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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1083, 8 December 1910, Page 5

BY

Handicaps for the Trial, Robinson, Nursery, and Christmas Handicap, to be decided on the opening day at Elerslie, are due to appear to-mor-row (Friday).

W. Mobberley had to ease his colt, Cloudy Dawn, up in his work. The colt had an attack of colic, but is now well again.

Paisano is going along favourable on the tracks at Ellerslie, and the bay son of Strowan should strip one of the fittest horses at Ellerslie in a couple of weeks’ time.

Dunborve still remains in the Cup, but he looks to be right out of his class, and perhaps he would be more at home in a hurdle race.

After winning the Te Awamutu Cup on Saturday, a protest was lodged against the stake going to Miss Livonia, on the grounds that the mare had run inside a post. The stewards, after consideration, upheld the protest, and the race was awarded to Montpellier.

In each of his races at Feilding, the Auckland bred gelding, John, was running on at the end, and that being so, the extra distance in the Cup should be all in his favour.

Arawa, who won the Vauxhall Handicap at Takapuna, followed this up by scoring again at Te Awamutu on Saturday.

The Auckland Cup favourite, Kopu, has arrived at Ellerslie, in charge of his trainer, J. Munn- So far as appearances go there is nothing wrong with Kopu’s condition.

Reports from the South concerning Danube are all favourable, and there appears every likelihood of Martian’s son being on hand to contest the Great Northern D’erby on New Year’s Day.

Guidwife has produced a foal to Soult. This is probably the last of the Soult’s and makes 34 youngsters, who claim St. Simon’s son as their parent this season.

The ex-Aucklander, Aimwell, is doing good toil at Wairarapa, but he fails to reproduce his track form, where the colours are up.

According to reports, Polymorphous was badly left in the Feilding Stakes, but was coming along in great style over the last furlong, and only missed gaining second honours by a neck. Polymorphous may be brought to Auckland to contest the Royal Stakes.

Tumut is showing signs of shoulder lameness and is consequently spelling.

War Song is reported to be doing well under his owner, Mr. W. Lonergan’s, care at Hastings. • * » *

The retirement from the racecourse of Armlet is announced. During her career the daughter of . Mfenschikoff started in 33 races, winning 14 of a value of £6,264. She was purchased a the Stead disposal sale for 500gns. by Mr. G‘. D. Greenwood, who won 10 races with the brilliant mare.

Although Sir Artegal failed to run into a place at Takapuna, there are many who anticipate that Stepniak’s son will be seen in a more prominent position at Ellerslie-

While riding a chestnut, by St. Peter, on Thursday morning, the wellknown horseman Mark Ryan, was thrown and trampled upon, the result being a couple of broken ribs. Much sympathy is felt for Ryan, as the accident may prevent him from riding at the Cup meeting.

There were only three starters in the hurdles at Te Awamutu, and of the trio two fell, leaving Seldom to come in on his own. The winner also was nearly down at one of the fences.

“ SOLUTION.”

Formby appears to have lost all form. He was first away in the Feilding Stakes, but was done with at the end of half a mile and finished a long way back.

The favourite combination for the Cup and Railway is Kopu and Turbine, and the best price on offer about this combination is 25 to 1.

Perle d’Or is receiving plenty of support for the Railway, and she has been supported with each of the favourite selections in the Cup.

After his treble victory at Takapuna, there are many who will not hear of Turbine’s defeat in the Railway. However, admitting that his performances were brimful of merit, I will be quite prepared to see Salute finish in front of him in the Railway.

The Native continues in a winning vein, and two more hurdle races fell to his credit at Feilding. ,

The win of Provocation in the Feilding Stakes was a pleasing item, as his owner, Mr W. E. Bidwill, has not been having the best of luck for some time. It is stated that the champion is to be brought to Ellerslie to contest the Royal Stakes, and his appearance will be eagerly looked forward too.

A “Sport,” writing from Karangahake, says:—On Saturday afternoon last Mr J. Gallagher, aged 57, better known as “Hobart Town Jack,” ran from Karangahake to Paeroa and back, a distance of nine miles, in one hour 12 minutes. He then endeavoured to do the nine miles under the hour, but failed, and he now issues a challenge to run any man, 50 years or over, in New Zealand, for £2O aside.”

The Porirua trainer, Jos. Prosser, will probably bring a team of six to battle for him at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting.

In India it is reckoned that nothing outside of one of the recent importations has any chance of beating Fizz in this year’s Viceroy’s Cup.

Waimangu, despite the fact that he beat both Sedition and Advocate in the King Edward Memorial Handicap at Ellerslie last month, has very few admirers for the Cup. The black horse is not overburdened with weight and fit and well on Boxing Day would beat more than would beat him. There is no doubt about his pace, while he also runs like a stayer.

Dunborve, Manapouri and Prophet still remain in the Cup, but it hard to see where either of the trio have any chance of winning.

Birkdale has incurred a . 71b penalty for the Railway Handicap, and his weight in the event is now 8.0.

None of the horses engaged in the Cup have yet incurred a penalty for the event.

