Sporting.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7901, 31 August 1904, Page 5

Sporting.

Miscellaneous Items.

Marmont has been strongly backed for the Melbourne Cup. Buhiwayo is still at the head of the quotations for the New Zealand Cup. The Autumn Steeplechase, which has been off the A.R.C. programme since IS9B, has been reinstated.

Rambler, the 'full brother to Battleaxc, continues to make satisfactory progress hi his training at Ellerslie. -' -- Little Turk's chance.in the New Zealand Cup is not evidently a rosy one, as a Southern firm offer 250 to 1 about hini.

Mr Machell, the owner of the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase winner Slow Tom, has purchased a full brother to that horse.

The Auckland rider, J. McGregor, who steered Slow ■ Tom to victory in the Grand National Steeplechase," has decided to attach himself to a Canterbury stable.

The Catesby gelding Fakir, who. was taken' to South- .Africa a few months back, distinguished himself: by winning; a hurdle race at the Gerniiston;mc'etiiig.:: last month: '" ..

As'lbex's name is missing'from the Craven Plate, .Cruciform will not have the_ opportunity of wiping out the defeat which she met with last year in the mile and a quarter race.

.. The resolution to reduce the compulsory maximum weight in ordinary handicaps from 9st slb to 9st was brought before.the Queensland Turf Club at its annual general meeting, and was defeated by a large majority. In-the event of Cruciform, Gladsome, and Sweet Nell being at their best next month, when the Spring Stakes and Craven Plate come up for decision at Rand-wick, great interest will be centred, as to the result of their meeting. The Auckland trainer, C. Weal, has no reason to remember his trip to the South in the winter of 1904 with favonrahle feelings, for each of his three jumping horses, Afca Aka, Tahae and Crespin, met with accidents, and the latter was so seriously hurt that it was deemed merciful to destroy him. There is still a.strong and growing prejudice- in France against Yankee jockeys, and the opinion is -expressed that this will be then lastseason there.

The St. Leger gelding^ Rbp'a'i .who proved a perfect failure from.the,timehe won the Great Northern; Guineas last November, and who was recently sold by Mr Hugo Fried!andcr to tho Wellington trainer, W. Davies, is stated to be training on nicely at the Hutt, and an opinion prevails that he will again be heard of to advantage before long. The statement recently made that Now Zealand trainer James Hickey was in bad healthrproves'to be unfortunately only too true..- Advices to hand from the Old Country state that the doctors do not speak hopefully of'lu's case." Miss I. Button, who sold Slow Tom to Mr C. Machell last year, had the satisfaction of seeing her colours carried to victory by Rattlesnake in the Tally-ho Steeplechase, which event came, immediately after the Grand National event.

W. Homes' appeal against the Wanganui Jockey Club's decision has been accepted by the Racing Conference, and judges and a time of.hearing will be duly appointed.

(By . Electric Telegraiph-rCopyright), (Per. Press Association).'^ (Received August.Bl, at 9:28 a.m.).; ".--.- . ~, . ... SYDNEY,. This day. Cruciform',, assisted by Nightfall,:ran. a. mile and a quai'terin:2min 16sec. _ Grand Rapids covered seven furlongs in lmin 34sec.'. ■ .-'.-•. Haloya put in a brilliant mile,:compassed in lmin 45scc. .'.,... MELBOURNE, August 31. V At the Royal Show, the New Zealand bred Almont was awarded.cbampionship for trotters. >■-..'■■ ■'''~