TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 4033, 30 June 1931, Page 50

TALK OF THE DAY.

By

Sentinel.

COMING EVENTS. The excellent response made by owners and breeders to the classic events on the future programmes of the leading clubs created mild surprise in some quarters. It should not have done so, because a moment’s reflection will show that even if there has been a reduction in . stakes, breeders cannot afford to allow their studs to be unproductive, or horse owners to keep stables full of idle horses. The studmasters may not find at present a particularly profitable market for their stock, but can gather some satisfaction from the fact that they reaped good prices in the past, and will in all probability do so again in the future. Horse owners are apparently quite satisfied to “ box on ” even when faced with' reduced stakes, which have to be won, and the heavy expense of maintaining a stable. The most surprising thing about the "whole position is that some owners keep horses in training which -commonsense knowledge of racing strongly suggests hold a very remote chance of winning. As far as the nominations for coming events are concerned it must be remembered that every Well-bred and shapely youngster is worthy of a trial. They may not all be a Phar Lap, a Nightmarch, or a Gloaming, but they may at least prove a profitable as well as an enjoyable proposition as racers. It must also be remembered that a wellengaged youngster commands a price in the sale ring or market that would be deemed out of all reason if minus nomination in the well-endowed classics. There is a vast amount of money invested in studs and stables, and as the bulk of it represents a business proposition it would be bad business, indeed, to allow it to stand idle or call a halt that would tend to kill the market for bloodstock. The amount .of business and employment that breeding and racing creates would astonish those who take.no interest in the matter and

merely regard racing as a waste of time and money. It has also such a far-reaching and widespread effect in the way of business that a temporary halt would deal a very severe blow to the labour market. That aspect of affairs may be a matter unworthy of consideration by some people, but the fact remains that racing, trotting,and breeding put millions a year into circulation, and a halt would not only mean tying up a tremendous amount of capital, but it would also give the industrial market a much bigger jolt than commonly imagined. THE OAMARU MEETING. The Oamaru Jockey Club will hold its winter meeting on Saturday next, and the card for the day reads one of the best ever issued for a White City gathering. The acceptances make very good fields that should provide some sport worth seeing, and the varied nature of the card, composed of steeplechasing, flat racing, and trotting, will 'no doubt draw a large crowd. The cut in admittance fees should also assist success and so will a special train from Dunedin, which promises to be well patronised. At present a field of 15 figures in the Hack and Hunters’ Steeples. This is an exceptionally good field and, as the fences are not likely to be severe, the conditions will favour those with a good turn of speed. This will suit Barrington, as he cannot incur a penalty for winning over hurdles at Ashburton. Next to him Heather Lad and Cultivator may be most in demand. An excellent field is at present engaged in the President’s Handicap. Royal Saxon won in good style at Timaru, and the scale of weights is in his favour, as he is a big sturdy gelding that handles welter burdens better than most horses. Taboo has been off the scene for some time, and Arikiwai will be better suited when asked to race over more ground. Charmeuse would be regarded as very dangerous, and in fact possibly start favourite if fancied by the stable. Red Boa and Waving Corn have recent winning form to their credit, and Starshooter could not be passed over if the going is firm. On their form at Timaru, Glenrowan and First Raid should keep Royal Saxon busy, but the former generally suffers under the disadvantage of being slow on his legs at the rise of the barrier. This is apt to prove a serious handicap in a big field "when racing on a mile track. Still he is meeting Royal Saxon on 101 b better terms than at Timaru. Charmeuse may start favourite, and Royal Saxon, First Raid, and Starshooter may also find friends in a fairly open race. Taragona disappointed at Ashburton, and on that account Ballance may start a better favourite than him for the Winter Hack Handicap, and Royal Limond may be selected as next best. Ilkley beat Tippling' at Timaru, and the 11b worse terms at "which the former was handicapped will be wiped out by a penalty for the latter’s win at Ashburton. Ilkley should beat Tippling again, and Miss- Redowa may be selected as the one most likely to give them trouble. A WIDER VIEW. The shortage of money in circulation appears to be creating a wider aspect of viewing the situation, and now _ people are advocating methods of loosening the pulse-strings which would not command much of a hearing some two or throe years ago. It is recognised that the money is still in the country, but it is a tight market, and the only method of tempting it into circulation consists in supplying prospects of gain at a _ small risk, The turnover on the totalisator, although showing a good shrinkage, still indicates that there is plenty of loose money about, and that some of it can be captured by an attractive medium. The totalisator slump existed at the Sydney meetings, but it was checked to a great extent by reducing the risk to bettors by supplying them with a straight-out and place machine. There must be plenty of loose money about apart from that indicated by the totalisator returns, otherwise the various art unions which follow hot foot after each other in bids for public patronage would die for lack of support. The pleasure seeking public still continue to patronise the talkies, football matches, wrestling *inatches, boxing matches in thousands, and pay anything, but poverty stricken prices for admission. All this goes to show that if soup kitchens are necessary it is not due to the fact that the country hag lost all its money.' Current events show the facts to b-> otherwise.

