IN A NUTSHELL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 55

IN A NUTSHELL.

Acceptances for the first day of the Duu*din' Cup meeting are due on Friday next. Xh« crack filly Fleetfoot displayed signs of lameness after her -win in the Middle Park Plate. — The Dxmedin Oup meeting -will oe held on "Wednesday, Thursday, *nd Saturday of next week. „ Complimentary tickets for the Dunedin Cup meeting are to hand, and acknowledged ■with thanks. Tlse Austmliam trainer J. E. Brewer is training 25 horses in England for Messrs Clark and Robinson. C. Jenkins recently made an unsuccessful application to the Wanganni Jockey Club for the restoration of his riding licence. «»Bill Squires, the Australian champion, has

met with another defeat in America. He was knocked out in the sixth round by Jim Flynn at Bakersfield, California. — The stewards of the Woodville Jockey decided to charge bookmakers £20 per day and 10s per day for clerks, both inside and outside, for the autumn meeting. —J. M'Call, a prominent jockey in England, had his left knee broken in two places below the knee last month as a result of a yearling he was riding falling with him. —Mr W. James, totalisator proprietor, informs me tUstt applications for dividends and refunds m connection with the Lupulite — Eons protest must be made to the secretary of the Wyndham Ciub. — Nominations for the Waimate and South Canterbury meetings are due on the 2nd and loth of March respectively. The programmes of both clubs will receive d.%failed notice next week. — Fox the opening meeting of the Pcmy and Galloway Club :'t Muamar on 22nd .list. 95 nominations have been received for the six events. The ZVliramai- Cup, of 40eo\s, has attracted 15 minature racehorses The Seaton Delaval gelding Loftus who was recently purchased by some southern sports, is rcfeired to by "The Jud?e" as "a good-looking fiaud." and he mentions that the price paid was half a century. — Information has been leceived to the "fleet that the first 5-oiith African Deibj' cf lOOOsovs, run on Boxng Day was won by Mr Abe Bailey's Diana, by the N Z.-bred sire Uniform from Queen of the Chase. — The Obligado filly Octave has been showing signs of trouble in one .of her knees since her return from the Tapamii meeting but it ia exr-ected that ,she will be right again before racing ai Wingatui next week. — The Chtistchurch sportsman. Mr W. 'l A. Clay, who is at present in Tasmania, Has written to the Tasmanian Turf Club stewards requesting an explanation re the handicapping of St. Joe at 10.1 for the Launceston Cup. — Pretty Face, a dual winner at Na&eby Hst week i& a half-s;ster by Clanranald to Miss Mischief. The latter is a daughter of Treadmill, and their dam. Delusive, was got by Trenton from the imported Barcaldine mare Eleusis. — Visitors to the C.J.C. Midsummer meeting state that the bookmakers generally showed a loss over their operations. It was a benefit for the Ohokebore horses, and the hard-heads were on hand every time for the cream of the market. — The Clanwnald — Delusive mare Pretty Face is developing into a fairly nice cut of a mare, and although the opposition she met when she won over a niile at Naseby was not very high class, still she ran out the distance in promising style. — Jacket, winn«T of the Ha' swell Welter Handicap at Riccarton. was imported fiom New Sou'h Wales as a yearling by Sir Jeo Clifford. He is br the successful sire Grafton from. Blue and Gold, by Grand Flaneur — Whi x c and Blue imported. — Prior to the commencement of the Maniototo Jockey Clnb's meeting all the jockeys on the ground were epJled together and told that any breach of rules which opme under the- notice of the stewaids would be met with ample punishment. — According to recent repoits from England, the water jumps are responsible for a big proportion of the accidents which happen in Great Britain m huidle races and steeplechases. Ma/iy of the horses do not appear to understand the water jump. — The well-known Australian trotting stallion Osterley succumbed to an attack of inflammation of tihe kidneys on the 25th of last month. Osterley had a Tecord of 2min 24 4-ssec. The crack Canterbury sire Rothechild is a brother to Osterley. — Lyne