right and power provided by position, Metropolitan clubs should be the dominant factor in the control of racing. The Country Clubs’ Association desired to get more say at the Racing Conference. Perhaps the Country Clubs’ Association hold the opinion that it is not a physical impossibility for the tail to wag the dog. Omahu did not fence too well- in the early stages of the South Canterbury Steeplechase but improvd as he warmed up to his work. He lias not been schooled over fences since lie ran at Auckland and in the meantime lias crossed a couple of hurdles only. He looks in good trim to go through the final stages of liis preparation for the Grand National Steeplechase in which he w r ill have a big following. Tigerland was sore after his race on the final day at Trentham, and En Route’s displays were far from encouraging, so that it did not create a surjirise to find both struck out of their engagements at Riccarton. This leaves the stable which won with Coalition in 1920 and 1921 without a representative in the Grand National Steeplechase unless, of course, if a likely sort is bought in the meantime. Oakleigh meets First Line on 81b worse terms than when he bear the latter into third place in the last Grind National Stakes. Oakleigh has to take up an extra 21 lb, and Firrt Line lSlb. On their form at Riccarton Oakleigh reads the better cf the pair on paper, as he romped in 16 lengths- ahead -of the other. At Wellington Oakleigh gave First L-ine 161 b and a belting, and now the latter meets him on only 31b better terms. The Christchurch Hunt Club struck a luc'iy patch when they secured August 4 for a meeting at Riccarton. The fixture was on the verge of being dropped when some keen spirits decided to carry on, with the result that v.’liat should be a highly successful meeting will take place. Quite a number of the principal performers at the Grand National meeting have been nominated, and it will be a very attractive dress rehearsal for the big cross-country gathering. A southern owner offered a fairly substantial price for Rhoboro without success. Rhoboro is a solidly built sort, and was got by Cannie Chiel from Nolleen, a mare said to be by Waterloo, a s6n of Curassier. He did remarkably well in landing a double at Timaru, as he has only been in training about six weeks, and was still rather rough when placed in P. T. Hogan’s stable. Rhoboro fences well, and would probably get over bigger country than he was asked to face last week. The radio has brought about the "air tappers” as successors in America to the wire tappers of ancient days i-s a meaps of getting advance race results in bets witir bookmakers. Recently a wireless set was found concealed in a- tree behind a barn at the Maple Heights track at Cleveland, Ohio. Track police located the apparatus and tore it down. Track officials believe (says Reuter) that gamblers planned to use the device to flash race results to accomplices, who would try to bet- with bookmakers before the results could be telegraphed t-o the city. I knew Lord Chaplin well (says the Special Commissioner of the Sportsman), and met him several times during the war, when he interested himself most- energetically in the continuance of racing, and pointed out how hunting had contributed all the best horses, that were then almost priceless. These things seem like dreams now, and Lord Chaplin is gone, but not before he had done a rare good life’s work, for his country, touching to the bedrock the everlasting importance of agriculture and sport, and the community of all classes, in the happiness and prosperity of country life. Track conditions at Riccarton were very bad last week, and the course had to be shut up for training operations owing to bad weather. The writer paid the course a flying visit on the journey from Wellington," and found the ground very sloppy, A large number of horses were about, and judging by the manner in which they were playing up seemed to be considerably short of "work. It will require fine weather to bring the Riccarton horses into shape to hold their own with those which raced at the Wellington meeting. Referring fo the late Mr Alfred Drake, the Sydney Sportsman states that it was while working in A’ietoria on the wharves that he was struck by a ship’s slings In the neck, and he was for many months in hospital through the accident. On three different occasions the screens were placed round his bed, as it was feared each time that he was succumbing to his injuries; but he managed to pull through and came out of hospital with hi 3 head on one side of his broad shoulders. Many stories have been told as to liow’ drake got that kink in his neck, but the above is the correct one. During his visit to AAYllington <to attend the Racing Conference and AV.R.C. Winter meeting Mr W. T. Hazlett paid a visit to the Waikanae stud, and was very -pleased to agree with Mr Handley’s opinion that his Boniform —Simper colt, foal is the best that has ever graced the paddocks Simper is again in foal to Boniform, and this year tlnee of Mr Hazlett's mares have been booked to Paper Money. The Boniform— Simper colt, must be a clinking good sort to look at, as some rather stylish-looking youngsters have first seen the light of day in the AVaikanao paddocks.