' The good folk in New South Wales endeavoured to block the legalisation of lotteries by volunteering to raise all the money required to support the various hospitals in Sydney. Their attempts to do so borders on the ludicrous. They set out to raise about a quarter of a million, and after months of canvassing the sum of £862 was raised at a cost of £3235. Meanwhile the principal hospital in Sydney is overwhelmingly in debt, and forced to close some of its wards and reduce the staff, because it could not carry on through lack of money. At the same time money is pouring from Australia into. Tasmania to swell Tattersails sweeps, and a lot more goes to Queensland ’ for the Golden Casket Lotteries. All this is going on whilst -the principal hospiTal in Sydney is starving for lack of support. 'The Irish sweepstakes have

also drawn a lot of money from Australia and New Zealand, and this country also ranks as one of the best customers of the Tattersalls sw’eeps, and in fact have been go for well over, a quarter of a century. Common sense suggests that some effort should be made to keep New Zealand money in New Zealand pockets, and when circulated in a gambling spirit it should be subject to taxation the same as racing and. trotting. Some object to legalising anything in the nature of a gamble because they deplore the spirit that seeks to get something for nothing. That may be so in theory, but those who gamble, even in a very moderate form, know by the cold facts of experience that the boot is on the other foot, and what they really get is generally nothing for something. This is obvious by the fact that only the few can win. If the majority win the sweep money would be so cut up that the temptation to participate in a lottery would die through lack of attraction. The lack of support accorded the Sydney hospitals could be nullified by one lottery, and the same thing applies to this country. Nevertheless the existing state of affairs will continue unless a broader and saner view of the situation is taken and means adopted by which money can be kept, in circulation even if the method of doing so does not meet with the approval of part of the population.

NIGHTMARCH. It is a frequent ajid long-standing complaint that horses bred in this country, although of splendid conformation and with really high-class performances to their credit, are comparatively neglected and preference given to imported stallions which have to be taken on trust for the first two or three seasons and, in cases, whose principal claims to recommendation consist in a sort of reflected glory through being more or less closely related to something of note in England. It is true that many horses bred in NewZealand have become a great success at the stud, but they generally had to force their way to the front by sheer merit and the racing value of their stock. Many really good sires have been neglected in their first few seasons at tlie stud, and then perhaps were afforded chances when getting too old and physically unable to take advantage of belated opportunity. It is doubtful if a “ colonial-bred ” horse ever went to the stud with better credentials than Nightmarch. He is really a splendid individual showing a very rare combination of power and quality, with good hard brown colour, good legs and feet, and ap stylish looking as one could wish to see a horse. He comports himself as one brimful of vitality and yet without displaying anything objectionable in the way of temperament. On the turf he achieved success over all distances, and ranks as one of the best horses that has ever carried silk in Australia or New Zealand. After winning as a two-year-old he trained on to win the New Zealand Derby, Dunedin Cup, and Great Autumn Handicap as a three-year-old. Then followed success in the New Zealand Cup, Melbourne Cup, A.J.C. Epsom Handicap, Canterbury Cup, Hazlett Gold Cup, and other high-class form that commands recognition and proof that the son of Night Raid and Marsa has been an exceptionally high-class racehorse. In according support to the so-called “ colonial-bred ” stallions owners of brood mares are not groping in the dark or following a blind lead. An infusion of imported strains is highly desirable, but it should not be used to the neglect of the proved merit- bred in our own country or in Australia. Imported stallions could not fail to achieve a fair amount of success, because they would be rank failures if they did not get winners when their visitors include most of the best mares that can be found. New Zealand bred Carbine, Trenton, Nordenfeldt, Stepniak, Maxim, Sir Modred, Hotchkiss, Multiform, Vanguard, Advance, Autumnus, Treadmill, Boniform, Finland, and others whose stock include some of the best performers ever seen on a racecourse. The same remark appplies with equal force to Australia, which produced Maltster, Wallace, Chester, Yattendon, Bobadil, Woorak, Heroic, and others whose stock can hold their own "with the best on the racecourse.

