TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1055, 26 May 1910, Page 5

TURF TOPICS.

The Wanganui Jockey Club’s meeting will be concluded this afternoon. * * * *

Ashby continues to do steady work on the tracks at Ellerslie.

Nominations for the Gisborne Racing Club’s winter meeting close oh Wednesday next.

Five furlongs from home in the .Maiden Hurdles Freevata was pulling double, but when challenged by King Hippo just after the half-mile post was reached, he closed up like a book and made a very feeble response. However, he may make a better showing before long.

Bowden, who was on Flying Soult at Takapuna, rode two good races on the Soult gelding, and as there is a scarcity of light-weights just now, should be in demand with owners.

Don Quex was galloping on in each of the races he contested on the openday at Takapuna.

Nora Soult still plays up at the barrier, and gave a lot of trouble again at Takapuna.

Acceptances for all events to be decided on the opening day of the Auckland Racing Club’s meeting close to-morrow (Friday) at 9 p.m. with the secretary, Mr. J. F. Hartland- At the same time a final payment of 4sovs in connection with the Great Northern Hurdles must be made.

On Saturday P. Jones, trainer of Miss Stella, and Henderson, trainer of Belle Napier, were each fined £2 for sending their charges into the paddock late.

Prior to the racing on Saturday A. McMillan was brought before the stewards- A complaint was lodged by the owner of Caruso that McMillan had arranged to ride the horse mentioned, but had afterwards accepted the ride on Montpellier, and complainant had to secure another rider. McMillan was fined £1-

Yankee .ran a peculiar race in the Maiden Plate, and will probably turn the tables on his opponents at Takapuna when they meet at Ellerslie. It was certainly aggravating to backers of Prophet to see him hampered by the riderless Noteorini in the Hauraki Hurdles. Several good judges aver that but for Noteorini interfering with him at the last fence and bringing him to grief, Prophet would have won comfortably.

The prominent running of Commander in the Hauraki Hurdles should have the effect of bringing him into the betting on the Great Northern Hurdles. For the greater part of the journey he was a long way behind the leaders, but in the latter stages was putting in some telling work, and at the finish was on Armagh’s girths, or only a length away from the winner, Tui Cakobau. Commander ran like a true stayer and left the impression that had the distance been half-a-mile longer, or the same as the Great Northern, a different number would have been hoisted on top of the result board. * * ® *

That Sea Elf has improved .she amply demonstrated in the decision of the Empire Handicap. Holding a aood position throughout, she was never far from the leader, and when Mark Ryan asked her to go up and win, the little daughter of Seaton Delaval answered in great style, and made her opponents look very cheap. In her present form Sea Elf shouldl be worth watching, * * * *

Jockey W. H. M’Lachlan, who has had a wonderful run of good fortune in Australia during the past two years, added another important race to his winning record by riding Medaglia to victory in the Adelaide Cup on May 14. # * * *

The erratic Maiora broke' down badly in the Maiden Hurdles on Saturday.

The Southern mare Truganini was sent out favourite for the Empire Handicap on Saturday, but she did not appear to run too kindly, and was losing a lot of ground at the turns- On a bigger course Truganini may make a better showing.

The late King Edward some weeks prior to his death graciously gave permission for the skeleton of Persimmon, then temporarily at the British Museum (Natural History) at South Kensington, to be exhibited at the forthcoming first International Shooting and Fields Sports Exhibition in Bienna before it is permanently transferred to the custody of the trustees of the British Museum.

■ Mark Ryan took no chances with Sea Eif on Saturday, Although the little mare had the field well beaten, Ryan rode her to the judge’s box, and made no doubt about the result. .

That those who considered Peggy Pryde thrown in in the Pony Handicap at Takapuna were right the running of the race proved, for the little mare was in front at the end of 100 yards, and never gave the opposition a look-in.