King Soult dropped out of both Cup and Railway on Friday, his connections evidently preparing to wait for the Derby.

The New Zealand-bred Saltare (Stepniak—Reel) was among the winners at the Epsom (Victoria) meeting on November 19.

A Wellington follower of racing received a pleasant surprise last week in the shape of a cheque from the Canterbury Jockey Club. While at the New Zealand Cup meeting the recipient of the cheque backed Culprit and another horse in the same race, and after Culprit won, he was talking to a friend and carelessly tore up the Culprit ticket in mistake for the worthless one. He informed the secretary of the club, and was told to put his claim in writing, and it would be considered. Later he gave the club a letter of indemnity against future claims on the unpresented ticket, and has now received a cheque for the amount of the dividend.

With the Cup just on a fortnight off the doings of the Cup and Railway candidates will be read with interest.

Miss Winsome is doing well on the tracks, and her meeting with the Southerners in the Great Northern Foal Stakes is being looked forward to. Her stable mate Malwa is also doing well.

D. Bannatyne had Spectre, Harrigan and Monolope battling for him at Takapuna, but neither of the trio succeeded in getting into the money.

A combination receiving strong support for the Cup and Railway is Bridge and Perle d’Or.

Carlyle continues to pay his way on the other side, his latest victory being a steeplechase at Victoria Park.

Acceptances for the Taranaki J.C. ’Xmas meeting fall due to-morrow.

The New Zealand-bred Masonic, by Kilcheran from Purity, who won the Park Stakes at the Hawkesbury spring meeting, secured the Epsom Handicap at the Bendigo J.C. spring fixture last week- Late Hours was favourite for this event, and was beaten by a short neck only. Another New Zealand representative in Advantage won the Epsom Plate on the opening day.

A novel wager has recently been made in a Wellington club (says the “Dominion”), the parties to the affair being two well-known racing men, and the sum at stake is £2OO. The conditions of the bet are that a Wellington owner selects a pedestrian to beat a horse on the road to Auckland and back to Wellington again in February next. The horse may be ridden by the lightest weight available, and may go any pace, while the man will not be restricted to walking. It is understood that the horse selected will probably be a “musterer,” while the man selected to defend the other side of the bet may be a well-known champion—at least, the backer hopes to secure the services of such a man. Both rider and pedestrian will be allowed the services of a man on a motor cycle, to convey information as to the position of their opponents. Experience of previous similar contests is said to favour the pedestrian, as it has been found that horses “crack up” on the roads under the conditions.

A Wellington writer gives the following account of the Feilding Stakes: —Then came the classic event, the Fifth Feilding Stakes, and naturally much interest centred in the candidates. Provocation held quite a levee, and he certainly looked well, as did Gipsy Belle, who carried a little more money that Mr. Bidwill’s champion. Formby appeared a bit too big, while the commoner of the party was Excel, who wore the rogue’s badge and looked rather out of place in such a race. There was some delay at the post owing to the anxiety of Hermia’s rider to get a flying start. It was not too good a despatch. Formby, Provocation and Gipsy Belle having the best of matters. Before they had gone a furlong the three were together, nearly three lengths ahead of Hermia, while Polymorphous and Madam Madcap were several lengths back. Before the straight was reached, Formby commenced to fall back. Provocation turned the home bend a length ahead of Gipsy Belle, and holding his own up the straight, won without any apparent effort by two lengths from Gipsy Belle. Polymorphous put in a wonderful run from the distance, getting to within a neck of Gipsy Belle. Formby was two lengths off fourth, followed by Hermia, Madam Madcap and Excel. The win was well received, the band playing “See the Conquering Hero Comes” as the horses returned to the enclosure, and Mr. Bidwill was warmly congratulated on his run of bad luck being changed at last. Gipsy Belle ran a good race, but Formby is evidently not the colt he was.

It will be remembered that after Vi had won the Dannevirke Handicap on the 16th of last month, her rider failed to draw the weight, but it was shown that the poundage had been dropped after the winning post was reached, and those who had supported Vi received their dividends. Mr. H. Spratt, owner of Mendip, who ran second, appealed against the race going to Vi. At a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay J.C-, last week, the committee upheld the appeal, and ordered the stakes to be paid to Mr. Spratt, owner of the second horse, Mendip.

Honours were well distributed amongst the sires at the Takapuna Jockey Club’s spring meeting, 13 different horses claiming winning representatives during the two days. The treble success registered by Turbine placed Menschikoff on even terms for the leading position with the Englishbred Lupin, for whom Red Lupin won a double and Golden Loop scored a single. The other sires credited with winning representatives at the North Shore gathering were: Bluejacket, Heirarch, Cyrenian, Cardigan, Soult, Regel, Rangipuhi, Leolantis, Freedom and Birkenhead.

During the two days’ racing of the Takapuna Jockey Club’s spring meeting 16 races were decided, and winners coming from 11 different stables it can be said that there was a fairly wide distribution of the prize money. F. McManemin came out at the head of the list with five winners, Turbine (who won a treble), Tranquil and Tattoo being his successful representatives. W. Mantle landed a double with Red Lupin, and C. Coleman scored respectively with Hoanga and Arawa. The other successful trainers were: —P. Jones (Waiotahi), W. Irwin (Lochbuie), W. Sharpe (Don Quex), T- O’Connor (Lucille), Wilds (Rangihaeta), F. Loomb (Silverlyte) and R. Barlow (Golden Loop).

