TURF GOSSIP

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 1, 6 July 1910, Page 11

TURF GOSSIP

By

WHALEBONE.

FIXTURES.

duly 7 and B—Gisborne R.C. Winter July 16, 20 and 23 -Wellington R.C. Winter Aug. 9. 11 and 13—C.J.C. Grand National Oct. 12, 15 — Auckland Trotting Club Spring Dee. 27. 31, Jan. 7 — A.T.C. Summer The V.R.C. Grand National Meeting opens •at Flemington on Saturday next. J. Chaafe, jr., is adding several new boxes to his establishment at Gieen-lane. After a month’s rest, Waiari has resumed work again at Ellerslie. He is still under the charge of T. A, Williams. The work of laying the water around the Ellerslie course is to be put in hand at once. The death is announced from Wanganui of the well-known trainer Dick Wheeler at the age of 62. Weights for the C.J.C. National Hurdles and Steeplechase and the Winter Cup are due on Friday, .July Bth. Word from Sydney states that the N.Z. hurdle horse Wharekura broke down badly while working at Randwick recently. The New Zealand horseman J. N. McGregor rode the winner of a hurdle race ■at the Sale (Victoria) Meeting on June 16. A box has already been engaged at Rieearton for the C.J.C. National Meeting for the Hon. J. D. Ormond’s representative Audax. The ex-New Zealand horse Leeside broke his stifle while contesting the Caulfield Steeplechase recently, and had to be destroyed. According to a southern writer, Nero was very lame after winning the Napier Park Steeplechase, and may not be able to race for some time. F. .Porter loft for Gisborne by the Wimmera last week, with Te Arai, which claims engagements at the Gisborne R.C. Winter Meeting. The Auckland horses Ngapuka, Elect rale off. Wild West, Waucbope, and Miss Advance appear amongst the nominations for the C.J.C. Winter Cup. Usually at this time of the year, one looks for dullness in local racing pireles, but this season matters are probably duller than they have been for years. Mr G. M. Currie, of the Koatanui Stud Farm. Wanganui, has sent his brood males. Carmania and Albuera, to Sydney, on a visit to the imported horse Flavus. The St. Paul marc Speedy Meg was sent out a warm favourite for the 14.1 Novice Handicap at the recent Ascot (Sydney) meeting, and duly landed the od’s laid “on. ’ The Auckland horses Loch Fyne and Kremlin are to fulfil their engagements at the Wellington Winter Meeting, and the pair will be shipped south shortly. The horses Caruso and Sabre were shipped South by tre Tarawera on Saturday to fulfil engagements at the Gisborne meeting. Auckland should play a strong hand at the gathering. The St. Paul gelding Prophet, which has been having an easy time of it since his return from the Hawke's Bay meeting, owing to a cold, resumed active work again this week. The Auckland Racing Club’s contribution to the Government over the recent Winter Meeting amounted to £2300. After paying this amount, it is understood the profit over the meeting totalled £2OOO. White Cockade is reported to have made a promising debut as a hurdler at Ashburton. On the first day he lost a lot of ground at the obstacles, but he flew them in greatly improved style on the second day. The Birkenhead mare Mistime was shipped South by the Wimmera last week, in charge of 8. Lindsay, to fulfil her engagements at the Gisborne R.C. Winter Meeting. It Is stated that there Is every probability of the much-boomed gelding I’aisano being among tlie competitors in th* hurdle race on the secund day of too Gisborne meeting.

