SPORTING

Southland Times, Issue 17786, 15 July 1916, Page 3

SPORTING

NOTES by SIR MODKBD. The Wellington R.C.'s Winter meeting will be concluded at Trentham this afternoon. The South Canterbury Hunt Clubs totalizator fixture will be held on Thursday next. The handicaps for the principal events of the Grand National gathering are due on Friday. Entries for the N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club’s G.N. fixture are due on Wednesday evening of next week. M. Ratcliff, well-known in Southland and a brother of the Invercargill trainer of that name, has enlisted for active service from Christchurch. It is stated that Sir Polo has improved in his jumping since he raced at Napier Park, and he is expected to make a good showing In a hurdle race before long. The Auckland Cup winner of 1913-14 should be able to muster up enough pace and staying power to compete successfully in any jumping company. .His many friends will be sorry to healths t Southland's crack amateur steeplechase rider, A. J. Langford, was one of the New Zealanders wounded at the front in France during the current week. Seadown, one of the North Island favourites for the Winter Cup, failed to race prominently irt the Stewards' Handicap at the W.R.C.’s meeting on Wednesday last. Ngatoa broke his nose when lie fell in the Wellington Steeplechase on Wednesday last. His rider, L. Traill, broke his shoulder and had to forfeit the mount on Crown Pearl in the Winter Hurdle Handicap. The well-known steeplechasers, Heatherlea and Caseshot, leave for Riccarton this morning in charge of J. Lindsay. The pair will probably be raced at the South Canterbury Hunt Club’s meeting next week. The cross-country horseman, J. K. Kami, also accompanies the team. Some of the onlookers at the run of the Birchwood Hunt pack at Wallacetown on Wednesday were disappointed •with the showing put up by Dalton, by Ahei —Miss Stent, ridden by the flat race horseman, W. Robinson, but they failed to note that P. T. Hogan’s budding steeplechaser did not appreciate the necessarily slow pace set. The Rorke s Drift Lodge mentor docs not educate cross-country candidates to face obstacles at a hand canter when the excitement of competition is in the air. At the same time, his hunting experiences should prove of benefit to Dalton in the days to come. Jockey Robinson seems to have become affected with tho "jumping fever," which, as often as not, attacks flat horsemen who become associated with the successful trainer of Honest Tom, Lugeon, Peerless, Silver Blase, Tolstoi, Corso, Warsaw, etc., as fencing propositions. Bransfleld, by Renown—Links, winner of the Wellington Steeplechase (says "Argus,” of Christchurch Star) is only a novice at cross-country racing, but he has already proved that he is above the average, while he should be susceptible of much improvement yet. The South Canterbury horse, Crib, ran a patchy race in the Winter Hurdle Race at Trentham on Wednesday (says a northern writer), but he was staying on ■well and he may have to be reckoned with against the best of the hurdlers before he is .finished. The winner of the Wellington Steeplechase, Bransfleld, is not the only son of Renown to win distinction between the flags, as nearer home we have Recharge, who was sired by the Dreadnought stallion from Tomboy, a representative of a great jumping strain. Crown Pearl is said to have looked a likely winner of the Wellington Winter Hurdle Handicap half a mile from home, but he suddenly collapsed. This does not read well in connection with a twomlle race in view of Mr George's gelding’s Grand National Hurdle Race engagement, which will entail a test over two miles and a-half. After a spell of nearly two years, during which period he was added to the list, Colbert, a smart son of Canrobert and Stepback, by Stepniak—Meriaette, is to be put into work again. Although he has, so far, failed to win a race/ his new mentor, Mr J. Hymer, may turn Colbert out equal to fulfilling some of fils early promise, as he was a smart galloper on the tracks when in A. D. McTvor’s stable. It is thought, that the five-year-old gelding. New York,-would have won the Wellington Steeplechase but for the fact that Queen’s Post fell at the last fence, when leading, and interfered with the son of Frisco. New York has been nominated for the Grand National Steeplechase, in which he will have to face more formidable fences than were to be met with at Trentham. The announcement from the north to the effect that Rorke’s Drift and Seadown are the equally ruling favourites for the Winter Cup is puzzling Southland backers, and Invercargill punters In particular. Owing to the state of the local tracks the son of Calibre has not been worked in earnest of late h.nd it will take trainer Hogan all his time, even with three weeks at his command on Riccarton