The Turf.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 87, 24 March 1892, Page 5

The Turf.

[BY

OLD TURFITE.]

“ Mazeppa,” of the Otago Witness, writes ‘ ‘ that a report has reached Dunedin that the Hon. E. Mitchelson contemplates introducing a Bill into the House next session for the abolition of the totalisator, and that if time is found for the debate on the subject there is little doubt many members would rise to denounce the machine on the general ground that they object to gambling ; but this can scarcely be the line that Mr. Mitchelson would adopt. He would be more likely to endeavour to show special cause why the totalisator should be knocked out. It certainly appears to me that he would have great difficulty in arguing such a case, for from all points of view save one—viz., that owners are at a disadvantage, having to come in at starting prices—the supporters of the totalisator would have the best of it. As to that particular point, it would, one would think, be difficult to move the present House to do owners a turn at the expense of the public. But while anticipating that Mr. Mitchelson will have a job to convince Parliament that the totalisator is worse than the system of betting which it has supplanted to a large extent, there may be danger to the machine in that the motion would be supported by members like our Mr. Hutchinson, who object to betting of any kind, and for this reason the Clubs should be prepared in case the question is brought forward. I may say, as I have said before, that I for one am strongly in favour of the totalisator, because’l know that it discourages thieving and supports racing in a legitimate manner, and I shall continue to support it until some better system is thought out.” I have heard for some time that it has been the intention of the Hon. E. Mitchelson and other influential members who have an interest in racing to introduce a Bill into Parliament to abolish the machine, and it is to be hoped that it will pass, as I totally disagree with “Mazeppa,” though he stands up so strongly as champion of the machine. He writes : “I know that it discourages thieving and supports racing in a legitimate manner.” It would be interesting to the general public as well as myself to hear from “ Mazeppa’s ” able pen how he knows it. My experience tells me there is just as much thieving going on now as ever, as favoured individuals can give the workers of the machine £5O or £lOO to put on for them. Sometimes it is put on in small sums, at others it is rung on at the very last minute. When some of the public, who have backed the horse because they fancied him and he would also pay a good dividend, go to get their money they find about a hundred more

tickets on him than there were five minutes before the machine closed. That it supports racing in a legitimate manner I fail to see, and should like “Mazeppa” to convince me that he is right. My experience shows me that scores of race meetings have sprung up since the introduction of the totalisator which would never have come into existence had it not been for the machine. They only benefit a few. A lot of young persons have been induced to buy horses who cannot afford it; there are also a lot of scrubbers now in training that would never have been thought of if these petty races had notsprung up. The machine, being ready money, offers great inducement to many to let their butchers, bakers, etc., want in order to have cash to invest. I will now go a step higher. An owner who pays all the expenses of his horses naturally expects to recoup himself. Stakes will never do that, and if he backs his horses on the machine he has to share with the public. It affects breeders, because purchasers will not give long prices for yearlings unless they can make them pay. It is also driving all the best horses out of the Colony, and induces men to keep entire and train a lot of scrubbers, which now infest the Colony. I fail to see how in a single way the machine is a benefit to genuine racing, unless it is to enable Clubs to give larger stakes; but a genuine racing man would prefer less added money and more betting. Perhaps “ Mazeppa ” will be able to prove that I am wrong, but at present he has advanced nothing to show that his theory is right and that we should not fee much better without the machine.

Mr. Scarr, in making the handicap for the Sydney Gold Cup, has certainly succeeded in producing a flattering one ; and the winner will take a good deal of picking. Marvel, 9St gib, reads as the chopping block, and it is not likely that he will start. Highborn, gst 41b, must be looked on with respect, after his running in the Australian Cup, when he carried the same weight. His running in the Champion Stakes must not have too much importance attatched to it, as it was run at a muddling pace, and the gelding was not himself on the day. Strathmore, gst 21b, has been raised 61b. That he is a good colt there is no doubt, but it is asking him to do a big thing, and his stable companion Zalinski, Bst wlb, reads better. Malvolio, gst, has nothing to complain of with regard to weight: but both he and Correze, Bst 81b, have been on the shelf lately with suspicious legs. Megaphone is reported to have broken down in the Champion race and it is doubtful if he will run again. Sir William, Bst 121 b, is a horse that should be watched. He has more than once nearly landed a coup, and he may do it this time. Freedom, Bst iblb, has got a little more than he deserves; that he will win a good race some day there is ho doubt, but I hardly think that this will be the one. Greygown, Bst 81b, has more than once made a sensation, but the distance will I think be too far. Tirailleur, Bst 41b, has had a considerable reduction made in his weight, but he has always been in my estimation an over-rated horse ; and G’Naroo at the same weight reads much better. He has now ylb less than when he was backed for the Melbourne Cup; so if the stable rely on him he must be very near the front. Muriel, 7St 1 ilb, Oxide and Portsea, yst lolb, also read well on paper; while Forty Winks, 7St 61b, must have a show. Lower down comes Yarran and The Rebel, 6st izlb each. Then amongst the turned-loose division is Yowi, 6st 21b. As one cannot back them all, and as bookmakers now-a-days will not give a lot against the field I shall confine myself at present to the following, expecting the winner to come from them : —Highborn, Redfern’s selected (Malvolio or Correze), Sir William, Zalinski, G’Naroo, Forty Winks, or Yarran.

