THE TURF.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 877, 25 July 1910, Page 2

THE TURF.

RACING AT TRENTHAM,

A WINTER'S DAY. CALIFORNIA'S GREAT RACE. STEEPLES A COMEDY. PAISANO A GOOD PERFORMER. Not since the Trentham racecourse was opened ill January, 1906, was the crowd on any race day as small as that which attended the third day of the winter meeting on Saturday. The weather conditions were very' much against a large attendance. Rain had fallen almost incessantly since Wednesday, and the outlook was worse than ever on Friday night and Saturday morning, so that there was very-little to attract the holi-day-maker, nothing to warrant plans being mado a day ahead—unless indeed plans to stay away from Trentham. At tile course it was slushy underfoot, and miserably cold with frequent showers. On the lawn hay was spread and improved matters considerably, but there was no hay spread in the leger, which, before the day was half through, was a miniature Makorua swamp. Hence the crowd was a small one; the tctalisator returns suffered considerably} and while on. the opening days the meeting promised to be a good deal more successful than the last winter fixture, Saturday's weather made a big change. The totalisator investments amounted to .£8971, nearly ,£6OOO less than on the third day last year. The total foir the three days was X' 34,202 10s„ as against ■£35,097" for the three days in 1009. Bookmakers' fees brought tho aggregate for' the meeting up to iCU39 10s., which is slightly ahead of the amount received at the last winter meeting. Those who braved the weather and' visited Trentham would no doubt feel amply rewarded by some of the racing, and as three actual favourites won backers would not be such heavy losers as , usual. California's performance in the Winter Oats Handicap was worthgoing a long way to see. The majority of those present surrounded ' tho birdcage as lie returned to weigh in, and cheer .after cheer greeted horse and rider. Another good performance was that registered by Paisano, the top weight in the Filial Hurdles. In contrast to the two events mentioned, the July Steeplechase was a humorous affair. Six furlongs from home Corazon looked a winner, but he then commenced to test the stability of tho -fences, and gave his backers and his jockey a most unpleasant experience. At the last fence people were asking each other if he would get over, and, some of his supporters replied very confidently that he would, as it was "only palings. Corazon approached it boldly, stopped suddenly, and, much to the disgust of his backers, refused to jump. Waione, who was almost level with Corazon at this stage, also hesitated slightly, but then made a safe jump, and won the. race. In the minor events there was not much incident. '•Results are as follow

ONSLOW HANDICAP, of 130 sovs. Six furlongs. 1 Mr. J. M'Lauchlan's b. c. Multiple, by Multiform —Soult Girl, 3yrs., lOst. 81b (A. Oliver) 1 3 Mr. K, E. Price's Electrakoff, lOst. 81b (C. Brown) 2 5-Mr. W. J. Barloyman's Miss Advance, 9st (Deeley) 3 *Also started rG Dogger Bank,. lOst. 111b. (M. "Ryan); 2 Advantage, lOst. -lib. (W. llyan); >1 Waiouru, 9st. (P. D. Jones); uml 7 Clem, 9st. (J. Jones). Advantage was first away, but •at tho end of two furlongs Multiple took charge, and coming into the straight with a good lead won easily by two lengths from Electrakoff, who was a similar distanco in front of Miss Advance. Dogger Bank was fourth. Time, lmin. 2Gsec. CROFTON HANDICAP, of ICO sovs., Seven furlongs. 7 Mr. H. Bertram's ch. m. Inchbonny, 1 by Clanranald—Teredino, 4yrs., 9st. (C. Brown) 1 2 Mr. B. T... Bennett's St. Lumsden, 9st. 21b (Barlow) 2 1 Hon. J. D. Ormoad's Elfish, lOst. 101b. (F. D. Jones) 3 Also started: 5 Teotane, lOst. 21b. (C. Jenkins); 10 Tim Kitua, 9st. Gib. (Pope); ■i Merrio Emerald, 9st. 21b. (Watson); 8 Ukraine, 9st. (W. Price); 9 Mallet, 9st. (Cochrane); 3 Merry Prank, 9st. (Oliver); and 0 Beach, Ost. (B. Deeley). Beach and St. Lumsden were' quickest away. St. Lumsden, Merry Frank, and Tua Kitua came, round the home turn together, with Inchbonny and Elfish handy. In a punishing finish Inchbonny won by a length from St. Lumsden, who was two. lengths ahead of Elfish. Mallet was. fourth. Time, lmin. 42 3-ssec. CORUNNA HURDLE HANDICAP, of 100 sovs. One mile and a half. 3 Mr. J. J. N. M'Kenzie's ch. g. Kremlin, by Stepnialc—Aileen, nged, lOst. 21b (Speakman) 1 6 Mr. J. Foreman's Maharanui, lOst. 51b '. .(Cochrane) 2 2 Mr. J. Cress's Gaelic, Ost. 101b. (Telford) 3 Also started; 1 Master Paul, list.- 01b. (P. Brady); 5 White Lie, 9st. 61b. (Rusden); i "llosegrove, 9st. .(Stewart); and 7 Waiwaieware, 9st. (Murtagh), Master Paul led past the stand, but at tho mile post Kremlin was-worrying him, and half a mile from home the latter went to the front, and won easily by a dozen lengths from Maharanui, who was a couple of lengths in front of Gaelic. Master Paul was fourth. Time, 3min. 10 l-ssec.

