Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 783, 9 March 1905, Page 7

Sporting Topics.

(By “ The Judge.”)

Handicaps for the Wellington Meeting are due to appear next Monday. Their appearance will be awaited with interest. * * * * The anniual meeting of the Stratford Racing Club will take place next Thursday and Friday. * * * * The Waihi Jockey Club’s Meeting takes place on Saturday, and as the acceptances show some very fair class a good meeting should result. * Mr E. J. Watt, the well-known Hastings sportsman, has returned to the colony, after a very enjoyable trip to England. The South Auckland gates were a really good spec this year. The sum of £B4 10s was taken, and as the purchaser -only paid £4O there was a good margin of profit. » ♦ * # There must have been fully two thousand people present at the South Auckland Meeting, and it was one of the most successful meetings yet held on the present course. There are only 205 nominations for the handicap events at the Wellington Meeting, as /‘against 339 last year}, when’' the .fixture was held later than will be the • case this season. * * * * There is a likelihood of the Wellington ’chasers Tahme and Moccasin going to Adelaide to compete at the Onkaparinga Meeting. * * * * Manderah, who won the V.R.C. St. Leger on Saturday, is ■. ya brown son of Malvolio, who won the Melbourne Cup, .in 1830, from Grand Canary. Messrs Mitchell’s colt won rather easily, running the fourteen furlongs in 3min Bobadil has the record for the race of Sniin 6sec. « * • ♦ Mr Chadwick has issued the following re-handicaps in connection with events to be run at the Waihi Racing Club’s Meeting on Saturday next: —Waihi Cup, Ro,meo lOst 51b; Borough Handicap, Desdemona 7st 51b; Flying Handicap, Desde 1 mona 7st 51b; (Bullion Handicap, Desdemona 7st 101 b. * * ♦ * Achilles’ victory in the Jackson Stakes was the second year in succession that the son of Medallion has pulled off the big event. He was only opposed by a moderate field, and if he had failed would' have b;een disgraced, as he had all the best of the weights. * * * * Nominations for the Avondale Handicap, of 200 sovs, the Autumn Handicap* of 150 sovs, the Steeplechase Handicap, of 100 sovs, and the Railway Handicap'’ of 100 sovs, to be run) at the Avondale Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting, close tomorrow (Friday) evening, at 9 p.m. General entries are for the following Friday. ♦ * * * Acceptances for the Ohinemuri JockeyClub’s Meeting close with Mr Poland at nine o’clock next Saturday. Present indications point to it proving one of the most successful the club has yet experienced. capital entries haying been received for the various events. The meeting will take place on the Paeroa racecourse on March 17 and 18. The Thames Meeting will engage the attention of owners to-morrow evening, when Mr W. H. Potts, the secretary, will take nominations for the autumn fixture up till 8 p.m. The programme, which will bear looking into, appears in our advertising columns. * * * * The news of Quarryman’s victory in the Wanganui Cup came as a surprise to Aucklanders, who were under the impression that the length of the journey would find him out. That his staying powers had been underrated he very conclusively proved by coming at the riuht end, and winning comfortably in fast time. It must not be forgotten by owners that nominations for the Easter- Handicap, of 650 sovs, the Brighton Hurdle Race, of 100 sovs, the St. George’s Handicap, of 500 sovs, the Autumn Handicap, of 650 sovs, and the Autumn Steeplechase, of 300 sovs, which events will be run at the Autumn meeting of the Auckland Racing Club, close with Mr Percival to-morrow (Friday) evening, at 9 p.m. These richly endowed events should fill well, for beyond question the senior club has not been niggardly when opening its purse .strings. General entries for the meeting are not due till April 7.

