SPORTING

Southland Times, Issue 18965, 13 June 1923, Page 3

SPORTING

NOTES BY SI v MODRED. N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club will give £39,500 in stakes next season. Tarair?, by Southl;.-der Four Chimes, heads the season’s winning pacers’ list. Wanganui steeplechaser Khartoum is in work again having recovered from injuries. The two-mile saddle races at the N.Z. M.T.C.’s August meeting will be replaced by harness events. Very satisfactory nominations have been received for the Dunedin J.C. classic events of next season. Rorke's Rrift is to be given a better chance as a jumper in future, as he is to be restricted to hurdle races. The speedy North Islander, Mireusonta, by Absurd, has been engaged in the Australian J.C. Epsom Handicap. Twenty-five New Zealand rising three-' year olds have been engaged in the rich A-J.C. Derby of the 1924 season in September. Kohu broke down badly in a tendon during the race for the Great Northern Steeplechase and will be spelled for at least twelve months. Mr S. E. Luttrell’s youngster, His Majesty, by Kilbroney—Bebe, a half-brother to Cupidon, is reported to be doing very well on the Riccarton tracks. Reports from Sydney state that the •peedy Maorilander, Killashandra, by Kilbroney—Symbolism, is sore and will have to be treated to a welcome spell. Blue Hall and Tentcrfield, who have not raced so far this season, are to represent Mr W. R. Kemball at the Napier Park and Hawke’s Bay meetings. At the monthly meeting of the stewards’ committee of the Masterton R.C. last week it was decided to support a return to the old weighing rule at the annual Racing Conference gathering. Munta Maral, a filly owned by the Aga Khan, made his debut at Newmarket recently, and easily won the Spring Stakes of five furlongs in 57 4-5 sec., a world’s record for a two-year-old. She was one of the costliest, yearlings of 1922, when she brought 9,100 guineas. Some interesting notices of motion come up as the annual meeting of the Racing Conference next month. One, made at the request of the stipendiary stewards, reads: “No horse blind in either eye shall be eligible for entry in any race.”

Quite a number of northern papers have announced that ‘‘Rorke’s Drift gave a splendid exhibition of jumping in the Greenfield Hurdle Race at Wingatui,” in which he finished in second place to Red Gown. This statement is not correct and is unfair to the owners of the veteran. As a matter of. fact, the old Calibre gelding “leaped” all right, but there was very little “get away” in his efforts and he finished very tired, while the winner was full of running. Handicappers not present at the fixture might he misled by the statement referred to and find later on that Rorke’s Drift has yet to become an efficient hurdler. In the meantime he is to be confined strictly to hurdle racing and this does not look as if he “gave a splendid exhibition of jumping” on the occasion referred to. Following on the race Mr F .A. Price agreed with expert onlookers that Rorke’s Drift had tired because he was not yet a good hurdler, and those who know the senior partner in the ownership of the son of Calibre will agree that the Invercargill sportsman is not given to decrying the merits of his old favourite without good cause. A eorrespondent is informed that the Australian trotting mare, Dixie Mac, started 204 yards behind scratch in the Elevation Handicap (2 miles) won by St. Anthony in 4.44 3-5 at the Canterbury Park T.C. meeting on June 2 (first day). The visitor was unplaced, but this was not to be wondered at, as she was practically giving St. Anthony 14secs. Mary Bruce, winner of the Great Northern Steeplechase, is the first representative of her sex to score in the race for 25 years. Other mares successful in the event were:— Belle (by Musket) scored in 1886; Allegro (by Opawa) got home first in 1888; Jenny (by Puriri) won in 1890, and Muscatel (by Fouf Shot) beat the opposition in 1898. In commenting on the record time of 4min 22*secs put up by Les Paddington in the Australian J.C. £2OOO Hurdles (2m. 3f.), as against the previous best of 4.24 f at Randwick, ‘‘Pilot” writes in Sydney Referee:—“Sydney hurdlers cannot be bad when they can travel the distance mentioned at the rate of 3.41 for two miles, Les Paddington now has two Randwick records, the other being 3.40 J for two miles. Times such as those quoted make me smile when I hear anyone discoursing on the alleged deterioration of our racehorses. Personally. I think nearly everything connected with racing has improved during the past 25 years; even the morals of some owners—consequent on the employment of stipendiary stewards.” England’s crack horseman, S. Donoghue recently had a run of bad luck. His sequence of losing rides reached 38, and before he won a selling race at Newmarket »n his 39th mount he had probably reached that stage when he was beginning to wonder whether he could ever ride another winner. For the first month of the season he was not among those who had ridden as many as five winners, F. Bullock leading with 12, Elliott following with 11.

