RACING WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 251, 22 October 1919, Page 11

RACING WORLD.

" 1 (By •■WHAL_SONK.") , FIXTITKES. October :V>, 27-YVelllngtoo B.C. Spring. ' October 25, 27 —Gore R.C. Spring. October 27 -Waipawa County II.C. Annual. October 27 — Waverley-Waitotura K.C. Annual. October 30, Ml— Poverty Hay Turf Cluh Spring. 0.-toiler 27—North Canterbury and Oxford J.C. Annual. November- 1 — Taratnbl-Cartertoti R.C. Annua). November 8 32—Auckland II.C. Spring. November S. 10, 12. 15—Canterbury J.C. Metropolitan. November 12. IS—Wlnton .I.e. November 15, 19—-Otahuhu T.C. Spriug. November 19 — Ashhurst-Pobaugluu K.C. Annual. November 20, 21 —South Canterbury J.C. Spring. November 22. 26—Takapuna J.C. Spring. November 2D, December i-Fetldlng J.C. Spring. December 17-Taumarunul H.C. 'December 26, 29, January 1, 3—Auckland R.C. Summer. ANSWERS TO COKR'ESPONDiENTS. PARNELL.—Red Pepper died at Ills trainer's stables at Woodville. ANXlOUS.—Ca'rlcature was uot a starter iv the Hastings Stakes, won toy Humbug. Mr. W. G. Stead won £1826 in stakes at the recent A.J.C. Spring Meeting. Mr. C. "Walker recently purchased Miss Abbe?, ii four-year-old marc by (Juln Abbey —Toheroa. The gelding Henry Clay, which K. Johnston took with «im to Sydney, has been sold to go to 'Western Australia. Mr. Tom Stewart's marc Wee Olgu fouled a colt to Marble Arch. The daughter of -Merriwee will be given a rest this season. S. Henderson, who rode Some P.oy when he won at Avondale, is to have the mount on the ex-Australian horse In the Mitchelson ! Cup. Middlemark changed hands recently, hut remains in charge of C. Coleman, his new owner being a patron of that trainer's stable. Rewl Poto is reported to have broken down, and ls to be brought .hack to the Dominion at the first available opportunity. A Melbourne writer picks Hymestra out as one of the most horses training at Flemlngtou to win a race during the spring. The two wins aud a second Gloaming put to his credit at the A.J.C. Spring Meeting bring his winnings to date up to £14.108, and a cup valued lOOsovs. The gelding Crowhurst has .been purchased by n patron of N. Cunningham's stable, and the sou of Rokeby Is now under tbMt trainer's charge at Ellerslle. The new grass track at Ellerslie. which Ls a splendidly graded one, has been th'.-owu open to trainers, and provides excellent going. All the fust work was registered there yesterday morniug. Backfire is to be given a chance to earn distinction as a jumper and was tried over the small fences at Ellerslle yesterday morning, his display being satisfactory for a beginner. ■It is stnted that provided the weights are suitable, there ls every probability of Kennaqubair being brought across to Auckland to fulfil his engagements at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting. The steeplechase horse John Bunny, which has been In Australia for over twelve months owing to no means of transport being available. wn>s due to arrive In Wellington by the Riverlna. R. E. Brown is not likely to make the trip to Glsborne with Mr. J. Twohlll's horses which were engaged at tbe Poverty Bay Turf nub's meeting, being unable to make suitable steamer arrangements. H. Gray lntendpd paying a visit to Melbourne before returning to the Dominion, but is expected bnek In plenty of time for the A.R.C. Spring Meeting, at which he has a number ot riding engagements. Returned visitors from Australia state that Sasanof was In a bad way after his efforts tit Randwlck, and may have to lie treated to n lengthy spell—ln fact, it Is doubtful if he will ever