TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1154, 23 May 1912, Page 8

TURF TOPICS.

Final payments are due to-morrow (Friday) in connection with the Great Northern Hurdles. * * * i*

Owners are reminded that acceptances are due to-morrow evening for the handicap events to be decided on the first day of the A.R.C. winter meeting, and also the Hunt Club Cup to be run on the third day.

J. Delaney, who used to ride, the Karamu jumpers until a couple of seasons ago, is back in New .Zealand, after a stay of some months in Australia.

The racehorse Hesperus, by Stepniak—Fair Nell, , bred- in ■ New Zea-land,-which has been racing in Tasmania for some time past, has been sent to Melbourne, and will go on to India.. Hesperus, was a poor performer last season, for out of thirteen starts he only won one race and a half.

The programme for the August meeting of the N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club provides for stakes for three days’ racing amounting to £3500, or more than £5OO over what was distributed last year.

Frank Flynn will be riding the favourite double at Wanganui—The JMatlve and Whakaweira. Corazon ftnd Appin, last year’s winners, were both ridden by J. Hercock.

Kopu is still one of the drone brigade at Hastings.

We have not seen anything of Formby for some time, but he has been nominated for the Cornwall and Prince of Wales Handicaps and the York Welter, to be run at the Ellerslie meeting next month. Miscount and Bollin, who hail from the Karamu stable, have also been nominated.

Napper, who claims engagements in the Great Northern Hurdles and Steeplechase, is due to arrive at Ellerslie this week. From all accounts the Hon; J. D. Ormond's representa< tive is in the pink of condition and will start one of the best backed horses in the G.N. Hurdles. Whether he will be good enough to capture the double is problematic, but evidently the intention is to give him the opportunity of equalling Liberator’s great feat.

It is evident that the two Bezonian youngster in the Endeavour Lodge stables have impressed J. W. Lowe, as he has made arrangements to send his own mare Effort on a visit to the imported . English horse, says the “Dominion.” Those who have had experience with the Bezonian y oungsters state that there is a good future before them as they all seem to have good constitutions, and can gallop. The colt .from Miss Phyllis, whiffi} was purchased at the Waikanae sale, is losing the coarseness which featured him six months ago, and the Chainstitch, filly is doing . extremely well.

The Northern Wairoa Racing Club held a general meeting last week at which the secretary reported that the trustees had completed the purchase of a course embracing 122 acres at Awakino Point. The club is desirous of holding a meeting on Boxing Day if a permit for such can be obtained. The new course is some two miles distant fropa the centre of Dargaville, and possesses unique features for an excellent view of racing. The purchase price was £lOOO, and the club intends to beautify the property and in time to form a park suitable for the holding of all outdoor sports. A fine class of horse is being freely bred throughout the district, and if no setback is experienced from the racing authorities the reorganised club should quickly take its place, again in the ranks of progressive country turf associations. With the assistance of the Auckland Racing Club the stewards hope to make the Dargaville meetings profitable and enjoyable to the whole northern community and of distinct benefit to horse-breeders throughout the penin sula. The purchase money for the newly-acquired property is being freely raised by debentures.

The Spaniard, who is engaged in the Wanganui Steeplechase, is a halfbrother to Whakaweira, who is engaged in the same race. The Torpedo gelding ; was twice placed in hunters’ races at the Grand National meeting two years ago.

No previous winners of the Wanganui Steeplechase are engaged in this year’s race, nor are any of the horses which competed in the event twelve months afeo among the acceptors this year.. ■. ;

RetimabJ Captain Bell, and Blakeney have been entered at the Rosehill (Sydney) meeting next Saturday.

The interests of sportsmen are at present centred in the Wanganui meeting, as the results of the racing there will have an appreciable bearing on the Ellerslie Steeplechase meeting next month. Although Auckland is left without a representative in the Century Hurdles, there are a number of Northern candidates competing in other events. Chief amongst these is Antarctic in the Wanganui Steeplechase. The Salvadan gelding holfs pride of plac - ir- th-- weights for the crosscountry race with 12st 31b, and his connection are very sanguine of his success, although he has to meet some strong opposition. Continuance with 12st is somewhat of an unknown quantity over big country, but his high reputation as a hurdler and weight carrier will, no doubt, secure strong support for the Gisborne champion. Okaihau and Taiaha are also in the Steeples to defend the honour of the north, and judging from the reports to hand they will not start without being fairly backed. Hautere and Sphinx are two other Auck-

land-owned horses that have gone South to fulfil engagements at Wanganui.

