RACING.

Otago Witness, Issue 4039, 11 August 1931, Page 51

RACING.

FIXTURES. August 11, 13, 15.—Canterbury. August 22.—Pakuranga. August 29.—Taranaki. September s.—Otago Hunt. September 12. —Dunedin. September 19. —Birchwood. September 17, 19.—Wanganui, September 19.—Ashburton. September 24, 26. —Geraldine. September 26.—Hawke’s Bay. September 26, 28.—Avondale. October 3.—Napier Park. October 3.—Kurow. October 3, 5. —Auckland. October 7. —Marton. October 9, 10. —Otaki. October 10.—Dunedin. October 15, 17. —South Canterbury. October 17. —Masterton. October 17, 19.—Dargaville. October 24, 26.— Wellington. October 24, 26. —Gore.

TALK OF THE DAT. By Sentinel. A NOTABLE ABSENTEE. A most notable absentee from the list of licensed trainers is that of Mr K. J Mason, who for well over half a century has been recognised, and deservedly so. as the most successful trainer ever associated with racing in New Zealand. Ln fact he holds every right to be considered one of the most successful trainers the world has ever known. K. Mason first came into prominence as a rider, and did so by steering Lurline, , the first winner of the Dunedin Cup (1874) appearing in the Turf Register. Increasing weight, however, soon put him out of the saddle, and it was as trainci that he achieved really world-wide fame, as his great success attracted attention in other parts of the world. The writer is indebted to Mr Joe Chadwick’s “Men of Mark” for some information about Mason’s early caieer in racing. It is told that he once ivon four races on end at Riccarton, by ruling Papapa in the New Zealand Derby*, Trial Plate on Lurline, C.J.C. St. Legeron Kapako, first Champagne Stakes on \\ ainui, and Easter Handicap on Calumny. In 1874 he went to Australia with Lurline, Calumny, and Papapa. 'The two first-named were sold, but he brought back the last-named horse. In 1875, Calumny won the New*market Handicap and Lurline the Australian Cup—a double that marked the first important success achieved by New* Zealand horses in Australia. After a partnership with the late Mr R. Vallance, Mason acted as trainer for the Hon. W. Robinson, and achieved success with V anguard, Oudeis, Cheviot, Disown, and others. With Vanguard he won the Dunedin Cup of 1885, and other winners of the same race he saddled up were Spade Guinea, Gipsy King, and Orloff. He also won the New Zealand Cup witli Vanguard, Spade Guinea, Lochiel, Grand Rapids, and Noctuiform, but when he, as one might say, got well"into his stride as trainer for the late Mr G. G. Stead, he concentrated on races in which the handicapper did not play a part. He, however, occasionally slipped something in a handicap, and in 1901 won the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap with St. Michael and Cruciform, and the following year won the same double with Siege Gun and Orloff. In 1892 he won the Stewards’ Handicap, Derby, and Canterbury Cup w’ith Stepniak, and showed that he could train a horse to both sprint and stay at the same meeting. R. J. Mason trained Derby winners in

Cheviot, Oudeis, Disowned, . Maxim, Scots Grey, Medallion, Stepniak, Blue Fire, Uniform, Multiform, Altair, Menschikoff, Orloff, Nightfall, Noctuiform, Danube, Cherubini, Gloaming, Rossini, Agrion, and Honour, and his record in connection with one classic of “ blue ribbon ” importance easily beats that of any other trainer in the world. He could train both speed and stamina. For instance, in addition to saddling up stayers, he also won by early speed the Welcome Stakes with Oudeis, Liverpool, Stepniak, Bombshell, Multiform (dead-heat), Conqueror, Tolstoi, Romanoff, Orloff, Golden Lily, Munjeet, Armlet, Danube, Honour, and Praise.

He won the Champagne Stakes no end of times, including ten on end with Strowan, Blue Fire, Mannlicher, Bombshell, Multiform, Altair, -Screw Gun, Formosan, Cruciform, and Orloff. Others he sent out to win the same race were Maxim, Medallion, Munjeet, Count Witte, Farceur, Eulalie, and Rencontre. The credit of training Golden Slipper for the Champagne and Challenge Stakes in 1908 belongs to R. O’Donnell, as Mason was then on a trip to England. Mason won the Challenge Stakes three times on end with Multiform, and also with Blue Fire, Mannlicher, Cruciform (2), Martian, Armlet, Emperador, Biplane, Gloaming (4), and Agrion. Gloaming should have won another, but Razzle Dazzle fluked him when he got left at the poet in 1924, when his time was 1.23 or better, from post to post. It would take a volume to fully record Mason’s success as a trainer. He always showed his mastership by having two-year-olds nice and mellow’ in condition—never trained light —but his stayers never lost through lack of condition. When Grand Rapids won the New Zealand Cup he looked to be trained within an inch of his life, and then was assisted by’ clever horsemanship by L. H. Hewitt, who stole a march by’ speeding up when making Cutts’ corner and gaining seven or eight lengths while the rest of the field were, as usual, under a pull over the first half-mile of the journey. Mason has always held a “soft spot” for the old Forbury Park racecourse, which he claimed to have the finest turf in the world. He once told the writer that one of his mounts there went clean through the ground up to the chest. The old course was built on a swamp, and only had a crust of turf which, when broken, found nothing but a sea of soft mud. Trainers may come and trainers may go, but the records of racing will never, it is quite safe to predict, contain such remarkable success as that achieved by R. J. Mason, who proved by’ results that there is really an art in training and placing horses, and not that it merely consists in feeding and exercising a horse. The writer has known R. J. Mason for very many’ years, and during the course of conversation has gathered much very useful information in connection with horses and the great game of racing. It is a most remarkable fact that after handling horses all his life “Dick” Mason, as he has always been popularly known, met with an accident which wrecked his health by being knocked over by a dog. The result of that • accident has led to his retirement as a trainer, but it is to be hoped that he will still enjoy the evening of a successful life by pleasing reflections of the very’ many battles he has won on the turf.

