Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 801, 13 July 1905, Page 7

Sporting Topics.

(By

“ THE JUDGE.”)

Melodeon, who has been enjoying a spell, has been put in work again by J. Quinlivan, jun.

The Wallace mare Romolo has been added to the number of mares at Glenora Park, Panakura.

Carbine is now twenty years old, so that it cannot be long before Musket’s greatest son will have come to the end of his sphere of usefulness.

The annual balance-sheet of the Dunedin J.C. shows a profit for the year of £484, the totalisator returns being £2815 in excess of last year. • f .

Handicaps for the Grand National Steeplechase, Hurdle Race, and Winter Cup are due to see the light on Monday.

Work is still in full swing at Ellerslie with a view to improving the running track, and thus minimise the danger of accidents.

Mr. J. E. Henrys, the well-known handicapper, who has been on a flying visit to Sydney and Melbourne, returned to Wellington yesterday.

It is said that Messrs. Solomon and Nettleford have refused an offer of 1500 guineas for Machine Gun from an Australian sportsman.

Slow Tom has not recovered from his fall last week, and it is not improbable that J. Taggart will be unable to have the gelding ready for the National meeting.

It is somewhat surprising to find that the C.J.C. have decided not to use the double totalisator at the coming National meeting, as there is no disputing the popularity of the machine. No doubt the step has been taken in view of the present agitation against the totalisator itself.

The Wellington meeting will be brought to a conclusion on Saturday next, when the big events will be the July Steeplechase and the Winter Oats, on which events the double totalisator will be open. This will conclude the racing season of 1904-5.

The Auckland Racing Club delegates, viz., Messrs. H. T. Gorrie and A. Hanna A have gone South to attend the meeting of the Racing Conference. Mr. Percival. the club’s secretary, also went to Wellington to assist at the winter meeting.

Mr. J. Loughlin, the well-known Dunedin metallician, who apparently is something of a poet, sends me a neatly got-up booklet, containing quotations and other information on the big future events. After the name of each horse appears a rhyme containing some reference to his special qualifications.

In the matter of the McCluskie case, between the A.J.C. and A.R.C., matters are much as they were. Letters have passed between the two clubs on the subject, but things, from all accounts, are “ not much forwarder.”

Mr. F. Moffatt courteously forwards me a copy of the annual report and bal-ance-sheet of the Wanganui Jockey Club. This shows a material increase in the receipts for the year compared with the figures of the previous year, privileges and entries being £9927, a net increase of £7ll. The year was commenced with a credit of £7O, and although £482 was spent on permanent improvements, the year ended with a credit balance of £177. The profit and loss account shows a net profit of £47. as against a loss of £5 last year. The annual meeting will take place at Chevannes’ Hotel on Wednesday, July 26.

There is a big difference in the enjoyment of racing by a holiday crowd in England and in Germany. The Germans are no bettors, but, belonging to that broad, contented, middle class, don’t need any betting in order to get amusement out of the race. They leave this to the nobility, to the army circles, and to that class of people who like to imitate the former. Race betting in Germany is very different to what it is here. There are few bookmakers on the German tracks, and the few who defy the law, visiting the boxes and stands., or mingling with the people on the lawns, and secretly offering odds on this or that horse, have to be very careful, if they don’t want to fall in the hands of the ever-watchful “ Schutzmann.” If the people wish to invest on a race they can do so on the totalisator.

The stallion Newhaven has arrived in Melbourne from the Old Country.

The Pahiatua Racing Club has just concluded the purchase of its new course.

Bookmakers’ fees are to be raised by the Sydney suburban clubs to the extent of about 100 per cent., and rumour says there mav be a higher rise ordered by the A.J.C.

It is feared that Wakeful, who visited Positano this season, is not in foal. Hard luck for her owner if this surmise proves correct.

The war with Japan does not appear to have greatly affected sport in Russia, for the Petersburg Jockey Club announces forty days’ racing for this year, with £36,000 added money. * * ji‘ *

Shortly before the departure of the last mail from England a two-year-old filly named Sweet Mary (by Cyllene, sire of the Derby winner, Cicero) won her fifth successive race.

