THE TURF.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 49, 2 July 1891, Page 4

THE TURF.

[by

OLD TURFITE.]

On looking through the weights for the Grand National Hurdle and Steeplechase it is quite evident that the handicapper knows but little about the running of New Zealand horses ; if he did he would never have made the difference he has between them. What would have been thought of Mr. Evitt had he handicapped the following horses as they are in the Grand National Hurdle Race :—Ahua 12st 31b, Ixion 12st, Chemist list 71b, Satyr 9st 71b, Montrose II 9st 41b, Kapo 9st, and Jupiter 9st. The former is about in his right place ; but why is Satyr within 31b of Montrose 11. and 71b of Kapo and Jupiter. Satyr has proved himself a really good horse over sticks, and his run ning on the other side must be ignored. That he is an honest horse I think is a great question, but should he run up to his best form he holds all the New Zealand horses, with the exception of Ahua, safe, as it is hard to know how good the little' horse is over sticks. Not for one moment do I think that either of these will win, and as many of those engaged are strangers to. me, and as th© acceptances are declared too late for us to know what they are, it would be folly going into the handicap. The Steeplechase, as far as horses from this Colony are concerned, is even worse than the Hurdle Race. The idea of giving Ahua I2st 121 b, who has never got t<s the end of a severe steeplechase, and old Chemist 12st 81b, while Fearless II got off with list 81b, Coral lOst 121 b, and Grafton lOst 81b, is more than one can understand. Uranus lOst 41b, is the best treated of the New Zealand lot, but he has unfortunately gone amiss, while Jupiter, lOst, will most likely fail to negotiate the country. On looking up recent running Coral, Fearless, and Grafton appear to have none the worst of it. There may be another opportunity of letting my readers have some more information regarding the horses on the other side.

On carefully looking through our Australian files, taking their different accounts of the A.J.C. Winter meeting, there are one or two things that cannot fail to strike anyone that has an interest in racing. Satyr was sent over to Sydney with a great reputation, and has more than once proved himself above the average. Before being shipped he was reported to have done a wonderful trial, still in the Hurdle Race, with lost, he starts unbacked and runs nowhere. Satyr, in my opinion, is a most uncertain horse, and only does his best when he likes. With regard to Mr. Stead’s horses it is quite different. He is thoroughly conversant with all racing tactics and has an exceedingly clever trainer. He sends over three horses to Australia. Scots Grey. Bst lolb, is in the June Stakes, six furlongs, starts unbacked and runs nowhere; Palliser, yst 61b, is in the Winter Stakes and does likewise. Mr. Stead is much too clever to have sent horses over to Australia if that is their form. The cause may be that they have not recovered from their journey or got acclimatised ; but in the opinion of most they are worth watching for future events.

The duplicating of horses’ names are continually cropping up. Two other instances have occurred quite recently. By Australian files one learns that Musketeer, by Musket, died a short time ago at Casino, Australia. There are two Musketeers in the Stud Book—one by Musket —Bergese, foaled in 1882, and the other by Musket —Yatterina, foaled in 1880. It must, therefore, be the latter, as the former I do not remember leaving New Zealand. The second instance is, Mr. G. 0. W. Greigs has a colt by Flintlock —Duchess. There are two Flintlocks at the stud at the present time— the one by • Musket —Agate and the other by Musket: — Gorgi. Duchess is not in the Stud Book. Mr. Greig first called his colt Zalinski, but finding that Mr. W. R. Wilson had called his colt by Nordenfeldt—Frailty Zalinski he re-named his “Arquebus.” This is equally unfortunate, as Tom Payten, at Randwick, has a two-year-,old by Martini-Henri — Acme of the same name. Unless some drastic measures are taken lovers of Stud Book, lore will before long become completely puzzled, and sons of present breeders of blood stock will, if they follow in their fathers’ steps, find themselves in a difficulty when they want to put their mares to the stud.

Why owners of inferior mares should, persist in naming their produce after the sires or some celebrated horse is more than one can understand. Why not select appropriate names from the dam’s side ? It is to be hoped that the delegates at the next Conference will take some notice of this defect in the rules.

The Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club Winter meeting took place on Thursday, June 25th. The weather being most suitable, the consequence was that the attendance was the largest ever seen on the course at a steeplechase meeting* The fields as a rule were large and the racing good. The Auckland horses, Theorem, Sentinel, and Yardman, must have greatly disappointed their owners. Theorem was looked upon as a certainty for the Hurdle Race, but he finished nowhere, and there is little doubt that he is a greatly overrated horse and should have been confined to country meetings. Sentinel was thought to have a great chance for the Steeplechase, but coming to the post-and-rail fence struck it heavily and threw his rider; while Yardman, after leading them a good pace, came to grief. It thus shows the folly of owners keeping their horses for any particular hurdle race or steeplechase. In the Hurdle Race Oaklands and Theorem alternately took the lead the first time round, when Pyramus went to the front and ran home any.easy winner, Oaklands and Waterbury fignting it out for second place. Blue Mountain was never in the race, while Darnley was at least a hundred yards from the leaders, and has evidently lost all form. The Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase, the principal race of the meeting, brought a fair field together, Oceola and Waterbury being the only ones scratched. The race was a chapter of accidents, only four finishing, and resulted in an easy win for Tauraekaitai, Oeo second, and Otaieri third, Pursestring being the only other that finished the course. Rough came down at the first fence, Te Ata ran off at the gorse fenec, and Worth and Ival baulked. The flag fell to a good start. The first to show in front were Yardman, Otaieri and Pursestring, who, cleared the manuka fence in the order named. On reaching the manuka fence the second time round Otaieri took up the running, followed by Yardman, Tauraekaitai, and Oeo. At the back of the course Sentinel went to the front and led to the post and rails, which he struck heavily, and being beaten, came down; Tauraekaitai going on full of running won as he liked. Durus won the Ladies Bracelet, after a good finish with Norton and Lady’s Maid. Duadine landed the Maiden Steeplechase easily, Darnley and Rough being his immediate followers. Whitefoot and Lochnagar baulked at the first fence, and at the post and rails Worth and Chester fell. The Final Steepler chase looked a certainty for Arena, who raced all the way with Te Haota, but at the last jump Queenslander, admirably ridden by Mi*. H. H. Jackson, came with a rush and, won cleverly by a length. Couranto defeated rather easily Hukatere, Norton and nine others for the Welter Race. This brought a most successful meeting to a close.