TURF NOTES.

FIXTURES. August lis—Wairarapa Hunt Club's Steeplechase Meeting. August 13, 15, 17— C.J. 0. Grand *», National Meeting. September 4, s—Marton J.C. Hack Meeting. September 18, ID—ltnugitikci R.C Spring. After 9 p.m. to-niglit it will be too late to make outries for any of tlie -.even races which are to be run at the Wairarapa Hunt Club's Steeplechase Meeting, and, therefore, the fact should bo voted. Tho programme is made up of—Hunters' Handicap Hurdlse, 10 soys, one and a-hall'miles; Handicap " Flat Race, 10 soys. live furlongs; Wairarapa Hunt. Steeplechase, 7 soys, .second horse tropliv value 2 guineas, two aud a-half miles; Hack Handicap (flat),* 20 soys, sevcu furlongs; Taratahi Steeplechase. 20 soys, three miles; • Ladies' Bracelet Handicap, trophies value !) guineas, one and a half miles; Final Steeplechase, Jo soys, two miles. On Thursday IIU colonial-bred horses-advanced a year in age. The writer paid a visit to the Opaki racecourse this morning, aud noticed ruauv little improvements that had effected by Mr Henry Welch, the J _-_Rwly-appointed custodian. He lias re-gravelled the paths around the grandstand enclosures, aud re-crowned the carriage drive. Last week he turned a flock of sheep on to tlie race track proper for a few days, and lias since brush-harrowed it, which should have the effect of tilling up lliau >" ot the holes. He intends rolliug it today. The shrubs have also been attended to, being trimmed and manured. The New Zealand Cup eaudulate Crichtou has broken down. Volume (Sylvia Park—Lottie) has been purchased from Mr J. Goodwin, of Hawera, by an Indian buyer. Something approaching 1000 guineas is said to have changed hands over the sale, which is subject to the colt passma: a veterinary examination. Volume has to his credit the Feilding Cup and Easter Handicap, N.Z. St. Leger, Hawke's Bay Cup and Hawera Cup. Lyrist accounted for the two principal" flat races at the Hawke's Bay Hunt Club's Meeting on Wednesday. His starting prices were 4 to 1 aud G

to 4 against. was scratched for the New ■•Jealand Cup yesterday morning, and Cash for all engagements at the Grand National Meeting. Last week a cable message from Melbourne advised that Maramii had been in good request for the Melbourne Cup. The horse referred to has not, as vet, appeared iv public. He is a three-year-old by Malatua— Gratih.and is owned by Mr D. O'Brien, of New Plymouth. Maramii is engaged m the A.J.C. Metropolitan Stakes and Derby. His impost in the great Flemiugtou event is (ist 181b. The following winners at Trent ham have been penalised for their C..1.C. engagements :—Winter Cup—Seaman (101b), weight now lOst lib; Jolly Friar (71b). lOst lib; St. Bill (51b'. i)?t 81b. Steeplechase—Haydn (14lb), list 31b. Hurdles—Ben Jouson (JOlb). lOst (Üb; Regulation (51b), 10_t; Lull (101b), Dst lllb;Stayboy (51b). Ust Tib. Henry Fairbrother, who was badly crumpled up in the Jumpers' Flat Race at Trentham, is reported to be making good progress towards recovery. Mr' D. J. Price, the New Zealand owner-trainer, was the purchaser of the V.R.C. Grand National Race win-

ner Bribery, and is considered to have

a good chance of getting au early re♦turii of the ('OO guineas expended, for Hie sou of Malvolio lias been let off with list lib in the Caultield Grand National Hurdle Kace, which is to be run to-day.

Noctuifoim was made favourite iv the Ascot Stakes, but finished fourth. He was ridden by by L. H. Hewitt.

Waitarere's breakdown in the Wellington Steeplechase prevents him fulfilling Riccartou engagements. The Auckland Racing Club's bal-ance-sheet discloses the fact that tlie Club has had a most prosperous year. A clear profit of £:3!)2:j 4s lid was made. Totalisator investments in creased by £17,811), the amount handled being £21(>,680. Stakes to the value of £22,4(10 were given away. Phaetonitis is a much-fancied candidate for tlie G.N. Steeplechase. W. Higgius is to have the mount. Kaitere will be ridden by W. Wilson in the same event.

There are no less than three previous winners in the Grand National Steeplechase, to be run on the 13th of next mouth. Those referred to are Slow Tom (1904), Inniskillen (1005), and Phaetontis (190(5). Quarrymau takes up his duties at Hon. G~ McLean's Warrington stud. I Mr C. Siddells, news of whose death ■ on tlie Wimmera (en route to Sydney) reached here on Tuesday, was well known in the field of sport. He raced Moonraker, Tenby, Maid Marion, Kiugsman and others. The Seaton Delaval—Waitemata horse Porirua will be at the service of breeders in the Masterton district this year. As a two-year-old he annexed three good races in the Hastings Stakes, Northern Champagne Stakes and North Island Challenge Stakes. Friends of "Jack" Cameron, the well-known steeplechase rider, who fractured a thigh whilst schooliug Oryx over hurdles on the Taratahi course, are subscribing freely to the list being taken up on his behalf. Cameron met with his accident nearly twelve months ago, aud has been an inmate of the Masterton Hospital ever since. It will be some time yet before he will be able to leave the institution. Mr H. Roulston ("Umpire," of the Sydney Referee) has been appointed a stipendiary steward for West Australia at a salary of £700 a year. Mr L. * Darling, of Beckhampton (Eng.), who is known by the name of "His Astuteness," has, during the first three months of the present season, won over £10,000 with horses by him. W A statement is current to tlie effect that Uranium, who is engaged in the Grand National Hurdle Race, has been acquitting herself well in her schooling over hurdles.

Regulation made her debut as a hurdler at the Wellington Meeting, and by winning her first race over the sticks from a strong field the Regel mare endorsed the opinion that has been formed of her jumping ability.

Alexandra, one of the mares purchased in England by Mr Sol. Green, the Victorian penciller, is a half-sister by Persimmon to the New Zealandowned stallion St. Ambrose.

Solution is said to be going on nicely in her work at Oaulfiehl. It is stated that Mr Rieh:;rd Croker won £40,000 in bets over the success of his colt Orby iv the English Derby. Creusot is reported to be looking very well at present. Full brothers to Boomerang and Merriwai are receiving their first education at Longlands station, under John Quinlivan. The tidy sum of £&""]•) was put through tlie machines iv the Kia Oni Hack Race at Trent ham on the concluding day. Not bad for a hack race.