TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3662, 20 May 1924, Page 51

TALK OF THE DAY.

By

Sentinel.

STEEPLECHASING. The greatest cross-country race in the world was decided at Aintree on March 23. Three previous winners in Shaun Spadah, Music Hall, and Sergeant Murphy were included in the field of 50 which went to the post. The favourite was Conjuror 11, who was brought down by a loose horse when jumping Valentine’s Brook The Fowling Piece gelding, Wnmall, had secured a long lead when he fell at the Canal turn. Master Robert was in charge as they came into the racecourse for the second time, and finally won by four lengths from Fly Mask, w 7 ho beat Silvo by three lengths, and then came Drifter and Sergeant Murphy. This was a close finish in a cross-country race, decided over 4m 356yds of the stiffest fences in the world. Only eight completed the course. Tho winner is trained by the Hon. A. Hastings, who rode Ascetics Silver when ho won some years ago. Master Robert, tho winner, is an 11-year-old gelding, got by Moorside II from Hodds, by Dazzle Vpn of See—saw) ft om Venezuela, by Crowberry. Moorside II is a grandson of St. Simon, and it is interesting to note that Master Robert is inbred to See-saw the sire of Rubezhal, who once carried the late Sir George M‘Lean’s colours, and afterwards became one of the sires at the Warrington stud. A most notable feature of the race is tMe fact that no serious injury appears to have happened to the 22 runners who fell or failed to complete the course —in fact, the w’hole history of the Liverpool Grand.. National Steeplechase, with all its tremendous jumps, is remarkably—and, in fact, surprisingly—free from serious injury to those who fail to complete the course. This is a subject well worthy of serious consideration by clubs who feature cross-country events on their programmes. Why is it that we have more riders killed or seriously injured when riding over the comparatively easy courses in Australia and New Zealand? It really seems that the stiffer the course the less danger there is in riding over it. The writer has never yet heard or read an opinion as to why the Aintree country has not a list of killed or wounded woven in its history. It is probably due to the fact that the stiff and very wide brush fences do not jerk a horse to the ground when a faulty jump is made, in the same manner as an unyielding post and rails, stone wall, or heavy and wide sod wall. The most atrocious-looking jump we have is the so-called “hen-coop.” In recent years many clubs have shown a tendency to lessen the severity of rigid jumps by padding the top rail. The object of doing so is to avoid unnecessary injury to a horse striking them. This is as it should be; but why consider only the horse? The wide, stiff brush achieves the same object, and is doubly worthy of use, because it helps to save the unshipped rider. The only proper brush fences in this country are those used at Ricearton. Most other brush fences are only about a foot thick, and do rot require a great deal of jumping. The Ricearton fences are wide and stiffly built, and a type of jump that should, by order of the Rules of Racing, he universally adopted in this country, because they are the nearest approach to the Air tree country, which is accepted as the stiffest, and yet, apparently, the safest, in the world. CONSISTENCY. For some reasons that frequently will not stand analysis, it is said, or written, that horses are not machinery, and hence cannot be expected to run with the regularity of a machine. A well and capably-trained horse will always run to form if honestly raced, providing it has an honest and courageous nature. The history of racing has proved it thousands and thousands of times and continues to do so season after season. Think of all the good horses ever seen and ask or search in vain for a remote occasion when they ran a bad race and below form without some sound and logical answer. We are rather prone to accept opinions as facts, and the opinion that horses cannot reasonably be expected to run the .same every day is just about as false as it is frequently repeated. It does