Handicaps for the Easter Handicap, Brighton Hurdles, and Autumn Steeplechase, to .be run at the Easter Meeting, at Ellersl|ie,| are duLe to see the light on March 22. ... * Mr G. P. Donnelly’s grey mare Trumpery must be a good bit of stuff. The daughter of Dreadnought and Queen of Trumps won both hurdle races at Wanganui with ridiculous ease. * w ♦ * V ictor Cotton is said to have ridden a particularly good race on Quarry man in the Wanganui Cup, and he and his mount were heartily cheered on returning to scale. * * * * The Wanganui Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting was a very big success in every way, and despite the fact that the first day proded showery the totalisator figures, £20,564, show an increase of £574 on the corresponding meeting last year. It is said that Sir Rupert Clarke, who went home to consult a German specialist, may lose his eyesight. ♦ * * * C. Jenkins has been called over the coals fairly often of late. He was up before the stewards at Woodville and at Wanganui, but got off with a caution. * * * * It is said that Hewitt is so disgusted with his three months’ disqualification that he contemplates trying his luck in America. ***** Mr Francis Foy has scored heavily at the V.R.C. Autumn fleeting, as he owned both first and second horses in the Newmarket Handicap, and also the winner of the Australian Cup, these being the two “plums” of the meeting. * ♦ * * The Tuakau people had very hard luck with their meeting last week. After going to a lot of trouble in making arrangements to have the whole thing ruined by one wet day in a long spell of fine weather was most exasperating. * « • « Owing to representations made by the Amateur Athletic Club, whose International Sports Meeting takes place on April 1, the Avondale Jockey Club have altered the date of the Autumn Meeting to April 5 and 8. Playaway, who is a five-year-old daughter of Carbine and Concertina, ran the Newmarket Handicap, six furlongs, in the fast time of lmin 14-isec, this having been thrice exceeded in the history of the race, viz., by Sir Foote, Carlton, and Amiable. The victory of Lord Ullin’s Daughter in the Australian Cup must have been very gratifying to Mr Francis Foy, as he bred the mare himself. She is a four-year-old bay, and was got by Lochiel from Farthingale. # * * * Very general expressions of regret have been heard on all sides at the unfortunate accident to young Bert Rae, especially as it will prevent him riding again. When returning from Hamilton races on Saturday he fell from the train, his foot being so severely crushed that it had to be amputated above the ankle. It is satisfactory to know that Rae is gettingon as well as could be expected at the Hospital. Much sympathy is felt for him in his misfortune. * * * * Poor James McAleer, who met his death at Wanganui, rode for many years for P. Bultldr, at Riccatton, and A. Attwood, at Feilding, scoring numerous victories on Miss King, Killarney, and other jumpers. His untimely end will be 'very generally regretted. * * * * Mr P. James’s Storyteller, who was greatly fancied and well backed in the Pony Race on Saturday last, ran disappointedly, although she was well supported by the stable. Mr Frank Marshall, of Morrinsville, tells me that a few days ago Leolantis while running in a paddock broke his leg and had to be destroyed. He was a chestnut, and was bred by the N.Z. Stud Co. in 1887, being got by Leolinus out of Atlantis, by Thormanby from Hurricane, by Wild Dayrell. He was thus a full-brother to Fabulous and a half-brother to St. Leger, who was imported with his dam from England. At the stud, Leolantis, with none the best of chances, proved a success, one of the best of his stock being Romeo, who won the South xAuckland Cup on Saturday last. The stallion’s death will mean a severe loss to Mr Marshall.

Returned sportsmen speak very highly of the management of the Wanganui Meeting, which left nothing to be desired. One and all report an exceedingly pleasant trip. * * * .f. Vyner and Mobberley’s La Cigale seemed to be coming back to her sprirjg form on Saturday. She ran a good third to Desdemona and Certainty, and should be heard of before the season closes. * * * # A good sort of a three-year-old filly competed at the South Auckland Meeting. She is bv Freedom—Lady Bird a half-sister to Golden Sands and Newtown, and should be heard of later on. * * * * The English trainer and rider, W. Bainbridge, has taken a place at Eilerslite, where he will have boxes built and commence training operations forthwith. The Wellington Park-bred colt, by Menschikoff from Lady Cureton, has been named Prince Ray. » * « « Sixty horses accepted for the eight races at the South Auckland Meeting held last Saturday. This must be flattering both to the Club and the handicapper alike. Several horse owners purpose waiting on the committee before the next meeting comes round to try and get Mr O’Connor appointed as the club’s starter. ❖ Sfc SjS * Mr J. B. Williamson’s Hinau was a pronounced favourite on the machine, but his unfortunate backers did not get a run for their money. The son of Natator ran round the second obstacle, and as he could not be pulled up, never afterwards took any part in the race. * * ❖ * Mr Wm. Ring seems to be picking up a fair share of the little fish in racing. At the Rotorua Meeting he managed to win a treble on the second day with Seabird and Certainty, and at the Okoroire Meeting, on the following Saturday, won a double with Piper, while at the South Auckland Meeting last Saturday he again won with Seabird, and ran second with Certainty. * * * * When Lord Ullin’s Daughter won the Australian Cup on Tuesday she cut out the two and a-quarter miles in time, which has never been equalled in the history of the race, viz., 3min 57|sec. In fact, Dreamland, Dreadnought, and Idolater are the only three who have approached it. The time is an Australian record, but has been beaten in this Colony by Seahorse, at Riccarton, in 1899. * * * * Dividend, who was so strongly backed for the Australian Cup, is a 3-year-old half-brother to Lord Cardigan, by Simmer. He raced several times in Queensland last season without winning, and although backed during the spring, both at the A.J.C. and V.R.C. meetings, was unsuccessful. Opinions differ a good deal amongst horse-owners upon the question of large stables, which are constructed to contain a considerable number of horses, and small ones, which will only accommodate a few. Perhaps, as in many other things, a middle course will be advocated by most people, as the long stables are apt to become draughty, and the others too stuffy when shut up ; whilst it is obvious that if disease breaks out it is likely to spread faster in a building which is occupied by a number of horses rather than in one which has only a few tenants. Upon the respective merits of stalls and loose-boxes there can scarcely be two opinions, provided that there is room enough to erect the latter, especially when it is remembered that a box can be utilised as a stall by the help of bales far more easily than the latter can be transformed into a box. Some owners, however, prefer an isolated box to a similar erection placed in the same building with others of a like nature or stalls, but excepting in cases of sickness or in those of Peculiarly dispositioned horses, the latter will peobably be found to be the better arrangement. Most horses are fond of company, and considering the long hours many of them are condemned to pass in their stables, it appears to be at least a bad policy to deprive them of the society of their kind. On the other hand, some animals of a nervous disposition never seem to settle down amongst other horses, and as in such cases they would suffer from want of proper rest, it is desirable that thev should be kept apart.