Jenkinstown, the winner of the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase, is a bay gelding, nine years old, by Hackler from Playmate. He first ran in 190 6, then carrying Mr. James Daly’s, colours- <ln 1908 Jenkinstown ran on seven occasions without success. Last year he won the Ingestre Steeplechase at Wolverhampton Christmas meeting. His owner, Mr. Stanley Howard, quite a young man, by the way, counts an exceedingly fortunate one, also, in thus carrying Ou the big steeplechase twice in four years, while it will be remembered that Eremon supplemented his victory in 1907 with the spoils of the Lancashire Handicap. Eremon’s Liverpool triumph was one of the most popular in the history of the race, his public performances leading up to Aintree having strongly foreshadowed that success.

Tilson who won the Wanganui steeplechase in 1908 for Mr. James Orr, the Martinborough sportsman, and was recently purchased by a patron of Delaney’s stable, is now in Sydney. He is a clever fencer, and should prove a valuable acquisition to the ranks of the jumpers in New South Wales.

Frank Ross has been schooling Sabine at Ellerslie, and he is negotiating the hurdles like a veteran. However, he does not give the impression that he would stay well.

The ’chaser Nogi has changed hands at a very low figure. # # ■ * *

A few weeks ago it was the popular opinion that the Ellerslie trainer T. Williams would play a strong hand in jumping events at the Northern meeting with his jumpers, but during the last week he has lost the services of both Maiora and Leo.

Celtic looks very poor just now, and does not fill out at all-

Kremlin did well at Takapuna considering that he had done practically no work at all, and his running does' not say much for those who finished behind him.

On Tuesday morning Leo, Loch Fyne, First Barrel, Flying Cloud, Cavaliero and Calm were associated oyer a circuit of the steeplechase course. Flying Cloud and Calm did not shape too well, while Leo came to grief at the stone wall at the head of the straight. The others all jumped well, Cavaliero and First Barrel finishing together in front-

Santa Rosa and Waimangu were spun out over seven furlongs on the sand on Tuesday, the pair, as usual, finishing in line in 1.32 2-5. #*♦ . * The Soult filly Gloss has been sold to an Australian buyer.

Jack Pot, who won the Wanganui Steeplechase on Tuesday, was ridden by the Auckland horseman A. JulianIn the event last year Jack Pot came to grief when winning easily.

An offer of 1250 guineas for the Wellington Cup winner Crucinella, on behalf of an Australian buyer, was refused-

Corazon was tried over the steeplechase fences at Napier Park the other morning, but gave a very poor display and refused every fence. A couple of days later he was sent with Jack Pot and Audax, and shaped much better.

Elizabetha, winner of the recent Chester Cup (England), claims Diamond Jubilee as her sire-

The Birkenhead gelding Oxton was sent over the schooling hurdles with Dorando the other morning. Dorando was no use to his companion, who could not go slow enough to keep with Dorando.

Both Maid of Corinth, runner-up in the One Thousand, and Lemberg, rnn-ner-up in the Two Thousand, are trained by A. Taylor.

Hackler, sire of the recent Liverpool Grand National winner, Jenkinstown, headed the winning sires of jumpers’ list for the past season in England. His stock won nine races, annexing stakes to the value of £3814. The Liverpool Grand National is worth £2400 to the winner. Persimmon also had nine winners, which won him £1968.

The St. Paul horse Waiau got a very bad passage in the Royal Handicap at Takapuna. At the start he was chopped out, and in the running he was shut in a couple of times-

King Hippo, who won the Maiden Hurdles on Saturday, is trained by W. Orange, of trotting fame. Orange has the St- Hippo gelding very well just now, and should win again shortly.

Spectre, a perfect disappointment on the flat, ran a good race in the Maiden Hurdles, and half-a-mile from home looked like winning. However, the last found him out, and he eventually finished third.

An offer of 1200 guineas, on the part of an Indian buyer, was refused for the Australian racehorse Conge d’Eslire.

