TURF GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1504, 20 February 1919, Page 18

TURF GOSSIP.

Gazique, who went amiss prior to the Takapuna meeting, is feared to have broken a small bone near the knee.

This year there are exactly the same number of horses in the Newmarket Handicap as last (114), but the Australian Cup nominations have dropped from 92 to 63.

R. S. Sievier, well known in Australia, was a candidate for Parliamentary honours at the recent election in England. He was the Coalition representative for Shoreditch. Result not to hand.

In England this year the stud fee of Radium (sire of Rebus and King Offa) is £49, and of Llangibby (sire of Lanius) 19 guineas. When Radium sired Rebus and King Offa his fee was 200 guineas, but during the war the fees of most stallions in the Old Country dropped considerably.

According to present ideas the much-travelled New Zealand mare, Probation, which won a couple of races at the local Christmas meet-g ings, will shortly be sent to bourne. There is no doubting her pace, and her connections know how.. to bet when they fancy her, says a correspondent of the “Referee.”

Well Shine (Wolawa — Blacking), who won the Juvenile Handicap at Kembla Grange, Sydney, was bred in New Zealand by Mr. E. J. Watt. She was sold at auction for 155 guineas at the commencement of January, and won at her first start in her new owner’s colours.

It was announced in the English press in November that it was the intention of the War Office to take back 125,000 horses from France and Belgium for sale in Great Britain. They were to be sold in batches of 12,500 per week in different centres throughout the country. It would be well if the best of the mares could be used for breeding purposes.

It is understood that the committee of the Wanganui Jockey Club have decided to recommend the club to purchase a site for a racecourse, not with the idea of removing there in the near future, but so as to have a course available when it becomes necessary to shift. The club is believed to have two properties under offer—the Paul Estate (River Bank), and the Gordon Park Property (No. 3 Line).

According to a couple of leading London papers, there is not the least likelihood of the installation of the totalisator (or pari-mutuel) in England. “Pilot,” in the “Referee,” in noting this item, says it must have been almost as good news for English bookmakers as the signing of the armistice: We might add that all owners are not keen on the introduction of the tote, and that the English Jockey Club cannot be accused of being in league with the bookmakers to keep it out.

TURF GOSSIP hhhhhh hhh The Masterton Racing Club has been advised that the latest date selected for its autumn meeting, viz., March 27, is not available. Another date is consequently being applied for.

The Australian Jockey Club’s donation of £ll2O to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for specific purposes has been allocated as follows: £320 for the purchase of whirlpool baths and electrical appliances for the treatment of returned soldiers; £3OO for the furnishing of a ward of 20 beds for tubercular cases amongst soldiers; and £soo’ for the erection of a recreation hall for the soldiers in the wards.

No thoroughbred mares are to be served by Headwind, who was recently purchased by the Moonee Valley Racing Club with a view to assisting the Defence Department in improving the breed of military horses. It is stated that Mr. Mackay accepted a price considerably below Headwind’s market value as a racehorse, and the Moonee Valley Racing Club will charge merely a nominal stud fee for approved half-bred mares.

The youngsters placed in work at Morphettville include a colt by Comedy King from the New Zealand-bred ■ mare Indian Queen, dam of Mahararjah, Aborigine, King Billy, Maori King, Our King and Our Queen. Indian Queen was purchased cheaply by a Queensland breeder at the Shipley dispersal sale. • • » •

The Liverpool Grand National is to be run again at Aintree this year, and the trainer and rider of the winner will receive a commemorative trophy. The value of the race is to be the same as prior to the war. The last Grand National run at Aintree was when Ally Sloper won in 1915, but in 1916-17-18 there was a substitute race —the War National — run at Gatwick.

Finmark, Estland and Colugo are

now working at Victoria Park, and, according to “Pilot,” their owner is of opinion that the going is softer there than at Randwick. Although he looks bright and bigger than in the spring. Finmark’s soreness is so pronounced that it appears as if his trainer, M. Hynes, will have a deal of trouble in getting him to his best for the autumn meetings.

