Sporting Topics.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 802, 20 July 1905, Page 7

Sporting Topics.

(By

“ THE JUDGE.”)

Kremlin and Kiatere have gone to Christchurch.

Wet Reef was very leniently treated by the handicapper at Wellington, and Mr. Munn’s gelding had two easy wins. ♦ * * «

Betting was very brisk at the Wellington meeting, the sum of £21,717 going through the machine as against £15,679 for the corresponding meeting last year.

The Napier Park Racing Club made a profit of £507 over the recent winter meeting.

Handsome Rose failed to produce anything like his recent winning form when racing at Wellington, and is to be given a spell.

Both the big jumping events at Wellington were carried off by Auckland ’chasers.

A new rule passed at Conference prohibits a three days’ race meeting extending over a longer period than six days. This will do away with Saturday, Wednesday, and Saturday fixtures.

During the first two months of the preeent racing season in England O. Madden had 186 rides for 21 wins—a rather poor average.

The best two-year-old seen out in America so far this season is First M ater, a colt by Watercress from the Hanover mare Sweet.

The Papakura Racing Club is to be recommended for the first totalisator permit available-—a well-deserved compliment to the old club.

There can be no question that Romeo has been very severaly handicapped in the Grand National Hurdle Race. The Leolantis gelding has never run in a hurdle race of any kind whatever, despite which he is asked to concede weight to the best hurdlers in New Zealand. It must be an almost unprecedented state of affairs to find two horses (Romeo and Convoy), neither of whom have yet started in a jumping race, occupying the positions of top weights in the biggest hurdle race in the colony. Surely an injustice has been done here, for it is a manifest absurdity to handicap horses for hurdle-racing entirely on their flat race form.

The decision of the Appeal Board in the McCluskey case really means a win for both the Auckland Racing Club and the Avondale Jockey Club. The senior club wins on the technical point that the Board has no jurisdiction, while the A.J.C. scores a moral victory, as the Board state that a decision would have been given in the suburban club’s favour if such jurisdiction had existed.

The London writer, “ Vigilant,” says that although Zinfandel and Caius are two of the best horses at present in training, Pretty Polly simply made hacks of them in the Coronation Ciw. The writer further adds that during his turf experience of upwards of forty years he has never seen a better mare.

The imported horse Condor made a good beginning on the Australian turf by winning a good race at Rosehill. Condor is a brother to the English St. Leger winner, Wildfowler, and as a four-year-old was sold for 35 guineas lu* Mr. J. R. Keene, who gave 2500 guineas for him as a yearling. Condor was put into training shortly after his arrival in Australia (says the “ Referee”), but his feet gave so much trouble that it was decided to throw him out of work, and give him a turn at the stud. At the commencement of this season he 'served about twenty mares, and then a few months ago he was put into work again. His feet again interfered with his preparation, but I. Earnshaw appears to have overcome the difficulty, as since racing on Saturday Condor has not shown am- symptoms of lameness. All going well with him during the next couple of months the chestnut is likely to meet with a deal of public support for one of the big events.

The Whangarei Racing Club’s annual meeting took place on Wednesday of last week. Mr. Mander, M.H.R., was chosen patron, and Mr. R. Thompson president, Drs. Hall and Sweet vice-pre-sidents. The other officers are virtually the same as last year, with the addition of Mr. Goodson, of Kamo, and Mr. A. G. McKay. Mr. Robt. Dent was reelected secretary. It was resolved that the club hold two days’ races at Kensington Park on January 12 and 13 next.

The double winners at Wellington were Pushful, Wet Reef, and Shrapnel Shell.

A strike of bookmakers has taken place in New South Wales over the proposals to increase the betting fees.

No wonder Machine Gun failed to win the Lawn Handicap, for he was asked to give no less than 531 b to First Tenor, the winner, who was found equal to running ■the distance in Imin 15|sec. The New Zealander carried lOst 101 b.

