Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS' GAZETTE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD Thursday, April 2, 1903 Sporting Topics

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 682, 2 April 1903, Page 12

Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW AND LICENSED VICTUALLERS' GAZETTE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WEEKLY STANDARD Thursday, April 2, 1903 Sporting Topics

(By

“The Judge.”)

0 The final of the Marlborough Cup was a most exciting one, Hinekoa fighting out a desperate battle with Volley, and win-; ning by a nose. The winner is a four-year-old brown mare by Merrie England from Oblivion, and is owned by Mr A. Bore. * * * * Oingo, Queen’s Guard, Awahuri, and Westguard arrived on Sunday by the Zealandia from Napier.

Weights for the Avondale Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting have been postponed till after the Auckland.. Racing Clubs Autumn Meeting. - The Townsville Turf Club had to give up all idea of holding a race meeting at Easter. The recent cyclone completely destroyed the course and buildings. '.The public often laugh and pass a joke upon the fact of a jockey’s explanation being accepted as satisfactory by the stewards (writes “Martindale”). The public in these days, in fact, at any time, are very hard to please. They are in the majority ot’ instances prejudiced, from the fact that they 'have staked their money on the result, and lost. Jockeys, even the best of them, make mistakes in riding horses. There are cases in which bad judgment on the part of the rider has been classed by the public and others as an act of bare-faced pulling on the part- of the jockey. Perhaps the late Tom Hales Ayas ( one of the few who never lost a race after he had it won. Thai grand horseman was, however, the exception. We have known very shrewd racing men pass an opinion on a race. When they came to hear the jockey's explanation they were satisfied that they had formed a wrong impression. Racing stewards can never be too careful. They should never be too ready to listen to public clamour. Give everyone a fair and impartial hearing, and weigh the. evidence well before passing judgement. Perhaps it would be all the more satisfactory if racecourse inquiries were open i to the press. We see no reason why they should not. The principal argument brought against such action is that the evidence at. times would be libellous if published. This is a very poor excuse. The publishing of such would lay with newspaper people, who could safely be trusted to manage that part of the business all right. They would not for a moment. 'forget, that the evidence taken was not on oath. What we think on the matter is that it would be the means of making our race officials much more cautious. If they knew that the facts of the case were to bo reported, much more care would be taken in getting the facts and hearing of the witnesses! Cases 1 have oc- - curred at our country race meetings which we know for certain were not heard in a proper- manner by the stewards c ip fact, one resulted in a gross miscarriage of justice to the man most interested. * ■ • y; •• During Volodyovski’s racing career in England he started twenty-six times, and won seven races worth £12,000. He is now at the stud, his fee being 45gs. * * ♦ * Horse-breeding in Hungary has been fostered by the Government since 1875, when the famous Kisber Stud was established.' The Government spends £125,000 annually on horse-breeding. I am in receipt from Messrs H. Chisiholm and Co., Sydney, of a catalogue of the Wilton Park Yearlings . ’There are twenty-one youngsters to 'be submitted, these being the property of Mr Samuel . Hordern. The sires represented are Hindoo, Haul Brion, Midday, and Gossoon. The specialty of these yearlings is that most of them have the successful Galopin —Musket cross, which courses through the. veins of many of the 1 greatest performers, of modern times. Another catalogue to hand gives particulars, of other yearlings which will also come under the hammer during the big Easter Meeting of the Australian Jockey Club in Sydney. 'There are some very fashionably-bred youngsters among the various lots, to be submitted, and no doubt there will be a ready sale. ]n addition to the sires already mentioned. Mostyn, Grafton, Musketloon, Posita.no, Correze, Wallace. St. Blaize, Projectile, Lochiel, Bill of Portland, Simmer, and Splendor will all be represented by young stock in the sale ring. <• • ' * • At the Napier Park meeting there were no less than four double winners—Optimimist. Sunmos, Taura, and Madrigal. The latter won four, races at Hawke’s Bay inside nine days. ’The Newton Flying Club flew their fifth Young Birds’ Race from Huntly on Saturday, the weather being cloudy. The first bird to arrive home was Mr G. A. Probert’s Geneniza. covering a velocity of 810yds per minute. Mr ,T. Park’s Advance was second, covering a Velocity of 798yds per minute, and Mr G. Htint’s Gipsy was| third, covering a velocity of 7,92yds per minute. -• \ »*. • « A larger field than ukual should start for the Great Northern Champagne Stakes on Saturday week, for there is nothing left in which by any conceivable, stretch of imagination could be considered a champion. Kamo, Roseshield, aijd Melodeon appear to be about the pick uf the bunch. Should he. throw down the gauntlet to the Ashburton sportsman’s pair, Mr /Watt’s colt will take a lot of beating,, that is, iudged by his recent running at Hawke’s Bay.

