TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1160, 4 July 1912, Page 8

TURF TOPICS.

,Gisborne Steeplechase meeting today and Friday.

Captain Jingle won the Napier Steeplechase in which only three horses finished.

The racehorse, Captain Soult, died at Ellerslie on Sunday night. # Hi ❖ ❖

Beeline broke down badly in the Napier Steeplechase and may not race again.

Frank Wootton rode Houli to victory in the Grand Prix de Paris on Sunday.

Backers had a very bad time on the second day at Napier Park, not a first or second favourite proving successful.

The two-year-old daughter of Motiti —Tauriki in W. Gall’s stable has been named Innocent.

Antarctic is reported to have thrown off the effect of rheumatism and is now getting through his work satisfactorily. There is a scarcity of good ’chasers at present and it is to be hoped the son of Salvadan will be at his best at Riccarton next month.

The two-year-old filly by Heirarch —Gweniad, in D. Moraghan’s stable, has been named Blue Bird. On appearances this youngster should go fast.

During E. J. Rae’s absence in the South with La Reina, Merrimax and Tui Cakobau, his horses working at Ellerslie will be looked after by F. Stenning.

The hurdlers Highden and Windage are again in work at Awapuni.

A three-year-old filly by Obligado— Cyrenaica is the latest addition to F. Macmanemin’s team. Though in the rough she loks a likely sort.

The consistent Stevens is to be treated to a good spell. The hurdler has had his full share of racing this season, and was very lame after the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles.

F. D. Jones has abandoned his intention of going to Australia after the C.J.C. National meeting and will remain in the Dominion.

Naumai has, so far, failed to successfully race further than five furlongs, but, with a view to seeing if the old Conqueror gelding cannot be made to stay better, his owner has decided to race him over fences.

The latest mail from England brings accounts of the Newmarket Stakes, .in which Cylgad defeated Tagalie by two lengths. The description of the race shows that Lomond was pulled up lame, and seriously interfered with Tagalie. But for this, the Derby winner would probably have beaten Cylgad.

H. Tinker has placed the well-bred Colleen Mary in work again in the South. In her later efforts she performed disappointingly.

After a lengthy spell, Patriotic has been placed in work by T. Goddard at Hawera.

After the first payment 40 horses remain in the Australian Hurdles and 28 in the Steeplechase.

The ex-Auckland pony Master Dix won the Prince of Wales Handicap at the last Rosebery pony meeting at Sydney. This was his first victory.

The brood mare Couronne, by Gipsy Grand —Coronal died during the passage of the Maunganui from Wellington to Sydney last week.

The New Zealanders Bridge, Wimmera and Pakau, were withdrawn from the Australian Hurdle Race on the night of the first acceptance.

F, G. Malcolm has taken the Spal-peen-Flying Fish gelding, Saplfish in hand again. This young trainer is getting a nice little team together to commence the season.

All is not well with Tannhauser and the son of Martian is at present receiving veterinary treatment.

The consistent Sea Queen has been enjoying a short respite, but is to be prepared for the Riccarton meeting.

Haku was schooled over the hurdles at Ellerslie last week when he jumped slowly and carefully. A. J. McFlynn was in the saddle.

The Hon. J. D. Ormond’s Birkenhead gelding Alpheus, who annexed the Ladies’ Bracelet at Napier is the first New Zealand Cup candidate to win a race since the closing of nominations.

T. Pritchard is recovering from his accident and his medical adviser will shortly permit the use of crutches.

Enthusiasts in all branches of sport are requested to note that the New Zealand Sports’ Protection League will hold a meeting to-night in the Masonic Hotel, Otahuhu, and on Tuesday next in the Chamber of Commerce, Swanson-street. All interested and in favour of forming branches are requested to attend. Full particulars apear in an advertisement in another column.

The Auckland horseman, A. J. McFlynn, will ride Armagh, Master Theory and Taiaha in their engagements at Gisborne this afternoon.

Panthea, who ran second to Diavolo in the Brooklands Handicap at Napier is a mare by Soult —Thea, and was raced in Auckland as a two-year-old by Mr R. Millet.

