TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 4074, 12 April 1932, Page 49

TALK OF THE DAY.

By

Sentinel.

A CRACK COLT. Kuvera, wlio has proved himself the crack two-year-old in Australia this season, traces back to a mare not traceao.e to an imported taproot. tettll it lias proved a source of many good vmneis, and some of them have been well-known performers in New Zealand. Kuvera traces back to Adeline a mare by Kingston from a William Tell mare, lhe bestknown members of the tribe that raced in this country were Ghurka. who won the Dunedin Cup m 190 a, the Wanganui Cup in 1904, and other good races. Another well-known performer from the same family was the Lochiel horse Red Gauntlet, who proved himself a first-class horse up to a mile. and had he been sound and right might have gone anv distance. Red Gauntlet won th? Jockey Club Handicap at Liccarton on two occasions, and dead-heated with Savoury in another. One of the best-known members of the family in Australia was the Caulfield Cup winner Oakleigh. lhe writer was almost overlooking Blackstone, who was imported from Australia, and sired My Lawyer, a really good horse. Kuvera was got by Brazen (sire of Bronze Eaglet from 1' aita Alozzle, by Linacre from Grafton Lass, by Grafton--Miss Melos, bv Melos (a brother to Melodious the dam of Wallace) from Hirondelle. by Lochiel —Vitesse, by Roodee. a brother to Chester and St. George, lhe last-named came to New' Zealand and sired many good winners, including Loy alty. Ich Dien. Bonnie Scotland, Meme England, and others of note. Brazen, the sire of Kuvera, was got by Phalaris from South Wales, by Llangibby from Southern Belle, by Ayrshire—Violin, by Isinglass. Llangibby was got by Wildfowler, a half-brother to Birkenhead, who was imported by the late Hon. J. D. Ormond and proved a great stud success. It will be seen that Kuvera supplies another instance of how some of the old Australian strains can be revitalised by being linked up with stallions of the right sort that have been imported from England. POISON OR COLIC? The latest cables to hand show a strong possibility that Phar Lap was accidentally killed by eating poisoned, tainted grass. Opinions have been expressed, that Phar Lap’s death was probably caused by dope fiends who poisoned the famous Night Raid gelding in order to make lhe wav easier for some of his rivals. Some forms of colic are very rapid in action, and this can be easily understood, as rupture of the intestines may quickly lend to death. The deliberate poison theory can apparently be dismissed, because Phar Lap was constantly guarded by one or other of his attendants. This may not have been actually the case, but it .was frequently alluded to in the publicity campaign that preceded Phar Lap’s race at Agua Caliente. If his death had taken place before the race then the suspicion of foul play would naturally arise, but it was over and finished. So far as is known, there was no ante-post betting on any race in which Phar Lap might run, and in fact his programme was rather indefinite. A couple of days before Phar

Lap’s death it was cabled that, ' rir . n.lll ' been treated tq ’ aei'ciitG operation to one hIS feet. This may have been responsible for confinement to his stable, with the result that indigestion may have set up acute inflammation of the stomach. Captain M. 11. Hayes, in his valuable “ Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners.” said, in dealing with colic and inflammation of the stomach, that “ this affection is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the alimentary canal, and is due to causes unconnected with chemical or mechanical irritants. This disease gcrn.r ally proves fatal, and usually runs its course in a few hours. Little is known concerning its true nature. It is possible ’ that the absorption of disease germs from the undigested portion of food in the ini testines may give rise to the peculiarly i distressing and dangerous symptoms, for it seems highly improbable that mere inflammation would kill as quickly as simple gastro-enteritis does.” It will be seen that there is a strong similarity between th? symptoms of poisoning and acute colic. CLEANING THE TURF. 'They have been displaying some peculiar methods in Australia in efforts to clean up racing. Tn Queensland the stipendiary stewards have been debarring horses from starting if they are sweating when brought to the birdcage. It is understood the idea is held that if a horse is sweating when brought to race it indicates that a stimulant may have been administered. On the other hand, it may be claimed that such action suggests only a superficial knowledge, as it is fairly common for horses to “break out ’ before a race and pull up as dry as a billiard ball. Some horses break out in heavy sweats if kept dallying too long at the start, and they also may be quite dry after pulling up. Some few weeks ago the Sydney stipendiary stewards took up the extraordinary stand, and a most untenable one, of debarring i horse from wearing a truss in a race. This means that some horses would have to be converted into geldings if an owner wished to continue racing them. When horses are gelded late in life it is invariably because a truss does not meet the case. _ We have seen quite recently how Admiral Drake greatly improved in reliability after being gelded, and the same action has been taken with the imported colt Lord Argosy for the same reason. Many other instances could be quoted where stallions became useless for racing purposes simply because they were stallions, and their owners had recourse to only two remedies—either the truss or the veterinary surgeon. “ THE SPORTSMAN.” To those with years behind them, and enjoying the acquaintance of past and present-day racing men. there appears to be a marked difference in what is generally termed "the sportsman.” When such as Jorrocks Plover, Petrel. Alice Hawthorne, Veno, and other champions were in winning vein, old-time owners made it their business to try out the best they had against them. Thus, there was' keen rivalry (says “ Martindale,” in the Sydney Referee), as shown by the many matches arranged.

