TURF GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 7, 9 January 1886, Page 4

TURF GOSSIP.

[By Hippona,]

The Auckland Racing Club Summer Meeting is now numbered with the past, and it can be said without fear of contradiction that it was tho most successful jtathering ever held here. Tho weather throughout was gloriously fine, and it is estimated that on each of tho three days the attendance of spectators numbered fully 8,000. So far as the racing was concorned, it was also of an oxcallent description, and tho results can bo looked back to by Aucklanders with tho very greatest amount of satisfaction, for out of the nineteen races that wore decided at tho meeting, only two fell to horses owned outside theprovinco. Compared with past years, when the visitors have swooped down on us and completely swept the board of our rich prizes,it is extremely gratifying, and for this change of things we have partly to thank several gentlemen who during the last year or two have joined tho ranks of the local horae owners. The New Zealand Stud Company has likewise undoubtedly lent a great impetus to the sport, and altogether turf matters here appear to be in a moro flourishing condition than ever thoy were. The equine hero of the meeting undoubtedly was Nelson, and hie brilliant victory in the Cup, in which ho ran the 2.j miles in tho phenomenal time of four minutes, will no doubt provide food for discussion in New Zealand turf annals for many a day to come. One or two of my Southern confreres I notice throw somo doubt as to tho correctness of the time, but I can assure them it is quite correct, whilo there is no question that the distance was fully covered. Tho Ellorslio course has always hud a groat reputation for fast records, but on this occasion tho extraordinary times mado in tho Cup and several other races at thoguthoring aro partly accounted for by the fact that a portion of tho running track has been top dressed since last season. Nelson's win in the Racing Club Handicap was almost as good a performance as that of the Cup, for dospito his impost of Sat 131b, nono of his opponents were ablo to foot it with him, and he had them all fairly settled at the turn for homo. Major George has owned Nelson ever since ho was a foal, for it was he who brought his dam, My Idea, to these shores from Victoria, and when ehe was landed here,Nelßon was running by her side. Subsequently, however, My Idea passed into the hands of the Now Zealand Stud Company, and sho now graces their paddocks at Sylvia Park. Tho extendod pedigree of Nelson, which will repay perusal, reads as follows : —

Musket carried off the honours among tho winning sires at the Auckland Summer Meeting, Mb progeny appropriating seven races, among which were three rich stakes in tho shape of tha Derby, won by Foul Shot, the Great Foal Stakes, won by Ricochet, and tho Stud Company's Sires' Stakes, secured by Derringer. So far as actual money is concerned, however, King Cole was close on the heels of the defunct son of Toxopholite, for his brilliant five-year-old son Nelson placed to his credit £1,287 by his victories in the Cup and Racing Club Handicap. That successful sire of jumpers, Day Dawn, had a really good representative in the shape of Alaric, who won both Hurdle Races and Steeplechase, and St. Alban?, Traducer, King of Clubs, Sterlingworth, Loolinus, Cadogan, and Jav'lin, bad one winning representative each. In the matter of jockeyship at the meeting, W. Brown, the Christehurch horseman, and our local knights of the pigskin, T. Taylor and J. Rae, divide tho honours, each having ridden three winners. Brown was on Nelson in both of his triumphs, and rode Stoneyhurst in the Auckland Plato, while Taylor had the great honour of riding Foul Shot to victory in tho Derby, and was on Scot Free in the Midsummer Stakes and Revolver in the Selling Race. Rae's three wins were gained on Alaric, and this makes the third time he has piloted the winner of the Summer Steeplechase, being on Tho Agent in 1831 and Chandler in 1884, while on two occasions he has also won tho Autumn Steeplechase. Popular little George Williams secured two well-deserved viotoriesonLiboller in the Grand Stand Handicap and Cremorne in the Nursery Handicap, while Alick Sutherland also rode two winners. Harry Thompson, J; Kean, A. Byers, G. Hope, JCidd, and Morrtgan each had one winning mount at the meeting, Thompson having the " leg-up" on Eicochet in the Great Northern Foal Stakes.

