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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 942, 26 March 1908, Page 7

The only French horse to win the Derby is Gladiateut*. who won in 1865. Since that unsuccessful efforts have been made by Insulaire (second to Sefton 1878) Governor (second to Common, 1891), Bucentaure (third to Sir Hugo, 1892), Vinicius (second to Rock Sand, 1903), and Jardv (second to Cicsro, 1905).

ately bred mares. Lady Orizin is the latest member of the Benzoin family to distinguish herself, winning two races at Waimate, giving weight to and beating Mango, Miss Gal, Nancy Stair, Bickwell the oriental star performers. Zetland, once well up in the handicaps in six furlong races, is now gradually coming down, even when meeting second raters. This horse has done a lot of racing, too much many people think, and a lengthy spell would not do him any harm. Roscommon, a son of Lord Rosslyn, won two races at Alford Forest Meeting on March 17. Royal Crown, Pathfinder —Petard, were among the “has beens” racing at the meeting, but none of them succeeded in catching the judge’s eye. Pattypan, who has been shaping well in his initial displays over hurdles will be given a run in the Handicap Hurdles at the North Canterbury meeting. F. Y. McCracken and H. E. Cutts have been elected to fill the vacancies on the committee of the Riccarton Trainers’ Association in place of R. J. Mason and M. Hobbs, who have both gone to England for a trip. Gold Braid, The Libyan, Tremulous and Farley Grove, who have early engagements, had a gallop together over six furlongs the other morning, when The Libyan was seen to most advantage. Gwendolina and Paragon on the same morning ran a mile together in x. 53, there being very little between the pair as they swept past the post. Grandstand, who is standing up to his work over hurdles, jumped very cleanly when sent twice round. He is just the sort of horse to make a good hurdler. Eurus, Canton, and Pattypan were sent for a gallop twice round, when Eurus blundered badly and came down, giving Connell a shake up. Pram and Chameleon have also been given twice over jumps. Quite a gloom was cast over the Waimate meeting when young Walter Pine came to grief on Nancy Stair in the Harvest Handicap on the three furlongs post. The filly when leading swerved and struck a post, young Pine having the misfortune to strike his head with such force as to break the post. He was picked up unconscious and died shortly afterwards. Pine was a member of the well-known family of that name, and was employed by his brother, William Pine, at Riccarton. He was very promising and was highly respected. W. J. Taggart has also had his troubles this week, his brother Dave, dying on Monday afternoon after a lingering illness. The South Canterbury Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting, extending over two days, takes place this week. Fields are much larger than usual — winners ought to be hard to find. This means good racing. Harry Thompson has been shaping well as starter, and lately scored successes at Little River and Oxford. He has the confidence of all the boys and knows his business from beginning to end. Strong complaints are being made about cronk running, pulling, and other malpractices that take place at country meetings. I heard of a case the other day at Oxford where all the horses with one exception were “dead,” and that other races were cut up to suit certain parties. This sort of thing is becoming pretty strong in Canterbury, and if it is allowed to go on will soon bring about the downfall of some of those participating in the swindles. Clubs cannot punish the bookmaker, but they certainly have the power to put trainers and jockeys in retirement for a time.