tracks, to get Messrs Prices’ gelding ready for the principal flat race of the Grand National fixture. In the event of the horse being taken north early next week, it is possible that he will be cherry ripe by August 15. as he has been kept up to the collar for the greater portion of the season now in its closing stage, but as matters stand at the time of writing it does not seem good judgment to elevate the Dunedin Cup winner to the position of Winter Cup favourite, that is from a punter’s point of view. When Rorke’s Drift commences to stride out against the watch during the forthcoming four weeks on the C.J.C. tracks, there will be ample time to support him straight out or couple him up, as fancy dictates. The Comedian—Lady Spencer gelding, Ohio, was carrying the Master, Mr A. Saunders, at. the run of the Birchwood Hunt on Wednesday last. The bay horse held his own throughout and may be tested as a steeplechaser later on, as his breathing apparatus appears to be working fairly well. It Is reported that the Dates Committee of the N.Z. Racing Conference threw out the petition of the Southland R.C. and Wyndham R.C. against the North Otago J.C. being allowed to usurp the New Tear dates so long in use by the two southern turf Institutions. The position is a very unfair one. as far as the local clubs are concerned. Racing at Wingatui, the headquarters of the Dunedin J.C., is greatly dependent for Its success on the assistance of Southland owners and the general public, yet when the leading racing week of the year here comes along, with its important fixtures at Wyndham and Invercargill, southern people have wrongfully to encounter the competition of the N.O.J.C. (Oamaru) , as far as the support of Dunedin is concerned, and the capital of Otago is situated closer to Oxmaift than it is to Wyndham or Invercargill, which means a derided financial bait in favour of North Otago. When the Oamaru people were permitted to butt in on the long-established dates of the southern clubs, the Dates Committee of the Racing Conference were probably unaware of the hardship inflicted, and it would look as if its members of to-day are still ignorant of the geographical position. At the present time. Southland racing is controlled from Otago, and local people materially assist to keep the game going in Dunedin and Oamaru, but receive very little In return, unless it be support attracted by sheer force of merit. The name of Centimetre is to be claimed for Mr Kilkelly’s rising two-year-old colt by Calibre —Kedlema, by Gipsy Grand —Neva. This youngster is reported to have already moved well on the. tracks, which probably accounts for the fart that his owner could have quitted him at a very substantial profit had he been so minded. * The annual meeting of members of the Winton J.C. will be held on Wednesday evening next. The balance-sheet shows that at the beginning of the past season the total cash credit was £332 0s lid, while there is now a debit balance of £156 16s 3d. However, when it Is considered that ’over £6OO has been spent qn Improvements and an additional £SO donated to patriotic purposes ([poking a total of £150), the financial position of the Club must be regarded as satisfactory. It is understood that Mr J. Ritchie's gelding Bonally, by Sarto—Dlnna Forget, is” to be nominated for several of the minor events at the C.J.C. Grand National fixture. Trainer P. T. Hogan’s active brigade at. present Includes Canrobur, Martel (Charlemagne II —Neva), Dalton, and Rorke’s Drift. The first-named is looking particularly well and Rorke’s Drift figs benefltted by his let-up since the D.J-C. Winter meeting. The following nominations for the positions of office-bearers will be submitted to the annual meeting of mem-

bers of the Winton J.C. on Wednesday evening next; —President: Mr W, Swale (elected unopposed); vice-president; Mr J O'Shannessoy and Dr Gow; treasurer: Mr F. Moore, (re-elected); committee - Messrs B. Jamieson. C. Mcßae, W. Norman, C. Kean, F. Mcl.vor, M. Heilly. M. Ryan, il. Taylor, W. D. Cowle, J. Deegan, A. Gerrord. Some years back Mr R. Davidson, of Palmerston North, sent the pony marc Cisco Rose, by San Francisco —La Rose, to Southland to he mated with Pallas, his idea being to breed a racing lilliputlan fast enough to compete in races for little horses across the Tasman Sea. Cisco Hose developed into a good-looking matron after her arrival at Mr H. Rubber's Hertdon Bush Stud, and duly produced. The first of her progeny bred in Southland was a filly by Pallas and this three-year-old filly is in future to be known as Inverlea Lass. When the writer last inspected Inverlea Lass she gave promise of developing into a smartlooking mare of a size likely to relegate her to the ranks of the horses for good. It is with pride that the Winton J.C. Committee have to report, that out