not apply only to the Carbines, Lochiels, Abercoms, St. Simons, Desert Golds, and other stars of the first magnitude in the equine world, but it also applies with equal force to lesser lights. Take, for instance, Kiifane’s form this season. He is only what one might call a modest handicapper, and it is to be huped that he will one day land a good stake, .because of the honest manner in which he repeats his form. Kilfane has been saddled up 19 times so far this season and only on four occasions did he fail to gain a place. He has won eight times, and on others has just failed to win, notably on the first day of the Oamaru meeting, and there was also his two placed and very creditable performances in the Great. Autumn and Sockburn Llandicap. He has won, or been placed, in fifteen races out of nineteen, starts. This is all the more notable because each race has been a handicap and one could not possibly wish for a greater display of consistency under such conditions. When champions race, it is usually under the same conditions at weight.-for-age, and hence their consistency is built on the same foundation. Kilfane. finished one of a place at the last Grand National meeting, but he had 10.9 on his back. A handicap is very frequently and, in fact, is a greater test of merit than the weight-for-age scale, and when a horse shows consistent form in handicaps, it is a great tribute to his own and his owner’s honesty, and also to the capability of his trainer. FRACTIOUSNESS. Lady Blissful has become particularly mulish at the barrier. She lost several lengths in her first race last week and in her second did not get away at all. When a horse is notoriously bad at the barrier, such as she is, it is decidedly unfair to the rest of a field to keep others waiting whilst attempt after attempt is made to achieve the impossible, and that is to make a notoriously fractious horse stand still like a graven image under circumstances which render it impossible, or next- door to it. Such horses should be kept well behind whilst the others are being brought into line, and if the fractious ones do not come up and start right at the first attempt, they should, under strict command from the stewards, be treated with scant ceremony. Weil-behaved horses are frequently kept waiting - for mulish and eranky-pated horses until they also get on their toes, and it is beyond reason to consider one or two outlaws to the detriment of several level-headed horses who never give offence at the barrier, but are really being educated to do so by the unwarranted consideration granted a very undesirable element in a field of horses. Whilst on the subject of fractious horses at the barrier, it must be said that some clubs and starters exceed the authority granted under the Rules of Racing in order to deal with o&d actors at the barrier. r l be rules allow starters to place a, horse in any position he thinks fit at the rear of a field, but they do not give authority to place a horse on the extreme outside of a field. If a club wishes to be quite fair to The rest of a field and patrons of the totalisator it should refuse the nominations for notoriously fractious horses. If they fail to do so, some owner or other should test the power of Ciubs and find out if they can make rules which over-ride tho Rules of Racing. In placing a more or less fractious horse on the extreme outside of a field, the starter imposes a punishment wnich he could not justify under racing law. At the best, factious horses are most undesirable in a nsm but when they are allowed to go to the post they should be treated with fair play and justice in common with other criminals breaking the cede of good behaviour. CASTING STIGMAS. , sta o e of the Kingsdale case both the occupant of the bench and the defending counsel cast what is really an unwarranted stigma on the moral tone of sport. Mr J. B. Cal lan in his plea for leniency to John Richards said:—“He realised that it was very desirable that trotting should be kept clean, but he felt entitled to say that it was an important circumstance that the fraud took place in connection with trotting and not in connection with accused’s business. The plain tact was that it took place in connection witn a pursuit in which people found it difficult to draw the line between what was tolerated by public opinion and what was not. No one considered it improper to conceal performances of horses to the extent of deceiving the public.” Mr Call-an is. evidently of opinion that what is a crime in business is a mere peccadillo in sport, and that it is a common practice to conceal tfie performance of horses with the object of deceiving the public. Such strong statements as those quoted above should certainly place the 'trotting authorities on their dignity, and inspire them to make Herculean efforts to clear the stigma which Mr Callan has cast upon the sport of trotting. Mr Callan, no doubt, was anxious to do the best he could for his client, and so conveniently overlooked the fact that his client being stood in the dock was due to the vigilance of the people whom he charged indirectly with laxity in the control “ of sport. If Mr Lallan’s charges were true, he would not be