TURF GOSSIP

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 24, 13 December 1911, Page 12

TURF GOSSIP

By

WHALEBONE.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Thomas Chadwick, Limestone Island.—MiM Mischief ran a mile and a half at Ellerslie In 2.32 3-5, which is ft New Zealand, but not an Australasian, record. The three-year-old Royal Irish has been added tu the list, and will In future appear in the uuiuinutiou as a gelding. Both A. Whittaker ant! the apprentice Hail, who were. injured at Takapuna on Saturday week, are about again, and rode ou Saturday. The local horseman, I». Deeley, left for Woodville last Thursday evening, to ride Kopane and others In their engagements at the Woodville J.C. Spring Meeting. The hunter Pukewera was schooled over the hurdles at Ellerslie last week, but his fencing was not altogether satisfactory, and at times was very slow. Mr. E. .1. Watt’s filly Ventura figures amongst the forty-oue acceptors that have made the final payment for Hie December The gelding Rakau, which John Rae is giving plenty of time to mature, was jioppeii over a couple of hurdles and the stone wail at Ellerslie last week, fencing with confidence. The well-known horseman H. Gray, who has been an absentee from the saddle for some months owing to rheumatism, was riding work again at Ellerslie on Thursday morning. The Menschikoff gelding Mauiniua showed a lot of pace in the Vauxhall Handicap on Saturday, and when he gets a little more seasoned should do good service for his owner. Sir George Clifford’s team for -the A.R.C. Summer Meeting is expected to leave Lyttelton on December 14. and will travel from Wellington to Auckland by mail train the following day. The Merriwee horse Mildura made his .debut over hurdles at the Takapuna J:C. Spring Meeting, and with a. little more experience may repay his owner far past failures on the flat. Geo. Price's team for the A.R.C. Summer •Meeting is expected to leave Palmerston North on December 18. Price and Oliver, tiie first horseman for the stable, will both be at Ellerslie. The two-year-old Prince Soult is progressing satisfactorily ‘in his’training at Ellerslie, and, all going well in tire meantime, will be seen under silk at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting* The St. Paul gelding Prophet was jumped over a couple of hurdles at Ellerslie on Wednesday morning, when be plainly showed that his long spell has not impaired bis fencing ability. The St. Paul marc Madam Paul has been mated with Salvadan. but is being prepared by J. Williamson at Ellerslie for the Whangari i meeting, which will probably be her last appearance under silk. The Wellington Racing Club have decid’d to Increase the value of the Wellington Cup to and that of the Summer. Handicap to £5OO. In all £350 more is to be distributed in prize money than last year. The trotting mare Wilhelmina, owned by Mr. IT. Barr, has foaled a colt to Specialist. The two-year-old Prince King is to be operated on. and the snn nf Hierarrh will appear in the future records as a gelding. At the last meeting of the committee of the Hawke's Ray Jockey flub it was resolved that the trustees of the District Benevolent Fund lie recommended to make a grant of £75 to the widow of the late C. Cress. The brood mare Cloud has been purchased by the gentleman who races under the name of Mr C. Thede. (’loud, wh’ch is getting on in years, and Dreamland, another brood more in the veteran stage, are to b* mated with Salvadan. Miscount is putting up something of a record for running h>t<v second place hi the Dominion. In England lie has his counterpart in I, ord Carnarvon’s Must ft ph a. who is one of the nnlncklest homes that ever looked through a bridle. Tn addition to just missung Innumerable other Important handicaps during the past seasionn. in which Im* hns ncarlv always mn second or third. Mustnpha haft now been ftecond In the Cambridgeshire for the third year In succession.