of a membership of 200, over 20 of these have volunteered for active service, and all are to he kept financial during their absence. Two of the members referred to, viz.. Privates B. Castle and G. Beckett, cave up their lives fighting for their King and country. As was generally expected, the River-ton-trained mare, Black Sea, proved unequal to gaining a place in the. Wellington Steeplechase on Wednesday last. The Black and Red mare found the fences too easy for her experience of stiffer country in the south, hence she was too careful and was thus beaten for pace by the galloping cross-country representatives of the North Island. The Government stamp tax for the annual racing fixture of the Winton J.C. in November last amounted to £633 19s 6d. while tlie dividend tax, which was introduced for the first time at this meeting, yielded £466 15s, making a total sum equal to over half the value of the Club’s stakes. This result should go far to convince opponents of the turf as to the value of the asset the Government possess in racing in Maoriland. Two well-known Gore sportsmen and athletes,. viz., Messrs W. F. Trembath and J. D. Forbes, who are to go into camp with the Nineteenth Reinforcements, -were farewelled In their home town last week, when tlie Town Hall was crowded with friends and admirers. Each champion athlete was presented with a wristlet Watch by Mayor McDougall. Messrs Wright. Stephenson and Co.. Ltd., will submit at auction at Gore today a draft of exceptionally well-bred trotting stock comprising ten lots. Four three-year-okl geldings are from Princess Poole (Prince Imperial—Miss Wild Poole, by Wildwood —Miss Poole). Wild Poole (full sister to Miss Wild Poole, Maelstrom. Waterlog and Master Poole). Miss Wild Poole and Woodlander (Wildwood Rosewood) respectively, all being sons of Harold Dillon. A three-year-old filly is by King Cole—Flnwater, by the thoroughbred horse Finland from Wild Poole. Three two-year-old geldings were sired by Harold Dillon from M ild Poole, Princess Poole, and Black Rose (Wildwood Rosewood), and two fillies were got by Harold Dillon from Woodlander and Flnwater respectively. From a Stud Book point of view, the foregoing youngsters are descended from the best families In Canterbury. WELLINGTON WXDTTEB MEETING. ACCEPTANCES FOR TO-DAY. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON. July 14. TALAVERA HURDLE HANDICAP (lt/3 miles). Golden March and Patronymic 10.11, Austin and St. Blmn 10.9, Arlington 10.9, Gluepot and Sir Solo 10.7. Czaronus 10.3, Portland Lady 10.2, Birkful 10.0, Nicomar 9.10, Amnesty 9.7, Amber and White. Prince Delamere and Beno 9.0. CROFTON HANDICAP (seven furlongs). Maid o’ Gowrie 11.2, Otara 10.12. Haumakaka 10.6, Melford 10.4. Sir Agnes 9.13. Aurore and Kukri 9.11, Manu 9.5, Rio 9.4, Ballyhar and Haupl 9.2. Try Again, Coral King and Consultation 9.0. WINTER OATS HANDICAP (one mile). Multifuaj 11.3. Ladoguer and Sea Lord 10.5, Lady Louisa 10.4. George 10.1. Blsogne 10.0, Awahcu 9.12. Sedd-el-Bahr 9.8, Ringform 9.6. Sir Knox 9.4. Comely, Jeannot, Otara, Merry Gain, Twelfth Night and Ineuru 9.0. KIA ORA HANDICAP (five furlongs). —Tokl 10.5, Melford and Shakl 10.4, Golden Glade 10.0. Limpet and Martyress 9.12, Perrier 9.9. Bairnsdale 9.5, Ballyhar 9.3. Foeman and Captain Glossop 9.2, Bomb, Strabo. Royal Battery. Ally, Lady Minnie. Trickery. Colonade and Helsingford 9.0. ONSLOW HANDICAP (five furlongs). —Sea Lord 10.12, Qlenroy 10.10, Blsogne 10.8, Cherry Blossoms 0.7. Torotoro 9.5, Black Lupin 9.3, Mandoline, Mt. Victoria and Black Heart 9.0. HACK AND HUNTERS’ STEEPLES (2% miles).—Queen’s Port 11.5, Expedition and Darby Paul 10/7. Kirkby 10.4, Fond Memory 9.11, Rerekohu 9.8. The Chef. Kawea. Critic, Precious Metal, and Manaia Park 9.7. JULY STEEPLECHASE (three miles). Tarero 11.0, Wirokino 10.10. Fagot 10.8, Immensity 10.5, New York 10.2. Glenmore 10.1. Merry Lad 9.13, Vascular 9.11, Black Sea and Darby Paul 9.7. FINAL HURDLES (l?i miles). —Styrax 11.1. Tragedy King 11.1. Pnrsefiller 10.11, Harbour Light 10.10, Leonta and Crib 10.8,-Crown Pearl 10.7, *Sir Donald and Art 10.2, 'Gladful 9.12, Parewanui 9.4. NEW ZEALAND RACING CONFERENCE. THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 14. The N.Z. Racing Conference opened today. The president (Sir G. Clifford), In his address, said ;—Once again the din of battle sounds in our ears as we assemble for our annual conference. A war forced by a most wicked crime upon peace-desiring nations is progressing towards our final victory. We may be. satisfied that in carrying on during its continuance the institution of racing we have added to other utilities much direct benefit to the defenders of our liberties. That we have acted wisely finds confirmation in the fact that his Majesty has kept his racing stable in active commission, supported in that