CURRENT TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1101, 18 May 1911, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

Great Northern AcceptancesJudging by the response made by owners on Friday last when the first acceptance for the Great Northern Hurdles and Steeplechase fell due, Mr Morse’s adjustments for the events were favourably received by owners, as with the exception of Prophet, who is amiss, and Hoanga, practically every horse of any known quality remains in the Hurdles, while in the Steeplechase nothing of note has dropped out. With Paisano, Wimmera, and several other lesser, but good performers, engaged in the Hurdles, there is plenty of material for a fine contest, while the quality of those engaged in the Steeplechase leaves no doubt but the contest over the trying three miles and a-half course will be one of the best yet brought off at Ellerslie. The nominations received for the minor events at the meeting are exceptionally good, horses from nearly every part of the Islands being engaged. The following are the acceptances: THE GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE RACE of lOOOsovs.; second horse to receive 200sovs and third horse lOOsovs out of the . stake. Over 10 flights of . hurdles. Winner’ of any hurdle race or hurdle raices after declaration of weights of the value of. lOOsovs. to carry 51bs, of 200sovs 71b, of BOOsovs 101 b penalty. Two miles and a-half. ■» (Run June 3.) st. lb. st. lb.

THE GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE of lOOO.sovs; second horse to receive 200sovs and third horse lOOsovs out of the stake. Winner of any steeplechase or steeplechases after de. claration of weights of the value of lOOsovs to carry 51b, of 200sovs 71b, and of 300sovs 101 b penalty. About three miles ahd a-half. (Run June 5.)

Takapuna Jockey Club’s . Winter Meeting. Another of those popular gatherings held in high esteem by Auckland sportsmen, will be inaugurated on Saturday, when the Takapuna Jockey Club will bring off the first of the two days’ racing atached to the winter meeting. The meetings held at Devonport can always be relied upon to prove enjoyable in every particular, and the approaching fixture promises to be no exception to the general order. With the big Great Northern meeting close at hand the doings of the various horses and jumpers in particular, at Takapuna, will be watched with more than the ordinary amount of interest, as several of the candidates engaged on Saturday and Wednesday next figure in the list for the two Northerns. With the Club’s secretary, Mr R’. Wynyard on hand, it goes without saying that everything possible will be done to ensure the comfort of patrons, and it only needs the weather conditions to be favourable to anticipate a. record gathering for a winter meeting at Devonport. The Ferry Company will run boats to and from Devonport every few minutes, while the usual number of vehicles will run from the wharf to the course. Saturday’s programme opens with the Maiden Plate, seven furlongs, in which Ardfert heads the list. Lloyds end Columbia promise to be in demand in what should be a good betting race. The Pony Handicap will be robbed of a lot of interest owing to . Jack Delaval failing to get under the standard.. Red Lupin has a big weight, but he is a good one, and maiy prove hardest to beat, Leafire is a lightweight that may run well.