The death is announced from Sydney of Mr. Jerry Jerome, the well-known racing and counilug enthusiast, who was wellknowu in Auckland, and who was generally recognised as one of the best judges of u greyhound in Australasia. The catalogue of the dispersal sale of the Cambria Park stud which- is to be sold, without reserve ou Wednesday, January 12, is to hand. In all 37 lots are to be disposed of, including 12 yearlings, one two-year-old, 22 brood mares and the stallions Obllgadcr and Hierarch. During the week politics have entirelyovershadowed racing, and a visitor to Ellerslie of a morning would hardly form the opinion that we are at present within a> fortnight of the big summer carnival. Matters should liven up somewhat during the next week. The annual Glenora Park sale Is fixed •to take place on the same day as the Auckland Trotting Club conclude their summer meeting, but an early start is to be made, and it is anticipated that visitors will be able to get back in plenty of tinre for the gathering. Political feellug runs pretty high at Ellerslie at present, and all sorts and* con* ditions of politics are advanced. A-t least two of the trainers are out-and-out Social* ists, and their arguments usually entertain their brother professionals for an hour or two every morning. Mr. W. W. Naughton, the ex-Aucklander, who is now in San Francisco, where he is acknowledged as the leading sporting writer in the States, does not forget old friends, and by to-day’s mail a poet card is to hand> wishing the season’s greetings, which are heartily reciprocated. A. Julian’s six monnis’ enforced absence from the saddle has not in any way impairedhis ability as a horseman, for he succeeded in landing two out of the three hufdle events devilled, at the Takapuna meeting. Over obstacles the local horseman has veiy few equals in the Dominion. The C’uirassier gelding, iTnyal Armour, was schooled over hurdles at Ellerslie last week, with A. Julian in the saddle. When tried at the pony hurdles he ran about a lot, but when put at the bigger hurdles he went very straight, aud for a novice his display was a very pleasing one. Although the outside nominations for the Auckland Trotting Club’s Summer Meeting are not up to expectations. The nominations as- a whole are highly satisfactory, and a successful gathering can be confidently looked for. The Soult horse Master Theory is n»t eeuling down as well as anticipated, and though for a morning or two he gave the impression that lie had forgotten his bid manners, he was as bad as ever last week, when being schooled - over the small'hurdle*, and his rider bad anything but a plimsant. ride, "Word from the South states that R. T Mason and R. J. O’Donnell will both leave Christchurch' with their tennis next week fur Auckland. There is still, however, -ft bit of mystery as to whether O' Don noil’s team is * to visit Auckland or stay at Palmerston North for the Mana wain meeting. Mr R. H. Duder has been out of luck for so long—l don*4 think he won a race last war-—that it was quite a pleasure <t o lift Reiira put the Vauxhall Handicap to-his credit at Tiikapnna on Saturday. I.a Reina, which broke the long run ill-luck, scored her maiden victory iw the event. 'lndia’s.- biggest race only attracted fourteen nominations, and of these five belonged ■to Akr. >A. A. A pear; and three to Mr. I. C. GaulstJHin (for whom M’oottnn is to ride). It looks as though the issue has •been narrowed down to last year’s winner, Mayfoal, Prince Rupert, and the exNew Zealander Aborigine. The Soult mare Mahhiga. which has• hc'Mi racing in Sydney for some time, made Imh* first appearance under silk since her return to the Dominion at Takapuna on Saturday, when she contested the Stanley Hand leap. Mailings looked real well, but although she ran a- good race; finished outside n pkiro. The horses Blue Mountain and Tlautore were schooled over- the big centre of the course at EllersHe on Thuvs day- morning. The- first time over boHi jumped well, but nt the first fence of the double the second time 1 Tent ere hit Irani nnd earne down, bls ridpr } J. Ptnker; helng a bit sbaketi and brnisedj Tire Glsbornc-owned Trorses Goldflud#r ■nd Mont Igo. which clfttm engagement* at

the A.B.C. Buuitaer Meetiag, arrived In Atteklaiul on Sunday. The Cup candidate Goldfiuder will be prepared for bls Auckland cugageuaeata by Jtauk Loomb, who until recently bad charge of the son of San Fran aud who broke him iu and got him ready for his two and three year eld engagements. In all probability J. Buchanan will hare the mount on Goldfiuder in the Auckland Cup. ...