THE GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. Some very difficult racing problems con- | front those endeavouring to successfully anticipate the correct numbers hoisted by the judge when deciding the results of the first card for the Grand National meeting. The majority of the fields "are larger than usual, and a widespread opinion .exists in the public mind as to what w’ill be first past the post. The going will be on the firm side unless rain sets in on the eve of the racing, and if the existing weather continues the top-weights hold a favourable chance. The two outstanding problems awaiting solution are the Grand National Steeplechase and the Winter Cup. Until seen on Saturday morning Wiltshire’s chance appealed, but the Day Comet gelding does not look so muscular and robust as when last seen on the course. Still, he may be in better racing shape than sugggested by a casual glance. When schooled last week Wiltshire refused at Cutts’ fence, but experience has proved that it is a great mistake to school a horse “ on his own.” His winning efforts over Riecarton discount a single-hand refusal. Omeo may do better than generally expected, though he does not appeal, but Dark Prince is such a good jumper with a fair turn of speed that makes one like his chance. Paris schooled well last week, and a winner of the Wellington Steeplechase and a good stayer cannot be passed over. Lucess seems sore, and hence docs not appeal. Tuki holds a good plodder’s chance, and so does Matu. Snowfall on his best" form would have an undoubted chance, as he reads well handicapped, and in addition will have the assistance of A. E. Ellis in the saddle. He ran second in the Lincoln Steeples last year to Aurora Borealis, and did not disgrace himself when raced at Timaru a couple of weeks ago. Kapuna is the most brilliant jumper of those that follow, but does not stay too well. Tunamoe has a good

jumper’s chance, but Snowfall at his best should account for most of the southern contribution to the field. Wako King. Copey, and the rest may hold claims not suggested by public form, and those likely’ to be fancied are Dark Prince, Wiltshire, Snowfall, and Paris, with Tuki as the best outsider. Twenty-six colour on the card for the Winter Cup, one of the hardest races to win during the season, although at times something or other has scored a fairly comfortable win. This notably applies in recent years to Historic and Toxeuma. Both of these horses are, however, in a better class than the average lot in training when the nine-stone minimum is in vogue. This bar to quality disappears after this year's race. Both Historic and Toxeuma have appeared and won as topweights in the best company, and this remark cannot be applied to this year's field, so that there is an apparent deficiency’ of quality. Palermo failed when in the middle of the handicap for the Great Easter, and went under again in the Templeton Handicap to Autopay’, Trueshaft, and Great Star. He now meets Charmeuse at 81b and Great Star at 51b better terms than in the Great Easter, and Great Star comes in on 121 b better terms than in the Templeton Handicap. Palermo regained winning form at the Dunedin winter meeting by scoring in the Tradesmen’s Handicap and Wai-rongoa Handicap. In the Tradesmen's Handicap Palermo gave Rascal (a fancied article in the Winter Cup) 181 b and a length beating, while Royal Saxon (with an apprentice up) finished unplaced. Rascal comes in on 41b better terms in the Winter Cup. Royal Saxon meets Palermo on 91b better terms in the Winter Cup, and the scale of weights appear to be in favour of the Saxby gelding. Mahora has appealing form to his credit, and is in condition to repeat or even improve on it. Charmeuse ran an. excellent race at Timaru, but apparently does not begin too well when acting under a high scale of weights. She seems very well at present, and should run a good race. Northerners fancy Kahikatoa, and, as H. Gray rides, he is sure of a strong following when the crack horseman selects him as a mount. Great Star has stopped too often at the end of a hard run race to be really fancied. This may be due to shortage in racing condition, and also to generally assisting to force the pace. Mount Boa is slow off the mark, but apt to go a better race than generally expected. Compris, Red Boa, and Straightcourse will have friends, although not greatly’ fancied. Rationall II was once regarded as a coming horse, particularly at the. time when he won the Douro Cup. Knollmere is a strong tip from the north, and shaped well in a gallop with Charmeuse on Saturday morning. High Court had excellent form before he came south, but since then proved a disappointment. Royal Love is one of the most promising hacks engaged, and is said to have improved since running a good race at Timaru. High Pitch may be looking for the hurdles, but cannot be ignored. Charmeuse should beat Rascal, Sharpthorn. Royal Love, and those she met at Timaru. Rascal may supply the strongest opposition to Charmeuse, as he is usually a good beginner. Starshooter has been a disappointment lately. He is better than Rascal on the track, but fails when under the colours. Still, he might create a surprise, as the Archery gelding is well handicapped on his best form. He beat Black Duke in the Kurow Cup at a difference of 71b in the spring after previously winning the Ashburton Handicap. Black Duke at 9.7 would be particularly dangerous. Ranelagh. like Starshootei, has been out of form, but Punchestown is a recent winner. Topere fell at Wmgatui when galloping really well. On Top may not be ready, and Dunraven may prove the best of the nine-stone division. Those that may appeal most include Mahora. Royal Saxon, Charmeuse. Knollmere, and Dunraven, and may be fancied in something like the order named.

