Turf Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 298, 9 April 1896, Page 6

Turf Topics.

[By

Gipsy Kins.]

The tc six stone ” division had an innings at the C.J.C. Meeting.

Tahuna Park Racing Club has donated £lO to the Brunnerton Fund.

The foals at Wellington Park and Sylvia Park are now being weaned.

A good double—C.J.C. Derby, Uniform; New Zealand Cup, New Forest. Auckland’s favourite, Lottie, shows signs of being in foal to Seaton Delaval.

Mr J. Thorpe, of Ellerslie, has purchased on behalf of a patron, Grenadier, by Brigadier— Bragela.

Tulloch is in training at Wanganui. Judging by his appearance some little time ago he will take some building up. Mr F. Hill, of Wanganui, formerly owner of Gold Cup, has purchased Tulloch by Sword Dance —Welcome Katie.

The Beaumont (Otago) Club has decided to demand all unpaid payments at the scales, and to pay the stakes on the ground.

The nominations for the Wanganui Two-year-old Stakes of 1897, and Wanganui Derby of 1897, close on Monday, 4th May. Strangles are very prevalent in and around Auckland, and several very valuable thoroughbred youngsters have been attacked. The Delaney family of jockeys had the finish of the Doncaster Handicap to themselves, J. Delaney 1, A. Delaney 2, W. Delaney 3.

The Auckland-bred St. Valentine (by St. Leger —Loverbird) has been sold to the owner of the Toomaa Station, N.S.W., and is to perform stud duties.

When one seeks information about a racehorse, it is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth, when you know you would lie were you in his place.

A writer to the London Referee says : —“ When I looked at Trenton, at the Cobham Stud, he was much like the typical shepherd’s dog, all legs, ribs and skin.”

Sam Fergus, the well known cross-country horseman, returned from Sydney on Sunday, and on Tuesday had the mount on Kingswocd in the Autumn Steeplechase.

The Waitara-ow ned Sylvia Park (St. Leger— Atalanta) is shortly to be put in work, evidently with a view to early spring engagements, when the ground is not too hard. Son-of-a-Gun (by Anteros). sire of Culverin (winner of the C.J.C. Easter Handicap, and runner-up for the Great Autumn Handicap), is half-brother to Three Star.

In another column will be found an instructive article headed “How to Treat Strangles ” from Capt. Hayes’ valuable work, “ Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners.” The author has had a lengthy and practicable experience with horses of all classes, but more especially racehorses, hundreds of which he has trained successfully in India, and the captain being an acknowledged authority in the veterinary world Lis advice should be very acceptable at the present time, especially to breeders and trainers in the Auckland district, where so many very valuable yearlings, etc., are suffesing from the disease, but in dangerous cases it would be advisable to call in the local vet.

Splitlink, an aged bay gelding by The Mute — Swiveline, died suddenly in his loose-box at Mr D. Harfit’s stable at Greenlane on Thursday morning last. It appears the horse was given a dose of oil four days before leaving Paeroa (Thames) for Auckland, and the boat had a rough twelve-hour passage. After the horse’s arrival here he was noticed to be very seedy, and he was not accepted for the First Hurdle Race. A post mortem was made of the ex-Wanganui hack, when it was found that one lung was very much decayed, and a quantity of the oil was lodged in it. Splitlink has not been a success as a racehorse, and perhaps no wonder, if his lungs have been effected for any length of time. J. Sweeney, formerly of Wanganui, has been training the horse lately, while the owner, Mr Otway, will certainly lose at least the hack value of the horse.

