SPORT OF KINGS OVERSEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 August 1939, Page 9

SPORT OF KINGS OVERSEAS

PERSONAL AND OTHERWISE. There are people who have an idea that their appearance warrants free admission to a race meeting, as well as a free luncheon ticket. However, no city has a monopoly of that class of individual, and a London paper says that a North of England secretary, possessed of a sense of humour, put a signboard outside his office bearing the word "Gimmies,” and an intimation that they would be dealt with up to a certain time. Asked what it meant, he replied: —“That the word I hear most for two hours before racing—'Gi'me a gentleman’s badge.’ ‘Gi’me a couple of ladies' badges.’ ‘Gi’me a luncheon ticket.’ ‘Gi’me a tea ticket.’ ‘Gi’me a race card,’ and so on.” He took the notice down before racing commenced, but it did make a few of the unblushing graspers think!

Disappointed backers make a fuss everywhere. The prominent French owner Mr M. Boussac never makes a bet in that country, but recently camo in for a very hostile demonstration at St Cloud. He started two horses in a field of five, and, coupled on the totalisator, they started at 10 to 1 on. They ran third and fourth, and, notwithstanding it was generally known he is a nombetter, those who supported his horses loudly denounced him. The* chances are that the same people cheered just as loudly w’hen his colt, Pharis, who was well in the betting for each race, subsequently won the French Derby and Grand Prix de Paris. New Zealand and Australian racegoers are credited with being bad losers, but it seems the same everywhere.

It is unusual to read of three of the first four horsese in an important steeplechase carrying the colours of the same owner, but that happened in France a few weeks ago. The race was the Grand Steeplechase of Paris of approximately £4,200, the distance being 4 miles 70 yards. Mr Veil Petard's Ingre won from Un Mitrailleur. in the same ownership. Mr Veil Petard’s other runner, Embrasseur, was fourth. The horses were not bracketed on the pari-mutuel, and the winner was more fancied than his two stable companions.

An American exchange, in touching upon a claiming race in which a runner fell dead entering the straight, says: “As the field pounded into the stretch, Owner Shield’s heart sank. Staff Sergeant, running in third place, suddenly crumpled up, dead. “Resigned to his bad luck, Milo Shields ambled over to the Racing Secretary’s office. There he found that one William Wick had put in a claim for Staff Sergeant. According to the peculiar rules of claiming races, Seller Shields received the £375. Buyer Wick received the carcase —anu a bill for £6 5s to have it removed.”

The paper quoted goes on to say that classification of claiming races range; from £250 to £375. A £375 claiming race means that any horse which leaves the post may be claimed for £375. Claims must be made in writing and must be deposited in a box accompanied by cheque 15 minutes before post time. If more than one claim is in the box lots are drawn to determine the buyer. Any prize money a claimed horse may win in the race goes to the owner who started him, not the new owner.

Sydney-trained horses have a good record in the Caulfield Cup. From 1894 to 1898 there was a winning sequence of Paris, Waterfall. Cremorne, and Amberite, but that was beaten when from 1905 to 1911 those successful were Marvel Loch, Poseidon (twice), Aborigine. and Blue Book (dead-heat), Flavinius, and Lady Medallist. Since then this State has had winners in Aurifer Bronzetti, Violoncello. Amounis. Denis Boy, Rogilla, Journal, and Buzalong. Thoroughly seasoned as a result of the racing they have done before and at the A.J.C. meeting. Sydney horses sent over for the Caulfield Cup are generally ready to run up to their best form.

India does a lot for some horses, but not for others. Looking over Bombay and Calcutta classifications, it is noticed that while Don Caesar, Panaster, and Glanely are now in No 1 class, Auto Buz is in the No II division in Calcutta. In Bombay, however, Auto Buz is still in Class I. Vauntry, a good sprinter in his day in Australia, has dropped to No IV class in Bombay and Calcutta. Cercello is another who has gone downhill.

W. Minter, formerly a successful jockey, died recently at the age of 56. His riding successes included the Australian Cup on Dreamland in 1901, and two Maribyrnong Plates.