The N.Z.-bred Mischief, by Birkenhead Mhss Never, carried 10.2 to victory in the Albion Park Five Hundred, seven furlongs, run in Queensland, on June 18. The minimum was 7.7. Oiyoi has not been shipped to Australia yet, and there are still one or two formalities to be gone through, among others the securing of a veterinary certificate, before his sale is satisfactorily completed. The list of horses for the N.Z. Cup underwent. a reduction of one this week, Riflemaid, by Needlegun—Russ’.ey Belle, which claimed an engagement in the big Southern event, dying of blood-poisoning. The St. Paul gelding Prophet was withdrawn from the Wellington Winter Hurdle Race immediately his owner saw ihe weights. This was generally expected, for Prophet was undoubtedly badly treated. Woid from the South states that Equitas has been withdrawn from the Caulfield Cun. and that there is very little chance of the daughter of Advance making the trip to Australia. The Salvadan mare Lady Patricia, which went amiss just before the A.R.C. Winter Meeting has made her reappearance on the tracks at Ellerslie. Lady Patricia looks to have lightened up a bit dining her absence. The property at Ellerslie so long tenanted by the late J. B. Williamson, and now occupied by his family, has boon purchased by a syndicate, and will probably be cut up into building sites in the near future. The Seaton Delaval mare Celerity is still showing winning form in Australia, the exAucklander accounting for a six furlongs race at Aspendale Park, Victoria, on June All going well in the meantime, Ngapuka. ami Dogger Bank will be shipped South on Friday, in charge of M. Ryan, to fulfil iheir engagements at the Wellington Racing Club’s Winter Meeting. C. Cress, who had his collarbone broken when riding at the Hawke’s Bay Winter Meeting, is at present on a holiday visit to Auckland. Cress is making a good recovery, and is expected to be in the saddle again shortly. The horses Mozart and Tua Kitua were shipped to Gisborne by the Tarawera on Saturday. After racing at Gisborne, the pair will be taken on to Wellington, to fulfil their engagements at the Wellington Winter Meeting. A southern writer says that the ruling was very poor at the Ashburton meeting last week, and considers that several races might have resulted differently if the jockeys on the second horses had known their business properly. Mr John Rowe. President of the Auckland Trotting Club, who is also President of the New Zealand Trotting Association, will represent the A.T.C. at the forthcoming Confluence. Mr C. F. Mark, secretary of the A.T.C., will also attend the Conference. The Wellington morning papers give Ben Jenson’s weight in the Wellington Winter Hurdles as 11.11, but Mr Pollock, the club's ha nd i<a | pur. wires me that the son of Ben Godfrey's correct weight is 10.12, as published in Auckland. Although nothing has been definitely decided it is understood that the Auckland Racing Club intend building a house for the secretary, Mr J. F. Hartland, on the allotments recently acquired by them on the Ladies’-mile. There is no race meeting of any importance in the Dominion this week. Next week (the Gisborne Racing Club’s meeting will be decided, and after that there only remains the Wellington Racing Club’s fixture to conclude the seasun. Mr W. Montgomery has disposed of his interest in the Occidental Hotel, and in tends leaving for Sydney shortly, taking with him Ihe horses Hoanga and Nelin There is also a probability of the Am k land light weight, A. Whittaker, making the trip. Probably the next work to be taken in hand by the Auckland Racing Club will be the forming of a now ent ranee from Green I.nno, which will be made through the recently purchased paddock, and will come out just in front of the caretaker's residence. The Auckland Trotting Club have fixed ■October 12 ami 15 as the dates for their spring meeting, ami December 27 and 31. ami .lannary 7. as the dates of.their summer molding. The dates for the autumn gathering are al present in abeyance. The pro-