the American rider, is on his way back to America for the winter, but in aft probability he will ride in England again next season. He has had a big retainer offered him in France, but he thinks there is more scope for his abilities in the Old Country. — Only one bookmaker took out a license foi the Maniototo meeting. He had to pay a £20 fee per day, and in addition £10 per day for his clerk. Despite the monopoly, it is understood the metallician lost money, which is not surprising considering the strength of the fields. — Word comes to hand that the well-known horseman L. G. King, who rode the winner of the last New Zealand Cup, intends being present at the Dunedin Cup meeting prior to journeying to Australia. He can seal© 79, and capable horsemen who can do that weight are very scarce »t present. — The amount distributed in stakes at tl-e Canterbury Jockey Club's summer meeting was £2200 The principal winners were- — Sir G. Clifford £1220. Mr G. G. Stead £280, Mr G. Shellack £100. Mr D. Rutherford £100, Mr D. Roberts £80, Mr J. Gilbert £80, Mr Highden 80, Mr M. Hobbs £80. — Aura. ia daughter of the Trenton horse Aurum, won the ILimberley Handicap, of SOOsova. nine furlongs, at Kimbeirley (South Africa) last month. The dam of Aurum' is now at Mr G. G. Stead's stud in Canterbury, where she has produced Golden Knight, Golden Hour, Gold Braid, and Golden Slipper. —At Ch-antilly, France, there iare oveT 5000 racehorses in training. \ In addition there are also extensive training establishments at Maisons-Lafitte and Saint Germans, while M Maurice Ephrussi has Compiegne pretty well to himself. There are also a number of other training stables scattered over the country — That arrant rogne Toney was taken to Nateby. and again refused to leave the mark when the woto was given. The same owner alsi purchased Sonia. and probably had bad luck when bhe recently dropped dead. He could not wish for better luck if a similar fate promptly overtook the unsexed son of Cajolery. —In France last year G. Stern rode 151 winners out of 598 mounts. His ambition is to emulate the feats of Archer -and Tom I Lcates, and exceed 200 winners in one season. Archer rode 246 winners in 1885. and he exceeded the double century on eight occasions. Stern "has 550 successes to his credit during the last four seasons. — Mr A. Moss left by this week's boat for Melbourne, where he intends making a stay of £ix weeis. Mi Moss has abandoned, at I least temporarily, and possibly for ever,, the metallician's pencil, and the journey he is at present ufldertaking is in -connection with Pollard'e Opera Company, for -which an Auatralian tour is to be arranged. — The Tapanui and Maniototo meetings share a mutual attraction in the fact that these gatherings are held in a climate which is invariably ot a veTy suuny «nd genial nature. A day or two past in either of these places generally gives one a sunbath which has to be appreciated even if the sport and ', the luck of the game goes against the visitors. — Cackler is one of the most promising young jumpers in England at the present time, and an offer of £2000 for the son of Hackler has been refused. It is a big price for a jumper (says an English paper), Vat he is -undoubtedly worth more than this. A four-year-old who can jump the Aintree country 'as Cackler did has a big future before him. — Thunderbolt, who. with the famous Carbine, is one of the very ie\r MuEkets afive, waa represented by a winning two-year-old at a recent South A.ustralian meeting. Thun-

d erbolt was foaled in 1882, and some five years later was sold for 55gs, because it was feared his days of usefulness were over. Since then, however, he has sired several good winners. — A new record has been accomplished by Sam Heapy, a nephew of Sam Lcates. who wound up the racing season on the Continent on December 1 with his 194 th win out of 625 races. La=t year he rode 157 winners, as against 135 in 1905, and 142 in 1904 He laa just ooznpl«t«l a fi^e gears' contract to ride for M Bougmiann, and last month it was renewed for three years. — The majoritj of local horses claiming engagements at the Dunedin Cup meeting have had a considerable amount of racing duiing the past month or