RACING.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18004, 26 April 1930, Page 19 (Supplement)

RACING.

FROM TRACK AND STABLE (By “Martian.”) DATES OF MEETINGS. April 23, 24 —Westland. April 26, 28—Greymouth. April 26, 30—Avondale. April 30—Reefton. May 3—Amberley. May 8, 10—Egmont. May 9, 10—Nelson. May 14, 15—Southland, May 15, 17—Wanganui. - May 16, 17—Marlborough. May 24—AshburtonMay 24—Taumarunui. May 31, June 3, 4 —Dunedin. June 3, 4—OtaM-Maori. June 3, 5 7—Auckland. June 13, 14—Napier Park. June 14—Oamaru. June 19, 21 —South Canterbury. June 20, 21—Hawke’s Bay. June 25—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt. June 28—Ashburton. July 9, 10, 12 —Wellington. July 19—Waimate District Hunt. July 24, 26 —GisborneJuly 26—South Canterbury Hunt. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. “Saddle,” Harapepe.—(l) Bells of Shandon is now located in Sydney. (2) Waltzer started over hurdles at Te Aroha, but was not placed. “Wager,” Cambridge.—Te Kara ran a dead heat with Muraahi in the Auckland Cup of 1924 and won the event the following season. “Time,” Hamilton. —The time record for the Auckland Easter Handicap is 1.37 3-5, when Reremoana scored in 1926 with. 9.11. GOSSIP FROM ALL PARTS. The Greymouth meeting will he concluded on Monday. Wednesday will be the second and concluding day of the Avondale Club s Autumn fixture. ; .. The Reefton Club will race on Wednesday next. The Amberley Club will carry out a programme on Saturday. Limerick is being ridden on . the Riccarton tracks. He does a lot of trotting in the middle every morning after breakfast, and it is surprising how he is muscling .up.

Courtesy, a winner at Riccarton this week and who scored earlier on at the Hawke's Bay fixture, is a two-year-oid full-sister to Honour and Episode. Courtesy cost iSOOgns as a yearling.

Transformer'' is likely to be tried out as a hurdler for which duty the Timmham geldingis being prepared at Thames. Qumsilia is another candidate who has lately been given some schooling over the battens in that centre.

An interesting feature of the result of the A.J.G. St Leger Stakes at Randwlck on Saturday is the fact that the winner, Phar Lap, was bred in New Zealand, the runner-up, Sir Ribble, is the son of a New Zealandbred mare, Ribble (Danube, son of Mai-LL-m—Lady Wayward H), while the third, horse,- Peacemaker (LimondMakepeace) was also bred in Maoriland.

Crimestor has been turned out for a spell In the Thames district. The Polymestor—Crema three-year-old, who won two races this saeson, has shown a lot of speed and as his stamina is likely to improve with age, he should be a useful sort next season.

Elicit, who finished third in the Brighton Hurdles at the Auckland meeting was always in that position throughout the two miles. The Elysian—Waioturi gelding, who Is a particularly smart performer over the battens will be- prominent in this division in some of the leading races ahead.

The South Island horseman, FVoighl, whose increasing weight has caused him to retire from the saddle, rode some good winners In his time. He won the New Zealand Derby on Nightmarch, the Oaks on Pink Terrace, the Great Easter on Cimabue, the Dunedin Gup on Footfall, the Invercargill Cup and Oamaru Cup on Sea Sail, and the Trentham Gold Cup on Rapier.

Red Fuchsia finished third in the Arrtnnm Steeplechase at Ellerslie on Monday, but he got that position for the reason that he was the only one of the seven si.aiders outside Omeo and Kauri Park to stand up. Red Fuchsia jumped very carefully and was always a long way back in the running. The All Red —Nedra gelding Is likely to improve vastly on this effort vrith some further racing. The next time the Awapnni candidate is seen out on the northern circuit he is likely to prove much harder to beat.

It is reported from France that wmn; authorities there are considering a scheme whereby they can divert aH “away"’ money to the Tote on the course. * There is even some talk about opening offices all over the country for the collection and transmission of bets to the Tote. There is much starting price betting in France, but at present it is all done through bookmakers. The _ French racing authorities are determined that in future all belting shall be done through the Tote, according to a Paris report.

The Doctor’s Orders, ihc winner of the A.J.C. Sires’ Produce Slakes at Hand wick on Saturday, probably the richest two-year-old event of the season, is of New Zealand descent. He is by lire imported English sire Tippler (Poiymelus, by Cyllene—Sippet, by Swynford) from Nelrene, by Martian —Culraiba, by Cuirassier — Albatross (dam of Teksum and Merganser), Nelrene Is a half-sister to the well-known New Zealand mares Endeavour and Effort, The winner of the Sires" Produce Stakes was bred by Mr H. White, of N.S.W,, and sold as a yearling In Sydney to his present owner, Mr Agar Wynne, of Victoria, at 300j2ns-

STAYERS NEEDED.

