TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1030, 2 December 1909, Page 5

TURF TOPICS.

The Takapuna and Feilding Jockey Clubs’ meetings were concluded yesterday.

In the race for the Feilding Stakes on Tuesday, Lord Soult got shot out of the barrier and never gave the others a chance.

H. Gray added two more wins' to his list on Saturday, when he piloted Merrigee and Necktie to victory.

A. Julian is making a great name for himself in hurdle races. He was on Tui Cakobau when he scored on Saturday.

Private watches at Takapuna on Saturday made Rimlock cover the mile and a-quarter in 2.10 2-5. The official time hoisted on the board was 2.13.

A lot of money was staked on Miss Winnie by Aucklanders for the Flying Handicap at Feilding on Tuesday, but the Leolantis mare failed to return a dividend.

By his victory in the St. Andrew’s Handicap at Feilding on Tuesday, Taskmaster will have to put up a 71b penalty, and his weight in the Cup. is now 7.9, or lib less than weight for age.

Receiver, who came home first in the Onehunga Trot at the Otahuhu Trotting Club’s meeting, has been sent to Wanganui to fulfil engagements.

North-east, who fell in the Stewards’ Handicap at Riccarton, is mending slowly, but will not face the starter again this year.

Acceptances for the Wanganui Trotting Club’s meeting close on Thursday next.

At the Newmarket meeting, on October 1, the winners included Mr. Spencer Gollan’s three year-old filly ■by Australian Star —Meta Burke, by Apremont—Bessie McCarthy.

Last year Husbandman won the St. Andrew’s Handicap at Feilding for Sir George Clifford, and on Tuesday Taskmaster scored for the Chokebore stable, Sir George Clifford’s horses having now won the event two years in succession. * * * * F. Wootton has achieved the distinction of heading the winning jockeys’ list in the fact of an accident which befell him at Ascot in June last and which prevented his riding for a period of six weeks. Lord Derby has first call on the Australian rider’s services next season, for which he pays a retainer of £2500. * tfC x Rimlock’s victory in the St. Andrew’s Handicap at Takapuna was very popular, and the gelding’s owner, Mr. Donald McKinnon, had to undergo a good deal of handshaking. Tattoo was made a strong favourite for the St. Andrew’s Handicap at Takapuna, but though the chestnut appeared to be going well three furlongs from home, he was doing his best, and when Ryan put the question to him in the straight he failed to respond. * * * * A return, furnished by the police authorities to the V.R C. committee, shows that only four arrests were made during the Cup meeting, and they took place on Cup Day. Among the four was one woman, who was charged with drunkenness, but she was discharged. One man was charged with playing an illegal game, and another with stealing a betting ticket, but both were discharged; whilst the only other man arrested received a sentence of three months’ imprisonment for attempted larceny from the person. * * * # During the running of the Cheltenham Handicap at Takapuna on Saturday, won by Necktie, a good deal of bumping is alleged to have taken place, with the result that C. Brown, rider of Sir Artegal, had his foot badly injured through coming into contact with the rails. It was alleged that Deeley, who rode Tarina, was the cause of the trouble, and the stewards inquired into the matter and administered a caution. However, Deeley has asked that the matter be investigated, and the stewards will go thoroughly into the matter.

During the present season Frank Wootton, the Australian jockey, rode 165 firsts, 143 seconds, 90 thirds, and 376 unplaced horses, and heads the list of winning jockeys. D. Maher is next with 116 firsts, and then comes W. Higgs with 101 wins.

Mr. F. E. Higgins has taken out provisional letters of protection for a new device for starting horses at races. He proposes to make use of a light platform 30 yards in length, to be erected parallel with and two feet out from the rail. Upon this platform the starter will take up his position, having in his hand a rope attached to the lever on the startingpost. By pulling the rope he may release the barrier at any moment when the horses are in perfect line, whether they are lined up at the barrier or otherwise. This device therefore does away with horses being caught in the tapes or jumping back when the barrier goes up and should obliterate the waiting for a horse to stand still. The idea is certainly worth a trial-

The Rotorua Jockey Club held a special general meeting on Thursday to adopt club by-laws. There was a large attendadnee. The by-laws were adopted. A number of new members were elected, and Dr. Endletsberger was appointed honorary surgeon to the club. It was announced that Mr. Parata, an Otago gentleman, who has taken up his residence at Rotorua, would put three racehorses into training on the local course, and there were several other local owners wishing to train. The Course Committee was authorised to make a training track. They'reported that the racing track was in good order and promised to be as good as could be desired by the time of the meeting in February. Tt was also stated that arrangements

were being made to have the South Auckland bowling tournament and the regatta about the same time as the race meeting, but not so dated as to clash. Great interest is being taken in racing, and the club has evidently entered on a career of prosperity.

