IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 53

IN A NUTSHELL.

JLucy Locket has been eased up in her Work owing to developing leg troubles. It is reported that Eaglet has been sold to a Sydney owner. Nominations for the .Wellington spring faceting are due on Friday, October 3. Nominations for the Gore spring meeting are due on Monday, October 6. A first payment for the New Zealand Cup falls due on Friday. October 3. First Sight’s brother Tourist is being Schooled over hurdles at Trentham. Silver Paper and Aspiring have joined J. Ruttledge’s stable at Wingatui.

Acceptances for the first day of the Dunedin spring meeting are due on Friday, October 3.

A payment. is due for the M'Leapi Stakes and Dunedin Guineas on Friday, October 3.

; Dry Area is credited with running half a mile over hurdles at Timaru in a schooling lesson in 50. Nominations are due on Friday, October 3, for the Trial Plate to be run at the Dunedin spring meeting. ; .The Saltash gelding Salt Pot is reported to be training on nicely at Trentham.

Two of the runners at Geraldine last week were absolutely friendless on the totalisator.

On Top has made a quick recovery, and If he trains on, looks sure to add to his success.

Glenrowan is to be sent north this week to join E. J. Ellis’s stable at W ashdyke.

Assemble was temporarily off colour at Geraldina, a>id, in consequence, could not produce a repetition of her best form.

Night Recital, the half-sister to Gay Sonnette, showed pace at Geraldine. She is a bit on the small side. . Punters at Geraldine were faced with two big hurdles in the shape of bad riding and bad starting. Nominations for several important races to be run at the New Zealand Cup meeting are due on Friday, October 3. Gustavo is already being picked out to start favourite for the-Dunedin Guineas. His brother, Count Cavour, won in 1924. The Tea Tray—Star Dancer filly, The Geisha, showed pace in the early part of her race last week, but got knocked back after going a couple of furlongs. Pangolin won both hurdle races at Geraldine very comfortably, as there was nothing in the opposition that could get near enough to extend him at the finish. High Court shaped well enough in the Geraldine Cup to suggest that he will prove a useful addition to S. G. Ware’s stable.

Arrowmir found his handicap last week a few pounds too much, and he commenced to fade in the last few strides of both his races.

The Australian Jockey Club’s committee recently administered a severe caution to a rider for betting at a metropolitan race meeting. Don Jose has not been a brilliant success up to date, but is now giving indications of being able to stay when acting under a light weight.

Star Shooter does not act well in soft going, but nevertheless ran two good races last week. He will be seen to better advantage on more suitable going. The Day Comet mare Evening was not produced on the second day at Geraldine owing to developing lameness, probably caused through getting cast in her box.

Tray Bond did not get out so smartly as usual when racing at Geraldine, and this spoilt what would otherwise have been a good chance of a win.

Painkiller was a strong fancy for her second race at Geraldine, but Some Toff got up in time to beat her in the last couple of strides. All the Limonds are not Limericks, and Royal Lirnond is taking a long while to make good. ’ He managed to get second last week in moderate company. Full Fling looked a shade too big and soft when produced last week, and stopped at the end of a race, during -which she got anything but a good passage. Mr J. M. Samson’s Irish-bred colt Lord Argocy made his debut last week, and looks a rather promising sort. He races as a three-year-old, but is really about six months short of that age. Some interesting and pronounced changes in betting took place at Geraldine, and if some horses did not run according to the book of form, they certainly ran to the figures. Silver Salver, the Tea Tray—Arch Lassie three-year-old gelding, shaped promisingly at Geraldine. He is a halfbrother to Jock o’ Hazledean and Young Lochinvar.

On Top looked in a very bad way when he met with a mishap at the Grand National meeting. He has made a rather quick recovery; in fact, surprisingly so, when it meant a return to winning form. It is seldom that two horses are so evenly supported in a small field as Arrowmir and On Top at Geraldine. Each carried over £3OO, with only £2 10s between them.

Several cases of interference took place at Geraldine. This may be partly due to the shape of the track, but the trouble required more attention than it appeared to receive.

