TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1036, 13 January 1910, Page 5

TURF TOPICS.

The Pahiatua Racing Club’s meeting which opened yesterday will be concluded this afternoon.

Crucinella, the half-sister to Nonette, and Koran may be taken to Australia before long. * ♦ * 4k Weights for the minor events on the opening day of the Takapuna meeting will appear to-morrow and acceptances close a week later. * * SR *

The appeal of B. Deeley against the suspension imposed upon him by the Takapuna Jockey Club was considered by the Auckland Metropolitan Committee on Monday and upheld However, Deeley is to be notified to attend a special meeting of the committee on Tuesday next to show cause " why his license, should not be cancelled. • • « • It is stated that in all probability the New Zealand 'crack, Bobrikoff, will be taken to Australia shortly. * A M « In this issue a two-year-old trotter is advertised for sale, full particulars of which can be had on application at this office. * » * * The programme for the Auckland Racing Club’s Autumn Meeting will be found elsewhere in this issue. * * ■ • Betting on the Wellington Cup and Telegraph Handicap is very quiet in Auckland. In the Cup Diabolo is the one inquired for most, while of the sprinters in the Telegraph Armlet and Full Sail are in most demand. * » ♦ H. Telford, the Porirua horseman, is rapidly recovering from the accident that befell him when riding Waimaria a few weeks back, and has hopes of soon getting into the pigskin again. • • « * The Auckland rider J. Pinker, who received serious injuries through First Barrel coming to grief in a hurdle race, in November, at Ellerslie, has been discharged from the hospital. * • JF W There is every probability that El Dorado may be given a chance to earn distinction over the big fences at Caulfield next jumping season. At the present time, the son of Gold Reef is in blooming condition, and he is in constant work on the tracks at Greenmeadows. • * « « Gold Lace was withdrawn from the Wellington Cup and Penates from the Telegraph Handicap on Saturday. * * * * Mahutonga was brought back from New South Wales, by the Wimmera, on Sunday. The promising Soult —Miss Annie colt that was purchased at the Cambria Park sales by Sir George Clifford was shipped South on Saturday last, where he will join the Chokebore Lodge team. • • • • Sir George Clifford’s team which competed in Auckland have arrived in Wellington to assist at the summer meeting. The team comprises Kilwinning, Taskmaster, Sharpshooter, Full Sail and Tenterhook.

Amongst those to steer winners at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting S. Hamilton and W. Orange tied for first place with three wins each. Hamilton scored with Lady Wilmington (twice) and Lady Park, while Orange was successful with Royal Victor, Grampian and Mandarene. J. Exley rode Glenora to victory twice. Others to steer a winner were: Harold Rothschild (A. Pringle), Havoc (Nyhan), Nelson (Scott), Robex (J. T. Paul), Phyllistina (Singleton), Bell Briar (A. Hendrickson), Airana (Butler), Viscount (Crotty), Taihoa (May), Bell Gray (A. Lowe), Lady Wilhelmina (Canham), Irish Molly (Nicholson), Rawene (Smalley), Cyrona (H. Gray). Miss Stella (J. Conquest), Miss Stella (Oliver).

The largest dividend paid at Ellerslie was returned by Miss Mischief when she annexed the Summer Cup.

Artillerie has been scratched for the Wellington Cup and Full Rate for the Telegraph Handicap.

The Phoebus Apollo—Roxana horse Annopolis won the Perth Stakes on January 3. The Auckland bred horse carried 9.0 and won easily by half a length.

The Australian rider J. Accola, who did not meet with much, success in Auckland has returned home.

The official timekeeper, Mr. A. Kohn, timed Uranium to run the first six furlongs in -the Grandstand ' Handicap in 1.15 3-5. This mare is evidently regaining her past form.

Mandarene’s performance in the President’s Trot Handicap on Saturday was full of merit as the son of Norval simply played with his field and won easily by five lengths from John Harold in the good time of 4m 54 3-ss. This is just about 2m 27s to the mile.

.On Boxing Day, for the first time in six years, the West Australian sportsman, Mr. P. A. Connolley, failed to win the Perth Cup. His nomination, a 3-year-old colt named Jolly Beggar, started favourite and was only beaten by a head by Loch Shiel, who is a 5-year-old by Le Var.