The Explosion horse Pohutu did ' not look quite ready at Takapuna, and he finished last in the Empire Handicap.

The Battlefield gelding Arty, purchased by Mr. J- Twohill last season in the South, did not last long in the Maiden Hurdles, as he came to grief while galloping on the flat near the mile post.

The Masterton Racing Club has decided to hold its autumn meeting on March 23 and 24, it having been found that March 17 and 18, the dates originally selected, clash with the Napier Park Racing Club’s gathering. The Masterton Club has a debit balance at present of £lO7.

A well-attended and representative meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of a trotting club in Wellington was held last week.' Colonel Hume occupied the chair. It was resolved that a trotting club be formed, to be known as the Wellington Trotting Club, and that the races be held on the Miramar racecourse. Colonel Hume and Mr. J. H. Pollock, with Mr. J. Dykes as interim secretary, were elected a committee to make the necessary preliminary arrangements, and report to members at a meeting to be held next week. The interest of the sporting community of Wellington has already been assured for the new club, iwhich will be run on similar lines to the Canterbury Metropolitan Trotting Club.

At a meeting held on Thursday night a trotting club was formed at Palmerston North with a prospective membership of 200.

The following are the nominations for the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles: —Maku, Polyanthus, Paisano, Continuance, Prospector, Audax, Oren (late Nero), Forest, Wooloomooloo, Wimmera, Reumac, Longner, Compass, Prophet, Pearl Reef, Showman.

In the Brisbane Two Thousand, to be run on June 4th, Pink ’Un has been awarded top weight—list. Gold Thread (9st 91b) and the Birkenhead —.Miss Never colt Mischief, 9st 101 b, the minimum weight being 6st 71b. The class of horses in Queensland cannot be too good when Pink ’Un and Gold Thread are set to give away such weight as the above.

Monocle continues to be a disappointment, and Mr. E. W- Alison’s gelding cut a poor figure in both races he contested at Devonport on Saturday- * * * *. Mischief, carrying 9st 31b, recently won the Flying at the Brisbane Tattersall’s Club’s meeting. In this race Mischief started a very hot favourite, and for a pound invested on him you would just receive enough to pay for a good luncheon for one. Ms * * * Full Rate has changed hands,, and his new owner may put him. over hurdles. J ® Danny Maher, the well-known jockey, was recently fined £2 and costs, and his license was ordered to be. endorsed, by the Notts magistrates for motoring in West Bridgford at a speed dangerous to the public on Sunday. Defendant, who did not appear, pleaded guilty. With two companions he drove through the suburb at 30 miles an hour, just as people were leaving the churches, killing a dog.

The ex-Australian jockey, W. Bullock, is riding with success in England, and recently won a good two-year-old race at Nottingham on an America?) youngster, defeating nineteen other runners.

Capitol and Kapakapa gave an excellent display of jumping over the big fences on Tuesday morning. *.* ♦ *

The accident which put Leo out of commission will, in the minds of many, have the effect of making the Maiden Steeplechase at Ellerslie look more cpen. Track watchers were selecting Leo to make an exhibition of the field.

A. Morrow has the Menschikoff filly Lady Betty who met with an injury in the spring in work again at Ellerslie.

Immediately on the conclusion of the Wanganui meeting the Hutt trainer, G. Delaney, will leave for Sydney where he will superintend the preparation of Tilson.

By winning the Century Hurdles at Wanganui on Tuesday, Wimmera will have to put up a 71b. penalty and the son of Merriwee will now have to carry 10.9 in the Great Northern Hurdles.

By winning the Wanganui Steeplechase, Jack Pot has incurred a 101 b. penalty in the Great Northern Steeplechase and his weight will now be 11.6.

Wimmera has only started twice over hurdles and victory went to him each time.

There was a lot of money in Auckland for Audax in the Century Hurdles at Wanganui, but the son of Birkenhead had to strike his colours to Wimmera.

Jack Pot’s time, 6.7 4-5 for the Wanganui Steeplechase is a record for the race.

