TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1045, 17 March 1910, Page 5

TURF TOPICS.

Races at Napier, Opunake, Waimate, Masterton, Westport and Ohinemuri to-day.

Sandstream won the Dannevirke Cup last week. C. Jenkins was in the saddle.

Nominations for the Manawatu Racing Club’s autumn meeting close tc-mcrrcw (Friday).

The New Zealander Bobrikoff will make his debut in Australia on Saturday week in the Doncaster Handicap, one mile, in which the black son of Finland will have the steadier of 9.10 in the saddle.

Wharekura and Chauvelin were shipped to Sydney from Wellington last week. As neither of the pair have yet accomplished anything sensational with the colours up, they should not be overburdened with weight.

R. Hatch has ridden the last three winners of the Wanganui Jackson Stakes.

Pierre, who has been doing some good, work at Ellerslie, won the steeplechase at the Thames, but the opposition was very weak, the best being Capitol’s brother, Red McGregor.

It is stated that the party connected with Jena came in for a fair win over the mare’s success in the Thames Cup. The half-sister to Soultline was quickly out in front, and stayed there till the end. Heta and Impulsive, other winners during the day, are stable mates of hers, so it will be seen that the meeting must have been very profitable to the connections of the stable.

Parawai and Necktie have each been responsible for good work at Ellerslie, and R. Hall should not return from Ohinemuri without securing a stake.

After a long string of victories the Menschikoff horse Electrakoff suffered two defeats at the Thames on Saturday.

The Australian-bred mare Lady Medallist, who is the sole representative of the powerful Porirua stable in the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie, has proved herself a most consistent mare this season, and has already won eight races, including the Wanganui Guineas, Masterton Cup and Taranaki Cup.

Acceptances for the Patea Racing Club’s meeting close on Monday next.

Armlet, who, by her victory in the Jackson Stakes at Wanganui, incurred 141 b penalty for the C.J.C. Easter Handicap, was withdrawn last week.

The trotting horse Woodbury was sold at Alfred Buckland and Sons’ yards on Friday for 36 guineas.

Two ex-New Zealand ponies in Frederick each won a race at the recent Victoria Park meeting in Sydney.

The Auckland trainer, H. Howe, took Aimwell to Dannevirke, but the son of Soult failed to score.

Handicaps for the minor events on the opening day of the C.J.C. autumn meeting appear to-morrow.

Sol was withdrawn from the A.R.C. Autumn Steeplechase on Wednesday last.

Aberbrothock, who went amiss on the eve of the Auckland Cup, is in work again, and will probably make his reappearance under silk at Hawke’s Bay in April.

Pierre gave a clever exhibition of jumping while doing a round of the steeplechase course one day last week.

The acceptances received for the A.R.C, Easter Handicap total 26, or four more than last year.

Acceptances for the minor events to be decided on the opening day of the Auckland Racing Club’s autumn meeting, together with the final payments for the Easter Handicap, Champagne Stakes and Great Northern Oaks close with the secretary (Mr. J. F. Hartland) to-morrow (Friday) at 9 p.m.

A peculiar feature of the March Handicap, run at the Dannevirke R.C. meeting last week, was that the whole of the runners finished in the order of favouritism on the machine. Hermia was half a length in front of Sunbonnet, and Liza was a length further back. Then came Expansion, Tarina, and Dervish in that order.

Mr. F. Mackenzie, of Gisborne, has purchased Spate from her breeder, Mr. J. Clark. The mare has been handed over to T. Butler to train.

Russia is the only nation in. the world that has more horses than the United States. Russia has 29;000,000, while America has very close on 20,000,000.

Kakama was withdrawn from the Tramway Handicap immediately on the appearance of the weights, and Necktie from the same race on Tuesday.

Beverage, one of Australia’s best two-year-olds, has only one eye.

The big steeplechase at Nice (France) only attracted nine runners, and was won by Blaguer. First money was £3,576, second £BOO, third £4OO and fourth £lOO.

Merrivonia continues to get through her training tasks in a satisfactory manner on the Trentham tracks. If nothing untoward happens in the meantime this promising mare will be a competitor in the Auckland R.C. Easter Handicap.

Gold Crest, who was very brilliant as a three-year-old, has definitely retired from the racing track, and will take up stud duty on his owner’s property at Levin.

