TURF TOPICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1256, 14 May 1914, Page 12

TURF TOPICS.

Truganini by Merriwee — Heart Wnist, won the High-weight Handicap of seven furlongs at the Murrunbridge Turf Club’s meeting last month.

45 * » * At the Moonee Valley R.C. meeting At the Morree Valley R.C. meeting

'he April Plate of six furlongs was won by Ee Bro, by Soult—Momi. Sharpshooter, another New Zealandbred one, was second, while Wimmera was unplaced.

Special trains leave Palmerston North on May 21st and 23rd for the Wanganui races. Excursion tickets will be issued from Hawera, Taihape and Palmerston North on those dates.

At the Wagga (N.S.W.) pony races on May 1 three competitors, Blue Field, Argali, and Posila, each won a double, thereby annexing the whole of the six events on the programme, a unique performance.

The jockey, R. Jacques, who was fatally injured when his horse Luger fell in the Hurdle Race at a meeting last month at Adelaide, was a single boy, about 20 years old. This was his first ride over hurdles. The horse fell when in the lead at the third jump, and the lad appeared to land rn his head. When picked up it was found that his skull was fractured. Auraria (by Trenton from Aura), who won the Melbourne Cup in 1895,

was destroyed recently in South Australia. She was kicked by another horse, and it was impossible to save her.

In point of numbers racecourse attendances in Auckland compare by no means unfavourably with those of Sydney, says the Sydney “Referee.” The population of New South Wales’ capital is fully five times that of Auckland, but on Easter Monday there were between 25,000 and 30,000 present at the race meeting in the latter city.

When it was first reported that Mr. S. P. Mackay had sold Radnor and Bon Ton, Mr. R. S. Falkiner was stated to be the purchaser: but it transpires that Mr. L. Falkiner, of Deniliquin, New South Wales, is now the owner of these horses. When Bon Ton reached Melbourne he was slightly lame through an injury he received in the A.J.C. Plate, but as he has been put out of work he will soon overcome the trouble.

In England in March Mr. W. Hall Walker sustained a heavy loss by the death of the brood mare Cherry Lass. She was the winner of the One Thousand Guineas and the Oaks in 1905, and she made record time in the “ladies’ race.” The loss is made doubly severe from the fact that she was carrying a very fine colt by Royal Realm, which also died. Cherry Lass’ daughter, Mabel Grey, broke her leg when doing her preparation for the Oaks of 1911, and her daughter by Robert le Diable Mr. Hall still pas-

sesscs at the stud. Cock of the Rock and Absolute are other produce.

Charleville, by Charlemagne 11., continues in winning vein in Australia.

El Bro and Bob Soult are amongst the latest winners in Australia by Soult.

Royal Artillery is represented by more winners this season than heretofore, and is getting stud chances in Australia.

Adherent is leaving Nolan’s stables at Randwick to be trained in Victoria for jumping events, as his owner, Mr. G. Dunnet, resides there.

Sunloch, who won the Liverpool Grand National recently, was purchased by his present owner for about £3OO. As the Grand National was worth 341550v5. he was rather a good Investment. •', ~

The stipendiary stewards at Warwick Farm on Saturday week held an inquiry into the way Marangai was bandied in the Hurdle Race, and they censured his rider (A. Foreman) for not persevering with him after he had jumped the hurdle near the three furlongs, so reports the “Referee.” Marangai is a spent light, and will have to meet a pool’ lot to be worth persevering with. . He can’t stay far.

Cherubini was not started at the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s Winter meeting because the going was rendered heavy by previous rainfall. For the Hawke’s Bay Cup Emperador, who ran well up to a mile and aquarter, was preferred to his stable companion, and after battling along in second place well into the straight died away into fifth position at the finish, and occupied a similar position in the chief race on the second day over a mile and a-quarter.

