Sporting. Turn Notes by "Vigilant."

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 68, 17 September 1887, Page 4

Sporting. Turn Notes by "Vigilant."

The Island Usiy Jim-iri',' Chih So. 2 ii at length an iipoomi>lisli<-.l lu-t. fim-iilwinp that thnro were something lik « <IX fatheriiijjh of one -«>rt or another on ThiusJaj night, the concourse of lnomber" at thf preliminary meeting was a very patisfiictorj ono, and (fivef ive jiromi-ip of the club heir £ well mipportod. The olHcerH rlrctod includeHovoral gentlomen of standing and weight in the community, and thero will bo no hositition on tho part of ownors in acopptinft tboir names as a pledge of good faith. The idea of the promoters is to mako tho mootingfl of the club as popular as possible, and they bavo certainly taken an important step in this direction by fixing tho members' Bubscription at one iruinoa, which, bearing in mind that tho ticket will admit self and two ladioa to the grand Btand and paddock for at loast four diys, is r 'asonahle enough in all conscience. There in another move in contemplation, which, if it eventuatcH, will be a still greater innovation than tho clump member's ticket— this iH to do away altogether with payment for mlm'ssiivn to the coursn. The advocate-) of thin proposal argue thut tho ineroascd attendanoo will lead to n much larger sum being rialisfd for the privileges, and will also lirgoly enhance tho totalisutor returns; in f ift, that the total receipt* will bo iiicreimpd r itlior than diriiiiiiqliwl by tho change. lam i-iolined to tliink they would pursue a wine policy in adopting tho tmggtMtion, and whether it would pay at firnt or not, thrro can bo no question as to its popularising tho moatings. If the stewards, as thoy aro pretty well certain to do, confirm the lixturo proposed for tholatt'jr end of October, the programmo will have to be out in a few days, ns thero is no time to lone. Tho Keferec congratulates the Wellington Hieing Club on haying been able to get along without cutting down their added money to a more appreciable extont than the JJJOO odd their reduction now represents, and artcl-i!— " Wo hope to hoar of racing in fie Empire City being characterised during the Btiaaon of 1887-8 by oven moro life and vorvo than was exhibited by it during tho Bjason that in just past. Wo feol sure that there are suvoral good sportsmen in Wellington, but thoy Boom to want a terriblo lot of rinsing up." Tho Shah is making good progress in his training, undor tho care of Honnor, at Maud Biy. 1 bolioTO it in prolty certain that ho will go to Napier, where I hope Mr. Saundors) will have hotter luck than he had thero with him at tho last Antumn meetings. Good accounts reach mo of Mr. J. Leopold's colt Cupid, who is engaged in tho Hawkos' Bay Guinea* and several other events at Napier. He has grown into a nioo horse, and may be heard of ynt to advantage. The same gontlemau's maro Humour, [ am told by a friend who saw her the other day, U looking lusty and well. Albort Hoskins baa these two and Voltigeur under his oharge at the Hutt, whoro Mr. T. Hill is also busy with Decoivor and Kangaroo, both of which, I xhould imagine, will bo wanted for Napior. Tho Rangitikei Racing Club, according to the statement made at the annual mooting last week, appears to bo in a very healthy condition, its credit balauco at tho bank boing .£2OO. Extonsivo improvements are to bo mudo on tho course. A stewards' room, proßs, secretary's, and weighingroom aro to bo erootod, as well as soparato Hands for bto wards and press. This is making a proper uso of the monoy in hand. Tho programme of the annual race meeting was drawn up— oontmry to custom— at the general meeting. The amount to bo givon away in stakes is .£340, boing .£25 in excess of what was givon last year. An ill-advised innovation is a two-y oar-old raoe for a swoop of 2 soys Oft oh, with 20 soya addod. Tho stake is so paltry that only local ownors aro likoly to ontor for it. Tho programmo has, I see, beon approved by tho Wanganni Jookoy Club, whoso Socrotary, Mr. V. K. Jackson, has intimated thut the disqualifications upon all horses which ran at tho cavalry tournaments have boon removed. " Phantom," tho sporting contributor to the Bangitikei .Advocate, says : — " I notice it has been stated that the cause of Mr. Donald Fraser's retiromont from tho turf is bis disgust at Mr. Evott's handicapping. I have tho authority of Mr. Frasor to stato that this absortion is untrue and without foundation. Tn all fairnoss to Mr. Kvott, publicity should bo given to this fact." The nalo of Mr. Fraser'.s stud took placo on Thursday last, but I have not yet heard particulars. The Referoo thus snms up tho doings of tho Now Zealand Cop candidates at Kiocarton during tho past week:— Tho majority continue to progress satisfactorily in their work, and there is not one among thorn that can at presont bo described as knocked out, unless it bo Teredo, who still suffers with ono of her hocka. Nelson undoubtedly still moves a bit lamo when walking or cantering, but he moves in bettor form when extended, and there is every probability of bis continuing to improve. It will be gratifying to tho baokers of Artillery to learn that ho scorns none the worse for his fall of a few weoks back) and though his temporary suspension from work has caused him to become a bit in the big side, he is getting along with his work satisfactorily. Nothing is moving better at Riooarton than Cntt's oharges, Fair Nell and Lorraine, the latter being the most improving of the pair. Tho work performed by both during the week will bo found detailed in another column, and it must be added that while another under Cutts' care, Cruchfield, is improving overy day, his stable companion, Torrent, has been showing a bit of tompor, and if between now and tho deciding day ho does not mend his manners he