TURF NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 24, 10 June 1908, Page 57

TURF NOTES.

The Marton Jockey Club is increasing its etakes from £950 to £ll5O for its meetings next season.

There is a probability of the Soult gelding Tamalnupo being taken across to Sydney at an early date.

John O’Connel has ridden two Great Northern Hurdle Race winners in succession. No other jockey has yet performed this feat.

During the first fortnight of the present season in England. D. Maher won 13 of the 30 races in which he rode.

The New Zealanders Piuk-’un, Idealist, and Swimmer were unsuccessful competitors at the Epsom (Vic.) meeting on May 23rd.

Although nothing definits has yet been decided, the Thames trainer J. Twohill is contemplating a trip to Australia with Pierre and Soultline.

In steering Loch Fyne to victory in the Great Northern Steeplechase on Wednesday, A. Julian registered his first winning ride in that event.

The final scene in connection with the local racnig season was enacted last Saturday afternoon, when the A.R.C. Winter Meeting was concluded.

The New Zealand-bred pony Ruatamata, which was sent to Sydney some months ago, won the Flying Handicap at the Kensington meeting on May 20th.

They are very strict in England over the training grounds, and recently J. Linton, head lad to Mr. S. L-oates, having been reported to the stewards of the Jockey Club for exercising horses on closed ground, was fined asovs.

The King’s disappointing colt Null! Secundus has been sent to the stud. The failure as a racehorse of such a well-bred animal — he is by St. Simon — Nunsuch—is one of the most remarkable incidents in turf history.

Word from the South states that the party who races under the name of Mr. Highden, will, on his return from England, establish one of the largest racing stables in New Zealand at Awapuni.

Thus “Sentinel”: There was one case of very palpable pulling on the first day of the NO.J.C. meeting. Perhaps the horse was slipping about in the loose going, and probably the jockey was only steadying his mount — for the next day.

The ex-New Zealand jockey L. 11. Hewitt rode two winners in succession in England recently, being on the back of Pal-o’-Mine in the Holiday Plate, and Byeway in the Coventry Plate. Both horses started at good prices.

After his efforts on the two opening days of the A.R.C. Winter Meeting, Cuiragno was decidedly groggy on his pins, and the Cuirassier gelding is to be treated to a lengthy spell.

The Great Northern Hurdle Race winner Waipu is to be taken across to Sydney, and there is every probability of his being and he was shipped in charge of J. Cameron, by the Mokoia on Monday.

The Finland gelding Bobrikoff, which accounted for the Cornwall Handicap on the opening day of the A.R.C. Winter Meeting was not started again at the gathering. Bobrikoff is engaged in the New Zealand Cup, and will not be seen out till the spring rolls around.

The ruling Turf body in Germany, the 'Union Club, recently published a notice in Its weekly “Calendar” prohibiting owners and trainers from giving horses a gallop in public, and declaring that horses must not be eased until they were absolutely beaten.

The Jockey Club of the United States nave decided that In future minors shall not be admitted to American race tracks unlesa accompanied by their parents There will obviously be some difficulty in enforcing this new regulation, .flnce proof of age will be necessary.

The American-bred colt Normnn 111. la still favourite for the ICngJUli Derby. White Haglo being nest in derun nd The latter will probably be ridden by I, Hewitt. The King's colt, Perrier, Is still in the quotations, though at a much longer price than earlier In the season.

An application by W. Bullock, the wellknown Irish jockey, was made to the stewards of the Irish Turf Club recently in respect of riding fees due to him by Mr. Croker for last season, and in the result Mr. Croker was requested to pay Bullock the amount claimed, less £l5O. the retaining fee received by the jockey.

A Continental writer says that the Australian jockey, F. Bullock, will not have much liberty in Germany, as recently the special trains brought up’ from Graditz to Hoppegarteu forty horses destined to carry the colours of Imperial Germany, and Baron Oppenheim and Mr. Haniel have a second* call on Bullock’s services.

When Mr. J. B. Haggin's stables at his Elmendorf Stud, near Lexington, Kentucky, were burned a few weeks ago, 31 thoroughbred mares, 11 with foals at their sides, were destroyed. The value of the stables was £2OOO, and the provender £lOOO. It is reckoned that the value of the bloodstock destroyed was at least £25,000.

