TALK OF THE DAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 4040, 18 August 1931, Page 49

TALK OF THE DAT.

By

Sentinel.

THE NATIONAL WEEK. Another Grand National Week 'has been converted into history, and on all sides one heard expressions of opinion that the time-honoured fixture was one of the most enjoyable ever held. The week’s sport opened in very favourable weather, and for the opening card at Riccarton was got off in really ideal weather. A bright sunshine that supplied a summer-like warmth in the stands, sheltered from the wind, made the day most enjoyable, and although a sharp tinge existed in the open it was never keen enough to mar the pleasure of participating in the sport. It was rather different at Addington, which is not so favourably situated as Riccarton and protected from’hostile winds, but for the time of the year the weather left very little to be desired from a racegoer’s point of view. The result of the favourable weather was that good going existed right through the week and track conditions did not vary, as it does at times, so as to completely upset form. The attendances on each of the six days was much better than generally expected. Many well-known faces were missed from the scene where they had been annually seen for very many years, and their absence was due not to lack of interest in sport, but solely to the existing state of affairs in the commercial world. There was certainly no lack of sporting interest displayed in the sport provided by the various cards, although the betting spirit had to be curbed and curtailed by about a third of its former freedom. >

The racing was full of interest from start to finish, and only marred by one unpleasant incident which attracted official condemnation. The principal cross-country races provided some really fine sporting spectacles, and although falls were numerous, the unshipped riders escaped without serious injury, even though the ground did not yield much when a rider got fired from the saddle. Snowfall gave a perfect display of jumping when he won the Grand National Steeplechase, and his pilot (A. E. Ellis) gave one of the best exhibitions of cross-country horsemanship ever seen

on the course. The Riccarton country proved too severe for quite a number of horses, hut others flew the, fences in fine style. Wiltshire gave' a beautiful exhibition of fencing on the final day, when he was ridden in a different style to the manner in which he was bandied in the Grand National Steeples. In tbg Lincoln Steeples, Wiltshire was kept alive and ran witli the leaders over the first circuit, and over the final circuit he took up the role of pacemaker and ilew his fences like a bird. Unfortunately, Svnie broke a leather at the last fence and the mishap cost him the race. The hurdlers were of a fair standard, but not a high-class lot. More falls than usual took place in the Grand National Hurdles, in which a stayer in Callaniart nfade the best use of his light burden and kept the opposition so busy that it could not really jeopardise the chance of winning. The principal flat races supplied some keen sport, and in this case the fields, if anything, marred on the side of being rather unwieldy through numerical strength, and so made the draw at the barrier and the luck of the run important factors contributing towards the results. Taking the Grand National Week from start to finish, everyone who participated in the sport would really agree that the attractiveness of the gathering carried all its well-established magnetism that drew the crowd in the past and will continue to do so in the future.

A STRONG STRAIN.

The Winter Cup winner, Kahikatoa, is not the first of his tribe that has gained distinction at Riccarton, and the fact recalls how some of the old taproots continue as a source of success on the turf. Apparently some of the pioneer sportsmen selected mares for importation, and exercised great judgment in doing so or were endowed with a tremendous amount of luck. It is immaterial now as to what guided them in selecting mares. The fact remains that some of the earliest importations to this country are still breeding on with a considerable amount of success. It also shows that some of the oldest taproots can, by selecting a branch representing vitality, be mated with good sires and infused with strains that blend into a pedigree producing the very best results. Kahikatoa traces to Manto, who represents one of the oldest and the most prolific families in the Stud Book. Manto has really innumerable descendants, and yet the family has not run to seed, although some may say that concentration <>n condensation of power produced by breeding in only alternate years is the best way to produce results. Kahikatoa comes from the Lady Gertrude branch ’ of the Manto family, and this source has been very well represented at Riccarton on previous occasions. Lady Gertrude was one of the old Warrington stud mares that the litte Sir George M'Lean gathered and placed in paddocks which everybody considered the most unsuitable place in the world for a stud farm. Yet some good winners were bred there, although it petered right out at the finish. One of the first of the Lady Gertrude tribe to gain glory at Riccarton was Euroclydon, who won the New Zealand Cup, New Zealand Derby, and Canterbury Cup of 1895. He was a really good horse of the big, massive Stockwell type. He ran second the following year to Lady Zetland, when some thought the son of Gorton should have won again, but the mare confirmed the form by beating him in the Canterbury Cup. Pampero was another really good member of the family. He won the Stewards’ Handicap in 1900, and ran second the following year to a flying machine in the shape of Royal Artillery, who was one of the speediest horses ever owned by the late Mr G. G. Stead. Pampero also won the Members’ Handicap and the Great Easter Handicap as a three-year-old. He struck himself on the eve of the New Zealand Cup, won by Canteen, and those who knew both horses were convinced that the grey would not have won if the bearer of°the Zetland spots had been in the field. Vladimir was the next descendant of Lady Gertrude to prove a good winner at Riccarton, and he won the Stewards’ Handicap twice, the Great Easter Handicap, Great Autumn Handicap, and Winter Cup, when he beat a former stablemate in Pampero. The Grand National Hurdles winner Art also belongs to the family. Late in life, Lady Gertrude went up to Auckland, with the I’esult that she was represented by

