The Turf.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 89, 7 April 1892, Page 5

The Turf.

[by

OLD TURFITE.]

Mr. Evitt has issued the weights for the Easter Handicap and the Autumn Steeplechase for the A.R.C. meeting. They must be declared very flattering ones, at the same time good, though, as must be expected, there are some discrepancies. Taking the Easter Handicap first, Mr. Hunter’s two mares Cynisca, Bst 131 b, and Whisper, Bst 71b, head the list. They have both been running badly at recent meetings, but the former, if at all in form, should have a show. Pinfire, Bst 61b, is unfairly treated. He won the Auckland Cup with 6st lolb, from a moderate and crooked field. Since then he has done nothing. Ingorina, 8s t sib, on all public running has no business to give Ilb to Leorina, who is most leniently treated, as she is getting fresh again, and the way she romped home for the Papakura Cup must not b.e forgotten. Morion, Bst 31b, is not to be overlooked. He won the Great Northern Derby pretty cleverly, and then romped home for the Victoria Handicap and Onslow Cup at the Farewell Meeting at Ellerslie, but in the Hawke’s Bay Cup Handicap he ran nowhere, although heavily backed by the local punters. Many say that he never tried, but he is “ cow ’ hocked, the near one being especially bad, and a right-handed course will suit him better than a left-handed one. Many do not pay attention to these things, but Scot Free for one has proved it. In the Onslow Cup, Morion gave Pinfire 31b, and beat him by half a length. Now it is just reversed. How does Mr. Evitt account for this, as Pinfire has not been out since. In the same race Dancer, 7st 81b, received 181 b from Morion and was beat anyhow, now they have to meet at gib. Van Dieman, Bst 31b, is kept in his proper place, as no one knows his exact form, but from the price his owner put on him (and he is no fool) he must be something out of the common. Raglan, 7 II lb, is harshly treated, at the same time he is broken down. Dolosa, 7St lolb, is thrown in, but she is such an uncertain brute there is no knowing what she will or can do. Coalscuttle, 7St wlb, is about in her proper place. Queen of Trumps and Thame, 7St sib, are leniently treated. Master Pat, 7st 41b, has got too much, as it is doubtful if he can stay the distance in this company. We now come to Fiesole, Huerfana, Krina, Free Lance and Pani, all thrown in at 7St. As the handicapper has seen all, with the exception of Fiesole, run lately, and cannot separate them, it would be folly for me to try to do so until the acceptances appear, as there are others in the same interest engaged. Lady Belle, 6st i2lb, if fresh and well, would have nothing to complain of Swivel, Torpedo, and Weka are again bunched together at 6st lolb. The same remarks apply to them as to the 7 st division. Yattaghan, 6st gib, has got in easy enough. Melas and Bulrush, 6st may be dismissed as altogether out of the proper place. There being so many outside horses engaged, the race had better be left alone until the acceptances appear, but of the local horses Leorina, Dolosa, and Major George’s representative read the best, but the chances are the race goes to Hawke’s Bay.

Mr. Evitt has had a difficult task to bring them together in the Steeplechase, as there are so many “ ragged ” ones engaged, as he has proved by lumping eight out of the sixteen together, while two others are close to them. Whalebone, list 71b, is naturally top weight, as he is a smart one over sticks, and has the reputation of being a sure jumper. Why Fishmonger, lost 91b, is called upon to give Ingarangi 21b is more than I can understand. The former has only once got the course, and that was at the Onslow Farewell Meeting, when all the others came to grief; while the other belongs to a dangerous stable, and has been quietly worked ever since he has been in it, but he has done all he has ever been asked to do. The hill will find out The Colonel’s pipes. Commotion and Rough, at rost, are not out of it. Silvio’s, gst lolb, day is passed, and it is cruelty almost to run him. Kate, 9St rolb, will not like the course, while it is difficult to pick a dangerous one out of the ragged division, though if Hune was sound she might prove dangerous. It is even difficult to pick one that wiH get the course without a mistake, much more so a likely winner, so I will leave it alone until after the acceptances.