Horse-owners are reminded that general entries for the Auckland Racing Club’s summer meeting close tomorrow (Friday) evening with Mr. Hartland. At the same time acceptances for the Auckland Cup, Railway Handicap and Grafton Hurdles fall due, while forfeits must foe declared for the Great Northern Derby, G.N. Foal Stakes, 15th Royal Stakes, and G'.N. Oaks. 1910.

The Waituna Hurdles at Feilding on Tuesday was won by Moose, but a protest lodged against the winner for interference was upheld, and the race awarded to Pearl Reef.

Both of the Waikato-trained horses, Miss Winnie and Master Paul, were solidly supported in Auckland for their engagements at Feilding, but neither of the pair returned a dividend.

Royal Scotland, who succeeded in breaking his maiden status in the Trial Handicap, is a half-brother t o Master Soult. Although he won, his performance was not one to go into ecstacy about, as he had to be shaken up to beat the moderate Prince Leo.

The Tui Hurdles at Takapuna on Saturday provided one of the best finishes seen in a race over the obstacles for some time. Although Leo won comfortably, the proverbial sheet would have covered the whole of the five runners.

During the week Downfall and Ambala and Chanteuse and Ambala were backed for a fair amount for the Cup and Railway. All the horses named are members of F. Davis’ team, and are owned by Mr. T. H. Lowry.

The Gisborne-owned pony Masonic looked like making no race of it about a furlong from home in the Pony Handicap on Saturday, and Greenwood appeared to think he had the race in hand. However, Deeley brought Mistime along with a nice run and landed the daughter of Birkenhead a winner by a head.

Addvices from the South state that Husbandman is to be given a short spell, and there is very little chance of his being sent to Auckland at Christmas.

The hurdle racer Southern Cross has finished his turf career, and will be used as a hack by his owner.

Sir George Clifford has purchased a yearling colt by Kilcheran —Melita.

Perolina was scratched for the Auckland Cup, and Nyland for the Railway Handicap at 9 a.m. on Monday.

Judging by the accounts of the racing at Feilding, the starting was very poor. In nearly every race a horse was badly left.

A London writer says Maid of Corinth —the famous Sceptre’s second foal —is showing improved form with every race she runs, and already she must be reckoned considerably better than was her elder sister, Maid of the Mist, at her age. It is matter for regret that Maid of the Mist has recently been amiss, and unable to fulfil her Autumn engagements so far, for her Goodwood victory over Electra and others for the Nassau Stakes demonstrated that the filly was training on nicely. However (says the scribe), one can congratulate Sir William Bass on his election to the Jockey Club, and on the promise shown on the same day by his smart filly, Maid of Corinth, who bids fair to vindicate the wisdom of his choice of a mate for his mare. Sceptre, who we all hope will yet throw some classic winners. The race won by Maid of Corinth on the occasion referred to was the Cheveley Park Stakes.

J. George left for New Plymouth by the Rarawa yesterday, taking with him the brood mare St. Aida, who has been on a visit to Gladstone.

Mr. H. D. Matthews’ chestnut jumper Rua was shipped for New Plymouth by the Rarawa yesterday, en route to compete at the Waitara meeting.

Five boxes have been engaged at Green Lane on behalf of F. Davis, and h? is expected shortly with Bobrikoff, Chanteuse, Downfall, Ambala, and War Song, which will carry Mr. T. H. Lowry’s colours at the A.R.C. summer meeting.

Black Raynard. who broke down in his near fore-leg in a hurdle race at Randwick recently, and has since been receiving veterinary treatment, dojs not now show any signs of lameness,, and E. Lawler will attempt to get another race out of him.

