SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9617, 15 September 1894, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES.

New Zealand. September 15— Auckland Racing Club. September 19 and —Ashburton Racing Club. September 20 -Rangitikei Racing Club. September 27 and (taraldine Racing Club. September 29 -Auckland Trotting Club October 1 and 2— Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. October 9 and 10—Napier Park Racing Club. October 16, Poverty Bay Turf Club. October 18 and 19— Wanganai Jockey Club. November 6, 8, 10—Canterbury Jockey Club. November 9 and 10— Auckland Rncinn Clnb. * November Taratahi-C irterton Jockey Club.' November 9— Marton Jockey Club. November 22, Wellington Racing Club. * November 24—AvondaJe Jockey Club. December Takapuna Jockey Club. December 27 and 30— Auckland Trotting Club. December 26, January 1, 2 -Auckland Racing Club. Jaauaiy 1 and 2— Rangitikei Racing Club. January 22, 24— Wellington Racing Club. January 26, Takapuna Jockey Club. February 2—Canterbury Jockey Club. 1,3— Wellington Racing Club. May 18, Takapuna Jockey Club. June —,—Auckland Racing Club.

AUSTRALIAN. September 16,18. 20, 22—Australian Jockey Club. October 13, 20— Victoria Amateur Turf Club. November 8, 6, 8, 10—Victoria Racing Club.

DATES OF COMING EVENTS.

NEW ZEALAND. October 1— Hawke's Bay Guineas. October Hawke's Bay Spring Handicap. October 18— Wanganni Derby. November 6—New Zealand Cup. November B—C.J.C. Derby. November 9—Auckland Guineas. November 10—Princ-> of Wales Handicap (Auckland) November 10— Canterbury Cup. December 26—Auckland Cup. January I—Great Northern Derby. January 2— Auckland Steeplechase. January 22—Wellington Cup. April 15— Raster Handicap (Auckland), April 16—Autumn Steeplechase (Auckland). June—Great Northern steeplechase. AUSTRALIA. September 15—A. J.C. Derby. September 18 - etropolltan Stakes. October 13Caul field Guineas. October 20—Caulfleld Cup, November 3—V.R.C. Derby. November 6— Melbourne Cup.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. J.H., Mount Eden. 1. St. Clement-, was got by St. Leger from Satauella ; the latter being got by Hippocampus from Slander. 2. Maid of Honour defeated Billingsgate at KUerslie in a race over six furlongs. Ciiawles. — The September Handicap has been won by a throe-year-old during the pa»t two years, namely, St. Hippo (7st lllb) and Pegasus (8s 21b). 2, Grenadier was gob by Brigadier from Bragela, by Panic. THE AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S FIRST SPRING MEETING. [BY PHAETON.] The raoing season will be inaugurated in this district to-day, when the Auckland Racing Club will hold their first spring meeting at Ellerslie. The programme to be gone through consists of seven events, aud from the character of the acceptances aud entries there seems every prospect of a successful and enjoyable meeting resulting should the weather prove propitious. The opening event ou the card is the Trial Stakes, the majority of those engaged being unknown quantities. If Anniversary was quite herself, I should be inclined to name her as likely to supply the winner; but as I do not think she is quite well enough, it may be that Lady Marion will get home first. As the accident which last week befel Ingorina, will, I understand, necessitate his withdrawal, the field for the Hurdle Race will, as a result, be reduced to a quartette. As Skittles is traiued in private at Kohimarama, I cannot say in what condition she is; but should the halt-sister toManfere be landed at the post all right, she should, I think, prove the hardest to beat. The Spring Handicap bears a very open aspect, and it is difficult to say which will start favourite Lottie, Pegasus, or Grenadier. During the present week this trio have all acquitted themselves well. Grenadier especially pleasing the course watchers. The son of Brigadier is undoubtedly a much-improved animal ; but I shall elect to pin my faith to Pegasus. The September Stakes, which comes next, has seven youngsters engaged. Forma (by Hotchkiss —Formo) is the one that is generally voted the moat forward, and in her work she has shown herself to be possessed of a good dash of pace. St. Regelnas been acquitting himself well, and though the son of St. Leger— Friendship will, I think, be served by more time, I shall nevertheless be quite prepared to see him answer this question satisfactorily when the whips are out. It may be however that a surprise is in store, and if so Haaelmere may be the one to bring it off. The Steeplechase should be won by Crazy Rate, if she comes to the post all riirht; but there are rumours as to a screw being loose with the daughter of Woolbroker, and in that case Fishmonger will require to be kept in mind. The Flying Handicap is to some extent depeudent on previous running. Grenadier and Ben Godfrey read as well as anything.