JULY STEEPLECHASE .HANDICAP, of 300 sovs; second to receive. 10 sovs., and third horse 20 sovs. from the stake. Two miles and a half. 4 Mr. J. R. M'Donald's br. g. Waione, by Waiuku—Leonie, Gyrs., lOst. Gib,. (C. Cochrane) 1 1 Mr. C. E. Brewer's Sir Lethe, lOst. 91b (Hercock) 2 5 Messrs. W. aud D. J. M'Lennan's Beelinc, 9st. 101b (Thompson) 3 Also started: 3'Capitol, 12st. (Brady); and 2 Corazon, lOst. 9lb. (Gray). Sir Lethe took the lead, and was followed tiver the water jump by Capitol and Beeline. At the first fence the order was Sir Lethe, Beeline, Waione, Capitol, and Corazon, and so they raced until the brush fence at the lialf-mile, where Capitol ran' into second place. Sir Lethe cleared the double in front of the stand six lengths in front of Capitol, and then followed the other three close together. At the sod wall Capitol fell, and this left Corazon in second place behind Sir Lethe. Corazon caught Sir Lethe at the next foncc, but hit it hard and lost ground. Sir Lethe was beatfen half a mile from home, and Corazon led into the straight from Waione. Both approached the last fence together, and both stopped and had a good look on the other side. As a result of that look Waione cleared the fence, but Corazon decided that he had had enough. Waiono ran in an easy winner by twenty lengths from Sir Lethe, who was thirty lengths ahead of, Beeline, the only other horse to finish. Time, Gmin; 11 l-ssec. WINTER OATS HANDICAP, of 250 sovs. One mile. 1 Mr. C. Lagor's ch. h. California, by San Fran—Dazzle, syrs., list. 131b.

(11. Gray) 1 4 Mrs. M. Moore's Sir Frisco, list. 41b.

(Jenkins) 2 7 Hon. H. D. Ormond's Bollin, lOst. 71b U'\ D. Jones) 3 Also started: 2 Merrie Zealand, lOst. 12lb. (Ajto) ; 0 North-East, lOst. 121b. (W. Young); a Tiptoe, 9st. 131b.. (Cochrane); 5 Ngapnlca, 9st. 121b. (M. Ryan); 8 Tawhaki, 9st. 01b. (Douglas); 12 Royal Marino, 9st. (Pritchard); 11 Moloch, Ust. (TV. Price); 10 Mataari, 9st. (W. Holmes) ; and 3 Ambrosian, 9st. (Oliver). Ambrosian was first away, followed by Mataari and North-East, with California Inst. Mataari led at the fivo furlongs post, but in another hundred yards he ■was displaced by North-East, 'who was followed by Mataari, Bollin, Ambrosian, and Tawhaki. .North-East had a lead of two lengths as they passed the half-mile. North-East led into the straight from