At.the Walkanae stud the vast majority of this season's foals are tillles, and In all there are twenty-three of the weaker sex. as against sir colts. Achilles Is represented by eight Allies and two colts, Bezonlan three Allies, Martian two Allies and 1 eolt, Campfire two Allies, Marble Arch one Ally, Vasco ouo Ally and two colts, and Signor one colt.

Matters in connection with the Auckland Cup still remain quiet, and until the arrival of the visitors the work at headquarters is not likely tn be of a sensational character. The local candidates ace getting through -their allotted tasks iu a satisfactory manner, and with the tracks all In good order, and not -too hard, trainers have been enabled to slip the work into their charges.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company announce the sale of thoroughbred yearlings from Mr W. Walters’ Glenora Park, Mr IT. B. Mackenzie's Aseot Stud, Mr J. MeNicol’s Te Aroha Stud, Mr W. Dunn's Rosedale Park, Mr W. Paterson's Motitl, and Mr J. D. Kemp's Awbitu Studs for Saturday, December 30. Fuller particulars will be announced later.

The continuance of Bellah's Auckland Cup engagement came as something of a surprise, for though he appears to be a better colt than his very moderate stablemate, Sea Pink, his form at Feilding was poor (says "Sir Bedevere”). The best he could do was te flnteh fifth in the Ballway Welter, and he will require to give a considerably better display at Woodville tn order to gain any friends.

Although there are thirty second ballots yet to. be decided, a look through the names of those elected and those who appear to have a chance in the second ballot gives the impression that the totalisator will be fairly safe with the new Parliament. One or two strong supporters of the machine have been rejected, but several opponents have also failed to get sufficient votes to allow them to use their influence against racing.

The unexpected death of Mr. P. F. Tancred, which occurred on Wednesday last, removes one of the best-known figures In the racing world of the Dominion. In his young .lavs Mr. Tanered lived in the Whangarel district, but for a long time he ranked as a Southerner, and to the younger generation in the North he would probably be only known by name. The deceased sportsman owned and raced a lot of horses, which Included such performers as Administrator and Forester.

The well-known horseman, H. Gray, who has been laid up for some months suffering from rheumatism, which prevented him from fulfilling riding engagements at all the big spring carnivals, returned to Auckland last week, after undergoing treatment at the baths at Te Aroha. The treatment had a most beneficial effect, and Gray states that he has thrown off all traces of the complaint, and will be able to get iu the saddle again at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting. If Miss Mischief runs in the Auckland Cup Gray will have the mount.

An item of news that sporting men will be” Interested to learn Is that the Southern trainer B. Mason i»ae practically decided to settle in Sydney, and thus put a longstanding promise Into execution (so said Mr Chisholm to a Sydney Pressman). It is further understood that Mason will continue to train ehiefiy for Mr. <J. D. Greenwood, who since the death of Mr. G. G. Stead has been his principal patron. Mr. Greenwood, it 1s believed, has decided to raee on a large scale la this State, and thus •will the ranks of our horseowners be

>AU sorts of rumours are afioat as to Counterfeit's form, and the latest is from the Wellington writer, “The Judge," who says: Although she has made the first acceptance, there seems to be a grave donbt as to whether Counterfeit will be started in the Auckland Cup. In any ease, the easy time she has been having of late does not promise well for the filly's chance of Tasting ont a strongly-run two-mile race. It is of interest to note that since the foundation of the raee in 1874 no three-year-old filly has ever won It. Probably Masterpiece will be entrusted with the task of carrying the blue and gold chequers. This paragraph is somewhat discounted by the fact that Counterfeit has been solidly supported in doubles, and there is just a suspicion that the money was secured by some .one well Informed.