The following handicaps have been declared in connection with the Te Kuiti Racing Club’s meeting:—Trotting Handicap, two miles: Baxter scratch, Eureka 3 s., Mark Scott 165., Virteen 285., Miss Salisbury 305., Goosey 315., Lady Meldon 365., Flyaway 365., Livonia 385., Stonehenge 38s„ Bob G. 385., Kapapuka 38s.

The Cyrenian—Miss Annie horse Cambrian was shipped to Sydney on Monday, and is to be sold at the autumn sales. Cambrian, when well, was a particularly fast horse over short courses, but he would not stand a solid preparation, and a couple of good hard gallops generally found a weak spot.

Shrewd ones put pounds, shillings and pence on Patricia in the Hack Handicap at the Thames on Saturday, but though it was the opinion that she would either have to run off or fall down to lose, she did not do either, and was beaten fairly and squarely in a good finish by Heta. The winner is a member of D. Twohill’s string.

Sir Rupert, who won the Maiden Plate at the Thames on Saturday, was once a member of A. Robertson’s stable at Ellerslie. At that time he was one of the slowest on the track, and his stable mate Metallist was almost as bad. Sir Rupert, who is a chestnut, is well spoken of by those who saw him race at the Thames.

C. Jenkins, who rode Saiidstream in the Dannevirke Cup and the Autumn Handicap last week, has now had the mount on him on four occasions, and has won each time. Sandstream, if may be mentioned, filled second place last year in both the races which he won at Dannevirke this year.

The Masterton Racing Club’s meeting opens to-day, and will be brought to a conclusion to-morrow. The prin-' cipal event to-day is the Waipipi Cup, one mile and a-quarter, in which the following are engaged:—Osiris 8.12, Swimming Belt 8.6, IranUi 8.5, Taitokb 7.10, Riflemaid 7.3, No Trumps 7.0,. Lawn Rose 6.7, Hilarian’ 6.7. The top weight has been having a run of bad luck in big races lately, in nearly every instance having to put up with second berth. However, he may go one better to-day.

The New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase Winner Phaetohitis, who is rising 14 years, is being trained in Melbourne. W. S. Cox has the son of Phaethon in hand, and expects him to stand another preparation.

At the sale of Mr. Sol Green’s yearlings in Melbourne, Mr. A. Skirving, formerly of New Zealand, purchased the sister of Nautiform, and also the filly by Positano, from Gladsome.

During the late English season the amount won in stakes totalled £546,09 9, a record. In 1897 the half million was nearly approached; it was passed next year; and has been exceeded every year since.

Auckland horses nominated for the Thompson and Autumn Handicaps at Wellington are Salute, Tamainupo, Master Soult and Advocate.

The death is reported from England of Mr. E. Spencer-Mott, well-known under the nom de plume of “Nathaniel Gubbins.” He had been connected with the London Sporting Times for over 30 years.

Maui has been put into work again at Caulfield by D. J. Price, who will shortly resume work with Bribery. Maui was taken from New Zealand to Victoria two years ago, but met with an accident while competing in a hurdle race at Flemington and has been out of work since.

The Sabretache gelding, Buckshot H, nominated for the Autumn Steeplechase at the A.R.C. Autumn meeting, has had his name changed to Garrison.

The New Zealander, Master Delaval, starting at odds on, won the Epsom Plate at Bombay, on January 29.

Substantial prices for first-class hunters are readily forthcoming in England. Late in December there was a hunter sale in Leicester, the property of Viscount Castlereagh, M.P., eight of ten of which were sold at an average of £332. The following were the principal prices:—Cremorne 300 gns, Cromartie 350gns, Crookstick 350 gns, Cromlech 280gns, Charles Edward 300gns, Cecily 320gns, Cavendish 360 gns, Cornflower 270gns.

After being absent from the racecourse for nearly two years, His Majesty’s steeplechaser Flaxman made his reappearance in the Sutton Plate, run over three miles, at Baldoyle recently. He was on the big side, and was heavily bandaged in front, but was looking well in himself. Want of condition told when a couple of miles had been covered, and he finished last, but Mr. Lushington is hopeful that the son of Hackler and Circle may stand another preparation for the Grand National.

