TURF GOSSIP

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 4, 26 January 1910, Page 12

TURF GOSSIP

(By

WHALEBONE.)

FIXTURES. Jan. 29, Feb. 2 and s—Takapnna J.C Summer. February 3, 4 — Glsltorne Racing Club. February 3, s—Canterbury Juckev Club. February 9, io—Eginont Racing Club. February 10. 11 — Poverty Bav Turf Club. February 12, 16. 19—Otahuhu 'Trot ting Club. February 16. 17—Rotorua Jockey Club. February 16. 17—Taranaki Jockey Club. February 19—Huntly Racing Club. February 23, 24 — Woodville District Jockey Club. February 23. 24. 26 Dunedin Jockey Club. February ?»"». 26—South Auckland Racing Club. March 3. 5 Wanganui Jockey Club. March 5— Waihi Jockey Club. March 7. B—Te Aroha Jockey Club. March 12 Thames Jockey Club. March 17 Whakatane Racing Club. March 26, 28, and 29—Auckland R.C. Autumn. April 9 and 13—Avondale J.C. Autumn. May 21, 24—Takapuna Jockey Club. T. A. Williams has had his team increased by the addition of a pony by Soult. The mare Patricia, by Patron us — T*a Bijouterie, is now an inmate of W. Gall's stable. P. Conway has just taken iu hand a goodlooking sort of a mare by Explosion — Nettle, which is a four-year-old. The Auckland-bred gelding Snowfoot has been accorded the honour of a nomination in the A.J.C. Doncaster Handicap. Word from the North states that the Australian-bred horse Tiephine died there recently, after a season at the stud. The new number board at Takapuna is now. completed, and will be in use at the club's forthcoming Summer Meeting. It is stated that the recent Auckland Racing Club’s Summer Meeting will result in a profit of about £6OOO to the club. C. Coleman has taken the gelding Omati In hand again, after a lengthy spell. A would-be purchaser was after the two-year-old Doughboy recently, but the price quoted, 200 gs, did not lend to business. The Strowan colt, Caruso, which accounted for a double at Ohaupo on Wednesday last, was sold a few mouths ago for 50gs. The horses Prophet and Doughboy are now the property of the local spcitsman who races under the assumed name of Mr Bolger. Visitors to recent country meetings are strongly uf the opinion that stipendiary stewards are badly wanted. The ‘Otahuhu Trotting Club have received record nominations fur their summer meeting. which opens on February 11th. Mr Edwards’ adjustments are due next week. The Soult — Miss Annie colt, for which Sir George Clifford paid 82Ogs at the recent Cambria Park sale, has reached his destination safely, and is to be broken in shortly. Two Auckland-bred ones, in Don Hannibal and Annapolis, figure amongst the nominations for the V.R.C. Newmaiket Handicap. The gelding Celtic is fast becoming proficient at the illegitimate game, and in his schooling displays at Ellerslie of late has pleased greatly. Armlet is greatly pleasing the track watchers at Trent ham, and the Menschikoff mare is reported to be belter now thaff she has previously been this season. K. Heaton has put Eady Frances in work again, after a lengthy spell, occasioned by an attack of influenza. The daughter of Eton bears a very robust appearance after her rest. The N.Z.-bred -mare Cha made keeps on picking up a lace now and again, and at the Warwick Farm meeting in Sydney recently. won the principal event of the day. carrying 7.10, and beating six others. The Freed*rm mare Kama to, which accounted for a double at the recent Otatnatea meeting, was bleeding badly after contesting un event at Ohaupo last Wednesday. Although the jockey R Deetey was BB*peiutcnl by the Auckland Metropolitan committee about n month ago, no notice yet nppeartK in the Official Calendar, ns required by Rule 20, part 3. The dearth of lightweight riders will probably be felt al the Wellington meet-