Some of the old-time commissions worked In England in connection with big races make remarkable reading, and Individual speculation was undoubtedly much heavier then than at the present time. As small backers have Increased, the amount of money Invested now may be greater, but really heavy punters are scarce by comparison with the olden days. A commission In which the first £lOO,OOO was obtained at the rate of 1000- to 6 Is something to talk about, and though another £lOO,OOO was secured at a wore costly rate, 33 to 1 was the starting-prlee of the animal concerned, This was Nn, a three-year-old filly by- Orpheus; which, eousequeut on her defeat in a small event a few weeks earlier, was not reckoned by ‘'books'' or backers to have the slightest chance of winning

the Cau>brid|jeahire, even if she as iwuch as started. Oue of the first bets booked about Nu ufter the defeat referred to waa IOUU to 2, but uuluckily for all run>*erued, the co up was uvt effected, Xu being defeated a neck. The Takaptina Jockey Club is now in the unique position of baring twice to post* pone a MJCetiux owing to rain, alter some of the events bad been decided. On May 21, lbUB, at their Winter meeting, two races bad been. decided — tlbe Maiden Hurdles, which W49 wou by Seabreeze, and the Maiden Plate, won by DoDeraile —when the raiu fell so heavily that it was decMed to postpone the reuminiug events until Tuesday, the 24th, when two extra races were put on, a Maiden 'Hurdles aud the Substitution Handicap, the law not being so strict iu those days as at present. Those who were present will well remember the day, for about half-au-hour after the postponement the weather cleared, aud it was fairly tine for the rest of the afternoon, and a large number of racing folk journeyed to Alexandra Park to witness the football match Suburbs v. Parnell, in which the former created a great surprise by either making a draw or defeating Parnell —I forget which —which was then the crack team. Three of the horsemen who rode at that meeting, in J. Buchanan, W. Satman and J. Scents, had mounts on Saturday. * * * TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB. THE MEETING CONCLUDED. The four events on the Takapuna Jockey Club’s spring programme, postponed from the previous Saturday on account of the rain, were run off on Saturday afternoon. The weather in the early part of the afternoon was tine, but just before the Pupuke Handicap raiu set in, but it was not sufficiently heavy to cause any serious inconvenience. The attendance was good. In the absence of Mr C. O’Connor, the Club’s starter, Mr F. W. Edwards officiated at the barrier, his dispatches being highly satisfactory. On the four events decided the sum of £7716 10/ was passed through the machines, making a total for the eight races of £15,167 10/, a total for the gathering of £27,543. as against £19,619 10/ last year, w’hen, however, £7OO was received in bookmakers’ fees. Results are as follow. RAKINO HANDICAP, of lOOsovs. Distance, four furlongs. H. De Latour’s b c Lannacost, 2yrs, by Spalpeen —Dalmatia, 7.9 (Hall) 1 0. R. Bailey’s to f Indulgence, 2yrs, 7.5 (Conquest) 2 R. Hannon's br f Semolina, 2yrs, 7.6 (J. Brady) 3 Also started: Dido, 9.0; Erry Oge, 6.12; Monowai, 6.12; Salvannle. 6.7. Erry Oge caused a bit of delay at the post by breaking through the barrier twice, but eventually they were let go to a fairly even start, Salvannie being slow to move. Semolina was first out, but was soon displaced by Dido, which in turn gave way to Monowai, which led across the top, just clear of Lannacost, after which came Dido, Semolina, and Erry Oge. When they turned for home Lannacost shot into the lead, and, stalling off a late run by Indulgence, finished up a winner by two lengths. Semolina was a neck away, third, then came Monowai, Dido, and Erry Oge. Time, 51 l-ss. Dido was favourite. CAUTLEX HANDICAP of lOOsovs. Distance 5 furlongs and a-half. Mr G. Bettiey’s ch m Miss Livonia, 7.1 (O’Shea) 1 Messrs T. and H. Auckram's br m Lady Dot, aged, 7,4 (Conquest) 2 T. Cunningham’s br m Lucil’e, 4yrs, 7.9 (Whittaker) 3 Also started: Worcester 7.3, Condamine 6.11, and Peggy Fry de 6.9., They left the mark on even terms. Miss Livonia being quickest to begin, and led the field along the back, followed by Peggy Pryde, after came Lady Dot and Lucille. whicM were together. Crossing the top Miss Livonia had a slight advantage of Lady Dot, but the pair were on terms as they turned for home. At the distance Lady Dot looked all over a winner, but Miss Livonia, sticking to her task gamely, gradually shook her off, aud wou by half a length. Lucille was a length away, third, with Peggv Pryde fourth, and Condimlne last. Time, 1.10 2 5. Lucille was favourite. A protest was lodged by J. Conquest, rider of Lady Dot, against J. O’Shea, rider of Miss Livonia, for an alleged cross at the start, but after hearing evidence the objection was dismissed, a caution, however, being administered to O’Shea. PUPUKE HANDICAP, of lOOsovs. Seven furlongs. R. H. Duder’s rn m La Reina, syrs, by Boult —Queen Ann, 7.11 (inc. 7ib pen.) (Percival) i J. Moody’s b m Firelock, aged, 7.0 (Conquest) ' 2 E. W. Alison's b in Elegance, syrs, 8.1 (C. Brown) 3 Also started: Fuss 8.5, Goodwin Sands 8.1, Blue Mount 7.11, Caruso 7.9, Malka 7.8, Haku 7.7, and Sir Walter 7.1. They jumped off in even line, Haku getting shut out and losing several lengths, and when the stand was reached Firelock bad a slight advantage of La Reina, the pair being a length in front of Elegaace, and then came Goodwin Sands, Fuss, and Sir Walter, with the others close handy. The positions were unchanged as they raced along the back and crossed the top stretch, while when |hey turned for borne Firelock and La Reina were locked together, with Elegance a length, away third, the others being beaten. In the run to the post an interesting struggle was witnessed.

