Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 596, 23 February 1929, Page 10

Turf Notes

CONDUCTED BY

Handicaps Handicaps Cor Franklin’s annual meeting are due on Monday next, and acceptances close at 5 p.m. on Friday. in India It is understood that the well-known light-weight horseman, W. S. Bagby, is at present in India, and is attached to L. 11. Hewitt’s stable. Wellington Fixture The next big fixture outside of the | province is that of the W.R.C. at i Trentham on Saturday and Monday, j March 16 and IS. Entries close next t Monday night. Something Happened

In Wanganui they are still scratching their heads over that last race on Saturday. To say the least of it, several leading horsemen cannot be congratulated on their riding.

Short of Breath Goshawk, since returning to Hastings from Ellerslie at the commencement of the new year, has been running in the paddock, and the treatment has had a most beneficial result. His ‘ pipes” are to be operated on this week. Sir Roy for Victoria It is understood that Sir Roy, who was shipped to Melbourne, was purchased at a substantial figure on behalf of a Victoria sportsman. Sir Roy has been a. most useful stakeearner since trained at Riccarton and should continue to do well for his new owner. Forgot to Weigh-in In the Campsie Handicap at Canterbury Park, Sydney, the other day, Brendon finished second to The Grindstone, but his rider, G. Gatty, who is apprenticed to N. McKenna, rushed into the jockeys’ room without weigh-ing-in. An inquiry opened on the course was adjourned until later, to enable Gatty’s master to be present. After taking further evidence, the stewards decided to suspend Gatty from riding in races for one month for carelessness. For Australia Agrion and Honour have been worked the reverse way on the plough during the past week to prepare them for tho Australian trip, and on Tuesday each covered a round at a strong pace. Both look in splendid order, the former especially, and it is to be hoped he will continue to stand up to training. Although definite arrangements have not been made, it is possible that others of Mr. Greenwood’s horses in training, and also some brood mares, will accompany the above pair to Sydney with a view to being placed on the sale list. Honour and Agrion are also to go under the hammer.

A Little Matter A fellow who wished to buy a cheap hunter attended a horse sale and saw an animal which, he thought, would suit his purpose. “Flow much?” he asked. The dealer, with a shrewd look at the prospective purchaser, said glibly, “A hundred guineas, sir.” “Pooh, rot, man; I’ll give you thirty.”

The dealer scratched his head. “Well, sir,” he said, “I’m not going to let a little matter of seventy guineas stand between me and a sale. He’s yours.”

Reremoana’s Trouble Kereinoana is taking some time to recover from the gruelling he received at Hawera. He was in a bad way for a few days, and it was feared that he had injured himself internally. He had to forfeit both his Taranaki and Jackson Stakes engagements, and it is not certain whether he will be ready in time now for the Challenge Stakes at Trentham. O. Cox has had bad luck with his team lately, for Valpre caught a cold after winning at Hawera and had to be put by temporarily, while Fortalice was galloped on at the Egmont meeting and has been out of commission since. Flying Binge’s success at New Plymouth, w r hich was well anticipated, relieved the position to a fair degree. A World-Beater?

That Silver Paper should start first favourite for the Flying Handicap at Wingatui on Saturday, carrying a very large amount of money, is difficult of explanation, in view of the fact that assurance had been given to newspaper writers, trainers of rival horses, and others, that the Paper Money gelding had been injured in his box and stopped in his work for some days prior to his appearance in public last week, states the Southland “Times.” Either he is one of the greatest horses ever stripped to race in New Zealand under adverse circumstances, or somebody erred very seriously, as he put forth a mighty effort in chasing the living Meadow Lark to the judge’s chair after being hung up in the tapes at the barrier (thanks to a gale of wind), with seven other starters, while the winner got a free passage. It looks as if backers accepted Silver Paper’s presence in the race on Saturday as a guarantee that all was wel with him or that his injuries were not so severe as was inferred. He is a very great galloper, and it is to be hoped that his strenuous contest of last week has not left any evil effects. Credit Wnere Due

Evidence is not wanting to the effect that very few people are willing to give Aussie full credit for his meritorious win over Limerick on Saturday (comments “Sir Modred”). All sorts and conditions of excuses are being made for the defeated Australasian champion, but very, very few people are prepared to admit that Aussie, too, may be ranged as a champion galloper. The Aucklander has worked his way to the front by way of many strenuous battles in big fields in handicap company, under big weights, and why should this hard road not discover a champion? How many of the champions whose names are ever in men's mouths, horses such as Limerick, Gloaming, Gothic, and others, have come by their fame through success in handicap company? As a matter of fact, very few of the number have done so, and Aussie handled 9.8 on Saturday in a fashion that entitles him to the greatest respect in weight-for-age company up to a mile. So far, the limit of the ability of the son of imported Fortafix has not been gauged

as to weights and distances, and the best judges In the land cannot say with certainty where ho stands. Mr. Paul’s crack may be a champion of champions for aught they know. During the past week, and prior to his first start at the Dunedin J. C. meeting. Aussie could have been sold at a substantial four-figure price to go to Victoria, but as far as Mr. Paul was concerned at the time there was nothing doing. The northern owner may change his mind in the near future, but in the meantime Aussie goes back to his home in Auckland Province.

