SPORTING NOTES

Levin Daily Chronicle, 17 November 1917, Page 4

SPORTING NOTES

Sportsmen throughout New Zealand who love the jumping part of the game best will regret to hear that it is very doubtful if Crib will ever race again. When caught after he fell in the Spring Hurdles at Ricearton last week he was I very lame, and it is thought that the I promising 'chaser has broken a small ![ bono just above one of his knees. | A. Hall intends taking Turangapito ii to Ashhurst, and the Prudent King gelding is sure to be well supported in whatever event he starts, as he has ! continued to do good work since the Wavcrley meeting. He may have more trouble to win than he had at "Wavcrley, but on track form it will take something out of the common to beat him. The well-known sire San Fran, by

Gozo —Procella, was kicked and injured so badly a few days ago that he had to bo destroyed. San Fran was formerly owned by Messrs W. J. and A. F. Douglas, but some time ago passed into tho possession of Mr George Chamberlain, of Turakina. Probably with a Bingle exception (Noctuiform), Client started the hottest favourite that ever contested the New Zealand Cup. Of the sum of £10,807 invested on the race, the Fordcll representative carried £3178. In discussing the prospccts of the different candidates engaged before the race, the

names of few other horses were mentioned. Client was considered unbeatable. Among those who were of that

opinion (says a Southern writer), was J. W. Lowe, trainer of first and second horses. F. Tilley was afraid the Elevation gelding, although he had won over a mile and three-quarters, might not see out a two-r.iilc race solidly run from end to end as the New Zealand Cup generally is. And so it proved. Some of the horse's supporters blamed C. Price for his anxiety to get to the front. However, the horse was well enough placed had he been good enough and it is doubtful if lie could have done better had different riding tactics been adopted. Before the racc one heard it stated that Client was as good as Bunting, and the best horse that Tilley ever trained. Both statements proved exaggerated. Bv winning the double, Avondale Guineas and Great Northern Guineas, Vagabond proved beyond any doubt that he is well in advance of all the Auckland-owned three-year-olds. In oach of the races Vagabond came along at the right end, and his finishing effort on both occasions was all that could be desired. Though there may be nothing of the highly-attractive order about Vagabond's conformation to mark him out for special reference, it can be said for the bay son of Martian and Gipsy Girl that lie carries a decidedly honest appearance, and in offering the prediction that he has yet to play his best card one is, I think, on tolerably safe gron nd. Though only opposed by an unknown quantity in Mortham, the champion mare Desert Gold gave a bigger return in the Stead Gold Cup on Saturday than she has done since her two-year-old cnrcer. This is extraordinary, but is "asily explained. The facts are that not many people bothered to go near flic totaiisator, ami the staff handled under forty pounds. Notwithstanding the number of illustrations that can be adduced where those viewing a race from the main stand have been quite astray in forming an accurate result of the finish, some people apparently require many further lessons on flic matter. Quite o large amount of temper seemed to "be displayed by a section of those present at Elierslie last Saturday, when the judge's placing in conncction with the City Handicap went up, an opinion being held by those far away that Chortle won. That Mullingar was well in front of Toa Terc, with Chortle and Sir Ralph next, was clear to everyone on the press stand, and such was in complete accord with the official finding. Though Chortle failed to win the City Handicap, the honours of the race were dearly on the side of Multifid's son. Under the welter weight of 10.4 Chortle made a heroic bid for victory, and had he cscaped only one of the disappointments that camc to him during the contest there is solid ground for believing that he would have got home first. Chortle is great over 10 furlongs. When backers were face to face with the City Handicap at Elierslie last Saturday something like a strong prejudice seemed to be entertained against Mullingar, which, it may be explained, was principally due to the little bay some few days previous having had a recurrence of the bleeding trouble, that has gone against him on several occasions. The little son of Marble Arch and Romola, however, looked all right to the eye, but ho always ruled one of the outsiders of the field. When the crucial n test came to be applied to Mullingar in the straight, and it was one of a severe order, the little fellow stood it well, and, emerging triumphant from a severe finish, the performance for which he was responsible could be estimated right up to the best form ho has ever displayed. Mullingar has been a good stake-earner for Mr James Hands, and his trainer —F. Stenning —is to much praise for the manner in which he has handled the bay horse.

The man who negotiated the purchase of the Mystification gelding Teka last season for £25 has very good reason to rejoice over his bargain, for at a comparatively short interval he disposed 'of a half-share in the animal for £250. Last season Teka won stakes to the value of £1445, and by capturing the Wellington Handicap and the Cliristchurch Metropolitan Handicap recently an additional £1275 has to be added to his record. The Government will receive a handsome cheque from the C.J.C. Metropolitan Meeting. The ordinary stamp duty of 21 per cent, on the totalisator investments amounted to £3538 12s 9d, the war tax of 2} per cent, on dividends is £3185, and the tax of 1 per cent, on stakes £157 10s. This makes a total of £(iSSI 2s 9d. There is an additional amount to come from the If the Kailway Department play the game, raccgoers "will have a chance of getting to Ashliurst from Palmerston bv three trains on Wednesday, viz., 7.45 and 11.30 a.m., and 1.1 p.m. The 11.30 a.m. train will also suit Manarratu, Foxton and the Wanganui Line people for the outward journey; the return journey would necessitate spending a night in Palmerston North. Ordinary trains leave Ashhurst on the return journey at 1.32 p.m., 2.45 p.m. and 7.22 p.m. The first race is set down to start at. 12.30 p.m., which will give those who leave by the 11.30 Palmerston train plenty of time to see the first race.