TURF GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1525, 17 July 1919, Page 16

TURF GOSSIP.

Mannish, by Maniapoto — Blemish, is reported to be galloping well on the tracks at Wanganui and promises to prove useful next season.

Jeannot can be regarded as an almost certain starter in the Grand National Hurdle Race, as W. Bush has been retained to ride him.

Art is showing an enlarged hock, but apparently it makes little difference to his work, which has been of a useful order.

After doing a gallop on the Riccarton tracks a few mornings ago Strayshot, in F. Christmas’ stable, pulled up lame.

L. A. Walker heads the list of winning jockeys in Australia, with A. Wood a close second, the pair being well in advance of their fellow horsemen in the matter of wins.

“I have hunted ever since I was 16, p.nd to hunting I owe the best of my fun and the best of my friendships.” wrote Sir lan Heathcoat Amory. Bart., Master Tiverton Foxhounds, England, who is resigning.

The Woodville racing tracks are reported to be becoming popular with trainers. A. Atwood, of Feilding. is taking his team there shortly, while it is rumoured R. Johnston, the New Plymouth trainer, Intends doing likewise.

Though it was granted a totalisator permit some seasons ago the Cheviot Racing Club has not yet made use of it. Evidently the club now intends to hold a meeting, as it has applied for March 13.

The Amberley Racing Club made application to hold its annual meeting on Monday, September 22, but this date is being strongly opposed by the Geraldine Racing Club, which contemplates racing on September 25 and 26. As the latter club has had its dates for many years its prior claims should be respected though as a matter of fact the clashing would make little difference. The same

sort of trouble has arisen’ between Ashburton Racing Club (March 18 and 19). and Waimate (March 19). If these two clubs clashed, both would suffer severely, and it is quite likely that Ashburton will use its alternative dates, May 6 and 7.

According to “Sporting Life,” no horse in the field disappointed so much as did Stefan the Great when coming out of his clothes for the Two Thousand Guineas. He looked dull and ran with little or no fire, and cannot be said to have gone the right way since his two-year-old days. Mr. Robinson’s colt, like all the get of The Tetrarch up to now. ran as though speed rather than stamina. is his forte. Allowing for his rather common appearance he showed a great turn of speed for five and ahalf furlongs, then “quitted” like a non-stayer. Another more the cut of a sprinter than a stayer is Iron Hand, who looked beautiful, and showed far more life and dash than “Stefan.” Stefan the Great is a roan and a big three-year-old that may be served by time.

The drastic curtailment of railway traffic played havoc with the arrangements of those trainers who intended taking teams to the Wellington meeting (writes our Christchurch correspondent). Under the altered conditions, H. Ellis. J. McCombe and R. Emerson decided to stay at home, and altogether the prospects of outside racing do not look good for local trainers. The Waimate Hunt Club’s meeting on the 17th inst. is sure to suffer, as any horses attending that fixture would have to walk from the various training establishments in South Canterbury to Waimate. Just how the curtailment will affect the Grand National meeting is hard to tell, but there is always the chance of the embargo being lifted before that fixture comes round. North Island horses for the meeting that raced at Wellington last week are likely to come south without returning home between the two gatherings, so it is quite probable that we shall have a lot of visiting horses at Riccarton quite three weeks before the big jumping fixture. Under the present order of things, horses being shipped from Lyttelton or arriving there have to walk over the Port Hills.

The death occurred last week of Mr. Thomas Scott, who until four or five years ago was farming at Glen Oroua, in the Carnavon district. Ho was a son of the late Mr. David Scott, of Willowbank, Rangitikei, who was one of the pioneer settlers in that part of the Dominion. In his time his father took a great interest in sport, and owned a number of wellknown performers both across country and on the flat. Mr. Tom Scott was a sporting enthusiast, and was one of the best-known gentlemen riders in the Dominion. Plain Bill was one of the best performers at the

illegitimate game amongst several he owned. He was a keen supporter of hunting, and will be greatly missed in the Rangitikei district.

