TURF GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1576, 8 July 1920, Page 16

TURF GOSSIP.

The four-year-old Ally, Esperantis (Gold Circle —Valve) has been sold by Mr. H, Moss to the Bulls sportsman, Mr. W. Homes. The North Island pacers, Hal Junr. and Master Hal, recently in James Bryce’s stable, are now to be prepared by A. Hendricksen. The crack New South Wales performer, Poitrel, has been recommissioned by H. J. Robinson, who states that the son of St. Alwyne was never in better health than at present. Mr. J. Cole, owner of Whizz Bang, has purchased the gelding by Gold Crest —St. George mare, bred by the late Mr. J. R. McDonald, of Levin, and recently owned by Mr. T. Cameron.

Wapping, at one time in the Highden stable, is now located at Mr. C. McDonell’s place, Rongotea Siding. Wapping will be seen out at the Manawatu Hunt meeting, to be held in September. The well-known Victorian jockey, R. Lewis, was married last month at Melbourne to Miss Mary Rowntree, and will reside on his recently-pur-chased property,. Gowrie Park, situated at Fawkner, which is a few miles from Melbourne.

At a sale of trotting stock recently held in Sydney on account of the Fairfield stud, when the 55 lots submitted were all sold, the champion square trotter, Homeleigh Dick, brought tile top price (400 guineas), being purchased by the well-known Christchurch owner-trainer, “Manny” Edwards.

The annual meeting of the members of the South Canterbury Jockey Club is to be held on July 20. The chairman (Mr. H. Lowry) has already given notice of motion that at the meeting he will propose: “That in recognition of a lifetime of active and capable work in the interests of racing generally, and this club in particular, Mr. C. N. Orbell be elected a life member.’

During his recent visit to Sydney, the Prince of Wales journeyed out to Randwick one morning to ride over the hurdles at the racecourse. The Prince’s first bout on a chestnut hack was a mile, left-handed, on the course proper, with LieutenantColonel Smith. After a great set-to, the Prince landed his mount a winner by a length. He rode in the orthodox style, but was inclined to “Sloan” a little. Then, in company with Mr. Kenneth Austin, who was mounted on Lord Walla, the Prince schooled over three flights of hurdles, the pair taking them at a fast pace. After this the Prince mounted Lord Walla, and jumped three hurdles alone in capital style.

The Strowan gelding Juan, who won the Tramway Hack Steeplechase at the Gisborne Racing Club’s recent meeting, was walked through to Napier, a distance of over 80 miles, to fulfil his engagements in cross-country events at the Napier Park Racing Club’s winter meeting. Although unsuccessful at the gathering in question, his turn came the following week at Hastings, when, on the second day of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s fixture, he finished second to Notability in the Havelock Hack Steeplechase, in which the latter was disqualified for running round the second to last obstacle, the winning award thus coming Juan’s way.

The New Zealand-bred gelding, Silent Way (Calibre —Golden Way), was a good favourite when he won the First Hurdle Race at the A.J.C.’s Royal meeting at Randwick. When saddled up on the concluding day for the Second Hurdle Race Silent Way was again elected to the position of favourite, but. he never flattered the hopes of his backers, eventually fln : ishing third to Fisher and Miss Roslyn. Breastwork was leading when the final obstacle came to be negotiated but he knocked out the inside part of the last obstacle and went down. His jockey (C. Murphy) rose right in front of Campaniform and dashed under the rails. Fisher was left in front and passed the judge six lengths ahead of Miss Roslyn, who beat Silent Way by three-quar-ters of a length for second. Fisher was ridden by F. Cress.

Mr. Phil Glenister, 82 years old, one of the best all round sports in Sydney, and a member of Tattersail’s for 53 years, and who was about the most prominent of men known in colonial turf history in working commissions. died suddenly after attending the Royal meeting at Randwick. One of the good old school. Word from Palmerston North states that Western Boom, Misslove, and Whizz Bang, in M. King’s stable, are on the easy list. The active members of the team are Elegant, Maniahera (qualifying for Rangitikei hunters’ races), and Idealogue. Hallowell, who was added .to the list some time ago, is building up well. King has also in hand a filly by Demosthenes —Te Hou Hou. The Prince of Wales’ enthusiastic regard for the thoroughbred racehorse is widely known and has been evidenced at the various race meetings he has attended at Auckland, Christchurch, Melbourne and Sydney on the occasion of his present visit to Australasia. During his recent visit to Sydney a special parade for the Prince’s inspection of many of the finest racehorses in Australia was held one morning at Randwick on completion of the exercise gallops at the A.J.C. headquarters. The Prince was highly delighted at the class of horse produced for him to look at. Horses in the parade were Wolaroi, Millieme, Biplane, Gambler’s Gold, Pershore, Bigaroon, Greenstead, Poitrel, Richmond Main, Kennaquhair 1 , and Kilkenny Boy. The Prince expressed a wish to ride some of the horses attending the tracks in their work, his desire being readily complied with by trainers. His Royal Highness first galloped three furlongs on Woori, a two-year-old from Burton’s stable. He was accompanied by Mr. Allen, junr., who was on Belinda. The Prince’s mount, after getting a break early, fiinished just ahead of Belinda in 38% sec. His next mount was Mr. John Brown's two-year-old Prince Sandy. Mr. Ken. Austin was on Sue, and Mr. Allen on Gloucester Castle. Once more the Prince’s mount was in front until neai’ the winning post, when the other two got alongside him, and they passed the judge’s box together. The three furlongs were run in a tick under 38 sec.

