TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3806, 22 February 1927, Page 56

TALK OF THE DAY.

By Sentinel. A REMARKABLE RECORD. There are some people who think that one trainer is as good as another, but may be guided to that opinion because the question -of cost wields a big influence as to where they place a horse. It is the greatest mistake in the’world to send a horse to a stable which is not under the control of a really competent man.. Many good horses miss their mark because they get into a stable controlled by trainers who may saddle up quite a number of winners, but at the same time may never be able to develop a horse "to its utmost capability. Any person of ordinary intelligence can feed and exercise a horse, but some methods of doing so are better than others, and that is why there are so few Dick Masons in the world! Other trainers may have at times the right material in then- stables, but do not possess the ability to develop and bring it to the pitch of perfection shown by such as Gloaming and other cracks that have been saddled up by R. J. Mason, who was once known as the wizard of Yaldhurst-, where so many great standardbearers that carried the colours of the late Mr G. G. Stead developed their prowess. Mr G. D. Greenwood has owned many good horses during his career on the turf, but the best “horse” in his stable is R. J. Mason, whose services he secured when the death of Mr G. G. Stead broke up one of the most successful stables ever established in the world. A glance through the records of the Middle Park Plate awoke this train of thought, and it is really remarkable how Mason has stamped his name all over the principal events decided in New Zealand. He won the second Middle Park Plate in 1885 with Russley, who was Steppe’s first contribution to the New Zealand Stud Book. He won again with Maxim in 1886, and with Rose Argent in 1890. Another success followed with Strowan in 1893, and in 1895-6-7-8 Mason saddled four consecutive winners in Bloodshot, who won twice, and followed on with Gold Medallist and Conqueror. In 1900 he sent out Screw Gun a winner, and followed on again with Menschikoff and Cruciform. Machine Gun won for him in 1904. and Isolt in 1906. The break-up of the Stead stable came in 1908, and then Mr G. D. Greenwood came on the scene. Mason won the Middle Park Plate again with Emperador in 1913, with Biplane in 1917. with Pluto in 1922, with Gloaming in 1924 and 1925, and now again with Agrion in 1927. It is really a remarkable record for a man to achieve in connection with a race which does not mark a bad horse amongst its list of winners. What Mason has done in con-

nection with other races is written all over our racing history. He won the Canterbury Champagne Stakes on no fewer than 10 consecutive occasions, and has also handled half a dozen other winners of the same race. A similar story is to be told in connection with the Challenge Stakes, for which Mason turned out 14 winners since 1893. The credit of winning with Gold Slipper belongs, however, to R. O'Donnell, as he prepared her while Mason was on a trip. ,tp England. Mason has saddled up about a dozen winners of the Welcome Stakes, close on 20 winners of the New Zealand Derby, 16 winners of the A.R.C. Royal Stakes, and in very many ways has proved his remarkable ability as a trainer. The great test of a trainer’s ability is shown by the manner in which he makes and develops two-year-olds and stayers. Mason has achieved more success-with two-year-olds than any other trainer in the world. Anyone can train a ready-made horse, but-few. can make them with such really remarkable success as Mason, who, with all his j?reat record, is one of the most unassuming men who ever walked on to a racecourse.

AN UNSOUND SIRE. Cartoon has never been a thoroughly sound horse, and this has prevented him from developing into a good winner over hurdles or fences. He was got by a beautifully bred horse in Sarto, a son of St. Simon, but one who left very few sound horses during his career at the stud. As a matter of faet, Sarto, although a beautifully topped horse, was malformed below the near-uide knee. He stood racing and training himself, but the fault became aggravated in some of his stock. When Sarto’s first crop of yearlings came .along, Sir George M’Lean invited an inspection by the writer, who, expecting to see something good, also brought along the late Mr Guy Morris, one of the best knights of the camera that could be found, and who frequently enriched the illustrated pages of the Otago Witness. One of the yearlings led out for inspection had the toe of his near forefoot turned right round to the wall of his off-side foot, and the writer would not allow the youngster to be photographed. Not only that, but it was also suggested that the youngster should not be allowed on earth. Sir George took umbrage at the hint, sent the yearling to the Christchurch November sales, w’here no one would look at him. He was brought back and broke a leg, which necessitated his destruction. Others of Sarto’s stock were malformed, a notable instance being Bandy, who derived his name from the formation of his front legs. Still, the blood of a son of St. Simon and an Oaks winner should breed on, providing it .did not inherit a twisted cannon, which, no doubt, was the real reason why a beautifully bred horse in Sarto left England at a small price.

