RACING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1093, 23 March 1911, Page 4

RACING.

BY

"SOLUTION.”

RACING CALENDAR

season 1910-11: FIXTURES. March 23 and 24—Master ton R.C. Autumn March 25—North Canterbury J.C. Hack April 5 and 6—Manawatu R.C. Autumn April 5 and 6—Southland R.C. Autumn April 12 and 15—Greymouth J.C. Autumn April 15 and 17—Wairarapa R.C. Autumn April 15, 17 and 18—Auckland R.C. Autumn April 17— Patea R.C. Annual April 17—Beaumont J.C. Annual April 17—Taieri Amater T.C. Autumn April 17 and 18—Riverton .R.C. Easter April 17 and 18—Feilding J.C. Easter April 17 and 18—Canterbury J.C. Autumn April 17 and 18—Canterbury Jockey Club. April 21 and 21 Westland R/\ Autumn April 26 and 29—Avondale J.C Autumn May 10 and 11—Hawke’s Bay J.C. Autumn June 3. 5 and 7—Auckland R.C. Winter. AUSTRALIA April 15, 17, 19 and 22—Australian J.C. NOMINATIONS. March 22—Greyimouth J.C. Autumn (First Day) March 24 —Auckland R.C. Autumn (General entry) March 25 —Wairarapa R.C. Autumn March 25—Beaumont J C. Annual March 27—A.J.C. Autumn (General Entries) March 27—Taieri Ama Lev• T.C. Autumn March 27— Patea R.C. Annual March 29 —Riverton R.C. Easter March 31—Feild ng J.C. Easter. March 31—Canterbury J.C. Autumn (General entry) April 4-Westland R.C. Autumn April 7—Avondale J.C. Autumn April B—Greymouth J. C. Autumn (Second Day) April 10— Patea R.C. Annual (general entry) April 15—Marlborough R.C. Annual April 21—Hawke’s Bay J.C. Autumn April 22—Ashburton Country R.C. Autumn WEIGHTS ARE DUE. March 24—Canterbury J.C. Autumn March 29—Greymouth J.C. Autumn March 31—Auckland R.C. (First Day) April I—Beaumont J.C. Annual. April 3—Patea R.C. Annual April 7—Feilding J.C. Easter (First Day) April 7—Canterbury J.C. Autumn April 7—Riverton R.C. Eastei’ April 7—Wairarapa R.C. Autumn April B—Taieri Amateur T.C. Autumn April 15—Auckland R.C. (Second Day) April IS—Westland R.C. Autumn April 19—Avondale J.C. Autumn April 22—Marlborough R.C. Annual Mav I—Ashburton County R.C. Autumn May I—Hawke’s Bay J.C. Autumn ACCEPTANCES. March 24—Auckland R.C. (principal events) March 28— Manawatu R.C. Autumn March 29—Southland R.C. Autumn March 31— Canterbury J.C. Autumn April 7—Auckland R.C. (First Day) April B—Beaumont8 —Beaumont J.C. Annual April B—Greymouth J.C. Autumn April 10—Feilding J.C. Easter April 10— Patea R.C. Annual April 11 —Wairarapa R.C. Autumn April 11 —Taieri Amateur T.C. A'jtmun April 12—Riverton R.C. Easter April 12—Canterbury J.C. Autumn April 19—Westland R.C. Autumn April 21—Avondale J.C. Autumn April 28 —Marlborough R.C. Annual May s—Hawke’s Bay J.C. Autumn May s—Ashburton County R.C. Autumn FIRST FORFEITS. March 31 —Canterbury J.C. Nineteenth Challenge Stakes and Champagne March 24—A.R.C. Great Northern Champagne Stakes. Great Northern Oaks SECOND FORFEITS. \pril I—North Island Challenge Stakes, New Zealand St. Leger FINAL PAYMENTS. March 28— Manawatu Stakes and Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes April 7—A.R.C. Easter Handicap, G.N. Oaks, G.N. Champagne Stakes April 12—C.J.C. Easter Handicap, Champagne Stakes, Great Autumn Handicap, and Nineteenth Challenge Stakes DATES OF COMING EVENTS. NEW ZEALAND. April 17—Feilding Cup April 17—Northern Champagne Stakes. April 17—Great Easter Handicap. April 18—Great Northern Oaks. April 18—A.R.C. Autumn Handicap. April 18—Great Autumn Handicap. June 3—Great Northern Hurdle Race. June s—Great Northern Steeplechase. AUSTRALIA. April 15—A.J.C. St. Leger. April_ 17—Sydney Cup. __

Though the totalisator is legalised through West Australia, the bookmaker flourishes. But he is not apparently appreciated in the northwest, for the Broome Turf Club has resolved to charge £5OO as the annual license fee for bookmakers.

REMINDERS TO OWNERS.

General entries in connection with the Auckland Racing Club’s Autumn meeting close with Mr. J. F. 'Hartland, Shortland Street to-morrow at 9 p,m.