Drivers and trainers on the lookout for a good sort of pony should note that an opportunity to secure one will be offered by Mr. Newton King at his Haymarket Yards, New Plymouth, on Saturday next 22nd inst., when a three-year-old filly by Uhlan—Princess Ina will be submitted by auction. This filly is under 14.3, and is half-sister to Inglewood, who ran several good races last season. Her dam, Princess Ina (who is a half-sister to a couple of the best West Coast hacks of a few seasons ago, viz., lonic and Pyroxylin), started on three occasions only, winning twice and running second once. * * * *

An English paper says that M. Blanc means to have a try for the Eclipse Stakes and the St. Leger with Jardy. It further adds that though the jockey of the second is always blamed, it is very certain that Stern was not at his best when riding Jardy in the Derbv and though Maher got in a bit of a tangle on the favourite at one tijne, he did not muddle things half so much as did his opponent.

Wakeful, who missed to Positano this season, is to visit Wallace during the coming season. If like could be relied upon to produce like (says the “ Referee”), the mating of two such good ones should indeed result in something out of the common, but, unfortunately, a rank duffer is often the outcome of such unions.

Nor’-west’s running in the two steeplechases at Wellington were a contradiction. On the first day he was in trouble all the way, and it was said that he was badly ridden. On the second day he was always handy, and won easily. On the latter occasion the field was a weak one.

It will be remembered that subsequent to Sultana winning the Kensington Steeplechase at Flemington a protest was nut in on the score that he had not been identified as provided by the rule adopted in October last. Sultana arrived from New Zealand in April last, and no certificate of identity was put in then or subsequently. Under the circumstances the committee could not do otherwise than uphold the protest, and award the race to the second horse, Decoration. Bets wore not affected the “ Referee”), as the protest was not lodged within a quarter of an hour aftei’ the running of the race. The rule bearing on the matter reads as follows:—“No horse foaled out of the Commonwealth shall run for any race under these rules until the owner has produced for the satisfaction of the committee of the Victoria Racing Club, as evidence of the identity of the horse, a certificate signed by the chairman of the principal racing club of the country where the horse was foaled, or the compiler of the Stud Book of that country—which certificate shall state the age, sex, pedigree, and colour of the horse.

In an article which Lord Ellesmere kindly wrote for me two or three years ago (says “ Ranger” m the “ Illustrated S. and D. News”), he gave a list of the great races for which he had been second. The list was a long one, and included the Derby, Oaks, One Thousand, Middle Park Plate, etc. Second was his familiar place again in the last One Thousand, Koorhaan occupying that undesirable position. “Thank goodness, I backed the winner, in spite of the price 1” someone near me in the stand remarked, as Cherry Lass, having been “ straightened,” not without difficulty, won with some ease at the finish. “ Yes,” a friend replied, “but you are not quite sure of your money, I’m afraid. There ‘ must’ be an objection.” “Do you see whom the second belongs to?” was the rejoinder ; and 'that seemed to settle it. Lord Ellesmere has been racing in handsome fashion for a good many years —he was elected to the Jockey Club in 1879—and has never yet won a classic race. He is naturallv anxious to do so, and I think there is little doubt that if he had objected to the winner he would have got the race, for Cherry Lass bumped his filly badly. That he would object, however, no one for a moment regarded as possible; he would, it was felt, accept it as the fortune, bad fortune, of war. If ever he does win a big race there will be a cheer that will probably astonish him.

The Hotchkiss stallion Swordfish 11. is back again at Glenora Park after three seasons of stud duty at Pahiatua.

News comes from Waiuku of the death of the brood mare Liquidation (King Cole-—Realisation). She was not much good either on the turf or at the stud, the best of her progeny being perhaps the uncertain Hastings.

Both King Billy and Boomerang have been left in the Great Northern Guineas, and all going well with them to the day, the pair will be terribly hard to beat in the race in question.