grammes for the season will be issued Immediately after the Conference decides the question uf jyhort limit raecs. Although no move has yet been made In the direetion of forming a two-year-old winter track at Ellerslie, the Committee have not lost sight of the question. Estimates have been obtained, and it is understood the cost would be something like £<MW, which is at present rather too heavy an expenditure. In all probability the work will be done gradually, and extended over a few years. A meeting of the committee of the Avondale Jockey Club was held on Thursday afternoon, when a<i application was receive<l from Norman Cunningham for the remis-s-ion of the life sentence imposed upon Jtim about 12 months ago in connection with the running of the horse Lucio. After considering certain new statements produced, the committee decided to recommend to the Conference the removal of the disqualification. Commenting on the absence of New Zealand horses in the Melbourne and Caulfield (’ups. “Poseidon,’’ of the Melbourne Lea dor,’’ states: “Our handicappers have a habit of rather over-estimating the abilities of the crack horses from Maoriland. and this 1 feel sure is the chief cause of the non-appearance of the names of horses like Crucinella, Penates. Formedoii. Bobrikoff. and other New Zealand celebrities in the Cup lists.’’ There was a peculiar happening at the Mtart of the Adelaide Alderman Cup, and the “Register” thus tells of it:—lt appears that after the start one of the posts of the barrier, which had been eaten away by white ants, came down, ami the webbing fell across the course. It was said that ft number of onlookers, knowing that the Cup horses would run over this spot again, caught the webbing and suspended it so that they could puss under. The consignment of thoroughbred horses recently purchased by Mr J. Musk in New Zealand, ami shipped io Perth, arrived safely, though one of them has since died. Some of these arc evidently to lie raced by their owner, who has entered Talobin for the Western Australian Derby. Slie Is a bay by Obligado, who was imported to New Zealand by the late Mr G. G. Stead in 1897. Miss Simon, the dam of Talobia, is by tl> recently-defunct Soult, from Pikau, and is owned by Mr D. McKinnon.

The Avondale Jockey Club have Und Tians drawn up by Messrs Wade and Wade or additions to their present steward stand, •nd there is every probability of the work being put in hand at once, so as tube ready in time for the spring meeting. The plans for a most up-to-date structure, and Include casualty room, jockey's room, weighing room, secretary’s office, members room, committee room, and accommodation (for the Press. With the erection of the Slew building, the Avondale Club will be erne of the most up-to-date in the .Dominion.

The defeat of Lemberg in the Grand Prix de Paris would come as a shock to most (English sportsmen, for it was generally Considered that the French three-year-old form was very moderate this season. Lemberg, the English Derby winner, evidently tried to win all the way. for according to the cabled account he made most of the running, but tired to nothing at the finish, eventually finishing fourth. Nuage, the (winner, won ihe three events he started in last season, and must be a pretty smart solt.

