SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 7874, 5 April 1889, Page 2

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

The trotting horse Random and the ponies Idalia, Tottie, and Veto were shipped to Melbourne yesterday, The annual meeting of the Thistle Association Football Club was held at Sawyers Bay on Tuesday evening, Mr W. Attwood presiding. The secretary’s report showed the club to be in a very good financial position. The election of office-bearers was then proceeded with, with the following result:—Mr J. Cleghorn, president; Captain Thomson and Mr G. Foster, vicepresidents ;G. Ross, captain; J, Warden, doputy-oaptain, W. Morris, secretary ; J. Morris, treasurer. The betting on the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase when the last mail left Home was as follows 10 to 1 agst Why Not, llet 51b 20 1 Ballot Box, 12st 71b 20 1 Kettle, 10st 61b 20 1 Playfair, list 01b 20 1 Roquefort, 12st 20 1 Battle Royal, lost 81b 20 1 Coronet, list 101b 25 1 Magic, 10st 01b 25-1 —M.P., lOat 01b 25 1 Frigate 25 —1 —— Savoyard, list 111b Frigate ran first, Why Not second, M.P. third.

On the same date the * Sportsman ’ wrote; —“The scratching of Come Away for the Grand National Steeplechase must have disappointed a considerable number of people, and the advance of Why Not to the position of favorite for that race has startled not a few. His present place in the market must, of course, be regarded as an indication that the resolve has been made to run the son of Cast'ereagh, and, accidents excepted, he should acquit himself well. By many Coronet is greatly fancied for the big steeplechase, although his ability to last over the distance will to the end be doubted by some good judges, and some of these are sure to decline to range themselves amongst the adherents of Roquefort. Last year’s winner, Playfair, has appeared in the quotations, and money has gone on M.P., a horse that it may be well to keep on the safe side. That old Frigate would find friends was to be expected.” Last December it was said that Ormonde had been sold at the large figure of L 17,000, to go abroad, and though that statement did not turn out to be correct, we can now say that the son of Bend Or and Lily Agnes has been disposed of by the Duke of Westminster for exportation to Buenos Ayres, The sum to be paid is, we understand, about L 14.000, and the horse is to be delivered up at the end of his stud season. It is a curious coincidence that Ormonde’s grandsire, Doncaster, was purchased by the duke for L 14,000, from Mr R. Peck, after winning the Alexandra Plate in 1875. That deal proved a most fortunate one for His Grace, as Doncaster sired Bend Or, the Derby winner of 1880, and the latter in turn producsd the equine wonder that not only won the “ triple crown ” of the Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, and St. Legor, but never knew defeat, and secured in stakes in three seasons the grand total of L 28,465105. There died at Cooksland, near Sleighford, Stafford, recently, what must certainly have been one of the oldest hunters or thoroughbreds existing. We refer to Robert Teddington, a horse who had attained his fortyfirst year. He was the property of Mr E, Eld, of Cooksland, who purchased him when he was a four-year-old. His brother was Teddington, the winner of the Derby in 1851, who started at 8 to 1 in a field of thirtythree, and was afterwards, wo believe, sold for L 3.000, whilst his master was said to have won L‘20,000. Robert Teddington was one of the best horses that ever crossed the Staffordshire country. As a youngster the old favorite was very savage, and once lashed out at Mr Eld for touching him with his stick, He kicked him in the chest and rendered him insensible. His owner said the horse seemed to know what he had done, and trembled all over. Afterwards he walked to his master’s senseless form and began lieking him. Mr Eld was nearly done for that time, but he never struck Robert Teddington again, and the horse was well known afterwards for his docility and his affection for his master. The old favorite lay down to rest on January 25, and never got up again, but lingered for some days, and died of sheer old age. He recognised his venerable master’s footsteps until the last, and whinnied and raised his head at Mr Eld s approach.

THE NAPIER CONFERENCE,

At the Conference held at Napier last week the following delegates were present as representing the Metropolitan Clubs of the colony:—Captain Russell, presiding (Hawke’s Bay Club), Messrs G. Clifford (CanterburyGlub),Hunter( Wanganui Club), Fercival (Auckland Racing Club), and Fenwick (Wellington Racing Club). It was unanimously resolved that the metropolitan clubs be recommended to adopt the following alterations and additions to rules of racing:—(l) Not more than one club shall be allowed to hold a meeting on any racecourse except by special license from the Metropolitan Club. (2) That the word “ at” in the fifth line of Rule 19 be struck out, and the following words inserted; “And the owner, nominator, trainer, and jockey of any such horse from owning, nominating, training, or riding at or for,” (3) That the rules as amended shall come into force on Ist August next. (4) That this Conference is of opinion that the rules of racing should be revised, and that a meeting of delegates for that purpose be held during the next Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase meeting, it being the most convenient province to the majority. Mr Percival put before the Conference that at all meetings allowance to geldings should be 51b, and that in all selling races the conditions should be similar to English meetings—viz., that the surplus over the selling price should be divided between the owner of the second horse and the funds of the club. He also suggested arrangements should be made to print a racing calendar by one of the Christchurch papers immediately terminating each racing season, and that all meetings, both large and small, should be fully reported therein, Mr Clifford was appointed to see if the calendar suggestion could be carried out. In reference to allowance of geldings it was agreed that nothing should be done until the whole of the rules of racing are revised. The Conference agreed that pony races do not come under the metropolitan rules. These matters will all pome before the proposed Conference.

GERALDINE RACES.

The following are the acceptances for the principal events for the first day's racing at the Geraldine autumn meeting, commencing on Thursday next Novel Flat Rape.— Cynisea 8.7, Starlight 7.8, Eclipse 6.10. Autumn Handicap.— E-in-go-Bragh 9.6, Torren 8.7, Sir Julius 7.13, Zaalot 7.12, Snapshot 7.8, Murat 6.7. ' Plyino HANpicAP. —J I ok 8.2, Sir Julius 8.1, Doubtful 7.10, Glenora 7, Little Shamrock 6.8, Pippin 0.