The annual meeting of the Thames Jockey Club was held on Thursday evening, Mr. A. Bruce presiding. The annual report and balance-sheet showed the substantial profit on the year’s operations of £445 7s 6d, after paying the' sum of £1023 in stakes. Many improvements had been made on the course during the year. The committee announced that after years of negotiations they had at last acquired the three acres of native land adjoining the northern end of the course for the sum of a little over £3OO. In view of the early completion of the railway to Waihi and other possible eventualities, the committee had under consideration the advisability of holding a two-days’ meeting next autumn, instead of one as in the past. The report and balance-sheet was unanimously adopted. Messrs. Winder, Ferguson, Milnes, Burns, Loughlin and Hope were elected to fill the six vacancies on the committee. At a meeting of the committee held subsequently, the following officials were elected for the ensuing year : —President, Hon. Jas. McGowan; vice-president, Mr. A. Smith; treasurer, Mr. C. J. Winder; judge, Dr. Aubin; handicapper, Mr. J. Chadwick; fclerk of the scales, Mr. W. Taylor; starter, Mr. E. Hankins; clerk of course, Mr. J. Connolly; chairman of committee, Mr. Albert Bruce; timekeeper, Mr. D. Twohill; auditor, Mr. H. G. Gillespie; stewards, Messrs. A. Bruce, C. J. Winder, Jas. Inglis, G. Buckland, J. Loughlin, D. Stewart, and D. Twohill.

At a meeting of the Racing Conference the committee appointed for the purpose brought up the following suggestions as to the dates for next seaosn’s meetings: —The Wellington Racing Club is to be allotted October 18 »nci 21 for their spring meeting. The request of the Te Aroha Jockey Club to change from May 24 and 25 to November 17 and 18 was agreed to. The Westport Jockey Club is to select other dates to the satisfaction of the committee The Auckland Racing Club is to change from December 28 to another day. The Gore Racing Club race on January 17 and 18, or submit other dates to the satisfaction of the president. The Woodville Jockey Club are to be allowed to change from February 28 and March 1 to February 21 and 22. Thames Jockey Club to be allowed to change from March 8 and 10 to March 22 and 24. Manawatu Racing Club to be allowed to change from April 25 and 26 to April 4 and 5 without prejudice to their right in future years. Egmont Racing Club to select other dates for their winter meeting to the satisfae tion of the president.

The appeal of the Avondale Jockey Club against a decision of the Auckland Metropolitan Committee, which refused to endorse the disqualifications of the jockey McCluskey, disqualified for crossing at the Avondale Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting, because the notice of disqualification was unaccompanied by evidence, was heard in Wellington on Friday. The judges were; Messrs. Geo. Hunter, H. D. Bell and C. P. Skerrett. The following is the judgment:—The judges have considered both the technical objection taken by the Auckland Metropolitan Committee to their jurisdiction, and also the merits of the appeal. If the jurisdiction to hear the appeal existed the judges unanimously decide that they would have allowed the appeal, as they are satisfied that at all events on July 6 the material before the Auckland committee was sufficient under rule 161, and that the Auckland committee should then have endorsed the disqualification imposed by the Avondale Club, the decision of the latter being upon a question of fact. The judges desire to express their opinion that only under very exceptional circumstances should disqualification be imposed without previously hearing in his own defence the person impugned. The judges, however, decided that the technical objection must prevail. They are constituted under rule 168 (1), and their jurisdiction is to hear appeals under rule 118. The decision of the jockey club under rule 141 is not a decision from which an appeal to the conference may be made under rule 118. The deposit to be refunded to the Avondale Jockey Club.

