THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 46, 19 November 1918, Page 9

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS

"The"well-known trainer J. Bryco is making'(in excellent recovery - from the effects of his recent accident, ' but it will bo some weeks yet before he is able to get about again. ,'...'

In an articlo in the "Australasian" on close Cup finishes, ihe writer hits these remarks;—" That mistakes • in judging have been, made is certain. Master Avenal was undoubtedly declared in error the winner of the' Caulfield Cup of 1881.. By tho time the. distance was reached in tho Melbourne Cup of 1877, Chester appeared to nave everything benten, and a little further on Pigott eased him. Savaiiaka hod in'thomeantituo made up a- good deal of his lost ground;'and, coming very fast from the. half-distance, only failed to reach Chester by half a hend-a short margin, that made the difference of many thousands to Savanaka's owner (the late Mr. James White), whoso representative collected from Joe Thompson alone ,£20,000 on settling day, the money keing paid publicly in notes outside the old Exchange, in Collins Street.

The Government of New South Woles is going io get a very big revenue from betting during the current financial year (says the Sydney'"Referee"). As compared with the,first.fonr months of last year, there is a marked increase, the total being .£74,969,. against £33,530. Last year the Government's return from racecourse speculation of all kinds was ■£199,595,' but this year that sum will be greatly exceeded.- From the beginning of July to-tho end of October of this year the iotalisator 'return was ,£50,033, against .£18,290 in 1917. and betting taxes i 24,338, against X15.4G1. '

■ Owing to the.Health'Department's pro-hibition-of race meetings; the South Canterbury Jockey Club lias been compelled, to postpone ;ts November meeting for an indefinite period:

Much regret will be. felt in business, sporting, and. other circles, at the news' of tho denth%f Mr. ;C. W. Reid, which took place lasl 'week. . Tho..late Mr.. Eeid.was a son d{'the': late Mr. John Reid, of Elderslie, near Oaihar.il, and a brother.of Mr. J. B..Reid.. Ho was a partner - irith-3 stock and station ngency ; business of Messrs. Tyne' ond Co., of Christehurch, and was highly popular amongst a largo circle of acquaintances. With others the late Mr. Reid was prominent in connection with the steps tnicn to raiso funds for the relief of the Belgians, aiuLhe iook a keen and practical interest in nil patriotic .movements. As a• member,of a family which has dono so much for. the development of. tho thoroughbred horse in New Zen-, :lahd, Mr. Reid naturally took, a keen .in-, terest in racing..: During,his residence in. Oamaru he was ona-.^p'f. .the leading members of tho'North ..Otago Jockey Club, and held office as. : its president.. Of recent: years he had raced several. hoi'6es, among tho number being Kilrav, .who won the Dunedin Guineas last season. :,• The late Mr. Reid's son, Captain Reid, is at present on activo service in Palestine. ~ ■ ■■•

An American .owner, Mr. Ivilmer, has just completed something special in tho way of a stable at Sun. Briar ■ Court, Binghnmptoh, Now .York..' .The.stable itself which covers more than an acre and a. half of ground space, cost,'.£2o,ooo to construct. l . Tho exterior! building, encloses." n covered oval exercising ring a oiinrter-inile in- circumference, and one of the inside buildings i!s a stable .for brood mares.'. The stalls in this aro heated by steitm from it plant installed underneath, and various, safety devices have been installed to reduce tho chance of injury of foals to a minimum. . Thcro are fire-' proof stalls for horses, in training in the winter, and therois an observation room from which tho. work, of the' horses can bo noted. Mr.'Kilnv.-r also.has outdoor training tracks, one. being a straight five furlongs. . .. ,'■. In the history of the Melbourne Cup fifty horses'havo started absolutq favourite's;- 'Nino fflv.iurites-- have won, eight have run second, three third, and'thirty were ..unplaced,, .of .whom six finished fourth; mid..ono broke .down. Fifteen horses, have shared the position of first favourite- in seven .Cups, and they provided two firsts, three seconds, ono third, while the other eight ran unplaced, one being fourth.. Tho Canterbury sportsman, Mr. A. W. Rutherford,.jun., hits decided to suspend his racing activities for some time, and most of his horses havo been leased to trainer' A. - M'Aulay. ' Warlove, the twcyenr-old full-sister to Warstep, is thought to hare-met with a slight accident through colliding with another youngster on. the tan track.some weeks ago. She is to be thrown out of work till-the autumn; ■ •