NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8781, 30 April 1894, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

By "Hotspur."

The Premier's colt, Ladas, was a warm favourite for the Derby when last advices left London, T> to 2 being the best offer against him. The victory of Lord Rosebery's colours would be most popular, aud in view of that nobleman's recent elevation to the highest position in the Empire, it would be very appropriate. Cloister stood at the same odds for the Grand National as quoted against Ladas for the Derby, and on March 9th he was really the only horse inquired about for the cross-country blue riband. Why Not, the winner, was not as much as mentioned in the betting, and no rider had been assigned him. The defection of Cloister would be a terrible blow to backers, and if the winter and present favourite for the Epsom event should likewise go down, their discomfiture would be complete. It would appear that it is becoming quite the correct thing in Australia for bookmakers to go out on strike. Just the other day it was recorded that at a Melbourne Suburban Meeting the ringmen turned sulky and refused to carry on business . owing to what they termed a wrong decision of the man in the box. The latest

strike comes from Moored eld, Sydney, where, after the decision of the second race, the bookmakers stopped betting, giving as a reason that except the f.ivourites, which won, there' were no triers. The allegation was a most serious reflection on the conduct of the sport, and the fact that one horse, rider and owner were ruled ofF for six months makes it appear that tho churges preferred were not altogether groundless. The disqualification appeased the ringmen somewhat, as they resumed operations on the last two events, over which they had none the best of it.

In reference to the protests against Dandy it transpired at a committee meeting of the Mana'watu Ricing Club that the Australian Jockey Club is interesting itself in the matter, aud that nothing will be lef*; undone to clear up the mystery that surrounds the "hack" gelding. It has been ascertained that the hor.se is now in Australia—gone back from whence he capfte, so the majority of people say. Some startling revelations are anticipated. 'Apropos of what was said by Mr Roper I in regard to racecourse lunches in

the Old Country, the following is taken from a London journal :—ln the days of the dear old Bird o* Freedom, a correspondent started (and an army of scribblers subsequently supported) a tirade against the general inferiority of "racecourse refreshments." . t In those days Lingfield did not exist in its present form ; but even had it done, and its culinary department been in the same hands as now, we are confident it would not only have escaped the general condemnation, but elicited just praise. If Mr Letheby, who runs the Hotel Belaggio in the vicinity, continues to feed the race-tcoers as excellently as he has shown himself able he will deserve well of the community. Racing men are beginning to tire of the orthodox and generally vile dish of slops that racecourse refreshment caterers term Irish stew, between which and starvation there is no alternative.

At the sale in San Francisco at which Idalium was disposed of for £520, the following other colonial-bred horses changed bauds :—

Cribhton, by Clieveden, £400. Trentola, by Trenton, £360. Candid, by Splendor, £600. Yarranabbee, by Hippocampus—Yat:enna, £340. -

Calphurnia, by July, £115. Merriwa, byGold-brough, £450. Repose, by Apremou t—Hammock, £400. Empire, by Chester, £32. The sale is described as a very disappointing one, and the reason Is set down in that those submitted have won races since being landed from Sydney. The heavy encroachments made by the V.R.C. on its reserve during the current and last season made it inevitable that, when the time arrived for the consideration of the disbursements to be made in the way of stakes for next racing year, the prize values would have to be very considerably cut down. At the same time few expected that it would be found necessary to make such sweeping reductions as have been made—to an exteut of more than one third of the total. It was contended from the first in many quarters that the V.R.C. did not exercise sound wisdom when it raised the value of the Melbourne Cup to £10,000, and those that held that view can claim justification for what they advanced in that it has been now thought proper to award the winner of the great handicap with only 3500sovs, which is in all conscience a very big drop. A comparison, which is here given, of the programme for the spring meeting of this and next season showing the various reductions will doubtless prove of interest:—

_Tbi» Xext Season fietson _ £ £ Maiden Plato .* ,-,300 „, £00 Melbourne Stakes .., ... 500 .., 400 Hothani Handicap ... ... SOO ... 800 Darby ; IiKK) _ ;1000 Maribyrsong Plate... ... 1500 ... ' 1000 Oobnrg Stakes ... ... 300 ... 200 Hurdle Baca ... ... 400 M 250 Kensington Stakes «, ,„ 300 ~, 300 Melbourne Cnp— Winner ... 7000 3509 Second ... 2000 1003 Third ... 1000-10,000 600- 5000 Nursery Handicap ... ... 300 ... 200 Flying Stakes ... ... 300 ... 250 OakM 500 „. STO Second Hurdle Bnce ... 300 ... 200 Spring Handicap ... „. 400 ... 300 I Royal Park SUkes ... ... 430 ... 250 Veteran Stakes ... ... soo . . 200 Sprint? Btake« ... ... 605 ... 600 Vlemingtou Stakes ... ... <wo ... 251 V.EC. Handicap ... ... 500 .". 400 Steeplechase , M ... 600 ... 400 Canterbury Plate ... ... 500 ... 400 Free Handicap ... ... 300 „, 200