A most promising twoi-year-old in W. Orange’s stable made his appearance on the second day at Alexandra Park. This was Grampian, a wellbred colt by Norval—Mistle. Although the going was extremely heavy the little fellow rolled into his task in good style, with the result that the Dominion Handicap went down to his credit. On the concluding day he was slow to settle down, but nevertheless showed that he possessed pace by filling third position behind Rawene and Jungle.

Of the visiting horses at Ellerslie one who looks like paying his way is Full Sail. After a poor run in the Railway he finished in a line with Lady Medallist and Salute just behind the placed horses. The third day he simply walked in with the Glasgow Handicap, leaving the seven furlongs behind in 1.28. In the Royal Stakes he put up a great fight and was only beaten a neck by Danube, to whom he was conceding 151 b. Full Sail is still well down in the weights.

The usual monthly meeting of the Auckland Metropolitan Committee was held on Monday, the Hon. E. Mitchelson presiding. The disqualification for life imposed on the jockey A. E. Pearce by the Paengarao Hack Club for running his horse off the course in the Paengaroa Handicap was endorsed. Licenses were granted as follows: —Trainers: Charles Weal, J. K. Hodge, and T. J. Scott. Jockeys: F. L. Speakman and C. G. Casebourne. The following programmes were passed:—Bay of Plenty Jockey Club, February 24; Waihi Jockey Club, March 5; Te Aroha Jockey Club, March 7 and 8; Ohinemun Racing Club, March 17 and 19; Helensville Racing Club, March 17. The appeal of B. Deeley against the suspension imposed on him by the Takapuna Jockey Club was upheld on a technicality, but Deeley is to be notified to attend a special meeting of the committee on Tuesday next and show cause why his license should not be cancelled.

A meeting of the A.R.C. Committee took place subsequently, the Hon. E. Mitchelson presiding. Accounts totalling £6OO were passed for payment. A statement of accounts in connection with the recent summer meeting was laid on the table and showed a very satisfactory result. The following transfers were approved:— Sir George McLean to W. G. and G. L. Stead, Khamsin; J. B. Reid to John Buckley, brown filly, lyr, by Kilcheran —Ambush; J.. F. Reid to W. G. and G. L. Stead, brown filly, lyr, by Stepniak—Britomart; Sir George Clifford to James R. Smith, bay filly Thistledown.

Nominations for the Poverty Bay Turf Club’s meeting close on Saturday.

Weights for the first day of the Wellington Summer meeting appear to-morrow.

The hack hurdle racer Genuine, was recently submitted to auction, but was passed in at 50 guineas.

The trotting mare, Madam Melba has been purchased by G. owner of Irish Molloy. The price is stated to be somewhere in the vicinity of 60 guineas.

Master Laddo has been withdrawn from the Wellington Stakes, and Singer, Ambrosian and Attention from all engagements.

Armagh who has been playing a prominent part in jumping events at small meetings had bis wings clipped on the second day at Whangarei when Luscombe beat him.

On Boxing Day, at the Victoria Amateur Turf Club’s meeting, the Hastingsowned Seaton Dale won his second race in Australia, when he won the Koornang Welter, of 150 sovs. He was ridden by R. Cameron. Another New Zealander, in Golden Cairn, was second.

The southern trainer, J. M‘Combe, has secured stabling accommodation at Trentham, and his team will shortly be shifted there.

There are 133 entries for the Sydney Doncaster Handicap and 87 for the Sydney Cup. The Melbourne entries for the Newmarket Handicap number 93 and for the Australian Cup 54.

The New Zealand Trotting Association last week decided to offer a reward of £5O for information which, would lead to the conviction of the person or persons guilty of the nobbling of Mr. H. F. Nicholls’ horse Rothschild Junior at Auckland recently. This makes the reward £2OO, the owner and the Auckland Trotting Club each offering £lOO and £5O respectively.

The New Zealand-bred mare Chamade (by Uhlan) won the Warwick Farm Handicap, Sydney, (one mile and a quarter) on Saturday last.

The s.s. Victoria, which left for Sydney on Monday, had on board a valuable collection of blood yearlings, purchased at the Glenora Park sale. The shipment included the following:— Colt by Soult—Erryroe, colt by Soult —Waiorongomai, colt by Seaton Delaval—Amorelle, colt by Gluten-—Lady Rose, and filly by Soult—Lady B. A three-year-old by Explosion from a Cannon mare was also taken to Sydney by the Victoria.