If a good horse strikes form in modern days, the task of beating him appears to devolve upon the race officials. There are various methods of doing it. The w.f.a. rules are altered or harsh penalties imposed.

It was not so in the days of Carbine and other great racehorses. The Hon. •Tames White. Messrs George Hill, William Gannon, James Wilson, 11. C. White. Andrew Chirnside. and others were all game to have a tilt at any champion without calling for an alteration in the w.f.a. scale. II hen thrce-year-olds some years ago were of such good class that they repeatedly downed all ages, owners and trainers complained that they were favoured in the w.f.a. scale. It cost the V.R.C. a lot of money and Mr Byron Moore, with his staff, some hard work to prove otherwise. A glance over the A.J.C. Plate list of winners, combining as it does the old-time Queens’ Plates, brought to mind what was termed that three-year-old scare. No doubt we had some very fine performers of that age, between 1876 and 1893. Recent events remind one that winners of the Queen’s Plate had to get a certificate from the Colonial Secretary and seek payment from the Treasury. Pressure was brought on the Government to follow the English custom and grant the money, £lOO, for the Queen’s Plate, first run for at Homebush in 1851. The winner was the “crack” of his time, Cossack, a handsome chestnut, by Sir Hercules from Flora MTvor. Bred by Mr Icely, of Cooinbing, he was sold to Mr John Tait. Cossack again won the Plate in 1852. In 1854 Mr Tait won the Plate, a third time, with Sportsman. After the Plate of 1856, the Government ciit out the subsidy, and the A.J.C. Committee substituted the Australian Jockey Club Plate. That was won by Mr G. T. Rowe's Veno. In 1858 and the following year the name was retained, but the horses were handicapped. The respective winners were Zoe and Strop, both from New Zealand. At Randwick, the race was continued as a handicap for three years. In 1860, the winner was Gratis, and Talleyrand won the following two years in succession. In 1863 the old name of Queen's Plate was restored, and

w.i.a. conditions renewed. Great rivals for the early Plates were Messrs J. Tait and E. de Mestre. “Honest” John had the call at Homebush. At Randwick the Terrara stable gave him a lot of trouble. Mr Tait got home in 1862 with Talleyrand.

In 1868, The Barb was first past the post. Unfortunately, his rider lost some lead, and weighing in short, the race was awarded to Tim IVhiffler. In all. Tiin won it three times. Then Dagworth, also trained at Terrara, scored twice, these followed by the success of Robin Hood, Robinson Crusoe, and Chester, made a total of eight winners from Terrara. No other stable holds such a record. This, our oldest w.f.a. race (it dates back 81 years), shows a remarkable list of winning three-year-olds. Sime its introduction to Randwick in 1860. no fewer than 29 of that class have been successful.

At. one period, from 1876 to 1889, with one exception, the three-year-olds practically' made it a yearly procession, capturing first prize 13 times. Chester, a real topnotcher as a four-year-old. broke the series in 1879. The first three of those very fine thrce-year-olds were Robin Hood, Robinson Crusoe, anil Chester, while the 10 that won in sue -ession were Caspian. Progress, The Drummer. Plunger, Le Grand, Reginald. Matchlock. Trident, Abercorn, and Carbine. Carbine won three years in succession, a record equalled by David. As previously stated, since the race was run at Randwick, three-year-olds have won 29. 'Die last three youngsters to score. Limerick. Strephon, and Phar Lap. despite the cry of the " deterioration of flic racehorse,” are quite the equal in looks ami form to any early trio that can be selected.