Bollin and Tawhaly, but California, who had gradually made up his ground, was then seen coming through on the rails, and Sir Frisco on the outside. California won easily by two lengths from Sir Frisco, who was three-parts of a length in front of Bollin. North-East \v;us fourth, and Tuwhaki fifth. Time, lmin. 51 3-ssce. PINAL HURDLE HANDICAP, of 300 sovs. One mile and three-quarters. 1 Mr. G. B. Oman's b. g. Paisano, by Strowan—Jlooby, aged, list. Ulb. , - r (W- Young) 1 4 Mi. W. Crossan's Stayboy, lOst. 21b. (F. Douglas) 2 2 Mr. H, M'Mauaway's Mahuta, lOst. 21b (J. Stewart) 3 Also started: 3 Playmate, lOst. ■ 41b. (Telford); and 5 Wliatakura, 9st. (Pritchard). Playmate, Mahuta, and Stayboy were together passing the stand, with Paisano four lengths away. Tho latter moved into third place in front of Stayboy at tile seven furlongs post, and two furlongs later he headed Mahuta and Playmate. Paisano led into the straight with a good margin, but he had to bo shaken up to stall oil a late run by Stayboy. Paisano won by two lengths, with Mahuta ten lengths away third. Time, 3min. -11 3-ssei;. KIA OUA HANDICAP, of 100 sovs. Six furlongs. 4 Messrs. J. T. and G. H. Miller's blk. g. Tina Toa, by Conqueror—Hoko- ■ mai, Gyrs., lOst. 21b. (J. Griffiths) 1 3 Mr. Melville's Valentine, 9st. 10lb. (Barlow) 2 2 Mr. A. .Helm's Niwaru, 9st. 21b. (Kirk) 3 Also started: 1 Gold Battery, lOst. 71b. (U. Gray); 7 Stepalong, !)st. (Pinol; li Ukraine, 9st. (W. Price); and 5 Mediterranean, 9st. (Pritchard). . Valentine was quickest to begin, but hn was not long in front. Passing the half-mile post Tina Toa was showing the way to Stepaloug and Valentine. Tina Toa held his own to the finish, and won by two lengths from Valentine, who' was over a length in front of Niwaru. Gold Battery was fourth. Time, lmin. 2GJsec.

; notes on the racing. (Bl UtKNCOE.? In a field of seven Multiple was made u solid favourite for the Onslow Handicap. Oliver always had the Multiform tolt in a leading position, aiul he won quite easily at the finish. On the three days, of tho meeting Multiple proved himself a good liorse in heavy going, as three starts he won twice, and was third unce. ElectrakolF, after getting away slowly, finished strongly, and boat everything but the winner. Advantage and Dogger Bank shaped disappointingly. Elfish was favourite in the Crofton Handicap with St. Lumsden next in demand. A surprise wus in Store-for backers as a rank outsider in the shape of inchbonny proved the winner. Inchbonny had finished fairly well in the race on Wednesday, but the fprm scarcely seemed good enough to warrant her winning on Saturday, and so she was comparatively neglected in the betting. St. Lumsden is not yet as fit as he might be, but ,he should be increasing his number of wins before long. Elfish > again began very slowly, and could only finish a moderate third. Teotane had. to be pulled up on account of breaking a blood-vessel. Master Paul had won the Yittoria Hurdles so easily on Wednesday that even with a considerable rise in weight the Coruima Hurdles appeared to be at his mercy. There were a few who expressed the opinion that he would ho beaten, hut. ho started favourite. However, he was well beaten half way through the race, and eventually finished out of a place. Kremlin, who was second on Wednesday, won easily from. Maharanul. The winner was rather short of work when he arrived at Trentham, and Wednesday's race worked a lot of improvement in 1 him. He was meeting Master Paul on 131b. better terms, and ho beat tho St. Paul gelding by abouti-as much as the latter had beaten Kremlin in the second day's ~ race, that'' is, 50 . yards.