£20,000 £12,800 The sums taken off the second and third prizes bring the total of reductions to over*-£3OOO. The programmes for the summer and autumn gatherings showcurI tailments in the same ratio as in the j spring. For the classic events, for which I nominations are now being invited, reductions have also been decided upon ; thus the Derby of '95 will only have 750 soys added, and the Oaks 390 soys, while the prizes for the Leger of '08 have been made the same as the preceding Derby. Nearly a decade has elapsed since races have been held atKowai Pass. A favourite reunion was that which was annually held there, and the older generations of sporting men recall with pleasure many of the contests that took place at the Pass, and it was matter for regret when the old club disbanded. Some time back efforts were made to form a new club at Springfield, and with the desired result. The first meeting under its auspices is announced for May 10th, when £150 is offered for distribution, divided into seven events, the leading item being the Springfield Cap, of 40aovs.

I had occasion to mention a few weeks back that Tarsnna had commenced to run

kindly and that bis Oamaru owner »' quite satisfied with the way ho wascok** It wUl'ba seen that tho good-laofclntr _& of Tasinan has at last got out of!? 8 Maiden Plates, having won a race at i>„°* troon la«t week. WQ B

Following tho example of the Vlir. tho Victoria Amateur Turf Club has j* cided to make reductions in Hi nS 1 ' money, and tho forthcoming CaulfllSj Cup will be of considerably less v»i„"i than wa« that of last year. . * 18 8

From Melbourne paper* to hand 11-«_.' that. Mr W. R. Wilson, of St. Albans „? concluded terms for the purchase of tH four-year-old Bill of Portland bySt.Shnoh from Electric Light, a really well t&? formed horse. It will be remembered tart in a letter addressed by the St. Alban studmaatertoa Christchurch gentleman* from whhh I was permitted to make an extract, Mr Wilson ttpoke of the colt h» has now bought as an exceptionally fl!!? horse, and one that he would like to dk? cure. Bill of Portland is at present h training, and will fulfil some cf his «n Sagements before being shipped froS iuKlftnd. He is to take Robinson Cth soft's place at tho Sf. Albans stud. , Lndy Zetland is being very freely ana. ported in Christchurch for the W Vt!i» Thompson Handicap, and if the mnre I* taken across tho strait her admirers will undoubtedly get a good run for thet, money. The Ashhurton mare on her run ning at Easter reads to be the pick of th» handicap, but I might Bound a note et warning to rash backers that the stunt! has another engaged in Saracen, who .! Sst 121b is not at all badly treated u n i who may find 1m weight not so iticon venient to cany ns the little mare, mii her fee Cib, The field for the r «2 wa9 a difficult one to bring together, and? think I am right in sayhw a dozen at th» bottom of the list wouldn't have a'show If turned loose. Kulnine is harshly used in being placed in tho post of honour oiid one or two others might have been let off a few pounds lighter. These lines &t»i written without regard to the acceptances! which (due last night) if they come to hautf will appear in a later page. . ; W. i'opham, who has been io "Mr • O'Brien's service as trainer of the Long dale Lodge team for the past six months' severs his connection with the establish* ment this week. The strlug has been re. duced to a vanishing point, andß. Hastia will meanwhile superintend the prepara ' tion of Ultimatum. Topham has had a wide and varied experience. He U open for an engagement us private trainer. Marvel started favourile for the Rose, hill Cup at 2 to 1 against, Lady.Trenton and Tho Trier being at 4 to 1 each, h proved a great race between the trio, Ly_ Trenton being adjudged the winner hjT neck, while Marvel was only a head k front of The Trier. Wakawatea toolcM* in the FJying Welter at the same tneeuSf but was oeaten out of a place. J™™ . The successes achieved by Strombqll te California draws attention to the tUU that is open in the United State* tor colonial owners to run their horses.- Tha son of Chester undoubtedly proved himself a good colt in Australia, yet he was by uq means a top sawyer and was practically broken down when he was shipped away from Sydney. Patched up he has proved, himself almost invincible on the San Francisco tracks. What Strotnboli could ■' do many another in Australia and New Zealand is capable of, and it would seem only the question ot such as a Stepniak or a Loyalty being safely landed on the other side of the Pacific and standing training to do well. *