There was a touch of romance attached to Entail’s victory in the Encourage Stakes at the recent Victoria Park meeting in Sydney. During the progress of the war the Havilah studmaster, Mr. Hunter White, gave a colt by Flavus (imp.) from Settlement, a full brother to the good per-

former Secret Service, to be raffled, and the proceeds to go towards patriotic causes. In due course the colt was raffled, and was secured by one of the firm of the well-known blood stock salesman, W. Inglis and Son. He, in turn, auctioned the colt, and he brought 100 guineas, being purchased by his present owner, Mr. M. Power, of Kogarah. The hundred guineas obtained for the colt was, in turn, presented by W. Inglis and Son to patriotic funds. The colt with the above history is Entail, who won the Encourage Stakes at Victoria Park.

A three-year-old brown mare by Aberbrothock —Ori (The Officer —Oriflamme). and a yearling filly by Sarto - —Oralene (De Witte —Ori), owned by Mr. C. Keeble. are located at Mr. E. D. Browne’s Opera House stables, Palmerston North, where they are being looked after by Mr. Alex. Browne. The Aberbrothock mare is a commanding-looking animal, standing over 16 hands. She will be exercised on the roads preparatory to entering T. George’s stables.

Mr. Walter Johnson, of Palmerston North, who is exceedingly popular owing to his generosity in assisting any deserving cause, recently presented the two-year-old filly Nursery Sister, by Solferino —Miss Dalrymple, as a contribution to the Catholic bazaar organised at Palmerston North. Nursing Sister, who is located at the Highden establishment and is trained by George Price, promises to do well as a three-year-old, and last April created a favourable impression when she ran second to Hetaua in the Nursery Handicap on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s autumn meeting.

Arthur Oliver, the well - known North Island horseman, who came out from the Old Country in the Prinzessin, w r hich arrived at Wellington recently, returned to Palmerston North the same day (says the Manawatu “Standard”). The Highden mentor, George Price, saw to it that there would be nothing left wanting in his efforts to give him a hearty welcome back to his old quarters. There was a liberal display of flags and bunting, and all members of the staff foregathered to give the popular horseman a fitting reception home, after an absence of nearly three years on active service. In the evening a social was given in his honour, the programme consisting of musical and vocal items. Oliver was not long in settling down to work, for on the following Wednesday he was present at the Awapuni tracks, where he piloted several horses in their training gallops.

Prior to leaving for Wellington to attend last week’s trotting conference, Mr. C. E. Mackay (president of the Wanganui Trotting Club) was entertained at dinner at Foster’s Hotel by the committee of the Wanganui Trotting Club in honour of his reappointment as the club’s delegate at the New Zealand Trotting Conference. Mr. F. C. Faber, as senior vicepresident, occupied the chair, and every member of the committee was present. A most excellent repast was provided and done full justice to. After the usual loyal toasts had been honoured, the chairman proposed the health of the guest of the evening. The toast was supported by Messrs. D. Mcßeth and T. H. Nixon, the latter expressing the hope that Mr. Mackay’s long service on the conference executive might be rewarded by his appointment to the vacant office of vice-president. Mr. Mackay suitably replied, expressing his gratification at the prospect of the club shortly having its own course available. Mr. Mackay then proposed the health of their treasurer, Mr. Vance, to whose energy and financial ability the club ow r ed so much. Mr. Vance, in reply, declared that he would spare no effort to make the club one of the leading sports bodies in the Dominion, a sentiment that w r as re-echoed by the members present. An enjoyable evening was brought to a close with “Auld Lang Syne.”

The Antagonist gelding Wild Night (says our Invercargill correspondent) is on the retired list just now, and is enjoying a spell in the open. The Otago A. and P. Association have decided to hold their summer show in February next, and are trying to come to an arrangement with the Dunedin Jockey Club to fit their function in with the Dunedin Cup meeting.

Cold, bleak weather is being experienced here, but the snowfall at present in evidence in Christchurch appears to be confined to Canterbury. Local sporting eyes are at present turned to Riccarton, as a number of horses from Southland were hurried off there when the curtailment of the railway service was announced (says our Invercargill correspondent). The Birchwood Hunt management are considering the advisability of holding a racing fixture in September next, when a totalisator license will be available. By the way, it is good news to learn that a number of young horses have been out with the hounds this season with a view to developing them for steeplechasing purposes in the days to come.

