TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1109, 13 July 1911, Page 4

TURF TOPICS.

Napper has been scratched for the Grand National Hurdles. -5; ® Miss Explosion left for Wellington on Monday, where she will be ridden by T. Howard. El Dorado will not go to Riccarton to meet engagements in the C.J.C. National Meeting. Applications for trainers and jockeys’ licenses for the coming season must be made not later than July 17 — next Monday. X Sp » • The ill-luck that has dogged Frank Ross for some time was broken at Gisborne, when Dhudeen won the Park Steeplechase, and returned the biggest dividend of the meeting. The disappointing First Barrel was second. X 4T « 0 Antarctic is getting through his preparation for the Grand National Steeplechase in a most satisfactory way at Ellerslie, and is sure to claim strong support from his Northern admirers. Despite his disappointing form in recent events, Paritutu is likely to be sent out one of .the best backed horses in the Wellington Winter Steeplechase. He is also an acceptor for the Winter Hurdles. * * * ■ * The ever-green topic of contention in the racing world, namely, the desirability of appointing stipendiary stewards, has again cropped up by the action of the Wellington Racing Club deciding to oppose any such appointments at the forthcoming Racing Conference. The “New Zealand Times,” in referring to the matter, says:—“This action will not find favour with the racing public. Much has been said and written concerning the causes which have led to the emphatic demand for stipendiaries, and convincing reasons have been brought forward in favour of such appointments, but these are well known to everyone who has given the question any study. There is no use burking the fact that the control of racing by the honorary officials of many clubs is not what it should be, and the inevitable result, has been that many Very doubtful proceedings have been, allowed to be carried on apparently unnoticed, and certainly unchecked. It is not the integrity of the honorary officials that is doubted so much as their lack of observation, and their unwillingness to act when cases arise calling for prompt inquiry. The appointment of stipendiary stewards would relieve the honorary men of many a thankless and unpleasant task, would tend to purify racing ,and beyond any question would be of great benefit to the sport. Indeed, there seems to be but one reason against the measure, and that is the expense of such appointments. It is, however, farcical to suppose that a workable scheme could not be prepared whicn would overcome this objection, as has already been done in Australia and India. In any case, it would be far better to meet the additional expense in the direction of having clean sport, rather than run risks of incurring the disapproval of the public, and of alienating their .’sympathies' froin ; the sport, -.Mr-. W.-' K Turnbull; who was. one of the delegates appointed to represent the Wellington Racing Club, resigned his position rather than vote against the proposed reform.”

Ardfert Okaihau, Goldemar, and iiiey each scored double wins at Gi«boi ne- > * * Sea Elf has resumed track work with Mark Ryan as her mentor. -I c With all the more or less visionary joys, and alluring prospects of big money thrt a jockey’s life has for the schoolboy, the lads about Auckland do not seem to be attracted to the calling. The fact is that many trainers about Ellerslie are complaining b.tterly at the dearth of good boys coming forward as apprentices, and some mornings there is great difficulty in getting boys to exercise and gal.op horses. V ❖ Sinn Fein and Waitapu came up from New Plymouth last week, and were shipped to Sydney on Monday. They are both owned by J. O Driscoll. More than an ordinary amount of interest has centred round the relative positions of Hector Gray and Albert Whittaker on the Winning jockeys’ list. For some months past it has been evident that the premiership for the season must rest on one or other of these horsemen, as they have had a lead of thirty odd over Ben Deeley, R. Hatch, A. Ohver, and W. Young (the next four in order) for some time, although there has not been more than half a dozen wins separating Gray and -Whittaker. After the Hawke.’s B.j.y meeting Gray was one ahead of Whittaker, but the latter, by scoring three wins at Gisborne., has now a le..d of two. The three days at Wellington this month will settle the matter, and the rivalry between the two jockeys is bound to be keen. After the Trentham meeting, both Whittaker and Gray are going to cross to Australia, and the-r successful riding here this season should ensure them a big reception among owners on the other side. Sam Lindsay is back from Australia. He has not much to say in favour of the game across the Tasman Sea. This is no doubt natural enough after Ins suspension. ■ .f -s * * Dogger Bank left for Wellington on Saturday in charge of J. Chaafe, junr., and H. Hickton. The latter will ride the son of Menschikoff in his jumping engagements at Trentham. It depends very much on his performances at the W.R.C. winter meeting whether or not he will go South to Riccarton. * * * Game, by winning a hurdle race at Gisborne on the second day, is the first horse to incur a penalty in the Grand National Hurdles. * ♦ * ’ $ The Hon. E. Mitchelson, Messrs. H. T. Gorrie, and J. F. Hartland, will represent the Auckland Conference to be held in Wellington next week. # 3. * A J. Williamson was in luck’s way on the second day at Gisborne, for he scored three wins. Okaihau won a double and. Scotcb accounted for the Waikanae Handicap. * si: :!• • Prince King is one of the brightest of the rising two-year-olds at present being, put through their facings at Ellerslie. He should give a, good account of himself in the spring. * * • The Victorian handicappers have a, profound respect for the New Zealand horses nominated for the big events in that state. The following are the imposts imposed:—Melbourne Cup: Los Angelos 9.0, while in the Caulfield Cup Los Angelos is given 9.3. Cr « « $ Despite the severe criticisms levelled at the recommendations of the Racing Commissioners in several quarters, it has now been definitely decided by the Government that permits for the forthcoming season will be granted strictly on the lines of the Commissions’ report ■ : nr n: 5K # The: Soult colt Antagonist is ap’.psrently very highly thought of in • Canterbury. One sporting scribe describes this rising three-year-old as “the sort of horse that comes to a man once in a lifetime.”