In the Mangaone Stakes at Feilding, Mr. J. E. Henrys has weighted North East and Lord Soult on equal terms. It is to be hoped that both these brillian sprinters will be well enough to go to the post in this race, as a meeting between the pair would prove a great attraction. ,

A good story is being told just now at the expense of a southern owner, who has a good handicap horse for sale. It is alleged that he wired to Mr. G. D. Greenwood asking him if he (Mr. Greenwood) would care to buy the said horse. Mr. Greenwood’s reply (so it is alleged) ran as follows: —“Do you want to buy Armlet She is at the top of the weights, same as .”

The secretary of the Auckland Racing Club, Mr. J. F. Hartland, has been notified that the appeal lodged by B. Deeley against his suspension by the stewards of the Takapuna Jockey Club endorsed by the Metropolitan Committee, will be heard in Wellington in the first week in April.

Some of the bookmakers operating on the second day of the Forbury Trotting meeting were gathering the gold and keeping it. One is reported to have won £4OO and another closed up with £2OO. Not a bad day’s wages. The man who is credited with the £4OO win is Identical with the penciller who swept in about £2OOO over the N.Z. Cup meeting, and dropped £l3OO at the last Wellington meeting.

An interesting point was brought under the notice of the stewards of the Thames Jockey Club on Saturday. Mrs. Lindsay, the owner of Goldwin, complained that she had engaged the services of Brown, a jockey, to ride her horse, and that he had agreed to do so. Instead he had arranged to ride Mr. Winder’s horse Hikual, and she had only been served with a ‘notice to that effect on the day previous to the races. She contended that this did not give her and the horse a fair chance, and the stewards were asked to deal with the case. They cautioned Brown, but decided that he could have the mount on Hikual. Mrs. Lindsay expressed her Intention of bringing the matter before the notice of the Metropolitan Club.

Freemantle, who ran second in the Shorts (Handicap at the Thames, possesses speed and was pacing it with Mahinga for over three furlongs. Amongst the field were Hikual and TaAv Dot also fast for half a mile.

Lady Alwynne the dam of St. Alwynne (sire of Lady Medallist) died in England last month. * * * *

C. Jenkins and A. Oliver each rode three winners at the Dannevirke meeting last week.

R. E. Brown rode chree winners at the Thames on Saturday and McMillan was successful twice. Other riders to score were Scott, Deeble and Greenwood.

The Hon. J. D. Ormond has nominated Bollin for hurdle events at the Wellington Racing Club’s Autmun meeting.

It is stated that at a general meeting of the members of the English Jockey Club, to be held in April, a motion will be submitted prohibiting the publication of the weights for any handicap for a longer period than eight weeks before the day of running. There is no reason why there should be any strong objection to such a rule, either, for the probabilities are that in England, as elsewhere, the very early publication of the weights for any big handicap really only benefits one section —the ring.

Mr. John. Schoonmaker, a prominent American trainer of trotting horses, arrived in Melbourne recently by the s.s. Orontes. For the past few years he has trained and raced trotters successfully in Austria, Russia, and Italy. Probably the best trotter he ever raced on the Continent was Wig Wag, by Wiggins. This horse trotted the last mile of a mile and three-quarters in 2.8%. Mr. Schoonmaker intends settling down in Australia.

The Auckland Trotting Club are in the field with a capital programme for their autumn meeting, which is fixed to take place at Alexandra Park on April 23, 27 and 30. The total sum allotted to the 24 events, which form the programme amounts to £1240, the Stewards’ Trot and-the Campbell Trot being each worth lOOsovs. From the programme, which will be found published in another column, it will be seen that nominations for all events close on April 8, at nine p.m., with the secretary, Mr. C. F. Mark.

In England some 20 years ago the doubting of pedigrees became such a habit (says “Sport”) as to reach the proportions of scandal. Silvio, the Derby winner of 1877, was credited to Macaroni instead of Blair Athol, as his owner represented. The alleged “mix-up” of Bend Or and Tadcaster is to this day a source of gossip. After Galopin became famous a great many refused to believe him a son of Vedette. Up to that time the male line of Blacklock had been scorned by breeders —it was “unfashionable”; and that it had now suddenly produced the best horse in England was too much equanimity of the pedigree faddists. Hence, investigation and conjecture were directed to account for the phenomena.