Up-to-Date is said to have worn a very jaded appearance after his train journey to Melbourne. The St. Hippo gelding has had more than a fair share of travelling of late, and even his owner admits that he has not done justice to the horse.

Machine Gun could get no nearer than sixth in a field of eleven in the Lawn Handicap at Flemington on Saturday. He was well taken care of by the handicapper.

At a meeting of the Poverty Bay Turf Club committee. Mr. J. W. Bain was appointed secretary, Mr. J. Chadwick handicapper, Mr. Piper starter, and Captain Tucker judge.

A London paper, in referring to the bad luck M. Edward Blanc is having this season, mentions that Finasseur, winner of the French Derby, was bred by him, and sold amongst a draft of the yearlings from the Haras de Jardy to M. Ephrassi for 8000 francs (£320).

Outside of Cicero and Jardy backers really did not support anything for the English Derby, the third favourite being Silver Streak at 33 to 1. There was a good finish, but Cicero outstayed the French colt, who was coughing before the start. There were nine runners.

A fad which originated in Paris, and which, it is said, society leaders in America are getting ready to adopt, is that of having the family coat-of-arms tattooed on their horses. This fad has not even the merit of being harmless, for the tattooing operation is a painful one to the horses.

The Flying Fox horse Gouvernant was sent out at 100 to 30 on for the Prix de la Rochette. of 1600sovs, 2f miles, run at Chantilly on May 25. During the race Gouvernant stopped several times to kick, but. despite this, he won easily, the th er two runners being of little account.

Common, though he won the Guineas, Derby, and St. Leger, and cost the late Sir Blundell Maple 15,000 guineas in purchase money, is not a stud success in England. His fee is 19 guineas, and even at that his list does not fill very readily.

Mr. Stead has secured four boxes at Randwick in September, so that it would appear there is every likelihood of a team from Yaldhurst going across to compete at the A.j.C. Spring Meeting. Nightfall, Noctuiform. Sungod, and Porcelain are the probables.

The best three-year-old filly in Hungary is Patience, a daughter of Bona Vista and Podagoa, the latter being by Galopin from Burgundy. Up to the end of May she had won over £13,000 in prize money, and it was anticipated that she would account for the Austrian and German Derbies. Her owner, Count Tassilo Festetich, has refused an offer of £lO.OOO for her. and will probably race her in England next vear.

M. Edmond Blanc’s fillv Musketry started favourite at 2 to 1 for the French Oaks. but. getting shut in three furlongs from home, she was unable to finish any closer than fifth. The winner, Clyde, who is by Childwick from Common Dance, was second in demand at 5 to 1. She seems to have been just a trifle lucky to score, as Luzerne, a 60 to 1 chance, ran her to a head after getting awav badly. .Samarie, who filled third place, was so little fancied that she went out at 100 to 1. Common Dance was carrying Clyde, when she was sold at auction in Paris for 480 guineas, and the latter is a first foal. Subsequently .Common Dance was sold for £284, and Clyde, who was a foal at the time, for £292.

The picture of “ The Steeplechase,” which appears in this issue, is a reproduction from a painting by Mr. John Malcolm, of 33, Pitt-street, Auckland. This young artist has made a specialty of equine subjects, and there can be no doubt is able to impart plenty of life to his paintings. He is, I understand, willing to accept commissions for executing portraits of horses and work of a similar nature, and should be able to secure plenty of custom from owners and trainers. Mr. Malcolm' is at present at work on a large painting of Mr. Selby’s favourite ’chaser, Nor’-west.

The death is reported from Chicago of Mr. Edward Perkins, one time landlord of the Occidental Hotel, Auckland. Mr. Perkins was well-known to the sporting community, for he ran a number of horses without much success. He it was who brought over from Australia the grand brood mare Frailty, which made such a name for herself afterwards at Wellington Park as the dam of Trenton, Cuirassier, Lancaster, and others.