A SUCCESSFUL NEW ZEALANDER. Kuvera has done all that could be asked of him as a two-year-old. and is to enjoy a respite from racing (says a Sydney writer). Undoubtedly a master hand has brought him on to superlative form, as it will not lie through lack of attention if the colt fails in the next Derby, a race for which he is the nominal favourite. It lias been file ambition of Kuvern's trainer, G. Price, to turn out a Derby winner. In (lie comparatively short time he has been training in Sydney lie has iiad marked successes, but the Derby has eluded him. Success seemed assured in 1927. when IVinalot was leading the field well clear in the last furlong, but Trivalve, witli a late run, beat him on the post. Then, in 1930,

Veilmond was confidently expected to turn the trick, but found in Tregilla one just too good for him on the day. Koomeela, the stable's representative last year, was an outsider and finished third.

Price completes his tenth year as a trainer _in Sydney this month, and in round figures he has won 200 races ami £lOO.OOO in stakes for his patrons in that period. At Randwick his record is enviable. Kuvera won the Sires’ Produce Stakes and the Champagne Stakes for him for the first time, although he has had horses placed in these races several times. And with Windbag he has won the Craven Plate, Randwiek Plate, Spring Stakes, Autumn Stakes, Cumberland Stakes, and the A.J.C. Plate, making almost a clean sweep of the weight-for-age races. Windbag and Veilmond succeeded in the St. Leger; Veilmond in the December Stakes and the Chelmsford Stakes; Jocelyn in Tattersail’s Spring Handicap and the Metropolitan: Raniulns and Carnmba in the Breeders’ Plate; IVhitaa the Challenge Stakes; Reonui. the Villiers; and Murray King, the Sydney Cup. On other Sydney tracks IVinalot is the winner of the Rosehill Guineas; Veilmond, the Hobartville Stakes: and Windbag, the Cliippinn-Norton Stakes. In Melbourne the principal successes have been Windbag (Melbourne Cup). Veilniond (St. Leger and C. B. Fisher Plate). Kuvera (Sires’ Produce Stakes), ami Carry on (Australian Cup). At the stables there is on an average 20 horses in work, and the prepaiation of such a string is no mean task. Yet, whatever the ability of the horses maybe. they always look the part when stripped for their races. RIDING REWARDS. In England, except there is a special arrangement, the most a jockey can claim for a win on the flat is £5 ss, even though the race may be worth £lO,OOO, and £l9 10s for a race over the jumps. Discussing this subject, Meyrivk Good recently wrote as follows in the Sporting Life: " When an owner wins one of our chief cups be invariably gives his trainer a replica of it. The jockey usually receives the shekels, and the trainer the memento, when often enough the trainer would have preferred a cheque! A trainer often has only’ the thanks of an owner, and sometimes not even that acknowledgment. fhere are, of course, exceptions to this, and I have known cases when the stake has been given to the trainer and little or nothing to the jockey. I can recall an instance within the past dozen years of a jockey receiving nothing in the shape of a present for winning a big race—a ‘ classic event ’ at that. Another ease has been brought to my notice of a steeplechase jockey who. not so many years ago, won two big races at Liverpool meetings, a £2OOO hurdles race and the Grand Sefton 'Chase. For risking his neck all he received in excess of his fee under the rules from the titled owner for winning the hurdles race was a cheque for £5, and from the owner of the steeplechase winner nothing— not even a letter of thanks! These are, I should say, unique IN A NUTSHELL. The. first prize in the Sydney Cup was £3650. The rider of the winner received £lBl 6s. Handicaps for the South Canterbury’ Jockey’ Chib’s meeting arc due on Wednesday. Red Jazz has a particularly fine colt, foal at foot by Lord Warden. The youngster is a sturdily-built chestnut, and looks a most promising sort.

Pakitere put up two solid performances by running a first and second at. Oamaru. It may be worthy of note that she is a half-sister to Toxeuma.