After all the American jockey D. Maher has changed his mind as to riding as a freelance in England this season. It was announced a little while back that he had been engaged to ride Neil Gow in the Derby, and subsequently he accepted a large retainer to ride all Lord Rosebery’s horses trained at Newmarket by Percy Peck, except in the few instances where Bayardo holds a liability in any race, Mr. Falrie having a special and prior claim on his services where the son of Bay Ronald and Galicia is concerned. A London writer remarks that Maher’s position is unique, for though Trigg is bound to the Bedford Lodge stable, and Keeble will ride for Sir Ernest Cassel, H. Watts for Mr. Leopold de Rothschild, Howard for Mr. Buchanan, and so on, It is always with the proviso that they will give way to the American when his services are available. This practically gives Maher the pick of the heavyweight riding in England this year, so it will be surprising if his winning average is not exceptionally good. It is stated that Maher was offered £3006 to ride Lemberg in the English Derby, and is to receive £5OOO if he wins on Neil Gow. In England there is a lot more in being a successful jockey than being in the front rank of any profession.

All the French racing fraternity regard M. James Hennessy as the luckiest man connected with the French turf. Not only does his luck hold good in racing, but In other forms of speculation. Writing last month the Continental correspondent of an English paper says M. Hennessy is credited with winning about £40,000 at the green tables at Monte Carlo.

The top weights in the coming Liverpool (England) Grand National are Jerry M. and Cackler, with 12.7 each. Both are owned by Mr. Assheton Smith. Lutteur 111., last year’s winner, has 12.4.

The Civil Service Cup, of 8000 rs, a high-weight handicap open to Arab ponies 14.2 and under, Indian-bred ponies 14.1 and under, and English and Australian-bred ponies 14.0 and under, was run on the second day of the Lucknow meeting (January 31), and won by the English-bred Son of a Gun. Circus Girl, Etna and Hopscotch filled the places. The two last-named are Auckland-bred ponies.

The purification of the turf —and never since a certain confederacy of jockeys was broken up has it been in such cesspool conditions —can only come from the stewards of the Jockey Club. And as they cannot be everywhere at once they must appoint stewards who have ability and authority to represent them. We want the paid article —the man who knows racing and fears nothing. And until we get him the turf will remain honeycombed with fraud. “Oh!” cry the optimists, “you mustn’t say such things. You are giving the faddists a chance!” Hang the faddists! They cannot kill the turf. The present aim is to save the turf from being killed by selfputrefaction.—English exchange.

The English-bred mare Lumination, who had previously been so successful in India, was no match for Soultline when she met the latter in the Malabar Hill Plate, of 5000r5., 6 furlongs, at Bombay, on the 12th of last month. The New Zealander, carrying 9.7 to the mare’s 9.3, started a shade of odds on, and beat her in 1.14 4-5, Killua was third. The Great Western Handicap (8000 rs. to the winner) was run the same day, and Refresher, an outsider, gave the books a “refresher,” as he won easily from Master Theo and Master Delaval, the latter carrying top-weight, 9.2. Refresher and Master Delaval are both owned by Mr. Goculdas, as is Soultline. The luck of the owner mentioned did not end with the races mentioned, for during the afternoon he won a third event, the Importers’ Handicap, of 2000r5., with a horse named Forfeit.

Scholarly gentlemen make bad bookmakers (says the “Pink ’Un”). It is a game at which you must rise from the ranks. We can call to mind a University man who went to reside at Newmarket, where he started a book. He had for clerk a fellow University man, who was a great chess champion, playing in the Chess Congress in the various capitals of Europe. They were both very well received at Newmarket, and the gentleman in question did John Dawson’s stable commissions, as well as several others. He did not last for more than a year or so. An Irish baronet has, we believe, done better. “Gentleman” Seaton was another failure, heavily as he won on Bendigo. He is a man that we miss. He was lunching at the Rutland Arms at Newmarket one day with Mr. Dobell, who at that time had The Rush, when he started a story in which the late Mr. Abington was concerned, that would make the fortune of any sensational novelist. It lasted throughout lunch and the carriage journey to the Birdcage, and we all three went into one of the horse boxes to get the finish of it, actually missing the first race! It was a story to tell, but most of the people concerned in it are still alive, and, therefore, to our sorrow, we cannot tell it.

