RACING WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 221, 17 September 1919, Page 10

RACING WORLD.

(By " WHALEBONE.") FIXTURES: September 18, 1!) —Asaburton County X.C September 20, 22— Otaki Maori September 22 —Amberley R.C. September 22—Blrchwood Hunt Club. September 22, 28—Geraldine II.C. September 25, 27—Wanganui J.C. September 2T. October I—Avoutiale1 —Avoutiale J.C, October 2—Koi-OW H.C. October 4—Napier Park R.C. October S—liawke's Bay J.C. October B—Horowicuiw R C October l>, 10—Whansiirei K.C. October 10, 11—Duuedln J.C. October IU, IS—Masterton R.C. October 25, 27—Uore R.C. October If. 22—Auckland T.C. Spring. October 35. 27—Wellington K.C. October 27—North Canterbury and Oxford

The TVingatul trainers are considering the advisability of forming a traluers , association.

The Auckland horseman A. .1. McFllnn ivill he rtdinn at the (Haiti aieotlug, which opens on Saturday uext.

The Kaikourn Itnving Club, n-hleli includes trottiiiK events mi its pro ß mmme. lias decided to adopt tlie yards system of startJus.

Si-nysl:n, nnil Muskerry, which won at Daiinevlrkc on Saturday, wen; two very short-priccHl ones, both being sit lone odds

Miillliijtur (the wiiineri, Ijleuonal AJter.itlon. anil Uluu Ows. wiii.-h tnok part In the .Wondale Ci.|i l,ust year, are UflgUßeil la this year's event.

Ktll.-ird mm riiiiiilni; on nicely al tlio tiuish of tlie .lelliioe Handicap on Siiiurday and should not he long in i-redlUuK Mr. A. W. tallies witli a stake.

\'<vtnblllly jtmiiii.fi very carefully in tlie I'akuraupi Hunt Cup mi Saturday, Imt not nuiiiil safely. and the experieucc should do liini a Kit of good.

A motor lorry was used by <:. I'riee for fonveyiug the rliree-year-oltl Wsirphme anil :i two ycnr-old mvunl by Mr. .lohustou, from l'iiliuersioii North to Wiiugnuul.

Tin- niuborne iiorsn Mmnangu Bare \V. Kcepa a rough ride in the Maiden Hunters' Hurdles mi Saturday, but after a couple of falls the native horseman managed to yet him round.

'flu- apprentice I 'owning, who rode Fabri'iuctte to victory in the .ieillcoe Handicap at Kllersllf ou Saturday, is to buve the •mount .ni the daughter of Vasco lv the Avondale Cup.

With a top weight of 0.0 in the New Zealand Cup, Mr. Henrys awarded Wludorah 7.L\ but in the Avondale Cuji, with Uncle Ned iv pride of position with it.D, Mr. Covle gives him 41b less.

The one time prominent hurdle liorspman, A. Meconium, who used to do tlie riding for .1. H. l'rosser's l'orirua stable, has Just I»>eu <llsrhnrgrd from tin- Wellington Hospital alter a Joujj and serious illuess.

The Whangaroi Unrlug Club aro arranging special excursions for their annual race meeting ou October !1 and in. and this should be the means of attracting a large number of Auclslanders to the fixture.

Mr. \V. Walters has disposed of bolh Marble Arch and General but 'though several inquiries have been made for l.nciillus, his owner 1h not disposed to put a price on the son of Aid Patrick at present.

Eighteen three-year-olds were asked to <-arry silk at Kllerslie on Saturday, but the only ones to get into the money were Kmeruld Hill and Thylloua. which ran xpituul uud third respectively lv the Sylvia ■i'arl: Handicap.

raddinglon Oroon ran very disappointingly In the Jelllcoe Handicap, for which he was sent <mt » good favourite. lie bexun well, and was nicely placed In the early stages, but when tlie actual racing pommenced failed tn go ou with It and was well beaten at the f.uish.

