SPORTING NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 8337, 26 November 1887, Page 6

SPORTING NOTES.

Nominations for the Hawke’s Bay J.C, Boxing Day meeting will be duo on Tuesday next. The Trotting meeting of the Lower Heathcote Racing Club will occupy attention on Monday. Writing before the acceptances are made, we prefer the chances of the following Champion Trot, Frolicsome or Daisy; Novel Trot, Dick; Pony Trot, Bobby. Tabtersall’s Club has secured satisfactory nominations for its initial race meeting. Twenty-three have paid a pound to see their weights for the Cup, and only one less have subscribed to the Anniversary Handicap. The weights will be declared on Dec. 3, the night of the second day’s racing at Dunedin. We must commend the good taste and philanthropy which have induced the owner of late Mooderrdooderrdoo to expend £3 in changing the horse’s name to Model. He has earned the lasting gratitude of sporting reporters throughout the Colony. Antelope, the mare that won the Spring and City Handicaps on the second day of the Auckland R.C. Spring meeting, is a full sister to Mr Hammond’s Sultan. By Apremont, out of Miss Kate by Adventurer, she was bred by the late Mr John Carter, at Ashburton, and bought as a yearling by Major George. She showed more than average form as a two-year-old, and the owner of Nelson had a high opinion of her capabilities, but a severe attack of strangles threw her out of work for some time, and she was sold, we believe? to Mr E. Wood. She is now only justgettingbackinto condition, andis likely to be heard of again during the season. Rubina has dropped a colt foal to Tasman. This interesting little stranger arrived on Sunday, and gave O’Brien some cause for anxiety during the first day or two of his existence. He is now progressing favourably, and we may join his plucky owner in hoping that he may combine all the sterling qualities of his distinguished parents. Speaking of O’Brien, we may mention that this astute trainer and prince of crosscountry horsemen had the mount on Maribyrnong when that famous sire broke his leg in the Y.R.C. Derby. As they turned into the straight O’Brien thought he had the race iu baud, but a few yards further on the horse faltered and stopped. On dismounting O’Brien found a piece of bone protruding through the skin, and had removed the saddle before he was joined by the owner and trainer. The horse was never placed in the slings, as has been stated, but the injured limb was encased in a starched bandage, and ultimately made a complete, though somewhat unsightly, juncture. Artillery has done nothing but walking exercise since the New Zealand Cup, but apart from his injured heel there is nothing seriously wrong with the horse. The settling in connection with the Metropolitan meeting has made some progress during the week. A few of the books have been able to meet their creditors in full, and others have arranged more or less satisfactory compromises. A two-year-old filly by Cadogan— Maritana has been added to Messrs M. and C. Hobbs’ string. Mr A. Boyle’s Vanity Fair, by St George —Becky Sharp, has visited Guy Fawkes. A number of entries were made for the Hopeful Stakes, the two-year-old race to be run at the Tattersall’s Club meeting, on Saturday evening, but they do not finally close until Dec. 10. Notwithstanding the fact that Mr Penfold has provided altogether unnecessary and extravagant accommodation for the representatives of the Fourth Estate at Riccarton, he has, since the Metropolitan meeting, been made the recipient of quite a number of suggestions and indications for further additions to the Press stand. We trust Mr Penfold and his Committee will believe that they have done quite enough—in our opinion, far too much—for the comfort and convenience of the reporters, and if these gentlemen must have Brussels’ carpets, two or three attendant footmen, and odd luxuries of that description, let them represent their requirements to the proprietors of the journals they serve. These extras are certainly beyond the province of a racing club. Melville and Bronte, who were purchased by Mr W. Y. Dennett, during the Metropolitan race week, are now under the care of C, O’Connor, and were to be shipped for Wellington during the week. Archduke, one of the most likely animals engaged in the Corinthian Handicap at the Tattersall’s Club meeting, pulled up very lame after a gallop on Wednesday morning. This, however, is not an unusual circumstance with the big son of Maria Theresa. Regina has joined E. Cufcts’ string, and may be seen over hurdles during the season. Moana has been thrown out of work, and will probably be put to the stud forthwith. It is reported that Enfilade was