Seddon, the full-brother of Wairiki, finished unplaced in the Coronation Cup at Singapore, which was won by the New Zealand mare Chanteuse. * =?• Tp • ' Gun?: oat, Zealand and Tumut arrived safely in Sydney last week and 1. a e c.tar ed track work under the guidance of their owner, P. McGrath. Tumut claims an engagement this week in the Rosehill Handicap. Centaur, who was said to be hardly ready at Hawke’s Bay, is likely to be well supported in the Winter Hurdles at Trentham. The Grand National Meeting in Christchurch promises to be a big gathering this year, judging by the big entries received. They total no less than 275, or 44 in excess of the best previous record. * ♦ » » Paritutu will doubtless once again go to Riccarton to try and win the Grand Nation?.! Hurdles. The game son of Castor has already had three attempts to win this race, and on each occasion finished second. In 1907, under list 41b, he came home second to Shrapnel (lOst 81b), in the succeeding year he carried list 91b into second place behind Stormont (9st); and in the race of 1910 (under 10st ?>lb) he occupied a like position to Paisano (12st 11b). In this year’s race Castor’s veteran son has been awarded lOst. it is interesting to note that in the W.R.C. Winter Hurdles Paritutu has to concede 41bs to John, while in the Grand National Hurdles John has to allow the son of Castor 51bs. A circular letter has been issued by the secretary' of the New Zealand Trotting Association. It reads as fol-lows:-—“By authority of a resolution of my committee, a meeting, representative of all racing and trotting clubs throughout New Zealand, will be called for Tuesday evening, July 18. at 7.45 o’clock, in the Town Hall, Wellington. The purpose of such meeting will be the establishment of a New Zealand Sporting League, with branches throughout the Dominion, proposed by the president of the New Zealand Trotting Association at the close of last season, and on lines similar to those of the Sporting League of England, formed to .resist the encroachments of the various bodies who occupy themselves with the sports and recreations of the people. The Northern Province is working up a lot of enthusiasm for sports protection, and Auckland will be strongly represented at the forthcoming meeting. The deliberations of this conference should result in the foundation of a strong league to stem the unwarrantable encroachments of “Wowserism.” ” 9 ® 9 The teams to represent the Canterbury owners, Messrs. Greenwmod and Stead Bros in Australia, arrived safely in Sydney last week in charge of their resnective trainers, R. J. Mason and J. Franks. The horses are located at the Royal Hotel, Randwick, and those sent by the Messrs- Stead (for whom Franks has done well this season) are Sunburnt, the two-year-olds Bandeira (Royal Artillery—Curfew Bell), Culprit (Charlemagne II. —Culroy), and Ajphaea (Stepniak—Britomart), the T ast-named two being fillies, and the yearling colt Bon Soir (Boniform —Curfew Bell), and Chin Chin (Boniform —Drought), a filly of the same age. * « * # The lot (Mason has in hand are the three-year-olds Vice-Admiral (Multiform —Rattler) and Formeden (Multiform —Otterden), the two-year-old Peirene (Achilles —'Blue Water, and the yearling colts Canute (Charlemagne II. —Lady Helen) and Teviotdale (Aichilles —(Strathspey). As; is generally know(n, Bandeira, Culprit, and Peirene have done sufficiently well to suggest they Will hold their own against Our three-year-olds during the coming season. Bandeira is in the Derby, but neither Culprit nor Reirene figure in that race; and as the latter is not engaged in. either, the. EpSohi’ of Metropolitan, it may be presumed she is to take her chance in some of the minor handicaps.—Sydney “Referee.”

