TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XVI, 18 April 1903, Page 1067

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. A most interesting description of the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase course appears in the •‘Lyttelton Times” of Saturday. It is the work of a New Zealander, whose nom de plume, E. S.» thinly disguises the identity of one of the most accomplished amateur cross-country horsemen that this part of the colony has produced. Of the course proper the writer says: ‘The course proper is enclosed by a high, impassable Iron fence, not of corrugated saeets, but inch and a-half rods, eight feet long and spiked on top, so that it would be impossible for anyone to climb over, and they are guarded at the bottom with a quickset hedge, so that it would be equally impossible for anyone to see through it. The cost of such a fence alone would tax the resources of most colonial clubs. The stands, although providing ample accommodation for an enormous crow d, can boast of no architectural beauty, neither do any of the buildings or appointments call for special mention. The turf itself is good, but would not be considered really first-class If found on any of the metropolitan courses of New Zealand. It looks, indeed, decidedly rough, but in this climate the courses may safely be much rougher than in New Zealand, as they seldom get hard. It Is just an ideal steeplechase turf, but it would not be as good as the straight at Riccarton for a five-furlong flutter. The schooling jumps about the course are of the simplest, and are so put up that they could not possibly throw a Horse down or injure it in any way. I saw nothing in the shape of a post and rails, or even a wall. Looking at these schooling fences before going over the course I could not help wondering where the trainers taught their horses to get over the terrible obstacles that I was expecting to find in the line of country set out for the great steeplechase; but 1 soon discovered that a horse does not want to jump too high and clean to be successful here. A horse must race at and through the fences.” The almost classic water obstacles, except one, incur the writer’s unequivocal disrespect. “I had to have my attention specially called to the great Beecher's Brook as I passed it loking out for a real brook with water in it, which only the best jumping horses in the world could get over. When I was led up to it by my guide, who evidently expected me to be greatly impressed, 1 found it consisted of the same trim brush hedge as faced the other jump, with quite a small ditch on the lauding side, with about as much water in )t as would run through au inch pipe without any pressure. Unless a horse jumped in the most clumsy manner, or ran completely down the fence, it would be quite impossible to get it into the ditch. After crossing jueecher’s Brook the course bears to the left, and two fences further on turn almost at right angles, giving quite a short run at Valentine’s Brook. This I consider by far the most awkward part of the course — a place where a handy, never horse would have a great pull over a rushing, tearing animal, as the canal is right in front of the field, and not more than two chains away. The horses could not get right off the course, but they could easily lose a lot of time and ground between this corner and Valentine's Brook. There is quite a large stand for sightseers, from which I presume that the bend produces some of the best fun to be seen in the race. Valentine's Brook is almost identical with Beecher’s, having the same ditch and water, with the same brush fence in front of it.” In conclusion, “E.S.” says be has no hesitation in saying that the course at Aintree is nothing like so severe as that at Riccarton. At Riccarton a horse has to jump every inch of almost every fence in the course, and if he does not he knocks his stifles and legs about and probably brings himself down. At Aintree a horse might jump into or on every fence, und with the exception of a few thorns be none the worse lor the experience. The pace at which the race at Aintree is run and the number of horses that complete the course shows that the jumps will stand a lot more trifling with than most of those in New Zealand will. Alter seeing a few steeplechases in this country, 1 am quite certain that if the horses had to finish the National at Aintree over the Riccarton walls and rails, there would not be a single competitor left on his legs. I am not trying to make too much of our colonial jumpers, ami too little of the English, for after n season s hunting in Yorkshire and a few runs in Ireland, I am quite willing to admit the superiority of the Irish hunters over anything that 1 have seen in the world, but .steeplechasing here and steeplecbasing in New Zealand and Australia arc two very different things. If New’ Zealanders want to win the Liverpool Grand National, they must not select their best jumpers, but their galloping horses, that will race over all the himsy fences. A horse that tries to jump five feet and a half of brush every two hundred yards instead of jumping about three feet ami going through the rest would soon tire. No horse can jump clear and high for long ut the pace at which the field travels here. In my opinion old Liberator, with not more than eleven stone on his back, would have given any of the English cracks a big run for the National at Aintree.”