In winning the Sylvia Pnrk Handicap on Saturday, War Tank showed the possessl-m of a lot of pace, for beginning well he was in front all the way, and won nicely at the nulsh. His connections had to accept a very short price, considering the field, about the sou of fc'lysU'.u.

Cynier was very unlucky in the Hunters' Hurdles on Saturday, and but for striking the hurdle by the old live furlung post, must have won easily. However, Jumping ability is just as essential as puce hi a rnc-e oE thin description. i«tt the mishap undoubtedly cost him the stake.

Of the horses Fabriquette beat in the Jelllcoe Handicap on Saturday, she is culled ou to uioet them at Avoudale on ivorncftorms. as follows:—Alteration l."Ib. Meitchlkoff 141b. l'addlngtou (Jreen 18Ili. -Mullingar '.lib. Lady Hnergy sib. Tabasco 71b, Waiuta till., Killard .Jll), and Depredation lib.

The three-vear-obl Cnnowiimra showed pace in the early stages of the [Vacc Handicap on Saturday, but the last lilt found htm out. lie is very badly handicapped in the Hack Welter at Avondale and it is hardly likely that he will be asked to nice so early in tlie season over a mile and a furlong, with U.-l la the saddle.

lyombardy. Duiigannon. Kinkora ami the Sylvite gelding wire schooled iv company al Kller-ilie yesterday morning. The two former save a satisfactory display, and the Sylvite gelding shaped .satisfactorily fi>r a beginner, but Kinkora was very dis;ip)ioluliiia. falling to show pace, while he ouly y.iekeil over the übstuclets.

A well-known sport, who bet lie would pick a winner at KltersUe ou Saturday in four attempts, tried to get a point on to the layer by plckliik four out of the live runuer* iv the Hunters" Hurdle Knee. His cleverness failed him. however, for in his selection be left out IMinrobin, which won and paid a two-figure dividend.

Walkura has showed such a dislike to the stone wall in his schooling lessons at Kllerslie that it caused some Interest to see how he would shape at it in an actual race. The son of Penury, wbich was v starter in the Maiden Hunters' Steeplechase ou Saturday, went at it in good style, without hesitation, but unfortunately for his connections, turned over at the next obstacle, the brush fence, which replaced the old water jump-

The state or the was the cause ..r the withdrawal of Admiral Advance from (he Kyiriii I'ark Handicap on Saturday, and hi* .b-fecliou let A. J. Mcl-Tiim free to riile War Tank. X. McDonell was to have come north to ride for A. Julian's stable, but tlie rough weather preventing the Karawa front keeping her usual ti:ne-table, he -wa.s unable to nrake the trip, and McFliim's services were only secured at the eleventh hour.

First Blow, which nou the Trial dale at lianneviike on Saturday, is a threc-vcar-old tiliy by Finland -War Tall;, and is therefore rr.ll sister Iv bloo.l to usiil I'lnmark, her dam beiii'.' a full-sister to Warm-are, dam of the two hoises named. I'irst Blow only started twice as a two-year-old, tunllln'j: iiuiilai-urt on each occusioii. The lilly is eusased In fit- (Sreat Northern Culneas. the New Zealand Derby ami CM. Oaks,

A not IiUBXpiM-tpil dfVfl.ipTiieiit in connection with the Cauliield <'isp occurred kisT tut, says a Sydney writer. NightwjUcit lieins iwbeu u> win a lot of money. I'rior to the demonstration Xlalitwntch was at a healthy price for the race, at the same time occupying the position of favourite for the Melbourne Cup, and when the commission, stable or otherwise, was satisfied, he whs it the he-ad of the fai.lfield Oup Hsi with l.ucknow. NliSitwaU* is in It. Bradtielifs Ktalde. whi'-ii Iβ iv tue unique position of having four solidly supported cnnflldates In the race, but whether they have all I.een backed l>y the rljiht people is known only ■ro those heliind the *<'eM&. Tlie others referred to are Chrome, Dnnnrire, and l.uckuow. ami the move iv favour of Ntsht-watc-h may lie expertea to weaken their position iv the iiuotatl.ms. Iv the way of doubles the lira Cups combinations of Slphtwatrh and lirum'ire. and Nlfc'htwttt.h and lan •>'.'. were marketable fvr substantial business.