will * not have a rosy show for the Cup, albeit on paper he is, as I said when reviewing the weights, well treated. Hermitage has not gone backward in his preparation, but Sextant and Gipsy King have appeared to have the best of him in the gallops the trio have done together, during the pant week. Sextant has been studing along in exceptionally good form, and looks very forward. Moana has not been harried along muoh after his soroness of last week, and Tit Bit still continues to move sorely. Ruby Booms to rather Tehrogr:uU>_£b.an improve, but Derwenter, after giving his numerous backers cause for uneasiness last week, is on the improve, and his stable companion?, Captain Wheeler and Wakatip v, are doing as good work as could be wished. So is Sultan, bnt Leon is still taking it easy. Tho Goraldine Spring Meeting is this year fixed for the 29th and 30th of tho present month. Tho weights for the Cup, one and a half miles, Welter Handicap, six furlongs, and Hurdle Race Handicap aro already publishod. In the Cup, Qnibble has top weight with 89t 121b, Moana coming next with Bst 31b. The only New Zealand Cup candidates included in addition to Moana are Ruby, 7st 121b, Derwenter, 7st 81b, and Wakatipu, 6st 71b. The performances of these will be watched with intorest, as in years past the winner of the big Chriatchurch event has boon more than onoe foreshadowod at Geraldino. The acceptances and general entries aro due on Tuesday next. ¦ The acceptances and general entries for the Napier Park Racing Club's spring meeting close on Monday next. As I expected, thero is a wide discrepancy between tho estimate formed of Salisbnry and other horßes by Mr. Evett and that formed by Mr. Danvera. In the Hawkos Bay Jockey Club events The Shah, Deceiver, Strenuous, and Salisbury are all more hoavily weighted than in the Park ovents, while on the other hand Mr. Evett lets off Maxim, Bivulet, Lady Florin, and Esoapado very much moro easily than Mr. Danvers. In the caso of Orwell it is curious that Mr. Evett gives him (jibs leas than doea Mr. Danvers over a mile and a-half, but awards him 2H>b moro ovor six furlongs. It is the jreneral opinion that Mr. Evett's handicaps are far and away the b9st. Judged by these, the selections I made last week for the Park "double" are noarly those Mr. Evett himself would have chosen. An extraordinary discrepancy is that in Deceivor's weights for the two six furlongs races. With the top weight in each the samo, viz., 9st 61b, he gets 7st 111b at tho Park and Bst 101b at Hastings. When doctors differ so greatly who shall deoido ? It is rumoured that Derrett will return to New Zealand immediately after the A. J.C. mooting. Lava, the winner of tho first great three-year-old race of the season in Australia, the Hawkesbury Guineas, is exceptionally well bred, being by Chester out of Etna by Maribyrnong- Alpaca, her dam being thus full sister to Woodlands and Hecla, winners of tho samo race in 1877 and 18S2 respectively. Lava was a disappointment to Mr. White last season, as aftor boing very highly tried, she started first favourite for the Maribyrnong Plato, but failed to gain a situation, and her only victory afterwards ¦ was in the Maiden Plate at tho A.J.C. Autumn Meeting. She is full sister to Volcano, and was bred by her owner at Kirkham. Cardigan, the winner of the Hawkesbnry Grand Handicap, must havo landed his party a nice coup, for bo started first favonrito, and, althongh a five-year-old, searoely anyone appears to have known anything of his capabilities until he won the double at Newcastle a few weeks back. Curiously enonjfh, his dam, Signora. is by Nowoastle out of Actress by Stookwell. His weight in the Metropolitan is 6st 61b, winch is raised to Cat 111b by hi* Hawkosbury victory. Unfortunately for his owner, he is not among the entries for the Mel- ' bourne Cup. The Australian Jockey Club Spring Meeting begins to-day, and is continued on Tues- ' day, Thursday, and Saturday next. Comparatively little interest is felt in the gathering here in New Zealand, owing to the absence of all the Hon. W. Bobinson's horses from the nominations, and to the almost certain fact that Niagara will bo a non-starter in tho Derby. This race would appear to be rogardod as a "moral" for Abercorn, judging by^ho telegrams rooeived during the lost few days, from which it appears that baokers are laying 2 to 1 on mm. Although no pnblio information has been supplied on the subjeot, this looks as if the fold was going to be a weak one, and it would also indicate the probable withdrawal of that good youngster Matador, else baokers would surely not lay odds on a horse ho beat last seaion. The Great Metropolitan Stakes is set for decision on Tuesday, and bo far, as we know Mr. Drake's three. Spade Guinea, Bstlolb, Pasha, 7st 121b, and Toddy Yuille, 6st 101b, are still left in. Up to the present no demonstration has been raado Jnth either of them, although it is said there has been a disposition on the part of tho stable to support the maro. Pasha'a indifferent running at Hawkesbury has, of course, put him ont of favour, but for all that there is no knowing what may happen. I am inclined to believe Mr. Drake has found out already that his first impressions of tho weedy oharacter of the Australian horses were somewhat erroneous, and that ho will bare all his work to pull off a big coup against the mnltitudeof " ohuoked-in " Cardigans, Moroks, Algerians, &0., Ac. A fOtae ithat takes my fancy greatly for the Metrop is Acolyte, who won the samo race the, year before last as a 4-year-old with yst on his back. At that time he was said to have had a trial with Welcome Jaok and to have beaten the New Zealand champion at a stone. He has now only 121b more to carry, and is said to be in splendid fettle. I shall take Aoelyte and Cardigan to furnish the winner, my preferenoe being for Aoolyte.