sold privately in Melbourne for 1400 gs; but it is quite possible that the Hon W. Robinson retains some interest in the colt. Chain Shot is still under the care of G. Cutts, but Torrent will probably go into H. Lunn’s stables to be schooled over hurdles. The lull which usually follows the excitement of the Metropolitan meeting is particularly marked at Riccarton this year. None of the local stables were large winners during the carnival, and neither trainers nor jockeys have much cause to be jubilant over their recent experiences. Still the daily routine of work progresses, and the tracks during the past few days have been in capital order. Nelson seems none the worse for his two great efforts in the New Zealand and Canterbury Cups, and walks sounder than we have seen him for months. Regina is a trifle lighter, but looks well and in good heart, and the rest of Cutts’ team are doing fairly well. The Racecourse Hotel lot, who, by the way, will go into their new quarters in a couple of months or so, have been treated rather leniently since the Metropolitan meeting, but are all making satisfactory progress. Butler has Marlborough, Tib Bit, and Adulation in good useful work, but Artillery is only walked, and Secretary is confined to similar exercise. Webb continues the even tenor of his way with Ruby and Springeton, who are both in capital form, and C. O’Connor has treated Melville and Bronte to strong gallops, with a view to early engagements in the North Island. Lunn’s jumpers are not among the soundest, and the consistent Irish King is likely to be the mainstay of this stable during the season. Tres Sec is being driven along again, and his leg permitting, he will be a dangerous performer over the small sticks towards the back end. Sultan has been blistered, but is doing easy work with Molly Bawn, and Piper is hopeful of getting a race out of the mare during the Midsummer meeting. Sheenan has most of his string in good fettle, and Leon made his re-appearance on the track early in the week. Credulity is still improving under Shearsby’s care, and Water Queen, Mont d’Or, and the other small fry are kept going. It has been decided to hold a race meeting at Te Aroba on Friday, Dec. 23. A strong Committee has been appointed. The money to be run for will amount to about £l2O. The Drury Racing Club has issued a capital programme, consisting of six events, for its summer meeting, which is fixed to take place on Tuesday, Dec. 27. The principal event is the Drury Cup, of 50 Bovs, and altogether .£175 will be given away. Nominations for the Cup and Hurdle Race will be due on Dec. 2. We have received the programme of the Spring meeting of the Waipawa Country Racing Club, which invites nominations on Dec. 10 for the Handicap Hurdle Race, of 30 sovs; Racing Club Handicap, of 00 sots; and Flying Handicap, of 30 sovs. The other events, for which entries close on Dec. 21, are only of local interest. The winning payments in connection with the Auckland Club Spring meeting were made Monday evening as follows: J. Kean, ,£l6B 3s; J. All well, £162 9s; Thomas Hedger, £l6l 10s; W. Somerville, £lO4 10s; A, M. Carter, £76; Kelly and Sutherland, £76; J. Chadwick, £66 10s; J. P. Buxton, £66 10s ; M. Gallagher, £66- IQrC; James Jones, £63 10s; R, Thorpe,

£47 10s; J. C. Williamson, ' £3B; W. Bobbctt. , £33 Gs ; Hon E. Mitchalson, £26 12s ; C. A. Brown, £4 8s; total, £ll7O Bs. The Kaikoura Racing Club will hold its usual meeting ou Boxing Day. A Blenheim correspondent writes :—UJa Countess dropped a fine filly foal to Black Rose, but the marc died a few days afterwards. She has not thrown anything wood since Parawhenua and Ngaro ; but she may be like, her half-sister. Queen of the South, whose last foal. Pin fire, was her best. Capsize is doing a very good season, and Stonyburst is getting a few first-class mares. Louis d’Or is not patronised as he deserves. 1 sec by the last Canterbury Times that Regina cut up very badly in the New Zealand Cup, but this was no more than I expected- I oople in Blenheim thought that because she could run a mile and a halt in 2min 4G.jsec sho could win a New Zealand Cup. It was wired up here on the morning of the race, that her time was too good for anything else engaged At a meeting of tbe Committee of the Westland Racing Club held last week a letter was read from the Canterbury Jockey Club with regard to the appointment of a Metropolitan Club for Westland, and it was resolved to arrange the matter with the Gveymouth Club. Mr Horgan was appointed Treasurer in place of the late Mr James Clarke, and it was decided to admit the representatives of the Press to the consideration of all protests. The after business was of an unimportant character.

