AN UNFORTUNATE EPISODE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 48, 20 November 1907, Page 8

AN UNFORTUNATE EPISODE.

(by " AnniTßATon.")

A considerable amount of feeling has been caused in racing circles in England over the recent Prince Edward Handicap at Man-, Chester. The facts are that Alec Taylor, wno/ trains at Manton, had two in the race— Dinneford, tho top-weight, who is owned by Mr. Reid Walker, and Lischana, who is owned by Mr. W. M. G. Singer. Alec incidentally also trains for , Mr. W. Bess.. Dinneford was a red-hot favourite, while 100's to 8 conld easily be obtained about Lischana. At tho last moment Lischana was backed heavily and won, the stablo bringing olf a fine coup. This is not the first occurrence of the kind that Mahton has provided. Last year, in the Chester Cup, the same thing happened with King Duncan and Torpnint, only, however, for the latter to fce beaten by Feather Bed, while in tho Ascot Stakes the same policy was pursued with Torpoint and Pradella, when tho latter won. It is occurrences of this sort that prevent any hats being lost through exubcranco of spirits when the Manton stalile pulls off a big handicap, for it is essentially a stable of mystery. At the pari-nnituels in France, if a stable, no matter whether kwo horses be in different ownerships, wins a race, the backer is necessarily on because all horses trained in tho same stable are coupled. Here, howovor, as in England, it is often a caso of each owner fighting for his own hand, evon though their candidates are galloped under tho samo supervision. The Chester Uun of 1904 supplied a striking incident of" this sort, as Robinson saddled Sand Boy and Mark lime, and they ran first nnd second, the one starting at 9 to 2 and tho other 11 to 2. In the slight ante-post betting that then prevailed Mark Time had boon favourite. Thou we have tho Royal Hunt Cup tragi-comedy of 1892. lu his primo the late Colonel Harry M'Colmnnt was a masterful man, and as lie had booked some nice bets (one 1 know of being 2000 to CO) aliout his Suspender, he would not list-en to the advico of Captain ilachell or the entreoties of his trainer, Jewitt, to scratch his horse, and row in with General Owen Williams's Pensioner. Ho had backed his. horse, Ins friends had hacked him, and tho public had backed him; and he was going to run him. The upshot was that while Pensioner carrying all the heavy Bedford Cottage money ran nowhere, Suspender rolled home by four lengths. The race, however, settled the son of Muncaster, and ho never ran again. In face of a true story of this sort it is scarcely right to too readiy assume that, because the longer priced horse from a stablo wins, the public have becu put away. There was, for instance, no putting away over Matchbox and Throstle in the St. Legor of 1894. John

Porter trained tho pair, and about Matchbox (who started at 2 to 1) he had tho nice bot of 2000 to 100 on the night before the race. The then Kmgsclere trainer had arrived at the conclusion that Ladas would boat him, and to straighten matters took a level 100 about Lord Rosebery's colt. And Throstle beat tho pair; so that Porter won tho St. Leger and lost £200 over tho race. Lord Alington owned Throstle, and had such a contemptible opinion of the filly that when a lady in his box declared she fancied tho combination of Throstle and Morny Cannon, his. Lordship, who stood to win a good stake on Matchbox, offered her £100 to 10s. She risked the half-sovereign, and won the century. _ Apropos of this St. Lcger, I noticed in a contemporary some time ago a romark to the effect that this £100 John Porter had on Matchbox .was the biggest bet of his life. This, however, must bo purely imaginary for it was, nor is now, anything uncommon for John Porter to have a "monkey" on anything,of his own that ho fanciod. There was, however, an earlier disaster for Kingsclero than this of Throstle —in 1892, when La Fleche (7 to 2) finished first, Sir Hugo (who had beaten her in the Derby) being second, Watercress (20 to 1) third, and the mighty Ormo (11 to 10 on) fifth. Orme, La Fleche, and Watercress, were trained by Porter,.the one belonging to the Duke of Westminster and the other pair to Baron de Hirsch. Here, however, it was no case of error of judgment on Porter's part, the blame of Ormo's defeat resting with his jockey. More to the present purpose than the Leger incidents of 1892 are tho Derby diversions of 1898, when Richard Marsh saddled Dieudonne for the Duke of Devonshire, and Jeddah for Mr. Laniach. Against Dieudonne the best offer at the death was 7 to 2, while 100 to 1 went begging about Jeddah. To the consternation of tho Egerton House party Dieudonne even missed a place, while Jeddah won comfortably from Batt (10 to 1), with Dunlop (100 to 1) third.' Early in the year Marsh had some idea of Jeddah's usefulness, and I remember that in the April betting he was quoted at 100 to B—this after his successful essay in the Craven Stakes, however. Dieudonne in private showed them something so good that their faith was transferred to him. I have wandered somewhat, but reminiscences are interesting—but one more, and I have finished. In the 1000 Guineas of 1893, when Sir John Blundell Maple and his friends heavily backed Dame President (3 to 1), Suffleuse (33 to 1) was also started, but she was reckoned so poor a , sort that Sir John did not even troublo to make a declaration. Tho upshot was that Tom Loates could not steady Siffleuse, who beat •Dame President by a head. As Sir John had lost his money the people could not complain beyond wondering why he did not make a declaration. To speak frankly the resentment of tho public is only aroused ychen they find that they havo been backing one horse and ■ the stable another. That was what was said to have happened over the St. Leger of 1873, with Mr. Merry's Mario Stuart and tho same owner's Doncaster, who had won tho Derby. They were both backed, Marie Stuart at 9 to 4, and Doncaster at 100 to 30; but the stablo money was on Marie Stuart, who won a lucky race by a head. ■