Tho whole of the five acceptors went to the. post for the July Steeplechase. Sir Lethe was the public selection,. but after flattering his backers for a mile ana a half, he commenced to tire, and a little later he was hopelessly beaten. But his jumping was the feature of the race, and he never put a foot wrong , throughout the journey, .. Capitol was carrying his big weight vfiry well, and' had run into second position when a mile, and a quarter had' been covered, but he slipped when approaching the sod wall, seven furlongs from home, and ' the jump brought him down. Corazon made a forward move a mile from home, just as he had done on Wednesday. It was too itfuch for him, however, to jump with a good fencer like Sir Lethe, and at the six-furlongs post he nearly unseated his rider. He had caught Sir Lethe at the next jump,' but ajrain hit it hard, and lost ground. At the half-mile, however, ho got to the front, and cleared the' •second to last fence with Waione in Jiot pursuit. Then. Corazon refused at the last fence, aad Waione ran in an easy wrinner | from Sir Lethe, while Beeline also finished the course, and gained third money. .Waione' certainly looked the fittest and best horse in the race, but as it was only his second raco over country, and he. had lost his rider in Wednesday's race, he was not heavily supported. He is such a fine stayer that even had Corazon cleared the last fence, it is quite on tho cards that Waione would have, won.

' In the Winter Onts Handicap, California registered one of tho finest performances that has ever been witnessed at Trenthain. Notwithstanding his big impost, and the heavy state of the going, no was made a strong favourite, and carried nearly twice as much money as any. of tho other candidates. After giving the leaders nearly ten lengths start from the barrier, he beat them all at the finish. It -was not only that lie won, but he won quite easily, and covered the eight furlongs in first-class time, considering his weight and. the state of the going. A word of praise is due to his rider, who handled the big chesfuut very patiently on bothdays'on which he won, while in Saturday's race he saved a lot o£ ground by- running through on tho rails at the home bend. Before the meeting many iroaained that California would win the Parliamentary Handicap, no matter v;ho was riding him, but the argument did not hold "good. 11l the Winter Oats Handicap it is safe to say that no one but a Gray, an Oliver, or • a Jenkins could have won on him. Sir Frisco again proved himself a consistent performer by running a'creditable second, and of the others, Bollin, NorthEast, and Ambrosian showed up well, but Merrie Zealand did not run up to expectations.

In the Finn! Hurdles, Paisano was tho biggest favourite of the day.' He was first to the initial obstacle, but Young evidently deemed it imprudent to make the pace with his big weight, and ho dropped back into fourth position at the straight entrance. He closcd up on. tho leaders at the mile post, but did not go to the front until five furlongs from home. In the last furlong he had to be set going afresh to stall off a run by Stayboy, but this did not detract from the merit of' his win, which was an excellent performance considering tho conditions. The manner in which Stayboy was ridden'did not meet with universal approval, but whether he had any real chance of winning or not-is merely a matter of conjecture.

In the concluding event, Gold Battery was favourite on the machine, but Vaen--tino and Ni.waru were at as short prices with tho bookmakers. Tina Toa and Mediterranean wero also fairly well .supported. Before they had gone a couple of furlongs- Tina Toa was in front, and his jockey, taking no risks, rode him right out and won by a couple of lengths from the three favourites.

TOTALISATOR RETURNS.

BIG DECREASES. TIIREK years at TRENTHAM. Totolisalor figures for the past season at Trpntham show a big decrease when compared wilh those of the two previous seasons. The total investments for the season ended on Saturday last amounted to <£13'1,538 10s. For tho season ended July, 1909, the total was <£113,120, while during the season ended July, 1908, the total ran as-high as .£159,509, though of course bookmakers only operated at three of the four meetings al Trentham tuat

season. The figures for • the different meetings during' the past two seasons are as follow :— 1908-9. 1903-10 £ £ Spring 24,297 20,701 Summer 50,222 51,062 Autumn 21,801 28,573 . Winter 38,097 : 34,202-J Total .£143,420 .£134,5381 BOOKMAKERS' FEES. Bookmakers' fees received by the Wellington Racing Club (luring the past season amounted to .£llll. This is a slight increase on the previous season's total, which was J2392G 10s. The first three meetings of the present season did not yield so'much in fees as those of 190S-9, but the fees for the winter meeting just concluded more than made up the deficit WINNING OWNERS. Principal winning owners at the Wellington Racing Club's Winter meeting were as follow ' £ Mr. G. B. Oman G4O Hon. J. D. Ormond —...... 515 Mr. J. Twohill ...! 500 C. Lagor 400 Mr. J. R. M'Dona'd 305 Mr. J. M'Laughlin 185 Mr. J.. Westerman 105 Mr. E. E. Price 120 Mr. T. Wylie : 100 Mr. C. Shaw 100 Mr. J. J. N. M'Kenzie 90 Mr. C. E. Brewer 90 Mrs. M. Moore •. 85 Mr. R. Hannoii ; 70 Mr. H. W. Parata '. 70 Mr. H. Bertram 70 Messrs. J. T. and G. H. Miller ... 70