The recently issued Vol V. of the General Stud Book of South Africa includes 671 mares, and of these 329 were bred in England, 304 in South Africa, 15 in South America, 7 in the United States of America, 9 in Australia, 6 in France, and one in New Zealand, says “Pilot,” in the “Referee.” Of the thoroughbred stallions in South Africa 250 were bred in England, 60 in South Africa, 11 in South America. 10 in the United States, 8 in Australia, and 3 in New Zealand.

The Sydney “Referee” commented on the detention of J. O’Shea in Sydney and said it was hard luck for O’Shea, as he would have had some first-class riding in New Zealand if he had been able to get back to New Zealand for the Christmas and New

Year meetings. His visit to Australia has not given him cause for gratification, though he intends to try his luck there again shortly.

Prior to the recent elections in England the following “test” questions for Parliamentary candidates were adopted by the Association of Racehorse Owners, Breeders and Trainers: (1) Will you consistently support horse racing as it was conducted before the war, in order that British supremacy in the industry of thoroughbred horse breeding may be maintained? (2) Do you agree that people should have liberty in their sports, pastimes and recreations under such rules as are from time to time laid down by those who practically understand the same, and that

such liberty, while regulated by the law of the land, should be exempt from all other interference whatsoever?

King Offa’s lameness, despite all veterinary skill, has caused the retirement of that fine horse from the racecourse. He was taken out of his Australian autumn engagements last month.

In England, as in Australia, horses are sold at auction with their engagements, and in the former country this fact has to be kept well in mind by buyers. “Pilot.” in the “Referee,” thus comments on situations that sometimes come about as a result: English breeders nominate so extensively that in a reference to the sales which took place at Newmarket last December I saw it stated that the minor forfeits for the 57 engagements made for the yearling half brother to Milton totalled .£468; the Polymelus —Taslett filly’s minor forfeits for 48 races amounted to £398; those of Mons Star to 546 guineas; and Milton’s (two-year-old), £587 for 41 races. Minor forfeits for other two-year-olds in Splendid Spur and Nancy Stair totalled £4OB and £416 respectively. These forfeits have at times

brought trouble to buyers, especially after the horses have left England. Occasionally some minor forfeit has been overlooked, and after the horse has been sent to another country it appears in the forfeit list in England. In South Africa there were one or two cases where it was discovered almost at the last moment that horses greatly fancied for big races were, through oversight, in the forfeit list in the Old Country for a small amount, and as a result they had to be withdrawn. It might therefore be as well for Australian buyers to remember that a similar experience for them is possible, if they are not careful.

Despite the restricted number of meetings in England during the past

racing season there were more runners for the various events than *in 1917, the figures being 959 two-year-old, 562 three-year-olds, 269 four-year-olds, and 379 five-years-olds and upwards. In 1917 the runners included 804 two-year-olds, 467 three-year-olds, 269 four-year-olds, and 360 five-year-olds and upwards. Total in 1918, 2196; 1917, 1900, an increase of 296. The amount of stake money won under Newmarket Rules in 1918 was £215,525 ss. In 1917 it was £158,073 4s. The £215,525 ss. represents the total sum given for registered racing in England last season, and owners found a large share of that. In noticing the above, “Pilot,” in the Sydney “Referee,” mentions that the distribution at registered meetings alone in Sydney last season was £127,167, of which over £lOl,OOO was added money. In Melbourne last season the total sum competed for at registered fixtures was just short of £148,000.