THE MINOR EVENTS. The Riecarton racecourse provides a great opportunity for a horse to assert merit, but even there the luck of tin) draw for position at the post is a matte* of great importance. The first half-mile is over a straight run. and this gives opportunity, but if a horse draws an inside position and is not a good beginner then a good chance exists of getting hopelessly boxed. There is the general tendency to crowd towards the rails, and anything knocked back into the .ruck gets into an almost impossible position. On the other hand, a horse drawing towards the outer has a better chance of getting a clear run if the rider is not too anxious to reach the rails until nearing the first turn. For that reason the objective point in such cases should be a line to the first turn, and not a display of haste for an inside berth. The same remark applies with equal force to a start at the seven-furlong post. The so-called straight six gives a smart beginner a good chance, but starting from the outside in a big field may supply a handicap that completely wrecks any. chance of. winning. Some very big and, in fact, unwieldy-look-ing fields will face the barrier in the flat races to be decided on the first day of the Grand National meeting, and any attempt to predict what might start favourite without knowing the draw’ for posi-

tion savours of gioping for a find in semi-darkness.

The field for the Hunters’ Hurdles has a comparatively small field, and two of those fancied .may be Royal Mint and Captain’s Gift. The Trial Hurdles may find Aladdin (who won a good double at the Dunedin winter meeting) as favourite with Raineses next in demand. The Cashmere Plate, with a field of 24. brings in the luck of the draw for position. The field also contains a good deal of the unknown quantity, as far as public form is concerned- The unknown quantity has, however, to be as good or better than Slcipner, Ringing Cheer. Tippling, Royal Amphora, Actaeon, Belvoir, and Croupier Four from the fie.d that may appeal to public fancy are Royal Amphora, Belvoir, Sleipner, and Croupier. If those inclined to have a bet on the Jumpers’ Flat remember that Camisader won the Riverton (.'up with 101 b above the minimum and West Dome at the minimum was hopelessly out of it, the former must be granted a chance. It represents the best flat lacing form in the field, and if Camisader reproduces it it must take a power of beating. The bracket Make Up and Landmark may, however, start favourite with Conjurer II next best. Still Camisader will not be overlooked, and neither will Llyn Dhu. Radiac went so badly at Timaru that he will have to make a good recovery to have a chance in the Enfield Steeplechase. Silver Light, French Fleet, and Taiamoa may be most in favour.

Another big field engaged in the Avonhead Handicap may necessitate a division, and if that is so the betting interest languishes, as few bother about such races. In the first division The Smuggler, Tippling, Ringing Cheer, and Owlsflight may be supported, and in the second Kakara, Martian Chief, Pakitere, and The Sun. In the event of it proving a straight-out issue. The Smuggler, The Sun. Ringing Cheer, Kakara, and Martian Chief may be most in favour and preferred in the order named.

THE BEST AGE. In the course of an interesting article in the Christchurch Press contributed by Mr C. L. Jones on what the Stud Book shows to be the best producing age of brood mares it is stated that racing impairs vitality. The records quoted by Mr Jones favour youth. It is, however, only natural that young or middleaged mares should produce, on the average, much better stock than others getting on in years and towards the time when production stops. It is stated that racing impairs vitality. That is so just as work wears out a machine. One cannot, however, altogether subscribe to the opinion because racing does not impair vitality, but it may reduce the power to produce good healthy foals, which is quite a different matter. Racing and training produce muscles. The set frames in mares, with age, require to be considerably loosened before they are really able' to develop into brood mares. A mare may be just as full of vitality at ten as at three or four years, but at the first-named age, after several seasons’ racing, she develops the muscle-bound frame which does not lend itself to the production of foals. It must also be remembered that increasing age is accompanied by deterioration of power. Desert Gold wag as full of vitality at the end of her racing career as in her first season on the turf, and in the writer’s opinion it was the set and musclebound frame that prevented her contributing to the Stud Book anything as good as herself. The set frame due to age is a bar to maternity, and if a mare-in full training is put to the horse the result as a rule becomes a record of failure. The foal is apt to be a weakling. Still the fact remains that when Rubina won the Great Autumn Handicap she was carrying Vandal, who proved to be a fairly good sort. That, however, may be cited as an exception to the rule.

Several instances could be quoted where mares after racing several seasons became great producers, and this represents another side of the picture. The most notable case is supplied by Beeswing, who, as they say, was raced off her legs and still became the common ancestress of the majority of the best horses and producing strains that can be found in the Stud Book. Beeswing became the dam of Newminster, the sire of Hermit, and Lord Clifden, who in turn got Hampton, one of the best sire lines of to-day. Hampton got Maid Marion, the dam of Polymelus, whose line is .now at the top of the tree in England, so that Beeswing has bred on in tail male and in tail female. Hermit also helped to keep Beeswing’s name alive by siring Novitiate, the dam of Marco; and Dinah, the grandam of Mareovil. Hermit also got the grandam of Cyllene; Moorhen, the dam of Gallinule; Suicide, the dam of Sundridge’s sire, Amphion; and Tristan, the sire of Swynford’s dam. Going back to Newminster it will be found that. he got Clemence, the grandam of Carbine, who rescued the Musket line from oblivion. Here we have the most dominant lines extant tracing to a common ancestress who was raced off her legs and still had sufficient vitality to become one of the greatest, if not the greatest, taproots that can be found in the Stud Book.