C. Jenkins was in great form at the Napier Park Meeting, for in eleven rides the well-known horseman scored eight wins and twice second, a fairly tall performance. • * * * Wairiki is at the head of the quotations for the Easter Handicap, being quoted at 4to 1 against. Westguard and Heroism are at two points longer, while tens may be obtained about Oingo, Golden Rose and Rosella. * * * * Owners should not forget that general entry night for the approaching Avondale Jockey Club's Autumn Meeting is to-mor-?row (Friday) evening. Mr H. H. Hayr will take nominations for all events, other than the four which have alteady closed, up to nine p.m. at the Club's office, in High-street. The programme is a liberal one, and as the meeting is always popular; there should be a very hearty response from owners. -X- * * * The Auckland Trotting Club is out with the programme for its next meeting, which will take place at Alexandra Park on Satutday, May 2, and Wednesday, May 6. As is usual with the club, the various items are well arranged, the chief event on the first day being the Stewards’ Handicap Trot, while on the second day the Handicap Trot and Class Trot carry most money. The full programme is advertised in this issue, from which it will be seen that nominations are due with Mr C. F. Mark on April 17. * * * * On Saturday week the curtain will be rung up on another race meeting at headquarters, and every indication points to the Aucklafid Racing Club bringing off another pleasant and successful gathering. Although there will not be as many Southern horses competing at the meeting as one could desire, still there are so many good horses in and around Auckland that the club is able to hold a first-class meeting without any outside assistance at all, Mr Evett has declared his adjustments for the various minor events to be run on the first day, and these, which arc published in another column, have come in for close scrutiny without disclosing any serious flaws. Acceptances for these are due to-morrow (Friday) evening, at nine p.m. Next week I hope to be able to review tte chances of the various candidates, with the object of sorting out those whose winning prospects appear brightest. It is to be hoped that the scratching pen •.will he only very lightly used to-morrow night. * * * * . The result of the final Cricket match played by the English cricketers came as ft great surprise. Against the moderate South Australian bowlers the visitors knocked up the huge total of five hundred and fifty-three, Burnup and Taylor both making over three figure scores, while Warner, Fane, Dowson, Bosanguet, Johnston and Stanning all did excellent work. South Australia replied with three hundred and four, Claxton, Hill, and Jennings being the chief contributors. ’rhe local men accordingly had to follow on, but undismayed by this, they forced matters in such earnest that when the last wicket fell four hundred and fifty-four runs had been put Gefrro, who was run out after making an even century. Hack and Hall accounted for the bulk of the runs. With two bundled and six to get, the match looked a Uiiilv good thing for the Britishers still, cut they collapsed in th? most surprising manner before the bowling of Hay, who took nine wickets for sixty-seven. Dowson and Warner were the only pair to show the least confidence, the innings coming to a speedy close for one hundred and eight. The success of Hay was surprising, ns he had not previously done anything special with the ball • • * « The Southern competitors have now all arrived to compete at the Northern Amateur Swimming Club’s Championship Carnival, which takes place in the Auckland Graving Dock? on Saturday. They include J. M. Hamilton, of Grey mouth (who has been representing New Zealand successfully at the Australasian Championship just concluded), F. Roberts, and A. Smith, of Wellington, L. Penrose, and A. Drake, of Christchurch, and H. Creaghe, Dunedin. All these competitors are fully engaged on Saturday, and all admit that they are in tip-top form. The Northern Swimming Club will entertain the visitors during , their stay. The programme at present arranged is 1 as follow To-night (Thursday), a theatre party at His Majesty’s; on Saturday night, after the events in iflie Batfis, a smoke concert will be held at the Federal Club Rooms ; and on Sunday, a fishing excursion and picnic down the harbour. • « * ♦ Mr Lovett was greatly disappointed at the heavy impost dealt out by the handicapper to Hohoro in the Easter Handicap, for which event the Tasman gelding was promptly scratched, neither was be nominated for any of the minor events at the A.R.C. Meeting. It does seem rather a pity to have a really good horse crushed out of it so that a lot of scrubbers may be given a chance.