The Auckland Trotting Club have issued their handicaps for their meeting that takes place at Potter’s Paddock on the 16th of April. The entries, especially in the pony races, are so numerous that it would be a waste of time to go through them in detail. There is one thing noticeable that there are several ponies that have been running at country meetings have now joined the majority, and have placed themselves under the “ ban,” thus proving the great mistake the Metropolitan clubs made in not taking pony races under their control, and it will be a long time ere an entry of 34 and 29 will be seen at any other place. The handicappers have succeeded well in their work for the pony races, but they have not given satisfaction to the trotting division. As their limits are much too long they are certainly not au faii at their woi’k. In the first place, a horse trotting is supposed to cover ten yards a second, but this is rather a high rate for the class engaged at Potter’s Paddock. As nearly as I can time it it may be put down at eight yards, therefore in the two and a-half mile race the scratch horse has to give the limit horse 504 yards start; in the two miles 320 yards, and in the three mile Harness Trot 560 yards. Now this is almost impossible on a track like Potter’s Paddock. The handicappers say that some horses could not win with any limit. This might be the ease, but why are they started ? If they have no chance it must be to interfere with those that have. Take the Easter Handicap Trot of two and a-half miles. Rarus is scratch; Mystery, Scotchman, and The Broker are at the limit, 63secs. Two of these should never have been entered, as they have no pretensions to trot, so if they had been put back, their owners would not have entered them again. Fibre, 45sec, and Tyrone, 53sec, are let off too easily. What the public want to see is good trotting, and it would be much better if only half a dozen good horses started than a dozen duffers. Taking the handicaps all through the scratch horse has a very poor show. The Easter and Harness Trot look at the mercy of those with from 40sec to 50sec start, but we shall know more when the acceptances appear.

The acceptances for the C.J.C. Great Autumn and Easter Handicaps are to hand. Seventeen remain in for the former. Last week I selected Cruchfield, Prime Warden, Kulnine, and Ilium. The latter is anon-acceptor. Merrie England, from what I can learn, will never be in his old form again, and the same remarks apply to Crackshot. Cutts is in hopes of getting another race out of Dudu, but I doubt her being brought to the post in her old form. At present I see no reason to alter my opinion, and give the preference to Cruchfield, Prime Warden, and Kulnine, in the order named, though many prefer the latter for the shorter race. Twenty remain in the Great Easter Handicap. Of my last week’s selections only Flinders and Ilium accepted. As Clanranald has declined it would be as well to put Kulnine in his place, and Hippomones instead of Huguenot. Taking three, Ilium, Kulnine, and

Hippomones read the best, but I will make a final selection later on. There are only five remaining in the Champagne Stakes, but they are the best of the year, being Wakawatea, Stepniak, Vogengang, Launceston, and Day Dream. If the former has not suffered from the amount of work he has done this season, he should about win, Vogengang being the next best.

The acceptances, with the exception of the Novel Race, for the Avondale Meeting, which takes place next Saturday, must be considered very good, and with a fine afternoon there should be some good sport. The winners will be difficult to pick. Mr. Halstead should be satisfied with his handicaps. Only four have declined the Maiden Plate, leaving thirteen to fight it out. The ancient maiden Warrior, Bst 121 b, heads the list. At this he is not out of it. Transit, Bst 71b, meets Acacia, 7st 91b, on 51b worse terms than she did at Papakura, when she won by a short half length, at the same time she got the best of the start. Kate, 7st 91b, was looked upon as a good thing at Helensville, but cut up badly. The others are very moderate, so the best to stand perhaps is Focus, Acacia or Chance. There are ten remaining in the Hurdle Race. From recent running it is a difficult race to pick. Ingorangi, lOst 121 b, if fit and meant, reads well; so does Stepper, lOst 71b. Rewarewa, lOst 61b, and Warrior, 9st 71b, are in the same interest. The latter is new at this game. Ika Vuka, 9st 71b, ran forward at Papakura, though he jumped the wing of the hurdles but gained nothing by it. Potentate, 9st, astonished many by the way he ran at Helensville, and as he has now 51b less on his back must have a show. But perhaps the best to stand are Stepper, Warrior, or Potentate. Ten have declared content for the Avondale Cup. Ingorina, 9st 31b, on his running at Helensville, can have but little show. Tuna, 7st 71b, after her running at the Lake, reads well. Brigade, 7st 51b, only meets Ingorina on the same terms, while Ida, 7st 51b, meets him on 51b worse. Warrior, 7st 61b, and Vasator, 6st 91b, are in the same stable, and I think the latter will be the one. Tulloch, 7st, on previous performances, is treated very leniently. The race should fall to Tuna, Tulloch and Vasator. The Maiden Steeplechase has eleven acceptances. The majority of them are making their first appearance over a country, so it is a question what will get over it. Tommy, lOst 71b, got such a gruelling the last time he ran that it is a question if he will like jumping again. The bm by Ingomar (Lady Douglas;, 9st 71b, is an unknown quantity, but she belongs to a dangerous stable. Perhaps the best to rely on are Neli, Potentate, or Assassin. There are nine in the Pony Race, but unless one learns something on the course it had better be left alone. On paper La Grippe reads as well as anything. There are six in.the Steeplechase. Ingorangi, lOst 121 b, if in his old form, should have no trouble in winning, but I have my doubts. Silvio, lOst 71b, is done for. Kate, lOst 41b, is a sure fencer, with a fair turn of speed, and likes a flat course. Rewerewa, lOst, is supposed to be a fair mare. Tommy, 9st 121 b, and Cloth of Gold, 9st 71b, I have no fancy for. The Flying Stakes has an acceptance of sixteen. This race is greatly dependent on previous running, but on paper St. Clements, 7st 121 b, and Octopus, 7st, read the best, as they have no other engagements.

