TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 51

TALK OF THE DAY.

By

Sentinel.

THE DUNEDIN SPRING MEETING.

Highly satisfactory prospects arc on hand for a successful opening of the Wingatui racing season. The acceptances leave very little to be desired, as most of the available material still figures in the fields. The response to the handicaps has been very liberal, and a splendid field remains in the M'Lean Stakes and a satisfactory one in the Dunedin Guineas. Taboo, Rascal, and Semper Paratus have dropped out of the Mosgiel Handicap, leaving a field of eight to face the starter. Black Duke meets Starshooter on 51b better terms than in the Kurow Cup. and this would turn the tables in favour of the Balboa gelding. _ Town Major was not produced for the Kurow Cup. Black Duke meets Town Major on 21b worse terms than when he finished in front of him in the Geraldine Cup. and since then the former has improved. Black Duke on form in the Kurow Cup appears to hold Black Mint and Royal Game safe. High Court should have improved since he ran in the Geraldine Cup, and he has been kept up to the mark by the handicapper, who recognised his defeat by a small concession. Circulation won in good style when she won at the Otago Hunt Club's meeting, and ae she will probably have the benefit of an allowance, must hold strong claims to consideration. Evening finished close to Starshooter and Black Duke in the Heathcote Handicap, and at Wingatui meets Starshooter on 191 b better terms. The dangerous list seems to be comprised of Black Dpjce, Starrfiooter. Town Major, and Circulation, and at the close of the betting it may be found that Black Duke and Town Major are the popular selections. The Electric Handicap is always linked with the Mosgiel Handicap, and this year the former has some smarter sprinters engaged that should make it a very interesting race. It is doubtful if Meadow Lark will have time to improve a great deal on liis» display at Kurow, and he is now up against a much stronger field than he met on that occasion. Compensation is rehandicapped an extra 21b, but this may again be counterbalanced by an allowance. He would, however, be more formidable with an experienced pilot on top. Rin Tin Tin is coming on nicely, but may require a couple of good rousing gallops to bring him into shape. If he records a good gallop before the meeting, Rin Tin Tin is sure to come into favour. Praise was a particularly smart two-ycar-old last spring, and a return to form would make her difficult with 8.4. She won the Welcome Stakes, and in the Pioneer Handicap scored again with 9.7, giving 131 b to Spoon, who finished third Praise was unplaced on three other occasions, but she now meets Spoon at a margin of 61b. Waving Corn won the Publicans’ Handicap when she beat Rin Tin Tin at even weights, and the unplaced lot included Greenaway. She now meets Rin Tin Tin on 81b better terms. Greenaway has a win in the Royal Stakes to her credit, and at Ashburton gave First Raid 121 b and a beating. Fair Raid ran Compensation to a head at a difference of sJlb at Kurow, so that, by the book, Greenaway reads not less than 71b better than Compensation, who now gives her 21b. Spoon and Charmaine met in the C.J.C. Champagne Stakes and Challenge Stakes. Spoon, with 31b in her favour.

beat Charmaine in th e Challenge Stakes, and now comes in on 41b worse terms. Full Fling was not ready when racing at Geraldine, but displayed plenty of speed, and with Red Boa can be accorded only an outside chance. Spoon and Charmaine will be well backed, and eo will the bracket formed by Praise and Greenaway. Amorist and Haze will be fancied for the Spring Hurdles, and a wide range will be made in connection with the Trial Stakes. Jaloux, Al Jolson, Kakara, and Master Anomaly’ have the best credentials, and they may be backed in the order named. If Gustavo is good enough to be fancied for the Dunedin Guineas there will be plenty’ of support for him in the Maungatua Handicap, and others that may be selected to trouble him will be Assemble, Some Toff, Ball Dress, and Academy. .Gustavo will probably start favourite, with Assemble and Some Toff next in demand. On Top, Rascal, and Salnio Salar may be selected as the best of those engaged in the October Handicap, and Jock o’ Hazledean, Sailing Home, and Solmar for the Taiorna Handicap,

THE DUNEDIN CLASSICS.