While schooling at Ellerslie on Tuesday morning the Leolanter gelding Leo chine to grief and sustained a broken back and a friendly bullet put an end to his sufferings. Leo who was ridden by Phillips hit the second fence of the double hard, but he negotiated the other obstacles in good style till he reached the stone wall at the head of the straight when he crashed into heavily with the above result. Leo wa's one of the most promising chasers at Ellerslie audit was hard luck for his owner, Mr. H- Weal, and trainer, T. Williams to test the gelding’s services just when he looked like playing his best card at the Winter meeting. Leo was a fair performer over hurdles and won a couple of good races.

A rather interesting case was decided in France recently, when M. Arthur Veil-Picard and Madame Lemaire de Villiers, the owner of the Saint Lucien Stud, thrashed out a difference in the Court of Appeal. The Continental correspondent of the London Sportsman says that M. A. VeilPicard brought a yearling, Le Sicambre, at the De|tville sales for 440sovs. The sale was made under certain conditions and guarantees, and the buyer sent home the colt. He was surprised to learn from his trainer that Le Sicambre was a roarer. Calling in the vet-, inary surgeon, he was satisfied that such was the fact, and writing to the breeder declared that he could not accept the colt owing to. the impossibility of racing or breeding from him. MaLemaire declined to reopen the transaction, declaring that when the

yearling left her stud he was all right in his wind. She lost her case. On appeal counsel for the defence argued that she could only be responsible in the event ol her having been aware that the colt was really a roarer, and that, though the knowledge of such a vice was easily obtainable for a racehorse, it was not the same with an unbroken colt, who had never had the saddle on him or been galloped. M. A. Veil-Picard unable to prove that the colt had been galloped or had had the tackle on him at the stud, was unable to show that the colt was a roarer when he was sent up for sale, and has consequently been condemned to pay all expenses and retain possession of his purchase.

Apropos of Australia, what an awful lot of twaddle is being written about the shortsightedness and selfishness of owners and breeders in that country, who will not trade with Indian buyers on the latters’ own terms. The Australians are nd fools, they know the value of their stock, and what is more they know how and where to get it. If Indians will not pay the prices they ask, why, the Japanese or the Javanese or the Chinese or the Malays will. Horses are not a drug in the Australian market, not by any means; and if Indian owners think they can be better suited in England and on the Continent, why, let them go there and say no more about it. Our people, with the sole exception of Mr. A. A. Apcar, are in no mood to take a sporting chance. What they are after are well-tried performers, and when the prices asked are stiff they pule about the Australians opening their mouths too loud. Let them try to buy winners in England and see how they’ll fare. It is one thing buying a plater out of a selling race, or the cast-off from some training establishment, but quite another thing to secure a well-engaged horse always prominently mentioned in the market quotations. Mr. Goculdas, of Bombay, bought the champion sprinter Soultline in Australia for 2000gns., if I remember right (says a writer in the Indian Planters’ Gazette) at any rate, it was a sum of four figures. In England he would have been asked at least £20,000 for «t horse with such a reputation. The same writer states that “he will stake his reputation that those owners, like Mr. Apcar, who remain steadfast to the waler will laugh best at last, especially in the Indian classics.”

“The Asian” recently mentioned that at next season’s Calcutta races some of the bookmakers who were betting last season would be missing, and in again referring to the subject says: “However sad this news may be to the punting brigade, there is yet some balm in Gilead for them. Two wellknown military officers in the Punjab have made known their intentions to join the ranks of the metallicians. One has already arranged for a partner with capital from England, while he will mostly contribute in talent. In the other case the intending debutant is waiting his shortly-expected majority (in rank, not in years), when he means to make the plunge.” Further on the same paper draws attention to the fact that Mr. James Pymm, an oldestablished bookmaker, advertising that in future his method would be “absolutely cash only,” owing to continued bad settlings for the past six years.