There is a possibility of Snowfall being recommissioned for cross-country races. Good ’chasers are scarce, and his return to training would be welcome news. Brown Pear] started favourite in her race last week, but failed to finish in the first five. She can gallop and may do a lot better with more experience. As yearlings, Johnnie Jason (Sydney Cup) cost 120gns; Middle Watch (A.J.C. St. Leger), 450gns; Kuvera (A.J.C. Sires’ Produce Stakes), 270gns; and Miiantheon (Easter Stakes), lOOgns. Song Box can show speed, but still fails to stay’ on, and after being with the leaders in her race last week faded right out. She is a big filly and may do better when more matured.

A. E. Ellis received a gold-mounted whip for his win, the Gardiner Memorial Handicap, at Oamaru. The whip was presented by Mr J. J. Hendron, of Georgetown.

A smart, nippy-looking youngster rising two has just been ridden at Elderslie, and looks.just the sort to develop early speed. He is owned by Mr J. M. Samson, and was got by Paper Money’ from Entrc Nous, by’ Boniform—Secret Link. The three-year-old filly Denise, who wan the Novice Stakes at Oamaru, was got by Cistercian from Syimneteria, by Ayr Laddie from Symmetry, by Trenton. Denise is one of the batch of yearlings purchased in Sydney about two years ago.

The Hunting Song gelding Aladdin who was seen out at Oamaru, will be taken to Melbourne within the next couple of weeks. S. G. Ware will also take Gallant Fox across by the same boat, anj possibly something else may make the trip with them. R. D. O'Donnell, who has been training at Randwick and decided to give the game a spell, was for many years associated with R. J. Mason at Yaldhurst. During his stay’ at Randwick, O’Donnell narrowly missed bringing off more than one good win, but the element of luck was missing. Ksar (Bruleur —Kazil Kourgan) was the most successful sire in France last season, his total being 2.977,598 francs I approximately £31.000 at the present rate of exchange). However, he did not finish far ahead of his sire Bruleur (Cliouberski —Basse Terre) whose total wag 2,331,087 francs.

A horse named Richmond II broke his neck a month before the running of the Liverpool Grand National, but as he was a first acceptor for that race he was treated as a starter in the Irish hospitals sweeps on the race. Each person who drew him received a cheque for £729 3s 4d.

Mount Roa is back in training again after being treated to a spell. The Balboa gelding shows his best form on soft going, and the fixtures at the. back end of tlie season are generally in his favour. Mount Boa will again be trained by T. Hobbs, who hao been very successful with him in the past. The Sires’ Produce Stakes prize at Randwiek was worth £4718. The winning jockey's fee was £234 10s. The St. Leger wag worth £2164 to the owner of the winner, ami IV. Scanlon’s percentage was £lO7 9s. The Doncaster stake was £'2299 to the winner, and the rider received £11.3 ss.

Judging by the way the field so quickly spread at the start of the Novice Stakes at Oamaru, it appeared as if some crowding and bumping took place. Some of the runners were perhaps a bit green at the barrier, but others, such as Shock, usually begin smartly. Shock was one of the last away and did not get near the leaders.

Appeal was backed to a short price for the High-weight Handicap at Oamaru, but he bad nothing to spare to stall off Countermarch in a hard finish. Silver Salver was also threatening danger, and lie might have seriously troubled the two in front of him witli a better run in the early part of the race. Silver Salver may do better on a larger track.

The winter racing in England has never reached anything like a high plane. In commenting on a recent, meeting a London writer said;- —"Would some of these daring, and even clumsy, incidents have taken place if the principals had known there was a live man, out to earn his money, acting as ‘ secretary on the course? ’ 1 do not think it necessary to write down the answer.”

The Thoroughbred Record, published at Lexington, Kentucky (United States of America), recently had a laudatory article on Chief Ruler and Tea Tray, who were referred to as likely to carry on the line of Roi Ilerode in New Zealand. The writer concluded: —“Transplanted Herod horses have frequently done well in Australia, ever since the days of old Tom Parr's Fisherman.”

When Carbine won his first Sydney Cup in 1889, he set a record for the race 3.31. His son Wallace equalled it in 1896. Since those days several seconds have been clipped off, but it took Johnnie Jason 332 this year. A time limit with a major cut in the prize (says “Pilot”), unless under unfavourable conditions, would ensure more spectacular races than the Sydney Cup.

