Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 412, 21 July 1928, Page 6

Turf Notes

By

EARLY BIRD

Will Also Make Trip If the connections of Glendowie adhere to their present programme and nominate the Lucullus gelding for the steeplechase events at Randwick in tlie spring, S. Henderson, who has been associated with him in his victories, will also go across to do the riding. Doing Well

Joy Queen, the rising four-year-old mare by Romeo from Tliurnley, attached to T. George’s stable, is going along nicely in her preparation, and has furnished well since being placed under the direction of this trainer. She lias thickened out considerabty, and although not over-big, she can be classed as one of the most promising of the maiden performers in attendance at Ellerslie. Going to Gisborne

K. Olive is to leave for Gisborne on Tuesday, and at tho time of writing his only rid© at the meeting there on Thursday and Saturday is Rahepoto. G. Holland is to ride Taku Tama, Bold Front and other members of Donaldson’s team. T. George sent Dave to Gisborne a few days ago in charge of an attendant, but the trainer also intends to be present at the fixture. L. Manson was to have made the journey, but he has now cancelled the trip. Takapuna Jockey Club

The annual meeting of members of the Takapuna Jockey Club has been fixed for Monday, August 20. Nominations for three vacancies on the committee (the retiring members are eligible for re-election) close at mid-day next Saturday, July 28. Injury to Quincoma The failure of Quincoma when a hot favourite at Trentliam last Saturday was attributed to the fact that the Quin Abbey gelding was interfered with at several obstacles, and received injuries to one of his legs. It was intended to race Quincoma at Riccarton, but this trip will now depend on tlie progress made by Messrs. Roulston’s jumper. Kawirii’s Next It was most unfortunate that the Grand National nominations were overlooked by the Kawini party, for he was fast coming into his own, as his success last Saturday showed. There is now no steeplechase to suit Kawini until the spring meeting in early October at Ellerslie, the Onehunga Steeplechase, if that event is retained on the Auckland programme. Trainer R. Hall stated that Kawini was none the worse for his two Trentliam outings.Auckland Left In The Cold

It is peculiar perhaps that the Auckland Racing Club and Auckland city has no representative on the executive of the Racing Conference. % When the change-over was made last week to appointing a vice-president and of six to assist Sir George Clifford, the following were elected, representing the various districts: Mr. O. S. Watkins, Wellington; Mr. W. T. Hazlett, Southland; Mr. J. I-T Perrett, Manawatu; Mr. H. A. Russell Hawke’s Bay; Mr. G. Gould, Canterbury; Mr. A. C. Hanlon, Dunedin; and Mr. L. W. Nelson. North Auckland. Mr F. Earl, of the Auckland Racing Club, was nominated, but failed at the election. This, combined with complaints made by the Auckland clubs in regard to conference levies, may cause serious dissension (comments Vedette"). The position as it stands is a most delicate one, and will be followed with interest. It must be said that as regards representation the Auckland Club has a genuine grievance. Not In a Hole!

At, the Racing Conference last week when the matter of jockeys and apprentice jockeys being permitted to employ counsel at appeals was being discussed (and finally discarded), Mr. A. C. Hanlon (Dunedin Jockey Club) stated that if the Canterbury Jockey Club had been favoured with a barrister or solicitor, the club might not have got into a hole” as it did on one occasion last year. This brought to his feet Mr. George Gould, who stated that the Canterbury Jockey Club had not got into a hole; rather was it eminent counsel that had got into a hole. He challenged the speaker as to the accuracy of his statement. Mr. Hanlon apologised for having .caused any wrong impression. Credit To New Zealand

Australian papers to hand containing the result of the Victorian Grand National Hurdle Race show that Barley Bree, the dam of the winner, Longlands, is the New Zealand mare formerly owned by Mr. E. J. Watt. Barley Bree was most prolific. She was sent to New Zealand, and the late G. G. put her to the stud as a five-year-old, her first foal being Miss Phyllis, by Multiform. Mr. Stead bred three foals from Barley Bree in four years, and then sold her, in foal 'to Royal Artillery (grandson of Musket), to Mr. E. J. Watt. In due course she dropped Royal Scotch, who went close putting a Caulfield Cup to the credit of Mr. Watt. In the next eight years Mr. Watt bred seven foals from Barley Bree, and then (1916) sent her to his property in New Soutli Wales. In the eight years from 1917 to 1924 inclusive, Barley Bree had a foal each year, except in 1921, when she missed, and the following year, when she slipped. Longlands was foaled in 1923, his dam being then aged 20 years. Commenting upon the age of Barley Bree when she dropped Longlands, the Melbourne writer, “Snowden,” says:—“lt is not infrequently asserted that an old mare, solely on account of her age, is not so likely to breed a good foal as a younger one. That statement is not supported by the evidence of the stud books. The reason why old mares do not breed so many winners as younger ones is similar to the reason that grey horses eat ever so much less food than bays or browns—there are far fewer of them. As long as a mare is healthy and rears her foals well her age is immaterial, so far as producing good stock is concerned. Such a mother is as likely to breed a good foal when she is 20 or even more as she is when she is 10 or less. But obviously she could not be expected to be so good an investment to a buyer as a young mare would be, as having passed the average life of a brood mare, her end might be expected at any time. Here is where the confusion of ideas comes in—small quantity of prospective foals is mistaken for low quality.