Nightmarch is not a racing freak forming an isolated winner in a pedigree, but a horse tracing back to a long. line of distinguished performers on the turf and high-class producers at the stud. He claims as a taproot source the famous Manto, to whom trace more distinguished winners than any other mare in the New Zealand Stud Book. The best known descendants of the Manto taproot include Altair, Bloodshot, Cissy, Circe, Cuirassier, Daystar, .Disowned, Euroclydon, Foul Play, Fusilade, Havoc, Hornby, Manuka, Niagara, Nonsense, Ouideis, Sant llano, Scotty, Seige Gun, Trenton, Vladimir, Zalinski, Janet, and also several highclass performers in Australia, amongst them being Cremorne, Progress, Parthian, and others who were all good winners. Nightmareh shares as a common ancestor the famous Waxy, of whom tail male descendants include Stockwell, Lord Lyon, Lord Clifden, Hampton, Blair Athol, Doncaster, Musket, Oxford, Galopin, St. Simon (and his line), Spear-

mint, Carbine, Polymelus, Phalaris, Martian, Sunstar, Bayardo, and so his pedigree represents a combination of the most successful strains that can be found in the Stud Book." He picks up the line, which has shown tremendous vitality through the horses named above, byNight Raid, showing in the first few removes of his pedigree Radium, Bend Or, Galopin, Donovan, Carbine, Spearmint, St. Frusquin, St. Simon, Hampton, and. the famous Paraffin—Footlight—Glare taproot. Marsa supplies it with Martian, Stepniak, Apremont, and Sir Hercules, the sire of Yattendon. If all the names of the sires mentioned above are thrown into the melting pot of a pedigree it should produce a racehorse, as they represent the most dominant strains that can be found, and which have bred on successfully from the earliest history of the Stud Book and racing records right down to the present day. STIPENDIARY STEWARDS. For many years there has been a persistent clamour for the introduction of stipendiary stewards, meh who can feel the racing pulse, have a quick eye for colours, and who are alive to the ways and manners of the turf. This is the poiiey that we (London Field) has more than once advocated, for the old system of having three honorary stewards at a meeting has not in the past always worked satisfactorily. There have cases when those stewards might have done so much more. For racing is a curious sport—to a large extent it is a battle of wits razor-edged and cool as crystal. In the past there may have been cases that called for immediate at tention and intervention. But if the Jockey Club resolution be adopted, there will be no need in the future for recriminations of any sort. Justice will be done all round. The paid secretaries will wat'h each race, help stewards in every way, advise and guide them in all those difficulties which embrace objections, ’ examinations, inflictions of fines, postponements and abandonments of meetings. In a word, they will be the power behind the throne. We shall still have the usual stewards, men whose names are often household words, whose family have been connected with racing and their own home meetings for decades. But behind them will be the secretaries, who will observe everything in the race and enquire closely into cause and effect— as to why such a horse lost ground at the start, why did another jockey not come through at the proper time, if another rider “took a pull,” and was So-and-so only run in an attempt to deceive the handicapper? All these questions will be asked, skilful eyes will watch the race intently, pick out the colours as the field race on—a parti-coloured carpet that resembles some huge flower bed. It requires, too, an experienced eye to note and differentiate between the various colours which seem to become more complicated as season succeeds season."

MONOTONOUS RACING. Variety is the spice of life, and the suggestion has been made that we should introduce a little more variety into horse racing. The constant trials on tracks as level and smooth as billiard tables do not bring out the best qualities of the horses. The greatest race in the world—the Epsom Derby—-is run up and down hill, and there never yet has been a bad horse enrolled as winner of an English Derby. It would be possiblq, says “Banjo ” Patterson, to have an English Derby in miniature at Randwick by laying out a track alongside the steeplechase course where it goes up and down the hill. What a fine sight it would provide—the quick dash up

the hill, the flying rush down again, am] the long run in on the level to the winning post! A race of that sort would test shoulders and sinews; it would test stamina and conformation. There are horses in England that could win a Derby on any other track than Epsom, but there they fail for lack of stamina and conformation. All our various Derbies in Australia are run on level tracks, and there is nothing distinctive about any of them. A Sydney Derby, if run up and down the hill, would give the winner a fair claim to be considered the best of his year in Australia. Or, if the public mind revolted at anything so iconoclastic as running a classic race up and down a hill, why not vary some of the other races a little by sending them up and down the incline? Our weight-for-age distance races are always run on the same monotonous dead level, and as a rifle one horse wins the lot, as The Dimmer did in the autumn. With a little variation in the menu, provided by some hill-climbing, we might get some different result from that obtained on the flat.

