TALK OF THE DAY

A STTJD BOOK FOR TROTTING STOCK. Amongst the questions dealt -with at last week's meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Association was one which was based on the advisability of establishing a stud book for trotting stock, and a letter was reoeived from Mr F. C. Thomas, on behalf of himself and Mr A. J. Rattray, offering to undertake the compilation >of the book. A letter on the same subject was also received from the Melbourne Speedway Club, which, although it has not been very long in existence, quickly recognised the desirability of the colonies possessing such a volume ; and' it is pleasing to note that the N.Z.T.A. has made the initial step in the matter by requesting its executive to make inquiries regarding the probable cost and receipts oi the oomcilatiou of the book. In making this

move the association is deserving of congratulation, and it is to be hoped . that it will not allow the matter to rest until it is carried to a successful iseue. A colonial stud book for trotting stock has been a long-felt want, and there is no doubt that its appearance would be greatly welcomed by all* who arc desirous of furthering the interests^, of the "light-harness hor=e." [ Some little time back it was mooted that Mr J. Chadwick, the weli-known sporting writer and handicapper, had been approached re the compilation of such a book, and it was understood 1 that the gentleman named had collected a good deal of data about the subject, which, although it is quite possible i€ also in the hands of the gentlemen who are prepared to undertake the compilation of the books, would also be valuablo as a check and confirmation of what data is available. If the association secured the services of Messrs Thomas, Chadwick. or Rattray, or any other person whom it is known is in a position to adequately compile a stud book, it would be acting wisely in fulfilling- an" undertaking which should be -Regarded as an absolute duty. Another gentleman, by the way, in Mr G-. H. Layng, if he is still in the colony, is one who. with his American experience, could be calculated to lend valuable assistance in the matter. The question of cost, although of great importance, is, in a ser.se, one of secondary consideration, as the primary cost of such an undertaking should not "be> measured by ordinary standards, whilst, with the object of keeping this colony in the front rank as a producer of trotting etcck, it is advisable that ,the work should be undertaken by the N.Z.M.T. Association. To defray the cost (or the major portion of it) a tax (not donations) should be levied on all trotting clubs or on any clubs which include trotting races on their programmes, such a tax to be base<i on the amount passed through the totalisators in operation on trotting races at the various meetings. It would, perhaps, be advisable to mvi*e voluntary donation& from clubs, as it is quite possible some of them — such as the N-ZALT.C— might respond very * generously ; but as close on £200:000 was put through the totalisators in use at trotting meetings last season, a light taxation would -easily supply the bulk of< the money required. There is also money* in the ooffers of the association, whilst a large source of revenue would bo found in owners of trotting stallions, as every horse that was worth a grain of salt -would be advertised in its pages ; and as there is a very large number of trotting-bred stallions in Australasia, a large return from that quarter would be assured. List season -over £21,000 _in prize money