Nominations for the Wairarapa R.C autumn meeting close on Saturday.

Nominations for the Australian Jockey Club’s autumn meeting close on Monday.

The Patea Racing Club will receive nominations for its autumn meeting on Monday.

Weights for the C.J.C. Easter and Autumn Handicaps are due on Friday.

Weights for the minor events to be decided on the opening day of the A.R.C. meeting will be issued tomorrow week.

Acceptances for the A.R.C. Easter Handicap, Brighton Hurdles and Autumn Steeplechase close to-morrow at 9 p.m. The Manawatu R.C. will receive acceptances for the opening day of its Autumn meeting on Tuesday on which day the final payment for the Manawatu Stakes fall due.

Nominations for all events, except Maiden Scurry, at the Feilding J. C. Easter meeting close on Friday week.

CURRENT TOPBCS.

A.R.C. Weights. The approaching Easter meeting of the Auckland Racing Club was advanced a further stage on Monday when Mr. G. Morse issued the weights for three of the principal events to be decided next month at Ellerslie. Tn the Easter Handicap, one mile, the event of the meeting. Mr. Morse had to deal with 48 horses and at first glance he appears to have done his work satisfactorily. In starting his handicap with 9.3, that being the impost awarded to Danube it cannot be said that the handicapper has been bard upon the best performers and the' chances are that the winner will ■be looked for from those above Bst. As remarked before the three-year-old champion, Danube, heads the list with 9.3, which weight, his owners should be satisfied with. Danube has won all his races this season except the Wanganui Guineas, over distances further than a mile, but at the same time it must be remembered that in his latest performances lie lias generally been out in front making his own running. However, the chances are that Danube will not be brought to Auckland, and until something definite is known it may perhaps be as as well to leave him out of calculation. The C.J.C. Stewards’ Handicap winner, Equitas, comes next with 9.1 cr 61b. more than she carried into second place in the Ellerslie race last year, on which occasion she started a strong favourite. The bay daughter of Advance is one of the speediest in the Dominion and a tick should be placed alongside her name. Miss Mischief, 9.0, has all she is entitled to and perhaps a bit more, and although coming from a powerful stable (R. J. Mason’s), I think that both those above her would beat her, without looking lower down. Obsono, since he he came cut of his shell in November last has practically carried everything before him in the sprinting line and he could hardly have been given less than 9.0. He is owned in Dunedin and the chances are that his owner will prefer to give his attention to the C.J.C. Easter meeting which is much nearer home. Sedition 8.11 has proved himself a good horse and though backers may prefer him over a longer journey, he should be capable of running a real good mile. Royal Soult with 8.10 will need to be all that is claimed for him to win for he will be meeting some high-class horses on almost even terms. Santa Rosa 8.8 ran unplaced last year in the event with 131 b. less than he has now been asked to carry, but he is a good one and will count many admirers. However, he appears to be a bad beginner and this will count against him. In winning both the principal events at Napier Park last week, Fort William showed that he is endowed with

plenty of pace and with 8.7 may be entitled to respect. With the same wdight Salute if at her best would be one of the favourites but the brown mare has not been running up to expectations. She fell last year when running prominently with 21b. less in the saddle. Boanerges, 8.7, is another who is not running too well, but he has given proof that he is endowed with pace. Electrakoff, 8.6, is one of those consistent customers who are always hard to beat and if himself at Easter should run a decent mile. He is said to have pulled up lame recently and as he wias not started at either the Thames or Ohinemuri meetings it may be as well to wait and see if his injuries are severe. The next on the list, Kakama, 8.6, will probably be selected as one of the best treated in the event. Her performances at the A.R.C. Summer meeting were brimful of merit and as she was always running on at the end, there seems no reason why she should not see out a mile. A tick should certainly be placed alongside the name of Kakama. Kopu, 8.3, appears to have lost all form, but Wauchope with the same impost is about in his right place. Last year, when carrying 51b. less, he was out making the pace for the greater part of the journey, eventually finishing th'iriL Vice-Admiral is in the same stable as Danube and Miss Mischief and although his only victory was in the Wanganui Jackson Stakes, he is said to be a promising sort. It is quite certain that Mr. G. D. Greenwood will not se'nd the trio Danube, Miss Mischief and Vice-Admjiral to Auckland and until his movements are made known it will be as well to stand off this trio. Further down, Dimino, 7.13, catches the eye, as this bay horse gives promise of turning out well. Soultoria and Antoinette with 7.10, each should run well as they have proved they are not wanting in pace. Formby has not yet struck his true form, but should he do so then with 7.6, there would be a merry time in store for most of his opponents. Tattoo, 7.6, Cullinan 7.2. and Flying Soult 7.1, appear to be the best of the others.. To select a half-dozen likely ones I would name Greenwood’s elect, Equitas- Salute, Kakama, Formby and Flying iSoult. Only ten horses are engaged in the Brighton Hurdles and with the exception of Wimmera and Prophet are a long way below top-notchers, Wimmera has 12.0 and Prophet 11.11, and at a difference of 31b. over two miles the race should be a good one. Paul 9.12, and Master William 9.1 look to have good chances, and with their light weights should run well. As is the case in the Brighton Hurdles only a couple of good ones are engaged in the Steeplechase. The unbeaten Antarctic heads the handicap with 12.0, which weight may bring an end to his list of successes. Red McGregor, 11.10, is a grand stayer, but one who appears exceptionally well treated, is Le Beau 10.3. If the son of Leolantis was landed at the post in form the chances are that he ■would .be a strong order. Of the lighter weights, Laddie 10.0. may be the best, as he is a safe conveyance, an important item when the Ellerslie country is in question. Is there a Ring? Some time ago one of the existing menaces to clean sport at metropolitan unregistered meetings was the control of certain riders and owners by a few leviathan punters, who appeared to be tolerated on the strength of their means and sham respectability, which later on manifested itself in such unmistakable fashion that the situation had to be saved by the taking of steps which brought about the disbandment of what was perhaps the hottest combination of riders, race-riggers, etc that has exploited metropolitan racecources for many years, says the “Referee.” That ramps are not still occasionally perpetrated at the pony and galloway meetings is not for one moment contended, but, compared with the machinations of the gang' here referred to, these have only a limited influence, and nothing like the far-reaching effect of those to which we were once accustomed. Those responsible for the extermination of this band of