respect by Lord Derby and other sound leaders of British opinion. I may, nevertheless, be expected to take notice of the puerile demand for a cessation of racing. It is a cry of the uninstructed. Those who repeat it little understand the vital importance of a supply of suitable horses for defence purposes; nor can they have realised that the thoroughbred horse is essential to their production. Trench warfare during one stage of a campaign may put cavalry out of action, but when the enemy is on the run the mounted arm of the service has its turn, as was shown quite recently in the Russian advance into Austrian territory: nor is horse traction wholly suspended for artillery and transport. If the point needed Insistence I could quote I/Ord Kitchener, whose tragic loss we so deeply deplore, but it suffices that except where there may be interference with railage of troops or munitions, racing is kept going both in Britain and Germany. When the opposing clamour does not arise from honest ignorance, it is the outcome of dishonest claptrap. The intriguer who utilises the national crisis to promote his otherwise unattainable end is on a par with t.be politician whose vanity seeks a paltry prominence for himself by ill-timed and unfounded criticisms of responsible officials. The lesson taught by war goes to the very heart of the value of racing, and explains In part whv many private individuals are maintaining expensive studs to secure for the British Empire advantages gained in foreign countries by costly establishments at Government expense. It further points to the necessity for the proper conduct of a sport which professes and serves such high aims. In this respect we can claim that nowhere in the world is racing better conducted than in New Zealand. The absence of proprietary clubs, the devotion of all profits to the sport, the cleansing influence of the totaJisator, and the searching investigation of disputed decisions by an elaborate system of Impartial tribunals, all contribute to this result. They have also rendered possible the magnificent response of the Racing Clubs to the financial needs of the time. I have been at pains to estimate the bulk of this assistance. My figures may nearly approach to accuracy for the past, and-

may enable you to form some forecast of the future. They are as follows : ta) Voluntary contributions .. .. £4o, P4 2 10 5 (b) Taxation paid to Govertiment .. .. £360,669 16 10 £306,612 7 3 Is this the record of a useless frivolity? Let the next brilliant charge of British cavalry reply ! I,et the permanent help to our maimed fellow-citizens answer ! We will leave it at that. At one time T had ventured to hope that the voluntary payments by racing clubs might be pooled for the foundation of an institute for disabled soldiers, but a prevalent desire to befriend kindred local efforts rendered a national scheme impracticable. You will recognise that this is not a fitting time for endeavouring to rectify the inconvenience and injustice under which we labour through the hasty enactments of a recent period. I may, however, mention for future attention tlie mistaken prohibition of publication of tolalisator investments, which defeats its supposed object, and plays into tlie hands of lawbreakers. Unless in Itself it lessens the interest of racing records, and helps to conceal the policy of evil doers. That bookmakers habitually evade the law is commonly known. Whether owners in regard to their own horses respect universally the undertaking to refrain from patronising them may he doubted, though breaches of this obligation must, of course, be exceptional. Those who disregard the specific injunction in the rule are liable to disqualification,'.and, as it were, take their racing lives in their hands, even if the selfcontempt due to a dishonourable act, is an insufficient deterrent. In this connection we may deplore the facilities which are afforded by the postal authorities for' the transaction of illicit business, while the same Department rigorously bars investors in legalised methods of. investment from the use of its facilities. The conference adopted the Dates Committee's report. The Tapanui .Racing Club will be granted September 1 and 3, in lieu of November 23 and 23. Tlie North Otago Jockey Club will be granted January 2 and 3, and the objection of the Southland Racing Club was not upheld. The conference reappointed members of Stipendiary Stewards' Committee and appointed judges to go into the question of removing the disqualification imposed in connection with the running of Croesus. Frank Howard (the jockey senousb injured some time ago) applied for further assistance, and was referred to the Auckland District Committee. It was stated that considerable dissatisfaction exists as to the administration of the accident fund. Mr George Hunter urged a more liberal scale of paymehts. At the Racing Conference it was decided that in future the riders of the first four horses in a race shall be required to weigh in, instead of only the placed horses. A remit was also adopted that boys disqualified for obvious pulling" should be given the right of appeal!