D. Watt rode Donzel in the Park Steeplechase at Napier while suffering from a, broken jaw. Donzel fell in the race, Watt fortunately escaping further injury.

F. Loomb took Sea Pink and Forward to Gisborne. Forward was recently purchased by a Gisborne gentleman and it quite on the cards that the daughter of Advance will remain there.

Taiaha, the rough-looking son of Singlestick 11, was getting through his work in great style at Ellerslie prior to being sent to Gisborne and, barring accidents, he should be the hardest to beat in the Tramway Steeplechase this afternoon.

Lady Elviga, the three-year-old daughter of Soult —Carusa, in F. Stenning’s stable, is a mass of quality and greatly resembles Royal Soult.

Antiphone, the high priced son of Obligado and Miss Annie, who was operated upon for throat troubles by Dr. C. Ring just after the Summer meeting at Ellerslie, is again in work at Ellerslie under P. Jones’ care. Antiphone only started once as a two-year-old and finished last.

After a long absence from the race track, the Soult —Winsome gelding Tamainupo has appeared again at Ellerslie and is now in J. E. Thorpe’s stable. When the going is soft the gelding races well.

Sea King is the latest aspirant for jumping honours. He is being schooled over the pony hurdles at Riccarton with Slow Tom as a schoolmaster.

The yearling colt by Charlemagne II —Hermosa will be known on the race path as Aye-Aye.

Acceptances for the opening day’s racing of the Wellington winter meeting close on Monday next.

Recent showings of Paisano suggest that those backers who rushed in early to support Strowan’s son for the Grand National Hurdles will regret their haste.

Coolbeggin (late Tripoli) has changed hands at 201 guineas, his new owner being Mr J. Robson, of Gisborne.

The Kilcheran gelding Kilaloo is once again in easy work at Opaki, but will not be given a run until the spring.

The San Fran mare Te Puia broke down badly last week and it is feared her racing days are over.

Both Sunburnt and Blackpool,who ran second and third in the Flying Handicap at Moorefield on Saturday, are New Zealand bred horses.

The jumping seen at Hastings and Napier Park seems to have been the reverse of brilliant, the horses which fell being considerably more numerous than those who stood up. As neither of the courses is particularly severe the series of mishaps seem to indicate the absence of good horses. * * *

Bronze is reported to be doing nicely in her work at Awapuni. Her stable mate Ermengarde is still enjoying a holiday .

The foundations of the new big brick grandstand, now being erected at Flemington, have sunk, and in view of the serious difficulty in rectifying matters all work on it has been suspended for the time being.

The Auckland-bred chestnut pony, Norway, by Wairiki from Nora, who is now in Sydney, has been leased by Mr L. H. Nathan to Mr F. Williamson, of Randwick.

In Wellington The Native, lOst 61b, is being pounced upon as the best treated horse in the Winter Hurdles.

Lady Medallist has exactly a stone more in this year’s Epsom Handicap than she carried in the event last season.

The New Plymouth trainer, A. Rhodes, recently had his license suspended for one month for employing Hector Gray, a disqualified jockey, to ride work for him. Gray’s disqualification is bringing a deal of trouble in its wake.

The V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race will be decided on Saturday. At latest the Malvolio gelding Obi was the ruling favourite. The New Zealand gelding Merry Monarch was second choice.

The £lOOO Stewards’ Handicap at Kempton must have been a great finish, four out of the five starters finishing with only heads between them. The American Rath Hurley won.

H. Coker, who used to ride foi' the Porirua stable, received a severe shaking at Riccarton last week, when schooling Raffle. The horse fell and Coker sustained injuries which necessitated his receiving medical attention.

O. Cox will shortly put Royal Marine into work at Hawera. The chestnut son of Royal Artillery and Culroy is said to be looking very robust after his holiday. The same trainer has Sam Pan in regular work.

Mr J. H. Harris, of Hastings, has sold Rosewater to Mr H. Hassall, who intends to mate his purchase with the Auckland horse Salvadan. Rosewater is by Waterfall from Primrose, by Mute —Heather Bell, by Figaro, and was bred by Mr W. Douglas at Te Mahanga in 1897.

