SPORTING NEWS

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 472, 17 May 1890, Page 5

SPORTING NEWS

By HIPPONA. In the discussion and correspondence that has been going on over what may be termed the “ St. Michael case” at the recent South Auckland races, it appears to me the main point at issue is lost sight of in endeavouring to interpret the rules. It is admitted that St. Michael did not carry his 51b penalty according to the conditions of the race, therefore the horse did not win the race with the proper weight in the saddle. Under these circumstances I can’t see why either a protest or objection is required to be lodged. ~ _ . Oneof the most successful outside fixtures of the whole racing season is that of the Winter Meeting of the Takapuna Jockey Club, held on the Queen’s Birthday. Mr Percival declared the weights for the gathering yesterday, and it appears to me one of his most successful efforts, the horses being well brought together. Acceptances are due next Friday. Mr T. Hedger, the owner of Antelope, leaves on a visit to Sydney next Tuesday. Hilda’s price in Sydney for the Birthday Cup is 10 to 1. One or two public commissions were called over this week to back the mare for the race. Mr George Cutts is again convalescent, and was in town during yesterday. He received the congratulations of his many Auckland friends, who are again glad to see him about. It is on the cards that Teksum and. Antelope will be sold after fulfilling their present Sydney engagements, which include a meeting at Rosehill. Hilda will be-brought At the time of the sale of the two-year-old colt Leolantis, the name of the new owner was not made public. I now learn he is solely the property of one of the gentlemen who comprise the present Kohimarama syndicate. When George Wright returns from Sydney he takes over the Kohimarama training establishment. I’m told on the best authority that Wright will have some new patrons to train for. C. Pearson, late of Auckland, is advertising for employment in Melbourne. The brood mares Mr W. R. Wilson bought at the Sylvia Park sale are still located there. One of the number, Zinda, is to be shipped to her new owner next Thursday if the required space is available. The death is announced of Mr Andrew Chirnside, senr., of the famous. Werribee estate, in Victoria. Mr Chirnside, along with his late brother Thomas* had long been identified with racing in the colony, both as an owner and a breeder of blood stock. Mr S. G. Cook’s Musket mare, Discard, has been removed from Hobartville to the St. Albans stud. She has a fine yearling colt to Epigram, and is in foal to the same sire. Her next visit will be to the imported horse, Eiridspord. Messenger and Titokowaru are among the 14 entries for the Steeplechase of 400 Bovs, at the Victoria Racing Club Meeting on the 24th May. The first-named is entered in the name oi Mr R. Woods, who visited Auckland recently. SUCCESSFUL BUYING AND SELLING. Mr D. O’Brien’s good fortune in disposing at a good profit of thoroughbred stock he has purchased, is again shown by the 2,000 guineas he has obtained for the Nordenfeldt—Petroleuse colt Gatling. At the Sylvia Park sale of 1889 Mr O'Brien bought the colt for 260 guineas, so there is a good margin left on the right side. I’m glad Gatling has got into the hands of Mr W. Gannon, and the Sydney sportsman 1 hope may be rewarded for his enterprise in buying the young Nordenfeldt by annexing the next Sydney or Melbourne Derby with him. Mr O’Brien’s first fortunate business in buying was Tasman, who cost him £35, and among others who have brought him in a selling profit were Trenton, Sextant, and Gipsy King, the first-named being sold to Mr W. C. Cooper, of Sydney, for 2,250 guineas. For Carbine the Hon. D. Wallace, of Victoria, paid Mr O’Brien 3,000 guineas, the colt costing the lattbr 620 guineas at Sylvia Park. Last spring O’Brien got rid of Dunkeld at a good profit, and among theothersuccessfuldeals of the Christchurch sportsman may be mentioned buying Quadrant and immediately re-selling him to the local sportsman, Mr W. Bobbett, .and disposing of the Nordenfeldt—Crinoline colt in January last to Mr Gollan at an advance , of 150 guineas. Mr O’Brien has also made two successful deals at the Auckland Racing Club Summer Meetings, for he bought Rewi out of one of the Selling Races, and next day the horse carried his , colours to the front, eventually selling the horse at a profit, and at the last Summer Meeting O’Brien purchased Sirloin. He won the Selling Race with him the next week and then let him go. Mr O’Brien’s record in buying and selling at a profit is certainly a good one.