Racing men are notoriously conservative, and in 50 years of Randwick the present writer can remember only one innovation —the substitution of brush fences for timber on the steeplechase course. Otherwise everything is as it was in the days of our forefathers. The bicycle riders have gone from the highwheel machine to the kangaroo breed of bicycle, and then on to the motor-bike; many of the footballers have changed their game from fifteen men a-side to thirteen; even those arch-conservatives the cricketers have introduced the eight-ball over and have enlarged their wickets; but ask a racing man to change anything, and the answer is, “No, sir; it is not done. They may run their Derby up a hill in England if they like, but we could not dream of entertaining such an idea in Australia.” THE RED WORM. The red worm is a minute parasite that in its earlier stages can only be detected under the microscope, is taken into the system from pastures, lodges in the stomach, and if allowed to go unchecked eats its way through the mucous membrane into the blood stream. The result is a constant lowering of the horse’s vitality, and what is known on the racecourse as loss of form. It has been a common phenomenon for a great many years that the stock of mares which have been run for many years on the same pastures have steadily deteriorated. We have seen in the course of half a century the rise and the steady decline of great stud farms, the names of which there is no need to specify. In our younger days (says an English authority in the Field) we used to hear such paddocks referred to as “ horse sick,” and “ horse sickness,” in my opinion, meant nothing more or less than that the land was infested with fed worm. , A peculiar thing about the red worm is that beasts are immune, and therefore paddocks on which brood mares have been alternately run with cattle are comparatively free from it. If the grass is closely cropped by cattle and treated with lime afterwards mares can be grazed again with little fear of red worm for several years. Most stud owners and most veterinary surgeons have .their own methods of counteracting the ravages of the red worm which has, a little unfortunately, been too long neglected by trainers. I know one of a scientific turn of mind who sacrificed his winter holiday some time ago in ■ order to make a scientific investigation of the subject. He had the droppings of every horse in his yard collected and sent to a pathological laboratory for examination. He was horrified at the result, for a large proportion of his horses—l forget for the moment the exact percentage—had the parasite in them in various stages of growth. He set about having his horses thoroughly “ washed out.” and a similar examination a few months later revealed very few traces of the worm. I have said that as a rule the red worm can only be found under the microscope. In advanced stages it can be clearly detected with the naked eye. There is probably not a trainer of repute in England, provided his brain is not atrophied, who is ignorant of the subject and is not engaged in a constant struggle to combat what is undoubtedly a menace to the constitution of the thoroughbred. ELLERSLIE INVESTMENTS. During the present season the Auckland Racing Club put through the totalisator £601,355 10s, which is the smallest amount handled since the 1917-18 season, when £516,843 10s was invested, says the Auckland Star. However, during the latter period there were only eight days’ racing —one at the spring meeting, three at the summer meeting, and two each at the autumn and winter fixtures—against eleven days this season. In 1918-19 there were nine days’ racing, the winter meeting having extended to three days, and the sum invested amounted to £615,497 10s. In the 1919-20 season there were twelve days held, one being on account of the visit of the Prince of Wales. For the spring summer, autumn, and winter fixtures the sum invested was £974,669 but with the Royal meeting the invest-

ments totalled £1,05*2,145 10s. Thia amount was exceeded the following seasons, when the sum of £1,146,510 was handled for the eleven days, and though the .million mark has been approached since then, it has never again been exceeded. The following figures showing the investments since 1917-18 (excluding the Royal meeting mentioned), may prove of interest:—

IN A NUTSHELL. Acceptances for the Wellington meeting are due on July 6. General nominations for the Grand National meeting are/tie on July 24. Thirty-three horses have won over 1000 sovs in stakes at Randwick this season. Nominations for the South Canterbury Hunt Club's steeplechase meeting are due an July 7. Heather Lad now looks in better racing shape than when he ran at the Dunedin winter meeting.

Balance has been doing a fair amount of work since the Dunedin winter meeting. Taragona’s failure to get a place in his race at Ashburton would be a financial shock to his admirers. The promising hurdler Aladdin is a noticeable absentee from the nominations for the Wellington meeting. S. G Ware came back from the Auckland winter meeting with a very good opinion of High Pitch as a hurdler. George Price topped the list of winning trainers at Randwick with 10 wins which gathered £10,119 10s in stakes. The nominations for the Auckland Racing Club’s classic events total 1284, as against the 1427 received in 1930. Wingatui, with Good Gift as a schoolmaster, was schooled over three flights of hurdles at Wingatui on Saturday morning. There is a growing opinion in Victoria that all horses should be branded before registration. The same idea should be adopted in this country. High Court has been a disappointment since coming to Wingatui. He now looks sound and well, and may redeem his past failures. It is understood that the Otago Hunt Club has decided on a cut in stakes foi the next race meeting, but the lowest in value will not be less than lOOsovs. Overhaul is gradually firming up into racing shape, but was not sufficiently forward to nominate for the Wellington meeting. First Raid has been very unlucky this season in running into a place. At Oamaru he meets Royal Saxon on 51b better terms for a neck beating. The charges against the stipendiary stewards’ account for the present season run to £4327 Is lOd, and those to the racecourse inspectors at £3837 19s 4d. Quantum’s win at Ashburton is the best form he has displayed up to date, and he appears to have made considerable improvement during the past few months. Heather Lad has been training on satisfactorily since he was last seen in public, and is booked to run at the Oamaru meeting.