called upon to defend a charge of conspiracy which strikes at the very heart of pure sport. Mr Callan is apparently not aware that the Trotting Association employs highly paid officials to see that the sport is kept as clean as possible, and these experts have the assistance of honorary officials, who stand very high in the social, commercial, and legal world. The Trotting Association does its utmost to keep the sport clean, and the nnging-in cases now before the public have been run to earth after years of investigation and collection of evidence to punish offenders. It is quite true, as his Honor the Judge remarked, that it was obvious that quite a number of people possessed information, which, if they had communicated to the police, would have assisted in sheeting home the crime. In every walk of life, however, there is a very strong objection to voluntarily coining forward to play the part of informer. The remarks made by responsible persons in the court on the final day of the case, casts a most, unsavoury atmosphere over the sport and racing generally. It must be said that the assumptions made are more imaginary than real. It was declared that °the standard of morality in connection with sport is on a lower grade than that of the commercial world. It could be claimed that the contrary is really the case. There is more trust placed in men in connection with sport, than there is in connection with business. In racing men take each other’s word of honour for hundreds and

thousands of pounds, and a mere nod of the head will seal business in sport which would occupy days to complete in business. The atmosphere of sport is dominated by honour, and those in charge of it make every effort to keep the atmosphere clean. Where such large sums of money are involved and in countiuual circulation, there must be some who .will endeavour to upset it by hook or by crook. These men are not sportsmen, but the few who cloud an otherwise clear sky. THE, OAMARU MEETING. Tho Oamaru Jockey Club held its Winter meeting under an unlucky star. Despite the fact that the weather was favourable for a good meeting, and the card promised fair sport, there was a somewhat meagre attendance on the first day, and one did not feel inclined to boast about its magnitude on the second day. Oamaru, in fact, does not seem to bo a sport-loving district. Those who stayed away missed the best race meeting ever held on the course. The card for each day provided some really excellent racing, and m fact, a long and continuous acquaintance with the Oamaru gatherings allows one to claim it to be the best on record. This does not, however, include the bygone glad days when the Grand National was run on the course. Taken all round, and pushing some faults into the background, it must be said that the meeting was a great sporting successClose and exciting finishes were the rule rather than the .exception, and the Club had every good reason to bo- pleased with being able to supply their patrons with such great sporting spectacles. To a great extent Mr J.- E. Henrys could be held guilty of providing the sport by bringing his fields so well together, and it is a great pity that the financial returns were not on a par with the interesting racing. It seems quite clear that Oamaru cannot support two -meetings held so close together as what has been the case this season. The Club should then consider the idea of reverting to a Spring meeting or, at least, coming in somewhere earlier in the season. It might also consider the advisability of coming in after tho Dunedin Winter meeting, as the Wingatui fixture generally attracts a large number of horses which possibly might go to Oamaru if suitable attraction was on offer. Owners in the South Island should deem it a duty to support Oamaru fixtures, but it is quite evident that some of them will not do so because the cost of racing there is not sufficiently counter-balanced by the stakes. This is evidence that the sporting spirit is not as strong as one would, like to see it. However, it is to be hoped that owners will do better next seaso-n. if only in order to help a lame dog over the stile in a good friendly and sporting spirit towards those who are endeavouring to cater for sport and are experiencing an uphill battle in doing so. THE TIMARU MEETING. The South Canterbury Jockey Club has secured a foundation in the v;ay of nominations that promises to supply tho best race meeting ever held on the Washdvke racecourse. The fields are not only large, but also carry a considerable amount of quality. _ Palestrina figures in the post of honour in the Tirnaru Cup, and has been handicapped at 101 b better terms with