SPORT AND PASTIME. The Turf. [By Crackshot.] RACING FIXTURES. 1903.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 10, 11 July 1903, Page 14

SPORT AND PASTIME. The Turf. [By Crackshot.] RACING FIXTURES. 1903.

July 16 and 18— Wellington Racing Club Steeplechase Meeting. August 11, 13, and 15 — New Zealand Grand National JOCKEY CLUBS' CONFERENCE. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES OF RACING. The order paper to be presented at the Conference of New Zealand Jockey Clubs, to open in Wellington on Wednesday next, includes a number of proposed alterations in rules that- are of some importance. It is proposed by the Otago Country Clubs to amend Rule 7, section. 7—providing that any club holding one meeting a year must give not less than £150 a day in stakes — by adding that alternatively such club may give "an average of at least £20 per race." The South Canterbury Clubs will move for a new rule that all clubs holding racemeetinga of two or more days' duration shall have at least one hurdle race per day. The Taranaki Country Clubs wish to strike out the first sentence of 10b, and to substitute "It shall be the duty of the Jockey Club to appoint for all race-meet-ings under its jurisdiction an advisory steward, any fee paid for such steward to be paid by the club at which he officiates." (Such advisory steward has under the rules power to require the stewards to investigate as to breaches of the rules.) This Taranaki proposal is stronger than the existing rule, which provides that the Jockey Club shall appoint an advisory steward "on the application" of the racing club under it. The Taranaki Country Clubs will also bring forward a new rule to create four stipendiary stewards appointed yearly by the Racing Conference at a salary fixed by the Conference, to hold office during good behaviour (in default of which the Chairman of the Conference has power to dismiss and to appoint a successor) ; such stewards to be stewards ex officio of all clubs, their salaries to be borne by the various clubs in proportion to each club's gross totalisator earnings, such, proportion to be a debt by the club to the Conference. South Canterbury Country Clubs will move to prevent two-year-olds racing; and Hawkes Bay Jockey Club wishes to make the minimum distance for any handicap in which horses of three years and I upwards shall start, five furlongs. Greymouth Country Clubs would add to Rule 25 a provision that the minimum weight in hack races be 7.7. From three different sources come proposed amendments to the somewhat involved first sentence of Rule 44, which sentence reads: "In all races by the conditions of which horses which have won open races are barred from entry, no horse shall be eligible to start which has won a race of the value of 80 soys, or races of the collective value of 200 soys, at time of nominaflon." Tfl"e Hawkes Bay Jockey Club seeks to elucidate the position by discarding this and substituting: "An open race is a race from which no horse is debarred from entry by reason of having won any certain sum of money. All races by the conditions of which horses are debarred from entry, by reason of having won any certain sum of money, are hack races. A hack is a horse which has not, at time of nomination, won a race of the value of 80 soys, or races of the collective value of 200 soys." The other proposed amendments of the present rule are : (1) Substitute for the first three words "In all hack races and in any race however designated." (Wellington Country Clubs) ; (2) insert 100 soys for 80 soys, and 250 soys for 200 soys (Taranaki Jockey" Club). The Taranaki Jockey Club will move to strike out f rule 47, which provides that where a dishonoured cheque has been tendered for entrance, the horse should not be entitled to the stakes, and the person .giving the cheque shall be a defaulter, but the stewards or committee may reinstate the entry on sufficient reason being shown. •" Every horse must do a preliminary gallop in the straight and pass the judge's box, unless permitted by the stewards to <do otherwise." — (Taranaki Country Clubs.) In the absence of special permit from the Metropolitan Club, all meetings shall , use the starting machine, unless an accident happens to it. — (Wellington Country Clubs.) Deposit fees on objections, forfeited under Rule 113, if the objection be not sustained, may escape forfeiture if a three-fifths majority <jf the stewards so decide. — (Taranaki Jockey Club.) " That no concessions be allowed gentlemen riders when competing against professionals. " — (Hawke's Bay Jockey Club.) With regard to fees paid by gentlemen riders, the Wellington Country Clubs will propose that they be given in trophies to the winning riders in races between gentlemen riders only. The Taranaki Jockey Club would make the minimum age limit for gentlemen riders eighteen years. The Hawkes Bay Jockey Club wishes to raise the minimum distance of hurdle races from one-and-a-half miles to one-and-threequarterp miles. The Wellington Country Clubs would retain the one-and-a-half mile limit, but would malje the minimum number of flights of hurdles over that distance five ; one-an-three-quarters miles, six flights; two miles, seven flights. Amended rules for totalisator : "Dividends wiH be paid upon the first and second horses, in the proportion of 75 per cent, to the first, and 25 per cent, to the second horse, subject to the following exceptions : In the event of five or Jess starters, the property of different ownens, the dividend will be declared on the first horse only. In the event of horses coupled on the machine running first and second, or dead heat for first place, the dividends will be declared on the coupled horses only. In the event of coupled horses finishing first and dead heat for second place with another horse, the dividends will be declared in the proportion of 87£ per cent, to tfie coupled horses and 12£ per cent, to the other horse. In the event of no tickets being taken on the winning horse, the total money will be divided amongst the backers of the second horse. Should no tickets be" taken on the second horse, the total money will be divided among the backers of the first horse only." — <Huwkes Bay Jockey Club.) ' — The Taranaki Jockey Club will move to instruct the Executive to prepare new Rules of Racing, the draft to be submitted to the clubs three months before the 1904 conference, to be revised on the club's suggestions, and the revised draft to be again submitted to the clubs one month before the conference, which will then be prepared to finally adopt new rules. THE STEEPLECHASE MEETING HANDICAPS. Mr. Chadwick had a good variety to work on in framing his handicap for the W.R.C. Steeplechase Meeting next week, and his productions show careful compilation, which is a very healthy sign for his future success as a handicajoper.

