TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3783, 14 September 1926, Page 58

TALK OF THE DAY.

By

Sentinel.

THE DUNEDIN SPRING MEETING. Horse owners made a very liberal response to the Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring programme, which will be got off on October 14 and 16. Every race on the programme has filled in a very pleasing manner, and some excellent fields should be seen out during the meeting. The Mosgiel Handicap closed with an entry of 16, which is made up by no less than nine New Zealand Cup candidates. This should considerably enhance the interest in the race, as it would form a star attraction if the field found at the post contained several horses engaged in the principal handicap run at Riccarton. The list includes Bonnie Winkie and Roseday, a fair that were high-class performers, and ithat it would be interesting to see once more sound, fit, and ready to race. Twentyfour have been engaged in the Electric Handicap, and the list comprises several smart sprinters, including Money Order, who started favourite for the Stewards’ Handicap, run at the last New Zealand * Cup meeting. The nominations also include some of those with engagements in the Dunedin Guineas. The minor events have also filled to a strong numerical force—in fact, a nomination of 40 for the Clarendon Handicap is one of the best, jf not the best, ever received for a race at Wingatui. A large number of wellbred and promising youngsters are engaged in the M'Lean Stakes, and a good field seems assured. The best of those engaged in the Dunedin Guineas are Limerick and Young Lochinvar, but they are in Australia. Several of those engaged were winners last season, whilst a couple in Kilperon and High Gear are amongst recent winners. Altogether it promises to provide an interesting race and a good field. _ ! ONE TO LIMERICK. After Windbag’s recent success in beating the brilliant Yalicare it would come as a surprise in Sydney that Limerick proved too good for him at an extra furlong The additional ground to be covered in the Chelmsford Stakes would be deemed in Windbag’s favour, as he can add proved stamina to his brilliancy. Excuses were made by Windbag’s rider, but the merit of Limerick's performance is enhanced by the fact that Rapine and three others were also behind the first two. Rapine ran a good race on the previous Saturday, and would probably strip a better horse in the Chelmsford Stakes. Windbag may have been a trifle off colour as a result of his race with Valicare when not quite tuned up, but reports prior to the meeting stated that the Magpie gelding was doing excellent work on the track. In a letter received last week it was stated that Windbag looked wonderfully well on a short preparation, and, that being so, it is quite possible that he trained off a bit as a result of his race with Valicare. Still Limerick covered nine furlongs in 1.52| after heavy rain had fallen the previous night, and under the circumstances the New Zealander’s ! gallop compares fairly well with Heroic’s I track record of 1.50$ when carrying 8.2. I' The style in which Limerick won the I C.J.C. Challenge Stukes as a two-year-old, I backed by his breeding, convinced the I writer that the well-named Limond— Medley gelding would stay, and he has only to train on to take a power of beating when additional ground has to be covered. f THE TIME TEST. As their Usual pilot Childs cannot ride both Coronach and Solario in a match it has been suggested that he should ride them singly against the watch and so determine which is the better. So writes a correspondent of the London Sporting Life, but his suggestion if put to the test Might prove and possibly, would be

completely valueless. Some horses will not fully extend themselves except when racing or galloping in company. If either Coronado or Solario is sluggish in temperament he would be almost sure to run a comparatively bad gallop against the watch, whereas a keen galloper not within 71b to 141 b of their raeing form might record a smarter gallop from a time point of view. The watch is not always a reliable guide. A horse may win a race easily in, say, 1.14', and yet in a better class field receive a handsome beating in a race run and won over the same distance in 1.15. According to the watch the horse had late “up his sleeve,” and should have won. A good trial horse is regarded as a very valuable asset by trainers in England, but in Australia and New Zealand trainers combine both the trial horse and watch. In some cases far too much faith is placed on the watch, and that is why on occasions a horse that has recorded an apparently good gallop against the watch may finish “ down the course ” when saddled up for a race. The correspondent of the Sporting Life who made the suggestion mentioned above states that he can go back to the Maud S and Jay-Eye-See watch-testing days, but evidently his lengthy enjoyment of sport still finds him with only a superficial knowledge of racing, because he is not apparently aware of the fact that sending horses singly against the watch does not supply a reliable test as to their comparative merits as racehorses.