Arch Marella, a winner of good races in Australia. Kahikatoa was got by Arausio from Carlatour, by General Latour (Soult) from Cardoon, by Cardigan —Monsoon, by St. Clair (Musket —Pulehra) from Mistral, by Gorton —Lady (■fertrude. Arausio was got by Sunstar from Maid of Orange, by William the Third (St. Simon) from Dame d'Or, by Bend Or—-Dame Alasham, by Galliaid (Galopin) from Pauline, by Hermit. Kahikatoa won both his races at Riecarton in very convincing style, and as he was going strongly at the right end of the business seems sure to win over more ground than he successfully covered last week.

LAVISH WITH LEAD. When endeavouring to readjust -the form displayed on the first day of the Grand National meeting, Mr J. E. Henrys ladled out the lead rather lavishly. Captain’s Gift, who won with 9.8, went up a rise of 131 b in the Styx Hurdles. Aladdin won the Trial Hurdles with 10.fi from Callaniart (10.8). and after the middle day they were raised to 12.9 and 12.4 in the Styx Hu;dies. Callamart’s win in the Grand National Hurdles cost him a lift of Ifilb. Snowfall won the Grand National Steeples with 9.3, and had to carry 11.0 in the Lincoln Steeples, a lift of 251 b. Croupier won the Cashmere Plate, but a rise of Ifilb did not stop him in the Longlieaeh Handicap, nor did one of 111 b anchor Martian Chief when saddled up for the Redcliffs Handicap. Kahikatoa landed the Winter Cup with 10.2, and repeated the “ offence ” to the handicapper's judgment by winning the August Handicap with 10.13, when he met On Top, the runner-up, on 1411) worse terms than when they met in the principal flat race. The same lavish liberality with the lead was bestowed on other winning form at the meeting, and some horses that were considered flattered in the weights did not appear again at the meeting. Strange to say, while Mr Henrys usually hands plenty of extra lead to winners, the only horse that was considered “ pitchforked ” into a handicap did not win. This was Spearful, who ran second to Martian Chief in the Avonhead Handicap. Spearful has shown winning form more than once, and was generally considered remarkably well treated in getting in at the mini-

mum. If the handicapper committed an error of judgment the luck of the run balanced the leniency, as Spearful came with a very fast run, but just too late to head off Martian Chief. The bad luck was recognised in subsequent handicaps by Spearful being asked to meet Martian Chief on the same terms as in the Avonhead Handicap. Sometimes what is considered a flattering handicap may cost a club a good deal of money. For instance, True Shaft was being worked prior to the Grand National meeting as if business was really meant with the Arrowsmith gelding. He, however, was allowed to drop out of each engagement after the declaration of weights, and some of the winners also dropped out because it was considered that too high an estimate had been placed on their form. As the public generally "follow winning form, or a close approach to it, when such horses drop out it does not help either the interest .or betting. Meprisant is said to have dropped out rtf the Winter Cup because he had been allotted too much weight, and if that is so True Shaft’s absence was justified. At the autumn meeting, Meprisant heat True Shaft at a difference of 21b, and they did not meet again on the second dav. In the Selwyn Handicap, True Shaft was asked to meet Meprisant on 141 b worse terms and incidentally carry 10.7. The question arises could’ True’ Shaft concede at a high scale Ifilb to a horse capable of running close to 1.26 1-5? Then again, without quoting figures of form, but mentally taking a general view of things, why should True Shaft be handicapped within 41b of Historic, one of the host handicap horses in training? Gallant Fox is another that did not appear because the weight adjuster was too liberal with the lead, although, like others, was ready to race under what might have been accepted as a fair weight. If winners in light harness racing were penalised so severely for one win the handicapper would require a large bodyguard to protect his scalp. BIG AND LITTLE. ( The field that saddled up for this year’s Grand National .Steeplechase would hardly have taken a prize for general quality