Ing. whore so many of the entrants are handicapped at the minimum. Theie are a lot of anxious inquiries for capable lightweights. The Summer Cup winner Miss Mischief, which went amiss after winning the Goodfood Handicap, is still located at Greenl. in charge of E. J. Rae. the daughter of Treadmill not having sufficiently recovered to be shipped - South. In connection with the Hutt Park Racing Club's pony meeting next week, the management has decided that all horses competing will be examined by a veterinary surgeon, and also by a farrier, to see that they are not too heavily shod. , The stewards of the Waikato Trotting Club held an inquiry into the running of V.S. at the Hamilton Trots. At a meeting last week, Scott, the owner, made an explanation, which was considered satisfactory. and it was decided to take no further action. It is stated the next work contemplated at Ellerslie by the Auckland Racing Club is the enlarging of the saddling paddock, by taking in that piece of ground from the birdcage to within a line of the boxes, on which portion an up-to-date tea kiosk is to be erected. The cross-country horseman E. J. O’Brien had a narrow escape from what might have been a serious accident at Ellerslie last week, when Don Quex fell with him. The horse turned a complete somersault, rolling right over O’Brien, who fortunately got off with a shaking and a bruised arm. In order to prevent the overcrowding of the press room at Ti entham during the Wellington Racing Club’s meetings, tn® Wellington pressmen have formed a body, of which Mr W. Coffey ha<s been elected chairman and Mr Beasley vice-chairman, to deal with the Question. Bobrikoff is not engager! in any event on the first day of the Wellington Racing Club's meeting, but he is located at Trentham, and may be seen with the colours up before the meeting closes. It is stated that Mr Dowry intends shipping Bobrikoff and Downfall to Sydney after the WelWngton meeting. In England it has been decided by the National Hunt Committee to use numbered saddlecloths at their fixtures. The jumping meetings in England in the winter are all held under National Hunt rules. It is anticipated that the stewards of the Jockey Club will also provide for the use of numbered saddlecloths when the flat-racing season again comes round. Ar a recent country meeting a well known performer was nominated under his pedigree only, and without a name. The name was scut after the acceptances, and the horse was duly on hand to fulfil his engagements. but the stewards rightly declined to allow him to start. Probably the owner will get a surprise when he is called upon to pay the fine to which he is liable for Dominating a horse without a name. A well-known penciller was victimised to the extent of his license fee at the recent Ohaupo meeting. When he arrived on the course he was bailed up by an individual fur his fee for the right to bet, which he paid, but shortly after he comm. operations the secretary camo around to collect the fees, and then it was discovered that the “lion” had been had oy the “lamb.” The acceptances for the various events at the Takapuna Jockey dub’s summer meeting are considerably better than was generally anticipated. Twelve have paid up for •the (’up, which bears a very open aspect, and should produce a good race. The largest field is in the Ferry Handicap, for whkh 16 have been left in. but all the races look like providing two-dividend events, and on present appearances everything points to a record gathering. During the week the stewards of the Auckland Trotting Club held an inquiry Into several cases in connection with their recent summer meeting. W. Change, for alleged interference in the Presidents’ Handl cap Trot, on the concluding day, was fined £2 and severely cautioned. A matter In connection with the training of Viscount was investigated,* and the explanation offer, cd accepted. The inquiry into the alleged interference which brought down John Harold was adjourned to enable further evidence to be taken. The Metropolitan Committee held a special meeting last week, to consider the suspension of the jockey B. Deeley. Dooley w.*w 'successful with his a.ppeal against the sentence imposed upon him by the Takapuna Club last December, but since then .the North Shore body have reopened the case, and imposed a twelve

