SPORTING NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 10477, 15 October 1894, Page 2

SPORTING NOTES.

{Canterbury Times.) Last year, ifc -will be lamembered, the Westland and Kumara Clubs disagreed as to the dates of their respective race meetings, and as the dates clashed, both meetings were failures. The Westland Racing Club, wo may state, was quite in the wrong. The Kumara Jockey Club has for years raced on certain dates, and last season the Westland Racing Club very coolly appropriated these dates for its own use. The Kumara Club protested, but all in vain, and, as already stated, the result was that neither gathering was a success. As this year the Westland Club has refused to listen to reason, the Kumara Club has placed the case before the Canterbury Jockey Club, which is the metropolitan club of the district to which the Westland Racing club belongs. In reply the Canterbury Jockey Club has requested the Wesland Racing Club to alter its dates. The Canterbury Jockey Club has done what is right, and wo trust that it will go further, if it is necessary, and absolutely compel the Westland Club to make fresh arrangements. Surely to goodness there are plenty of days. in the year, and it appears monstrous that one club should deliberately steal—for it is nothing else—the dates which are, by virtue of length of tenure, the property of another body. The question of assumed names is, we admit, a very difficult one upon which to touch, but we fancy the time has arrived when the authorities should take into consideration the advisableness of placing the whole system upon a fresh basis. That assumed names should be permitted we are quite ready to allow. It is obvious that many of the very best supporters of the turf would not be able to enter into the pursuits of racing if they did not adopt assumed names. For instance, there are many people who would at once withdraw their patronage from, say, a merchant i&ifaey were aware that he owned horses. JRighfr minded men of the world will not think any the worseof a man for indulging in the sport, but there are plenty of people who are just as right-minded, hut on account of their, ignorance of matters connected with racing think otherwise. They jnever go to a race-meeting themselves, and being unacquainted with the, fact that racing can be and is carried on on perfectly cleanly lines, tbinMhat any person in any way connected with tire turf mustdie of an undesirable character*. They ;; forget that there are bad and goM people in every class of the community, and therefore they prefer to have no doaling&itf business witn a man who owns racehorses.

It is obvious, therefore,,.thafc this class of owner should not be allowed to suffer because of his connection with the turf. He should, therefore, receive every protection which the authorities can afford him, and it ie quite right that ho .should be permitted to asgurge a nomd&course. But there is another class of person, which should only be allowed to use an assumed name under the severest restriction. Wo refer to the professional owner, this we might add the bookmaker, Thesermen, we are strbngly of dpinion, should be required to race under their own names. We may state at once that we think there are just as many honest men among professional owners and bookmakers as there' are in other branches of trade. But it stands to reason that men who take up racing as a means of livelihood are hardly likely to adopt the methods practiced by people who race for love. Take for instance, a bookmaker, who may be the owner of a horse or two. He perhaps races under an assumed name. The general public is not aware that he is an owner, and supports one of his animals for a race. The bookmaker, in course of business, lays heavily against his horse, and under the circumstances it is not surprising that the animal in question does not win. Had the bookmaker raced under his own name, the public would have known to whom the horse belonged and would, perhaps, have conducted their betting transactions with more caution. Of course it may be argued that a nom de course does not as a rule hide an owner’s identity. Probably it does hot as far as the immediate followers of racing are concerned, but in many instances the general .public is not aware of the real state of affairs. We may state at this point that we do not approve 1 of bookmakers being allowed to own horses at all. In New Zealand, however, where bookmakers are not registered, it is impossible to state who shall and who shall not own horses. If bookmakers were registered it would bo an easy matter for the New Zealand Jockey Club—when it is formed —to inform a bookmaker that he cannot combine bis profession with that of an owner of horses. If, however, the authorities do not care to go so far as this, they could easily insist that bookmakers must run their horses under their own names. Of course the bookmakers might then transfer their horses to their trainers, but the authorities might get over the difficulty by requiring trainers to make declarations stating the names of the owners for whom they are training. The matter is, we admit, a trifle complicated; but the present system paves the way to a good deal of fraud, and we think that the authorities should endeavour to make some alteration. The death is announced of the stallion Chantilly, by Apremont—Miss Plat, who broke out of his box at Mahaki on Friday, and was found dead on a road near the Hook on Saturday morning. Chantilly, who was bred by the Middlspark Stud Company in 1883, was purchased as a yearling by Mr G. G. Stead for 470 gs, At the same sale a yearling filly by Apremont from Idalia was passed id, and subsequently Mr Stead offered to take her at IOOOgs in preference to Chantilly at 470 gs. On further consideration, however, Mr Stead again changed his mind, and elected to take Chantilly at the figure named while he made arrangements to lease the filly. As the latter was none other than Pair Nell, the dam of Loyalty, Saracen and Bonnie Scotland, it will be seen that Mr Stead would have made a better bargain if lie had purchased her. Chantilly was not a great success as a racehorse. It is an open secret that he hurt himself across the loins soon after ho was sold, and this always interfered with his hind action. He was a good horse, nevertheless, and had he been sound he would very nearly have won Disowned’s Derby. I think I am right in stating that he was tried to be better than Pair Nell, and as the latter after being interfered with finished close up third, it will be recognised that had Chantilly not broken down in the race he would very nearly have won. A few weeks previously he had defeated Fair Nell in the Sires' Produce Stakes at Geraldine, and the chances arc that he would have at least administered another defeat to the daughter of Idalia. After his break down in tho Derby Chantilly was not seen in public for some time, but when he did make hia re-appearance a year later he won a welter race at the Tattersalls’ Club Meeting and another at the Canterbury Jockey Club's Summer Meeting in fine style, and under huge weights. Then Mr Stead sold him for about 250 gs to J. Webster, who took the horse to the West Coast. There, after a somewhat brief and inglorious career, he went to the stud. Subsequently he found his way to the Waimate district, where he was located at the time of his death. Chantilly, we are told, was insured for £75.