in appearance. Some, in fact, such as Dark Prince, had quite a plebeian appearance. Sti 1. some great - "chasers have not been renowned for either bulk or beauty. One of the best that ever won over Ricj carton is said to be “ little Ahua.” the | hero of 1592. Ahua was ridden by the I late W. Clarke, but his pilot of £;ic previous year, when he fell, was 11. Lunn, who raifto considerable height and length of leg. In fact it is said that when Ahua came down in the race of 1891 the mishap was really due to one of Lunn's feet catching in the panel of a fence. Lunn won on Agent and Canard, and held the reputation of being a great man over country despite, his grenadier seat in the saddle. Probably the biggest horse that raced over the Riccarton country was Moifaa, who failed in both the Grand National Steeples and Grand National Hurdles (running off), but when taken to England won the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase. Moifaa carried a tremendous lot of dead weight, and this did not help his rider to keep ihim on the course. Although Moifaa did not win he could be classed as the best or at least one of the very best ’chasers ever bred in New Zealand. He won the Great Northern Steeplechase, Wanganui Steeple- | chase, and Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase. After winning at Liverpool, Moifaa was sold to the late King Edward for a substantial .figure. He was purchased in the hope that he would again win at Aintree. but unfortunately the Natator gelding developed trouble in the respiratory organs and became useless for racing purposes. Here we have the two extremes, Ahua one of the smallest and one of the best, and Moifaa, one of the biggest and one of the best. Some small horses are deceiving to the eye and measure mucn better than a casual glance might suggest. " Little ” Aurora Borealis won the Grand National Steeples and Great Northern Steeples, and was only beat a head in the Wellington Steeples all in one season, and in addition ran second in the Grand National Hurdles. “Old timers” say that Ruby, a winner of the Victoria Grand National Steeples, was only a pony, and she won when Flemington country took a vast amount of doing. The dashing Beau Cavalier, who won the Great Northern Steeples, the Wellington Steeples, and Grand National Steeples in 1927, is a fine big horse and one of the boldest jumpers ever seen. In fact it was, no doubt, his tendency to “ jump the moon ” that shortened his racing career. This year’s winner does not look a big horse, but no doubt if one stood up to him the Balboa gelding would measure fairly big. But whatever size, they have it is imperative that the pedigree must show plenty of stamina before a horse can get first past the post after a journey over the Riccarton raspers.

ONE SPORT LESS. The painfully sudden death of Mr A. G. Hill came as a great shock to his friends. On Grand National day he was, as usual, on the scene at Riccarton, and apparently in his normal state of health. Mr Hill was not a man to air his troubles, and so few dreamt that he had attended the meeting despite a» warning from his doctor. For many years the late Mr Hill was a well-known and popular figure at all race meetings between Wellington and Invercargill. He rarely missed a meeting right throughout the season, and with his ready and pungent wit and fund of stories of strife and battles, reminiscences, and a repertoire gathered as a man of the world over a lengthy period was enjoyable company at any time. Mr Hill was a keen and good judge of racing. He was a man with whom a discussion on racing always ranked as a pleasure. He was always inclined to own a horse or t-X’o. and one of the first the writer remembers carrying his colours was Belligerent, who proved rather useful. A few other “battlers” paid their way for him, but the best known that he owned were Mantua. Linden, Last March, and Rob, and a few others that raced with more or less success. Some few years ago he took a trip to Sydney and bought four yearlings, afterwards known as Eaton Bells, Apple Dighton. Olymphia, and Courtly Rose. He sold the two first named, who were both good winners, and kept what proved to be an unlucky retention. A few years ago Mr Hill started the Mantua stud witli a few mares, including its namesake and Last Dart, and he later acquired Paladin. It was only about three weeks ago that Mr Hill and the writer paid a visit to the stud, and be was then looking ’forward to turning out some good winners. They may come along, but. unfortunately and to the great regret of those who really’ knew him, “ Alf ” Hill will not be there to see them. «. DEAD WEIGHT. Putting up a lot of dead weight on a horse in a race is considered bad business by some trainers, but others hold the opposite opinion. In fact, it is better than the moving weight of a rider. Still, in riding over jumps live weight can help a horse better than dead weight. A rider can “ give ” a bit with his mount, but a lot of dead weight has to be girthed very securely. When Rakwool started a few weeks ago in a steeplechase with 13.2 his rider had to make up something like 4.0, as he can ride about 9.0. This means that with a fairly big saddle and lead

