TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1063, 21 July 1910, Page 5

TURF TOPICS.

The Wellington meeting will be brought to a conclusion on Saturday.

C- Cress, who has had more than his share of spills lately, was on Mahuta when the son of Mahaki came to grief in the Winter Hurdles at Wellington on Saturday.

According to Wellington papers, R. Hatch rode a very bad race on Sir Frisco in the Parliamentary Handicap. As it was, the horse was close up third, and should not be long in going two better.

The full brother to Merriwai, winner of the Great Northern Hurdles, by Merriwee —Bubbles, purchased by JChaafe while at Hawke’s Bay with Prophet, has been named Jack Johnson-

The rising three-year-old Minstrel has returned to the track, and has grown into a fine colt. From appearances there is a profitable future in store for the owner of Minstrel.

With the exception of Electrakoff, Auckland horses fared very badly on the opening day at Wellington.

There was a ton of money in Auckland for Electrakoff for the Stewards’ Handicap on Saturday, and the good thing landed easily, although the dividend was a trifle on the small side.

The New Zealand Racing Conference opens at Wellington to-day.

While schooling at Trentham last week Capitol came to grief, and his rider, M. Deeble, sustained a broken arm. This is a piece of bad luck for the Thames horseman, as it will keep him out of the saddle, while another rider will have to be found for Capitol.

The following are the leading jockeys in England up till the end of May: —D. Maher, 33 wins; W- A Higgs, 19; C. Trigg, 16; Wm. Griggs, 15; J. Clark, 15; W. Saxby, 13; F- Fox, 13; Walter Griggs, 13; F. Wooton, 10; H. Randall, 10; C. Foy, 10.

Tauira, who was made an odds-on favourite for the Winter nurdles (two miles), at Wellington in a field of 12 jumped very badly throughout, and had to be content with second to Paisano. He led the field for the first mile, but lost a good deal of ground by running the hurdles down and spoiling his chance of victory. In the run up the straight Paisano held him quite safe, he being unable to make any impression on the Strowan gelding.

The Taranaki Jockey Club have made their move towards holding a winter meeting next year by making the necessary application to the Racing Conference. May 17 and 18 are the dates selected by the T.J-C- for the gathering.

Quite a large number of Auckland racing enthusiasts are in Wellington for the winter steeplechase meeting which concludes at Trentham on Saturday. Among the prominent sportsmen who attended the gathering on the first and second days were Messrs H. Hayr, C. F. Mark, F. D. Yonge, R. C. Wallace, R. L. Somers, R. Wynyard, H. T. Gorrie and E. W. Alison.

The scallion Marble Arch, brought from Sydney on Sunday by the s-s. Maheno, not having been located in New South Wales the necessary period to place him outside the quarantine regulations in force, he was despatched to Motuihi to put in the necessary time on the island. The othei’ stallion, Penury, was allowed to land, and during the day was taken to his owner’s place at Mangere.

Four Auckland horses started on the opening day of the Wellington winter gathering, these being Electrakoff, Miss Advance, Ngapuka and Explosive. Of the quartette the firstnamed, who accounted for the Stewards’ Handicap in hollow fashion, was the only representative to score, but he returned backers a very short price, being an odds-on favour* te. Though Electrakoff did not leave the barrier with his usual smartness, he soon had the measure of his opponents and once the straight was entered the little son of Menschikoff never for one moment left the issue in doubt, shaking off his opponents with the greatest of ease. He will now have to carry 10.0 in the Winter Cup at the C.J.C. Grand National meeting, for which he has come into a good deal of favour as the result of his display on Saturday.

California, who was sent out favourite for the Parliamentary Handicap at Wellington had the bad luck to get left 30 yards at the post, Griffiths, who had the mount, failing to get the chestnut son of San Fran off with the thirteen other contestants. California, however, set off in pursuit of the big field, and catching them at evey stride he put in a great run up the straight, eventually finishing in fourth position—a brilliant performance considering he was so badly left. Had he got out of the barrier with the others he must have played a very prominent part in the finish.

A friend writing me from Fiji says that there are a number of horses well known to Aucklanders there, amongst the number being Fuss, Lady Ellen, Bother, Lord Seaton, Majestic, Sally Horner, Regulus, Liquid Air, Luminous, Little wonder and Censure. The top was removed from the grandstand by the last hurricane.

Electrakoff was a very hot favourite for the Stewards’ Handicap which he won with ease and he did not return his supporters even money.

Evidently the Strowan gelding Paisano is all his admirers claimed for him, as he had matters pretty well all his own way in the Winter Hurdles.

The veteran Paritutu gained third place in the Winter Hurdles and may not yet be a past light. A win for his owner-trainer, J. George, would be pleasing to chronicle.

Four first favourites and two second favourites won on the opening day at Wellington. Evidently backers would have all the best of the argument with the pencillers, of course they couldn’t beat the tote.

White Cockade, who won the Peninsula Hurdles at Wellington, also scored at the Ashburton meeting and critics are selecting the son of Finland as one worth following.

The New Zealand pony Speedy Meg let her supporters down very badly at Kensingston the other day. She was a hot favourite, but finished outside of the places.