The Eclipse Stakes will he run for to-morrow at Sandown Park.

So far 'this season, 1783 horses have ’been registered .in the Accident Insurance ' Fund.

News has ‘been received in Hawke’s Bay that Bridge and Midnight Sun are doing well under the care of H. Rayner at Randwick;

St. Evangeline is a daughter of Hotchkiss and St. Evelyn, and has been six years at the stud. She raced as a two and three-year-old, but never notched a score.

The next Melbourne Cup will be the fifty-first one that has come up for decision. Up to date it has been won on six occasions by geldings, three times by mares, and the balance of the verdicts have been secured by stallions.

Ovation (full brother to Provocation), who is one of the entrants for the Trial Plate at Trentham, was ■sent out favourite for the Nursery Handicap on the first day of the autumn meeting of the Dannevirke Racing Club. He failed to get a shop, the placings being Sinapis, Our Queen and Gold Bond.

Confide, who won the V.R.C. Grand National 'Steeplechase on Saturday, was a firm favourite for that event until a fortnight ago, when it was definitely announced that Grafnax would be a starter. The latter then assumed the position of favourite.

Arnst (Birkenhead —St. Evangeline), one of the youngsters that Mr. G. F. Moore, of Kai Iwi, sent over to the Sydney Easter sales last year, and who raced unsuccessfully in the spring, has just been taken up again after a spell, and is an inmate of T- F. Scully’s stables at Randwick.

The winter meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club resulted in a profit of £260.

Four horses, Goldemar, Ardfert, Iney and Okaihau, accounted for eight of the fourteen races run for at the just-finished steeplechase meeting of the Gisborne Racing Club, each of thegee gees having captured a doubleGoldemar was bred by Mr. G. PDonnelly and is owned by Mr. Cuthbert Morse, who has Birkline, Te Arai, Te Kainui and others carrying his racing uniform.

Iney and Game’s victories at Gisborne have earned penalties for them, in the Winter Cup and Grand National Hurdles respectively. The former will now have to go on the 10.1 mark in. the Winter Cup, and Game’s impost in the Grand National Hurdles will be 9.5. /

There is a probability that F. Porter, the educator of Te Arai, Goldemar, Birkline, and others, will shift his location to Perth (W.A.), an oldtime patron of his, Mr E. C. Connelly, having held out inducements for him to journey to the West. Mr Connelly was at one time a resident of Tokomaru Bay, but is now going well and. strong in Perth.

Mr. R. S. Sievier, ur “Winning Post'” fame, and best known on the turf as the owner of Sceptre, is leaving England to winter in India. I should fancy that Mr. J. B. Joel will not be sorry that he is leaving England for a time, for hardly an issue of the “Winning Post” comes to light but what “Bob Sutton,” as Sievier was known as in Australia, has a solid dig at the African millionaire. Writing regarding Mr. Sievier brings to my mind what a prominent writer penned, about him at the time he was warned off the English turf- He wrote as follows: —“The latest about the Sievier exposure is that the Raleigh Club, a, most exclusive one, has set about a movement to mark approval of the great trouble taken by Sir James Duke in exposing the character of the man who had sued him for slander. This last straw will not trouble Sievier much. What concerns him more is that his favourite field of operations — the racecourse —is closed to him. As a result of the evidence given in the slander case, and the verdict for the defendant, Mr. Robert Sievier (otherwise “Bob” Sutton, as he was known in Australia), has been warned off Newmarket Heath by the English Jockey Club. This is a heavy broadside, indeed. When the slander action was heard Sievier was put under a most severe cross-examination, and had to make several rather damaging admissions in regard to incidents of

his Australian career. It was proved, tod, tbit on certain occasions of card playing his associates were notorious card sharpers. Of course, the assault on Lord Deerhurst, in Victoria, was mentioned, and several other little matters which shook the foundations of any claim Sievier might have, had to be considered a gentleman. That he was an adventurer of a particularly bold and impudent character hundreds of people in Australia were well aware. He stood up in the betting ring occasionally to lay hundreds against horses with a stock-in-trade of “brass” which could scarcely be excelled, and at times he ran in to money and had plenty. There are men in the States who had good reason to remember that Sievier possessed the most consummate effrontery, and was never weighed down with modesty. His meteoric dash into racing in England occasioned some surprise at the time in the colonies, but not a great deal to those who knew the man. He fairly boomed when he began to win money in England, and. gave prices like ten thousand guineas for yearlings. When he got hold of Sceptre he had a great innings, though finally he had to part with her. All hope of his figuring again as a shining light 'amongst successful owners is now gone. With the racecourses barred to him in every country where racing is properly conducted, he cannot own or enter horses. In fact, he has ho get rid of any he owns within a specified time, or they will incur disqualification, from the mere fact, that they are his property- And he cannot get others to race horses for him without a big risk of being found ©;i£L”