Tarleton than when thev were invited to meet in the Soekb-urn Handicap. Tarleton is probably more reliable than the mare, who sometimes runs moodily and below form. Winning Hit ran a good third to Tarleton and Boadieea in the Final Handicap, and now can meet Tarleton on 101 b and Boadieea. on lib better terms. Boadicea meets Tarleton on 91b better terms, and as she can generally be relied upon to run to form she should beat him at the difference in her favour. Scion has latterly returned to winning form, and is not harshly treated at 8.5. Kilfane gave Prince Ferouz 121 b and a beating last week over 10 furlongs, and it is doubtful if an additional 41b will level an the form. In fact, at the present stage, Kilfane holds good claims to be considered as the most likely horse to start favourite. Several of the field are also engaged in the Doncaster Welter, but even if some of them chop out, there should still be a good field seen a.t the post. The balance of the card should also supply very s-ood fields, and this, no doubt, will be found the case when acceptances close on Wednesday, May THE DUNEDIN WINTER MEETING. The list of horses handicapped for the Dunedin Jockey Club’s Winter meeting makes an imposing appearance, and at a casual glance suggests that good fields are assured. field of about twenty are engaged m tne Birthday Handicap, but-as the majority of them will be running at Timaru tins week, it would be a waste of time to wade through the handicaps. It is interesting, however, to note that at Ijinaru Palestrina has been asked to o-ive bcion 9!b over a -mile and a-quarter, and only 21a at Wingatui. Kilfane receives 91b *°tt- a alestrina at Timaru, but only 41b ai Wingatui. When they met in the S-ock-ta-urn Handicap, Palestrina was attempting to give away 211 b and a jump of 171 b is rather too much, particularly as the mare could be rated as the better stayer of the two Boadieea reads well treated if only for the fact that slie beat Winning Hit at Kiccarion and now meets him on 2Jb better terms. Acceptances are due on May 28. IN A NUTSHELL. Master Peter started favourite in the Wanganui Steeplechase. Black Art shaped well in the Wanganui steeplechase for a novice at the business. Vice-Royal went out favourite for tile Moeraki Welter, but was never sighted on the journey. What is considered a crime by some people in the commercial world, seems to be regarded as only a misdemeanour in the sporting world. Sergeaant Murphy, who finished fifth in this year’s Liverpool Grand National, had not previously been seen in public since he won last year. Bonnetter has proved a rare bargain to Mr W. R. Kemball, as she has been a consis/tetnt winner since ho purchased from Mr G. T. Stead. The excellent nominations received in connection with the South Canterbury fixture should provide the best race meeting ever held on the course. An Australian-bred, and aptly named two-year-old in Chickwheat, a gelding by Buckwheat from Petal, refused to face the barrier on the second day at Oamaru. Carmine ran two good races last week. He won on the firsat day at Oamaru, but

faded out when threatening danger at the finish of his effort on the second day. Corn Rigs makes a “ noise,” but he ran two good races last week. On the first day he finished right on top of the placed lot, and on the second won in good style. Prince Ferouz ran two solid and consistent races, and as he is training on should soon re-enter the list of winners, and his chance to do so will be enhanced when he strikes heavy going. J. R. Kaa n had his kneecap broken when Sir Rosebery unshipped him at Wanganui. R. Syme, J. Roach, and A. M'Donald were also injured during the meeting by their mounts falling. One could not wish to see better racing than that provided by each day’s card at Oamaru. It is a matter of regret that the meeting was not a financial as well as a sporting success. There are “ Rules of Racing,” but somo owners, trainers, and riders, individually or collectively, seem to use their own rules, and did so last week, as on any other occasion w r hen they think fit-. The Wanganui Steeplechase provided a good finish, as San Forte just beat Black Art, whilst First Line was two lengths away, followed b-y War Loan, Polthogue, Master Peter, and Oakleigh. Lady Blissful might have won a race at Oamaru if she had left the post with the rest of the field. Her dam is Lady Wayward 11, but the daughter is “ wayward ” first, second, and all the time! Mandrake was withdrawn from his engagement on the second day at Oamaru, after figuring on the card, because his owner objected to the punishment inflicted on the horse’s rider on the first day. Golden King looked anything