Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 779, 9 February 1905, Page 7

Sporting Topics.

(By “ The Judse.” :» Papakura races will take place on Saturday. » » * * Handicaps for the Rotorua Meeting are due to appear to-morrow. * * * * The Egmont Cup will be run for next Wednesday. The Canterbury Jockey Club’s Meeting commences to-day. « ♦ • ♦ The clever starting by Mr O’Connor at Takapuna was the subject of general praise. Old Dingo got badly cut on the stifles when contesting the Second Steeplechase at Takapuna. % The Otahuhu Trotting Club’s nominations are the largest yet received by the club. The Wanganui Meeting takes place on March 2 and 3. Handicaps are due on Saturday week. * * * * F. Macmaneman proved the most successful trainer at the Takapuna Meeting, as he turned out four winners. The nominations for the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps, to be run at the C.J.C. Autumn Meeting, are only moderate, although some fair performers are engaged. The death is reported from Sydney of Tom Hodson, at one time a well-known rider at Ellerslie, where he afterwards acted as a trainer for some time. Among his best riding exploits was a victory on Realm in the Sydney Cup of 1593, Mr Hordern’s horse being followed home by The Admiral and Camoola. « * * * Auckland will be very strongly represented at the meetings down Taranaki way this month. Among those which have made the trip South are Numa, Delania, General Average, San Paulo, Inniskilleri, Lady Annie, Golden Sands, Hautapa, Idasa, Noteorini, Putty, Khama, Dolores, Pearl Necklet, and Alba Rose. Among this lot there should surelv be some winners. * * * * Owners should not forget that nominations for the South Auckland Meeting close with Mr Gwynne, at Hamilton, or with Mr Massey, at Auckland, to-mor-row evening, at 9 p.m. Such a capital programme is well worth attention, and as the meeting is always admirably conducted, it is well worthy of hearty support from headquarters. IrnisUllen is evidently a very fair hurdler, as he won both the Maiden Hhrdle and Second Hurdle Handicap in very easy fashion. Air Moody’s gelding should be heard of again later on. The death is reported from Sydney of the Auckland-bred Cravat (Castor — Necklace), for whom Mr S. Hordern gave 1575 guineas at the Wellington Park sale of 1894. The death of Mr George Lambert removes from our midst the oldest representative of what may he styled the “professional backer’’ type of owner (savs the “Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette”). When Mr Lambert carried off the Cesarewitch with Rocket in 1858, the state of Turf morality was by no means in such a healthy condition as it is at the present time, and there was an amount of “readying” horses for important handicaps at v/hich we should nowadays hold un our hands in horror. Alter this “sweetener,” which came almost at the beginning of his career as an owner of horses, Mr Lambert was always keen on winning the famous Newmarket handicap, but it was not until 1883 that, he again did so, and his victory with Eon Juan was certainly the most famous coup of the last quarter of a century. It almost makes one smile to remember that the handicapper was deceived by the horse—who, it was known, could stay for ever —being entered in a couple of five furlong handicaps at the Newmarket July Meeting, one of which he actually won I- There was some difficulty in getting a ’cc v ey for Pon Juan,-, and the present-day trainer, “Teddy” Martin, then a boy at school, was put up. Asked after the race what he would like as a memento of the victory, the youngster somewhat surprised Mr Lambert by declaring in favour of* an extra fine and large poc-ket-krnfe.