The Leolantis gelding Cachuca was shipped to Sydney on Monday last oy the Victoria, in charge of G. Phillips, who is to ride him in his engagements. Cachuca Is to go into F. McGrath’s stable, to be prepared for the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race, and all going well in the meantime, will be a certain starter in that event.

A Sydney paper says: One of the most disappointing animals that Mr John Mayo has had in his possession was the handsome New Zealand-bred filly, Maori Girl, by Stepniak from Lady’s Maid. She won a race for him last August, and since then has been a failure. Last week Maori Girl passed into the possession of Mr T. Judd, in exchange for £75.

There is an impression abroad that the late Mr G. G. Stead was antagonistic to the appointment of stipendiary stewards, says a Dunedin scribe. Only last week the writer learnt that although Mr Stead looked upon them in an unfavourable light at one time, he was latterly in favour of their appointment.

Mr. A. Selby, the well-known clerk of the course to the Auckland Racing Club, who met with a nasty accident about six weeks ago, was able to be present at Ellerslie on the opening day of the A.R.C. Winter Meeting, but had not sufficiently recovered to be able to take up his duties, which at the Autumn Meeting were performed by his con. After running second on at least five or six occasions, the Freedom colt Wauchope managed to get his name on the winning list, accounting for the Jervois Handicap. Mr. Ring was successful in the same race last year with Mighty Atom, when, strange to say, Dogger Bank, which finished second on Saturday, filled the same position to Mighty Atom. In commenting on the first appearance in the saddle of Pike, the Australian rider, an exchange says:—A certain amount of interest centred in the first appearance at Gosforth of the Australian light-weight jockey, J. E. I’ike, who had been preceded by a tall reputation. lie is an extremely small hoy, and his first mount, Salamet, in the Bentinck Stakes, hardly gave him a chance of showing his capabilities. Salamet began slowly, and only ran into third place on sufferance. The death is announced from the Thames of the old gelding Yattenfeldt, by Nordenfeldt — Yattacy, which was foaled as far back as £B9O. Yattenfeldt was only a fair performer during his career on tne turf, and at the time of his death was performing the humble duty of a cab horse, and wnile acting in this capacity, fell down in the street and was dispatched by a friendly bullet. At a recent meeting of the Te Arolia Jockey Club the secretary submitted a bal-ance-sheet which showed the club to be in a slightly better position than heretofore. Considerable discussion ensued on the question of dates for next season’s gathering, mid it was eventually decided that future race meetings of the Club be held on Miners' Union Day and the day following.

The New York Jockey Club have adopted the following resolutions:- That all jockeys holding licences from The Jockey Club are notifi«*<l that their conduct and

habits when absent from the racecourse are under strict Bcmtiny, and they are warned that keeping bad company will be promptly and severely punished by the stewards. It is further resolved that a copy of this resolution bf sent to each jockey and to each trainer holding a licence from the Stewards of the Jockey Club, with an explanatory note to the trainer, saying that his cooperation in enforcing the above resolution Is expected by the'sTT wards of the Jockey Club.

