TURF GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 177, 28 July 1888, Page 9 (Supplement)

TURF GOSSIP.

[liV Jlll-fiiN \. ]

I'm: tiiaud National Stoepleohaxe, which

» i■: d( elded at Kirauioii on Thursd.iy last-,

has b;.-oti the nll-impoiinnl topic in turf

circles this week. This is tlio livsfc timo tho vtic-3 has been run under t!ie auspices of t.lio Canterbury Jockey Chib, and tlio fair field of vino went lo (l:o post, hciujr fenr less than took part in lust ycur's contest. Jlangaohane scored a r.'ilicnloiisJy easy viclni'v', but his; sueeo-.u was not mi - expected, for lie -vas :i " strong tip" from Clnioti.-liiu-1-h on the cvo of tlio rneo. In local circle* Chemist was tho popular fancy, but hi> crushing impost of 12st 101b proved too much for him. Canard triumphed in this raco with the impost in 18C6, and Ihat gallant 'uhasci1 Tho Agent won two years in succession with the i-c-ipoct-ivo impost* of 12st 81b am] lilt 71h, while Claroneo earned 12.*t 2lb to victory in 1081. MmiLruohanu'H performnnnes duiinK the pant two sen-sous are as follow.-] •■ • "

At 5 years.—Won IfawWs Hay Sfecplochase, "SOOsovs., with 9st 121b; Oivliuiko (10-t 101b) sooond, Romeo (lOst) third ; won Xapior I'aik Hfceoploelrwo, 200sovs., with lOsh 71b, Orient (list 91b) second. l!omco'(9.it 121b) third ; fecond with list 41b lo X.'ho (0.-t 101b) in Wellington Steeplechase, Oriont (Hat fill.) third ; unplncocl in (irniul National Steeplechase with list lllh, won by FmiL'h-a-ballaKh (Hut 131b). At 6 years.— Second (10.-t 121b) Uaiidicap Hiudle'lUco, Napier I'ark 11.0. Autumn Meeting; Tro-j Sec, 12sb :ilb. lirst: Chemist, 11.-t, first, Third (lOst 101b). Second Third lo Raco, ' sumo .mooting; Chemist, 11s 71b, one ; Denbigh, lOst 2!b, second. Sooond (lOst 81b) Xapior Steejilocliaso • Chemist, list 61b, lir.it : Denbigh, lOst lib, third. Won (lOsb 71b) Hurdle Race, same mooting ; Clyde, 9st, second ; Krebus, M-, third. Second (list 51b) Huwko's Hny Steoplocluuse s Chemist, 12st 61b, first: Donbighi 10-st, third : won Grand National S.'eoplcohnso, list 21b ; Daddy Lomrlc'.;* (9st 71b) soeond ; Isaac (lOst 91b) third.

I invadod tlio quiet seclusion of Koan'a training establishment at Kokiuiarama ono day tliia week, and found his numerous string nil healthy and well. Altogether the boxen aro tenanted by thirteen horses, six of whom aro yearliiiL'S, or who may now bo called two-year-olds. I had not seen Escutcheon since tint Melbourne Cup meeting. The son of Musket has not grown up, but ho has thickened to a good oxtont, and he bore evidence that Keau Ims not been idlo with him of late. Escutcheon's forelegs were encased in bandagos. Loopold is in blooming health, and he likewise shows that ho has dono a lot of work. He in an improved colt in every way, excepting that ho has not grown upwards. Cuirassier has lost a lot of tho flesh that ho carried when last Keen out, but it is quito evident that this colt roquirQß timo, and Kcan has his work before him to get him rite for his oat-Iy spring engagements. Braomar (the full brother to Mitrailleuse) was in tlio rough, having only been taken up a wsck ago. Ho hat been spoiled einco January Iml>. The 'chaser* Magnesia und Hsutswnn were turnod out in one of tho jj»d*k»Ai>. The youngsters comprise Coruwn^ by Musket out of Louhiul's dam Nelly M<j<u>« ; Nosoby Lcoiinus—Perfume j yelt by Loolinns—Atlantis ; filly, by Lcoiinus - Lure (full sister to Whaicawai): La IKuiphinc, a nice filly by Tho Dauphin from Bras«alis, by Punic ; and a colt-, by Grand Prix—Fleiuofcto. All havo been broken in and are in work, but tho most forward of the lot is Loehici's half-brotkor, probably with an eye to tho Christchuruh Welcome Stakes. 110 may bo a. bit on the email side to pleaso some, but otherwise ho takes a lot of picl'ing to ]>ieces.

The annual meeting of the member.* of the Auckland Racing Club take? plaeo on Monday, 6th August. Immediately at the conclusion a special general meeting will bo he'd to confirm the now rules of the Metropolitan Clubs for the restriction of the undue use of the totaliaator.