At the settling iu connection with tho Oame.ru Jockey Club’s Spring-meeting, the following sums were paid to owners; —Mr A. Cowie*, £11815s; Mr George Smith, £42 15a; Mr W. Goddard, £10; Mr Burgess, £l9; Mr J. Young, £3l 15s; Mr J. Sewell, £9 10s; Mr T. Shalders, £l2 3s; Mr T. Thompson. £l9; Mr W. Sutherland. £23 15s; Mr P. Treahy, £l4 ss; Mr W. S. Martin, £l4 ss; Mr J. Kenyon, £9 10s ; Messrs M. and C. Hobbs, £9 10s; Mr J. Poole, £9 10s; Mr G. Robertson, £l4 ss; Mr J. Parlie, £4 15s; Mr A. Thomson, £9 10s; Mr M. Sherwin, £4 15s; Mr F. Simmons, £4 15s ; total, £390 15s. A case against one of the persons running what is known as a walking or pocket totalisator was heard at the Dunedin Police Court on Nov. 17. Peter Dow was charged for that he, “ on Nov. 1, 1887, at Dunedin, did unlawfully conduct a certain scheme by which prizes of money were competed for by a mode of chance, contrary to the Gaming and Lotteries Act.” Mr Solomon prosecuted on behalf of the police, and Mr F. R. Chapman appeared for the defendant. Mr Solomon, in opening the case, referred to the decision in a case at Christchurch, in Jan. last. Counsel said that he would prove that the defendant had a card showing the names of a number of horses ; next, that money was given to " put one on Dunlop; ” then that the Melbourne Cup was run on Nov. 1, as mentioned on the card; that Dunlop won tbe Melbourne Cup, and that the defendant paid each investor an equal dividend. That, he submitted, would constitute a primd fade case that a scheme such as was conteni; plated by the Act was being carried on. As the dividend was £3:i 13s, that would show it was not a bet, as bets were made in even money. In proving this ease, a difficulty arose as to such a race as the Melbourne Cup having been run, as objection was taken to the newspaper report. Evidence was then taken about the New Zealand Cup, and, after consultation, Mr Chapman said be would recommend the defendant to plead guilty to the second charge if the first were withdrawn. This was agreed to, and a fine of £3O and 33s costs was inflicted, in default distress, or six weeks’ imprisonment. When Sardius’ name appeared in the final acceptances for the Melbourne Cup, many came to the conclusion that the horse had been left in in error. It now transpires that his owner made a wager of £SOO that the horse would start. He certainly did go to the post, but he did not finish, for he broke down badly, and bad to be carried off - the course. There was a large attendance (says “Augur”) of racing men to see the Hon W. Robinson’s horses disposed of, and with such credentials as they • had it was not surprising that they should create some keen competition. It was laughable, indeed to see the amount of examination that Silver Pince underwent previous to being led into the ring. Veterinary surgeons, owners, trainers, jockeys, and others went down ou their knees so that they might thoroughly inspect the leg which was under suspicion, the near fore-leg being the member which was considered damaged. Some of the would-be wise men shook their heads ominously, while others openly expressed an opinion that there was nothing wrong. “ But I felt the beat in his leg,” rejoined another. No horse that has been submitted to auction in Australia ever received so much attention ; but despite adverse opinions the Hon William Pearson, with his usual spirit, was not to be stalled off when Mr Archie Yuille submitted him to auction, and he never left off until he was knocked down to him at 1150 gs. The colt was immediately re-clcthed, and taken to Mr F. P. Dakin’s stable. Disowned, the bast 0 shaped horse of the lot, was cheap enough to Mr M'Donald, provided that' lie is sound. Mr Robinson and George Cutts both declare that the horse only suffered from an over-reach. .Should he stand a preparation, his new owner will find him a very remunerative purchase. Thunderbolt is another who once was under suspicion, but he now appears as sound as a bell, and I’m certain he will win a handicap some day. Undoubtedly the soundest horse of the lot was Enfilade, who hung fire at something over GOOgs, when Mr Archie announced that Mr Robinson had placed a reserve of 1500 gs on the colt, and he returned to his box. Afterwards one or two present seemed disposed to give the money for him, and finally