TURF GOSSIP

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 8, 25 August 1909, Page 13

TURF GOSSIP

By

WHALEBONE.)

FIXTUBES. Sept. 1 and 2—Marton J.C. Annual Sept. 8 and 9—Horowhenua Hack B.C. Annual Sept. 15 and 16—Ashburton County B.C. Spring Sept. 15 and 16—Rangitlkel B.C. Spring Sept. 18, 22, and 25—Avondale J.C. Spring Sept. 23 and 25—Wanganui J.C. Spring Sept. 30 and Oct. I—Geraldine B.C. Spring October 2,4, 6 and 9—A.J.C. Spring October 7—Oboka and Eyreton J.C. Annual October 13 and 14—Dunedin J.C. Spring Nov. 17, 20 — Otabubu Trotting Club Spring ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. W.D., Huntly.—No totalisator has been used at the Waikato Hunt Club’s meeting with, in the time mentioned. On February 22, 1908. the Rotorua Jockey Club held their meeting on the Waikato Hunt Club's course, at which the totalisator was used. At this meeting Uranium won the cup. Whether she started at the other meeting mentioned will take some time to look up, and will be answered on Wednesday next. The V.A.T.C. stewards have decided that in future no jumping horse shall be ridden in jumping races at Caulfield in winkers. The fact that there are over a hundred horses at present in work at Ellerslie augurs well for another successful local racing season. The trotting horse Previous has been purchased by a local owner, and is expected from the South shortly, in charge of A. Hamilton. At Cambria Park, Crecy, by HotchkissCrescent, has foaled a filly to Hierarch, and Peace, by The Officer — Content, a colt to the same sire. The Avondale Jockey Club have received splendid nominations for their spring meeting, the principal feature being the number of outside horses engaged. I have to acknowledge with thanks receipt of a complimentary ticket for the Waikato Hunt Club’s annual meeting, which takes place early next month. A five-year-old mare, by Nestor —'■ Patience, was recently purchased by Mr J. Molloy from her breeder, Mr McGovern, and is to go into S. Hodge’s charge. The Hawke’s Bay sportsman, Mr E. J. Watt, is represented in the nominations for the principal events at the Avondale Spring Meeting by Wimmera and Musketry. The first foal of the season at Cambria Park arrived last week, Kitlroa, by Cyrenian—Hinemoa, foaling a filly to Obilgado. The Canterbury Derby of 1911 Is to be worth 135Osovs, of which 250sovs goes to the second horse and lOOsovs goes to the third. J. Cameron left for Sydney by the Mokoia on Monday with Bullworth, Seraphic, and Ikon, which are to be raced on the other side. The Marton Jockey Club have received record entries for their spring meeting, which is fixed for September 1 and 2. The entries total 375. F. Maemanemin did not wait to see the C.J.C. National meeting through, but left after the second day’s racing, leaving Scotty behind in charge of J. .Deerey. -J. Pinker and B. Deeley returned home Inst week, after fulfilling riding engagements at the C.J.C. National meeting. Neither was successful in landing a winner. A Southern trainer is stated to have won so much -money punting at the recent C.J.C. National meeting, that his pockets were nnable to hold It all, and he had to carry tome of it home in his hands. The Beaton Delaval horse Gladstone was submitted to auction on Friday, by the N.E. Loan and Mercantile Co. Starting at 200 gs, be ran to 290 gs, at which figure he was knocked down to Mr Leicester. At Glenora Park, Lady Clair, by Hippocampus, has foaled a filly to Gluten; Elf, by Dreadnought—Elflock, a filly to Boult; and Gold Web, by Bt. Hippo—Cobweb, a colt to Gluten. At the wish of the Bishop of Adelaide all the Anglican Church charities have resolved to decline donations arising from totalisator

