SPORTING GOSSIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11671, 11 April 1916, Page 5

SPORTING GOSSIP.

RACING AND TROTTING NOTES.

FIXTURES. April 12 and 13—Manowatu R.C. Autumn. April 13 and 13—Manawatu RO. Autumn. April 13 and 13—Southland R.C. Autumn. April 22 and 2-i—Wairarapa R.C. Autumn. April 23 and 2i—Auokland R.C. Autumn. April 24—Kumara R.C. Autumn. April 24 and 25—Rivcrton R-E- Easter. April 24 and 25—Feilding J.C. Easter. April 24 and 25—C.J.C. Autumn. The system under which winners are penalised has given riso to frequent; discussion*, and it has again been brought prominently under notice m connection with this season's Eastoi fixtures. No single club need bo smiled out for special criticism, but the conditions of some of the races at th* autumn meetings of tho Auckland Kacins Club and the Canterbury, Jo<aray Club serve well to illustrate the pomt. Several of the horses racing at the Wellington Racing Club's meeting last week claimed engagements at Riccarton and Elleralie, and as a result of their success at Troutbam .they incurred penalties as follows-.—Great Easter Handioap, Eligible 141b, Oxenhupe 14ll», Sweet CJoVn 71b, Halina 51b; Great Autumn Handicap, Eligible 141b. Oxenhope 141b, Adjutant 141b. Multiply slb; Auckland Easter Handicap, Eligible 101b. The Auckland scale of penalties is not nearly so sever© as tnaj of the Canterbury Jockey Club, so that the local fixture provides the strongest argument against the present system. One of its chief, weaknesses is that it take* no account of the merit of a pertomiance, but treats ev«ry race on tno one basis, judged on the amount of money won. This works out very unfairly at times. To take last.week^ s results, it is possible that Mr Henrys, had he been allowed; to wait till after tho Wellington meeting, would have given some of the winners as much extra weight as they have now receiyeU through their penalties, but, on tne other hand, it is quite certain that somo of last week's winners would have iareti much better had the handicaps been delayed. The case of Eligible provides a good argument. On the first day He beat Nouwj in the St Leger while on the second day he defeated Balboa m the Trenthara Gold Cup. In the Great Autumn Handicap Eligible and a one* were handicapped on tho same terms as those ou which they met iu the b« Leger, and considerably less than a 1410 rise would have sufficed for the. haudicapper to' express his view after tno classic race. In the case of Balboa .the position was worse. . He liacl to concede Eligible 151b in the Trentham Gold Cup, whereas the handicapped put only 51b between them in the Great Autumn. In other words, before tho Gold Cup was- run, Mr Henrvs expressed the opinion, tmougii tho Great Autumn weights that Eligible had 111b tho best of the deal in the weiebt-for-age event. Yet, on top of this 7 the conditions of the Great Autumn provide for Eligible carrying an additional 141b, " tor no other reason than that he did what the handicapper confidently predicted he i would accomplish, ifhe horses racing in handicaps at'Trenthom were not in the same position as Eligible, but one handicap winner, Multiply, was badly used in getting a penalty for the Great Autumn. Ho only beat a lot of hurdlers, and it is doubtful if he would have received any more weight for Riccarton if the handicapper's opinion had been declared after his Trentham success. Penalties, it is generally understood, are intended to provide against improved form, but this appears to be a secondary consideration with mauv New Zealand clubs. Much of the trouble could be got over bv holding back handicaps, but this is not always possible. The best solution seems to lie in re-handicappmg, m place of fixed penalties. This is a view that does not find favour with many owners, who apparently prefer tho present system because they know exactly what*'is involved by any programme they map out. With rehandicapping the horses would, however, only have to carry extra weight in proportion to the merit of their win, which is what happens at present in the case of events [or-which handicaps still have to be declared, and they would not have more weight piled on when they had shown no improved form.

