TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1163, 25 July 1912, Page 6

TURF TOPICS.

Season of 1911-12 concluded. * * * * Grand National meeting on August 13, 15, and 17. * * =!= Coronetted will be ridden in the Grand National Hurdles by W. Young. * * * * Coronetted and Koran, coupled with Continuance, are rhe favourue combinations for the Grand National double. . * . Don Quex ran second to Berale in the Hurdle Race ; at Canterbury Park (Sydney.) on Thursday last. * * .* . *...... After winning the Parliamentary Handicap, Coronetted at once advanced to the position of favourite for the C.J.C. Grand . National Hurdles. «l: -I’ * The stakes disbursed by the Victoria Racing Club last season amounted to £69,273. ❖ * 4: # Waikaraka, the Southland candidate for the Grand National Hurdles, is shaping pleasingly in his work. *❖‘ * * The balance-sheet of the Egmont Racing Club shows a profit of £79 0 3s 2d on the year’s workings. ❖ ❖ # * The New Zealand Cup winner, Canteen, had to be destroyed, it transpires, through having his left hind pastern badly broken. * * « * P. McManemin, charged with the theft of the racing mare Soultoria, has been committed for trial. « * * * During the last week or so the local horseman, C. Brown, has been superintending the preparation for D. Moraghan’s Ellerslie team. * * :S * Hautere was a very tired horse when J. Deerey pulled him up seven furlongs from home in the Wellington Steeplechase. -!• •J' Hilarian ricked his fetlock somewhat badly a few days ago. N. Williams has had him under special treatment, and the San Fran gelding is now able to take walking exercise. * * * * When the last mail left England the Australian jockey, F. Wootton, had ridden nearly 50 winners, and was at the head of the list of winning horsemen. # :!e ijt ek Te Rahui, who fell in the Hack Steeplechase on the opening day of the Wellington meeting, and met with injuries which necessitated his destroyal, was a gelding by Strowan — Booby ,and therefore a brother to Paisano. * « « * After the race for the Winter Hurdles at Wellington McFlynn. who rode Master Theory, said the gelding ran sour in the eaKy stages, but was finishing well at the end. On the second day Master Theory was only beaten a head by Darby Paul. * * * * Kielder, who competed unsuccessfully at the Gisborne meeting, is now a member of F. McManemin’s stable at Ellerslie. # * * Owing to injuries received while running- in the paddock at Hawera the hurdler Lochguard, owned by Mr J. Davidson, had to be destroyed this week. >1: # # The hunter, Miss Gibbs, a seven-year-old mare, by Chief Commander, has been placed in. J. Gravestock’s hands at Clareville. . She is a good jumper, with a fair amount of pace. Goodwin Park, who was favourite for the Winter Hurdles, rah prominently for a mile and a half, when he was done with, and finally finished sixth, a long way from the winner. ❖ The going at Wellington was all against The Native, but nevertheless, the black gelding was always out forcing the pace in the earlv stages. He should be dangerous when the going is firm. ❖ ❖ * ❖ White Cockade, who won the Winter Hurdles at Wellington, has only been in work since May. This being so the racing last week should benefit him considerably,' and he may play an important part in the decision of events at the National meeting.

Armagh ran a fair race in the Hack Steeplechase at Trentham, but had no chance with Torbelle and Taiaha. Armagh was not suited by the heavy going. * * * * At the Victoria Amateur Turf Club’s meeting on Saturday the Merriwee gelding, Wimmera, gave a glimpse of his true form by winning the Hurdle Race. * . . sis * Prince Palatine, who won the Ascot Gold Cup, also carried off the Eclipse Stakes of 10,000 sovs at Sandown Park on Friday last; * si: * * The Signalman gelding, Mt. Victoria, is running very consistently this season, and has won seven events for his owner, Mr H. Whitney, in a very brief period. :l: * * Zante, who ran third in the- Wellington Steeplechase, is now beingtrained by R. Hannon, who also had Salute and Uranium at the meeting. * * * * At the Gisborne meeting the Ellerslie trainer, D. Moraghan, won six events with his horses, but at Wellington bis record was three seconds out of four starts. * A A sfe La Reina was only started once at Wellington, this being in the Stewards’ Handicap, in which event she was badly left at the start.