The following are the acceptances and entries : —

Trial Handicap of 50sovs. Seven furlongs. st lb stlb Lieutenant.. .. 7 12 Lord Dunlnco ..7 3 Webley .. .. 712 The Sharper ..7 2 Anniversary .. 7 11 JoeSedley.. .. 70 lAdy Marlon ..7 8 Bib-o'- Fashion .. 610 Brown Mantle ..7 7 Barge ~ ..6 7 St Vincent ..7 6 Handicap Hurdles of 55sovs. One mile and threequartera. st lb st lb Belmont .. .. 11 0 Skittles .. ..0 6 loaorina .. .. 10 8 Derry .. ..9 0 Fishmonger ..10 4 Spring Handicap of llOsovs. One mile and aquarter. st lb st lb Lottie .. ..9 5 Grenadier ... ..8 0 Pegasus .. ..9 3 Abel 810 Yatu-nfeldi ... 8 0 llaria .. .. 6 10 Ben Godfrey .. 8 3 September Stakes of 50sovs. For two-year-olds. Four furlongs. Mr. S. C. Caulton'a b c Deadshot, by Brigadier—Katipo 8 0 Mr. A. E. Byors' b c St. Kegel, by Sk. Leger— Friendship : 8 0 Mr. Duncan sb c Fabulist, by Fabulous—lnlsthona 8 0 Mr. D. McKinnon's b c Scotland, by Flintlock Dainty Arielinare.. 8 0 Mr. J. K. Thorpe's br I Lavinia, by Taxman— Sybil 7 9 Mr. F. McManemin's b f Hazeluiore, by Tasman—Hazel } { Mr. G. Wright's chf Forma, by Hotcbkiss— Fornio 7 9 Steeplechase of sosovs. st lb st lb Fishmonger ..11 6 Spectator .. .. 10 5 Crazy Kate .. 11 0 Volley .. .. 10 0 Malabar .. .. 10 7 Flying sosovs. Six furlongs. at lb stlh Yattenfeldt ..8 9 Swiftsure .. ..7 4 Ben Godfrey .. 8 7 Ivy 7 1 Grenadier .. ..8 6 Her Ladyship .. 77 Doris .. ..8 0 Lady Marion .. 7 Lady Moth.. .. 7 11 The Sharper .. 6 Webley .. .. 710 Barge .. .. 6 Pont Handicap of 40sovs. Six furlongs. st lb st lb Pearl II 9 5 Queen of Sbeba .. 7 10 Nannie .. ..8 4 Nellie 7 8 Reil .. ..8 3 Virgin 7 6 Brown Mantle ..8 2 Direct.. .. ..7 0 lAdy Thornton .. 712 .. 610 NOTES BY PHAETON. THE AUSTRALIAN JOOKET CLUB'S MEETING. At Rand wick to-day, the A. J. C. open their Spring Meeting, and the fact of several New Zealand-owned horses being engaged will cause much local interest to be centred in the gathering. The principal events set down for aecis'on today are the Derby and Epsom Handicap. It is expected that the blue riband will number half-a-dozen, the following being named as the probable starters :— Btlb Dr. Anderson's b c Nobleman, by The Australian Peer— Paradox , 8 10 Mr. Duggm ns b c GlenulHn, by Lochlel— Habena 8 10 Mr. S. Hordern's b c First Shot, by Nordent feldt-Lady Norah 8 10 Mr. Mac Keen's br c Right Honourable, by GrandmasUr— Crystal 8 10 Mr. S. H. Gollan's b c Bonnie Scotland, by St. George— Fair Nell 8 10 Mr. C M. Lloyd ns ch c Cobbitty, by Chester —Copra 8 10