QUALIFICATION. It would be interesting to know wliat guides some people when they are making up their minds as to how they intend to vote to fill vacancies on the committee of racing or trotting clubs. It seems fairly clear that they do not always vote for the best men standing, and consequently in the interests of their club, but on the contrary ar.e guided by other influences apart from those connected with sport. The question arises as to what constitutes a good steward. The ideal steward is the owner who takes a keen and knowledgeable interest in the sport, and can see as much as any other man as to what has taken place in a race. His interest should also make him take a personal study in the racing and training tracks, and his knowledge should also run to the value of a handicap or the ability of a starter. It does not necessarily follow that a man, to be a good steward, must be an owner, but the non-owner should certainly not be appointed ag a steward unless his knowledge of sport is well-established and beyond question. There is good reason to believe that such has not always been the guide on which members cast their votes. There are many good men acting as stewards who have never been horse owners, but the balance of power on a committee should certainly rest with men who are, or who have been, owners, and so prove that they take more than a superficial interest in sport. Those who bestow practical support to sport are certainly entitled more power and authority than those who, after all, are only mere lookers-on at the game. SECRECY AND SWEEPS. There is practically what amounts to a conspiracy of silence in the New Zealand press concerning the big sweeps drawn in Hobart. That, however, does not stop the inhabitants of the Dominion from being particularly good customers of the concern which keeps Tasmania on the map. The management decided to get up a sweep of £IOO,OOO on the Melbourne Cup, and one has already been closed and drawn, whilst a second of the same magnitude must, judging by the numbers of tickets coming to Dunedin, be also close to completion. This means that no fewer than three £IOO,OOO sweeps will be drawn on the next Melbourne Cup, in addition to several of the ordinary small ones. The semi-secrecy observed in this country has obviously been anything but a bar to success, and the manner in which the “art unions” have been patronised also show how widespread is the desire for a gamble, and, as they say, a wish to risk a little for the chance of getting a lot. As far as the Tasmanian sweeps are concerned, it must be said that this country loses a tremendous amount of money every year by not legalising sweeps in this country the same as the totalisator. The establishment of a few sweeps in New Zealand under Government control would reap a considerable amount of revenue, and prove responsible for stopping a lot of money unnecesarily going out of the country. It is a recognised fact that the average person likes a more or less modest gamble. It seems as natural for them to have a “flutter” as it does to eat, drink, and sleep. It cannot be cured, and if it is an evil it is very foolish to hide an ulcer with a piece of sticking plaster and pretend that it does not exist.

IN A NUTSHELL. Piton has been purchased by Mr 6. Bain. Sayonara is again in work after a brief spell. Pink Note is again in active commission. Relic is now being trained by J. Ross at Oamaru. Full Swing is galloping along well in her work. Carnot is again striding along well in his work. F. Holmes has returned from his trip to the United States. The race track at Addington is being ploughed and degraded. The Boniform gelding Bonita is now being trained by J. Boyd. Mr J. M. Samson is the new owner of the Paper Money gelding Credit. Happy Rosa has fallen from grace, and now ranks as a strapped pacer. Pineta, the dam of Rapine, has been sent on a visit to Tea Tray. Tigeriand is being kept busy in view of tne ’chase St tbe Kurow meeting. High Pitch met with a bad paseoge in the Maiden Plate at Wanganui.

J. M Combe’s mare Leading Lady has produced a colt to Chief Ruler. M. M’Carten has accepted engagements to ride at the Melbourne Cup meeting. Nominations for the Kurow and Oamaru meetings close on the 15th inst. Great Hope and Ahuriri are both training on satisfactorily in their work. A payment for the New Zealand Trotting Cup is due on September 16. P. Riddle has taken out a license to train thoroughbreds. Rapine is the ruling favourite for the New Zealand Cup. Nelson Derby continues to rank as favourite for the Trotting Cup. A payment for the M'Lean Stakes and Dunedin Guineas falls due on October 8. J. N. Clarke has taken in hand a two-year-old brother to Great Bingen. Handicaps for the Ashburton meeting are due on the 15th, and acceptances on the 20th,

Loughrea is conspicuous by his absence from the nominations for the Dunedin spring meeting. The smart filly Lady Cavendish has broken down, and is to be treated to a lengthy spell. Sun Up is suffering from a strained .shoulder, and will have to be treated to a spell. The New Zealand Cup candiate Mah Jong got amongst the winners at the Wanganui meeting. The Kilbroney gelding Gleninnis, who won at Wanganui, has an engagement in the Dunedin Guineas.

