TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 46, 23 February 1901, Page 3

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

•'Takapuna."—ln answer to your query, as no stipulation was made there is no exact rule bearing on the case. It is customary, however, to pay sweep money to the horse first past the post, and I am therefore of opinion that the drawer of Zeehan is entitled to the money.

In sporting circles the main topic of conversation is the unfortunate fracas which occurred after the decision of the committee in the Zeehan-Zuleika protest had been made public. It would appear that the stewards do not intend to let the matter rest in its present state, and as the other parties in the dispute have also determined to go on with the matter it is very-probable that a law case may be the upshot of the alternation. The secretary of the Takapuna Jtflkey Club has written to several gentlemen, including at least two stewards of the A.R.C,, asking them to appear before them on Monday next, with a view to proving their charges. Should these gentlemen consent to attend the meeting of the Takapuna stewards it Is highly probable that some very interesting facts may be elicited, and it is ereatly ;o be hoped that in the interests of true sport the matter will be thrashed out to the utmost.

The hero of the Takapuna Meeting was, without doubt, Mr Ross' old gelding voltigeur 11. On each day he placed a jumping race to his credit, in every instance in the easiest of fashion. After his win in the Grand National Steeplechase at Ellerslle last June, it was said that the ancient son of Lionel was the worst horse that had ever won the big race, an opinion Which was stoutly contradicted at the time by Mr Ross, who now has the satisfaction of proving that his words were true, for it is impossible for a bad one to keep on winning in the way in which Voltleeur 11. has. Although possibly not ft champion, yet the grey is a wonderfully consistent performer, and, being one of the gamest of the game, he always takes a tremendous lot of beating. The reception accorded Voltigeur 11. when brought in after winning the Second Steeplechase at Takapuna,' was of the hottest possible description, and was a just ovation to an owner who always runs to win.

Aurus, who, according to a cable received during the week, had won the Fourth Caulfield Futurity Stakes, carried 6.11, while Finland, who occupied second position, had 9.1 in the saddle. The champion Malster, who ailed third place, was,top-weight with 9.3, and as the seven furlongs was reeled off in fast time it would go to prove that the two Bill of Portland colts are getting into good form for the coming big meeting at Flemington.

The win of Bona Rosa in the Marine Handicap at the Shore meeting was fully anticipated, as the half-sister to Val Rosa was heavily backed. It is very doubtful whether Mrs Lennard's filly would have been quite equal to doing the trick if she had not got a flying start, which gave her Buch a lead in the short journey that Jessamine was not quite able to close up the gap. Bona Rosa finished, however, in very resolute style, and no doubt will be heard of again Inter on.

Considering the disadvantages under which the Takapuna J.C. were obliged to carry on their meeting it must be sum-

mcd up as a very decided success, for on all three days the weather proved very t delightful, while speculation was brisk. The racing throughout proved of a most interesting nature, some of the finishes, notably on the last day, being very keenly contested. The club should come out on the credit side of the ledger over the gathering.

Perhaps the finest two-year-old colt of the season (says "Terlinga") is United States, and it is quite on the cards that Bill of Portland has once more sired the best of the year. United States is a very big fellow, and just a trifle on the leg perhaps, but nothing seen out this season looks more like winning the next Derby. Since throwing Hova to Ingomar the beautiful Happy Land had produced nothing better than Regained until this colt came along. I never saw United States until last Saturday, but I remember Mr Macdonald telling me before the sale in November that he thought he was about the best-looking colt bred at St. Albans |n his time. Sir Rupert Clarke gave <00 *» •" —~

guineas for United States when the two- | year-olds Mr \V, R. Wilson had reserved I for his own racing were sold in November. Scobio did not think United States well enough to linish out his race on Saturday, but he simply played with his field, and tenderly handled, as no doubt he will be, there is every chance of his training into a splendid three-year-old.

The weights for the Wanganui Cup made their appearance during the week, and as Advance was entered he naturally received the top weight, which in this instance was 10.5. As, however, both Advance and Boreas are absent in Australia, they will not be seen at Wanganui. Renown has been allotted 8.13, and although it is a big impost lor a three-year-old he will require a lot of beating. Nobility at present stands at 7.8, but owingto his recent successes at Hawera he will require to be re-handicapped. Dayntree has by no means been overburdened with 7.5, as the distance is just to his liking.

Quite a strong contingent is going up to attend the meeting at Rotorua, to be hold next week, while several horses will also essay the trip. The gathering- is always a pleasant one, and if the weather holds fine this year it should prove no exception to the rule.

A Sydney paper to hand states that Record Reign was expected over on the other side Immediately, but it transpires that, although his owner has gone across, the crack hurdler will not undertake the journey for some time, it is intended to race him in some of the rich jumping events at Randwick, in which the big son of Castor should play a very strong hand.

How often it happens that the really clever division fall in by reason of their over-smartness. Notably was this the case in a race on the third day at Takapuna, when, although one of the horses engaged could probably have won easily, ye-t the knowing- people connected with the equine decided not to persevere too much, but elected instead to back one of the others. It was cukes and ale to those who were on the "stilt 'un" to find the clever crowd just beaten by the representative of another stable.

