SPORTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11027, 16 March 1914, Page 5

SPORTING.

RACING AND TOTTING. NOTES BY "ARGUS." FIXTURES. March 17—-Opunakc II.C. March 19 ~W aim ate R.C. Marth .25, 26—Eangitikei J. C. April 1, 2—Southland R.C. April 2, 3—Masterton II.C ■ April 11—Tuaneka J.C. April 13—-Beaumont J.C. April 11, 13—Auckland R.G. Aoril 11. 13—Wairarapa R.C. April 13—Waipukurau J .0. A-oril 13—Kumara II.C. April Li 14—Riverlon R.C. ■ April 13, 14— Canterbury J.C. April 13. 14—Feilding J.C. April 15—Westland Jft.C. April 15, 18—Metropolitan I.C. April 22—Reef-ton J.C April 23, 25—Wellington R.C. April 2!), 30—South Canterbury J-C. April 29, 30—Manawatu R.C.

After the Redclilfe Welter Handicap, at the Napier Park Racing Club s meeting on Friday, A. Oliver was called before the stewards and censured for taking Kinbombi into Ins # wrong place at the barrier. Tins incident seems to call, for some notice, if only for the purpose of. indicating the need for stricter supervision or the conauct of jockeys. I need scarcely mention that Oliver is one of the leading horsemen of the dominion, mid tor tli.it reason strict observance of rules should he insisted on. The draw for places at the barrier is made with a view to o-ivino- every owner an equal chunc.e of securing the best position at the .start. Experience has shown, how- j ever, that in practice it does not work out that way.' 'Some of the more experienced'ockoys,', should they He unfortunate enough to draw a bad number, do not hesitate' to lmst e the. vounger riders out- of their rights, securing for themselves a position neai the rails. The stewards on a few ol the leading courses have lately set their faces sternly against tins practice, and official disapproval is now becoming more general. It is evident, however, that harsher methods will nave to be applied. At the summer meeting the Mauawatu Racing Club Oliver was fined by the starter for disobedience at the post, the monetary penary heino- increased to £lO by the steward,-, while subsequently the District Committee went further and suspended Oliver for a month. The meeting ot the District Committee was not held till-the middle of January, and, as i pointed out at the time, Oliver was very fortunate in getting oft so lightly, -the penalty of a month being, only nominal, the actual period 01 his absence from the saddle being about a week It mieht have been thougir:, 1 however, that"that experience would have had a salutary effect' for a tune, but it is evident, from what happened at Nanier Park, that mild methods are quite useless. Kinbombi won the race in which the trouble occurred, and bis task was doubtless macie easier bv Oliver's tactics at the start, J. seem to remember that Oliver was once made to stand down for a day at Riccarton for something of the same f-ort. Pome of our leading jockeys appear to imagine that thev can ride roughshod over all rules, and the sooner they are shown that thev arc not indispensable the better will it be for racing. It is quite evident that mild measuresare wasted in such cases, and it is time some bodv of- stewards took steps to iiave a prominent offender put town for a lone: term. This is one of the matters which serves to point _ out/I ho need for.a central system of licensing. The Racing Conference keeps a, record of all jockeys, and all offences are dulv recorded. 'Tf the licenses were issued bv a committee of the Conference, there would be some chance or a uniform svstem of dealing with riders who persistently offended against the rule?. The fact that the license had only been "-ranted temporarily, with the knowledge that it might be withdrawn on the next unfavourable report, would probably act as a strong deterrent.

Alav Dalrymplo. by Stepniak—Miss Dalry'iviple, is making a._ good recovery after tlio operation which Mr '.l. R. Charlton performed a. week npo as a cure for roaring. 'She is not lilfoly to race a "ain until next season, however, ;l s it is intended to give her a f-polL for three months.

The six-rcar-old pacer Fotntclno. by General Pet--Liberia, has been gelded. and B. Rear will pi re him a good snell before putting him in training again.

The track at the Metropolitan Trottin 2 Ground at Addition, lias been in o-ood order for some time now. and last Saturday it was assorted by many trainers' who worked there that it had nerer been in better condition. The watering, harrowing and general attention bestowed npon it by the caretaker had been done with great care and ou sound line;;, and was much appreciated bv all.

in viow of the statement that there is a probability of the track at Addinglon being closed for training, 1 hear that several trainers contemplate baring a track laid down in the Papanni district, which will be used on the Commonwealth principle.

T. Bryeo, is now working a large team at the/Addington track. This trainer has roently momlmto new quarters m the Fapanui district.

The fast but erratic pacer. Moa Dillon, who has been in several trainers' hands, has been returned to his owner and thrown out of work.

I have been informed that trainers are now able to use the Addington trotting track for training free of cost.