Though the woijrhts for the important spring handicaps havo boen before tlio Australian public for some time, very little betting 1m been trnnsaotcd. A fair amount of double business* is doing-on the Melbourne Derby and Cup .and Catillie'd i and Melbourne Cups in Sydney, but rL-ht- ; out business is almost a dead letter. Roconfcly Mr Oxenham laid 5,000 to 100 against Lonsdalo for the V.R.C. Derby and Melbourne Cup, and 5,000 to 25 against Lonsd.ilo nnd Aristocrat for llio same eronts. Tlio following may be taken as about tho ruling prices :— irAWKDSBUBY HANDICAP. 500 to 50 agat Monte Chrlsto 500 to 50 — Keitli 500 to 25 — Snuthorty Duster 500 to 25 — First Flaneur 500 to 25 — Lyndhurst OIIKAT METROPOLITAN BTAKKS. 100 to 5 agst The Jewel 100 to 5 — Cardigan ICO to S — Mon'oCliristo 100 to 5 — Southerly Biiater 100 to 5 — Lockaley 100 to 6 — Frisco 100 to 5 — Araomil CAULPIJELD CUP. lOOOtoiOnßStCmnlirook 100-0 to 30 — Uaklcigh 10C0to30 — Ariatourut luooto3o — Cardigan 1000 to 30 — Itcmiis 1000 to 30 — Lord Alton 1000 to 30 — Monte Christo WO to 30 — Yielory 1000 to 30 — Liimoml 1000 to 30. — Sorolla MEI.BOUKNE CL'I1. ICOD Lo 10 agst Cardigan 1000 to 10 — Aristocrat 1000 to 30 — Crnnbrook 1000 to 30 — (Jarlyon too-:) to 30 — Silver Prince IOCOtoJO — Jlntmlor 1000 to 30 — Lonmlalo 1000 to 30 — Meteor 1000 to 30 — Lamomi 1000 to 30 — Australian Poor v.n.c. i>hkuv. 4 to 1 a;-;st Volley 6to 1 — Lonsdnle 10 to 1 — others V.R.C. DERUT AND MELBOURNE CUP. 5000 to 100 tigst Ijonxlalo ami Lonsdalo 5000 to 40 — Lonsdulo nnd Cmnbrook 5000 to 25 — Lousilale and Silver Prince 5000 to 10 — l.oiisdalc and Australian Poor 5000 to 25 — Lonsdalo and Aristocrat 5000 to 25 — Magazine and Arsenal 5000 to 25 — Magazine and Australian Peer 5000 to 10 — Volley and Cardigan bOOO to ■!■> — Volley and Silver Princo 50.0 Lo 25 — Volley and Theorist ■ 5000 to 50 — Volley and Cranbrook CAULI'IKI,U CVe AND MBLTIOURKE CUP. EOOO t0.5 mixed, if not previously laid, While-at tho North Shore a day or two ago I had a look ab Brigadier. -He has grown and furnished into one of the finest specimens ot tho thoroughbred that one could wish to look at, and for size, bone I and substance I think he will be found hard jto beat. Certainly, fault can bo found with • hia fore-letcs, but otherwise ho ban every ! essential that makes the perfect horse. Last season Brigadier served a good number of mares belonging to his owners, and in addition Hipporina, Yattaoy, and irishwoman, but tho latter has since died. Brigadier has been trcatod to mild canters during the lost couple of months, with a view to try and get a short raco out of him, but I am certain he will never stand a preparation. From Christchurch I learn that Carbine is in slow work, nnd the touts voto him a much-improved colt. Manton is highly spoken of, And his stable companion, Artillery, is doing well. Engagement has. <rone amiss. ' The Programme Committee ot the Auckland Racing Club have completed their labours on next season's bills of faro, but it is not intended to make them public just yet. It ia certain, though, that tho distance ot the Auckland Cup will bo cut down to two miles, and the Auckland I'late to H miles. Mr A. Drake has issued a handy Sporting Guide, similar to Centaur's Index, and I have to thank him for sending me a copy. Tho littlo volume ia published at slxP?"/-<;' and contains a full list oft>c last per o >nSo far as the racecourse is «"»c? l"f^^ e i \?T at his new ■ homo. During lus c^eT^ent proved himself to be one of tho best racehorses that have trod the Australian tuif. He won fifteen races, was twice each second, third, and unplaced, and eleven of his victories were gained at three years old. Trident's winnings in stakes totted up to £8,990, which is a big record for Australia. I notice at the Christchurch Plmnpton Pa«k Meeting, Ingomav's daughter Tandal ran second to Eiin-go-Bragh for the Flying Handicap. Son-of-a-gun wasamong tho starters, but ho did not run kindly. He was ridden by a son of Bob Bay c, who bad bis first mount in public,

