Turf Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 204, 21 June 1894, Page 6

Turf Topics.

By

Reviewer.

Variety is in the market for /T 50. Hawke’s Bay Winter Meeting to - morrow (Friday). Rebel and Smuggler, Duntroon’s sons, are for sale. Wanganui sportsmen highly fancy Monte Carlo’s New Zealand Cup chance. Mr A. Boyle has been permanently appointed starter for the C.J.C. Dunedin people are backing Beadonwell for the New Zealand Cup. Kent was sold at Wellington last week for 195 guineas. Swordbelt only brought 35 guineas. Comparing Carbine and Marvel the Bulletin thinks the latter was “ Old Jack’s ” master over one mile. Mr W. W. Finlayson, the well-known Southern penciller, has moved his head-quarters from Dunedin to Christchurch. The Grenadier entered for the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups is Mr Merthyr’s horse—not Mr McHughs. « Castor” states the story of George Frederick, the Derby winner, being sold for 30 guineas, is all moonshine. Dilemma has been purchased by Mr Malcolm Allan. Rubezhal’s son will be kept in steady exercise during the winter. The opening number of a new weekly paper, the Dunedin Budget, came to hand this week. Our new contemporary gives sporting a prominent place in its columns. English mails bring word of the death of Peter Price, one of the oldest of Newmarket trainers. Price was 77 years of age. Patron, Light Artillery, Carnage, and Loyalty left off racing with very little between them. How will they meet each other in the Melbourne Cup ? St. Clements had his photo taken by Mr Edwards this week. When first placed in position St. Clements threw the boy, and bolting up the road got dangerously close to a wire fence. “Mazeppa” thinks that bringing out the Hawke’s Bay weights before the Auckland meeting was over has made the hurdle race a gift. He, of course, refers to Melinite. An Indian buyer is endeavouring to purchase Port Admiral, the Adelaide Cup winner. Many Indians would like to get hold of a horse capable of lowering Highborn’s number. An exchange writes that Dr Newman, M.H.R., has intimated to the President of the Racing Conference that he will move for the establishment of a New Zealand Jockey Club. Such a motion should be strongly'supported. According to the N.Z. Mail a commission on Fright for the Grand National Hurdles was withdrawn after the first day’s racing was postponed. Cannot say if this be true myself. The Hawke’s Bay people would like the Racing Conference to prohibit steeplechasing between November 15th to April 30th. What would become of our Summer and Autumn cross-country runs if this innovation came to pass ? But it is not likely to. Meets of the Pakuranga Hunt Club have been arranged as follows:—June 23, Mr Every McLean’s, Bleak House; June 30, St. Ann’s Bridge, for Sylvia Park; and July 7, Scotch Church, Tamaki, for Mr Harris’ farm. The death is reported of Mr Napthali, a wellknown figure in the Hawke’s Bay sporting world. Mr Napthali was found smothered by gas in his bedroom. The door and window were closed and the gas jet turned full on. After considering the entries for the Melbourne Cup, “ Terlinga ” notices a singular dearth of cracks. Very few of those entered, he thinks, can claim to be first-class. Horses of the calibre of Carbine, Abercom, Commotion, Mahia, Strathmore, &c., are not to be found in Australia just now. Although not a turf topic I would like to remark that according to English files Roberts has at last scored a 1000 spot barred break, and landed the Z" 100 offered by Messrs Burroughs and Watts for the first to achieve the feat. Roberts made a break of 1392. Writing in the Review, of May 17th, I remarked : “Of the horses which George Wright has taken over to the Australian side I shall not at all be surprised to see Acone figure prominently.” Acone is the only one that has figured prominently up to date, winning the Park Stakes on Saturday last. A popular Australian consultation is “ Stars ” on the Grand National Hurdle Race, to be run at Flemington, on July 7th. The tickets are only 2s 6d each, and the prizes are: First horse, Ziooo; second, third, /’zoo; starters, divide Jfico; non-starters, divide and 120 cash prizes totalling Mr H. Mehaffey, the proprietor of the Stratford racecourse, has, I believe, leased the course to a syndicate. The course, which is about a mile from town on the Pembroke Road, is a chain short of a mile round, and possesses a Splendid straight seventeen chains in length. The stand is rather primitive, but taken in all the course is undoubtedly a fine one. According to the Bulletin the most acceptable explanation cf the falling off in Carnage’s form is the story that his trainer was too kind to the horse after the Melbourne Cup meeting. The same mistake was made with Malvolio, we are told, who became fat inside when allowed to take life easily. Carnage had a lot of indulgence shown him, they say. There was no demand for racers at Hunter and Nolan’s on Friday last. Mr J. J. Russell’s lot were put up, but not one was sold. Belle was brought up to 70 guineas, but her reserve was 100 guineas; Kathleen elicited 40 guineas, reserve 75 guineas; Mother Shipton 35 guineas, reserve 50 guineas ; and Union Jack could not get to. a selling figure. Chester was also offered and passed in at 11 guineas, Kingite at 10 guineas, and St. Michael at 20 guineas.