Few know the great strides that horse breeding has made in France during the last eighteen years, when the French Government first established its studs of horse breeding, which were begun with 2,500 sires of all breeds and which number has been practically adhered to ever since, though at the beginningof the year 1890 there were a dozen over the regulation number. The last bulletin issued by the French Ministry comtains a report by M. de Cormette, the director of the stud, on its administration during that year. The sires comprise 182 English bred, 102 Arab, 159 Anglo-Arab, 1,742 halfbreds, and 327 draught horses. The pure bred horses are practically equal in number to those of last year, but there has been an increase in English Arabs and a decrease in Arabs. Nearly 500 of the horses classed as half-breds are three-quarter blood. During the year 255 horses passed out of the studs either by death

or sale. Of the 37 which died 12 were from typhoid affections, 13 from intestinal maladies, and 4 from diseases of the respiratory organs. The 218 which were passed out of the service included 74 as worn out or from bad temper and 47 from roaiing and whistling. The effectiveness of the studs has been kept up from the resources at the command of the administration, but it has only been with difficulty, as foreign competitors have made the price go up and more money has to be given for renewals. The result of the year’s service of the stallions was the most satisfactory that had been experienced. The 2,451 effective stallions, located at 954 stations, served 139,033 mares, an increase over the previous year of 18,860 services. This is attributed to a better foreign inquiry and the more general desire to secure the services of the State sires in all parts of the country. The amount received for fees was an advance of on the previous twelve months. The mares served included 1,590 thoroughbreds, 77,417 half-breds, and 60,107 draught mares. There were demands for more stations, which the administration were not able to comply with, as the State did not consider its mission to provide sires for all mares intended to be bred from, and the Government wish to see private studs increased, especially for horses suitable for the army. The ages of the sires belonging to the State, are as follows: —Three-year-olds, 14; four, 191 ; five, 307; six, 201; seven, 189; eight, 215; nine, 191; ten, 160; eleven, 137; twelve, 128; thirteen, 136; fourteen, 167; fifteen and upwards, 562. The New Zealand Government are now receiving a considerable sum from the totalisator ; if they used it for establishing stations for sires on the same principle as the French Governmen they would be conferring a great benefit on the Colony, as the breed of horses is greatly deteriorating owing to the number of scrubbers that there are left entire all over the country. The demand for good horses will not cease for many years, for as the Colony goes ahead and roads improve more horses will be required for home use, while India will always be a market for the proper class of horse. Australia, unless they alter their mode of breeding, will never keep it supplied, and everyone knows, or ought to, that the climate of this Colony is far superior for rearing horses than any part of Australia. It is surprising that no one in Auckland has had enough enterprise to go in for boiling down horses, as every part of them is valuable —blood, hide, hair, bones, entrails, and the oil they yield. A scrubber properly manipulated should return from to £4, and there are plenty sold in the sale-yards in Durham-street for a deal less than that —in fact, it is not long since that one was sold for ninepence. Besides that, if you unfortunately have a horse killed in the streets it costs you ten shillings to get rid of it. If a boiling-down establishment was once started the majority of the scrubbers would soon be done away with, as there would be a market for them, and the same plant could be used for other things if the pot was not too large.

