TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XII, 19 September 1903, Page 807

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

(By Telegraph.—Special to “Graphic.”) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. Rooemera has been sold to Mr O’Brien, of Oamaru, for stud purposes. Silver Rupee, by Silver Mark, has been booked to visit Casket at the Elderalie Stud. Tasmania, a half-sister by Manuku to Tasman, died a few days ago In the South. The best of her progeny was Transport, by Cuirassier. The New Zealand Cnp candidate Bombardo knocked one of bis knees while running at the South Canterbury Meeting, aud had to be withdrawn from his Ashburton engagements. The building operations at Riccarton are progressing rapidly. The contractor will need to maintain the present rate of progress if the buildings are to be ready for the Canterbury Jockey Club's Spring Meeting. The following fort lings have been announced: Madder, by Gossoon —Madras, a filly; Coronal, by Medallion —Corolla, a colt; Fairy M.vid. by Albany—Titania, a volt: Gitanella. by St. Clair—Gitana. a colt: Merrisette. by Medallion —Huguenot, a filly; and Shepherdess, by FitzDonovan—lolanthe, a filly—all to Stepniak; and Rosespur, by Hotspur—Roseary, a filly; Aspenloaf. by Sarpent—Aspen, a filly; and a mar-' by St. Leger—Stepfeldt. a colt—all to Gipsy Grand. TIIE ASHBURTON MEETING. The Ashburton Racing Club was favoured with lovely weather for its spring meeting. and the attendance on both days was much larger than usual. The racing, too, was interesting, and. although I think the club made a mistake in not holding the gathering in October, as it did last year, as matters turned out it cannot have much reason for regretting the change. The New Zealand Cup candidate Kelburn was made favourite for the Ashburtoh Cup, but Thursday was evidently one of his ‘off’’ days, which he occasionally has. as he ran many pounds l>elow his best form; still, it may be found later that he was set a much more difficult job than his task looked on paper. He was dearly none too well handicapped as compared with Secret Society, provided the latter was in his best form, and if there was anything in the race better than Secret Society his task became all the harder. As matters turned out, there was something in the race a trifle superior to Secret Society, and that was Leonore. The three-year-old daughter of Seaton Deiaval and Leocant, who is the property of Mr J. H. Pyne, the well-known auctioneer, made a runaway race of it for the first mile, and just lasted long enough to beat Secret Society by a neck. Pallas was a couple of lengths away third, and the favourite finished last. There is a disposition to think that Leonore was lucky to win, but, as the race was run, the best horse on the day at the weights won. Leonore’s victory invests the Oaks with more Interest. Leoncre Is trained by Mr Hobbs, and the very next race, the Fairfield Plate, went to another occupant of this trainer’s stable. Ingist, the winner, is a three-year-old filly belonging to Mr Boyle, Mr Pyne’s business partner. She is the first of the progeny of the Dunedin Cnp winner Starshot, and is by Gipsy Grand. She was making her first appearance in public. The Otago-owned Phaetonitis started favourite for the First Hack and Hunters’ Hurdle Race, and won verv easily. Liberator’s half-brother Agitator, who has been very successful in hunters’ steeplechases lately, was among the other starters, but jumped slowly, and could never go the pace set by the others. The Lake Shell—Fatigue gelding. Cycles Parra, who, after a lengthy spell, made his first appearance in the pony rank, humped lOst to victory in the Lagmhor Pony Handicap, and, later on, ran a good race against full-grown horses in the Spring Handicap. He could do no better than finish fourth, however, the winner turning up in the littlefancied Muscovite. The son of Stepniak and Eileen won by half a length from the favourite. Lolah, after dropping almost out of the race as the field - turned into the straight, finished with a very strong run. The District Hack Race fell to King Dick, a gelding by Tocsin out of a Burlington mare, who got home a length in front of Nautlloid. a three-year-old filly by Musketry—Nautilus, who was making her debut. The latter, who is a stable companion of Lady Lilian, is a nice-looking filly that will do better with more experience. The Braemar Welter Handicap went to Count of Kolmar, one of the successes of the South Canterbury Spring Meeting. The Perkin Warbeck 11. gelding Wonderful turned the tables on Phaetonitis in the Second Hack and Hunters’ Hurdle Race, and, In the absence of Cyclas Parra, Little Dolly appropriated the Allenton Pony Handicap, and Antigone gave relief to her long-suffering connections by defeating the musical Glenaladale in the Coldstream Welter Handicap. Terrapin, Tzarltsa, Secret Society, De la Rey, Leonore, and Hynotlst went to the post for the Tinwald Handicap, the principal event on the afternoon’s programme, and Secret Society won easily from De la ter is a smart colt, and although he would latter is a smart colt, although he would stand no chance when pitted against Treadmill, his connections, in contemplating sending him North to fulfil his engagements In the Wanganui and Hawke’s Bay Guineas, may not be guilty of vastly overrating his capabilities.

CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. Pilgrim’s Progress list is quite full. W. T. Twomey, a lad attached to Holmes’ stable, is down with typhoid fever. The brood mare Lady Sockburn, by Hornsby—Psyche, and the pony mare, fit. Luanda, both died last week. Mr J. Chadwick, the well known handicapper, is at present on a visit to Christchurch. The jumper Wet Blanket is so lame that it is hardly likely that he will race again for some time. Of our local invalids, Sanfoin ia making good progress, and To-morrow is well enough to take walking exercise. G. Price, the North Island horseman, who has just returned from South Afri a. was riding work at Riccarton a couple of mornings last week. Gladsome’s victory in the Farewell Handicap at Ashburton was a particularly meritorious one. The daughter of Seaton Deiaval had done little real fast work since the previous autumn. Nance O’Neill left last week to fulfil her engagements at the Wanganui meeting. Treadmill, Quarry man, Windwhistle, and Aberlow are booked to leave on a similar vtruud on Thursday week. Ma do w la, the dam of Quarry man. has produced a filly to Clanranald. whom she will revisit. Princess Cole, by King Cole and Contessa, has foaled a tiliy to Strathbraau, and wiU visit Pilgrim's Progress. Muscovite has l>een a lucky horse for Mr H. Solomon, who sold him at a good price after a particularly succ-edsful career. He went amiss, and w’as re-purchased list autumn for £4O. Immediately on bis return to Mr Solomon the horse started to improve, and was sound enough to win a at Ashburton last week and to land his cunm criers good substantial stake. Cruciform’s victory in the Spring Stakes at Sydney naturally aroused a considerable amount of enthusiasm here. The daughter of St. Leger was well backed and as Famous also received some support the bookmakers had the worst of the deal. The following business has been done during the week:—New Zealand Cup: 1000 to 17| against Lenora, 300 to 9 Bombardo, 2UO to 5 Black Reynard, 2UO to lo Ringman, 200 to 13, Kelburn. New Zealand Cup and Stewards’ Handicap: 2«>00 to 3| against Secret Society and Starshoot, 1500 to 1$ Bombardo and Pure Silver. 600 to 1 Great Gun and Sychem, 600 to 3 Ringman and De la Key, GOO to 1 Kohupapa and a “ Eady Lillian and Pure Silver, 500 to 10 Canteen and Petrovna, 7| Halberdier and Matuku, 500 to 3 XVairiki and Pampero, 450 to 4 Ladv LilHan and Pampero, 4ov to 8 Shrapnell aud Petrovna, 4uo to 5 Heroism and Petrovna, 400 to 2 Bulawayo and Petrovna, 400 to 1 Bulawayo and Matuku, 250 to 2* Ringman and Matuku. 250 to 2 Lady Lillian aud Royal Plumes. 250 to 1 Black Reynard and Achilles, 250 to 5 Shrapnell and Machine Gun, 200 to 4 W airiki and Machine Gun, 2t»«» to 1 General Symons and Quarry man. 200 to 2 Pampero and Red Gauntlet, 200 to 2 Shrapnell and Madrigal, 200 to 11 Heroism and Sr. Denis, 20<» to 2 Kelburn and Machine Gud, 200 to 24 Walriki and Achilles, 200 to 4 A\ airiki au,i Machine Gun, 200 to 2 Orloff and Machin? Gun. Mr J. B. Reid has decided to mate his mares as follows:—Hermosa, by st. Leger Lady Evelyn, Sequin, by Cuirassier— Radiant. Lady 8., by Pilgrim’s Progress— E Boves, Strathspey, by Gipsy Grand—• Reel, Black Cloud, by King Cole—Wai, and Norns, by Neckersgat—Tyropean, with Stepniak; Bivalve, by Musketry—Seashell, 1 i ginm s Progress; Lady Dalrymple, by Pilgrims Progress—Kate Dalrymple, Fan lan, by Gossoon - Wheel of Fortune, Miss NientP, by Far Niente—Trial, Marlin bv Artillery—Fallacy, and Fauna, by Maxim —Hermione, with Sant Ilario, to whom Mr J. F. Reid, of Elderslie, is sending a three year old filly by, Stepniak—Ambush, ami a filly by Stepniak—lima, a sister to Spider, by Stepniak—Cobweb, and Roval Salute, by Artillery—Titania, will also’ visit Sant Ilario. Conslet, by Cuirassier— Ruhinb, will go to Pilgrim’s Progress: Whirlwind, by Stepniak—Tempest, to Roval Artillery: Spectrum, by Medallion—Rainhow, and Fireside, by Perkin Warbeck ll.