Te Onjra and Deviation were schooled over four hurdles at Kllerslie yesterday moralns, the former showing to most advantage.

The Avondale Jockey Club notify memhers by artvertisement that their subscriptions for the coining season are now due.

Cymer was reported sore after Ills efforts at EUcrslie on Satiirdiiy, and is not Jikely to be seen out at the Avoudale ■lueeting.

Canzonet showed a lot. of ipace in the Liverpool Handicap on Saturday, and Khould not. he loiijf before crediting his owner with, another stake.

A box has been at Avondale for .7. 11. I'rosser ujul one for 11. Telftiid, each of whom has a two-year-old engaged iv the Avondale S takes.

Torclilislir. wljlch jarred one or his joints some time ago while working at Ellerwlie lia.s been blistereil, and after a spell iviil be liut iv work again.

Mr. I. S. Kaston's three-yeav-old'colt by lias arrived at JJiccartou, and lias gone Into J'", r>. Jones' charge to be prepared for the C.J.C. Spring Meetluß.

The absence of train facilities is likely to have a bfc hearing on 'tin! acceptances for Kie Wuiisnuui Jockey ClulVs uieetiujr for Southeni irainerß will be uualile to gel their horses to Hie fixture.

ripprcOatlou promuies t«> lie one of the well hacked ones in the Avondale Cup, in wliicJi lie has been awarded 7.12. The race, Jjowever. Ik-uj-k an opeu appt-ar-aucc and it should be v good bettinj; out.

The X.Z. flip .■niidid.ite Mußrot. -n-Jiith clainx an CUgaeoment at Oiasi on Saturdiiy. is reported to he striding; along nicely in her work at Treiitliain, and Is well forward for Jier sprJu- eugagejuents.

Tlie Aucklniid-owned Dood was expected to he a run Her in the hurdle race at Kuud-n-ifh on Saturday, Imt tlie absence of muled information tin; impression timt If he was a starter he did not run prominently.

Duclie*s hiidoms, niii.-h looks exceptionally well. Imt which rontlnueß to run dlsiipiiohUillßly, is not to he persevered with lliuell loiik.t. Imt will he retired to the stud, uod is to he mated with Thundiani The list of the imported horse is now nearly

riiero is every probability of MulllueaT being retired from active racing ufter the Avondale meeting. The son of Marble Arch bled badly on Saturday, while contesting the .Iclllcoe Handicap, ami this has evidently influenced ills owner in his decision.

It. ]•:. flrown has made a 'good start as a trainer. Escaped, the ilrst horse lie has saddled up since taking over Mr .1. Twohl'.l's leaui. winning tie IJvorpool Handica]) run at ICllerslie on Saturday. Escaped ran a good race, and should lie a useful performer this season.

It was recently reported that A. Oliver had (icei<l ed to give up his profession as a jockey and take up a farm, but this is stared to lie an error, for the one-time premier horseman has already started rruticiug his weight, and Intends actively following his pre-war calling.

The two-year-old gelding Esplanade by Robert the Bruce—Lolojua, has been showing some pace on the tracks, but siiaiwl very disappointingly iv ■the lmrade ou Saturday, and was one of the last to tinlsh. The or two should do him a lot uf good.

The New Zealand Cup candidate Roue J'inU was given a run in the Oringi Ilniidlenp nt Daunevirke ou Saturday, in which Nhe was weighted at S.V.i. The daughter of Klibroiiey was scut u\n favourite, but thu best she could do was to run a moderate third to Vermillion O.IU and Maraetuturu U. 7.

Slcivvronch and Entente Cordlalp were schooled in company at Kllerslie yesterday piuming. The latter fenced all right, but though Slowcoach did not'stop at"any of the oliKtiicleu, he did not put any heart Into ULs work, and his trainer has v hard 'task in front of him to convert the Australiun-bred gelding inlo a hurdler.