At last advices, Lady Betty was still nn

absentees from the ('ftn'tield*trniniiig track*. Sumo mornings back Dmilop pulled <M> unsound, showing Ui.it. lie Ikjh not yet got with the iniskap lie inch with afc_ KamiH'icli in tho aubutnu. Tmntor is in slow work again at Flomington, while .Silver Prince,' Whit worth, Firelock and I'rooedouee arc reported to bo doing good ) y0. v It i.s «iid that L'reeodenco has grown wtein nice-looking mare, nnd the is sure to be troublesome in the spring cla-«ie »nd »•■".""- ---can race* H. <■'. Cook a liuivjcm -I liv Worn.':,. lum'.iu.s Tho Charmer, and Cyclop* iiru each doing well. . I [can from Southern papers that tho Canterbury Jot-key Club have iaaiod their Mi-ortiannnos for next season, find it will Uo noted that tho powers that bo have altered tho data of ther Summer Meeting to tho 31st December. The Metropolitan Mooting three day-, s lixocl for jfovomW 6th, 7th, anil Bth ; tho Midsummer Meeting, one day, December 31st; and tho Autumn ilcetiug, two days, hnMov Monday and Tuesday, April 22ml and 23id. In yoveral instances tlie pruning knife lint boon applied, but to no very great extent. At tho Metropolitan Meotinif tho stakes have boon reduced/from 1:5,030 to £4,805, tbo inineipal alterations being ollectcd over the minor oventa Ihn Spring Iluidlo Handidin Criterion Stakos, .Selling I'latO, llundiuap'Sellintt Haco, Stewards' Stakes, Juvcuilu Plate, Nursery Handioap, Metropolitan Handicap, and Flying Handicap, having all been reduced more or less. L'2oo has been cut oil'tho New Year programme, reductions being made in the Middle Park Stakes mid Midsummer Ifatidicap (reduced to 200.WS each) as well m the Hurdles, Craven Httlko 3, and Hornby Welter. There i. no alteration in the lirabday's programme of tho Autumn Meeting, but on the second ilay the stakes are cub down to £900 us compared with JJl.OiiO last season. Tiie Hurdles, Autumn Nursery, Master, and Consolation Handicaps all show a reduction, and altogether the programme suffers to the extent of £150. Ilia Welcomo Stakes of 1889 ii to bo reduced from 300 soys to 25050v8, but tho New Zealand Cup of that year Htill has I.OOOjovs added to it. The Club have added to tho programme the following proviso in catso Parliament intorforoa with the totalisator:—" The stakes in the foregoing programme- are iiibjeet to rovi.ion by the Committee prior to 'jlorfing-, both as to the amount of added money and conditions."

It turns tut that there was somo legal hitch over declaring E. ICilly a bankrupt. His better-half returned to Sydney this week, so that we shall have to wait for a further development of tho matter.

From " Mnrtindalo's " notes I glean tho following interesting information nnout tho cracks in training at Riiudwick : — The rivals, Abcrcorn and Tho Australian Peer, lwvo both dono well ; and no two colts over looked better tlian they. Strange to say, Aborcorn occasionally shows sif^tiv of lameness, but it doea not appear to inter fere with him in any wuy. The Australian I'eer has wintered exceptionably well; and it would delight his owner (who, by the way, is again laid up) to lmve a look at him. Uotli were doing medium pace work. I'hitareh has thickened out considerably, and in now the cut of an excellaut lumllo horse. Arsenal i» quite himself, though ho still wears tho boot which was deiciibcd by Mr Wohbor aa "curious." Aracnal'i) brother, Maga?.iuo, is a source of great anxiety to Raynor, ITo is a magniticant colt, und one who would, to appearances, play a very prominent part at forthcoming meetings, wero it not for his lout. Mclos and Wycombo are in good order, as uli«o Touchstono j but the latter is so badtempered that lie has to bo worked by him-elf. AUojip has a string which kci-ps growing in munbor, his latest addition being tiio Queensland colt Bondigo, a brother to ]ic:n Bolt. Ho has got Cairo once more on the track*, and, to appearances, he is likely to stand a preparation. Though I hnvo visited the tracks, I have not seen any galloping of interest. Lust Tuesday Tho Australian Poor and Arsenal got through a useful task on t.ho tan gallop. Cnrlyon, Aberdeen, and Abercorn wero worked on the same track, and looked particularly well. C ran brook was missing from tho string ; and it is just possible that ho may not be well enough to bo got ready for the spring many thinking that a leg -.ill be troublesome. A rol!ey and Ensign are doing well, nnd will both be ready. Mi-los and Wycombc are doing useful work, asalso Duggan's recent purchase, Hand nick, a horse which, if looks go tor anything,

i-liould Lie a good one. l'ashais also coming on fast; and useful work is boing done by Frisco and Aristocrat.