In both the Wellington Steeplechase and Hack Steeplechase on Wednesday the placed horses were the only ones to . finish the course without mistake. # cje To give some indication of the state of the going on the opening day of the Wellington meeting it may be remarked that no horse won a flat race handicap carrying more than nine pounds above the -minimum. jt- efc Bollin ran a good race in the Winter Hurdles. He was always near the front, and it was only in the last tew strides that Sandy Paul cut him out of second place. Captain Jingle is proving payable property to Mr J. Hennah, as the son of Captain Webb has annexed- the Napier Park, Wellington, and July Steeplechases during- the month. • * * It is stated-that the day before the Wellington Steeplechase Captain Jingle could hardly place his foot on the ground, and ; his 'connections Were experiencing some anxious moments. However, every attention was paid to the gelding, who eventually -started and won-the event easily. :J: ' ’ The honours Of the race for the Wellington Steeplechase belong to Antarctic, whose condition, to judge from appearances, could have been improved. At ~ the - post' the son of Salvadan- was kept on and moved short. When Compass came to grief Antarctic lost a lot of ground; but nevertheless struggled on ’gamely, and finished up a creditable second. It is a pity such a fine horse cannot be given a solid preparation.

The balance-sheet of the New Zealand Racing Conference shows that the Accident Fund has £12,890 on fixed deposit or in the bank. ■ ... * * * . The first race meeting to be decided in'Auckland next season is that of the Waikato Hunt Club which is set down for decision on September 7. * * V A. Julian expects to be well enough to ride Paritutu in the Grand National Steeplechase. The old gelding has been going on the right way since his arrival at Trentham. Captain Jingle and White Cockade have each earned the full penalty for the Grand National Steeplechase and Hurdle race respectively. * =!= * Dr. Ring recently operated on Silva for respiratory troubles and the brown son of Sylvia Park and Pauline is said to have considerably benefited thereby. «■* . « * The two-year-old filly by San Fran —Kissmary has had the name Kismet bestowed on it. The youngster is a sister to Ngakau. * ❖ ❖ * J. Fryer had intended bringing St. Serf and Bismarck down from Hawera to compete at Trentham, but the later having broken down the trip was abandoned. . . ❖ The programme of the Auckland Racing Club for the coming season has not yet been passed by the full committee, and it is understood nothing definite will be decided upon until near the end of the month.

Taketuma, who has proved a disappointment in most of hei' races, easily won the Kia Ora Handicap at Trentham on Saturday, defeating a good favourite in Diavolo. Taketuma is owned by Mr W. C. King, and is a full-sister to Mighty Atom. * ;|: =5 The Waikato-owned mare Salute ran a good race in the Parliamentary Handicap at Wellington. She was out forcing the pace till the straight was reached, when she failed to go on, and eventually finished third to Coronetted and Brown Trout. ** - * Coronetted was not long in returning his purchase money to his new owner, Mr J. McKelvie, as the chestnut son of Coronet won the Parliamentary Handicap, 'worth 240 sovs to the winner, at the first time of asking.- At the conclusion of the Great Northern meeting last month Mr Mc-Kelvie bought the gelding for 150 guineas-. The Torpedo gelding, Torbelle, was nearly down at the , wattle fence in the Hack Steeplechase at Wellington, but his rider, W. Porter, made a wonderful recovery, and. was rewarded by landing his .mount, a . wir ner. On the second day Torbelle. won again, ..but was this . time ridden by ;H. McSweeney. ' :? ■ * * * Sandy Paul, who has performed poorly since his easy victory in the Brighton' Hurdles at Ellerslie, at the A.R.C. autumn meeting, gave a glimpse of his best at Wellington last week, ‘ when he ran; second'' in ’ the Winter Hurdles and third in the Final Hurdles. On each occasion he was ridden by the Auckland horseman, J. Deerey.