Crowhurst was a s'ladp unlucky in the Liverpool Handicap on Saturday, for he stumbled slightly at a critical stage of the race, but for which 'Escaped would iiave had a harder task to win. Crowhurst Is nici-l.v placed In Hie Flying Handicap at Avundale. in which, however, toe class is a bit better than on .Saturday.

A peculnr occurrence is reported from Sydney. Mr. \V. McMillan's pacing stalli<iu Linden (ChieftaLn—Kathleen/ was found in his paddock at I'arkes with one thigh shuttered by a bullet, which had afterwards penetrated the abdomen. The owner had just sold the Jiorse at a satis afuctory price, and was to have given delivery a few days after.

Hichiuond Main, which won the ('helmsford Stakes at Itandwick ou Saturday, is a three-year-old colt by l'rlnce Foote—Australian <ias. and is engaged In the A.J.C. and V.It.C. ]>erhys. lie i« owned by tile wealthy Australian who racis under the assumed name of Mr. J. "Baron," as is I'rince Viridis, the winner of the Spring Handicap at the same meeting.

One of the finest exhibitions of jumping seen at Kllerslie for some time was that given by No Surrender iv the Hunt Club Cup ou Saturday. The son of Salvadan won very easily, but was a trifle sore on pulling tip. He is to be given n lengthy spell, and will nat be asked to race again until the next jumpiuK seusou rolls round.

There are several bis nominators for tlie Seventh Tarauaki Stakes of 1081, and it ia ■ Interesting to note that Imtli Desert Uoltl I and (iloamiug appear in the list. Mr. 1. U. I Duncan, who breeds for sale, has nominated sixteen, blrt of the private breeders, Mr. .1. Coring Johnston has eiisajied twelve: Mr. iT. 11. Lowry 'ten, the -Messrs. Kiddiford six, : iSir Ceorge Clifford live, Mr. (1. 1). : Creenw.H.d seven. Mr. \V. It. Kemball six, and Mr. A. McDonald seven. Auckland owners are well represented, those nominated being:-Filly by I'emiry—Lady <Jw«n; I'eter Maxwell, by Marble Arch—lena; eh c by Sunny Lake—Orange rippiu: Miss 'dtirlcl. by Luculliis—Lady Bobs: l>v Liicullu*—Xe Aroha; auU Arcllght, by liecoup.

With Some Boy engaged in the Avoudale Clio, there was some curiosity as to liow sllr. Cojie would assess the Australian form as compared with New Zealand as represented by liu-le Ned. King I.upin, and Vagabond. Some Hoy's last winning perfnnnanee on the otlier side was in the Canterbury Handicap of teu furlongs Inn yanlH, Wueil under li.a be defeated twelve others, Winning by a head from I'rney, 8.0, with l'eat t».7. six Iciiirths away. Triiev afterwards won the Roseliill Handicap un.ler (5.3.----ami was second in the Warwick Handicap, nix furlongs. Some Boy, starting iv tlio latter event with '■>.'>, aud after being prominent in the early part of it. tailed 10 run on. UiilKhing out of v place. This form has aviiUMltly not been considered very higlivlas* by Mr. Coyle. for over the Avoudale Cup distance, one mile and α-auarter, Cm-le Neil is called on to i-oncede him 10lb, and King l.nulti and Vagabond each !>lu. Al tiii- time of writing it is liouhtrul if Some ■Hoy will l.c a starter in the Cup. which is a pity, for it would lie decidedly interesting 10 see how tin? form worked out.

