The Turf

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 60, 17 September 1891, Page 6

The Turf

[BY

OLD TURFITE.]

TO OWNERS OF ENTIRES.

The breeding season being now close at hand, we beg to bring under the notice of owners of stallions the many advantages which the Sporting Review possesses of making the various merits of their horses known to the owners of brood mares. The Sporting Review, being the only newspaper published in New Zealand exclusively given over to sporting subjects, makes it the best medium for advertising the pedigrees of entires. All horses advertised in the Sporting Review win be specially reported on by “OldTurfite.” and a full tabulated pedigree published, and every means taken to fully bring the particular merits of the entire weU before the owners of breeding mares.

The A.R.C. First Spring Meeting takes place next Saturday. If the weather continues fine the course will be in pretty fair order. The acceptances and general entries are much better than might have been anticipated, as the majority of trainers have had great difficulty in giving their horses work, owing to the Ellerslie training grounds having been in such a bad condition ; therefore it is quite certain that most ot those engaged, especially the flat racers, will be far from fit. The Hurdle Race, if miles, has an acceptance of nine, Sentinel being top weight with izst. When thoroughly fit he is a smart horse, but he has had a good deal of knocking about lately, and the form he showed down South does not recommend him. Theorem, tost lolb, is uncertain, and has disappointed his stable more than once. I will pass over Cynical, lost 61b, and take the next three—Cloth of Gold, gst i alb, Fishmonger, gst 81b, and Bit-of-Blue, gst ylb, all of whom have nothing to complain of with their imposts. Fragrance, gst sib, and Kate, gst, may be passed over. The Colonel, gst 41b, has long been expected to do something, and the good thing may come off when least expected. Taking them all through I prefer the following: —Bit-o’-Blue, Fishmonger and The Colonel. 'The Trial Stakes has seven entries, but as none of them are of much account it had better be left alone.

The September Handicap has only seven remaining in. Hilda, lost, and Cissy, gst izlb, have not a pound too much weight, as they are a different class of animal to the others. They are both pretty forward in condition. Dolosa, Bst, will strip ‘pretty fit, but she is not a fancy of mine; neither is Coalscuttle, Bst. Dishonor, 7st, is a much improved colt, and has done a fair amount of work, and is well worth watching. The Dreamer, 7st, is in light enough. Morion, 6st 71b, is really a good colt when fit, but at present I do not know what work he has done. How the handicapper let him off so light, as he is almost a non-performer. The race should fall to Mr. Morrin’s Selected, Dishonour and Dolosa following her home. There are nine entries for the Juvenile Plate, ' which will most likely fall to the selected one of the Kohimaramara stable, as their young ones are the most forward, it being the best ground to work upon. The Handicap Steeplechase, about 3-A- miles, has the good acceptance of fourteen. Sentinel, 11st mlb, heads the list. If he goes for the Hurdles it will extinguish his chance for this race. Omata, 11st, is a resuscitated old crock that might be dangerous. Dan, lost gib, has quite enough weight. Hopeful Kate, lost 41b, is fairly treated, and should have a chance if sound. Bit-of-Blue, lost, has a great show if he does not run for the Hurdle Race. Neck or Nothing, gst lolb, will get the course if anything can, but he has not much pace. Hurricane, gst lolb, is out of place, while Falcon, gst lolb, must have had his day. Jim, gst idb, and Justice, gst gib, have nothing to complain of with their weights. Fragrance, Colonel, Crazy Kate, Kapai, and The Lad are in the gst 71b division. I prefer Neck or Nothing, Justice and Jim, but if Bit-o’-Blue is reserved for this race, I shall place him first. The Flying Handicap, 6 furlongs, has thirteen acceptors. Cissy, iost3lb, will not be stopped by her weight. The Baron, Bst gib, is a smart horse when right, but I do not know the work he has been doing, as he is trained up country. Dolosa, Bst 41b, and Priscilla, 7st i2lb, are fairly treated. Master Pat, 7St 51b, is let off leniently, while Vendetta, 7st 21b, could not have expected less, but I think she is a moderate

mare. Dishonor, 7st zlb, and Capella, 7St, are in the same stable, and it may be the old one’s journey. Bon Voyage, 7St, will not travel fast enough. Lady Belle, 6st lolb, is very well in. Morion, 6st 71b, is again let in cheaply. Tupara 6st 71b, and Vieux Rose, 6st 71b, completes the list. One of the following should furnish the winner—Cissy, Lady Belle and The Baron. There are twelve entries for the Hunter’s Race, but I shall leave it alone, for in races of this kind it depends as much upon the rider as the horse.

