HAWKE'S BAY HANDICAPS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 12, 21 September 1910, Page 12

HAWKE'S BAY HANDICAPS.

NAPIER, Thursday. The following handicaps have 'been declared by Mr .1. E. llenrys for the Hawke's Bav Jockey Club's Spring Meeting:— Tontoana Hack Hurdles, one mile and three-quarters.—Pikapo 10.11, llirral 10.11, Rangihaeta 10.3, Captain Jingle 10.2. Appiu it.O, Sleacombe 0.7, 'l'e AVhetu 9.7, Centaur 9.7, Lingerer 9.4, Master Stead 9.3, Longboat 9.0, I.eguer 9.0. King Edward Handicap, nine furlongs.— California 9.7, Saudstream 8.13, Sir Tristram 8.11. Dreadless 7.13, Danube ..12, Merriwa 7.11, Kopu 7.7, Parable 7.7, ForInedeii 7.7, Birkdale 7.4, Sillte 0.11, Separator 6.10, Bliss 6.7. Pakowhai Hurdles, one mile and threequarters.—Orton 10.9. Tyrannic 10.5. Longner 10 2 Aorangl 9.7, Waitapu 9.3, VVhatakura 9.2, Rangihaefa 9.0. Welter Handicap, once round. —Cullinan 10.3, Bourrasque 9.9 k Lsimsdorft 9.7, Spate 9.5, Amato 9.4, Voetgang 8.9. Gold Battery 8.8, Ortygia 8.3, Polyuices 8.0, Berengaria 8.0, Rangikapua 8.0. Waipatu Hack Handicap, six furlongs.— Vibration 9.0. Bunkum 9.0, Tribulation 9.0, Amaru 8.9, Humming Bird 8.9, Meremere 8.3, I'erceler 8.2, Raupare 7.13, Lord l*i,seible 7.13, Mediterranean JJ3. Niwnru 7.12, Seraphic 7.9, Odessa 7.7, Big Blast 7.7, Montelone 7.7, Artie 7.0, Red Seal 7.0, Goldemar 7.0, Merrle Valet 7.0. Flying Handicap, six furlongs.—'Multiple 9.0, Drendless 8.9. Faunus 8.8, Kohinoor 8.7, Mon Anil 8.5, War Song 8.0. Sea Eagle 7.13 Vi 7.9, Bliss 7.7, Winning Post 7.5, Voetgang 0.13, I sidy Rohlna 6.10.

again. Who would not be a favourite jockey? 1 have always contended that these gentry are absurdly overpaid. I suppose owners cannot help themselves, and, of course, a man like Maher can dictate his own terms. How he would fare against old-time jockeys like Fordham and Archer it is impossible to conjecture. There are a good many eminently practical men who compare the present style of riding very unfavourably with the horsemanship that was displayed by some of the brilliant artists of the past. That Maher is a good horseman is unquestionable. Still, I have seen him commit some painful errors of judgment that Archer, for instance, was never guilty of. His penchant for cutting matters fine is not to be commended. The standard of jockeyship at the present time is lamentably poor. That is the reason Maher appears to be superior to most of his compeers. He is very strong, and has great finishing power. He is not, however, seen to advantage on round courses, and if he were to express his personal feelings, I think that he would declare solidly for Newmarket Heath as being his favourite track, and the one on which he is best able to do himself justice. TOD SLOAN, who was the real pioneer of the American seat in England, has had heaps of imitators, but very few indeed who could compare with him in skill and knowledge. He was a “brainy” jockey in the true sense of the word, and, apart from his idiosyncrasies, was a fine judge of racing. Had he not become infected with the complaint known as “swelled head,” he would have made a big fortune. Expensive living, cards, and “going the pace” generally, brought about his downfall. Probably at the present moment he is a sadder if wiser man. It may interest readers of this column to hear that the little man, who has caused a good deal of amusement in his time, has, after undergoing many vicissitudes, blossomed into a racehorse trainer at Chantilly. His patron is Lord Torrington, a young gentleman who has just taken up racing in France, and has, I believe, -about a dozen horses. For the benefit of those who have never heard of him, I may say that Lord Torrington, who was born, in ISBC, is a descendant of the distinguished George Byng, Rear-Admiral of Great Britain, whose eldest son, the second Viscount Torrington, became Pay-master-General in Ireland. His fourth son was Admiral John Byng, executed at Portsmouth for an error of judgment in 1757. The present Lord Torrington was a Page of Honour to his late Majesty King Edward, and also to Queen Victoria. There are thousands of racegoers who would have liked to see Sloan back in the saddle. The general impression is that the Jockey Club acted very harshly towards him. Doubtless, however, they were in possession of facts which were not make known to the public. It will be interesting to observe how “Toddy,” as he was familiarly termed, shapes as a trainer. The nearest approach to him as a jockey that I have seen is Frank Wootton, who, however, is many years younger than Sloan was when he first commenced to ride in England. Wootton is known as the YOUTHFUL PHENOMENON, and for his age and weight is a wonder. 1 should like to hear what Sloan thinks about him. It is questionable if Frank. Wootton is now much, if any, better than his younger brother Stanley, who, as a matter of fact, has time after time bested him in some tlirillingly close finishes. Wootton pere is justifiably proud of possessing two such boys. They must be a small gold mine to him. Amongst the light-weight jockeys of the present day, J. Plant deserves favourable mention. He is a man who can do a little boy’s weight. The “pocket Hercules ” is a cognomen which has not inaptly been applied to him. He has rid. den a lot of long-prieed winners this season. He does not believe in dawdling about, but usually makes every post a winning one. Although in stature he is one of the smallest jockeys riding, he is very strong, and has good hands, and can generally hold his own in a tight finish with the best of them. Plant is a husband and a father, and has a fund of humour all his own. His quaint sayings are much enjoyed, and the little man is universally popular. C. Trigg, though anything but artistic, is effective, inasmuch as he does not go to sleep at the post, and has both pluck and resolution. All the same, we are painfully deficient in good jockeys, and the outlook for the immediate future is far from encouraging.