The Taranaki Jockey Club meeting took place last Thursday and Friday. The Jockey Club Handicap I must confess surprised me. and I dare say it did many others, as few would have thought of Prestige (7St) getting a mile and a half, beating the field that was behind him. He must have either greatly improved or has been in waiting. Scot Free Bst 71b, ran a good horse, and it is quite evident now that a left handed course suits him best. The running of Whisper, Krina, and Awarua Rose was not up to expectation, the latter I am afraid is not as good as his popular owner anticipated. Mr. McKinnon -one of our most straightforward sportsmen—had bad luck in again meeting Prestige in the Flying Stakes with Lochness. Mr. Hungerford certainly does not spare his horses, as Heather Bell was started for the Grandstand Handicap, seven furlongs, where she ran second to Weka, and immediately afterwards was pulled out for the Autumn Handicap, one and a quarter miles, in the face of Prestige, who gave a further taste of his quality by defeating her and Scot Free. Whisper and Krina again run badly. Mr. Hungerford managed to pay expenses by winning the Ladies’ Bracelet with The Dreamer, who cannot be considered a cheap horse at the £3OO he gave for him. Prestige is by St> j Leger out of that good mare Fame, and there-#-.

fore half brother to Dudu. In my article on the Sylvia Park sale I mentioned that St. Leger was one of the cheapest stallions ever sold, and that he had been greatly neglected. For my own part I would sooner put a mare that suited to him than any other stallion in Auckland. There is, however, one thing to be considered : patience with his stock is required, as I think he takes after his grandsire—Stockwell—most of whose stock required time, and never came quick to hand like the Orlando’s and others. Where would Blair Athol and others have been if they had been raced as two-year-olds and not given time.

Tite first forfeits of the Sydney Gold Cup are now to hand. Thirty remain in. When the weights first appeared I selected Highborn, Malvolio or Correze, Sir William, Zalinski, G’Naroo, Forty Winks, and Yarran. Of these Mr. Redfern’s pair, Malvolio and Correze, have been scratched owing to their going amiss, and so has Sir William for some reason or other ; still I think I have the winner amongst the lot I have left.’ Highborn, 9st 41b, has the same weight as when he won the Australian Cup, which many put down as a fluke, Cusden being blamed for his riding of Strathmore. He certainly did not ride, from all accounts, a judicious race, but I am of the opinion that on that day the result would not have been altered. He now meets Strathmore on 61b better terms, and as the Champion Stakes was a false run one, and he was not himself, Highborn’s chance cannot be ignored. Zalinski, Bst 101 b, is a really good colt, and if the stable stand him, in my opinion, he is bound to beat his stable companion, at the same time being an improving colt he may be kept for the next Melbourne Cup. G’Naroo, Bst 41b, won the .Caulfield Cup with a penalty. He was heavily backed for the Melbourne Cup, but was one of those who came to grief in the scrimmage. He has now 71b less to carry. He was also greatly fancied for the Australian Cup, but the old cry of the stable being forestalled was raised, so the consequence was he was scratched. It now appears that J. Foulsham has only taken him and Wild Rose to Sydney, therefore one must naturally come to the opinion that his trainer fancies him. Forty Winks, 7st 61b, is a game horse, and is sure to spin, but the question is can he quite do the trick, or will he only run into a place. Yarran, 6st 121 b, is rather on the small side, but he was a brilliant two-year old, and ran well in the spring when he was not quite himself, and as he is now Mr. Cook’s selected one, he must be respected. Now of those that I did not originally select. Freedom, Bst 101 b, has run fairly since he has been in Australia, but I doubt if he has been previously wound up. This is just the kind of race that Dan O’Brien would like to win, and then get a good price for his horse. Greygown, Bst 81b, has for a long time been looked upon as going to do a good thing, but from what I can learn he is hardly up to the mark, but it would not surprise me if he upset all calculation. Tirailleur, Bst 41b, is better in this handicap than he has ever been since he was in Australia, but I have always maintained that he is an overrated horse. Oxide, 7st 101 b, is a game little fellow, and will beat more than will beat him, and I prefer him to Strathmore, but the little fellow will not stand bumping. Portsea, at the same weight, has on recent running a show. The next that comes under notice is Sainfoin, 7st 21b, who has just been sold for 1200 guineas, so there must be something in him. Amongst the ragged division Bodkin, Ost, might prove dangerous. At the present time I fancy Highborn, G’Naroo or Yarran, will furnish the winner, but I shall have another chance after the next Sydney mail arrives of making a final selection.