he was purchased by a patron of Walter Hickinbotham’s stable. A son of Tom Sayers, the pugilist, is race riding in America. Tho principal event at tho Berlin Autumn Race meeting was won by Hortari, a colt by Apremont’s brother Chamant, out of Hamadriade. They manage these things better in the United States. At the A utuum meeting of the Brooklyn Jockey Club ou Sept 30, the judges wore satisfied that a certain horse was not ridden to win, and they ruled horse, owner and jockey off for ever. At. the Newmarket First October meeting, the Rous Memorial Stakes, of 500 sovs, was won by Sky Pilot, by Skylark— Ada Mary; the Ninth Great Foal Stakes, of 1553 sovs, by Reve d’Or, by Hampton— Queen of the Roses, and the Newmarket Handicap, of 1000 sovs, by St Helen, by Springfield—St Hilda. The entries for the St Leger for 1889 have been published, and we append a comparative table of the numerical strength of the classic races ; ISS3 IBM J«« IMJS 185? 18S9 Derby ... 203 Sit) m 1!):.! 'M'o I!>6 JC2 37J Ooks 103 ISO 157 311 15;; 1311 312 St liegor ... 201 210 132 208 108 182 102 201. “ Bras de Per,” in the World, writes “ The Ailesbury scandal is, of course, a very wretched and unfortunate one, particularly in these days, when noblesse oblige should bo a precept more (irmly fixed than ever in the heart and before the eyes of every English gentleman. Lord Ailesbury’s character did not show him to set store hy these golden words. From the time that he first appeared on the scene he iu a very pronounced way, cut himself off from his own order and degree, and his friends and associates were selected from—to speak mildly—a most undesirable contingent. Where they have led a probably not reluctant follower is sad to think, though the result has been anything but a surprise. That the Stewards of the Jockey Club would have gladly caught at any chance of Lord Ailesbury proving his innocence of the accusation brought against him*,cannot bo doubted. That he should, witb&ujth blind folly, have placed himself at fne'ihercy of underlings, is another proof of the gutm Dens, &c,, but still wonderful to think of. j I see it stated that the sentence is not for j life ; but even if it is there is always the j door ajar. Lord Ailesbury is a very young man. He may yet cast his skin and live down the dishonour that now clings to his

name. X sincerely trust be may. Those * who by evil nurture do stain the nobility of their kindred’ have not alone themselves to think of, and I hope Lord Ailesbury will well consider this.” The following instance of early fecundity is recorded, in characteristic language, by the Spirit of the Times :—Equine annals probably never furnished such a case as that whose climax was reached last Wednesday by tho victory of Amelia P. in the Zoo-Zoo Stakes. It is a case at once suggestive of juvenile depravity, if that phrase is permissible, as well as precocious maternal devedopment. Strange occurrences come to the front occasionally, as in the case of “ Dr Jokyll and Mr Hyde.” or in the latterday cose of frisky father Bill Daly figuring in a seduction suit; hut even that little family episode pales into insignificance compared with the youthful equine escapade in which Amelia F, figures as the heroine. In brief, the facts in the anomalous case may be stated as follows: —Amelia P., daughter of Leonatus and Effie C., was foaled two years ago, and in the spring of 1886, when a yearling, she was sold by Jack Chinn, owner of Leonatus, to Mr Scroggins, of Louisville. Last spring, she was trained, and ran three times at Nashville and once at Louisville. Her trainer, Sam Bryant, thought there was something wrong withher and gave her some worm powders or medicine. Later on Chinn, on examination, found that the filly, a two-year-old, was in foal, and she was stopped in her work. On July 25 last she dropped a foal, which after being suckled for five days, died. Later on, about two months ago, the childless filly and mother* was put into training again, and Wednesday, on her first essay, she won the Zoo-Zoo Stakes in fairly good time, beating a pretty good field. She is a fine looking filly, and is likely to make her mark later on. * * * It appears that Amelia and another yearling named Jim Crawford struck up a little flirtation m the spring of 1886, ending in—well, it is the