In some comments on the cost of racing In England, Mr. R. Sievier says, among other thing: “If an owner would insure himself against risk in travelling his horses, the scale for insuring them is high enough in all conscience. To insure Sceptre for £lO,OOO, less than half what she was sold for, cost us £6OO per annum. In addition to all these expenses, entrance fees are extortionate when compared with those of any other country in the world. Take the Grand Prix de Paris, a stake worth. £14,000. The initial subscription is £4, for which amount a horse can be left in until May 2nd of the year of the race; by that time an owner should know whether his animal has any chance or not. Should he run, the full amount subscribed is 1000 francs (40sovs). Whereas the owner who would run for the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, which is now our most valuable prize, will have subscribed 160sovs, or 155 sovs when his animal goes to the post, the former amount for three-year-olds, and the latter for four-year-olds.”

The first half-mile of the Champion Stakes, according to Mr. F. H. Heath, the official timekeeper, took 2min. 12sec. to run, the first mile and a half smin. 26sec.

WGvuuey, wiiv ran second to Parable in the Napier Park Cup, yesterday, won the event last year by ten lengths.

King Edward’s horse Minoru has wintered well, and his trainer is not without hope of seeing him down Bayardo in the Ascot Gold Cup. Marsh has confidence in the Derby winner as a stayer, notwithstanding that most racing men have a different idea. With the exception of Minoru, all the colts leased by His Majesty from Mr. W. Hall Walker have been returned to the latter.

Mr. McGrath, the Opaki trainer, is booked to leave shortly for Australia with a team that will include Osiris, Tumut, and Aberration.' H. Cairns is to accompany the team as rider.

Orilne, who captured the Australian Cup, is by imported Orzil from Aline, by Grandmaster (imp.) from Hilda, by Yattendon from Ellsler, by Comrade from Emily, by Operator from Flora Mclvor, by Rous Emigrant from Cornelia (imp.). It is a coincidence that the winners of the Handicap and the Australian Cup trace back to that celebrated matron, Flora Mclvor, who was bred by the late Mr. C. Reynolds at Tocal in 1866. Mala is by Malster from La France, by Carnage from Wild Rose, by Newminster from Primrose, by Goldsbrough from Corisande, by New Warrior from 10, by Sir Hercules from Flora Mclvor.

Prince Foote’s Champion Stakes (says the “ Referee”) was a record in one respect—it was the slowest ever run, taking 2m. 12%5. longer than the three miles steeplechase the same afternoon. As the first half-mile took 2.12 to cover, the horses could have little more than walked, and it is said that when they left the straight the first time round some of the patrons of the flat amused themselves by running along, level with the trio and addressing a few remarks (possibly not flattering) to the respective riders. The latter portion of the journey was run at a cracking pace, and, according to all accounts, Prince Foote had to be ridden right out to beat Pendil. Well, in the spring the latter would have had very little chance of troubling the three-year-old at weight-for-age, and that he should be equal to doing so now is suggestive to me that the latter could not have been quite himself last week. At the same time Pendil ran so well in each of his races that there is no doubt as to ms oemg better than in November last.

So many first-class stallions have been exported from England of late years that there is a noticeable scarcity of them for the season which will soon commence, and it is welcome news that one at least has been retrieved, and will reach his native land in the course of the next month or so (says the London “Sportsman”). This horse is Flotsam, by St. Frusquin out of Float, who has made a very great success at the stud of Senor Carlos Reyles in Uruguay, some of his yearlings selling in Buenos Ayres for as much as 4000 guineas, and practically all his first runners being winners. Since, however, the Buenos Ayres Jockey Club have limited a large number of their races to stock bred in the Argentine, Senor Carlos Reyles has decided to dispose of his stud in Uruguay, as he cannot compete with Argentine breeders under the circumstances, and as a result Flotsam has been secured for the Cobham Stud, and will stand there in the coming season at a fee to be shortly announced. His list will be limited to ten or fifteen mares, as he went through a season in the latter half of 1909. Flotsam’s merit as a racehorse is well remembered. He beat his stable companion, Rock Sand, for the Middle Park Plate, and never finished unplaced in any race. His victories as a three-year-old included the Newmarket Stakes and the Sandringham Foal Stakes, for which race he carried lOst, and conceded 21b to Exchequer, who had just previously ; run a close second to Rock Sand at Ascot, though in receipt of only 71b from the Derby winner. Float, the dam of Flotsam, was quite the best ' two-year-old filly of her year, and she is by Sheen out of Footlight (dam of Glare), by Cremorne out of Paraffin, from whom also descend Ladas, Cicero, Neil Gow, Lesbia, Bezonian, Flair and Vivid.