i The attendance of non members has become such a nuisance at the meets of the ipaktfianga houndx that the committee have been compelled to advertise that no ©no w’ll be allowed to follow the hounds 'excepting members, subscribeis, funnel’s, or members of farmers' families over whose properties the hounds have permission to hunt. Guinea subscribeis, other than subscribing farmers, are reminded that they have not the full privilege of the hunt, and If they wish to hunt regularly, they are Expected to pay the full membership fee. The following names have been claimed In Australia for New Zealand-bred horses: — Colt bv Birkenhead — Lady Fisher, Anchorage; ’colt by Soult — Wairongoinai, ®oiiltberg: filly by Multiform — Rattler, lllhetia; filly by St. Ambrose — Success, Sandra: filly by St. Ambrose — Tamarina, Tarnyris; filly by Birkenhead — Lyrebird, • iVega; filly by Field Battery — St. Winifred, Calve; colt by Kilcheran—Fauna, •Duke of Roxburgh; colt by Achilles — Olivette, Neptolemus. The filly that Otterden threw, to Multiform since her arrival in Australia, has been called Foremost. Ataahua was given his first race since lie mot with such a bad accident whilst Schooling at Aspendale last winter, al Mentone, on the loth of this month. He started in the Welter Handicap, run over a mile and a-quarter, was not mentioned in the belting, and finished close up behind the placed horses, the winner of which, Lion, got home in 2.8 J. The cx-New Zealander is said to have shown signs of netvourness, and I’lice did not fancy his chance in the least. However, ho seems to have run a fairly good race, and he has since f dly maintained his position in the betting in the Grand National Hurdles. The local trainer, K. Heaton, experienced a stroke of bad luck on Monday, his gelding Baltimore breaking his week. The son of Leola nt is was turned out in a paddock when he started playing, and ills rug getting round his legs. he fell heavily, with the result mentioned above. Baltimore. although not a high-class porfarmer, was useful, and yas expected to improve with age, Ibis owner being confident of picking up a decent slake with him during the coming season, so that his loss is a pretty severe one. When a man's luck is out, nothing seems to go right, and as Heaton has nad a long inn. it is to be hoped that this latest experience will prove the turning point. 1 When Mr 11. li. McKenzie left for Australia a fortnight ago. he informed me that the object of his trip was to purchase a Mallion. ami that -Penury, by Galiinule—'Powerless, was under offer to him. On iSaturday I received a cable from Mr McKenzie stating that he had concluded the purchase of Penury, and that he was to be shipped to Auckland to-day by the Maheno. Penury was imported to Australia by Mr IP. 11. Morton, of New South Wales, and Is finite a young horse. By the highly successful sire Galiinule. his breeding is very highfl ass, and as the blood is new Io the Colo •lues, only one other by the same horse being in the Dominion in All Black, his services should be in great request bv Auckland breeders. Al a meeting of the Manawatu Racing Club Committee last night, the president, R. S. Abraham, strongly advocated the club following the lead of Wellington in cooperating with the A. and P. Association by ihe donation of prizes to encourage the breeding of horses suitable for remounts. The president's proposal was cordially received by the Committee, which recorded its Willingness to donate prizes for this purpose. The club resolved that the question <>f a uniform hurdle be brought before the (meeting of clubs' delegates at Wellington, in consequence of a report received from 3»r. Wilson, condemning the present system. Dr. Wilson also gave notice of motlon “That all hurdle races be eliminated from the Manawatu Summer ami Autumn Meetings until a standard hurdle is adopted by the raring conference.’' Dealing with the everlasting subject of racing systems, an English writer says; “Although the fallacy of racing ‘systems* Is (fully recognised by those having any experience of the Turf, there are many people •who cling to theories and Idea* •which at least have a substratum of commonsenst* about them. Thus the system of follow' c certain stables at certain meetings has often been found to Fhow profitable results. The lion. George d.ambton's horses invariably do well at because it Is the •home’* meeting. The Earl of Derby resides nt Known* ley, which is within a few miles of (hr course, and particular and special efforts to win races on the Alntree track arc made with a good deal of success. Liverpool Cups Innumerable have fallen to the share of the

House of Stanley stable. Indeed, the victories of the establishment began to be looked upon with a jealous eye by other owners, who insisted that it was useless to oppose the Stanley House stable at Liverpool. However, the triumphs of the “black and white cap” were very popular with the crowd, especially in the days of the late Earl.” A meeting of the Waikato Hunt Club was held on Thursday, at which there was a good attendance, the master (Mr T. Wynne Brown) being in the chair. It was decided to hold the annual race meeting as usual, on the first Wednesday in September, the 3rd of that month. It was found the meeting will clash with the Loan and Mercantile Company’s horse sale, but that cannot be helped, for it is the company who have appropriated the club’s day, and all the other Wednesday's in September are also appropriated, either for sales or races. The officers were nearly all re-elected, but some names were added to the list. Mr J. Chadwick will do the handicapping, and Mr C. O'Connor will be starter. The following -will be the programme of events:—Hunt Club Hurdles, Maiden Welter, Hunt Steeples, Bardowie Handicap, Tally-ho Steeplechase, Electric Handicap, Maiden Steeplechase. The master said it was to the credit of the Waikato Hunt that one of its horses had won the Grand National, and he congratulated Mr C. Shaw on his win with Red Macgregor. He said the Hunt had no keener supporter or sportsman than Mr Shaw. The date of the annual ball w-as fixed for the 19th of August, which is a Friday, and next day the hounds will meet at Pukerimu, instead of at Taupiri, as had been arranged.