race again. It ls estimated that Nlghtwatch was backed for the Caulfleld Cup to win £2r..000, and his stable companion, Lucknow, which won, for about the same amount. A large •part of the support accorded the lnst-uained horse was from London financiers. Mr. Stlrton recently Informed a Sydney writer that Biplane was "all to pieces," and would be given a lengthy spell. He will probably not be seen out until the autumn, and his appearance even then would depend on how he bensflte'd by his holiday. It is stated that Mr. G. D. Greenwood hnd a commission in the market nt the yearling sales to purchase Cool Light, which ran away with the Breeders' Plate at the A.J.C. meeting, but the commissioner did not like the colt and did not bid fJr him. A lot of hackers stood off Nlghtwatch for the Caulfleld Cup for tbe reason that no horse has yet won the Caulfleld Stakes and Caulfleld Cup at the same meeting of the V.A.T.C. Nlghtwatch was. howeveY, tlie favourite, but did not succeed In breaking the spell. While being exercised at Ellerslle on Saturduy, the colt Arc Light swung his head round suddenly, and his mouth catching in one of the stirrup irons, he eventually fell to the ground, the saddle injuring his back pretty severely. He is at present under the care of Dr. Ring. G. Phillips, at one time a well-known Auckland horseman, font who has been attached to the stable of F. McGruth In Sydney tor the past ten years, came across to Auckland in charge of the two-year-old colt IDunedln. He will probably remain In Auckland for a few months. Taunaka, Spanner, and Golden Hubble, which arrived In Auckland from Australia on Sunday last, hati n rougli -trip over, nnd looked a bit 'knocked up In consequence. They are at present located at ElleVslie, and are being restricted to light exercise, while awaiting shipment South. It Is understood Golden Bubble is to be added to tbe list. Mr. W. R. -Kern-ball's horses oVe expected to be shipped from Melbourne in charge of W. Hawthorn immediately on tbe conclusion of the V.R.C. spring carnival. The | horses nre to come to Auckland, and will remain here until after the A.R.C. Summer Meeting. Tbe team will be a large one, for boxes have been secured at Green lane for thirteen horses. The second place in the A.J.C. RYceclers' Plate, filled by Pnnedln, was worth flOOsovs to MessTS. Thorpe and Gleeson. nunedin. which arrived in Auckland on Snndav by the Moerakl, was out doing llgh-t exercise at Ellerslle yesterday morning. lie is a fine, big upstanding "colt, but was not seen at his -best, for n rough trip over left him a little sore. It is nothing serious, however, and a few days' steady pacing should rec him all right again. Dunedin Ls engage,] la tbe A.R.C. Welcome Stokes. Great Northern Foal Stakes, and Royal Stakes, and may be sent 'bark to Ai-stralLa In the autumn to contest the A.J.C. Sires' Produce Stakes. If there ls one owner of horses more than another In N.S.W. who is entitled to be styled lucky, it is Mr. D. U. Seaton. whoso Wolarol won the Epsom Handicap recently. Any owner who succeeds iv making racing pay out of stakes must be accounted extremely fortunate, and this Mr. Seaton has done. During the last ten years his horses have won about f47.000 In prize money alone, and, irrespective of some large amounts taken in beis from the ring, that ought tn show a very substantial profit. I»i—in? the period staled the owner oT Wnlaml has never had a really bad season. Wolarol's earnings In stakes run to nearly £20,000, and another good winner Is Westconrt, which appropriated races ot the b vaiue of £11,852.

