LATE SPORTING.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1912, Page 8

LATE SPORTING.

(By Sir Bedivere.) As may be gathered from the rather meagre account of the Elderslie stud sale with which the Press Association furnish us, Mr. J. B. Reid was fortunate enough to obtain satisfactory prices. Me did so, however, ,at his country's loss, for it appears that most of the choicest lots are destined for Australia. The Turf is admittedly in a more secure position in the Commonwealth than in New Zealand, and, this being co,_ it naturally follows that when opportunity offers for purchasing highclass thoroughbreds Australian sportsmen are prepared to outbid us. There are still the Waikanae, ' Burnside, and Warrington etuds left to us, and several breeders, other than the respective owners of these establishments, may yet be relied upon to offer a few young thoroughbreds annually. It is, however, no use blinking the fact that the ' opportuni-. ties of acquiring desirable bloodstock are becoming- more and more rare in this country, and it will, in consequence, be increasingly difficult for any but the most prominent owners, who now breed largely, on their own account, to race with success. The loss of so many fashionably-bred mares must also have a bad effect upon the general standard of horseflesh in this country, and it is to be sincerely hoped that that feeling of insecurity which, thanks to pusillanimous politicians and meddlesome snufflers, has lately pervaded these islands will pass away ere the rot becomes even more serious. Mr. F. S. Easton's horses are in future to be trained by A. Gray at Foxtbn. Gray has had a lifelong experience with thoroughbreds, and for some years past has occupied. the position of head lad at the Karamu establishment. He is a popular man, and all his friends will wish him every success in his new sphere. Mendip is now coming down in thft weights, and if he should return to form he will win a good race or two this autumn. WILD WEST. By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright. (Received January 30, 9.50 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The New Zealand gelding* Wild West was submitted at auction, but was passed .in at 300 guineas. WDL-LIAMSTOWN . HANDICAP. By Telegraph.— Pr«ss Association.— Copyright. . (Received January 30, 9.50 a.m.) MELBOURNE,'. This Day. Sharpshooter ran tlvird in the ' Williamstown Anniversary Handicap. GALLOPS AT RICCARTON. , I*l TXI.UG&APfi'— PRESS .ABBaciATN»N.] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The morning was fine but dr'l for training afc Riccarfcou. The ploughed gallop provided capital going. Kilts, with Emmerson up, covered six furlongs in lmin 17Asec. Oratava did a mile in lmin 47 Z-ssec, Daylight Bill and Firmhoid : haif a. mile in 53sec, and Colleen Mary a mile in lmin 46 3-6seo. Sea. King did six furlongs in lmin 16 l-ssec, Martine one mile and a-quarter in 2min 15 4-ssec, and Winning Way five furlongs in lmin 7|sec. Kohinoor did a similar distance in lmin 4 2-ssec. Rose Noble beat Corrie over a mile in lmin 46 2-ssec,, and Outlander and Sant Roealecr covered a. similar distance in lmin 45 2-ssec, finishing- together. Featherston beat Mercedo over six furlongs in lmin 20 4-ssec. After breakfast some good work was dons under ideal weather conditions, the tracks being aoinewiiat faster than during the early morning.