— Blytheside, go to Formosan; Valutress, by Albany—Miranda—Starshoot, by Chainshot—Veno, to Pilgrim’s Progress. Mr J. F. Reid is sending the following mures to Pilgrim’s Progress:—Neva, by Stepniak— Whirlpool, Poltava, by Stepniak—Tempest, a mare by St. Leger Stepfeld’. and a fourth whose breeding I do not know. The Ashburton County Racing Club’s Spring Meeting, which I reviewed last week, must have been a profitable gathering for the club. The attendance was larger than usual, the tote turnover exceeded by £BO7 10/ the corresponding meeting last year, and the dub found an additional source of revenue In the shape o* the fees of a number of bookmakers which it licensed. Five New Zealand Cup candidates took part in the Ashburton meeting: they w»ra Kelburn. Great Gun. Secret Society. Count of Kolmar, and Leonora. Leonore's defeat in the Tinwald Handicap on the second day lends colour to the theory that she was lucky to win tlie Cup: probably If the Cup were run agr.in she would not win. but all the same she had. I believe, heen well galloped at YaMhurst before the meet inc. Still. I think she may be safely dismissed from the New Zealand Cnp calculations. Of Kelburn’s display tn Ashburton not much heed need be taken; the son of Hotchkiss was not by any mean« cherry ripp. and he is a horse which nerds to be at his best to do his best. To mv mind his running on Thursday does not discount in the slightest is New Zealand Cnp chance. Secret Society showe<l at Ashburton that he can stay 11 furlongs, which is further than most nf us supposed he could get; still, I think a mile and abalf. let alone two miles, would find a weak apot in him, and I will not stand him for

the Cup. Great Gun. the Hotchkiss. Sybil colt, who made his debut at the meeting* rau fairly well, but not well enough to justify the that he can win the New Zea laud Cup. AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUB'S SPRING MEETING. CRUCIFORM DEFEATS WAKEFUU SYDNEY. September IX The Australian Jockey Club opened their spring meeting at Raudwick in giorioufl weather. There was a very large attendance, the fact of the two crack mares* Wakeful and Cruciform, being down for un engagement in the Spring Stakes constituting one of the grent<»st draws slnca the days of Carbine and Marvel. The Derby field numbered five, aud »be blue riband was considered to be so completely at the mercy of Duke uf Grafton that the ring were found demanding »dds of 9 to 4 at the close of speculation. A surprise proved to be in stoic However, for Belah. the greatest outsider of the field, slipped his field at (he start, and holding ctnnniaud throughout. « >• his raca comfortably hi the excellent time of 239 f. The ring, hoa *ver, were destined to receive a hard knock over rhe E>»s«>in Handicap, which event went down to the credit of a heavily-backed favourite in Famous, w'.o just struggled home half a-length In front. When the numbers went up for the Spring Stakes It was found that the field had been reduced to four. All eyes were, of course, centred on Wakeful and Cruciform as the two great mares stepped on to the course to measure strides fur the first time. Both mares were In the pink of condition. That it would be a great contest between them for supremacy was a prediction held all along the Hue, and this was very amply borue out. It was always certain that Wakeful would be a strong favourite, and the Champion Stakes winner started with odds of 7 to 4 laid un her ability to score. Weight of money did not, however, affect the issue, for in a great race, run from end to end at a clinking pace, Cruciform emerged triumphant by a head. There was a big outburst uf enthusiasm when Cruciform erme back to the paddotk after recording her brllliaut vicioty. tnd the mare and her owner. Mr Stead, received one of the greatest <*vations ever witnessed at Randwick. The cheering lasted for several minutes. The tiuie registered by Cru-iform is equal to the record performance put up by Dewey when three years old, in the Spring Stakes of 1890. TIIE A.J.C. DERBY, a sweepstakes of 23 sovs each, with lOOOsovs added. One mile and a half. Mr J. East’s Belah, by Havoc—Wilga 1 Sir Rupert Clarke’s Sweet Neil, by Haut Brion—Novelette II 2 Mr E. Fraser’s Duke of Grafton, by Grafton —Disgrace 3 Mr H. C. White's Postulate, by Positano —Mixa pore, and Mr G. Osborne’s Dumont* Ly Orzil—Sara, also ran. Betting: 9 to 4 on Duke of Grafton. 