same old story of youthful indiscretion, and the facts given above tell the tale. Our readers will admit that we may fairly lay claim to some independence in the treatment of turf abuses ; but we must confess to falling something short of the following trenchant criticism suggested by an American exchange;—The little niggerthief who rode Procrastinator in the St Leger yanked and strangled his mount before he had gone half the journey, so that he was beaten out of sight when the race was over. An ancient darkey was heard to exclaim half an hour afterwards : “ Whar is dat ’Crastinator ? ’Pears I seed him start, but he must have switched off and guine to de city to tote a load of coal.” Such riding merited not only a prompt ruling off, but a sentence to the penitentiary for twenty-seven years at hard labour. Those scheming scoundrels, the bookmakers, according to the statement of a most observing and intelligent tout, engineered the job, the combination bookmaker contributing an extra doucer, so to make sure of his prey, the lambs and loons who are never tired of tackling a brace. Of course it will be said by some nice, superannuated, senile old chuckleheads that the* greasy, kinkyhaired, chipmunk, by a stretch of courtesy called a jockey, rode to win, but erred in his judgment of pace and unduly restrained hie mount. Oh yes—that will do to tell the marines. He did not pull Procrastinator at all —it was his brother Isidore ! It is charitable to suppose that the judges were not in with the steal, but if they were not—well, history records where men were put in the stocks for thirty days for a much less flagrant neglect of duty. Worst of all, the mild and gentle words of warning from day to day sent forth by myself are unheeded and disregarded by those who ought to know better, and verily it has come to this at last that owners, trainers, jockeys, judges, bookmakers, touts, and tipsters are all rushing pell mell in the same direction — to the demnition bow-wows. After watching the work, such as it was, at Riccarton on "Wednesday morning, writes our Riccarton correspondent, 1 strolled across to George Cutts’ comfortable quarters and had half-an-hour’s chat with tho veteran jockey, trainer, and stud-master on his recent experiences in Australia. My welcome was as cordial as over, and the Flemington reverses of the stable over which he last presided has neither damped Cutts’ genial spirits nor cooled his enthusiasm for the sport he loves so well. I write “last presided ” because I understand that his connection with Mr Robinson is severed. I could wish it had been a more prosperous one. “ Yes,” he replied to the query which accompanied our first greeting; “I am glad enough to get home again. But I am not altogether broken-hearted about the trip. I had a good team of horses and a fair field ; it was no fault of Silver Prince, nor of the Australians, that we didn’t win the Melbourne Cup.” “ And so they treated you pretty well over there ?” “Just as well as could be expected,” continued George. “Australians are like most other people in that respect. There are good, bad, and indifferent, and you choose your own company. But you want to know something about the racing. Well, in the first place, we were very lucky on the score of weather. Tbe climate, so far as our experience went, both in Sydney and Melbourne, was very similar to that of New Zealand. As a consequence, our horses suffered little or nothing from the change. I thought on our arrival at Randwick that our team looked much better than the local horses; they carried more muscle and appeared more robust. The Australians, too, always have a faccy for the appearance of Now Zealand horses; and no wonder. Scores of good thoroughbx*eds in Australia are galloped to death. At Randwick, where the training accommodation it no better than that provided at Biccarton, lots of the horses in work are galloped every other morning at top, and sometimes driven home under the whip. The same system is followed with very little modification at Fiemington, where the tracks are not so good. The result of all this fast work is to give the horses a weary drawn look, which doesn’t please the New Zealanders. Ah, yes, they beat us, but there are more cripples and crocks in Australia to-day than we should have here in a century. And