NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9013, 28 January 1895, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[Br Hotspur.]

Mahaki, the winner of the Wellington Cup on Tuesday, has unmistakably asserted his claim to be set down as one of the best horses we hare. What is more, he is a rare cut and come and consistent performer, with a constitution of the very best. His native owner always entertained the highest opinion of the brown colt, and he is now, one can be sure, doubly pleased that results have justified his of t-repeated asseverations. As a two-year-old he signally failed on the four occasions on which he carried silk. Last season Mahaki did not travel much from his home district. In the spring, and running under, light, imposts he failed to score/ but at the Christmas meetings in the Poverty Bay district he gave a taste of his quality and won several events, Lottie being among . his antagonists.. Sink down to the Manawatu Autumn Meeting he fell when taking part , in the chief race. The effects of tbe fall threw him out for some time, and he returned t° Gisborne without winning a race. Mahaki opened his present season's score by appropriating the. Spring Handicap at the Poverty Hay Turf; ClubV ;Meeting, St. Kilda on that occasion following liim home. He is next found lunning in the New Zea-

1 land Cap, ia which, considering his unpreparedness, he gave a capital showing. After performing indifferently on the first day oC the Wellington Meeting, he won on thesecond. His recently recorded victories at {Auckland and at Poverty Bay do not need to be recapitulated. As everyone who takes an interest in breeding now kuows, Ma iaki is a half-brother to Scepuiak and Stepfeldt, who captured the last Auckland Derby, Loyalty has come to be looked upon in Australia as a non-stayer. I don't know that his owner ever regarded him as such. He used to tell mc that the son of 'Sr. George was one of tbe fastest colts he i ever had, bnt that, although getting over - a distance of ground did not seem to distress him, he would finish up very slow. Mr O'Brien thought that with age he would stay all right; so far, however, ttic gift does not seem to have been vouchsafed.

Both Burigebfth 9*t IKb and Wakawa* tea9st 91b were among the twenty-four starters for tbe New Year's Gift, six furlongs, run on the second day, Jauuary sth, of Sydney Tattersall's meeting. Neither gained a place, but Wakawatea ran prominently and finished fifth. Albicore (B*t), was returned the winner, Tiwoona (7st 41b), second, and Hirondelle third. Loyalty was one of those that took part in Tattersill's Cup, he starting at 14 to 1. At the distance the favourite, The Trier, was running second to Blarneystone, but failing away at the half distance, Florvie took his place. She was, however, unable to catch Marvel's brother, who, as was learnt by cable, won comfortably. The Nursery Handicap was taken by Form, a colt by Cranbrook from Mr Horsford's old mare, La Mode. Form, who carried 8-tt 51b, and won fairly easily, is a slashing fine youngster, and bis success was looked for. Tiwoona, who is a sister to Jeweller, won the Welter Handicap.

A "life-saving steeplechase rail "is reported as an invention of a Mr Gyton, Abbotaford, Victoria. The rail fixes on the top of the fences, and, by means of a spring, gives when a horse strikes it, springing back to its position when the borse has got clear. The precious invention is ope of those tliiuge to be avoided. It is quite certain that those who have to ride over fences would not appreciate the springtopped fence. As a contemporary remark?, it might save a fall to the first horse striking it, the benefit to those which meet the recoil Is not so apparent. It was the recolfof a hurdle at Auckland that brought Ebor to grief.

The Taranaki J.C. has received splendid nominations for its Autumn Meeting, and the twenty-four and twenty-seven respectively in the Jockey Club and Autumn Handicaps, the leading lines on the programme, have drawn some of the beat performers in the North Island. Mr Gollan has engaged his hurdle horse Ebor in a flat race as well as in the two stick events, and the Auckland cracks, The Dancer and St. Clements, arc down to meet the cream of the Coast representatives over the sprint courses.

The Greymouth Jockey Club is out with its progrnmme for the Autumn Meeting, March 16!h and 18th being the dates selected. The sum of £600 is offered in stakes; of this sum £120 in given to the chief race, a mile and a half handicap. The leading item on the second day has a £100 endowment, and then there are the hurdle races with £50 stakes, and two other handicaps of like value. The first of the nominations close on February 16th.