A DANGEROUS INFLUENCE. It would have been safe to predict that any suggestion made in favour of legalising lotteries would raise protest, and it has been duly supplied. Still, the very important fact n mains that hospitals require financial assistance, ami funds to furnish at least temporary employment to workless people are urgently required also, and it seems hopeless to procure money, through ordinary channels. That was proved in Sydney, where it cost about £3OOO in canvassing to raise about a tenth of that sum. but when figures were quoted to show that the Royal I rince Allied Hospital was practically bankrupt, and that it seemed absolutely hopeless to raise money by private subscription. the opposition to the legalisation oi lotteries dropped, and now the first of them (to be drawn this week) has been absolutely rushed. Most people will be quite happy in saying that the object justifies the means of raising funds. 4‘ le .v have the totalisator in New South , ' alee, lotteries in Tasmania and Queensland, and why not in the parent State? fie have the totalisator in New Zealand, we are running art unions to provide sports grounds, etc., and why not one for hospitals. and funds to relieve a verv real and widespread distress. Everyone deplores gambling and frowns on ‘ any attempt to facilitate indulgence in that direction, but people should not be allowed to die of thirst because one source has dried up while others —-art unions and lotteries—are waiting to be tapped for the public benefit. It is known, however, that lotteries drawn in connection with racing have wielded a disturbing influence on the sport, and for that reason results should not depend on a rac?. Some owners and trainers require something to nothing about their horses or threaten to. and actually do, scratch if that something is not forthcoming. That has been the case in Australia, and the English racing authorities have been compelled to adopt measures to protect the sporting interests of the events on which sweepstakes are based. On the Derby sweepstakes the pool ” amounted to £2.789.996 without reckoning the 20 per cent, of tickets allowed to sellers; £1.900.544 went in prize money: the hospitals got £557.939, and the rest went in expenses. The total came from all parts of the world, and perhaps many who contributed would not give a penny in direct charity. Still, in the main; the Dublin Hospital and others are on the road to becoming the richest in the world. Private donations to hospitals in Ireland have dropped considerably since the introduction of the sweepstakes. It takes money to get money, and the Dublin hospitals have gathered about £1,000,000 over the two sweepstakes raised on the English Grand National Steeplechase and Derby, but it must do great damage to racing if it continues to be allied with it. Hence racing should have no connection with lotteries in this country, and the object for which they may be run should receive the substance and not the comparative shadow of the total contributed to them.

A FALL IN FIGURES. The curtain has been dropped on the 1930-31 racing season, which opened with the clouds of depression blaek on the horizon. and has closed with the rolling masses even more foreboding that they were 12 months ago. The latter part of the season saw no pause in the diminution of totalisator turnovers and cutting down of stakes, and (says “ Sundridge ”) only the fondly optimistic profess yet to note signs of brightness on the horizon’s rim. It was earlier revealed that the first eight months of the racing year showed a falling-off of £1,156,357 in totalisator receipts, exclusive of the decrease in trotting turn-overs. Figures now’ compiled show a total drop of £1.593,809 in receipts for the full season, the decline being £831.537 for city courses and £762,272 for country courses. The figures are given as follows: —

♦Represents increase. In these totals, the city clubs (those that have raced on the courses associated with the four chief centres, together with the Takapuna, Avondale. Wanganui, Manawatu, and Invercargill Clubs) have contributed £2,031,352 and £2,862.889 in the respective seasons, and the country clubs £1,552,489 and £2,314,761. A GLANCE BACK. We cannot boast of having unearthed any horse of note during the season. The two-year-olds—the most interesting of all divisions—were an average lot without anv particular one outstanding. Mr J. 11. Davis has assessed High Brae and