THE V.R.C. DERBYIt is a far cry till the day of decision of the next Victorian Derby, but interest is already being taken in the great three-year-old race in Australia. In a recent issue of the Melbourne “ Leader” that sound turf writer, “Asmodeus,” devotes a long and interesting article discussing the chances of the performers engaged in the race, from which I make the following extracts With Titan out of the road there would be some difficulty in the way of establishing a winter favourite, but on this season’s form the gelding’s Claims to the premier pla6e in the quotations is unchallenged, and speculation will in consequence be less spirited than formerly. Now that Titan, however, is under the immediate surveillance of the numerous lynx-eyed touts at head quarters, his daily doings will be carefully noted, and the slightest indication of anything going amiss with thos9 suspicious joints of his is certain to manifest itself through the medium of the Derby quotations. It would bp a matter for universal regret, combined with sympathy for Mr Brodribb, were Titan destined to be overtaken by a similar fate ; but; much as anything of this kind would be deplored by all admirers of a good racehorse and an equally plucky owner, we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that doubts are entertained in respect to Titan undergoing a searching preparation, essential to a Derby winner. These fears, it is well known, have been engendered by the suspicious, if not suggestive, appearance of his forelegs; and without desiring to cause Walter Hickenbotham unnecessary anxiety and alarm, I think I am justified in saying that the task of preparing the world’s highest-priced gelding for his 3-year-old engagements is one that a majority of our foremost trainers would, were the matter optional with them, decline rather than essay. As previously intimated in these columns, Titan’s enlarged fetlock jo'nts are not likely to be improved by the treacherous nature of the Flemington training tracks during the winter months ; but natural growth and increasing strength during the few months’furlough he is about to indulge in may be instrumental in obliterating prevailing blemishes, ! apparent and imaginary; and it is- to be hoped that Mr Brpdribb’s enterprisein giving 4,600 guineas for a horse Who will in all probability wind up his career between the shafts of'either