Bellis, who won the Grand National Steeplechase on Saturday, is a six-year-old son of Lochiel from the Trenton mare Belle of Trent, so that this colony is a good deal concerned in his parentage. Bellis was a pronounced favouriteat 6 to 1 against, and won by three lengths, the Aucklander Up-to-Date finishing seventh. '

A race of special interest to Hungarian sportsmen was to have takeii place on Whit Monday. It was a race for two-year-olds purchased as yearlings at the Napagedler Stud last year. It was originally a match between Mr. N. von Szemere’s Toth G. (knocked down as a yearling for 1440sovs) and Count A. Sigray’s Marque le Roi (secured for 1280sovs). Others bought at the same place were allowed to be nominated with a fee of £BOO, with progressive forfeits of 80 and 240sovs. Only five remained in at the end of last month—Toth G., Marque le Roi, Count F. Esterhazy’s. Betsy Bouncer, Mr. Mautner van Mark-, holf’s Tilly, and Mr. L. Egedyi’s Tartar,, representing Tokoi. Matchbox, and Timothy. . If the five went to the post therace was worth £5760.

The “ Special Commissioner” of the London “ Sportsman” wrote as follows of the Derby:—“One could but feel sorry for Jardy in his adversity. He coughed several times in the paddock, and on at least one occasion blew mucous discharge from his nose. Moreover, he was dull in his coat, and when he cantered down he did not go half sa resolutelv as when he went out for the Middle Park Plate. Finally, he was running at the nose when he returned to the weighing enclosure after the race, and he had not had a gallop worth the name of a Derby gallop for more than a week before the race; Notwithstanding all this, the game son of Flying Fox and Airs and Graces made a glorious fight, and. in my judgment, the three-quarters of a length by which the winner got home represented the utmost possible. The position of Signorino at the finish, however. shows clearly if we compare the Middle Park running with the Derby that Jardy did not run within 141 b or even 211 b of his full capacity when well, and while all Englishmen must be in a. sense glad that Cicero won, we must not be so foolish as to claim that he is therebv demonstrated the best colt.” The Derby Stake was worth £6450 to Lord Rosebery, and the time—2min 39 3-ssec—-is a record for the race, but in this connection Cicero was badly beaten by the peerless Pretty Polly, who at the samemeeting won the Coronation Cup easily, carrying 9st, and running the mile and a-half in 2min 33 4-ssec, with Zinfandel second, and the Frenchman, Caius, next. It was the fastest race ever run at Epsom.

Th? weight allotted Machine Gun for the Welter Handicap at Flemington must have unpleasantly surprised his joint owners (says the “ Referee”), as they evidently lost no time in withdrawing him. Possibly because he was particularly well treated at Moorefield last Saturday they had an idea he would be as gently handled by the V.R.C. handicapper. However, so far from that being the case, he was weighted up to his best New Zealand form, and perhaps his owners may now be inclined to regret taking him south. Prior to leaving Sydney Machine Gun did a couple of exceptionally smart gallops, but as he was very lightly shod. His track doings werenot more than one would expect from the crack sprinter of New Zealand. It must be added that though Machine Gun is sure of plenty of weight in his southern engagements, it would be impossible to find, even in the jumping ranks, a horse that looks more capable of carrying big imposts.

The new judge for Randwick and the other metropolitan clubs is -Mr. J. A. K. Shaw.

The Wellington Steeplechase was run yesterday and fell to the Aucklander Kiatere, who defeated Waitarere wo lengths after a good race, with Phaetonitis in third place. The son of Castor won under list 121 b, which is 181 b more than he carried to victory in the same race last year. #

On Saturday last Loch Fyne and a companion were given a turn over the schooling hurdles at Ellerslie. The son of Lochness jumped fairly well, but seems to have lost a lot of condition since last racing. * ~ * *

The Stewards’ Handicap, at Wellington yesterday, was won by Wet Reef, the four-year-old son of Gold Reef and Waima. He was backed down to even money and won comfortably from the Daunt gelding Tonderghie and Sardonyx.

The Miramar Hack Kace gave rise to a most exciting finish yesterday. The Clanranald filly Blythe Maid just got the verdict by a short halfjaead from the Napier colt Sir Percivafe, Onyx being third.