Tl-'j potent Musket blood was strong-

ly in evidence at the recent autumn meeting of the Victoria. Racing Club. Wallace, Majestic, Pistol, George Frederick, Berriedale and Royal Fusilier wore among the. winning sires of Musket descent. Jn addition, Radnor, Mentus, Toast, Jolly Beggar. Andesino and Tofua, who won races at the meeting, claim Musket through their dams, Out of twenty-four events decided during the four days, seventeen went to houses boasting a, strain of Musket blood.

Briar Patch, the three-year-old sister to Heathcrbrae, by Trcadmill--Bonnio Brae, has been sold by Sir George Clifford to Mr. A. Hunt. She won a handicap at Trentham last season.' but her elforts as a three-year-old have been somewhat disappointing.

Coronifonn showed slight signs of bleeding' after working at Riccarton this morning, and he may be allowed to forfeit his engagement in the Waimato Cup.

Vice-Admiral has got through a lot of useful work since he rejoined Hobbs's team at Riccarton a few weeks ago, and he i? gradually getting into decent shape. He has, however, suffered a check, on account of a severe cold, which will mean his temporary absence from the tracks.

On Saturday night the stallion Bonny Glen broke out ot his paddock and got in with the hunter, Silver Blase, and G. Murray-Aynsley's trap horse, Jack. A little fighting took place, but. fortunate] v without much injury to any of the horses. It was, however, a, singular piece of good fortune that the results were not serious. Mar tine and another maro were also in the paddock, but they were evidently out of the combat, as they bore no evidence of even a scratch.

J. M/Grath, who died at Islington earlv this month, is a brother of the Riccarton trainer, P. M'Grath. The deceased served his apprenticeship with E. Cutts, but ho soon became too for race, riding ancLturned his cnergite in other

Quarantine has resumed work at Riccarton, while his three-year-old brother, Stevedore, .was out thismorning for the first time since lie injured his foot.

Mertou and Missile, who have had a brief spell, have been rccommissioned at BiccartonMjy TV". Donnellan and will be got ready for autumn engagements.

The weights for the .Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps made their appearance to-day, and these two events will provide material for much discussion during the next few weeks. The four-year-old Ventura has paid ior her success in the Great Easter Handicap last year, as she has 151b more to carry, and with so many speedy horses below her, she is set a difficult task. At the same time, she can muster up such a great burst of speed that it may be unwise to dismiss her hastily. According to reports, she was backward when'she competed at Nai>ier Park last week, but she manacred to get up into second place, a useful effort under the circumstances. Six more of the same age follow Ventura, and if they can be got to the post'in their best form we will have something high class in the seven furlono- race. Potoa, Bon Ton. Empera(lo° and Expect have all raced well this season, while the other pair, Autumnus and Bon Revo, Tiave not <;hown their best for some time. Lower down the list Wnrstep and Tannhanser take the eve as a pair of likely ones. Pavlova has smart springing form to her credit, while Bertrada and Sir Moselev arc another pair of useful three-year-olds tb*t should find the race just to their lining. First Glance has latelv shown up well, and m view of her recent successes she has been "iv-en a «roat chance. Sauci will probably come in for a lot of support, and'though he has run some disappointing races since his'success m the Middle 'Park Plate, he showed up Avell on the second day at "Wangumn. Ho aot off badly in that race, but was running on well at the end, and he must have a great chance. It was to be expected that Ron Ton would lead the way in the Great Autumn Handicap, and oven with 9st 21b he is not crushed, as he has demonstrated that he is a solid customer over the distance, though he may not be quite first-class. "Kilrain's running in the Dunedin Cup cost him a few friends, and T doubt if he is finite up to boatiii"- Bon Ton at a difference of 31b. Emporador has been racing very consistently for some lime, but I do not like him in a solid mile and a half, i Bronze reads well, but her stable mate, Expect mnv find the journey a trifle too far'. Sea. Pink has run a few bad racr>« latelv but he is a decent sort and must be marked very dangerous. Masterpiece has been under a cloud for some lime, hut ho roads well at Bst 41b. This' is 121b less than ho carried into third place last year, and if he survives a preparation he is sure, to be dangerous. Tlirax has shown this season that ho is a greatly improved horse „„d he is nicely treated. I'lorn. Mactlouabl heads the throe-yea r-olds and film i* bv no means crushed witu Bst :)lb while "Warsten is smother of the same, age that rends well with 41b less. '-Voeeptnnoos are due on Friday, when ikoro will doubtless be h big weeding out. but I am prepared to find both these races attract strong fields this rear.

The success of Bronze in the Napier Cup last week did not come out of turn, ms slio had not won previously since Anvil 1012, when she defeated a smart field in the Wellington Autumn Handicap. There were a few other "nod horses among the winners on _ the £mn.e clav. a mow them heine- Sir Solo, Counterfeit and Bon Ton, Since the" Bronz* has clone n lot of racing and has .shown up n. few times, but there has abvavs been sonie-thinsr .inst too good for ' her. In the Croat Autumn Kandi-an last year she ran Bon Ton to a head and the following week 'die was third to Anlumnus and Mr'wbrav in the Xorlk lsl-nd Chal-