months* suspension. Against this docfslo® an appeal has been lodged on behalf of Deeley. and the Metropolitan Committee decided to hear the appeal on February Ist, ..Deeley’a . license to be suspended iu the meantime. Though we do not look for non-triera at Randwick, where the prizes are all well worth winning, it must be confessed there was room for doubt as to the bona fldes of some of the competitors at the recent meetings. I am quite aware (says “Pilot” in the “Referee") that many race-goers discover a “dead ’un” in nearly every beaten horse, but it really did seem that, without their feelings being unduly hurt, a few owners might have been questioned by the stewards. Possibly indifferent riding was the tumble, but. whatever the cause, an inquiry. or two would not have been out of place. The New Zealand-bred Soultline and Tangaroa met for the first time in India last mouth, in the December Plate, a weight-for-age event, run over seven furlongs, at the Calcutta Third Extra Meeting. It was thought that Tangaroa woud extend Soultline, who was an odds-on favourite, but such was not the case, as Soultline alwav< -had him in trouble, and won easily. Ebullition finished third, and the unplaced division included Fizz, who afterwards won the x iceroy's Cup. ■Soultline was regarded as a certainty for the Trials, run on the first day of the Viceroy’s Cup meeting. Kaffirpan won the Corinthian Plate on the same day. and Five Crown, another well known Australian, was unlucky to lose the Maiden Horse Plate, for which he was an evenmoney favourite. He lost by a head, after being badly shut in at the distance. The practice of running off dead-heats in India does not meet with the approval of the “Indian Planteis' Gazette," which in a recent issue said: — “The Continental rule concerning dead-heats is one that might with advantage be substituted for our present clumsy Indian rule, which has been so much criticised and which is undoubtedly bad. On the Continent it is sudden death; that is, there is no run-off under any consideration, and the owners are compelled to divide and, if there is a trophy attached, they draw for it. This is a far more sensible rule than ours, which makes the dead-heat a new race, and which, in our opinion, so far from protecting the public, is offering a direct inducement to a dishonest owner to put them in the cart. For instance, if the owner of one of the dead-heaters had backed his horse at short odds in th® original contest, and was again asked to accept a miserable price about the run-off, it would pay him to stop his horse and back the other, and he could make such a certainty of it that he could go on doing it at 10 to 1 on! Our rule is bad. lock, stock, and barrel. The Continental rula has another thing to recommend it, so far as India is concerned, in that we are of opinion that asking a horse to run two severe races in one afternoon, and possibly with a very short interval in between, is a mistake. It wouid be better from every point of view to make all dead-heats final, and compel owners by racing law to divide.’ A Wellington writer says: Numerous complaints are to be heard with regard to the state of the training tracks at Trentham, and having inspected them only yesterday, I am not iu the least surprised at this. The only gallop fit to work on, namely, that composed of earth and tan, had been becoming a bit bare and hard, •and a request was made that it should be given another dressing of tan. or be iu some other manner put to rights. During the last day or two portions of the straight at either side of it have been covered with, sawdust, which has been put on so thickly as to render the going quite unsafe. Instructions have, I believe, been issued to have the sawdust spread considerably thinner, but several of our foremost trainers ore of opinion that sawdust should not have been used at all. tan being much preferable. Any way. the sawdust is now there, and what is now required is to thin it out and give the track a good sprinkling with the aid of a water cart every evening. During the past week trainers had another cause for camplaint, in lhe fact that the only available track—the grass gallop, is too rough to be of much use—was harrowed only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays. Thus, whilst it was at its best on “off” mornings, it was rough and uneven for “fast” mornings. Every effort is now being made to remedy matters, but it is a pity that the management, which is so thorough and popular in all other respects, should have lain itself open to cavil in th® manner indicated. I* * 1 TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH, CHRISTCTH RCH. Saturday. After three days’ rain, the weather clearedon Friday, and the Riccarton tracks are again in excellent order. With so many horses away at Wellington matters are somewhat quiet, but they are bound to liven up on the conclusion of the Northern fixture. The entries received for the Canterbury Jockey Club’s summer meeting are about up to the average for that fixture. There are very few outside horses engaged, and It looks as If the fields will be larking both in size and quality. Somehow this meeting does not seem at all popular with outside owners or visitors. Mr. Hany Thompson has been appointed starter for the North Canterbury Jackey Club. Summonses have been issued by the polio® against a number of Chrlstchurrb bookmakers for standing in the street on the day of a recent race meeting for the purpose of betting. Grand Slam, who was recently by Mr. F. Ciarldge, may be given an opportunity to earu distinction over hurdles. Reports from Wellington state that Danube !s Buffering from a cold, and unless he improves rapidly, he may not l»e started at Trentham. This 1s unfortunate, as many