At Hendon the other day the crack rider, M. Maher,, had a new experience, going up for a fly with Mr Graham White in the latter’s aeroplane. * * « # The Messrs Duder Bros, were unlucky with the first visit of their horses to Trentham. Tui Cakobau did not start, while La Reina in her one essay was badly left at the post. The dates of the New Zealand Cup meeting are November 2,4, 6, 9. The A.J.C. spring . meeting, at which several New Zealand horses are engaged, starts on Octobei’ 5 and finishes on October 12. . .. « * Bronze, Ermengarde, and the two Charlemagne II; youngsters that are to - carry “Mr Highden’s” colours at the A.J.C. spring meeting, were shipped to Sydney on Friday afternoon by the Ulimaroa. The. horses looked in capital condition to make the voyage, and G. Price should be able to hasten them along on the tracks soon after their arrival on the other side. The state’of the going at Trentham caused Jervis George to withdraw Paritutu from his Wellington engagements. In the Grand National Steeplechase the son of Castor will be ridden by A. Julian, and can be depended upon to be a tough proposition. **- * * Darby Paul’s, victory in the Final Hurdles at Trentham was a big surprise to those present. On the opening day in the Winter Hurdles ‘he was slow to leave the mark, but made up very, little ground, and finished outside the first half-dozen. On Saturday he was always within striking distance of the leaders, and in a good finish beat Master Theory by a head. Darby Paul returned his supporters over a third of a century. * * sp A Grand National Hurdles candidate, The Rover, was favourite for the Parliamentary Handicap, but at no part of the contest did he show up prominently. He has returned to Foxton, and will there receive the final touches before his Riccarton campaign. * ❖ # G. Pratt, a prominent Australian lightweight jockey, will leave shortly for India, having accepted an engagement to. ride for his Highness ; the Kour Sahib of Patiala. The horsefe in the stable to which Pratt will be attached include Saxonite and Gunboat, two good performers recently shipped to India from Australia. * * » ■ , The Hon. J. D. Ormond seems to have the trial Plate at the winter gathering of the Wellington Racing Club, as a perquisite, for during the ten years that it has been carded by the club, it has on six occasions been won by bearers of the all cerise jacket and cap. Twice has the Karamu trained contingent been second, once unplaced. In the other instance, the year that the race first found a place on the programme, the Master of Kiarariiu did not have a representative carrying his racing badge. The list of winners of the event is as follows: —1903 Commonwealth, 1904 Mouro (The Stake second), 1905 Mobility, 1906 Wirral, 1907 All Red'(Wallassey second), 19-08 Effort, 1909 Dreadless, 1910 Morecombe, 1911 Ainsdaye, 1912 Peary. * * The question is often raised as to gambling between betting on a horse race and speculating on the possible fall or rise of some particular stock. Of course, opinions differ, but the fact remains that many people who regard the latter procedure as legitimate business would not bet on a horse race themselves, nor countenance anyone else doing so. More particularly does the latter apply to most of our clergy, therefore it iquite refreshing to read that in Minneapolis a few weeks ago the Board of Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church reported to the general conference of the Church in favour of lifting the ban from attendance at race meetings, among other things. The twenty-four Bishops who formulated the report declared that the ecclesiastical rules in force since 1872 could not fix the point between the Turk and the Stock market. And really, when it comes to gambling, the line of demarcation is very faint between backing one horse to beat others, and what is tantamount to betting whether a certain crop is a failure or not, or that some mineral or other will be found in . payable quantities.

