THE TURF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19473, 7 May 1925, Page 5

THE TURF.

By Sbotinkl. A NOTABLE EVENT. The Hawk landed in Wellington on of last week, and so has over a week to allow him to be cleaned up for his meeting with Gloaming. Still he will have a bit tho worst of it in point of condition as a result of his voyage from Sydney to Wellington, and thence by rail to Hawke’s Bay. Ho may not consequently be so well tuned up for the fray as Gloaming, who has trained on well since he sported silk at Riccarton and won the Challenge Stakes. Flemington is by no means a fast track, and the fact is obvious by the exceedingly few records that have been compiled there. In fact, until The Hawk ran a mile there in 1.364 there was not an existing record standing to Flemington’s credit, except the one compiled by Trenton over 2jmiles in 1886. Tho Randwick record stands at 1.364, put up by Whittier in 1924, and on that comparison The Hawk should run a terrific mile on a fast course. Flemington is slower than Randwick, Riccarton, or Trentham, and it is on these three last mentioned tracks that nearly all the existing records for Australasia have been compiled. There are many other fast tracks, but they are too small, such as the mile circuit at Manawatu, and too much on the turn to allow a horse to gather and hold an extreme flight of watch smashing speed. Amythas has been defeated at Manawratu, and it was probably the track rather than the actual merit, of the opposition which lowered his number. Too much stress is _ frequently paid to the watch when considering records, and not enough to the track and atmospheric conditions under which it may have been compiled. Some instance of that is supplied by Finora galloping 1.24 when she won the Craven Plate in February last. She had the assistance of a gale of wind behind her over the last half mile, and the fact considerably discounts the merit of her gallop. Flemington is not a fast track, as said before, and The Hawk put_ up a very remarkable gallop when he registered his record. It should be a great battle, but Gloaming should beat The Hawk. On© reason for thinking so is tho memory of the great gallop he put up when Razzlo Dazzle luckily beat him in the Challenge Stakes run in 1.25 2-5, and the other reason is that a good big horse is generally better than a good little one, although the small track at Hawke’s Bay may be in tho small horse’s favour. A SUCCESSFUL STDDMASTER. Mr W. G. Stead was on a short visit to Dunedin last week, and during the course of conversation, he stated that Australian breeders and sportsmen now freely recognise that New Zealand is much better adapted to the breeding and rearing of the thoroughbred than is Australia. The Australian climate has a deteriorating effect on the thoroughbred, whereas New Zealand pastures and climatic conditions are_ more on a par with that of England, without, however, the rigour of the latter’s winter. Mr Stead' stated that several of his friends in Australia were anxious that he should take some of their mares and include them in his stud at Hawke’s Bay, and keep the young stock until it was time to send them over to the Commonwealth, in order to prepare them for their engagements. Mr Stead has. however, a stud of 25 mares, and it keeps nim fairly well occupied to have them under his care and observation. Consequently he could not spare the time, to say nothing of tho worty and trouble it would entail, to continuously care for Aus-tralian-owned mares as well as his own. Mr Stead does not believe’ in boxing foaling mares, but he has a _ special paddock with a 300 candle power light, which converts night into day when required, and is decidedly ahead of sending the stud attendants around the paddocks with a lamp. Mr Stead has a very choice and attractively bred band of brood mares in his paddocks, and his success as a breeder naturally makes racing men rather keen to take anything he cares to put on the market. He does not believe in pampering the youngsters into show condition, but has them brought along without a load of superfluous beef, which experience has proved to be anything but conducive to their chances of success on the turf. In common with most observant breeders, _ Mr Stead does not care to see any of his young stock go into a stable unless it is controlled by a thoroughly competent trainer. It was for that reason he invited R. J. Mason to pick out four yearlings last season, and so provide them with every opportunity to bo capably developed into a racehorse. It is Mr Stead’s intention to take another team to Australia in the spring, and 'the success his stud achieved this season will be sure to command keen attention for them. - TROTTING AtTnvBRCARGILL. The inaugural race meeting held by the Invercargill Trotting Club proved an allround success, and at its ’ conclusion was stamped with the seal of approval by everyone who takes an interest in the sport and li&ci the pleasure of witnessing the racing provided by each day’s card. The very pleasing attendance of the public on both days gave unmistakable evidence that the inclusion of a light-harness meeting was a very welcome addition to the sporting attraction of Southland, and the fixture has only to. be conducted on approved lines ,to grow in popularity and importance from year to year. Southland has always been a very large contributor to at least the numerical strength of our light-harness stock, and produces horses capaole of commanding recognition in the bast society, and so it was inevitable that tne district, when it received the long-denied opportunity to hold a race meeting under similar conditions to those enjoyed by established clubs, would make a success of it. A fairly long experience of racing in Southland has always seen large fields in evidence wherever racing clubs included a light-harness event on their programmes, and so it was only a natural conclusion to