was contested for in trotting races, and in many casts the raee_ cards furnished, only the. name of the winner's^ sire, whilst in a large number of cases not even that meagre information was givenIf our trotting stock is to be improved it is absolutely essential that we should _ know what is the- winning blood; and if the Trotting Association is^ alive to one of tb© primary objects for which it was created, then the compilation of stud books should be undertaken as a matter of duty. THE PAST SEASON IN "ENGLAND. Tho latest English mail to hand brings particulars as to how the spoils of the turf war were distributed last" season, and who were the most successful riders, trainers, owners, and what was the most successful bloocS during the year. The largest winning owner for the season was Sir J. Miller, whose horses won £27,925, of which amount £19,719 was captured by Rock Sand, who is regarded as one of the luckiest* horses that has been seen out in recent years. A table of the j )r i ne 'iP a l winners in order of value', reads as follows : — Sir J? Miller £27.928 Mr E. Dresden 5964 Maj. E. Loder 19,899 Sir E. Vincent 5743§ Mr L. de Roth- Mr W. H. Walschiia .. 17,032 ker .. .. 5G22 Duke of Poit- Mr L. Neumann 5523£ land .. .. 13,099 Mr H. J. King 5036 Lord Carnavon 12,14ai Mr J. Buchanan 4913 Lord Rosebery 10,122 Mr W. M. G. Mr Alexander 10,118 Singer .. 4820 Mr J. Muske 9826J Mr L. Robinson. 4704* Mr P. P. Gilpin 8650 Mr g B Joe j 46S3 i MrR.H. Hennine . . .-. 7518 Mr H. E. KanLorf°H. de dall .. .. 4600 Walcten •• 6627 Duke of DevonSir EL Cassel 6557 sllile „ .. 4344 iTi DD p rl3 CC y un 63941 Duke of West- . M i r i#e 607« minster .. 4309 The following is a list of the principal -winning Ixorses:IVon. & s. Rock Sand (4yrs), b c, by Sainfoin—Roctn&brune .. •• •■ « •• 19 >' la v Pretty Polly (3yw\, eh f, by Gallinule— Admiration .. 7 .. 18,440 o St. Amant (Sy»)^b c, by St. Fru^uin— Lady Loverule .. 2 .. 11,750 0 Da-rley Dale (3yrs) b c, by St. Simon— Ismay .-. •• ■■ •• 2•• 10 >- i 0 Cice-ro (2yrs), eh c, by Cyllene -^ o Henry the First (3yrs), bx o by Moltoai— Simena .. •• 4.. 6,432 10 Zinfanael (iyrs), eh c, by Per-sinimon-Meaora 5 .. 4,954 0 Robert Le Diable (syrs), br h, by Ayrshire— Rose Bay . . .. 6.. 4,914 0 D tu3S2^' CH C '- by F°"l0F °"l 0 - 4,622 10 Ypsilanti (6yrs), b h, by Galore — Stefanette 6 •• 4,507 0 Anaover (3yrs), br c, by Rightaw3 ,y — Sister Lumley . . . . 4. . 4,126 0 Almscliff (3yrs), b c, by TVolf's Crag— Lightheaa 6. . 3,939 10 Galantine (2yrsl, eh f, by GalliBule— Volante 4 .. 3,754 0 Vcaas (2yrs), b or b c, by Plcrizel ll— Agnostic 6. . 3,529 10 Throwa-way (syrs), b h, by Bightawcy—TheaJe 1 .. 3,260 0 Sandboy (4yrs), b c by Ravensbury—Sandblast 4 .. 3,113 0 Comeaia-n (2yrs), b c, by Mimic or Orme— Blare 4 .. 3,107 0 Csa-rdas (syr&), b h, by Ladas — Polka 2 . 2,720 0 Bachelor's Button (syrs), eh h, by Wmkfield— llilady •• •• 3.. 2,710 0 Thrush (2yr£l, b c, by MisselthruEh—Chemistry .. .. 5.. 2,615 0 Kbammura.'bi (2yrs), b c, by Lactantiufi — Utica 1 .. 2,563 0 Thunderbolt (4yrs), br c, by St. Ange'lo.-r-Chimera 6 .. 2,565 0 Panmete (2yrs), b f, by St. Simon— Mneme 4 .. 2,564 0 Full Cry (2yrs), b f by Flying Fox— Lady Villikina .. .. 1.. 2,400 0 Llangsibby (2yrs), eh c, by Wildf owler — Concussion . . 2. . 2,337 o Merry Andre-w (syrs) eh g, by Xury— Merry Foo-t 4 .. 2,36S 0 Polymelus (2yrs), b c, by Cylleii,e—Maid Marian .. .. *.. 8 .. 3,358 0

