SPORTING

HAOINQ FIXTURES.

1885. August 7—Ashburton Hunt Club Steeplechases. August 12.—ChrSstchurch Hunt Club Steeplechases, August 17.—Heatlicote Hacing Club. August 23—North Canterbury Steeplechases. September 19.—Otago Hunt Club Steeplechases. October 1 and 2—Geraldine Spring. October 2.—Cromwell Spring. October 29.—North Canterbury Spring/ November 9.—Taieri Amateur Turf Club. November 9.—Wairarapa Spring. November 10,12,13—Canterbury Spring.

NOTES BY BEACON,

The Australian papers to hand this week report that July has already left New Zealand, but in this they are considerably in error, as July has not, up to the time of writing departed from these shores.' Whether he will take part or not in the Melbourne Cup is at present a mystery, for, while he has accepted for the New Zealand Gup, and been entered for the Geraldine races, he has also accepted for the Melbourne Cup. As I happen to know that his ultimate destination is Queensland, where he is to be located as a sire after his racing career is over, 1 should not be surprised to see him sent to Victoria to take part in the approaching Melbourne Cup; still, in the face of his being entered for Geraldine races, it would not be wise for anyone to back him for the blue riband of the Australian turf. The " commission " said to have been executed about him over the other side may have only been a speculative move on the part of someone who fancied he was going over.

From the' Mount Ida Chronicle I learn that Mr Robert Hood's entire horse Fiction has died under circumstances which call for a good deal of sympathy. Mr Hood had resolved to send his well-known entire to Sydney, for disposal by sale, where really good stock now command high prices, but on the voyage between Dunedin and Sydney the animal sickened and died, owing to some unexplained cause.. Before shipping him, the person in charge was repeatedly instructed to insure him against all risk, but this he neglected to do, with the unfortunate sequence that Mr Hood is subjected to a loss of fully £200. y

To the Mount Ida Chronicle " Flaneur " supplies the following notes:—l think it' is high time some of our local sports had started training. As yet there is very little to report.- Mr John Cogan, of Serpentine, seems to be the only sporting man to the fore as yet. Young Barwon is in the stable, and doing gentle exercise, as is also a young Fiction filly named Maniototo Lass. I have not had the pleasure of seeing her foot it, but if she has the least foot she has the driving powep strpng enough to win something big in si year or two! I hope she will prove herself every inch of what I have stated, as Mr Cogan is well worthy of a good few Melbourne Cups. Romance is in good hands, and looks fairly. A trotting match between A. Patterson's Biddy M'Kay and R. Hood's Wanderoo is to come off on the 15th of August for £10 a side, on the road between Kyeburn Station and Maisey's Hotel, Lower Kyeburn. Flying Fish lately met with an accident, coming in contact with a barbed-wire fence, but is now recovering. I expect she will again don the clothing this season. Maribyrnong has changed hands since last season, Mr A. M'Lean being the purchaser. Mabel is in, and Little Dick has been committed to harness work.

The annual meeting of the Lowburn Sporting Club was held at the Jj.pwburn Hotel on the 18th. There was a gQ.od attendance of members. The balance--sheet was read and adopted, which showed a good credit balance to the club. The following gentlemen were elected a committee for the ensuing yoar:—Messrs Colclough, H. Partridge, Bethune, Woods, Perriam, Heanoy, Chapman, G. Partridge, Thomson, ■Williamson, Millar, and TiUman. Mr H. Partridge was elected president; Mr T. Woods, vice-president; Mr M. Heauey, treasurer; and W. Tillman, secretary. It was resolved to hold the next meeting on August 8 to draw up a programmcj and fix date for the annual racemeeting.