fractions. In New Zealand they don’t get the chance to refuse, says a Southern writer. Los Angelos was the best performer among the flat racers at the Grand National Meeting, and, judged on his two winning efforts, he is probably as good a horse as there is in training at present.—“ Canterbury Times.” S. Hodge returned from the South on Friday, by the Rarawa, with Grenadier and Wairaka. It is not generally known that the Ellerslie trainer had the Grand National winner Compass under his charge from after the Wellington meeting till the conclusion of the C.J.C. gathering. Owing to a rule of the Waikato Hunt Club which fixes the minimum for the hunters’ events at 10.7, the weights for these events have had to be raised 21lbs and 141bs respectively. Owners are requested to accept the advertised notification. Mr Casey, chairman of the V.R.C., estimates that the club lost £3OOO by wet racing days last season. The same gentleman also says it is no use trying to get the present Parliament to pass the totalisator. During the running of the C.J.C. Winter Meeting, a number of horses came in for support for the N.Z. Cup, one in particular that was well backed being the Birkenhead gelding Bollin, while Master Soult was also well supported. , The last day’s racing of the C.J.C. National meeting was 'the worst experienced by stay-at-home layers for many years. Well-backed horses rolled home with monotonous regularity, while the prices paid were decidedly above the average. Mr. A. Gray, who went to England some months ago in connection With his improved starting machine, is back in Australia again. He says that on many racecourses there his “patent is-installed and greatly in favour. Mr. Gray does not anticipate that the man with the flag will ever replace the starting machine in England. The first blow in connection wth the local racing season will be struck on Friday next, the 20th inst., when nominations for. the Avondale Cup, First Handicap Steeplechase, Plumpton Handicap, and Flying Stakes Handicap, to be run at the Avondale Jockey Club’s spring meeting, close with the secretary (Mr. 11. HL Hayr) at 9 p.m. Mr Henrys evidently does not hold a very high opinion of the three-year-olds engaged in the N.Z. Cup, and the best of them eingaged in the event, Taskmaster, is in Mr Henry’s idea, 71b below weight-for-age form. Not a horse engaged in the event, however, has been handicapped up to the weight-for-age scale. We have heard a lot lately about the depression which is so general in New Zea land, but It was not borne out in Christchurch in connection with the Grand National week. The tota lisa tor investments at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s .meeting were £59,081, and at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting £37,600, or a total of £96,690. In addition, the two clubs received over £3BOO in bookmakers’ fees. The Dunedin Jockey Club, following the lead of the Auckland Racing Club, has deleted the word “ hack” from the names of all events on its programme for the coming season, but the hack conditions are retained in the same number of races as formerly. There is no doubt that the word has a cheapening effect when appearing in the title of a race, and other clubs would do well to follow on the same lines when drawing up their programme. The San Francisco horse Los Angelos has proved a good speculation to his ownertrainer (R. O’Donnell). Los Angelos, when sold at the dispersal sale of the late Mr. G. G. Stead’s horses, realised 230 guineas, and has since won between six and seven hundred pounds in Stakes. His last two victories will long be remembered by the pencillers, who took a liberty with him. J. Pinker, who returned home last week from Christchurch, states that Le Beau’s mishap was caused by the Leolantis gelding getting his feet into the ditch in front of the fence which brought him to grief, striking one of the posts with his chest. When Pinker left Le Beau was in a very bad way, and it will be some time before his owner-trainer will be able to get him to Auckland. Whilst taking part in the Three-year old Handicap at Warwick Farm on Saturday, the rider of Lc Vivant parted company with his mount in the vicinity of the three-fur-