The ex-New Zealander, Biplane, by Comedy King—Air Motor, is announced to stand at the Dunlop Stud, New South Wales, during the coming season. Mr G. D. Greenwood's castoff, was, of course, bred in Australia. He won £13,000 in stakes, and among other races, accounted for the kJ.C. Derby and Rosehill Guineas. Kauri Park is a beginner at hurdle racing, but his first outing at Ellerslie was an impressive one, when he won the Hunt Club Hurdles (2». He jumped and stayed well in the heavy going, and he may be a worthy successor to his three quarter brother. Kauri King. o« whom the now very successful Invercargill trainer, F. W. Silis, won the Grand National Hurdle Race md Sydenham Hurdle Race at the C.J.C. kugust fixture of 1918. The ex-Maorilander, The Hawk, has commenced steady work on the tracks at Randwick, following on a beneficial spell. He is being ridden in his exercise essays by the well-known horseman J. Pike. The 1921 Great Northern Hurdle Race dinner, Fisher, who has not been raced this winter, is at present running out on his owners property at Otaki. In all probability the son of Maniapoto will be taken in hand again in the spring. The New Zealand-bred gelding Chrylostom, who had the services of his trainer, *tan Reid, in the saddle, was a contestant n the Hurdle Race (2m.) at the Australian Jockey Club's meeting at Randwick on May 17, but though the descendant of Demosthenes was close to the leaders for a mile, he dropped back after this stage and finished outside of a place. He did not remain in Sydney for the big June fixture, but was at once taken back to Melbourne. This step may have been taken in view of his V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race prospects, which wear a particularly bright appearance, as he has been accorded the nice weight of 19.8 in the leading Flemington batten event.

Recently we were advised from Melbourne of the destruction of a large number of utility horses in one of the suburbs by the agency of mysterious methods, cruel and revolting (writes “The Clubman” in the N.Z. Sporting Review), and the motives which actuated the culprit or culprits were hard to conceive. A man named Haffey was arrested on suspicion, and was commited for trial, after having confessed to killing a number of horses, though he pleaded not guilty. Nearly 30 years ago in Christchurch a horse fiend was at work about the suburbs of that city, and during a period of a few months destroyed a number of horses kept for stud purposes, and despite all the efforts of the detective force employed was not caught, but some time after the destruction of horses ceased it was reported that a man who had found his way into a lunatic asylum had posed as the man guilty of the series of these wanton acts, nearly all, if not , all of which took the form of severing the jugular vein, the victims bleeding to death. Some fair horses were destroyed, but in no case was any horse of known high class interfered with, though there were many valuable stud horses in and about the same suburban areas. An impression existed that the object of the culprit in this case was to rid the country of horses of a nondescript class and so render good service to the country. One of the horses so destroyed was a young thoroughbred colt, unbroken and unhandled and running in a paddock where he had been used for stud duty. He was a beautifully-bred one, being by the Musket horse Chainshot from the Apremont mare Apropos, and one of his progeny turned out to be that good performer and useful sire Pallas, who got many winners in the South Island. The name of the colt was Chain Armour.

