SPORTING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6874, 12 March 1883, Page 6

SPORTING.

TDBF GOSSIP. [Bt Sib Laukoelot.] Although 000 of the oldest of Australian racing men, Mr DeMestre has never until this year succeeded is carrying off either the Y.B V. Leger or Australian Cup. Now, haw* ever, Navigator has broken the spell, and though his Leger win was only confirms* tion of the Benson’s three-year-old form, it was a very great feat for the son of Bobia* son Crusoe to carry 8»t 31b to victory over the two miles and a quarter of the Australian Cup course. The details to hand state that he won rather easily in 4min 2*eo, or |seo less time than First King as a throe-year-old covered the distance in five years back. By winning rank with Angler, Fireworks, Melbourne, and Grand Flaneur, as a winner of the two great three-year-old events of the Victorian Baoing »lab's programme. He, Gasworks, Bichmond, and First King are the only horses that have ever appropriated the double of Y.RC. Leger and Australian Cup, and this latest victory of Navigator makes one regret more than over that he was not himsell on the Champion day. The Normauby 8 takes winner, Archie, has followed up bis New Tear's Day victory by carrying his 71b penalty to the front iu the Ascot Yale Stakes, and his plucky purchaser, Mr Smart, also appropriated the Sires’ Produce Stakes with the aid of , Warwick, the brother to Bosworth, Biobmond, and Segenhoe, who realised 20.0 guineas as a yearling. The St Albans stable wore unlucky on each occasion, their representative Off Colour, being the runner-up to both Archie and Warwick. I alluded lost week to the form shown in Tasmania by the progeny of Tasman’s sire 81 Albans, and more especially to the viotorlea of Tasman's brother Prodigal. Since then I have received the detai's of the racing on the second and third days of the Hobart meeting, which show that he turned the tables on bis former conqueror, Meteor, in the Nursery Stakes (6 furlongs), and landed the odds laid on him for the AU-aged Stakes (1-mile), by carrying 8»t 31b to victory in front of five others in Imin 10*eo. " Augur," who visited Tasmania, writes thus in reviewing the Launceston meeting, at which Prodigal flret distinguished himself It was fortunate for the island that Mr field leased St Albans from the late Mr John Ooldham, for this good looking son of Blair Athol has proved the best sire they have bad for years iu the northern portion of the island, and it ia to be hoped that the egoellenee of his stock will induce some of the wealthy men of sporting proclivities to give them a fair chance, which, as a rule, is not afferdsd the racehorses of Tasmania* Three of the four that faced the starter for the Twoyesr*o!d Stokes were by Bt Albans, and tws of them. Meteor and Prodigal, would not disgrace Flemington or Caulfield. The fomer won easily enongb, bathe was much more forward than Prodigal, a oolt for whom I have is great fancy. He is short in the leg, and with his g»*t barrel and grand quarters he look* like staying to any distance. Meteor is taller and mow attractive, at first sight remiading one WMa'thiog of His Lordship, but much bettei ribbed. There can be no dsabt respecting hi* speed, but I'd take the little fellow for choice ever a distance." I tee Chat Othello, the three-year-old brother to Tasman and Prodigal, who belonged to Mr James Ohant, has been pur* chased by Ur J. Hamer, of Victoria, for £IOO. Mr Harper sfterwarde disposed of the oolt to Mr 8. Martin, of the same Colony, getting£7s on his bargain. Catalogues of the annu*! sale of the Middle Fork yearlings are it course of preparation,