WINNING SIRES. ■ The following is the list of principal winning sires :— £ Strowan (Lochiel—Marion) 640 Leolantis (Leolinus—Atlantis) .......... GOO Birkenhead (Orme—Tragedy) 525 San Fran (Gozo—Procella) 400 Waiuku. (St. Leger—Musket Maid)... 240 Menschikoff (Stepniak—Pibroch) 240 Finland (Bill of Portland—Fishwife). 205 Multiform (Hotchkiss—Formo) 185 Conqueror (Medallion—Siesta) 140 St. Paul (St. Leger—Satanella) 120 Stepniak (Nordenfeldt—Steppe) 90 Lethe (Cadogan—Siesta) 98 WINNING JOCKEYS. Winning jockeys ' at the Wellington Racing Club's Winter meeting were:—F. D. Jones, four; A. Oliver, W. Retter, W, Young, P. Brady, and H. Gray, two each; C. Jenkins, M. Ryan, T. Pritchard, C. Brown, F. Speakman, C. Cochrane, and J, Griffiths, one each. POINT-TO-POINT STEEPLECHASES. 'By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Mar.ton, July 24. The point-to-point steeplechases in connection with the Rangitikei Hunt Club were held at Fern Flats on Saturday. There • was a large attendance, and the racing was full of interest. Results;—

HEAVY-WEIGHTS—Mr. H. J. Cameron's Gienmore (owner), 1; Mr. J. Simpeon's Kylos (owner), 2; Mr. L. T. M'Lean'a Blueskin (owner), 3. Also started: Mr. A. C. Morton's Pio Norio. Gienmore wa3 in front in the first half, but fell at a gorse fence. This left Kylos with a good lead, but he came to grief at the next fence. Gienmore again assumed command, and, at oue time, was "leading by half a mile. Kylos was ridden hard through tlie back paddocks, and, two fences from home, was almost on terms with Gienmore. After a great .finish, Gienmore won by two lengths.

LIGHT-WEIGHTS—Mr. J. Bull jun.'a Eito Atu (Mr. It. "Bull), 1; Mr. H. J. Cameron's Waterworks (owner), 2; Mr. D. Simpson's Ben Ledi (owner), 3. Also started: Mr. H. It. Gaisford's Blue Streak, Mr. J. B. Gaisford's- Banter, Mr. J. Brice's Gamester, Miss Smith's Griselda, Mr. P. Selby's' Aesop, Mr. J. H. M'Lean'a Myrtle, ,and. Miss Fitzherbort's Maid Marion. Waterworks and M aid Marion were out in front by twenty lengths, at first, but going through the. gully, the latter, stumbled in a creek, and Eiro Atu moved up, and was in front at the third-fence from home. The next fence saw Waterworks in tho- lead, "but Eiro Atu . again moved up, and was first over the last obstacle. .Here Waterworks madd a faulty jump, and his.chance was lost. A good race home resulted, and young Bull, riding his mount with judgment, won by three lengths. There weis several falls in this event.

MEMBERS' RACE.—Mr. P. MlWa Wisdom (owner), 1; Mr. Ivan M'Gregor'a Olaf (owner), 2; Mr. K. Matheson's Black* more (owner), '3. Also started: Mr. J. Simpson's Opposition. The winner practically led the whole way, but, in the rim home, Olaf put in a determined claim, and was about five lengths behind at the finish. FARMERS' RACE.—Mr. L. P. McLean's Galtce More (ov:ner), 1; Mr. G. W. M'Kenzie's Matipo (owner), 2. Also started: Mr. J. Gaisford's Atarau, and Messrs. Carter Bros.' Reno. Atarau showed the way for a mile, but going round tlie back, was pulled up. Reno lest his rider in tie early part of the race. Galtea More won fairly easily. FIXTURES. July 27.—Hawke's Bay Hunt Club's An. nual. July 28.—North Canterbury J.C. Sports.. August 3.—Woodlands Hunt Club Annual' Steeplechase. August 9i Hi and 13. C.J.C. Grand National.