The northern writer is quite correct and it will interest southern readers to know that Pallas, by Chain Armour —Nellie, by Albany, died full of years at Heddon Bush at the stud of his last owner, Mr H. Rubber. Pallas got many good winners including:—Palisade, Hesione, All Guns, Palette, Special Order, Palamon, Palladio, Pamplona and Palencia. Pallas was a good racehorse himself and won some valuable events in brilliant style. The Invercargill Cup winner of 1915, Honesty, by Martian—Success, by The Officer—Content, by Dreadnought—Lullaby, by Apremont—Hammock (imp.) has to be credited with a very smart pony galloper now racing in Sydney. Integrity, the Kilbroney filly referred to, ranks as a halfsister to Liqueur, as he, too, is out of Honesty, and when she raced well in Auckland as a two-year-old she was called Just. At the Ascot races, Sydney, on May 30, Integrity started favourite in the 14.1 Handicap £l5O (6f.) and won by a length. An hour and ten minutes afterwards she came out again and scored in the Second Division of the 14.2 Handicap £195 (7f.) starting at odds on. She had previously won in Victoria and New South Wales, but, as often as not, she has been narrowly defeated in various races since she first raced in Auckland. Bred by Mr J. Grigg, she was disposed of at the Christchurch yearling sales of 1920 at 50 guineas to an Auckland purchaser.

The A.J.C. Derby winner of the current season, Rivoli, a very useful three-year-old, has been placed in commission again in Sydney after undergoing a beneficial spell. When the prominent jockey G. Parfrement was killed in a steeplechase in France recently, he was riding one of Mr J. D. Cohn’s jumpers. The affair so thoroughly upset Mr Cohn that he has decided not to race jumpers in future. Parfrement’s age when he died was 36. The annual meeting of members of the Winton Jockey Club will be held on Tuesday, July 17. In connection with the Dunedin Jockey Club’s classic events of the incoming season Mr W. T. Hazlett his engaged three youngsters in the McLean Stakes and Champagne Stakes as follows:—Bay filly by Kilbroney —Simper (dam of Razzlc Dazzle, Gold Light and Affectation) ; bay colt by Soifer - ino—Sprig of Erin (imp.) ; and bay colt by Solferino—Directoire (dam of Francaise, Frenchman, and Moulin Rouge). The trio referred to have also been entered for the Dunedin Guineas of 1924. At a meeting of the Committee of the Winton Jockey Club held last Thursday evening it was decided to delete the Winton Stakes from the programme for this season. This will probably mean the addition of another hack race. The Dominion remarks:—The Feilding Jockey Club wants 41b. allowed for a flat race and lib. for a hurdle race or steeplechase. Southland Racing Club says lib. The Auckland Racing Club has gone further than any other on the question, and the notice of motion from the northern metropolitan club is worth studying. It brings in the system in vogue in Australia, which has been more than once favourably commented upon by visiting New Zealand owners and trainers. It puts the onus on the jockey of looking after his gear after he is weighed out. The Auckland notice of motion is to add the following clause:—“lf the jockey cannot draw his proper or declared weight the clerk of the scales shall allow him 141 b. in a flat race, or 241 b. in a hurdle race or steeplechase. The stewards shall have the right to re-weigh any jockey at any time prior to the horse he is riding leaving the birdcage or weighing enclosure in order to take part in a race, and should such jockey be found to be short of the weight with which he weighed out be, and also any person whom the stewards consider responsible for the jockey being short of his proper w’eight may Ido fined, suspended, or dealt with in such manner as the stewards may think fit.”

CANTERBURY SPORTING NEWS. (Special to the Times). CHRISTCHURCH, June 12. Although Mr J. D. Greenwood has nominated Cupidon for the Epsom Handicap and Metropolitan Handicap at the Australian Jockey Club's Spring meeting, the son of Martian —Bebe is still at Riccarton, so it seems doubtful if he will fulfil his Sydney engagements. The American-bred trotting sire Great Audubon, by Peter the Great, from Eliza Audubon, has been sold by the trustees of the estate of the late Mr R. McMillan and it is understood he will go to the West Coast.

