TURF GOSSIP

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 25, 23 June 1909, Page 12

TURF GOSSIP

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RACING FIXTURES. June 16, 17—Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. June 23, 24 — Napier Park Racing Club July 9 — Gisborne Racing Club ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. {Decision.—The placed horses in the tast N.Z. Grand National were:—Eurus 1, La Beau 2, Gold Seal 3. Word from the South states that it has now been definitely decided that Maniopoto is to be finally retired from the Tert There were three double winners at Hawke’s Bay. Speciosa. Pikopo, and NorthEast each winning two races. The San Fran horse, California, is reported to be doing good work on the tracks at Hastings. In fire list of published nominations for the Toorak Handicap the uai»e of Master Soult was omitted. G. Price has taken over Mr. HigbdeiTs horses, and they are now iu work under his charge at Awapuni. Word from the South states that St. Aidan is shaping satisfactorily in his efforts over hurdles at Riccarton. The ex-New Zealander Pink-’Un has been taken up again by D. J. Price to be prepared for his spring engagements. The N.Z. horse California has been added to the list of entrants for the Metropolitan, to be run at Randwiek in the Spring. Several horses are being kept going at Ellerslie, evidently with a view to the Gisborne aud other Southern meetings. Messrs. W. H. S. Moorhouse and J. W. Abbott will represent the Wellington Racing Club at the N.Z. Racing Conference.

The Freedom gelding Haereinai, which was taken to Sydney by Mr. A. Phillips, is being schooled over the big fences at Flemington. The Chainlink gelding Jack Pot is stated to have shown considerably improved form at Hastings to what he displayed at BRerslle. In addition to Etonia, Mr A E. Hopewell has purchased the Soult mare Silent, and left for _Sydney with the pair on Monday. The ponies Norma and Eleuore have changed hands, and it is understood the pair are to be shipped to Sydney, via Wellington, at an early date. Further evidence in the Cunningham appeal case was taken by the Auckland Metropolitan Committee, after which another adjournment was decided upon. Mr. Chadwick has taken no liberty with Le Bean in the Napier Park Steeplechase, and. taking a line through Capitol, he is certainly harshly treated. Le Beau did not accept. The St. Hippo mare Speciosa. which accounted for a double at the Hawke’s Bay meeting, is stated to be a bit on the small side, but she is evidently useful. Matters at Ellerslie are fast assuming their usual winter aspect, and racing headquarters now bear a very deserted appearance. Just before his departure for Sydney, Mr. W. Lyons received word that Don Hannibal, Waipu, and Kiatere were lauded in Sydney in first-class order. Accolxk n well-known Australian horseman, anived in Auckland last week, and intends taking up his residence here. He is associated with S. Hodge's stable. Tn this week’s issue of the “N.Z. Referee” the Hon. J. D. Ormond presents bis side of the question on Mr. Henry’s handicapping of his horses, and certainly make* out a good case. The Great Northern winner Capitol was roughing badly in the paddock before the Hawke's Buy Steeplechase, and according to a Southern writer, was obviously not up to his Auckland form.

Jack O’Connell, who is to Journey to Australia to ride Waipu and Kiatere in their engagements, wa« badly shaken at the Hawke’s Bay Meeting through A robs falling with him in the Hack Steeplechase.