Th© adjustments are so satisfactory that the response of owners cannot fail to be good providing the material is available. In the Wellington Steeplechase Haydn naturally heads the list vith 12.3, 111b mere than the Sou- wester gelding was successful with in the National Steeplechase at Auckland. Considering the lather poor opposition at the Hutt, this increase in weight is not heavy, and if the Aucklander is prepared for the Hutt race his chance should be a good one. Social Pest (11.8) has been doing good work at Riccarton, but it is so long since he was, seen in p,ublic, through having broken down, that he might have been let off lighter. Gobo (11.6) is just about in his right place, and would have to be in good form to win. In his schooling work atPorirua he had up to a fortnight ago been performing yery slovenly, but perhaps has mended his ways or late. Germaine's son has already placed two Wellington Steeplechases to his credit, and there may be a chance _of his yet performing the "hat trick" in connection with the race. Scallywag (11.4) showed such a bold front in the Wanganui Steeplechase after he had lost a considerable distance of ground through his rider taking the wrong course, that when supported irom the right quarter his chance should be held in respect. Since he went out to Fletcher's he has been given a dose of physic, and has been doing well. A. Hall is to ride Mr. Thomson's horse. Jack o' Lantern (11.1) in view of recent successes, could not have been let in lighter, but I only give him a jumper's chance, and if the pace is anything like that set in previous big steeplechases at the Hutt, he may be in trouble before the field is long on its journey. Old Nor' -West (11.0) has been allotted a tempting weight, 21b less than he carried in the Auckland National and 41b less than he won with on the second day of the meeting. • If he has stood up to his work in the interval I would "as soon, have him as anything bar the top weight. Looking through the others I have only a liking for Sultana (9.12) and Lady Bell (9.12), but the trio I like best are Haydn, Nor'-west, and Gobo. In starting the Winter Hurdles adjustment with Battleaxe at 12.0 the handicapper has not been harsh with Mr. Watson's horse when the opposition is scanned. Hotchkiss's son has been given a good opportunity of following up his Auckland National success. He has now 151b more to carry than he bad in the mud at Ellerslie, while Haydn, who followed him home, has 61b more. Wait wera (11.7) has been dropped 121b, and in view of his wretched form further liberties may even have been taken with the old horse. Social Pest (11.4) has been better treated than in the Steeplechase, and this is rather peculiar, for he has demonstrated his superiority as a hurdler, whereas he has not performed in public over co,untry. Haydn (11.3) would doubtless hold a chance with Battleaxe out of the way, and perhaps the Aucklander may be sent for the Hurdle Race at the Hufct and the National Steeplechase at Riccarton, which is worth 750sovs. The Sou'-wester — Liniment gelding Tradewind (10.8) has caught it pretty warm for a new hand at the game, and Mr. Chadwick must have been impressed by the gelding's runaway victory at Napier Park. Tradewind is bred on jumping lines, and the handicapper apparently thinks highly of his capabilites. Mourner (10.1) has been Tacing well of late, and his staying powers may entitle him to consideration. Merry Bay's form, at Hawkeg Bay was too bad to be true, and he may freshen up in the interval. Rags (9.13) looks to hold a chance, as also does Lady Bell (9.12). Tupara (9.12) is a full brother and stable mate to Battleaxe, and he may be nearly as good as his brother at the weights, for he has a fair amount of pace on the flat, and has one of the best schooling masters in the country in P. Johnson. Kohunui at 9.8 would have a good say were he to be on his best behaviour, and the ex-hack Otaio (9.6) and Osborne (9.3) may have outside chances. The winner may ultimately come from Battleaxe, Haydn, and Kohunui. I will not gc into detail over the other events, which appear very open indeed. For the Stewards' Handicap Exmoor (10.11) Shrapnel Shell (10.3), and Tikarawa (9.10) seem the pick, and in the Parliamentary Mile I care