Interest in the New Zealand Cup is increasing materially, and visiting horses are commencing to arrive on the scene of action. Beadonwell, who arrived from the south on Saturday week, is looking well, and if the son of St Clair goes to the post fit he will, I am sure, be dangerous. Pegasus and Impulse got to Riccarton on Saturday and Rangipuhi followed on Tuesday, while Lottie may be expected shortly, and Three-Star and Royal Rose are on their way across from Sydney, and should arrive at head-quarters next week, Pegasus, Rangipuhi and Impulse all appear to be in good health, and the first-named, who was one of my earliest selections, will, I feel certain, run well. Rangipuhi and Impulse are supposed, by their immediate connections, to be stayers, but I myself must

confess to some doubt upon this point; and Royal Rose, by his victory in Sydney, has incurred a penalty of 51b. Since then, however, he has been well supported for this race, so it is evident that the connections of the son of King Cole do not fear the extra weight. Of the local horses Liberator has been eased since his indifferent displays at Ashburton, and one of his legs has been giving trouble. Au Revoir did not start for the Spring Handicap at Plumpton Park on Saturday, in spite of the fact that it was recognised that he was very well treated in that event. His owner stated that he did not care to start his horse on what ho watt pleased to term such bard ground, but as the going was really good, Butler must have had some other reasons. Of ,Au Revoir’s defeat by Prime Warden at-Ash-burton, I do not take much account, as the son of St George was not prepared for the race, while his conqueror had bad-three gallops in public within a week. Clanranald has been going on satisfactorily in hia training lately, and the son of St Leger has evidently worked sounder. Nevertheless I do not fapcyXhe Will stay two miles, and a similar applies to Vogengang, although I must confess that the latter has never, when well, demonstrated his inability to jgqt assistance. Magazine won 'the Spriijg Handicap at Plumpton Pfifck on Saturday in iairly good sty Ik; and previous tqhia victory he was well supported 4or tho '’New Zealand Cop. Still, I fancy Mf Campbell’s horse should have defeated Goodwood more easily than he did, and at present I am not altogether in love with his prospects. I have never con—sidered ArtilleUßA. cup horse, And in the Plying Handi&Jp' , Parkhe did not display amount of pace. He cam of course be relied upon to improve during the next month, but at present I must pass him by. Of the other horses seen in public this season PrimerWarden_. Lady Zetland,Weetmere. Dilemma, Mahaki and Saracen havei not disgraced tihem-celveSy-and are entitled tip as much respect as'hver, but Eoaefeldt, Monte Carlo, Dreamland, RangiateOr, Capti fs Pom Pom, Purepo, Aldershot, Speculator, Leontine, Grenadier, Princess May, Marino, Nixie, Planet, 'Caekefi? <and Solano have all ran more or leas badly, although? of course Rosefeldt and one nr two others may be relied upon to jmptove upon their respective performances.