long poet. After investigation by the stipendiary stewards, Welcome Guest was credited with being the cause of the accident, owing to his erratic running, and it was decided to recommend the refusal of that gelding's entry until proof was forthcoming that he was- more manageable. When the news came to hand that Seddon had been gelded subsequent to the V.R.C. Grand National meeting thoae backers who had previously supported him for the Caul field Cup regarded their Investments as lost. They still have a chance, however, Seddon having done so well since the operation that he is to resume work within a week or so. He has not had time to lose his condition, and the Caulfield Cup Is still a couple of months away. The finding of the judges in the Taurlki appeal case still leaves the matter open for further inquiry, for. the gentlemen in question gave the opinion that there was not sufficient evidence to warrant a verdict being arrived at that the mare was a “ring in,” but plainly showed that they thought the question of ownership was very unsatisfactory, and inflicted a sentence of five years on both S. Darragh and J. Grant. It is understood the question of the mare’s identity is to be further inquired into. Tn a chatty letter, Mr. A. E. Hopewell informs me that the first time he ran Etonia at Melbourne the stewards asked for an explanation of the pony’s running, and, after hearing his explanation, gave him the benefit of the doubt, but cancelled the boy’s riding license for being incapable. in the race in question, Etonia had top-weight, 9.5, in a field of good performers, and as the track was only 3i furlongs round, we in New Zealand, who probably know the pony’s form to an ounce, can understand his being beaten. According to Mr. Hopewell, N.Z. ponies are not taken liberties with by the handicappers, and he intends to drop his horses as soon as the opportunity offers. The trouble between Mr Maitland and R. Lewis was settled last week. Just before the Welter Handicap at Flemington, Mr Maitland, who is an excitable man, and very interested in his handicapping, told “Terllnga” that he did not think Lewis tried to win Slipper’s Welter Race at Caulfield -with Barney O’Hea. Some one overheard Mr Maitland say this, and told Lewis. Then Lewis sought out Mr Maitland, and addressed him in language which seems to have been pretty strong. Mr Maitland reported Lewis to the V.R.C., and Lewis began an action against Mr Maitland for slander. Last week Mr Maitland apologised for the Barney O’Hea statement, and Lewis, having expressed regret for losing his temper on the course, Mr Casey,, the chairman of the V.R.C., gave him a lecture, and told him to run away and not let his tongue run riot on a racecourse again. England is recognised as the heme of the thoroughbred, but France easily leads the way In th? encouragement of stamina in the racehorse. Unmistakable evidence of this is furnisned by a comparison between the programmes hung up in England and France. Some time-honoured long-distance events are decided in England, but the bulk of the racing is over short courses, whereas in France sprint events are very much in the minority. The French Derby was decided on Sunday, June 13, and during the day, in addition to the classic, the following races were got off: —Prix de la Reine, ten furlongs and a half; Prix de Dangu, for four-year-olds and upwards, wiegjit-for-age, two miles and a half; Prix de Gouvieux, ten furlongs and a half; Prix des Etangs (selling race), of IGO sovs. for three-year-olds and upwards, to be sold —three-year-olds for 800 sovs., four-year-olds and upwards for 400 sovs., weight-forage, ten furlongs; and the Prix de Chemln de fer du Nord, for three-year-olds having been entered for the Derby and withdrawn, to carry 9st. 21b., one mile and a half. Mr. Henrys is never late with bls adjustments, and the New Zealand Cup weights were issued promptly to time. With All Red engaged, Mr. Henrys had no trouble in finding a top-weight, and in awarding the son of Stepniak 9.4. he has given him every chance to earn distinction. Bobrikoff and Zimmerman at 8.13 are nicely placed, as is Signor at a pound less, but one of the picks of the handicap is Master Soult at 8.8. It is interesting to note the differences of opinion expressed by the Victorian handicapper and Mr. Henrye, in regard to Master Soult. as compared with All Red, Bobrikoff and Downfall. In the Melbourne Cup Master Soult has been awarded 8.13, being on the same mark as Bobrikoff, and within 44b. of All Red, while he has to concede Downfall 71b. In the New Zealand Cup, however, he receives 101 b. from Al) Red, slb. from Bobrikoff, while he has only to concede Downfall 21b. Under the circumstances there is not much inducement for the parties connected with the son of Soult to make the journey to Australia. Taken all through. Mr. Henrys’ work gives evidence of careful consideration, and a large acceptance shou’d result. Saps a writer in the “Evening Post,’’ in commenting on the recent C.J.C. meeting:— Mention of the Canterbury Jockey Chib reminds me of a little matter which, I am sure, only needs ventilating in order to be set right. During the recent National meeting cross-country jockeys from the North Island, who had their wives with them, were denied ladtos’ tickets. In several instances, I am given to understand, these men — without whose services the meeting would have been a frost — had to pay before their wives could gain admission. The Canterbury J.C. ie not a poor institution — it is tinder no necessity to rake in a few more shillings by adopting such stringent rules. Cross-country • and hurdle jockeys incur considerable risks in the pursuit of their calling, and a club of the pre-eminence of the C.J.C. could well