Looking through the yearling sales during the late V. R.C. meeting it appears from the prices realised that the supply greatly exceeds the demand. A few weeks ago “Augur” had a long description of the St. Albans stud. After reading it carefully through I thought there would be some sensational prices, for from his account they were an exceptionally good lot, but when they came to the hammer only two ran into four figures, while many only brought hack prices, the average being guineas. This will hardly pay. Mr. Gardner, of Bundoora

Park, sent up twenty-six youngsters, all of good pedigree, the highest priced one being 6sgns. for a black colt by Precious Stone —Rarity. Mr. Donald Wallace sent up eleven. The highest price was 80 guineas for a bay colt by Newminster —Violet. Sir Thomas Elder sent up thirty-two, all well-bred ones —the highest priced ones being a bay colt by Gang Forward —Josephine, 450gns., and a brown colt by Neckersgat—Hortense, siogns., the average for the thirty-two lots not being quite i Jsgns.

Reading through the Australian files that are now to hand it is astonishing to see the diversity of opinion as regards Cusdin’s riding of Strathmore in the Australian Cup. That he rode a bad race there is no denying, and he himself admits it. A jockey’s mount on a red hot favourite is no sinecure, for if he loses he is sure to come into some unpleasant remarks, even if he does not deserve them, as few owners are good losers. Cusdin says that he was several times interfered with. This is very likely, as there is generally one or two started on purpose to interfere with a great favourite. That Strathmore with everything in his favour could have beaten Highborn on that day I have my doubts. The Champion Stakes was no criterion, as Highborn was not up to the mark on that day, and the race was run at a muddling pace. Many a race have I seen thrown away in the old country through there not being a true pace all through. If the two should meet iii the Sydney Gold Cup I expect to see Highborn put down Strathmore again.

The resuscitated Papakura Club has had a great deal to contend against, and it will not be surprising if their postponed meeting, to be h6ld next Saturday, turns out a failure. This will be regretted by all racing men, as the Club has gone to considerable expense in erecting a grand stand, and otherwise improving the course. The committee, however, have to blame themselves for what must be called mismanagement. They should not have postponed the, meeting from last Thursday (St. Patrick’s day) on account of a little rain. The morning in town certainly was not favourable: but it was much better up country, and there was really no reason for the postponement. Besides it is not fair to owners, when they have their horses ready for their engagements, to put off the races on account of a little rain. The stewards as a rule consult themselves, and the profits of that bete noir to racing—the totalisator. Rule 19 reads thus : “ The stewards, in case of urgent necessity, may from time to time put off any races from day to day, or for such time as they may deem expedient, notwithstanding a Sunday intervening.” The question now is, when this rule was made was it with the intention of enabling stewards to put off races on account of rain, or other things adverse to their making a large profit on the machine, and fix the date some ten days later. “ Urgent necessity,” I read means frost, snow, or fog, or the course being under water —not simply a wet day. If it does not the sooner the rule is amended the better, so as to describe what urgent necessity means. It is a well-known fact that some horses like dirt, while others prefer to hear their feet rattle. Another thing —a man gives a long price for the booths, etc., he gets all his stuff on the ground and finds the races put off for ten days on account of a little rain ; he therefore has either to give or throw away all his eatables, as they will not keep. But taking the question as regards racing alone, I maintain that the stewards had no right to postpone the meeting for ten days. The sooner this question is settled by a competent tribunal the better, as these postponements are becoming much too prevalent —all owing to the machine. Fancy putting off races in the old country on account of rain I—such1 —such a thing would not be tolerated. I have no reason to alter my opinion as regards my selections last week for the different events. The acceptances are very poor, and it looks like it used to be in olden days—a benefit for the Papakura stable. The Hurdle Race will be a match between Cloth of Gold and Stepper—the former for choice. The Pony Handicap should fall to either Sepoy or Romeo. The Cup reads a certainty for either Pinfire or Leorina, unless Ida can upset the pot Tuna should annex the Maiden Plate, Acacia being her most dangerous opponent. The Steeplechase should go to

Kate. The Novel Race had better be left alone. The Flying Stakes looks a good thing for the home stable and they may select Helen McGregor to do the trick.