a buggy,a cab ora costermonger’s cart, will at least be rewarded by seeing Titan at the Derby post in perfect health and condition. This season’s running points to Ihe Admiral, Magic Circle, Whimberel, Gatling, Beverley, Correze, Wilga, Clare, Marco, Victor Hugo and Medallion as possessing the best chances of successfully opposing the swell gelding, and treading closely on the heels of the foregoing are a quartet of promising youngsters in The Spot, Proh Pudor, Argos and Jew Boy, of the last named of which I have formed great expectations. He will probably, take more time to mature than a majority of horses of his own age, and perhaps he may keep us waiting until next autumn before he ripens ; but that he possesses the knack of galloping I feel certain, and he finished all his Tasmanian race 3 like a stayer, reminding me very much of the style in which his illustrious dad, The Assyrian, was accustomed to skim along the grass at Flemington. Had The Admiral been permitted to retire on his spring laurels instead of re-appearing in inferior condition at the V.R.C. Autumn, only to be defeated by horses he conquered earlier in the season he would be regarded in the light of a worthy foeman for Titan. Even now I would be loth to venture the opinion that Mr S. G. Cook’s chance of winning the Derby is a remote one, inasmuch as I have formed a very high opinion of The Admiral, who is a colb of immense substance and with much more to recommend him thiffi the majority of Derby candidates. Last. impressions are calculated to create favourable influences, hence a number of persons who witnessed Gatling’s baptism of silk at the late Rand wick meeting have been led to form high expectations of the New Zealand bred colt, many going so far as to think he is the only colt with a chance of taking down Titan’s number next spring. His debut was in every respect a creditable one, and were a legitimate Derby market opened to-morrow I fancy the son "of Nordenfeldt and Petroleuse would be honoured with the position of second favourite. His great length and consequent apparent lack of substance and quality between his fore and hind quarters have been Dointed out as defective points in his conformation. He is certainly a bit wasp-like and genteel about the barrel, as well as light across the loins and couplings, nob imparting the idea of being a weightcarrier, and perhaps pace rather than stamina may prove his forte ; still there is more room for improvement in him than in any other horsy I know of his own age, and he will probably fill the eye better as a Derby colt six months hence than he does to-day. His stable companion, Whimberel, is sadly in need of a spell. Two days before the opening of the late A J.C. Meeting I saw him run clean away from Gatling, yet he could make no fight of it in the Champagne Stakes, being beaten by Wilga, whom Gatling subsequently defeated in the Foal Stakes. Whimberel must have gone off, and his strung-up, hide-bound appearance somewhat favoured the idea when I subsequently saw him trotted out under the hammer at Fennelly’s Bazaar. I don’t know that there is much improvement to be effected in Correze, Victor Hugo or : Marco, and as for hordes like Annesley, Cheddar, Riverina, Elworthy, St. Blaze and Granite, they are a long way removed from the front rank. More promising material presents itself in Medallion and Beverly, the first named of which is one of the bestlooking colts seen in public this season. His weak points are his pastern joints, and possibly he may not stand the Hecessary preparation to win a Derby. Prelude is not nominated for the V. R. 0. and A, J. C. Derbys and St. Legers, a fact nob probably known to Mr Vincent Dowling when ho tendered the ridiculously high bid of 2,750 guineas for the daughter of Martini-Henry and Phillina at Mr White’s sale. At present I will content myself with the prospective notion that the four horses likely to blossom into the most dangerous rivals to Titan are The Admiral, Gatling, Whimberel and Medallion ; and if there is anything destined to create a furore from amongst the ranks of the outside division it will be Jew Boy. PLUTARCH’S RUNNING, Particulars of Plutarch’s moderate display in the Trial Stakes at Lincoln are to hand. There were half-a-dozen starters, of which Mr Abington 8 Bobbin (3 years) was favourite at 6 to 4, next in demand being Mr Blundell Maple’s Normanby, by Robert the Devil (3 years), and Plutarch at 4 to 1, the only other supported being the Manilla colt (3 years), at 100 to 8. Normandy cleverly defeated the Manilla colt by a short head, with the favourite a neck behind. Plutarch, ridden by D. Bowes, was never prominent at any part of the mile, and was done with when three parts of the journey was covered, finishing last. The Trial Stakes is a weight for age race, with penalties. Plutarch had to put up a 121 b penalty, which was reduced 31b for his being a gelding, the actual weight being lOst 21b. One English paper, in its summary of the race, says that the Australian got a stone beating.

ENGLISH RACING.

(From Our Correspondent.) London, March 21. Commencement of Flat Racing. To discuss the commencement of a flat racing season without respectfully alluding to that time-honoured tocsin, “ the saddling bell at Lincoln,” would be desecration of the most unforgivable character. Let me therefore at once state that soon after 2 p m. on Monday last, this annual alarm was solemnly rung. Though the day proved dull and cold, all the regular followers of the great game put in an early appearance, and betting between whiles on the Lincolnshire Handicap and Grand National was brisk and heavy. The events of the opening day were mainly in favour of the fielders, none of the fancied candidates, either in the Tathwell Plate for two-year-olds, or in that popular five-furlong sprint, the Batthyany Stakes, running forward. The first named fell to Young Hermit, a colt by ForagerVision, and the Batthyany Stakes to Sir R. Jadrine’s eh g Pilgrim, 4yrs, 7st, by Pellegrino—First Love, who started at 20 to 1 in a field of 13, and just beat Morebattle and Rinovata, placed second and third. For the Brocklesby Stakes of 500sovs, for two-year-olds, on Tuesday, a fine field of youngsters, including Cel. North’s 4,000guinea Simonian, Mr Low’s Patrol, Mr Hammond’s St. Cypria, Mr Abington’s Macuncas, the Duke of Portland’s Charm, and Lord Londonderry’s Jessamy, faced the starter. Macuncus and Charm had won goo'd trials, but Simonian had scarcely „eemed “ cherry ripe ” for this race, the son of St. Simon’s splendid ppearance augured great things in future, a leven went to the post, Mr Abington’s Macuncas being a hot favourite at 5 to 2, whilst 11 to 2 was offered against the Kingsclerc candidate Patrol (by Galopin'— Petal), 6 to 1 Charm, 7 to T Simonian, 100 to 14 each Vicenza and Jessamy, 10 to 1 Susiana, 100’to 8 St. Cypria, aud 20 to 1 the i others. The youngsters were despatched ! at the first attempt to a capital start, Jes- | samy and the favourite'- showing well to the •fore. Inside the distance Macuncas drew