A “skewbald” fitly has been entered by James Wilson, juur.* for several of the young races in Australia of next season. She is a half-sister to Monody and Monodisk The hunter Manga pa pa did not long survive his effort in the Hunters’ Hurdle Race at the A.R.C. Northern Meeting, the son of Kgapuhi joining the great majority last Thursday. Carbine was credited with £8395 in the winning sires’ list in England last year This season he has made a great start,, for the cable informs as that his sou Cargill has won the Manchester Cup, a £3030 race. The Hotchkiss horse First Gun was given another try over the hurdles at Ellerslie last week, but bis display was not a very promising one, and he will need a lot of making before he becomes successful at the illegitimate game. The Flintlock gelding Rimlock is to be treated to a spell, after which be will be tried at the jumping game. Mr McKinnon’s other gelding,, Cymri, will shortly be schooled over the big fences, at which game he should be useful. Mr. J. Muir’s Seaton Delaval gelding Rauparaha, which has been enjoying a spell since last Christmas, was brought from his owner’s place on Wednesday last, and is to resume active service under W. Gall’s charge. R. Hatch is now absolutely certain to head the list of winning horsemen for the past season, and to date Ids score is 83 wins. Deeley is next in order (with 60), and then follow Jenkins (46), E. Lowe (41), A. Oliver (41), and Buebanan (40). J. McLaughlin, the Napier trainer, Is contemplating a trip to Melbourne at the end of this month with Maiora and Rock Ferry. The list of N.Z. horses competing in Australia this season promises to be very large. The good opinion formed by those who saw’ North-east perform at Hawera has beeu fully borne out by subsequent perfoimances, and his showing on the last day, when he won the Ruakawa Handicap with 11.13 iu the saddle, conceding up to just on 3st to some of his opponents, stamps the son of Euroclydon a first-class hack. Multiform has not been long in finding favour with Australian breeders, a s his list is full for next season at a fee of sOgs. Another New Zealand-bred horse, Havoc, who has sired many good winners lately, is practically full at 20gs. Mr. U. Shannon has purchased for an Australian sportsman the rising two-year-old brother to Pink-’Un from his breeder, Mr. John Robson, of Makaraka, Gisborae, and the youngster is to be shipped to Sydney on the 25th iust. The friends of J. McGregor, the wellknown horseman, who was making his reappearance in the saddle at the Hawke’s Bay meeting, after his serious accident of two years ago, will be pleased to learn that he had a couple of winning rides, piloting Speciosa iu both the engagements in which she woo. During the progress of the Hawke's Bay meeting, a number of juveniles belonging to Messrs Watt and Lowry, as well as a number of others, were given a canter on the course proper, to accustom them to the crowd. The youngsters acquitted themselves as soberly as many of the seniors, and, on the whole, were greatly admired.

After a fairly long absence from the scene of action, the Explosion horse Pohutu made his appearance at tue Hawke’s Bay Winter Meeting, and after running second in the Handicap, on the opening day, won the Ngamatia Handicap on the second, day, giving his owner a long-deferred win. Pohutu is certainly one of the most unlucky hemes that ever raced In Auckland.

The American plan of reserving a place for jockeys works satisfactorily at Richmond and Ascot. From the time racing commences until the last event is decided (says an exchange) all the jockeys were isolated from the public, aud mounted their charges as they were led to them in the weighing enclosure. Stipendiary supervision is very strict, and this accounts for the close and exciting finishes which Mr. Fred Row invariably has to adjudicate upon.

The Phoebus Apollo mare Imprimus, which is now the property of the EHersHe trainer 8. Hodge, wrenched herself while doing slow work just before the Northern Meeting, and that a c counted for her non-appearance in the Farewell Handicap on the concluding day, in which event she was expected to run prominently.

Mr J. Chadwick disposed of Rosaverg on Monday to an Australian buyer. and the son of Rookby was shipped to Sydney in company with Glenora by the Wimmers on the same day. Rosavete is intended for hurdling, and may be useftrf !n that breach of the sport. Most of his performances have been registered at the country meeuugs in aud around Auckland, and he has a number of wins to bis credit, while he has rarely beeu out of a place.

▲ doaen foals have been nominated by Mr. 8. Green for the Fourteenth Caulfield Futurity Stakes, to be run in 1911 Their breeding is as follows:—Filly by Fositano-— Gladsome; filly by Posltano—Bright Beauty; filly by l*ositauo—lnduatrioua; filly by Positano—Key; eolt by Rouge Croix —Tragedy Queen; filly by Bobadil —The Parisienne; eolt by Bobadil—Laura; colt by Rouge Croix —Independence; fiHy by Multiform—Rattler; filly by Multiform— Problem; co’-t by Simmer—River Trent; filly by Simmer—Spezia.

The ex-New Zealander Black Reynard won the hurdle race at Rand wick recently, and in this connection a Sydney writer says:— With the New Zealander Diack Reynard, the ringmen at Randwick on Saturday took no liberties at any stage. Did they know iialf an-hour before the race that Mainspring was to be scratched and that T. Cahill (the new Regan) was to be iu the saddle? At all events, they made the black favourite to start with. All that this aged gelding has done in Australia was to get about fourth iu a welter race. Backers of him were lucky to win. He touched heavily on several occasions, and was only about level with Protector at the last hurdle. It was his fiat work that saved them.

Ln conversation with the writer before he left for Australia with Leo Grand, Joe Gallagher informed me that as nothing seemed to go right with him in New Zealand, he intended to give Australia a chance to see if his luck wou’d turn. Evidently the change has not yet brought about the desired result, for, according to the cabled report of Leo Grand’s first effort on the other side, it would appear as if all the evil spirits of the universe had conspired to prevent the ex-Aucklander winning a race. It is bad enough to be beaten when you are going for a stake, but to have your pony’s form exposed as Leo Grand’s was is heartrending, and it is to be hoped, for the sake of the well-known trainer-rider, that this is the last ebb of the tide of misfortune, and that the flood will now turn in his favour.

