NOTES.

[By Austral. | The annual report of the stewards of the Wellington Racing Club is extremely satisfactory, and shows careful management on tho part of the officers of the club The profit made on the season's transactions (£643) is especially gratifying, considering that the sum expended on the course in improvements and maintenance wan £397 in excess of lust year, besides which the stakes were increased by £500. With a credit balance of £1673 the club is in a sound position to launch out with a substantial increase in prize-money for the coming season, and should such a go-ahead policy be adopted there is no reason to doubt that it will receive even better support from owners of racehorses throughout the colony, and thus bring further rovenue to the club's exchequer. The Trainers and Jockeys' Relief Fund Account continues to increase, and is £79 better off than it was last year, the credit balance of this account now standing at £419. This is a large sum to be locked up, and it seems as though some step will have to be taken by the Racing Conference to divert a portion of the fees received for trainers' and jockeys' licenses to other channels, as at present the amount received is far in excess of the actual requirements for compensation to disabled trainers and jockeys. The Marlon meeting on Wednesday and Thursday opened the flat racing season in this island, and it appears to have been a successful gathering. W. Homes, who had very bad luck last year, has opened well this season, his fine son of Wapiti — Rancrihau, Tupuhi, capturing the two sprint races in easy fashion. The Bulls trainer has a good horse iv Tupuhi, who is well built for carrying weight. If all goes well with him, Tupuhi will earn other winning brackets during the season, and may not find handicap company too good for him. The well-bred Wharangi (Ascot — Laurel) broke his maiden status by winning the. Maiden Race, in which I. James's representative, Rata, acted as runner- up, a position which he also occupied to First Shot on the second duy. In the Maiden them were only six invehtors on him, and had he won he would have paid over £Gl. Later in the day Wharangi just failed to beat Full Charge (owned by J. Mahor and ridden by M'Taggart) in the Tutaenui Stakes, but ran out or a place the second day. He is a nicely' made colt, and should be beard of again. Tataramoa put up a really good perlormaiico by landing three hurdle races, equalling Rfarina's performance at tho Otaki May Meeting Tataramoa only started once last year, in the Hack Hurdles at Waipawa, >vhen he ran off. He beat a fair field in the Handicap Hurdles on Wednesday, amongst the number being Kohurere (Ascot — Maninga), Sabreur (Cuirasaier — Martyr), Mainboom (King Cole— Masthead), and Pokornoko (Foulshot— Lady Gordon). Kohurere is an inmate of T. Scott's stable, and had a big private reputation, being well backed in Wellington for the two hurdle races in which he competed, but had to play second fiddle to Tutaramoa. Sabrour has had a lengthy spell, and ran fairly well in his essay over sticks. As far as looks go he is a racehorse, but his heart appears to be in the wrong place, and probabiy it is for this reason Homos has put him at the ' illegitimate ' game, whioh invariably gives these faint-hearted customers more confidence in themselves. A. Shearaby had a win with Thrush (Louis dOr — Blackbird) in tho principal event, the Tork Farm Handicap. She had weak opposition, but neverthele&s paid a g-ood dividend (£5 10s). Taplow disappointed hia party, in the Tutaenui Shakes on the opening day, for whioh he was heavily supported, but there was no money for him on the second day. The report circulated that the Premier gelding Seddon was amiss proved to be utterly wrong, the old fellow accounting for two steeplechase events and running second in his other essay. He is an ideal hunter, and carries his big burdens right manfully. Red Hot renewed his acquaintance with a racecourse at the meeting, after a lengthy spell owing to unsoundness. He competed in a couple of the steeplechase events, but, although not disgracing himself at his first attempt over cross-country, failed to catch the judge's eye. Three large dividends were paid out at tho meeting—£2l on Sylviain the Trial Steeplechase, £26 on Full Charge in the Tutaenui Stakes (after running unplaced in the Maiden), and £26 on Beaufort in the Ladies' Bracelet. The last-named is owned by Mr. A'Deane, owner of Coastguard, and he had auother representative (Doris) in the same race. The roan Foulshot gelding First Shot has recovered from hiß ucoident, and, after ruuning second to Tupuhi in the Electric, annexed the Welter Handicap later in the day. Last year he ran second in the same event. Vogengang (Burlington — Psyche) a Wellington Cup winner, has arrived at Greytown for stud duties. J. E. Pilbrow, the well-known trainer, has shifted to Martinborough, where he will train horses for the