The Sylvia Park gelding Plantation, who went sore at the Great Northern meeting is at present having an easy time at Hawera, where he has the run of a paddock in the daytime. The spell should do this fine galloper a lot of good.

Jchn figures amongst the entrants for future important hurdle events. The son of Cuirassier has heaps of pace while he has proved he can negotiate the small fences. Aucklanders will well remember his runaway victory in the Campbell Hurdles at the Great Northern meeting last year.

Continuance was obviously above himself in condition at Napier last week and he had evidently been havng an easy time. The Wellington meeting should see him a different horse.

The Finland gelding Zealand, who won a race at Moonee Valley last month, is to be tried at hurdle racing by Maurice McGrath, and may make his first appearance in this role ■ at Flemington on Saturday next, when he has an engagement in the Maiden Hurdles.

Carbine has probably had winners to represent him in more countries than any other stallion. His stock have raced with great success in Australia, New Zealand, India, England, France, and Germany, while descendants of the famous Aucklander have also won races in Austria, Belgium and Italy.

Of the 184 horses engaged in the A.J.C. Epsom Handicap no less than 29 were sired by Maltster. His progeny figuring in the race named are: Popinjay, Mashtun, Wyealla, Prince Maltster, Malt King, Golden Hop, Peronella, Praemium, Rovigno, Beverage, First Principle, Malthusian, Malt Flag, Manchester, Cayenne, Momarjay, Woolerina, Aleberry, Grist, Maltfield, lolite, Symetris, Barley Water, Marnghi, Bellara, Wassail, Kwasind, Sconser and Burston.

The Leolantis gelding Blue Mountain, recently taken to Australia by T. Williams, was withdrawn from the Victorian Grand National Hurdles and Steeplecahse shortly after the weights appeared.

During D. Moraghan’s absence in the South with Taiaha, Master Theory and Admiral Soult the remainder of his team are being looked after by Frank Burns, well-known in both boxing and racing circles.

Advices from Wanganui state that F. Howard, who was injured in the Wanganui Steeplechase, has regained consciousness and is now out of danger and progressing favourably. ’

The grey gelding Hina, who ran second to Galvata in the Hunt Club Steeplechase at Ellerslie, is being prepared by J. Williamson for similar events at the C.J.C. Grand National meeting.

Mr. W. C. Ring has entered Taketumu for events at Wellington, but on her performances in Auckland she would want to improve considerably to win a race at Trentham.

The new two-year-old track at Ellerslie is rapidly nearing completion and will soon be placed at the disposal of trainers.

Sir Solo, who was a big disappointment at the Great Northern meeting, is reported to be getting through good work in view of his Wellington engagements.

All hope of getting a race out of First Barrel has been abandoned and in future the chestnut son of Musketry will be hunted. As a racehorse First Barrel lacked staying powers, and though he won the Avondale Steeplechase and also a Maiden Steeplechase at Ellerslie he was only a moderate.

Providing the going is firm Manuwera can be depended upon to run well at Gisborne.

Beeline, who gave promise of turning out well, broke down badly in the Napier Steeplechase last week.

B. Deeley and Joe O’Connell headed the list of successful riders at the Napier meeting with two wins each.

It is reported that Leolanter, who raced without success at the Great Northern meeting, will next sport silk at the Grand National meeting.

The Euroclydon gelding North-East is still feeling the effects of an operation to remove a lump out of his groin and it will be some time before he races again.

Hesperus, by Stepniak—Fair Nell, was sold the other day at Melbourne for 95 guineas.

It now transpires that the Bluejacket gelding Blue Mount recently sold by Mr. R. McMiken will remain in the Dominion and not be sent to Australia to race.

As a result of A. Julian breaking his collarbone when Quandary fell in the Petane Steeplechase at Nanier, F. Flynn bad the mount on the Hon. J. D. Ormond’s horses in jumping events. * * *

The Hawke’s Bay and Napier Park meetings have been responsible for the laying aside of three leading cross-country horsemen, Rangi Thomp-

son, A. Julian, and W. D. Young. The two firstnamed received broken collarbones, and Young a broken arm.