The sporting writej-s .over the other side have evidently little knowledge of the comparative merits of our horses that are engaged in their events, for I find Nemo writing of the Metropolitan Stakes as follows : —The mighty New Zealander, Welcome Jack, has the honour of heading the list with 51b less than weight for age, and to such a good performer and weight carrier the impost is not a pound too much. Vanguard has only performed in New Zealand, and his claims to Sst 101b are founded upon his having won the New Zealand Cup, two miles, last year, with Bst 91b up, beating Leonora, Bst; Ike, 7st 91b ; and a dozen others, in 3.43^; the Dunedin Cup, two miles, and a distance, with 9st 31b, from Trenton, 7st 91b; Minerva, 7st; and a good field, in 3.53. Several shorter races have gone to his account, and all things considered a little less than his present weight would have been more in accordance with the fitness of things. Oudeis, by Albany from No Name, has not distinguished himself during the past season, and his fame rests upon his having won the Welcome Stakes (half-a-inile) in New Zealand in 48 sec, "and the Canterbury Derby. The last-named race was won in a canter. As the mile and a-half was east behind in 2 mm. 41h sec, there is no telling how good hs may be; still a little more consideration might have been shown him, and had the odd 61b been forgotten it would have been better.

A meeting of the Taieri Ama^6ur Turf Club was held in Vannini's Hotel on Monday evening, when the following gentlemen were present:— Messrs Vannini (in the chair), M.'Stedman, W. Low, J. O'Donnell, A. Tpdd, D. Burnett, W. Knott.JA, Culleiij W, Smith, and J. Meh-ose. The committee appointed to look after the securing of a suitable racecourse reported that Mr Allan Boyd had kindly offered tho ijse of one of his paddocks at North Taieri. The corn»iitte,o had inspected the paddock, which was conveniently situated close alongside the North Taieri railway-station, and considered that a very slight outlay would be required to make a suitable course. It was unanimously agreed that Me Boyd's offer be accepted with thanks Messrs W, Sisjih. W. Knott, J. O'Donnell, J. Hislop,- and D. Vamiisj were appointed a committee to secure the serviets tf a surveyor and arrange for the laying off of the tsoutsp. The secretary was instructed to write to Mr T. Batnett and Messrs Mason and Roberts to ascertain what offers they .y/puld make for the right to use the tolalisator at the chub's race meeting q.i

the 9th November. After some further business of a routine nature, it was agreed that the next meeting should be held at Mrs O'Kane's Commercial Hotel on Monday the 31st inst., when officers will be elected and tho programme drawn up.

The programme of tho Alexandra spring racemeeting, which takes place on the 18th prox., has been published. Tho chief events, of which there are six, are tho Alexandra Handicap (35 soys) and the District Handicap (20 soys). At a meeting of the South Canterbury Hunt Club it was resolved to hold a steoplechaso meeting on September 3. A proposal to add an Open Steeplechase was lost.

The annual general meeting of the South Canterbury Jockey Club was held at the Grosvenor Hotel on Monday evening. Present— Messrs D. M'Lean (chairman), E. G. Kerr, E. R. Guinness, W. Guim, J. Melton, W. Collins, and E. Smith. The secretary submitted the annual report and balance-sheet. The latter showed that the expenses during the year amounted to £1703 5s sd, and the receipts £1496 11s lOd, leaving a debit balance of £206 13s 7d. The stakes paid during the year amounted to £1123 12s. The annual report was read as follows : —" The committee of the S.C.J.C. beg to hand the members the annual statement of receipts aud expenditure for the year ending 31st July. During the past year two race meetings have been held —a one-day meeting on 25th November, and the annual Autumn meeting on 16th and • 17th April. Owing to inclemency of the weather aud other causes, the Spring meeting was not a financial success, but the Autumn meeting produced some oi the closest finishes ever seen on the Timaru course, besides leaving a surplus of profit. During the season the club have expended about £1130 in stakes, about £140 in planting a new carriage drive, gates, &c., and general improvements, besides connecting the racecourse by telegraph wire with the main line for the convenience of the Press and general public. A totalisator house has also been erected under arrangement with Messrs Hobbs and Goodwin, to become the property of the club in three years time. From the balance-sheet just read it will be noticed thai the gross expenditure for the year amounts to about £1700, including overdraft at the commencement of the year. The present indebtedness of the club amounts to about £200, secured to the bank by the personal guarantee of five members of committee. Pour members of committee retire by rotation, and the following four gentlemen have been duly nominated, viz.:—Messrs E. G. Kerr, J. Meikle, A. St. G. Hamersley, and E. R. Guinness." . After the report and balance-sheet had been adopted, the gentlemen named were elected members of committee. After discussion, the number of the Managing Committee was increased to 11—six and five alternately.to retire at the annual meeting. An addition was made to rule 36, providing that general business may be brought forward at the annual general; meeting of the club, notwithstanding that such business does not appear in the circular convening the meeting. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. .