The plough track at Riccarton is being worked into shape, and will soon be at the services of trainers.

Pilliewinkie is doing well in his track work, according to reports from Melbourne. Mr J. L. Webb has purchased Kohara, but the horse still remains in J. Bryce’s stable. Mr J. O’Brien has given a cup valued at 25sovs to go with the Oamaru Trotting Cup. A brother to Count Cavour will be amongst the youngsters offered at the November sales. The St. Fruquin horse Rossendale, who sired Rampion, is standing at a fee of 200gns. A brother to Windbag is amongst the latest additions to the equine population of Australia. A prominent owner is anxious that his trainer should shift his team from Wingatui to Riccarton. Mah Jong won under difficulties at Wanganui, as he lost a lot of ground at the start. Mr J. M. Samson’s brood mare Arch Lassie has foaled a brother to Young Lochinvar, and is to visit Tea Tray. The New Zealand Cup candidate Kilbronsyth pulled up lame after racing on the first day of the Wanganui meeting. The writer has it on excellent authority that Limerick will, in all probability, fulfil his engagement in the Melbourne Cup. A. E. Didham has received a license to ride the light harness racers. It was at this branch of sport he learnt to ride. Commendation is booked to make his first appearance as a three-year-old at the Dannevirke spring meeting. Bicolor, the three-year-old brother to Windbag, has broken down, as the sailors say, “fore and aft.” He had been supported for the Melbourne Cup. The nominations for the Ashburton meeting includes a large number of horses also engaged at the Dunedin spring meetfiimerick is showing improvement, and although not admired when he first landed in Sydney, he has now won the praise of the critics. Beacon Light, who won the Higgie Handicap run at Wanganui, was got oy Boniform from Simper, the dam of Gold Light, Razzle Dazzle, and Affectation. At the annual meeting of the Napier Park Racing Club, it was announced that for the first time in five years the club had made a small profit over the season. Lysander, the winner of the Wanganui Guineas, was got by Absurd from Pennon, the dam of Motley. Pennon is a daughter of Eulogy, the dam of Humbug. Handicaps for the first day of the Dunedin spring meeting are due on October 2, and acceptances on October 8, when entries for the Trial Stakes can be made. There is an unnamed Balboa gelding amongst the nominations for the Dunedin spring meeting. As Balboa was an explorer, Inquisitive or Pioneer might be considered a suitable name. Mr J. Hennessy’s horse, Lutteur 111, winnefr of the 1909 Liverpool Grand National, died recently in France. G. Parfrement, who rode Lutteur 111 on that occasion, was killed at Enghien in 1923. The three-year-old gelding Gleninnis, who was amongst the winners at Wanganui, was got by Kilbroney from Glen Helen, by Treadmill—Glenowlet, by Clanronald. The nominations for the Dunedin spring meeting are very pleasing indeed, and with ordinary luck it should pTove the best start for a season the club has ever made at Wingatui. Heroic threatens to out Gloaming and Eurythmic from their positions as principal stake-winners of Australasia. Gloaming won £43,100, Eurythmic £36,891, and Heroic has won close on £35,000.

The fact that 25 two-year-olds appeared in the parade at the Wanganui meeting shows that there will in all probability be nome big fields of youngsters seen out this

The Satrap, a grey son of The Tetrarch, recently won the Richmond Stakes of 1019gns, and ranks as one of the best two-year-olds in England. The Satrap has now won close on 6000gns in stakes. The danger of crowding too close to a horse or getting within accidental range was recently demonstrated in England by a horse when leaving the saddling paddock kicking a spectator’s face. Frenzied Finance, the winner. of the Debutante Stakes at Wanganui, is a bay filly by Paper Money—Peronilla, the dam of Boadicea. Peronilla won the Welcome Stakes of 1912, and was got by Achilles, from Prelude, by Merrie England.