AUSTRALIAN AND^P^IGN. On August 17 T. Loati& wtrStillat the head offthe grinning horeeineh in England, with'. to htaqferedit outyof > a total 0f.479 mounts. M. Cannon was etill second with 95 wins ont .of 405 rides, and the order of. the other principal riders was as follows: —P. Finlay 60 victories, WJ Bradford £B> S. Loatea 53, P. AUqopp 53, T. J. Calder 46, J, Watts 44, G. Brown 34, S. Chandley 31, Pj Eiekaby 26, A. White 26, E. W. Colling 2*s* G. W. Gough 21, JPagan 17V-G. Barrett 16, J. Woodbura 15, G. Chaloner 14 and H. Toon 14.,

The following are the winning owners the Australian Jockey Club’s Spring/ Meeting J. B. Clark, £2,204; JV Dyke, £1,542; S. H. Gollan, £988; W. Forester,, £696 y P. W. Parches, £578; W. Douglass, £561; C. Parker, £518; W. Kelso, £414; PT H. Osborne, £4JO ; G. Wright, £405 ; Dr J. R> Anderson> ’£4o2; Brown, £377; T. W. Hungerford, £298; H. C. White, £292; A. C. Sandeman, £284; W. Miller, £280; W. A* -Long, £279; G. Ingersole, £264? J, Mayo, £225; J. Fletcher, £212 ; C. White, £150; C. M. Lloyd, £130; S. Fielder, J. Bennefc, E. Keys, D. o’Brien> £IOO eaoh; S. Hordern* J. J. ’M’Manua, Dr Cortis, W, R. Hall, W. Smith, R. Massie, Brennan and” Noake, £SO each ; J. Turnbull, £25; and A; Thofnpson, £2O. .. The following is the breeding of the. four youngsters imported to New South Wales from England bjfMr H-'C. White: —Muta is a filly by Bendigo—Mutir.a, by Wenlock from Modena, by Parmesan from Archeress. Impetus, (colt), by Salisbury —lmpetus, by Voltigeur—lt’s Curious* is related both on the sire’s and dam’s side through Irish Birdcatcher. Salisbury, the sire of Impetus, is by Camballo True Blue, by Oxford out of Smilax, by Windhound, Lady Randolph is a bay filly, by Prince Rudolph—The Lady, by Charibert out of Select, by Thunderbolt. Prince Rudolph is by Prince Charlie— Hester, by Thormanby from Tomyris. is a hay filly by Hazlehatch— Galleon, by Sterling from Typolite, by Toxopholite. Hazelhatcb is by Hermit from Hazledean, by Cathedral from Nutbrush, by Filbert. The following is taken from “ Tflrlinga’s ” notes on the A.J.C. Derbyßonnie Scotland has been stripped of A lot of tho superfluous beef he carried at Mentone,and has not grown ® bit since last year, but although not more than 15‘hands liihj'l should say ho is a good-bodied colt, with a strong staying neck,and if not quite Bo wide over the hips as Loyalty, he still has plenty of power, and a gamer horse no man could desire. A good judge summed Bonnie Scotland up in the following words:—“ A nice level little colt, and probably a good one, but not a smasher.” Probably this gentleman about hit the mark. * * * Percy Martini although ho knew his colt to be backward, was fully satisfied that he would run the distance out better than Nobleman, consequently Morrison had orders to see that the race was not reduced to a spur t home. These he carrie d out to the letter, and they resulted in the early defeat of the favourite and Glenuliin, but playing this game just suited Chesterman. The veteran Martin Gallagher was blamed for not coming sooner. The probabilities are that he could not, and as it was he got to Bonnie Scotland in plenty of time to win, but the Caulfield colt is a thorough bnlldog, and despite hia having been ridden all the way, he took on this fresh antagonist and just managed to hold him in check. It was a soul-stirring struggle for the last 200yds, and the way Bonnie Scotland fought it oat stamps him as a wonderfully generous colt. Of course, there was no sign of a shirk on Ghesterman’a part, but he was the fitter of the two colts. Bonnie Scotland blew like a grampus on pulling up, and, all going well, he will be much fitter when called upon to meet his field atPlemington. Brockleigb, who won the A.J.C. Spring Stakes, beating many of the heat horses in Australia, came (writes " Terlinga ”) into the hands of his present owner (Mr Charles Parker) in. rather a curious way. Brockleigh was bred by Mr B. Chippendale, jun., who a few years ago acted as secretary to the Newcastle Jockey Club. During a race meeting at the coaly town, Brockleigb (then a two year old) was put up for sale on the racecourse; but he created but a poor impression and failed to reach the reserve price, which, if I remember Mr Parker’s story aright, was not more than £SO. Mr Chippendale then decided to raffle the horse tor £2OO in £1 shares. Of course, in a sport-loving community like Newcastle, the money was quickly subscribed. Mr Parker bought four shares —as many as he wanted—but subsequently he took a halfshare in another ticket with a Mr W. Fisher, who after a good deal of pressing, was induced to try his, luck, but only on condition that Mr Parker joined him in the venture. Mr Parker having agreed, a game of Yankee grab was played to determine who should be Brockleigh’a new owner. The four shares originally purchased by Mr Parker turned out worthless, but with the half-and-half share he and his partner were more fortunate—it carried off the prize. Brockleigb shaped well in training, and after winning two small stakes in Newcastle he ventured to Sydney, and was again successful, his victory bringing forth an offer of £3OO, which was refused. Naturally Mr Fisher was well satisfied with the result of his investment, but as he did not take much interest in racing, he was anxious to dissolve the partnership and convert his half of Brockleigb into ready money; so having pulled off another good race, Mr Parker bought Mr Fisher’s share for £SOO. Brockleigb thus cost his present owner £504 10a, at which figure he was a bargain, for a few months afterwards Mr Parker won the A.J.C. Epsom Handicap with him and several thousand pounds in bets. Brockleigb is engaged in the Caulfield Cup at 9st Gib, and tho Melbourne Cup at Oat 21b. At the conclusion of the Australian Jookoy Club’s spring meeting '* Terlinga ” wrote in the Australasian as follows:

The four 4&ys* racing at Eandwick cannot be said- to have thrown much light on .the thr'ee-year-old form. When Bonnie- Scotland won the Derby his admirers had apparent grounds for thinking that his winning a race'in' which he had to do all the work— i.e., make nearly all the running—when palpably short of condition, might be taken to mean that six weeks hence, when thoroughly fit, he { would prove a good (.three year bid.' This impression was rudely shaken by the Colt’s miserable display in the" Biennial Stakes. Admitting that Nobleman-did not show in histrue colours 1 in the Derby, and was meeting Mr Gollan’a colt on 71b better terms over a distance better suited to his powers, still Bonnie Scotland's form through Cobbitty did not work out correctly. On the other hand Oobbifcty, meeting Ohesterman on 61b worse terms, reversed the Derby running, and thus added to the complication. Walter Hickenbotham told me before the Biennial Stakes that his colt was all the better for his Derby gallop, and would again run into a place; but’whereas Bonnie Scotland beat him seven!/ or eight lengths in the Derby, here there} were six lengths the other way, a most re-'s markable difference in form. For my own part I think Bonnie Scotland was the horse to blame for this extraordinary contradiction. How to account for the discrepancy is the. next thing to consider. ' Perhaps running a severe race when not sufficiently fit to stand such a strain took all the steel oat of the colt and rendered him unfit to show at his best on tbe Thursday. Then, again, the Biennial Stakes was run after a heavy shower of rain, which had rendered the ground rather greasy. Bonnie made a bad slip when taking his preliminary-,/and it is just possible that he did not find the ground to his liking in the race. For six furlongs he ran like catching Nobleman, but at the far turn he ,went all to pieces, and dropped right out of the race in a hundred yards. I have not seen Percy Martin to ask him how be accounts for the collapse of bis colt; consequently I can only state my own ideas, but I feel snre that Bonnie Scotland did not show anything approaching his true form in Nobleman's race, and this being so I am still hopeful of his retrieving hia character before the spring meetings are over.