Sir Charles Clifford paid a visit to the Elderslie stud last week, and, like everyone making the acquaintance of its appointments and general suitability as a stud farm, was greatly impressed. Elderslie is without doubt an ideal place for a stud farm, and if racehorses can be bred anywhere it should be the place. Sir Charles regards Iliad as a really’ highclass stallion, with conformation suggesting success.

The Flying Handicap at Oamaru was a rather disappointing race. It looked an open race on paper, but when it came to business Gohl Pit and Master Anomaly had it to themselves. Meadow Lark, who was one of the first away, drifted during the race. Al Jolson also faded, and Solmar soon lost his position near the rails. Dunraveu made a fair show, but what boro promise of being a good race fizzled out to a duel between the first two.

Mr R. IV. Kemball experienced an encouraging sequel to his purchase at the Sydney sales of the yearling colt by the Night Patrol out of Stellavis, when Agincourt turned up the winner of the second division of the Final Handicap at Randwick. Agincourt and the colt are close relations on the dam’s side. Agincourt is out of Battle Scene, by Martian —Edna May, by Multiform, and the colt is out of Stellaris, by Comedy King from Starlike, by’ Martian from Edna May. Kerbside is showing a decided improvement in her manners at the barrier, and at Oamaru stood up and jumped out smartly. Some Good was regarded as

unbeatable, but Kerbside ran him off Ins legs at the end of five furlongs. Kerbtide has been broken to harness and schooled over hurdles, and the treatment has brought about good results. Hie Tea Tray filly put up a smart performance, as she carried 8.13 and ran six furlongs in 1.13 2-5. The field for the Novice Stakes at Oamaru included some that may be heard of again. One is Shamfight, by Shamb.es from Killiney, by Kilbroney. Another is Silver Sight, a eolt by Silverado from On Sight, by Winki Aye Ready, by All Red —Hermosa. Pollock was finishing on well, and should benefit by expertcnee. She was got by The. Ace from Red Hind. Another is Why Worry, by Royal Stag from Lorein. by Royal 1' usilicr Neroli, by Artillery.

Ratlio was made an odds-on chance for the Gardiner Mciimriai Kail-heap. a»<l although he won and won well Bert Eins had to keep his mount busy in the run home. It was a solid-run race, as Princess Argosy was ridden to the front to secure a good position, and carried on the running until about half a furlong from home. Princess Argosy lasted long enough to stall off Juniper, who was staying fairly well at the finish. The imported filly was having her first race over the distance, and shaped creditably. The Ellis boys had a real at Oamaru on Saturday last. E. J. Ellis trained Appeal, who won the High-weight Handicap with A. E. Ellis on top. The same stable won with Denise in the Novice Stakes, with L. J. Ellis in the saddle. A. E. Ellis had the winning ride on Ramo in the Gardiner Memorial Handicap, ami ran second with Pakitere in the Hack Handicap. Pakitere was saddled by E. J. Ellis, and he followed on with Gold Pit. ridden by L. J. Ellis. The Farewell Handicap was won by Pakitere. with A. E. Ellis on top. and the boys almost made a clean sweep of the card between them. A London exchange says that one thing with which the name of the late Edgar Wallace will always be associated was the abolition of the rule which rendered nominations void on the death of th? nominators, a friendly action with the Jockey Club in 1928 having this effect. This alteration bad immediate results, for Lord Dewar, who had nominated f'ameronian for last year's classic races, died in the April of 1930. and the nominations were taken over by his nephew. Mr John Arthur Dewar, who won the Derby with the bay son of Pharos and Una Cameron. 'Ums Edgar Wallace may be said to have had an important influence on turf history.

The prominent Ohl Country jockey, M. Beary, recemly spent some time in America. and visited various studs. Beary is credited with having a greater knowledge of the breeding of racehorses than any other jockey in England, and, discussing stallions that Beary saw in America, “Hotspur” writes as follows in the London Daily Telegraph:—“Alan o’ War is the horse that most impressed Beary. He is America’s own, and they are rightly proud of the smashing exploits on the racecourse of this great racehorse. He has not been equally successful as a sire, and yet Beary says he is a magnificent individual, and most impressive. He really thinks he is the finest specimen of a horse he has ever set eyes on.” With the going perfect, it was anticipated that the two miles' record for Randwick would be approached if not beaten, in the Sydney Cup. The reverse was the case, the time, 3.32. being decidedly on the slow side. Every jockey was averse to making the pace, and Mira Donna and Middle Watch were among the horses fairly pulling their riders out of the saddle for the first half-mile. The first five furlongs took 1.10 —3sec slower than Rebate recorded for the distance in the Saturday’s Hurdle Race, and the time for the initial mile was 1.514. After the race (says “Pilot”) many backers expressed the opinion that it was almost a pity some of the jockeys were not equipped with electric batteries, so as to galvanise them into life.