Mr Knight’s adjustments at Takapuna brought about some very close finishes, the racing being very good throughout. ❖ 3s ❖ ❖ The Wellington Racing Club made a profit of £2225 on the Summer Meeting, a record for the club. • • • • Scotty has been scratched fcr the Egmont Cup, in which he was allotted toptveight . * * * ♦ With the exception of the pony events, the various races- to be decided at the Rotorua Meeting have filled well, and there is good reason to expect a successful meeting. ♦ * ♦ # Seaton Delaval proved the most successful sire at the Takapuna Meeting, his descendants winning four races, while Soult was next with three races secured by his stock. ♦ • * * Creusot, who was in receipt of nine pounds from Dolores, managed to defeat the black mare in the First Hurdle Handicap at the Taranaki Meeting. * ♦ ♦ ♦ Gladsome is top-weight in the V.R.C. Newmarket Handicap with Ost 131 b. Canteen has been given Bst 101 b, and Grey Seaton Ost 81b. The latter looks a trifle out of place in the race. In Great Britain last year there were 458 races for two-year-olds. Of these 400 w r ere run at less than six furlongs, 50 at six furlongs or upwards, but less than a mile, and eight at a mile. * * * * After his easy win at Takapuna under Bst lulo, there were many who considered the h irst Flack Handicap at Taranaki simply a gift for Mr Marshall’s horse, San Paulo, whose penalt.v onlybrought his weight up to 7st 1 Hb. He had to strike his colours, howexer, to The Workman mare Kudu, who carried top-weight of 9st 01b, and won by half a length. ♦ * * ♦ Following are the drawers of placed horses in rattersall’s Consultation on the Launceston Cup : —lst, Hatteras, S. and A. E. Lenagh, care J. F. Barry, Commercial Hotel, W. Maitland, N.S.W., £4o(if; ; 2nd, Watchful, Mrs 11. Thomson, 282 Crown-road, Ultimo, Sydney, £1250; 3rd, Admir.r, K. M. Archer, Petersburg, South Africa, £750. These amounts are net. ♦ * « * The Auc land-bred mare Lady Aven stood out as champion among the ponies at the Calcutta meeting. With Sst lllb she easily won the International Pony Plate (14.2), of 3300r5., 7 furlongs. Bhe ran the distance in imin 31 sec, and was followed home by Matalgia, 9st 71b, and Natalina, 9st 31b, the enfly other runner being Chippy Norton, who did not show any form. As Lady Avon ■ started at Ito 1 on, her supporters did not gam much by her success. A few days later, with' Kist 71b, she ran away with the Stand Plate (14.1), of !20(rs., 6 furlongs, the time recorded being Imin 16 l-ssec. «■ « « * Hie disqualification of the Australian’ metallician, Mr Barney Allen, and his joc. ey, Murphy, was brought about by the unsatisfactory- running of the exSydney gelding Camira in the HollyPlate at the Calcutta meeting on December 31. Gamira opened favourite for the race named, but suddenly receded in price, and ran nowhere, while Kingston, who came into the market with a rattle at the last moment and touched 2 to 1, won after a good tussle with Gun Metal. The stewards were of opinion that the case called for an inquiry, and after thoroughly going into it notified, that Allen, Murphy, and Camira, were warned off the Calcutta course and other places where the Calcutta rules were in force. The practice of excluding light from the stable which is affected in some establishments is scarcely one that can be recommended. In the first place, no interior which is always in a state of semi-twilight looks as well as one possessed of a fair share of windows ; secondly, it is more difficult to ascertain whether a dark stable and its occupants are as clean as they should be; and, thirdly, there is the comfort and well-being of the horses to be considered. It is difficult to conceive upon what grounds a dark stable is more beneficial to its occupants than a light one ; and, besides this, it. is much more, lively that a horse coming out of a building of this kind into the sunshine and bustle outside wiil be nervous and upset at the start of his'work, and when a horse and his rider commence the. day- on bad terms with each other, their mutual associations are likely to remain strained for the remainder of the journey.

THE PAPAKURA MEETING.

On Saturday next the annual fixture at Papakura will take place, and there are not wanting indications which portend a very successful reunion. The gathering at the old racecourse is always popular, townsfolk being very prompt to take an afternoon in the country when there is also a prospect of good sport. There is, therefore, a certainty that, if the day prove line, a large number of people will make the trip. A special train leaves Auckland at 1.20 p.m., arriving at Papakura racecourse at 2.20 p.m. in ample time for the first race. This train will leave Papakura al 6.25 p.m., arriving in Auckland at 7.35 p.m. Excursion tickets will be issued at 5s first-class and 3s second-class, including admission to the course. Six events are to be run, and for these excellent acceptances have been received. The following should run well in their respective engagements:■ — Maiden Plate: Cuiragno, Lunetta.. Jean. Flying Stakes: Celerity, Woodmount, Hector. Pony Race: Grange and Blue, Girton Girl, Whawhai. Papakura Cup: Annoyed, Calle Iris, Seatonia. Hack Race: Celerity, Cuiragno, Lunetta. Railway Handicap: Orange and Blue, Calle Iris, Hector. * * * * Cicero, who is the most fancied of the English colts for the next Derby, ran five times last season without suffering defeat. However, he is said to be a little lacking in size and scope, and much depends upon how he grows in the winter. -X- w -XDuring the four years Bena X ista has been represented on the Turf in Hungary his progeny have won 203 races of the total value of £94,698. He is the sire of Cyllene, whose son, Cicero, is greatly fancied for the next English Debby. * * * * As Wairiki’s off fore leg is shorter, consequent upon the accident to his shoulder, ' th,cl' foot' been fitted up wijkh an aluminium device, which greatly assists comfortable resting. The date of departure of the horse, for New Zealand has not yet been fixed. * * < * Shortly before the last mail left England the crack hurdler Mark Time and Karakoul were matched to run two miles over the sticks for £5OO aside, the former carrying list 71b to the latter's list. Coition of stake was to' be a cup value £2OO. The programme of the annual meeting of the Ohiiietnuri Jockey Club is published in this issue. As usual sixteen events will bo run on the two days, the chief of these being- t!hs Ohinemuri Cup-, of 100 sovs, one and a quarter mihs, and the i’aeroa Handicap, of 70 sovs, one mile, and the r l ally-ho Steeplechase, of 60 sovs, three miles. The whole programme is, however, well worth pierusal. The meeting is deservedly popular, for it is always exceedingly well conducted, and with such a good programme se*t before them it is safe to assume that owners will nominate largely. Mr FI. Poland, the? secretary, will take nominations up to Saturday, February 18, at 9 p.m. The meeting- take's place? on March 17' and 18, Mr C. O’Connor acting as start eland Mr J. 0. Evett as handicapper. * * * * From England comes word of the death of the famous stallion Donovan, who received such severe injuries in an accid'nt that it was deemed the* most mercifid course to destroy him. He only ran as a two and three-year-old, but during his brief career on the turf he managid to win no less a sum than £55,1(53 in stakes alone. Among his victories weie the Der.by and St. Legcr, but he was defeated by a head in the Two Thousand Guineas by an outsider in Enthusiast. In all Donovan won eighteen out of the twenty-one races in which he competed. As a stallion the’L'uke of Portland's horse, although given every chance at Welbeck, was not a conspicuous success. Some of the English opponents of the starting’-starting-machine are amusing in their anxiety to show that “the flag's the thing.” Writing to a London paper la-t month, a correspondent went into ectacies over the fact that at ''ot ting-ham Mr Coventry, using the flag, got away large hurdle race fields on excellent terms, whereas at Derby a few weeks previous the same gentleman. 'when “hampered by the gate" made a bad start for a fiat race. It is hard to understand any man rushing into print to make such a comparison, as it rarely happens that riders bother about attempting to gain any advantage at the start of a hurdle race, whereas in a flat race, where a length at the start often means so much, rah jockey generally does his best to beat the starter, if possible.

