SPORTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11282, 9 January 1915, Page 4

SPORTING.

—♦ INTERPROVINCIAL GOSSIP. (From Obb Correspondents.] ■ " AUCKLAND. January 2. Hie Auckland Racing Club brought another great summer meeting to a conolusion at BUerslie to-day. Iho weather, whioh all through was beautifully fine, again brought out a. large concourse of visitors, and with fields keeping up throughout and money plentiful, a record totalizator return was entered up. During the four days the sum of £244,614 was handled, which represents an increase of £19,204 compared with last year. Ono of tho surprises revealed in tho records of totalisator speculation at Ellerslie was the neglect of Merry Roe in connection with the Islington Pbi-to. TUe fact that Warstep won tho Auckland Cup under a woight-for-ago impost no doubt furnished sufficient grounds for the southern mare being made a warm favourite, but for the nonce it sieemed to bo quite forgotten that Merry Roe held the distinction as the filly of tho season last term ami that her most striking effort in tho autumn was to dispose of the dual I>erby' winner Cherubini (who. had beaten Warstep in tho blue riband). There was no fluke about Merry Hoe's victory over Warstep on Tuesday at Ellerslie. The daughter of Soult went out to win her race at the end of half a furlong and she beat Warstep for pace at all stages of the contest. Some are found contending that the severe race in the Auckland Cup took some of the steel out of Warstep. It would be nothing wonderful if such was the case, but the pointed little fact brought exit is that Merry Roe was equal to

Tiirihing her mile in Imin 39sec to , beat Warstep, so it will be admitted that Tory good grounds exist for estimating Sonlt's brown daughter as one ' of the host milord that have graced the turf of the Dominion. "„I't was always a certainty that Repu..tatipn would rule a strong odd* on favourite for the Great Northern Derby ~ pud the money rolled on to his number «t such a rate that when the bells ceased ringing more than halt the sum invested on the* machine was credited to Mr Bidwill's colt. Of the others .Balboa was most strongly backed. "When Mr'O'Connor gave the word for the- contestants to line up at the post :i little time -was cut to waste. Bedford went out to ma-ke the pace and the son of Bunyan had a three lengths' advantage when they swept past the stand, with Reputation and Balboa at the tail of the field. Reputation moved along the bottom stretch with great dash and as the favourite got level with Bedford ait the six furlongs post a buzz of enthusiasm permeated the air. Bedford hung on gamely to.his black opponent until the three furlong post was reached, when Reputation ; strode away, and though Balboa came along gamely there was never any daflger of his catching the favourite, who won in brilliant style by three; lengths, . There was a warm cheer for Eeputation as Wilson brought the game little Derby winner back to the .enclosure, and it was repeated when his trainer, P. D. Jones, led him on ' to the lawn to have the blue riband