At a meeting held at Whangarei it was decided to form a trotting Club, to be known as the North Auckland Trotting Club. The following officers were elected: —President, Mr. A. E. McMahon; judge, Mr. A. Bray; clerk of course, Mr. Arthur McDonald; clerk of scales, Mr. C. Davidson; handicapper, Mr. Edwards; treasurer. Mr. H. Crawford; secretary, Mr. G. Downes.

Snub’s withdrawal from the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race was probably due to the fact that in his schooling tasks he displayed a decided disinclination to jump the hurdles. On a recent morning at Flemington, Snub, ridden by Sid. Reid, set out for a trial over the hurdles

accompanied by Newton Stewart. The latter ran Snub into a corner of the wing at the first jump, and both horses stopped. On the next trip Snub ran right off. The third trial had the same result, and tile effort was not persevered with. Jack O’Shea then mounted Snub and strode for a mile and a-quarter on the tan at half-pace. The New Zealand-bred gelding Silent way created a favourable impression at Williamstown (Victoria) when he scored in the Maiden Hurdle Race.

A Melbourne writer says Silent Way improved greatly on his schooling efforts during the week, when he ran down most of the obstacles. He jumped well when he won with but one exception, and, favoured by the last hurdle being levelled, the exNew Zealander had an easy task in the end. Waymea, who was well supported, jumped badly in the initial round, and nearly came down at the first hurdle, which she struck heavily. She did well to get within three lengths of Silent Way, who might have beaten her in any circumstances.

As the result of recent high winds, a number of the boxes on the V, inton Jockey Club’s course were levc’led to the ground. The damage done was not extensive, however, and can soon be remedied.

The Soldiers’ Chorus —Order gelding, Marching Order, was galloped on at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s winter meeting, but is now practica’ly well again. He is being wintered by his owner at Winton.

The Birkenhead —Ideal mare Struthpiffer, who was. disposed of at the Elderslie Stud sale for 100 guineas and came down to Southland, has again changed hands. She is now the property of the owner and breeder of Red Admiral and the Gore sportsman has hopes that she will return him another Neuroma or Red Admiral, as did his old favourite. Redstart.

The absence of Sylva’s name from the cross-country entry lists for the Grand National meeting would suggest that there is truth in the recent report that the Australian-bred jumper is troubled with soreness. In the absence of Sylva, Mr. L. C. Hazlett may be able to start Morecambe as a decided Grand National Steeplechase possibility.

It is pleasing to be in a position to state that Rorke’s Drift is to re-

main under P. T. Hogan’s charge. The Calibre gelding will bo spelled in the meantime and will not be asked to work out. seriously until his trainer returns from the Grand Nat ional gathering. Mr. R. B. Stiven, of Invercargill, is anticipating a foal from Redowa ai an early stage of the new season. The daughter of All Red —Beuley was mated with the Auckland Cup winner Balboa, and there is every reason to believe that the union will bear fruit. '

The strenuous racing campaign at Timaru, Oamaru and Dunedin did not put Partisan out of court, and the Gienapp mare is looking very well at present. J. Gray is hacking her about the roads and hopes to have her ready to race over stayers’ courses in open company when the new season ushers in early fixtures at Gore and Winton.

Southland will be fairly represented at the Grand National gathering, but principally in minor events. Burrangong, Kilkee, Redshire and Samiei have been entered for the Winter Cup, while Calma is engaged in the Grand National Hurdles, and Dardanelles may take his place in the field for the G.N. Steeplechase. The hurdle mare may put in a claim with the cracks in her division, but Dardanelles will have to depend on his jumping ability to get him into the first flight in the crosscountry races of the season.

The Southland-bred gelding, Jock, by Glenculloch —Folicle, is now owned in Dunedin, and is being schooled for hurdle racing purposes. It is on the cards that he will be tried out over the timber at the Waimate Hunt Club meeting, provided the railway traffic arrangements permit of his conveyance to the scene of operations.