but ready for battle at Oamaru; nevertheless he ran a great race, and finished close up, fourth, on the second day. Pat Hogan came cloee to supplyiang a great surprise packet.” Ambuscade, with Los Ambos as -a foal at foot, was sold at 19gns and purchased by Mr J. _B. Reid. No doubt being reared at Eldeislie had more than a little to do with making Los Ambos a promising racehorse. Bella Lake was turned out in good shape by J. Thistleton at Oamaru, but had to be content with two close seconds. The Reaver beat her a head on the first day, and then Corn Rigs happened along on the second day. Knocklyn displayed improved form on the second day at Oamaru, but he had no chance of beating Los Ambos. On top of that his rider came within an inch or two of firing away second money through accepting defeat too soon from, tho winner. Mandrake bore an improved appearance when seen at Oamaru, and has evidently trained on since last seen in public. He, however, requires far more ground and heavy going to be seen at his best. This war no; supplied for him at Oamaru. Pomposo showed pace and jumped well at Oamaru, but failed to stay on. Ho may do better when more seasoned, but it is difficult to fathom the reason why speedy nonstayers are sent out to make the pace and dispute leadership as long as they can. Prompter came to Wingatui with a good reputation not altogether based on the fact that he cost around GSOgns. He proved a disappointment until Oamaru, where he won in a manner -suggesting that now that he ha._ struck form ho may not prove a dear hor‘» Coastguard ran a good, solid race on the first day at Oamaru, and was on the threshold of success when Carmine arrived on the scene, and beat him a long neck. On the second day he was a good third to Vasijkor and Radial, after appearing to get a had passage in the early stages of the race. Bloom moved rather short when he went down for his preliminary for the Stewards’ Handicap, and that is probably why he could not hold his place after going with the leadens over about two and a-half furlongs of the race. He came on again towards the finish, but could not get nearer than third. Eaton Bells, was produced in only one race last week, and she ran a good second to Goldtown, who was rather too good foi her at the weights, as he came from a long way back to beat her. According to the way m which the race was- run Eaton Bells might have won if ridden right out as soon as she reached the front. Dancing Days stopped badly at the finish of her race in the Stewards’ Handicap, but with a lump of weight off her back did better over an extra furlong in her next raee. it would appear that -she is a better proposition under a light weight in a good field than when acting under a big weight in i comparatively bad field. Royal Wink ran a good race under his load of 9.7 in the R-edcastle Welter, but he had not the remotest chance in the world of conceding 211 b to Los Ambos. A pleasing feature about Royal Wink’s run was that, although noticed under pressure after going half the journey, he stayed on in a fast run race and finished fourth. The French four-year-old colt Sir Galahad 111, who w-on the Lincolnshire Handicap with ease, met defeat shortly after his return to France. He was beaten into third place in the Prix de Salons by two of the same age in Mas-sene and Saint Hubert 11 over a. mile and a quarter, a distance that is regarded as too far for the Lincoln winner. Swanage, who won this year’s Brocklesby Stakes, the first important race of the season for two-year-olds, was got by Syndrian from Alrueria Bay by Sautry—Murgis by Father Confessor from Almira by Saraband from Colleen Bawn by Salvator. Syndrian was got by Sunder from Polkersis by Polymelus. Swanage seems to be rather smart, as re won easily. Frisco Mail outclassed the hurdlers seen at Oamaru, and should have won on both days of the meeting. In fact, after his running on the first day it was a. great surprise to find that Fetunia had to meet him on 91b worse terms over the same distance on the second day. That he did so seemd a grave error of judgment on the part of Mr J. E-. Henry-s. San Salvador is just a slow stayer that keeps plugging away. He was closer up at the finish of the mile and a-quarter race at Oamaru than at any part of the race. He was running last along the back but at the finish Kilfane had to be punched right out to beat him a short length. Over m-ore ground it would perhaps be worthy of note that San Salvador can stay well when acting under a light weight. Goldtown has proved a great bargain at the 250 guineas said to have been paid for him by his present owner. He outclassed the opposition he met last