Most Australians who have visited the principal English courses have been disappointed, and the different winning posts for various races puzzle many. Private L. N. Poole, ex-handicapper to the Deloraine Turf Club, in a letter to a Tasmanian friend, mentions he had been at a Newmarket meeting, and, while praising the going and width of the tracks, said the accommodation and appointments were simply bad. The stands are inferior, the main one not being a patch on either Launceston or Hobart stands. No lawns, no numbered saddle-cloths, and only one number board, and that in a bad position, were other things that Private Poole thought strange in connection with Newmarket, and with the exception of horses and probably some riders, he reckons England is a long way behind Australia and New Zealand in racing.

After the Gisborne Cup, Mr. Howard, the owner of the winner, Multifual, was presented with the trophy' attached thereto on the lawn. Sir James Carroll in making the presentation said: “It devolves upon me to make the presentation of this magnificent cup to a worthy owner and a worthy horse. Multifual is a household word to all Gisborne sports, and so is the name of Wally Howard. It is interesting to note that he is not only an owner, but a trainer, and that his son rode the horse to victory. We known Mr. Howard to be a sport, who plays ‘cricket’ every time. I have great pleasure in presenting this cup and calling for three cheers for Wally Howard and his horse.” The owner’s reply was short and to the point. “I wish sincerely to thank the donors for their valuable gift. This is the proudest day of my life,” he declared.

Arch Marella has earned for himself the reputation of being the hardiest and most consistent animal in training just now, writes “Jorquois,” in the Sydney “Sun,” in discussing the Auckland-bred son of Marble Arch and Seatonella. In his last 12 starts he has been only three times unplaced, he has won six times, and has been second three times. The striking thing about those six victories is that five of them have been recorded at the headquarters of the turf —Randwick. Many good horses do not win so many races there in a lifetime. And yet this is the horse about whom some of the “wise-heads” scoffed when Sir Samuel Hordern plucky enough to give 1500 guineas for him last winter. They said he was at the top of his form amongst poor animals when he won the Winter Stakes and Ellesmere Handicap, and that when he opposed the good horses they would show him up. This they failed to do, however, for in his three starts in the spring he ran two seconds in first-class company, and although he failed at Flemington, where the left-handed course did not suit him, he has proved himself a game little champion this summer by his Summer Cup and Anniversary Handicap victories, and has captured a double which has not been often achieved in the past. Arch Marella cost less than 100 guineas when trainer T. F. Scully bought him a little over a year ago. He leased him to J. Tuckerman, who won four races with him, and the gelding was then purchased by Sir Samuel Hordern, who gave Scully 1000 guineas, and bought out Tuckerman’s lease for 500 guineas. In that owner’s colours he has won £2803. Since he struck good form last winter his performances have been: Won Wyong Park Stakes, 7.8, £25; won Tattersail’s Stakes, one mile, 8.4, £254; second Warwick Handicap, one mile and aquarter and 100 yards, 6.12, £10; won

A.J.C. Ellesmere Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, 8.1, £296; won A.J.C. Winter Stakes, one mile and three furlongs, £561; second Tattersall’s Spring Handicap, one mile and aquarter, 8.3, to Prince Viridis, £80; unplaced Rosehill Handicap; second Hawkesbury Handicap, one mile and three furlongs, 8.6, to Dick Meagher (7.9), £3O; second A.J.C. Metropolitan, 8.0, to Kennaquhair, 8.4, £800; unplaced V.R.C. Hotham Handicap; unplaced Melbourne Cup; won A.J.C. Summer Cup, one mile and five furlongs, 8.2, £1059; won A.J.C. Anniversary Handicap, one mile and ahalf, 8.9, £834; total stakes. £3949.

Mr. R. Absolum, long known in connection with the sport in Auckland, was on Friday selected from 35 applicants for the position of secretary to the Otahuhu Trotting Club. Mr. Absolum has held almost every position in connection with the sport, and is well-known to owners and trainers who patronise the Auckland meetings, and should render good service to the club, of which he has been a useful member since its inception.