Mulcra as the best two in his handicap for the Melbourne Cup, having awarded each weight for age. High Brae is a brilliant colt, but Mulcra impresses as the most likely stayer. He failed in Sydney after having shown to advantage in Melbourne, but (says “ Fernhill ”) he was not quite so well after the trip as he had been here. There are possibilities in this colt. La Justice won the Maribyrnong Plate, and is easily the best of the fillies of her year. She is not a “ solid ” filly, however, and she needs a lot of careful handling in her preparation. Thera are many promising two-year-olds that have not been seriously tried so far, and from their ranks- there may arise a champion. At this time of his year Ph ar Lap was not considered to be above the average. Though he did not win either of the Derbies Veilmond comes to the opening of the new season as the best three-year-old at present. He was a greatly improved colt in the autumn, and more than repaid his defeats of the spring. If he could be taught to be more tractable in a field he would become one of our greatest performers. Tregilla and Balloon King, the Derby heroes, did not train on for the autumn, and Veilmond was able to hold them. Phar Laps temporary sickness when he went under to Waterline in the C. Al. Lloyd Stakes, robbed Sydney of the presence of Australia’s greatest horse and paved the way for The Dimmer's run of triumph at Randwiek. Waterline is a high-class horse, even allowin" for the ailment suffered by Phar Lap. The Dimmer should have won the Australian Cup as well as the Sydney Cup, but with Phar Lap in his path, he would have had to play second fiddle in the weight-for-age races. With Second Wind (second in the Melbourne Cup and winner of the Williamstown Cup), The Dimmer lays claims to be one of the best “ handicappers ” in Australia. ANOTHER FOR AMERICA. It is reported that the famous French sire Teddy has been sold by Mr Jeff Cohn to the American owners Kenneth Gilpin and Wallis Armstrong, and was shipped i n June. Although Teddy is 18 years old," the price for him is said to have been £12,000. His stud fee in France was £4OO. Teddy sired the Australian stallion Rionscup. He has been one of the greatest sires of recent years in France. His progeny include Sir Gallahad 111 (sire of Gallant Fox) and Rose of England (winner last year of the Oaks). Teddj- was bred by the late Edmond Blanc in France, and either he or his sons have sired classic winners in England. France. Italy, and the United States. Another of them is Ortello, one of the Italian champions. Teddy is a bay horse, bred in 1913. He is by unbeaten Ajax (a son of Flying Fox and Arnie, by Clamart) out of Rondeau, a daughter of Bay Ronald (grandsire of Magpie) and Doremi, by Bend Or. Flying Fox (by Orme from Vampire) was the sire of The Welkin, Cooltrim. BlankDey 11, etc., and was one of the highest priced horses sold to go out of England. Teddy was a high-class racehorse. His wins included the Grand Prix de St. Sebastian, St. Leger de St. Sebastian, Prix des Trois Ans. and other good races. Among his other progeny are Leonidas 11. Ortello, Ptolemy. Potiphar, Brumux, and Asterus. who won the Royal Hunt Club Cup and the Champion Stakes in England. beating Colorado after that horse had twice defeated Coronach. THE GREAT GRAY. Among the features of the racing season which has just closed there was nothing of greater note than the riding record of Hector Gray, who headed the winning jockeys’ list with 110 wins, a total more than twice as large as that of his nearest rival. It was the best credited to a New Zealand jockey, easily heading off the records of C. Jenkins and B. Deeley (says “The Watcher”), who in earlier years headed the list with 90 and 89 wins respectively. The riding record of Gray was the more remarkable from a man over 40 years of age. It was his second season of race riding after an absence of four years, during which he kept himself in condition : by hard work. The success which attended his efforts last season was the well-earned reward of a natural gift as a horseman, combined with physical fitness, without which no jockey can hope to succeed.

Gray had his first ride in a race at Wanganui in the spring of 1902, but in the intervening period, covering nearly 30 years, he has ridden in New Zealand in only 19 seasons. He spent a season in England, where he followed his profession with success, while there were several other gaps in his career. He has ridden in nearly 4000 races in New Zealand, and while last season was his most successful, it marked the sixth occasion on which he had handled 60 winners or more during the 12 months. His winning rides in the Dominion total 851, while he has been in a place on nearly 1200 other occasions. The prize money he has won owners in these races exceeds £200,000. Twenty-nine times during his racing career he has done the hat trick, seven of them being credited to him last season, while on five occasions he has been on four 'Successive winners. Most of the principal events in New Zealand have been credited to this brilliant horseman. His record includes three wins each in such events as the New Zealand Cup. Wellington Cup, G. G. Stead Cup, and Awapuni Gold Cup. A great judge of pace, and a wonderful finisher. Gray is equally at home in long or short races, while he handles two-year-olds with rare judgment. Apart from the evidence provided during the nast season in his record total of wins. Gray has shown no sign of waning powers as a horseman; in fact it is doubtful-if he has ridden better at any stage of his career

than during the past 12 months. There seems no reason, therefore, why he. should not retain his ability as a race rider for many more seasons.

IN A NUTSHELL.

Chide is one of the ruling favourites for the A.J.C. Metropolitan Handicap. Chide is reported to be one of the most forward horses in training at Randwiek. Raineses looked bright and well when he appeared at Riecarton last week. Llyn Dhu gave a fine exhibition of hurdling at Riecarton on Saturday. Conjurer II is greatly fancied in some quarters for the Grand National Hurdle.-. Aladdin’s dual win at the Dunedin winter meeting will probably elect him favourite for the Trial Hurdles.

The speed displayed by Royal Amphoia at Timaru is not likely to be overlooked at Riecarton. As a result of a solid commission Pentheus and Veilmond are outstandng favourites for the Epsom and Metropolitan. A high opinion has been heai-d expressed about the Surveyor—-Follette gelding Croupier. Belvoir's race at Trentham sent him back a bit, but latterly he has been doing well again. When seen at Riecarton - High Pilch looked in fine order, and is sure of strong support for the Grand National Hurdics. Overhaul pleased much better than Membo when doing a round over four flights of hurdles at Riecarton. In the three and a-qnarter miles and 20 yards of the Australian Hurdle Race there are 15 hurdles.

High Gear seems to be keeping fairly sound, and worked steadily at Riecarton on Saturday without displaying signs oi trouble. The veteran Nukumai schooled over two hurdles on Saturday, ami put plenty of dash into his work. Age does not appear to have dimmed his prowess. Kapuna went twice round over the schooling fence in good style. The Grand National distance may be a bit too far for him.

Mahora took charge of his ride’- on Saturday morning, and went three times round on the inside sand befoie be’ng stopped. The bolt did not do any damage.

The crack Victorian rider W. Duncan was stood down three times during the past season, twice for crossing and once for failure to complete a riding engagement.

The fir.-t New South Wales State lottery will be drawn on August 10. The date was extended in order to provide further accommodation for ticket applicants.

At one time Australia supplied India with large numbers of racehorses, but latterly the’ market shifted to England. Now buyers for India are again busy in Australia.

J. Kerr has been engaged to steer Tuki in the Grand National Steeplechase. Tuki, who is now 14 years old, won this race in 1925 with 9.4. This year he wili carry 9.3.