EARLY BIRD

Ohinemuri Fixture The Ohinemuri Jockey Club is to be congratulated upon the splendid entries received for its annual meeting on March 16 and 18. Class is strongly represented in the Cup, and

other open handicaps, while from the nominations for the hack races it certainly looks like big fields being in evidence. A pleasing result is the fact that no less than 21 horses have been accorded an entry in each of

the two steeplechases on the programme, a fact which indicates that there will be no dearth of aspirants for cross-country honours during the approaching jumping season. Weights for the first day are due on March 4.

He Stopped On form Prince Val looked to have a royal chance of winning the Elstow Hack at Te Aroha on Monday, and when he was noticed in second position crossing the top and into the straight his backers were already counting their winnings. However, it was not to he, for the Valkyrian gelding shut up like a book, and was beaten into fourth place. He appeared to be slightly sore when he did his preliminary, and this might have brought about bis unexpected defeat. His form was certainly all wrong, so that too much notice should not be taken of that outing. Saved Himself

There were several inquiries into interference at Te Aroha. One case was that of Lucy Rose in the Champion Hack Cup the first day. She drew wide out, and passing the judge’s box the filly went over and interfered with a horse just inside of her. However, Tinker realised the position quickly and soon had the filly straightened up again. This was a case where there was undoubtedly interference, but the fact that the jockey was so smart in recovering from an awkward predicament was sufficient to keep him out of trouble. Good horsemanship played its part in this case, and it was therefore not surprising that the judicial committee viewed the case rather leniently.

His Trophy The secretary was unpopular with his committee. One day he remarked, “I can’t understand why I don’t get on well with you, gentlemen. Why, in my last post they gave me a silver tea service when I left.” “Well,” said a member eagerly, “if you’ll only leave

here we’ll give you a gold tea service.” An Auckland Finish Although he is getting up in years, imported Drawbridge can still more than pay his way on the turf. He is particularly partial to the Canterbury Park course, and on Saturday week last he again won the middle distance handicap. Drawbridge showed up prominently at Rosehill the previous week, and as he is a horse that gets to his top quickly, many racegoers went for wins on him. It was a good betting race, in which Patadawn, with W. Bartle in the saddle, always headed the quotations. Valamita, Faultless, Quondong and Drawbridge were constantly inquired for, and in view of this the bookmakers would report a winning event. Drawbridge got to the front early and there he remained. He won by a length and a-half from Patadawn, who might possibly have done better had his rider sent him after Drawbridge earlier. Valamita was closer than usual early, but he made very little impression in the straight. Both Drawbridge and Patadawn are still owned in Auckland.

Not Raced Much King Peg made only one appearance at Te Aroha, .when lie ran second to British King. He is a good sort and has not been raced a great deal. He is a full brother to the brilliant Pegaway who was unlucky in the sprint on the same day. He was interfered with when the three horses fell, and even' then was only beaten a head by the lightly weighted Glenstar. Pegaway is improving with age, and although he is now right on top of the handicaps he is such a fine weight-carrier that he should be capable of getting in one or two more. A Good One Tho manner in which Black Maire won tho Champion Hack Cup at Te Aroha last Saturday stamped him as a real good one, and likely to win in much better company. He was in front all the way and was still bowling along freely at the end of the mile and aquarter. Hitherto Black Maire has displayed a tendency to hang out on rigiit-lianded courses, for it was this alone that prevented his winning a race at Thames, but he ran true and stuck to the rails on this occasion. He was racing on his home track, and this perhaps made all the difference.

Amateur and Professional Styles Many times the ridiculous and unsafe methods adopted by professional riders in hurdle races and steeplechases have been referred to, says the Sydney “Herald.” A majority of them appear to labour under the misapprehension that the shorter the ’stirrup leathers, and the nearer the hands are to the horse’s ears, the better. This mode of handling a jumping animal is not only unsightly, but decidedly dangerous to all concerned. The reason for the tendency to accident is obvious. Everything is left to the horse, and if the animal is so constituted that it appreciates a rider depending on the bit for his balance, and it is lucky enough to fly the obstacles safely on its own initiative, well and good; but if there is a falter or a blunder there is assuredly another story that very often finds its sequel in the ambulance wagon. Under a heading, “Amateur Riders,” London “Sporting Life” ' has something to say on the subject. We quote briefly: “The reference in a recent issue to the Grand National of 1906, when two amateur riders, the Hon. A. Hastings and Mr. H. S. Persse, finished respectively first and third, brings to mind the fact that amateur riders have, for some reason, a much better record at Aintree than professionals. That is, a larger proportion of amateur riders get round the Liverpool course. It may be that the modern style of riding is unsuitable. . . It is certain that the amateur style is suited to the stiff Grand National fences. The short stirrup leather and short reins of the ‘pro.’ cannot be compared with the hunting seat and long reins of the amateurs, when it is essential that the rider should have complete control.”