It was rather extraordinary that there was no offer made at the Elderslie Stud sale for the beautifully-bred horse Sunny Lake, who was got by the great Sundridge from the Persimmon mare Pearl of the Loch, whose fifth dam was Queen Mary, the greatest representative of the Number 10 family. Sunny Lake is only a nine-year-old horse to English time, and his yearlings and foals at the sale and the mares in foal to him were all advertisements as to his capabilities. He was a rattling good performer himself, a chestnut in colour. Of the fifteen lots by him, eight took after him. Seven of the fifteen are fillies. He has a number of nice two-year-olds to represent him. Sundance, who won at Ellerslie, is one of them.

It is remarkable that rich men should monopolise all the qualities that go towards making “good sportsmen.” At least, what we occasionally read in print tends to that idea. I have yet to hear trumpeted the sterling qualities of the “battling” owner, writes “Pilot,” in the Sydney “Referee,” though the genuine sporting instincts of some of that division are greater than those of many moneyed men who are lauded on every occasion possible.

The Victorian handicappers are finding it difficult to stop a horse called Le Mattan. At Williamstown recently he scored his seventh successive win in about two months, and with 12.4 ran the two miles in 3min. 45sec.

According to the “Referee,” entries for the provincial meetings are commencing to fall off, and it does not look as if it will pay some to utilise as many days as they contemplate. Taken all round, owners and trainers who principally patronise the provincial fixtures are not of the strongest financially, and, in proportion to the prize money, expenses are heavy.

Owing to the hardness of the track, as a result of the drought, the Binalong Racing Club’s meeting in Australia, originally announced for February 5, was indefinitely postponed. This is an experience never known in New Zealand.

At Randwick recently the wellknown hurdler Greek Fire fell at the first jump in the Hurdle Race, and, sustaining a compound fracture of the off fore .cannon-bone, had to be destroyed. Foaled in 1909, he was by Pistol from Grecian Beauty, and the good handicaps won by him on the Hat included the Moonee Valley Cup and Silver City Cup (Broken Hill). On coming to Sydney, says the “Referee,” he won four hurdle races, the last one with 13.7.

On the opening day of the Newmarket (England) December sales, the 15-year-old stallion Yentoi (Santoi —Rot), winner of the 1908 Cesarewitch, was sold for 10 guineas. The highest price realised the same day was 1800 guineas for a filly foal by Sundridge from Fosse. The youngster was bought by Colonel M. Hughes, who also gave 620 guineas for her dam, a six-year-old mare by Your Majesty from Verne.

Llansannor, the full brother to the defunct mares Glendalough and Fionnuala, has gone very sore, and was examined by Dr. Glover last week in the owner’s presence. This fine horse bears a strong resemblance to St. Clements.

For the half-year ended December 31 there was an increase of £2331 in the revenue received by the State from stamps on betting tickets, and of £551 in bookmakers’ license fees in Queensland, as compared with the same period in the financial year 1917-18. The betting tax amounted to £39,193 7s. lid., and bookmakers’ fees totalled £1894 ss. for the six months ending the same date.

Mr. J. H. Edwards is looking after his own two horses, Multiplane and Shining Light, since F. Loomb left for Gisborne. The latter is building up. The pair are intended to race at the Waipa meeting.

Gold Plane, one of E. Pope’s team, is in easy work again. The filly is thought to be suffering from rheumatism and has been spelled for some time.

The Australian-bred gelding Hopfield occupies his old box in J. E. Thorpe’s Ellerslie stable. The big bay has proved somewhat of a failure since coming to the Dominion. He is a beautiful jumper and will probably be got ready for winter hurdling.

Mullingar is doing nice suitable work on the tracks at Ellerslie. At no time in his racing career has the little son of Marble Arch — Romola looked in better fettle to stand the wining up process for a good handicap race.

Arch Marella’s half sister, in Fred. Stenning’s care, at Ellerslie, was given a half-mile run in company with Kilbeggan last week and came out of the ordeal with credit. Her mentor states that the filly is an exceptionally good doer and shows promise.