The principal event of the afternoon, the Empire Handicap, has a fair field of a dozen engaged. Electrakoff is improving, and as he appears to be a class above the others, he may bo the favourite. Two lightweights moving well just now are Sea Elf and Spectre. In the Maiden Hurdles are a very moderate lot, and Miss Explosion or Montigo should supply the favourite. The Hauraki Hurdles will hold a great amount of interest, owing to several Great Northern candidates being engaged. Whakaweira, on his running at Hawke’s Bay looks promising, and he should be favourite with Delegate next choice. Taiaha is amiss, and will not be a starter. A big field is engaged in the Ngataringa Handicap, in which there is plenty of room for a surprise. Lady Betty is a good beginner, and appears to be staying better. Presently or Harenoa may be in demand. The programme will close with the Royal Handicap, which bears an open appearance. Spectre, if started, may be favourite, but the same owner has another engaged in Elegance. Hohungatahi may see out seven furlongs on the Takapuna course. The following are the acceptances: MAIDEN HURDLE RACE, one m le and a-haJ.-Montigo 10.5, Miss Explosion 10.1, Royal Day 9.13, Master Stead 9 7 Arty 9.6 Denbies 9.3, St. Wood 9.2, Castle Blayney 9.2. Dhudeen 9.11, Napenape 9.0. Sapper 9.0. Captain Paul 9.0. Field Marshal 9.0. HAURAKI HURDLE RACE, two miles.—Hoanga 10.13. Bully 10.8, Delegate 10.2,. Sol 10.0, Black Northern 9.13. Taiaha 9.12. Whakaweira 9.11. Don Quex 9.8. Master William 9.6, Okaihau 9.2, Commander '9.0.' INGATARTNGA HANDICAP, five furlongs and -half.—Blue' .Mount • 9.0, Jolie FiTe 9.4, Miss Grizelle 9.4. Lady Betty 8.4 Harenoa 5.2. Mungate 7.12. Falch'on 7 7 St. Amans 7.4, . Goodwin Sands 7.3. Presently 7.3. Monocle 7.1. Tiresome 7.0, Hesperion 7.0.. Countree 6 ; 13. Reno .6.13. IMangu. 6,13, Tipperary 6.13: La Reina 6.13. 801 l Crispin 6.13, ■ MAIDEN HANDICAP, seven furlongs. —Ardfert 9.0; Columbia 8.9. Caruso. 8.8. Frontino 8.3. Miss Ada 8.3. Miss Grizzle 8 2 Haku 7.11, Virtue 7.9,. Lloyds 7.5,. St. Amans 7.13, Presently 7.2, Rutangata 6.12. Erindale 6.12. Miss Folly 6.11, Monolope 6.11. Musterer 6.11, VeTalia 6.11. La Reina 6.11 Bell Crispin. 6.11. - FIRST PONY HANDICAP, five furlongs and a-half.—Red Lupin 10.10, Jack DHaval 10 0, Mights’ Atom 9.9. Peggy Pryde 9.5. Miss Stella 8.0, Te Kapai 7.9, Blue Vale 7.4', Seatonella 7.11 Leafire 7.1, Kuratau 6.10. Manurere 6.10. EMPIRE HANDICAP, one mile and a-cru-Tt~r —Eleetrakoff 9.4, Master Wairiki 8.9 Domino 8.1. Monoplane 7.12. Beyc»no'aria 7.3. Bully 7.0. 'Master Theois /.0, F’vTng Sou It 6.13. Sea Elf 6.12. Regain 611. Spectre 6.9. Fuss 6.7. ‘ ROYAL HANDICAP, seven furlongs. Sir Artegal 8.6, Turbne 8.0, Captain Soult 7.13. Hohungatahi 7.9, Kane.warra 7.5 Impulsive 7.4, Elegance 7.0, Zinnia 7A Hyperion 6.13, Solus 6.11. Spectre 6.19, Epsom Lass 6.10. Taka 6.9. • * • • • An Unl censed Trainer. The following is the judgment of the Racing Appeal Committee in the appeal made . by the Tolago Bay Jockey Club against the decision of the Hawke s Bay Metropolitan Committee in upholding the appeal lodged by R. Reynolds, owner of the horse Fashion Plate, in that the said horse was not trained by a licensed trainer: —Thomas Atkins, who had at one time been a, licensed jockey, was under engagement to three owners to look after their horses while beingprepared for the Tolago Bay races. The horses were all stabled at the private stable of one of the owners, and Atkins received payment from them jointly, but did not provide feed. One of the owners appears to have been constantly in communication with Atkins and the other two only occasionally. All three claim to have instructed Atkins as to the work to be given to the horses, and Atkins that he was engaged as stableman and not as trainer. In each case in the entry form the owner is given as the trainer. At the Tolago Bay races one of these horses (Fashion Plate) came in first for the Ladies’ Bracelet, and another (Awanui) ran third, but its jockey neglected to weigh in. On an objection being made, the stewards disqualified Fashion Plate under Part XXI. Rule 2 of the Rules of Racing, for having been trained by an unlicensed trainer. The appeal against this decision was upheld by the Metropolitan Committee, and the Tolago Bay Racing Club in turn lodged the appeal now before us against the reversal of its judgment. Having heard the parties and considered all

