SPORTING NOTES.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXIII, Issue 302, 4 January 1912, Page 6

SPORTING NOTES.

Gunboat's form in New Zealand was so good that it is not surprising he won the Hopetoun Cup with 7.13. He did not turn well for some time after his arrival in Victoria, but of late he has been so leniently treated that it was generally recognised a return to • anything approaching his best would make a race a certainty for him. In th'e last New Zealand Cup he was allotted 7.10. From accounts to hand the proposed Betting Act.framed to deal with wagering in South Africa failed to meet with the approbation of the clubs concerned, who were not prepared to accept it. It was unanimously decided to oppose the* abolition of the bookmaker, who, in the opinion of the representatives of the various clubs, are as essential to the success of racing in that country as was the Totalisator. August Uihlein, owner of the champion trotting stallion, the Harvester, died in Germany recently. He gave nearly £2OOO for The Harvester as an unbroken three-year-old. He afterwards refused £15,000 for the horse, remarking, "anyone can own the money but only one man can own The Harvester." The death of Mr August Uihlein is causing much speculation as to whether The Harvester, High Admiral, and the rest of his fast trotters will now be placed on the sale list. Although we have had registered 2240 'thoroughbred foals this year (says a New York writer), it will be little wonder if .a considerable number does not find the way to the English market, if reports in some London daily sporting papers are correct as to values. Regarding the recent exportation of some yearlings to strengthen Mr Harry Payne Whitney's string, one- paper hath it that the value of the lot was £IOO,OOO Wealthy and all as he is, it is probable that Mr Whitney would be glad to dispose of them for a good deal less than one-tenth of this amount. Arrangements are being made to ship quite a large number of horses suitable for cross-country racing from America n England and France. It was recently announced in \rn?rican papers that ,S. Hiklreth had i j f!, for England 'with a strong team of horses, but 'the following fiom the pn of a New York wriit" sh'Mi ,-i '.hat he found it necessary'to make fersh plans: —"Amongst, the general racing contingent there was some comment over a cable received from Sam C. Hiklreth in England, cancelling the order for the shipment of Mr Ivohler's horses, Fity.herbert, Novelty, Restigouehe, etc. It was thought that Mr Hildreth experienced some difficulty in obtaining stabling and training quarters, and it was also said in one direction that probably the English Turf authorities did not take kindly to an invasion headed by Hiklreth and Carroll Schilling, the jockey. However, no particulars were given in the and it may be that ■the trouble is over suitable quarters. •Mr R. F. Leighton, racing secretary of the British Columbia Thoroughbred Association, was commissioned to attend the December sales at Newmarket' (England), to purchase any likejy-look-ing two-year-olds of the best English of French strains. These youngsters were desired for the annual Vancouver Derby, to be run at Minoru Park next year. Ihis race will be worth anything between 2500 and 5000 dol'., the amount not having yet been fixed, and wii,' for the first time be confined to horses owned in British Columbia. ScviTai enthusiatic sportsmen are keen on winning this event, and are prepared to spend consierable money on the gratification of this desire. Mr 'Leighton will also pay a visit to France. Good two-year-olds are reported to be very scarce in America this year, and those that are any good at all are not on the market. Mr Phil Reilly, the superintendent of 'Minoru Par if, recently had a look over the pari-mutual system of betting in Kentucky with the idea of securing all the improvements posMble for the British Columbia tracks. It is said to be very probable that the British Columbia Thoroughbred Association will make an effort to secure, through the new ■Governor-General, a sjrant for a King's plate race each year. Ontaito and Quebec have their King's Plate races annually, and the Ontario race is the oldest established racing fixture in America. The nc • is intended to encourage the breeding of Ut Mofoughbreds, and is confined to horses „r"* 4 '"" l <T* ta «»