I am glad to hear that the sub-committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club appointed torevise the rules of the club have been engaged in that task during the week, and the result of. their labours will shortly' be submitted to theDunedin Jockey Club. Identical rules will doubtless be the outcome, and then we may expect the other clubs tln-oughout the Colony to adopt them, so that only one set ofrul.es will Ibe in use, and much muddling be saved, ;■'.■■ The new secretary to the Plumpton; Park Racing and Coursing Company is Mr. C. A. Calvert. ' i •

A programme for the Ashburton Spring meeting is to hand, and though, owing doubtless to the small support accorded to the club by owners of horses last season, there is a considerable reduction in the stakes, still the bill of fare is a very good one. The date, too, has been altered from November till early in December, and this ought to meet owners' views. The principal stakes now. are the Cup, of 125 sovs;:R. C. Handicap, of 75 soys; Hurdle Handicap, of 50 soys; Free Handicap, of 40 soys; and Welter Handicap, of 40 soys. ;

The Manawatu Racing Club held their annual general meeting last month. The balance-sheet showed that the club was in a satisfactory state, notwithstanding a loss of £24 on the April meeting. The following gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the ensuing season:—rSecretary, Mr T. King; judge, MrT. Knight; handicapper, Mr J. 0. Evett. A letter was read from Mr S. Baker, of Foxton, intimating that he would give a cup of the value of 20 soys to be run for by three-year-olds, the produce of his horse Somnus, the distance to be one mile and a-half, Derby weights up. About £300 will be given in stakes at' the Island Bay Racing Club's " Exhibition" meeting on September 5. The leading stakes are the Exhibition Handicap, of 100 boys ; Sessions Handicap, of 70 soys; and Hurdle Handicap, of 70 soys. Nominations close on the 17th instant.

At the annual meeting of the Eginont Racing Club last week the committee's report states that though the year's transactions scarcely show such a substantial amount to credit of profit and loss as for the previous year, the race meeting was in every respect a successful :one, and the club continues to be in a flourishing condition. , They have to regret, however, that there has been a great, falling-off in the membership, the revenue from this source having fallen short of last year by £76.. There is also a falling-off in the sum received for entries: the amount being £260, as against £307 for last year; whereas the money paid away in stakes this year amounts to £4(32 10s against £430. the previous year.

The following were the results of the Rangitikei Hunt Club Steeplechase meeting:—Handicap Steeplechase—Patent Safety, 1; Interpreter/2; Totara, 3. Maiden SteeplechaseLady Athol, 1; A la Mode, 2; Slim Jim, 3. Hack Steeplechase—Lady Florence, 1; Lyons 2. Hunters' Flat Race—Leander and Germaine ran a dead heat. Germaine won the final, and was declared winner of the stakes. Ladies' Bracelet—Havelock, 1; Gazelle, 2; Totara 3 Forced Handicap.—Patience, 1; Gazelle, 2. The Town and Suburban (Hawke's . Bay) Racing Club will hold a race meeting next month, but only hacks will be allowed to compete.