G. Price saddled up winners of £11,974 10s during the season of 1929-30, and this year his stable produced winners of £10,798 10s. - Matu and Antrim Boy have returned from Auckland, and the former looks in improved condition. Antrim Boy could not act in the heavy going at Auckland. The chairman of the Victoria Racing Club has officially expressed the opinion that the double totalisator would prove too expensive to install at Flemington. The Acre—Lady Thurnham gelding, Royal Estate, now bears an improved appearance. He is a smart, nippy-looking customer that looks as if he could gallop. The nominations for the principal events to be decided at the Grand National meeting total 214, the same number as that in last year’s list. The ’death is reported of the imported mare Simper, the dam of Affectation, Gold Light, Razzle Dazzle, and Beacon Light. The Valkyrian gelding Vali, who beat Wateiline in the Wellington St. Leger, in addition to winning other races, is working with a view of being taken to Australia. Since 1900 the Racing Conference expended £B6Bl 9s 7d in printing and publishing the Stud Book. Sales brought in £4965 17s 6d, and stock in hand stands at £2557 ss. A Sydney writer states that the -only important improvements made at Randwick during the past 50 years is the substitution of brush fences in place of solid posts and rails. The system of betting to win on a place continues to grow in popularity at the Sydney meetings. In fact, it is credited with being responsible for helping to stem the shrinkage in totalisator returns. The principal winners at Randwiek this season are headed bv Tregilla with £7293. Then comes The Dimmer £7045, Ammon Ra £5951, Pliar Lap £5790, Cragford £5171, Veilmond £’4901, and Sir Christopher £4216. The totalisator returns for Randwick during the past, five seasons read as fol-lows:—l926-27, £1,129,204; 1927-28, £979,846 18s; 1928-29, £968,360 ss; 1929-30, £932,160 10s; 1930 31, £740,221 10s.

The Dunedin Jockey Club’s proposal that rule 213 should be amended is not

likely to meet with any opposition providing it does not seek on an extension of the number of racing days each club holds each seasofl. Barrington bore an improved appearance when produced at Tiinaru, where he was somewhat unlucky. He has thickened out a good deal, and his improved appearance was followed by a win at Ashburton. The ex-New Zealander George Price, who is now, and has been for some years, one of the leading trainers at Randwick, has no less than fourteen nominations from his stable in the Melbourne Cup. Nine of the list are rising three-year-olds. The Hunting Song filly in Gieseler’s stable is the- most forward of Mr J. Al. Samson’s rising two-year-olds as a result of being broken in early after arrival from Wellington and then returned to the paddock. Barrington is a big massive horse that looked sure to improve with time. He was racing close to the leaders at Timaru when he struck trouble, and his win at Ashburton suggests greater possibilities for the future. The Welcome Stakes winner Tea Chat is reported to have done well during a spell. The filly purchased by Mr J. Lindsay at the Dunedin Cup sales is bred on similar lines to Tea Chat, as both were got by Tea Tray from a Byzonian mare. S. G. Ware has made a recovery from the ilness that troubled him during his trip to Auckland winter meeting. He was on deck at Wingatui on Saturday morning, and spoke of another invasion of the north for the spring meetings. All of the rising two-year-olds in C. Gieseleris stable have been broken and ridden. The youngsters were not difficult to handle, and those that came out of the paddock have improved considerably in appearance and condition.