AUCKLAND CUP WEIGHTS. The Auckland B-acing Club's- handicapper has allotted Master Dolaval 9st. 4lb. in the Auckland Oup, to be run on Boxing Day, and Zimmerman with Bst. -Jib. is in the second position. Master Delaval is such a really good horse, and such a proved stayer, that he must be given a groat \ cbance,. despite his heavy impost. If he is as well on Koxing Day as when he contested the New Zealand Cup'-1 would expect him to put' his' Eiccarton performauce out of sight. Zimmerman's chances of winning a two-mile raco dp. not appeal to mo, and though he ran euch a'good race in the Jubilee Cup he is evidently not regarded by tho handicapper as a : stayer. Paritutu and Uranium have each 7st. 131b.,' and of tho two 1 prefer the latter. The Leolantis mare was a consistent, performer last. season and sho has already won this year's Avondale Cup, Compared vith the other Auckland horses sho appears fo be treated well'cnbugh, and if she can , last the journey will be hard to beat. Of course Paritutu ' 7st. l?lb., i Armistice 7st. 121b., and Scotty Vst.' arc in light, biit 'with increasing age they appear to -be' losing, the dash which charactered • their efforts" of a few seasons ago. •

Alahuta, 7st. 121b., is nicely handicapped, and looks ono. of. tbo likely ones. :Ho ran pleasingly in the New Zealand Cup,' and if different tactics are .adopted by his jockey at Ellershe ho might do better. Ana 7st. 101b. looks to be the pick of the" handicap, arid'though lie. has twice failed when ' the. distance has been more.than a mile and a half, I do not think a two mile race is beyond him. At Christmas, too, he might be in better condition to run the journey out- Uhlander, ,7st. lOlb. has recent form to recommend him, and the progeny of Uhlan appear to be able to negotiate a distance, satisfactorily. 'Sir Tristram, 7st. 91b., should give a good account of himself- at the weight, but Gold Crest, on the same mark, does • not appear to relish a distance. Bonny Glen, 7st. 81b., is undoubtedly a good three-year-old and will be worr.h consideration if he accepts. Seal Rock and Celtic 7st. 71b., I: have no.liking for, but Gazeley, 7st. db., and.St. Joe, 7st. Gib., have rough chances. Downfall, 7st. Gib., has shown good form recently, and, if ho improves as may be reasonably expected of him, he should'be among the first division. Star Eose, 7st. 51b., Carl Eosa 7fit. 41b., and Shrapnel, ■ 75t... look to bo'the best or the remainder. Several of the other lightweights have won over,mile/and a quarter courses, but I do not expect to read their names among the Auckland , Gup placed candidates. The winner may come-from the following five:—Master Delaval, Uranium Mahiita, Apa, and Downfall.