NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 853, 12 July 1906, Page 5

NOTES.

(By

“ The Judge.”)

The Wellington meeting will be brought to a conclusion on Saturday next. * * * * Mr. J. F. Hartland, secretary to the A.R.C., is at present at Wellington attending tne Racing Conference. * * * * Mahutonga will, it is said, be a passenger to Sydney on the next trip of the Mokoia. The New Zealand jockey, F. D. Jones, rode another winner at the Bath meeting in England. * * * ♦ Handicaps for the Grand National Hurdle Race, Steeplechase, and Winter Cup will be declared by Mr. Henrys next Monday. * * * * The crack pony Buluwayo is reported to have thrown off all signs of lameness, and is a regular attendant at Riccarton. At his best he is particularly smart for a little fellow. * * * * By the time Noctuiform is sufficiently forward in condition to do himself justice, he will probably be down to a handy weight in England, as the handicappers have already commenced to drop him. He was one of the eleven acceptors for the Hurst Park Holiday Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, in which he had 8.9, the top weight being G'lenamoy 9.0, while the minimum was 6.12. The race was to have been run on June 4, and as there was no account of it by cable, it is pretty safe to say Noctuiform did not distinguish himself. * * » * It is stated that J. E. Thorpe will shortly leave for Australia with the half-brother to Cambrian and the full brother to Marshal Soult. * * * . * The sum of £11,534 was handled at the totalisator at the Gisborne meeting, an increase of £3053 on the figures for the corresponding meeting last year. * * * * A wager of 1000 to 45 has been taken about the Auckland horse Uenuku for the New Zealand Cup. * * * * The victory of Mr. Brennan’s gelding Reston in the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race was something of a surprise, and the son of Majestic and Lynette started at the remunerative odds of 12 to 1 against in a field of twenty. He appears to have won very easily by eight lengths, being followed home by the favourite, Rattlesnake, who was quoted at 5 to 1 against. An outsider in Corinthus filled third place, while the field was whipped in by the New Zealander, Miss King. * * * * Mr. Alf. Adams, the well-known penciller, has been seriously unwell of late, and he has had to undergo an operation on his throat. * * * * Sir Laddo is the latest stallion to reach these shores from England. He was got by the Wisdom horse Sir Hugo from Gulden Moments, by Sheen from Memoir, by St. Simon from Quiver, by Toxopholite. Sir Hugo ranks as an English Derby winner, while Golden Moments is most beautifully bred, so that Sir Laddo should make an important addition to the thoroughbred blood stock in the colony. He was purchased in England on behalf of Mr. P. F. Baldwin. * * * * Trainers and jockeys requiring licenses for season 1906-7 should bear in mind that applications for same must be made to Mr. J. F. Hartland, the secretary of the Auckland Racing Club, on or before Tuesday, July 17.

The fifteenth annual show of the Auckland Kennel Club will be held on August 3 and 4. Special prizes will be given for New Zealand for terriers, Irish terriers, while Cocker spaniels, smooth and wire-haired for terriers will be included in the Challenge classes. Mr. F. D. Fonge, secretary of the A.K.C., notifies that all entries close at his office in Durhamstreet on July 20. « * ♦ ♦ The Northern S.S. Co. intends running the express steamer Wakatere down to the Thames on Saturday for a special trip to enable football enthusiasts to witness the match between Auckland and the Thames. The favourite paddle steamer will leave Quay-street at 7.45 a.m., and return at midnight, the return fare being fixed at 7s 6d. A recent issue of the New York “ Morning Telegraph” gives particulars of a great trotting match which is to take place this month in America. The contestants will be Sweet Marie, Tiverton, and Wentworth, and as all three hold mile records of 2min 4% sec, it was expected to prove one of the greatest races ever seen in the home of trotting. • * * * Writing of trotting reminds me that at the last biennial congress of the National Trotting Association, a rule forbidding drivers to use watches was passed, which will surely be conducive to high-class speed contests, as hereafter no one would be able to grade the speed of his horse and race accordingly, remaining in one class indefinitely. * * * * Mr. Reid Walker’s horse Dinneford, whose success in the Princess of Wales’ Stakes has just been cabled, started favourite in the Spring Handicap at Doncaster on May 21, but though only seven moderates competed, he was only able to get third. The son of Dinna Forget and Gracie must have shown immense improvement since, as he has since won the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot, and has now placed the first of this year’s ten thousand pounders to his credit. In this race he was followed home by the unlucky Llangibby and St. Amant, who won the Derby of 1904. * * * * The committee of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club are somewhat indignant at the nature of the comments made concerning the club appearing in the “ Weekly Press.” The particular paragraph to which exception is taken runs as follows: —“The Hawke’s Bay people, too, get all the investments they can from the public, and in the past have not hesitated to delay starts until the last possible pounds have been invested. I hope that such a waiting policy has been done away with for good, and that for the future sport, and not the totalisator, will be the first consideration on the Hastings racecourse.” At Monday’s meeting of the Hawke’s Bay J.C. the secretary was instructed to refute the accusation made in the “ Official Calendar.” * * * * Pretty Polly won the Coronation Cup of 1470sovs, one mile and a-half, at Epsom on May 31, only being opposed by Achilles and St. Amant. The winner went out at 11 to 2 on, while Achilles, who beat St. Amant (11 to 2 against) for second place, was at 33 to 1. Pretty Polly led throughout, and ran the distance in 2min 36 4-5 sec. • « « * In America recently a rather unusual case came before the law courts, the Housesmiths and Ironworkers’ Union suing the Westchester Racing Association to recover £3OO, alleged to have been lost in betting at the races by a defaulting treasurer of the union. Needless to say, the case was dismissed. The New Zealander Savoury, who is by Simmer from Melodia, was among the runners for the Warwick Handicap (says the “ Referee.” He is a good-looking, medium-sized horse, and though he moved rather short when doing his preliminary, got off smartly enough when the barrier rose. However, he has not been doing much since his arrival in Sydney, and, as was only to be expected, was soon beaten, eventually finishing last. * ♦ * * Mr. Sol. Green has written to a Launceston racing man to the effect that he would have no objection to Tasmania for his contemplated stud farm, provided he could get a suitable place at a reasonable price. In the same letter the Victorian penciller said he was prepared to go as high as £15,000 in the purchase of an English stallion.