the circumstances, we are of opinion that Thomas Atkins must be regardgarded as the trainei’ of the three horses under his charge, and that therefore his neglect to take out a trainer’s license involves the disqualification of the horses trained by him. We cons-der that the right of an owner to train his own horses without a license must be considered rigidly as applying to cases where such training is personally supervised and is conducted from stables in the occupancy of such owner. In this we have the facts (a) Thomas Atkins was superintending the working and feeding of horses for three independent owners; (b) two of the owners resided at a considerable distance from the stables; (c) Thomas Atkins had been a licensed jockey and a worker in training stables. Hence we cannot resist the conviction that his professional experience was the main reason for the gathering together of the horses under his care. We are further confirmed in our opinion by the obvious inutility of the restrictions as to licensed trainers if they can be evaded by any owner or combination of‘owners engaging a person to act as stableman at distant stables with general instructions as to his methords. We also regard Part XXI., Rule 2, as a special warning to owners, trainers, and others against employing to manage their stables any person who has ridden or trained for hire. Such person should under the rules apply for a license. We, therefore, uphold the appeal of the Tolago Bay Jockey Club and confirm the disqualification of the horse Fashion Plate for the Ladies’ Bracelet. Under Part XXVII., Rule 3, the owner of Preston Pans, now adjudged the winner, is only entitled to the prize offered for the first horse, as the second prize was not part of the stake, but a separate donation fromthe race fund. We direct that all deposits be refunded. — (Signed) Geo. Clifford (chairman), R. H. Nolan, R. S. Abraham. May 12, 1911.” X ® © ©

Auckland Metropolitan CommitteeAt the ordinary meeting of the Auckland Metropolitan Committee, the following licenses were granted: — Jockeys: C. H. Whale, John Kean. Gentlemen riders: Messrs Mervyn Wells and Ernest Alison. The following dates for the 1911-12 season were approved:—Auckland Racing Club: Club: Spring meeting, Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday, November 4,6, and 8; summer meeting, Tuesday and Friday, December .26 and 29. and Monday and Tuesday, January 1 and 2; autumn meeting, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday, April 6,8, and 9; winter meeting, Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday, June 1,3, and 5. Avondale Jockey Club: Spring meeting, Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday, September 23, 25, and 27; autumn meeting, Wednesday and Saturday, April 24 and 27. Ohinemuri Jockey Club: Saturday and Monday, March 6 and 18. Rotorua Jockey Club: Saturday and Monday, March 16 and 18. Rotorua Jockey Club: Wednesday and Thursday, February 23 and 24. Takapuna Jockey Club: Spring meeting, Wednesday and Saturday. November 29 and December 2; summer meeting, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, January 29 and 31 and February 3; winter meeting, Wednesday and Friday, May 22 and 24. Te Aroha Jockey Club: Monday and Tuesday, March 4 and 5. Thames Jockey Club: Tuesday and Wednesday, December 26 and 27; Saturday, June 15. Waihi Jockey Club: Saturday, November 18. Whangarei Racing Club: Friday and Saturday, January 12 and 13. t* * * " A.R.C. Committee. At a meeting of the A.R.C. Committee the following transfers were approved:—William Walters to W. J. Irwin, bay colt, lyr, by Soult—Miss Helen; William Walters to A. H. Bennett, brown filly, lyr, by Soult— Erry Roe; William Dunn to Lance Wood, lease of brown filly Monorosae, lyr, by Monoform —Brown Rose; William Dunn to W. K. Karaitiana, lease of chestnut filly Monella, lyr, by Monoform —Amorelle; William Dunn to W. K. Karaitiana. lease of bay filly Lassie Doon, lyr, by Monoform —Car doom

Paisano ... . 12 4 Black Northern 9 7 Wimmera . . 11 11 9 6 '. 10 12 John 9 G Compass ... Reumac .... . 10 9 Waterworks . 9 b The Native .. 10 3 Whakaweira . 9 5 Bully . 10 2 Monti go 9 3 Pari tutu .. ■ . 10 1 Don Quex . 9 2 Auratus . . 10 0 .. 9 13 Ribstone Pippin .. . 9 1 Delegate .. 9 10 Appin 9 0 Sol .. 9 10 Torbelle 9 0 Marton ...... 9 9 Pat 9 0

st. lb. st. lb. Sol ... 11 12 King Hippo 10 1 Antarctic .-. .. . 11 12 Pari tutu ... . 10 0 Red McGreg or 11 s Corazon .... . 9 13 El Dorado .. 11 4 Cloudy Morn 9 11 Loch Fyne .. 11 2 Bachelor ... .. 9 S Mahara . .. ...11 0 Castout . 9 7 Lovell ...10 9 Torbelle ... ■ . 9 7 Le Beau .. ...10 6 Hnnakaha .. . 9 7 Maidi ...10 4 Commander . 9 7 Reservoir . ... 10 2 Pleiades .... . 9 i The Native * .. 10 1 e w