TIPSTERS. The credulity of the public is almost beyond belief. Abundant evidence of the fact is being continually forced into notice, and it once again crops up by a perusal of a batch of.the latest English papers to hand.’ Some of the costly advertisements appearing in some of the papers are those inserted by tipsters, who invariably claim that they have practically predicted all the winners of the past and also know all the sure winners of the future. Some of these tipsters are prepared to broadcast the deepest stable, secrets for a consideration, and apparently there is not a horse in England wagging his tail unless the selfpraised turf tipsters know the why and wherefore. It is,-of course, quite possible to find a" winner by a logical deduction based on form and handicapping. For instance, anyone with a knowledge of form and handicapping could notr after witnessing the racing in the Wellington Cup, fail to give Footfall a royal chance in the Dunedin Cup. Footfall’s chance at the weights and his track work prior to the meeting all pointed to him being favourite or next door to the most popular pick, but, despite this cold, commonsense fact, some of the tipsters left him entirely out of consideration. Perhaps if the Dunedin Cup of 1927 was run again at the same weights a different result might happen, but on the Wellington Cup result it seemed a very reasonable idea to suggest that I ootfall ’Would at least beat Rapier at the weights, and yet the latter carried nearly twice as much-money on the totalisator as the Warstep gelding. There is reason to believe that some owners and trainers are behind the lavishly advertising tipsters in England, and use them as a medium of backing their horses with other people’s money, which is the best method of making racing a financial success. It is, however, imperative that the sporting side of racing must be kept in view, otherwise the whole atmosphere which keeps the spirit alive would vanish. Racing would then join foot racing and bicycle racing, which went clean out because they were allowed to be dominated by men after money rather than used as a medium which provided people with the pleasure of witnessing a genuine sporting contest. The guessing part of racing has become far too prominent in New Zealand, and some effort should be made towards drawing attention to a degenerating side of sport. At the present time a most ridiculous state of affairs exists in this country in connection with racing. Dividends which cannot be published in a newspaper are known by wire or telephone from one end of the country to the other. Tips cannot be published in a newspaper, and it seems farcical to see them hawked for sale in the streets. We seem to be degenerating into a race of hypocrites, because if one keeps “within the law” one can commit every crime in the calendar. The main point at issue is, however, the question as to how long racing can keep going if barnacles are allowed to gather their- very undesirable bar to the progress and welfare of a national • ’ . .. - . -J* . "

THE GORE MEETING. When endeavouring to sum up the positioir"as to the prospects in the Gore Racing Club Handicap it may be worth remembering that John Bradbury in the spring of the year beat Pink Note over a mile in the Oamaru Cup when in receipt of 61b. John Bradbury, however, looks rather close to Listening Post at a difference of 71b, but the latter may not be found in racing shape, even if sent to the post. John Bradbury meets Vaward on 81b worse terms than in the D.J.C. Handicap, and it is doubtful if 4hat is sufficient to bring them together. Vaward is, however, solid and genuine, and should win a good race sooner or later. He just missed the Dunedin Cup, but is well handicapped at Gore through Full Swing, whom he met in the Fendalton Handicap when giving away 31b. There is a weak tail to the field, but students of form will remember that Courtly Rose once beat Full Swing (over 10 furlongs) in the D.J.C. President’s Handicap, and now meets her on better terms. Be that as it may, Listening Post with 9.5 is in light, and, if fancied, would start favourite, but John Bradbury reads as a likely one that may oust him when it comes to first pick in the betting. There is no sprint event on the Gore card for the best, horses invited to the meeting, and in that respect it is a badly-drawn-up programme, because the commonsense facts of racing show that sprinters are comparatively very plentiful, whilst stayers are few in number, l or that reason a club should cater in a direction that" is sure to meet with a good response from owners. The best sprinter at the meeting is Solrose, and she is engaged in the eight and a-half furlongs attached to the Croydon Handicap. She would be wisely kept in her box and reserved for better things ahead, but if sh<? is sent to the post she will no doubt start a good favourite. Overhaul, o ln K, Balboa, Eyed Ova, Royal Saxon, Sparkling Eyes, and Tholomon will be