and will be {ssusd during lh« week. There are •even roll# and fir* Wile# to be offered, aU by the defunai Xing of Clubs, and July, the unfortunate brother to Betrayer, Sir Mod ml, and Cheviot, who was foaled before his tine, and ooos«qu«»Uy sow ranks as a thres-y*ar-old, will also be submitted. The •ale takes place 00 March 88, lbs day after the 0.J.0. Autumn Meeting. Wallace County Receshart been postponed lilt tho 87th iostani, in order that they shall not clash with the Volunteer Review at Inverrorgdi. Maori he# been acquitllog himself so well of isle is hi* wurs ili«t he he# been Installed first fatoari-'e (or both the Dargaville and Henderson's Mill Oops. The old fellow has so improved since he has been under French’* care, that it certainly look* at if it was to be the Fapekuro trainer*# lot to yet get a good race out of the old rogue ere he quite the roeeoourse. The Cambridge Jockey Club Intend bolding a two days' meeting on, May 2 and 3, when close upon £4OO will be given away in added money. Libeller took bis departure from Auckland for Napier on Friday, under the charge of George Rowland*, for the purpose of fulfilling hie engagement* at the Hawke'# Bay J.O. Autumn Meeting. The little son of Yatterlna woe in pretty fair form. It ie understood that Rowlands will take over Paramena, Musketeer, and Hilarious* brother, Maoriland, also the property of Mr Bob belt, after the Napier meeting. Previous to the bookmakers leaving for Wanganui and Napier there wae some speculation on the Gnat Autumn Hasdicap, Tasman, Welcome Jack, Lady Emma, and Vanguard having each been backed at 100 to lb, but not to any great extent. Now that Mason - and Vailanoo’e horsen hare been scratched, the Handicap does not seem such a bad one, and we may look to the belting on the event being quite as brisk us in previous yeare. The programme of the Ashburton Booing Club’s Autumn Meeting on April 18 and Iff hoe appeared. There are altogether 11 events set down for decision, the added money to which it £BBO, The principal Items are the Autumn Handicap, of 76 10vs, one mile and three-quarter* 1 Steeple* chase Handicap, of 60 sore, three miles; and Flying Handicap, of 60*ars, three-quarters of a mile. It is gratifying to observe that the Club have abolished that bugbear of owners—qualification feet. At the Taraklna races, on Mnrch 1, Diomedss won the opening event, the Hurdle Handicap, 8 mile# and a distance, beating Skylark, Ohristm*#, and Parnell. Hippona, a throe-year-old sister of My Dream and Bcizard, won the Maiden Plato (on# mile and a half) from the Tube! Grin—fioyal Heart colt Bayard, who would have been more handy than he was but for hi* stumbling just before reaching the winning post. The Orphan was third, three others being behind her. Six weighed out for thu Tunkina Handicap of 100 eovs, 3 miles, a good race between Larry (7st 61b) and Ringleader (7st lib), terminating in a hall length victory for the former. Armourer (7st) was third. Larry, with 7st 101 b, pulled off the District Handicap, one mile and a half, Bayard (Bst 101 b) finishing second, and Dan (?st 81b) third, and after Banshee had won the Members’ Race (one mile and a quarter). The light (late Bt Glair) just won the Forced Handicap (a mile and a distance) by half a length from hi# brother and only opponent Tam O'Shanter. About £BOO went through he totalizator. The Southland Jockey Club’s nee# will probably be held in April The only difficulty in the way of this newly-mussiUted Club 1* the obtaining of a racecourse. Ettrick annuo! races are set down for March 17, with £IOO a# prize money, the leading stakes being the Domain Handicap of 26 eovs. Mr F. Reynolds, of Tooal, H.8.W., has forwarded me a catalogue of his jatrlings, to be sold in Sydney in the Easter week. There are in all 23 lots, aU by Kelpie and Goldsbrough, among them being a half-brother to The Gem, by Qoldsbrough—lda; a half-sister to Trevallyn and Gostwyoh, by Qaidsbrough— Young Emily; and a fall (liter to 80a’ Wester by Qoldsbrough—Sea Breeze. According to " Mazeppa," Mr Smith, who purchased Adamant after the Dunedin Meeting, also acquired privately the four-yeor-old gelding Cathedral, by Totora-PuriM. This latter horse has been taken to bis new homo; bat just before leaving Dunedin, Mir Smith closed with an offer from Mr J. Cotton, and sold Adamant to him for 160 guineas, the galloway more Gift being token in lieu of port of the purchase money. Adamant therefore remains in Dunedin, and is now back at his old quarters, with Idoliam os a mate. It is probable that Cathedral will make his first appearance in Mr Smith’s colours at Tipouui. The same writer states that Ourtigetp, winner ot the Steeplechase at Dunedin, will leave this country before long. It is understood that Mr Hungerford has decided to send him over to New South Wales. It is on the cards, howsver, that ho may remain here to compete at the Grand National Meeting; if he does Cotton will probably train him for that fixture. At a recent meeting of the Cromwell Jockey Club it was decided not to remove the disqualification in connection with the running of Darkle at the Spring meeting. It was announced that the Club had cleared £2OO during the year. Mr S. N. Brown, the hou secretary, ssnt ih his resignation, and it was resolved to appoint a successor to the office nt a.salary of £2O per annum. It was decided that the Darby of 1883 should be on the same terms as that of last year. Full particulars of the Poverty Bay Meeting to hand shew that Virginia Water and Tim WhilHer were the only starters for the Town Plate (w.f.s.), and as the more was pulled up after going a short distance, Tim Whiffior won as he pleased. Six saddled up for the Tradesmen’s Handicap, which was won by Romeo (7st 71b), with Piscatorious (Bab 101 b) second. Tim Wmtller, Kingask, Morning Star, and Yankee also ran. The Maiden Plate was won by Forest King, the County Stokes by Look’s All, and the Selling Race by Barb. On the second day Wild Oayrell (ffst 101 b) carried off the Hurdle Handicap from Highland Fling (16*t), Morning Star (list 71b), and Director (fist 71b). Patriarch's son, Yankee, easily won the Publicans’ Handicap from Piscatorious and three others, the son of Fanny Fisher being led off the course dead lame immediately after the race. There was every indication of his haring sustained a bad strain in one of bis forelegs, and ae his owners have not paid up for him for any of the Hawke’s Bay event#, it is only foir to presume that we have seen the list of him on a racecourse. The Taanuaga Stakes fell to Romeo, who easily lowered the colours of Tim Wbilller and Virgina Water, and Sriothoneous whoever he may lie — carried off the Ooasolatian Handicap.