Kilosteri, winner of the Stewards’ Stakes, the principal flat race on the opening day of the Napier meeting, started the greatest outsider of the field. He, of course, returned a very big dividend.

Bronze is not harshly treated in her Australian engagements and all going well with her stable mate, Ermengarde, G. Price may be expected to cross the Tasman with the Awapuni pair.

There is no stall No. 13 at the Lexington, Kentucky, track. This number was long ago dropped in connection with everything at the famous trotting ground. The track management is not particularly superstitious about the “hoodoo,” but many of its patrons are.

Four boxes have been engaged at Randwick for Sir George Clifford’s horses and all doubts as to whether the Canterbury sportsman will be represented at the A.J.C. spring meeting should now be set at rest. Let us hope Autumnus will be one of the team as he still remains in the A.J.C. Derby.

Kildonan, who has been spelling for a lengthy period, reappeared under silk in the Moteo Hurdles at Napier, but ran unplaced. This horse had many admirers for the C.J.C. Grand National Hurdles last year, and _ in which, if memory is correct, he finished fifth.

Eggshell, a half sister by Kilcheran to Sea King, won a small race in Western Australia recently.

Kia Kaba is the name bestowed upon the two-year-old colt by Motiti — Serita in C. Coleman’s stable. The youngster is a brother to Airworthy.

The Sabretache —Chibouk gelding Continuance is said to have covered a lot of unnecessary ground in the Napier Steeplechase, and no serious consideration need be given to his third place performance.

Dr. Robertson’s brood mare Bealey. by Apremont (dam of Palette) had recently to be destroyed in Southland. The mare’s filly foal by All Red was in a bad way for some time, but is now quite strong, and a good galloper in the paddock.

La Reina is exceptionally well treated in her Gisborne engagements this afternoon and could she be induced to repeat her track work her opponents would have very little chance of victory.

The Hon. G. W. Russell, in acknowledging resolutions from the Auckland Mutual Sports Protection Association, states that they will receive consideration in the event of an amendment to the Gaming Act being -introduced, and adds: “'The resolution on the subject of races under six furlongs appears to be a matter for the racing conference to deal with, and will be brought under the notice of that body.”

It is very rarely that a two-year-old is raced twice in one afternoon but the other day in Sydney Loutar ran second in the Trial Stakes, and then was pulled out again and finished third in a race for horses of his own age.

The withdrawal of Wimmera from the Flemington National Hurdles probably means that the Merriwee gelding has gone wrong, as he could not be said to be badly treated with list 51b. He carried lOst 91b when he won the Great Northern Hurdles at Ellerslie and was afterwards weighted at list 111 b and 12st lib.

The death is reported from New South Wales of the English-bred stallion Ritchie, by Blairfinde (brother to Galtee Moore), from Income by Iso-nomy--In Bounds, by Hermit. Ritchie had a few winners to his credit, but he was one of the least successful as a sire amongst horses brought from England to the Antipodes.

Recently representations were made to the Railway Department regarding the great inconvenience and delay caused by the lack of proper facilities at Ellerslie for entraining racehorses to fulfil engagements at upcountry meetings. The Department has given the matter consideration, and has promised more convenient arrangements.

In view of his form during the present season, it cannot be said that Trafalgar has been harshly treated by the handicapper in the Melbourne

Cup. The son of Wallace will, with 9st 121 b, still have a chance of setting the seal on his fame by winning the world’s greatest handicap event, but perhaps it will be his lot that he will never again get so near as he did when he ran second to Comedy Kingin 1910.

B. Deeley has been inundated with offers of rides at the forthcoming Wellington meeting, and it is more than likely that he will postpone his trip to Sydney until the end of next month. He had originally intended leaving Auckland on Monday next. Should Deeley ride two winners at Gisborne it is hardly likely he will remain for the Wellington gathering.

