THE TURF.

Evening Post, Volume LIX, Issue 11, 13 January 1900, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE TURF.

[By Ceackshot.J RACING January 20th and 22nd.— Foxton R.C. Summer Meeting. January 22nd and 24th.— Wellington R.C. Summer Meeting. January 29th and 30th and February 3rd. — Takapuna J.C. Summer Meeting. January 30th and February 1st — Pahiatua R.C. Annual Meeting. - THE W.R.C. CUP MEETING. The latest improvements to the Hutt Park Racecourse are being pushed on with all despatch, and the only work of those authorised which cannot be fully completed in time for the Cup Meeting on the 22nd and 24th inst. is the stewards' and press stand. The shell of the building, however, will be available for practical use. The new arrangements will leave little to be desired by patrons of the club in the matter of accommodation. The Cup, unfortunately, has received a small acceptance, and since acceptance night Explosion has gone out. This is said to be on account of Cuirassier's son going sore, but the stable has a representative in the race in Rosella, who has escaped any increase in weight, as also have Sylvia Park and Te Hapuka, all recent winners. Prosser's representatives, Which weTe liable to be re-handicapped, have, however, not escaped, Boreas being vsent up 101b to 9st 71b, and Tortulla 201b to Bst 61b. This would appear as though Mr. Evett was rather astray in his original estimate of the capabilities of these two animals. They laave not met any of the other Cup candidates since the weights were issued, and I fail to see why they should have been loaded so, while the others, Rosella especially, have been let off. Tortulla's increase is out of all reason. The Wairarapa Cup is tha only race she has won since she scored at Hastings last March in inferior company, and previously she had only won hack races. Moreover, had Boreas, conceding her three stone, got off with her at Tauherenikau, he must have beaten Torpedo's daughter. Therefore, why cripple her witn Bst 61b, and ask her to meet the chestnut with only 151b between them. Boreas's increase is not so displeasing, as he has improved greatly of late. He will be a certain starter, but at the weights I fancy his stable-mate Advance, who will, I suppose, now represent Mr. Baldwin, may be too good for him, if Vanguard's son is all right on the day. Rosella at 7st 81b looks extremely well in, and she was lucky in not being raised. She ran Miss DfelaVal very close for the C.J.C. Oaks, and after winning the Railway Handicap at Auckland ran within three lengths of Seahorse in the Derby. Finishing so strongly at the end of her races would lead one to beflieve that she can stay, and Mr. L. D. Nathan is likely to be worthily represented by the Seaton Delaval filly. Geo. Wright and Prosser still appear to hold the key to finding the Cup winner, but now. that Explosion has been scratched and Prosser's pair given a tidy load, Sylvia Park, Djin-Djin, Te Hapuka, and Pitch and Toss are almost certain to put in an appearance, and seven are therefore likely to face Mr. Piper on Monday week, which will be only one behind the number which started for the Auckland Cup. The entries received for the other events are just about equal to those for the corresponding mqeting last year. Hack events did not. fill up so well as usually, doubtless on account of the hacks being gradually weeded out by the new definition, but at the same time the club might have included a six furlong hack race in the programme, and tfhis would have received better patronage . than tthe other longer distance events. The handicaps for the first day's events issued by Mr Evett on Monday should bring good accepTancee on Tuesday. Tortulia, Bst 121b, has been given rather much in the Anniversary Handicap compared with Blazer, Bst 111b, Jabber, Bst 101b, and Rosella, Bst 31b. Jabber scored in two races out of three starts at Auckland, both seven furlong events, carrying Bst 91b in the latter, and winning easily in Imin 29 3-ssec. Rosella is a well-handicapped filly, for she won the Railway Handicap at Auckland with Bst, and taas now only 31b more. She, however, will doubtless be reserved for the Cup. Ideal, 7st 121b, although not successful at Auckland, ran well in her engagements, and may have a chance. Hastings, 7st 121b, ran a good second to Jabber In the first race. Mr. Ormond's big horse won, and now meets Jabber on 61b better terms. Palaver, 7st 101b, is a slippery customer, while the ex-hack Rebel, 7st 21b, should run well. But Jabber seems the best by the book. Beddington dressed down his opponents at Auckland in the two-year-old races so decisively that 9s*t 71b may not stop him in the Nursery Handicap should his exertions in the Wellesley Stakes earlier in tho day not be too severe. Sir George CliffofcPs colt Cannie Chiel may run better here, for at