As a rule the A.J.C. Derby has been reduced to something approaching a certainty, but that is not the case with this year's race. If Bonnie Scotland is quite himself, he will no doubt rentier a good account of himself, but it may be that he will require more time, and Nobleman and Cobbitty may prove to be his superiors in to-day's race. The Epsom Handicap, which is run over a mile, had the following lairtje field engaged at last advices: — at lb at lb Cremorne .. .. 9 10 Gingham .. ..7 9 Marvel .. ..98 The Dancer .. 75 Pilotßoy .. .. 9 6 Babol .. ..7 7 Brockleißli .. ..96 Response .. ..77 BuiiKebtih .. ..94 Actnena .. ..77 Loyalty ..8 12 Bendi<o .. ..7 8 Staamore .. .. 8 10 Puncheatown _ 7 8 Lady Trenton .. 8 10 Panoply .. ..7 6 Delaware .. .86 Patroness .. ..76 Buccleuch .. ..Bft Chind Bee Bee .. 74 Eureka ..8 4 Volney .. ..7 8 Solanum .84 King Jewel ..7 8 Donizetti .. ..8 3 Uabba .. ..7 2 The Driller.. ..8 0 Coadour .. ..7 0 Newcastle .. .. 7 12 Biegina .. .70 Ronda .. 7 12 Seaman .. .. 6 12 The Captain .. 7 12 Messmate .. .. 6 12 Albecwe .. ..7 12 Checkmate .. 6 12 Projectile .. .. 7 11 jEjlus 0 10 The Possible .. 7 11 Heather Bell . 6 9 Pharamotid .. 7 10 Dalmeny .. ..6 9 Thespian .. .. 7 10 Finis.. .. ..07 Dan O'Connor ..70 Juvenile .. ..67 Bun«ebah is the one amongst the topweights that is considered most likely to earn distinction. However, it may turn out

that something lower down the list may supply the winner, and the Captain and Projectile appear to me to stand out as a dangerous pair. Another race on to-day's programme io which muoh interest will be oentred is the Spring Stakes, which is run over a mile and a-half, at weight for age, and in which the following horses are engaged Light Artil. iery, Patron, Loyalty, Brookleigh, Cremorne, Paris, Marvel, Jeweller, King Orry, Bungebah. The Trier. Lady Trenton, Three Star, Oxide, Honor Bright, Acmena, Nightingale, Panoply, Solanum, Pilot Boy, Raenalf, Florrie, Ballater. On the Tuesday following the Metropolitan Stakes (one mile and a-half) will come up for decision. At last advices the field was composed of the following :— stlb stlb Jeweller ». ..9 8 Projectile .. ..7 7 Marrel .. ..9 0 Ph&raraond ..7 6 Brockleigh.. ..9 0 Royal Rose ..7 6 Paris .. ..9 4 Babel ~ .74 Pilot Boy .. „ 9 * Hiram .. ..7 2 Oxide .. .. 8 11 Chandbeobee „ 7 2 Lady Trenton „ 8 9 Volney .. .* 7 0 Loyalty „ „ 8 9 Honor Bright ~ 612 Florrie .. „ 8 7 Seaman .. .. 6 10 King Orry.. ..8 7 jGolus .. ..6 9 Knroka .. «. 8 2 Olenullln 6 9 Nightingale ..8 0 First Shot.. » C 9 Aloecore ".. #. 7 11 Narara .. .. 6 7 The Captain .. 710 Caprice ». ..6 7 The Trier .. ..7 10 Atlas .. ..6 7 The Possible ..7 9