two Hence a good d-eal of the work at Wingatui is 6f the useful exercise type. Towards the end of the week visiting horses are expected to put in theis appearance, and matters at headquarters will then assume a busy and inteiestmg aspect — Pattern, a three-year-old filly by Pilgrim's Progress from the Tasman— Nautilus mare Melusma. was amongst the runners at Naseby. She is snia.hsh, but displayed a bit of pace, but what may be only a temporary lock of staying powers. Me'.usina has been an indifferent producer, although bred on good Tines wh eh marks her down as a half-sister to Cynisca, Pygmalion, Lakeshell, and Bombshell. — Vyvyan. a four -year-old gelding by Cannonball from Come-if-I-Can, was a standardbearer at Naseby last week. ITe_came along, but by no means with the velocity suggested by the be'licose name of his sire. Cannonball has been buried in the backblocks for some years, and was once known as a promising son of Chainshot and Miranda. He was foaled in 1892, and the promise still remains a promise. — After succeeding in getting the 15 mir.utes' rule made law with the betting clubs in England, Mr Joe Thompson, the ■ex-Australian bookmaker, was approached •■with a view to receiving a testimonial from sporting men, but he would not hear of it, and remarked. "A whisky-and-socla will meet the case " The new rule, however, is not the greatest success in the world, and was subjected to much hostile criticism shortly after it c-am« into operation. — A Wellington cxrhai ge states -that the giib-commitiee. appom'ed by the Wellington Racirg Club to consider the complaint lodged by J M'Ccmbe, a licensed jockey, against Mr J Cress, owner of San Julie, for ro marks made after the W.R C. Handicap race at Trentham. met on IVday afternoon. Mr Cress appeared in person, but M'Corabe. vhn was engaged at the C J C. meeting, did not put in an appearance, and the inquiry wan adjourned until a future date — Husbandman's success at Riccarfon last week gives further weight to the opinion that Tieadmill will make a good sire. The winner oT tbe Lyttelton Plrte is a raking big colt, and it was expected he wou'd not appear until next season, but he has already arrived at form and) proved him=elf out of the ordinary. Go 1 den Vale is the dame of Harvest, but apart from producing him. has, prior to Hu^bandrnan's appearance the equfh<- world nothing of note. — The high-priced colt Orcus had Liq second outing under silk at the A.J.C. anniversary meeting. He was well beaten, and in referring to his defeat an exchange remarked that his brother (Poseidon), be it remembered, wa-s anything but a good two-year-old; as a matter of fact, he was hardly second-rate at that age but ho developed into a smasher as a three. Anyhow. Orcus does not by any mean 9 look an early beginner, and there is> no reason to despair of his returning the 3050gs he cost his owneT as « yearling — Amongst the runners at Naseby was a four-year-old gelding brothei to Kremlin, who rejoices in the name of Kostronia. He is a chestnut, and whilst showing plenty of size, is at present much lighter in frame than hi«! we-11-performied relative. He showed a good deal of natural pace, desvjite lack of racing condition, and if given a chance should prove a winneT. One of his front cannons has evidently been in the wars, but he is apparent.lv quite sound, although the appearance of the leg creates a bit of suspicion on that point. —Mr Allen Tye. of the Allendale Stud Farm, informs me (says "Fritz") that he has received a telegram from Mr A. Robertson, whom they despatched several months back to America "to purchase a shipment of trotting stock, -to tlie effect that the steamer bearing the consignment has arrived at Newcastle, and he reports a very successful trip, as the whole 18 horses shipped have arrived in tip-top order, including the well-bred trotting stallion Man-in Wilkes. Mr George Tye has gone over there to superintend the quarantining of the bunch, aftei wh^h they wiL be reshipped to Melbourne. — It is seldom ft demonstration is made at Randvuck, or, in fact, says the Sydney paper, any of the metropolitan courses, as was the case a/fter Bungledoo had won the Welter Handicap at Randwick on January 