It is some time since a Derby in New Zealand has attracted fluoh high-class representatives as those which supplied the plapea in our Blue Riband on New Year'B Day. Both Foul Shot and Derringer iooked the very out of Derby candidates, and tho pair left the paddock looking as fit as hands could make them. Derringer also bora evidence of having undergone an excellent preparation, and he appeared to be in great nick, but in their preliminaries nothing appeared to me to go so well as Stoneyhurst, his lonp sweeping stride gaining Mm many friends. The tale of how the race was lost and won is now too wbll - known to my readers, but one thing may be said — that Foul Shot proved himself by his running in the race to be one of the best three-year-olds seen out here, v. hjle I feel certain that Stonevhurst ran up to his best form. The defeat of Derringer was attributed to Sutherland having slipped one foot out of the stirrup, and no doubt there is some truth in the statement, as Mr Marshall's colt emply proved by his hollow viqtory

over Foul Shot in tho Siros' Produce Stakes. However, Foul Shot was not tho colt in that race he was in the Derby, and his trainer was compelled to run him in light plates to protect his feet, they being very eoro from tho hard ground. Which is the better colt of tho two, in my opinion, has not yot beon fully proved, and tbo next meeting of tho pair will bo looked forward to by local turfites with more than ordinary intorest. The Stooplechaso atour Summer Meeting, I am sorry to say, has noarly always had some unsavoury business connocted with it, and this yoar was no exception to tho rule. | As soon as tho race was decidod on Saturday last, it was oasily aeon by those in tho paddock that tho result did not suit certain parties, and tho littlo "scones" that took place between them afterwards was quite enough to satisfy tho ordinary observer that a dirty piece of business had been arranged. 'I he whole affair will certainly not stand the light of day, and for the sake of tho turf it is a pity that all thoso connected with tho intended swindle havo not receivod tho punishment they so richly merited. Among the visitors to Auckland this week was tho Hon. W. Robinson. It is ton years since the veteran turfite was last amongst us. Mr J. Balmain, who roturnod from his Australian visit afewdiysago, madoarrangements with MrF.Dalun whilo in Melbourne to prepare his colt Musk Rose for the next V.R.C. Derby and Cup. So far as appearance and breeding go, the youngster haa evorything to recommend him, and Aucklanders will indeed fool proud if Mr Balmain is handsomely rewarded for his plucky venture.

With tho exception of Scot Free, the two-year-olds that figured at the Auckland Summer Mooting were not by any means up to previous yoara. Air McKinnon's colt certainly won tho Midsummer Stakes from end to ond like- a racehorse, but his owner was foolish enough to start him tho same afternoon for the Railway Plate, in which tho son of Sterlingworth bolted, and the consoquonco was that he went all to pieces afterwards, and did not show to advantage oh tho aocond day of tho mooting. Ricochot undoubtedly has a good turn of foot, but her Jnrie will bo ovor short courses, while we wore unablo to got a reliable line as to Brigadier's ability from the fact that ho did not get woll away in tho raco hestarted for. I think it was a good thing for tho owners of tho youngsters who ran that Petroleum was not ablo to figure at the meeting, for on his running in tho spring and the extra condition he had on him, ho must have beaten all those that opposed him. The colt, however, being a big gross fellow, went soro two or throo dayß before tho meeting, and his owners wisely elected not to start him, rather than risk tho chance of breaking him down. Although Major George backod Nelson' to win him several hundred in tho Auckland Cup,neither himself nor his trainer, E. Cutts' had a single ponny on the horse in the totalisator. Cutts, I hear, did send to the machine to put a "fiver " on,hearing of the liberal odds on offer against him, but bj tho time the machine was reached, it turned out to be too late. Tho groat majority of those who reaped in tho handsome dividend on Nelson were the metalHcians, most of whom hold a ticket on the chestnnt son of M y Idea. Tho New Year Meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club would not appear to havo been oxtra successful. The fields in tho two principal events were exceedingly poor, but in the minor races the nurabors woro much largor, and there were one or two closely-fought contests. Loon, the winner of tho Midaummor Handicap, is a son of Leolinus out of Fancy (the dam of Foul Play and Tho Poet), and it will bo romomberel he was backed for tho New Zoaland Cup by his owner at the olevonth hour. Tho sale of the New Zealand Stud Company's yearlings on Monday must bo pronounced a great success, and, on tho whole, tho prices the various lots brought wore very satisfactory. The total amount realised was £5,G01 guineas for tho thirty-one disposed of, or an average of 175 guineas each. It was anticipated tho Musket-Onyx colt would havo brought n largor figuro than SSO guineas, but the colt in appearance is scarcely such a good looking ono ns his famous brother Nordenfeldt was at his ago. Besides tho Hon. W. Robinson, tho other bidders for tho coit woro Mr J. Bulmain and tho Messrs White, of Sydney. Mr Balmain secured a couple of vory pro mising youngsters in tho colts by Aiuwket out of Rusotto and L'Orient, and the fitly by StorUngworth-Pulcb.il. This last-named young lady created more competition than anything offered at tho sale, and if appearances go for anything, sho should turn out a real clinkor. I thought Mr G. Wright secured a good colt in tho young gentleman by Leolinus-Lure, whilo Mr W. Lyons deserved to be rewardod for his plucky purchase of Too Soon, tho colt unfortunately foaled in July.