Mr. Halstead has issued the weights for the Helensville Racing Club’s meeting, which takes place on April 2nd. Acceptances are due on the 26th inst. It is worthy of note the great difference Messrs. Halstead and Evitt have in their estimation of certain horses. In the Papakura Cup, the same distance, the latter makes Ingorina give Leorina tolb, and Tuna 24.1 b ; while at Helensville Leorina gives Ingorina ylb, and Tuna 241 b. There is, therefore, a difference of 171 b and tolb respectively. Then again, in the Flying Stakes at Papakura Ingorina gives Leorina lolb, now she gives away jib, making a difference of ijlb. So if Mr. Halstead is right Leorina should be a pretty good thing for Papakura next Saturday. Taking the Helensville meeting as it now stands the Cup reads a good thing for Ingorina, though Rewarewa might slip him up. Cloth of Gold and Assassin are the best for the Hurdle Race. There are seventeen in the Hack Race, but it had better be left alone, as these races are generally “ readied ” up. The Flying Stakes should fall to either Ingorina or Leorina ; though should Brigade take it into her head she will make the pace merry. There are no less than nineteen entries for the Maiden Plate, Kildare and Acacia being the two most leniently treated. The entries all through are good, and if the acceptances are the same there should be a splendid afternoon’s sport ; but I will have further remarks to make next week.

It appears by Southern files that the Taranaki and Dunedin Jockey Clubs have endorsed the disqualifications of Messrs. Yuille and Nathan, of Wellington, also of R. May, of Auckland, imposed on them by the Wanganui Jockey Club for betting totalisator odds at their late meeting. The latter Club also intend to put an end to ready-money betting at Forbury. What the other clubs intend to do is not at present known, but it appears curious that the matter has not been taken up immediately, as there is no real cause for delay. It is also unfortunate that the W.J.C. did not inflict punishment on the takers as well as the layers of the odds, as things are at present in a most unsatisfactory state —owners of horses not getting a fair chance of winning their money.

On looking through English and Australian files I came across some items of news that may be of interest to my readers—Mr. Hume Webster, who committed suicide the other day in his own grounds, has for many years been a large breeder of thoroughbred horses, and had his stud farm at Marden Deer Park, about 20 miles from London. His name has been lately before the public as having been the prime mover in the scheme to get back to England, at a fabulous price, the celebrated sire Ormonde ; which was opposed by the Duke of Portland and Mr. Chaplin, on the ground that he was a roarer. Whether the scheme will be carried out now, is a moot question ; but there are plenty of breeders in England that will gladly pay 300 gns. a mare for his services. Mr. Webster was largely connected with the Stock Exchange, and it is said that heavy losses chiefly connected with the Argentine Republic was the cause of his rash act. All the sires and mares at Marden Park will be sold in May or June.

The Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club Autumn Meeting appears, from accounts to hand, to have been a great success. Crown Jewel’s win in the Cup and the Bourke Memorial Stakes proves that her first win in the Wanganui Cup was not the fluke some people considered it to be. Last week I mentioned in my notes, “Many have a great fancy for Crown Jewel, as they think she won the Wanganui Cup easier than she appeared to do.” Retina, though beat, was not disgraced, but Cynisca’s running was too bad to be true. Morion was well backed by the local punters, but ran nowhere. In my opinion he is a greatly overrated colt, and inclined to be shifty. When he won the Great Northern Derby it was mainly due to Clifford’s riding, as he kept him going, thus finding out the weak points in the others. His two wins at the

Farewell Meeting to Lord Onslow had a little merit in them, but when you come to go through and analyse the field, there was not much behind him. Whakawatea annexed the Railway Stakes and Juvenile Handicap. He must have a constitution of iron and legs of steel to stand all the knocking about he has had this season. Few two-year-olds would have stood it, but the chances are that it will tell against him next year as a three-year-old. Mr. McKinnon as usual picked up a couple of races with his old slaves —Scot Free and Lochness.

The weights for the Doncaster Handicap are just to hand, and I have not time to go thoroughly through them this week, so shall confine myself to picking out a few. Marvel,lost 41b, heads the list. At this weight if fit and well he is not out of it. Stromboli, 9St jib, is not badly treated when you take into consideration the way he won the Bourke Handicap, carrying Bst rolb. The next to catch the eye is Paris, Bst iilb. Last year he won this race with 7St rolb in imin 4osec., but he has run disappointingly this season, and may have lost his speed through being trained for long distances. The Workman, Bst ylb, is now in Monaghan’s hands, and will lose nothing by that; and the way he won the Farewell Handicap gives him a show second to none. St. Blaize, Bst 51b, is another that reads well. So does The Seine yst sib; and Eileen, 6st gib, has nothing to complain of. Taking a shot at half a dozen, the following read the best: — Marvel, Stromboli, Paris, The Workman, The Seine and Eileen.