MISCELLANEOUS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 5, 7 January 1899, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

Mr G. G. Stead is a man who does not do things by halves, and there is no narrow minded provincial jealousy about him. Last year he presented a 100 guinea cup to the Canterbury Jockey Club, and now he intends to give a similar handsome trophy present to the Auckland Racing Club. This pleasing information was made known to. the Hon. E. Mitchelson (President of the Club) during the present week. It is needless to say that the Canterbury sportsman was very heartily thanked for his handsome gift. It is stated that both Crusoe and Uhlan burst a blood vessel in the race for the Grandstand Handicap at Ellerslie "on Tuesday last. In the A.J.C. Steeplechase run at Randwick on Boxing Day, the Aucklander Mangere ran off twice. ~ The Lochiel horse Strathroy, who own the A.J.C. Summer Cup and defeated Merloolas, is reported to have gone out unbacked. His win was one of the greatest surprises of the season.

Yaldhurst owned horses have won the A.R.C Royal Stakes each year since the event was inaugurated.

The last six furlongs of the Auckr land Plate were run in I.lßi.

T.. Taylor, the well-known local horseman, has now ridden the Great Northern Derby winner on three occasions, his victories being gained on Foul Shot, Fabulist, and Bluejacket. The St. Leger—Bangle filly purchased by Mr J. Lynch, the wellknown Coromandel hotelkeeper, has been placed in F. McManemin's hands to be taught the rudiments of her profession. The same trainer has also been given the St. Leger—Lady Evelyn filly to prepare for two-year-old engagements. Mr S. Griffiths of the 'Melbourne Sportsman' staff, returns home on Monday. He has spent an enjoyable time in Auckland, and has made many friends during his short stay here.

Mr Stead was the first man to congratulate Mr G. S. Budge on Bluejacket's win in the Great Northern Derby. ■-■'~

Percy Martin returned to Napier on Tuesday evening last with Tirant d'Eau. I suppose the next thing we will hear of is the shipping of the gelding to England. A couple of Wellington Park bred horses were seen put in Australia during the "festive period. At the A.J.C. Meeting at Randwick, Astronomer (by Castor—Frailty) pulled off the High Weight Handicap, and at the V.A.T.C. Meeting held at Caulfield Ideal (by St. Leger —Bianca) was defeated a neck in the Juvenile Stakes.

The two-year-old filly Rosella and Explosion are to be sent to Wellington to fulfil racing engagements.

In the Newmarket Handicap last year St. Clements was handicapped at 10.12. This year when he won he had 8.12.

The hurdler St. Simon has been sent to Mr D. McKinnon's station at Ohinewai, near Huntly, for a spell.

One of the equine sights of the Summer Meeting was the parade of Multiform in the enclosure prior to being sent to the post to contest the -Auckland Plate. The spectators lined up very deep to have a look at New Zealand's champion racehorse, while Mr Stead stood in the centre of the enclosure, with his son Wilfred, noticing every movement of the horse, and not satisfied with this he got Derritt to dismount in the straight to see that all of the gear was all right. Mr Morrin, the breeder of Multiform, proudly reviewed the scene from the Stewards' Stand. Truly the son of Hotchkiss is a splendid specimen of the thoroughbred.

There has been a terrible weeding out in the Wellington Cup, for out of the thirty-six weighted only eight accepted on Thursday night last. Among those left in is Explosion, who, I understand, will fulfil his engagement. My fancy is Daunt. The race is run on the 21st inst. Mr Evitt has the right to re-handicap Daunt, Red Lancer, and Fulmer.

The Auckland Cup \vas worth £760 to the winm .

Nominations for the Great Northern Foal Stakes and Royal Stakes of 1900----1901 cjose with Mr Pereival on Friday night next, January 13. Miss Delaval is to be given a spell, and she will not be seen out again before the autumn.

Mr Stead topped the list of winning owners at the A.R.C. Summer Meetings. His cheque totted up to £1,273. Mr J. J. Russell came a good second with £1,258 15/.

Altair wore two light aluminium shoes in the contest for the Great Northern Derby.

St. Leger's progeny have won the Great Northern Derby for three successive years. Mr Stead' is very unlucky in the Great Northern Derby, his representatives being defeated year after year. His colours were last successful on Medallion in 1891, and his only other victory in the race was scored on Sextant in 1888.

One of the features of the racing at Caulfield on Boxing Day was the performance of Nilus, Carrying the almost inhuman burden of 14.10, and ridden by J. S. Edge, vho had to put up no less than 751b dead ■weight, the son of Glorious a-nd Coolyrie beat everything in the Steeplechase except his quondam stable companion, Leeway. The ex-New Zealander Whakawatea appears to be coming tjack to something like his own form, and on Boxing Day he was successful in the A.J.C. Welter Handicap, of seven furlongs, carrying 10.10. He did .he journey in lmin 2-9i_.ee, winning by three lengths

easily. Col. Eraser, who nominated and raced Trenton when he won the A.R.C. Welcome Stakes at Ellerslie in the spring of 1883, was among the buyers at Wellington Park on Wednesday. He secured the colt by St. Leger from Eve, which he has since placed in the hands of Adam Byers. The yearling filly by St. Hippo from Innisfail, bought by Mr Jas. Kruse at Messrs Nathan's sale, and the brown colt by Soult from Cressina, bought privately by the same gentleman for 40 guineas, are bound for Durban, Natal, on Monday next. They are to be first shipped in the s.s. Westralia and thence re-shipped in the Kakool. - - Acceptances for the' Whangarei Jockey Club first day are due on Monday next by 8 p.m. with Mr R. W. Wynyard. Waiorongomai, Coronet, Hylas, and Crusade have been struck out of the Takapuna Cup, and Kapai and Tim from the Steeplechase. The handicaps have given general dissatisfaction among horse owners.