The death of the St. Simon stallion Gigue, from colic, is reported from Hughendon, Queensland. Gigue, who was recently purchased from Mr Hordern to do duty in the Hughenden district, was •elected with Haut Brion in England for the Wilton Park stud, by the late Mr Michael Power. He was by St. Simon, from Danceaway, by Doncaster, therefore was a well-connected horse, but being always overshadowed at Wilton Park by Haut Brion he never got half a chance to distinguish himself as a stud horse. Fortunately for the purchaser, Gigue was insured in London for the full amount of the purchase money. * * * •

The Adelaide-owned York (a 33 to 1 chance) won the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race, and was ridden and trained by M. Whelan, who accomplished a like task last year with Sarasati. • • * »

A few of the Ellerslie trainers have •given some of their equine babies a little spurting on the course proper. The •one to show the most pace so far is the filly owned by Mr. AV. Lyons, a halfsister to General Average.

Great Scot, who won the Hack Steeplechase at Gisborne, had bad luck on the second day by being run off while going strongly. The horse has not yet returned to AucklafiitL

Among the horses owned by the late Mr. Perkins, news of whose death has just been received, were Zantippe and Pungawerawera. On one occasion he brought over from Sidney > dozen yearlings, amongst which were Tim Whiffler and Vortex, owned and raced respectively by Mr. P. Butler and Mr. J. Byers. Mr. Perkins subsequently fe m wed to Sydney, where he bought the Royal Exchange Hotel, and afterwards returned to America, the land of his birth.

“ That mare has brought in £lOO,OOO to this stud,” said Chapman, the Duke of Westminster’s stud groom, with evident pride, pointing to Vampire, when (writes a representative of the London “ Sportsman”) he was showing me through the paddock at Eaton recently. Surely the above-mentioned sum is under the mark, for after her son, Flying Fox, had won a large sum in stakes he was sold for 37,000 guineas. At the same sale her daughter, Vane, was purchased, on behalf of His Majesty, for a stiffish figure, whilst Flying Lemur and other members of the family have brought grist to the, mill. In addition, the Duke of Westminster now owns Wetaria, a three-year-old sister to Flying Fox, Pinistrello (yearling own brother), and a foal own brother. What this quartette would realise under the hammer it is difficult to estimate. I know a deal is thought of the two-year-old, Pipistrello. The yearling, Flying Leap, is a nicely-turned bay, standing on good limbs, capital hocks, and knees, and a fine, mover. As he galloped round his paddock I estimated his value at £lO,OOO. As to the foal, he is perfection. Never have I seen one of his age move like he does. If this “ bonnie” colt goes on all right he should turn out to be the best his grand old mother has ever thrown. He was foaled on March 4, and is the tenth offspring of his dam. Vampire herself, although sixteen years old, shows no signs of age, not the least dipped in the back. The daughter of Galopin and Irony, who is once more in foal to Orme, looks as fresh as paint. • • • *

The brown gelding Landlet, by Maoriland—Megoulet. was taken down to Fiji yesterday, by the Taviuni, Mr. Turner, who returned by the same steamer, having purchased him.

The owners of both Machine Gun . and Up-to-Date were troubled with the identification question in A ictoria. No doubt this was very annoying, but after the manner in which horses have been rung in from time to time on the other side one cannot altogether blame the racing authorities across the Tasman Sea making a stand in the matter. * * * *

The Princess of Wales’ Stakes, one of the big ten thousand pounders of the English turf, was run on Thursday, and fell to the rather moderate §t. Dennis, a four-year-old son of St. Simon and Brooch. He belongs to the South African millionaire Mr. S. B. Joel, and has done very little of note prior to the race. The second horse was Sir Ernest Cassels’ Exchequer, a five-year-old son of Florizel 11. and Ways and Means. Mr. J. R. Keene’s Lancashire filled third position.