The Manchester November Handicap on Saturday resulted as follows: —Togo 111., 1; Rathlea, 2; Rockbourne,

Sceptre’s two-year-old daughter, Maid of Corinth, won the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket (Eng.) last month. She carried 9.1, and ran the six furlongs in lmin. 14 2-ssec.

* . * * « Cruciform has foaled a colt to Wallace at Bundoora.

La Notte, dam of Noctuiform, will this season visit Birkenhead. 4s * ■ *

Carbine’s principal winner in England this season is the five-year-old horse Cargill, whose three races were worth a total of £3612. The value of one race won by Bomba, another of Carbine’s sons, was £3430.

The Hotchkiss horse Ellis (in Australia), who recently had a large tumour removed from his throat, has developed another.

Provocation and Expansion have been struck out of the A.J.C. St. Leger.

Bobrikoff is now favourite in Wellington for the Auckland Cup, and Aberbrothock, Advocate, and Ngapuka are also at short prices.

The hurdle racer Leeside, by Euroclydon—Broadside, has gone into ■work at Flemington.

Pink ’Un is said to be stones below the form he was in a year ago, when he played a leading part in several big events in Victoria.

Jas. Prosser s team for the North will consist of All Red and Diabolo (Cup candidates), Waimaria (Grafton Hurdle Race), Gipsy Belle (Railway Handicap), Lace Collar and Lady Medallist (sprint events), and Swimming Belt (welter races). The two Cup candidates are in the best of health and are expected to give a good account of themselves. • * * *

The English four-year-old, Your Majesty, has broken down badly, and will be retired to the stud. After winning the St. Leger last year an offer of £35,000 was refused for the horse, which has not won a race since then. 1 A London writer, who holds a high opinion of Your Majesty, writes about him thus:—Mr. J. B. Joel has scratched his horse out of all engagements this year. It may be that last year’s St. Leger winner, through breaking down, has saved his owners and others money. It is very regrettable that such a good horse should have to go, and it is a severe disappointment to Mr. Joel, inasmuch as in the spring the highest hopes were centred on the son of Persimmon. He went on quite the right way last winter, and had developed into a magnificent-looking" animal, and in his early gallops this season with Dean Swift had shown Morton what a slasher he was. Perhaps one of the best Persimmons in training now is Royal Realm, and it would be extremely interesting to His Majesty and all those connected with racing to find this good horse become the great animal many always thought he would.

Mr. D. Buick, M.P., has a three-year-old half-brother to Aberbrothock by the Australian-bred Patronus. Miniature was in foal to Patronus when purchased by Mr. Buick, and Aberbrothock was a foal at foot. The Patronus colt is a chestnut, nothing like Aberbrothock. He has a big frame, but is not by any means prepossessing. It is stated, however, that he is a rare mover.

Pohutu is getting through his tasks at Hastings in a satisfactory manner.

It, is reported from England that-O. Madden and W. Halsey intend to retire from race riding at the end of this season.

So far Finland has not sired many good winners, but there can be no doubt about his son Bobrikoff being the best middle-distance horse in New Zealand. Bobrikoff failed to stay in the New Zealand Cup, but he won the Stead Memorial Stakes easily enough on Saturday, and beat a good field. He was bred by Mr. Hugo Friedlander, at Kelburn Lodge, but his dam, Gossip, was a Victorian mare, who was bred by Mr. Phillip Russell. She is by Wailace (son of Carbine) from Caroline, by Carlyon (son of Chester) from Tuberose, by Grand Flaneur (son of Yattendon) from Rosedale (imp.), by Tynedale from Thrift, by Stockwell. Rosedale is the ancestress of Poseidon. Caroline is very closely inbred to Yattendon from a mare by a son of Yattendon. Her sire, Carlyon, was out of a Blair Athol mare, and Chester was out of a Stockwell mare, and another free strain of Stockwell comes into her pedigree through Thrift—one of his daughters.