The racing clubs paid £41,540 to the South Australian Government during the year ended June 30. Of this amount £34,096 was derived from totalisator taxes and £6305 from amusement duty. Unclaimed dividends amounted to £725. Havresac II (son of Rabelais, by St. Simon) was at the head of the winning sires’ list in Italy up to the end of May. Mundibe (another son of Rabelais) was second on the list. Sagacity (by Sunstar) was third, and Teddy (who belongs to the Bend Or line) was sixth. Ammon Ra continues to add to the favourable impres. ion he created when first galloped at Randwiek. As far as being pigeon-toed is concerned it may not stop him from staying. Cypress also created a very favourable impression, and would be sure to see a short price when he won at Warwick Farm.

Nine English thoroughbreds, the property of the late Mr Sol. Joel, were sold in Capetown recently for an aggregate of 1445 guineas. Dark Warrior, hero of the Lincolnshire of 1928. was one of the horses offered, but his South African career has been very disappointing, and he realised only 95 guineas. The prevailing times and the incidence of the betting tax have influenced many bookmakers in dropping out of the game, temporarily, and it is understood that between 40 and 50 fewer applications than last year were received by the A.J.C. for licenses to field in the saddling paddock at Randwiek for the ensuing season. Judging by a recent snapshot of Phar Lap he is evidently in fine order for the early part of his preparation for coming events. The snap shows him rearing and plunging about on the lead. Evidently those 9s per bushel oats that form the bulk of his diet are full of muscle-making material.

According to reports from Melbourne Phar Lap has filled out and furnished in a very pleasing manner, and now looks a far more robust horse than at any part of his career. His next appearance may be at the A.J.C. spring meeting, where ordinary luck will add to his winning total of £51,662. There has been a substantial increase in the number of horses trained in Victoria. This has been brought about by the 10 per cent, betting tax, and if Mr Laing’s new income tax proposals are passed more horses are sure to be transferred from New South Wales to Victoria.

The Carbine line in Australia is to receive an addition by the importation of

the five-year-old horse The Bastard, who is by Spion Kop, a son of Spearmint and grandson of Carbine. Spearmint and Spion Kop both won the Derby, and the latter s son. Felstead, is also included among winners of the great English classic event.

Racing clubs in Tasmania have all been hit hard by the economic pressure, but an added menace to the financial success of the sport is the wholesale illicit bookmaking that is carried on. Reviewing last season’s operations, the report of the Newnham Racing Club disclosed that the season opened with a credit of £236 and closed with a deficit of £733 16s. Dark Prince is a rather plain sort, but gave a brilliant display of jumping over the Riecarton steeplechase course on Saturday morning. Bon Aryan, who went with him. also shaped well, apart from one mistake. Copey made a bad jump, but Pangolin “ got th? country ” safely, while King's Counsel tipped out at Cutts’ fence, the last of the circuit. The Melbourne writer “ Musket,” of the Globe, recently paid a visit to H. Telford's stable, and-said that no expense is spared in running the establishment. New Zealand-grown oats cost £3 per bag by the time they reach Telford’s stable, and the hay used costs 17s per bale. At present Telford has 25 horses in work, and hopes that they include another Phar Lap. £3 per bag for oats! When seen at Riecarton on Saturday last Wiltshire did not present the robust and muscular appearance he sported on his previous appearance on the course. Possibly the very cold wind in evidence temporarily dulled his bloom, but in anv case the Day Comet gelding looks lighter in condition than when seen last season. The fact may not stop him from winning, but shortage of muscle does not help towards success.

Diadem, winner of the One Thousand Guineas of 1917, was destroyed in England last month. Mrs M. A. Gemmell paid Lord D'Abernon 10.090 guineas fo ■ the daughter of Orby. but Diadem was a failure at the stud. After slipping twins, she failed to breed. The misfortune was naturally a great disappointment to Mrs Gemmell, who had hopes of the mare throwing at least one foal. A northern writer holds the opinion that the majority of trainers are in favour of the nine-stone minimum. Such an opinion cannot be accepted without it being backed by strong evidence. One may go so far as to say that a trainer who runs horses for nine months in the year under a light scale of weights and then prefers to run them for the other three on a two-stone higher scale in heavy eoing does not know the effect on a horse’s back.

The well-known Victorian. Mr E. A. Connolly, lias announced that he has decided temporarily to retire as an owner, and he has instructed Messrs W. C. Yuill ■ and Co. to sell his horses by private treaty. This followed an inquiry by the stipendiary stewards into the running of Ithuriel at Epsom, but Mr Connolly stated that the reason was that he feared that the worry of his horses would cause a recurrence of his illness. He intends to continue to take an active interest in racing.

The Queensland Turf Club has framed a protective tariff in favour of Brisbane bookmakers. Formerly any bookmaker could visit Brisbane for the principal meeting and field at a fee of 10 guineas per day, and many Sydney ringmen availed themselves of the privilege. Now the right to bet at the club’s meetings has to be paid for quarterly in advance, at a rate of £7 7s per day. As there is also an annual license of £2l. and a Government levy of £5O , it is not likely that many outsider bookmakers will operate.

The Australian stipendiary stewards continue to impose disqualifications for unsatisfactory running. It seems an extraordinary thing that when really expert vigilance is in evidence riders continue to take risks. The stewards, of course, are frequently supplied with a guide before a race is run. !f the market creates suspicion they naturally become doubly vigilant. That is one point in favour of the bookmakers, who do not fail to extend the odds against a horse when there is money for anything that should, by all the laws of the game, start a wellbacked chance.