Kxception wan taken at the annual meeilii(- .if the Napier Part leucine Club to the proposal that ;iiJ jockeys and trainers he licensed liy the Kutfng I'onferenre. It was couxUlereil Umt uiPtiiipolUiiu centres were quite as miwlilp, if not more *<>, "f dnlus ■iliH work. They ulbo bacl .1 better oppurtiinity of Uuowins the elmnicters of local men requiring licenses. The proposal liaO been iiiiule by Sir Ucorgc Clifford, who threatened to retire from racing If it were not carried. Mr. Keatson, wlio Introduced the subject, said he would be very sorry to see Sir (jporse Clifford retire, l>ut lie thought it was :in Inrorrert move to make »tirli a threat. L'nder such v system men ooinu work on a farm :iuc\ occasionally a little iralnin--- would not have a hope of. ••rttiu;; .1 license. Mr. Brown (the presiilcuti thoimUt the mover must have something iv Ms mind to prompt him to make such n proposal. He hac\ the Interests o£ racing .-it heart and would not threaten to retire without some good reason. A resolution was carried to the effect that the meeting was of the opinion that the Metropolitan Clulis were .competent to license jockeys anil trainers. 11 n<l was not in favour of Sir (ieorse Clifford* proposal. Delegates to the conference will be Instructed accordingly.

■I'AKURAXGA HUXT CLUB. The meeting of the Pakuranga. Hunt ■Hiiu at EUerslie on 'Saturday was easily the most successful yet hold by the clnD, and the Progressives who launched out in the direction of increased stake money bare every reason to be satisfied with, the result. JGlie racing throughout was interesting, the 'handitapper (Mr F. W. 'EdwarQs) naving tue satisfaction of seeing reverai large dividends returned, while the finish in the big flat event, the Jellicoe Handicap, was one of the finest seen at headquarters. The tocalisator turnover was well above the most sanguine expectations, and the nest meeting .should see a substantial increase in stakes.

IHE TWO-I'EAR-OI.D PARADE. The two-yejir-old parade at Ellerslie on Ba'tnnlay created a lut of interest, and the youngsters as they were walked round the enclosure came in for very close inspection. Taken as a whole, they were a good average lot, and the «purt showed several to be possessed of plenty of pace. The iirst and Becond, Jolly l-rincess and Miss Muriel, were both disposed of recently by Mr. J. 1). Kemp, and both are rery smart youngsters that should pay their way during the season. Tile pair are in the Avondale Slakes, but the (illy by l'otoa—Latona docs not appear in the events. This youngster, which it -will be remembered was sold with her dam for Xlffs a. coupie of seasons ago, pleased Kreatly by the way she linlKhed, and over a distance of ground may appear to more, adruutage. Her lmlfbrotUer, Apellon, was a good winner. A very ulce youngster was tlio colt by Lncullus from that shapely mare Te Aroha, and the colts Kldlculo, by Absurd—Lady Eta, and .Landslide, by Keuilwortb —Elegance, and the filly Nonsenae, by Absurd—Condaminn, also attrucU'il a lot of attention. Oue altogether the parade ercved to show that khe two-year-old eveirtK ouj-'ht to be (season.

NEW ZEAI.AXDEItS IX AUSTRALIA. The Xew Zealand horses in Australia ran very dlsappoinfinely In their engagements at KaiMlwick 011 Saturday, the ouly one to nirii pluee oioiiej- belag tfoldeu Bubble, whic-b ran sei-oml ' in tlio Novk-e UaudlcaUt oue mile, iiuU whi<-h iuakes bis rjciug reuonl three, starts for two second." ami one tblr<l. Sitrveyor, Sa«anof, Spanner, Taunaha, KossiuL. anU <lo not appear to bave been iirouiinent in their encasements, .aid It will he iuterestins to rce it the rnrlng works any lmproveujeiit ia tile near llUUlf.

TU£ " TOTii " I.N AU'SXICALIA. The percentage taken by tin; Government of Australia out of the totalisator receipts in causing some concern to the tlubs, uuil, Naysi a Sydney writer, when the Stuto Cabinet is (framing the measure to amend •this totalieator In regard to allowing country cliilis an increased 'percentage, it is thought in racing circles that it should also exunuue the figures aiqiertuluUij; to clubs other than the A.J.C.

Take for instance the ease of the Canterbury Park Club. It had to spend a large, sum of money—£2C,o(X), to be exact —In erecting the iieceKsary machines, and in order io pay off that sum 1 per cent, is dexlMcted from the amount invested and is put into a sinking fund.

