SPORTING.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. H.R., Auckland, writes': "What horse ran third for the Auckland Steeplochase when The Agent beat Perfumo in] 879?"— Sportsman. ' ". \i J. 8.. Otahuhu, writes: "How many times has the English Derby been woa during the past twenty years by foroign-bred horsee, and in. what years?'—Three times, vk.: In 1805, by Count Lagrange's Gladlateur, bred in France; in 1870, by Mr. BaltazTs Kisber, bred in Germany; and in 18*1, by Mr. P. Lflrillard 8 Iroqaois, bred in America. ■*~*•'' J W.~7 Auckland writes: "In what year did Guy Fawkes win the Canterbury Cupf—ln 1876.

NOTES BY PHOTON. I have to acknowledge from Mr. F. D. Luckiethe receipt of a copy of the weights for the, three principal events of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club's Spring Meeting, which is to be held on Tuesday, the 11th of October. On the last occasion when Mr. Evett compiled the handicaps he gave great satisfaction, and judging by the fair and equitable manner in which he has performed the duties of the office on this occasion, there appears every likelihood of a like result being obtained. For the Spring Handicap (1J miles), Foul Play heads tho list with 9st. 71b., and considering the company that he has behind him, I do not see how the handicapper could have awarded him much les3. The best in, to my mind, are Paramena, Rewi, and Mavis. For the Flying Handicap, 2-mile, Foul Play is again top weight, with 9st. 91bs. to his credit. Paramena has nothing to complain of with 7st. 121b5., and if Mavis is in form 6st. lOlbs. ought not to stop her from getting home first; but I must say that, with 6st. Slbs., I fancy the chance of the Hippo-Slander filly moat. For the Hurdle Race Venture heads the list with list. 71b3., and, after his recent performances at Wanganui, it will be admitted that the impost is well merited. Fit and well, he should be hard to beat; but, with list., Morning Star must be considered dangerous. Acceptances for the above are due on Tuesday, the 27th' September. The annual meeting of the members of the Auckland Racing Club !3 advertised to be held oh Monday next, at 2 p.m., when I hope to notice a large attendance. Mr. H. Prince, in a lettter to theDunedin Evening Star, says that , the purchase of Sir Modred, Somnus, and Idalium was a bond fide one on his own behalf, and not as the agent of Australian principals or others. He adds that "each and all of them will be raced by me on their merits." "Pegasus" in his review of the past season says:—"During 1880-81 season, 208 race meetings were held in this colony, and £41,335 paid in stakes. Auckland heads the list with 54 meetings, £9220; Otago, 52 meetings, £8430; Canterbury, 36 meetings. £8121 ; Wellington, 23 meetings, £7141; Hawke's Bay, 17 meetings, £3965. This is an increase of 29 meetings, and £4879 added money over the previous year. Each province shows an increase except Taranaki, which hae fallen off £90 in stakes. The Canterbnry Club at ita two meetings gave £3500; Dunedin, three meetings, £2805; Wanganui, three meetings, £2425 ; Auckland, two meetings, £2365 ; ' Hawke's Bay, three meetings, £1910; Wellington, two meetings, £1282; Oamaru, three meotings, £1000; other clubs ranging from £810 in Taranaki to £450 at Reeffcon. The winners of over £500 were:—Mr. W. Walters, £2010; Hon. R. Campbell, £1963; Mr. Stead, £1745; Lance and Robinson, £1723; Mason and Vallance, £1667; Butler, £1548; Lunn, £1016; Redwood, £1015 ; Murray (Napier), £931; Douglas (Napier), £820; George (Otago), £793; McDonald, £765; Rowe, £745; Lennard, £709; Prince, £690 ; McLean, £090; Horafall, £669 ; Wheeler, £CG4; Hunt, £620; Freesh, £507. Besides this, £20,000 was divided amongst small winners. Those who have fallen out of the list of important winners are Messrs. Goodman, Keith, Cutts, and Mclvor. Traducer is again credited with producing by far the largest number of winners— twenty-two of his stock won £9807. Add to this the winnings of the smaller fry of his stock, and there is little doubt he is to be credited with £11,500 for the past season. Yattendon comes next, with £2150; Ravensworth, with £1800; Barbarian's single representative, Randwiek, won £1392; Daniel O'Rorke's, £1900; six of Pacific's stock" won £800; Day Dawn's six, £640; Albany placed £789 to his credit by five winners."