Reremoana looked a certainty on paper for the Eclipse Stakes. He was rated at 71b better than Grand Knight on the first day at Wanganui, and the last named had to meet him at eten weights in the Eclipse Stakes.

They are not so up to date in the construction of stands in England as in New Zealand. A new racecourse wee recently opened at Chepetow, and an illustration of

the course shows several pillars supporting roofs of the various stands. A St. Leger winner, Caligula, who was got by The Tetrarch, now figures amongst the winning sires in England. Prestissimo, a grey colt got by Caligula, recently won the Levant Stakes of 1590gns for two-year-olds. The result of the racing in Sydney on Saturday may be taken as a line that Windbag will not have a chance with Limerick if they meet in the Melbourne Cup. There are, of course, other “Richmonds in the field.”

Footfall continues to get through useful work, and during the season may show much improved form. He has been a big, lathy gelding, and may come to greater strength during his five-year-old season.

In England last year S. Wootton won 59 races with 29 different horses, and even if he does not equal that record this year he will not fall far short of it. Up to July 20 his score for the season was 32 wins by 21 horses. Of these he owned 15, and they had won 24 of the 32 races.

The gelding purchased recently by Mr B. S. Irwin is named Great Spear, and was got by Grey Spear from Tokarahi, by Martian —Czaritza, by Stepniak— Irene, by Gorton. Kremlin, Petrovna, Master Alix, and Muscovite were all good winners in the same tribe as Great Spear. Owing to being engaged to ride at Ashburton, J. Beale turned down an offer to give him some good mounts at the Avondale meeting. The judgment and vigorous horsemanship he displayed on Rapier at Trentham attracted the attention of the northerners.

The Wormwood gelding Penman, who won a double at Wanganui, claims as his dam Sarah Grand, a mare by All Black from Heavenly Twin, by Castor from Vivandiere. Heavenly Twin is a sister to Canteen, who ranks as a New Zealand Cup winner. In referring to the fact that Gloaming, The Hawk, Rapine, Sasanof, and Ballymena were all geldings, a Sydney scribe states that it is high time the Australian Rules of Racing were altered so as to debar them from receiving allowances in weight-for-age races. The two-year-old gelding Tallisker, who ran second to Frenzied Finance at Wanganui, was got by Lord Quex from Fair Rosamond (the dam of Kick Off), and Chelome, who ran third in the same race, was got by Leighton from Cheloma. Lord Quex was got by Lemberg, and Leighton by Roi Herode. Cimon won the Three-year-old Handicap run at Rosehill recently so well that he at once came into favour for the A.J.C. Derby. He beat another Derby candidate in Valaisian, who was giving the winner 151 b. Cimon was got by Woorak from Simmerette, by Simmer from Etra Weenie, by Trenton.

A requisition signed by 261 members of the Auckland Racing Club asking for the installation of a ten shilling totalisator in the saddling paddock was presented to the Auckland Racing Club. Of 271 members to whom the requisition was presented only 10 refused to sign it. The others, who reside in country districts, were not approached. Mr J. Marsh, late official starter to the English Jockey Club, died in England on July 26. He was a successful jockey in his early days, and, on taking up training, won the 1877 Oaks with Placida. It was about 20 years ago he succeeded Mr Arthur Coventry as official starter to the Jockey Club, and he filled the position for a number of years. He was a bro’ther of Mr Richard Marsh, who, until recently, was the King’s trainer. Several horses engaged in the Dunedin Guineas are amongst those nominated for the first day of the spring meeting. Amongst them are Battle Colours, Green Cloth, High Gear, Jolly Glad, Pink Terrace, Front Rank, Paper Boy, Credit, Polly Flinders, Paperchase, Countersign, Assurance, Zarisee, Kilbox, Sir Roy, Sightseer, and Wingatui. With others possibly held in reserve for the race it will be seen there is excellent prospects of a good field been seen out in the Wingatui classic.