The acceptances for the Doncaster Handicap for some reason or other, have not yet come to hand. However, I will do the best I can for my readers. When the weights appeared I selected Marvel, Stromboli, Paris, The Workman, The Seine, and Eileen, as well in. Marvel, as everyone knows, is an extraordinary horse when quite right, but lOst 41b is a heavy weight; still, if the stable rely on him, he will take a deal of beating. Then there is Paris, Bst 111 b, a very fast horse, but Small, and does not like bumping Then the

Workman Bst 71b, must be taken into consideration, as his running at Flemington was very good, so it rests with Monaghan to know which is the best. Stromboli, 9st, won the Bourke Handicap, seven furlongs, in fast time, but from what I can learn he is a horse that cannot be trusted when the pinch comes. The Seine, yst jib, and Eileen, 6st gib, are leniently treated, The same may, however, be said of several others. Strathmore, gst iilb, is looked upon as Mr. Wilson’s best, but it is a crushing weight for a three-year old. His running in the All-Aged Stakes must not be forgotten, as he beat Bungabah at weight-for-age, doing the mile in imin 4o£sec, which proves that it was a fast race ; but I am not a believer in time. Wild Rose, Bst 11 lb, has lolb more than she had in the Newmarket Handicap. It is said she will not like the extra two furlongs, but I have great faith in her, as it is not likely that Foulsham would have taken her to Randwick unless he knew something. It is no use going through the 103 horses at this time, as the majority of them will be scratched and the acceptances will be to hand for a final selection, so I shall confine myself to remarkig that at the present time I prefer Wild Rose, Paris, Eileen, and Strathmore the best.

The hand of death has been busy this last winter with journalists one used to know in the old country, The last, I greatly regret to learn, is “ Robin Hood ” (Mr. C. M. Browne), the great authority on coursing. For more than thirty years he has been associated with the Field. His death occurred on January 26th. He had been suffering from a cold, but he thought nothing of it, and small importance was attached to it, which, alas ! proved to be the commencement of the end. The discovery of an internal abscess caused grave apprehension, and it was deemed advisable to remove him from, his residence to the University College Hospital, in order that an operation—the only course to save his life —might be undertaken. The operation proved the disease to be of such a serious nature that from the first little hopes were entertained of his re covery. Some of my readers, especially Nottingham men, will remember him when they read the following :—Mr. C. M. Browne was born in Nottingham, and was the son of Mrs. Browne, who kept the well-known George Hotel in Nottingham, frequented by all the County families. It was one of the oldfashioned sort, where many a good dinner was held, presided over either by Jack Masters, Sherbrook Gregory, Jack Storey (commonly known as Hell-fire Jack), or some other sporting celebrity; but, alas! the good old-fashioned hotel is now pulled down and a modern one built in its place. Mi. C. M. Browne was educated at the Blue Coat School, and when I first knew him had a farm in the Vale, but he did not care much for farming. His passion was coursing, and his criticisms first appeared in the Sporting Gazette. These coming under the notice of Mr. Walshe (Stonehenge), the late editor of the Field, he was engaged on that journal, and the name “ Robin Hood ” first appeared in that journal in 1863. Mr. Browne was also connected with pigeon shooting, a thing he was very fond of; and I often met him at the Hornsy Wood House, especially during the spare week between Epsom and Ascot. The deceased was in his 61 st year. His Nottingham friends will be astonished to hear that his mother, the genial hostess of the George Hotel, was, six months ago, alive and hearty, notwithstanding that she is now in her nintieth year. When one looks back, how few of the old school are left 1

The experiment tried of issuing three handicaps for a race, that securing the most acceptances to be the handicap for the race, has hardly been a success. The Babrabram was the one selected for the trial. Out of 92 entries the acceptances obtained were 22, 24, and 19 respectively. At the Hawke’s Bay Trotting Club’s Meeting, held at Hastings on the 25th ult., Dennett, the owner and rider of Jean, which won the Maiden Plate, brought Hoyle, the rider of the second horse, Tommy, before the stewards for foul riding, and he was fined £2, and cautioned that if he gave any cause for complaint in the future he would be disqualified for a term.