CAP AND JACKET MY NOTE BOOK.

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 20, 29 January 1881, Page 199

CAP AND JACKET MY NOTE BOOK.

By "Old Turfite."

The entries for the Dargaville Races are not as numerous as could be wished, there being only •eight horses in the Cup, seven in the Publicans' Purse, six in the Hurdles, and nine in the Handicap. The horses engaged Avith the exception of two or three are only third rate. Maori, (late Auckland), a new importation is among those entered. On the other side he was a most uncertain runner being very shifty. I think it unlikely that he will distinguish himself this side of the water. The Committee in forming their programme have made two great mistakes, and to these may be attributed the small entries which will be further reduced when the acceptances appear. The first is making the entrances and acceptances too heavy, as in no case are they less than 10 per cent, and in many, more. For the Cup an owner has to pay 3sovs. entrance, •3sovs. acceptance, and 4sovs. at the post, thus paying lOsovs. for the chance of winning £95. The same is the case for the Handicap. Dargaville is both an expensive place to take horses to, and the shipping them into the small river steamers is risky. The Committees should bear in mind it is the racehorse owners that support their Meetings, therefore they should let them off as easily as possible. Keeping racehorses in New Zealand is very expensive and seldom pays owners unless they are very lucky or bet heavily. The second mistake was publishing that the Stewards were the handicappers. Some owners declined preparing their horses and entering them, knowing that two or three of the Stewards either owned or were interested in horses.

As the time is drawing near I will now review the handicap for the Dunedin Cup. At this distance away it is quite impossible for any one to pick out the actual winner, as besides the chances of training there is that bete noir of all lovers of genuine racing — the betting market. The acceptances for the Dunedin Cup number 22, which number taken into comparison with the other handicaps that have lately appeared, is favourable, though in this, as well as in the other handicaps for big events, two or three horses have been «reatly favoured with regard to their weight. Le Loup, stands first on the list, with 9st. 91b. on his back. From his running at Christchurch he is •certainly quite entitled to the weight, and does not seem near out of the race. If he does win so much the more credit to him. I fail to see why a good horse should be crushed out of a race to enable the handicapper to give some of the brutes that iools keep in training and enter in big races, a chance. Let them rly at smaller game. Fishhook, 9st., at one time was a good horse, but he has broken down and is only patched up, therefore I doubt his standing a prex>aration, as patched up horses rarely do win a good race The same remarks apply to Ariel, who will not, in all probability, see the post. Hornby, Bst. 71b., is reported to be a good 'horse, but a difficult one to train ; last year he promised to grow into a useful racehorse, but this spring he did nothing at Christchurch. Grip, Bst. 61b., is a most dangerous horse, and belongs to a clever party ; they scratched Foul Play and Natator for the Cup, but accepted with Grip; in the Wellington Cup they scratched Grip and accepted with Natator. Looking the matter carefully through it cannot help striking one that these owners' programme was Foul Play for the Auckland Cup which they won ; Natator for the Wellington Cup, for which he is first favourite, and Grip for the Dunedin. If this should come oft' they will then be acknowledged the clever ■party, "a thing I have long known them to be. Grip last year, when he was not fully developed, was as good a horse as Betrayer ; I hear that he has now thickened, and grown into a nice -horse, he should therefore be kept on the riolit side. Volunteer, 7st. 121 b., promised last -season to grow into a useful horse, but he is another that is difficult to train. At the Christchurch Meeting he ran in the Metropolitan stakes, but finished nowhere ; he, however, belongs to a dangerous stable, so 1 think this running may be ignored, and if he is backed on the day he will run forward. Longlands, Norseman, and Titania may be passed over. The latter, however, is talked about, but I cannot have any faith in a horse that has been messed about as she has been. Sir Modred, 7st 101 b and Virginia Water, 7st. 31b., are much fancied by the {Southern writers. Sir Modred Avon the Christchurch Derby like a. racehorse, but in the Cup and Metropolitan Stakes disappointed his backers. He started first favourite for each of these events, but finished nowhere in the Cup and second in the Metropolitan ; unless he has improved a good deal, which he is said to have done, Le Loup ought to hold himself safe. Virginia Water finished second to Sir Modred for the Derby, and beat him in the race for the Cup— moreover she ran like a stayer. She has, however, accepted for the Wellington Cup and if she wins, the penalty will put her out -of this race. On Dit, 7st. 21b., belongs to the same stable as Grip; she is reported to be capable of doing a good thing, but there is nothing in her public running to justify it Kandwick, 7st. 21b., in the same stable as Volunteer, has been picking up several small stakes, and has been nibbled at for the Cup ; but until the intentions of his owners' are known he had better be left alone. Kin« Quail, 7st., is out of place in a race like this" as they will carry him off his legs at the start! -and I should think his owner will keep him for Wanganui, where he is much better in. Lady Emma, 6st. 131 b., is well enough bred for anything, and at the weight ought to render a good account of herself. Her two-year-old performances were good, but she has done nothing since her arrival in this country.