most for Ostiak (10.13), Menura (10.3), Kohupapa (9.10), and Regulation (9.5). The hack races will take a lot of picking. In the seven-furlong race^ — the Miramar Hack — Sandy (10.7), Position (10.2), and Australasia (9.4) appear to have excellent chances, a<id in the five furlong sprint — the Te Aro Hack — Optimist (10.7), Sandy (10.7), Hatley (9.12), and Scrip (9.10) should each run well. There appears to be the makings of a decent field in the> Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase, and Umslopogaas (11.5), Kiatere (10.5), and Testator (9.12) may be the best. Acceptances are due on Monday next. The Wellington Racing Club is to be congratulated on the very excellent entries received for its classic races last week. No less than 127 present foals are engaged in the Wellesley Stakes, while the Wellington Stakes has drawn an entry of 167 foals and yearlings, the North Island Challenge Stakes one of 128, and the New Zealand St. Leger Stakes one of 97. These figures represent practically the whole of the leading owners and breeders throughout the colony, and the very best racing stock it produces. All the popular sires are represented in the list. NOTES. It is practically certain that Mr. Stead will send his crack mare Cruciform to New South Wales to measure strides with the best of the Australian horses. He informed "Atlas," of the Referee, that his present intention is to send Cruciform and another — probably Orloff — over. His trainer, Mason, has not been very well lately, and would like a change for a couple of months, and as Mr. Stead alsa would like a change, he regards the contemplated trip more in the light of a pleasant holiday than a racing campaign. Mr. Stead does not appear at all sanguine of the prospects of his horses, but he hopes they may run respectably. In any case they can return to New Zealand in time for the Cup Meeting. Douglas, a Wanganui and Hawkes Bay Cup winner, had to be destroyed recently. Wairiki has taken pride of place in New Zealand Cup betting at 10 to 1, Orloff being quoted at 100 to 9, and Lady Lillian at 100 to 6. This is a considerable change from last week's quotations, hut it takes very little money to upset the balance of the market. General Symons is said to have met with some support at 33 to 1, and some of the others at long prices have been backed in a halfhearted way. Orloff's probable visit to Australia should make backers wary of the son of Stepniak, although Mr. Stead does not appear to be quite certain that he will take him over to Sydney. The New Zealand Cup candidate Shrapnel is said to be progressing very satisfactorily in. his winter work. He has not yet been tried seriously over a distance. Cruciform is nob highly favoured by Australian writers for her Sydney engagements. Mr. Menzies has started the Melbourne Cup handicap just as Mr. Dakin would have started it (writes the Australasian), but to take the two most interesting horses in the race — Wakeful and Emirhe has, we think, put them much furher apart than Mr. Dakin would have done. Last year Mr. Dakin gave Wakeful 10.5, which, taking into account her sexual allowance, was equal to 10.10.. Mr. Men-

zies has dropped her to 40.0. Wakeful's I best handicap performance was winning the Sydney Cup from a bad field with 9.7. She did this at the end of her five-year-old season, and is not likely to be any better next November. Wakeful has been given 131b over weight for age, while Emir gets in with only 71b over weight for age. Considering the way he smashed up Chantress at weight for age, Emir is as well as the backer who took £3000 to £150 about him for the Derby and Melbourne Cup last March could wish. Mr. Dakin gave Aurum. and Bobadil 8.6 as three-year-olds, and it is quite certain Emir would have had about this weight if he had lived to make this handicap. It is, of course, impossible to give all the two-year-olds a chance in the Melbourne Cup. James Scobie, with Emir, 7.13, F.J.A. 7.3, and Sweet Nell 7.0, holds a very strong hand in two-year-olds alone. Some youngsters may develop form between now and the day, but at present the Ballarat trainer looks very dangerous. Mr. Menzies and Mr. Maitland agree as to Abundance being the best three-year-old engaged, but Mr. Menzies puts him 61b above