La Reina staying the longest aud getting the verdict by a neck. Elegance was a length and a half away, third, and then rame Malka, Goodwin Sands, aud Fuse. Time. 1.28 2-3. Fuss was favourite. WELTER HANDICAP, of lOOsovs. One mile. G. Creamer’s b g Spectre. syr*. by Soult — Apparition, 7 7, (C. Brown) 1 r. Jones’ b g Aristocrat, aged, 7.10, (Curran) 2 Foreman aud McHugh's br g Admiral Soult, Oyrs, 8.6, (Header ion) ... r .... 3 Also started: Flying Soult 8.12, Zinnia 8.8» Fuss 7.10, Duma 7.8, aud Scotch 7.7. There was uo delay at the post and they left In line. Admiral Soult being first to find his feet, and joined by Zinnia the pair led past the stand, followed by Scotch, Flying Soult, Duma, Aristocrat aud Spectre, Racing along the back Zinnia and F!yh»X Soult were together and they piloted the fie’d across the top stretch, where Aristocrat had run up third, while Spectre also made a forward move. Turning for home Aristocrat and Admiral Soult were the leaders, and jv.st when the former hud Admiral Soult settled Spectre came with a late run and gradually wearing down the leader won by half a length, with a similar distance between secund and third. Flying Soult was fourth, and then came Zinnia and Duma, the last to fiuUh being Fuss. Time, 1.43 1-5. Duma was favourite. i ± WOODVILLE RACES. WOODVILLE, Saturday. The summer meeting of the Woodville Jockey Club was commenced to-day, under very unfavourable weather conditions. Rain started about 11 o’clock, aud when the first race started it was coming down iu sheets. The rain continued during the first three races, when the sky cleared, and the sun sboue brightly, but a heavy wind blew for the remainder of the ’afternoon. The attendance was satisfactory, but it was greatly affected by rough weather. The silent totalisator was used for the first time, and a sum of £7172 was put through the machine, which is over £lOOO more than the amount bandied on the corresponding day of last year. The results were us follows: — Grandstand Handicap. Jargon 1. Melologne 2, Overheard 3. Scratched: Attention. Ladrone. Ada re, Pukewal, Royal .A rims. Cornelian, Matlew, Plantation, Tuatahi. Won by two lengths. Woodville Handicap.—British Maid 1, Voetgang 2, Coromandel 3. Scratched: Equitas, Effort, Seapink, Royal Marine, San Lass. Won by two lengths. Hurdles. —Poly nice® 1, Strathmoira 2, Al! Trumps 3. Scratched: Cullinan, Puketotara aud Royal Patron. Won by half a length. Flying Handicap.—Florence Nightingale 1, Taft 2, Tuma 3. Scratched: Makaia, Meremer, Monologue, Wild Lupin, Ebonite, Sangier, Millbanks, Sir Donald, Plantation. Lord Kilcherau, Lord Palmer. Won by a head. Borough Handicap.—Splash 1, Midnight Sun 2, Cork 3. Won by a good length. Time, 1.30.