Keen, I hear, is training her on the Porirua beach. This must be against her, as experience teaches me that you may make a horse as slow as a man by so doing. The others have done nothing to warrant the belief that the winner will be found amongst them At the present time on paper the race appears to lie betAveen Le Loup, Hornby, Grip, Volunteer, SirModred, Virginia Water, Randwick, and Lady Emma. Of these, Le Loup, Grip, and Virginia Water if not run at Wellington, appear to have the best of it, the two former for choice, but backers had better watch the market carefully before they invest their money.

The Hawkes' Bay Jockey Club meeting was fairly successful. Merlin, who is by Blue Boy, out of Malice, won the Cup in a canter. This colt has greatly improved since he lias been in his present owner's hands. Grand Duchess made the running at a slow pace for a mile and a-half, when she turned it up the moment Merlin challenged her, thus confirming the opinion that I have long formed of her, i.e., that she is an arrant jade. The sooner, therefore, Mr. Walters turns her out of training the better for him, as being a fine mare she may prove a success at the stud. Hailstorm was made a great favourite for his races, but ran very badly. If this running is true, and I have no reason to doubt it, he can have no chance for any of the big handicaps he is engaged in. On the second day, the useful little Libeller won the Racing Club Handicap from Merlin, who was giving him a lb. The judge gave it as a neck only, but the public opinion was that he won easily. Mr. Walter's, however, from his letter to the Hawke's Bay Herald appears to be of a different opinion. One thing lam sure of, that when fit and well the pony is a most useful horse, and if he is not messed about, as he has been, between now and the Wanganui meeting, it is not unlikely that he will land both the Wellington and Wanganui Cups for his popular owner.