Ellerslie he is said to have been at a disadvantage. Melita and Shannon, engaged in this race, are both winners this season. Shannon is a sister to Brooklet. In tho President's Handicap Tortulla, Bst 111b, seems to have a better chance than in the Anniversary Handicap, but Ambrosia, on Wairarapa Cup running, has an advantage over the black mare of 241b, so I would sooner have the Petroleum gelding. Roselia, at Bsfc 21b, cannot complain, and neither can Pitch and Toss, 7st 101b, or Palaver, 7st 91b. Philanthropist, 7st 21b, is a good sort, and he may be dangerous. The Telegraph Handicap field is likely to be a numerous one. Boreas, lOst 71b, has all the worst of the weights with Blazer, 9st 81b, who has defeated the chestnut on both occasions they have mot at weiglit-for-age. The Stewards' Handicap winner Benzoin, and also Jabber, each on tho 9st 41b mark, posses^ good chances, and further on Ostiak and Rochester, at 7st 121b, should be hard to beat. Titok'i, 9st lib, and Advance, Bst 111b, havo been well cared for, while Sedgebrook, Bst 41b, and Ngaparu, Bst 31b, might have been let in a few pounds less. Sentry, 6st 101b, is rather too far down the list, and the hacks Rebel and Hotu should not bo called on to give him weight. This event should be a fine betting race. Despite his big weight (9st 131b) Ruby Twist cannot be written out of the Hack Handicap, and Moreze, 7sfc 131b, Cornea, 7st lllp, and Roseplot, 6st 101b, also appear a likely trio. Acceptances and final payments and entries are due on Tuesday. NOTES. Roseplot, who won a double in the hack races at Woodville, is a half-brother to Royal Rose, by Catesby. He is trained by* J. Belcher at Wanganui, and was injured as a foal, his hip being put out. Tho Wanganui sportsman, Mr. J. Paul, also won a hack race at the meeting with Vibration. Mr. Stead is to be represented in uhe Wellesley and Wellington Stakes at the coming meeting by Romanoff and Franciscan, and Sir George Clifford by Cannie Chiel and Somerled, while it is almost certain that Renown and Beddineton will also compete. The meeting of these high-class two-year-olds will be anxiously looked forward to, especially the battle between the Welcomq Stakes winner Romanoff and Mr. Osmond's colt Renown. At the Wellington Park yearling sale seven lota fell to Mr. Stead, and his pur-

chases cost him £4068 10s. The greatest competition took place for the possession • of the Hotchkiss— Rose of Wellingtou colt. Mr. Dan O liriea was Mr. Stead's strongest opponent for the possession of Screw Gun's brother, and it was not until the latter bid 1400 guineas that "Dan" retired from tho competition. So far as looks are concerned, Rose of Wellington's yearling son is an improvement on Screw Gun, but Mr. Stead would bo perfectly satisfied should tho brown colt turn out as good as his chestnut relative. The highest-priced Wellington Park yearlings are: — Moaquetairo, 2026gs ; Havoc, 2200g5 ; Astronomer, 1075g5 ; and Mr. Stead's recent purcilase, 1400gs. Mr. W. J. Jorgenson, the owner of Falka, Weary, Quiltina, and Strathbraan, has changed his trainer, W. Buckeridge replacing H. Fletcher, who resigned. This is the seventh trainer who has had charge of Mr. Jorgenson's horses since he commenced racing. Right Metal has bden shipped back to Blenheim, but Tho Hummer has remain, ed behind to take part at the Foxton Meeting. J. Taggart took Paladin home to Mr. M'Kenzie's station in Otago on Tuesday. Taggart has also under his caro Red Banner, and Blazer's relative Mount Cia'ir. J." Cress has nominated his horses for the Foxton Meeting in place of the Hutt gathering. Ms\ P. F. Tancred, who is gradually retiring from the ownership of horses', will continue to race Ngatahuia and Spider till the expiration of their lease in May. He is at present in Christchurch on private business. The consideration of the Lady Agnea disqualification case by the metropolitan club will not come tip till the next meeting of the Wellington Racing Club at the beginning of next month, owing to the Wairarapa Club not forwarding the evidence and sentence, for endorsement ab last Monday's meeting. Therefore Lady Agnes can compete at the coming Hutt gathering, and although she was not nominated for the hack races owing to her disqualification, ther© is still a race for which the entries have not closed — the Maiden Plate, a mile race worth 100 soys— and it is probable she will bo amongst the competitors-, which will a.so include several other hacks, amongst the number being Gobo, Rebel, Spider, and Philanthropist. The South Canterbury Jockey Club donated £50 to the Transvaal Patriotic Fund. In chronicling the death of "the Rev. Monsignor M'Donald — Father Walter," as he was called — "Phaeton," the Auckland scribe, writes: — For a great number of years the deceased prelate was a regular attendant on the course. No matter how