25. He ■was heavily backed, and never left the issue in doubt after the first furlong had been traversed. The Saturday previous, at Rosehill, the stipendiary stewards found fault with Bungledoo's nder, W. Foley. for not putting more vigour into his finish on theDorchester gelding; but on Saturday last the only vigour required -was to prevent his winning too easily. Forge was a hot favourite, but had no hope witli Bungledoo at the weights. — The extremely dry weather which has existed in the Maniototo district for some considerable time past naturally resulted in the local club's track being dustier than usual, and that is saying something, because dust is one of the principal things in evidence at Naseby meetings. It was particularly noticeable on the second, day, when the fie 1 a which contested the principal handicap on the card were negotiating the turn out of the straight. At that stage the horses were going eway from the spectators, and were totally obscured from view. Zero, who was last when the horses were lost in a dense cloud of dust, was first when the horses turned into the back stretch; but although he gained several length's by cutting through on the inside, he faded away after negotiating the hill. . — In their ifctempta jo purify the local turf the West Australian stipendiary stewards were very busy on January 25. For suspicious practices in the Jumpers' Flat Race the horse Coroma-tidel. rider A. Jones, owner W. J. Sugars, and trainer J. E. Sugars, were each disqualified foT v, term of two months. For careless riding ctn Golden Bell in the Blaokwood Purae, W. Powell, who rode the winner, was disqualified for six months. In this event Reliance and Warlike lost their riders through a scrimmage amongst the riders, Duggan (on Reliance) was shaken, and W. H. Lawson (on Warlike) was injured internally, and had his shoulder dislocated. In the Blackwood Plate the horse Altone, C Lancaster (owner and trainer), and R. Porter (jockey) were disqualified for two months for suspicious practices. — A great many race-goers will remember the Vanguard gelding Vandyke, who was & ■well-known performer for several seasons. Like many other racers, he vanished from the turf to earn his living in » humbler

capacity. Whilst at the Naseby meeting lest week the writer discovered Vandyke acting as a pole horse in a four-in-hand team which plied for hire to and from the racecourse. In his best days Vandyke was regarded as a bit of a rogue, and the poor fellow is now dcang ample penance for his 1 sins. He was in miserable condition, " poor as a crow " and looked as weak us a starved cat. Still he gal.antly charged the hills and did a, lion's share in the collar But, shades of Eclipse! the pain oi seeing his halffamished frame was accentuated by the fact that his tail was don© up m a gsy ribbon a la cart-horse. —It is understood that a few owners are experiencing some little difficulty m obtaining accommodation for horses engaged at the Dunedm Cup meeting. This speaks well for tne prospects of the gathering, and also calls to mind that the time is opportune for the club to seriously discuss the advisability of following the example of the South Canterbury and Wellington Clubs and provide accommodation on their courses. Up to the present it has been left to private enterprise to cater for visiting owners, and although the erection of Mr Andrew's boxes has relieved the situation somewhat, there is still a great de-al to be desired. The inadequate accommodation obtainable at the Wingatui meetings has always been more or less_ of a drawback to our meetings, and the wisdom of having it improved is too obvious to call for further comment. — Racing clubs in the North Island should be grateful for the measure which has diverted the full stream of speculation to their respective enclosures. In these halcyon times the lot of a racing club treasurer is indeed a happy one. Over its December meeting Manawatu Club is reported on good authority to have netted £2000; tbe Wairaiapa Club cleared £700; Foxton, £500: whilst Pahiatua will not fall far short of £1000. All the*e. however (says the Wellington Post sporti 1 " scribe^, are put in the shade by the Wellington Club's