Although Kildonan accepted for the Grand National Hurdles on Monday, he was withdrawn from the event next day. * * * * The Auckland horseman A. J. McFlynn has been offered the mount on Coronetted in the Grand National Hurdles. ♦ * * * J. Deerey says he neyer rode such' a tired horse as Hautere was when pulled up in the Wellington Steeple chase. The stallion Gluten is advertised for private sale in this issue. Gluten is the sire of Gloy, Goldsize, Doughboy and other good performers. * * * * Lloyds is at present on the easy list, but will be placed in work shortly with a view to spring racing. Lady Betty, also being looked after by H. Barr, is wintering well. The same stable shelters a colt (trotter) by Specialist—Wilhelmina. * * * * Bullv is galloping in great style at Ellerslie, and will probably be sent to Riccarton next week to fulfil his engagement in the Grand National Hurdles. Bully is going as well as before the Great Northern meeting, when he ran second to Napper.

Wingarra, winner of the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdles, was bought cheaply by his owner, Mr. L. Robertson, for 95 guineas. * * * * The Field Battery filly Almeida, who was placed out of commission through being galloped on, is back in work at Ellerslie. She is still in J. Williamson’s stable. « -s * W. Retter, who was injured while schooling Parallel at Riccarton some time ago, has regained consciousness and is now on the road to recovery. « - * * • Prior to the Wellington meeting Black Northern was reported to be jumping the big fences at Napier in good style. The Auckland horse may be hard to dispose of at Riccarton next month. * » * * “Drivers must be properly and neatly dressed.” That is one of this year’s mandatory American Trotting Association rules. Another important rule is, “a driver shall not drive a horse in the race without personal knowledge as to the eligibility of the horse to compete in the said contest.” * * * • * At a meeting of the Taranaki metropolitan committee on Saturday notice was received from the Wanganui Club that it had suspended the jockey’s license held by R. Lambess for failing to appear before the metropolitan committee when requested to do so. The?; same club had? alsp . camcelled Copestake’s jockey’s license for disorderly conduct.

A filly by Boniform is being handled by A. McMillan at Ellerslie. $ * * * Besides First Wairiki, J. McHugh is handling a rising two-year-old by Wairiki —Repulse. * * * * The Gladstone gelding Sir Gladstone has been turned out, and it is hardly likely that he will return to the race track. * * * * Idealism was taken to the Wellington meeting but the son of Birkenhead was not started on either day. * * * * The fine looking mare Antoinette has brightened up considerably and she promises to be at her best when early spring racing is being decided. A filly named Vengeance, by Seaton Delaval, is being worked at Ellerslie by R. E. Brown. « V * ♦ F. Loomb is now handling a rising, three-year-old filly bv King’s Guest — Young Uira. She bears a racy appearance and should turn out well. * * « * Lubricator (Soult— -Folly) and Spinster (Soult —Waitarua) have been handled, and are now located at Yr. Muir’s stables, Greenlane.

The ex-Auckland pony Caedmon recently won a small race in Australia. C. Coleman is handling a rising two-year-old brother to Caedmon. * * * * Sphinx and Glad Tidings are now being trained at Ellreslie by F. Stenning. This educator will have a good string to do battle for him next season. * * * ♦ After a couple of months’ absence from the track the mare Vestal is again in work at Ellerslie under P. Conway’s care.

As a result of his dual victory at Wellington, Captain Jingle will now' have to carry 11.7 in the Grand National Steeplechase. # * * * J. Williamson withdrew Okaihau from,, the Grand National Steeplechase, and will now be represented ,ty Hautere and Armagh. sjs * * Although the two-year-old track at Ellerslie is ready for use, no work has been registered on it for some mornings past, owing to the heavy rains. The track has been splendidly laid down, and is highly spoken of by trainers. • X ♦ * The Cuirassier gelding Newtown, who has been used as a hack for a couple of seasons, is now in work at Ellerslie. Surely it is too much to expect the gelding to win races in the future. * * * * At the Melbourne Trotting Club’s meeting-last week the Sydney two-year-old filly Nan trotted a mile heat in 2m in 25sec, and thereby established a new record for Australasia by clipping off the time registered by the Victorian pacer De'.aven Chimes. The race was the Sires’ Produce Stakes for two-year-old pacers in harness.