Whakaweira has during the last week been strongly supported for his chances in both the Wanganui and Great Northern Steeplechases. This apparently indicates that the Pilgrim Progress gelding is evidently considered to be a stayer, because he has been scratched for his hurdle engagements. despite the ability he showed over the battens. There is no question of his being able to jump.

Dr. Ring operated on the hurdle horse Sabre last week for throat troubles.

The New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase this year will be worth 1400 sovs., which makes it the most valuable jumping race in the Dominion. The Grand National Hurdles is worth 1000 sovs.

It is semi officially stated by Lord Villiers, one of the stewards of the English Jockey Club, that half-mile races for two-year-olds are shortly to be eliminated from the sport of horse racing in England.

Mr D. Buick, M.P., who recently intimated his intention of retiring from the list of owners, now states that he had taken his son into partnership in the racing business. Godsley is to be raced at Otaki, after which the gelding will be spelled until the spring, when all the other horses will be put into work. Mr Buick, jun., has had considerable experience with horses.

Paritutu, who arrived early at headquarters, is doing excellent work in his preparation for engagements next month at Ellerslie. The Castor gelding is evidently in keen demand for both the Great Northern Hurdles and Steeplechase and there are not a few who consider he is capable of carrying off both events.

Southern papers state that an influential syndicate of sportsmen contemplate taking up racing in a big way next season.

Kopane, a recent recruit to the ranks of jumpers, is making satisfactory, .progress in his schooling at Ellerslie. - •

“Mr H. Whitney” will be’represented at Ellerslie next month by Naumai and Odessa.

Patea sporting folk are . hoping to have their license to race renewed by the Minister of Internal Affairs. It will be remembered the club was refused a permit this season as a.result of the Racing Commissoners’ recommendations. Nevertheless the club.held a meeting at Easter without a totalisator, which resulted in a loss of close on £2OO. The meetings hitherto held have always been well conducted.

The New Zealand Sports’ Protection League lias, recently been organising new branches in the King Country and Waikato. At Te Kuiti a strong committee has been set up, and members have been joining in large numbers. At Hamilton this month the organising secretary (Mr A. A. Paape) met with a splendid reception, when a large and representative gathering of sportsmen, under the presidency of Mr J. A. Young, M.P., decided to form a nranch to forward the movement.

• The election of officers resulted: — President, Mr J. A. Young, M.P.; vicepresidents, Messrs H. Gilles (golf), E. H. Northcroft (hockey), M. Dark (bowling), J. E. Hammond (Rugby football), F. Jones (running), G. Cork (swimming), M. McArthur (boxing), H. Tristram (trotting), A. Swarbrick (rowing), F. C. Hand (coursing),, C. L. Innes (Northern Union football), E. Goodwin (dog trials), Fabling (tennis), W. I. Conraai (racing), with power to add to their number, with a view to getting cricket, association, athletics, polo, hunting, and angling represented. Committee of five: Messrs C. J. Potts, R. English, H.' Smith, F. C.- Daniells, and Chas. Speight; secretar pro. tern., Mr M. Dark.

It is stated that after finishing his engagements at Wanganui and Ellerslie the crack hurdler Continuance is to go to Australia. Should the Sabretache gelding make the trip he ought to do well, judging from the success attending Pakau’s efforts, for the .later was very moderate when racing here, while Continuance is a really good one. . .