If there is a jockey we like it is little K. Robertson, states the Sunday Sportsman. Immediately the war started he joined up, and his diminutive figure in soldier's uni- ! form (he can ride, by the way, at Ost 61b) | was most amusing to behold." When K. Robertson became a soldier, little Plant, who weighed the same, attempted to enlist also, but the authorities would not accept his services. Try as he would. Plant could not induce them to make him a “Tommy.’' At last, when he was finally rejected, little Plant turned round to the official and said: "Don’t blame me if you lose the war!” The time test is a good servant-, •"* intelligently utilised (says an English writer), but it is a very hard master indeed if allowed to prescribe any hard and fast rule based on a record. The time of a race should be considered relatively to all the conditions of the course, the going, and the weather. No two courses in England are alike, and when it is realised. that on none of them are there facilities for really accurate timing, is it not clear that serious arguments on this or that time, when it comes to a matter of a second, or a few fractions, rest on the baseless fabric of a vision ?—and not necessarily an accurate vision at that. The stipendiary stewards took exception to the running of The Shag in the first divieios of the Novice Handicap at A’ictorie Park recently, arid (says an exchange), after hearing evidence, dwlqualiflrd W. M'Gee (owner and trainer) and the bay gelding The Shag for 12 months. C. Whelan (rider) was suspended for a similar period. The Shag was bred in New Zealand in 1919, and is a gelded son of Panmure (imp.) and Cormorant. He raced in the Dominion as a two-year-old, and was subsequently brought | to Sydney, where lie won a Three-rear-old | Maiden Handicap at Canterbury Park on ! 21st October last. He was afterwards sold I for the pony meetings, and had started only i once prior to his disqualification, j A paragraph in an English paper sugI gests that The Tetr&reh is represented this season by a two-vear-old grey filly to whom lie has transmitted all the brilliance of his all-too-short racing career. This is Mumtas Mahal, owned bv the Indian sportsman. H. H. Aga Khan. The" filly is very freely engaged, and will have every onportunity in this respect to get back the 9100gns she cost as a yearling. At Newmarket recently she caused a sensation by a record-breaking gallop over five furlongs in 57 4-ss?c on th« historic downs, causing even the most hardened regular to become enthusiastic. None of the three fivc-furlong courses at Newmarket is particularly fast, and if the timing was done correctly, and presumably it satisfied the regulars, the filly must bo a flier. | One of the most important handicaps decided in the early part of the English racing season in the Manchester Cutj of 225050v5, one mile and a-half. It was run on May 22, and won by a four-year-old rejoicing in the tongue-tripping name of Bhuidhaona-ch, who brought off a long-shot chance. Bhuidhaonach was got by Royal Realm from Countess Zia, by Gallinule from Order of Merit, by Collar (son of St. Simon)) from Lady Rayleigh, by Hampton. : Royal Realm wae got by Persimmon (son | of St. Simon) from Sand Blast, by Sheen ! (son of Hampton) from Sahara, by Galliard, I the! son of Galopin. Perdita 11, the dam | of Persimmon, is a daughter of Hampton, ; who is also represented in Bhuidhoemacb'* i pedigree through Sheen and Ladv Rayleigh. | The Galopin line is strongly represented in i the same pedigree through St. Simon j (twice) and Gilliard. i An interesting letter has come* to hand ! from Mr E. Noes, wdio is on vis t to Chicago to undergo a special treatment for throat ! trouble. He found time to attend a Lou'sville meeting to the best endowed classic decided in America. This is to Louisville Derby carrying a stake worth 10,500eovs to tile winner and places of 1150sovs. 57550v9, f and 195sovs The race was won bv a horse called Zeo, who ran the mile and a quarter in 2.5 2-5. The race was viewed by » | crowd estimated at 80,f>90. Tic rider of j the winner was decorated with a large | floral horseshoe made of great masses of ! American beauty rose®. A paragraph in j the paper which accompanied the letter i said that whisky prices fluctuate at a | Wall street panic clip. A quart