amongst the well-backed runners at the meeting. COMING EVENTS. Coming events that require the attention of owners anxious to engage' their horses in the near future include the Ashburton County Racing Club’s programme for April 2, when the principal event will be the Autumn Handicap, of 150sovs, one mile aud a-quarte’r. Nominations are due on Monday, March 14. Those interested in light harness racing should not fail to note that nominations for the Timaru Trotting Club’s meeting are due on March 10; the Ashburton Trotting Club will -require attention before April 5, when nominations close; and the Wyndham Trotting Club’s programme calls for nominations on March 2.

IN A NUTSHELL. Black Duke has proved useful, and looks sure to improve on previous form. dominations for the Wellington R.C. autumn meeting are due on February 25. Nominations for the Waimate meeting close to-day. . Nominations for the Oamaru Jockey Club’s meeting are due on Thursday, March 3. Nominations for the Ashburton Trotting Club’s Sapling Stakes "close on Monday, February 28. ’ Footfall’s defeat of Battlement when giving 291 b and 311 b to Front Rank does not rate them very good three-year-olds. Sea Pearl has proved a wise buy and a had sell, as she has kept on winning since she left Mr H. F. Nicoll’s stable. First Acre continued in winning vein last week, and is training on to become a better horse than generally expected. Civility found her right metre when she was brought back to sprinting distances at the Wingatui Cup meeting. Battle Colours has been suffering from a cold, and may not be seen at his best if produced at the Gore meeting. It seems to be a mistake in asking Solrose to race beyond sprint distances until the back end of the season. Mr J. M'Cormack is doing well with Nincompoop and Precious* a pair of castoffs from R. J. Mason’s stable. The Boniform gelding Scion appears to be sound and well, and may train back to winning form before the season ends. Father O’Flynn did not run up to his track form at the Dunedin Cup meeting. Broadmoor does not look fully furnished, and should show improved form at the autumn meetings. Hard Prince should win over hurdles when he gets a race with light timber to top. Spean Bridge beat them all bar Precious in the Waihola Handicap, and may prove troublesome in her races at Gore this week. Footfall is proving himself something like the horse that his admirers expected the Autumnus—Warstep gelding to become. •Glentruiu goes to the stud somewhat late in life, but it' is to be hoped that when bred to some high-class sire she will enrich the New Zealand Stud Book. A. E. Didham has been forcing his way to recognition, and the success achieved marks a triumph of the longlegged seat over the crouch. Winners at the Tokanui-Fortrose meeting were Grand Fleet. Cloverloy, Little Winkie (2), Obedio, Gillie Callum and Gold Mark. Waranton, who downed Valicare in the Caulfield Futurity Stakes, is an aged gelding .by St. Anton, and won eight races last season out of 19 starts. Manfred has again developed temper, as he refused to leave the post when sent out to race in the Futurity Stakes, run on Saturday. An excellent list of' nominations was received in collection with the Invercargill Trotting Club’s annual meeting, which is to take place on March 4 and 5. C. M’Leod put up a good record at the Tokanui-Fortrose. race meeting by riding the winners of four races and being second in another. The Demosthenes gelding Haze broke a long spell of bad luck when he won at Riccarton on Saturday. He has run some good races, but none of them was good enough to win. Piuthair marked the second occasion on which Mr R. A. Mackenzie has won the Wanganui Cup. He also -won in 1923 with Sunart, who was another horse got by an Elderslie stud sire. Scotch Melody, the dam of Comic Song, produced a filly to Kilbroney in 1919 and Comic Song to Winkie in 1920. These were her only contributions to the Stud Book. An improved starting machine has been turned out by a son of the late Mr Gray, and has won favourable appreciation in Sydney. The Gray starting machine was one of the first used in Australia. Racing is very heavily taxed in Australia as well as in New Zealand. The Newcastle Jockey Club lost £l4O over recent race meetings, but paid £12,048 10s 5d in taxation. Some jockeys do not seem able to steer a horse in a -race, and could not be accused of horsemanship and the necessary judgment which could make the difference between winning and losing. Front Rank may not be a jade, but allowing her to run herself to death in two races at Trentham may be the real reason why she did not last -out her latest efforts under silk.