The heavy rain experienced during the week at Wellington made the Trentham track rather heavy for racing. The W.R.C., however, had the good fortune to get a fine afternoon, and the attendance was a good one. * * * * The Wellington Steeplechase fell to Rongoa, an aged bay gelding by Lochness from Magnesia, who carried the minimum weight of 9st 71b. The Hippocampus gelding Moccasin, lOst, filled the position of runner-up, while third place went to Playfair, who carried lOst 31b. * * * * The Sir Lancelot gelding Gawain had an easy win in the Stewards’ Handicap at Wellington yesterday, his nearest opponents being Medallist and Jolly Friar.

* * * * Tthe Miramar Hack Handicap at the Wellington Meeting gave rise to a splendid finish, the judge’s decision being a head win for Huku, the black son of Vanguard and Spray. Second place went to the Seaton Delaval horse Togos, with Wailethe a close third. ♦ * * * Black Reynard was looked upon as a fair thing for the First Hack Hurdles at Trentham yesterday, but he was unable to concede 2st to Prospector. * * * * The N.Z. Racing Conference opens to-day in Wellington. Mr. W. Smart has purchased Liberator, and the son of Freedom and Melba went South by the Mokoia on Tuesday. • • • « An Auckland friend writing me from London, says that he has just returned from witnessing the Derby, and on account of the horse’s sire backed Spearmint, who won. The sight of the immense crowd of spectators was a remarkable one, but after being jammed in a corner of the stand for some three hours he has come to the conclusion that for a pleasant day’s outing Epsom cannot compare with Ellerslie.

* * * * English files to hand give lengthy particulars of the Derby. From these it would appear that the betting at the start was 4 to 1 against Lally, 6 to 1 Spearmint, 8 to 1 Malua and Saucy, 10 to 1 Gorgos, 100 to 7 Black Arrow, 18 to 1 Picton and His Eminence, 25 to 1 Beppo, Radium, Sarcella, and The White Knight, 33 to 1 Troutbeck, 50 to 1 Null! Secundus, 66 to 1 Storm, Buckminster, and Frustrator, 100 to 1 any other. When the contestants assembled at the post it was found that the favourite, Lally, had inside position, while Spearmint was the twentieth out from the rails. Black Arrow gave a lot of trouble, but at length he quietened down, and when the barrier shot up Troutbeck, on the top ground, dashed off in front of Spearmint, Frustrator, Picton, Slipaway colt, and His Eminence, with Black Arrow next, in front of Beppo. On settling down Troutbeck was followed by Slipaway colt, Spearmint Picton, and Black Arrow, with Null! Secundis next, in front of Beppo, Lally, with Malua, these being well clear of Sarcelle, Gorgos, Frustrator, The White Knight, and His Emi- , nence, Plum Tree now being last, except Prince William, who got left. At the mile post Picton slightly headed Troutbeck, while Minos ran into third place, just in advance of Spearmint, Malua, Beppo, and Saucy, the latter being several lengths in advance of His Eminence, Gorgos, and Black Arrow, then at a big gap came Radium, Lally, Dingwall, and Sarcelle, with Slipaway colt now whipping in. Descending the hill Troutbeck resumed his lead, and round Tattenham Corner he came with a couple of lengths’ lead of Picton, His Eminence, Spearmint, and Malua, this group being clear of Beppo, Plum Tree, Gorgos, Black Arrow, and Saucy. A quarter of a mile from home Picton went to the front, but Spearmint could be seen going in great style. When the crucial moment arrived, Spearmint dashed up to the leader, and cutting him down instantly the Carbine colt came on and won his race in brilliant style by a length and a-half. Picton was two lengths in front of Troutbeck, after whom came Radium. The favourite, Lally, finished fifteenth, while the King’s colt, Null! Secundus, whipped in the field. The time (2min 36 4-5 sec) was a record for the Derby.