“E.S.” has also something to say about the horse recently imported to New Zealand by Mr 11. Buchanan, of Canterbury. Lie writes: “Whilst in Ireland 1 hud seen his dam and sire, so rxpeeted to find something pretty good. His sire, Thurks, by Wurspite, by Uncus, is said to be the best legged horse ever seen In Ireland, and when be started for the Irish Grand National, and

won tt, people though* htm too strong antt big for a thoroughbred. The colt's dam Jg by that celebrated Irleh horse Lord Goog£ out of the Duchess of Curraghmore, au own sister to Milltown, and also won the Iris* Grand National The dam is, I thluk, on* of the finest thoroughbred mares I havg ever seen. She reminded me more of Lurw line than anything 1 have ever seen before* The colt I saw running in a paddock as rough as rough could be. Mr Bin Imiuni wisely did not wish him to be sleek to star* the voyage, and he certainly was not when I saw him. Poor aud rough as he was, there was no mistaking him for the sou of the parents I have described. He has the great big knees, hocks and limbs of his sire* and the back, shoulders and blazed face of his dam. He should indeed furnish into a grand horse. The voyage out may prevent him developing in the way he undoubtedly would have done If he bad been left on his native soil; but it he reeaehes the colony alive he should make one of the most useful sires that has ever been imported into Canterbury. Either his sire of his dam could have held their own in g plough team, or have carried any 16st man over any country with hounds, and they have proved themselves fast and clever by each winning a Grand National Steeplechase. They are as handsome as horses can be made, and look as though nothing would break them down.”

A petition to grant F. McGrath a license to ride was presented to the Dunedin Jockey Club, who replied that he must apply again at the beginning of next season.

The jumper Pipi is in work again at Wingatul.

Messrs G. Reid and T. Green have been elected to represent the Otago countrx < lube on the Racing Conference. ® ® ® AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUBS AUTUMN MESTING. ABUNDANCE WINS THE ST. LEGEQ STAKES. SYDNEY, April 11. Tile Australian Jockey Club opened their autumn meeting at Randwlek to-day iu fine weather. There was a very large attendance. The following are the details of the racing:— The Hurdle Race of 250sovs, about two miles and a half.—E. Donovan's b g Steelrail, 9.3, 1; King Fin, 10.7, 2; Frantic IL, 10.6, 3. Ten started. Betting: 3 to 1 Frantic, Marathon and Steel Rail. Won by six lengths. Time, 4.51. The Autumn Stakes of SOOsovs, one mile and a half.—Jos. Brown's Patronage, 9.3, 1; The Victory, 9.0, 2; hantress, 8.2, 3. Seven started. Betting: 2to 1 against Chantress, 10 to 1 Patronage. Won by a length and a half. Time, 2.37. The Two-year-old Maiden Stakes of 230 k«vs, seven furlongs.—G. Osborne's Bassin!, 8.0, 1; Sagamore, 7.11, 2; Kilifera. 8.0, 3. Eleven started. Betting: 6to 4 Kilifera, G to 1 Bassini. Bassiui won by a short length. Time, 1.30. The Doncaster Handicap of lOOOsovs, one mile.—T. Brown's Rose Petal, 3yrs, by Grand Flaneur—Rosecleer, 7.7, i: Ban Ceontha, 6.9, 2; Marvel Loeb, 6.9, 3. Also ran: Sir Leonard, Purser, Air Motor. Pendant, The Idler, Sliver Ray. Contest, Simile, Acrasia, Argentum, Nymagee. Ambulance, Australia, Gratia. Milner. Fungus, Fireclay, Euston. Betting: 4 to 1 Sir Leonard and The Idler, 7 to 1 Rose Petal. 8 to 1 Marvel Loch, 33 to 1 Ban Ceontha. Fungus got best away quickly, but was overhauled by Ambulance and Pendant, who. racing together clear from Marvel Loch with the field bunched behind, led round the back into the straight. Australia, on the inside, shot to the front opposite the St Leger stand, but Rose Petal put in her claim on the outside opposite the grandstand, and finishing fust, won a good race In a length Sir Leonard was fifth. Time. 1.4!»; A< ra“ia's chances were destroyed earlv in the race Purser blundered at the back of the course ennsing Argentum to stumble and bringing Acrasia down. The latter sustained a slight injury to her shoulder, which will possibly affect her position iu the Cup. The A.J.C. St. Leger Stakes of 300sovs one mile and three-quarters. R. Phillips’ Abundance, 1; Great Scot, 2; Balfour, 3 These were the only starters. Betting: 2 to 1 Abundance ami Great Sect, 3 to 1 Balfour. Great Scot had a slight advantage entering the straight, but Abundance made the pace very hot, and getting on terms at the half distance, gaimd the verdict by a head. Time, 3.6 J The High Weight Handicap of 250-ovs six furlongs.—S. Fielder’s Sir Roger 0•> ISpeculum, 8.7, 2: Cressy. 8.12. 3 Twenty! six linnw started. Won by half tt length. Time, 1.17*. LATER. Acrasia, who fell early In the Doncaster Handicap race, was more setiouslv injured than anticipated. Mr Oxonham states' that she will z,ot fulfil any more engagements at the Randwlek autumn meeting, and there Is a possibility that she may never race again. At the time of the accident she was first favourite for the Svduev Cm, Oxenliam will be a heavy loser.' SYDNEY. April 13. The A.J.C. Autumn Meeting was continued at Randwlek to-day. Heavy raiii.wl.lcli fell till night, cleared off before the races started, and kept fine until the last race, when heavy rain showers fell. The attendance was large. The following are 'lie details of the raclug:— The Flying Handicap of 2uosovs; 6 furlongs. — E. Fraser's Ambulance, 7.12. 1; Marvel Loch, 8.2, 2; Lady Laura, 7.9, 3. Sixteen started. Won by a head. lime. 1 17.