How very greatly full-brothers can vary in racing capacity is pointedly exemplified in the case of The Dimmer and Ithuriel, a highlv-bred pair by Spearhead irom the Suustar mare Afterglow. The Dimmer, who ranks as a dual winner of honours in cup events, aud who also won distinction at weight-for-age at Randwiek last April, has placed himself prominently in the limelight. On the other hand (says “Phaeton”), Ithuriel has proved a complete disappointment. As a yearling in 1928 Ithuriel was sold at auction for 2400gns, and when sent into the ring in Melbourne recently he was allowed to go at 120gns. According to the Sporting Life, it. may easily go down in history that the winner of next year's English Derby won the Coventry Stakes at Ascot on June 16. Of course, a lot can happen in between times, but Cockpen. a chestnut colt by Bucht-.n from Margeritta, won that race stylishly, and is now entitled to pride of place among his own age. He is described as the best-looking two-year-old colt seen out this season, and lacks nothing on . the score of breeding. His dam, who is a daughter of Charles O’Malley, was one of the Test juvenile gallopers of her year. Hardy, runner-up to Cockpen, was doing well at the finish of the five furlongs, and as he is a son of Blandford, who has sired the Derby winners Trigo and Blenheim, his future will be followed with interest.

There is such a thing as over schooling a horse, and so making them sick of the game. A case in point is supplied by Wiltshire, who has won the Grand National Steeplechase on two occasions and has also won again over the same country. One would think that such a horse would never turn a head at a fence, but he stopped last week. This also shows the danger of school in" a horse alone. It is _on record that a horse has won the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase without crossing a fence since running in the same race 12 months before. That is a most exceptional case, yet it indicates that once a horse becomes a proficient jumper a grfeat deal of schooling is not

only unnecessary, but dangerous. Schooling in company benefits both horses and riders, because it has an inspiring effect and stimulates the spirit of emulation. Hie death was recently recorded in Germany of the last son (Fervor) of the famous brood mare Festa, in his twentyfifth year. The matter has interest for Australasians, if only because of the fact that Festa was a sister to the famous sire Desmond, sire of Sereniond, Demosthenes. Limond, and others of note. Festa was by St. Simon from I’Abbesse de Jouarre, by the Hermit horse Trappist. Festa was a great brood mare, and exercised farreaching influence on blood stock in Germany. In five .successive seasons she produced such outstanding horses as Festino, Fel t s, Fabtila, Faust, and Fervor. Fervor had a most successful racing career. He started in 57 races, and won 19 and over £20,000 in stakes. He was by the Epsom Derby winner Galtee More. Fervor sired a number of good horses at the stud, including Graf Ferry, Lainpos, and Torero.

At this time of year, no matter whether one is playing bridge with three old ladies or taking a party of schoolgirls to the talkies, the same question is sure to come— “ What do you fancy for the Cup? ” Not to have a fancy for the Cup indicates a kind of, inferiority complex; so it is just as well to be ready (says Banjo Patterson) with some sort of answer. The bookmakers have kindly selected a few horses for us. but the onlyoccasion in history when a bookmaker deliberately selected a long-priced winner for a client was when Lord Rosebery, as a young man. asked the leviathan bookmaker Fry to lay him a hundred to one about a horse iu a big field. Fry was to make the selection and Lord Rosebery was to put a hundred pounds on it. Fry, of course, selected a hopeless outsider in the race, and it won.

The late IV. Clarke still holds the record in connection with the National double. He steered three winners (Freeman. Alma, and Norton) iu the Steeplechase, and an equal number (Kuinine. Social Pest, and Record Reign) in the Hurdles. G. Hope, who died recently in Southland, was on three steeplechase winners (Waterbury. and Mutiny twictr). but did not score in a hurdle race. H. M’Sweeney (Coalition twice and Tuki) is another triple winner of the Steepb chase (says an exchange). but Royal Arms was his onlyfirst in the Hurdles. W. Young, on the other hand, won three times in the Hurdle Race (Shrapnel. Paisano. Continuance), and one in the Steeplechase (Te Arai). Two or three riders, including S. Henderson, J. Roach, R. Syme, and A. E. Ellis, have won one or other race on two occasions. Young, of course, was the most versatile, having won such flat evens as the Derby and Stewards. In England Lord Derby is still reaping the reward of allegiance to Phalaris as a sire. Recently he won the rich Eclipse Stakes with Caerleon. who, bred by the owner, is by Phalaris from Canyon. Caerleon is a four-year-old, and his victory would seem to discredit to some extent the season’s three-year-old form, as Goyescas and Sandwich, who are among the leaders of that age, finished behind him. There may, however, have been a different story to tell had the Two Thousand Guineas and Derby winner, Cameronian, been in the field. Canyon, the dam of Caerleon. is by Chaucer (son of St. Simon) from Glasalt, by Isinglass (son of Isonomy) from Broad Corrie, byHampton. Now Lord Derby is perhaps wondering what he will do with all the well-performed sons of Phalaris that he is fortunate enough to possess, especially as he is not breeding or racing on such an extensive scale as formerly. But there will be no difficulty in finding a place at the stud for Caerleon. His success in the Eclipse Stakes would be pleasing to owners of Phalaris sires in this country.