The French rider, <G. Stern, is certainly having a great innings This year. The cable has mentioned .all about his successes in England, but it was not stated that at the Paris races, on May 14, he won the Boule ; d’Essii des Poulains (the French 'Two Thousand Guineas), of £3988 <on JLord Burgoyne, while Garvarni HI., •ridden by F. Wootton was second. Lord Burgoyne was favourite, while the Australian lad’s mount was a la ,tp 1 chance. For one jockey to finish second to another in three classic races is certainly bad luck, and that has been Wootton’s experience when Opposed to Stem. Wootton was also third on Walburge in the French One Thousand Guineas, on the same day Gavarni 111. was beaten. In winning the One Thousand Bolide 11. cut out the mile in 1.40, while Lord Burgoyne, with the same weight (9.2), took 1.41 for the Two Thousand so If there is anything in time the French fillies would appear superior to the colts. *:!:#«• Jockey A. F." Neale, who was placed under the ban for riding at the defunct Miramar fixtures, has been granted a license by the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. •4: # * * Assayer, who has been on the retired list for the past couple of seasons, passed out last week. The gelding, who was bred by the late Mr W. Rathbone, and who was owned by Mr A. Reid, of Hastings, was an aged son of Gold Reef and Thyra. During his career on the running path he won several races, both on the flat and over the little sticks.

Two half-sisters by Martian, War Scare, and War Talk, are amongst the toilers in F. Davis’ string.

It has not yet been definitely settled when Bobrikoff will cross the Tasman Sea. He is well forward, and with a few rousing gallops would be fit for the most strenuous exertions.

T. Pine, of Hastings, has been retained to steer Paritutu in his contracts at Trentham and Riccarton.

One of the leading selections for the New Zealand Cup, Cheddar, is robust and bright, and is in just nice mellow order to start work upon.

J- Piercock has been engaged to pilot Appin and Corazon in their engagements at Riccarton next month. The Hastings sports say that he will ride the winning double, which demonstrates that they are sanguine—very.

First day of the Wellington Racing Club’s winter meeting on Saturday. The fixture will be continued on the following Wednesday and Saturday too long between the acts to suit business people from the country, and a couple of Sundays away from home for the ordinary follower of the game is just about the limit.

Through his annexations at Gisborne last week, Whittaker has now got the drop on H. Gray for the top notch peg in the list of successful horsemen for the just expiring racing year in the Dominion. With a bit of good luck on his side Gray has got a chance to get the wind ip his favour at the Wellington meeting.

A deputation of the stewards of the Pahiatua Jockey Club went to Woodville on Friday night to interview the Woodville Club on the matter of racing days- Their suggestions were that Woodville might either forego one of its meetings in favour of Pahiatua, or, alternatively, allow the Pahiatua Club the use of the Woodville course, and one of the Woodville permits, to hold a race meeting under the auspices of the Pahiatua Club. The Woodville stewards could not see their way to agree to either suggestions, feeling that the latter one would have too many inconveniences in practical working, while the former one might probably endanger Woodville’s remaining meeting being allowed to continue. Besides which they thought they had no legal power to agree to the request, but they would gladly and strenuously assist the Pahiatua •Club in any political action it might take to secure a revision of the present state of affairs. * * 9 «

Sledmere, the ( ancestral home of Sir Tatton Sykes, at Driffield, Yorkshire, was recently destroyed by fire. It was said to be a pitiful sight to see the aged Baronet (he is 85 years of age) sitting on the lawn seeing his splendid mansion being consumed. The library contained many valuable records in connection with the turf in England for centuries, and though a great deal of the property from the apartment was saved it was not known when the last mail left the Old Country, whether the racing annals had escaped-

Beldame (Royal Fusilier —La Cloche) is showing the best form of any of the two-year-olds that are being prepared at Napier Park.

Messrs. G. P. Donnelly, G. Hunter, and the Hon. J. D. Ormond, have, been appointed by the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club as delegates to attend the meeting of the Sporting League Committee to be held in Wellington on the 18 th inst.