It- is not known why mules do not breed, and we doubt if a,nyone else knows. Occasionally it is stated that a female mule has given birth to a foal, but in the majority of cases it is a mulelike mare, and not a mule—a case of telegony. In one or two instances, however. the evidence' is strong that a mule has given birth to a. foal. Sometimes a mule will take* to a mare’s foal, and the latter, by sucking, will induce the mule to give milk. When this occurs the mule is very jealous of the foal, and will allow no mare near the foal. Ihe value and the popularity of steeplechasing in France is shown by the fact that up to November 18 last, .in round figures, £.180,000 had been paid out in stakes and purses by the various steeplechase organisations to winning owners, and that nearly £ll,OOO had been distributed as bonuses to the breeders of successful horses. Eugene Leigh leads all the steeplechase trainers, hav- ' ing sent out one hundred and thirtynine wiiinfers .in five hundred and fiftythree attempts —a wonderful showing for any trainer, and an amazing one for a man who, when he left America is said to have known absolutely nothing about steeplechasing. Horses owned by himself won, up to the date mentioned, £4444, but it was in the training of horses owned by other persons that the largest measure of his success lay. * * * * 4he results of some interesting experiments which have been made at the Utah Experimental Station are reported in the “Breeders' Gazette." Among these is one which referred to the watering of horses—whether before or after feeding, the conclusion arrived at being that those watered before showed the better appetite and retained their weight better than the others. The food, however, appeared to be digested equally well in both cases, and, in the opinion of the station, it is advisable to water both before and after feeding. Experiments were also made in feeding horses upon cut hay or chaff and grain mixed, and the same feeds separately, but three exhaustive trials failed to show that any advantage was gained by cutting the hay and mixing if. with the grain. *** ■ ♦ A number of sportsmen went down to Gicborne by the Martuka on Tuesday for the races which commence to-day. V * * « r lhe Sydney pony. Sea Shell, won his sixty-eighth race last week. A good, record this. ❖ ❖ ❖ Inniskillen followed up his double win at Takapuna by. easily winning the Hack Hurdles at the Taranaki Meeting yesterday, pulling down six opponents, the nearest of whom were Exmoor and Throstle. * ( * * * The Gold Reef four-year-old gelding,. Auratus, had an. easy victory in the Stewards’ Handicap at New Plymouth. He carried 7st 101 b, and led all the way, Rustique and Regulation following, him home. » < « ♦ Crimson Lake, who won the Second' Hack Race at New Plymouth yesterday, is a live-year-old daughter of Sylvia Park and Crimson Streak. * * * * After his ignominious display on the concluding day at Takapuna, Aucklanders got something of a shock when the news of Paritutu’s victory in the Taranaki Cup was wired through. The bay son of Castor and Yallaghan was, how. ever, well-treated in the matter of weight. * * * * The stewards acting on the pony courses have the power, and exercise it, of examining a horse’s feet before he starts in a race, to see whether he is carrying plates, aluminium, or ordinary shoes. It would be well, perhaps, if they ivent a little further, and inquired.' whether it was altogether necessary to run a horse in toots. A short time agoa pony, who went out w-ith boots on, was badly beaten by the favourite, but last week, without the encumbrance took charge of a big field and w r on. The longer distance of the previous race may have been responsible for the defeat, but the fact, cannot be denied that some who noticed’ the boots on at the time were particularly sanguine about the favourite’s chan’ce, and did not hesitate to lay extravagant odds on.