NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9127, 11 June 1895, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[B* Hotspur.] That tbere would be great rejoicing on the Epsom Downs last week: when for the second time and in successive years the colours of the Premier were borne to victory Iα the race of all others most dearly prized by the English sportsman, goes without saying. When Ladas won last year we were told the demonstration was unparalleled, and if the cheers that would greet Sir Visop might be less in volume than those that went up a year ago, it would not be because the popularity of I Lord Rosebery is on the wane, but because Ladas was a most pro* nounced favourite, whereas the winner on Wednesday last would have comparatively few supporters. The sincerity of the welcome to the winning colours would, however, be just as great. Sir Vieto's opening essay wag in the Woodcote S akea, wherein be could only get sixth to Saintly. His only other appearance as a two-year-old was in the Kempton Park Imperial Stakes. This he won by a short head from Float, Galeottia, who has won the One Thousand Guineas, being third. This season, as the cable has notified, Sir Visto took park in the Two Thousand Guineas and Newmarket Stakes, on each occasion gaining third berth. On his conquerors in those events, on one of them at all events, to wit Kirkcoaell, he has effectually turned the tables. Curzon, the very unfashionably bred runner-up to Sir Visto, was a good performer in hit first season, but he steered clear of the big guns, or when he did meet them he suffered defeat. Hβ was second to Klrkconell in the Levant Stakes at Goodwood, and in a similar place behind Raconteur in the Champion Breeders' Foal Stakes at Derby. His victories were—Great Surrey Breeders Foal Stakes, Bibury Club's Champagne Stakes, Troy Stakes at Stockbridge, International Breeders' Two-year-old Stakes at Kempton Park, and Troy Stakes at Neirm arket. The performances of the winner of the Twp Thousand Guineas, who finished third, have already been recited. The following table gives the winners of the Derby for the last ten years :— 1886 Ormonde, by Bend Or.. _ 2.45 34th 1887 Merry Hampton,by Hampton.. 2.43 1888 Ayrshire, by Hampton _ 2.43 ISS9 Donovan, by Galopin „ «. 2.44 2-sth 1890 Sainfoin, by Springfield - 2.49 4 sth IS9I Common, by Isonomy.. - 256 4-sth 1832 Sir Hujjo, by Wisdom. „ ZU 1893 Isinglass, by Isonomy « «. 2.43 1594 Ladas, by Hampton .. _ 2.454-stb 1595 Sir Visto, by Barcaldina .. 3.43 At the sale of the Fnlham Park yearlings in Adelaide, after the S.A.J.C. meeting, there was very poor competition. For the pick of the lot, the Thunderbolt—lnstep colt, only 175z3 was offered, and he was withdrawn, 500gs being the reserve. The colt was, however, disposed of after the sale to Mr John Crozier for 325g5. For a brother to The Admiral the best bid was 410ga, and he was not sold, the reserve being 500gs. Three Thunderbolt fillies were disposed of at cOgs, 25gs, and 22gs respectively.

Stroma was among the competitors *b tha meeting held at Poverty Bay on the Queen's Birthday, but the crack of tha two-year-old eeaaoa of 1892-93 made no sorb of *how in the poor fields. Iα the chief race he led for a bit, yet when the pressure was put on he faded out of the struggle, and it would appear abundantly evident the son of Lochiei was quite out of form; indeed, I should doubt if he had been asked to undergo anything like a preparation for his races. The feature of the proceedings at the meeting was the good dividends paid, not a single first favourite being successful, while? a mare named Maritana, who had only a single ticket taken out on her and won the Scurry, beat all records as a dividend payer for the season, by returning from the machine the auta of £153. That Mr Henry Redwood, who is living in Nelson, is in the best of health and spirits can be inferred when it is sa d that, in writing to a ChrisGchurch friend a few days ago, he remarked that he was prepared to match himself against anyone in the colony for a hundred-bird pigeon match. He also spoke of going on a shooting expedition to the Top House, where it may be remarked the snow will now lie deep. Mr Redwood has a couple of King Cole colts in hand on whom he places much store. For some time before the announced sale day it was hardly anticipated that any of Mes«rs Stephenson and Hazlett'a team in training would be disposed of, and the prevalent opinion was borne out at the sale ring. I doubt if the auctioneer's eloquence could have induced a repetition of the private offer, made in the autumn, of IOOOgs for Gipsy Grand, but it is known that there was one on hand prepared to go to 600gs for the big colt. Hippomenes would have been chsap at the stated reserve of 250gs, and that sum would have been forthcoming for him had the owners cared to part. I doubt if Outpost will stand much work; the racing tha other day found a weak spot, and there is reason to fear that we shall not again eeo the Vanguard colt the same as he was last February. Still his owners did not care to part with him. Mr H. Lunn tells mc that had not Barnardo jarred one of hit joints he would have had him schooled for steeplechasing. As it is, thw horse will be kept at hurdling for some time yet. It looks as if Middleton will, strange to say, have nothing for big jumping events at the Grand National Meeting. Since the Forbury gathering the Barmby episode has been much discussed in southern sporting circles. The remarks I made last week concerning the matter were induced from the surface of things. I find, however, that the conclusion* I arrived at are precisely the same as are held by nearly every unbiassed, competent authority I have come across who witnessed the running. The reversal he showed was but in keeping with his public record. No motive, so far as I can discover, can be shown why Brown should not have put forth his best eftorfc to win the Tradesmen's Handicap; the absence of any inducement to do other than win being stroDg evidence that he conceived he had no chance of succors when he stopped riding. It has been sought to be made out that the poor support accorded Barmby on the tofcalisators pointed the conclusion that he was not meant for Lord Zetland's race, but the fact of the winner being such a favourite as he was is easily accounted for; he had been backed in doubles all over the place with his stable companion, Saracen, and one leg being in, the second was heavily backed for hedging purposes. I have reason to know, moreover, that Mr Sherwin would not have started Barmby in the Consolation had Brows not advised him to do so "to show them," as he eaid, " that there was nothing in the allegation that Barmby was pulled in the first race." Now, if Brawn had beeorr guilty of stopping Barmby, he would have been most anxious that the horse's better form should not be exposed. I am quite sure the Dunedin stewards were actuated with the sense of right when they ruled Brown off for a year. At the name time, I think if they saw their way to review their decision, ample evidence would be forthcoming to justify the disability of the jockey following his profession being removed.