severe the weather, "Father Walter" might have been seen mounted on his hack in the. centre of the course, ever on tho look-out to render aid should there be an accident ; and with what solicitude would he tend the injured jockey ! Mounting the injured man on his own horse, when such permitted, or walking beside the stretcher on which lay an unconscious sufferer, the late reverend Father could always be picked out, and the presence of his lovable face in ' the casualty room never failed to relieve the scene of much of its distress. The Father loved to come to^ tho pressroom at Ellerslie to see his frienus, " the scribblers," as he termed them. It was hats off and hands out when he oame in, and then there would be a joke from him, accompanied bj that muflled, yet, withal, merry, chuckle that was as music to the ear. Father Walter's familiar form will bo deeply missed, and truly may it be said the world is poorer by the death of such a man as he. Mr. W. F. Bunting, of Palmerston, has purchased Dr. Reed's half share in the nurdler Deny, and thus becomes sole owner of the Derringer gelding. R. Platt, besides receiving Derringshot into his stable, has also got Silvenock, the Flintlock gelding which won the Maiden Hack Race at Fejlding. It is reported that there were three disqualified: persons taking active part at certain holiday meetings. Mr. V. Harris's team won sixteen races during the recent campaign on the West Coast of the South Island. D. Munn has resigned his position as trainer of Mr. Robinson's string, and "Mr. Robinson's son, "Len," who steered the trio at the Hawkes Bay Meeting, now reigns in his stead* The patriarchal Stockfish won a Novel Race at WaiKouaiti on New Year's Day, and paid a £4 16s dividend He was bought in for £5 10s. The race between Explosion and Seahorse in tha Auckland Plate of 1900 (writes "Phceton" in the Auckland Herald) is an event that will long live" in the memory of those who were privileged to witness it. Truly it was a battle royal ! . . . . The mile post was left behind at a scorching pace, and here the two leaders (for Sant Ilario was fair out of it) rattled along for half-a-milo at very top. Just as they entered upon the last five and a-half furlongs Seahorse got a bit the best of his black rival by a head and a neck, which was the signal for Gallagher to take out the whip. Explosion gamely answered, and, by dint of hard aiding his jockey had him level again with Seahorse as they dashed across tQie top stretch. So they came round the bend, and when their heads were fairly in a line for home there was nothing to choose between them, except that Gau lagher could be seen hard at work on hia horse, while Sceats had not taken out the whip to Seahorse. A few strides further on, however, the Avhip was seen to come out to Seahorse, and they dashed up to the distance locked together. " Explosion ! " " Explosion ! " ' "Explosion ! " rent the air as the black son of Cuirassier was seen to get the better of his rounger rival at this point, and it seemed all right for the top weight, bub as they got to the main stand Sceats called upon Seahorse for one last effort, and the son of Neison responding in the most generous manner, came again, . and the weight telling its tale on Explosion in the last few yards, Seonorse got up in the last stride, and won a memorable race by a head. It is rarely that a contest is to be witnessed such as that which eventuated between Seahorse and Explosion, and it takes rank as one of the most genuine and even tests as between two great performers that has ever been brought off on the colonial turf. There was no talk after the race that the result would have been different had another course been pursued. There were no mistakes, accidents, or mishaps to mar the contest, and such an array of beaming faces (for losers and winners seemed to vie with each other, as to which should look most pleased) is rarely seen, and the cheering thai went up as the horses come in still rings in my ears Those who witnessed Tuesday's race will talk of it for many a year to como. " The two St. Lcgor fillies purchased at Wellington Park by Mr. W. Nicholla will not be shipped to England until March. The Hotchkiss — Gannet yearling filly has been shipped to Sydney, consigned to Iko Earnshaw. By the death' of the Duke of Westmin. ster the existing engagements of Flying Fox, including the £10,000 races for 1900 in consequence of tho absurd English rule, are voided. Merloolas won tho Viceroy's Cup at Calcutta on Boxing Day, the St. Swithin horse being followed home by two other Australians — Vanitas, who won the race last year, and Strathroy. A painful and unusual sight was presented at the Melbourne morgue on tJie morning of the sth instant. The bodies of ei£ht little infants, the victims of the recent hot weather, were all lying out on one slab.