Just now a matter that is troubling the race clubs a lot in Germany, is the licensing of bookmakers on the various race tracks. They have the totalisator there, and also an act prohibiting betting. In a recent exchange it is stated that: —“According to police reports, clandestine betting is more extensively resorted to in Germany than elsewhere. There is not

a race of note in Germany, France, or England which does not lead to good, business,, for the legion who know how to find customers,, notwithstanding all the prosecution carried on. Though it may seem incredible, it is nevertheless a fact that the chief of the police has come to the conclusion that the time has come to settle the question by licensing bookmakers, who would pay a tax to the. Government in exchange for recognition and the right to carry on business openly. Strange to say, the opposition offered to such a project comes from the race societies. They imagine that the advent or resurrection of the bookmaker would decrease their takings at the “Totalisator” and impair their budgets. They have consequently declined to entertain any of the propositions made them, so that the unlicensed and irresponsible “layer” is left free

to continue on the old lines, as he has his money in hand and pays when he cannot do otherwise, knowing that no action can be taken. The cable informed us recently of the success of the King’s colt Dorarido. Further, that his Majesty was

present at Kempton Park to witness the event, and that he received a great ovation. The race won by Dorando was the Sunningdale Plate. The event was not an important one from a financial point of view. It was won last year by Eton Boy, and was worth but 130sovs. Dorando was bred by the late King Edward, and is a four-year-old colt by Cyllene (son of Bona Vista) from Nadejda, a full-s'ster to such celebrities as Florizell 11., Persimmon, and Diamond Jubilee, by St. Simon from Perdita 11. by Hampton from Hermione, by Young Melbourne. Dorando, who is trained by R. Marsh, won two races last year—-the Bottisham Plate at Newmarket and the Mill House Plate at Windsor.

As bookmakers are not allowed to do. business now on the principal race tracks in the United States, the sporting folk are turning the r attention to Canada. It is stated in an exchange that the recently-incorporated Connaught Park Jockey Club of Ottawa announces that all the necessary preliminary business arrangements have been made for an elaborate racing establishment. The club, it is said, has purchased a large tract of land on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, opposite Ottawa, and a flat

race and steeplechase course, stables for a large number of horses, grand stands, club-houses, etc., are to be ready for the first race meeting on September 21. The Duke of Connaught is to be present,and his colours are to be carr.ed on the occasion, and an assurance is given that bookmaking will be allowed.

According to an Australian writer, it is more than likely that Saxonite will be tried at hurdle-jumping after completing his Calcutta engagements at the end of the year, and, providing he takes kindly to the business, will probably be sent to France, where there are some valuable stakes to be won over the small sticks. Some years ago the New Zealand hurdler Record Reign was taken to France, and won a couple of big races, but at his third attempt the horse fell and broke his leg.

The introduction of the totalisator on racecourses here would unquestionably be a big boon, and popularise racing enormously. It would further practically “wipe out” all. the; mushroom bookmakers, and there would be no such thing as stiffening horses and deadening jockeys. The game would be all the purer with the machine, and more profitable to all concerned. —“Sydney Sun.”

Paul Valmar, who was recently sold for 20 guineas in Victoria, was an experiment in in-breeding, as his sire, Wallace, is a son of Carbine’s, and

his dam, La Carabine, was also fathered by Carbine. From a galloping point of view the mating of La Carafor Paul Valmar, who is now a five-

bine and Wallace was of no value, year-old, has proved a frost at the racing business. * * * *

That it is a paying policy to offer inducements to the best horses to compete at a meeting has been amply proved by the experience of the Auckland Trotting Club and the Forbury Park Trotting Club. When the purses were hung up by the Auckland Trotting Club for the establishment of records on the old grass track at Alexandra Park, the Ashburton-bred Dan Patch was brought across from Melbourne specially to attempt the task, and when he succeeded he was received in the most enthusiastic faslron by the Auckland public. The result was that the sport received a splendid advertisement, and the club has since enjoyed increased support. Purses for new record performances have since been offered by the Auckland Club, and though they have remained uncaptured, they are still there to tempt the owners of champions. The Forbury Park Club has, likewise, encouraged the presence of high-class horses at its meetings by the prizes offered for track records, and the glamour surround ng two such splendid performances as these established \y Emmeline will be amply reflected in the increasing popularity of the