Mr J. F. Clark must feel well pleased with the nominations for the Thomson Handicap, which are very numerous. Among the forty-five entries are such good horses as Advance, Orloff, Pallas, St. j Denis, Welbeck. Lady Lillian, ‘ Ostiak, Madrigal, Motor, Strathavon, and Field Battery. There is fine material for Mr Chadwick? to try his hand upon, indeed, in all the events the nominations are exceptionally good, so that patrons are promised plenty of good racing at the meeting, which takes place on April 23 and 25. -X- « » * The cable brought news during the week, of the running of the Grand National Steeplechase, in England. Additional interest attached to the race from the fact that the King’s ’chaser, Ambush 11., who proved victorious on a previous occasion, was competing. He was in front at the last fence, when he came to grief, and thus spoilt what would probably have been another win for His Majesty. If this had happened there would have keen another, great outburst of enthusiasm. The winner turned up in Mr J. S. Morrison’s aged bay gelding, Drumcrce, who is by Ascetic from Witching Hour. He was followed home by Detail and Manifesto. The latter was the veteran in the race, having prevailed on two former occasions. j A couple of youngsters arrived iiom Melbourne by the Westralia On Sunday. One is a colt by Bobadil, and the other a filly by Bill of Portland. Mr Ellisdon, the owner, will put them in Gainsford's hands to train. * * $ *

The track work at Ellerslie is beginning to get interesting, trainers sending al- ng their charges with a. '’ie»v of the approaching resumption of hostilities &t Easter. On Tuesday, which is i 1 ways considered a morning for ast work, lher? were a lot of horses working. Kamo and Roseshield ran a smart six furlong. Lingard and Cannongate were sent a serviceable two rounds, a similar distance being accomplished by Golden Rose. Stepavay brushed fast over six furlongs. Queen’s Quard went twice round, finishing at about three-quarter pace. Westguard did easy work 1 , while Rosella bit out at her best for a round of the tan. Bonheur, Te Aroha, and Delania had a half-mile brush, the latter showing in front at the finish. Royal Conqueror accomplished a couple of circuits, going freely. Jewellery, Seatonia, Merry Soult, Thunderer, and Cyrus were among the sprinting brigade. St. Olga was sent a fairly fast mile. Cavaliero and Northumberland did a couple of rounds at a steady pace, finishing strongly. The Easter Handicap favourite, Wairiki was watched with interest as he reeled off seven furlongs at his best, the gallop pleasing the onlookers very much. Mars and The Needle worked together, going a mile and a-half. Vai Rosa and Landlock were given a fast six furlongs, the son of Seaton Delaval finishing in front. Cygnet led Bobs and Muskerdale lover a half-mile dash. Others out doing •various tasks were Tresham, Spalpeen, Formula, Scotty, Nor’-West, The Middy, Avalanche, Awahiri, and a number of others. Mr Robert Cleland reports the following business on the Easter Handicap and Hurdles :— 500 to 20 Wairiki and R. Conqueror 500 to 15 Wairiki and Lingard 500 to 25 Wairiki and Inchcape 200 to BWairik,i and Tresham' 100 to 4 Wairiki and Cavaliero 500 to 21 Strathavon and Inchcape 200 to 6 Strathavon a nd R. Conqueror 250 to 5 Rosella and R. Conqueror 200 to 5 Rosella and Inchcape 300 to 9 Westguard and R. Conqueror 200 to 6 Westguard and Tresham 500 to 11 Oingo and R. Conqueror 200 to 8 Heroism and Inchcape 400 to 8 Heroism and Lingard 500 to 5 Landlock and Lingard 200 to 4 Landlock, and Battleaxe 200 to 6 Golden Rose and Inchcape Easter Handicap ; — 200 to 50 Wairiki 100 to 16 Westguard - 100 to 16 Heroism 200 to 20 Oingo 100 to 10 Golden Rose 100 to 10 Rosella • • ® « The pripence of • great t <• hnrae will at’ra < a large c owa at Randwick or Fietning’on, s y- “ Milroy”. T l e ranking down of Carhire and the retirement of Abeieor were nerioue ’eweboth the Auatrali n Jockey • 'iib and V R ■' ~ «md the absence of Wakeful e' 'I- A J.O me J ing next month may na a-> • bi? ’iffe-e* ce in the takings, but «s a set off agair th s the prospect of a great race between Ahurdarce and Great Soot for the Ht. T eger will fetch eople from fa* and wide With Abundance in ?od condition he is a Bure d w Had h s condi’ been perfect lest mon’h people would ha e flock d from the other State* to Melbourne to •ee him win the Australian f"up, and ba eago at Wakeful in the w.f a race, ‘ut his b ckwardnesa could not be bolstered up and cons*quently both the V. 8.0. and the bookmakers stflered