On the night before the recent Ballina (N.S.W.) pony meeting an attempt was made to poison the mare Noble Maggie. In connection with this matter a man has since been arrested and brought before the Ballina Police Court, when he was remanded and bail refused. * * * * During the past season no fewer than 2014 horsese were registered under the New Zealand Racing Conference Accident Fund. The total amount paid in claims during the same time was £1894 7s 4d, while £176 still remains in abeyance. .

Continuance is the ruling favourite for the Grand National Steeplechase. : i- * * ♦ The stallion, Highland Chief, and the. rising three-year-olds, Hierarchy, and his Eminence, purchased at auction last week by Mr Jubb, have gone into Whitaker’s charge at Ellerslie. *« * * The rising two-year-old colt Flying Feather, by Obligado — Cadence, which was knocked down at auction the other day at lOgs to Mr Brown, of Dargaville, has gone into P. Conway’s stable. * * * * A. J. McFlynn, who this season topped the list of winning horsemen over fences, was presented with a gold watch at Wellington on Saturday evening. B. Deeley, the premier horseman on the flat, is in Sydney, and it is stated that he will receive his watch from A. Oliver, who will take it across to Sydney at the conclusion of the National meeting. V * * The Trotting Derby Thousand, a £lOOO race for three-year-old trotters and pacers, arranged by the Melbourne Trotting Club, will be run in March, 1914, as advertised in the present issue, and nominations of 1910 foals are due with the secretary, Mr. A. J. Gray, 161 Russell-street, Melbourne, on or before 30th inst (July). The race will be run in two divisions, one for trotters and one for pacers, and this arrangement will provide a perfect and fair contest in each class. No charge is made for nominating. * * # * The committee appointed on Thursday by the New Zealand Racing Conference for the purpose of selecting and appointing stipendiary stewards, met on Friday morning for the first time. Sir Geo. Clifford, chairman of the committee, stated that the meeting was mainly for the purpose of considering the conditions under which the stewards will work. As yet it had not been definitely decided how many stewards would be appointed, but the committee were bent upon getting the scheme into working order with the least possible delay, and. applications for the positions will be called very shortly. * * * * Joseph O’Connell, who rode Captain Jingle to victory in the Wellington Steeplechase, was confident all along of the horse’s ability to win, and would not listen to the suggestion that the horse was short of work. After the race, in conversation with “Glencoe” of the “Dominion,” O’Connell stated that, with the exception of one fence (the brush, the second time) his horse jumped perfectly throughout. At no time was the jockey uneasy. Compass he regarded as his most formidable apponent by the. time that the first round had been completed, but, after the Hawera horse fell at the stone-wal, everything was plain sailing. Captain Jingle (says O’Connell) had his mind on his work the whole way, while Compass was watching the other horses, and, apparently, did not properly see the fence which brought him down. O’Connell is very fond of the winner, and says that few people know how good he is in heavy going. As to the horse’s jumping, his jockey states that he will be an old man before ever he sits astride a better fencer. * * * * The somewhat selfish objection made by the C.J.C., to the Wellington Racing Club racing on October 26th and 28th (which includes the Labour Day holiday) was very properly overruled by the conference, says a Wellington writer. The arguments in favour of it were so obviously not tenable that one rather wonders at them being brought forward. One delegate went so far as to say that if the dates applied for by the W.R.C. were granted it would create a very dangerous precedent as it had been laid down that where one club had established dates another club should not be given dates to interfere with them. Of course the obvious rejoinder to this is that as the meetings will be five days apart, and the two cities are only separted by a twelve hours’ journey, the dates do not clash. On the contrary their proximity will form an additional reason for northern owners to come south. As in the case of the recently refused request by the C.J.C to hold back the Grand National handicaps until after the W.R.C. meeting, the southern club does not seem fully alive to its own interests.