One of the leading Melbourne ante-post bookmakers laid a wager of £lOO at a nice price against Phar Lap in the Agua Caliente Handicap some months prior to the race. The man who made the wager, a member of the Melbourne Tattersail's Club, died a few weeks before the race. Wanting to <to the right thing, the bookmaker consulted the secretary of Tattersall's Club (Mr W. Rayson). The latter communicated with the widow, and intimated that the transaction would stand if she so desired. Unfortunate'}' for her she replied in the negative. The bookmaker saved that particular £lOO. but he went on with the business at shorter odds, and had a fairly substantial pay-out.

The right time to die is at the absolute apex of fame. Hannibal should have drowned himself in the Rubicon instead of crossing it. Napoleon should have died at Waterloo instead of lingering out the end of a glorious life at St. Helena. Wellington faded out of sight after his Waterloo and Peninsular campaigns, and some of those who cut spectacular figures in the public eye lingered too long on the stage and died at a time when it became necessary to delve into history to recall the glory of their achievements. History is full of such cases. Phar Lap is one of the exceptions. He has terminated his career just at the apex of fame. He proved himself the best in the world, and then died just “off stage.”

An interesting story connected with the purchase of Johnnie Jason serves to illustrate the luck attached to the buying of a horse. The Newcastle trainer, C. Unwin, sorted out the brown yearling colt by Treclare from Rosalecn as a promising speculation, and a man with whom he consulted agreed to buy him, but a relative died a few .days later and the proposed deal was declared off. Unwin then interested Mr W. J. Jones, a Newcastle baker, who bought the colt for 120gns, and was thus placed in the happy position of owning a Derby and Cup winner. Up to the present Johnnie Jason has won prize-money well on to £13,000, so that he can very appropriately be termed a bargain of the sale-ring.

So far no son of Martian has won a noteworthy place as a sire, but several of his daughters (says “Phaeton”) have producted horses that figure among winners of classic race honours. The list includes the following:—War Scare—Est-

land (Wanganui Guineas, New Zealand Derby, Great Northern Derby), Finmark (A.J.C. St. Leger). Love— Strephon (Victoria Derby, V.R.Q. St. Leger. A.J.C. St. Leger). Marsa —Nightmarch (New Zealand Derby). Martian Princess—Laughing Prince (Avondale Guineas). Martia —Enthusiasm (New Zealand Derby, New Zealand Oaks. Great Northern Derby. Great Northern Oaks). Left—Peter Jackson (New Zealand St. Leger, Great Northern St. Leger). Equipment—Cricket Bat (Dunedin Guineas, Hazlett Gold Cup). Little increase in the popularity of the tote in Ireland has to be chronicled by tiie Irish Board of Control in their report of its working, which has just been issued. The turnover for the year. £85,757, is less than that for 1930, and there was a loss on the year of £1338. This was less than for the previous 12 months (says the Chronicle), but the amount due to the bank had increased from £26,429 to £27.768. The Control Board's share of the 10 per cent, deducted in the booth has been increased from five to seven-aml-a-lialf per cent, since August 1. The board claims that if the increased percentage had existed for the whole year a small profit would have been made on the 12 months’ working. The racecourse executive's share of the percentage for the year was £2143. less than in the previous year.

