NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 895, 2 May 1907, Page 5

NOTES.

(By “The Judge.”) The Hawke’s Bay meeting takes place next Wednesday and Thursday. * * * * The Melbourne Cup winner Blue Spec has run his last race, and goes to the stud in Western Australia. * * * * The Australian Jockey Club has raised the stakes for the Craven Plate, Cumberland Stakes, and Sires’ Produce Stakes to lOOOsovs each. * * * * Mr. Cook has won another heat in the Amateur Billiard Championship, defeating Mr. Dickson. Mr. Sweet is, however, looked upon as a certain winner, of the title. The sum of £20,950 went through the to tali sator during the two days of the Manawatu meeting. * * * * The Railway Handicap on Saturday was one of the finest finishes ever seen on the Avondale course. Beautiful weather was experienced yesterday for the conclusion of the Avondale meeting, and it is not to be wondered at the attendance was large. * * * * Handicaps for the G.N. Hurdles and Steeplechase are due on May 11. * * * * Weights for the first day of the Takapuna J.C. Winter Meeting may be expected to-morrow. Nominations for the annual meeting of the Hutt Valley Trotting Club close to-morrow week. * * * * Nonette’s sister Bonheur, who has been winning over hurdles recently, has been entered for the Marlborough Cup, in which she has Bst 21b. The disappointing Aeolus is top weight with 9 st. * * * * Splendid nominations have been received for the Wanganui J.C. Winter Meeting. The list appears in another column. By the way, Mr. Coomb e will do the starting, and not Mr. O’Connor, as previously advertised. * * * * Necktie was made a “hot pot” for the Juvenile Handicap on Saturday, but could not get a place. Possibly that fall at Ellerslie has not been quite got over. < * * * Carl Rosa was tipped in this paper to win the Avondale Handicap, with Uhlander second, and in a field of eleven that is how they finished. The winner seemed particularly well treated at the weights, and the amount of the dividend came as a surprise. « * * • Soultmaid had to carry 51h overweight in the Railway Handicap, but Ryan just managed to squeeze the mare home by a head. * * • • St. Cyren paid the surprising dividend of £27 16s in the Maiden Plate at Avondale. The Cyrenian gelding was one of my selections for the race in question. * * * * Landlock did not jump too well on Saturday, but his pace on the flat was too much for the moderates opposed to the son of Flintlock. * * * * The totalisator turnover at Avondale for the present meeting has made a big stride upward. Saturday’s figures beat the corresponding day last year by no less than £5383. News comes from Sydney that both the Auckland ponies Lady Nannie and Kilderkin started in the lilliputian class at the Kensington Pony Races. They were both heavily supported in their respective races, but failed to do themselves justice. * * * * Forty-one nominations have been received for the Great Northern Hurdle Race, 34 for the Great Northern Steeplechase, and 36 for the Winter Steeplechase. Class is very well represented, and altogether the prospects appear bright for some fine contests. *** ‘ ♦ Mr. W. C. Hird, one of the best riders of a trotter we have in Auckland, is going to Gisborne. The farewell banquet at the Epsom Hotel on Friday was a great success. Hird will be much missed from the trotting ranks here.

On Thursday morning Tanglefoot, Moulton, and Khama were given a turn over the steeplechase jumps in the centre of the course. The latter two took the double twice, while the former chose the water jump. All three acquitted themselves well.

At present at headquarters we have the best class of maiden jumpers yet seen at autumn time. Landlock, Ben Johnson, Heywood, Franklin, and Luminous have all won races on the flat.

It is understood that Inniskillen, who has lately been doing medium pace work at Ellerslie, will be reserved for the winter campaign, and should the gelding keep sound he may be relied on to keep his account on the credit side of the ledger.