Tamainupo was only produced once at Ellerslie when an unplaced performance in the Railway Handicap went down against his name.

The Sydney entries for the Doncaster Handicap total 105, including the New Zealand horses Bobrikoff, Artillerie, and Don Hannibal. For the Sydney Cup there are 65 entries, cluding Downfall, All Red, and Artillerie.

With the exception of the A.R.C. Handicap won by Sedition, visiting horses carried off all the big prizes at Ellerslie.

“ Mark” Ryan, who has been having a particularly bad run of luck, managed to break the spell at Ellerslie, but it was not until the final day when he landed Apellon a winner in the Sylvia Handicap. Let us hope that the win is only the forerunner of many more for Ryan.

Sir Tristram, one of the Hon. J V Ormond team at Ellerslie was not started at the meeting.

After doing his preliminary in the Grey Handicap; Muscadine bolted along the back. His rider sent him up the hill through the trees thinking that would stop him, but the gelding jumped the gate and it was some time before he was returned to the course.

When the last mail left England, Carbine’s list for this year was full at a fee of £9B.

During the holidays E. Lowe, H. Gray and A. Oliver were the most successful jockeys, with 7 wins each.

Sir Geo. Clifford has no less than four horses in the Telegraph Handicap, at ’ Wellington and two in the Cup.

Sbultline has created a very favourable impression since he went to India, and he is expected to pay his way.

Polymorphous, winner of the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, was sold as a yearling for 500 guineas to “Mr. Highden/’ and by winning the Stakes has got his purchase money back in one attempt, without counting the odd 150 sovs received for the Nursery Stakes.

After a number of unsuccessful attempts to score, Miss Stella had her number hoisted on top twice at the Auckland Trotting Ciubs meeting. There was very littie merit in her performance on the second day when she scored as four out oi the seven runners fell. However, she showed herself up very attractively on Saturday, when she downed an odas on chance in Mighty Atom. There was no fluke about the win as she wore tne favourite down half a furlong from home and won comiortably. ‘Pat’’ Jones whose stable shelters Miss Stella had not been having too much luck oi late and no one will begrudge him the win of his pony.

A Calcutta correspondent of a London paper says the jockeys’ ring in India is a very strong organisation, and in connection with “arrangements” by riders tells the following story:—“At Poona and in Calcutta they have ’crows’ nests’—erections from which a vigilant steward is able to see, or is supposed to be able to see any funny business that is going on in a race, and when one race in which everything was nicely ‘arranged’ was being run at Poona, and there was nd steward visible in the crow’s nest, great consternation was caused amongst the jockeys as they came to the home turn to suddenly observe a figure climbing up the steps and taking up its position in this, point of vantage. It quite upset things, and the wrong horse (for the “heads”) had to win I Greater chagrin, however, was subsequently caused when it was discovered that the mysterious figure was not that of a steward at all, but of a sportsman who was himself in ‘retirement,’ and had merely climbed up aloft to have a better view of the race. The said sportsman was not, it may be mentioned, eligible to get into the enclosure, but as the ‘crows’ nest’ abutted on the public road he was able to avail himself of it when he saw that it was unoccupied by an official sentry!”

“The withdrawal of a protest after it has been lodged generally gives cause for dissatisfaction, and there was considerable growling in connection with a case of this kind at Gatwick (England) a few weeks ago.” “In a bumping finish Dandaloo, ridden by Stanley Wootton, just got the better of Silver Bay, ridden by the boy Fitton. The majority of the onlookers thought that the winner was at fault, and that the objection would be fatal. More particularly was this the belief of those persons who were looking on from the Press stand, which is so situated that its occupants obtained a good view of the incident. The rider of Silver Bay was responsible for the objection, but the owner backed it up by depositing the necessary fiver. Later, however, the owner asked for, and obtained, permission to withdraw the objection. That the stewards should have permitted this was naturally taken exception to by the backers of Silver Bay, with whom the Winning Post sides as follows:— This is a most incomprehensible proceeding to us. The stewards of the Jockey Club and their deputies—who in this case were the stewards of Gat--svick—are not supposed to take cognisance of betting. But they are all aware that without betting racing would soon be of such significance that racecourse shares would be valueless. Yet what happens in this case? Before the horses had returned to weigh, betting took place that there ''would be an objection, and in the subsequent wagerings on the result of the objection, Silver Bay was actually favorite, and his backers lost their money. Truly, we have arrived at a pretty pass, and the stewards of the Jockey Club will be lacking in the performance of their duty if they do not call upon the Gatwick stewards to give an account of their stewardship.”