The Buchan colt imported by Mr J. M. Samson was treated to a run down the straight at Geraldine last week with the colours up. He is a raking big chap that will apparently -want plenty of time. Tracsono showed her usual speed when racing at Geraldine, but did not carry it far. She was with the leaders at the home turn on the second day when, apparently, some crowding took place and cut her out.

Colonel Quex and Miss Tembaron carried Mr J. M. Samson’s colours in the Gladstone Handicap run last week, and they were last to leave at the rise of the barrier. A rather unusual “ double ” to land.

The Paper Money gelding Silver Coot returned to winning form at Geraldine last week; and with his speed and additional stamina displayed should prove more than- useful during the rest of the season.

Black Mint has better records than Black Duke and Town Major over a distance, and a return to form on the part of the first-named gave the others a hopeless chance of giving him weight in the Geraldine Cup. Black Mint stands over 17 hands, and yet handled the sharp turns at Geraldine like a .much smaller horse. He scored a very popular win for Mr W. H. Ballinger, whose colours always make a welcome addition to fields racing at the South Island meetings.

Mount Boa was a strong fancy for the Farewell Handicap at Geraldine, but after getting all the best of the start and establishing a lead of over six lengths ne stopped at, the finish. A bit too much use was made with him, and a good chance became converted into a failure. S. G. Ware has made extensive altera-, tions to his stables. The boxes have been shifted to face the sun, and enlarged to 14ft by ,12ft, as well as being supplied with additional loftiness and ventilation He has 12 boxes, all occupied, with other horses waiting to come in training.

Semper Paratus is a handsome horse, and looked the picture of racing condition when produced last week. He received a bad bump at the start of the Farewell Handicap, and he would not gallop during the rest of the race. An application of the knife seems necessary to convert him into a paying proposition.

Desert Song,, who landed a double last week, is an improving sort that gives every indication of adding to his success. He has a good turn of speed, and stays on at the right end. Desert Song was got by Hunting Song from Trebelli, by Birkenhead —Cantatrice, by Goldsborough. Trebelli is also the dam of speedy sorts in Will Oakland and Finora.

A Sydney writer states that some of the country race clubs have found that there is an actual loss where the totalisator is in operation. So pronounced is the case respecting meetings at Cooma that the Monaro Race Club is making application to the Government for permission to discontinue using the machine. On breeding, Al Jolson looked a cheap yearling when sold at 500gns, but he has a malformed fetlock in front, and so looks a better bargain on paper than on appearance. So far, the looking joint has not troubled him. Al Jolson was got by Lirnond from Motley, by Absurd—Pennon, by Coriander from Eulogy, the dam of Humbug, Fulsome, Commendation, and Eulalie. Real Love, who won at the Geraldine meeting, was picked up as a yearling at 50gns. The field he defeated could not be considered strong, but he won with a strong finish, suggesting additional success in the future. He was got by Royal Divorce from Orellana, by Aberbrothock —usterlitz, by Soult—Sappho, by St. Leger—Brassolis, by Panic.

According to a statement made by A. M'Aulay to a Sydney scribe Nightmarch is not in such good form now as; when

at his best last season. He certainly looked a bit big and bulky when he left New Zealand, and would require plenty of work and - perhaps a few scrapes to get him to form. His fast work prior to going away consisted of half-mile sprints. The Hunting Song~filly Rosy Morn had her career brought to an end by getting knocked over and smashing a shoulder at the start of the Belfield Handicap, run at Geraldine last week. The mile start is dangerously near a sharp turn, and looks a sure cause of the trouble which invariably takes place when a field breaks away. Mile races should be cut out for that reason.

Although the Irish Free State Parliament has sanctioned a sweep of £100 ? 000 on the Manchester November Handicap for the benefit of Irish Hospitals, the organisers cannot either legally sell tickets or advertise the sweep in England. It is anticipated that on a basis of £lOO,OOO being available, £50,000 will go to first horse, £20,000 to second, and £lO,OOO to third.

Raseal ran two good but unlucky races at Geraldine. He got badly away in the field of five that started in the Squatters’ Handicap, < and then covered ground round the turns on the outside of the field. Despite the extra handicap he kept Silver Coot; fairly busy at the finish. Another bad start did not help his chance in the President’s Handicap after Desert Song had stole a march by anticipating the rise of the barrier.