grafters have, indeed, something to be proud of. At registered meetings reversals of form are now much more numerous than they are at unregistered fixtures, and this in some quarters has been credited to the operation of an organised system of horse and jockey control similar to that which the stewards of the Associated Racing Clubs were, at the time referred to, confronted. The rank and file of backers are, of course, more or less sceptical in connection with all that pertains to racing, but the greatest optimist who follows the game would find it difficult to reconcile one with another the performances of some of the competitors at metropolitan race meetings during the last few months. If influences similai’ to those which threatened to drag pony and galloway racing back into the slough from which the present powers that be have raised it are now at work on the registered courses, then the sooner steps are taken to expunge them the better it will be for all others interested in the sport.

Comedy King. “Weight will stop the best of them” is an old saying in racing circles, and such was the case with Comedy King, for he was not capable of conceding I9lb to a horse like Blairgour, says “Martindale,” The black, however, ran a good race, and if ever the pair meet at weight-for-age, it would be worth going a long journey to see. The following interesting manner, concerning the stud where Comedy King was bred, is from an open letter to the “Special Commissioner” of the London “Sportsman”:—“l was intensely interested with some stud statistics I have seen of the Cottingham Stud, which seems to be a perfect Klondyke are regards picking up gold. In one list of 116 yearlings bred and publicly sold by Mr. Simons Harrison, I find collectively they have won in stakes over 180,000 sovs. for their respective purchasers. This does not include place money, which must have been some thousands more. The stud record of some thirty-four Cot-angham-reared fillies is equally remarkable. The produce of these young ladies have won over 183,000 sovs, which is most interesting from a breeder’s point of view. Bearing this in mind it seems unaccountable since the late Duke of Westminister died there have been but few noblemen or rich English private breeders who realise as they should the real value of a good yearling filly or a valuable, well-bred young mare. Unless a prominent breeder dies, and his entire stock is disposed of without reserve, one seldom discovers an English buyer looking round for a bargain. If you refer to the surprising prices realised in 190 9 at the sale of the late Sir Daniel Cooper’s stock you will observe what I mean. Flair made 15,000g5, yet four years previously Mr Simons Harrison sold for l,ooogs a halfsister to Flair, named Ladyland, to Count Lehndorff when she was carrying Ladylike 11., a winner of 4.500 sovs in stakes, including the German Oaks, and the following year Ladyland foaled Letizia, likewise a winner of the German Oaks. The foreigner is now the medium and only outlet for genuine business, as you must have noted at the last December sales, when nearly all the principal lots were purchased by Mr Ernest Tanner -o go to Buenos Aires. Even in Australia we find the Cottingham Stud to the fore. If you look up the record of the July sales in 190 7 you wi.i find that Mr Sol. Green gave Mr Simons Harrison I,7’OOgs. for Tragedy Queen and her Persimmon colt, named Comedy King. This colt won the recent Melbourne Cup from thirty runners. He was a nice-sized colt, not too big, with grand legs and feet. He had been amiss some time previous to the decision of the Melbourne Cup or else he might not have started at 10 to 1, so highly had he been., tried. It was certainly a curious coincidence that Mr Simons Harrison should sell in July, 1907, the winner of the Melbourne Cup, with his dam, for 1,700g5, and then purchase two months later at Doncaster Rosaline, with Rosedrop at foot, for 90 Ogs., and it is more than