expect that a meeting held at the hub of the district would become an immediate success. This proved to be the case, and the sporting and financial success achieved must bo highly gratifying to those who for years past have been endeavouring to establish the sport on a proper basis in Southland and in Invercargill in particular. It has long been recognised that light-harness racing owes a very large percentage of its popularity to the fact that tracks of five or six furlongs in circumference supply the spectators with am excellent view of a'race. This is not obtainable on big tracks such as that at Invercargill, and the goal of the Invercargill Trotting Club’s ambition should be the six or seven furlong track, which is big enough to make good straights and easy turns and small enough to provide the close view of a race, which has materially assisted in building up the popularity of the sport. The future possibilities of light-harness race meetings in Invercargill can be gathered from the fact that a guarantee of £6OOO was gathered, not only from tho sportsmen in the district, but some of it also cama from business men whose names and interests nave never been identified in any way with racing or trotting. This indicates a good public spirit anxious to make a success of anything that Invercargill takes in hand. The meeting would, in the ordinary course of events, have been held in conjunction with a Carnival Week, which had to be abandoned owing to the infantile paralysis epidemic, and no doubt the combined attraction would have brought more visitors. Still, it is just as well to be able to judge a meeting by its own resources and now it would far© on almost purely local support. It seems clear that Southland can thrive on its own supplies, and hence there is no doubt entertained as to the future of light-harness meetings held in Invercargill. It*is, however, always pleasing to find a meeting carrying more than local interest, and the visiting sports who attended were so favourably impressed that they stand as sure ambassadors and boosters for future operations of tho club. More outside patronage is sure to follow, and prospects for the future look very bright indeed. Songbww 1 went sore on the eve of tho Timaru meeting. The Invercargill stewards gave a bad decision over Blue Thorpe. Retrospect stays well. Perhaps it is because she is out of a Martian mare. Handicaps for tho Riverton meeting are duo on May 9 and acceptances on May 12. Captain Sarto was running on at the finish of his race over hurdles at Timaru. Tho Birkenhead gelding Aurora won handsomely on the second day at Timaru. Dancing Days does not stay, but she ran well for about a mile in the Timaru Cup. Moor Chimes may be found winning in better company than she beat at Inverctir trill. Handicaps for the first day of tho Dunedin Jockey Club’s winter meeting are due won comfortably in tho Recovery Handicap, and ho seems likely to win again before long. Sir George Clifford is said to have benefited considerably in health as a result of his sojourn at Rotorua. Palencia gave a pleasing display over fences at Timaru, and he won easing up a long way from home. Lava was always with them in the Smithfield Handicap field, but she faded out at tho finish of a fast-run race. Good reinsmanship was principally responsible for Erin Chitnos'a name sounding as s d"” 1 winoov Invercargill,

Buck Up is a good trotter in saddle, but does not soem to go so well when “hitched to sulky” and the weight is off his back. Tho yearling filly by Sarchetlon from Reap, which made 1300gns at the Sydney yearling sales, dropped dead a few days later. Nyallo was very distressed after her race in the Jcllicoe Handicap, but she is speedy and game, and looks sure to become good with time. Lucky Harold was unlucky at Invercargill in the fact that his pilot did.not seem to realise that the fence represents tho nearest way home. , Uleaborg showed a lot of pace at Timaru, but was too big in condition to see a race right out. When next seen he should show improved form. Golden Prince jumped beautifully in the Otipua Steeples, and flew his fences like a bird, but after going two miles his condition gave out. Passing Hour got snowed out in each of her races at Timaru, and did not show up to the expectations- based on her performance at Riccarton. Gay Juliet has been held to be a bit jady, but nothing could finish more generously under pressure than she has done at Riccarton and Timaru. Tho steeplechase course at Timaru was not big enough to suit Mettle Drift, who could not pace it with Golden Prince and Co., who hurdled their fences. Charlatan appeared to bo in trouble when he tipped out in the Otipua Steeples. Palencia always seemed to “have it on him’’ when they raced at a fence. Happy Days is a bit of a mule at the barrier, but races generously when really in action. Emerson had to pull out all his vigour to beat him on Warhaven. Paddy’s Hope made up a lot of ground after getting badly left in the Tekako Hurdles, anti with better behaviour at the start no might have been in the money. Both Los Ambus and Sun Up collapsed after looking dangerous at the homo turn in the Sraitnlield Handicap; Sun Up won well on the second day of the meeting. Nelson M ‘Kinney went a good race when Underviower just beat him, but he spoilt - his chance on the second day by being a bit dilatory in getting into his stride. Soltoe has displayed some smart form when carrying a feather-weight, and even though tho distance suited him at Timaru tho high scale of weights was against the little chap. After getting knocked about at the start of her first race at Invercargill, Kerrwood Bell was backed as a certainty in the Progressive Handicap. She got there, but with nothing to spare. , The change in the going at Timaru upset some of the form. Emerson took his mounts out wide to dodge the cut-up ground, and by doing so he very materially helped some of them to ■ win. It