people were looking forward to the Wellingten Stakes to decide the question whether Form by or iHiuube was the crack two-year-okl colt of the season. Torohanga, who won a double at the Gore Racing Club meeting, is an aged son of Chief Commander and Clara. When being taken to the Gore R.C. meeting to fulfil her engagements there, Stratagem got injured in a horse box, and came in for rather serious damage. As a result the evergreen daughter of Nelson had to forego her liabilities at the meeting. Jockeys have been taught a lesson by the decision of tbe Vincent Club in disqualify ing a rider for six months for his inability to fulfil his engagement through over indulgence. At the same time let it be here said that the jockey in question had no right to be allowed to weigh out. and that is where the root of the evil exists. A visitor to th<* recent meting of the Vincent Jockey Club makes some drastic comments on the conduct of that fixture. He says the racing track is badly in need of improvement, more especially the last furlong or two. Evidence of this is forthcoming in the fact that two of the best horses that competed at the meeting. Thistledown and Whistlecraft, were sore after the second day's racing. Another mistake in. connection with the meting was the presence of sheep around the course, and during the running of the big race on the second day the competitors had to gallop off the course in order to avoid colliding with the On returning to scale some of the riders complained about the sheep nuisance, and before the start of the next race a couple of jockeys were to be seen driving the sheep out of the danger zone. Surely those responsible for the conduct of the meeting deserve censure for permitting such a dangerous state of affairs. i :t 4 WELLINGTON SUMMER MEETING. . TRENTHAM, this day. The Wellington Summer, meeting opened In tine weather to-day. The attendance is large. Results:— Trent ham • Welter Handicap of lOOsovs, one mile.—Tauira 1. Hilarian 2, Svpara.Won by a length. All ran. Time, Anniversary Welter Handicap of 200sovs, 1 mile. — Effort, 9.6, 1: Wimmera, 8.12, 2; Swimming Belt, 8.12, 3. Won by two lengths. Scratched: Chauvelin. Time 1.41 4-5 ; Electric Handicap of 200sovs, 5 furlongs. 't~®oanerges, 7.2, 1: Nauinai. 9.7. 2; Sea Queen. 7.2, 3. Scratched: Gipsy Belle and j Won by two lengths. Time, Nursery Handicap of 250sovs. four furlongs.—Lady Reina. 7.5, 1; Formless. 7.5, 2: Sonite, 6.10, 3. Won by a length. Time, 50s. ELLINGTON CUP of lOOOsovs. One mile and a-half. Crueinella. 7.12 1 iDiabolo. 8.12 2 Husbandman. B.G 3 Won by a neck. Scratched: Sir Antrim and Equitas. Time. 2.34 1-5. Tria! Plate, of 200sovs, seven furlongs. —Ferula 1, Genius 2. Ajnbala 3. Won by a length. Scratched: Pukewai, Faunas, < lu ia n forte. Multiple. St. Felix. Laius, Royal Marine. Emblem. Magneto, and Exchalibur. Time. 1.27 3-5. Ruapehu Handicap, of 120sovs. six furlongs.— Te Roti. 7 11, 1: Faunas, 7.9. 2; Kina. 7.9, 3. Won bv two lengths. Time, 1.15 2-5. Telegraph Handicap.—Equitas, 7.13, 1; Armlet, 9.3, 2; 'Fiimut. 7.0, 3. All ran. Won by two lengths. Time. 1.14 1-5. The totalisator turnover amounted to £19,307, as against £23,468 last year. 1 * FOXTON RACING CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING. FOX TON, this day. It is beautifully fine weather for the first day’s racing. The attendance is large. Hack Hurdles of 80sovs, 1J mile.—Windage, 9.13, 1: Silken Rein, 10.13, 2; Golden Glow’, 11.5. 3. All started. Won easily by a length. Time. 2.53. Electric Handicap of 80sovs, 6 furlongs.— Dervish. 8.3. 1: Repeat, 7.12. 2; Fond Memory, 7.13, 3. Scratched: Lady Doris. Won by a length. Time, 1.18. Foxton Chip of 200sovs, one and a-quarter mile.—Adria, 6.7, 1; Parable, 6.2. 2: Milan, 7.13. Scratched: Teotane. Won by six lengths, a length between second and think Time, 2.9 3-5. Trial Hack Handicap.—Moree 1. Bay Paul 2, Captain 3. Scratched: Rackarock and Waihapa. Won easily by a length. Time, I.IBJ. Awabou Hack Welter Handicap of 80 eovs, one mile.—Attention. 8.5, 1; Happy New Year, 8.5, 2; Silva, 8.9. 3. Scratched: Waihapa. Won by a length. Time, 1.46. Flying Handicap, of 150 sovs. six furlongs. — llermia, 7.7, 1; Mundic. 7.9, 2; Thetis, 8.3. 3. All started. Won easily. Ttee, 1.15 4 5. * * * TAKAPUNA ACCEPTANCES. The following acceptances have been received for the opening day's racing of the Takapuna Jockey Club’s Summer Meeting, which takes plac e on Saturday next: — TAKAPUNA CUP of 400sovs. One mile three furlongs and a-half. •t. lb. at. lb. Ngapuka R 11 Tanekaha .... 7 9 Waucbope .... 8 10 Rimlock 7 8 Uranium 8 3 Aristocrat ... 6 13 Txichbuhle ... 8 2 Asoff 6 12 Te Aroha .... 7 11 Epsom Lan .. 6 10 Caremandel .. 7 10 Elegance 6 10