The French Government stallions, many of whom are winners of the Derby and other important races, serve thoroughbred mares for a fee of £4, and serve halfbred mares for a fee of 12/; but only mares whose owners are domiciled in France are accepted. The breeders rely on the Gov eminent to a certain extent for the sale of their stock, w’bich has a guarantee of quality, for they have supplied tin* stallion, and their inspectors have approved the mares. Cyllene, who was recently sold in England for exportation to Argentina, leaves among his progeny one that will begin her racing career possessed of a unique record. This is the now two-year-old daughter of Sceptre. Mr. W. Bass gave £25.090 for Sceptre, am! £30,000 for Cyllene. so that if money alone could ensure merit the youngster in question would be an absolute wonder. Yet she may turn out worthless —such is the lottery of breeding. The Soult gelding Sol is to I>p given a spell after his exertions at the A.R.C. Winter Meeting, and will probably not race until the next jumping season. Sol’s efforts in the Great Northern Hurdle Race and Steeplechase were decidedly meritorious, and the game manner in which the little fellow battled out both events, stamps him as being as honest a jumper as has ever competed at Ellerslie. A win for Mr Morgan’s little champion in either event would have been decidedly pleasing to chronicle. He would have been a proud sire if he could have read the sporting Press, and one hopes for his sake that the equine intelligence is comprehensive enough to make interesting communication on the occasions when nose rubbings are being exchanged in token of old friendship. If racing needed a justification it might be found without difficulty in the improvement that St. Simon has made as a sire in the quality of thoroughbreds all over the world. Pall Mall Gazette. The running of the Great Northern Steeplechase saw the passing away of a useful horse, in the Rra-ternite gelding Inniskillen, which raced in the colours of the gentleman who races under the name or Mr M. Manton. Inniskii en was a decidedly useful performer, both over the big fences and hurdles, numbering amongst his successes a N.Z. Grand National Steeplechase (which event he won in 1905), and •> loss to his owner is a serious one. The victory of Cymri in the Ranfurly Handicap, in the colours of Mr Donald McKinnon, was well received, although the Cyienian gelding was, with one exception, the biggest outsider in a field of fourteen. Cymri won his race from end to end, and as this popular little owner is well-known as one of those who races purely for sport, it is needless to say he was the recipient of numerous congratulations on the victory or his colours, which were further extended when Loch Fyne scored in the Great Notuiern Steeplechase, the latter being bred by Mr McKinnon in the Waikato. Considerable argument has arisen as to which was the first horse to fall in the Great Northern Hurdle Race. From the Press stand it was practically a matter of impossibility to judge, and it certainly look ed as if Aorangi had a slight advantage of Omati when they came to the fence, ami that the former fell first. In conversation with the riders of Omati and Aorangi after the race, I gathered that Aorangi was about a neck in front of Omati when they came to the hurdle, and was first to rise. Omati, however, blundered right into the fence, ami in falling, struck Aorangi, fetching him down, while Paritutu, which was close behind, toppled over them. Mr. James Twohill writes me to say that owing to the treatment meted out to his horse Soultine by Mr. Morse he has withdrawn him from all engagements at the A.R.C. Winter Meeting. Mr. Twohill certainly seems to have good grounds for his action, as Soultine in being assessed as he has been is made out to be a much better horse than his public performances suggest. So far the Soult gelding has only won two hack races, and although he showed undoubted brilliancy it has to be remembered that a horse competing with others a bit below him and beating them easily is sometimes boomed as a champion without cause. After his display in the Maiden Hurdle Race on the opening day of the A.R.C. Winter Meeting, in which lie fell when looking all over a winner, the Leolantis gelding Franklin was made a very warm favourite for the Drake! Hurdle Race on the second day, and fully justified the confidence placed in him, by winning easily. Franklin was nicely handled by Coleman (a new rider over fences), who must be given credit for riding an excellent race*, and also for the splendid recovery he made when his mount hit the fence in the straignt very hard, which blunder would have unseated numbers of more experienced horsemen. The small field that contested the Tallyho Steeplechase on the second day of the A.R.C. Winter Minding should cause Hie authorities to consider whether II is not run on the wrong day of the gathering. At present, it comes at an interval of two races after the Great Northern Steeplechase, and any horse that competes In the big event, and finishes the course, is hardly