Dealing with jockeys, a writer in London “Sportsman” says: “You cannot blame owners, especially betting owners, if they take every precaution to safeguard against defeat by employing what they consider the best riding talent. That is why everyone is ‘ crazy’ (as my American friends would say) to get Wootton, or, better still, his younger brother, with his right to the allowance. His services command a big price. He has no greater admirer than the American trainer, Joyner, and if money alone could have settled the argument, I fancy Wootton would have been riding for Mr. Whitney next season. It is all Wootton, Wootton, and nothing but Wootton just now. One can, nay must, admire the boy’s skill in the saddle, his judgment of pace, and the possession of that instinct which tells him what other horses as well as his own can do. But surely this state of things is rather a reproach to a nation famous alike for horses and its horsemanship. The imitators of Maher and Wootton believe they are doing all that is necessary by riding very short. They forget that their masters do not punch their horses along from pillar to post, breaking hearts, legs, and tempers. They forget that a brainy jockey can wait in front without seeming to be making an unnatural pace. They forget, too, what is perhaps most important of all —that the same methods may not be applied with equal success to all horses. The spirit of the modern race is ‘ helterskelterdom.’ ”

During exercise at Newmarket, England on November 11, a yearling colt, out of Wild Flower, belonging to Messrs. Clark and Robinson, threw its rider, and savagely attacked Mr. Spencei 1 Gollan’s 4-year-old son of Collar — Freda. The horses fought for 50 minutes, when the Freda colt was borne to the ground, with its clothing and bandages torn. The Wild Flower colt was badly bitten about the neck. Messrs. Clark and Robinson are Australians, and their horses are trained by J. E. Brewer, also an Australian, at Newmarket. Mr. Spencer Gollan is a New Zealander, whose horses are trained at Newmarket by F. A. Day, also once of Australia. The yearling colt is by Florizel 11. from Wild Flower, and is named Flowers. Mr. Spencer Gollan’s unnamed colt is a fair performer.

“ The Barb,” in the “ Hawke’s Bay Herald,” “ Some little time back it was rumoured throughout Hawke’s Bay that Mr. G. P. Donnelly, one of the best sportsmen we have, was going to give up racing altogether, but all true sports will be very pleased to hear that he has decided to continue racing on as large a scale as formerly. This week his team of racehorses were passed over to J. McLoughlin, of Greenmeadows, who will in future act as private trainer for Mr. Donnelly. J. Oldfield, who has been acting as head lad for some few months, will continue in that capacity, and Rangi Thompson, who has been in temporary charge of the horses up to the present time, has been retained to do all the hurdle riding

in connection with this stable. When Mr. Donelly went to Auckland and bought Formula, and paid something like 1200 guineas for her, we were all pleased to think that we had such a sportsman in our midst. But what luck has he had with the progeny of this mare? Her first foal, by Seaton Del'aval, raced a few times, after a while went wrong, and was turned out as untrainable. One of this mare’s foals died, but there is a fine yearling colt out at Crissoge by Gold Reef, which I think will recompense Mr. Donnelly for some of his bad luck. I wish J. McLaughlin every success in training this gentleman’s horses. May he be the means of bringing Mr. Donnelly’s name to the fore on the owners’ winning list before many seasons are passed! For the last four or five seasons, Mr. Donnelly has always had a string of horses far above the ordinary, but, despite this, he has won very few races, bad luck always dogging his footsteps, both in big and in small races. I could name fully a dozen instances in this last two years, where, through faulty riding, races have been thrown away. If this were not enough to dishearten the best of sportsmen, it would be a very hard thing to find what would; but Mr. Donnelly is continuing in the racing area with as full a force as ever. Mr. Donnelly has always bred his own horses, and has entered them liberally for classic races, but one regrets to say that it is necessary to go back eleven years to find him recorded as winner of one of these races. I sincerely hope it will not be long before we will have to record many winnings.” Double winners at Takapuna were Tui Cakobau and Mistime. • * * * Aristocrat; who many was selecting to win shortly, cut up very badly in both his engagements. * * * • Lady Waterford ran a much better face yesterday when compared with Saturday’s effort, which was a very weak one. Jumping away quickly in the Rakino Handicap she never gave anything a chance. * * ' ♦ ik That Maheno was “ fired’’ into the Spring Handicap was evidently the thought of backers at Takapuna yesterday, and the daughter of Scult was made an odds-on chance, and she justified the confidence placed in her by winning very easily from Akarana. Tui Cakobau showed himself up very attractively yesterday in the Kawau Hurdles and well ridden by Julian he scored comfortably. * * * Shrapnell should make a much better showing at Xmas, than he did at Takapuna. Entries for the Manawatu Racing Club’s meeting close to-morrow at 9 p.m. X * « « Handicaps for the Taranaki Jockey Club’s meeting, are due to appear to morrow. The Woodville J-C. meeting opens on Wednesday, and will be concluded on Thursday. * • • • Tanekaha, who has been moving very sore at Ellerslie, was amongst the field in the Spring Handicap yesterday, but he followed them all home. There is still a feeling of unrest aboujt racing in Poona (writes the correspondent of the “Indian Field”), the target of some trainers and owners being the handicappers. I personally must give these said gentlemen best, as not only have I failed to detect anything glaring, but take it that the continued success of outsiders means that others also fail to pick on these good things which have been so palpably thrown in, and which must be showing the select few referred to big dividends ! In some interesting notes on the Cesarewitch, the “Pink ’Un” says:— thousand three hundred and fifty pounds and Dulcibella is what the Duke of Cleveland paid William Day for Promised Land. We wonder what his Grace, who was then Lord William Powlett thought of the deal when he saw D’ulcibella come across the Flat by herself in the Cesarewitch and win that race by ten lengths, pulling off £60,000 for the stable! The inner history of this race we have never Quite mastered. When Dulcibella ran for the Cesarewitch she had never won a race of any description, and had shown no form to speak of. Sam Rogers, her former trainer, actually laid 600 to 100 against her. Why, therefore, was she handicapped at 6st. 111 b. which, with the weights running down to sst. 71b. was considered a heavy Impost.