I lea'u from Sydney that Too Soon U being treated to long slow work at Randwiek.

At n special mooting of membora of the Canterbury .jockey Club it was resolved to embody in tho rules of tho Club the regulations adopted by tho Committee for the control of fcho tot.-ilinator.

A Napier scriijc states that trainers there are now commencing to work their aharges with a view to the Spring Meetings, and Silence, Lady Florin, Mela, Brontu, Partner and iliko aro regularly exercised, while several youngsters arc also being put through their paces. Warama sccm.s quite sound, but Brontu has not improved in appearance as much ns expected. lUko has thickened out and grown into a nice little horso. Ho is only a pony in stature, but is stvonply built, and with only .1 6st burden in the N.Z. Cup ho may render a good account of himself should lie start.

Tho Hon. J. Whito's cast-off Monto Christo, who is now tho property of tho Hon. W. A. Long, came out of his shell at tho last Rosehill races by carrying off tho ilomcbubh Handicap of li miles and 100 yards. Ho had Bst in tho saddle, and started favourite. i'asha, Kosebud, and Teddy Yuillo weto oinong tho unplaced division. Monto Christo was quite at tho lop of tho tree as a two-year-old, and as it is known ho can gallop, his win has been tho moans of his receiving 3omo littlo attention for tho Hawkoabury Handicap.

J. lluxtablc, tho well-known light-woigllti has gone to Melbourne, where ho has .secured an engagement. Ho has put on a lot of llcsh during tho past fow months, and .it tho timo of hia departure scaled Bst 121b.

In tho vaoo for tho Christehurch Plumpton Stcopleclinso Handicap of 45sovs., Artist cut out llio work, attended by Irieh King, tho olhors in a body behind tho two loaders, of whom Artist ran ofl'at tho'fence into tho straight. Irish King left with tho lead made good piny until Shillelagh crept up to him on the fnrsido, and tho pair wore followed by Isaac, Haka and Kangaroo, the latter pulling double. At two miles Irish King dropped out, and Shillelagh was left in command, but Kangaroo was coming fast on tho outside, and at tho turn for homo ho was prominont. Attended by Ilaka, he quitted Shillelagh, and tho pair ran a good race homo, tho big North Islander winning by two lengths, in Omin. 27sec. Shillelagh a moderate third. Totalisntor 183—34—C4 16s 6d. Artist 11130 ran unplaced in tho Handicap Hurdle' Race, which was won by T. Stewart's Playboy. T. Sanders, who rode Dunlop.the lastMelbourno Cup winner, was granted a license by tho English Jockey Club immediately on his arrival in England, duo to Mr R. Howctfc, a prominent sportsman, who did a tour of the Australian colonies lust year. Bandera'H first "leg up" was at the York Spring Meeting.where, on Mr Howott's Nell Cook," he iinislied second to Export in the Stamford Stakes. Sanders's second mount — ut Doncaster on the following day—was also unsuccessful, lie rodo Mr Howett's Thanct in the Londesborough Plato ; but ho oonld not get nearer than fourth to Brayley, who won a good race by a nock. The English scribes speak favourably of Sanders'a riding, but think he is not a good finisher.

" Those who remember " (says a Duncdin writer) ."Mata's sensational Dunedin Cup victory — his eeooncl win, I moan, wIIOD he was pitchforked in at Bafc 9!b — may likewise remember that in connection "with the settling thereon there was a disputed wager of .W.uuu between one Goodison and the bookmaker, Drake. The former averred that ho hnU backed Mata .nth Drake, while the latter as stoutly denied it. The .matter went before Dunedin Tattersall's (then m oxisfconee but since defunct), and It was decided nfta' henrinc evidence that JJ.ako was wible Fm-a time he absolutely refused to w a wagev that ho repudiated tmving Ki'cl but finding that his business was seriously affected,' he, through the mediumship oi tho labo Abe Snider, came to a compromise with Goodison by paying a sum down in full satisfaction of the claim. Such is what has always been understood, but a few days ago the said Goodison held a meeting of his creditors, and it appears from statements made thereat that he still holds Drake to bo in his debt to tho extent of £1,400. Some of the latter's friends and some of Goodison's creditors have communicated m. itli the bookmaker with the object of hearing his side of the question, which is looked for with interest. At the meeting of Goodison's creditors, the Assignee surrgested that the bankrupt had better formulate his claim on Drako, and apply to the club to see whether the money, or part of it, could not be recovered. Ho did not know much about these things, but something might be done. Several creditors expressed the opinion that the debt, even if it existed at all, was not worth anything, and the meeting adjourned sine dk,"