SPORTING.

■ Owners are reminded that entries for Egmont Hack Produce Stakes, 1903 and 1904, close on Friday next.

Nominations for the following events to be decided at the Patea R.C. Meeting close on Saturday, Ist March, 1902, at 8 p.m. : — Hurdle Race, of 45sovs, 15s ; Flying Handicap, of 50sovs, 15s ; Patea Easter Handicap, of SOsovs, 20s ; Borough Handicap, of 40soys, 15s; Alton High Weight Handicap, of 55sovs, 20s.

Complaints having been made by R. Wooton and J. Williams with regard to the manner in which their respective horses (Isa and Clanside) were weighted in the Newmarket, the V.R.C. Com : mittee on investigation decided that it was unnecessary to refer the complaint to tho bandicapper.

The English Jockey Club have notified the American Club that they do not object to the laUer body authotising Tod Sloan to accept mounts in his own country, and in consequence he will resume riding there this year.

The Tasmanian Racing Club stewards on the 3rd inst decided to recommend the disqualification for life of James Hayes for, it was alleged, attempting to bribe the rider of Spartan to lose in the race with his own horse Adjuster, in the running off for the Wilson Stakes at Elwick on Thursday. The jockey, Thomas Rouse, was recommended to disqualification for twelve months for suspicious practices.

A leading French stable offered a lump sum of £6,000 for the combined services of the American trainer Wishard and the light-weight jockey J. Reiff for this season. The offer was declined.

When the last English mail left there had been a little betting on the Derby, to be run on June 4th. Duke of Westminster was a decided favourite, but 5 to 1 was still procurable about him after 1,500 to 300 had been booked in his favour. Nasturtium, the Americanbred colt, which left New York for Newmarket on January Ist, ranked as third favourite at 8 to 1, and Ard Patrick was quoted at sevens.

The American jockey D. Maher, who has returned to America for a trip, informed a New York representative that last season he made about £7,500, and he is reckoning upon netting between £10,000 and £11,000 from retainers and riding fees in England in 1902.

At the Southcourt stud farm Mr L. De Rothschild's All Bay foaled a bay filly by Trenton on New Year's Day. This was the first foal of the year in England.

It is not generally known (writes " Old Identity " in Dunedin Star) that Mr Solomon's champion, Blazer, in bis long racing career, extending over seven year's, has only taken part in two meetings — both at Christchurch — without being returned a winner. This is a great record, and proves that the son of Gorton was always what is known as a 11 trier."

According to the statistician of the Australasian Turf Register, Gozo, with £8,306, was the most successful sire for the first six months of the season, ended on- January 31st. He had 20 winners of 36 races. Trenton (now in England) is second with £5,920, nearly all won by Revenue and Wakeful. Loohiel's progeny have won £4,824, and Rill of Portland (now in England) has £4,315 opposite his name.

The Chris tch.urch correspondent of the Wellington Times writes : — I understand that after the Easter meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club Mr G. Q. Stead wiil dispose of the whole of bis horses in training, with the exception of Royal Artillery and Cruciform. This means that Menschikoff, St. Michael, Skobeloff, Orloff, and Imperator, and a number of other high-priced' ones, many of which have never been raced, are likely to be scattered over the colony, and the powerful Yaldhurst combination broken up. Mr Stead will retain his yearlings.