is a common opinion that Mountain Lion can only win a race from tho front of a field. The fact that he came from last to first on the second day at Timaru should help to explode that idea. The Welkin gelding Vcmte, who won at Timaru, is a’ cast-off from R. J. Mason’s stable. Ho is a tremendous j>ig chap, and promises to improve ■ with age, if his big frame does not wear out his legs. Sunny Loch is on the improve, but he i$ not a boy’s horse. Young Didham, however, handled him,well for a feather weight until Tarleton /appeared to squeeze him out at the finish of the Timaru Cup. Golden Prince shaped well on the first day at Timaru, but the effort seemed to settle him, as he did not act with nearly so much dash on the second day, when the soft going was possibly against him. Olontarf showed a lot of speed in tho Smithfield Handicap, but _he found three others much too good for him at the weight. 'He won well on the second day of tho meeting when racing on soft ground. Three excellent pictures of Gloaming, Desert Gold, and Sasanof have come to hand from Messrs W. D. and H. O. Wills, whose reproductions of the champions make a welcome and artistic addition to any sportsman’s collection. A peculiarity about the handicapping at Invercargill was that Mentor won in 3.48 3-5, and Miss Adonis in 3.40. They were both on the seme'mark in the Visitors’ Handicap, and Miss Adonis finished well in front of Mentor. Red Kriss looked as fit as a fiddle when he ran in the Tekapo Hurdles, and was not at all distressed when he pulled up. He seems to be rather a faint-hearted horse ever since ho showed good winning form , as a two-year-old. J. A, Rowlands had Warhaven looking a better horse than he has ever been since he wsta last seen by tho writer. He is not a gelding that carries condition, but he has built up and looked stronger than usual when he won at Timaru. Jolly Chimes mode no race of tho Trotting Club Handicap, and his decisive win was a bit of a surprise after his show on tho first day, when he dropped out a long way from homo. Perhaps something went wrong on the first day. All Gold stayed on well when he won the Gladstone Welter, and it is not surprising when a glance at his pedigree shows him to be by Kilboy from Nocturum, by Biikenhead from Maluri by Malua, ono of the best ever seen in Australia Gay Juliet was going nicely at the distance in tho Smithfield Handicap, and tho result appeared to be at her mercy. At the finish, she had to be ridden right out to stall off a belated run from Ayrburn, who must have won if kept awake at the start. Kilfane will probably have to be put on the shelf for some little time, as ho bled most profusely after bursting a blood vessel before going a quarter of a mile in the Timaru Cup. Still it is wonderful how quickly some horses recover after bursting a blood vessel. The Invercargill Trotting Club may be said to have got well on its legs at the very first stride. It is pleasing to note the fact after the generous ■ response which the local sportsmen made when asked to subscribe to a guarantee deemed necessary in case of accident. There was some great racing on both days of the Invercargill Trotting Meeting. Some people were inclined to hold the handicapper guilty. Tho writer is not prepared to say, because it was tho first time that he has witnessed any racing under Mr M. Fitzgerald’s figures. Lord Ashlea was always going well in the Tekapo Hurdles, and he held his position near the leaders right up to the last fence without being called upon for an effort. At the finish his rider was keeping his horse awake, but he still had a good margin in his favour as they passed the post. Mr J. M. Samson, vice-president of the Forbury Park Trotting Club, was keenly anxious to make one of tho official party at the inaugural meeting of the Invercargill Trotting Club. He was, however, detained in the north by urgent business, and sent a wire expressing regret at his unavoidable absence from the meeting. Royal Star scored bis only win last season when he won over hurdles at Ashburton, and after running a couple of fair races on the flat at the Great Autumn Mooting, he looked to have a chance in the Tekapo Hurdles. He was probably short of schooling, and a bad blunder put him out of court. He should improve with more experience over the battens. Mountain Lion had the worst of the weights in the Timaru Cup, and so it proved, as after running a good generous race he could not get a place. Ravenna should have beaten him in the Waimato Cup, and the result of tho Timaru Cup confirmed that contention. On the second day ho was meeting the mare on 81b better terms, and thanks to the wisdom displayed by Emerson in taking the Fairy Gold gelding out wide on the good going, he won well. An example of consistent form is supplied by the running of Jiappy Days and Warhaven. They were handicapped at a difference of 171 b when they ran a dead heat at Riverton, and the same margin was placed between them at Timaru, where Warhaven scored by a short head. Happy Days had a shade the worst of it in being sent up the same poundage from 9.2 to 9.12 as Warhaven from 7.13 to 8.9, and if a deserved allowance had been made towards the topweight it might have resulted in another dead heat. Tarleton had a very hard race in the Timaru Cup. They were too speedy for him in tho early stages, and Jones had to keep his mount right busily occupied to get him within striking distance by the time the field hit the straight. Tarleton, however, stayed on gamely, and after being ridden from end to end ho outstayed the opposition. At tho outset he was not at all favoured (being a big, longstriding hofso) by the sharp turn out of the straight and on towards the seven-furlong post, and his game is really a distance on a big track. lie is bred to stay, as he w r as got by Nassau from Bray ton (dam of Bonnetter), from a daughter of a sister to Tho Victory, who ranks as a Melbourne Cup winner.