Amongst the winning trainers at the A.R.C. meeting, R. J. Mason and R. Hannon were a tie for leading position, with four successes. The former furnished a brace of double winners, while the latter’s score was built up by a treble winner and a single. The following is the winning trainers’ list: —R. Mason, Miss Mischief (2), Danube (2); R. Hannon, Salute (3), Uranium ; J. H. Prosser, All Red, Lady Medallist; F. Davis, Ambala, Bobrikoff; D. Moraghan, Antoinette, Admiral Soult; W. Mobberley, Lady Paricia (2); F. Macmanemin, Maheno, Apelion; Mr. W. Ring, Wauchope, Hohungatahi; A. Jackson, Roosevelt; S. Waddel, Formby; R. Barlow, Golden Loop; F. Stenning, Dunborve; T. Quinlivan.jun., Killindini; A. Loomb, Goldfinder; _ .P. McLaughlin, Miss Advance;. r J i( Rae, Castadrift; E. Cutts, Kilwinning, Full Sail; H. French, Sedition; C. Coleman, Michaeloff.

The winning jockeys at Ellerslie were as follows: —H. Gray, Wauchope, Golden Loop, Antoinette, Miss Mischief, Danube, Hohungatahi; P. Brady, Salute (3), Uranium, Roosevelt; C. Jenkins, All Red, Lady Medallist, Miss Advance; F. D. Jones, Formby, Kilwinning; L. Wilson, Ambala, Bobrikoff; A. D. Chapman, Goldfinder, Full Sail; H. Price, Admiral Soult, Michaeloff; A. Julian, Dunborve; F. Cress, Kilindini; J. Buchanan, Maheno; P. O’Brien, Lad' Patricia; W. Bennett, Miss Mischief; A. H. Cowan, Castadrift; R. E. Browne, Sedition; R. Hatch, Danube; M. Ryan, Apellon; T. Howard, Lady Patricia.

A fairly good point was worked in Melbourne recently in connection with a coup which was successfully landed. A trainer wanted to create a good market price for his own horse

(it of course happens that a trainer sometimes does ? not back his pwn horse), and to do so stepped round to the fielders and backed an alleged rod-in-pickle horse trained by a friend, without, however, putting the latter wise to the move. A few gallery bets were judiciously placed and the result was that the commonlysupposed rod-in-pickle steed was brought to a short 'price, whilst the Napoleonic mentor of equines abovementioned had his own horse sent back in the market. As the Napoleonic mentor of equines aforementioned placed his gallery bet he was followed by one or two unknown commissioners, who, acting on his behalf, snapped up the false price created by fielders, who imagined that they were lucky selling a bit of dead stuff. The tricky trainer landed a good stake, and the only excuse is that he “needed the money.”

In his report of the Ashhurst-Po-hangina meeting, “Sir Bedivere” had the following interesting story to tell of Land o’ Nod, the winner of the Trial Hurdle Race: —The winner, who is a brother to Evening Wonder, has a pair of very dicky-looking legs, but he is one of the best-topped geld(< ings that now stand in New Zealand, and if only he keeps sound he may be expected to earn considerable distinction over both hurdles and steeplechase fences. His history will, I fancy, bear relating. Originally he belonged to Mr. F. Armstrong, for whom Gopseman trained him. Having apnqrentlv broken down so badly that his racing days Were over, Mr. Arm; strong made a present of him to Jas. Munn, and Munn in turn gave him and a tenner to . boot a way to . Its brother, Dave MUnn, who brought > him down to Ashhurst and there gave Maku, whom Jamies Munn trained, and out-and-out thrashing. James

accepted the situation philosophically, and quietly enjoyed the fun that was made out of it by the little circle who had knowledge of the facts.

D. J. Price, who has fourteen horses in work, has shifted his team from Mordialloc to Caulfield.

The ..“Penang Gazette and Straits Chronicle” mentions that the Straits Racing Association handicapper has not altogether satisfied the critics in Singapore, and then adds:—“But in the Straits —leaving altogether on one side the invidious question as to whether the real ‘triers’ in an average field here may dr may not be reckoned on the thumbs of both hands — there is one insuperable difficulty in the way of the formation of a satisfactory handicap. The large majority of the jockeys who honour these parts would be more at home in a cart: — with a net over it —than on a horse’s back, and very few indeed can go to scale at less than eight stone.”