NAPIER PARK RACING CLUB. ACCEPTANCES FOR FRIDAY. (Per United Press Association). NAPIER, June 12. MOTEO HACK HURDLES (lim.).— Toa Taua 10.3, Blue Socks 10.0, Bodyguard 9.11. Palm Oil 9.8, Mountain Peer 9.8, Nnkumai 9.6, Kilanea, Galicia and Tresor 9.0. PETANE HACK STEEPLECHASE (about two miles).—Multive 11.7, Maraetotara 10.10, Gold Scene 10.8. Birkwick, Malinhead, Mahia, Master Oriflamme and Noble 9.0. ( STEWARDS’ STAKES (Im.).—Haurangi 10.8, Correspondent 10.7, Barrier 10.4, Kilbird 9.10, Blissfulness 9.4, Makepeace, Suspicion and Mosthenes 9.0. NAPIER STEEPLECHASE (about throe miles ’ .—First Line 10.9, Dick 10.5, Sturdee 10 3, Ranui 10.3, General Raven 9.11, Gang Awa 9.8. LADIES’ NECKLACE (limJ.—Battle Knight 12.10. Blue Socks 11.13, Slave Mart 10.13, Tout Bon 10.7, Venetian, Maunga, Heather Queen and Birkwick 10.7. AHURIRI HURDLES (1 i m.).—Otaura Kid 10.6, Killard 10.3, Alteration 10.2, Woden 9.13, Te Maire 9.12, Whipcord 9.12, Kyoto 9.5, Mervotia 9.5, Complex 9.4, Highway 9.0. SETTLERS’ HACK HANDICAP (6f.). Kahikatea and Fera 10.7, Sunny Vale 10.2, Heather King 9.12, Soldier’s Love 9.10, All Marimba 9.9, Ma Boughal 9.8, Pink Rose

9.6, Westerner 9.6, Merry Imp 9.5, Kingly 9.2, Novoko 9.0, Carnbee, Merry Bells, Polonett and Miss Gazeley 9.0. SPARROW SHOOTING. CHAMPIONSHIP. (Per United Press Association.) WANGANUI, June 12. The The Sweepstakes’ Sparrow Shooting Match Championship of New Zealand was held on the Wanganui Gun Club’s grounds yesterday, and was won by L. R. McKelvie (Bulls), after shooting off with G. P. Potts and V. Blythe (both of Wanganui), and V. Groome. (Hastings), who divided with 19 lulls each. There were 32 competitors from all parts of the Dominion. L. Hughes (Auckland) won the medal presented by the Colonial Ammunition Company for the best aggregate in the pigeon, clay bird, and sparrow championship matches, decided at Auckland, Hamilton and Wanganui respectively.

TROTTING BOARD. REQUESTS FOR TOTALISATOR LICENCES. A MATTER FOR CONFERENCE. CHRISTCHURCH, June 12. At the monthly meeting of the Board of the New Zealand Trotting Association, the Westland Trotting Club wrote, requesting a special totalisator license in connection with the Westland Diamond Jubilee Exhibition. It was decided to reply that this was a matter for the Conference, the executive of which was already making inquiries into the matter. A similar reply was authorised to be sent to the Wyndham Trotting Club, which had made a similar request. In view of the fact that most of the members of the Board would be in Wellington on Monday, July 9, it was decided to hold the next ordinary meeting of the Board in Wellington on that day. V.R.C. GRAND NATIONAL. MELBOURNE, June 12. Kohu was scratched for the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdles.