At the conclusion of the meeting the Woodville stewards strolled up to the Club Hotel, where the Pahiatua ones were awaiting thenp to inform the latter of the decision come to. As they were all chatting over affairs time flew by without being noticed, and the first reminder they had of it was the opening of the door and the entrance of the two local constables, who proceeded to take the names of those present for being on licensed premises after closing hours. It was a great gathering in the drag-net, justices of the peace and prominent business men being as plentiful as blackberries, and since that night they have been most unmercifully chaffed.

The antics of the police horse added greatly to the entertainment of the large assemblage of spectators who watched the progress of the Te Hapara Steeplechase at the Gisborne Park racecourse on Thursday last. The leading horses were running neck and neck on the far side of the course, when D’udeen struck a fence and threw his jockey, who did not rise at once. The mounted constable set off at an easy canter to ascertain if the rider was hurt, and he was almost on a level

with the grandstand, on the far side, when the remaining horses passed on the second round. The excitement of the chase was evidently too much for the police charger, as it bolted in hot pursuit of the racehorses, and made very creditable progress along the back of the course. Stretching his legs m fine style, he raced arong the back of the course, and was well on bis way to the? home turn before n« could be pulled up. ’* . * * the y° un £er full-brother to El Dorado, made good at the just concluded Gisborne meeting. He must have been a particularly hot selection C ° ntests ’ for out of three starts he landed the goods twice, and was second in his other attempt. Had a sovereign been invested on his number in each race a credit balance of 8s would have resulted. Better interest than could be obtained in the bank certainly, and in this particular instance just as safe. * * Gold Thread arrived back in New Zealand this week after an unprofitable stay in Australia. Referring to her the Sydney Referee” says: — About the best race she ran here was 10 ' 3 ’ slle ran P °l Dance (y.o) to a neck in a six furlongs welter at Randwick. Prior to the recent Doncaster Handicap F- McGrath tried the New Zealand mare so highly that he made no secret of his belief that hei: chance with 7.12 would be preferable to that of Desert Rose (handiS P £ ed m a i, t 8-11} With 7 ’ 7 in the same lace. The way Gold Thread finished m her trial caused her trainer to be very sanguine concerning her ability.

to see out the mile, but though in the race she momentarily shone out as a winner just after entering upon the last furlong, she died away at the end, and it has been the same with her in a couple of races since. When she first arrived in Australia some of the New Zealand division contended that she had no particular liking for anything beyond six furlongs, and it would seem that they were correct. Anyhow, as giving a line to how our • horses compare with N.Z. sprinters, some interest will attach to the way she shapes soon after her return. She is in excellent trim, and unless very rough weather is encountered, the short voyage to New Zealand should not do her any harm.” * * * * The annual meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club was held on Monday. The Hon. Sir G. McLean was re-elect-ed president and Mr. James Hazlett vice-president. Referring to the Racing Commission, Sir G. McLean said if Parliament, instead of passing hasty legislation, had waited to see how many of the non-totalisator clubs would cease out of the 106- who were not to receive a license, they would have found that the number would have been reduced by more than the 50 required by the law. It was to be hoped now that so many clubs which had been supported by bookmakers had been dropped out, some of the clubs which had been doomed to lose their totalisator licenses would get them back. He also mentioned that improvements totalling £2200 are to be effected at Wingatui. # :1: * * Herb. Price, the well-known mercer and tailor, 54 Willis Street, Wellington, intends giving tw r o more 18ct. gold chronometers to the most successful jockeys over the fences and on the flat for the season 1910-1911.* * » ' * * At! a meeting of the A-R.C. Committee on Tuesday the following transfers Were approved of: —M. Wells to W. T. Carr, Iridescence; G. L. Stead to W. G. and G. L. Stead, Snows tell filly; W. G. and G. L. Stead to E. S. Luttrell, Aphaea; E. S- Luttrell to W. G. and G. L. Stead, Bluewater filly and Prelude filly; W. G. and G. L. Stead to Lance Wood, Khamsin; Sir Geo. Clifford to W. K. Amberiod, Muircock; Sir G. Clifford to W. Smart, Big Blast. Mr. J. Twohill’s protest against the winner of the Tamaki Steeplechase (Pleiades) on the ground that the horse was ridden by a jockey whose name was on the forfeit list was dismissed. The programmes for next season, with stakes totalling £28,915, were approved. It was decided for future years to make the Welcome Stakes a two-year-old classic race of 500sovs., nominations to be taken the first :Friday in September.