A New York scribe, who, in comparing the relative merits of horses, does not attach much importance to the “time” test as applied to races, says very few really great American horses make time records. They beat everything meeting them, they establish themselves as the great horses of their year, their era, or their decade, but very, very few of them break, or make records. Sysonby never ran but one fast race in his life, yet he beat many “record breakers” out of sight with consummate ease —in slow time. Artful, Tradition, Tanya, Prince Hamburg, Oiseau as three-year-olds; Broomstick, Delhi, Beldame, Hamburg Belle, Ort Wells as four-year-olds; Timber, Vendor, Yankee Consul, First Water, Clark Griffith, Whimsical, Perverse, Burgomaster, Ormondale, etc., two-year-olds, what “records” did these undoubtedly best horses of 1905 make, and have credited to them — except at Belmont Park, where everything makes “records?”

The trotter Sal Tasker is open to be matched against anything in Australasia for 500 sovs aside. The conditions on which the match will be made are that the contest will be for the best two out of three in twomile heats, or the best three out of five in one-mile heats.

Society owes to the horse a debt of gratitude a thousand times greater than it does to thousands of men who abuse him. He has ministered to progress, has made social intercourse possible when otherwise it would have been slow and occasional or altogether impossible, he has virtually extended the strength of man, augmented his speed, doubled his time, decreased his burdens, and, becoming his slave, he has relieved him from drudgery, and made him free. For love’s sake, for the sake of social life, for eminent moral reasons, the horse needs to be bred, trained, and cared for with scrupulous care. — Henry Ward Beecher.

It has been resolved by a conference of the delegates from West Australian Turf Club, Boulder, Coolgardie, and Kalgoorlie Clubs, and Metropolitan Racing Association, that three stipendiary stewards be appointed. They will have absolute control of all racing on all courses of clubs represented by delegates to the conference, but racing by country clubs is to remain for the present under control of the W.A.T.C. There is to be no appeal from the stewards’ decisions, but the latter body are to be under the control of the W.A.T.C. The date fixed for the appointment is August 1, and the salary is £7OO per annum each steward; and they will appoint their own chairman. The tenure of office by stewards is 12 months only, subject to agreement being terminated by either party at three months’ notice. Applications will be received for the positions up to May 29.

A writer in an English exchange says that interesting statistics have been made up concerning the sales of yearlings in Austria and Hungary during 1903 by public auction. They realised in round figures £22,560. Up to the end of last season they had won about £52,200. This did not leave much margin to pay the cost of training or the hay and corn bill. Sixty-two yearlings out of the number sold were never seen out in public; 21 ran without winning a farthing; 25 brought in less than their purchase money, and 77 won just over their cost, but failed to pay their keep and training expenses. Horkay, who, purchased as a yearling for £548, won in public money 826050v5., while’Xama, sold for £32, rewarded the purchaser with 1290sovs.

Landlock had another easy win in the Maiden Hurdles at Avondale yesterday. He was in front virtually all the way, and got home without any apparent effort by two lengths from Hardship, with the others beaten' off.

Haeremai came down at the first jump an cue Maiden Hurdles yesterday, treating W. Wilson, who had the mount, to a very nasty tall. A bad shaking, was the doctor’s verdict.

There was a delay of over twenty minutes in the Second Pony Handicap at Avondale., yesterday. This was caused through the vagaries of Norma, who refused to go to the barrier. Ultimately the race was started without her, the rest getting away in very straggling order.

Waihou followed up her Saturday’s win by capturing the Second Pony Handicap. The daughter of Soult won very easily, and is .evidently fairly smart.

Once again Mr. Davies’ bad luck in getting second stuck to him yesterday, Te Aroha being just beaten by Carl Rosa. The series of seconds must be getting towards a record.

Quite a number of Saturday’s winners at Avondale got home again yesterday. Looks as though something was astray with the first day’s handicaps.

W. Wilson, who does a lot of track riding at headquarters, is now in splendid condition, and with ordinary luck should put up a good record during the lepping season. He intends being present at the V.R.C. Grand National Meeting.

A very popular win at the North N.Z. Coursing Club’s meeting was when Mr. “J. Smith’s” Garryclough downed all opposition and won the Mangere Maiden Stakes. The owner won a fair amount, but the counter attractions, the Manawatu J.C. meeting and the elections, kept the principal members of the ring in town, and as a consequence there was a limited market.