Welter Handicap—PlaiitaUon 1, Sir Kn«x 2, Loch Maben 3 Wen by two lengths. Time, 1.50 2 5. Electric Handicap — Gold Bsttery 1, Master Sylvia 2, Bow Bella 3. Won by half a head. Time, 1.41 4-5. + + + DUNEDIN WEIGHTS. PVNKVIN, Suud The following weights have been dee. for the first day of the Dunedin Joefey Club's Summer Meeting:— Summer Hurdles, cue mile aud tlireequarters Master Paul 11 2. ,la<k Ashore W.fi, Milo 10.8, Bide Bangs It'll. Bay Lupin 10.2, Situou Pure 0.13. Glenfield 0.12, Gold Pin 9.9, Klngmau 9.8, Kudwasure 9.0, Larkspur 9.0, Sharp Eye 9.0, Black aud Brown 9.0. Salisbury Handicap, seteu fuilongs Jobu Bunyan 9.9, Troon 9.2 Peter 8.13. Palisade 8.13, Safety Pin 8.9, Bed White ami Bine 8.5, Oratuva 8.2, Alfreds 7 13, Sucha 7.12. Gryta 7.11, Tbrax 79. Nikon 7.7, Kimoiia 7.7, Iseia 7.7, Corrie 7.7. Lhtnediu liuudieap. five furlongs- Anna Carlovna 8.8, I'bampagm* 87. St. Ambrose colt 7.12, I‘ippii. 7.12, May Dalrymple 79, Tataramoa 7.9, Bed Pennon 7.9. SpeelaJ Form 7!', Lourdes 7 7. Mqniun Maid 77. Shona 7.7. May 7.7. Nyx 7.7, Carpet Knight 7.7, Peg 7.7, Stroliera 7 4. Otago Handicap, one mile ami a quarter.— Bose Noble 9.1, Thistledown 8.3, Walju B.<», The Cornet 7.13, Tanuhanser 7.11, Tuwhakl 79, Mumnra 7.3. Adjudge 7.4, Warsaw 7.3, Kohlnoor 7.2, Field Guu d. 12, True Knight 0.10, Buutiue 0.7. Federal Handicap, six furlongs. Soldier";, Chorus 9.8, My l awyer 8 13, Penates 818, Thistledown 8.8. Stepmeter 8.7, San Sever® 7.13, Kohlnoor 7.10, I.upullte 7.5. Kostroma 7.4, Gapon 7.3, Gold Sail 7.3, Expansion 7 3, Direetoire 7.0, I'alette 6.10, Crosble 0 7. Otokia Welter, one mile. Walju 9.10, Medallist 9.8, Eaglestone 90, Tawhaki 9.9, Kohlnoor 8.13, Fisticuff 8.11. Aimwell 8.11, Feodor 8.10, True Knight 8 9. Tatigerofi 8 0, Field Gun 8.0, I’uaka 8.5, Merry Lass 8-0, i'inul 8.0. Ard Heigh 8 0, Erskine 8.0. Caversham Handicap, six furlongs.—John Bunyan 10.2. Peter 9.7, Safety Fin 9.3, Guota 8-13, Frivolittl 8.9, Otakeho 8.7, Obi 8 0 G'via 8-5 Darlngdale 8.4. Allo 8.2, Nikon 8.1. Soinateria 8.0, Foil 8.0, Baron Lowborn 8.0, Mosgiel 8.0, Florit nue 8.0.