An announcement has previously been made that Carbine will enter a sale ring for Hie third time on March Ist. The advertisement of Messrs Yuiile and Cos. sale at which he will be the centre of attraction appears in this issue. Of the champion it is unnecessary to speak. ■■ It is to be feared he will never again see his native laud, and all that it is safe to predict regarding him is that, despite the great depression that exists in the horse i trade, he is sure to realise a big figure. Several of the mares are New Zealand-bred, ! all being of exceptional strains'of blood, | while the young stock claim Carbine and that other Melbourne Cup winner, Mentor,; as circs. A rare opportunity presents itself for any of our breeders Co replenish their studs.

That there is a dearth of jumping horses at present in commission i« seen by the nominations for the hurdle races at the Dunedin Autumn Meeting, which are disappointingly small. The first of the Welter, Handicaps afc the meeting has filled really well, and it would appear that the heavy weight rices are getting more popular than ever. •- - _

The acceptances for tbe Dunedio Cap as Well as for the companion race; the Publicans' Handicap, are, it Is gratifying to say, more numerous than rno9t people expected. I for one, at all events, hardly looked . for thirteen contents for the Cup and five more than that for the- short race. At the same time I would imagine that the participants in the actual contests will be reduced to about half that number of runners. The most noticeable defection' from the Cap list is Magazine, who, burdened with the same impost as Goodwood, reed to hold perfectly safe Mr Harris' chestnut, others as well* and indeed to have a most excellent prospect on the handicap conditions. Magazine being taken ont may be set down to the fact that his injured hoof is causing him some trouble, and would prevent the horse being seen at his best. The surprise acceptors are Mr Butler's i>«ir, Goodwood, rfnd one or co of the lieht weights. There is hardly need to say that, were Liberator to get to the post ia the same fettle as, when last year. with B*t 31b he so easily vanquished the favourite,, Ich Dien, he would be hard to beat. But it is not to be expected the ,old gelding can be in such excellent trim as he then was : be is certainly in work, but is not striding along as of yore, and there is a fear that other than the light tasks to which be is being subjected would find a wenk spot in the cast-iron eon of Betrayer. Neither , can I write in an assuring manner of Liberator's companion horse, Au Revoir. He is somewhat stale, and cannot, in my judgment, be seen at near his beat by the end of next month. Still, if the preen and white hoops are to be carried In the race, the reliable representative to bear them will be, I should say, Au Revoir. Goodwood is in need of a spell, and, though his engagement has been continued, it may well be questioned whether he will see the post. In the light of the run*? ning at Gore the other day, the featherweight Esparto, cannot be held to have much hope with Outpost, who, making him a big concession, finished in front of him at a mile and a half. There was, by all accounts, not much Iα the beating; at the same time, if Outpost had but'dead-heated the other at 231b, he should easily give him the go-by at 81b. But then The Winch* man was in front of the pair, which may be used as an argument to discount the form of Outpost. And I think my eel f that to win aDunedia Cup Mr*Stephenson'e colt should be able to dispose of The Winchman at Derby distance at tho weights they met in the Gore Cup.' At the same time from my information it is reasonable to assume that Outpost will be considerably improved, that is if he stands up to his work, before the Forbury gathering, and I take it his party are doing the right thing with him. in racing him a bit just at present. Wolaeley, who has, been playing a distinguished part at the mld-Otago meetings just over, is apt to be styled outclassed. He may be, and yet a thoroughly seasoned and fit horse, such as he will almost assuredly strip, will require to be reckoned with.' However that may be, Outpost Is the one that takes my fancy of those under Bst, for Catket, though speedy and with pretenEions to stay, is unreliable, and the other two unraentioned may be dismissed with tbe remark that the journey is too far for Aqualate, and Victim's best showing doe* not eon-