The new rules of racing come into fo on August 1. Saturday being beautifully fine the lershe trainers after breakfast took vantage of the good state of the differ* tracks to send their charges along at g< three-quarter pace. The New Zeala Uup candidate Gladstone, who seems have wintered well and is big and muse lar-looking, was given a couple of n dium-pace cirqftits on the sand with light boy up. Phe C y reni »n —Songstress colt w spurted a couple of furlongs on the com Proper with a big weight in the asdd Although a bit small in the quarters is a nice compact little fellow * * A marked contrast to this baby is t Tull sister to Avalanche, a fine, slashij racing-looking filly with beautiful mo'v ment. She spurted over three furion on the course proper, and it seemed ] Rouble for her to gallop, and J. Thor should get an early return with tl speedy lady. Nineteen horses still remain in tl Great Northern Guineas, 53 in the Gre Northern Foal Stakes, 31 in the G 1 Derby ; and 83 in the Royal Stakes. ’ Hohoro’s two-year-old half-brother h been given the curious name of Ss leigne. We are rather surfeited wii saints among the equines in this cc lot 7 ’ ® alnt just about beats tl Although there was nearly a record a tendance at Chantilly on the occasion < the decision of the French Derby la: month, there was a slight decrease in tl day s totalisator takings as compare with last year. The turnover was i

in U 1904 SUreS ’ £88 ’ 185 ’ a £ ainsfc £96,84 Lord Rosebery has now been racing fo something like thirty-six years (says a exchange) and, it may not be generail known that the devotion to the turf wa the cause of his leaving Oxford withou fir.? 11S firSt racehorse , like hi fiist Derby winner, was called Ladas JtL? 61118 the name of Alexander th of fonf me ® s ® n g er i noted for his fleetnes of foot. The authorities did not at a] approve of an undergraduate possessim such an animal an d it is on record tha on the Dean of Christ Church remon stratmg with him on his predilection fo Son 11 ! T 1 declari > that he xnurt real?, voun? b^ tw T Oxford or Newmarket “vX R j? Se i quietly remarked: ket^ 7 "S ? e T’ 1 P refer Newmar Q + i j - e rs fc. Inadas, however, provec a woful disappointment, as he finishec nowhere ln the Derby of 1869 and woJ nothing but a match for a trifling stake aftei wards. Couronne de Fer, however ian second to George Frederick in 1874 Viscondi was third to Sir Bevys anc m 1879, and Town Mooi ditto to Iroquois and Peregrine in 1881 Then came Ladas’ and Sir Visto’s wim seconder I? 95 '4° 110^ ed by Velas second to Galtee More m 1897, so taking e thing with another, the Primrose anc bMn pretty pr —< * . * * «

™ necess] ty having thoroughbreds’ oiwirtiv ? Xamined a horse dentist frequently has never been (says an English' writer more strongly shown than in a recent case of Raven’s Pride. The maw had been running away and career™ Art ” . i? most i erratic manner, and Majoi Beatty, unable to explain her conduct, summoned Robert Enoch, the horse dentist, to examine her mouth. Mr. Jemoch at once discovered a fracture of the jaw of long standing, and succeeded ln extracting three pieces of bone, thoroughly decayed, upwards of an inch long. There is not a doubt that many horsts SU -S? r * n t- similar way from rough usage with the bit some time durng their life, and constantly do we see horses, in hor“running away from the oit. lhe dangers of chucking a horse, as we often see, cannot be rto stronoly impressed upon all stablemen & * * * An English paper remarks that opinions differ as to which was the best held of horses that ever started for the „ e great years were undoubted!? S ’ . 18 ? 4, and 1886. Between 1864 and 1886, it is difficult to make a choice, there may have been individually better horses ,n 1886; but if wo take Blair Athol, General Peel, Cambuscan, Ely Baragah, Knight of Snowdon, Cathedral’ Master Richard, _ Historian, Bireli Broom, Strafford, Paris, Ackwroth, Planet, and Coastguard, it will be difficult to match them in one race In 'dealing with the Two Thousand Guineas, however there can be no doubt that the year 1886 stands by itself. It is true that the field was small, but it infnfl. M“’ Minti ” g ’ Sarab! » d >