Kola Nip, ably steered by young Geo. Pell, created a surprise in the Oakley Handicap at Avondale. The field swerved out at the head of the straight, when the boy, who was behind, saw the advantage and dashed up on the inside, winning on the post by half a length.

On the strength of a gallop between the quartette Carl Rosa, Delania, Scotty and Omati (on Thursday morning) the former came into the market for the Avondale Handicap, whilst the latter was heavily supported for the Railway Handicap in doubles. The son of Seaton Delaval won the 1% miles race handsomely, but Omati lost his chance by running out at the home turn.

Good fields were the order of the day on the opening day of the Avondale J.C. gathering. In the Maiden Plate 13 faced the barrier, 9 in the Oakley, 11 in the Avondale Handicap, 11 in the Pony Race, 15 in the Chevalier Handicap, and 7 in the Railway Handicap. These are far above the average number that usually put in an appearance at the western suburb.

Most of the Ellerslie-trained two-year-olds have now gone into winter quarters, with the exception of those engaged at Takapuna, and there ought to be a fair number of useful handicap horses picked from this year’s crop. As far as Auckland is concerned there were no top-notchers, for taking a line through Downfall our lot are only moderate.

An English exchange says that Spearmint has had the splint on the inside of the near foreleg just below the knee totally eradicated by a process which must have been most severe, as the seat of the trouble remains skin-bare, and is likely to remain so. The blemish, however, is a matter of small importance, as the horse is now thoroughly sound, the long term of rest having enabled the son of Carbine and Maid of the Mint to entirely shake off the ill-effects of the severe test he underwent when successful in the Grand Prix de Paris. Judging by his much-improved appearance, Spearmint is now as well as ever he has been, and, with every likelihood of standing training he should hold his own against all opposition in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, and the Gold Cup at Ascot. At his best he is a very good horse over any distance.

Mr. C. F. Mark has gone South to attend the meeting of the N.Z. Trotting Association at Christchurch.

The Mercury Bay annual meeting, which took place recently, was fairly successful. Nothing but district horses competed, and like most country meetings nearly all the favourites won the big end of the stakes.

The turf has lost an influential patron by the death of lord Penrhyn, whose name had in another way been brought prominently before the public for some years past in connection with the lamentable labour disputes at his large slate quarries, in the course of which he was ever ready to receive his workpeople, and give ear to their grievances, but persistently refused to receive on their behalf professional agitators and instigators of strikes. The deceased, who took an active interest in hunting, shooting, and fishing, had been a member of the Jockey Club since 1887; but he had taken to racing soon after coming of age, and since then bred or purchased several good horses, and especially so in the course of a racing partnership with Mr. E. C. Clayton. Among many winners may be mentioned Steamboat, Footman, Noble Chieftain, Red Palmer, Robin Hood, Far Niente, Quaesitum (Chester Cup and Ascot Gold Vase), and King’s Messenger (Goodwood Cup in 1898, and Great Metropolitan Stakes in 1899 and 1900). Lord Penrhyn was for several years a most popular and enthusiastic master of the famous Grafton Hunt.

“It seems ungracious to argue with Canon Horsley, who means so well, and is endeavouring earnestly, according to his lights, to do what he considers desirable (says the ‘Referee’). But he does not quite understand the actual state of the case with which he is so busily occupyinging himself. Thus he talks of the ‘extreme fallibility, the inevitable ignorance of sporting prophets,’ a sentence which does injustice in more than one way. To begin with, the writers Wi.o analyse form-, and draw conclusions —I am speaking of those who contribute to recognised and reputable journals —do not pose as ‘prophets.’ It is wrong to speak of their ‘ignorance.’ They are, as a rule, excellent judges of racing, and the fact that horses’ names are printed in capital letters does not by any means always signify a prophetic assertion that the animals will win. No writer is idiot enough to imagine that he can pick six or seven winners a day for six days in the week. The best ‘prophets,’ if Canon Horsley likes the term, run through the various horses’ recent performances, and give currency to their preference for one or two out of the probable starters. They draw attention to these animals, but their arguments are open to their readers’ consideration, and, perhaps, many of those readers may differ from the deductions advanced. It often strikes me as extraordinary that the tipping is as good as it frequently proves to be.”

