CAP AND JACKET

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 26, 12 March 1881, Page 271

CAP AND JACKET

M V NOTE BOOK By "Old Turfite."

— JThe Dargaville Meeting, as far as attendance wont, whs very good. The same remark, however, ciiimot be made of the racing, as, from the form that Yatapa showed in the AVaikato, the principal races appeared ufc his mercy. This was proved by his winning them eii.sily, Kenil worth following him home. This colt wants rest, and, if his owner persists in running him at all the country meetings, he will become worthless for racing purposes. Three-year-olds cannot stand the continual strain ou their constitutions caused by running week after week; moreover, the constant change of quarters, never very good, is detrimentalto all horses. The Hurdle Race proved the morn 1 for Harry Mount that it seemed on paper. Lone Hand (ridden for the first time by Mr. Goodman, son of the celebrated "Alex. Goodman, who was one of the best gentleman riders in his day, in England) finished a poor third owing to his being stilt 1 and sore, requiring rest. The horse jumped as straight as an arrow in Goodman's hands, which is more than he does in most people's. After the race, Sir. O. G. JMcGce, the bete iioiVof country meetings, went up to Mr. Goodman in his usual offensive style and wanted to know who gave him the orders how to ride the race, accused him of pulling the horse, and called him everything he could think of. It turned out afterwards that Mr. O. G. McGee had lost £9 over the event. The public in general were of the opinion that the horse had never been ridden better, but owing to his being stiff and sore, lie could not come when called upon. It is quite time that some steps were taken to stopMr.McGee's abusive tongue, as there is hardly a meeting passes that he does not insult some of the officials, or persons connected with the meeting. From what I can hear, the matter will not be allowed to end hero, and it may terminate in a law case. Mr. Goodman is a new beginner in the colony and ought to be protected.

—The entries for the Henderson Mill Kaces consist., for the most pnrfc, of the horses that are now going the rounds of the country meetings. The weights were published last Saturday. Some people declare that the handicaps are good, but I fail to see this, as, according to recent running, Yatapa, is completely crushed out of it. At the Ohnupo Meeting he gave Kcnilworth (who had a race in him), 111 b., and gave him 71b. beating, and now he is called upon to give 2st. 81bs., or the difference of Ist. lllbs. In the Dargaville Cup the weights were the same, when Kenilworth again finished second; he has silso to meet the others at a great difference. Maori (Bst. 91bs.) has nothing to complain of at the weight, but at the best of times he is it most uncertain horse. Lone Hand (7st. l'ilbs.) and Kenilworth (6st. lllbs.) require rest, as they pulled up sore, looking also stale, at Dargaville. Tim Whiffler is nicely in with 7st. lib., but I do not know in what condition he is; still, should he come to the post at nil fit, he is sure to run well. Golden Crown (Gst. 41bs.) has more than once showed a. liking to this course. Gilderoy (6st.) I have no fancy for. Before the acceptances come on it would be a folly to attempt to pick the winner, but I think Maori, Tim Whiffler, and Golden Crown are the best in. The Hurdle Race is a much better handicap. Te Whetu has gone to Napier, so M or N reads the best in, Harry Mount being scratched. When will the Grand National Rules be enforced ? It is absurd to see horses in hurdle races carrying less than lOst.