The close of the season has left the Taranaki Trotting Club with the big surplus 14s 2S. Pounamu will be turned out for a spell at his owner’s station Goodwood, by Ascot —Maid of Eccelston, is being schooled over the small sticks. Prestige, by St. Leger—Fame, has recovered from his injured foot, and is now in work again. The three-year-old gelding by Sou’wester out of Puella’s dam has been sold for Couranto, Mutiny and Waterbury were much admired at Randwick, writes a Sydney paper. Silent Friend and Pikihuia are on the sick list through influenza. Sydney Referee thinks Couranto is pretty well certain to win a race or two before he comes back. A Melbourne horse trader, Isaac Gidney. died recently worth £44,530. The double Hova and Dreamland for the Melbourne Cups has been backed for all the money in the market at 1000 to 2. All the Sydney sporting writers give the New Zealanders a ehance in the V.R.C. National Hurdles and Steeplechase. The hurdler Tontine, who was injured by falling in a hurdle race at Waipawa, has died from the effects of the fall. It is said that certain members of the Auckland Club are in favour of the Club working the totalisators, instead of giving the work to an agent. Sporting interest will centre in Wellington next week, owing to the holding of the Racing Conference. It is about time the exact date of the meeting was settled. Mr S. G. Cook’s reason for not nominating The Admiral for the Melbourne Cup was that he “knew what the horse had to expect from the handicapper.” Matters in which reform is badly needed are dealt with in the leading columns of the Review. Delegates to the Racing Conference might pay attention to the suggestions put forward. The New Zealand-bred Day Dream was beaten in the Great Surry Handicap of 500 sovs, 5 furlongs, run at Epsom. She finished second to Lady Kandahar. Kempenfeldt, by Nordenfeldt—Bianca, Renata, by Albany—Telltale, and Forerunner, by King of Clubs—En Evant, will be offered for sale at Hastings on Saturday next. Three Star got well away in the Two-year-old Handicap and finished fourth. He went out at 7to 1. Writing of the colt, “ Verax ” says : — ‘ ‘ I think we have several two-year.olds this side that can take the measure of Three Star.” Melbourne betting on the Melbourne Cup shows that Carnage and Aquarius are most in request at 25 to 1. The best backed ones lor the Caulfield Cup are Elswick, Hova, Isaac, Loyalty, Slernchaser at 50 to I. It is thought Three Star’s mission is the New Zealand Cup. His trip to the other side is thought to have been undertaken simply to keep him in active work. Over there he can be worked pretty well every week. Another colt that will be worked steadily with a view to the Cup is Grenadier, and at three year old I would sooner support him than Castor’s roan son. The general opinion seems to be that the motion for the establishmennt of a New Zealand Jockey Club, to be brought before the Racing Conference by Dr. Newman, M.H.R., is foredoomed. The Otago and Auckland representatives will, it is thought, be stoutly opposed to the innovation. Still a court ofappeal is urgently required, and one could easily be established. Writes the Sportsman : — “In the A.J.C. Steeplechase, run on Saturday last, the recently arrived New Zealanders, Mutiny and Waterbury, took part. After showing a lot of pace they both came to grief.” Speaking of Couranto in the Hurdles the same journal says the son of Patriarch showed up prominently for the greater portion of the journey. “Cranbrook,” of the Melbourne Sportsman, tips Polonius to win the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race. The next best he takes to be Shootover and Ebor. He does not give the New Zealanders a chance* For the Grand National Steeplechase he takes Trojan, Medicine, and Busaco. Speaking of Norton’s chance he says, “he is a great horse and will be hard to beat, for he is up to weight ond can jump like a deer.” “Verax” thinks the best half-dozen at the same weight in the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race are Tim Swiveller, Kulnine, Couranto, Cadet, Pro-consul, and Kangaroo 11. Speaking of the New Zealanders he says:— “Kulnine at the same weight (12.7), is the crack New Zealander, and has a great reputation. He also has a great weight. Couranto I give a chance to.” Speaking of the Steeplechase he says :—“ Waterbury and Mutiny have been fairly treated, and with 10.9 Mutiny, on his form last Saturday, must be particularly dangerous. If Waterbury is better at the weights, then he should gain a place.” To take half-a-dozen to win he selects Busaco, Trojan, Frantic, Waterbury, Mutiny, and Medicine. Commenting on the New Zealanders’ fight in the A.J.C. Steeplechase, “ Verax ” of the Referee writes as follows :— “ Mutiny made the pace a cracker, and soon had a lead of forty or fifty lengths, with his stable mate, Waterbury, at the head of the remainder. Mutiny kept going, and had a lead of about forty lengths when he came down ?at Oxenham’s, about a mile from home. Had he cleared this fence, which is a tricky one, he would about have won. Waterbury also came down at the back of the course, and gave his rider, Hope, a nasty shaking. . . . Both Waterbury and Mutiny fenced splendidly, and the latter galloped in great style. lam very partial to Waterbury. It is the first time I have seen him, but if he is not a real good one over the fences I am much mistaken. Randwiok is a peculiar steeplechase course for a horse that has never been over it, and it is always advisable to school fresh horses well here before going for a win on them. If the New Zealanders race over a country as fast as Mutiny went their horses must be uncommonly good stayers.”