Judging by the way owners have been responding to one-day programmes, they seem to be more popular than originally imagined. They- still have the drawback of travelling expenses not being balanced with the same opportunities as a twoday programme. Germany 7 is well off for thoroughbred stock, and the best lines in the world are represented. An English exchange says the recently issued Volume XVIII of the German Stud Book shows there are over 1100 brood mares and 103 stallions at the various studs in Germany. Pharos, sire of the Derby winner Cameronian, is still owned by’ Lord Derby, but is located in France. As Pharos has a full list for the 1932 season in France, he cannot do stud duty in England until 1933, but it is stated he is to leave France in July of next year. Racing brings the best and worst out of a man or woman. “As long as you have your racing in England you will never have a revolution,” said a wellknown foreign diplomat, when Minoru won the Derby, and there was a wealth of truth behind that observation. Otago and Southland-owned horses are well represented in the nominations for the Wellington winter meeting by Heather Lad, Paris, Taramoa, West Dome, Umtali, Kerbside, Cossack Chief, Royal Saxon, Assemble, Palermo, Matu. Tuki, Kapuna, Radiac, Apache, Afembo, Town Major. The Smuggler, and Ruling Light. Among the entrants for the Wanganui Guineas of 1932 is a colt by’ Grand Knight —Civility. This youngster is owned by Messrs H. Al. Speed and C. G. Russell, and has been named Bold Baron. His parents were well-performed horses during their careers, so the colt may turn out a good one. The Dunedin District Clubs’ proposal that the accident fund should cover hunters in. training that are being qualified should not meet with any opposition. To all intents and purposes qualifying a horse is part of his schooling and training, and an accident- should be covered just the same as if it took place on a training track or racecourse. A wholesale revision of the Rules of Racing is to be submitted to the conference next month. On the face of Qhings the most drastic is an addition to rule 2, which provides that no person shall seek a legal remedy’ in connection with matters governed by the rules, “ until he has exhausted all remedies provided by or under the Rules.” The heavy rainfall in the early part of last week held up training at Wingatui, but as most of the horses engaged at Oamaru have got through a fair amount of racing a brief let-up shold not seriously interfere with their fitness. Unfortunately the heavy fall of snow which fell on Sunday will call another halt in training operations at Wingatui. White Fang continues to show improvement in his schooling over hurdles. He was a rather erratic performer on the flat, but occasionally showed some great dashes of speed and notably when he won the Stewards’ Handicap. White Fang could not be extended between hurdles by’ the ordinary’ hurdler, and that will be a big asset in his favour when racing over the “small sticks.”

At the 1928 yearling sales in England Lieutenant-colonel O. G. Clare gave 2800 guineas for a colt by Gainsborough from Miss Hazelwood. He was not a success on the flat, and he tried him at hurdling. Last month he won a selling hurdle race of £142 at Hirst Park, and when he was submitted to auction Lieutenant-colonel Clare was content to let him go at 230gns, the purchaser being Frank Wootton. All over the world there is a weakness for English blood. Of nearly 400 horses in training at Alag (Hungary’s racing headquarters), 155 were the produce of English sires, and 42 of that number were also out of English, mares. England has a world’s market, while in Australia they have only’ their own. That is where the new order of things, which debars geldings from classics, will tend to overrun Australia with undesirable stallions.

Breeders owe Captain T. H. Browne a great debt of gratitude. It was chiefly owing to his outspoken articles (says the Field) that the Jockey Club passed, in May. 1913, a rule that “ No horse or mare can be considered as eligible for admission unless it can be traced without flaw on both sire’s and dam’s side of the pedigree to horses and mares themselves already accepted in the earlier volumes of the book.” So mares of doubtful or un-

proven descent have since that rule been rigidly excluded, to the lasting benefit of the English thoroughbred. A feature of some recent racing in Brisbane was the disqualification for 12 months of the jockey, J. Rolfe, by the stewards at Albion Park, on a charge of dishonourable conduct. It transpired that the whip he carried when he rode Back Answer had an attachment in the form of a pointed hairpin. Rolfe admitted That it was his own invention, but that he did not use it on Back Answer, although he had intended using it later in the day on Smithfield, because that horse was “ a bit of a rogue.” Rolfe, who originally came from Melbourne, rode with success at unregistered meetings in Brisbane.

The Valais—Galtee Queen horse Sion, submitted at auction in Sydney recently as a stallion; changed ownership twice within a brief period. Mr H. A. Taylor, the Macquarie studmaster, had the horse knocked down to him for lOSOgns, and later sold him privately to Mr Alan E. Cooper. Sion as a yearling was. bought by 7 Mr E. Moss for 4100gns. In January, 1928, he was bought by Mr R. Miller for 1600gns, and in April he became the property of a patron of C. O'Rourke’s Alascot stable for 900gns. Messrs “J. Millard,” and the Rosehill trainer AV. A. Ross purchased him in August, 1929, for lOoOgns. The paragraph in the old rule stating that “ the decision of the stewards regarding a cross or jostle or pull shall be conclusive and not subject to appeal unless a disqualification for a longer period than fourteen days is imposed,” has not been included in the new rule. It is not considered equitable to perpetuate this provision restricting the right of appeal only to a jockey’ disqualified for a longer period than fourteen days. No provision was made in the old rule for an appeal against suspension for a cross, oi’ jostle, or pull, but the new rule will permit an appeal against disqualification or suspension for any such offence. Ihe transmission of speed and endurance is .one of the mj’steries of Nature, and cannot be solved. It is true that very few classic winners ever find their way out. here as stallions, but (says Musket ”) we had at least one classichorse in Hawthornden, winner of the St. Leger. and where are Hawthornden’s descendants to-day? The “ culls ” have practically beaten him out of the Stud Book. Local breeders point out that evqn if they were prepared to give the colossal prices asked for crack English performers they have no guarantee that they -will get a successful stallion. Was not Ormonde sold to an Argentine breeder for somewhere about 30.000gns, and did lie not prove almost-impotent at the stud?