POWER AND CLASS.

RAPIER RETIRES

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. The position to-day In Australia Is that a stayer of class Is really of more raolng value than the most brilliant of two-year-olds, which may win one or two races and be of little account afterwards, The stayer of outstanding class, on the other hand, may raoe on for years and there are so few of his Kind that there is often no competition for rich prizes. For years past there has been “easy money” for any good stayer at the Autumn meetings at Flemlngton and at Randwlck, too, though in the latter case there Is usually more competition. With the concentration on early two-year-old raolng the rloh prizes for the youngsters will beoome more and more diffloult to win and eventually this may have the effect of causing breeders and buyers alike to give more attention to staying types, says a Sydney writer.

Sir Kay, who ran second at Feilding on Saturday, will win races for his Te Awamutu owner, Mr G. Paul. He had the had luck to slip when gathering himself for the jump out in the Oroua Hack Gup on Monday, and he had no chance afterwards.

L. G. Morris expects to race Laughing Prince at hte Wanganui winter meeting. The Quant'ock horse, who went sore after his double success of Flying Handicap and Eclipse Stakes at Wanganui in the spring, has been in some time, and so far is showing every sign of standing a preparation.

The Hamilton-owned Super Ruler (Chief Ruler Boynette) had his second run when he contested the Second Division of the Nursery Handicap at Rosehill (New South Wales). Super Ruler led for most of the journey with Snowbound, and just failed to gain a place behind Weotara, Snowbound and Santorh. The lastnamed is a member of G- T. Godby’s team, and might liave beaten Weotara but for running off tbe track at the home turn.

WHAT TO SEEK. Commenting on the Ascot Gold Cup as a test of staying power and class, “Roamer” writes In the American Thoroughbred Record: “I would be inclined to attach more Importance to the winning of a race like the Melbourne Gold Cup. Tnis Is a handicap, distance two miles, Invariably it attracts' large fields, and usually the race is strongly run from end to end. When a horse is able to Win the Melbourne Cup under scale weight or over, there is some justification for believing him to be above the average. I think it will be admitted if horses suoh as Windbag, Spearfolt, Poitrel, could reproduce their best form on Asoot Heath, they would be dangerous in any Ascot Gold Cup. If the Australian, Strephon, reproduces his best form at Ascot next June, we will undoubtedly get a better line on the relative capabilities of Australian horses In England.”

The proposal Totallsator Bill in Victoria will give the machine a better chance of becoming popular, if it is passed, them does the Act in New South Wales, says a Sydney writerIt is proposed that the deductions from the pool should be 10 per cent of total investments, whereas 12$ per cent is deducted in this State. In the metropolitan. area the deduction will he split so that 5 per cent to the go to the club, and 5 per cent to the Government, although in \he country the club’s percentage will be 5J per cent. As the clubs will have to meet running expenses, they will get less out of it than the Government; in fact, on the big courses, they will probably clear only 3£ per cent. A really excellent proviso in the Victorian Act is that the Government’s percentage will be set aside solely for charitable purposes. That was the motive actuating many of those who fought so strongly to have the Tote legalised in New South Wales, but instead of charity benefiting here, the money goes into consolidated revenue, to be used as desired by the Government.

Rapier has been definitely retired from racing, and was sent to his owner-breeder’s property over the \yeek-end. During his career, The Greyspear horse has won £10,620 in stakes, including seven cups, for Mr G. G. Holmes, his record reading as follows:—

Total £10,620 A feature of Rapier’s career Is that he holds the unique distinction of figuring as the winner of the W’ellington, New Zealand, and Auckland Cups. His retirement was not prompted by any unsoundness, but it was recognised that he was on the down grade, and would find it difficult to compete against the younger weight-for-age performers, and to win handicap events under the big weights he has rightly earned. Much credit is due to his trainer, H. Nurse, for Rapier’s brilliant successes against the strongest of opposition, and it must be gratifying to the horse’s connections that, In spite of the strenuous tasks he has at times been called upon to execute, to attain his exalted position as one of New Zealand’s best stayers, he will enter upon stud duties in a sound condition. In addition to his prowess as a rasehorse, Papier has breeding, temperament, and constitution to recommend him, and setting aside the prejudice that exists In regard to a New Zealand-bred sire, his services, should bo in keep cLemawl.

SIR GEORGE CLIFFORD.

GRAND OLD MAN OF THE TURF.