Ff Spado Guinea ia backed in earnest I chall I'xpwt her at ]p.ißt to gr-t a place. The news of fsonomy l»ciu« B"t atohod for .11 enjfnjfpmi'iifrt i-an nJily lie •ifi-ountcl for .y a I'VcakdoH'i. n< he has boon fii-*t '.ivourile for (ho Ca'i'lidd Ci'p for pome time pant. More than a month ago I ventured to express an opinion whioli wan at variance with ihoFP cxpreßKod by several of my fellow dribblers on srortinp matters, that Mr. 'J'Brien's colt SoTtnnt wonld bo «ent to Melbourne for tho V.R.C. Derby instend of rr-maining hero for tho Canterbury mooting. During the tost week or two rumonr las beon bn»y with this horse's name, md, although nothing definite is yet known publicly, it is generally believed that my prediction will bo verified. "SirLancolot, ' .vho was one of those who differed from me, now altors his tone, and says—" I have an idea that from tho manner the colt has been extended in his work lately, the Y.R.C. Derby may yet bo his dart. lam informed by privato wiro that ho has already been nibbled at for that event by backers in Melbourne and Sydney, and should he arrive in Melbourne safe and sound, he will, to 1 certainty, be nearly first favourite on the day of tho decision of tho V.R.C. ' blue ribbon.' " A curious story is current on the same subject. It is said that with a view to rig the market in Melbourne bogus telojrramß havo been Bent across purporting to cotno from Dan O'Brien, and conveying an intimation that tho horHo was to be shipped at once. TLeno, tho story goep. have beon shown about, and the ruse has li a to tho horse being extensively backed. _ If this report is ti no, und tho ''clever" division at the bottom of the dodjro find that instead of having laid a"dend un " they have knocked their heads against tho winner, what pretty retribution it would be. " Augur," in tho Australasian, says—" It is said that Dan O'Brien is likely to bring Sextant to these shores," and he adds. " If he is better than Maxim, the good-looking son of Mu3kct, then send him along, Mr. Dan O'Brien, and in these parts he will earn a great deal more than will pay for his oats." The purchase of Silvermine for by Mr. Cooper, coupled with the subsequent scratching of the horse for the Metropolitan Stakes, points, in my opinion, to the conolusiou that tho wealthy New South Welshman has bought him with a view to the Melbourne Cup. Mr. Coopor cannot want to keep tho horse, as it is protty certain that tho rumour of his selling off and going to England at tho end of the year is wellfoundod. Ho has already Trenton and Niagara to represent him, and it may be that ho has made up his mind to win the Cnp this year, and has purchased Silverniiuo in the belief ihat lie was tho most dangerous horpc against him in the race. The talcgraphcd smutching- of Dnnlop for the Metropolitan will, I think, be found to be a mistake, as the horso is said to be doing snlendidly. In tho Moonee Vallny Cup of 300 soys, Ci furlongs, to bo run on 22nd October, Lord Wilton is top weight, with 9st 41b ; Pasha has Bat 91b, and Teddy Yuille 7st 91b. Rocket, whom tho distance would have suited, is not entered, from which we may infer that the old follow is not up to concert pitch. The only noteworthy features of tho New Zealand Cup betting during the week have boen the return of Artillery to favour, and tho backing of Hermitage. In Dunedin I see tho latter is now first favourite. Never Rbturn. — It is said that one out of every four real invalids who go to foreign countries to rocovor health nevor return, except as a corpse The undertakers, next to tho hotelkeepers, have the most profitable businosa. This excossivo mortality may be provoctad and patients savod and cured under the care of friends and loved ones at home, if thoy will but übo American Co.'s Hop Bitters in time. Read.