5 to 1 against Sweet Nell, S to 1 Belah. Belah was first to break the line, ami when the field bad settled down be was sailing along in front with a clear length's lead. Conti.oiing to make the pace merry. B<*lah held bis position, and was never caught, winning comfortably by a length, three lengths separating the second and third horses. Time, 2.39 J. THE EPSOM HANDICAP, a sweepstakes of 20sovs each, with lOOOsovs added. One mile. Mr S. Fielder’s Famous, by Grafton - Vanity, 8.0 1 Mr T. F. Scully’s Faithful, bj Metal Maud. 7.9 2 Mr J. Chambers’ Saida, by Mecit IlionAlgerine, 7.1 3 Betting: 4 to 1 against Famous, 5 t o 1 Faithful, 6 to 1 luex, 8 to 1 Air Motor. From an even start Air Motor was the first away, but Ibex quickly rushed through and took command, the field spreading out. Ibex led all along tne back stretch, closely attended by Air Motor, but once fairly in the straight the field closed up. Opposite the St. Leger stand Famous shot out, but was Immediately ?alled upon to stall off a determined challenge on the part of Faithful. A desperate race to the post ensued, resulting in a victory for Famous by a short half length. Time, 1.40. THE SPRING STAKES, a sweepstakes of lOsovs each, with ouOsovs added; the owner of the secund horse to receive 100 sovs, and the owner of the third 50sovs from the prize. For three year-olds and upwards. Welgbt-for-age. Ou mile and a half. Mr G. G. Stead’s ch m Cruciform, 3yrs, by St. Leger- Forme, 9.0 1 Mr Leslie Macdonalds br m Wakeful, aged, by Trenton—lnsomnia. 9.1.... 2 Mr J. Borthwick's b h Postillion, 4yrs, by Positano —Citronelle, 9.0 3 Mr W. Clark’s b h The Victory. syrs, by The Admiral —The Charmer, 9.5.. 0 Betting: 7 to 4 on Wakeful. 2 to 1 against Cruciform, 10 to 1 each Postillion and The Victory. The Victory was first away, but before many yards hud been traversed Cruciform took charge, and the daughter of St. Leger cracking on the pace led past the land, with Wakeful lying in second position. Turning the bend out of the straight, Cruciform was still bowling along in front, with Wakeful at her heels, but when about half way along the back stretch the favourite fell away into third place. Wakeful, however, came again when rounding the Lome turn, and followed Cruciform into the straight. The two cra<-ks wore together opposite the St. Lege? stand, at which i»oliit excitement ran high, the air

retotindlug with erica of “Cruclfortu wins!” ‘•Wakeful wins!” Having stride for stride, the two mar*n> cauie on at a great pace, uiul though Wakeful stink most gamely to her task Cruciform always had a little the best of it. and amidst a mviw of tremendous excitement the New Zealand mare gained the victory by a head. Timo, The Kensington Handicap, seven furlongs. Kelp. 1; Long Tom. 2; Smdn, :t. Twenty-two horse* started. Kelp won by a neck. Time, 1.21 Q. — — ) The ••Daily Tel graph*’ that Mr Stead must have been proud to have seen his colours so generously re » |ved on Saturday. The two best mares iu the Southern Ihnnisph re provided a contest worthy of their great repniation. After a magnificent struggle, during which tin* excitement was probably roti« I higher than ever before in this colony, Cruciform got the judge’s verdict by a head. The ••xcitemvut of the spectators burst its bonds: the crowd broke into knid and, prolonged cheering, volume after volume being given for Cruciform and her owner. Cruciform was not favourite in the betting, so the compli n, nr paid to Mr Stead was all the more fluttering and genuine. Wakeful was not forgotten. f'»r she only succumbed after the ga.uu’st struggle; but the ( X'-uses made for her defeat were not really admitted of. Th“ “Sydney Morning Herald " says that the interest surrounding the Derby and the Epsoui Handicap was naturally keen, but it remained tor the meeting of Wakeful and Cruciform to rouse th - spectators to the highest pitch of excitement when, after a magnificent struggle which will long live in the memories <»f tinea privileged to witness it. the New Zealand ivpr tentative gained the honours by the very narrowest of margins. followed by a most remarkable demonstration which formed n<«» only the expression of general admiral ion for Cruciform’s sterling performance. bur paid tribute and honour to a true sportsman in the person of Mr Stead. T 1 • Tod Sh.r.n style <.f riding was adopted by Hewitt, which though not attractive appears to be very effective, and but for his superb horsemanship, particularly when Wakeful drew’ alongside Cruciform. positions would probably have been reversed.