week, and put up good work by winning with 9.6 in 1.15, and with 10.0 in 1.1 4-5 on an uphill finish. He came with a strong fast finish on each occasion, and his form completely contradicted the idea of. his being a rogue, as some people claimed him to be. There is not much of Clareina, but what she has is good and solid. She ran a good game race in the Oamaru Cup, and after making a solid pace from the rise of the barrier, finally beat Kilfane in a hard-fought finish. On the second day, she was meeting Kilfane at a difference of slb (including 3lb allowance) for a head defeat. The penalty to be carried over an additional quarter of a mile was too much, and she finished outside a place. Full accounts of the race for the Lincolnshire Handicap thow that the French colt

Sir Galahad drew away at the finish, and comfortably defeated 2fi’others. Sir Galahad 111 started favourite—a position held ever since it was decided to send him across the Channel. He was got by Teddy, a grandson of Flying Fox from Plucky Liege, by Spearmint from Concertina, by St. Simon from Comic Song, by Petrarch from Frivolity, by Macaroni—Miss Agnes One would not like to be forced to own some of the moderates seen out last week. It would pay a club to give good stakes for only half a dozen races, and so attract a fair class of horse which the public will bet on. No one wishes to see a lot of moderates run, nor risk any money on them. If they are found on a card they may run, but are sure to carry very little support on the machine. Hence their presence at a meeting means bad business for a club. On the first day at Oamaru. Trilford achieved the remarkably good record of saddling three winn-ere and three seconds. It should have been four winners and two eecond-s. On the second day he sent out three winners and two thirds. "Sam” wears success in a modest manner, and does not seem to be aware of the fact that he can get all sorts of horses, stayers, sprinters, ’chasers, and hurdlers, fit and well. It is interesting to note that he is practically a non-better, and quite satisfied to win stakes for his patrons. Radial proved that he is not altogether a back number by the bold bid he made for victory on the second day of the Oamaru meeting—in fact, if his rider had kept close to the rails when lie took charge. Vasilkov, who beat him, would have bean unable to win, and certainly would have been outsiade the places if forced to come round on the outside. The lucky opening Vasilkov ettzined won him the race; but that, however is the luck of the game, which is often a big factor in bringing about the result of a race Raconteur made his debut over hurdlesa at Oamaru, and shaped promisingly for a novice. On each day he was staying on at the end of the raco, and was closer to the leaders at the finish than when halfway through the journey. On tire second day he went at some of the jumps vitli ’Frisco Mail, who was kept a long way from the leaders, and shaped well with his more experiencead, if indulgent, companion for part of the journey. Raconteur behaved himself well at the start each day, and. apart from a tendency to swerve when breaking off, his deportment was devoid of the stubborn fractiousness he exhibited when racing on the flat. The chief sprints at Oamaru provided a couple of really good races, and Avispado should have won at least one of them. On the first day he was badly placed on Die outside at the barrier, and was forced o cover a lot of ground. When he hit the front, he was out so far as to yield a good deal of ground, and he did well to finish close up fourth. On the second day he again got a bad run, including a bump shortly after the start. It is understood that the riding of Avispado was questioned on the first day. Avispado covered a lot of ground, but when he hit the front he was fourth horse from the rails, arid perhaps Metcalfe thought he was not clear enough to go for the rails. Had he taken the risk of going over, he would have won. Mr A. D. MTvor did good work at the barrier on both days of the Oamaru meeting. His dispatch in tho final event was not, however, too happy, as The Reaver and Bella Lake appeared to beat Piccaninny off the mark, and the latter was followed by Avispado and Corn Rigs. This does not read a good dispatch in a field of five. Then, again, Avispado drew No. 2, but started a bit farther out, whilst The Reaver came in, and a stricter supervision should be kept over the positions drawn and taken at the post. This, howt-vear, should be the duty of the steward at the starting point, as the starter has quite enough to do to get his horses away irom a fair line. On this occasion the difficulty was overcome by the