etitute a credential for such a task as he is now set. Prime Warden, in what little betting is going on—that being through the medium of doubles —is a better favourite than anything else, and if his Auckland Cup display be ignored, he deserves the position. At one time it used to bo said Prime Warden was not partial to the For bury course; recently I have heard quite the opposite—that he goes betcor there than anywhere else. Though not disposed to agree with that, I should not be Inclined to look much further for the winner of the Dunedin Cup were he to saddle up in like buckle to what he did on Otago Cap \ afternoon. A reliable second string the Ashburton stable has in Lady Zetland, and it, indeed, holds a stroug hand for the race. Both Hippomeaea and Skirmisher are said to be coming on well; of the two £ have most liking for Hippomenes. Now that Magazine has dropped out I look to the race falling to the best of either Mr Hobb* , or Mr Stephenson's prevailing.

•Seeing that both Beadonwcll and Mount Royal have their Publicans' Handicap engagement continued, it may be taken as evidence that they are training on, and, 3uch being the case, they must be considered among the likely ones to furnish the winner. Beadonwell would especially command himself to mc if fresh and firm on his pins. Lady Zetland is another of the dangerous division; I much prefer her to her over-estimated stable companion, Saracen. Barraby is coming on nicely with his preparation, so that Canterbury will have a good representative besides the top weights. However, I still think Britomarte the pick of the lot on form.

The estimation in which Wakawatea is held in Australia is shown by the fact that he was placed in the post of honour in the Challenge Stakes, the short distance race to be run at the Sydney Turf Club's Meeting on the 26th inst. His allotment is 9st 101b, 211)3 more than Bungebah, who is asked Co make a like concession to Ruenalf. Wakawatea was scratched soon after the appearance of the weights. Response's weight is Bit 21b, Brockleigh would appear to be coming round again, iuasmucu as he is entered for the Anniversary Handicap at the meeting alluded to. He heads the list: at 0;t 91b. Two other cracks who have been spelling follow him in Jeweller <9st 71b) . and Cremorne (9st 41b). Florrie (9st) is asked to carry 51 bs more than Loyalty, Ruenalf, "the Melbourne Cup certainty," being placed on the same mark as Tasraan'a daughter.

Among the nominations for the recently closed Great Northern Derby were two from Mr S. Hordern, Sydney. These are blk c by Nordenfeldfc, from Plevna (imp.), by Ban Battle, a,nd blk or or g by Nordenfeldt from Miss Westbourne, by Westbourne. Lot it be hoped that the example of the popular Sydney sportsman io entering for stakes in this colony will be followed by other Australian owners.

In times past an impost of lOat and over in a long distance flat handicap was regarded as next to an impossible weight, bat nowadays we are getting quite used to .having toe best performers assessed at something like Carbihe'a Cup weight. WlthPortsea not entered it naturally fell to his companion, Patron, to lead off the Australian Cap handicap, and to give the poor class entrants a show it was necessary to place a big burden opposite the Melbourne Cap winner's name. Patron, however, will be a bit better than even his, admirers claim should he succeed under Nht 31b. As three-year-olds both Light Artillery and Carnage were considered his equals; and even allowing, therefore, that he has shown himself to be the superior of th% other colts, he is now invited to meet them at a wonderfully big difference. I don't think he can, give away the required weight to Light Artillery if the son of ""Trenton be himself; neither do I anticipate Patron being able to pifc dow t> The Possible at 17Ibs. Sternchaser is gradually coming down in the estimation- of the handicapper; his retrogression Js but slow, however, considering his disappointing displays, and Bit 61b is a bit more than he or Bessie Macarthy are entitled to in such a race as the Australian Cup. At

the same weight the crack three-year-eW, The Harvester, must be deemed to be kindly treated—one of the best in I should say. The allowance The Harvester makes Bonnie Scotland is about a fair thing, and holding to the belief that Mr Gollau'a colt will refute the impression that ia gaining ground, that the family to which he belongs cannot stay, I should place him in the dangerous division. Dreamland haa fallen low in esteem when but 7st 101b is placed against his name. Mohaki, at Bat 51b is, as he is in. the shore race, burdeped '- quite up to his deserts, even allowing for his latest victory, on account of*which, too, he Is subject to be re-handicapped. I do not think, there is much probability of the Maori horse- being seen in Australia this season. Mr Hangerford cannot complain of Wyvern'n weight, but such form as he has exhibited is hardly good enough to speculate on as a winner of such an important event. Among the

light weights there is nothing that strikes mc more favourably than Mr Carmody's Strahan, a Tasmanian-bred eon of Musk Rose. *