Mr. Spencer Gollan’s horse, Tiripapa, won the Eden Handicap of 300 sovs at Lingfield on June 9, thereby atoning for previous failures. The Eden Handicap was run over the mile and a-half on the round course, and Tiripapa started favourite at 5 to 2. He always held a forward position in the race, and when Maid of Kent gave it up in the straight, Mr. Gollan’s well-bred son of Collar and Tiraillerie came on and scored comfortably by half a length-

It has been practically decided that a stake of lOOOsovs is to be added to the New Zealand Cup Handicap in November and that the race is for horses that can do 4.44 or better.

Madam Madcap, who has resumed active work, is bearing a bright appearance after her spell.

The Hon. J. D. Ormond’s stable turned out three winners on the opening day at Wellington * * * *

Te Arai was not started in the Wellington Steeplechase, his special mission being the C.J.C. Grand National.

From accounts of the racing it would seem as though there were only two in the Winter Hurdles at Wellington and these were Paisano and Tauira. The latter’s jumping is stated to have been very slovenly, and but for this the son of Mahaki may have troubled the winner. Tauira was a very hot favourite and the pencillers were were offering a very short price about his chance.

Ngapuka, who carried a large amount of coin in the Parliamentary Handicap at Wellington, ran a very disappointing race. Though he did not look as bright as when he ran Master Soult to a head in the Cornwall Handicap at the A.R.C. Gieat Northern meeting, there was nothing wrong with the appearance of the Soult gelding to disconcert backers, who plumped on him solidly, with the result that he wound up third favourite. Ngapuka, however, never at any part of the race flattered the hopes of his backers, and when the large field was rounding the bend for home the rose and black stripes could be discerned right in the thick of the bunch. In the run to the judge’s box Ngapuka seemed to have lost his finishing powers, and as he passed the post third to last he bore noticeable signs of fatigue.

The Auckland hurdler Explosive, who contested the Peninsula Hurdle Handicap (one and three-quarter miles), jumped his fences attractively and with much more confidence than when he fell at the Napier Park meeting. He was up with the leaders for the first mile, but after that took no prominent part in the race and eventually finishing fifth. He was ridden by J. Jones in his engagement.

California is given credit for putting up a good performance in the Parliamentry Handicap at Wellington. The son of San Fran was left about 30 yards when the barrier rose, but despite this his rider (Griffiths) kept at him and he finished close up fourth.

“Tartar” Julian was on Rosegrove in the Peninsula Hurdles on Saturday, but though he was well supported his backers got a very poor run for their money, as the chestnut was the last to pass the box.

Paisano has earned the full penalty of 141 b for the C.J.C. Grand National Hurdles and his weight will now be 12.1.

The crack three-year-old Elysian is to be placed in work again shortly by D. Morraghan. Elysian has been having a spell since the A.R.C. Summer meeting.

lae surprise of the opening day’s racing at Trentham was the substantial dividend paid by Multiple in the Miramar Handicap, since it is only a few weeks back that the son of Multiform wop a race at Hastings in good company. With only a moderate field to oppose him he was prominent at all stages of the race, and finishing brilliantly under his heavy impost of 11.1, got the judge’s verdict by a bare head from Penza. It was generally considered that seven furlongs was too far for Multiple, and this no doubt had a great deal to do with the false price he was allowed to pay.

Stourton, who had the services of B. Deeley, was in strong request for the Te Aro Handicap at Wellington on Saturday, and was also heavily backed in doubles with Paisano, but after running an indifferent race he finished a moderate third to Contendent.

Elfish was the only member of the Karamu quartette which failed to carry the Hon. J. D. Ormond’s colours to victory on the first day at Wellington, third being the best position he was able to fill. Bollin, Morecambe and Contendent all carried the cerise jacket of the popular Hawke’s Bay sportsman to victory, the first-named returning investors on the machine a good dividend.

The Auckland mare Miss Advance, which filled third position in the Stewards’ Handicap at Wellington, finished very strongly in that event. She was badly placed throughout the race, and had she been able to defeat Mundic for second money, her supporters would have drawn a substantial dividend as she was neglected on the totalisator.

In the Trial Plate at Wellington on Saturday, which resulted in an easy win for the Hon. J. D. Ormond’s Morecambe, a good race ensued for second place between Tawhaki and Kilostere. The latter looked to have second money safe, but Olliver was inclined to take matters a little too coolly, with the result that Lowe brought the fastfinishing Tawhaki up on the inside and effected a surprise by defeating Kilostere by a short head in the last few strides.

The Auckland horseman C. Brown was unfortunate in missing the mount on Electrakoff in the Stewards’ Handicap on Saturday. Brown had been engaged to ride the Menschikoff colt in this event, but arrived by train at Trentham just as the horses were leaving the birdcage, C. Jenkins being given the mount in his absence.

Socialist, by Menschikoff —Sunningdale, won the Point Cook Handicap, one mile, at Williamstown, Victoria, last month.

What with the sweepstakes and added money the Grand Prix de Paris is worth about 16,000sovs to the winner.

The yearling by Birkenhead from The Officer’s daughter Purity, which was recently shipped to Australia, colliding with a fence, met with injuries that proved fatal.