The inclusion of the M'Lean Stakes and Dunedin Guineas lifts the Wingatui spring programme out of the ordinary handicap programme, and arouses a considerable interest in the fixture that would otherwise be missing, A field of 17 has been paid up for in the M'Lean Stakes, and it strongly savours of mak mg a stab in the dark as to what will start favourite. The track work has noi so tar conveyed what could be accepted as a reliable line, and the final gallops this week may’ decide the question. Some of the youngsters engaged have so far failed to distinguish themselves in a gallop, and others are trained in private or in the semi-seclusion of a course where touts seldom venture. The payment of 17 is a very pleasing response to the stake, and, although one or two may drop out, the youngsters should make a most attractive feature on the first day’s card Two hailing from Riccarton, in Grecian I rince and Lochlaggan, are credited with good turn of speed, and the Wingatui youngsters. Fair Weather. Last March Ossiman, Ruling Pen, and Hula Belle, should at least help to make it interestI’!?; Belle was galloping well seme little while back, but had to be eased up through suffering from a damaged leRuling Pen may be the best of- the lo< al lot, but some of them are worked in the afternoon, and have not been seen extended. The favourite may be found in Lochlaggan and Grecian Prince. At present no decided opinion is held about any of those engaged, but one may be gathered if the ti ack work before the meeting shows anything out of the ordinary. There is a better line to go on in connection with the Dunedin Guineas, ae each of the field has been seen in public. There is a strong tendency to fancy Gustavo, the brother to Count Cavour, but on two-year-old form Spoon has the best claim to favouritism. Compensation has also strong claims to consideration, as he proved to be more than a useful two-year-old, and won again last week a fact that shows that he has trained on since last season. Al Jolson has scored two wins by staying on at the right end, and he may' also come into the picture. Praise was very speedy last season, and both Ball Dress and Water Power gave creditable displays in their first season. Most of those engaged are booked to race on the first day of the meeting, and may then supply a more reliable line to their chance than what is available at tire present time. At present Spoon and Gustavo seem* likely to dispute favouritism, and there ’•will also be support for Compensation. Spoon won the Challenge Stakes by’ staying on under a light weight over seven furlongs, and must be considered dangerous on the score of both speed and stamina. Gustavo has also been able to run on at the right end. and promises to develop into a good three-year-old.

THE KUROW MEETING.

The Kurow Jockey Club’s annual race meeting has always been regarded as one of the most enjoyable outings held during the season. The fixture generally attracts a good attendance, and such proved to be the case last week, although it did not come up td expectations. It was thought that the large number of men employed near Kurow would help to swell both the throng and the totalisator returns, but such did not prove to be the case. The club was favoured with fine weather, but a very liberal use of the scratching pen deprived the card of a great deal of its original attractiveness. The going was on the hard side, and this, no doubt, caused some of the horses to drop out. Over 30 horses were struck out during the day, and frequently reduced the runners to a one-dividend field. This .did not help to swell the returns, which at the finish displayed a shrinkage on last year’s figures. * The shortage, however, is the rule rather than the exception with meetings held this season, and Kurow proved' in line with the general shrinkage in totalisator returns. The drop would not have been so much if the scratchings had not been so liberal, and in this the club proved to be rather unlucky. Those that did go to the post provided some very interesting racing, even if the spectators were

not in the financial mood to plunge on the results. No less than seven out of the dozen colouring on the card for the Kurow Cup were struck out of their engagements. and of the remainder two ran in the same colours. Starshooter started a £66 better favourite than Black Duke, and the latter carried £lO6 more than the bracket made by Black Mint and Royal Game. Taboo did not receive a great deal of support, as it was rumoured that he was just up after a spell. Starshooter, pulling hard, set the pace, and was still going strong at the far turn. Black Duke made a forward move when going up the rise to the home turn, and at the distance ranged alongside Starshooter and appeared to have him beaten a hundred yards from home. The start given by Black Duke, however, in addition to the run up the rise, saw him weaken in the last few strides, and Starshooter came again and won by a head. Black Mint was three lengths away. It was ~~a good race, and Black Duke appeared to be a eiiade unlucky in missing a win. The balance of the card also supplied some good racing and close finishes, and with a well-managed meeting, everything went to uphold the popularity of the gathering.