Advance has eased considerably for the Newmarket Handicap, for which race the New Zealand crack is quoted at 12 to 1. Wakeful occupies the position of lirst favourite at 7 to 1, while Watch Dog and Fulminate are at double that price. Aurus, who won the Futurity Stakes, in which he defeated Finland and Malster, is quoted at 10 to 1.

Nobility was in good form at Hawera, for he not only won the Egmont Cup but on the second day the son- of St. Leger and Lady Emily was pulled out again in the Atkinson Memorial Stakes, whicn event he easily placed to his credit, beating among others Battleaxe, the Taranaki Cup winner. Nobility i 3 one of Mr Morrin's breeding, and the popular studmafcter will no doubt be pleased to hear of the success of the Wellington Park colt.

Mr Leonard Marshall, the well-known owner of the One Tree Hill stud, was at the last minute prevented from goingSouth owing to business engagements. He, however, was present at the Takapuna meeting.

It is very rarely that it happens that such, a line finish occurs as was the case in the final race at Takapuna. So close were the first four horses that until the numbers went up nobody was aware which of the quartette had actually won. Such an even finish reflects great credit on Mr Knight, the handicapper, who, by the way, was also very successful in more than one other instance. Truly the position of judge at the meeting was not an enviable one, for Mr Bollard had several extra close finishes to adjudicate upon.

The Southern tour of Coronet was not altogether a success, for after unsuccessfully competing in two races at Taranaki, the son of Castor was taken on to Hawera, where, however, he pulled up lame, after doing an exercise gallop, ana it was therefore thought inadvisable to start him in the Egmont Cup.

"The Special Commissioner" of the London "Sportsman" takes Revenue, Veles and Floriform as the best of the coming season's three-year-old colts, and he predicts that they will finish in that order in the Derby. Of the fillies he places Princess Melton first, and names Running Stream and Britannia as the next best in the Oaks. "Vigilant," in the same paper, looks to Volodyovski or Jour de Fete to win the Derby.

The Summer Handicap at Takapuna was summed up as a good thing for Rosella, and it may be said that Messrs Nathan's mare never ran a better race. She was always in a good position, and when heads were turned for home the chestnut came through and won in a very hollow fashion. It vjould appear that a mile is the Seator, Delavai mare's specialty, and she always takes a lot of beating over this distance.

Wakeful, who occupies the position of first favourite for the Newmarket Handicap recently won the Oakleigh Plate of 70050V3 at Caulfield. She is a four-year-old mare by Trenton from Insomnia, ana in the race in question she put down twenty competitors, winning In a canter by four lengths, the time for the five furlongs being given at lm Bs.

In mentioning the fact that the question of the refusal to register Newhaven 11, in the English Stud Book is to be reopened, the London "Sportsman" says that there can be no sort of doubt that it is a monstrous thing to favour the American Stud Book as against the colonial one.

The spell which Mr Marshall's horse Eton had at the stud does not seem to have done the son of Castor much harm, for he started in the Normanby Stakes at Hawera, which event he won very easily.

It is only of recent years that steeplechasing has come in for much attention on the American turf, but as nearly £10,----000 in prize money was distributed last 3'ear it is safe to assume that that class of "port is growing in popularity., It must be added, though, that of the amount mentioned £1700 was contributed by gentlemen interested in cross-country racing. The prize money for hurdle racing totalled about £4500 for the season.

The engagements of Volodyovski and Star Shoot, two of last season's crack two-year-olds, and the former of v/hom is favourite for the Derby, are not voided b>the death of Lord William Beresfora. Both of them were held by the deceased, and wore nominated in the names of their respective owners, "Mr Theobalds" and Captain Loder. It is understood that the executors of the late Lord Beresford will carry on for the benefit of the estate, the leases of both horses. At the time of His Lordship's death, the brothers Lester ana Tohnny Reiff were under an engagement to ride next season at a retainer of £2500 each.

The Canterbury "Times" says: Forbury Park, which has been somewhat of a white elephant since the Dunedin Jockey Club removed its patronage and secured a new racecourse at Wingatui, Is likely ? OO n to see a revival of racing withm its nrecincts Four Dunedin gentlemen have practically assured.

At comparatively few courses m England are there weighingr-in enclosures, such as are customary in the colonies. At Kempton Park York, Epsom, and other leading courses in the Old Country, the horses are simply brought up to the door of the weighing room through the crowd, and It is surprising there are not serious accidents at every meeting. Sporting pressmen are agitating for more up to date arrangements, .and no wonder.

The Newmarket Handicap is to be run at Flemineton on Saturday next. Extra fnterel? attaches to the big sprint this year owing to the presence of Advance, who for the first time, will try conclusions with the Australian cracks.

Cleaii Sweep, who won the last Melbourne Cup, placed a weighl-for-age race to his credit last Saturday at CauliTckl. The son of Zaiiyski beat a good Held in the St. George Snikes, run over a mile and a furlong, .his nearest attendants being Paul Pry and Marie Corelli.

The pony Clansman is to be shipped to Sydney on Monday in charge of Crealner.