Bitters (3yrs), b f, by St. Serf, -Mara 3 .. 2,348 0 Dhallensrer (3yrs), by Isinglass— Meddlesome 2 .. 2,337 O Desiree (2yis), b or br f, by Velasqtiez— Darkie •• •■ 3 .. 2,251 0 Roiner i,3yrs), b g by Black Duck— Theobroma 3 .. 2,205 0 C (3vrs), by Ayrshire— PaceJaroiy (2yrs), b c, by Flying Fox — Airs and Graces .. .. 1 .. 2,075 0 Sansovino (3yrs), eh c, by Marco — Pietola 2 .. 2,065 8 Lochryan (3yrs), eh c, by Enthuiast—Spring Day .. .. 2.. 2,065 0 San try (3vr»), b c, by Gallmule __ E _ p" .. 3.. 2,050 O Orator (2yrs), eh c, by Orion— -Melinda 2 .. 2,012 0 As compared with the number of winners turned out by our trainers, the following list is very interesting: — PRINCIPAL WINNING TRAINERS AS REGARDS VALUE OF RACES WON. Mr P. P. Gilpin £35,694 15 0 G. Blackwood 30,015 0 0 J. Porter 19,952 0 0 P. Greusil 15,504 0 0 W. T. Robinson 15,141 10 O J. Fallon 14,963 0 0 A. Hayhoe 14,419 0 O P. Peck 12,768 0 0 PRINCIPAL WINNING TRAINERS AS REGARDS NUMBER OF WINNING- ' HORSES. W. Elsey .. .. 79 Major Edwards .. 23 P. Oreusil ..25 J. F. Hallick .. 23 A. Sadler, jun .. 24 J. M'Call .. .. 23 PRINCIPAL WINNING ' TRAINERS AS REGARDS NUMBER OF RACES WOiST. W. Else v .. .. 79 IMr Gilpin .. .. 44 P. GreusH .. .. 45 IW. T. Robinson 41 A. Sadler, jna. . . 45 'J. Fallon. . . . . 39 The following is a list of the winningriders : —

The list of jgjnninsj stallions is as follows : Gallinule, by Isonomy— Moorhen, by Hermit £30,105 10 0 Sainfoin, by Springfield— Sanda 21,929 0 O St. Simon, by G-a-.opin — .St. Angelo. by King Tom 17,576 0 O St.- Frusquin, by St. Simon —Isabel 17,341 0 O Cyllene, bj r Bona Vista — Area dia, by Isonomy 14,547 0 O Ayrshire, by Hanroton — Atlanta, by Galopin .. 14,468 0 0 Florizell 11, by St. Simon—Ferdita, by Hampton > 13,091 10 O Rightaway, by "Wisdom — Vanish, by Honiton 11.990 0 O Melton, by Master Kjldare — Violet Mekose, by Soot Chief .. 10,357 15 O Persimmon, by St. Simon — Per- . v &ta, by Hampton 10,308 0 O RAPID RAND WICK.* The Randwick track has always had th© reputabon of being one of the fastest in Australasia, and, at the recent Xew Year meeting of the ' Sydney Tattersail's Club times were hung out after several of the races that suggest that old Father Time .had evidently been smoothing the way with his scythe. In the opening event on the programme the- lioehiel gelding Bellis, who is out of Belle of Trent by Trenton, won over two miles over obstacles' in 3.46 i with 10.4on his back. ' This is faster than Record Reign's 3.46 3-5, but is hardly so meritorious a performance as that of the Castor gelding's, who had to earfy 12.12 when he> made, his mark at Riecarton. The Australasian reccJrd is credited to Moifaa- by the Australian Racing Chronicle, which states that the Natator gelding won in 3.4t> at Hawke's Bay in June 1901, but the New, Zealand Turf Register has the time at 3.5+, , and Tri d'Or's3.4s| at Epsom is the fastest time ever put xyp in the colonies. In the Carrington Stakes Haloya, by Gczo—Necklaee, by Marvellous, carried 8.4- and beat a , field of 20 in l-log over six furlongs. On the second day Handsome, a grandson of Lochiel, won'a six-furlong Welter with 9.10 in 1.14, and the verdict- was ''easily, by two lengths." Marie Coielli, the evergreen • daughter of Carbine and Vendetta, won theNew Year's "Gift, one mile, in 1.39J, with. 8.11, and she also is stated to have won easily, whilst Overdale made a mark of 3.28 when he won the Tattersall's Club Cup, in which he had to carry 7.13. This equals Wakeful's 3.28 on the same course, but the daughter of Trenton had to labour with 9.7, whilst the Australasian record-holder, Canteen (3.27 1-5) had the nice racing weigh* of 7.12 on