GOSSIP FROM ALL PARTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17804, 31 August 1929, Page 19 (Supplement)

GOSSIP FROM ALL PARTS.

There will toe racing at Marton on Wednesday and Thursday. rrhQ annual VanP. flytllTß ("if the

The annual Tace fixture of the Otago Hunt will be carried out next Saturday.

The Marton Club has received excellent acceptances for the opening day (Wednesday) of its Spring meeting.

Leader (Chief Ruler—Formless) the speedy Riccarbon-trajined three-tyear-old, has been hailed as a Derby candidate, but he may never win his spurs as aspirant for staying honours over twelve furlongs, says “Sir Modred."

-Boomerday’s projected visit to the Marton meeting is not to be kept. The Quin Abbey—Bell Crispin gelding has fulfilled his required appearance. 3 at the hunts in the Waikato to qualify jnd J. F. Tutchen will have him ready for suited cross-country events near at hand.

Caterpillar has resumed work at Rtccarton. She is not being asked to do anything of a serious nature, but the Paper Money Ally looks well after her brief respite.

The two-year-old chestnut colt by Eaton Lad, who was bought at the Sydney sales last season on behalf of Mrs R. I. Caro, of Hamilton, and has been located at Te Rapa of recent months, has been sold to a West Coast sportsman.

Hopwood Is one of the most consistent hacks In 'commission, at present. The Bisogne gelding, who had Ids latest success at Dannevirke this week will be seen in action at the coming meeting at Marton. H. Wiggins’ mount is likely to be in Arm demand for the Spring Hack Handicap on Wednesday.

Glena Bay and Ned Kelly, Te Rapa trained jumpers with hurdling engagements at Marton next week, will go south on Monday. R. E. Thomson will pilot Glena Bay, while B. Liddall will have the mount on Ned Kelly.

Macroom is beginning to work into shape as the outcome of her efforts at Te Rapa. The. Archiestown mare has not been required to do much of a serious nature so far, but the measure of this will increase from this out.

A two-year-old half-sister by Gasbag to Gold Box and Record Mixture will race under the appellation of Gasconade. She is being prepared at Hastings by her owner-trainer, T. McAvinue.

Gay Duke may be a starter In the Guineas at Avondale next month. J. Howden, who is preparing M. J. Carroll’s team, is beginning to brush the Lord Quex —Salvette gelding along in his work on the local tracks. On Thursday morning Gay Duke had his first fast gallop since being taken up for the new season when he shaped promisingly over five furlongs.

'Chang, the three-year-old . full brother to White Comet and half brother to Paddon, is beginning to work into racing shape with the attention that is being bestowed upon him by the local trainer, A. Tinker. The Day Comet —Lady Frisco gelding has yet to make his appearance in public. ■Unless looks are deceiving Chang should prove a capable galloper as time goes on.

On public form it is hard to imagine Tidal as the winner of the rich Metropolitan Handicap at Randwick, but so much has the French bred one improved since crossing the Tasman that trainer G. Price gives him a good chance in that big handicap. Tidal now looks many pounds better than when he raced in this province.

Barometer, the winner of the Jellicoe Handicap at the Pakuranga meeting is engaged in the leading distance event at Marton on Wednesday next. As the race he had at Ellerslie last week is likely to have effected a useful improvement in Barometer, the Thurnham gelding will be due a strong measure of financial attention in his e.oming engagement.

Cybele, the 'Cynic—The Hook mare, who carries the colours of her Te Awamutu trainer, F. E. Loomb, made quite a favourable showing in her first start of the new season. That was the Auckland Handicap in which she finished fourth at Ellerslie on Saturday. After a somewhat slow beginning, Cybele was travelling very fast in the run up the straight. It was form which is likely to be improved upon before long.

Holdfast, who divided Paquito and Paganelli at Rosehill last Saturday, was possibly the best two-year-old in Australia last year.- Holdfast is very big, and some good judges have doubts about his being able to run out the mile and a half of the Derby course.

The General Latour—Navanna novice representative, a member of M. J. Carroll’s team locally, is beginning to move along on the tracks. Holly Hoom, the Acre —Great Effort two-year-old in the same stable, is also advancing favourably in his preliminary education for serious galloping duty.

Excella Tea, the filly by Polycrates —Black Tea and Beau Irish, the colt by Beauford, who were purchased at the Sydney sales last season are going along nicely in their education at Te Rapa under A. P. Brady’s charge. Neither has done a great deal of work but Excella Tea is the more forward.

Among the gallopers at present undergoing a preparation at Rlccarton for spring racing is First Sight. The Gay Lad gelding has got through a lot of strong work lately, and with a race or two he may soon be able to show his best form again. First Sight probably will contest the sprint event at the Ashburton meeting next month.