Mr Webber, in his recently-published book, •‘The Forests of Northern India,” gives an ac ’ count of a fight he saw between two kyang (wild horees), which “for ferocity and wild fury, surpassed any fight I have seen. A gain and again the pair went at one another like tigers, biting, and kicking and mauling, the blood flowing freely, while their yells ano roars werete rifying This went on for hours. Somtimes they would wrestle, locked together like prize fighters ; sometimes they would chase one another all round the valley bouuding across chasms and rocks at a frantic gallop. Once the pursuer, wanting a little rest, took to the sheep paths on the face cf the hill. The enemy pressed after him till he could neither go forward nor return back. Watching them with the glass, 1 saw the brute deliberately jump from the point of a jutting rock into the abyss below. . . the other stood looking down, but failed to follow Not an hour afterwards they were at it again with renewed fury I shot one to preserve the peace, making example of the bigger bully who had ‘ funked ’ the precipice The smaller one had shown such pluck in coming to the scratch so often, and in making such an appalling jump, that he deser zed forgiveness for his disorderly behaviour ” {J ® @ The nomination of Gold Heels, who so greatly dis nguished himself in Ameri-a last season, was refused for this year’s Brooklyn and Suburban Handicaps, and this naturally created a great stir in American Turf circles. According to an exchang ', t e horse was ba red at the instig -t on ■f ihe Jock y Cmb. He was sol last year io a St. louis firm, E. J. Arn Id nd Go., and it was -uno i and Co who had entered him in the bi< >andleaps. Of late, Ar old and Co. have come out in their true colours ’J hey are a Turf advertising ageic>, who run a stable of horses in < onnection with heir tipping usiness, and no doubt as a bait to catch subscrib rs. They have flooded tie country with i lustrated c rculars oL-their large racing stale, whiihiucudes Gold Heels and others, and have gone into the tipping business on a scsle mver before attemped The Jockey 0 ub wishes to discourage any attempts at making a business at racing, and more especially a trppi g business wherefore they advised the Coney s and and Brooklyn Jockey Clubs to decline Gold Heels’ entry. The “ Asian” gives the starting price laid by the book akers and the dividend returned by the Totabsa or for each winner at the Calcutta meeting. It is shown that the bookmakers more frequently gave the better odds; the seventy-eight races exhibtirg forty occasions when it paid to deal with the rin> as agai st thirty four when the machine was the more rofitable medium, whereas in four j aces the odds were identical. © 0 © © The supplement to V<l. 19 of the English ” Stud Book” contains the ret uro of brood mares for 1901 and 1902, and a ,ist of foals ranged under the order of their sires. During the period mentio ed 1599 colts and 1575 fiilies we e born, while 273 mares died, and 128 were sent abroad It is stated that on an average eight mares in a thousand prod- ced twins.