The Otaki-Maori B.C. is already out with its programme for the meeting to take, place on May 24th. No less a sum than £450 is announced, to be distributed, and the stakes all round have been increased to what they were last season. The chief event, the Otiki Plate,, is endowed to the extent of £150, and altogether the bill-of-f are is a most tempting one. The meeting is cou fln ed to hacks.

Information comes from Hokltlka that tbe Weetland Racing Club contemplates holding ita next gathering on Easter Monday and Tuetday, April loth and 16tb. I would advise the club to pause before finally deciding on»those dates. It can be at once allowed that it is, desirable to- have holidays for the fixture. But the most necessary thing Is to have horses to compete for the prizes, and as the C.J.C. Autumn Meeting Is set down for the days named,, the chance* are against any Canterbury horses being available to compete on the Coasc at that particular period. Such was the reason that undoubtedly swayed both the Greymouth and Reef ton Clubs from not fixing on Easter Monday for one of their days, and, naturally, Jl the fact of having few, if any, foreign horses would operate against thoae meetinavit.would do so at Hokltika.

Big fields and good racing were associated with the Stratford Hack meeting on the 17th Inst. There was one cause of complaint, and that was the want of punctuality, the consequence being that the visitors who.came.by train had to leave without seeing the -last race. Wainka was withdrawn from tbe Ngalre Race at the last moment. Had he been scratched early in the day it is expected that some twenty additional horses would have started for the race, that number having been frightened but owing to.the supposition that he wonld have been started. Speculation was co brisk that the sum handled at the totalisator reached more than double the amount invested last year.

It is unfortunate for Mr Fillis, of circus fame, that Johannesburg!* papers sometimes reach as far as New Zealand, Some months ago his ebosv was appearing in the South African town,;; and among the attractions offered was the New Zealand thoroughbred Victory, which it was stated had won the New Zealand Cup three times, and cost Mr Fillis 500*8. The most dis

tingaiahed performance that I can credit the Puritan horse with achieving was the winning of the Bright water (Nelson) Cap. Victory is,, however, halt brother to Doubtful, and that circumstance 1% the most favourable advertisement that could be given bin). ,' ■■ ' The Reef ton Club ha? drawn up the pro