The visiting division had a bad time of it on Saturday, at Epsom, falling to win a race. The defeats of Dora Derby In particular were very costly to her connections. The many friends of the Hastings trainer V. Collelo will regrc-t to hear of the death of his wife, whip passed away last .Saturday. Deceased leaves one child, a girl aged 11 years. British Arch, which carried 7.13 and won the Wuverlcy Handicap nt Uandwlck, is engaged In the Melbourne Cup. He has Incurred Tib penalty in the Melbourne Cup, which makes his weight 7..'!. King Capitalist raced very unkindly in the Onehuuga Handicap on Saturday, hanging badly Ihroughout the journey. He also mixed it on several occasions which spoilt a good winning chance. The filly Dewdrop. by The Welkin—Carissima. and a half-brother t.) Dick -Meagher, by Varco, owned by Mr. (!. U. Greenwood, were brought from the other side recently, anil have joined .It. J. Mason's team at Hlccai'ton. Lobster was very unlucky in the Mountain Trot Handicap on Saturday, and but for leaving ills feet after leaving the straight the last time round would have given the winner. Lady Tark, considerably more trouble. In winning the Sprinc Handicap on Saturday. Uird Kose went 4.: iS :W5. which is II 'J.-.'is better than he had to do when he won the Governor's Handicap at the Otahuhu Winter Meeting. This ls only Bths of n second outside the limit for the Auckland Trotting Cup. The betting nt Alexandra Park oii Saturday was something remarkable, for lv six of the eight races decided the whole of the starters came in fur solid support. It ls a long time since such a state of affairs prevailed iv Auckland. The veteran Eccentric showed all his old speed in the Stewards - Handicap on Satur- | day. and with six furlongs gone looked all over a winner. The run up the straight, however, found the old fellow out, and Dorothy Dimple gradually wore him down to get a three-length victory. The one-time New Zealand crack. The Toff, was among the competitors at the recent South Australian Jockey Club's Ineetlng. but the best he could do was to run third with 7.f>, In the Glenelg Handicap, to Dependence, 11.0. and I'assado, 8.3. To supply the three placed horses in a race like the Caultield Cup is a wonderful performance, and the Cnnllleld trainer. R. Rrudtiold has every reason to be proud of his feat. One cannot cnll to mind n similar happening In an Important event. In which there were twenty starters. Steel Roll appears to be blosing her brilliancy, and in the Spring Handicap at Kpsom nn Saturday, never looked like tliic near her field. It is perhaps a bit early in the season to write her out. but on present appearances It is doubtful If she will reproduce the form which won her two Auckland Trotting Cups. Gold Girl showed a great burst of speed lv the October Hun.Heap ut Kpsom on Saturday, making up her handicap in the tlrst three furlongs. After that she only had Waverley to -beat. hut though the latter kept at his task the scratch mare easily held lilin, winning comfortably at the finish. A Victorin paper recently stnted that evidently the experiment In regard to jockeys weighing out and In without their skull cap. which was tried at Flemlngton, was not quite a success. It has slr.ee been decided by the V.lt.C. to revert to the old rule, whereby riders must weigh out and lv with skull cups. A serious accident was averted at the Kensington IN.S.W.) racecourse recently by a timely discovery of the caretaker. Three hurdles had been removed from the course proper over night, and placed at different points on the tan track, where the work was carried out. Luckily they were removed before operations began. After the Craven Plate, which Gloaming won easily. Mr. I>. I. Sea ton. owner of Wi.larol. stated that he had no excuses to offer, as the best horse had won. He con tended, however, that Australian ni.ing rules should make no allowance to geldings in the weight-for-age scale- A pull of 31b. would always help Gloaming Iv trials of speed with rivals. Although the track was fast at Itandwiek for the A..1.c. Spring Meeting no new time records were established, but in appropriating the Grantham Stakes in easy fashion Rossini got within the fraction of a second of Gloaming's record for a mile—l..'l 7 1-5— while l'anacre ran the Final Handicap mile und a-quarter