There was a race at Kaitara the other day in which the jockies were all ladies, six started, and Miss Lyford won. For the Wanganui Cup, Mazeppa fancies Grip, Virginia Water, Libeller, Natatov. 'Volunteer, and Foul Play, in the order named, to have the best chance. Mr. T. G. Robinson agent for Mr. J. Williams, has telegraphed to the Australasian contradicting the report that the racehorse Melbourne is dead. At the Duke of Westminster's sale an own sister to Bend Or fetched 300 guineas only. After the Derby she was valued at five times that sum. Not only a p.p. race, but after Prestonpans, Philammon and Petrouel, the Liverpool Cup might be called a P.P.P. race. Notwithstanding her roaring propensities, Lord Faluaouth's Bal Gal is favourite for the coming (English) Two Thous-.nd Guineas at 4? to 1, St. Louis being backed at a point longer odds.. Maud S. trotted a mile in America in 2min. 10|secs., the following is her time, the fastest on record. The first quarter of a mile 30Jsecs., half a mile in linin. 2secs., and a mile in 2min. lOJsecs. Mr. Francks, of totalizator fame, has returned to Dunedin, and states that he intends defending his patent, and prosecuting infringers of it, whether individuals or jockey clubs, with the utmost rigor. In the autumn of 1870 Mr. Gretton gave £6000 for Prestonpaus. In the autumn of 1880 he wins the Liverjjool Cup with him, and over £15,000 in beta Not so bad, was it ? Liberator the winner of the Normanby Stakes at the V.R.C. Champion Meeting, is by Irish "King out of Mobile, Irish King by Ace of Clubs, This will answer several enquiries. Mazeppa "states" that up to the present time Foul Play has started in forty-four races, and has finished first, seventeen times, second, twelve times, third, seven times/and unplaced eight times. The entries for Gisborne Races are very good, there being ten in the Turanga Stakes, twelve in the Tradesmens' Handicap, and fourteen in the Publicans' Purse, Foul Play, Paramena, Grand Duchess, and Laertes are the best known horses engaged. A match has been arranged between Mr. Johns' Native Cat and Mr. W. Kirkwood's mare Our Poney, to come off on the second day of the Dunedin Races. The stakes are £200 a side, distance three miles, weight lOst., Native Cat gives the mare ssecs. which is about 45 yards start. Maritana having broken down lias been sent to 'Karon. Maritana proved herself a good ware on the Turf though she commenced her career in a hack race, she is by Traducer out of Hypatia, whose name however does not appear in the stud book, but the chances are she is thoroughbred. The public are warned most solemnly against patronising the tui)penny halfpenny sweeps got up by second-rate pot house keepers in this and other N.Z. towns, and if they get taken in, it is their own fault and no one elses. I advise those who want to risk a pound to visit the United Service Hotel. Abbott's integrity is unquestionable, and his sweeps invariably fill. Yearlings appear to be a drug in the Australian Market, at Mr. Yuille' s sale the highest prices realized were, for a eh. c. by Irish King out -of Etoile dv Soir, (imp.) 170gns., and a b. c. by Irish King out of Patrie, (imp.) 150gus., half brother to Progress by Tubal Cain out of Coquette was passed in at 330gns., a good price considering his sire is untried. "Martingale" in reviewing the weights for the Wanganui Cup, fancies the chances of Virginia Water, Sir Modrcd, Grip, Libeller, and Norseman, with regard to the latter he says, " Norseman is chucked in, one would think after running third to Foul Play for the C. J.C., that with 321 bin his favor he should hold the son of Fancy safe. If Mr. Redwood's horse is ever to win a big stake, here is his chance. Mr. T. Ritchie, well known in Auckland, appears to have had a good time of it attheChathani Island Races, winning the Champion Hurdle Bace with Cleopatra, the Maiden Hurdle Eace with Hammahama, and the Scurry with Island Eose. He was also second for the Chatatn Island Cup, two miles with. Island Eose, a two year old, carrying 9st 101 b, this filly was purchased by him at the Middle Park sale. "Vigilant " of the Post has fallen into a great error in trying to run down the Dunedin Cup Handicap. He says < " that only twenty-two out of thirty-nine entries have cried content, and this number has been reduced to nineteen by the scratching of nil Mr. Walters' horses." There are still twenty-two horses left in the Cup and Mr. Walters' horses were stratched before the acceptances. "Vigilant" had better be careful as to his statements or else change his "nomme He plume " as there are plenty watching him. According to the Field, the dam of Robert the Devil saw some ups and downs during her career. She was bred by Mr. Simpson in 1806, who offered to sell her for £10, but bebig unable to find a purchaser, he gave her and two colts for a hnnter to a Mr. Roper, who sold the three for £50 to Mr. Blanton. Cast-off won four little races for him, and she was then sold to Mr. C. Brewer, and she won several short races in his name. When she left off racing, he put her to Idea, hut her produce, a colt, was so small that he gave him to Mr. Bullord, a brewer, who used him as a hack. She was next put to Orest, to whom she had a filly, which proved so bad that she was named Useless. She was then put to Bertram, and slipped a foal, but paid a second visit to the same horse, and Eobert the Devil was the result.