STEWARDS’ HANDICAP of lOOsovs. Fire furlongs and a-half. Miss Winnie .. 8 1 Tarina 7 1 Devonport ... 7 11 Turbine 7 0 Hohnugatahi .77 Admiral Soult 6 12 Sir Artegal .. 7 4 Elegance ...< 6 11 Maiden Plate, one mile.—Prince Leo 9.7, Fraulein 8.4, Pukenui 7.12, Waiotahi 7.8, Jill 7.7, Waipa 7.4, Castle Blaney 7.3, Spectre 7.0, Fuss 6.13, Prophet 6. J 3. Orewa Hurdle Race, one mile and threequarters.—Rangibaeta 10.9, Leo 10.6, Hautapu 10.3, Tui Cakobau 10.3, Habre 0.8, King 9.1, Hoanga 8.0, First Barrel 9.0, Pleiades 9.0. Pony Handicap, five furlongs and a-half. —Mistime 8.13. Cyrona 8.5. Miss Stella 8.2. Effulgence 7.6. Nora Soult 7.4, Maika 7.4. Peggy Pryde 6.7. Ferry Handicap, five furlongs and a-half. —Madam Soult 9.0, Castle Blaney 8.9, Rob the Ranter 8.6, Flying Soult 8 6. Captain Soult 8.6. Muscadine 8.5. Steplink 8.5, Mary Ann, 8.4. Puss 8.4, Lady Betty 8.4, ILiku 8.4, Monocle 8.4. Parawai 8.4. Ar Ist os 8.4. Penfold 8.4. Toa Tere 8.4, Pairawaatu' 8.4. Matarere 8.4. Zealand ia Handicap, five furlongs and a-half. — Miss Winnie 9.0, Maiora 8.10, Devonport 8.10, Tarina 8.0. Waiari 7.8. Aimwell 7.7. Hyperion 7.4, Admiral Soult 7.4. Lady Dot 7.3. Zinnia 7.3, All’s Well 6.13, Spectre 6.13. Excalibur 6.13. Calliope Handicap. five furlongs and a-half.—Merrigee 8.0, Solus 7.13. Doughboy 7.7. Princess Soult 7.6, Columbia 7.1, Lucille 7.1. Veitalia 7.0, Wenonah 7.0, Hamadryad 7.0. Master Theory 7.0. Minstrel 7.0. Dash Hack Handicap, four furlongs.- W.iionrn, 8.10, 1; Conquestina. 5.2. 2: Gladiole, 8.11. 3. Also started: Genuine, Strathmoira. Lady Doris, Blend. Celebrity. Amaru. Brav-. ery. A sea km. Katipo. Converter, Marionies. Won by a nose, a head between the second and third horses. Time. 51s. Herrington Welter Handicap, seven furlongs.—Goodwin Park, 8.9, 1: Repeat, 8.0, 2; Pascalls, 9.9, 3. Also started: Te Otane, Marathon. Waicola. Won by a length. Time, 1.29.