likely to be dragged out again that after* noon. Were the event to be pm on the programme of the first day. and mad • that the winner would nett incur any [A., ally in the big event, it wow'd be a eorc of dress rehearsal, and would probably attract - good field. Before the Takapunn Winter Mealing, Loch Fyne was popularly sorted out as having a great chance in the Great Northern Steeplechase, but after his display at the North Shore, he went out of favour. How foolish it is to condemn a horse on one performance was further exemplified on Wednesday, when the son of Loenuess rolleu home a winner by four lengths, a.ter having borne the brunt of the battle for about half the journey. Loch Fyne s victory was contributed to in no small measure by the artistic manner in which he was handled by his rider. A. Julian, while his condition reflected the greatest credit on his trainer. W. Mobberley, who has not been a too-fav-oured subject of the Goddess of Fortune of late. The conditions of the Jumpers’ Fiat Race, an event on I he Auckland Racing Club’s winter meeting, badiy want revising if it is to be a success. At present the event is open to any hurdle or steeplechase hoi se that has completed a hurdle or steeplechase course to the satisfaction of the stewards. This is very vague, and is hardly calculated to attract a decent entry, and it would be far better if it was altered to read. ’ have competed in at least thiee jumping events during, the season. In Saturday’s race the presence of Uranium frightened out a number of competitors, and to allow any horse to compete, which has only completed a hurdle race once, and that nearly three .veins ago, is to say the least “ stretching it a bit too far.” Probably Saturday’s experience will cause an alteration. The most fortunate English jockey of the moment (says “John Bull”) is “Skeets” Martin, and his success is the more deserved and advantageous, seeing that it comes upon the eve of his return from the Austrian Turf. Both his Lincoln Handicap and Newbury Cup successes were cleverly, if not easily, gained, and yet in each rase the good fortune was that Longeroft was in inefficient handling or, rather, in the central of lightweight boys under whom til the morning of the rare. Moreover, until the morning of the race, Greening was to have ridden Roseate Dawn, being “jock ed off” in favour of Martin at the very last moment. Interesting statistics have been compiled regarding the career at the stud of the recently-deceased St. Simon, whose stock during the years from ISS9 to 1908 aggregated, apart from place money, 529,45150v5. in nine of the years St. Simon headed the list of winning sires, bis most successful year being 1896, when lie was credited with 59,77050v5. thanks principally to the brilliant performances of St. Frusquin and Persimmon. Amongst other valuable races, •St. Frusquin and Diamond Jubilee won the Two Thousand Guineas; Semolina, Amiable, La Pioche. and Winifred the One Thousand Guineas; Persimmon and Diamond Jubilee the Derby; Memoir, La Flecbe, Mrs. Bitterwick, Amiable, and La Roche the Oaks; and Memoir, La Flecbe, Persimmon, and Diamond Jubilee the St. Leger; while the fol lowing sons of St. Simon won “ten thousand pounders”: Eclipse Stakes, St. Frusquin. Persimmon, Diamond Jubilee, and Dailey Dale; Princess of Wales Stakes, St, Frusquin and St. Denis; Jockey Club Stakes, Persimmon and Pietermaritzburg. Another Great Northern Steeplechase has to be added to the list of past events, ami the race on Wednesday, although perhaps hardly as exciting as several other contests for the event, was brimful of interest from the start to the finish. The first incident wc i the mishap to Inniskillen, which was racing in the lead with Le Ecru, the latter then acting as pilot until tie top of the hill was reached the second time, when Loch Fyne ran to th? front, mid when th-y went along the back, had a commanding lead, while Le Beau and Sol weie seen to be the on-y ones that had any chance with the leader. Sol made a great effort over the last mile, but the weight told Its tale, and although he lookvd like overhauling Loch Fyne when, they turned for home, he faded away again over the last furlong, and had to acknowledge a four lengths defeat when the post was reached. So! was undoubtedly the star perfoimer of the race, and his gallant effort will long remain in the mem ory of those who were privileged to witness it. The great disappointment was Klatere, who was never dangerous nt any stage, and finished a long way back from the leaders. Le Beau ran a good horse, and looks like being useful over big country, but Pi?rr« tired of the struggle early, as did Kapa Kapa, Nadador and Bullworth, wh::e Ma hoe was badly beaten when he fell at the sod wall the second time round. The death of the well known English jockey. H. Custance, has been announced. In many respects Harry Custauce was one of the most remarkable horsemen that ever lived. Not only was he an accomplished jockey who wrote bis name thrice on the Derby scroll of fame, but he was the one jockey who bad the honour eleven years after he bad scored with George Frederick in the Blue Riband on Epsom Downs of starting the field for the great classic won by Lord Hastings’ Melton. He was not