• ..placed round his neck. ■•• -In a field of ten saddled up to con- ' ./test the Auckland Racing Club Handii • cap, La R«ina was made favourite, Sir Kuox, Sea Pink, Allegation, Jolio 'Fille, Soultikoff, St Elmn, Monorail, Marshal M'Donald and Gloy being backed in that order. Gloy was found acting the role of pacemaker as the field swept down the straight in good order. Jolie Fille took a hand in the pace-mak-ing at the back, where La Reina improved her position, but the half-mile post found the favourite falling away. The pace waa very solid across the top stretch. "When they got to the home ". turn La Reina was seen , to be coming again and finishing well. A cry went up in her favour, but Soult's veteran daughter was fairly spun out at the half-distance, where MarshalM'Donald and Sea Pink shone out. Sea Pink's name was loudly proclaimed from the main stand when the last few strides were entered upon, but the post was k, just a little too close for the. top weight score, and Marshal M'Donald, who next the rails, gained tho judge's '%'"' Verdict by half a head, amidst a scene r intense excitement. There was only one horse backed for less money than '' Marshal M'Donald, and the victory of Mr T. H. Lowry's representative was a big surprise. The victory registered by Goldsize in the .Summer. Cup was one of the greatest surprises associated with Ellerslio 1 for some time past. The chestnut son of Gluten rattled up with a surprising run in the concluding stage, and! he got over the mile and a quarter in 2min 7 3-ssec. Two Auckland sportsmen, Messrs D. M'Leod and. J. Molloy, last week im--1 ported a colt from England, which they j conjointly purchased at the Newmarket gales held in. October. Particulars now ; " to hand bearing on the breeding of the 1 'youngster, who has travelled 16,000 ihil.es of ocean, entitle him to bo term--1 >d an aristocrat of the thoroughbred family. He was got by Myrama, a son ; ' of the celebrated! Flying Fox, from Concert, a daughter of Missel Thrush ~ and. Duneva, the latter being by Dono'van from Sweet Lavender, by Hampton. Myrama, it may bo mentioned', is : a full-brother to .Tardy, and the interesting fact bound up therein is that he is by a Derby winner (Flying Fox) from an Oaks winner (Airs and Graces). D. Moraghan will have tho hand ling and training of the Myrama—-Concert colt, 'Balboa displayed symptoms of soreness when ho started his preliminary Bpin prior to contesting the Great Northern Derby, and tho stiff race exacted from the son of Varoo will probably keep him idle fov a short time. , Beldame, who was made a strong favourite for the Glasgow Handicap at EUerslie on Friday, had the bad luck to get'caught in the tapes, and* her chance was settled from the barrier rise. On the fourth day Beldame was sent out favourite for the Goodwood Handicap, .which she endeavoured to win from end to end. Monojaek had his brown rival beaten at the distance, and in the run to the post tho three-year-old Bedford lllso headed tho Royal Fusilier mare. The two-year-old Loyal Arch kept up her character for consistency at tho recent Elleralio mooting. On the opening day tho daughter of Marble Arch captured the Nursery Handicap, and on tho second day, under 9st 21b, she beat all her opponents save Arran (fist 71b) in tho Criterion Handicap. Tho fourth day found Loyal Arch on hand to contest the Sylvia Handicap, in which she figured' at top weight with 9st 61b. With the pace right on throughout, Loyal Arch fairly worried' Housewife (Bst 71b) out of it and won nicely by a neck. Lady Minnie, the dam of Loyal Arch, is a half-sister (by Soult) to St Paul, and it is no surprise ■ to find gameness a prominent feature with her. On tho strength of the very attractive mile which he nun when he captured the Christmas Handicap on the Opening day of the recent summer meeting, under 9st 21b, Chortle was sent out a warm favourite for the Summer Cup on the second day, in which race he carried Bst 91b. He ran a decent See, but he- failed' to gain a place. Mr orso dropped the big brown to Bst 21b In the Grand Stand HandicaD to-day, and jumping off in front he held command throughout, winning easily in tho good time of 2min 7 3-6 sec. By wiwun® •fch©-Gxfia.t Northern Foal

Stakes and Royal Stakes, Desert Gold came out at the head of tho two-year-olds racing at the Ellorshc meeting. Tho daughter of All Black was called upon for the last bit in each of hor races to beat Sutala, and each time her effort was well stamped with the quality of ganumess. Hereford won tho Auckland Hurdle Race in good stylo under list filb, and ho carried tho appearance- of one that will bo quite at home over the biff, obstacles when tho time arrives for him to bo tried in that department. While riding To Onga in the Auckland Hurdle Race to-day, Conway suffered a bad fall- Te Onga, who ias engaged in forcing tho pace at the sixth hurdle when the accident occurred, appeared to bo going strongly at that point. Spalfish displayed symptoms of unsoundness after his fall in the Auckland Hurdle, Race, and' he will probably require an extended rest to recuperate.

The Auckland Plate was summed. \iT> to be at-the mercy of Reputation, who came on the scone to run his third race without showing any marked effects of his hard racing. Warstep went on to win her raco from end to end. and. streaking away, she had a four lengths' lead at the end of two furloners. The favourite and Merry Roe closed up the greater portion of tho gap in the middle stage, but Warstep was still goingwell when the straight was reached. Reputation ca.mo along in the straight, but he was clearly in trouble at the distance, and Warstep had matters all her own way in the run to tho post. The •mile and a half was traversed in 2min Bosec, and to win the wav sho did stamps Warstep as a good one. Tho support for Warstep's chance in the Auckland Plate was of the irojiicai order, considerably more than half the total sum invested being opposite the number of tho Derby winner. On the strength of her win in the Bowen Handicap, Bonny _ Rigg was made a strong favourite in the Grey Handicap to-da.y. but though the Eng-lish-bred mare fought it out gamely ; tho best she could do was to finish fourth.

HAWKE'S BAY. NAPIER, December 31. Tlie Poverty Bay Turf Club intends to shortly cruet a stewards' stand at a cost of about £4OOO.