That is to say. a sum of £2.000,000 -will have to pass through the machines before the sinking fund extinguishes the cost.

The position arising out of last year's operations throws some light upon the excellent wicket oil which tlie Treasury finds Itself as the result of the establishment of the tote.

Troiu July 1, 1018. to Juno 30, 1010, the tote at Canterbury I'ark handled £6(1,210 11)/, Of that amount the Treasury received £5835 5/5 from its 7 per cent, unclaimed dividends, «u<l fractions. <wbile the club's net ."-bar* at 3 per cent (expenses, £744 17/3, having been jmidt was £1341 0/1.

Having to borrow the money (£2G,000) iippdod to build the tote, the club has, at <! per cent, an Interest bill of £1500 to moot, and in doing so not only was the £12+1 received from the tote swallowed up, but there was a deficiency of approximately m<.). The sinking fund of £G'G2 wiped that oirt. leaving a profit of £34,'! on the operations for the year.

..Hrlcfly. the Onvernment toils not, neither flops it spin, hut it takes dOf&Z .-./."> out of £RR,210 10/. and the club, which * has all tlie risk and pays all the expenses, receives

WHAXfJAREI RACING CLUB. Tlie Whangarei liacing' Club, which has hail its two days j-esio-itl, is making a new departure this season, and instead of racing in January as formerly, has altered its dates to October » and l<). and .-us a result tiie gathering should he much more successful than has hitherto been the ease. Only •seven races nniieur ou the programme on oath d-jy uf the meeting, lor which the added money is tl4!Ci, the principal event being the Yv'hantrurei Cup of 3txteovs and the I'nrk Handicap of :i"JO kovs. These are two GVkkl stakes, and with the other eventswell endowed, the cluh should yet strong support from Auckland owners, both as rewards quality ami quantity. To assist owners u> get to the meeting, the club will bear part cost of ship's freight, and will provide free straw, and arrange stabling accommodation on application. The programme is In every respect worthy of consideration by owners, and there should be a good response on Friday next, the l!)th Inst when nominations for all events close at 8 p.m., either with the secretary, Mr. B. Harris. Wliaugnrei, or Mr. U. 11. Hayr, Auckland.

AVOXDALE JOCKEY CLUB. .Aeee-ptauces lor all events to be deelfleil on the opening day of the Avoml'aie Jockey Club's Spriug Meetinx close with Che secretary (Mr H. H. liayi) ou Friday, the lUtn inst., at o p.m.

TVEF TALK FROM THE SOUTH.

aiAWKJ2"S BAY. With tlie advent of the spring meetings local interest iv turt matters is beeuwuig Witnessed ou the tracts at Hastings ru-t-out ly.

></ horses sliow jnore promise than the Douglaa t«im, under O-uke Wilson. Although only practically a beginner ut tue training business, \% iisou is rajudiy making a. luuue lor himself, and liis horses bear testimony to his care unci attention, 'ihe star performer this year will probably be the ihiUoiviuas colt. Maioha, which lias ill eouiWtiou. He is not being specially trained for the New Zealand Cii[i, and the work allotted biin would suggest that his mission wiil be the Champion riate at Trenthain. and perhaps the middle distance events at Itlcearton. ilc is in great heart and may be reserved lor the Auckland Cup, by which time he will be more seasoned.

Uetaua. half-brother to iMaloha, is in blooming healtli. but backward iv condition, lie is 'I h' z >' worker, and unless the tracks are very favourable for the next few weeks Wilson will be liard put to it to get enough work iuto him to fit him for the Derby. J>o far, lie does not aim lie like a stayer, and cannot foot It with. Maloba after four furiongs.