In his training work Paris has demonstrated beyond a deubt that he is as good as ever he was and though the son of Grandmaster has a tidy impost in 9at 31b ho may be depended upon to run a great race. The fact or Lannoeston having been withdrawn points to the probability of his stable companion Loyalty being slipped, and, with Bst 91b, the son of St. George cannot be considered out of it. The Trier (7st 10lb), The Captain (7st 101b), The Possible (7st 91b), and Royal Rose (7st 61b) have all very strong fallowings, and on all hands the race is voted to be extremely open. THE V.B.C. LERBY. For the past three or four years there has been a tendency on the part of the ring to eschew business on the Derby during the winter months, and as a result interest in the " blue riband" contest is not worked up to anything like the pitch it used to be, say a decade back. The fact of the favourite, Dreamland, being trained in private, and that conflicting accounts are afloat as to now he is progressing in his preparation, has no doubt contributed somewhat to create the extreme stagnation that hovers around the approaching Derby contest. First of all we heard that Dreamland was sufferingfromspavin.andjustas that scare had died away the announcement was made that the colt had contracted an attack of suppressed strangles. Since then we have heardthat the colt has made a rapid recovery and resumed work; and we have also heard the opposite. So thabtat the present time Dreamland would appear to be very much of an unknown quantity. Judging from what has been written of Dreamland's conformation, Trenton's sou would appear to be the beau ideal of a Derby colt and as his dam Nightmare has the distinction of having produced the Melbourne Cup winner, Mentor, and a couple of other good ones in La Tosca and Insomnia, it will be recognised that he comes from a distinguished family. However, until something reliable is known concerning his condition, it would be hazardous to magnify his prospects of annexiug the Derby tor Messrs. Bailey and Oir. During the past few weeks Forward, who is receiving his preparation at the hands of J. E. Brewer, lias beeu claiming some attention. Forward ran very promisingly as a two-year-old, and suceeded in winning the Sires' Pro duco Stakes at the V. R.C. Meeting in March last. He is said to have thickened and furnished into a very tine colt, and some of the very best judges are found extolling his three-year-old prospects. Nothing has been heard of Moonte since he went into winter quarters, and until something is known as to how he has furnished and is progressing, it is difficult to estimate bis Derby prospects. That Moorite was a really good two-year-old, he gave abundant proof when he put down Hova at equal weights (Sat each) in the Oakleigh Plate last February ; and the great merit attaching to that performance lies in the fact that Hova a fortnight subsequently romped home in front for the Newmarket Handicap. However, experience at times has shown two-year-old form to be a somewhat unreliable guide in gauging three-year-old prospects. Bonnie Scotland is a colt that is on all hands very highly spoken of. His victory in the Biennial Stakes, at Randwick last March showed that he possessed the knack of galloping, and as he is credited with having progressed the right way in the interval, Mr. Gollan would appear to possess in the full brother to Loyalty a most eligible representative. Bonnie Scotland is expected to take part iu the A.J.C. Derby run to-day, and the nature of his . form in that race should tend to throw some considerable light ou his prospects in the more important contest to be fought out at Flemington in November. Cobbitty has been responsible for some capital work at Flemington, and he is said to be very forward with his preparation. This colt won a couple of good races as a two-year-old, and being three parts brother to Camoola, he may prove to be a first-class three-year-old. Cobbitty has been taken over to Randwick with a view to the A J.C. Derby, and his performance in that race will be awaited with interest. In the same stable as Cobbitty is Malachite. This colt has not so far earned winning distinction, but he has been showing such aptitude for galloping in his training of late as to cause him to be placed amongst possible Derby winners. At the time of writing it is very difficult to estimate the probable strength of the Derby field ; but by the end of the present month some light should be thrown on the matter.