Only a champion on lhe nat but a splendid horseman across couniry. well known in the shires and w LTli the 1 fincolnshlre packs. Indeed, in IS7I he had the honour of piloting the King then the I rinve of Wales — for three days when His Koya! Highness was on a visit to Custance's employer, Mr. Henry Chaplin, at Chauntry House, Lincoln. Mr. Chaplin was the Master of the Burto*:, and asked the Jockey to look after his Royal guest. This he did tatisfactorily, though at one big drain which Mr. Chaplin and Custauce had been the only pair t.> jump, the latter for a moment forgot the responsibility of his charge, and had just time to turn round and tell the Prir.co that it was a very treacherous place. "Luckily.” declared Custauce, “the Prince did not chance it. and the only two others who did make the attempt fell victims to its dangers.” In commenting on the victory of the King’s coll. Perriei, in the Newmarket Biennial Stakes, an English writer says: “ Anybody who expected to find a facsimile of the King’s lamented first Derby winner in his son would be disappointed. Perrier bears a certain resemblance to Persimmon, but Is not so well put together. He has a sensible h'j<l and a good neck, but his shoulders are a trite heavy, and there is a distinct suggestion of slackness behind. Experts agreed to diher about ills looks and pretensions. A good colt now, and capable of much Improvrmer.t," said some. "There’s something about him I don’t quite like,’’ said others. ’I hey could scarcely define the cause of their dissatisfaction; it was an intangible something, but it made them regard Pe~iier as nor filling the eye as a Derby winner lik«' l:is sire did. He seems a beautifullv temper d colt and walks well, but when Herbert Jones mounted him and he started to cantor down, his short, scrappy action elicited cries of astonishment. “Seems to be feeling for swords.” was the not inapt comment of a well-known trainer on his mono 01 progression. If Perrier went down bad.y. however, he came back in irreproachable sty I •. winning in a hack canter, and he must be seen fully extended to be appreciated. Custanco was at one time with the late Matthew Dawson, then private trainer for the great Scotch ironmaster. " Mr. James Merry. In 1860 he ’rode with much success for the stable, being on the backs of ove- 40 winners, of whom the greatest was, of course, the Derby winner Thormanby. That year there were many other smart three year-olds, including the Wizard, Honor, Nnibourne. Umpire, and High Treason, but. Thormanby who, as things turn<‘«l out. was a lucky mount for Custanee—was the best of the lot. The latter jockey had ridden Thormanby in all his work, but on the morning of the Derby he was informed by Dawson that a jockey named J. Sharpe had been fetched from Russia for the purpose of steering the crack. Tass Parker, the fighting man. who was employed at Russley to keep away the touts, was sent to Brussels to meet Sharpe, to bring the latter to Epsom, and see that he was at the proper weight at that time, Bst 71b for colts. Everything went well until the morning of the Derby. Sharpe and his

“minder” arrived at Epsom, and went out for a walk, wherein the jockey had to do a bit of wasting. Parker had strict instructions not to lose sight of his charge for fear the latter might get drunk. On returning to his rooms. Tass, tired out, wont to take a bath. Sharpe did himself well on brandy, with the result that when the course was reached Custauce was told to put on Mr. Merry's first colours on Thormanby. Sharpe got up on Northern Light, in the race the latter lost. Mr. Merry won £85,000 over that success. Custance’s reward was £lOO and a lecture by Mr. Norman Buchanan, who trusted such a sum of money would not turn Hie lad’s head or tempt him to go wrong! It was the only present the jockey got from the Scot during the three years he rode for the latter. Touching on the victory of Perrie? in the Newmarket Biennial Stakes, a writer in the “Sporting Times” peus the following:—ln our early days, and for many years afterwards, a race of the utmost importance was the Newmarket Biennial. It was looked upon as a sort of dress rehearsal for the Two Thousand Guineas and Derby, and the betting on those races was often materially influenced by what was seen in it. Of all races, however, as a-guide, it has proved the most misleading; the form shown in it having invariably been reversed at Epsom. 'Though horses that have been beaten in the Biennial have many times carried off the Derby, the winner never. We scarcely know whether to congratulate the King or not on the victory of Perrier. It would have been a poor look out if he had not won, as on form, without counting the improvement ho has made, he had at the weights a stone in baud. In beating Olympus, for instum «•, he did no more than Royal Realm did in the Ginicrack Stakes. Perrier has grown into a grand horse, and apparently is quite worthy to take the place of his great • • ire Persimmon. There is neither iliyu e nor reason for opposing h| ul for the Derby because he lias won the Newmarket Bioniti: !; but. all the same, a gruesome bi'ti ry attaches to the Biennial winners ns far is the Derby is concerned, and we arc almost superstitious enough to wish that he Ind not won, or rather that he had not run As matters stand, the history of the Ven market Biennial may not b » lacking n Interest, and we trust that the time Ims <-umv for the hick to take a turn. A spoilsman naturally objects to having his l.orsc lagging superfluous on the turf, and not infrequently, in large stables, some • re sold nt a small figure because it is und<*.-t<r)d that tin* horse is not to be raced any more, and also because the retired r.icer is going to what is called a goes! home. This apftears to have been the c.-.w < f Cnniilc Chiel, who was amongst the n Itmers at the North Otngo meeting. Fir rifflfard parted with (’annle Cbiel to Mi M ij. CaaiptoeU, miml there was

