MISCELLANEOUS.

Magpie was shipped South on Tuesday with a view to contesting at the Christchurch Grand National Meeting. Newhaven'has not turned out a success in the old country. He was among the starters in the Alexandra Plate run at the Ascot meeting, but failed to stay the journey out and finished unplaced. He was also defeated in the Gold Vase, in which race he was third in a field of four. Old Liberator is "to be given a run at the New Zealand Grand National meeting. Starshot and St. Paul are equal favourites for the New Zealand Cup at lOtfto 10Eleusinian, a popular Adelaide tip for the Melbourne Cup, has been scratched for that race. The richest Derby on record was that won by Lord Lyon in 1866, which was worth £7,850. There is Rome talk of a Bill to legalise the use of the totalisator being introduced into the New South Wales Parliament. During the past five seasons St. Leger's Btock racing on the New Zealand turf have wdn in_ stakes the large sum of £30,1 13. Old Eoscius, the giant son of Gladiator, who won the Auckland Steeplechase in 1895, died during the present month at H-^wke's Bay. H; Hales, who steered Floater to victory in the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase, is a brother to the oncefamous Thomas of the same name.

Pilgrimage, the dam of the Derby winner Jeddah, died on the day on which her son achieved his sensational victory in the Epsom race. Oastashore has been taken on to Riccarton with a view to contesting in the Welter Handicap at the New Zealand Grand National meeting next month. Auraria having been thus early withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup, it would seem as though the turf career of the brilliant daughter of Trenton had closed. J. E; Brewer, the owner and rider of the y.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race winner Pat, had the nice bet of £1000 to £100 about his horse for that event. With £6000 guaranteed to the English Derby, the Epsom race fund has ouly to furnish £165 towards the amount, the stake money and forfeits totalling £5,835. The Auckland-bred Oscillator, who recently was awarded the champion prize for stallions at the New South Wales show, is at the stud in that colony at a fee of five guineas. The Auckland owned mare Seabreeze, who was recently taken South, figures among the entrants for the Maiden Hurdle Race, to be decided at the N.Z. Grand National meeting. The Duke of Portland's stable is dead out of luck this season, and unless something of his is brought to light at the latter end His Grace will have a very modest winning total this year. St. Kilda was taken South by the Elingamite on Tuesday last by W. Creamer, with a view to his contesting in the Welter handicap at the New Zealand Grand National meeting.