iv 2.5. which Is within half a second of Cellgne's record for the distance: and ns l'anacre carried 10.0 his performance was very meritorious. Thus a Melbourne writer:—ln the welght-for-nge Ciitillleld Stakes backers took the New Zealand cult Surveyor on trust and made him favourite. Kor this they are now sincerely repentant. To be a half-mile record breaker is nn insutilrieiit recommendation for a nine furlong contest, but everyone appeared to regard Surveyor as "the goods." Judged by his performance In the race uudcr notice -and there Is no reason tn expect that he will atoue for the defeat —Surveyor is purely a sprinter, and may find even a mile too much for him. Though the matter has uot been fiuallv determined it is practically settled that Pom-el will not be asked to take part at tin; V.R.C. Spring Meeting, at which his engagements Include the Melbourne Cup with U.S. The horse's owners stated to n Sydney writer that their present Intention was to keep Poitrel at home, and probably reserve him for welght-for-ago events the wisdom of which is likely to be generally endorsed. Poitrel has v.on in the neighbourhood of £11.1)00 lv stakes, and with ordinary luck should add considerably to tho total. Rebus, says a Sydney writer, is one of those horses which have won a small fortune for the owner without entering the winning list often. By taking the Metropolitan, he increased his earnings in stakes beyond £11,700. nnd his record is rather- remarkable. He has won the Epsom Handicap, Metropolitan, and Sydney Cup and has only to account for the Doncnfltcr Hand leap to subscribe his name among the winners of the four big handicaps or the turf lii this State. Rebus h;is ninny more placed performances to his credit" than those of tbe other brand, and nil iv return fur a comparatively small mil lay. The caulfleld Cup, run ou Saturday, aud won by the imported horse Lucknow' gave the Australian sportsmen, Messrs. Robinson and Clark, now resident in England, their second successive victory In the event. King Offa winning in their colours last year. L.uckunw is by Miiiorn from Amphora,' and I previously showed C i.oi] form, winning the CaulUebl frlltlirity Stakes last March He was well fancied ever since the weights appeared, and his connections are reported to hnve thrown In for a good win by his success. Nlghtwatch. which ran second is sure to run -prominently in the Melbourne Cup, in which IK- was (successful last year. Melbourne accounts of the Caultield Guineas gave the Impression that the form of those engaged, except in the case of Artilleryman, is likely to be altered later. Circumstances made the race anything but true, and In this respect it savoured somewhat of the Rosehlll Guineas, the form in which proved all wrong except In the case of Artilleryman. The chief sufferers at Caulfleld were Bigaroon and Richmond Main. The latter was chopped across at j the start, and lost his position, jvjille half | a mile from home he was again tampered. Bigaroon was in trouble on several occasions, and was knocked all over the Held. Gambler's Cold did not fare too well either, and his finishing run was noticeably good, hut Artillery man won in such style that these happenings are not likely to alter the form on Derby Day. B. neeley returned to Auckland by the Moeraltl from Sydney on Sunday, and left -■or Wellington last night, to. fulfil riding engagements at the Wellington Racing 'Club's Spring Meeting, which opens on SatI urday next. The Auckland horseman headed the list of winning riders at the ! A.J.C. Spring Meeting at ltandwick, saluting the judge on five different occasions, steering Gloaming, Knro. llosslni, British Arch, and Tressndy Queen to victory, for which his earnings totnlled £178 "/. In a chat with the writer, the Aucklnnd horseman attributed tho defeat of Gloaming by I'oltrel in the Spring Stakes, to the state of the track. The New Zealand champion did not like the going, and slipped nhout n lot, bring unable ro keep his feet. In the ''raven Plate the going was firmer, and the sou or The Welkin won very easily. His rider hoi.is the opinion that If the track had been In the same state when tho Spring Stakes was run, Poitrel would not have defeated him, although he 1b nndoubt- . cdJj- a great horse