last horse off the mark proving the winner. Vasilkov was fancied by Ills trainer for the Moeraki Welter, but he failed to show up F. E. Jones was having his first ride on the horse, who is very lazy, and his rider accepted the laziness of hie mount for inability to win The trainer was considerably disappointed at the poor display. Jones donned spurs on the second day and kept at his mount good and hard and, gaining a lucky opening on the rails left by Radial’s pilot, got up in time to catch a narrow. The fact of Vasilkov being such a lazy horse probably explains why he was considered such a poor performer in the North, a-s an ordinary light-weight could not get to the bottom of him. He requires very vigorous handling to get him fully extended, and that is no doubt the reason why a 1000 guinea yearling and fine upstanding horse was practically given away to his present owner. The stewards were dissatisfied with Vasilkov’s running, but after holding an inquiry into the matter, decided to take no further action. Moifaa was unquestionably one of the greatest hrrrdlers and cross-country horses of New Zealand. He was, in fact, the Red Leap of his native land. In referring to past winners of the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase, the “special commissioner” of the Sportsman recently said: "I do not altogether agree that Moifaa was an ugly beast. He was plain, no doubt, with some excess of Waler conformation, but he had a magnificent forehand and depth of girth, and no finer jumper ever crossed the Aintree country. But for going wrong in the wind, he would have probably won a second time.” Moifaa, it will be remembered, was purchased by the late King Edward after the New Zealander won at Aintree, but when put into training for the following year’s race, it was discovered that he had become useless for racing purposes. It would have been a great day to see a New Zealand-bred horse successfully carrying the colours of a King of the British Empire. One cannot find reason for boasting about the merit of the wins scored by Los Amigos at Oamaru. He, however, could not more than win, and this he did on each occasion when saddled up at the meeting. Emrnerson, ir. fact, appeared to be quite content ,<c wait with his field until it was time to win, and then he probably came away to avoid risk of something getting a late run on him when too near the post to resist. Los Ambos, apart from being a shade straight in front, is a well-shaped and stoutly-built sort, that locks sure to improve, and, that being so, should win in better company when more seasoned. Most f Solferino’s stock improve with age, and if Los Ambos has inherited the family trait of the paternal side of his pedigree, then his owner has something more than useful to carry his colours. These colours, by the way, are the once-familiar rose and black stripes, but rather wider, carried by Carbine, Tasman, and others owned by the late Mr Dan O’Brien. After winning on the first day at Oamaru j.mbos was raised lib on what he had carried. It is true he met several others he had defeated on considerably worse terms, but it was not a question of terms, but rather a question as to whether he would repeat his gallop. This he was very

likely to do, as he won easily in good time on the first day, whilst some of the others could not do it if turned loose in a race. It seems, then, that if a horse wins a race easily, and in good time under a certain weight, that weight should he increased when meeting the same horsis, rattier than taking it off the others. Taking weight oil one horse is tantamount to placing it on another, but when some runners can no, do a gallop under any circumstances the only way to give them a chance i. 9 to recast a handicap so as to increase the bumen carried by the winner. The pubnc lecognised, perhaps on the blind in some cases, the above by making Los Ambos a shorterpriced winner on the second day t ian is was on the first. _ Several inquiries took place into the ridin 0 at Oamaru but, strange to say, two ot the most suspicious-looking cases, which tqoK place on the first day, were not the subject of official notice. Subsequent events pioied that the suspicion, which may of course na\e been based on false grounds, had at least the- semblance of being built on facts, those connected with the cases in the mind s ej e would, no doubt, have been pleased to explain the why and the wherefore had they been granted an opportunity to do eo, hut owners, trainers, or riders are by no means in the habit of rushing up to the stipendia y stewards and furnishing an unsolicited explanation as to somethin- which may have occurred in connection