Although there is no three-year-old that stands out with great deeds to his credit up to date, this season's contest for the New Brighton Derby promises to be easily, the best that has taken place.' Two years ago the race was voted a moral for Edith A., and for some time prior to last year's race Emilius was thought to be- almost unbeatable. It is now history that neither of the horses mentioned won. With a nomination of only eight, this year's contest is already exciting a good deal of interest, and I heard one well-known judge remark that it was moro than even money about anyone picking the absolute favourite for the race at present. Galindo Belle, Derby Dillon, Harold Devon and Brauston have not been nominated for the Easte.r meeting at Addington, but the other four* claim engagements./ It is interesting to note the handicapper's Dillon, Reggie Huon are all in races on the first day and have been handicapped. In the chief event Author Dillon is handicapped at 4min 39sec for two miles, whilst in another raeb over the same distance Tamarisk is set to do 4min 47sec and Reggie .Huon 4min 49sec. The handicapper's opinion of the merits of the three mentioned is that Author Dillon is ten seconds better over two miles than Reggie Huon and eight seconds superior to Tamarisk. It would be interesting at this stage to know how the Metropolitan Club's handicapper would make his adjustments of the three horses over a mile and a half. On the second day of the Addington meeting Cello Sydney Wilkes is entered for a mile race, for horses that can do. 2min 17sec or better, and as Tamarisk is handicapped at 2min 21sea in a mile race on. the jfirst day it seems as though Wilson's colt, assuming he is placed on the end of the race for which he is entered, is four seconds superior to Tamarisk over a mile. Up to the present the form of Galindo Belle and Branston does not seem impressive, but Derby Dillon was responsible for a capital performance recently in Auckland, and I witnessed Harold Devon's race in the Manawatu Trotting Cup, in which after losing quite ten seconds through failing to go off right, he put up°a brilliant mile and a half in. the race and finished in second place to Pax. If the Derby were run over a two mile courso it- looks as though Harold Devon and Author Dillon would possess the best chances of success, and although Author Dillon has the best time performances to his credit, the Belfast-trained colt is such a great stayer that ho would keep Author Dillon very busy. Cello Sydney Wilkes has raced "brilliantly over a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half, and the Auckland-owned Derby Dillon has done twelve furlongs speedily but he does not impress one as a great stayer. The racing at Easter may show a great change of form by some of tho candidates/ for the classic race, but it can be seen that the race next month is full of possibilities, and, as already mentioned, it should be easily the best contast so far witnessed for the race.

A. Pringle has been engaged to drive Harold Devon in the New Brighton Trotting Derby.

Canterbury stables will be well represented in the trotting events at Invercargill this week, a team of horses leaving for the south on Monday. E. M'Dermott took Master Theckla, R. "\V. Franks Dora M'Kinney, T. W. Pneo Blackford, .and A. Heudrickscn

(By ARGTJS.)

Branston and two others, while two more horses were to bo picked up at Ash burton.

The Riccarton trainer, M. Hobbs, contemplates making a trip to Australia shortly, his intention being to leavo within the next two months and to remain in the Commonwealth over the winter. He will take his own four horses, Corrio, Peg, Deltonio and Down, and will race them during tho trip. Corrio is a proved performer over hurdles, while Peg and Deltonio are now being schooled with a view to racing over obstacles. The team will probably go iirst to Melbourne, where there are plenty of jumping rkces during the winter, while Sydney may be visited later. It is probable that their owner will be prepared to sell all four horses in Australia, if there are any inquiries, and he should experience little difficulty in quitting them, especially if Peg and Deltonio take kindly to hurdle racing. The readiness to dispose, of the team is due to the fact that their owner has decided to retire from training at the end of this season. Ho has beon associated with the sport over a long period of years, as an owner and trainer, and has had some good horses through- his hands. He has, however, grown tired of the constant travelling which the business entails, and his present intention is to live privately in future. He has a big property at Riccarton with plenty of stable accommodation, and as an earnest of his intention to retire he is looking round for a purchaser.

R. D. CFDonnell took The Toff, Moulu and Halina on to Awapuni after completing their engagements at Trentham, the other two members of big team, Recorder and Koesian, returning homo this morning. -

The two-year-old Winterbourne arrived back from Wellington this morning. The other members of the team which represented Sir George Clifford's stable at Trentham (Adjutant, Battle Eve, Wrestler and Petruchio) have gone on to Awapuni, under the care of A. "Cutis, to fulfil engagements at the" Manawatu Racing Club's meeting.

The stallion Antumnus, by Treadnrill—Goldlcaf, arrived from Wellington this morning and will be sent on to Sir George Clifford's JStonyhurst stud, where he will be used next season.

The yearling filly .Full Speed, by San Franoisco—Fleatfoot, arrived from the Stonyhurst stud on Monday and lias taken up her quarters at the Chokebore Lodge, sltables. The remainder of Sir George Clifford's yearlings will probably arrive within the next week or two.

R. Frame left in charge of six young mares, which Sir George Clifford intends to offer at auction at the Sydney Easter sales. . Tho shipment consists of.Court Martial, by MartianDiscipline; Snapdragon, by San Francisco—Elusive ; Wisebird, by Treadmill— Glenowlet; Merry Trick, by Treadmill—Delusive; Fair Slave, by Treadmill—Chryseis; and Floweret, by San Francisco—Kirriemuir.