Civility was staying on in the Winter Cup after a somewhat unlucky run in the early part of the race. Hence it was not a surprise to find her winning over a little more ground under a comparatively light weight. She has a good turn of speed, but if trained for a journey might get over far more ground than she has successfully tackled up to date. Civility wa« got by the Soult horse Elysian from Civilisation, by . Maori King from New Idea, by Waiuku—Bonne Idea, by Nordenfeldt from My Idea, the dam of Nelson, who won three Auckland Cups, and was a champion stayer in his day. Coronach has added the St. Leger to his list of triumphs, and now ranks as one of the few that have won both the Derby and the Doncaster classic. He lias also won the Eclipse Stakes, St. James Palace Stakes, and other races. Coronach had won 28,2Usovs in stakes prior to his success in the St. Leger. He represents the Marcovil—Marco line of Barcaldine in tail male, and was got by Hurry On from Wet Kiss, by Tredennis (son of Kendal) from a mare got by Soliman, the sire of Solferino. Owners of Solferino mares have good reason to be pleased with Coronach’s great success, as it certainly enhances their value from a studmaster’s point of view. Locally-owned norses with engagements in the Dunedin Guineas include Wingatui (Tractor —Marianne), Pink Terracs (Tractor —All Pink), Credit (Paper

Money—Formless), Real Glad (Gay Lad —Honesty), Dismantle (Tractor —Take Down), Lady Tractor (Tractor —Lady Blackstone), Countersign (Paper Money —Kilberry), Polly Flinders (Paper Money—Solferino mare), Dioxide (Boniform—Philomela), Royal Saxon (Saxby —Heath Lass), Battle Colours (Solferino —Satisfaction), High Gear (TractorCall Bird), Top Gear (Tractor —Quickset), and a filly by Tractor from Sister Radius.

According to the London Sporting Life and Sportsman, the stallion Grosvenor is to be sent to Australia to do stud duty next season. He is owned by Messrs Musker Bros, and Senator J. J. Parkinson. They have been induced to send out Grosvenor because of the fact that another son of Cicero in Valais is now the premier sire in Australia. Grosvenor has been at the stud in England for a number of years, and has done fairly well. He is by Cicero (son of Cyllene) from that great mare, Sceptre, by Persimmon (son of St. Simon) from Ornament, by Bend Or from Lily. Agnes (dam of Ormonde), by Macaroni. He was a useful horse in his racing days without being top class. It is not stated to which State in Australia he will go. One of the best of the English two-year-olds this season is Bold Archer, who recently won the Gimcrack Stakes at the York meeting. Bold Archer is a half brother to the Derby winner, Papyrus, and to Great Star, who is now at the Sfc. Albans Stud in Australia. The Gimcrack Stakes winner is Phalaris (son of Polymelus) from Miss Matty, by Marcovil (son of Varco) from Simonath, by St. Simon from Philomatch, by Philammon from Chrysalis, by Lecturer from Winged Bee, by Artillery. Miss Matty is very like that great brood mare Mowerina, the dam of Donovan, Semolina, and other great race horses, in that she will produce a good horse to any sire. Miss Matty bred the Derby winner Papyrus to Tracery, Great Star to Sunstar, Bold Archer to Phalaris, and Comus to Black Jester.' They were £.ll winners. The Sydney Referee reports that New South Wales has lost a quartet of horses that are certain to have done well had they remained in Sydney. These are Longford, Tiger Salve, Direct Morning, and a Globe Derby gelding who was owned by S. Trotman. The four horses named were shipped to New Zealand recently, Direct Morning having been acquired by H. Henrickson, of Auckland, and the others by the prominent Christchurch sportsman Mr Thomas Richards. Longford changed hands for something in the vicinity of £3OO. He should do well in the Dominion, especially in races up to a mile and a-half. Tiger Salve will be found by New Zealand sportsmen capable of running out a couple of miles in good style. Direct Morning is smart. All told, then, this lot of horses represents a distinct loss to the trotting and pacing ranks of New South Wales.

A Perth exchange says that a case of interest to sporting people was heard recently in the Carnarvon local court, when M. Day sued W. R. Willesee for £lO, which he alleged he had put on a horse called Prince Rhubarb at Geraldton on wired instructions from Willesee, and acting as his agent. Defendant was away in the country, and wired Day to the effect that he wanted £lO upon the horse in question, but referred him to a third party as to what race it would be. Plaintiff alleged that he ascertained this, and wired the £lO away to a bookmaker in Perth. The Resident Magistrate, in giving a verdict for the defendant with costs, said the plaintiff had failed to satisfy him that he had acted as defendant’s agent in the matter, and even if he had, he had failed to show proof that he had carried out the defendant’s instructions.