A firm of Buffalo (New York) insurance brokers announce that when the ticket showing that Mr C. C. Woods was entitled to some 860,000d0l (£172.000) for having drawn Gregalach in the Irish Hospitals Grand National Sweepstake crosses the ocehn to America, it is protected by’ marine insurance for 840,000 dollars (£168,000). The premium for this was 315 dollars *(£63). The ticketholders are still in a cottage on the Canadian shore of Lake Erie, where they intend to remain until it is certain that their money will not be molested. The United States Revenue authorities claimed about £40,000 as tax on the winnings, but the Buffalo authorities held that the money was not liable to taxation.

The fact of Sir John Rutherford havin’ refused an offer of £lOO,OOO for Solario at the close of his three-year-old career invests the stud career of the son of Gainsborough with special interest. So far Orpen, who finished second to Cameronian in the Derby, is viewed as the best of his progeny that have so far carried silk. Commenting on the offers that were made to Sir John Rutherford to part with Solario, a London writer states that Mr J. B. Joel made an offer of £75,000 for the horse after his victory’ in the Ascot Gold Cup of 1927. The Aga Khan then offered £lOO,OOO, but Sir John declined to sell. Solario is at the stud at 500gns, and the fact that his list is declared full for two seasons ahead carries with it a highlypleasing return to the owner. The winner of the Ascot Gold Cup, Trimdon, is by Son-in-Law —Trimestra, and again draws attention to the value of the Hampton blood as a staying strain. Son-in-Law is by’ Dark Ronald, sire of one of Australia’s greatest sires, Magpie, and a grandson of Hampton. Singapore, the second horse in the Gold Cup, is by Gainsborough—Tetrabazzia, and here, too, the much-prized Hampton blood comes in, for Gainsborough is a great-grandson of Hampton. Singapore’s dame, Tetrabazzia, w’as a smart sprinter, but her sire, the unbeaten The Tetrarch,, has sired some really good sires, as well as many high-class sprinters, and his descendants, both the male and female lines, have shown their ability to transmit both exceptional speed and good staying qualities to their progeny. As a result of the resolution passed by the British Thoroughbred Breeders' Association at their last annual meeting, which expressed the opinion that a stallion should be limited to 45 mares, replies have been received from many representative owners of stallions>-In no case is it considered that the recommendation is unreasonable. On the contrary, the general view is that 40 mares, should not be exceeded. One owner ot high-class stallions considers that for the normal average stallion 35 should be the absolute maximum—and that number only after the stallion has had three years at the stud. As a result of the resolution, more stallions are being advertised with the limitation stated than was the case. No doubt this practice will be more widely followed in the future

At the annual meeting of the West Australian Turf Club the chairman (Mr E. Lee Steere), referring to the loss incurred by the club during the year, said that salaries, stakes, and subsidies would be reduced by £14,586. He hoped that in times of depression racing would not be stopped, or even curtailed, as it provided work for so many people. No harm was done bv betting on racecourses, for what went out of one pocket passed into another, less the cost of distribution. Some persons thought that the bookmaker made a fortune, but he took only his share as a distributor, which amounted to much less than the public imagined. He had

never been a great believer in proprietary racing, but, although the proprietary clubs ■were having a bad time, they were doing their best for the sport by maintaining a high standard of racing, and keeping stakes as high as possible. The famous mare Fifinella died in England late in April, after foaling. Her chestnut filly was by’ Hurry On, so that she is a sister to Press Gang, one of the best three-year-olds of his year, and now at the stud at Lord Woolavington’s, Lavington Park. Fifinella -was bred in 1913 by- Sir Edward Hulton, by Polymelus from Silver Fowl, by Woldfowler. She was a sister of Silvern, sire of the \vidden horse Silvius. Fifinella was a brilliant mare. She won the Derby in 1916, the Oaks, and was second in the One Thousand Guineas. She was sold to Lord Woolavington for 12.000gns. The best of the progeny of Fifinella was PressGang. In addition to Fifinella and Silcs. rn ’ Silver Fowl produced Soubriquet. Silver Tag. and other good winners. Silver Fowl was one of the racecourse failures to become a very great brood mare.