sport in Dunedin. —“New Zealand Releree.” When the last mail left England, Lomond and White Star were equal favourites- for the Derby, to be .run on June 5. The former, who was reon June sth. The former, who was reported as doing as well as. could be wished, is expected to crown R. Wootton’s achievements as a trainer, and the ex-Australian has certainly accomplished wonders. He probably singles to himself when he contrasts his present position with that of his early days at the game. His son Frank already has winningrides in an Oaks (Perola) and a St. Leger (Swynford) to his credit, and as it is just possible the present season will end his career as a rider, he Is probably more anxious even than his father concerning Lomond’s success in the Derby. One of R. Wootton’s team in Paravid (owned by Mr E. Hulton) just missed the Queen’s Prize. a £lOOO handicap, -run at Kempton Park last month. However, if Lc-mond wins the Derby on the sth of next mpiith ;Mr Hulton will probably be satisfied, even if his horses do not account for another race this season.

GENERAL BADEN POWELLi

LECTURE AT -THE TOWN HALT,.

One of the chief topics of conversation at present is the visit of General Baden-Powell, the famous soldier and Chief Scout. The General who has reached Australia cannot, unfortunately devote very much time to this country; for he arrives in Auckland on 26th Inst., and sails from the Bluff again on june ard., but during that time will manage to visit the four centres and in Auckland, Wellington and will deliver a lecture in each place. . General Baden-Powell has prepared an intesesting lecture, “Scouting in Peace and War,” which he will illustrate with several interesting pictures which he secured during the defence of Mafeking, and by this lecture he hopes to convince us that Boy Scouts are being trained so that they may become better fitted to fill their respective claims later in life, and he will' ipoint out that scouting dees not induce the boys to become war-like, — quite the contrary. The lecture will take place on Monday, 27th. Inst., in the Town Hall (as advertised below).

Life is full of pain and trouble, Arduous toil and ceaseless care; Pleasure but an empty bubble, Yet we seek it everywhere. Though of sorrow we must borrow, Needless colds we won’t endure, Finding solace ere the morrow, In some Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure.

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club will distribute £3500 during three days at the August meeting, or £5OO more than last year.

The Native is the ruling favourite for the Century Hurdles to be decided at Wanganui to-day, while Continuance is likely to be the most favoured candidate- in the big Steeplechase event.

News from Wellington says that the injured horseman T. Pritchard is not doing as well as was expected, and it is feared that his leg will again have to be broken, as at present it bears the appearance of being shorter than the other leg.

An English visitor has recently been wit cising New Zealand racing in the correspondence columns of a Southern contemporary. After expressing unqualified approval of the racecourses and appointments generally he goes on to say.—“lt is greatly to be regretted that the executive of the club has decided to abandon the New Zealand St. Leger Stakes. Such classic laces give tone to the meetings of the clubs fostering them, as being productive of the highest form of sport, and as an incentive to breeders to import stallions and mares from England are worthy of every encouragement by racing authorities . . ‘. I'would earnestly urge the racing aii-

thorities of the Dominion to retain classical events, -such as the New Zealand 'St. Leger Stakes, on the prograninies -Of the wealthier- clubs, -irrespective of whether smh events continue .to fall to the ..large, stables ..or ■otherwise. Obviously, breeders must be subsidised and encouraged in their enterprise, otherwise leading facing men may retire from the sport.”

The champion racehorse Trafalgar claims many’ distinctions, but not the least interesting is the fact that he has been ridden by a greater number ■of jockeys than any first-class performer of recent years. In his fiftythree races, eighteen different riders have handled the crack son of Wallace. Trafalgar has been ridden by nearly all the first-class horsemen of the day, as well as by riders not entitled to rank in that category. He has been piloted by a Brisbane jockey in Adelaide and bv a New Zealander In the Melbourne Cup. W. H. Smith claims-the best record on Trafalgar. He handled the Wallace horse in 16 races, and on h’m scored thirteen wins and three seconds. His latest pilot, J. E. Pike, has a record of three wins out of three mounts on Trafalgar. Alongside other great performers, Trafalgar’s record in th’s direction stands alone. Carbine contested forty-three races, and was ridden by only four different riders, in R. Derrett, P. White, Mick O’Brien, and Bob Ramadge. Poseidon, in his thirty-three starts. kn c w no other horseman than T. Clayton, and Prince Foote during his turf career had but half-a-dozen riders.