MY NOTE BOOK.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 142, 17 June 1899, Page 3

MY NOTE BOOK.

The Wanganui Jockey Club appreciate the services of Mr J. O. Evett, their handicapper. The West Coast club have conveyed the pleasing intelligence to the veteran weight adjuster that he is to receive a bonus of £20 in addition to his year's salary.

This year the local bookmakers are more busy plying their pencils ever the New Zealand Cup than at any previous stage in the history of the race, and it must go to show the sound position in which the local ring is held by racing men outside of Auckland, for a great number of the recorded wagers pencilled of late have been laid to those outside the bounds of this province. Yesterday 500 to 20 ■was wanted about Douglas, and other wagers recorded since my Wednesday's notes are the following: 1000 to 40 Starshot, 500 to 25 Explosion, 200 tc 10 Coronet, 200 to G St. Crispin, 200 to 10 Uhlan.

The Duke of Westminster, owner of Flying Fox, who won the Epsom Derby last week,, seeing Sloan in the paddock at Chester last month went up to the American jockey and asked him what he thought of Flying Fox. Sloan, who did act know the duke by sight, replied, M guess, sir, Flying Fox is the best 'lorse I ever saw in my life, or am ever likely to see, and if you want to see a good horse you will go and have a look at him next time he's on show.' /

In Napier, the Dreadnought—Pursestring mare Keremataku, Mrs Donnelly's nomination, finds most favour for the Ladies' Bracelet. When the mare was a bit younger she was thought good enough to enter for the New Zealand Cup and Derby, in addition to several classic races, but went wrong just when great expectations were likely to be realised. Keremataku will have the services of Mr A. Hyde.

The Musket—L'Orient horse Mana is doing well at the stud in Victoria. Gunbar, one of his descendants, won the Maiden Plate at Epsom, and a cast off of the Cambria stable in Blue Blood, who was also sired by him, was successful at Adelaide.. Gunbar is out of a mare by Maribyrnong, and was recently brought to Melbourne from the Riverina by his owner, Mr A. W. Beazley, Who won the Grand National Steeplechase at Flemington with Floater.

f By the s.s. Te Anau, which arrived I here on Thursday, Mr G. G. Stead's brood mures Corolla (dam of Cold Medallist) and Ich Dien were Drought, up from Christchurch on a visit to Hotchkiss. Both were landed without a scratch, and they were taken on to Wellington Park. Mr James Beckett, the -veil liked local horse owner and pen Ciller, leave a for Sydney on Monday next in the s.s. Mararoa to put in me winter period. He takes over with him tlio Malua mare Lady Marion. Mr Beckett's many racing friends will wish him a safe return to Auckland in the merry spring time.

Cyllene, the winner of the timehonoured Gold Cup at Ascot on Thursday last, won three of the most important events of the English turf last season, viz., the Newmarket Stakes, of £3655, the Jockey Club Stakes, of £8190, and the Sundown Foal Stakes, of £2070. He was got by the Bend Or stallion Bonavista from Arcadia.

Explosion is going on nicely at Ellerslie. A good deal of money is being written against this colt for the New Zealand Cup, and another wager of 500 to 25 was laid locally this week.

During the present week H. Franks sent in his resignation us trainer to the Hon. H. Mosman. The announcement when published in Thursday's 'Star' was received with regret. Franks has done well for Mr Mosman, and he has got the high class yearlings under his care at Green Lane in splendid trim.

Perth, winner of the Grand Prize of Paris, won the French Derby last month, Velasquez being the runner up in both the Derby and Grand Prize. England may claim some of the credit of breeding' Perth. Primrose Dame, the dam of the colt, was bred in ISSS by Sir Blundel Maple, the well-known English racing man, and was sold in 1894 in company with a numoer of mares which that gentleman sent over to France for sale. She is by Barcaldine, from Lady Rosebery, by Lord Clifton. Perth is by "War Dance, a fashionable French sire, and he is. the property of M. Cailhaut.

Several good stories are told about the veteran Lang, who died suddenly near Melbourne recently. Here is one: On one occasion a horse running in his name was made a great pot for the Australian Cup. The night before the all-important event Lang took the favourite out to Kensington, and stabled him at a widow's place. Something after 4 o'clock the next after-, noon the widow hailed a horseman, who was galloping up from the course, and called out, 'Did Mr Lang's horse win the Cup?' 'No; he was beaten badly,' was the reply. The widow- said, 'Oh, I am sorry. Mr Lang was so kind to the horse last night. Why, he gave him a whole bucket of bran and oatmeal last night, and more bran this morning.'