— Mr. E ett appears to have given satisfaction with his handicaps for the Napier Races. Eighteen accepted, for the Napier Handicap out of forty-two entries. Since then, however, Sir Mpdred hns heen scratched. As usual, there were a great many scrubbers entered that could not have had the slightest chance. As a. proof of this the 10 lowest weights in the handicap have pegged out, while of the other non-acceptors 7 have gone amiss since the entries. As Wanganui intervenes between the time of writing and the day of the rn.ee, and some of the horses may incur penalties, I will only endeavour to point out what, in my opinion, reads best on paper. Foul Play heads the list, with 9st. 81bs. The same stable have Badsworth, 6st. lolbs., engaged. The former has been running so badly lately that he must be out of form, and Profitt cannot have had him long enough to make much improvement. The latter has a temper of his own, and may therefore take it into his head to show it. The confederacy .jMessrs. Lance and Robinson, have Natator (9st. 51bs.) and On Dit (7st. 21bs.) engaged. Both of these read dangerous, even if they do incur a penalty by winning at "Wangauui, especially the mare, who will not mind a few pounds more. Another dangerous stable (Messrs. Mason and Vallance's) have Volunteer (Bst. 51b.) and Randwick (7st Slbs.) That the running of the former at Duiiediii was true I am not inclined to believe, and this may be his journey ; Randwick also can win when he is wanted. Merlin (7st. 71b.) has greatly improved this year, and is well-bred enough for anything. King Quail (7st. 31bs.) will have to run very forward at Wanganui to give him a chance here. Miss Domett (Gst. 51b.) does not appear to have a show, still Mr. Redwood does not throw his money away, and, if he sends her to Napier, she must possess a chance that he only knows of. Dan (Gst. -libs.) will have his form pretty well discounted at Wanganui. For the others I have no fancy. I think the race will fall either to Messrs. Lance's or Vallance's selected one, On Dit or Volunteer for choice, though. Merlin may upset the pot. The Hurdle Race has an acceptance of 10 out of 21 entries. Should Agent be sent for it he ought to win, but in his absence Matau or Ada appear to have a chance. For the Railway Stakes 18 have accepted, but, as it so much depends upon previous running, it would be iiseless attempting to point out the winner, Hilarioixs being the only fresb one of any account, and at 7st. 91bs. lie reads dangerous.

—The entries for the Christclmrch Jockey Club Handicap, to be run next November, closed on -the Ist inst., with 62 subscribers. Mr. Walters is determined to have a look in for it, having nominated six, Mr. G. Fraser enters the same number, while Messrs. Vallance and Horsford have five each. I also notice that Legerdemain and Gitana nre entered in the Handicap byMcLean, while Lady Emma and Girton, late Tomato (by Thunderbolt, out of Lyra) are in Sir Hercules Robinson's name. I n.m at a loss to see the advisability of closing this race so long before the time. Last year the moment the weights appeared, the handicap was declared to have been made for Le Loup, and the result proved that the talent were right, as he won in a canter, notwithstanding the suspicious tone of the betting market up to within a few days of the race. It remains to be seen, if it will be, the same this year.

— The Adelaide Cup lias secured 55 nominations, and the Goodwood Handicap 75. — Scivanaka and Columbus have been sent to the Stud. The former has been purchased by Mr. John. Crosier, of Wentworth, for a large figure. — "Nemo," in his analysis for the Sydney Gold Cup, fancies the following ten -. — Sweatnieat, Grand Flaneur, Faluiouth, Hesperian, Geraldine, Freemason, Canary, Creswick, Euclid, and Dover. — You must have laid that poor young man some very " stiff tack" Jimmy, or you'd have made more effort to get the £45 out of him. B«t I can quite imagine it wasn't a ease to go before Tattersall's with. — Captain Rye's friends will be pleased to see that he pulled off a couple of races at Dargaville with Nor M. He seems at last to have got a horse that will give him some profit as well as pleasure. — Bal Gal, the crack two year-old of the last English racing season, and who during the now waning winter has been regarded a favourite forthe Two Thousand and One Thousand Guineas, and is about fourth fiiAourite for the Derby, has, it is said, met with an. accident. — The Dunedin Champagne Stakes appear to be inreasing in popularity, as the race for 1882 has closed with 30 nominations. Of these, eleven are made by the Middle Park Company, whilst nine of the youngsters brought over by Mr. Gardiner are entered — four in his own name, three by Mr. Vallance, and two by Mr. Cavan. Mr. Walters has only the filly by Yattendon.out of Fanny Fisher, entered. — A "Wairarapa resident drew the winner in a " £5000 sweep " on the Dunedin Cup, and for a time revelled in imaginary riches and built all sorts of castles in the air with his unexpected wealth. All his anticipations, however, received a cruel check when he found that only 118 tickets were filled out of the 5000, and that consequently the prize was very paltry indeed, compared with what he had been expecting. — It is not improbable (says the Australian Sportsman) that within the next few months we may find a batch of English horses trying their powers on the Australian turf. It seems that, among the visitors attracted hither by the two international exhibitions, there have been several individuals who were instructed to quietly note what chances existed for the successful introduction of a few good animals, the owners rightly assuming that success on the turf here signified subsequent sales at remunerative prices. The reports having proved encouraging, it now remains to be seen to what extent they will be acted upon.