After a gallop on the Perth training track recently, King’s Cross, who was greatly fancied for the Perth Cup, had his hind leg shattered as the result of being kicked by The Brewer. It was found impossible to save the horse, which cost Messrs. Emanuel and Phillips 1000 guineas, and he was shot.

Haldane is not doing well just now, and the black gelding may not be seen out at Ellerslie.

Blue Garment is looking light just now, and perhaps W. Gall may not be able to land the brown horse at the post in his best form.

After the decision of the Pony Handicap on the second day at Takapuna an altercation took place between two of the riders in the event. They met again in the last race and matters may have been serious but for the fact that the mount of one of the riders was much too fast for his opponent.

It would be interesting to know the ground covered by jockeys J. Conquest and A. Whittaker on a busy morning at Ellerslie. Both lads are ever ready and willing to ride anybody and everybody’s horses and their services are in big demand with trainers. As both Conquest and Whittaker are constantly riding work they are always in form and it not surprising to find them getting their fair share of winners.

W. Sharpe continues to win races at the small meetings. He keeps Lady Dot and Miss Ada up to the collar, and their success is fully deserved by Sharpe. The loss of the services of Don Quex would be a serious one.

J. Buchanan and B. Deeley have been missing from Ellerslie for the past few days. They are at Woodville fulfilling engagements.

Solus is hitting out in good style and the chestnut may pick up a stake for his owner at the approaching meeting. Solus is a good beginner and over short courses is useful.

The quarter of a million left by Tommy Loates, who died in England recently, is the largest fortune ever amassed by a jockey. The renowned Fred Archer left only £66,662; while George Fordham, one of the greatest jockeys of all time, was not worth £20,000 when he died- Fees* were much smaller in those days, however, and Loates owed no small part of his riches to Mr. Leopold de Rothschild, for whom he won many races, and who advised him as to investments.

Lupulite gave evidence of returning to form by capturing a double at South Canterbury. • * ♦ *

H. Jones, on whose riding services His Majesty King George has first claim, has accepted a retainer to ride next year for the Duke of Portland and Mr. W. Astor, those patrons of the Kingsclere stable having conjointly, second claim upon him. Lord Falmouth has renewed his claim on Higgs, and the Duke of Westminster’s three years’ claim on Randall (has still another year to run. Frank Wootton will, of course, ride for Lord Derby, his apprenticeship to his father having been finished.

The death of the hurdle racer Bega is reported from Sydney at the age of 21 years. Bdga had 54 races to his credit, including a hurdle double at a Randwick Easter meeting, and a hurdle double at a Melbourne Cup meeting. Bega was by Bargo.

A police raid was made in Melbourne recently on persons believed to be engaged in illegal betting, and 14 were arrested. Several others were served with summonses. No prominent bookmakers are concerned. Two of the cases were dealt with next day, Joseph Bradshaw being fined £lOO and Thomas Griffiths £4O with £5 5s costs in each case.

The Challenger—Pianola two-year-old purchased for 125 guineas by a patron of J. Fielder’s stable at the Newmarket sales on November 17, stumbled and fell while doing gentle exercise at Flemington, and, having broken her shoulder, was destroyed.

The three-year-old Caedmon (by Seaton Delaval —Serita) changed owners during the past week, and when he next sets out to carry silk he will figure in the nomination of a local hotelkeeper.

It is seldom that R. Hannon goes through a meeting without securing at least one race. However, at Takapuna the Waikato trainer failed to lead in a single winner, although Miss Winnie finished in a place twice.

On Monday Mr. .G. D. Greenwood, owner of Danube, on receipt of the handsome gold cup won by that horse in the Champion Plate at the last Wellington races, entertained a large party at Amberley. The cup was filled with champagne. Speeches were made by Messrs. Gerald Stead, D. Macfarlane and W. T. Robinson, the latter proposing the health of Mr. Greenwood as one of the leading sportsmen of the Dominion.

Although a good many people consider that a blot on the new Gaming Act is that it does not limit programmes to seven races a day, it may be pointed out that between divisions and finals eleven races have frequently taken place at “pony” meetings in Sydney. Though that sounds a tolerably heavy order, it is quite light by comparison with the Houghton week at Newmarket (England) less than 40 years ago. Nothing was thought of fifteen races a day figuring in the programme and occasionally it appears to have been impossible to run them all off. On the Friday of the Houghton meeting, 1871, Judge Clark was called upon to give sixteen decisions. Three times (says the “Pink-’Un”) did two horses go to the post for one race, and it was generally believed that he gave the wrong decision at last. Twice there was a dead heat, and the next time he gave it a neck in favour of Mr. Joe Dawson’s Marquis of Lome, white jacket and red cap, whereas it was thought that in the dark he had confounded these colours with the white and blue of Captain Machell.