RACING

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3760, 14 March 1907, Page 3

RACING

By “ Probable.”

There was successful racing at Danuevirke and Wanganui, and rumour has it that the “shrewdies” backed several winners heavily throughout the piece. At Danuevirke second day there were certainly one or two instances of reversal of form, but that is all in the racing game, and sports must always be prepared to note vast improvement in racing flesh by the aid of a good rousing gallop. However, it is well that the racing laws are as they are, otherwise owners may have been derived of their own, possibly, that is if the complaints of an apparently over-offi-cious official were, acted upon. Race-horses are similar to human beings, in that they are not always found at their best, and cannot be expected to accomplish impossibilities. Certainly, there may be apparent glaring cases of inconsistency at times, but all who go a-racing should be sports enough to abide by the rules of racing as formed by members of the Conference, a body of men elected by appointed delegates of the different racing clubs. This body of sports rightly hold that if any horse is deliberately pulled or does not attempt to win any particular race, action for explanation should be taken immediately after such event, thereby compelling stewards to be on the alert for the protection of their, patrons —the public at large. This is as it should be, for equine flesh and bone is, like human, fickle and inconsistent, and it would be hard for owners to be robbed of stakemoney through the roguish tactics of either his horse or rider. My advice to sports is to keep a keen eye on all racing fields, pick out the dead-runs for yourselves, and put your pieces on them at the right moment, for it is utterly impossible to expect that the time will come in this world when there shall be no malpractice at the racing game. There are too many in the swim for racing to be- all that could be wished, so if you are after the “boodle,” my advice is to take a hand in the game yourself, keep a keen eye on the business, and smile at reverses as you would at successes. To the sport, it is pleasure at all times; to the “ boodle-grabber,” it is a case of the survival of the fittest, as in all other classes of business.

Gold Dust proved that he is more than a useful sort at the jumping game by lumping close on ijst over the obstacles at Dannevirke to victory, and he won with apparent ease. He should annex one of the big winter prizes if he can be kept well . Maui is another who will be numbered in the first flight of hurdles ere the winter season is passed, as this Mahaki representative fairly romped away from the fields each day at Wanganui. Neither Probable nor Polyanthus were seen at . their best at Dannevirke, and both may win very shortly. A consistent goer is Lambert, the Taranaki sport, and none begrudge him his successes with Makikiki, who is always prominent in his races.

St Killian, who has been runrunning very indifferently since his advent to this island, scored very easily from a field of Maidens at Dannevirke, and may win later on in much better company. At Dannevirke’s second day Geo. Price got Tittle Mary well out of the barrier, but the daughter of Merriwee faded away to nothing at the end of five furlongs, leaving the disappointing Stepmar, who was galloping great guns at the finish, to credit McGrath Bros, with a well-deserved win.

Milennial made hacks of her field at Dannevirke, and it is really hard to imagine how good this mare is when in a galloping mood. She is certainly something very fair, and it is hard to believe that a brother sporting writer went a-begging only a few months ago to find a buyer for her at 20 odd guineas. What a>-profitable investment she has ’been to Arthur Lord’s connections.

Wanganui races : were well patronised both by ' North and South, and it is doubtful whether such an array of dress ever graced the picturesque lawn before. The racing was particularly good the first day, though the smallness: of the fields the second day robbed racing of much interest. The Cup was a perfect race, perhaps the most brilliant ever witnessed, and certainly worth the* journey to ' Wanganui. The time was a record, and it was apparent to the spectator that there was no dawdling on the way. It was a good betting race, and with the. exception- of Marguerite and Master Delaval, everything was paying over a fiver’ to win. Truce, the, winner was ■ always in the first £pur„ and, got to ! the front as soon aspossible, finishing up the task like a true-stayer. Still, I hold that Master Delaval may have won if he got a better run. He was never far back, but he had difficulty in extricating himself from an awkward position, and at the finish was going faster than anything in the race. Montigo ran a sterling race, but failed to put in his customary final dash, and he was only going ordinary pace from the turn home. The second day he put in a phenomenal dash of pace at the end of the Stakes, and Master Delaval may be counted lucky that the race was not a little further. Marguerite, with Bst I2lb in the Cup, never appeared dangerous, and could not be expected to be wjtji; such an undue load. Why she was asked .to carry more than Bsb 31b is best known to the handicapper. Full Rate upheld his reputation hy defeating Isolf easily in the

Flying,.,&nd also downing a good field over six furlongs the second day, , W. Davies’ connections have the metallicians afraid of them, and when Seaman won each day the bulk of the stable money had to be put on the tote, which fact was responsible for the small dividends paid. Old Achilles is still a public idol, and backers generally would not have Mr Stead’s smart filly Isolt, even with a stone advantage in weight, against the chestnut in Jackson Stakes. Events proved different, as Isolt won comfortably, though Ormond’s Kairoma, by Birkenhead, made an interesting contest ®f it by running a good second. The chestuut is not as good a sprinter as he was, and besides he had a slightly injured leg to contend with. I understand the last Jackson stakes has been run, and Achilles’ name will go down to posterity in connection with the event, for he won it on no less than three occasions. Kairbma, who ran second to Isolt, is worth watching. Young'Dave Price and Hon. J. D. Ormond have severed connection, and it is probable Fred. Jones will in future pilot the-carriers of the red jacket. Kuku lumped two welter weights to victory at Wanganui in easy fashion. He is a free mover, and at present can win almost with the asking. I am pleased to note that at least a couple of Foxton sports picked the winning double at Wanganui, Truce and Full Rate, also to congratulate Alf. Shearsby for the condition he had Truce on the day and for her success. By the way, Young Arthur Olliver is having a good tnrn of luch at preeent, and should be worth following.

I regret to learn that Mrs Charlie Jenkins is at present laid up at Wanganui. All will sympathise with the popular horseman, and wish his wife complete restoration to good health. It was a bad move having the Dannevirke and Wanganui races so close together, and probably these Clubs will benefit by the experience of last week. A large number of Eoxtonians intend visiting Levin Races on Thursday next to hear the “Besses o’ th’ Barn’’ Band, which has been specially engaged to render a programme of music. Methinks it is well that the Levin Club secured such an attractive draw, otherwise the threatened small fields may have attracted but few outside sports.