Mervette is steadily on the Improve, so far as her preparation for the needs of racing is concerned. The Lucullus—Brayton mare, a member of A. Tinker’s team at Te Rapa, showed useful form last season and should again prove equal to paying her way during the racing term just commenced.

Gold Money had to be content with third place among the sprinters in the Dunedin Handicap at the Pakuranga meeting. As she is not built on big lines weight has its effect on Gold Money but now that the lighter scale i 3 in vogue the Paper Money— Miss Ethel mare will be capable of acting up to her best again. Her three successes in a row over sprint journeys at the end of last season stamped Gold Money as useful.

One of the most improved fillies at Rlccarton is the three-year-old Comique. Since she last raced she has furnished really well, and her appearance suggests that with a few races she will be seen to advantage. Comique will make her reappearance at Ashburton next month, and provided she does well in the interim she will contest the Dunedin Guineas.

The Lover ran quite a useful race in the Jellicoe Handicap at Ellerslie on Saturday. As it was his first start for some time the Romeo — Gambode gelding was not strung up but he is likely to improve quickly from this out. He should, as a result, give a creditable account of himself during the racing of the coming spring.

Wiltshire has been taking it easy since his return from his very successful visit to the Grand National meeting. The Day Comet —Lady Lobelia gelding has thrived on his latest racing and the respite that has followed. When the time comes lie will be ready to again play his part in jumping events.

For some time past glowing reports have been circulated from Riccarton as to the appearance and promise of Mr G. D. Greenwood’s two-year-old filly, Praise, by Limond from Eulogy, and it may with truth be said that the claims of this youngster to recognition have not been exaggerated, writes “Sir .Modred.” There is no doubt about the fact tiiat she is a very smart galloper and on looks she might easily be taken for. a performer of more mature age.

In January next there will be a meeting held in Hamilton at which the Auckland County Racing Clubs’ Breeders’ Association will be wound up. There will also he discussion regarding Association and the purchase of a sire for service in the district. The various racing clubs concerned arc being circulated on the matter and the decision for or against these proposals will rest on the majority view on the subjects held by the 1 " -clubs’ delegates.

Gay Caballero, the maiden four-year-old full-brother to Wenday, continues to do satisfactorily In his preparation on the local tracks. The Day Comet —Wenonah gelding is finIng down nicely with the work he is getting. He was nominated for the Marton fixture but it was decided to reserve him for a meeting closer to hand for his debut in the galloping ranks.

Trig will be raced at the Marton meeting. The three-year-old gelding by King Nassau —Lady Lilac is engaged in the Tutaenui Hack Handicap on the first day in which event he is at the minimum (8.0). Trig, who is now trained at Tc Aroha, showed pace on the tracks and in some of his races last season as a two-ycr-old. It can hardly be expected that lie will be ready yet to show his best, but he should come to hand quickly with racing.

The New Zealand owned 14.1 pony Moutoa Wonder was backed to win a lot of money at a fairly long price when produced in his class at the Ascot meeting (N.SAV.) last week. He missed the “jump out,” and then was beaten only by a good head. As the winner of the ’race (Greenownit) has been a “rod in pickle” for many months, it can he realised that ownertrainer A. D. Webster was unlucky to meet him. Greenownit comes from the same stable as Winalot.

Sion, whose sale by auction was effected at Sydney last week for 1050 guineas, has the record of having been in the sale-ring on three previous occasions. When offered as a yearling at Randwick in the autumn of 1926 the son of Valais and Galtee Queen gave rise to very spirited competition, and Mr E. Moss, who was the most courageous bidder, silenced the opposition with a bid of 4100 guineas. Sion failed to 'reward Mr Moss for his courage, and, after winning one small race at three years old, he was sent up to auction, when Mr R. Miller bought him for 1600 guineas. Sion won a £4OO handicap for his new owner, who, evidently considering the handsome chestnut a bad speculation, again sent him up for sale within a few weeks, when lie was passed on to a commissioner acting for the late Mr Felix Holmes for 900 guineas. Sion wan a £4OO handicap for his new owner straightaway, and at four years old last season he scored a couple of good victories in the Epsom Handicap and Doncaster Handicap, in which races he filled the role of run-ner-up. Sion’s recent appearance in the sale-ring was due to the death of Mr Felix Holmes, but his engagements for races ahead are not affected except in the change of ownership. Sion is one of the favourites for the Epsom Handicap, in which race he is weighted at 9.4. Sion may prove a bargain at 1050 guineas.