Kcoya soon placed her purchase money to the credit of her new. owner, Mr S. S. Olliver, by winning the Manawatu Cup. As sho is in great form just now sho may win another raco or two before the season is much older.

The Porangahnu Racing Club had a very successful nico meeting on Boxing Day. The sum of £3194 was put through the totalisator, which is £74 more than last year.' The fields were much larger and of better quality than usual, and the racing was decidedly good. Ballyhar, by Signalman —lnnisvallan, beat four others in tho Maiden Handicap, for which Royal Tiger was favourite. Cherry Blossom, by San Fran—Prize Bloom, got home in the December Handicap, for which The Nile, who ran second, was a good favourite. There were nine starters. The Porangahau Handicap went to Munjo, with Sir Alba, tho favourite, second. Eight faced the starter. There were seven runners for the Christmas Handicap, for which Cherry Blossom was made favourite. The race was run twice. The first go, which the starter declared was no start, resulted in Cherry Blossom passing the post first, but at the second attempt Mis-step, by Mystification—Stepdaughter, _ had her number hoisted in first position. Merry Jack finishing second. The. Ladies' Race was won by Sleight-of-Hand, from seven others. Royal Tiger was again favourite, but as in tho first race he let his backers down badly. Sleight-of-Hand is by Mystification from a Wonderland mare. Glouria, by Jet d'Eau—-Hinetare, who was favourite for tho Taherc^ Handicap, won after a good race with Elevator, there being six runners. Sir Alba was a hot favourite for the Flying Handicap, and again the public were right, for Ire won comfortably. The last race of the clay, the Farewell Handicap, also fell to the favourite, Genvulus, by Mystification—Eland, who beat half a dozen others. Four races thus fell to Mystification's 7»rogeny, while Signalman, San Fran, Sir Laddo and Jet d'Eau each claimed a winner.

Downham was well backed here for the Railway Handicap at Auckland, and his backers were pleased at the dividend paid.

Desert Gold was the most fancied candidate locally for the Great Northern Foal Stakes, Sutala being the only other candidate backed to any extent. Golden Sky was a hot favourite for the Flying Hack Handicap at Hastings on Friday, and no war, Croesus for the Now Year Handicap, and in each instance tho good thing duly came off. Two other supposed certainties, Fair Rosamond and Loreto, failed to eventuate, though it is quite on tho cards Loreto might have done so had she got away with Gold Foil.

Flingot had not many supporters here when he. won the Hurdle Handicap on the last dav at Manawatu.

It came somewhat as a surprise to racing folk here tc find Beldame winning over a mile in Aucklaixl, as she is generally credited with being better over five than six furlongs, and no good beyond the latter distance.

Croesus, the half-brother to Desert Gold, is one of tho best of the Royal Fusiliers we have .seen, and they are, pretty well all endowed with plenty of pace. Ho finished up the six arid a, half furlongs of the New Tear Handicap at Hnetings like a racehorse, and though he had not much to bent, he performed his. task in such convincing style thnMio should be capable of even better things in the future.

WELLINGTON. Decern her 30.

The Manawatu Racing Club had a very successful meeting, although tho field's thinned out somewhat on the concluding dav. 'Phis was only to be expected. The Cup winner, Kooya, was making her first appearance in the colours of Mr S. Oliver, a new patron of J. M. Cameron, the Hastings trainer. Adroit (Field Battery—Trix) put down Play Off and several other fancied sprinters in the Fitzhorbert Handicap on the opening day. Denise Orme, the favourite, did not show up ■well. On. tho second day she proved' that it was not her form by winning comfortably. The race on the first day also improved the veteran St Clements sprinter Gladiole. She put down F.mperador and Rangitiro (who has trained off) in the Stakes. The latter was beaten in the Juvenile Handicap on tho first clay by Loreto (by Gazoley), who had a lightweight, and was well handled' by H. Young, who seorcd on Rangitiro in the Feilding Stakes. On the Inst day Gladiole got "in the Kawmi Handicap with less weight than she carried in the Stakes, and her backers had to accept a very short price. Pavlova started in the sprint event on the first day, and on the second day scored in the Handicap, nine furlonks, in which she was kindly treated with 7st 91b. Six horses were better, backed, and the followers of tho Porirua mare got a great price. Pressor won two hack welter races with Jem (San Fran- Waki.o, a big gelding that should make n hurdler if put to tho business, lie had been placed both days at Woodvilio, but thiswas his first win. There was some mixing in the race he won on the second day. W. Bell (rider of Jem) was fined £25, and H. Batten, rider of Irfidogeur (who finished third), was suspended for twelve months. Despatch Carrior (W. Price),