According to some South African papers, Auckland Park (the Johannesburg pony club) was never in a better position financially than at present, and in commenting on this a wr.ter in “The Latest” (Durban) says: “As an example of what good management will do for a racing club, one can only refer to the programme issued by the Auckland Park executive for their Union Day meeting, to be held on June 1 this year, consisting, as it does, of seven races, viz., the Auckland Park Handicap, of £lOOO, one galloway handicap of £3OO, two ditto each of £175, one pony handicap of £l5O, and two ditto of £lOO each.”

The death took place at the Warrnambool (Vic.) Hospital towards the end of last month of D. Mahony, who was well known as a cross-country rider. He had ridden in all the States of the Commonwealth, and among his principal performances were the winning of the Australian Grand National, the Bendigo Grand National, and the Warrnambool Grand Autumn Steeplechase. He was seriously hurt in the Winslow Steeplechase about five years ago, and the injuries then sustained practically ended his racing career. A short time ago he had one of his arms amputated.

Messrs. Young and Collins, Limited, the well-known saddlers, advertise in this issue that they are selling a re-cently-patented over cover for horses. It has been styled the H.H.J. over cover and has been patented by Mr. H. H. Jackson, a well-known hunting enthusiast. Its advantages are that it prevents cold and damp getting to the loins of horses, and can be fitted to any make of cover, keeping the under cover dry, and not only adds to the comfort of the horse, but at the same time to the life of the cover, saving the canvas lining and sewing. Hunting men and those who train horses keeping them out in the open will find the patent a boon, as it can be removed anfi replaced to suit the weather.

Comparisons between the merits of leading Australian horsemen and the successful riders of the Old World are frequently heard. A much-travelled racing man who was in Sydney for the recent A.J.C. Cup meeting, considers that the jockeys W. H. McLachlan and R. Lewis, are equal in riding ability to the best horsemen in any part of the world. He has seen

.all the successful riders of England and the Continent, including Danny Maher, Frank Wootton, and George Stern (France), as well as the great American jockey, Walter Miller, who a few seasons ago rode 285 winners in one year. Both Lewis and McLachlan paid visits to- England, but did not remain long there. Had they stayed in Great Britain, they would certainly have won as high a position in the English pacing world as their fellow-countryman, Frank Wootton.

Princess Dorrie, winner of the One Thousand Guineas, is a half-sister to the racehorse White Star, recently purchased by Mr. Sol Green for his Shipley Stud. A cable to Australia .announces the fact that the wellknown rider E. Huxley had the mount. ■Glorvina, who finished second to Princess Dorrie, is a sister to Craignour. Mr. J. B. Joel won the One Thousand Guineas last year with Jest, and has _had his share of classic events since he started racing.

The death is reported from Messrs. Bailey Bros.’ Terranallum Station, in -the Western District of Victoria, of the blood stallion Coil, who was in Jiis 20th year. Coil was by Abercorn from Copra, and, therefore, a full brother to Cocos. As a two-year-old he won the Oakleigh Plate and the V.R.C. Sires’ Produce Stakes, and .subsequently carried a 101 b. penalty to victory in the A.J.C. Champagne Stakes in 1896; and at the V.R.C. .autumn meeting of the following year he ran third to Carlton and Wait-a-Bit in the Newmarket Handicap, and won the Essendon Stakes and Australian Cup, and wound up the meeting by filling third place to Newhaven and The Officer in the Champion .Stakes.

Bedford again demonstrated his superiority over the Auckland two-year-olds he met at the Avondale meeting last week. In the Apprentices’ Juvenile Handicap on the opening day the Bunyan—Miss Dix colt only .appeared on the scene in the latter stages of the race. Getting away badly, Bedford appeared in trouble before a furlong was covered, being badly blocked, but once the straight was entered the little chestnut, vigorously ridden by Kennedy, put in a remarkable run, and despite. Kitty Bellairs’ pronounced lead, managed to .get up in time to gain the verdict by a head. In the Nursery Handicap •on the concluding day, Bedford, who, though not so solidly backed as on the first day, was an even money favourite, was quickly in the lead, ;»nd entering the straight had a lead •of half-a-dozen lengths, and though challenged by Lady Penury before the post was reached he won comfortably by a couple of lengths.