Touching on the subject of betting on flat and hurdle races, “ Ranger ” writes as follows in the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News: — “ The professional backers assert almost unanimously thst they can do belter in the winter than in the summer, that they can win more money under N.H. than under Jockey Club rules. Thia at first seems s’range to the uninstructed mind. One might be inclined to think that the jumping must mean additional risk, and that it must be safer to back horses for races on the flat, where this element of danger is not experienced. Yet I have an idea —writing without statistical investigation —that as many favourites win at the “ illigitimate ” game as in flat races, and that backers of jumpers hit the mark with equally consistent, if not more conspicuous success. A well-schooled horse, barring accident, rarely falls. Many hurdle racers, for instance, may be backed with just as much confidence as though no obstacles had to be surmounted ; and the same remark also applies, perhaps in a slightly modified degree, to ’chasers. The jumping races, moreover, are run over longer distances than those on the flat; every* thing does not depend on the start. If there should be a little bad Ibck at that point or during the progress of the struggle, there is more time for a horse to make up for it; and frequently it happens that favourites win steeplechases after at one time seeming hopelessly out of the race. This is all in favour of backers.” The above remarks apply with equal force to New Zealand winter racing.

In many of the larger training stables in America, night schools, for the stable lads and others, are conducted all through the winter, and the attendance of the boys is compulsory. If Daimio, the Melbourne steeplechaser, for whom arrangements have been made for his shipment to England by the s.s. Orizaba next month, is reported to be very lame, owing to a splint which he has developed, pressing on the suspensory ligament.

Fishmonger pulled up lame in the Rosehill Steeplechase, and is to be brought back to Auckland by the next direct boat. The old chaser has had nothing but bad luck since his arrival at Sydney, and I regret Mr H. Hayr’s enterprise was not more successful.

“ There are some things in this world that go without saying,” remarked a long-winded individual. “ Yes,” said the editor, “ and there are still more persons in the world who say a good deal without going.” This is not intended as a personal par; but it is awfully apropo sometimes. The ex-Rangitikei cross-country horseman, Jack Cameron, now in Melbourne, seems to be having a turn of luck lately. On St. Patrick’s Day he won the Hurdle Race on Lord Bryon —a sto 1 chance —at Epsom, and on the 28th ultimo won the Hurdle Race at Sandown Park on the same horse.

J. Goodwin, at Waitara, has Sylvia Park, Flying Fish, Papakura (two-year-old colt by St. Leger—Muskerina), and two two-year-old Vanguard colts (from Flying Fish and Miss Cole) in hand. The latter are engaged in the Taranaki Derby and Egmont Sires’ Hack Produce Stakes next season.

The Russian peasants of Volhynia are addicted to sport which takes the form of racing—not of horses, but of snails. The course is a pole about thirty feet long, and the progress of the race is watched with anxiety by the spectators. There are favorites among the runners, and they have their names, just like horses. Ths result of the drawing of Tattersall’s sweep on the Hawkesbury Handicap, of 25,000 subscribers at 5s each, was as follows : —First (Gaulus), H. J. Rowe, Star Hotel, Beech worth, £2,250; second (Jack o’ Lantern), A. and R. Popp, Maryborough, Queensland, £670; third (Pharamond), H. Holinkerat and Company, Milton, N.S.W., £450. The amounts are all nett. A narrow-minded, bigoted individual, a resident of Birmingham (Eng.), has proposed to the committee of jthe Free Library that all sporting news appearing in the newspapers, that are sent to the Library, should be blocked or cut out. Strange as it may appear, this is done in a few free libraries in England. The complaint appears to be that the papers are monopolised by readers of sporting news. A prominent official of the Napier Park Club entered the press room in a half drowned condition. Questioned about the matter of the weather, he informed those present th it some time ago a Chinaman had been buried on the course, and .no monument showing his resting place had been erected. The Park, he said, would never have a dry day until the remains had been shifted. A remarkable case of fruitfulness comes from Germany. A mare known to be 33 years old produced a foal on a farm at Neumark, Silesia, 1890. It was not intended to breed her again, buL as she showed freshness at the end of four years, or when 37 years of age, she was bred to an 18 year-old stallion, and produced a very fine and vigorous foal, which is to be exhibited at the Neumark foal show in June. Owners and trainees are further reminded that acceptapces close to-night at 9 o’clock, at the A.R.C. Office, for the Maiden Hurdle Handicap, 1 sov.; Handicap Hurdles, 1 sov.; St. George’s Handicap, 2 sovs.; Pony Hurdle Handicap, 1 sov.; Criterion Handicap, 1 sov. ; Handicap Steeplechase, 1 sov.; Grandstand Handicap, 1 sov.; and Victoria Handicap, 1 sov. These events will be decided on Saturday. If birds in their nests agree (says Sydney Truth) it is more than stallions in a paddock do. Avis, Figaro, and Aberdeen, turned out on H. Barnes’ Dyraaba Station, Richmond River, evidently had a triangular kicking duel, and Aberdeen succumbed. Found dead with a broken leg, was the verdict.. Aberdeen was jby Chester—Goldfinch, Morpeth’s dam, and was bred at Kirkham. He was not a wonder on the racecourse. At the maori races held at Morrinsville, there was a “ Ladies’ Race ” on the programme, all horses to be ridden by ladies. A pony, ridden by a maori girl (straddle-leg and without the rational costume), was winning “ heashey,” but much to the surprise of the “ lady jockey” the pony ran off within a few yard- from the winning post, and struck out for the adjacent hills. Good old scratch meetings, they always provide “ whips ” of fun.