Weights for the New Zealand Cup are due on July the first. My double for the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles and Steeplechase is Melinite and Oaklands. The next meeting of the Marton Jockey Club will be on November 9th. Poor Poole’s Southern training establishment is closed and awaits a new tenant. Rebellion, by Treason—Mischief, will be at the service of Wairarapa breeders this season. The racehorses Belle, Mother Shipton, Kathleen, and Jacobite returned home this week. The Pakuranga Hunt Club will hold their weekly “meet” at Mr Every McLean’s Bleak House on Saturday next at 12 noon. The Taranaki Club will be represented by Mr R. Bauchope at the Racing Conference next month. Mr W. H. Sayers, son of Mr Sayers, of Wild Rose fame, is in the Wellington Hospital suffering from typhoid fever. Kent, who was bought at auction by Mr Gave for I9sgs, has since been purchased by W. Davis, the former trainer of the horse. The Wellington correspondent of the Review wires his opinion that if Tiritea be well he will certainly win the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase. Fright has been scratched for his Australian engagements. I should think so, after the figure he cut at Ellerslie. Tipsters are unanimous in the opinion that bar accidents Melinite will win the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles. A gale down Taranaki way wrecked the Taranaki Jockey Club’s new totalisator house and destroyed a lot of the course fencing. I am glad to say that Cook, who got such a nasty tumble when riding Dick in the Egmont Steeplechase, has completely recovered. If reports be true St. Kilda will be a decidedly hard nut to crack in the Christchurch Grand National. I believe he jumps like a deer. Boulanger has retired and is now at the service of breeders. The owner of the son of Grand Prix —Fleurette will probably allow the horse to serve 30 mares at a fee of logns. The Taranaki correspondent of the Review is at a loss to understand why local punters have taken such a fancy to Monte Carlo for the New Zealand Cup. Coleman, who had his collar-bone broken while riding Scaltheen in the Winter Tally-ho Steeple, has recovered sufficiently to leave the Hospital. Tetford, by Musket—Pungawherewhere, is in the market. Only three of his stock have raced, and all have won. Particulars may be obtained at Hunter and Nolan’s or Mr Dickey, Paeroa. The Grand Prix de Paris has again been won by Baron de Schickler. His Krakatoa — Alaska colt Dalma Baghtche beat Matchbox, who ran in the name of Baron Hirsch, his new owner. Dunedin people are highly incensed over the action of the local licensing committee in refusing a conditional license to the Dunedin Jockey Club at the late Birthday Meeting. They think the granting of conditional licenses should be left in the hands of the Colonial Secretary. The Auckland Racing Club’s new race, the Royal Stakes, is based on similar lines to those of the Challenge Stakes. The event is a w.f.a. one for two and three year olds, and the distance is six furlongs. Its value is soosovs, and the race will be run for the first time at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting of 1895-96. The Wairarapa Hunt Club have received good nominations for the Steeplechase Meeting. There are fifteen horses in the Trial Steeplechase, twelve in the Wairarapa Steeplechase, eight in the Hack Race, sixteen in the Ladies’ Race, seven in the Hack Hurdles, thirteen in the Hunt Club Steeplechase, and seven in the Hurdle Flat Handicap. Thirty-three trotting horses have been nominated for the Canterbury Trotting Club’s National Handicap, and out of that number four come from Auckland, three from Otago, one from Wanganui, one from Oamaru, one from Timaru, three from Ashburton, three from Hawkins, and sixteen from Christchurch. The Auckland entries are Clyde, Rosebud, Ike, and Albert Victor. Considering that the St. Leger —Matakana gelding St. Kilda is going in for the jumping game next season, it was questionable policy for his owner to contest a sosov race with 13.7 on his back. Considering that he cantered home with 12.6 and only lost another race with 13.7 on his back through one horse getting six or eight lengths the best of the start it will not be a matter for wonder if handicappers treat him roughly in jumping events. He has shown what he can do With weight on the flat, and with the example supplied by Melinite before them it is only reasonable to suppose that handicappers will treat him the reverse of leniently.