During tho weok Nelson has been backed hero to win tha double, Dunedin and Wellington Cups for all the available money at 100' ato 3.

From what I hear, novor previously have the Southern contingent who annually come up for our Summer Meoting experienced such a bad time of it as ovor tho gathering just past. It was shared in by both horsocwnorti and metallicians alike, and ono or two of the latter vow they will not again put in an appearanco here. One of the biggest losers ovor the mooting is Mr W. Weston, and in addition to his pecuniary losses, he had the misfortune to lose the sorvices of the jumper Medico, who had to be eased in his work, and when started in the Steeplechase, he broke down so badly that it will tako a long while bofore he is ablo to figure on a race-course again. Wonton is one of tho popular members of tho Southern ring, and when his smiling face is again amongst us I hopo to havo to record him bettor luck.

Several days ago Derringer was nibbled at for the Dunodin Cup, but since his triumph over Foul Shot in the Stud Company's Siros1 Produce Stakes on Saturday, he haa beon co well supported to win the big Otago event, that 100 to 14 is now the best price procurable about him. With 7st 21b there is no doubt the game son of Musket is particularly woll in, and if he sons the post dressed in his best, I certainly think he will bo able to gallantly uphold hid birthplace when tho field lines upottheForbury in Fobruary next

It wns admitted on all hands by visitors to our Summer Meeting that novor previously had tho local horses been bo woll trained. On Cup Day, Chaaffo had Necklace looking fit enough to run for a kingdom, and Derringer looked equally woll. The appearanco and condition of Kelly's team wero also a credit to him, and there was not a prouder man in tho paddock than "Ted" when he led Foul Shot to scale after defeating Stoneyhurst in the Derby. It was cortainly a great feather in his cap, and he was deservedly congratulated on all hands at the way he had propared the son of Musket and Slander.

The Takapuna Jockey Club havo received excellent nominations for their Summer Meeting, which takes place on the 29th January, Mr W. W. Robinson will declare the woights on Tuesday noxt.

Immediately after the Stooplechase was decided on Saturday last, Alaric was taken to E. Kelly's stable, and the horse is now under that trainer's charge.

Sheet Anchor's dofoat of .Reginald in the Bagot Plate at tho V.R.C. Summer Mooting on New Year's Day must put him a long way in the Champion' Race. The son of St. Albans will have 9st Sib to carry in the gront weight-forago race, while Nordenfeldt's impost will be 7st 121b, Those who were standing in a line with the judge's box on New Year's Day were unanimous in tho opinion that Derringor was second in the Derby. 1 happened to be among those who were in the place mentioned, and thought so myself, but it must be remembered that no one is ablo to state positively like the judge, while Thompson, who rode Stoneyhurst, tells me that he is certain he was a head in front of Derringer as they passed the box. At any rate, Mr Marshall did not murmur at the placing of the two horses.and I believe he wasperfectlv satisfied with the judge's decision. R. Mason has resumed possession of hia old quarters at Yaldhurst, Chrietchurch, and he will no doiibt shortly have a string under his oharge. Although the visit of Mr H. Redwood to our Summer Meeting was not a successful one pecuniarily, I am glad to hear that he is highly pleased with the place. It is now nearly twelve years since the father of the New Zealand turf paid us a visit, arid naturally he witnesses many great changes. The calibre of the Auckland-owned horses somewhat surprised him, while the Ellorslio course and its appointments and pretty surroundings hare come in for a large amount of praise at his hands. As I stated above, Mr Redwood was not a wiDner at the meeting, this being due to both Capsize and Alpine Rose having to be eased in their work, but the next time the veteran journeys up this way we wish him better luck, and I think that I am safe in saying the appearance of his colours will always be gladly welcomed by Aucklandl turfites.