Great interest was centred in the Wanda Steeplechase (two miles) at the Victoria Amateur Turf Club meeting at Caulfield on June 21 in view of the fact that a number of the contestants claim engagements in the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase, to be run at Flemington on Saturday . next (July 10). Included in the field was the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase favourite Aintree, who was backed down to a short price, and though he made a bold bid for victory suffered a narrow defeat by Wooloo. Aintree was in the lead at the last fence, which he cleared in good style, but Wooloo was putting in good work at this stage, and had closed on the favourite when the straight was entered. For a while there looked to be some crowding, but gradually Wooloo got the best of the struggle, and he finally won by a length in 3min. 48% sec., Mountain God, who had faded in the run home, being four lengths further back, third, and then came Sir Prim, Cobram, Phoebus Lad. and Aquarock at intervals. The occasion marked the third win of Wooloo since he has been put to ’chasing during the past 'five months, and he is such a good stayer and so thoroughly seasoned that it seems quite possible that he is going to take a deal of beating under 10.0 in the G.N. Steeplechase. He has not yet essayed the Flemington obstacles, but he is such a very regular, even jumper that they may not bother him in the least. Aintree’s defeat caused a lot of discussion as to his merits, his admirers contending that he had been set a very hard task in taking on everything in turn, and there can be no doubt about Phoebus Lad having worried him a lot. His jumping on the whole was fast and also clever, and there is no question about his speed, but the doubt that some people have entertained as to his being much of a stayer was heightened by his display, and his Grand National prospects were not as highly regarded after his defeat as they were before it. Sir Prim pleased, and with the extra distance to cover and a lot more jumping to do it is regarded as certain that both he and Cobram will take a hand in the settlement of the big cross-country event at Flemington on Saturday next.

Friends will be pleased to learn that Mr. Monte McCallum, who recently underwent an operation, is making good progress.

No section of the community is a more generous contributor to the revenue of the Dominion than followers of the turf, and though they save those opposed to racing from the burden of taxation in no small measure, little or no recognition is given to this important fact. On the contrary, they are fully expected by non-racegoers to pay no inconsiderable amount annually to the Government in the shape of amusement, totalisator, dividend and other taxes, while if those with anti-sporting proclivities had their way, regular patrons of the turf would be taxed to an even greater extent. A case in point occurred last week, when a deputation from the Borough Councils of Devonport, Northcote, and Birkenhead waited upon the Hon. E. W. Alison, managing director of the Devonport Ferry Company to protest against the proposed increase in the boat fares. A suggestion was made that the fares should be increased on race days, while one of the speakers further suggested an extra sixpence admission to the course, which would go to the company, and would provide almost all the extra revenue required. Mr. Alison stated that the person responsible for the proposal had an inflated idea of the return that would be obtained. The Takapuna Jockey Club could not do more for the company. The through ticket on race days now provided the full return fare of Bd. to the company, and he could not see how one could differentiate between a man going to a race meeting or a prayer meeting and the ordinary traveller. Despite Mr. Alison’s assurance that racegoers would have to pay the new addition along with others, the impression prevailed among the deputation that the easiest way out of the difficulty was for those who attend races to bear the full brunt of the proposed increase in fares. The instance is typical of what is expected of racing men these times, for, notwithstanding the substantial taxation to which they are regularly subjected when in pursuit of their pleasures, they are expected to keep putting their hands in their pockets to make good the necessary revenue which the country needs yearly to fulfil the heavy obligations that have naturally followed a costly war, and from which opponents of racing escape almost scot free.

The Hon. C. E. Davies. M.L.C., of

Hobart, and proprietor of the “Mercury” and a good sportsman, was a passenger by the Niagara going to Canada as a delegate to the Imperial Press Conference.

A. Cummings, for several years stud manager at Cambria Park, but for nearly eight years in the employ of Mr. Geo. Currie in the same capacity at his Kohatanui Stud, near Wanganui, has returned to Auckland, and is back at Cambria Park in charge of a number of young thoroughbreds which he is to educate and train.

Arch Lassie and Parewanui have joined A. Oxenham’s team at Levin.

Monarch and Leighton are two-year-olds in England well spoken of this season. The first-named is by Tracey (fee 250 guineas) from Teopani (dam of Royal Bucks), and won at Newmarket. Leighton won earlier in the season at Newbury, and each had only appeared once when the mail left.