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP.

The most pleasing feature of the acceptances for the New Zealand Cup consists in th e fact that the New Zealand horses at present in Australia continue their engagement in the race. No doubt a great deal depends on how they get on at the Randwick spring meeting as to whether they return to New Zealand. Sc long as Phar Lap continues sound and well he will sweep the boards of all the weight-for-age races, and as the New Zealanders get a full share of weight in handicaps there may not be any great temptation to take them on to Victoria Still, so long as Nightmareh, Concentrate, In the Shade, First Sight, Gay Crest. Arikiwai, and White Fang remain across the water a detailed review ,of the weights would be a waste of time. Such a thing savours of commenting on a dramatic production when there is a prospect of nearly all the stars in the caste failing to respond to their call. It would be a rather weak looking Cup field if those in Australia continued their campaign instead of coming back. The prospects of a weak field may be instrumental in bringing about a return particularly if the glamour of Flemington and Caulfield is diminished by what occurs at Ravd- ■ wick. At the present time the stavers engaged in the race are Nightmarch, Star Stranger. Concentrate, In the Shade, Gay Crest, and ArJi*-rfTu. Most of the others have to be taken on trust, although it is sometimes surprising how well a horse will stay on when racing under a featherweight. Those that dropped out at first payment did not include anything likely to be ruehed in the market, and some allowed to remain seem to be rather flattered on past form. Still, when it comes to the point no doubt a satisfactory field will be found at the post, and so long as Night March remains at the head of the handicaps, it will probably require a marked improvement in form for anything under him to incur a penalty.

THE CHAMPION ’CHASER.

The 1930 Grand National Carnival is a thing of the past, but controversy continues on the question (says “Khedive”) of whether Mosstrooper is the best performer over hurdles ami fences that Australia has produced. Years ago I saw H. H. Howard ride on many occasions for the Messrs Miller in cross-country events. “Herk,” who resides in Napier street, Fitzroy. has put on paper his opinions concerning the relative merits of Redleap and Mosstro.oper and placed them at my disposal. Redleap made imperishable history by carrying 13.12 to victory in the Caulfield Grand National Steeplechase of 1892. Howard joins issue with Mr Gus Powell, owner of Mosstrooper, who asserted that, if Redleap were alive today, he would not need to be ridden with a bit and bridoon, but would have to be brought to the whip to keep with Mosstrooper.

“ Redleap,” says Howard, “ could have held a horse like Mosstrooper for any distance from one yard to four miles. In his time there was not a single brush fence at either Flemington or Caulfield. Mr Powell maintains that the bit and bridoon is unnecessary now, because jumpers travel at a faster pace than 30 years ago. The real reason is that present-ddy jockeys cannot use the bit and bridoon. which, in any case, could not be adopted as an accompaniment of the Sloan seat. Redleap had a brief turf career. He was not raced until four years old, and only three men ever rode him in public. His debut was made at Caulfield in January, 1889. Billy Olds, who won the Newmarket Handicap, Oakleigh Plate, and Standieh Handicap for Mr Septimus Miller on William Tell, rode him in a steeplechase. At a fence opposite the stand Redleap col-lided-in the air with the winner, Flashlight, on whom Tom Corrigan had the mount. Olds was unseated. On no occasion did Redleap ever fall. In all his other jumping essays Redleap was piloted by W. S. Cox, then an amateur jockey, I was on Redleap in every flat race. One I remember was a mile and a-quarter event at Flemington. There was no starting barrier in those days. Although I had

a bit and bridoon. the son of Dante kept breaking away. Though a mere youngster, I could use the b.t and bridoon, and always pulled him up in about half a furlong.”