their good Tins, too, seem to race with no more muscle than would bait a minnow hook. Their racing tracks, that is the actual turf, are no better than they are here, butthestands and enclosures, all the luxuries so to speak, are on a splendid scale. Jockeys? Well, they are about on a par with our own. Billy White is well up to the average; Clifford, as an all round horseman, is equal to the very best. Hales is a good man, but there is nothing succeeds like success, and he has had a lot of luck. There is just as large aproportion of duffers and numskulls riding in Australia as there are in New Zealand. I think we had a little bad luck with our horses, but a man so often makes his own luck, that I don’t care to say much about it. A week or so before the Melbourne Cup, Silver Prince gave us a splendid gallop. He had a perfect torrent of pace, and could keep at it. We were very confident, hut the next morning be pulled up lame, and he was not galloped from that to the race. And, after all, he ran a great horse. He got about three lengths the best of the start, and came away at a terrific pace. Cochrane was at some disadvantage, never having ridden on the course before, but Mr Robinson preferred him to O’Brien, who had been engaged to ride the horse. This was a mistake, as Silver Prince ran himself and other good ones to a standstill at the end of a mile and three-quarters, and enabled Dunlop to win. If Silver Prince had not made the running at such a terrible pace—half a dozen of them were under the whip during the first four furlongs—the finish would have been between Silvermine and himself, and our horse might have won ; he certainly would have got a place. It was a bad ride for Cocbrane, as he was fined £lO and disqualified for the rest of the meeting by the starter, and got more blame than he was entitled to. However, it is all over, I only hope that I shall live to have as good a show again.

MEAT. FRUIT & VEGETABLES, AND THEIR RELATION TO HEALTH. An. eminent medical authority, who has devoted his lifetime to ascertaining the amount of nutriment derived from different classes of food, meats and vegetables, and the time required for their digestion, gives some curious but useful information in a table recently published. Thus whilst beef contains only 33 per cent of nutriment, which requires two and a half hours to digest, that usually despised commodity "bread” dry and undisguised yields just 80 per cent of nutriment, and is digested in a little over three hours. Eggs yield 23 per cent, mutton 30 per cent, whilst barley, rice, and maize all return from 80 to 95 per cent, and are digested in less time than meat, fruit, or vegetables. In this way science demonstrates the value of cereal products, and proves to the feeble and dyspeptic that there is yet hope. G. Gilbert’s cornflour, prepared by a specially patented process from the inner or essential portion of the finest corn, yields a higher percentage of nourishment and is more easily digested and assimilated than any other. This cornflour is delicious and wholesome, and not being a lowpricea or anonymous article, it is thoroughly free from any deleterious or foreign substance. Gilbert’s cornflour is what its name indicates—a corn flour, manufactured from selected stock, grown in the finest cereal-producing state in the world; and being prepared with special care and by a patent process, it cannot be sold as low as many of the brands usually “ stocked ” by the trade, because they cost less than a genuine article can be produced for. Cheap and nasty are the latter, cot only to the palate, but in their effects upon the system, and only a very few people who happen to own very hardy constitutions will defend the policy of swallowing a preparation of unsuspected ingredients, labelled "cornflour,” because it costs a half-penny per pound less than an article about which there can be no doubt. Ask your grocers to get you Gilbert's Cornflour, and contrast its quality, purity, and delicate flavour with any other brand. We write from experience, and invite the comparison. Any grocer can obtain it from King Bros., or any other wholesale merchant. Do not omit to try it. Gilbert’s Cornflour has no equal for puddings, cakes, or custards. Wholesale Agents foe Canteebubt— KING BROS., Lichfield street, Christchurch.