Flange, winner of the Liverpool (Eng.) Summer Cup, carries the of Mr W. Woodward, chairman of the American Jockey Club, and owner of the world's record stake winner. Gallant Fox. Flange is a five-year-old bay gelding by Flamboyant, from Ballycumber 111, by Eminent, from Minnie, by Americus. Flange has won several other races this season. Flamboyant was bred in 1918, and was one of the best stayers sired by Tracery. At three years he won the Prince Edward Handicap (two miles) and the Doncaster Cup (two miles one furlong), beating a good field. At four years he won the Goodwood Cup (two miles three furlongs), and in the Ascot Gold Cup was second to the champion stayer. Golden Myth. Flamboyant is a half-brother to Bracket (winner of the Cesa rewitch), and three-quarter brother to the Derbywinner, Papyrus. His dam. Siinonath, was by St. Simon from Philomath, by I’hiiainmon. from Chrysalis, by Lecturer (2) from Winged Bee, by ■ Artillery (3) from Queen Bee (16). Philammon was a son of Solon (sire of Barcaldine) and Satanella, by Wild Dayrell.

In a reference to incidents connected with the purchase of high-class horses, a London writer relates how England nearly lost a horse that was destined to win market! favour both as a racer and as a sire. This was the celebrated Doncaster, and the incident connected with his sale and resale is related as follows: — Doncaster was rejected because he was calf-kneed. When a yearling the son of Stockwell was purchased by- the French sportsman, M. Lefevre, provisionally- that upon inspection he and his trainer, T. Jennings, were satisfied with the big chestnut. The colt was sent to them, but directly Jennings noticed that his knees were a bit out of Hie orthodox line he recommended M. Lefevre not to buy, and the colt was sent back to his breeder. Later on the colt was submitted to auction, when he was bought by Mr James Merry for 950 guineas. How Doncaster won the Derby, was sold for £14,000 to the Duke of Westminster, at whose estate he sired two Derby winners, Bend Or and Ormonde, are matters of history. So a great line was preserved in England. When Tom Woodcock, guardian and sole attendant of Phar Lap, came back with his hero from Bacchus Marsh some weeks ago (says the Globe), he brought with him a white cockatoo. The bird was placed in the stable, but he was given freedom, his wings not being cut. The cockatoo soon made itself a home and became so friendly with the horses that it is now looked upon as “one of the family.” Cocky- acts as an alarm clock for the stable hands, and as soon as Hie stable doors are opened he takes up a

position on the fence, there to await the horses. He accompanies the animals to the track, and flies round while they are working. At the end of the morning’s work the cockatoo escorts the team back to the stables. Once the horses are in--Bl'!eJlc considers his duties are over, and oft he goes for the day. Invariably he Hies toward the Dandenong Ranges. He is never sighted at the stables during the (a y- Regularly at sundown, however, the bird returns and. just before the doors are closed, enters the stable and makes himself comfortable for the night.

.Twenty- Grand (now being classed in America as the greatest horse since Man o I) ar) comes of a female line that in America has produced more speed than staying ability, though the sire of Bonus, dam of Twenty Grand, was All Gold, a son of Persimmon and Dame d’Or, by Bend Or. Dame d’Or is of the family of Fair Play, one of the greatest American sires. But on his sire’s side Twenty Grand is bred to stay indefinitely. St. Germans (his sire) is by Siyynford (probably- the best stayer of his time) from Hamoaze, dam of Buchan, Tamar, and Saltash. Hamoaze was a good stayer, as might be expected, since she is by Torpoint (son of Trenton and Doncaster Beauty, by Sheen, sire of the dam of Martian) from Maid of the Mist, by C.vllene from Sceptre, by Persimmon from Ormonde’s sister, Ornament. St. Germans is said to have been sold for £25,000 to the late Mr Payne Whitney. He ran second in the Derby won by Sansovino, and third to Polyphonies and the Derby winner Papyrus in the Eclipse Stakes. At four years St. Germans beat Sansovino at a mile and a-half—in the Coronation Cup. He also won the Doncaster Cup (2j miles), and was third in the same .year in the Ascot Gold Cup (2j miles). The rush of business recorded in connection with the first lottery to be held by the New South Wales Government makes interesting reading. Some few months ago when the idea was first meip tinned by the Government a section of the public got up in arms and declared that any money required towards assisting the Sydney Hospital would be raised by a special appeal for private contributions. An effort to do so cost about £3001) to raise about a tenth of that sum. In May last figures were published which showed that the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital was in a very serious position financially. In January last its total indebtedness amounted to £117,024. including £11.171 to tradespeople for the previous month. In February the debt rose to £120,340, and trades accounts to £16,385. Since February the hospital accommodation has been steadily reduced. The beds in occupation were reduced from 530, the normal accommodation, to 330. Only people in a critical condition could be admitted. The staff had to be reduced from 250 to 175. and a number of wards closed. Thirty-four nurses were retired from the staff, and 39 others given ex : tended leave without pay. If the insti tution of lotteries will help, as it did with overflowing support in Ireland, they will not only be tolerated, but also made a very welcome friend to a great cause.

1930-31. 1929-30. Decline. Month. £ £ £ August . 218.863 267,613 48,750 September 152,931 209,213 56,282 October . 337,827 451,887 114,060 November 3S5.33S 522,216 136,878 December 390,253 575,783 1S5.530 January . 651.098 832,919 1 SI,821 February 237,297 451,329 214,032 March 213,992 433,526 219,534 April 418,343 728,123 309,7S0 May 169,976 163,146 *6,S30 June 251,994 343,SS5 91,891 July 155,929 19S.010 42,081 Totals £3,583,841 £5,177,650 £1,593,809