coming meetings. The following committees have been elected in connection with the Wairarapa Racing Club: — Course Committee : Messrs. C. R. Bidwill, W. O. Williams, C. Elgar, J. S. Cundy, W. J. Nix. River Committee : Mebsrs. W. E. Bidwill and W. J. Nix. Programme Committee : Messrs. F. Pearce, H. Morrison, L. Pharazyn, J. W. Card, and W. Bock. At the suggestion of Mr. W. E. Bidwill, the Stewards of the Wairarapa R.O. are to meet on the Tauherenikau course on Saturday to inspect it, when the erection of a stewards' stand will be considered. At the Christchurch Hunt Club sports recently a case of ' ringing ' occurred, a gelding being substituted in the Hurdle Race for a . niare , named Jezebel. The owner of Jezebel (Matthew Conolly), as a result of investigation by the Stewards, has been disqualified for life. The ballot for the Stewards of the Wairerapa R.C. to retire next year resulted: — Messrs. A. M'Konzie, H. Morrison, H. S. Izard, W. Bock, Q. Donald, C. R. Bidwill. At the last meeting of the Stewards of the club, Mr. Bock stilted that at the annual meeting reference to their energetic Secretary had been overlooked, and he stated that Mr. Hutton was one who worked like a Trojan. He moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Hutton for his past untiring offorts in connection with the club. This was carried unanimously. The Pahiatua Racing Club has a credit balance of £305 19s sd, after writing off £45 11s outstanding fees and subscriptions, and allowing £57 14s for depreciation. Oracle and Redoubt were put up for sale at Pahiatua last week, but were withdrawn, the reserves on the animals not being reached. The jockeys Douglas Watt, Vincent O'Neill, and Clarence O'Neill have been refused licenses by the Hawkes Bay Jockey Club, and the Wanganui Club has refused to grant John Farrell a license. The hurdle racer Larrikin ended his career at Rosehill. He fell in the Hurdle Race, and was killed, while Iron Duke and Cape Pigeon, who came down also, escaped. Two of" the riders, T. O'Brien and P. Regan, got off with a broken rib and collarbone respectively. The late Matthew Daweon at one time traiued for Mr. Stead. Cutts is putting strong work into Goldleaf, and the little mare is looking really well.

Among the competitors at the Rosehill (JST.S.W.) races on tho 27th ult. were several who had hitherto belonged to the pony and galloway ranks, and though they failed in all cases to win (says a Sydney paper), behaved sufficiently well to satisfy mout people that where the company is not too select they are likely to add to their winning account. In view of tho new rules of the A.J.C., the Moorefield and Canterbury Park authorities have decided to discontinue pony and galloway racing on their couraes. T. Scott has decided to retain Plain Bill, and he will run in his colours during the coming season. 0. Smith, of Greytown, has a five-year-old horse by Voltigeur— Topic, and also Inverness, in work at Grevtown. The Masterton A. and P. Association has decided to allow the Musterton Trotting Club to use tho show grounds for its meetings this year at a rental of £5 os, provided that tho "Trotting Club dopomtfi £10 as a guarantee that the ground should bo left in good condition. The Nolson Trotting Club has a credit balance of £14. The uext meeting is to be held on 20th of October, at which will be included two back races in the programme. A. Peters has nominated Conspirer for open eventa at the Rungitikei Spring Meeting and Caballer for hack races. The nominations for the meeting are rather poor. The South Canterbury Meeting resulted in a profit of £150. Latest advicea from Home stated that the Derby winner Jeddah was showing signs of soreness owing to hard tracks, and this probably caused his defeat in the St. Leger Stakeß. True Blue's full brother Screw Gun is believed to be most forward of the Yaldhurst youngsters. Sant' Ilario will not be prepared for his early engagements. The New Zealand Cup candidate Swordfifh will arrive at Riccarton at the end of the present month. Magazine is to be schooled over the big fences. D. O'Brien's mares Sunningdalo and Alethe have both foaled to Light Artillery. The latter" s foal has since died. The mare will probably visit Heritas. Vanilla was Euroclydon's first consort. Tigress is doing splendidly at Hastings, and it is thought she will go near winning the Hawkes Bay Guineas. A rumour is current that Altair (Castor — Cissy) will be Mr. Stead's representative in the New Zealand Cup. The course watchers at Ellerslie are unanimous that St. Paul shows symptoms of soreness after he pulls xip, and then he gets all right again. The soft ground is iv his favour at present. They are also of opinion that St. Peter (St. Paul's brother), will win the first two-year-old race of the season. At a committee meeting of the C.J.C. tho sum of £10 was voted from the Jockeyß* Provident Fund to F. M'Grath, of the Hutt (subject to tho approval of the