“It is said to be a fatal thing for any commissioner from India to let it be known that he is out to buy for a patron in the ‘land of riee and rajahs,’ for if he does the seller at once puts 50 per cent to the price that he meant to ask, it being the erroneous superstition that anyone from India must be full of money. If only our friends in Australia realised the stagnation in business of all sorts, including the horse market, they would not (says an Indian paper) adopt a policy calculated to frighten the shy purchaser away. In India at the present moment horses are almost unsaleable owing to the state of financial depression.”

A peculiar incident occurred over the sale of a horse, after winning a selling race, at Newmarket, in April. The horse, Nimrod, was entered to be sold for £5OO, and on being submitted after winning it was so long before a bid was made for him, that the auctioneer said, “Take him away.” While he was going out someone made a bid, whereupon the auctioneer called for the horse to be brought back, and bidding went on up to 830 gs, at which price he was knocked down to the ex-Australian .owuer-tiainer, R. Wootton. The owner. Blacklock, concluded that the horse was his the moment the auctioneer said “Take him away,” and, the stewards upholding his view, the sale was cancelled.

A Wellington visitor who was present at the recent Great Northern Meeting, tn conversation with a Wellington writer, was not very enthusiastic about the Ellerslie course itself, even from a spectator’s point of view. The starting post of the mile tiach is, he says, concealed behind houses and trees, and the horses have been travelling some little distance before they come into view. People are permitted to crowd around two of the most important jumps in the steeplechase, which have to be negotiated at the horses finish the descent of the hili. From the stand no one can see these jumps, and there is always the risk of the crowd frightening a nervous horse. In any comparison between Ellerslie and Trcntham, says the Wellington visitor, the latter has the better of matters. In bis opinion, the Trentham track is infinitely superior to Ellerslie as an ideal racing track, as its curves are beautifully laid out, and the track is so absolutely true and level; whereas on the Auckland course there are natural disadvantages which tend to give it a somewhat switchback appearance. For example, the turn out of the straight is slightly ou the collar, whilst f he reverse is the case when the horses pass somewhere near the five furlong post going down the back. After seeing Ellerslie, he begins to realise why the maxim “horses for courses” M so often exemplified there. Probably the Weilingtonian lost his money. I know numbers of Aucklanders who feel that way

At a Sydney race meeting a week or two back there was a great finish between three horses. The judge hoisted Featherstitch’s number, aud, in discussing the affair, an Australian writer delivers himself thus: —There was a howling rumpus the other day when Featherstitch got the verdict. The non-official verdict wag; Storey by a head from Dryite, with Featherstlch half-a-length away third. Personally, cannot offer an opinion, but will swear that even Payten and the rider of Feather reckoned it up as lost. How lucky is the owner who gets it when his horse run* second! Ye gods I how much luckier must be he when a third is converted into

« first. Ib a close finish only the judge can tel); 1b as open fiaisb U seems to be the same. The owner of Storey might have been reconciled to a decision in favour of Dryife. Similarly, the owner of Dryite to * doeiaion in favour of Storey. But to one in favour of Featherstitch was enough to give them a stitch of a very sore kind. Uncertainty is one of the principal elements in turf matters. Generally it te not extended to the judge’s I >x, but at odd times it invades even this structure. For once in a way, this was a race that could easily be judged by those around and about, but not actually in the box. The horses were not spread across the course; they were finishing together. A majority of those persons who dispute the bulge's decisions do so on the tickets they have in their possession. They are not judging by the eye, but by the pccket, and at times very shallow at that. In this race Featherstich was on the outside, and, although a goodly number of those nearest to him had Feather briefs, they would have sold out cheap. As a rule, it is my custom to be with the man in the box. believing that his eyes will be open. So many spectators close their eyes at the critical moment, and give their mouths a show, that they are not likely to be correct. With Featherstitch, the case is different, and the owners rand backers of horses that apparently finished in front of him are confirmed with, if not consoled. About Trent bam.