Statuette, in the satne stable, now belongs to Hγ. O. D. Beatson, and will probably find a new home at no distant date. This Buy recently skipped over two furlongs at ] a "swallow" pace, and is undoubtedly one of the fastest we have seen here J'or Home time. .She may also be kept for the Auckland Cup meeting. Tlie Douglas two-year-olds arc the best ■ of our mediocre lot. and Tropical (All Black—"Drought) may he handy In the Hastings .stakes. Her stable mate. Sunny Smile, also goes well, but is no champion; In fact the chestnut colt in Donovan's . stable is a better mover than either. The big Absurd colt in White's stable is coining on nicely, but can have no chance with either of tie trio before-mentioned In t.he events to be decided iv the near future. Parisian JMamond, Athens 11.. Potentiality, 801 l Ucve, and others arrived horn;' on the loth 1..v the Mokoin, after having been away nearly two mouths. (rooseuian's team are all progressing well, and should be seen to advantage later on. Hindi, full brother to ludino, is doing well in hLs New Zealand Cup studies, but is such a jrross colt that he may not be at his best for some months yet. This colt is full of quality, and has already jiiven evldeuce Uiat lie will stay. Imt the writer would not pick him to be ready in early November. A three-year-old "eidin" from miss by -Mystification, has already shown a sreat burst of speed, and may ; take on the (Stewards', while the Mystification—Tattle gelding, which has been paid up for in the K«r Zealand Cup, may prove us sornl as Ms full brother Teka. Mr. Armstrongs pair. The Speaker hd.l Doric, are on a road tour of Marton and Dannevirk" anil will probahly improve on the journey Dorlc is a commoner to lonk at. but is "a frnoa scirl and always comes at the right cud of liis races.

CANTERBURY. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Training operations at Riccarton are of an uninteresting nature each morning, ana trainers are still in a quandary as toj whether the railway restrictions tvIII be i lifted In time for the Geraldine meeting, which will be held on the 25th and 26th of | the month. A few trainers may walk their horses to the meeting, but the great majority, I fancy, will forfeit the engagements made. Gay Lad Is now n very warm favourite for the New Zealand Cup. and last week big commissions were booked in different parts of the Dominion, but on whose behalt one cannot say. The imported horse Is very well, but up to the present his form over two miles is of an unknown quantity. Some Kid, by Uirkenheiid—Sea Queen, is galloping well, and is sure to pick up & good stake or two In the next few months. Captain E. Russell, the Southland sportsman, who returned to the Dominion by the transport Ellenga, arrived in Chrtetehurch on Saturday. Captain 'Russell, who has been with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles in Egypt, was formerly the owner of Mohawk, and Is now the owner of a two-year-old gelding by Solferino — Eoper Eyes that is said to show much promise. Ills owner has not yet seen this youngster, and, hearing that he was at Riccarton with THogan's team, he was hoping to have an early look at him. However, Hogan's team had previously returned home by steamer. so the pleasure is yet in store.

Royal StaK nnd Niijht Raider, two of Sir George Clillord's Derby candidates, rattled over half a mile together iv fair time on Saturday. Should the former stand a hard preparation be luay be expected -to win some good races before the season Iβ far advanced, but there is a doubt as to whether he will ,-mne through the ordeal nil ripht. Night Haider, the only win of which was

attained in the Rugeley Plute at the C.3.C. Autumn Meeting, when he defeated Kossini. ■bus also been amiss, but now nppeurs quite sucli a rattle at the finish us to suggest ■that another furlong would nut have troubled him.

The form shown by RosKini at the Sydney Tattersall's .Meeting on Saturday was not very encouraging to many local sportsmen, who expected the Martian colt to turn out a brilliant ruceborse. It is practically certain that we have not yet seen the best or Mr. G. D. Greenwood* colt, and at the big meetings he limy be found holding his own. Tile eiiblcl inossjijjp of tlip meet intr coiituins no reference to Karo or Gloaming, and we may take it for sranted that their engagements were cancelled.

Evidently the Wellington sportsman Mr. H. Whitney contemplates another Southern trip for the early spring meetings, as he has eugaged several horses for the Kurow aud Dunedin meetings. Included in his team is the New Zealand Cup candidate Rose Pink, which, after racing in the South. will return to Riccarton in good time for the November meeting.