From the following my readers will be able to estimate the breeding credentials of the principal candidates for Derby honours: — DREAMLAND {gSS£SL,,p tab ) Evening Star * Trenton by Musket BONNIE SCOTLAND {KfA nfc } Idalla * St. George by Yattendon MnouiTk / Ga - n Forward* MOORITE j naldfte , Ta , k of the Hilh (Hebe Forward /Gang Forward* forward |j ose pjji 1M! /The Palmer \ Miss Osborne * Gang Forward by Stockwell COBBITTY | Copra , Robinson Crusoe I Cocoanut * Abercorn by Chester Malachite J Mc £ nß (Blalr Atho i 1 Amethyst * Chester by Yattendon THE DONOASTER ST. LEGER,

There would appear to be plenty of reason for the prediction that the victory achieved by Sir Frederick Johnstone's filly Throatlrover Lord Rosebery's oolt Ladas in the Sn Leger Stakes at Doncaster, on Wednesday last, was a great surprise. Recent English papers to hand show that the race was thought to be at the mercy of Ladas, and as a consequence odds were laid on his ability to win. A victory on the part of Throstle was, it would appear, not dreamt of, as it was stated that she would simply be left in the race in order to make the running for hutstable companion Matchbox. As a two-year-old, Throstle did not gain distinction, but previous to her sensational victory at Doncaster she had proved herself equal to winnine a couple of good races. At Arcot she got home in front in the Coronation Stakes, while at Goodwood she won the Nassau Stakes. The winner was got by Petrarch (who won the St. Leger in 1876) from the Scottish Chief mare Thistle (dam of the triple-crown hero Common). It will be remembered that after Matchbox finished second to Ladas in the Derby, Baron Hirsch purchased the son of St. Simon from the old racing partners Sir F. Johnstone and Lord Alington for 15,000 guineas- The victory of Throstle in the St. Leger under such circumstances, therefore, constitutes a tit-hit which the English sportsmen may be depended upon to fully appreciate. The mount on Throstle was allotted to George Chaloner. STUD NEWS. The Musket mare Necklace, whose yearling son (Cravat) by Castor brought the long price of 1050 guineas at Wellington Park sale in January last, this week produced another colt sired by the Zealot horse.

After producing four fillies in successive years, Major George's Australian importation Memphis this week presented Wapiti with a fine colt, sired by Nelson. The youngster in question is a half-brother to the game little Reprisal, and, with the exception that he is cast on larger lines, he is said to take greatly after the son of First Sine.

Recent advices from England record the purchase by the American sportsman, Mr. Mackay, of the four-year-old horse Goldfinch, by Ormonde from Thistle (dam of Common and Throstle), for 4000 guineas. Subsequently Colonel North offered Mr. Mackay 500 guineas on his bargain, but failed to make a deal. Black Swan (dam of the Sydney Cup winner Lady Trenton) has this season produced a colt foal to the imported sire Splendour. In the hope of securing another Lady Trenton, Black Swan will this season be again mated with the Musket sire Trenton. Up to the present, there have been eleven foahngs at Wellington Park this season, six of which are fillies and five colts. La Belle (dam of Marvel) has this season Eroduced a filly to th* imoprted Galopin erse, Far Niente.

The following foalings have been announced this WGCK •**■* Mr. T. Motrin's Victoria, lay Fere—Memento, filly to Castor. Mr. T. Morrin's Rose of Wellington, by St. Leger —Fleurefcte, filly to Cuirassier. Mr. T. Morrin's Necklace, by Musket—Locket, colt to Castor Mr. T. Morrin's Queen Cole, by King Cole— lie, colt to llotchkiss Messrs. Duder Bros'. Hune, by Cap-a-pie— Ally to Cuirassier. Major George's Memphis, by Gang ForwardPalmyra, colt to Nelson. Major George's Fiesole, by Ineomar— colt to Nelson. Mr. D. McKinnon's Pikau, by Anteros—Ainohia, colt to FlintlocK. Mes*rs. Nathan's Lovebird, by Macaroni— Half, dead foal to St. Leger. At the sale of American trotting stallions, imported to Auckland by Mr. R. De B. Lopez, one of the choicest lots of her collection was secured for Auckland. This was La Rue, and this splendid specimen of the standardbred American-bred trotting horse will be located in Auckland, and at the service of breeders in this district, at the White House Stables, Otahuhu, during the season. To show the esteem in which this strain of blood is held in America I cannot do better than quote the following paragraph which appears in the Breeder and Sportsman of San Francisco:—