HAWKES BAY WINTER MEETING. FIRST DAY. HASTINGS, Wednesday. The first day of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey dub’s winter meeting was held to-day in fine weather, and there was a large attendance. The racing was interesting throughout, although in the principal events the winners had easy victories, and the contests were for second honours. The investments on the totalisator amounted to £6045, as compared with £6153 on the first day of the last winter meeting, a decrease of £lOB. Seventeen bookmakers were on the ground, whose fees, including clerk's, were £2l 10/ each. AH the jockeys wore erape bands in memory of the late Airs G. P. Donnelly, whose husband is a prominent member of the club. The later events resulted as follows:— Hack Steeplechase of 120sovs. two miles. —Speciosa, 9.12, 1; Eldorado, 9.7, 2; Atanui, 9.7, 3. Scratched: Gold Shower. Aroha and Coy fell. Aorangi, Te Kainui, and Assayer ran off the course. Speciosa won by half-a-length, two lengths between second and third. Time, 4.14. Ladies’ Braclet of lOOsovs, one and a-half miles. —Pikapo. 11.9, 1; Uenuku, 12.3, 2; Irish Riffe, 12.11. 3. Scratched: Compass and Water-o’-Milk. Won by two lengths, five lengths between second and third. Time, 2.44 2-5. Turamoe Hurdles of ISOsovs, If mile.— Compass, 10.13, 1; Corazon, 9.4, 2; Com mander, 10.2, 3. All started. Won by a length, two lengths separating second and third. Time, 3.51 2-5. Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase of 40(teovs, about three miles.—A. J. Eilrn.ghana.’& b c Jack Pot, 10.12 (D. Watt), 1; Sir W. R. Russell’s . Nadador, 10.13, 2; J. Twohill’s Capitol, 11.7, 3. Also started: Eurus. Te Kohau. Burns got the best of the start, and was speedily some lengths to the good, but at the second jump he ran off. Jack Pot was left in the lead, and was not afterwards troubled, winning by a good ten lengths. Sir William Russell’s old mare Nadador made a gallant straggle, but although occasionally close up, never got on even terms with Mr Ellingham’s representative. Capitol, who started slightly more in public favour than Jack Pot, only got within three lengths of the second horse. Time, 6.53.

Whakatu Hack Hurdles of lOOsovs, one mile and three-quarters.—C. E. Twists Nero 1, W. J. Douglas’ Polyanthus 2, S. C. Hamilton’s Forest 3. Also started : Diplomatic. Somali, Yosamr, Chicane, Tokoroa, No Shot, 'Danze!, Grand Poplar. At the back Polyanthus was leading, closely followed by Nero and Forest. Nero then moved up and won by a e&uple of lengths. Polyanthus came with a fast run in the straight, and just beat Forest for second place. Time, &22L

Scurry Hack Handicap of lOOzevs, six furlongs. — H. McManaway's Northeast, 11.3, 1; F. Roe’s Thetis. 9.<h 2; G. F. Moore’s Guiding Step, M2, 3. Also started: MMHdic 19.9, King's Prise 10.9. The Limit 9.9, My Darling 9.7, Aroha 9.7, Uta ugh ton 9.7, Rohepotae 9.5, Cork 9.2, Battle Royal 9.0 (carried 9.3), Bereola 9.0, Monsieur Beaucaire 9.0, Miss Tally 9.0 (carried 9.2), Obscurity 9.0, Master Stent 9.0. North-east led from start to finish, and won by about three lengths, the same distance separating second and third. Time, 1.17 4 5. Heretaunga Handicap of 150sovs, once round.—J. Westley’s Waikaraka, 9.9, 1; D. McLeod’s Pohutu, 9.0, 2; C. Kingston’s Lamsdtrff, 9.0, 3. Also started: Muskerry, Mahuta, Kopu, Iranai, Probability, Carissima. Illustrious. Muskerry was at the head of affairs for about four furlongs, when Waikaraka took charge and was never afterwards headed, winning easily by a length. Pohutu beat Lamsdorff for second place by a similar margin. Time, 1.53. SECOND DAY. HASTINGS, Thursday. The second day of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s winter meeting, to-day, was favoured with fine weather, although the sky was overcast, and rain threatened just before the first race. The attendance was large, and a good day’s sport enjoyed. The totalisator investments amounted to £6020, making £12,065 for the two days, as compared with £12,540 for the last winter meeting, a decrease of £475. Thirteen bookmakers were on the ground. A feature of the day’s racing was Piopo’s easy win in the Ladies’ Necklace, the same horse having secured the Ladies’ Bracelet the previous day. The later results were:— Kidnappers Hack Hurdles. —Rawhiti, 9.7, 1; Somali, 10.0, 2; Forrest. 10.9, 3. Scratched: Nero. Won by half a length. Two lengths between second and third. Time, 2.5. Ngamatta Handicap, £125, 1 mile 1 furlong.—Pohutu, 9.4, 1; Lamsdorff, 9.1, 2; Iranui, 9.5, 3. All started. Won by a length, two and a-half lengths between second and third. Time, 1.57 3-5. Hawke’s Bay Hurdles, two miles. —Sold Dust, 10.7, 1; Commander, 9.12, 2; Compass, 11.1, 3. Scratched: Rookby. Nova, Yosami. and Lebeccro. Won by a neck, two and a-half lengths between second and third. Time, 3.50 3-5.