Los Angelos has sprung a splint, and as it is awkwardly situated, his owner intends removing the growth before asking the horse to do fast work. Hence the reason of his absence from the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps.

T. Carroll, who was suspended for foul riding in the Rangitikei Cup on New Year’s Day, has been granted a renewal of his jockey’s license by the Wanganui Jockey Club.

At Morphetvalle recently Roy Hill, a stable boy, lost his life while riding Orry in the Flying Handicap of six furlongs. The mishap was an extraordinary one, for Orry was running last at the time and was not interfered with in any way when he slipped. He apparently rolled on Hill, who died almost instantaneously.

The Australian trainer R. Wootton begins the new racing season in England with no fewer than 40 horses. He is training horses for Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Hall, and Mr. H. Lytham.

Admiral Hawke (Pretty Polly’s brother) has wintered so well that some English critics are of opinion that Neil Gow and Lemberg will find him a formidable opponent in the three-year-old races.

Amongst the yearlings sold at the Melbourne bloodstock sales was a sister to True Shot (Pistol —Alveary) at 210 guineas, and a Multiform—Rattler filly (sister to Nautiform) at 380 guineas.

Walnut, the minner of both the principal events at the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting, was fruitlessly offered at auction during the Gore summer meeting, and was passed out of the ring without anyone showing a keen desire to buy the gelding. Mr. R. Logan subsequently leased Walnut, and no doubt several are regretting they did not puc in a bid or two when the auctioneer had to pass the horse out of the ring. Walnut has already shown speed, but was considered more or less unsound, but he was apparently solid enough when he did 4.47 2-5 on a slow track.

Referring to the result of the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield, “ Terlinga” wrote in the “Australasian” as follows: —E. A. Connolly, of the Mor dialloc division, won with Celerity, and he must be accounted a very clever young man, with fine judgment of what is required to win a sprint race. At Moonee Valley last March Celerity won by a street, and Dhobi, giving her a stone, was second. Then followed three nowheres, in which she was never in the betting. At Mentone, on December 11, she was very much in. the betting again, and won by lengths. Evidently Connolly has shown great judgment in backing her at the right time. Mordialloc is a pretty close corporation, and the trainers round there do not proclaim hoped-for . coups from the housetops. They have no fancy for letting the public know, through the press, that they fancy this or that horse, and the jockey who is going to ride resists the temptation to tell pressmen that he Is engaged for So-and-so, and that it is expected to win. Nevertheless, I think all his racing neighbours are on Connolly’s good things at the right time. He bets pretty heavily himself, but likes to Bee friends share in his good luck.

People who bet on horses are the most superstitious folk in the world. A dream, or an incident, may lead them into supporting a horse which, upon “the book,” has not the slightest chance of victory. It has been told how some men backed certain horses because they took a fancy to the number on a policeman’s tunic; because they noticed a name in arboriculture which caught their fancy, and because in the case of one man a horse possessing his name was figuring among the Derby “probables.” Dreams have played in the past a conspicuous part in the causing of some men to put their money upon horses, almost whether they really wished so to do or not. Countless hundreds of successful dream omens have been heard of since, say, the day of the first Derby; the unsuccessful visions go unrecorded among the other things of which the world knows nothing. There was a publican in Chester, who, if he did not dream the winner of the Chester Cup each year, had an almost unerring inspiration. With the aid of soap he used to write the first three upon a large looking-glass some hours before the race for the Cup, and for years he found the winner, and was always well up with the

placed horses. The feat grew famous among regular racegoers to Chester, and his trade flourished thereby. His explanation was that his tips were nothing less than inspirations. His son to this day avers that he receives the same sort of wireless information. —“Baily’s Magazine.”