"Hippo" writes as follows in the Napier Telegraph:—There are but few horses as yet working on the training track preparing for the Spring meeting. Percy Martin has Forerunner Pearl, Soudan, Gordon, and tho Musket—Mersey filly. Forerunner has filled and thickened out a good deal since his spell; Pearl has grown a good bit since the Autumn meeting, and has improved in looks; Gordon, the Cap-a-pie—My Idea gelding, is still growing very fast, and if his hocks stand work, should give a good account of himself this coming season; Soudan has thickened out a little, but not grown as much as I expected he would have; the Mersey filly is a big strong one, and should be well able to carry weight, as she is well enough bred, and will :be worth watching. Mr Dennett has Ugly Buck Aimee, and Deceiver. Aimee has grown alittle' but I see very little difference in Deceiver The only other horses that visit the course are Messrs Stock and Conroy's Miss Dargon and the Foul Play—Aconite gelding. Miss Dargon has improved but little as far as size or appearance goes, and I am afraid the Foul Play one is too small ever to do much. Captain Russell's team-have, I believe, not yet been put into work, and I hear that' Mr Douglas has nothing m work at present. ' It is to be hoped the buff-and-black and all-black colours will be represented at the Spring meeting. I have received a copy of a pamphlet on the Triumph" totalisator, giving a minute description of a new machine patented by Mr T W. Hickson, of the Phoenix Foundry, Auckland. '

The annual report of the Auckland Hacing Club shows that the £1600 debit balance had been wiped off during the year, and £400 was now to the good. The capital account showed a balance of £14,959. It is stated that the ring was hit to the tune of £450,000 by Melton's Derby victory Although several of the other horses, notably Xantrailles and Paradox, were supported for a heap of money, many metallicians are now said to be asking for time.

AUSTRALIAN.

The following horses have been scratched for the Melbourne Cup, in addition to those already notified :—Anchorite, Boadicea, Capri, Cincinnatus, Conjecture, Dirk Hatteraick, Blwood, Faro Fernside, Freetrade, Gardenia, Glimmer, Hastings, Moonshee, Quality, Rufus, Silver King The Teacher, Zeno, Archie, Burrilda, First Demon, Garfield, Casconade, Hazard, Nepicallma, and Leap Year (?). Thirty-one horses have thus dropped out of the race so far; leaving over one hundred and thirty still in. • £4009 10s was the handsome sum received by the V.R.C. during the past twelve months in payment of bookmakers' registration fees, 123 metallicians being licensed to bot in tho paddock and 89 on the hill.

There has been some sensational wagering since our (Australasian) last, and several big wagers have been written down in connection with the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup. For the former, Plausible, Velocipede, Archie, Anchorite, Graco Darling, Lucky Hit, St John, and others have been supported at 100 to 2 and 3. Coronet is now an established favourite for the Melbourne Cup, the Newmarket Handicap hero having been backod to win a large sum at 100 to 3 and 4. Commotion, too, has been supported freely at the same prices, and before Mi-E. E. Jones left for Sydney he laid 10,000 to' £300 in one hand against the New Zealander July, and as several other bookmakers laid 1000 to 30, the horse must have been backed to win at least £20,000. St John is still nibbled at and so are others at the prices given below: CAULPIELD CUR 100 to 3 agst Anchorite(tk) 100 — 3 Grace Darling (tk) 100 — 3 Mozart (tk) 100 — 3 Velocipede (tk) 100 — 3 — Plausible (tk) 100 — 3 Archie (tk) 100 — 3 St. Lawrence (tk) 100 — 2 St, John(tk) 100 — 2 Vision (tk) 100 — 2 Blink Bonny (tk) 100 —2 —— The Broker (tk) 100 — 2 Country Boy (tk) 100 — 2 Claptrap (tkj1 ' MELBOUHNE CUP. 100 to 4'agst Coronet (tk) 100 4- J -—- Commotion (tk) 100 — 3 —^ July Ctk freely) 100 —H —- St. John (tk) 100 — 2 Prometlie/us (ik) 100 —2 —- Nordenfeldt (tk) 100 — 2 Mozart (tk) 100 — 2 The Broker (tk) 100 — 2 Tho Israelite (tk) 100 — 2 Lord Exeter (tk) 100 — 2 Manchester (tk) 100 — 2 Impulse (tk) Among the visitors to Flemington at the Steeplechase meeting, was the Hon. W. Robinson, a£ New Zealand. He took a lively interest in tho proceedings, and seemed to be well pleased with Flemington. ' 'In conversation with tb,3