The Maiden Stake® of 250s«ivh; 1] mile.— C. Jeffries’ Not bos, 7.13. 1; Postulate, 7.0, 2; Mechlin, 8.4. 3. Fourteen started. Won easily. Time, 2.14. The Champagne Stakes of 750movk: G furlongs.—W. A. Nooke’s Kiltera, 1; Harvest Lad, 2; Emir, 3. Ten started. Betting: 2 to 1 Emir. 5 to 2 Duke of Grafton, 4 to 1 Athena. Won easily. Time, 1.16*. The Sydney Cup of 2'MK»sovs; 2niiles.— J. Northern’s Stieet Arab, by Jeweller Pirouette, 6.12 (Ilic-keyi, 1; Patronage, 8.4, 2: Bewitcher, 6.7, 3. Also ran: ’I ho Vletorv, Cyanide, Sir Leonard. Great Scot, Australian. Balfour. Patronus. Simile, Vocalist, Fairy Prince, Australia, Gratia. Nymagee, Ban Coontha, Fireclay. Belting: 9 to 4 Palionage, 6 to 1 Great Scot, 8 to 1 Bewitcher, 12 to J the Victory and Street Aral'. Entering the straight Great Scot and Sir Leonard held command from Gratia, Fireclay, and Bewitcher. Passi.ig tin; post Street Arab ran up fourth. At the six-fur-long post Stieet Arab ran up third, and made after Groat Scot. They < ntered the straight together, with Bewitcher and Patronage cn their heels. At the distance Street Arab shot out. followed by Patronage, and won by two lengths. Time, 3.315. The First Steeplechase of oDOaovs: about 2* miles.—ll. Underhill’s Sloth IL. 14.2, 1; Railway, 16.9. 2: Loddon. I<\9, 3. Seven started. Betting: 3to 1 Brokeiage, 7 to 2 Loddnn. 6to 1 Billy Barton. Won easily. Time. 5.56. The First Nursery Handicap of 256sovs; 1 mile. J. East’s Belah, 1; Cato. 2: Thetford. 3. Eleven started. Won easilv. Time. 1.44]. © ® @ ONKAPARINGA RACES. ADELAIDE, April IS. At the Onkaparinga races the principal events resulted as follows: — Onkaparinga Cup.—Florin 1. Rapid Pilgrim 2. Fahy States 3. Seventeen horses stalled. Florin won by two lengths and ahulf. Time, 2.24. Dividend, £7 4/. Hurdle Race.—Saraswati, 9.0, 1; Sydney. 10.0, 2: Actress, 9.12. 3. Thirteen horses started. Saraswati won by a couple; of lengths. Time. 3.55 2-5. Dividend. £4l 19/. Great Eastern Sieoplecha.se.—Drummer. 10.8, 1; Colom-l Shilinski, 13.8. 2: Rangi. 10.9. 3. Thirteen started. Won bv nine lengths. Timo, 7.7. Dividend, £lB 10'.