Royal Game looked to have a hopeless chance of winning the Farewell Handicap at Geraldine. He got badly away, and six furlongs from home must have been giving Mount Boa over a dozen lengths’ start. His rider kept him going, and had the race won about a furlong from home. It was rather remarkable to see a horse finish so well after making such a long run under a pressure over a mile, but he did so, and stalled off Black Duke’s challenge at the business end. Royal Game is a real castiron horse that still puts plenty of vim into his races despite the fact that half his number of starts would be more than enough for most horses. This steel steed was got by Royal Stag from Arihia, by Cyrus— Aema, by Stepniak—Couronne, by Gipsy Grand—Coronal, by Medallion—Corolla, by St. Albans—Water Lily. Royal Game comes from the same taproot that produced Gold Medallist, and the Melbourne Cup winner Revenue. When J. Munro won the Berlin Grand Prize (£2OOO to the winner) on Alba in July, it was the fourth time in succession the race had gone to Baron von Oppenheim. He scored with Mali Jong in 1927 and Oleander the two succeeding years. There was tremendous enthusiasm when Alba was being led back by bis owner. This was the colt’s fourth successive important win this year, and he subsequently increased his total. Alba subsequently broke a leg and had to be destroyed. The committee of the Victoria Racing Club views with disfavour the fact that some of the boys apprenticed to trainers are the owners of motor cars. The committee has determined to reconsider permits to ride issued to apprentices with a view of putting an end to a practice which the committee does not think consistent with the best interests of boys who desire to qualify as jockeys. The following regulation has been made by the committee: “ The committee of the Victoria Racing Club gives notice that no permit to ride in races will. be issued to any apprentice owning a motor car, and that any permit already issued to an apprentice owning a motor car will be reconsidered.”

Gallant Fox’s deeds have given Sir Galahad II a great boost in America. Al the sale of A. B. Hancock’s yearlings at Saratoga last month, a colt by that sire realised £6OOO, while others made the following figures: £5300, £5200, £4BOO, £3BOO, £3400, £3200, and two others £2OOO each. Figures like the above show, that America has good buyers. Sir Galahad 111 is by Teddy (sire of Rionseup) from Plucky Liege, by Spearmint. His fee this year was £4OO with no return privilege. The American Remount Association has 650 stallions, of which nearly 600 are thoroughbred. Among the others are 25 ■ Arabs. Last season 544 stallions were mated with nearly 15,000 mares. Subsequent to Reveille Boy winning the recent American Derby, of about £lO,OOO, his trainer was notified by the Hawthorne management that he would be barred at ■ their meeting unless properly schooled for the starting gate. This caused the veteran American writer, Charles E. Brossman, to discuss horses that were specially bad at the barrier. “ Exile, a great race winner,” writes Mr Brossman, “ was the most proficient kicker I ever saw and the Duke of Milpitas was such a bad actor, that they tied him with a rope to the inside rail at New Orleans, and when the starter gave the word the trainer cut the rope with a butcher’s knife, and the race was on. The Duke away last, gracefully overhauled his field, and won the race amid great excitement.” When W. Duncan underwent a medical examination a little while ago he was told he would not be allowed to ride in races for at least 12 months. At latest, Duncan’s prospects of a comparatively early return to race-riding had improved. He was recently told that consent to his resumption earlier than three months hence would not be forthcoming, which probably means (says “ Pilot ”) he will resume at the end of that period. As a result of riding work Duncan considers himself fit to start at once, but there is a wide margin between a track gallop and the excitement of a race with runners numerous. Duncan could afford to drop out altogether, but he has been so prominent in the game, and is so fond of it, that retirement would take a lot of his interest out of life.

An interesting paragraph as under recently appeared in a Melbourne paper: There are few more popular trainers in New Zealand than F. D. Jones, who is now at Randwick with the Metropolitan favourite, Paquito. During his lengthy association with the turf he has built up a reputation, as a rider and trainer that he might well feel proud of, and though still in his prime as a trainer he has achieved the distinction of having had several champions under his care, including Amythas, Ballymena, and Limerick. Much of his success he owes to R. J.. Mason, under whom he served his apprenticeship. His first winning ride was on that flyer, Menschikoff,

one of Stepniak’g brilliant sons, and once he entered the limelight he never looked back.