Whittier, who hft3 won the Epsom Grand Prize, started four titn.es as a two-year-old. He made bis debut at Stockbridge, where he suffered a head defeat by Hopbine. At York he won the Prince of Wales' Plate, (The Owl being one of those behind him), and the Convivial Produce Stakes; he was also successful at the Newnvuket October Meeting, capturing the Challenge Stakes. Whittier was not in the Darby, but is engaged in the So. >Leger. Powick, who finished second in the Grand Prize, started on seven occasions last season, winning once.

The injury T. Sheenan received by his. fall from Minerva at Wellington is taking a lot of mending, for although he is moving about again he still carries the damaged arm in a sling, and his right hand will be useless for some time to come. There were three separate breaks, and the knitting process has been much longer than the sufferer anticipated. Sheenan says he has relinquished riding over fences. '

The nominations for the Taranaki Hack Derby, 1596, number twenty-four, which is quite a satisfactory total. Most of the youngster? entered are unnamed, but some of those, that are bear titles that have done service before. For instance, a Tommy A' kins has been running in the North Qtago district this season, and he, like the Derby candidate, is by Vanguard; there is a GuardUsb; now in commission ; Papakura is a name that has been appropriated before; and Lady of the Lake baa a familiar sound. The owners of these might see the propriety of having the names altered before they opea their racing career; if not, two of them, there !? reason to suppose, will have to have numerals attached.

The sale of privilsgta in connection with the V.B.C. Queen's Birthday Meeting at Flemington, which resulted as follows :— No. 2 booth, hill' grand stand, J. D. Pearson, £5; No. 5. H. Skinner, £a; fruit kiosk, Jβ , . Moss, £1; No. 8 bar on the flat, H. Skinner, £2; outer carriage paddock, T. Bowling and Sons, £7; gates, T. Dowling and Sons, £31, adds great force to wbat is heard about the poor state of turf matters in Victoria. When it is con* sidered that for »little, gathering at, say, Xuaaara, the privileges would realise twice the turn taken as recorded for the Flemington reunion, there is no need to enlarge on the falling off.

The me* in which Irish Twist aed Waioka met at Wanganui, wherein the former prevailed, is not accepted by the Thompson Handicap winner's party as conclusion of the superiority of the Ingomar horse.

The heroine of the One Thousand Guineas generally plays a leading part in the Oaks, but if, Galeottia, who was engaged, took part she would appear to have failed badly, and her rnnner-up In the Guinea* has carried off the honours. La Sagesse took part in no fewer than thirteen events aa a two-year-old, half a dozen of which she won. La Sagejsse fs not engaged in the Sc. Leger. GaUana only started* once Vast season, when, going out favourite for the Lincoln Stakes, she occupied a like position to the Oaks winner as she did In that race. Penkrldge, the third, ikevrise started on only a single occasion as a two-year-old, gaining seeend berth in a five furlong event at Newmarket.

The association of James Cotton and Outram at the Mandeville Races last week was a particularly happy one, the grey Dantroon gelding carrying the Donedin horseman thrice past the wast to Tictory, the three jumping races falling to him. T. Cotton flnUbed next to hie brother on "each occasion. Stockfish won both the flat handicaps. The meeting was a successful opt, and the club will bo left with a profit of over £30.