When F. Williams returned the three-year-old Problematic to his •owner, iMr. S. Green, it was thought the son of Positano and Problem was unlikely to do any more racing. However, Mr. Green leased him to W. H. Klllick, and he won a Welter Handicap at Albury recently.

Broadsword has finished his racing career, and will be sent to the stud this season in Australia. As a two-year-old he was a good performer in New Zealand, where he was bred, his victories including the Electric Plate, Great Northern Foal Stakes and Autumn Nursery. In Australia he won a large number of important events, including the Doncaster Handicap, V.R.-C. Railway Handicap, and Adelaide Birthday Cup. He is by Clanranald (son of the Doncaster horse St. Leger) from Safeguard, by Maxim from Teredo, by Apremont from Nautilus, by Traducer, and is therefore attractively bred.

Much sympathy is being expressed at the sudden death of a well-known sporting identity in Mr. H. M. Simmonds, which took place at Tauranga

on April 26th. The late Mr. Simmonds for many years was identified with racing matters in Palmerston North, and he will be better known to latter day people as the owner of Prosper, a horse who created a favourable impression by his galloping powers last season. He was a jovial, good-natured man, and his demise is extremely regretted. Mr. Simmonds had only recently removed to Tauranga for the purpose of assuming the management of Gamman, Ltd., a big sawmilling firm in which he was interested. He is survied by a widow and a numerous family, all of whom have the sympathy of a wide circle of friends in their sad bereavement. Mr. Simmonds, who was 54 years of age, succumbed to an attack of congestion of the lungs.

ELLERSLIE ITEMS. Mr. F. J. Ross was present on Saturday to see Fleet Arrow jumping the hurdles and Ruse de Guerre sprinting on the sand. The latter seems very much on the improve. Mr. E. Alison’s recent Randwick purchase is a slashing fine filly by Kenilworth. The filly is being broken by W. Tozer, and is very intelligent and quiet. She is a shapely one, and will compare favourably with any of the local-bred ones in shape and quality.

At the same sale the breeder of Mungee Bungee Morree, Mr. McDonald, got 400 guineas for a full sister to Robert the Bruce.

Mr. E. J. Rae’s leppers, Captain Jack, JJauera, Merrimax and Master Regal are all putting in useful tasks, the Captain in particular being bright and well. Merrimax will be sent to Wanganui.

G. Morris has now charge of Mr. E. .W. )A.lison’s horses in graining at Takapuna.

Wee Olga, Te Onga and Sedition are all a bit tender on their legs, but their soreness generally wears off after they are exercised.

Both Maathol (Stenning) and Bluestone (Thorpe) are standing up to t.beir work and striding along in great heart on the tracks.

At the recent Randwick autumn sales a half-sister to Devastation by Mountain King brought 350 guineas.

A. Julian was recently out quailing with a brother horseman and got quite a surprise packet—-a shot in the eye—from the other shootist but happily nothing but a discoloured optic resulted.

W. Mobberly’s team will be among the active contingent directly after the conclusion of the Auckland R.C. Steeplechase meeting with Phosphorous, Devastation and a Marble Arch — Alfa Alfa colt rising two-year-old. The baby, who is on the small side, is improving.

Mr. Taylor, the new owner of Kaihere, galloped the gelding at top the other morning. The horse gets mostly swimming exercise. The same owner has re-leased Holdfast to Mr. Preston.

Omata is going along nicely under S. Morrow’s guidance. The gelding has - started on three occasions, but has never yet saluted the man in the box. The son of Royal Artillery —Leonora is a good-looking horse that should meet with success.