Arpent has lost form, but it may prove only a temporary lapse, and a return to success will be assisted by a better chance on paper in comparison with his best displays in public. Piuthair was got by Kilbroney from Black Ada. by All Black —Armada, by Torpedo — Variety, by .Natator — Last Chance, by The Painter —Chance, by Sir Hercules—Finesse, by Tros—Flirt, and so back to an Arab mare taproot. Listening Post is handicapped to give John Bradbury 71b in the Gore Racing Club Handicap. John Bradbury is a good gelding, but he has. yet to show form which makes him within 71b of such a good winner as Listening Post. A prejudice existed in some quarters against Kilbroney mares, but there seems to be nothing, wrong with Piuthair and Clarinda, who finished first and third in the Wanganui Cup" run last week. Razzle Dazzle was another of a really good class got by Kilbroney. ’

The New Zealand-bred mare Parody ran second with 9.8 at a Canterbury Park meeting held on February 5. On the same day another of Absurd’s get in Father’s Voice won a six-furlong race with 8.10 in 1.14 after starting a shortpriced favourite. Miss Vera, who earned recent distinction by winning the Rotorua Cup, is an aged mare 'by All Black from Jena, by Cuirassier (brother to Trenton) from Castroline, by Castor, Miss' Vera is a half-sister to Peter Maxwell, the winner of the Grand National Steeplechase run in August last. One of the winning two-year-olds at Wanganui last week in Melissa was attempting to give Silver Coot 101 b when she ran second to him in the Wellington Cup meeting. Melissa was got by Abpurd from Amyrin, by Benzonian from Amyris, by Gold Reef. She is. a half-sister to Grotesque. The Gore Racing Club’s summer meeting will take place on Wednesday and Thursday next. Excursion trains will be run in connection with the meeting, but so far no official intimation has come to hand as to-whether it is possible to attend any day of the meeting and return home to Dunedin the same night. It is rather interesting to see an illustration in a leading Australian paper depicting the finish of a race described as being won “easily,” when the jockey obviously seems to be “going for his life.” Some horses may win by three lengths, but could not increase their winning margin by an extra inch. Cartoon won so well in the Owhiro Hurdles that he must be found supplying a good race at the Gore meeting. He is up a stone on what he carried at Wingatui, and now meets Coastguard on 71b and Adjutor on 111 b worse terms than when he led them home at the Dunedin Cup meeting. Cartoon will probably strip a better horse at Gore than he did at Wingatui, where he looked on the big side in condition. Since 1922 the Victorian trainer H. M’Calman has trained winners of nearly 80,000sovs in stakes. His principal winners have been Manfred, Whittier, Accarak, and Caverta. M'Calman has trained the winners of three Caulfield Cups, two V.R.C. Derbies, the A.J.C. Derby, the Australian Cup, the V.R.C. St. Leger, the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase, and the A.J.C. Doncaster in the short space of five years. Rapine put up a great performance in carrying 10.4 into second place in the Wanganui Cup. The highest weight ever "carried successfully in the race was 9.2 which Dudu had on her back in 1890. She also won with 8.12 in 1891. The Wanganui Cup was established in 1875, and since then Dudu is the only horse that has won with nine stone or more. Since Nonette w.oii with 8.11 in 1902 there has not been a winner with so heavy a burden. Sinapis won with 8.10 in 1914, the year following her success in the N.Z. Cup. An English authority states that Orme is the only son to' perpetuate the line of the great Ormonde, the best sbn of Bend Or, and though he was carried, like his sire, a bit from the true type of his tail-male ancestry, and was also a bay through the dominant brown of Galopin and the bay of the Macaronis, the alliance of Orme with Rhoda B. restored his offspring to the Bend Or family in both colour and type, and. with such sons as Orpheus, Grand Parade, The Boss, Glanmerin, Diadumenos, Flying Orb, and Vencedor to represent him, there is