“Mazeppa” says Gipsy Grand arrived at Dunedin safely. He remarks : —“ Ido not think there is much wrong with him. When standing at ease his leg is seen to bear marks of the jar— It is just the least bit larger than its companion —but quite cool, and by all signs Gipsy Grand is practically as sound as ever. In order, however, to give the colt every chance, he will be treated to a thorough rest, and will not be asked to gallop till it is time to begin a preparation for his four-year-old season.”

The press association man in wiring over the result of Wallace’s win in the Sydney Cup says : —“ Wallac’s win was a disastrous one for the bookies, and at least one member of the ring is said to ha»e found it to his advantage to quit when Wallace’s number was hoisted as the winner. The departed ‘bookie’ left on the spot which knew him no more, a portmanteau bearing the words, ‘ Gone, but not forgotten.” [The totalisator has no portmanteau to write the above quoted words on. “Pay out” office is plainly seen though, at all totalisator houses on racecourses.

The “Dook” of Portland has been elected a life member of the Victorian Racing Club.

Dunlop, the Melbourne Cup winner, won first prize for blood stallions at the Gundagai (Vic.) Show.

T. Sanders, the well known- Melbourne jockey, who won the Melbourne Cup on Dunlop, has become bankrupt. Liabilities, £1483 10s lid; asets, £1 ; deficiency, £1482 Is lid! Mr M. O’Shanassy’s plan for preventing blocking at the home turn was given a trial at the Aspendale Park races, Melbourne, and worked so well that it is almost sure to be tested at Flemington.

Locarius, the Hack racer, half brother to Morion, is now being looked after by R. Johnston — brother to “ Percy,” —at Inglewood ; which practically means the son of Dauphin is out of work, as there is no galloping ground ac Inglewood. The Dunedin Jockey Club have endorsed the disqualification, for two years, of A. Cowie, of Winton, and the horse Fashion alias Redleap, for being “rung in,” at the Lumsden Hack Meeting, on 15th May, 1895.

A sugeestion has been made to the Wellington Society for Prevention of pruelty to Animals that the Society should get an Act of Parliament passed to compel saddlers, harness-makers, and shoeing-smiths to pass an examination, so as to prevent horses being injured by faulty work.

