TURF GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1239, 15 January 1914, Page 18

TURF GOSSIP.

(From our Travelling Correspondent)

HAWERA, January 12. Mr. Morse, the caretaker o£ the Egmont Racing Club’s racecourse, has the course proper, enclosures and tracks looking at their very best at present in view of the club’s summer meeting, which takes place next month. Mr. J. Turton (secretary), has all the details well in hand, and provided the climatic conditions are favourable, the club should experience a very successful time indeed. C. Jackson has in work in this town a nice cut of a galloper in a three-year-old gelding by Coronet from Nita who gives indications of turning out useful. The youngster, who is named Tyson, will be seen in action at the Egmont and Taranaki meetings next month. Florist, the sensational New Plymouth dividend payer, is doing well under T. Pine’s guidance. The chestnut daughter of Lupin must be kept in view for events to be decided dining the next few weeks. Chteddar, who was purchased by Mr. Hawkins of, New Plymouth, made his frst appearance on the local tracks on Wednesday last and created a very favourtble impression by the manner in which he strode over the ground. The price paid for the son of Merriwee was £5lO. Cheddar is to be prenared for his future racing career by R. Johnson at New Plymouth. Hector Gray will ride Bon Ton m the Wellington Cup, while the Midhurst horseman will have the mount on Ratana in his Trentham engagements. . G. Musson, of New Plymouth, is taking Princess Flo and Glenfern to Foxton. The pair should have many admirers in their contests at the flax town. The stable presided over by Percy Johnson at New Plymouth experienced a very successful run during the Christmas racing campaign. Inmates from the Fritzroy establishment won six races, while they finished in second position on four occasions. Wins were gained by Sandy Paul (2), King Chira, White Crane, Butcher Boy and Ratana, while the horses named finished in second place in several instances. As the successes were gained at Ellerslie, New Plymo(U|th and Stratford, the performance makes verv interesting reading and proves that Johnson has the happy knack of getting his team up to concert pitch when the occasion arises. R. Johnson at New Plymouth has a useful team in work for this season’s racing events. “Dick’s” little list includes Toatere, Rewipoto, Isola, Simple Sam, and a two-year old colt, a balf-brother to Rewipoto by King Rufus —The Boyne. The horses nam ed are all well forward in condition and should, in He ordinarv course, bring prestige to Johnson’s estabPsh-m'-nt during the nevt few months. Simple Sam win seen out in spring events at Foxton. The chestnut ’’s sneedv over « short cours Q . Nominations for pH events in connection with the Taranaki Jockev C ln b’s Autumn meeting, which takes place on February 11 th. and 12th, close with the secretary, Mr. E. P. Webster, at New Pl-mmitr at 9 p.m. on Fr ; dia v , the 1 6th Inst. With a

capital bill of fare there should be a liberal response from owners and trainers when the lists close.

Wild Lupin, who bears no ill-effects from his New Plymouth and Stratford exertions, is pleasing P. Coffey by his work on the Hawera tracks. The chestnut should add considerably to his winning account at the Taranaki meeting next month. P. Johnson has a lengthy team in work at New Plymouth, his little list comprising White Crane, Ratana, Butcher Boy, Watine, King Chira, Advancer,, Warea, Sandy Paul, Alpha, ■and a two-year-old colt by Patronus from Fancy Work. With such a useful team, the genial Percy should be gladdening the hearts of some of his clients during the remainder of this season’s racing.

R. J. Milne ,at Normanby has Maniaroa in capital trim. The son of Maniapoto—Grassmere, who won at New Plymouth, gives promise of representing Mr. Good’s stallion with some further success during the next lew months.

Powder Fox, who has been a dismal failure, is still being kept up to the collar by T. Wilson at Awapuni. The son of Menschikoff will be given another opportunity to retrieve his laurels at the Foxton meeting. If the gelding does not run up to expectations he will be retired from the turf.

The loss of Lady Menschikoff will fall heavily on Mr. G. Clareburt, of Hawera, as he was the owner of the mare. She was held on lease by D. Thompson, and at the time of writing it is. not known whether she was insured or not.

The recent disastrous fire at the Harp of Erin Stables at Ellerslie, whereby some valuable thoroughbred horses were destroyed, has given rise to some talk as to the risk by fire. It has long been recognised by some trainers that 'horfee boxes, should never be locked, and in this connection it may be mentioned that R. 1 Mason never takes the precaution of locking up his horses at night, always recognising that animals have a mere favourable opportunity of being saved in the event of fire than they would if they were under lock and key. The writer has long been of the opinion that trainers should bind together and between them appoint a man whose duty 1 it would be to keep watch over the horses at night. The charge would be infinitesimal, and it is hoped the suggestion will b° taken up by those concerned for the welfare of the horses under their care.

Minora, the half-sister to Lady Menschikoff by Patronus, is doing well under G. Clareburt’s guidance at Hawera. Thje mar/e gives indications of doing her owner-trainer some useful service in the near future. lord Lupin, who got into the money at the Stratford meeting, is moving along niceiv on the Waverlev tracks. M. Gardner entertains bones of the black horse faring well during the remainder of this season. J. F. Butler at Stratford has Conney and Rector Girl looking in the picture of condition. The latter will be seen out at Foxton, where she should give a good account of herself. Owing to the disastrous fire at Auckland. A Hall has had to cancel his projected visit to Australia. He intended leaving at once with Denise Orme, Phroso and North East, but

the death of Phroso and the injury to Denise Orme will render the trip impossible. Mr. G. F. Moore, of Kai Iwi, is to be sympathised with on the loss of his valuable mare Phroso, and so is Mr. G. Clareburt, owner of Lady Menschikoff. Both mares won at the recent Auckland R.C. meeting, and their prospects for the future appeared particularly bright. The Diver is standing up to his work well on the Feilding tracks. The grey son of Captain Webb should keep his opponents busy in hurdle events at the Foxton meeting.

M. Gardner is keeping his team busy at Waverley, and with horses of the calibre of Zeies, Fisher, Calais and Lord Lupin, Gardner is under the impression that he will land some additional stakes before the present season draws to a close.

A. Jackson at Wanganui is giving Coromandefl a thorough preparation for his Foxton Cup contest. With Lord Renown at Wellington the gelding should have an opportunity of distinguishing himself as the opposition will be very weak.