The accounts of the first days racing of the A.J.C. Spring Meeting are very meagre, therefore it is only necessary to touch on those races that have reference to future events. The weather was fine, so it may be presumed that the course was good going. The first race that calls attention is the A.J.C. Derby. Seven started for it, resulting in a splendid race between Stromboli and Oxide, the judge’s verdict being a short half head (a term only used in the Colonies), which shows there is little to choose between them, and in the next race their positions may be reversed. Aster finished third ; Lebel, Sulphide, Brazenose, and Bengal being the other starters. With the exception of Bengal they do not appear likely to shine in future big events. This colt is likely to be heard of at the V.R.C. Meeting at Flemington. The Epsom Handicap brought out a field of twenty-eight. Marvel, lost 2Tb, proved himself the wonder that he has been thought to be, especially over short courses, as he went out of the paddock first favourite, and won by a neck after a punishing race with Muriel, Bst 41b; Elymas, 7St 61b, a length away third. The Spring Stakes produced the good field of eleven, including some of the cracks. Megaphone won comfortably by a length from Albemarle ; Highborn third. Sir William, Melos and Correze were among the starters. In Megaphone Mr. Wallace has a worthy successor to Carbine, and if he can stay the two miles he will take a good deal of beating for the Melbourne Cup, and be dangerous in all the weight-for-age races.

The second day’s racing of the A.J.C. calls for little comment until fuller particulars are to hand, as the Metropolitan Stakes was the onlyrace likely to have any bearing on future events. The Metropolitan Stakes (Handicap), a sweepstakes of 20 sovs. each, with 1000 sovs. added, brought out a field of fourteen, and was won by Yowi, b m, syrs, 6st 41b ; Sunshine, 3yrs, 6stlllb, 2nd; Magnus, bg, 6yrs, 7st2lb, 3rd. Highborn 9st 51b, Elymas 7st 41b,' Mantilla 7st 21b, Werong 7 st, Lancer 7st, Grenadier 6st 91b, Empire 6st 91b, Gipsy Girl 6st 91b, Silver Knight Ost 71b, Kilmore Ost 21b, and Transparent Ost, also started. Warrego made most of the running for about a mile, Magnus and Yowi being always handy. Coming up the hill the former assumed command, Warrego dropped back, Elymus joining them. In this order they entered the straight, where Sunshine joined them. At the half distance Yowi drew out and won by half a length ; a length and a half separating second and third ; Elymas and Highborn* heading the ruck. It will be seen that with the exception of Highborn the race was confined to the middle and light weights. Yowi is engaged in the Caulfield Cup at 6st 111 b, and the Melbourne Cup with 6st 71b, for both of which races she has incurred a 141 b penalty. Looking at this race, her performance is not a great one, as the second was giving her 71b and two years, and the going was heavy. Sunshine is engaged in the Hawkesbury Handicap with 6st 121 b. It is a pity that he is not engaged in any of the big events.

Mr. N. Dickey has announced in another column that Tetford (brother to Tranter and Brigadier) by Musket — Pungawerewere, by Golden Grape, dam Atalanta; Golden Grape by Barnton (brother to Voltigeur); Atalanta is by Towton (own brother to Peer), will travel between the Thames and Te Aroha. Tetford is a fine upstanding horse, with plenty of substance. While on the the turf he won severa races, including the Wanganui Cup and Stakes : also the Victoria Handicap at the Ellerslie Summer Meeting. Tetford is well adapted for getting good hunters and hacks. His fee is only 4 guineas, and as he is limited to sixty mares, his subscription list should soon be full.

In our stallion column will be seen an announcement that Brigadier, by Musket out of Pungawerewere, will be at the service of the public during the present season. Brigadier has never had a fair chance given him of making a name, but those of his stock that have raced have all shown that they can gallop. Brigadier’s pedigree on the dam’s side is undeniable, as she was by Golden Grape, dam Atalanta, by Towton out of Crescent, by Sir Hercules. Golden Grape by Barnton (brother to Voltigeur) out of Hop-picker, by Orlando. What student of the stud book wants a better pedigree than that ? He is a horse of great substance, combined with quality, and is admirably adapted for getting any class of horse when properly mated. My opinion is, that he is one, if not the best, sons of Musket in Auckland, his dams pedigree being exceptionally good, and sires, it is well known, take after their dam’s. He should make a great name for himself this season, as his fee—eight guineas - is most moderate.