an understanding that the son of Clanranald was not to be raced again. On Mr. Campbell’s departure for Kugland Cannie Chiel was sold with the rest of his horses, and purchased by Mr. 11. Kerr. Prior to the running of the Stewards’ Handicap on Saturday Sir George Clifford lodged a protest against Cannie Chiel being allowed to start on the ground that the horse was sold by him with the proviso that he was not to be raced again. The stewards, although under the impression that the matter was beyond their province, held an inquiry, and Mr. Kerr stated that he purchased the horse without any restrictions whatever. The auctioneer who sold the horse is an official of the N.0.J.C., and he, confirming what Mr. Kerr stated, said that the matter was beyond their jurisdiction, and that there was nothing in racing law which justified them requesting Mr. Kerr to withdraw his horse. The result was that Cannie Chiel, looking very embonpoint, went out and won his race from end to end. Sir George subsequently purchased Cannie Chiel, and showed “inconsistent form” by starting the Clanranald horse on the second day of the meeting. There is, however, some allowance to be made for the fact that the horse started under the familiar chequers instead of under the banner of another stable.— (Sentinel.) Our American cousins (says an exchange) have at length succeeded in capturing the three great classic races of the English turf, the last of which —the Two Thousand Guineas—recently fell to the prowess of the transatlantic bred colt Norman HI. The first important American invasion of the English turf was made in 1857, when Mr. R. 'Ten Broeck brought a powerful team across, and, among other races % secured the Goodwood Plate. 1859, and Goodwood <’up. 1861. with Starke. The second memorable visit came in 1879, when Messrs. Pierre I.orillard ami James R. Keene, both breeders and keen sportsmen, essayed to win the classic races, and, in 1881. when Iroquois, the property of the first-named, won the Derby, there were grgat rejoicings throughout the United States, and the classic victory was accentuated when the great son of Leamington annexed the St. Leger; while Eoxhall, who carried the livery of Mr. Keene, was successful in the Grand Prix de Paris, the Grand Duke Michael Stakes, the Cesarew itch, and the Cambridgeshire. In lhe meantime Mr. August Belmont, a scion of an old sporting family, and head of the New \ ork banking firm of August Belmont, anil Co., Messis. Lorillard. J. R. Keene, W. C. Whitney, and R. Croker have essayed to win the classic events, but the best Mr. Ixniilard could do was to run second with Sachem in the Derby. 1882, won by Shotover, while Mr. Keene's Disguise 11. filled third place behind Diamond Jubilee and Shnondale, in the race for the blue ribbon. 1900. The following year Mr. w. Whitney purchased the English-bred Volodyovski to win the Derby, and. ridden by us American jockey, L. Reiff, the colt proved equal to the task: while last year the American-owned Orby, piloted by J. Reiff, easily proved his superiority over his opponents, and placed the coveted decoration to the credit of Mr. R. Croker. The result of the One Thousand Guineas, following so fast on the heels of the success of Mr. Belmont's colt in the Two Thousand, accentuated the American invasion. Rhodoro, the winner of the first "ladies' ’’ race of the season, was bred in Ireland by the American sportsman Mr. Richard Croker, who it will be remembered, had to remove his' horses in training from Newmarket a couple of ’Vi th , e of the Jockey Club. Now v f B ? ss ; nR he was known in had tlle satisfaction of leading in Orby. the winner of last year’s > and he ha ? ca P tured the One Thou sand Guineas with Orby's half sister.