Captain T. 11. Browne has an interesting sidelight in his History of the English Turf about the famous stallion Gallinule —that “ thousand ” purchase whose stock won over £250,000 in stakes. This remarkable horse (says the Field) was purchased by that eccentric racing character, Air “ Abington ” Baird, whose chief delight in life was to ride winners himself, but “ the purchase proved to be anything but remunerative, for'Gall inule’s tendency to bleak a blood-vessel became more and more pronounced, and be did not succeed in winning even one of the 10 races in which he carried the colours of his new owner. After several attempts to dispose of the horse had failed. Captain Green bought him for lOOOgns, much to the astonishment of h’s owner, who. when informed of the sale, remarked: * Who’s the mug? I hope you’ve got the money.’ And Gallinule.’s record afterwards is past, history.” Alan’y illustrations can be cited in regal'd to the difficulty of summing-up horses at the yearling stage. It is related that Cyllene was so undersized that his owner and breeder. Sir Charles Rose, would not enter him for any of the classic races. However, Cyllene made rapid progress, and was accepted as the best three-year-old of his year, and it is contended that, if he had been eligible to compete, he would have won “ the triple crown ” —Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, and St. Leger. Cyllene developed into a great stallion, and won a place among the most illustrious sires. In Australia two who were undersized as yearlings, and who won the Victoria Derby’ and many other important races, were Wolaroi and Whittier. The first named, who was left on his breeder’s hands, won stakes to the value of £20,000, and Whittier, who was bought cheaply, captured prize money to the amount of £26,596 under the colours of the Melbourne sportsman, Air B. Chaffey. Wolaroi and Whittier are both making a name for themselves as sires. Windbag was called “ a bandy-legged runt ” by his owner, Mr Robert Miller. 4 who hadTeft a commission to buy’ unseen, and yet he yvon a Alelbourne Cup and £35,939 in stakes, and ranks sixth on the list of Australasian winners.

According to the Globe, highly promising is the Adelaide juvenile Fulmond, a recent winner, who finished with a brilliant run to w’in at Victoria Park. Fulmond was purchased in New Zealand by Air E. E. Jolly for 1500gns, and the youngster was given plenty of time to develop, not being raced early in the season. He presaged his victory by a fast finish into fourth place at his previous start on Birthday’ Cup Day. Fulmond will now be eased off in his work as Air Jolly desires to let the colt have every opportunity to furnish into a stayer if the ability is there. If his breeding counts for anything Fulmond should stay’. He is by Limerick’s sire, Limond from Full Swing, by Nassau from the* Alartian mare Alarsa (dam of Melbourne Cup winner Nightmarch). Fulmond is under the care of the young Morphettville trainer, G. R. Jesser. Mr Jolly always has been partial to horses bred in New Zealand, and he has paid high prices for some of his Dominion purchases. So far he has not reaped anywhere near the due reward for his big outlay, although Hot Spring won the S.A. Derby. In Fulmond he has a colt who in his brief association with the turf has given every indication of furnishing into a galloper much above the ordinary. Next to P. Johnson, the well-known Ellerslie jockey, S. Henderson, has the best record in connection -with the Auckland jumping double, for he was successful on four horses in the Steeplechase—Gluepot, Mary Bruce, Beau Cavalier, and Glendowie—while in the hurdle race he won on Beau Cavalier. LTnfortunately, he was injured in a race a couple of seasons ago, and has not since' been able to follow his calling. However, at the last two Great Northern meetings he was in the saddle he had a great innings. In 1926 he won the Jervois Handicap on Town Guard, was second on Archibald in the Great Northern Hurdles, won the Cornwall Handicap on Lomint, won the Ranfurly Handicap on Golden Krist, was second in the Remuera Hurdles on Archibald, won the Great Northern Steeplechase on Beau Cavalier, won the Orakei Hurdles on Kamehameha, and the York Handicap on Alaster Doon. The next year he accounted for the Greenlane Steeplechase on Kamehameha, the Great Northern Hurdles on Beau Cavalier, Hunt Club Hurdles, the Great Northern Steeplechase, and Winter Steeplechase on Glendowie. In addition he has won the Grand National Steeplechase on Beau Cavalier and Lochella, the Wanganui Steeplechase on Gluepot, and the Wellington Steeplechase on Beau Cavalier, besides an Auckland Cup on Tanadees.

£ 8. d. 1917-18 .. 516,843 10 ~~ 0 1918-19 .. .. 615,497 10 0 1919-20 .. 974,669 10 0 1920-21 .. .. 1,146,510 0 0 1921-22 .. .. 954,440 0 0 1922-23 .. .. 888,717 10 0 1923-24 .. .. 939,626 0 0 1924-25 .. 992,197 0 0 1925-26 .. .. 949,688 10 0 1926-27 .. .. 848,450 0 0 1927-28 .. 911,650 10 0 1928-29 .. 783,034 10 0 1929-30 .. 800,921 10 0 1930-31 .. 601,355 10 0