The erection of the extra line of rails round Tottenham Corner this year again brings up the question of the length of the Derby course: and connected with the length is, naturally, the timing of the races, says a writer in London Sporting Life. Prior to 1920 the actual length of the course measured four feet from ttie inner line or rails, was 1 mile 4 furlongs 20 yards. In 1920 the rounding off of the “Corner" reduced the length to 1 mile 4 furlongs 1 yard. The erection of the extra line of rails this year has now added only three or four yards. These figures may be a surprise to some, but they have kindly been given me by the clerk of the course at Epsom. The time record before 1920 was held by Lemberg who, in the year 1910, took 2.35 1-5; 1920 was Spion Kop’s year, and his time 2.34 4-5, constituted a new record. The race was frequently referred to as the ‘Mad Derby,’ as the pase was supposed to have been something terrific, and few people apparently were aware that owing to the shortening of the course by 28 yards, which at Derby pace represents approximately 1 3-ssec the pace was not actually as fast as Lemberg’s.” ’l’tie record is held by Call Boy and Eels lead, 2.31 2-5. If the 28 yards be allowed for, ibis time is not as good as Lemberg's.

There is a rule of the Australian Jockey Club, in common with the other principal clubs in the Commonwealth, that if in the running of a race one horse jostles or interferes with another, such horse and every other horse nominated by the same person or belonging to the same owner, or in which he has a share, running in the same race, may be disqualified. The reason for it is obviously to prevent one or more horses “shepherding” dangerous runners while the stable elect wins. Evidently the rule also obtains in America, for at a recent meeting at Belmont Park the stable-mates Keep On and Clave, who finished first and second in the principal events of the day, were deprived of their places following an inquiry by the stewards into the interference to Erin, who had run fourth behind his stable-mate Adequate. The Thoroughbred Record, in discussing the incident, states that llilaria bore oyer steadily from the outside, forcing Keep On to cannon into Erin, interfering with the lastmentioned severely. llilaria, too, is in the same stable as Keep On and Clave, and after the interference continued in the lead until the final furlong, when her stablemates ran past j her and she dropped out of the race. | The placing ordered by. the stewards! were: Adequate, Erin and Mad Hattie, j

THE ORDEAL BY FIRE. SKIN BURNING IS OBSOLETE. CRUEL REMEDY OF THE PAST. If you soe a racehorse with a criss-cross pattern indented on the hair of his kneo or any other joint, looking something like the Imprint of your gas grill or and toaster, you will know that that horse has bean “firod.” It is a barbarous relic of ancient forms of veterinary science. Something like in medical surgery, letting biood, tho application of hot irons, and pickle bottles for lumbago- and boils. The cure must be worse than the complaint. says a writer In Smith’s

Weekly. To-day Aring is a rarity, and when it is reverted to it can be done almost painlessly. But what an ordeal it must have been in the days before local anaesthetics were known or used in veterinary work In years gone by a horse was invariably fired for a breakdown. A red hot poker was laid across his knee or wherever the seat of the Injury might be. Twenty or thirty applications were made, less than half an inch apart, Arst one way, and then crosswise. making the grill pattern referred to above.

Firing completed, a horse was turned out for a long spell, and if he came back sound, the firing was given credit for the cure. Yet, in many cases, tho long spell was probably responsible.

The barbarous effect of Hie oldfashioned firing could he seen for a week or more after the operation. A series of angry festering wounds on the affected joint told of the pain the horse went through, and still suffered. Perhaps, in certain cases, Aring had a beneficial effect., but the old idea that it could restore a damaged ligament or tendon has been ridiculed in more modern veterinary science. No superficial treatment can 'bring about such a result.

The Effect Explained. { The effect of Aring is to tighten the outer tissues of a horse’s leg, includj ing the skin. Thik offers added -sup-

Wenday was credited with the useful tally of £1220 in stakes last season. It is not unlikely that the sum would have been increased but for Wenday being unfortunate In meeting with a mishap in the summer which caused her to forego several engagements. The local trainer, A. P. Brady, has this member of his team doing favourably in her preparation for the racing of the new season, which she will enter upon a little later on.

port for any injured or weak part, and, of course, proves beneficial. It produces, perhaps, the same effect as a bandage.

In minor joint troubles, a cure can be effected by firing, and it is on record that Poseidon, a champion of nearly a quarter century ago, underwent the operation before he ever raced. Without it he might never have completed a preparation. Even so long ago, science bad provided the local anaesthetic, and this was applied in Poseidon’s case. But, of course, tho aftermath of the operation is painful, for when the effect of the anaesthetic has worn off, the burns throb and hurt.

However, Poseidon came through all right, and became sound, and how he won race after race, including the Derbies, the Caulfield Cup twice, and Melbourne Cup is now a matter of ancient history. Science has devised a more skilful form of firing than was used in the past, and the poker is no more. An apparatus beated witb spirit, and embodying an invention that does not sear the flesh as deeply, has taken its place. But, even so, firing is not used frequently. You rarely see a horse racing nowadays bearing on a joint the oldfashioned criss-cross denoting the ordeal by fire.