out, followed by Simonian, and the pair came away from the rest of the held, raced home together. At first the talent were jubilant and loudly proclaimed the victory of the green jacket and plum cap. Little Morny Cannon had, however, a better mount than his sire on thi< occasion, lot Simonian, running with the utmost gameness, wore down Macuncas, and won cleverly by a length and ahalt ; Chaim, five lengths off, was third, a neck in fiont of Jessatny; then came Vicenza and Mai tenhurst, the actual last being Nerissa. The Lincoln Handicap.. A glorious spring day attracted a large crowd of holiday-makers to the Carholme to witness this popular handicap. Speculation towards the last became very heavy. Against Sweetbriar, more especially, scarcely an otter could be obtained, and Danbydale, too, came to an absurdly short price. But for three-year-olds being so unfortunate at Lincoln, Dauntless would have been a great popuiai favoulite, and even as it was, many ignored Precedent and went for the colt. .Of the middle division Evergreen and Shimmer and of the outsiders Jezreel ancl Woodland were well supported The horse that went worst in the betting on Tuesday evening was the eventual winner—Pbe Rejected, which from 100 to 7 taken freely beat a retreat to 1,000 to 45 (off.). This was the more puzzling as Mr O'Neill’s candidate had greatly pleased the spectators in his morning gallop, and according to report seemed in exceptionally good. fettle. Whatever the cause of this opposition, it vanished on Wednesday, and finally there was a strong disposition to support the old horse, especially for a place. Tho nineteen runners were, after some delay at the post, despatched to a c.apital start, Prince Soltykoff’s Lord George being the first to break the line. The favourites kept well to the front for five furlongs, when Laureate, Danbydale and Sweetbriar were all beaten, and Lord George still led with Shimmer, Rejected, Claribelle and Nunthorpe alone dangerous. At the distance the last-named pair and Lord George cried a go, leaving Shimmer apparently with tho race in hand. The Rejected, however, came pounding along behind, ancl outstaying General Williams’ old grey, won rather easily bv a length and a-half, Lord George a bad third, and Claribelle fourth. Danbydale refused to gallop, and Sweetbriar couldn’t stay. The race was a grand one for the ring. Betting: 4toleach against Danbydaleand Sweetbriar; 100to9, Laureate; 12tol, Royal Star; 100 to 8, Shimmer; 100 to 7, Claribelle; 15 to 1, Dauntless; 100 to 6, Nunthorpe; 18 to 1, Rejected; 25 to 1, Ormuz; 33 to 1, Tezreel, Evergreen, Modeie ; 50 to 1, Lord George ; 66 to 1, others. The Duke of Portland’s St. Bridget won the Lincoln Cup for two-year-olds. The Grand National. The Grand National will be run at Liverpool this afternoon. The favourite, Ilex (6yrs, lOst 51b), is beautifully handicapped, and will be ridden by young Nightingall.who knows the Liverpoolcourse well. Mr Masterman has backed his horse to win a large sum. On Saturday at Sandown he took 7,000 to 1,000 twice. Mr E. P. Wilson rides the Prince of Wales’ Hettie (lOst 111 b), and Tom Beasley will again be on the back of old Frigate. Barker steers Bellona ; Skelton, Voluptuary; and Mr W. H. Moore, M.P. The Prince of Wales does nob patronise Liverpool this year. He has never got over the shock with which he heard of his brother’s death there on a Grand National day. [We have had news by cable that Ilex won the Grand National.]