The Victorian Jockey F. Bullock, who has ridden the winner of the last two Caulfleld Cups, has arranged to leave for England at the close of the spriug meetings, having accepted a lucrative engagement there. Bullock ls no stranger to English courses, lie rode there with conspicuous success during several seasons, aud only returned to Australia because of the outbreak of war. THE JOCKEYS' ASSOCIATION. The lion. T. 31. Wllford has accepted tho office of patron of the recently formed Jockeys' Association. The members o£ the executive, who recently journeyed South to interview Sir George Clifford, received a good .reception from the leading sportsmen iv the South, who heartily endorse the alms ami objects of tho Association, and are giving every support and sympathy. AT THE .BARRIER. Mr. A. .Hill erected the barrier at the mile post on the course proper at BUerslle yesterday morning, and v number of tiwo-year-olds were schooled In jumping oft. Irish Knight, Jaffwa, Jolly Princess, Tetcr Maxwell, Miss Muriel aud Wolomal lined up the first time, the latter three being pulled up after they had found their feet, the former two spurting three furlongs with Jaffwa, Jolly Princess and Lrlsh Knight the order. Wolomal. .Miss Muriel, and Peter Maxwell lined up again and spurted a couple of furlongs, finishing as named. SCHOOLING AT E-LLBRSJ.-lE. There was a fair amount of schooling work at Ellerslle yesterday morning. Pablo, alone, gave a good display over sbc hurdles. Big Corn, which also went alone, jumping tour in good style. Dunganuon and Totara Jack started off together, for a round of the hurdles, but the loiter came to grief at the first obstacle and was not afterwards persevered with, Totara Jack completing his task alone. The latter did not Jump so well us In some of his previous essays. Notability. Tenacious and Step were to be companions in a schooling gallop, but the last named fell at the tlrst fence, and the former pair went on, jumping eight of the olxrtucles In a satisfactory manner. 1 Step was afterwards schooled alouc, with out mnkiug a mistake. Bcndoon, Entente Cordlalo, Jlaungapotae and Klnkorn were schooled over hurdles together, the inartet getting through their task without mishap. Benzine and Southland v.-ere companions o\er four hurdles, which they negotiated In good style. Signature. Sllverton. Otara. JDunrobin and .Maori Tiknnga were ,glv - ti similar task In company, gettlngj rouail without mistake. Campfire Jnck, alone, started for n round of the hurdles, but refused;several times at the second obstacle, 'before he eventually Jumped it. finishing the remainder of his task all right. AUCKLAND TROTTING CI.UB. The opening day's racing In onnecllon with the Auckland Trotl'ing Club's Spring Meeting, which took place on Saturday, was a record in every way. and the unusual spectacle was witnessed of the grandstand being filled to overflowing before the tlrst race was run. Both Inside and outside there was a very large crowd, and the club have a big task before them to provide sufficient accommodation for their pal revs at the forthcoming slimmer meeting. The big scheme of Improvements, which will entail an expenditure of something like foO.OOO, cr.nnot be put In hand until offer Christmas, but a start is to be made Immediately the summer fixture <s concluded, and next season will pee evcry--1 thing in order. With necessarily limited j tntallsalnr accommodation the executive I would do well tn serloiiflv consider the question nf making all tickets Inside a pound Instead of as at present a pound and i ten shillings. Such a course would greatly relieve the congestion. and nlthnugh .arguments can be advanced against It. It would only be for the big summer fixture, • and would give added comfort to Investors. ; The matter Is certolnly worthy of earnest consideration by the committee. HANDICAPPING TROTTEiRS. (To the Sporting Editor.) Sir,-- I have to thank you for publishing my letter on the above subject, ujid regret that you did not uDtiiu trom the hauulcnpper au expiauatlou. 