with the rent; handling of their horse m a race, it is not however, a question of matters which may admit of explanation but rather a quesaon of things which appear to be °J >V “ U lhich breach of rules and the law of honour should govern the game that is ,e . fell { Why such cases escape notice is almost incomprehensible. f ~ Owing to colliding at the start of the Enn ire Hurdles Mandrake and Ra-contem Fost'a lot of ground, and at the first jump were about a dozen lengths the horse in front of them. Alter the race the starter reported G. Feilding, the rider of Mai drake, for making no effort to leave the post and the rider was atterwards haled before the stewards and severely cautioned Apparently the starter or the stewards did not notice the fact that at the jump-off Mar drake and Raconteur were crowded by others outside them, and that they - •=* the centre of impact, got all the worst 01 the deal, and, in consequence, lost several lengths If a horse lice been rammed amidships by the hip of another horse, they are n ore inclined, in fact forced, to dwell at the post instead of jumping away. Lndei the circumstances it seems, then, as it a most unwarranted stigma has been cast at G Feilding in being fined and cautioned for something utterly beyond Ins controh That is the writer s opinion and based on a view looking straight at the field at the start of the race. , + On recent form there was not any o reat reason to expect that Bonnie Winkie vvomd win at Oamaru. Still, the fact remains that hr had been standing up to his work, and was leniently handicapped on lus best lorrn although carrying all that lie was entitled to from the other side of the question. On the first day lie was bowling along well on the bit until asked to go on, but Jones found that his mount just dropped the bit, and declined to do so ; He came back to the paddock without snowing any signs of distress, so that it was obvious that his defeat was not due to laca of condition or want of ability on the part of hi 3 trainer. An idea arose in the writer s mind that Bonnie Winkie, whose be3t form has been over a distance, was, after all, only beaten for speed. From that point ot view he looked well in on the second day, over an extra quarter of a mile. On tins occasion he lay in behind Clareina and Kilfane and was pulling hard until less than half'a mile from home. Here it seemed as if his rider got tired of holding him, and allowed his mount to run up on the outside of the two leaders, and go to the tront. He was still in charge when halfway up the running, but then dropped out. If Bonnie Winkie, good and all as he was m the past, is allowed to rip along and make a run tluee furlongs from home in a fastrun journey over 10 furlongs, it need not be surprising that lie stopped about a furlong from home. One is loth to entertain the idea that Bonnie Winkie has turned a quitter, and he might have completely wiped out any thought in that direction if kept in behind the leaders until a furlong or less from home on the second day of the meeting. It was not surprising to find h risco Mail starting an odds-on chance in his race on the second day at Oamaru. On the first day he was showing about a three times better price. On this occasion he ran Petunia to a treck after being kept well out of his ground, and his final run was started when, from an onlooker’s point of view, it seemed impossaible to reach the leaders. Nevertheless, he did so, and just missed a win. There was no doubt that, differently handled, ’Frisco Mail would have won comfortably. On the second day he was meeting Petunia on 9lb better terms. Pomposo was allowed 3lb from ’Frisco Mail for being beaten into third place. Under such circumstances neither Petunia nor Pomposa had the ghost of a chance with the top weight. On the second day Shaw again kept his mount so far back that one could be pardoned for imagining that he d : d not consider them in the race. Once again ’Frisco Mail was not asked to gallop until nearing the last jump, and as Petunia and Pomposa. stopped to a crawl in the run home the top weight could do nothing else but win. It is not suggested that a top weight should dispute leadership with hasty pacemakers, but. they should at least lay up to a winning position when nearing home, especially when noted to be travelling well, despite a solid pace set by the leaders. On the second day Shaw was apparently disobeying orders, as bis trainer was accidentally overheard instructing him to “ Keep up a bit closer.” Instead of doing so, Shaw on both days waited so long that he should have, no doubt, bean pleased to officially explain why he had such tremendous confidence in his mount.