GOLF

MATCH AT OTATARA. Following is the draw for. the medal match at Otatara to-day:—J. Mackintosh plays S. E. Wootton; R. B. Caws plays J. P. Butler; G. Henderson plays J. B. Reid; A. J. Hawke plays J. Mackintosh; R. A. Wilson plays T. W. Vickery; R. 9ommerville plays C. F. A. Jones; R. R. Binney plays A. E. Smith; A. Dickens plays I. Carr; A. Gilkison plays J. D. Mitchell; D. Cuthbertson plays C. C. Jennings; E. E. Broad plays S. C. Sutherland.

A NATIONAL HANDICAP. ANNUAL TOURNAMENT FOR PROFESSIONALS (Per United Press Association). WELLINGTON, June 12. Two important decisions were reached by the New Zealand Golf Council last evening. It was resolved to follow the English example and institute a national handicap in the Dominion, applying particularly to players likely to compete in championships. It is unlikely that the lowest handicap will be below two so that handicaps will be on the same basis as those of British players. Arthur Duncan, who is about the lowest handicap player in New Zealand, is placed on a level in England with players who are now handicapped one or two in British handicaps and this gives an indication enabling British and local handicaps to conform. The Council also decided to ask clubs to support the finances with a view to assisting professionals by an annual tournament and thought it might be advisable for the Council to employ one or two professionals who would be available to clubs now without professionals.

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, June 11. (Received June 12, 8.10 p.m.) Two hundred and twenty representatives of various countries played the first of two qualifying rounds at Troon for the Open Golf Championship. The second round will be played to-morrow, when 80 of the best scorers chosen will participate in th* competition proper.

FOOTBALL

REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION. The weekly meeting of the Southland Rferees’ Association was held last night, Mr A. H. Stott presiding over a good attendance. CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS. A letter w’as read from the Rugby Union, stating that the Referees’ Association letter on time-keeping had been received. Mr Lilburne said that the Appointment Board, in view of the attitude of the Southland Rugby Union, had decided that they would not appoint a time-keeper. The Rugby Union’s decision was that the bell should be rung as soon as time was up while the Referees’ Conference’s recommendation was that the bell should be rung when the ball was dead or out of play. If a visiting team came south and wanted a time-keeper, they would have to tell them that they were not allowed to comply with the Referees’ Association’s recommenoations. It had been found throughout New Zealand that ringing the bell immediately time was up caused disorganisation. It also gave the defending side the knowledge that time was up and was responsible for the ball being kicked out to end the game. There was no time-keeper in the old days, continued Mr Lilburne, and it was only in the last 15 years this position came into vogue. There was no necessity for him—the referee was quite capable of looking after the time and if his watch went wrong he could refer to the line umpire. He thought the best thing was to drop the bellman altogether and keep the time according to the rules. Mr Dey said that the only thing was that they had been a bit premature in bringing in the recommendation before it had been confirmed.

The chairman said that the positiem was that the president of the Southland Rugby Union had practically condemned the system recommended by the Referees’ Association and it. seemed rather unfortunate that the Southland Rugby Union should stand out when 32 Referees’ Association decided on the recommendation. Mr Strang moved that the matter of appointing time-keepers for club fixtures under the control of the Southland Rugby Union be held in abeyance until after the annual meeting of the New Zealand Referees’ Association, when they would then have the confirmation or otherwise of the recommendations of the conference. Speaking to the motion, Mr Lilburne said that there was a wrong impression that it was a rule. I* was not. It was a recommendation and there was no rule to break as the president of the Southland Rugby Union stated. It was only to give an indication that time was up. The motion was seconded and carried without dissent. Reports from referees in Saturday’s games were received, the late starting of the two first grade matches, Marist v. Invercargill, and Bluff v. Pirates, and other matters being made the subject of a communication to the Union. GENERAL MATTERS. A short discussion ensued on refereeing on the short side. Mr Mcßobie said that the position on the short side, in his opinion, was altogether wrong. He emphasised the lack of room available on the short side to players without increasing the difficulty by asking the referee to stand there and often obstruct play. “This fad of being altogether on the short aide is altogether wrong,” continued Mr Mcßobie, “and refer-