J. Pinker, one of Auckland’s most popular light-weights, will in future ride for W. Gall’s stable. The disappointment of the Wanganui Cup was the running of Scotty, who was backed for pounds, shillings,’ and pence in Auckland. It is said that he got a bad run in the race, but it is doubtful if under any circumstances he would have troubled the winner. * * * * Romeo, who won the South Auckland Cup, was not liked by the turf prophets, who thfcmjghf) ;Mir J on. the Mig side. That ancient gelding The Needle ran two really good races last Saturday at the South Auckland gathering, but had to succumb to a good horse in the first, and owing to a bad start in the second race. • ♦ • « Speakman had the mount on Romeo in the South Auckland Cup, and handled the big fe low well. He wajs always in a good position, and eventually romped in. * * • • That little bit of horseflesh, Annoyed, had to put up with two thirds in the Waikato last Saturday. It marked her eighth start and fourth win within a fortnight. • • * • Up-to-Date, who will be shipped to Sydney on Monday next, was given a turn over the steeplechase course on the steeplechase course proper, and acquitted himself in a most perfect manner. Mr W. Lyons was present to see him perform. By the same steamer Dingo will also make the journey. News comes from the South that Slow Tom will also be at the A.J.C. Meeting, to that New Zealand will be well represented in the jumping events. That one-time champion gelding Paris, twice winner of the Caulfield Cup, is now enjoying an easy life as a hack for one of the late Mr H. C. White’s daughters at Green Oaks (N.S.W.). His old age has fallen in pleasant places. •Jte # * # The stallion Sandringham l —full brother to Persimmon and Diamond Jubilee— who was imported to America in 1900, has in) the meantime proved very successful at the stud in the United States. During last season, four youngsters sired by the son of St. Simon and Perdita 11, won 1 14,995d015. *•* * * Of the late Mr H. C. White, the well* known Australian sportsman, the Sydney “Mail” says that he passed away at' Hobart, Tasmania, after a painful illness extending over eight months, and his demise has left a gap among prominent and worthy Australians that will ,be difficult to fill. Mr White was most patrio-i tic and enterprising in all his undertakings. Proof of his patriotism was his liberality in exporting horses to England to test the relative strength of Australian and English racehorses. In this he followed the footsteps of his elder brother, the late Hon. James White, whose success as a breeder and owner of racehorses was phenomenal. Mr James White sent two drafts of untried horses to England to be tested on the English courses, but death claimed him before the experiment' had been given a fair trial. After his death, however, one of his exportations, Mons Meg, won the Ascot Gold Vase, and a few years later Mr H. C. White sent Paris to England, and after that horse had succeeded in winning the Northamptonshire Stakes, Lewes Handicap, and the Gatwick Prittcejs Handicap, he sent Georgic and Form across the water to carry on the war. With the former he won the Prince Edwa,rd Handicap, at Manchester, and the much-coveted Cambridgeshire Stakes at Newmarket. 'Form won several good races, whilst Spark, Old Clo, and Oasis (by Cranbrook from Mirage) were also successful lamong English horses in the colours of the squire of Havilah. Mr White, who was about 70 years of age at the time of his death, was one of the oldest horse-breeders in Australia, for he was raising l horses at Calga, on the Castlereagh, in 1859, and he greatly interested himself in the production of that useful animal till the last, for at the. present time the Havilah stud, which Mr White built up by importations, purchases in this country, and homebred mares, is one of the largest in Australia. In Australia Mr White’s well-known colours, red jacket, white cross, and red cap, have been successfully carried by Pentagon, Venapa, Paris, Clarion, Georgic. Huret, Bellis, Tatterwallop, Atlas, Antaeus. Athena, Spark, Form, Fortalice, Caravel, Tiwoona, Jim' Dorset, and many. lesser lights, while among the many winners he bred and sold were Cranberry (Derby), Bungebah (.Vewmarket Handicap), and Sir Leonard (St. Leger).