profits over the recent meting. Many Vhrewd estimates have been made, ranging from four to five thousand, and it if now pretty generally known that the latter figure is within the mark If the autumn and winter meetings keep up ta this standard the Wellington Ba-cmg Club will soon be rid of th» Tientham financial incubus. —Mr James B. Haggin, the American millionaire, is the owner of by far the largest thoroughbred stud in the world. In 1904 there were about 7000 brood mares registered in the American Stud Book, and of these about 1500 belonged to Mr Hag:gin. He also possessed 60 Btalhons, 500 yearlings, and perhaps 500 horses, in training, or fit to train, in various parts of the United States. At one time, at least. 10 racing establishments owned by Mr Ha?gm were run by other men, who leased the hoises from him-; several of the most prominent winning owners in America during recent years gained their successes with horses leaded from Mr Haggin. Salvator was the best horse which has won races in his colours dining the last 20 years. Mr Haegin's principal ranch on the Sacramento River, California, extends to 44.000 acres. He has also a huge breeding branch in Kentucky. , — His Majesty the King has a big team of horses for the coming flat-racing season in England. They are as follows- — Rainfall br h. by Clwyd— De'uare. aged; Coxcombe, br h, by Kilcock— Gaiety, aged; Slim Lad, br c, by St. Simon— Laodamia, 4yrs ; Cynosure, eh g. by Cyllene — Kenemoosha, 4vrs; Perambulator, b c, by Persimmon — Spyglass, 4yre; Perrier, b c, by Persimmon — Amphora, 3yrs; b c, by Volodyovski— Queen of the Mint. 3yrs; Persian Lilac, br f, by Peisimmon — White Lilac, 3yrs; Siropatica. br f. by St. Simon — Lacdamia. 3yrs; Pearl of the Loch, eh f, by Persimmon — Loch Doon, 3vts; Marie Legrayer, b f, by Diamond Jubilee — White Lilac, 2yrs ; Saint's Mead, b f, by St. Simon — Meadow Chat, 2yrs; Perdona, b f, by Persimmon — Loch Doon. 2yrs; Cut Diamond, b f, by Diamond Jubilee — Spyglass, 2yrs ; Princesß de Galres. br f, by Gallinule— Ecila. 2yrs; Per Contra, br f, by Persimmon— Ccrurjtly, 2yrs ; Prim Nun, br f, by Persimmon — Nunsuch, 2yrs; Mountain Queen, eh i, by Cyllene — Laodamia, 2yrs: Royal Escort, eh c, by Diamond Jubilee — Ambleside, 2yrs ; Oalderstone. b c, br Persimmon — Shewbread, 2yrs; OakmeTt b c. by Wildfawler — Puff Ball. 2yre; Minow, b c, by Cyllene — Mother Siegel. 2yrs; Prince Pippin, b c, by Desmond— Goody Two Shoes, 2yrß ; Moorcock, eh c, by Galhnule — Fair Jean. 2yrs; La La, br c, by Ladas— La Carolina, 2yrs. —At one time following jockey's mounts used to be a favourite system with many English backers, and is not without its followers here. However, as frith all otheT systems, the man following it needs a lot of luck to come out on the Tight aide. Considering that Higgs rode mure winners than any other jockey m England last year, it might be supposed that he would have repaid following, but according to some figures in an exchange, the reverse would have been the case. An investment of £1 on each of Higgs's 734 mounts would have resulted in a total loss of £38 Is 2d. while the individual who pinned his faith to Halsey. with his 103 wins out of 526 mounts, would have been out of pocket £19 4s 8d Supporters of young Wootton would have fared even worse, as a sovereign on each of his 283 mounts would have panned out £41 7s to the bad; but that is a mere nothing compared with Madden and Griggs. who, on the £i basis, would have cost theii ba-ckers £236 3s 3d and £247 18s respectively. If the figures given are correct, only four jockeys would have shown a profit, and even in their cases the return was not «t all commensurate with The outlay. For instance, anyone sticking to Maher, at £1 a time, would have cleared £17. Gs 4d, a result not particularly satisfactory, oonsidering that £426 had to be naked during the year. The backers of Randall's 403 mounts would h"ave profited £19 18s 7d. and those of Robertson (197 mounts) £23 16s ; while the only other in connection with whom backers would have done any good' was the amateur, Mr G. Thursby, who would have brought them out £8 3s 7d on the right side From the foregoing it will be seen that following ever- the