In the last stall is a horse whose make up and pedigree will attraet general attention in the land be is going to. He is called La Rue, and his registered number is 20,141. In colour he Is a beautiful bay; in height he stands 16.1, and weighs l'AKjlb. A model of beauty and a trotter that will make a low record, is this grand-looking young horse. He was sired by Campaign 9811, out of Clara D. (sister to Honesty, 2 26}, a horse that has achieved fame as a she in Australia) by Priam 1798 ; second dam Western Girl, by Chieftiau 721, third dam Dodge mare, by Jim Crow. Campaign was by Electioneer 125, out of Lily 8., by Homer 1236 (son of Mambrino—Patchen and Sally Chorister, by Mambrino—Chorister) ; second dim Maggie Leu, by Blackwood 2.31 ; third dam Lucille Abdullah 15 ; fourth dam by Pilot Jr. 12. With such a splendid array of great sires, is there any reason why this horse should not make a great name? His progeny at Stockton cannot b« excelled for size, style, pure trotting action and speed. One thousand dollars wis refused for one of his yearling fillies. In another part of the same paper it is stated that this lot of stallions (referring to those purchased by Mr. Lopez) is this finest sample of trotting stock that ever left America. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. Major George and Mrs. George returned to Auckland by the San Francisco mail steamer, which arrived on Wednesday last. On the following morning the owner of Wapiti was down at the race-course to witness his New Zealand Cup representative Pegasus gallop, and he could not fail to be pleased with the manner in which the son of Nelson acquitted himself.

If anyone has cause for complaint in con nection with Mr. Henry's adjustments for the Flying Handicap to be run at the Hawke's Bay Meeting, it should certainly not be the owners of St. Clements and St. Kilda, and by letting off the two sous of St. Leger respectively with 9st 51b and 9st 3lb the handicapper appears to me to have given the Auckland pair a great chance of distinguishing themselves. Both fit and well, it would, I think, be a toss up as to which would prove the best, though some of the Ellerslie course watchers say that St. Clements could concede St. Kilda 71b over six furlongs, and then beat him handsomely. Should both horses be sent to Hastings to fulfil their engagement, 1 shall be quite prepared to find them start first and second favourites respectively.

The Auckland-owned horse Royal Rose (Bst) was amongst the contestants for the Hawkesbury "Handicap, run on Saturday, but he failed to get closer than third to Emin Pasha (Gat 121b) and Magnus (7st 121b). " Royal Rose came very fast at the finish, and should have been nearer the winner." So reads the cablegram announcing the result of the race; and I shall leave my readers to interpret the meaning for themselves. Royal Rose is amongst those left in for the Metropolitan Stakes to be run on Tuesday next, and with only 7st 61b to curry, the son of King Cole may be expected to have something to say in the settlement of that question.

The lawsuit over matters pertaining to the racehorse St. Kilda is fixed to come before Mr. Justice Conolly in the Supreme Court during the forthcoming week.

The Auckland Racing Club's spring and summer programmes will require attention at the hands of horseowners on Friday next, on which date nominations close for the Priuce of Wales Handicap, Hurdle Race, Auckland Cup, A.RC. Handicap, and Steeplechase.

Pegasus acquitted himself so very satisfactorily in a gallop during the present week, as to cause a commission to be thrown into the market to back the son of Nelson for the New Zealand Cup, and about £1600 was, I understand, secured about Major George's representative, at an average of 100 to 8. News was recently received in Sydney from England of the death of Captain Sandeman, one of the leading horseowners of Queeuslnud. It appears that some few weeks »go Captain Sandeman left for the old country, but he was so weak from consumption that he had to be carried on to the boat, and those of his friends knew pretty well that they were bidding him farewell for ever. The Bill to restrict the use of the totalisator has passed both Houses in Tasmania. Under its provisions the machine can be used at regattas, at the' -Axemen's Association Sports, as well as on the racecourses which are registered by the T.R.C. or the T.T.C. There are to be no shop totalisators, the Act providing a fine of £50 or six months' imprisonment as the reward of any one caught running a private totalisator. The racing clubs cannot complain of the way the Legis lature has treated them. They can use the machine as often as they like, and charge 10 per cent.