BRED FAMOUS HORSES. (EaaSL

Sir George Clifford, svho died peacefully at Christchurch last week at the age of 83 years, largely devoted a lifetime to guarding the highest traditions of racing, efforts which won him the title of the Grand Old Man of the Turf. He was born in New Zealand in 1847 and succeeded his father in the barontcy in 1893. He occasionally visited England, but spent the greater part of \ his life in the Dominion. It was through his close association with racing, however, that he was best known to the public, although he also had wide farming and commercial interests. It w£is in Wellington at Burnham Waters that he secured his introduction to racing in the late 50’s. In Wellington too, he commenced his education, his father, Sir Charles Clifford, being the first Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, from 1853 to 1860. Sir Charles then took his family to England, and it was at Stonyhurst College, Lancashire, that the late Sir George completed his education. The Stonyhurst Estate, in Ashley County of the Canterbury Province, was named after the English College, and it was here that Sir George achieved a reputation as a breeder of sheep and thoroughbred horses. Many a good horse that has carried the blue and gold chequers (the colours in the ancestral coat of arms of the Cliffords) first saw the light at Stonyhurst, and It was a rare occurrence for Sir George to race a horse which he had not bred selfEarly Successes. After about ten years in England Sir George (then Mr G. H. Clifford) returned to Stonyhurst Estate in Canterbury and commenced breeding horses in a modest way. Puriki, by Towton, from Toitoi, purchased from the late Mr Henry Redwood, was really the first thoroughbred mare he owned, and she produced in her first year for her new owner Tiger Tim and next year Cruchfleld, both by imported Cadogan, Cruchfleld- won, among other races, the Hawke’s Bay Cup in 1888 as a three-year-old, carrying 7.0. Sir George continued to purchase brood mares and soon got together a small stud the fashionably-bred Aurifera (imp.) being one. From the foundation mares of his stud the late Sir George continued to provide a succession of high-class horses and .winners of the best races. Kirriemuir, Glenoulloch, Fleetfoot and Broadsword won the Great Northern Foal Stakes -in successive years. Husbandman, Kilwinning, Counterfeit, Royal Stag and Winning Hit won the Great Northern Derby and Counterfeit the Great Northern Oaks. Masterpiece won the New Zealand Derby in 1911, the first time it was won by Sir Geoige, and in the following year Masterpiece was narrowly beaten in the New' Zealand Cup by Downfall. Winning Hit also won a Derby, and was one of the fastest horses of his time. He still holds the Australasian ten furlong record established in the Stead Cup. Sir George won ten C.J.C. Middle Park Plates, six in succession, and other good winners he provided were Madam Madcap, Autumnus, Miss Minnie, Adjutant, Royal Stag and more recently Centrepiece. Big Winnings. Horses bred at the Stonyhurst Stud won in all 547 races, the stake earnings totalling £240,149, of which £ 174,912 was secured for their breeder and £65,237 for other owners, after they had been sold. In addition to the horses bred at Stonyhurst, Sir George won 67 races with horses he bought, making a grand total of 614 wins by horses that he bred or raced. Of the horses who carried his colours, Winning Hit was the biggest winner, his stake earnings being £BO3O, while Adjutant earned £5415, Counterfeit £5055, Flying Start £4770, Cannie Shiel £4740, Royal Star £4645 and Centrepiece £4159. Broadsword’s contribution to the record of Stonyhurst Stud was £5879, but a big share of this was won after his sale to an Australian owner. Straightforward Policy. It was not in the actual racing of horses that the late Sir George Clifford has done the greatest service to the New Zealand turf. As a delegate and president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, chairman for many years of the G.J.G., and judge in appeal cases, his wise counsels have placed New Zealand racing upon a very high plane. Only last month he was reappointed by unanimous vote to the position of conference president, an office he has held uninterruptedly for the past 31 years. He was elected a life member of the Wellington Racing Club in 1914. The late baronet’s association with racing and the turf extended over half a century, and a few years back the delegates of the various racing and jockey clubs of New Zealand presented him with an illuminated address eulogising his great services to the sport. He was always a strenuous opponent of anything that savoured of trickery or corrupt practice on the turf and his straightforward advocacy of the many reforms that were instituted during his term of office had a good deal to do with placing the game in the Dominion where it is to-day. Other reforms he advocated year in and year out, and he has died without seeing one of his greatest ideas (that of extending stipendiary authority) fulfilled.

Races. 1st. 2nd. 3rd. Stakes. £* At 3 years 8 1 2 3 163 At 4 years 20 5 2 0 1845 At 5 years 16 4 1 4 2269 At 6 years 12 5 1 1 4138 At 7 years 13 3 2 2 2605 At 8 years 5 0 0 1 100