i i i TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH. CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. Riccarton trainers have been distinctly unfortunate this week, frequent rain having allowed them few opportunities of giving their charges work, and those with jumpers to school are especially troubled by the vagaries of the weather. The greatest sufferers are those who have horses entered at the coming Wellington meeting. The news of the scratching of Eldorado for the Canterbury Grand National Meeting has caused a great deal of disappointment locally, not only to punters who have already made investments, but also to those who appreciate a good steeplechase. As it has been stated that Eldorado will not be sent to Australia, the only reason for his scratching that can be suggested here is that the Gold Chief gelding has gone amiss. In view of his success at Riccarton last year, his absence is particularly regretted, the more so because it was felt, after his great performances on the second and third days, that he was very unlucky not to win the Grand National itself, the reason for his failure being that too much use was made of him in the early stages of the race. Ambrosian, the half-sister by St. Ambrose to Lamure, is earning a place among the favoured division of New Zealand Cup candidates. Some little time ago it was reported that Zetland was to be retired from the turf, as the handicappers were treating him unduly harshly. It turns out, however, that the rather ancient son of Obligado was only spelled, and is now in work again. He was nominated for the Winter Cup. Recent advices from Sydney state that the eale of Oiyoi for Australia has fallen through, but the opinion is expressed that he will be trained in Sydney for the Melbourne Cup and other Australian engagements. From other quarters, however, information is to hand to the effect that if Oiyoi leaves New Zealand, his destination ■will be India, where he may be given a chance to earn distinction in the Viceroy’s Cup. The hurdler Waipihl Is reported to be coming on nicely at Morris’ stables, Bulls, though hitherto he has not shown much promise.

GISBORNE ACCEPTANCES. GISBORNE, Wednesday. The following are the acceptances for the first -day of the Gisborne Racing Club's Steeplechase Meeting:— Handicap Hurdle Race, one mile and three-quarters.—Paisa no 11.9, Continuance 10.11, Tua Kltua 9.9, Sabre 9.4, Whakaweira 9.0. Flying Handicap, six furlongs.—Auldearn. 10.9, Ballyheigh 10.7, Dazzling 10.0, Sublime 9.13, Hirini 9.5, Illustrious 9.4, Mistime 9.0, Te Rakato 9.0. Gisborne Park Steeplechase, about three miles. —Te Aral 11.13, Reservoir 11.3, King Hippo 11.0, Mozart 10.0, Swathmoor 10.0, Waiohlka 9.7. . Trial Steeplechase, two miles.—Nogt 11.0, King Hippo 10.13, Mozart 10.7, Te Kainnl 10.5, Haurangi 10.4, Whatashot 9.12, Game 9.7. Winter Oats Handicap, one mile and a distance. —Lainsdorff 10.4, Douche 10.0, Sublime 10.9. Fort William 9.7, Spate 9.5, Illustrious 9.0. + + + AUSTRALIAN RACING. CAULFIELD AND MELBOURNE CUPS. NEW ZEALAND WEIGHTS. Alawa heads the list of weights for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, with 9.9. in the Caulfield Cup Master Soult and Aborigine are allotted 9.1, Oiyoi 8.13, Maori King 8.5, Golden Slipper and Artillerie 7.13, Iranul and Bridge 7.9, Effort 7.7, and Martyre 6.11. ’ . In the Melbourne Cup Master Soult and Aborigine have 8.13. Oiyoi 8.10, Iranui 8.3, Artillerie 7.13, Bridge and Golden Slipper 7.7, Formeden 7.1, and Martyre 6.9. 4 I 4 ENGLISH RACING. RESULT OF THE PRINCESS OF WALES STAKES. LONDON, June 30. At the Newmarket meeting to-day the following was the result of the principal event: — THE PRINCESS OF WALES’ STAKES, of 2000SOVS. For three and four-year-olds. One mile and a-half. Mr W. Hall-Walker's br c, Ulster King, by Persimmon —Tully Lass 1 Mosca, by Challeureux —Butterfly 2 Admiral Hawke, by Gallinule—Admiration 3