LADIES’ NECKLACE, valued at 50sovs; owner of second horse to receive a necklace valued at 15sovs. Once round. Mrs W. J. Douglas’ b g Pikopo, 4yrs by San Fran, 12.11 (Mr. G. Hirst) 1 Irish Riffe, 12.13 (Mr. P. Ne&gle) 2 The Squatter, IL4 (Mr. G. Beatson) .... 3 Also started: Probability, 12.3: L®>lr?t, 11.8; Nadine 11.6; Mussel 11.5; Waroriki, 10.12; Chiughton, 10.7. Pikopo took command in the straight, and won comfortably by-tf length, three lengths separating second and third. Irish Riffe, which came strongly at the finish, started favourite, the winner ranking second in public favour. Time, 1.55 3-5. This is th e first occasion upon which the same horse ridden by the same jockey, and belonging to the same owner has won both Bracelet and. Necklace at a Hawke's Bay winter meeting.

JUNE STEEPLECHASE of 250sovs. About two and a-haif. T. Lloyd’s br m Speciosa, 6yrs, by St. Hippo—Lady Spec, 10.9 (J. McGregor) 1 Jack Pot, 12.3 (D. Watt) 2 Lingerer, 9.8 (F. Flynn) 3 Also started: Kurus, 12.3; Aroha. 10.5; Te Kainui, 9.9; Coy, 9.7; Gold Shower, 9.7. The first to leave the mark were Gold Shower, Speciosa, and Coy, and after a couple of furlongs had been covered Coy was in the van. Jack Pot, the favour'te, had moved into third place, and was running close up to Gold Shower. At the double at the railway bend, Gold Shower, which then bad a strong lead, came down. Passing the stand for the second time; Jack Pot was about a couple of strides ahead of Speciosa and Coy. At the scrub obstacle at the back of the course. Burns. the second favourite, repeated his performance of the previous day at the same place, by running off. Speciosa and Jack Pot took the last jump together, and a capital race to the poet ensaved, Speciosa winning by a little more than half-a-length. Three lengths separated second and third. Aroha fell at the double at the bottom of the course. Time, 5.6 1-5,

RUKAWA HACK HANDICAP of 80SOVA Seven furlongs. H. McManaway’s ch g North-East, by Eurocfyden—Mairanue, 11.13 (A. OL liver) . 1 Theitis. 9.5 CH. (Mtrns) —. 2 King’s Prize. 10.4 (W. Flynn) . 3 Also started: Guiding Step, 10.4; Tina Toa, 9.13; Rohepotao 9.9, Awha, 9.7; The Limit, 9.0; Icel, 9.0; Bereola, 9.0; Amato, 9.4. Despite his heavy weight, North-East started a hot favourite, and justified his supporters’ confidence by winning easily by four lengths, about half that distance separating second and third. Time,. FINAL HANDICAP Of TOOsovs. Six furlongs D. Kemp’s br f Vi, 3yrs, by Merriwee —Armada,. Ldl (E. Lowe) — I Illustrious, 9.0 (A. Olliver) . 1 Martyrium. 10.9 (F. D. Jones) 3 Also etarted: Waikaraka, 10. IL Vi won eoonfortabiy by three lengths, Martyrium another two lengths away, Time, 1.17 2-5. ± ± ENGLISH RACING. THE ROYAL HUNT CUP. LONDON, Jone The Rovai Hunt Cup, run at Royal Ascot to-day, resulted:—Dark Ronald l r Arramore 2, Christmas Daisy 3. TUB ASCOT GOLD CUP. LONDON, June 17. The Ascot Gold Cup, at tbe Royal Ascot meeting to-day, resulted: — Bembo, 4yrs, by Marco —Grand Prix.... 1 Santo Strato 2 Siberia 3