1 cannot accept I your opinion Chut "the practice Is followed j by haudivuppers throughout the Jjom'mlon-'' 1 and, t-veu it It ivere. two wrongs don't I make a right. I take It that the fact of I all rices fiavlug a time Umlt ls as much for ( the gultlauce of the handlcapper as the I owner, and one may reasonably expect the limit to be adhered to lv all races on the programme. As pointed out in my previous IcHer the scratch horse was let out 6s ,ou lii* proper handicap, w-ltb the result I that he duly won. not lv any sense on bis merits, but' due entirely to being wrongly handicapped. It seems far from fair that 1 when one has trained nnd nominated a j horse for a race "under certain conditions that they should be 60 varied by the handlcapper that you cannot accept. I submit that the time limit In a trotting race lls as moici: a condition as welght-for-aige tn flat races, ami I can imagine the comment llf a *andlcai»per gave the top-weight an advantage over welght-for-nge equal to 6s; j the thlrbg would be simply a farce. I sec Ino reason winy a Held of trotters with reI cords could not be so handicapped that [ practically every horse would accept, as 1 when one nominates a horse in his proper j class the owner knows Just what handicap ;he ought to get according to the llmJt of 1 the rave and the record against his horse. In i-oncluslon. I venture the opinion that jif Mr. Edwards would f-ame his handicaps :in terms of the time nmits laid down on ! the official programme that the clubs would hnve larger tlebls mid the owners anil I trainers would he more satisfied. It Is, at I any rate, surely worth a trial.—l am, etc., C. F. GIDS.EN. (The opinion given In reply to your letI ter on 'Sr-tuTduy was the otliclnl explaua- . tlou. which I obtained ns requested. The 1 question of handicapping will ulways be a ; much-discussed one, nnd 1 am afraid the man who can please everybody is not yet t>orn. As mentioned oil Saturday, the matter ls purely one for the handlcapper, nnd. though the back-marker won. and, to a lm-jre extent. IxTrc out your argument, the j boot would have been on the other foot had either Welcome South or Molmshury won This pair, which ran second and third respectively, were undoubtedly unlucky. The ! romr-arlson with welglit-for-a.ge racing does j not apply, for In these events the b&ndij capper ls not called on to express an 1 <^ > l_? n - """•' mnre '"N" h e ' s 'n the trotting 1 DcrWe*.—Sporting Kd. ] OAMARU TROTTING OLTJB. TH.E ACCEPTANCES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) OAMARU, this day. The following acceptances have been received for the Oamnru Trotting Clubs meeting to be held on Labour Day:— Improvers' Trot, of lOOsnvs, one" ml!c and n-half.—Wait on scratch. Grey Hommo scratch, Admiral Derby scratch, Ranking 12yds behind. The Squire _yds, 'Rest Boy Liyds, Xdvingßtone 12yds, Mi.-s Patty 30yds, Sally Dillon ."6yds. Roserav -lSvds, Lovebird 84yds. Pnrkfleld lOSyds, Agnes W. (not handicapped). Trial Handicap, of lOOsovs, one mile and n-ha!f.—Master Sefton scratch. Miss Edith scratch, Wandsworth scratch, Frances Derby scratch. Gift Chimes il2yds behind, Oratorio 12yds. Jean Logan 24vds, Ribbon 'Maid 33yds. j Oamaru Handicap, of 250sovs, two miles. —Legacy scratch. Partner scratch. Pax l'Jyds, Silver Nut 24yds, Our Chum 36yds, Shanghai 4Syds, Captain Stanley (XvVdH, Moneymaker lOSyds, Tommy C. liOyda Albert Cilng lofiyds. Pukeuri Handicap, of lOOsovs, one mile and a-quarter.—Cralglllca scratch. Emperor scratch, Hickorywood scratch, Bigamist scratch. Mammon 12yds behind. Cniliopn l-_\vd=. Flossie Dillon 32yds, Kthe-donnn l_yds. Unseen 24yds, Ouardcss Mvds, Satin Boy liflyds, Hoymetta 60yds. WaltaM County Handicap, of 130sovs. two miles.—Agnes W. scratch, The Squire scratch. Best Boy scratch, Ben Wilkes scrotch, Livingstone scratch. Cousin Jenny 24yds behind, Miss Patty 24yds. Rally Dillon 21yds. Boscrav 4Sy«s-, Lovebird Gfl v(ls _ 2'ark'. field I.l2yds. Weston Handicap, of loOsovs. one mile and a-quarter. — Tdrls scratch. Mllo scratch. Lady Swlthln scratch, Partner lH.vds behind. Legacy 12yds. Pleasant Mount Udyds, Rrc.ndalbaue _yds, Silver Nnt SOvds," John Peel 36yd8. ■Redcastle Handicap, of lOSbovs, one mile and a-half.—Newcourt scratch, Craiglolou scratch, Wandsworth scratch, Hilda Pointer scratch, JSnrperor 21yd« Jiehind. Hickorywood 24yds, Scenery 24ytls, Glade 24yds Ktholdnnun IWyds. Rialtn Sflvds, Flossie Dillon ."fiyds. Watchman 48yds Dash Handicap, nf Uostivs. nne mile.— Oxeuwood scratch. Hesitation scratch. Satin Boy scratch, Idrls J2yds behind, Hoymetta 12-dg, Pleasant Mount 06yds, Great Britain 38yds, John Peel -t%d«, Bacchnu 00yds CromrtaU Wyds.

TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH. lIAWKE'S BAT. The successes of Bonnie Heather and ■Hymarty at Masterton were well anticipated by local backers, but tbe price paid by the latter was a pleasant surprise to her host of admirers. Up to five furlongs the sister of Ilyllus is brlUiant, but she stops very quickly after that. Bonnie Heather's easy win has brought him into New Zealand Cup talk, .but it must foe remembered that he has so far beaten only two very weak fields. Still his performances were all that could be desired, and he should land a good race very shortly, although I am afraid his party are flying too high. Hetaua has been scratched for -the Cup. doubtless on account of his poor -showing over six furlongs with Maloha on Saturday. I The black colt had the inside running, ] got a big break, and then was beaten pointless by his half-brother, which finished full of running. Maloha should do some good at Trenthnm. but the writer would not have him beyond a mile nnd a quarter Ju3t yet. Hindi was well beaten by Doric In a six furlong gn on -Saturday, while IRllssfulness was much too good for Mumble over the same distance. The three Inst named should run very prominently at Waipawa. Vermillion carried ton many guns for Makere over a sprint course nt Hastings on Saturday. iShe Is very well, and Is greatly fancied by her connection for the bi_ handicap nt Waipawa. Natatane. which is bound for Auckland, la being worked right-handed at Hastings. This three-year-old half-sister to Parisian Diamond smothered Ronnie Heather at Napier, and tho good form since shown by the Heather Mixture gelding ls held by the filly's admirers to -be a good argument In favour of supporting her to deliver the gnnds at Rllcrslie. Natatane Is a free mover, and Stone has her very well. The Speaker has been doing long steady work of late, and Is probably being got ready for some of the distance events to be run In the near future. He was pulling very hard nn Saturday. Tari ls doing first-rate wnrk on the tracks, and can be labelled very dangerous for AVaipawa. WAIRARAPA NOTES. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") MASTERTON.. this day. The best form siiowu at the Masterton meeting can be put down to nonuie I learner. The Heather Mixtuie gcultig galloped in great style, and won the Masloitoii Hack with iue greatest ease. The •public rushed tlie gelding oil the "tote," ami their confidence was never for a second lv the bulaucc. Mr. Laurie's horse Aud a lot left In him at the end, aud eotvld have clipped some sccoiuts off the time tukeu IL—) -had he been pushed. l-.ust year the New Zealand Cup -winner spotted silk ut Masterton. Will history repeat Itself this year? One might well uiiower In Lho ai—matlve after seeing Bonnie Heather run. 'Hie horse that can down Bonnie dleather, if well, should Just übs.tit kind the big Canterbury race. Another Now Zealand Cup candidate which ran well at the Masterton meeting, was Affectation. The Kilbroncy colt landed tlie Cup after stalling off a determined challemge by KllniMh. Affectation got almost v flying start, and cut right across the field to the rail*—why there was not an Inquiry into this action, on the part of the jockey is best known to the stewards. Affectation then beat It for home, hard pushed for a time by Sir Solo. Kllru«h got somewhat hemmed lit at the start, hut once he got clear set sail after Affectation. It was thought that tin* latter would close up after covering a mile, but he kept going strongly, and Kilrush found the task of. overtaking the Kilbroncy colt too much. It Is hard to s:iy what would have happened had Affectation nnd Kllmsh got away on even terms. There are many keen Judges of opinion that in these circumstances Kllrush would have won. On the other hand. Affect ri tlon appeared to have something left lv him after he passed the post. The time (2.8) was a reeonl for the race. <Ine thing ls very evident flora Affectation's performance, and that Is that he ls capable of cutting out one and aqunrter miles at a hot pace, and tnay even prove a sufficient stayer to see the New Zealand Cup distance out. This, of course. Is a moot point, and' one that ut present cannot be decided in favour of Mr. .McDonald's representative. However. *AfTeota lion's win has brought him more Into favour with local lmckers for the New Zealand Cirri, and he is much sought after for the doubles. Rnse Pink, another New Zealand Cup candidate, carried top weight in the Masterton Cup. but ran ponrly. In fact, on, her Masterton Cu.p effort she could not have -won a maiden race made up of eta41on hacks. •Red Ribbon struck bad luck In the O-pakl Welter, and was 'badly cut out. otherwise the JClevntion mare would have probably headed Loyal Arch past the post. As ll was Red