Hon. James White, who also was present, the New South Wales sportsman informed me ("Augur") that Martini-Henry was growing into a very grand horse, which I can easily imagine, for when I saw him only a few months ago the son of Musket had improved considerably. With such mares as ho will-have at Kirkham I don't think there need be any fear respecting bis future as a stud horse. Mr White spoke very hopefully of his three year olds, and didn't seem to fear another meeting with Newstead. But which is the best of the lot that will carry the blue and white banner? This is a question which I'm sure neither Mr White nor his trainer can answer. Since racing was first established in Australia no racing man has ever possessed such a host of three-year-old talent, and it will be a clever man indeed who can, within the next month, discover which is entitled to the premier position. I'm glad to hear that the fears respecting Nordenfeldt's legs ha% re vanished. Percussion is doing so well that her owner regrets she was not more freely entered for the good things of the Victorian Racing Club. If all goes well with this Maori lady, the visitors to tho V.R.C. Spring meeting will see a very fine filly when she walks out on to the Flemington track. Lennox, Mr White also speaks hopefully of; and with such a reserve force as Monte Christo, Uralla, Matchlock, and Morpeth's brother, it will be hard, indeed, if the campaign is not a successful one.

Boxes have been taken at Flemington for the the Hon. W. Robinson's New Zealand horses, but they will not leave Sydney until after the A.J.C. Sjjring meeting.

The cross-country rider, R. M'lvor, who had the mount on Progress in the Grand National Steeplechase, has again had the hard luck to put his collar-bone out. This was' caused by Progress coming down with him. This is the fourth time his collar-bone has been put out.

From Melbourne I learn that in consequence of the recent action in Sydney against Mr James White, M.L.C., chairman of the A.J.C., for having allowed cash betting at the races, tho police of Victoria have resolved to take action. Superintendent Sadlier has spoken to Mr Byron Moore, secretary of the V.R.C., who is willing to try to prohibit it on the Flemington Course, being of opinion that.booking bets is a fairer principle. Superintendent Sadlier has sent a formal note to all the metropolitan race clubs, drawing their attention to the Gaming Act, which is interpreted to prohibit cash betting, and asking their support in suppressing such betting by posting notices forbidding it on the course.

The people's idol, old Commotion, looks as gay and blooming as his most ardent admirer could wish ; and as the champion is in robust health, and is still the possessor of a set of unblemished understandings, there is every probability of Mr Dakin being able to strip him on the 3rd of November as fit and well as last year, when " he ought to have won."

ENGLISH.

The will, dated October 23,1884, of the late Mr Fred. Swindells, was proved on June 8 at the principal registry, office, the. net personal estate amounting to £146,057. The testator leaves his plate, jewels, furniture, carriages, and horses (not being racehorses), and a legacy of £20,200 to his wife absolutely; £5000 to his brother, Thomas Swindells., and the residue he leaves to his adopted son, Frederick C. Swindells.

C. Wood, who rode Hurry in the Oaks, was reported after the race for disobedience to the starter, and the stewards suspended him from riding until the Ascot meeting. According to Truth, Mr Cloete was strongly advised to change his jockey on Paradox in the Derby at the last moment; but either no good rider was at liberty, or he was resolved to trust Webb, whose scurrilous assailants were put to shame by the splendid race he rode. Mr Cloete took the wise course of telling Webb frankly of the scandalous insinuations which were current, and after some very plain speaking he added that, of course, he did not for a moment doubt his jockey's honesty, and concluded by promising him a present of £2000 if he won on Paradox. After the race, Mr Cloete expressed his entire satifaction with Webb's riding, and gave him £100. 5