The Queensland Government intends to put down sweeps at the end of the year. From January 1, 1895, no letters will be delivered to persona who are known to be sweep promoters.

Up to the preseut the low-priced yearlings of last autumn have carried all before them in the several two-year-old races decided in Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales. "Asmodeus" furnishes the following interesting return bearing thereon : —

Gun Cotton, by Enfilade—Cambric, Geeloug Gn. Two-year-old Stakes 45 Fairy Tale, by Es<:ut neon— Facetiae, V.A.T.C. Sapling Plate 2?i Alveary, by Eiridspord— Bee, Fulhaui Hark Stakes .. .. * 70 Killiocrankie, by I,ochiel—Constance, Kosehill Juvenile Stakes ..95 t'rsa. by Neckeitigat—Ursula, Epsom Sapling Stakes.. .. 110 Sabrina. by The Englishman— Sybil, Victorian Club Two-year-old Handicap 80 Carletta, by Carlyon— Tuberose, Moonee Valley Iwo-year-old Handicap 75 Bacchus, by Itoolka—Aria, Williamstown Two-year-old Stakes — Thunderer, by Thunderbolt—Queen Consort, Dequettville Stakes 65 Crest, by Escutcheon—Pacific, Caulfield Two-year-old Handicap 130

The Australasian says :—We invariably find in bettinir that a man who has form at his fingers' ends, and is courageous enough to stand by it, will last longer than another who simply acts on the sort of information which is supplied to punters on a racecourse. The book and the pencil can beat any system; but a man who follows form and limits his investments to what he can afford may get enough amusement out of backing horses to console him for playing a game which is invariably a losing one.

The colours of the late Hon. James White were borne to victory in the Kog&rah Stakes at Moorefield on the 25th ult. on Mrs. White's Vanitas, by Martini-Henry—Vain Glory, who beat a red-hot favourite in Oxenham's Majorie, by another New Zealander, Niagara out of Cerise and Blue. Count Lehndorf, the great breeding authority, is a thorough believer in breeding from mares that have raced. It is, he says, the only way in which soundness of constitution can be tested, but he is also of Lord Falmouth's opinion that marcs should be taken off the turf at the end of their four-year-eld career. "I do not like," he says, to buy mares having remained on the turf longer than at the most their fifth year."

Writing of Paris, a Sydney writer says :— This wonderful little Bon of Grandmaster never looked better than he does at the present time, and he has of late put up some great records in his training work. He appears to be bigger in the barrel than ever he was, and is just as free-going as of old.

While discussing the Gaming Bill, Sir $. Buckley told the Council that at one Maori race meeting for which a toralisator permit had been issued, the " plate" run for was 2s (id and two boxes of matches.

Red Eyes, last year's Cesarewitch deadheater and the winner of numerous race, was at one time absolutely given away by her disgusted owner ! St. Gatien, a foal of the £50 horse The Rover, was,"after dead-heating in the Derby and winning the Cesarewitch, sold for £15,000. The celebrated Eclipse coat 75 guineas as a yearling. He wis never beaten in a race, won £25,000, and his sons and daughters secured over £150,000 in prizes. The action pending between the executors of the late " Mr. Abington" and the jockey, John Watts, the former suing; for £9000. the retaining fees paid by Mr. Baird, has been settled by arbitration, Sir J. Blundell Maple having acted as arbitrator. The cause of the death of the Duke of Westminster's colt Bullingdon was acute inflammation of the lungs. Writing of The Dancer's half brother Gallant, the Australasian states that the son of St. Leger is a really fine horse, but con. aiders his front action is very cramped. Trotting is said to be showing serious signs of decline in Sydney.

. Mr. Percival desires me to state that last season's members tickets will admit holders to this season's gatherings.