gramme for its Autumn Meeting. *m.« I stakes will amount to £400, the Autu«! 1 Handicap, endowed to the extent of £m 1 being the leading item. The dates for th/ I gathering are April sth and 6th, and If t&! I lapse of time between then and the Grey. 8 mouth fixture seems over long, it jl J understood there will be an intermediate meeting at Westport. The club intend to revert to the old system of handicappi n » by committee. * The programme for the Feilding Autumn Meeting which apptara in this i 8 j, identical in every particular with the oaa discussed by the club at tbe same season last year. And with the handsome d«. bursementf) announced, there is Jitthy doubt the gathering will be just as successful as on previous occasions. As times go 225gs is a long price for Silver Spec. Such, however, was the figure given by Mr V. Harris to Mr Busch of Rangiora, for the tbree-year-old daughter of Artillery and Spec. There U a contingency also that the breeder receives something extra should she win a certain sum before the end ot the season. Doubtless the purchaser sees his way to place the filly to advantage, and ie can be said that with the scarcity of good handicap horse* Silver Spec does not require to be so goodas her full sister, Foresight, to be worth all that was given for her. It was on the ' form she exhibited at New Brighton thau Mr Harris took a fancy to Silver Spec, and that she can be improved very considerably on anything she has yet shown ie is only reasonable to suppose. The programme for the Manawatu Ra*> ing Club's Autumn Meeting appears ia the business pages this week. The chief prize remains ad the same value as hut year, but the majority of tho stakes havt been added to, and the total distribution j for the two days will, as stated last week | ba over £300, which is a big advance on ! any previous Autumn Meeting of the club. ■ Nomination day is February sth. ] There is a tipster styliug himself Dan ' O'Brien advertising in the Melbourne papers. The fact that he gave Loyalty a* a good thing for the Summer Cup created ths impression in some minds that it was our Dan O'Brien who had turned tipster. The tipster in question is naturally causing Mr O'Brien some annoyance, and he complains to the Sydney papers of the use ot his name by the advertising gentleman. The Amuri Turf Club it out with Its programme for the annual gathering, which ia fixed for March 22nd. As usual, all the events are for welter weights with the exception of the Leslie Plate, a new stake - which is provided for by Mr D. Rutherford, and which is conftued to three-year*olds the progeny of hia ■ aires Chainshot and , Ahua. The popularity of the Am'uri'Turt # % Club is so well established entry may be anticipated. J|| It was inevitable after the meritortout f success he achieved whea last seen" out that Fortunatus would;ba'top weight In : the Newmarket' Handicap, and" that h* will give a goo 1 account of himself even. 1 under 10it 41b there is hardly a doubt/ On receut form he should be well able to'concede half a dozen pounds to the trio placed next to him in the handicap,. Wakawatea, as might have been expected, is close to the top of the list; he must, ' however, be deemed to have a good chance - '' if the winner is to come from the top -, weights. The Possible has been developing staying powers of late, yet I know him & to be exceedingly smart over a few furlongs, _.- and at 9st 61b he does not'read badly— Ibetter I take it than his stable companions, BessieMacartbyandSternchaser, atthelr } respective weights. Mubaki' is badly-/ treated in being assessed so highly as he .*" is; although what may be termed an ,\ improving horse he might very well have : j been let off with quite 71b less. When St.Kllda met Mahakl in the spring he was J% making him big concessions, too big as lt---| proved; still on anything like even terms ; £ it was the general impression that the sou f ■at. .Sfc f Letter-would _be,.tha. master.- -On*. I friends consider St. almost the same horse as St. Clements X' six furlongs. Such being the case, wltpjt Bst 121b 1 should say he is by no meattsi|b overburdened. Merganber's brother, 181.,"*?----wick, bas hardly done sufficient entitle him to Bst 71b, the filly Nada at the same impost reading much better. Stanmoor Is flattered ;jj in receiving 9-jt 2lb, but Eureka is well In with a like weight. I quite fail to seehow % the ex-hack Sylvia Park ha-s earned 7sfe*-V 101b. He is well enough bred we know; to carry Fortunatus' weight to victory, bat !\ so are many in the division below 7st. _ It ""\ is certainly bad handicapping to place >; Sylvia Park within a pound of theCarrlng- - ton Stakes* winner Vanltas, whose timeft?f the six furlongs in that race equals the record. The St. Leger gelding, Bradford, r may have a chancj with 7a 171b. ' A most attractive programme has been \Z issued by the- Napier Park Club for Its ;- Autumn Meeting, which follows 'close on "•; the heel 9of chat of the Hawke's Bay v 1 Club. A considerable advance in the stake. '".' money haa been made, and'no leas a sum.' r than £1400 will now be given away ~ ing the two' days. The,leading item. W r the second day has had £25 tacked onto lt, ( sp that the winner now receives full, £200; the hurdle races have also been h>"t\ creased in value, a* has been the Waverley,; Stakes, the Sapling Stakes, &c. The fo*p of the nominations close on February 6ib*h* Satisfactory nominations have bepo\-, taken for the two events at the Hawk•'» -<- Bay Jockey Club's Autumn Meetlnsrtbwi closed on Tuesday. If the number rfsrff entrants for the Cup fall short by out fljjh - . two of tbe number engaged last season, ' nearly all the best handicap horses ia training are on the list. ' . - ..-