The Australian-bred York was one of four starters in the New Century Steeplechase at Hurst Park early last month. It was a weight-for-age event, but York never was dangerous, and ran a poor third, while Domino, 6 to 4 on, won in a canter from Whitechapel. York was rhe outsider of the party.

English papers report the arrival of the New Zealand jockey L. Hewitt, in England. Hewitt has been riding Noctuiform fwhom he steered to victory in the A.J.C. Derby, 1905), in work, and Major Edwards who trains the New Zealand-bred horse, has the first claim on Hewitt’s services during the current season. Writing to a friend in Sydney, Hewitt has a deal to say anent English horses and the magnificent training es tablishments at Newmarket. He writes in praise of the riders he saw, but doubts if there is a lightweight in England the equal of Kelso’s small apprentice, L. Pike.

Accounts of several big races run in England last month are to hand, and there were twenty-three runners for the Grand National Steeplechase. Ascetic’s Silver (12.10), and Red Lad dividing favouritism at 7 to 1 each, with Eremon, the eventual winner, next in demand at B’s, while Tom West (second) was at 16 to 1, and Patlander (third), at 50’s. Eremon, who was ridden by A. Newey, won comfortably by half a dozen lengths. Ob, who had 8.10, and started at 25 to 1 in a field of twenty-four, won the Lincolnshire Mile by five lengths, the favourite His Eminence (9 to 4), not even getting a place.

“ I feel it my duty to proclaim that the racecourse societies have rendered the greatest service to the nation, and recognising the benefit that horse-breeding in this country has derived from them, I say that racing is indispensable, and I hope that the racecourse will be with us for a long time.” —French Minister of Agriculture.

According to the “Sportsman,” upwards of seven millions sterling is put into circulation yearly in Great Britain by racing, nearly the whole of which goes in the payment of wages.

TROTTING REVIVAL IN VICTORIA.

For a long time trotting in Victoria has been in a bad way. Mr. J. Wren has, with characteristic energy, thrown himself into the breach, and proposes to lead off with a big programme on May 13. In addition to an ordinary programme of events there will be a Champion Stake of £lOO-mile heats, best two out of three to win, also a Time Handicap Trot for 2.25 trotters. Entries close on Friday. A full programme of trotting races will be held every fortnight at the Richmond course, so that it would appear the sport has a good chance of a boom. Particulars of the first programme appear in our advertising columns.

VICTORIAN PONY AND GALLOWAY RACING CLUB.

A BIG PRIZE FOR PONIES. From an advertisement in this issue it will be seen that this club, with Mr. J. Wren as general manager, with a view to encouraging pony racing, is offering a £5OO stake, to be run for at the Ascot Racecourse on Monday, July 8. It is perhaps hardly necessary to point out that this is the largest stake that has ever been given for a pony event in any part of the world. With such a very rich prize to race for it is safe to assume that there will be a big entry when the lists are made up on June 26. We have some fairly “ sultry” ponies in this colony, and doubtless more than one will go across to have a run for the mammoth prize.

THE BETTING MARKET.

Messrs. Scott and Martindale report the following- business on comingevents :— WANGANUI STEEPLE AND HURDLES. 400 to 6—Waitarere and Exmoor 300 to 3—Haydn and Mahoe 200 to I—Slow Tom and Ability 100 to I—-Romany King and Mahoe 100 to I—Nadador1 —Nadador and Mahoe AUCKLAND HURDLES AND STEEPLE. 500 to s—Mahoe and Mahoe 500 to 3—Weary Bill and Kiatere 500 to s—Exmoor and Kiatere