most successful of jockej's is not a road to riches on the Turf — The promise made by Mr Bent to a. deputation that if .the V.R C and Mr Wren did not come to some arrangement, he wou'd bring in a bill practically forcing the V.R.C to recognise Mi Wren's courses, has resulted in a long letter being sent to the Chief Secretary by Mr Byron Moore, secretary to the V.R.C., putting the position from the club'B point of view. Among- other things, Mr Byron Moore writes there is no antagonism whatsoever against Mr Wren influencing the V R C.'s decision not to register Ascot. The V.R.C. objects to the registration of Ascot for horseracmg on the grounds (a) that) by so doing horseracing is unnecessarily in-creasr-l; that it is not for the good of tha sport that there should be more opportunities given for the conduct of horeeracing within 20 miles of Melbourne, than are at present afforded by the eight existing registered courses; (b) that the Gaming Act was passed to suppress illegal totee and streetbetting, and to restrict over-racing, and not fox the purpose of altering tip position or

rights of racing clubs and proprietors of racecourses, one towards the other, ot for the purpose of converting Mr Wren's pony racecourse into a horeeracing course. The V.lt C. propose immediate!) to remove the ban of disqualification from all persons not disqualified for malpractice who have raced ponies, and from their ponies and horses, and give them a. free band to race ponies on all courses licensed foi that purpose by the Government. Pony-OWDers can tiicn race *ls<s a.6 the eight courses for horses which now exist round Melbourne, and -which give sufficient races for horses to supply the wants of all. Mt Wren can carry on that portion of racing which depends exclusively upon ponies, and the committee think that all fair-minded perse ■■< will agree that he is not entitled to ai nng more, for this privilege ie practically! ali he enjoyed before the Gaming Act was pa c sed. — A contributor to the English Field writes-— "The duel between Gallinule and! St. Fmsquin for the first place in the listo of winning sires was continued right up to the end of the season, and once more it was only a question of a few pounds between the two. Gallinule, however, just won, and though he cannot compare as a sire witbj some two or three horses of the past, he can now be fairly called a great stallion, and it is somewhat remarkable how he almost invariably beats Isinglass, who was also by Isonomy, and a far better rasehorse thaii Gallinule ever was. Indeed, Isinglass was undoubtedly the best hcrse ever sirec by; Isonomy, whereas Gallinule w?« a disappointing horse, who never ran up to the expectations^ which were at one time formed about him." Viewed from their pedigree, there is little ot no difference between these two famous sons of Isonomy. for both are really famous, the one as a consistently great sire, the other as oae of the most wonderful racehorses the world has produced. He won neaily ,£55,000 in stakes, while Gallinule was a very third-rater; co much so that when M* Abington s agents informed him that the* had found a bir-er at £1000, he first asked. Who is the mug?" and secondly, if th« money was secure. The life-stories of Galhniile and Isinglass are widely different bufl will fit m with histories of otlfer horses to a nicety. When two such horses come befora the public as stallions, and the inferior racehorse succeeds better than the great performer, captious-brained pessimists will arisa m shoals to point a moral, with & tilt at th« fallacy of breeding hordes by any other method than the haphazard. Does "it ever strike those critics that environment often alters a career' Put Isinglass in Gallinule'* home m Ireland, with similar mates, wher^ the stock will be reared under equal condil \*l Oni \u or T, na « m ning one and exalting the other. If the better racehorse fails undel equal conditions with his Tacecourpe inferior, we should look further than a pedigree tabl« for the reason. If we more often took inta consideration the effects of training stable dope on such a stallion, we might more often nnd an answer to many nuzzles that are presented m stallion statistics.