King Darius, who won the Williamstown Steeples on Saturday, was also successful in a cross-country event at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago. He does not appear to have been entered for the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase to be decided next Saturday week, . but his name figures among the nominations for the Australian Steeplechase to be run at Caulfield on August 10.

The Great Jubilee Handicap at Kempton Park, one of the big races of the year in England, fell to Mr B. McCalmont’s ch c Bachelor’s Hope, by Tredennis —Lady Bawn, who rather easily beat the American horse Whisk Broom and a big field. The winner is in the same stable as Sweeper 11., who pulled off the Two

Thousand Guineas. Some fine horses have won the Jubilee, included among them being Bendigo, Minting, Amphion, Munthorpe, Orvieto, Victor Wild (twice), Ypsilanti (twice), and Polar Star.

The victorious march of backers was brought to a temporary check at Napier last week, when they failed to locate the winners, and favourite after favourite went under. It is hard to say why they should not have maintained the run which they have had during the past six months. The going was splendid for this time of the year, but good horses were few, and, in many cases, were not seen at their best. Nothing “stood out” on either day.

A Melbourne writer, who saw Cruciform lately at Bundoora, describes the one-time New Zealand champion as a grand-looking mare, quite the show brood mare at Bundoora, and it is hoped her colt, Ludstone, will be good enough to replace Wallace at the stud when the time comes. The New Zealanders Golden Slipper, Miss Delaval and Compania are at the same stud, all being in foal to Wallace.

If Koran goes on the right way he will be a force to be reckoned with in all the big hurdle races this season. * * * V

Alex. Hall is also giving his charges an easy time. St. Gate and St. Bill are kept pottering about, but doing no work of any importance.

Backers intending to support Miscount for the New Zealand Cup should pause a little, says “Spearmint.’’ The son of Birkenhead has a very doubtful joint, and may not see the post.

C. Jackson has Mendip in work again on the tracks at Hawera and is hacking Galtee about the roads. Since he last raced Galtee has been blistered for soreness in the shoulder.

Sir Geo. Clifford’s team for Australia will probably comprise Masterpiece, Counterfeit, Autumnus and a two-year-old, eithei’ Veritas (Elevation —Brave Heart) or Parachute (Gravitation —Safeguard).

The Menschikoff—Vannie pony Gaby has been nominated for the next Ascot Thousand. The Fordell cast-off should do well amongst the ponies in Melbourne.

It is unlikely that Corazon will be raced again this season, as the crack ’chaser has developed a splint, and Trainer V. Colello is unwilling to take any risks with him.

Mr T. H. Lowry, of Hawke’s Bay, nominated three youngsters for the Debutant Stakes, and four for the

Caulfield Guineas, but, unfortunately, they reached Melbourne too late to be received.

The fashionably-bred Peter Pan (Stepniak—Armilia) has been purchased by a well-known breeder, and, next season, the black horse will do stud duty in the Wairarapa district.

The value of skull caps to jockeys while schooling jumpers was illustrated when H. Coker fell at Riccarton last week. His cap was a good deal knocked about, and but for the protection it afforded he would probably have had a bad accident.

Considering that he gave the other riders a big start, A. Julian is putting up a fine record this season over jumps, and has already scored 14 times. The best figures ever put up by a hurdle rider in New Zealand go to the credit of Percy Johnston, who once rode nearly thirty winners.

Included in the Maiden field at Gisborne to-day is the New Zealand Cup candidate Multiply—a boomed two-year-old by Multifid from Lady Augusta. There has been great competition amongst the jockeys to secure the ride on Mr C. J. Parker’s gelding. # # * * F. Wootton would appear to have been rather fortunate in having the mount on Houli when the latter won the Grand Prix de Paris on Sunday. In May Wootton went to Paris for the special purpose ’of riding Oui Da n the Guineas, and, according ! to <m exchange he was to ride the same horse in the .Grand Prix de Paris.

A rather amusing incident happened at a recent country pony meeting (says a Sydney exchange). A trainer engaged a local jockey to ride his pony, but, to his disappointment, the little ’un ran nowhere. After the race, the jockey demanded ten shillings, the usual riding losing fee. “Ten bob,” replied the exasperated trainer. “Why I could buy a bag of chaff for 3s 6d.”

