TURF GOSSIP

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1505, 27 February 1919, Page 19

TURF GOSSIP

Now that the great war is over there should be a welcome revival of athletics, and in this connection it is gratifying to note that the Cambridge Athletic Club have made arrangements to hold a monster sports carnival on the Victoria Square, Cambridge, on Easter Monday, April 21. A first-rate programme, consisting of 22 events, has been drawn up, for which prizes to the value of £6O are to be distributed among the successful competitors. The events include flat races for men, boys and girls, hurdle, bicycle, obstacle, tug-o’-war, wood-chopping, high jumping and field contests, so that some first-class sport is promised. A special train is to be run from Hamilton, and the carnival is certain to be extended wide patronage. Mr. V. G. Boulton, P.O. Box 7, Cambridge, is secretary of the carnival, and will be pleased to forward particulars to anybody desiring same.

During the Dunedin Jockey Club’s recent meeting the flags at Wingatui were flown half-mast in mourning for Mr. Lachlan Maclean, who occupied the position of judge at the time that St. James and Occident fought out their sensational finish in the Dunedin Cup in 1892, the latter being returned the winner.

Vascular (Vasco — Pellicle), which defeated Jeannot and seven others in the Autumn Hurdles at Wingatui, was purchased by his present owner, Mr. W. B. Clarkson, at the Karamu sale for 70 guineas.

Rorke’s Drift has started in four Dunedin Cups. Emerson rode him at 7.9 when he started fourth in order of betting for the 1916 Cup, and he beat Ardenvhor (7.4 i by a neck, Fender (6.9) being third. For the 1917 roce Rorke’s Drift had 8.11, and he started first favourite, W. Robinson having the mount. Bee won from Ringform and Sunb, the big fellow finishing fifth. Last year, ridden by W. Robinson at 8.13, the son of Calibre was sixth in order of betting, and he made no show at all, not finishing amongst the first seven. Margerine won from Wardancer, with Glendower third. This year Rorkes’ Drift won the Cup in a decisive manner.

The purchase of Kilbroney at the recent Elderslie dispersal sale for the Waikanae stud should be well received by breeders throughout the Dominion (remarks “Sir Lancelot,” in the Wellington “Post”). He was foaled in 1907, and as he has proved a stud success he cannot be regarded as a dear horse at 4000 guineas. At the Yaldhurst clearing sale Multiform, then 14 years old, brought 3750 guineas. At the previous Elderslie dispersal sale, held in 1912, Charlemagne 11. fetched 2300 guineas. Better prices have been realised for stallions in Australia. At the Segenhoe (N.S.W.) sale Tressady brought 6000 guineas, and at the Shipley (Vic.) stud sale Comedy King brought 7300 guineas.

A new departure as to racing was noticed at Wingatui on Dunedin Cup Day. A brisk “Hip-ray” from the group of crippled soldiers sitting in motors near the birdcage called attention to the fact that Mr. Fred. Price, owner of Rorke’s Drift, had been saying something to them, for he was walking away and acknowledging the salute; and upon inquiry it turned out that instead of celebrating his Dunedin Cup win by “shouting” champagne he elected to hand to the wounded and sick soldiers £1 each to help them to further enjoy their outing.

By winning the Champagne Stakes at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s recent meeting Miss Mimic gave Sir George Cliffordl his thirteenth win in this event. Cynisca won for Sir George in 1889, Stronghold in 1904, Glenowlet in 1905, Husbandman in 1908, Sharpshooter in 1909, Counterfeit in 1911, Brown Owl in 1912, Nightwatch (the record holder) in 1913, Adjutant in 1915, Good Hope in 1916, Gamecock in 1917, and Heathercote in 1918.

The imported stallion Markhope looked a gift at the 400 guineas at which the hammer fell when the son of Marcovil wgs in the ring at the recent Elderslie sale. When Markhope entered the ring Mr. Boyle asked for a bid of 1000 guineas, but

silence reigned supreme until the figure dropped to 400 guineas, when Sir Rupert Clarke signified his willingness to pay that price. No further advance came, and without much dallying the hammer fell. Sir Rupert Clarke afterwards remarked that he only bought the horse because he looked a bargain.

The following is a list of jockeys’ fees in connection with the Taranaki Jockey Club’s recent fixture: H. Gray £56, B. Beeley £39, S. Bagby (apprentice) £27, L. Morris £27, M. McCarten £25, R. Reed £24, B. Morris £23, R. Mackay (apprentice) £2l 10s., N. K. McDonell £lB, W. Dillamore (apprentice) £l6 10s., J. Tilsly £l6 10s., P. Rayner £ll, N. Campbell £lO, A. McCormick (apprentice) £9, W. Ayres £9, A. McDonald £B, E. Copestake £B, J. Kaan £B, C. Reed £7, F. Cook (apprentice) £7, E. Reed £7, L Nodder £6, F. Johnson '(apprentice) £6, P. Brady £4, L. Manson £4, W. Price £4, C. Price £4, F. Tutchen £4, A. Ward £4, S. Henderson £2.

The New Plymouth trainer, Percy Johnston, has the following horses in work: Movement, Lady Leo, Play-off, Piano, Cora Ora, Encircle, Simple Sam, Dingle and Te Toa. The lastnamed is a five-year-old bay gelding by Red Rain —lona. He can muster up some pace, and on looks should make a good hurdler.

Fleetham shows signs of lameness after working, but throws it off and returns to the track the following morning apparently quite sound (says a southern writer). The English-bred horse, however, now seems inclined to make a noise, and is apparently not too good in respiratory organs.

At a recent meeting of the Board of the New Zealand Trotting Association in Christchurch the sum of £72 Is. 6d. was passed for payment to J. Bryce in respect of his recent accident.

A Taranaki paper published the following par apropos of the Desert Gold-Gloaming race: There is nothing like being up-to-date even in the direction of music on a racecourse. On Thursday, while the contestants in the Taranaki Stakes were saddling, etc., the Citizens’ Band could bo heard giving forth the strains of “In the Gloaming,” “The Sands of the Desert,” and “Little 80-Peep has Lost Her Sheep,” which had been specially arranged by the bandmaster so as to be played at suitable periods. By the way, 80-Peep must have really gone to search for those sheep, because she failed to put in an appearance to run. After Desert Gold had won the race, as soon as the cheering and enthusiasm had subsided a little, the band again gave “The Sands of the Desert,” and there was further cheering.

The aged pacer John Dillon, at one time owned by the late Flight-Lieu-tenant A. W. Gordon, of Auckland, was recently submitted to auction at Tattersail’s, Christchurch, on account of Messrs. Jarden and Edgar, and after spirited bidding was knocked down to Mr. G. F. Robinson, the owner of Our Goldie and Mahinga, for 335 guineas.

The steeplechaser Palladio, who was trained by George Hope last season, has returned to Rorke’s Drift Lodge, says an Invercargill writer, where he will rank as the veteran cross-country horse of the stable. He is in good condition to undergo a preparation for serious business between the jumping flags.

The American-bred trotter Ballin has arrived in Christchurch from Nelson, and will in future be trained by A. Fleming.