Chairman), who was hurt at the Grand National meeting. Simmer, a four-year-old son of St. Simon and Dutch Oven, has been purchased ia England on behalf of Mr. F. Reynolds, of Tocal Stud, N.S.W., to take the place at bis stud of the stallion Goldsbrough, recently dead. TheV.R.C. Derby candidate Cardamon (Gossoon— Cinnamon), who cost Mr. W. T. Jones 700 guineas as a yearling, won the Victorian Club Handicap at Flemington on the 27th August. He carried Gat 121b, and jubt won from Burrabari (7st 121b), who ran third to Auraria and Hova in the 1895 Melbourne Cup. ' Terlinga's ' remarks in connection with the race may be of interest: — 'Cardamon won, but it was rather a lucky win, as he was budly shut in at the turn, and Burrabari would certainly have worn him dpwn if he had not hung in badly about 200 yards from home. Moreover, Burrabari lost ground through his stable mate Murata colliding with him at the turn. Cardamon has not filled out as he promised to do, and I fancy that 'as far as the spring is concerned a mile will be found the length of his tether. Burrabari is coming on fast. This brother to Vakeel iB a rare stayer, who will be worth an investment on the day of the Melbourne Cup, if he keeps well. I was very pleased with Spencer's performance. A\ though short of work, and not fancied at all, Spencer was running on at the finish iv v way that denotes the stayer, and his Cup backers may yet get a remarkably good run -for their money, as there is every reason to believe that this eon of Carbine is as good as he looks. Murata, by Carbiue from that good mare Wilga, shaped well for a green one, but Trent was tailed off all the way. This horse has been a long time coming back to his form of twelve months ago, but some people say we shall see him at his best before very long now.' The Pilgrim's Progress colt Hainault, who won the South Australian Derby, is the horse who was some days ago reported to have been backed at 10 to 1 for the Victorian Derby. But his behaviour was not of a nature to gush over, for it was only after a determined struggle that he sucoeeded in silencing another V.R.C. blue riband candidate in Dick Hammerhand. The race whs not truly run, however, and if Hniuault required «olid pace to be made the absence of it may account for his apparently poor display. Tho disposal of the historic Hobartville stud has been fixed for the Monday after the A. J.C. Derby. The Carbine horse Futile, carrying Bsfc 41b, after getting badly away, and also being blooked, was beaten by The Captain (Gst 121b) in the Rosehill Handicap by three-quarters of a length, the mile and three furloD^s occupying- 2min 27sec. Strathroy, by Lochiel, in the came stable as The Captain (W Kelso's), won the Auburn Handicap, six furlongs, on the same day. When Mr. Herbert Power went to see La Carabine saddled up for the rnn off of the dead heat at Caulfield he noticed Dreamland being treated to a liberal allowance of whisky. ♦ Ah, well,' said Mr. Power to Mr. Redfearn, *if they have to dose him with whisky I ought to win.' ' But hold on,' said Mr. Redfearn, • we have just bought a shilling's worth of whisky for yours.' As it happened, each of the dead- beaters was loaded with whisky for the run -off. A writer in the Sydney Mail contends that, over a long distance, Carbine was not the best horse produced in Australia. He remiuds his readers that while the son of Musket won only one race run over three miles, he was beaten more than once over a similar distance ; that on the occasion of his victory the pace was slow ; that when he was defeated, it was fast. He admits that Carbine possessed extraordinary speed, so much so, indeed, that few opponents could really extend him for any length of time. To support his theory, he instances the opinions of Mr. W. Long and Mr. James Wilson, sen. At the last annual meeting of members of the Australian Jockey Club, the former is reported to have said that The Barb was 'the best horse we ever saw.' Such an opinion coming from a man possessing the experience of Mr. Long, who owns an unbeaten horse in Grand Flaneur, is bound to command respect. Mr. Wilson oonsiders The Barb the greatest stayer and weight, carrier Australia has ever produced, and next to him it is a matter of difficulty to decide between the claims of Grand Flaneur and those of First King. Those in the colonies who know little of a leading rider's life in England will be interested to learn that Momington Cannon recently chartered a special train to convey him, his valet, and others from Manchester to London, in order that he might catch the boat train to Calais the same evening. Up to 12th July the American horseman Sloan had ridden in 259 races, of which he had won no fewer than 121, which gives the wonderful^average of one win in every 21 4 mounts. He was unplaced on only 49 occasions, his mounts includiug 65 seconds and 24 thirds. Afterwards he was compelled to rest in consequence of illness.