bags a rider has not a good grip, and ii a sense is too far away from hrs mount. He rides, as it were, on a park saddle, and hence more apt to be spilled off than when riding dose to his horse. It is said that £<hen the late Janies Barbour won the Australian Steeplechase on Daimio his bodily weight was 8.5, and his mount bad to carry 13.3. P. M’Gowan, who could ride under 7.0 on the flat, rode horses carrying 12.0 over jumps. D. Watt, who rode Moifaa when he started favourite with 12.10 in the Grand National Hurdles, weighed about 80. Watt also rode Moifaa at 13.fi in the Grand National Steeples, but when the Natator gelding ran under 13 13 in the Lincoln Steeplechase Percy Johns on had the mount. They were not afraid to pack the weight on to horses in those days, and at the same meeting Surrey won the Hunters’ Plate with 13.9 from Vulcan 13.2. In those days it was a gentleman riders" race, and hence, some reason existed for such a particularly high scale of weights, but with the passing of- the amateur jockey the necessity for the high minimum dropped out. It was the passing order of things that made the writer dub the 9.0 minimum a relic of racing barbarism, because it placed a totally unnecessary load on the top weights. The high scale could be safely calculated to break a horse’s courage, and do more damage than It) times the amount of racing under a light scale of weights.

IN THE AIR. Mr Green has been crowding a lot of racing into his holiday, and more than once, on a Sunday, has he been to a French meeting by air, breakfasting in London, lunching in Paris, visiting Longchamp or Auteuil or wherever the racing might be. and being back by dinner time at the Piccadilly. Aviation has become very, popular (says “Friar Ma r cus ”) with trainers and jockeys of late. “ Steve ” Donoghue was the first convert, and one of his early achievements was to ride in two countries on the same afternoon. He had a friendly bet with the late Mr “ Solly ” Joel that he would do so, and he won. Thus, after riding in the' first race at a Windsor August meeting, he flew to Ostend, in Belgium, and took part in the 4 o’clock race there. Then he went on to Deauville, some way down the French coast, rode at exercise the following morning, and was back at Ostend by midday. Charles Elliott, now located in France, more than once flew from Chantilly to Newmarket to ride his Derby horse Goyescas at work. The journey would be nearly 300 miles. During Epsom Week the Anglo-French trainer of the Oaks winner Brulette more than once “ took the air ” in order to. as nearly as possible, emulate Sir Boyle Roche’s legendary bird and be in two places at the same time. But to Carslake goes the credit of having undertaken the biggest hustle during a week-end. Leaving London on the Friday night for Paris, he set out from the French capital early the following morning. and, after a halt at Vienna, reached Budapest, in the very centre of Europe, at half-past 6 on Saturday evening. He rode the winner of the principal race on Sunday, left at half-past 6 the next morning, and was back in London the same evening. On the Thursday he was riding a winner at Newcastle, 300 miles from the metropolis. On the Friday lie was at Haydock Park, in Lancashire, and on the Saturday at Sandown, near by the Thames Valley-. A busy eight days, indeed, and constituting, I fancy, a record of its particular kind. NO FOOT—NO HORSE. It is an agreed fact that horses’ feet were originally intended for use without shoeing, and this being so, every foot in its natural state has, and must have (says an English authority) equal weight-bear-ing surfaces distributed over the walls, bars, and frog of the foot, which means that these structures should be level with each other, and indeed no other condition is natural with horses used for utility purposes of mankind. The reasons for the statement above are well known to all with full knowledge of the intended uses of the natural structures and functions of the foot—all provided for special purposes, -which are immediately put out of action by shoe (which is artificial), raising the weightbearing structures of the foot from the ground precisely to the extent of its thickness.

A few points to remember where shoeing is concerned are that: No foot can remain healthy unless the frog is correctly functioning. No frog can function unless it has a ground surface to function against. No correct shoeing can give or allow for direct frog and road contact. No direct frog or road contact can be obtained with a properly’ shod horse, except by Charlier shoeing, which is impracticable for horses working daily on roads, owing to consequent excessive attrition of horny frog, under which lies the sensitive frog. The flexible steel bridge of Gragrips (holding rubber underneath, only of shoe thickness) —when riveted to a shoe—provides such shoe with a clean, resilient ground or road surface, against which the frog itself actively, effectively, and healthily functions, precisely as intended by Nature. In other words, it simply

naturalises horse shoeing; and not only prevents slipping, but absorbs jar and concussion and. greatly benefits feet (whether such feet belong to hacks, hunters, trotting roadsters, race, or heavy draft horses). The fact is acknowledged, and causes and effects explained, in modern veterinary standard works, written by the recognised veterinary experts, both on shoeing and diseases of the horse’s foot.