Sojourner, while Mr. Maitland only puts 21b between them. Abundance has only been handicapped as the best of an ordinary year. He has 41b over weight for age, whereas Wakeful has A3lb, Emir 71b, Maltster 51b, and Duke of Grafton 41b over weight for age. r Fishery, who is engaged in the Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase at the Hutt, obtained his name through having done service in his owner's fish cart. The gelding was purchased at auction for use in a trap, but his owner discovered that his purchase was a fine jumper, and after trying him over big country en^ trusted him to A. Peters to see if he was worth persevering with. Fishery made his appearance at the Otaki Meeting, but was in no condition, and although he fenced well was never in the hunt. With a liberal supply of oats in the interval he will have an opportunity of showing whether he is any good. The big dividend-payer at the last C.J.C. National Meeting, Sultana, is considered to have a good chance of landing the Wellington Steeplechase. Few thought that the Westmere gelding Westerly, when taken from these shores to Australia by "Bill" Keith, would make such a bold bid for victory in the Victorian Hurdle Race as he did last Saturday. Westerly was formerly trained by Donald Wilkinson at Tauherenikau, but although a fine 'stamp of an animal, never did much good while in the Wairarapa. He was bought by Keith for liurdle (racing, and ran fairly well at Egmont and Woodville, filling situations at both places. He, however, lost ground badly ab his fences, and this fault he has doubtless rectified, otherwise he could not have held such a prominent position right thrbugh Saturday's race. His running points to him doing Boreas's former owner a good turn in Australia. MELBOURNE CUP WEIGHTS. The following weights have been declared by the V.8..G. Handicapper, Mr. W. A. Menzies : — The Melbourne Cup, of £5000; two miles.— Wakeful 10.0, Maltster 9.10, The Victory 9.8, Revenue 9.6, Abundance 9.4, 'Sir Leonard 9.1, Patronage 8.12, Sojourner 8.12, Cyanide 8.10, Footbolt 8.10, Wait-a-Bit 8.10, Gauleon 8.8, United States 8.8, Strata Florida 8.7, Lieutenant Bill 8.7, Felicitous 8.6, Siege Gun 8.6, Postillion 8.6, Undecided 8.5, Flagship 8.5, Kinglike 8.5, Bewitcher 8.3, Fishery 8.3, The Idler 8.2, Patronus 8.2, Killua 8.1, Vanity Fair 8.0, Orphan Boy 8.0, Nothos 8.0, Famous 8.0, Tatterdemalion 8.0, Bright Bea.uty 8.0, Avalon 7.13, Sport Royal 7.13, Progedior 7.13, Free States 7.13, Emir 7.13, Bruntwood 7.12, Combat 7.12, Miltiades 7.12, Rhapsody 7.12, Rapid Pilgrim 7.12, Florin 7.11, Ivan 7.11, Playaway 7.11, Cross Keys 7.10, Fireclay 7.10, Pilgrim's Rest 7.10, Le Glaneur 7.10, St. Modan 7.10, Duke of Grafton, 7.10, Gold Shell 7.10, Long Tom 7.10, Marvel Lock 7.9, Debenture 7.8, Elderslie 7.8, Narelle 7.8, Highflyer 7.8, Gold Bar 7.8, Caroline 7.7, Rabato 7.6, War Chief 7.6, The Caretaker 7.6, Industrious 7.6, Billali 7.6, Courada 7.6, Greenstone 7.5, Sir Evan 7.6, Homeward Bound 7.5, Czarovitch 7.5, Jap 7.5, St. Ambrose 7.4, King Billy 7.3, Ban Coentha 7.3, Hauynite 7.3, P.K. 7.3, Adjuster" 7.3, Stopwatch 7.3, Devilment 7.3, F.J.A. 7.3. Kilfera 7.3, Watehfire 7.2, Proceed 7.2, Seaport 7.2, Oblivion 7.2, Muntchaka 7.2, Ena 7.1, Fusilette 7.1, Mauser 7.1, The ViceAdmiral 7.0, St. Vincent 7.0, Cherson 7.0, Sweet Nell 7.0, Shot and Shell 7.0, Dromedary 7.0, Dodona 7.0, Agitator 7.0, Burraneer 6.13, Amiral 6.13, Cm 6.13, Bassini 6.13, Gratia 6.13, Red and White 6.12, Sinnang 6.12, Mnrland 6.12, Fairyland 6.12, Sea Sand 6.12, Corizann 6.12, Raeburn 6.12, Sir Richard 6.12,

Isogarth 6.12, 4X 6.12, Hautgout 6.12, Jacobite 6.12, Melporfc 6.12, Hauturier 6.12, Kitty Grafton 6.11, Newmarket 6.11, Vanlock 6.11, Belah 6.11, Lee Portel 6.11, Sweep Clean 6.10, Mario 6.10, Kudos 6.10, St. Mars 6.10, Djuinont 6.10, Durba-r 6.10, Berriedale 6.10, Medallist 6.10, T.M.S. 6.10, Lockhart 6.10, The Farmer 6.10, Possum 6.10, Murlagan. 