afford to be liberal In Sts treatment of suck men. The imp reunion carried away by North Inland visitors was distinctly unfavourable, and such stinginess should be quite alien to those who claim to be lovets of racing. The C.J.C. official responsible for tiie carrying out of this rule, if such a rule exists, regarding free tickets to jockeys’ wives — would have been shocked had he heard the caustic comments which his literal rending of the regulation provoked. A.'so, North Island owners, to whose liberal nomination the C.J.C. Winter Meeting owes much of its success, were highly indignant at the lack of consideration and hospitality shown them, and several have vowed never again to take a horse to Riccarton. The C.J.C. has evidently a lot to learn in the little courtesies which owners so freely receive at meetinga in the North Island. * * * A JOCKEY DISQUALIFIED. GISBORNE, Thursday. At the Poverty Bay Hunt Club's aauual races, held to-day, G. Murphy, the rider of Martyr King in the First Mack Handicap, was disqualified for two years for having struck with his whip J. Jones, the rider of Pearl Reef, during the progress of the race. 1: i dt AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB SPRING MEETING. The following nominations have been received for the leading handicap events to be run at the Avondale Jockey Club’s spring meeting, which takes place on ►September 18, 22, and 25:— Avondale Cup. —Sedition, First Wairiki, Dawn, Elysian, First Gun, Ueuuku, Lycia, Lochbuhie, Coromandel, Sir Arte gal, Tanekaha, Inglis, Grenadier, Waihuka, Sir Frisco, Miss Winnie, Noteorini, Ix»afire, Michaeloff, Ben Jonson, Wimmera, Muskerry, Santa Rosa, Waimangu, Bully, Aristocrat, Akarana, Plunder, Tattoo. Plumpton Handicap. — Sedition, Dawn, Tetrazzini, Uenuku, Lycia, Lochbuhie, Coromandel, Sir Artegal, Tanekaha, Devonport, Inglis, Grenadier, Waihuka, Golden Eagle, Sir Frisco, Miss "Winnie, Noteorini, Leafire, Winhaston, Wimmera. Muskerry, Michaeloff, Santa Rosa, Waimangu, Bully, Aristocrat, Akarana, Plunder, Tattoo, .Epsom Lass. Flying Handicaps.—TJetJraszini, Necktie, Aim well, Sir Artegal, Tanekaha, Devonport, Wild West, Imprint us, Golden Eagle, Impulsive, Wimmera, Michaeloff, Pluck, Tarlna, Sea Elf. Dogger Bank. Steeplechase.—Westward, W’airaka, Arty, Master Paul, Tanglefoot, Bachelor, Pierre, Good Faith, Mozart, Red McGregor. i i 1 SOUTH AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. HAMILTON, Saturday. At a meeting of the South Auckland Raclng 4 Club last night, a statement of accounts was submitted, which showed a balance in hand of £l2O 7/, after effecting improvements costing over £l3O. The following were elected on the committee: Messrs J. Coates, E. Goodwin, J. Knight, J. W. Primrose, A. J. Storey, H. E. Tristram, and Manning. The committee, which met on Friday night, was authorised to arrange with the Waikato A. and P. Association, re the erection of loose boxes and a training track, which will be laid down inside the course proper. It was decided to strike steeplechases off the programmes, owing to the time of the meeting being unsuitable. Several , new members weie elected. £ i * NEW ZEALAND CUP WEIGHTS DECLARED. Mr. Ilenrys hns declared the following weights for the New Zealand Cup;—

AUSTRALIAN RACING. MELBOURNE AND CAULFIELD CUTS. CHRISTCHURCH, Ratartfay. All Red whs today scratched tor th* Melbourne *ud C’aultiehl C’upa.

All Red Bobrikoff .... 9 8 13 Dady Lacy .. Rose Noble .. G 10 6 9 Zimmerman .. 8 13 Peroliua 6 9 Signor 8 12 Vasa ft 9 Husbandman 8 8 Outlander ... 6 9 Master Soult . 8 8 Cymbiforin .. 6 9 Downfall .... 8 Boanerges ... 6 9 California .... 8 6 Fiddler 6 9 Frisco 8 « Bridge 6 9 Penates 8 3 Polymorphous « 9 Tangimoana . 8 1 Bourbon 0 9 Bine Ribbon . 7 IO Tikitere ft 8 Boll in 7 IO Aberbrotbock « 8 Sir Prise .... 7 9 Passive 6 8 Roosevelt .... 7 9 Federal 6 8 Prim . 7 9 Astrakhan ... 6 8 Wiminera .... 7 G Idealism 0 8 Gweudolina .. 7 5 First Gun ... e 7 Ileorthen .... 7 4 Guiding Step G 7 Grand Slam 7 2 Iaiwii Hose .. G 7 Swimming* Belt 7 •> DabcMck .... 6 7 Effort 7 Merrivonia .. V 7 Bulletin 7 1 Rohei>otae ... 6 7 Meirie Zealand 13 Colossus 6 7 Bally heigh G 13 T’krafnp « 7 Taskmaster .. (> 13 Wet D»y .... 7 King’s Prise . 6 12 Raugikapua •• « 7 Merriwa 6 12 Adjudge 0 7 Sa n ds t roam .. G 11 St. Felix .... « 7 Maiora G 11 Chau volln ... ft 7 Field Gun ... G IO Houlnde 0 7 Chief laochiel . Longner ft 10 G JO E-lflsb • 7