Although Gladsome started the actual favourite* for the Newmarket Handicap, yet it is probable that Hayaway’s victory cost the nietallicians more than would a win for the daughter of Seaton Delaval have done. Plaway was consistently backed from the moment the handicaps appeared, and when Mr Foy s mare got home a pretty penny must have changed hands. Nobody in this colony reckoned that Canteen had any chance in the Neumarket Handicap with Bst 101 b, and it did not come as a great surprise to find that the uncertain grey, who as usual played up at the post, ran absolutely last. V * * • An undoubted prejudice exists in some minds against the use of more hay than is absolutely necessary in the stable; but, for all that, many practical men entertain a contrary opinion. Year-old hay, particularly that grown on uplands, is the best of all; whilst hay from watermeadows is the worst;, and, speaking generally, grain with age on it is preferable to any that is not so old. A great deal —in fact, almost everything however, will depend upon the season, for horse food, that has been badly saved is never really good for animals to eat; and such things as dusty hay, or grain mixed up with- sand or earth, must obviously be a dangerous food. Eugene Leigh, the American trainer, is said to’be, making “bales” of money in France. He charges £3 a week for each horse he trains, and 1" per cent, on winnings, and during the last year he was clearing about £lOOO per month. • ♦ • * The following- is from the Melbourne “Sporting Judge”:—‘"rhe reason a few of the best-known cross-country horsemen are not seen so frequently riding in public as others about Melbourne is because they will not follow the practice of returning to the depositor the riding fee lodged at scale.” The weights for the Liverpool Grand National were issued a few weeks ago, and Leinster was at the top of the list with 12st 71b. Moifaa was third on the list with list 121 b, or 191)3 more than he won with last year, and the general opinion was that, despite > his impost, he would again bo hard to beat. Seahorse JI. was let off with 10st 71b, and at that he may have a possible chance. • • • » It is expected that Wairiki, who has been at Flemington since he broke down in the Melbourne Cup, will be able io leave for New Zealand this month. It was originally intended to send him cy train to Sydney and ship him from here to Wellington, but in consequence of his rapid improvement it is now thought the horse will be better served by a direct voyage from Melbourne. * * * * The World’s Fair Handicap of £lO,OfO at St. Louis was such a success that the Fair Grounds Association proposes to make it an annual feature, beginning with next year. The prizemoney is guaranteed, and £B4OO goes to the winner, £l2OO to the second and £4OO to the third, while the fourth horse saves his stake. & * ❖ * Tod Sloan will again be seen in the saddle in America this year, having contracted to ride for Mr E. Corrigan, who is one of the leading lights in the race track war which was just commencing when! the last mail left. * £ # * A loss of about £Bso' was made over the V.A.T.C. Autumn Meeting. Last year, when the meeting extended o.er three days, the loss was between £l2<>o and £l3OO. * $ * # * In commenting on the fact that so many owners have only nominated one horse each for this season’s Spring handicaps in England, a leading London writer says “Just at present we are doubtless missing prominent owners whose colours, unhappily, will not be seen again. The late Sir Blundell Maple, for example, used to be apparently absolutely indifferent as to the extent of the forfeits he incurred. Probably no man at the present time has so many horses in training as he used to have at Falmouth House and Zetland Lodge, and he thought nothing of putting half-a-dozen in a single race. Then the late Colonel McCalmont is also sadly missed, whilst there are others that might be mentioned. There is no doubt that money is unusually ‘tight’ all round just at present, and the great majority of owners this year have not engaged horses unless with the full intention of running them if the weights meet with their approval. All round, things are none too flourishing on the Turf just now, and we are in sad need ■of a few recruits of the right sort.”