The principal, stakes in England are worth racing for. An analysis of the values of the leading ™ « SSUP* iSS"*? 1 Of 188 ° sllo ' ws that the Derby was worth £6375; Ithe Leger, £6025; [the Two {Thousand $wsf "V&i* l^ ° aks> £4JSO0 ' the One Thou™ £3950; the Middle Park Plate, £3520; the Ascot Prince °l™f, ? takes, £2900 • the Ascot Hardwicke Stakes, &d,H79, and the Manchester Trades' Cup, £2Si7 There W^*^ evei i ts -T^ rt^ over £2m - forty-one worth over £1000, and eighty-four worth over £500. Apropos of the North affair, it would be interesting to know whether the good man had a banking account, and if he had, whether he deposited the £4500 there t I can scarcely understand his withdrawing such a sum (on the eve of a departure for Auckland too) without exciting the, well— curiosity of the Bank officials Moreover, the money to be of any use must have been in English sovereigns, and 4500 of them couldn't be procured or even carried by one man very easily. On the other hand, supposing North did not deposit the money in his Bank, but kept it by him, changing notes and cheques into sovereigns as opportunity occurred, oughtn't the fact to have excited suspicion at the Bank where he usually kept his money ? The general entries and final acceptances for the Wellington Eaces have been published. The entries are very good for all the stakes with the exception of the Hurdle Kace and ladies' Purse which hiive only four and three respectively and they look certainties for Agent and Billingsgate. Fifteen have made the final payments for the Cup, Foul Play is conspicuous by his absence but Virginia Water is unexpectedly amongst them. This in the face of the Diuiedin Cup points to one of two things, either her owner thinks she is not a certainty for the Dunedin Cup or that she is good enough to win them both. The former lam inclined to believe is the case, I shall therefore look to Natator or Libeller to furnish the winner. "Spur" writes that the training ground at Hutt (Wellington) is in very bad condition, the plough gallop being very rough and hard. The course also is in very bad order, and it would be better if all future Meetings were held at Burnham Water where an excellent course could be laid out. It would be within easy reneh of town by a road which would be free from dust when compared with that which leads from the Lower Hutt to the course. The same writer says that Lady Emma and her two year old companions Gitana and Legerdemain have shifted their quarters to Porirua Bay where there is an excellent beach for training pu.poses, the Hutt course being too hard for them, Lady Emma is reported to be in a splendid condition. " It is all very well," said an earnest preacher on the second Sunday after Christmas, " it is all very well to go on in fancied security, to think there is no need for immediate action, to cherish the idea that circumstances will shortly make the task much easier, and tlwt nothing need be done at once," and one, at least, of the congregation appeared deeply imj)ressed; so much so, that he sought the gratified cleric at the end of the service, and congratulated him as well as his thankful emotion would allow him, "for," said he, "it's justthis way with me ; I took a-doulile event betof 100 to 5 against Foul Play and the Agent. Now the Agent is at even money, and if his number goes up all right he'll see a shorter price. But no, you are right, sir, and I'll go and liO' it off to-morrow without waiting." And hastily pressing'n pawn-ticket for an aluminium " ticker " (mainspring broken) into the hand of the reluctant preacher, the strong man wiped away his tears and withdrew. The Proprietors of the "NVanganui Yeoman oiFer a prize of £"30 to any correspondent who shall first succeed in placing the first horse for the Wanganui Stakes, Flying Handicap and Wanganui Cup prior to the date of ucccptunce, February 2nd. If the horses are not correctly placed before the date mentioned, only £25 will be given, and if the horses are not correctly placed before the general entry night, February 25th, only £20 will be awnrded. No Coupons will be valid after Saturday, March sth. In the event of more than one person placing the horses correctly on the same day, the prize will be divided. Letters received each day will be kept distinct and opened by a committee of three gentlemen, in order of priority, as received, until the winner is found. Letters must be addressed, Yeoman Coupon, Herald Office, Wangimui. Apropos' of the Liverpool Cup race the Sporting Times hns a few remarks about Musket's son Petronel which may be of interest to the admirers of the former. " It is," says Mr. Corlctt, "generally assumed that Fernandez is a 1011} better hores than his stable companion Prestonpans (the Liverpool Cup winner), but is this really the case ? If so, what a good horse Fernandez must be, and what a lucky one Petronel in winning the Two Thousand Guineas. That he was lucky in winning that race we have more than once expressed our opinion, but how lucky we have never known till now. Let its say that Fernandez is a 101 b better horse than Prestonpans. The latter we saw in the Liverpool Cup was 71b in front of Petronel, to whom he was giving 31b. It would therefore seem that there was in the Two Thousand Guineas a horse that finished many lengths behind the winner who was capable of giving the winner no less than 201 b."