his* back. THE LAWRENCE MEETING. Those- who are anxious to participate in a couple of days' racing, without sacrifioinsr any great loss of time from their business should 1 make a note of the fact that; the Tuapeka County Jockey Club have issued an attractive programme for their annual meeting, which is to take place on February 8 and 9. The principal handicaps on each day's card 1 are endowed to the extent of 35sovs, and each is to be run over an eight-furlong course. Two six furlong sprint events each carry a 30soys prize, and several other events of minor importance go to make up a programme which should meet with the requirements of horse owners. Two trotting ev-ents find a place on each day's" card, and all stakes are to be paid without any deduction for expenses. Nominations for all handicaps, including Trots, eibse on Friday, Jamiary""' 5 27, and entries for the Maiden Plate fall due on Tuesday, February 7, which is also the date of the- fiist day's acceptances. SPAVIN : ITS VARIOUS FORMS. Bone spavin is a disease of the hocik. This joint, like the knee, consists of many bones, and may be said to ' have four aiticulations. That formed by the lower end of the bone of the thigh and the uppermost bone of the hock is called the true hock joint, and admits of extensive motion. ,Tha articulations below this admit ol

timply gliding motion, and ev-an this becomes slighter as we- pass downward^; hence the motion existing in the lower articulation, that between the lower surface of tlio Inferior bones of the joint and the upper ends of the canon bones is very slight. _ Bone spavin, consists ' in. inflammation being set up- in the cancelled tissue of the bones, extending to the- compact tissue and particular cartilage, destroying the latter, aad throwing out an exudate, which becomes oonrerte'd mfo bone, and uniting the booes involved into one. As a result of this process a greater or less enlargement appears on the joint, -usually on th© lower poction towards the front and inside^ but any part of the- joint may be involved, ' and a» a consequence the enlargement may appear is. any position. In some cases, par- . ticnapiy •when, the true hock joint is in- ' vcd-p«d, no enlargement is present. This is called. a» oeeulfc,- or .blind 1 , spavin, and as a. 3"u!e tile lameness is permanent and incurs eMe. tte- thej other hand, it 13 not uaconmjon for a spavin ox considerable size to lappear without being accompanied by lameness. The lameness of bone spavin is usually characteristic. In the early stages- the licKseJjwSL usually stand!" sounc£. but , if aslLedf j to' stand' over^ in the '■stall in the morning i ~or # after having stood.- quiet - for a variable ' length of time, or asked' to move- forward ■nitder similar conditions, he will go . quite • N lame, usually -stepping- on the toe for: a few J steps. . He will go Jarne, for a .variable! clisfcanee, a few steps or a' few rods, or ,' fusfclier,' gradually oe quickly > getting 1 better, j xmtiL alt', lameness disappears, • after "which. I ha will prabably" go sound until allowed to I stand, again. At the same time, if he makes i • a missrstep, or, strikes ,his toe against a | stone>,, be- is liable to po quite lame for a few step* When the disease becomes more •actvaneed, he will probably stand lame — ! that is, he ,will rest 'the lame leg a great I ideal, and if this continues for a long time- | the muscles of the leg and hip will be ; Bjbtiesd to become smaller for want of func- • tion;, hut even in. tliis stage lameness will , in. most cases disappear