carrying i most any kind of a Kentucky label could | be had for 12 dollars three d-avs ago. j Twenty-five dollars was the price on the j opening this morning, and it had hit 40 dollars long before post time. They seem to Ire somewhat lax in the control of trainers’ licenses in Sydney, as ••Pilot.” recently said tliat “In future a No. 2 trainers license will not entitle all holders to free admission to meetings at Randwick. that privilege being limited to trainers with No. 1 licensee. Possessors of the latter are the men who regularly tram at the A.J.C. headquarters. No. 2 trainers will be entitled to a ticket when they have an acceptor at a Randwick meeting, and other trainers—-presumably come prominent No. 2 trainers and visitors from the other States are principally meant--will receive tickets bv order of the committee. _ Evidently the A.J.C. Committee has awakened to the fact that many licensed trainer® wlio do little in the way of training have been on « good wicket so far as Randwick mecti ings are concerned. The A.J.C. issue® ! licenses rather freely, and whether all are • used legitimately is "a matter of opinion. It : lias occasionally occurred to me that there ! are trainers who turn them to greater acI count for touting and tale-telling purpose* I than anything else. I AA'hipcord covered a lot of ground in the I lest three furlongs of the July Steeplechase. | He was running fourth horse from the rail* until reaching ihe last fence, when First Dine took the ground outside because it was the onlv place where he could get a clear run at the fence. The extra ground covered by Whipcord must, have meant more than a length or tv.’o. Another mistake- seemed to be made in riding him up to liis fences over the last circuit with San Forte, who is a quicker fencer, and hence apt to get him into trouble. So • long as San Forts was setting a solid pace it should luave ( been sufficient, for AA’hipcord to be lying i handy, but through disputing leadership i with a more brilliant horse lie was left ' without, a punch at the finish. S. Wails is j one of the best cross-country men in the country, hut AA 7 hipcord at best is only a slow stayer, and not the sort to go out with others obviously more brilliant. Such a horse’s mission is to be always threatening danger so as to keen the brilliant sort as busy as posible, but to withhold the final challenge to the end such as First Line successfully accomplished. S. Donoghue, the famous English jockey, in his reminiscences, says:—l am often amused at the foolish remarks people make, referring to his Majesty and racing. “The King doesn't really care for racing.” “He only gees because the people so much like him to,” etc., arc the kind of positive statemeets so often made, and which 1 a-m certain are the exact opposite of the truth. His Majesty is one of the keenest “owners” I have ridden for. and he takes the greatest interest in every detail in connection with j the running of his horses. I well remember an instance of this, on an occasion at New-

market in 191'.), I was riding Jutland, one of his Majesty’s horses, and the horse was going well in the race, lying second; the cheers that always hail a Royal victory were already being raised, I was nicely overhauling the horse just in front, when, on getting near home, the boy on the leader picked up liia whip, and in trying to hit his horse caught mine across the head. Never too generous, Jutland shook his head at the blow, and dropped his bit for a stride or two, just losing the race. Later in the day his Majesty spoke to me in the paddock, and liis first words were, ‘'What a pity, Donoghue, that apprentice could not keep his whip still; it cost us the race. His Majesty liad observed everything, even noticing that the other rider happened to be an apprentice.

Grand National Hurdles. Winter Hurdles Gladful 11.9 11.7 Rouen 11.3 10.13 Poanui 11.2 11.0 Gamecock. .. 10.9 10.7 Tinohaka 10.8 10.7 Vagabond 10.8 10.7 Omaliu 10.8 10.7 Cerebus 10.7 10.9 Royal Abbey 10.6 10.13 Red Gown .. 10.5 9.9 Snake 10.1 10.8 Peter Anians 9.13 9.11 Penury Rose 9.13 9.7 En Route 9.13 9.13 Alteration 9.11 9.12 Mia Bella 9.11 9.11 Mandrake 9.11 9.11 General Advance 9.11 9.11 Militaire 9.11 9.9 Matatua 9.3 9.2 War Loan .. 9.2 9.8 Wbipcord 9.0 9.3 Young Thumb am 9.0 9.11 Rowan 9.0 9.0