B. Deeley returned on Friday from Hawke’s Bay and rode seven or eight gallops on Saturday, the following morning. The energetic one never tires.

Ronald Kelly rides as much work as any other cross-country horseman in the Dominion at Ellerslie on schooling mornings. Koss Heaton has made a start again. He has a very likely pair of maidens to commence on, a full sister

to Cordite (Soult —Lyddite), a slashing fine filly standing over a lot of ground, and showing good quality. The filly is a three-year-old, and has just been broken. His other string is by Advance, and is very compact and sturdy, with a very good middle piece. The filly looks like coming to hand early.

Tiresome, on her return journey from the Avondale meeting, started to play up on the steamer while crossing the harbour, and got cut and slashed about: but, due to the careful treatment of Mr. C. S. Simpson, veterinary surgeon, who was acting in the absence of Dr. Ring, there are now hopes of the mare pulling round.

On Thursday of last week there were three race meetings in full swing—Hawke’s Bay, Ashburton, and Marlborough.

Since the Avondale J.C. meeting there have been inquiries from wouldbe purchasers of Barbwire. Mr. Pat. Bolton, the owner, does not intend selling the horse at present With the Auckland R.C. meeting onlv three weeks off, trainers are now commencing to send their charges along in real earnest again. On Saturday Try Fluke and his stable companion Ngatiranui rattled off seven furlongs at top speed on the sand track. Both are on the improve. .Spalfish is building up again after his rbcent unsuccessful efforts at the Avondale meeting. He sprinted a few ■fiiflongs in company with Lady Alstrongly.

■. Kiiig Try, with A. Julian in the saddle, ran a solid circuit on the sand and is still improving.

Matawerewere, by Pakiri —Puwerew'ere, had lessons over the pony hurdles last week, twice, in company with Admiral Soult, with J. Roach and A. J. McFlynn respectively in the saddle,. For beginners the pair flew the small sticks in good style.

Another pair of maiden candidates on the up-grade are Dandy Breeze and The Pole. They both faced the timber fearlessly on two occasions last week, with Tutchen and Conway as pilots. They jumped the small battens like old stagers.

A chestnut hunter and Sedition skipped over the little hurdles, jumping slowly. The last-named put in two circuits on the sand afterwards.

Jack Williamson and party got the largest bag on the opening of the shooting season, 151 brace, principally grey duck, falling to their guns. They were got somewhere near Rotorua.

On Saturday Try Fluke acted as school master over seven furlongs on the sand, leading Ngatiruanui from start to finish.

Spalpish looks a bit light, but galloped away from Lady Algiva over a sprinting course. He is freshening up again.

Goldfire easily held Grand Martins and Takinini at the" end of a slowrun five furlongs on the sand.

Bluestone is rounding up into, good shape under trainer J. Thorpe. The Bluelight horse should be quite ready by the time the June meeting comes round.

Ruffy (A. J. McFlynn), Donzel and Leo had a schooling lesson, starting at the sod wall, which was negotiated safely. In taking the first fence of the double, however, the two former bumped while in the air and came down, but the men and horses scrambled to their feet. Ruffy was bleeding from a cut on the nose. Leo and Donzel went over the hill, the latter baulking at the second fence on the top of the hill. Leo ran home a mile in front, while Ruffy went home without being worked again.

Mr. E. Alison was present to see Ruffy and Donzel tried over the Ellerslie course, and altogether the pair did not give a good display of fencing. Mr. Alison was not discouraged by the exhibition, and philosophically remarked a bad start may make a good ending. Mr. E. Alison was present at the Randwick autumn horse sales and thought that and the Easter Agricultural Show quite one of the features of his visit to sunny New South Wales. By the tone of Mr. Alison’s conversation he was not enamoured of the stallions on view, but likes the progeny of Kenilworth very much;

J. Mitchell, the Ellerslie trainer, now has charge of the successful hurdler King Try, by King’s Own — Try Me.