In this issue appears a copy of a challenge issued by Mr R. Ten Broeck to back time (7 mm. 17 sec.) for four miles against any number of horses that owners choose to name. In the course of his letter; the writer says that he has . repeatedly timed English horses to cover the Rowley mile (1 mile 17 yards) in 1 mm. 38 sec. The last Derby was the thirty-third that Mr J. F. Clark has judged, and the office of judge has been filled by the same family for 80 years, the grandfather and father of the present judge having in turn officiated. The figures of the leading English jockeys up to June 13 were as follows •— Mounts. Lost. . Won. Archer, F. ... 214 ... 127 ... 87 Wood, C. ... 178 ... 132 ... 46 Giles, A. ... 137 ... 107 ... 30 Barrett, Or. ... 187 ... 15(5 ... 31 Watts, J. ... 124 ... 97 ... 27 Barrett, P. ... 139 ... 112 ... 27 Woodburn, J. 80 ... 64 IB Loates, S ... 13« ... 124 ... 13 Snowden, J. ... 71 ... 59 ... V 2 Fred Archer's continuous run of successes seems almost unparalleled; but, up to tho present, as far as continuity goes, they do not equal that of George Herring, a jockey of the oldea time, who won nineteen races in succession without an intervening defeat. Among notable exploits of jockeyslup may be counted that of Benjamin Smith, who rode and •won a race after having one of his legs broken in the struggle. The rider of Caractacus, in a race at Bath, broke his stirrup leather, yet, nevertheless, defeated all his opponents, and was so clever as to bring the detached stirrup home •.with him, so that he was able to scale the correct weight. Foremost among the jockeys of the old days was Frank Buckle. As an instance of his power of work, it may be.stated that he | would rido from his house to Newmarket, take part in a trial, and then come home the same day to tea at six, the distance Govered being ninety-two miles, not counting the riding he would accomplish on the course at the capital of the Turf,

Frank Buckle once rode a match against a lady—a Mrs. Colonel Thornton, at Doncaster for a cup valued at seven hundred pounds; It was on September 23, 1805. Mrs. Thornton wore a purple jacket and cap, nankeen riding skirts, embroidered stockings,'and purple satin shoes. At starting her mare took the lead, and made the running for a considerable way, when Buckle came up, and headed-her for a few lengths; she then challenged him, and, after a pretty severe contest, won the race in good style. Her bold and successful riding elicited the admiration of assembled thousands.

A curious incident occurred in the Auteuil Steeplechase. Chancery, who was leading after the last jump was cleared and looked a certain winner, was suddenly seized with giddiness and had to be pulled into a walk. Even then he managed to crawl in third, but after passing the post he staggered about like a drunken man andfell to the ground.

. The raid upon betting men in Manchester will (a London paper says) be soon followed by the same domiciliary visits at some of the London clubs. The whole thing is a crying disgrace. A duke may take the odds to a thousand, but a commercial traveller, a tradesman, or any of your common folk, may not back his fancy for half-a-crown under the most frightful penalties. It is high time the Legislature stepped in and repealed such class enactments. Talk about the restrictions on betting having deterred the crowd. Take any great thoroughfare in London, or the big provincial towns, and note the sight of the myriad faces eagerly watching for the announcement of a big race result in the windows, and then judge whether prohibitive legislation has not rather fanned the flame of speculation. The sporting and quasi-sporting community number in this country nearly two millions, and, setting aside the fact that much blackguardism exists—as it exists more or less everywhere—there is no reason why this large section of the population should have their sole recreation quashed to please the Quakers, tho candlestick-makers, et hoc yenus.

The Jubilee Prize of Baden, to which the liberal sum of 2000 soys is added, has attracted a capital entry. Mr. Hammond, who won. the race last season with Florence, has nominated Eurasian, the Duke of Hamilton is representsd with Cosmos, and Mr. Manton with Keir. Mr. Gebhard has entered both Eole and St Saviour, and other well-known names in the entry are Crim Tartar, Pizarro, King Monmouth, and Prism.