The stewards were called together on two occasions at Takapuna yesterday. The first was to hear a complaint against the rider of Lady Waterford for crossing, and the second to inquire into the running of Zinnia. In neither case was any action taken.

Master Paul, after many failures, annexed the Hack Hurdles yesterday at Feilding. The Waikato horse was well supported in Auckland.

Not only did Miss Winnie fail to ,win at Feilding, but she did not even run into a place.

It is said that the win of Necktie in the Cheltenham Handicap came as a surprise to those who should know.

Franklin was withdrawn from the Grafton Hurdle Race on Wednesday morning.

F. Porter has taken over the stables at Ellerslie recently vacated by F. Hill.

The inquiry asked for by B. Deeley, in connection with the alleged interference in the Cheltenham Handicap at Takapuna last Saturday, will be held by the T.J.C. Stewards on Friday next. It is understood all the boys who rode in the race will be examined.

It is stated that Penates will not fulfil his engagement in the Railway Handicap at Auckland, but will be seen out in the Manawatu Stakes at the Manawatu Racing Club’s meeting.

R. O’Donnell, who until recently trained for Messrs. W. and G. Stead, has taken up his temporary residence at J. McCombe’s place, Riccarton, where his team is also stationed.

Elegance, who won the Welter at Takapuna yesterday, is out of Antelope, and therefore claims half-sister-ship to Bluejacket, who won two Auckland Cups and the Great Northern Derby.

The largest dividend paid at Takapuna was when Jena won the Cautley Handicap yesterday.

Miss Advance on the strength of a couple of good gallops she accomplished with Tarina, was sent out a hot favourite for the Welter Handicap but although she was in a good position all the way she failed to respond to the calls of Deeley when he asked her a question in the straight and she finished in the ruck.

Provocation is an unlikely starter in the Great Northern Derby, but he may possibly fulfil one of his engagements at the Manawatu meting.

The two-year-old Lucille was solidly supported both days at Takapuna, but her fate was sealed very quickly in both her races, as she was badly left each time.

Had Royal Scotland got any sort of a decent run in the Vauxhall Handicap he would certainly have won. He received a couple of bumps at the back stretch which cost him a couple of lengths each time.

That Celtic is rapidly coming back to form he demonstrated yesterday, when, after running third to Maheno and Akarana in the Spring Handicap, he filled the role of runner-up to Elegance in the Welter. There may yet be another good race about Celtic.