Breeders, never discard a healthy old producing mare simply because she has passed the allotted span. Keep her until you have a more substantial reason.”

The Nationals There were no surprise defections last niglit when the first acceptance was made for th© Grand National Steeplechase and tho Grand National Hurdles. In the former event the horses to retire last night were Comical, Brigadier Bill, Ranui and Captain Sarto, Glendowie having been scratched for all engagements on Wednesday. Although there were a lot of defections from the hurdles, none of the “expected to run” division failed to como up to the mark. Those that failed to survive the first payment were Comical, Perle de Leon, Aberfeldy, Mia Bella, Ivaikahu, Atareria a Beaumont, Bonatic, Nucleus, Tintoretto, Star Shell and Braeman. Winter Cup

After the first acceptance last night, no less than 34 still remain in the Winter Cup, 3 8 of these being on til© minimum mark. Those that retired were King Lu, Thorndale, Bennanee, Horomea, Huikai, The Swell, Orazone, Kilperon, Nucleus, Sprinkler, Cynthia N., Hoylake, •Ballymoy 11., No Favours, Tione, Pangolin and Lucre, in addition to those withdrawn earlier in tlie week. It looks like being a harder race than ever to pick, but by August 14 the field should be considerably reduced.

Walk-Up Starts In Future The committee of the Racing Conference lias stated that the rule in regard to fractious horses requires to be more firmly enforced and also that the walk-up start should entirely supersede the flat-foot start. The statement is tantamount to a command, and it will be interesting to note how it will be obeyed during the coming season comments “Sentinel.”

Right Sort of Broadcasting Every metropolitan club should have a direct telephone communication at each starting post, with a loud speaker. By such means the stewards could reprove the starter who is unduly delaying a field by devoting too much attention to a fractious (real or imaginary) horse, and they could also instruct a rider to appear on the carpet as soon as he returned to the birdcage* Good Position

The Australian Jockey Club is advertising for a registrar of racehorses and a keeper of the “Stud Book,” the salary for the dual positions being £BOO a year. The late Mr. L. G. Rouse held these positions. It is improbable applicants will be as numerous as for* a stipendiary steward’s billet, but there are sure to be applications from unexpected quarters. The keeper of the “Stud Book” should be a man who knows sufficient about breeding to be able to say what horses should not be admitted to its pages, and give his reasons. There may not be many quite up to that standard, but the applicants should include a few. Gloomy Outlook

The average racegoer, who cannot afford the time and expense of attending more than a few turf fixtures per annum,' is presently going to make a noise that will bear fruit in several ways (writes “Sir Modred”). This slighted individual is going to complain that the results of races are not being broadcast, the publication of dividends is forbidden, he cannot telegraph money to the courses, the charges for admittance to tracks and carriage thereto are beyond his means, and the starting times of events are to be suppressed. These “under the lap” methods will lead to increased popularity for evaders of the law in the shape of retailers of the odds, and an ancient and very effective means of retaliation, one which worked dire effects where pedestrianism and cycling were originally concerned—the practice of staying away. The success of less exacting rates in connection with the light harness sport goes far to prove the truth of the foregoing claims, but the trotting authorities display signs of falling into line with their galloping cousins, and when that day comes many conservative and assertive persons who have rushed in to seize the reins of control in equine sport will hastily retire, to leave trouble in their wake.

The Derby Jockey Harry (“Sheff”) Wragg, who won his first Derby on Sir Hugo CunliffeOwen’s Felstead, entertained his fellow jockeys at the Piccadilly Hotel on the Saturday night following the classic. During the speech-making Bernard Carslake announced that this was the last season he would ride, and that it was his intention to set up as a trainer next season. Carslake is an Australian, born at Caulfield in 1887. He never served an apprenticeship and was taught jockeyship by his father, who was one of the leading trainers in Victoria. His first success in England was on Mr. R. H. Henning’s The Swagman at the Birmingham Whitsuntide meeting in 1906. He has ridden winners in nearly all the important races in this country, but has never won the Derby. He has won the St. Leger twice, in 1919 on Lord Derby’s Keysoe, and in 1924 on the Aga Khan’s Salmon Trout. He won the Two Thousand Guineas with Major D. McCalmont’s Tetratema in 1920, and the One Thousand Guineas in 1918 on Lord Derby’s Ferry and in 1922 on Mr. B. W. Parr’s Silver Urn.