At the Ballarat Miners’ Race-meeting on the 17th March, Wallace Girl, a four-year-old chestnut mare by Haere (now located at Manaia, Egmont), won the Flying Stakes of four furlongs. The Aucklanders Fishmonger, 10.12 (S. Fergus), and Othello, 9.10 (W. Neil), started in the Rosehill Steeplechase on March 26th. The Joker was first and Blacktracker second, no third horse being mentioned. .According to the report of the race, Othello missed one fence, but continued in the race, and at the finish was beaten by The Joker by half a length, Blacktracker ten lengths away, followed at long intervals by Bernal and Fishmonger. Time, smin 20sec. The stewards disqualified Othello, and awarded second money to Blacktracker, and fined Neill (who had the mount on Othello) £5. James Hayes, whose jockey’s license was returned to him last September, was before the V.R.C. on the 26th ultimo, to answer a charge of foul riding. H. G. Dawes, who won the Welter Race at Aspendale on Cobalt on March 10th, alleged that after the horses were being pulled up after the race, Hayes caught him by the neck and threatened him. The V.R.C. Committee gave Hayes a “ severe caution ” as to his riding in this particular race, and also as to his conduct in general. More “ knocked-kneed ” cautions. Such “ punishment ” would only be grinned at by a bully like Hayes. The V.R.C. should have sat on him straight away, and put him up for three months. It is evident Hayes is getting above himself again.

The death of an old and well-known horsedealer, “ Sandy ” Imrie, is announced at Dunedin. Mr Imrie was one of the celebrated horse-dealers of Melbourne in the early days of the gold discoveries in Australia, and was, with David Nesbit (Scotch Jock), David Carson, and Thomas Greig, largely engaged in importing draught stock into Victoria from Tasmania No better judges of that class of horseflesh ever* came to the colonies, and Mr Imrie was the last of the quartette to survive. He suffered severely for about ya ear before his death, and leaves a widow and family of two sons and daughters to mourn t heir loss. He came to Otago in 1862, and was largely concerned in the horse trade of the colony ever since. He was a man of sterling qualities, and never turned a deaf ear to any ease deserving assistance, and will be much missed in Dunedin, where he was held in much esteem.

A contemporary relates the experience of Mr Fisher, who, when in England some years ago, desired to buy a good sire to bring to Australia. Lord Falmouth suggesting he should interview Mat Dawson, and giving him a letter to expedite matters, Mr Fisher journeyed down to Newmarket, and after calling at Dawson’s stables and finding him out, went to Newmarket Heath to meet him. The letter of introduction read, and the time of day passed, Dawson said : ‘ Well, Mr Fisher, you say you want a stallion for Australia; how would this fellow I’m riding do you ?’ ‘ Oh, dear me,’ replied Fisher, ‘ of course, it’s a nice horse, but, sir, I should like something a little better class than that.’ l Ah !' remarked Dawson, ‘ then I am afraid I can’t suit you, because this white-faced chestnut is Stockwell.’ Mr Fisher collapsed ; to pooh pooh that, mighty sire was too awful. We know this story is, true, for the hero —Mr Fisher, not the horse —told us it himself.

Writing about the late J. R. Humphreys, a well-known English trainer. John Corlett in the Sporting Times, says : —“ Of the residences of all the trainers, Humphreys’ was the most princely. That of Marsh is probably the most complete from the trainer’s point of view, and Joe Cannon, we hear, has just laid out £lO,OOO on improving his new place at Lordship Farm. Bedford Lodge is held at a rental of £2,C00 per annum ; and Melton House, with its beautiful grounds, is a handsome specimen of tee cottage ornee. Matthew Dawson, if he had not been a trainer, would have been a second Sir Joseph Paxton as a landscape gardener. Kingsclere, with its “ Geheimniss front,” built by Lord Stamford after the mare of that name had won the Oaks, is a good specimen of a country residence ; but all these places, and Alec Taylor’s at Manton as well, are merely villas, more or less <>f a glorified character. Lamborne Place, on the other hand, is a rich manorial. mansion in the Gothic style, venerable in age and stately, full of rich carving and great staircases, and standing in the midst of magnificent grounds —the home of an ancestral nobleman, in fact, rather than a trainer.”