On charges of having misused tickets of admittance to race meetings, the crosscountry jockeys, H. Hawkins and D. ~T. Reynolds, and S. Johnston, a bookmaker's clerk, were brought before the Victoria Racing Club’s stipendiary stewards on September 10. The ticket issued to Hawkins, which was not transferable, was given to an apprentice, who used it to gain admittance to the V.A.T.C. meeting on Saturday, August 2. Johnston secured admittance to the Moonee Valley races on August 27 on a ticket issued to Reynolds. Each was found guilty improper conduct, and Hawkins and Reynolds were suspended from riding*in races for three months._ Johnston was also suspended for a similar term. In addition, all parties.were prohibited from attending race meetings during the period of their suspension.

A Melbourne paper reports that profound regret was caused in hunting circles by the fatal fall recently sustained by Mr Hubert Miller while following the Findon Harriers, of which he was M.F.H. Mr “ Bert ” Miller was a son of the late Mr Albert Miller and nephew of the late Mr Septimus Miller. These brothers raced the famous steeplechaser, Redleap, and a host of other jumping celebrities, besides William Tell, winner of the Newmarkeet Handicap of 1885, and Preston, the 1895 V.R.C. St. Lc-ger hero. In early manhood, Mr Hubert Miller rode on several occasions in hunters’ steeplechases. Pinon was the best horse that carried his colours in open company over fences. His last representative on the turf was Tetcott (Yeneda —Miss Moore), who fell in the Hopetoun Steeplechase at the V.R.C. Birthday meeting in June. Deceased was a brother of Mrs H. Alan Currie, wife of the vice-chairman of the V.R.C. committee.

Under a comparatively recent regulation the Victoria Racing Club empowered the stipendiary stewards to take any measures considered necessary by them to compel ri,ders to use reasonably long stirrup leathers. The regulation was the outcome of a conference held with a view to minimising accidents in racing, and in recent weeks the stewards have been carefully watching the methods employed by the young riders. At Sandown Park on September 10, R. Evans, rider of Windanno in the Sandown Plate, was brought before the stewards for riding with stirrup leathers too short. He was fined £2 for disobedience, as previouly he had been warned against the practice. O. Phillips and P. Egan, who also rode in the Plate, were warned against riding short in future, and A. Breasley, rider of Lagos in the Sandown Purse, was similarly warned. Evans is the first rider to be penalised under these regulations

The Victorian Chief Secretary (Mr Tunnecliffe) has received from a committee which drafted them the completed regulations for the control of the totalisator in Victoria. The regulations will be submitted to the State Cabinet shortly, and if approved will be forwarded for acceptance by the Executive Council. It is understood that they provide for both “ straightout ” and place betting on the machines on the registered courses. In the case of “ place ” betting, one-third of the amount available for distribution'will be paid to the investors on each of the first three horses. On the unregistered courses machines will pay dividends at the rate of 60 per cent, to backers of the first horse and 20 per cent, each to the backers of the second and third horses. Although it was hoped that the totalisator would be installed on several of the smaller courses late this month, it now seems unlikely that the machines will be operating in Melbourne before the end of this year. For the year ended August 30, the Victoria Amateur Turf Club made a net profit of £5930. Stakes amounting to £80,871 were paid, bringing the amount of prise money distributed since the club was founded in 1875 to £1,676,717. The annual report states that in the last year ,£1578 were spent on racecourse replacements and improvements. State entertainments tax has been added to members subscriptions this J’ear, making the subscription fee £7 5s 4d. Normally the sub-, scription, including all taxes, is £7. Charges for entries, acceptances, admittances, registrations, race books, sundry fees, etc., amounted to £128,511, and members’ subscriptions and entrance fees (less railage) to £7097. Among the chief items of expenditure, in addition to stakes, were: Racing expenditure, £14,834; racecourse maintenance, £14,220; Victorian Government license fee and tax, £8299_; salaries. £5501, and rates and taxes £2097. An amount of £4769 is debited to casual; ties, hospitals, legal expenses, rent of offices, printing, and general expenditure.