A movement is on foot in the South Island to promote an interprovincial point-to-point steeplechase for selected representatives of the various hunt clubs in Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. The idea is to hold the contest or series of competitions for 14st and 12st hunters at a central rendezvous, such as Timaru, and that the members and sympathisers of the hunt bodies contribute towards the cost of forwarding their representatives to the scene of action.

Gaelic is now being trained by J. Hathaway at Awapuni. The gelding is receiving a thorough preparation for his W.R.C. contests.

Diavolo and Kilostere, the two big dividend producers at Hastings and Napier Park respectively, were each number 13 on the race books.

Mr J. Hennah, the owner of Captain Jingle and Amaru, did not support the former in his capture, but he put in a solid bunch on Amaru, and as the daughter of Violet paid a nice price it goes without sayin

that the fixture proved a remunerative affair for him.

B. Deeley is hot after C. Jenkins’ record of 88 wins in a season. Deeley’s total is now 87 and as he will be riding at Gisborne to-day and tomorrow it certainly looks as though new figures will be created. At Ellerslie it is said Deeley is champion lightweight in more than race riding.

Pari tutu (10.9) reads well in the Wellington Steeplechase and providing he is doing plenty of work he is bound to run well. Prior to the Great Northern Steeplechase Paritutu had been treated to the lightest of exercise and there is every reason to expect him to strip a better horse at Trentham.

Following upon the death of Captain Soult news comes to hand from the Waikato that the stallion St. Crispin has passed the' way of all flesh. It appears the horse became bogged in a wet hole and succumbed. St. Crispin, who was 18 years old, was by St. Leger—Tingaroa, and though .he got a few winners there was no champions amongst his progeny. St. Crispin himself was a fairly good performer and he it was who- brought about the sensational defeat of the late Mr G‘. G. Stead’s Gold Medallist in the Great Northern Derby of 1898.

The new rules of racing recently passed by the leading clubs in Australia make for uniformity in regard to what constitutes “a starter.” In Victoria in the past a horse was not “a starter” until he was in the hands of the starter, but in New Soutn Wales, for purposes of betting, he was “a starter” as soon as his jockey weighed out. The proposed rules favour the Victorian practice, as it is set out that “a horse shall be deemed to be a starter, and under the starter’s hands, immediately upon the jockey or rider of such horse being ordered by the starter to line up at or behind the starting point.”

The winner of the Grand Prix de Paris does not appear to have been a runner at the Paris spring meeting in May, and up till the time that the last mail left does not appear to have been much talked of in connection with last Sunday’s race. Wigram 11., who- ran second behind the Grand Prix winner, also acted as runner-up in the Prix Greffalhe at Paris on May 12, while De Viris won the Prix de Fontainebleu at the same meeting. A few weeks previously De Viris had beaten the Belgian champion, Cyrille, in the Grand Prize of Brussels, and on May 18 he won the Guineas (colts’ race) at Paris. De Viris was always ridden by J. Reiff, who recently won the Epsom Derby on Tagalie.

Now that the breeding season is drawing near, owners of thoroughbred mares will be looking around for a suitable sire or sires. Amongst the number offering, the Waikanae pair Achilles and Benzonian have excellent credentials and are certain to receive a large measure of attention. As a racehorse Achilles was a brilliant performer and many good judges consider him the best horse seen in the Dominion. Peirene was the first of his stock to race and at her first attempt she annexed the Hastings Stakes. This season Styx and Stepney are two of his sons to win races. Benzonian’s stock are highly spoken of, and are a well-grown racy looking lot. Amongst the mares now in foal to him are the three Aucklanders Winsome (dam of Kakama and Miss Winsome), Latona (dam of Apelion), and Lady Hune. Should sufficient inducement offer, the manager of the Waikanae stud, Mr. A. Cochrane, will send a man each way with any mares visiting the stallions, while arrangements will also be made to have the mares watered and fed at Ohakune, Marton and Palmerston North.