Million was coming very strongly in the last strides, nnd the Marble Arch inn re had to strain every nerve to keep In front. Rose Wreath, a New Zealand Cup entrant, made a poor showing In the Ruamuhanga Hack Handicap. The ally shewed out in front for a brief space, but died away at the business end of the race, and never looked a winner. She finished fourth, some four lengths behind the winner. Sonnlno -was never sighted In the Opaki Welter after the early stages, and finished •with the ruck. Rlsingham made a very feeble effort in the Masterton Cup. and could get no nenrer than fourth In a field of eight. He Improved on this on the second day, when he ran second to Nobleman in the Walplpl Handicap. CANTERBURY. (By Telegraph.—special to "Star.") CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday. Although v number of iUccartou-tralued liorsea will compete at Wellington on •Saturday and Monday oext, most of the local trainers will have their attention confined to the Uoie and North Canterbury meetings. For the latter meeting some particularly good horses are engaged, and their form will be watched with Interest in view of lho big meeting at ltlecartou next month. Although acceptances have not yet closed, it is almost certain that the fields will be larger and of a better class than previously tieeii out at the North Canterbury meeting. lv the Hangtom Oup, of 100 soys, one mile, the New Zealand Gup candidates Kilmoon (.0.0), Gay Lad (8.13), Wardancer (5.6), lloyiil star (7.11) and Flight Cornnrander '(7.0) should provide an excellent contest If they go to the post. The result, whatever tt >iuay be, will not be anything In Uie nature of a trial for the big two-mile race, but the winner will have to be lv very nice trim. Xuc dlstauc* will be all to Gay Lad's liking, and iv his absence Cerberus (7.5) should take n lot of bcatlug. Gay Jjad has bren going along very nicely In his work during the i>a«u few days,, and #jn Saturday morning puUed up well after running n mile, and a quarter lv 2.12 3-5— a good performance. A couple of very smart beginners—Bon Spe<- and •Onslaught—will be seen out In the b lying Handicap, all going well, and the latter, which is brilliant, may give Bon Spec Ills hardest race to date. Onslaught ran half a mile In i>o 4-ss. on [Saturday morning, Stnriand '» engaged In two hack events, and lie should find the company here not 10 0 select. Winter Wind, which ls engaged at the Wellington .meeting, defeated Mle« Mimic over four furlongs on „turday in 49 'lhe hater does not seem lo be developing us expected. Wrestler pulled up lame on Saturday, and L „n unlikely starter nt the North Cnntertmry meeting. Sir. O. G. Dnlgety's mnie Prim, by Pilgrim s l'rogr.ss -.Nantes, has foaled a liliy to Bonny Glen, and visited him again Saiuisen hna a lilly to aiartiun-Spyglass which has shown good form In private but has consistently failed to reproduce hl_ best Stable C0 " 0 " rb Up ' hHa ■ , '' lncQ 1{ - W. King's That double-betting U on the Increase is quite apparent to everybody, and It is quite 1111 understood timing that certain W_T „£. I ' i,hri , r *' w ? fro *" t»* second mc° o , ri,H eß ° f n / Iou,,1 « »«•« "ot happen Ul- leg of the double failed to win he has been scratched for his encu__i_ts it would be quite in order stewards made it their duty tc» _c_tain inst why certain scratehings do taka rflat- ?•"" a r o ™ "■£_££ ftS%_ n_t 1_ d£mw P i W . lth loCal 'P el *<-'**« s , the bond „ 1 belns Affectation, Vaga- " ' v 1 , Ue SoOB - an,i "eatheri-ote Star-l->.MI. r Nnl.le„,a,, and Kiln.* are &o be„Vg and PaPaon -~„ r -, eHent - been up a to }£_■■*_&-„_% s__? getterT 7 ** *™»"«« «*• »**»

[Moor Fowl, a two-year-old, owned by Sl* Geo. Clifford, la a very smart sprinter, and may be seen to advantage at the Wellington meeting. General entries for tne Canterbury Jockey Club's Spring Meeting close oa. Friday when acceptances for the stewards' Handicap: first forfeits for the Derby, Welcome Stakes, and Oaks; and a further payment for the New Zealand Cup must also be made. It is expected that In the lastnamed event the field will be reduced considerably. Mr. 11. A. Knight's good mare Comely has foaled a colt to Imported Clarenceux. THE WELLINGTON MEETING. The Wellington Racing Club's Spring Meeting opens at Trentham on Saturday next, when the classical two-year-old event the Welleslev Stakes comes up for decision. On the Monday the Champion Plate will be ran, and the meeting of Gloaming, Desert Gold, and the three-year-old Affectation ls snre to draw a large attendance. As the race Is over a mile and a-quarter It Bhould be a genuine teat, and although Desert Gold will he at a dlsadvontage in not liavlng had a race since the autumn. Gloaming has done a lot of travelling, which may tell against him. ______________