A Continental writer remarks that it may be quite true that the best horses in France are bred from English sires and dams, and that the best racing blood is to be found in England, but until English breeders and owners will follow the same sage policy as that pursued by the Frenchmen, who neglect no opportunity for taking part in International racing, and showing that the blood they possess is superior to that in Germany, the latter country will be more and more prone to draw its supplies from those who have given them actual demonstration as to the value of their stock. * * * * The Prix de Diane (French Oaks), of 332750v5, one mile two and a-half furlongs, was won by M. L. Merino’s Flying Fox filly Flying Star, with M. Edmond Blanc's Sais second, and Niche third. Blue Fly, who was withdrawn from the race named in favour of her stable companion Sais, won the Prix de Royaumont the same afternoon. • • • * The brood mares La Bejouterie (Mahaki —Bjiou) and Coursa (Medallion —Iris), belonging to Mr. Hood, of Palmerston North, have come up to Auckland on a visit to Soult. * * * * Mr. W. T. Douglas, of Te Mahanga, is now on a visit to Australia. * * * * The Cuirassier gelding Cuiragno won both hurdle events at Gisborne, Loch Fyne accounting for two steeplechases. As Hakaria also won a steeplechase, it must be said that the Auckland contingent did not do too badly. * * * * Bellis is favourite for the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase, which will be run next Saturday, 6 to 1 being quoted about him. * * ♦ *

The Poverty Bay Turf Club made a profit of £ll9B for the season, a very satisfactory state of affairs. At the annual meeting on Tuesday Mr. J. W. Nolan was re-elected president, and Mr. H. Piper starter. A big scheme for improving the accommodation and grounds was authorised. * * * ♦ Sol and Baritone, who were to have competed at Wellington, did not make the trip down. * * * *

The Frenchmen will need to have something particularly good to retain the valuable stake for the Prix du Consiel Municipal to be decided at Longchamps in October next, inasmuch as a strong British contingent is engaged, including Major Eustace’s well-performed pair, Pretty Polly and Hammerkop, Mr. S. Joel’s Batchelor’s Button, Mr. W. R. Wyndham’s Athi, Mr. William Singer’s Chalcombe, Mr. Newman’s Llangibby (all bred in Ireland), Captain J. OrrEwing’s Song Thursh, and Mr. O. W. Raynor’s Feather Bed (an Englishbred pair), Mr. J. Buchanan’s Noctuiform (New Zealand). * * * * The English Racehorse-owners’ Association and the Sandown Park authorities were at loggerheads when the last mail to hand left England, with regard to the question of free stabling for horses engaged at meetings held on that course. The Sandown Park directors averred that it was not possible for the proprietary to find the accommodation needed, and 129 owners had sent to the council of the association their written undertaking that they would not nominate at Sandown Park until the question should be decided. Some owners (says the “ Sportsman,”) feel keenly that they who provide the magnet —the gate at these business meetings—should not be made to pay for doing so. It is no longer a precedent, as at other meetings the policy of free stabling has been adopted. The members of the association are acting within their legal rights, and the issue will be watched with keen interest, as it will afford conclusive proof of the strength or weakness of that body. If Sandown Park yields, other meetings will have no choice but to follow, or give up the game. * * * * There are not many records in existence of the “ sport of kings” some 200 years ago, but many of the conditions and rules of racing mentioned in these documents are peculiar in the extreme. Referring to a four-mile race, one rule mentions that unless the winner of the first heat passes the winning post before any other competitor has reached the distance post, which was placed some 12 score

yards from the finishing point, another heat shall be run in half an hour with the horses not distanced, and then, if a similar occurrence again happened, a third heat should be run. As all runners were to carry lOst, this was extremely hard upon the unlucky animal who was called upon to traverse 12 miles in the time mentioned. It was also stipulated that horses and riders should weigh out for each heat, and that before entering the scales after the race, each jockey should, if he required it, be supplied with a flagon of beer. * * * *

Lord Brooke, in his recent work, “An Eye-witness in Manchuria,” says of the Manchurian horse-dealer and pony: No Yorkshireman could teach the former any trick, he knows them all, and will patch up an old crock with the utmost skill, making it show to the greatest advantage. The Chinese pony stands from 13 to 14 hands, and is enormously strong. It thrives on starvation diet, and needs little attention. Its appearance is not prepossessing; it has generally a long shaggy coat, and its head suggests that of a camel. Nor can its manners, on first acquaintance, be commended; it is as full of will and guile as the man you buy it from. You eye it critically; it stands as quietly as a worn-out cab horse in the Home of Rest at Acton; but try and mount the simple Chinese pony. At once from every possible and impossible angle he will bite at and kick at you, and the moment your foot is in the stirrup, off he shoots like a bullet from a rifle. The man who masters him can boast of his horsemanship. This viciousness is probably the result of the cruelty with which the Chinese so often treat animals.