Sporting.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 503, 10 January 1906, Page 5

Sporting.

[By " Nemo."] Melodeon still continues to be a costly ornament to have about a stable. Both Visionary and Imaginary will be seen under colors at the Naseby meeting. The programme for the Tapanui Racing Club's meeting, to be held on 25th and 26th inst., is to hand. Nominations for the principal events close on the 18th inst. Lilystone has been asked to carry 8.8 (top weight) in the Flying Handicap at the Wairio meeting. On her running at the recent meetings up this way I do not give her much of a chance. A number of local sportsmen intend journeying to the Naseby races, which take place on the Ist and 2nd February. The only local horses taking part are Messrs Young Bros.' Capetown and Mr E. Marslin's Eleata B. Wellington Park Stud sales didn't realise the amount expected, 32 yearlings going for 2680g5; the mares fetched £6OBI, and some of them had foals at foot; while the three stallions realised 970gs. Horse breeding is not what it used to be. Mr J. Bichardson has General Babington (by General Tracey—Sail Home) in training, and I understand that it is the intention of this young painstaking trainer to take the General and Theora to Dunedm to compete in the Tahuna Paik trots next month.

The main feature of a quiet holiday in Christchurch was the raiding by the police of the offices of Barnett and Giant, Mat. Livingstone and Jack Ross, and the seizure of books and documents alleged to be related to betting and other things. The gents mentioned are remanded for eight days. Imaginary, who won severul events at the recent country meetings, has developed into a nice looking mare, and more will yet be heard of the daughter of Stepniak—lllusion. It may not be generally known that this promising mare is not a very far distant relation of Menschikoffs, as the the latter was got by Stepniak out of Pibroch, a half sister to the dam of Imaginary. I have to congratulate that popular and well-known trainer and rider, J as. Henry, on the success that attended his efforts with Stepenfeldt and Metford at the Vincent Jockey Club's meeting. It was the general comment of the public how well both horses were sent to the post, and the genial owner, Mr G. Donnelly, is extremely fortunate in having such a painstaking trainer in charge of his horses. The handicaps for the Gore meeting, to be held on 17th and 18th inst., have been issued. In the Croydon Handicap, of seven furlongs, Metford has been allotted 7.8, the top weight being Bill Perkins 9.0. Iu the Gore Cup Brighton is asked to carry 8.13, Tugela 7,10, and Stepenfeldt 7.10. In the seven furlong hack Smallshot has 8.8, and in the mile trot J.C. has Bsec. As many as 20 horses are entered for one hack race and 21 for the trots. I notice that Mr C. Deady, an Alexandra boy, was successful at the Greymouth races with his horse Replete. On the first day he succeeded in winning the Welter Handicap, of 60sovs, with 10.8 up, and starting fa\orite won easily, paying £1 lis. On the second day Mr Deady's horse ran second to Ngataraa in the New Year Handicap, being beaten after a great struggle. He again started favorite, paying 15s for second dividend.

It seems like old times to hear of Dan O'Brien winning a classic race. Multifid notched the Great Northern Derby for him, however, cutting out the mile and a-half in 246 4-5. This horse has come on a great deal lately, and should prove a good handicap nag next season. The race showed that King Billy isn't partial to a distance. He was never in it. Gay Spark, the Canterbury rep., too, was unable to get a place. Master Delaval was second, and Gladsome's half-sister, Apologue, third. The latter may be expected to improve.