Although the English writers made a lot of fuss over the fact that Cicero, in winning the Derby in 2min 39 3-ssec, made a time record for that race, Cherry Lass, in accounting for the Oaks, run over the same course three days later, cut out the mile and a-half in 2min 38sec. Cherry Lass, who started at 5 to 4 on, Avon her race very easily, and, under the circumstances, there is bound to be a lot of discussion concerning the respective merits of the colt and the filly. Both are engaged in the St. Leger, to be run at Doncaster, as is the French colt, Jardy, who, although suffering from a cold, ran Cicero such a good race in the Derby. If the three named run in the Leger, it is no certainty that Cicero, despite his Derby victory, will start favourite for the longer race.

The death is announced of Mr. Hurtle Fisher, a one-time noted Victorian sportsman, at the age of seventy-four. He and his brother, Mr. C. B. Fisher, have nlayed a very prominent part in the turf .world of Australasia. Horses bred and raced by them not only won almost every important event, but their names are to be found in the pedigree of almost every good - horse bred in these States. Only once did Mr. Hurtle Fisher capture the Melbourne Cup, in 1864, with Lantern, the first colt that landed the much-coveted double—V.D.C. Derby and Melbourne Cup. It may not be out of place to here remark that it was in this year—lB64—that the newly-form-ed Victoria Racing Club had the carrying out of the meeting. Previous to this there were two clubs—the Jockey and Turf Clubs. In the Cup won by Lantern Mr. Hurtle Fisher started three -—Lantern, Rose of Denmark, who finished third, and Chrysolite. Columns could be written about the trio (says the “ Town and Country Journal.”) Chrysolite ,however, has played the most important part in colonial turf history, principally through her famous son, Robinson Crusoe. She also gave us Onyx, the dam of the great Nordenfeldt. Angler, the sire of Onyx, was by Fisherman from Marchioness, and was bred at Maribyrnong, winning in the name of Mr. Hurtle Fisher the V.R.C. Derby and St. Leger. With Seagull he also Avon the V.R.C. Derby. The V.R.C. Oaks fell to Lady Heron, while Sour Grapes, The Roe, and Explosion, each in turn, Avon the Ascot Vale Stakes. Chrysolite and The Sign each won the St. Leger at Adelaide, Avhile at Randwick the winners of what may be termed classic events in the late sportsman’s colours Avere Charon, who captured the A.J.C. Derby in 1869, and Fanella, Avho got home the previous year in the Champagne Stakes.

Describing the race for the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdles, “ Galtee More” says:—The big race over the battens was a sad commentary on handicapping. As a matter of fact it was little better than a procession all the way, and at its close the competitors were strung out over at least tAvo furlongs. . Oblivion had scored both his successes, over light timber by being allowed to make all the running, and similar tactics Avere tried on this occasion, for after Corral had carried his field jilong for half a mile the favourite dashed to the front, and, making the pace very solid, rattled along the back, with York, who was at his side almost from the start, keeping him close company. Before they had reached the abattoirs the South Australian was upsides with the Sydney representative, and. almost on terms, they raced round the turn, past the judge’s box, and along the riverside until nearing the bridge, where York, who had never given the favourite a moment’s peace drew clear.

and to all intents and purposes the contest was over. Gradually his lead after passing the abattoirs, York Avas four lengths clear from Oblivion as they came round the turn, Avhile the latter Avas perceptibly tiring as they sAVung into the straight. where he Avas passed by Old Chappie and Solano. Old Chappie came on in pursuit of York, but the latter Avas sailing comfortably along, and scored an easy victory. Tn a strung-out field the favourite was seventh, with Airly next, but the much-fancied' Marliiont was never in the hunt, and was one of the last to get home. The pace set by the favourite and York completely demoralised their folloAvers. An even gait was preserved from start to finish, each circuit of the track taking 2min 55sec, Avbiie the time for the Avhole distance has only been beaten once —by Rawdon. in 1902, when the trip occupied smin 48sec, or 2sec less than York’s performance. The victory of the South Australian was quite a throw in for the great majority of the ring men, for though he Avas backed at the reading of the card to win abaur £lBO9 at a shade over 100 to 3, that nrice could be got about him at the rise of the barrier.