From Napier comes the news that Leonora, the Auckland Easter Handicap

winner of 1883, has visited Vobco di Gama's harom this seafeon, and Minerva has olbo gone to the same horso. Minerva, however, will be kept in work up to tho March meeting of tho Hawke'a Bay Jockey Club. Tho Hem. J. White's stable were in great form at the A.J.C. Summer Meeting, hold at Randwick on Boxing Day. In addition to winning the Summor Cup by tha aid of Tempe, they also socured the December Stakes (for two-yoarolds) with Philip Augustus, and tho Christmas Gift with Trident, a full brothor to Navigator. The Two-year-old Plate fell to Brigantine, ownod by Mr M. Fennelly, tho Hon. J. White's treiner.

Philip Augustus was recently backed in Melbourne for a level five hundred to beat Blairgowrie in the next V.R.C. Derby, one, two, three. By his victory in the December Stakes at Rahdwick, in the splendid time of lmin. 3sec. (says " Vigilant"), Philip Augustus has put in a strong claim to tho title of the best colt of tho season, and, after all, those who wont for him for tho Maribyrnong Plate (in which ho did not start) were not far out in their judgment. The colt was in receipt of 51b from Blairgowrio, who will, I think, turn out to bo the better Derby investment of tho twain, though, of tho blue and whito lot, Philip Augustus is, in my opinion, the best. A most disgraceful scene is stated to have occurred in the paddock at the A.J.C, Meeting on Boxing Day, between Mr W. A. Long, of Grand Flanour fame, and the starter, Mr W. Gannon. Somo very high words and bad accusations were used by Mr Long towards Mr Gannon with reference to his starting, and tho big Sydney Club, it is said, intend bringing the matter beforo tho Committee.

At the Liverpool (Sydney) Jockey Club Meeting a few days back, I notice that the Auckland-bred filly Rosebud, by Musket— Rosarina, ran a dead heat for second honours in tho Members' Cup, Cestus, a Bon of Tho Drummor, being returned the winner.

Nitnblefoot, who it will bo remembered realised the dream of his departed owner, the late Walter Craig, by winning the Molbonrne Cup in 1870, died recently at Mr Thomas Henty's station, in Victoria. The son of Panic had been for some time pensioned, but being short of horses the managor allowed ono of the station hands to use the old horse, who had barely started to canter when he dropped down dead, Nimblofoot's greatest feat was when, after winning tho Hotham Handicap, he carried Johnny Day homo in front of Lapdog for tho Melbourne Cup after a rattling finish, the rider wearing a black crape band on his arm in memory of the horse's owner, who, prior to his death, droamt that Nimblefoot won tho great handicap of tho year. I (" Warwick ") woll remeiuber the eyening of tho now colebratod wager of £1000 to eight cigars that old Slack, tho then leviathan double eventer, laid Mr Craig in the cosy billiard-room at Craig's, viz., Croyden for tho A.J.C. Metropolitan and Nimblefoot for the Melbourne Cup, which, my readers know, duly " camo off," and which Slack aftorwards paid the half of to tho widow of Mr Craig,

Word comes from Melbourne that tho onco promising colt Tho Teacher has been destroyed, owing to an attack of nasal disease

I heard a very good story the other evening (says a Melbourne writer), and I can vouch for tho voracity of my informant. A young follow in an inland town, who bad formerly held the position of telegraphic operator in tho local post and telegraph oifieo, and who had made hicißelf very proficient in tho art of " taking by sound," hit upon a capital idea of raiding the wind. Going to the window of the E.T. office prior to tho hour the Melbourne Cup was run for, ho asked the clerk for tho Postal Guide, for tho ostensible purpose of keeping tho window open so that he could hear plainly when tho wires flashed tho result. Presently he heard dot dash dot, &c, which gave sheet. Ho waited not an instant longer, but darted across to a " pub." opposite, within whose parlour an anxious little lot had assembled to hear tho result. Soating himself on tho couch ho oxclaimed, " Well, boys I I have a presentiraont that Sheet Anchor will win the Cup," which remark waa greeted with sundry exclamations such as, "Sheet Anchor bo Mowed." " Hasn't got a 100 to 1 chanco." " Couldn't win a hurdle race," and so forth. Our smart young friend troatcd all such epithet* with the modest reply that bis presentiment was so strong that ho would hack it against anything else in tho race. Within loss than as many minutes ho had booked seven wagers of a " tivor" each Sheet Anchor against various horses, and when the (elogram was posted in tho bar a few minutes later announcing the victory of the son of St. Albans, the soven losers drank tho winner's health, amidst such exclamations as "Ho'splucky," 'Ho deserves to win,' 'He must have had tho straight tip.' And ho did, no mistake.

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