During his visit to Australia Mr H. R. Mackenzie, who returned to Auckland on Tuesday, attended the dispersal sale of the Woodlands stud, New South Wales, and effected some purchases on behalf of the Auckland Stud Company. The lots purchased were the brood mares Kenilworth Maid and Roselove, and two colts by Duke Humphrey from Princess Hazel and Shepherd Princess respectively. The Shepherd Princess colt is related to the brilliant Manfred, his dam being a half-sister (bv Shepherd King) to Otford. dam of Manfred. The colts are expected to arrive in- a fortnight’s time, but the mares are to remain in Australia to be mated with the imported sire Orby’s Pride. Roselove is only a young mare, having been foaled in 1923. She is by Rossendale (sire of Rampion) from Belove, daughter of Haut Brian and Adoration. Roselove is in foal to Fairy Bob, who was a good performer in Queensland a few seasons ago.

For some little time past there has been great stir in Hobart trotting circles concerning the allegations of questionable tactics amongst men prominently connected with the sport, and at the request of the Attorney-General, Mr A. G. Ogilvie. the Tasmanian Trotting Association held an inquiry into statements published by a mainland journal in connection with alleSations made against A. J. Gibson and A. 'oster by G. Watt, sen. The official finding states that evidence was taken on the truth or otherwise of allegations. (a) That one official has on occasions asked riders to let him know when they were out to win, so that he could place money on their horses; (b) That one of the stewards of the Northall Park Trotting Club, A. Foster, apparently sat on an inquiry into the running of Mallee King on June 5 last with hie mind made up; and (o) That for business reasons a certain official, who sat on the inquiry, could not possibly be a party to the disqualification of certain trotting connections. Such evid-

ence was fully considered, when members of the association sitting on the inquiry unanimously decided upon a course of action, as a result of which A. J. Gibson will be called upon to show cause at a meeting of the association to be held later, why he should not be removed from the position as official, namely, steward of the Northall Park Trotting Club. The following list, compiled by “Searchlight,” may prove of interest:— Fastest time. Handicap.

formance. From the above table it will be seen that Native Chief is handicapped 6sec, Queen’s Own ssec, Talaro 4sec» Great Bingen 4sec, Imprint 3 3-ssec, Black Admiral 2 3-ssec, Nelson Derby 2 2-seec, Ahuriri 1 4-ssec, Pedro Pronto 1 l-ssec, Sheik 3-ssec and Great Hope 2-ssec faster than their best times, and Jack Potts 1 2-ssec, Man o’ War lsec. Waitaki Girl lsec, Acron lsec, Onyx 4-ssec Prince Pointer 2-ssec, and Dolly Dillon l-ssec, comprise those that have been let up.

Horse. yd. m. s. m. s. Great Bingen . .. 84 4.25 (W.) 4.21 Sheik . 72 4.223-5 (P.l 1 4.22 Onyx ... - .. 60 4.234-5<W. ) 4.23 Waitaki Girl .. . 60 4.22 (P.) 1 4.23 Great Hope . 48 4.24 2-5(W.] 1 4.24 Man O’ War .. . 36 4.24 (P.) 1 4.25 Acron . 36 4.24 IP.] 1 4.25 Imprint . 36 4.28 3-5(W.] 1 4.25 Jack Potts . 24 4.24 3-5 (P.l i 4.26 Ahuriri. . 24 4.27 3-5 (P.i 1 4.26 Prince Pointer .. . 12 4.273-5 (P.) 1 4.27 Nelson Derby .. . 12 4.29 1-5(W.] 1 4.27 Pedro Pronto .. . Kr, 4.291-5(W. 1 4.28 Native Chief .. . 6cr. 4.34 (W.j 1 4.28 Queen’s Own .. . ter. 4.33 (W.l I 4.28 Black Admiral sor. 4.30 l-5(W.l 1 4.28 Talaro . tor. 4.32 (P.l 1 4:28 Dolly Dillon ... ter. 4.27 4-5 (P.] 1 4.28 (W.) indicates a win, (P.) a placed per-