—A motion by the president, tiiat the Conference appoint racecourse detectives for all meetings, was lost.—A remit from the Wellington District Clubs, that all licenses to jockeys and trainers be granted by the conference, was discussed at length. It was carried by 19 votes to 16. but as a three-fourths majority is required, the proposal is rejected. Wellington txtnp tows. WELLINGTON,' July 14. Fagot was scratched for tne July Steeplechase at 1 p.m. to-day. Ally (9.0), has,to be included In the acceptances for the Crofton Handicap to-morrow. FOOTBAXA. INTER-SCHOLASTIC FIXTURE. A team from the Otago Training College will arrive by this afternoon's express and meet a Southland Teachers team on the High School grounds, Herbert street, at 3 p.m. to-day. Owing to the late arrival of the Otago men the hockey match, which was on the cards lias had to be abandoned. Following are the football teams: — Training College: McNaughton: Abernethy, McGregor, Flynn; Crump. Fleet; Gain; R. Finlay, Thomas. Rotting, Boraman Barclay, McKinney. Wilson, Finlay; emergencies: Rogers. Robertson. Southland:—Rice, Mcffin Knights. Findlay, McDonald. Archer, Leckie. Stobo. Dawson, Lopdell Fraser, Lopdell, Hall, Smith, Lilley, Vial, Baird, Shepherd. Following are the School fixtures for to-day;— Junior Grade —South v. Marist, Tweed street reserve, 19 a.m. St. George v. Bluff, Bln ft', 10.30 a.m. North v. Waihopai. Eastern Reserve, 10 a.m. Senipr Grade —South v. Marist, Rugby Park No. 1, 2 p.m. Referee, Mr J. T. Lilburnc. Middle v. Waihopai, Rugby Park No. 2, 2 p!m. Referee, Mr T. B. Baird. SCHOOL SOCKET. The following are the fixtures for this afternoon;—, South School v. Middle, High School ground. Waihopal v. St. George, Door street ground. North, a bye. All matches to commence at 2 p.m. liADZES’ HOCKEY, (By “Full-back,”) The High School “B" team on Wednesday last suffered defeat at the hands of the Collegiate team by 7 goals to nil. So far this season the latter team hav'd* not been beaten. This team plays with fine combination, and other teams would do better if they wonld take a lesson from them. High School “B” team possesses two or three very promising players. Miss Junker on the wing plays a good game and makes excellent use of her pace. She is very good at passing. Miss S. Price, at centre-half, plays a sound game and is a good tackier. She backs her forwards up well. Misses Cole and G. Cameron, the two full-backs, are very good, but are inclined to speculate rather much. Miss R. Godward (Collegiate), on the wing, is perhaps one of the best players In this position in Southland and seldom misses a chance when in the circle. Miss K. Godward, on the other wing, is also very good and distributes the ball between her other forwards in fine style. Miss Kilby, at right half, played her best game this season. Miss Dykes, at left half, although, perhaps, the smallest player in the team, was responsible for frustrating the attacks of the High team. Miss Findlay, at full-back, played her usual fine game and fed her in fine style. COTTBSXNG. A private telegram from Hamilton advises that the Winton dogs Erin's Star and Maori Chief are still in the Waterloo Plate, while Mr J. Vickery’s Blue, Moon is one of those remaining in the Waterloo Purse. GOX.F VOTES. The Otatara green committee send the following;—"lt is once more necessary to draw players’ attention to the matte? of replacing the turf. It is not only necessary to tap the place from where the divot Is removed with your foot, but also find the divot or a piece of loose turf to fill up tlie hole, then use the foot to make it firm. It seems absurd that players must be reminded of this fact. At time great damage is being done by a. combination of ignorance, selfishness and stupidity on the part of a number of players. If a number of cattle and horses were let loose on the links they would not do more damage. The caretaker has expressed considerable resentment to the Green Committee, that players will not back up the good work he is doing. A number of new tees have been made and sand should always be used, even if playing with an iron club. Should they continue to be cut up by players ,wbo act In an irresponsible manner, no special effort will be made by the caretaker to provide tees, and any old place on the fairway will be selected as a tee. If the fairway difficulty continues the committee will require to consider imposing a stiff penalty to enforce players to study their own interests and carry out their play in a rational manner.”