The reason of Nero’s withdrawal from the Wellington Steeplechase is that his off fore tendon is gone. The gelding is to be taken back to Hastings and ! blistered and an. endeavour will be made to get him ready for Rangitikei.

The Glasgow Handicap, decided at Wellington yesterday, was won by the Dogger Bank, with Advantage second.

Word from the South is of the effect that none of Mr. G. D. Greenwood’s horses will be taken to Australia in the spring.

Phaetonitis carried 10.13 and finished fourth in the Dingley Steeplechase at Moonee Valley, Victoria, on June 29.

Goldbeater, by Clanranald —Gold leaf, finished last in a race at Aspendale Park, near Melbourne, last month.

The following horses have been sold out of the King’s stud of racers:— Perrier, syrs by Persimmon —Amphora, 2000 guineas; and Slim Lad, 6yrs, by St. Simon —Loadamia, 630 guineas. Both horses have been bought for export to Buenos Aires.

Artillerie is doing useful work at Randwick in view of engagements during the spring.

Those who contended that California would have won the Parliamentary Handicap had he left the mark with the others had their argument substantiated when California won the Waterloo Handicap yesterday. Sir Frisco, upon whom Hatch was stated to have ridden with poor judgment on the opening day, was California’s nearest attendant yesterday.

Not only in the Wellington Steeplechase did Auckland horses shine, as the Vittoria Hurdles saw Master Paul and Kremlin, who both hail from Auckland, run first and second.

Auckland-owned horses played a prominent part in the decision of the Wellington Steeplechase yesterday, as first and second places were filled by Capitoland Red McGregor respectively. A coincidence is that both horses are of the chestnut colour and are full brothers, while they have each won the Great Northern Steeplechase.

The popular and clever Australian rider James Barden has decided to retire from the saddle and take out a license as trainer.

tion arises whether Mustapha has deteriorated or Bachelor’s Double is a much better horse than the critics give him credit to be. Probably the latter is the case. It looks as though the three best four-year-olds runningin England are Bayardo, Sir Martin and Bachelor’s Double, and it was sheer bad luck for the latter that goingamiss at Doncaster prevented him finishing second or third for last year’s St. Leger.

A southern writer says that Oiyoi’s next mission is the New Zealand Cup, and followers of the stable have taken all the long prices about him obtainable in the Dominion. Owing to his reported intended departure for Australia, the odds were good. The sale of the Stepniak—Hermosa gelding has not been completed, owing to the fact that, like almost all Stepniaks, the gelding has faulty hocks. The vet. was perfectly satisfied at the time of examination, but told Mr. Evans, the owner, that he would have to send a description of the hocks, although, as far as he (the vet.) was concerned, he was sure they would not at any time interfere with the gelding’s racingcareer.

The victory of the American colt Sir Martin in the Coronation Cup, run at Epsom in Derby week, has set race-goers thinking whether he or Bayardo is the best horse in England. Sir Martin’s time was 2min. 35 1-5 sec., the same as Lemberg’s record Derby time. I think it may be concluded that Sii’ Martin would have about won last year’s Derby but for falling. But what about Bachelor’s Double, who finished second a length and a half behind the winner? In the City and Suburban he defeated Mustapha, who was giving him six pounds, by half a length. Here he had to give Mustapha 131 b-, and beat him by at least six lengths. Now, the ques-

M. Halbronn, one of the leadingauthorities on racing in France, and who is fairly conversant with English as well as Continental racing, stated in a recent letter to the London Sportsman that France has seven or eight jockeys capable of rivalling Maher or Frank Wotton ,K Sft * * *

Alawa, who figures as top-weight in the important spring handicaps, is doing easy work on the track at Miners' Rest (Ballarat). He is moving along nicely, and exhibits no sign of the lameness which troubled him last season.

As was only to be expected Master Paul, with 10.0 in a hack hurdle race, would be well supported, and there was considerable coin for the Waikato horse in Auckland yesterday for his Wellington engagement. The good thing duly came off.

In his references to the handicaps for the big sporting events, the Sydney writer “Milroy” is of opinion that the New Zealanders are ail handicapped up to their best form and a bit over. In the Epsom Master Soult will have to be as good as Bobrikoff, he thinks, to have a chance. “Also I would gladly subscribe to the opinion,” he writes, “that any man who would back Aborigine to beat Parsee at level weights over a mile should be put under restraint and not allowed out without a minder. Aborigine is called upon to give Maltine a pound. I think I can see him doing it.”

There are 113 horses in work at Riccarton in view of the Grand National meeting.

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club paid away £14,750 in stakes during the past year, and of this amount owners subscribed £4004 15s in nominations and acceptances. These figures read against the owner, who pays rather dearly for his sport when the matter is looked at from a general point of view, and it is not astonishing that the club can afford to give big stakes when such a proportion of the prize-money is supplied by the owners.

The thirty-sixth Kentucky Derby, of £l2OO, was run at Louisville last month, and was won by Donau, who cut out the mile and a-quarter in 2min 6 2-ssec. There were 25,000 people present, and betting was done through the totalisator, the tickets being five dollars each.