Jacko, who joins the select band of three-year-olds to win the Doncaster Handicap (says “ Warawec ”). is a black gelding by Magpie (whose progeny have a fine record in the big mile races) from the smart mare Foxv, a brown bred by Mr A. F. Williams in 1919. She is by imported Aerofox (son of Flying Fox and Maisie by Minting from Summer Belle, by Hampton) from Close Call (bred in America), by Cesarion or Go Between from Hyla. by Prince of Monaco. Cesarion was bred in America in 1892. by Faustus from Cleopatra, by Rosicrucian from The Sphinx, by Newininster, and tracing to Hampton. Rosicrucian was the ancestor of Magpie. Heroic. The Night Patrol, and other noted modern horses. Faustus was by Enquirer, a son of the great Leamington. Cesarion was imported to New South Wales in 1911 by Mr I. 11. Wheatcroft. Kuvera added further lustre to his consistent record by taking the Champagne Stakes from Closing Time and 4’auntry. says the Sydney Morning Herald. This was Kuvera’s third successive win. in that he dead-heated for first place with Oro at the Bridge Celebration meeting, and has accomplished the big autumn two-year-old double at the A.J.C. meeting. His Champagne success brought Kuvera’s earnings to £11,529. In 13 starts he has had five wins and a deadheat for first and three thirds. He is an exceptionally robust youngster, for he has been in training since he was broken in last April. Before the Breeders’ Plate he developed a cold, and had a slight letup for about a week. Early this year he had a fortnight's respite from serious training, but did not leave his trainer’s stable. Kuvera and Mollison are the only horses to win the A.J.C. Sires’ Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes double in the past decade. The death of Baron Alfred von Oppenheim. banker, financier, racehorse owner, and breeder occurred at Cologne. Germany. on February 15 after a long illness. Tie was 67 years of age. The baron was a keen follower of the sport of kings, and his colours were well known on the principal racecourses of England and the Continent. In 1926 he sent Weissdorn to take on the best of England’s handicappers. The son of Primus—Wiener Made! had a wonderful reputation in Germany, having carried all before him as a three-year-old. In England he won three of his nine races, including the Select Stakes and Grosvenor Cup, but his form was considered disappointing. Baron von Oppenheim was the leading" breeder of thoroughbreds in Germany. His stud was founded by his father in 1867. As a banker and financier he held a world-wide reputation. He controlled the Oppenheim Bank. Cologne. The result of the Oamaru Jockey Club's meeting? held last week, shows that racing can hold its own if those who support it are not overtaxed by a crowded calendar. For some years racing in North Otago has had a struggle for existence, and it was at very low water when assistance from an art union saved the situation. This led to a complete remodelling of the layout of the course, and the change has considerably enhanced the popularity of the meetings. Still, there seems no doubt that. Oamaru cannot stand up to four days’ racing in a season. Last season the club held only one day’s racing, and this year it has held two successful single card programmes. The patronage bestowed on last week’s meeting came from a widespread area, as good support came from Wingatui and Riccarton and intermediate training centres. The fields were good, and provided some interesting racing, and the financial result will encourage the club to make future efforts to cater for both branches of the sport. The New South Wales Government is again to be urged to legalise betting shops, but as Mr Lang must be credited with doing what he believes best for his own followers, it is doubtful whether he will countenance that idea. One would have thought (says the Referee) that between racing in the daytime, the greyhounds at night, the State lotteries, and “ fruit machines ” in the hotels the public’s speculative proclivities were already receiving sufficient attention, but, of course, a licensed betting shop round the corner would be handy for the women and children. And any bookmaker unable to command sufficient influence to obtain a license for a shop would be something of a curiosity. Another thing apparently overlooked is that licensed shops would not kill illegal betting. They would probably have to pay a tax on turnover, in addition to a license, and that would mean many men would take the risk of betting without a license, and, as they would be able to do business on more liberal terms than the licensed division, they would receive plenty of support. When paying a brief visit to Elderslie last week Night Raid’s box was entered with not a little curiosity. The horse had been described as unlikely to sire Phar Lap and inferentially any other good horse. The person who expressed that opinion completely overlooked the fact

that a horse may be small and perhaps somewhat mean in appearance at two and three years, but develop into quite a big animal at five years. A horse may grow until a five-year-old, and whilst reaching that age never fully furnish or develop top form. A horse seldom comes to full racing strength during the process of growing. Whatever Nightmarch may have been in England there is no doubt that now he is quite a fairly massive horse. He stands at a guess.over 16 hands, and has plenty of range and scope with a generally well-turned appearance to fill the eye as quite likely to get high-class horses. Night Raid is brimful of vitality, a «ood dark brown in colour, and carries himself well. The writer came out of the box quite convinced that Night Raid has plenty of size, substance, and quality, and it need occasion no surprise now that he is at Elderslie if his stock generally prove to be of a much higher standard than what he sired apart from Phar Lap and Nightin a reh.