From the above it will be seen that the Auckland province heads the list with a total of £9220. I expected that we would have been close up to the leaders, but I must confess that I little thought we should have been so far ahead of the Southern districts. If it was totted np it would, I think, be found that out of the £9220 given in this province so less a sum than £6000 passed through Mr. William Percival's hands, who has organised and conducted nearly all of the large race meetings that have been held in this district during the past season. Therefore, that gentleman may lay claim to having helped us in a great degree to the proud position we now occupy. We are indeed lucky in having such a gentleman to conduct our meetings, and I hope he may long be spared to watch over the turf in this part of the colony.

At the sale of the Marden Park yearlings a ch c by Dutch Skater out of Bergere (one of the mares recently purchased by the Auckland Stud Company) was sold for 500 guineas. Bell's Life thus refers to the youngster : —" A colt by Dutch Skater, out of Bergere, looked like making one of the wear-and-tear sort, and as his half-brother, Beauchamp 11., has shown racing capabilities of no mean order, he should not be dear to Mr. W. Garrett Moore at a ' monkey.'" Mr. D. White informs me that, being dissatisfied with the weight alloted to his horse Maori, he has scratched him for his Napier engagement's. It is the intention of Mr. White to send the horse to the stud this year.

The great race, between Bend 'Or and Robert the Devil, for the Epsom Gold Cup, and which was won by the former, is thus described in the Home News :■ — "Immediately they settled down to their work, Robert the Devil took a clear lead of about three lengths, and, maintaining the speed, he held this advantage through, the furzes, where Bend 'Or began to close up the gap, the favourite coming down the incline to Tattenham Corner with about a length advantage. When fairly round the bend, odds of 2to 1 were offered on him, but Bend 'Or gradually closed up, and, after passing the bell, he drew level, and, amid intense excitement, Cannon was seen to raise his whip, while Archer, without more than a resolute call, hadithe best of it opposite the Royal Stand, and ultimately won very cleverly by a neck, a distance thiit. certainly might have been increased. The reception of both horses and jockeys on returning to weigh was of a most exciting character." The distance of the Cup is about a mile and a-half, and the time as given by Benson's chronograph was 2min. 4sec. The betting was 65 to 40 on Robert the Devil, and 6 to 4 against Bead 'Or.

ODDS AND ENDS. Petronel, the son of Musket, won the Rous Memorial Stakes of lOOOsovs., at Ascot. The Forbury Park Company have refused the Jockey Club's offer to purchase the park for £25,000. The' Pakuranga hounds will meet at Styak's Corner, Otaauhu, to-day. A good day's sport is anticipated. ''■•'-.. Messrs. Dwyer Brothers, the well-known American sportsmen, seriously contemplate sending some thoroughbreds to England.iln' the Tace forthe Grand. Prix de Paris, the' veteran Fordha'm rode Foxhall,' the winner, and Fred. Archer, who was second. ■■■■-- ;-\ ■-- ■ ; • .

■ i Captain' Machell's Valour won the Manchester Cup :of 2000sovs. ; The winner was ridden by Fred. Archer. ■ The betting was 25 to 1 against him. .. : . . J Fiye. horses ' started - f or ; the Ascot Gold Cup,' which was won by Robert the Devil, Petronel being second; - ' Foxhall, the winner of the Grand Prix of Paris, was amongst the starters. ;;." •''■'■ ■ . ; :

r ■ Spinningdale, it is said, , has been blistered on ; the round bone; but there could not have been'anything serious' the matter, for (says "Nemo ") she now r g6e3.freely and well in hetf ; work, and has many friends for the ■Australian' Jockey Club Derby. ' ' ' ] For the Victoria; Derby (says' •'-Beacon ") Monmouth and Darebir" haydbeen in; good request, thare.beipg ; iio distinction in price, the mdrket.having been cleared of all the 7's ? tp 1,,. Those who wish to back them hav,e to content themselves with a point less. • '.: ' I Combating the' idea that modem rapeWorses are inferior to thei celebrities of or 100 years ago, the Referee man thinks that such a horse as Robert the Devil could have oftrried ' upon" his back halfway in "a then, dropped him, and lost, hiiij"during"the rembiider of the distance." ; ; :;; : ~-'(' : _ V;-'■"-':■.■.- "i '. '■■'.'■■'

I The Sportsman says -.a noble patron'.of fieath House was; anxious to: become the owner of Exeter, but the reply was that the five-yew-old should; not quft thelocietv of his pupil, Roborttho the ? Bnce asked for the pair was £20,000 ■ ?P "