Continuing, Howard says:—“l do not wish in the least to underrate Mosstrooper. who is a wonderful little horse, and in the same class as Redleap, but in my opinion, there never will be another Redleap. I remember wasting to ride him in the Melbourne Cup won by Bravo. In his preparation for that race Redleap cleaned out the whole stable. His trial horses included Lando, who had run third in Lochiel’s Newmarket Handicap, Lochiel scored by a head from Abner, and Lando was only a short neck further off. Richworth was another of Redleap’s gallopin" eompan ons. She was heavily backed for Lochiels Newmarket Handicap. I could not make the weight, and the mount was given to Mick O’Brien. Though a flyei on the tracks, Richworth would not run up to her trials. Obviously if Redleap could mix it with gallopers of that calibre and be fancied for a Melbourne Cup, he would not need the whip to keep within ! e ?. c ” Mosstrooper, good horse as> the latter is. Unfortunate!v Redleap could not start in the Cup. Foot trouble prevented him from standing a summer preparation The only men alive who know how good Redleap was are Mr R M Cuthbertson, Harry Tibbals, Fred Hoimaii and myself. The others will bear out what I have written.”

THE BREEDING INDUSTRY.

In the sale paddocks at Newmarket, a frequent subject of comment and remark was, “ But what poor prices! ” It certainly’ “was true that prices were much lower than of recent years, but, and the whole question hinges upon this point, there were good returns for the right stamp of yearling who had looks, conforuiation and breeding to commend him ihe post-war period saw something of a revolution i. the bloodstock world. High prices were paid for practically any yearling that was sent up for sale, and often the supply was not equal to the demand. It is only fair to say that those were inflated prices, and did little or no good to the bloodstock industry. I remember (says a writer in the Field) those halcyon years very well. Time after time, as some yearling was sold for a high price, the unspoken question came to the mind," How will he perform with colours on his back on a racecourse? ” The answer was generally found two or three years later, when these highpriced yearlings proved to be lamentable failures upon a racecourse. Some, it is true, did well, and warranted the prices paid for them. Yet if one strikes an average, I think it will be found that the balance is on the adverse side. Then followed what has been variously described as the “ slump ” in prices ‘ (most unhappy of terms), “ the decrease in prices,” and “ the bottom out of the bloodstock market,” to quote only a few of the terms and phrases that have been applied to the fall in prices. Perhaps it would be much fairer to say that the bubble of inflation had been pricked, and accordingly prices came down from soaring heights with a rush that was rather apt to startle. And yet there was no real cause for anxiety, for matters were only descending to their own level. We could hardly expect the inflated prices to remain; perhaps it would have been a serious menace to the future of the English thoroughbred if it had been so, for if there is to be inflation, then there must also be increased costs, and a good deal of artificiality and forcing to bring the longest price in the shortest possible time. An industry that needs such stimulants cannot, in the widest stretch of imagination, be said to rest upon a sound basis. And the bloodstock industry certainly does stand upon a sure foundation which has been built up gradually piece by piece, corner stone by corner stone, ever since the days of Charles 11, whose foresight and in racing matters and also in horse-breeding was of a high order. The. bloodstock breeding industry of to-daj—-in this year of grace 1930 — is in a satisfactory, and more important still, a prosperous condition. A good yearling colt or filly of the right stamp, well-bred, and with racing credentials, will always command a respectable price, which should leave, in fact very often docs do so. a fair margin of profit to the breeder. Yearlings may come up to-the hammer, and command low prices, but it may be fairly said that they are hardly representative of their breed, or in other words, fetch the price commensurate with their conformation. Breeding of racehorses is probablj’ one of the most fascinating hobbies that a man may have, but it is also a lottery where one may once in a lifetime draw a prize-packet. These prizes, as the years go by, seem to become fewer and far between; perhaps, we can find one of the causes in the enormous fees now asked for first-class stallions. And yet some of the best of our winning strains have come from horses who stood at relatively low fees. A retrograde movement in this direction would do a great deal to settle the future of the English thoroughbred, whom our forbears somewhat naively termed “ the runninge hors,” or more often simply “ the courser.”