6.9, Athamoora 6.9, Ossian 6.9, Dandalla 6 9 Actor 6.9, Rockleigh 6.9, The Endeavour 6.9, Pliable 6.9, Donovan 6.9, Marama 6.9, Bluenose 6.9, Mozart 6.8, Lord Cardigan 6.8, Kellner 6.8, Our King 6.8, Keen 6.8, Zeno 6.8, Strathjoy 6.7, Quandong 6.7 Cato 6.7, Sporran 6.7, Canto i '■ u , ra * e 6.7, Sagamore 6.7, Postulate Al\ T^* ford 6 - 7 > Scottish King 6.7, Chela 6.7, Royal Revenge 6.7, Hadji £1 v? a 7S st ? ome 6 - 7 > Great Heart 6 -7, Chubb 6.7, Jerry 6.7, First Blood 6.7 MacDonovan 6.7, Chiffon 6.7. Football. RUGBY. [By Dkopkick.] NEW ZEALAND TEAM FIXTURES IN AUSTRALIA. New Zealand v. N.S.W., at Sydney, Sati urday, 18th July. New Zealand v. Western Districts, at Bathurst, Wednesday, 22nd July. New Zealand v."N.S.W., at Sydney, Saturday, 25th July. New Zealand v. Metrop., at Sydney, Wednesday, 29th July. New Zealand v. Queensland, at Brisbane, Saturday, Ist August. New Zealand v , in Queensland, Wednesday, sth August. New Zealand v. Queensland, at Brisbane, Saturday, Bth August. New Zealand v. Northern Districts, at Maitland, Wednesday, 12th August. New Zealand v. Australia, at Sydney, Saturday, 15th August. New Zealand v. Combined Country, at Sydney, Wednesday, 19th August. Followers of the Rugby game were treated to another interesting, though rough, exhibition of football at the Athletic Park last Saturday, when the rivals of long standing, Poneke and Melrose, met for the second time this Beason. A fast game was anticipated, and the veriest glutton could not have desired more excitement than the contest produced. Ihe game was not really Won until late in the second spell, and the vanquished team played pluckily to the last. The forwards on both sides played remarkably fine games, but it is to their rearguard that Poneke owe their win. Some of the Melrose backs played good individual games, but as a combination they were not within miles of their opponents. Stevens, at full-back for Poneke, gave one of his best exhibitions since he has filled the position. He took the ball well and put in fine kicking. Of the three-quarters, Gray was without doubt the best, being sound alike in defence and attack. The try he scored was one of the smartest pieces of* work seen for some time. He had a busy day's work, and had he played up to the same form in the match against Oriental, at which the selectors of the New Zealand representative team were present, there is no telling what chance he would have ihad of a trip to Australia. Slattery had some great chances, of which he did not make the best use. On one occasion, especially, he lost a chance by not passing. Toohill acquitted himself well. In the second spell, when Melrose were pressing their hardest, he saved several times bj r timely marks. The Poneke skipper, Wallace, played one of his most sobd games, and repeatedly caane to the relief of his team. Some of the returns he got iv were truly marvellous. "Cocky" Roberts, at half, had a big day, and was in his element stopping rushes and generally thwarting the efforts of the Melrose pack. He put in some great line kicking and snapped up several timely marks. The forwards all had to work hard. Abrim was greatly in evidence in the first spell, and Mann, M'Aually, and Sweeney all played consistently right through. Cross was on the field for the first time since his accident. He would h«-ve been of greater service to the team if he had played the ball more and paid less attention to one of the crack Melrose scrummers. G. Sponcer gave a creditable exhibition, marred only by the manner in which Gray beat him. Otherwise his tackling was deadly. He grass-ed Slattery on two occasions when that player had only the full-back to pass. Wrigley was called to the aid of his j

old club in its hour of ne«d, and gave o, fine display in view of the fact that he is more or less crippled. Goodwin again showed up conspicuously, and taken all round, was about the best of the Melro.se backs. The two shining lights amongst the forwards were J. Spencer and Calnan Sjjencer just now is at. his best, and during the last couple of games he has fully justified hjs inclusion in the New Zealand team. Adams, De Blois, and

Osborne #ko worked well. M'Grath, orf the wing, was full of play. By defeating Melrose on Saturday, Poneke have gained what is practically a mortgage over the senior championship. They will have to be be<iten twice before their position can be challenged. It is on the tapis that Petone will lower the champions' colours. This ie very probable, but even then Poneke are two points to the good. It is quite possible that cither Oriental or Old Boys will run