on exercise-. Th» ' severity of the symptoms, and the proba- ! Bility of a- oure lieing effected", depend- upon the- articulations involved, rather than upon the. sine of. the enlargement. Iv young horsos blistering- will sometimes- \ effect a cursv -but in most cases "it saves time, | trouble; and, expense to fire and blister at ; first. JSi> treittment -will remove the en- j largemect., When. v the lameness disappears • a tnire is said to be effected The pre- j di^JOHitioH. to bone diseases is in; most eases. \ heieditaryi due either to peculiarities of. con.- !, fornoafcion or congenital predisposition -to J os^ifie inflammation, either ofwhich is trans^ j. mifctea to the progeny by either sire or j. «[am: hence the necessity or advisability of : breeding tib or from, sound parents." — Ex- ] change. 1 ' ,^ .-' . , • - \ ~~~ I BXTT DtTNDAS. ' j The- well-known g&Tding Duridas broke one «f his -fettecks whilst racing at the "Wairio jn«efcing last week, and. hadi to- be destroyed. Duiidas was BE©d! by Mr E. .Gates, and^ was , got* by Berkin WaVbeck HC^from Reverie, the-dam.-o£ Marquis of Zetland, Welbeek, and Peasiye. . In Jais best da.yr~Dundas- v was., a great ''gallery galloper,''' and some of his ' track performances, were remarkable- from a tame-tesfc point, but he could T not- be- relied upon to act up to them when' carrying silk. la. the colours .of ,Mr Murray Hofibs Dundas Boads- his debut on the" turf- in the CJF.-CL Welcome Stakes won b; Conqueror in Hob - faafc» time of 46 l-ssec. Dundas finished' second, a leogbh and a>half behind .thot flying eon of. Medallion, and those who followed' the- pair home were Altair and, "Nihilist. After running "a couple of times.' jun/racoessfuHy, Dundas won " "the D. J.jO. Champagne- Stakes and defeated , Ui& penalised- Conqueror, and' also* Aitair and, i)jin- "Ojui. Be also won. Qie-' City Stakes - Handicap, and made Els' second win as- a two-yjear-old. The following year. Dundas- 1 •tefeated- Courtier and Malatua in the Middle J Park Plate, and bis only other win; that season? out^of Id start* was in the C.J.O: Final Handicap. Dundas achieved many- . notable wins, during his subsequent oareer, . end amongst the races he captured' were the. Great Autumn Handicap," St. Andrew's Handicap, Publicaos' Handicap, ' Dunedin Cup,, Midsuainier Handicap, and many other ' races. Im All, Dluidas won £2877 10s in stakes-, and was- carrying the colours of Mr T.. Kctfc wlien ac met with the accident : which terminated- his career. , *EHE GOBE a33SETESTGr. %hs Gore E>acing Club' hare- receiYed' excellent: acceptances for its summer races^ and- there 1 ia e\sery prospect of '--the club' ] •vexperieseiißg^ a- successful meeting. The"fbllowjag may rHn prominency ' in th&ir", engagements: — Croydon Handicap, Heirloom.; Hurdiesj -WomJerful : Gore Cirp-,"D& la.Reyj Krst Cfeuntar-'Handicap, Ludykillei "or Eawmore; Summer Handicap. Lady. Soult ; New. Year Trot, J?.O: or Two Up; One Mile, Trot, , Berlin M-. '

1. IMadden. O 2. Lane, TV. .. .. 3. Maker, D 4. Haisey, W 5. Wheailey, E 6. Sharpies, A. , . . 7. Dillon, B 8. Qriggs, "Win 9. Trigs, C 10. Rardall. H 11. Saxhy, TV 12. Cannon, M 13. M-Call. G 14. Jones, H 15. Jarvis, J 16. Martin. J. H 17. Heppell, T 18. Lynhani, B. ..... 19. Cannon, X 20. M'Call. 7 M. Lotints. J 789 568 462 582 510 502 381 650 642 303 ' , 436 , 329 272 302 346 , 345 • 205 . 244 . 268 134 Lost. 628 444 347 498 427 425 306 584 581 250 357 282 231 261 305 307 173 213 243 111 Won. 161 124 • 115 .84 ■83 77 75 6S 61 S3 49 47 41 41 41 38 32 31 25 23