who ran second, was considered unlucky not to get a clear run: He was ridden by W. Young the next <hy, ami pub down Mauler Lupin. W. Bel! was lucky to got olf with a fine at this time of ihe year, especially as the first Highden horseman, A. Oliver, is under suspension at present. The ma tier will come bofore. tho Wanganni M< tropolitan Committee next Wednesday. and 1 would nob bo surprised if it was sent back to tho club.

F. Til ley won the concluding event on each day. Sunbird, who pimped better over"a distance than in the sprint events at Fcilding, put down Square Deal, who is in the boom, on tho opening day. She scored again on the second day, when Square Deal did not get a clear run. On tho last day Martian Princess (another Martian) scored easily from Yietoris. This pair finished in the some order m tho final event at Feilding.

After get.tino; beaten at Carterton Lady Black was brought through for a fivn 'furlong event on the last day She had 9st. and was henvilv backed, but could onlv get fourth toMaridmba Hurkenhcad Guitar), runner up to Miraculous on the opening day. Rortrada put ui- good races on the second ami third "dnvs, being beaten by Pavlova, (who ran" nine furlongs m lrain s<>spc). •Mid bv Awahau in the Presidents Handicap.' The later won easily in .2mm Ti^cc. OTAGO. DUXFDTN, January 2. Tho Waikmifiiti meeting took ptaco on Friday in line weather and a nig crowd put in an appearance. Ihe totalisator registered £5)980 WM™> •05160 last vear. Moddite had a fairly easy task 'in the Cup. after John P.unyan bolted three nides prior to the start. Charlotte comfortably annexed the Bray Memorial, but went under to Leading Lndy in the Hawkeshurv Handicap. The Welter Handicap'saw the first of the All Reds score, when AH Ready got to the front, Afton Loch beat a moderate lot in tho Farewell Handicap. Both trots provided interesting races between tho placed horses, and the wins of Tin Barn and Collena 'were in a great measure due to good riding on the part of J. M'Kowen, who' rode patient, welljudged races. A promising light-weight in tho shape of A. M.'Don aid, a son of the Wingatui trainer, rode a good race whon ho won the Maiden Plate on Steplock at Wakouaiti. At Wyndham yesterday there wa« a falling off in tho investments, the figures dropping from £11,228 to £9175. United' Service beat Flora Macdonald, Ogior and Peerless in the Cup. Ogior scored in the New Year Handicap and landed his second stake on the same track, these being the only two races he has won for Mr Crossan. Cortes scored an overdue win in a weak field but none of the form in the minor events reads high. J. Olsen will accompany Palisade and Sister Radius when they leave for Australia this month. Palisade runs well whon rather big and his brilliancy may astonish some of tho trainers who train horses rather liner.

Mr R. E. Harley's starting left something to bo desired when he was operating at Waikouaiti and en the first day at Oamaru. First Glance won the North Otago Cup in good style. Reval was smartest out and Flower of the West helped to settle his chance by keeping him up to it over the first mile. The sound pace settled most of tho others. John Barleycorn .stayed on to get second and shaped more pleasingly than ho did at Wingatui.

H. Coker has been showing good form in the saddle, both over hurdks and on the flat, during recent meetings;

Down obtained an advantage at the start of tho Juvenilo Handicap at Oamaru to-day and this materially helped to defeat a good favourite in Bonsign, who ha* been carrying overweight in each of her races. Petrosus did not have much to spare when she was conceding two stone and a half-longth boating to Medley in the Aldersyde Handicap. Sartorzc got a. bad passage in tho Belfiold Handicap or he would have seriously troubled Moddite at the finish.

The Riccarton trainer, W. M'Donald, is having a fine run of successes with the team he brought south. First Glanco won the two chief events at Wingatui and Oamaru, three wins went to Moddite and one tc Meltchikoff, whilst Kings\vay was a shade unlucky to lose his race at Wingatui.

Mr C. W. Reid has returned from a nine months' trip to the Old World. He looks wonderfully well and has apparently derived a lot of benefit from travelling. Mr Reid was for some time president of the North Otago Jockey Club and foe was oue who helped along the club to its present position.