There is just a suspicion abroad that Rorke's Drift has more than once of late shown slight signs of soreness, writes " Sir Modred" in the " Southland Times." However, now that the sting is out of the ground it may be found that all is going well with the Dunedin Cup winner. It has not yet been finally decided to take the Southlander to Riccarton for the C.J.C. Easter fixture, but in the event of the son of Calibre fulfilling his Great Easter and Great Autumn engagements he will travel north in charge of trainer Hogan, the balance of whoso.team to race at Riverton will be left to the care of W. Robinson, first horseman to Sirius Lodge.

Desert Gold has won the North Island Challenge Stakes tiwee, a record which is shared by Achilles.

Balboa and Indigo, "who finished second and third respectively to Eligible in the Trent-ham Gold Cup on Saturdav. occupied similar niaoes behind Warstep in the saftno race last-year.

A. Oliver-, who rode Eligible when he won the Sb Legcr at Trentham • last week, was successful in the same race three years ago, on Bon Ton, a full brother to Eligible. . •

Sweet Corn was strongly fancied for tho Suburban Handicap at the Wellington Racing Club's meeting on Saturday. She had only 121b more than she won under on Thursday, and with A. Oliver as a pilot she was expected to run another good race, but she gave an inglorious display, finishing last. Sho did much tho same thing at Trentham in January, when she created a surprise bv winning on the second day, and on'the, third day, when favourite, Cut up badly, never being dangerous.

The success of Heeltap in the Muntai Hack Handicap at tho Wellington Racing Club's meeting on Saturday brings a famous old colonial line ouce more under notice, Heeltap being a five-year-old bv Achilles—Zealandia Cole, bv King' Cole—Zealandia, by Maroro '(son of Tow-ton), from Toi-toi, by St Aubyn—Waimea, by Sir Hercules—Flora M'lvor. Heeltap did not race till last season, when he started twice without being placed, but he has shown considerable improvement this season.- He won a hack welter at tho Wellington Cup meeting, while he was also successful last month at Nelson. His form last week suggests that he is still coming on, and he may later bo seen to advantage in open company. RICCARTON TRAINING NOTE Tuesday. The weather was fine, though cold, when training operations were commenced this morning. Most of the work was done on the plough, which provided good going Binicter, Greenstree't and Margewno wero out early but were restricted to easy pacing. . . Splendant covered a steady circuit, sprinting homo over tho last haltFlying Start and Good Hopo finished together after running six furlongs in lmin 171-nsec. Fabrikoft did two steady rounds on tho tan, whore Findhorn ran seven furlongs at a sound pace. _ Glen Helen and Don Francisco, from a stand, covered five furlongs in lnun Down, with a light weight, did seven furlongs in lmin 30 1-oscc. while Reval was given a working gallop over Peltonio. with an advantage in the w4*hts, was going better than Peg at the'end of a mile, which occupied lmin 4osec. . After breakfast the sun was sliming and the conditions were very pleasant. Melford ran five furlongs in lmin o 2-oscc while Sartosta, Forest Belle and L^ronilia were given a workinggallop over seven furlongs. Don Charl beat Altaian over fire furlongs in lmin 4 3-osec.', Silent Way and Humiliation were as-sociati'd over seven furlongs, the

last six occupying lmin 201-ssec, with Silent Way going slightly tho better of the pair. Marc Anthony was under pressure to keep with Don Francisco after running a mile in lmin 45 3-ssec. Hap Dha was going comfortably alongside Tip-up at the end of five furloners in lmin 4 2-osec. Wardamer finished 'well after running five furlongs in lmin 3 4-ssec." Comely sprinted half a. mile, moving freely and finishing strongly. Kiltess and Tromena sprinted half a mile in 504-sseo. Free and San Sebastian ran the last five of six furlongs in lmin 6sec. Partisan and Fiery Cross accomplishing a similar task in lmin 4 3-ssec. while Disdainful ran over the same ground in lmin 2 4-ssec. Bore and Bomb did two steady circuits, sprinting down the straight. Moddito and Gold Pin finished together after covering a mile in lmin 501-osec. Snub ran a mile in lmin 44 4-Ssec, tho first- two furlongs being done very comfortably. Sir Hamilton and Veritas finished together over a half-mile, sprint. Art and Gnome ran nine furlongs at an even pace, the full journey occupying 2min 3sec. Chrysotis was going well at the end of six furlongs, which she left behind in lmin 17sec. Resemblance (M'Millan) was schooled over five furlongs. She jumped well but was not going fast at any part of the journey. R. J. Mason returned from Wellington to-day with F/mporador, Nones and Kwaltt*