ees will be in the wrong box altogether if ■ they take it up.” The referee, he remarked, should stand in any position he thought best. Mr Henry said that in the case of a team attacking and having the throw in on a long line out, before a referee knew where he was play might be 40 or 50 yards away. Mr Lilburne said that they should go on the side the wing forward was on. That • was the ruling of the conference. A member remarked that the wing forward almost invariably stood on the open side. Bro. Anastasius said that he gave it a go on Saturday, but play was swinging from side to side, and he gave it up as a hopeless job. Unless play ran chiefly on one side, as Mr Geddes said, it would, and it was probably so, it was going to be pretty hard. Referring to the wing forwards, he said that he was in the happy position of having one on each side of the scrum.

In answer to a question, the chairman ruled that there was uo such thing as a held ball. A member: You would not substitute tackle ball? The chairman said that a referee could not blow his whistle for tackle ball unless the player did either of two things mentioned in the rules. Bro. Anastasius said that the old definition of tackle and held ball had unfortunately been knocked into one. Mr Hyndman said that he had noticed line umpires penalising a quick throw in. This should not be, as it was really penalising good play. Attentioned was drawn to the wedge system of play, as played by the South Africans, which was really obstructive, and it was agreed that referees should deal with this whenever they found it being attempted. THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES. The following fixtures and appointments for the week have been decided upon>— WEDNESDAY. —First Grade.— Star v. Marist, Rugby Park No. 1, Referee—Dr. Brown. Lins umpires—S. Webb and E. Kelly. Invercargill v. Winton, Rugby Park No. 2, 2.45. Referee—W. Duncan. Line umpires —W. Duncan, and T. A. Henry. AU Wednesday junior games are held over for a week. SATURDAY. —First Grade.— Pirates v. Waikiwi, Rugby Park No. 1, ■2.45 p.m. Referee—Bro. Anastasius. -mvercargill v. Bluff, Bluff, 3 p.m. Referee—W. Dey. —Second Grade.— Pirates v. Woodend, Rugby Park No. 2, 2.45. Referee—J. Durham. / Star v. Makarewa, Biggar St, No. 1, 2.45 p.m. Referee—D. C. Brown. —lntermediate. Bluff v. High School, High School No. 1, 2.45 p.m. Referee —A. Graham. Waikiwi v. Southern, Waikiwi, 2.45 p.m. Referee—P. Garrett. Marist, a bye. —Third Grade.— Pirates v. Waikiwi, Park School, 2.45 p.m. Referee —T. Baird. Invercargill v. Southern, Southern, 2 p.m. Referee—C. A. Davis. High School v. Technical, High School No. 1, 1.30. Referee —W. Baird. —Fourth Grade.— Pirates v. Waikiwi, Western, 1.30 p.m. Referee —R. Wesney. Marist v. Technical, Biggar St No. 2, 1.30 p.m. Referee—F. Daubney. Invercargill v. High School, High School No. 2,2 p.m.. Referee—L. Foster. Bluff v. Makarewa, Western, 2.45 p.m. Referee —T. McCarroll. Star, a bye. CENTRAL. Heddon Bush v. Calcium, Calcium, Referee—J. O’Donnell. Wright’s Bush v. Otautau, Otahuiti, Referee—G. Withers.

UNIVERSITY TEAM RETURNS. MURRAY THE STAR BACK. WELLINGTON, June 12. The New Zealand University Rugby representatives, except the Aucklanders,, who proceeded direct from Sydney to Auckland, returned by the Marama to-day. Mr Leitch, the manager, stated that the team did better than was expected in retaining possession of the ashes. They found the Sydney grounds very hard. Several of the players were injured, among them being Jackson, the captain (Canterbury); Murray, vice-captain (Otago); and Stevenson (Otago). Murray who was the star back of the side, may be unfit for play during the remainder of the season A conference in Sydney decided that future University tours to Sydney be curtailed by one week. The southern members of the team leave Wellington to-night.