The following from the Melbourne “Sporting Judge” is a fair example of what can happen in the racing game: “They were talking about luck the other day, and several very good samples of bad luck were in evidence. A trainer said that he told his jockey to get his office at the post. When the jockey arrived at the post he was declared late. He had not been there more than a brace of seconds, and when turning to get his office tne starter shouted “ Go! The office was got all right, and it was to go. Losing half-a-dozen lengths at the the start cost him the race. Giving his mount a fair show to make up his leeway, he made it all up bar a head. There was a hundred on of stable

money and at an average of 7 to 2. The jockey was fined 2sovs for being late, and the handicapper shot his weight up eight. All told, not giving the office at the right time and place cost up direct £450 and in difference £BOO extra.” « * * * . A case involving a series of ingenious frauds upon London bookmakers came before the Recorder (Sir Forrest Fulton) at the Old Bailey recently, when Francis Wood, late a postman attached to the South-West-ern District office, pleaded guilty to charges of theft and forgery. Counsel said that the prisoner, who until recently was in the service of the Post Office, had for some time past carried out a very artful fraud upon bookmakers. He adopted a scheme of posting letters addressed to himself, using two envelopes. Tne outer envelope had a square cut out of the right-hand corner so as to expose to view a stamp affixed to me inner envelope. In that way he obtained a plain envelope with a Post Office date stamp upon it. He then enclosed in it a bet on a race that had just been run, and forwarded it as an express letter to a local bookmaker. In this way he succeeded in several instances in getting money from the bookmaker by backing a horse that he knew had won. The man’s arrest was eventually brought about as the result of observation kept upon him in consequence of the many complaints reach ing the authorities from bookmakers. The Recorder observed that prisoner had been guilty of artful fraud, and sentenced him to six months’ hard labour.

The New Zealand?bred pony Norma has been shipped to India from Australia.

The American jockey, W. Miller, has been engaged to ride for Herr Haniel in Germany next season, and has given second claim to the patrons of F. Mau’s stable (says a writer in the “Winning Post”). Miller had lately also received an offer from J. Campbell in France, who trains Mr. G. Pfizer’s horses. Miller, who was very successful in America, spent last season in England, where he received very little patronage, despite the fact that he was one of the leading horseman “ across tne pond.”

The Archdeacon of Paris recently received what was possibly a great surprise on being notified that 400 francs were due to him as breeder’s premium after Manifestant had won a race at Auteuil. The late Viscountes de Rainneville, who bred Manifestant, had made the Archbishop her heir, hence this payment to the head of the Church.

The last has not yet been heard of the Rose Noble-Tikitere case, as the Ashburton County Racing Club have appealed to the Racing conference against the decision of the Canterbury Jockey Club, to the effect that the owner of Rose Noble is entitled to the third as well as the first money, for the reason that Tikitere’s rider failed to weigh in.

Mr. R. O. Duncan, of Christchurch, recently wrote to the Sydney “Referee” as follows:—Regarding the paragraph in your issue of December ;8, 1909, suggesting a match between •; the New Zealand pacing mare Sal Tasker and Denver Huon your writer states: “Whether the Sal Tasker people mean business or not is hard to say, but they could be accommodated up to any amount in Sydney by the owner of IJenver Huon.” Let me first inform your trotting editor that the connections of Sal Tasker always meant business when they offered to match Mrs. Duncan’s mare, so his doubts on that point can be dispelled. The Denver Huon people can be accommodated up to any amount in Christchurch by the connections of Sal Tasker. Provided the services of Sal Tasker’s former mentor, D. J. Price, can •be secured to handle the mare, Mrs. Duncan is willing to match her against Denver nuon, on a suitable track, for three out of five one-mile heats, two out of three twomile heats, or a straight three miles go—the winner to take the lot. The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club are willing, I believe, to put up a purse of not less than 250sovs, provided the match takes place on their track at one of their meetings, and the winner can take that as well. Both to ride in harness, draw for the pole for the first heat, winner of preceding heat to take the pole subsequently; flying starts, outside horse to score by the pole horse.