SPOTTING BEEVITIES. Pennine out of training. Lgdy Thornton is f&r sale in Auckland. Jt Poole, the well-kntrwttibookmaker, is again ill. Malvolio has been .suffering from an ulcerated jaw. Bay Belle,who is not very well,, is-being treated to a rest. In South Africa the totalisatora pay out on all the placed horses. Golden Fleece quitefailed to act in the heavy going at -Hastings. . -V Idalia’d foal by Dreadnought is stated to Vfe a fine looking youngster. Three Star is in very bad odour in Auckland for the Now Zealand Cup. Marino is stated ;$o he an extremely vicious horse and a b&d kicker. won the A,J:C. Oaks, is to be treated to a six months’ rest. Albatross, the dam of MergafKer, has produced filly.foal to Cuirassier. The report that Skirmisher is amiss has been denied by the horse's trainer. The distance of the Ashburton Stakes has been increased to six furlongs. Theftdeath is announced of the stallion Chantilly, by Apremont—Miss Flat. It is stated that Wakawatea will be brought back to New Zealand shortly. Chesterman won the Eandwick Plate easily, and is stated to be a great stayer. It is»rnmoured;ithat if Norton is takento England, Kimberley will go with him. The owner of Eangipnhl has taken 1000 to 40 about his horse for the New Zealand Cup. The North Otago Jockey Club's Spring Meeting will be commenced at Oamaru today. St Kilda is described as a very muscular though not handsome horse, with capital ends. Arquebus, by Martini-Henry —Acme, .recently won a couple of races at Johannesburg. Golden Fleece, in charge of G. Mathews, returned to Eiocarton from Napier on Saturday. T. Loates rode Ladas in the St Leger, M. Cannon steered Throstle, and Watts Matchbox. Forme, a good judge states, would havewon the Hawke’s Bay Guineas on wet or dry ground. Sir George Clifford’s mare, Alsace, has produced a colt to Stony hurst, whom she again visits. The Canterbury Jockey Club has, agreed to support the formation of a New Zealand Jockey Club. It is reported that Mrs JarflCa White will send a shipment of blood stock to England shortly. Liberator has been absent from the track for some days, and one of his legs is stated to have filled badly. Mr F. Busch has decided to send his mares. Adieu and Eebecca to St George,and Spec to Apremont. The first race—a match-run on the* Fleming ton racecourse was decided on Friday, March 3,1840. The Victoria Eacing Club has decided to tender a complimentary meeting to Lord Hopetoun on March 23. Jeweller is to be mated with about fifteen mares this season. He will then be put into training sgaln. Wedlock was badly ridden in the Hack Eace at Plumpton Park, otherwise he would very nearly have won. All Major George’s mares, with the exception of The Maid and Vendetta, will this season visit The Workman.

Frailty, the dam of Trenton and Zalinski, has foaled a dead colt to St Leger. This is indeed bad fortune for Mr Morrin.

The connections of Projectile wen a large stake by the victory of the son of Chester in the A. J,C. Metropolitan Stakes. Acmena, the winner of the A.J.C. Oaks; is about 14 hands lin, and Hirondelle, who finished third, stands 14 bands 2in, Mr Oatley, who is about to sail for England, has decided to sell the Warwick farm (New South Wales) racecourse. A big offer was refused for Euroka during the Australian Jockey Club’s meeting, but his owner preferred to keep him. Leita, the dam of Musket, has foaled a colt to Cap-a-pie. This is the first foal which the mare has produced for five years. Euenalf was sent to the stud after his accident in the spring of 1892, and last year, his owner says, he served forty mares.

B. Lunn has sold Cajolery to Mr Studholme, of Waimate, for stud purposes, and the son of Flattery left for his new home last week;

Members of the Canterbury Jockey Club are evidently very much in favour of the stand accommodation at Riccarton being increased.

Mr A. Davis, the representative in Sydney of Mr L. D. Nathan, has informed « Terlinga ” that he thinks St Hippo will race again. Waterbaby, by Apremont—Watarspnte, took first prize for thoroughbred mares of any age at the Hawke's Bay Show; Leonora was second. , , , The English-bred Bill of Portland, by St Simon, has been entered for various events at the Victoria Racing Clubs Spring Meeting. . _ , . Woodlander, who won . the Hawke a Bay Welcome Stakes is stated to be a good looking colt, but almost too forward for the time of year. - . . , . Sir George Clifford is of opinion that a New Zealand Jockey Club will assist materially to diminish the abuses of tha turf. Hear, hear! . ... , Spruce, by Neckersgat—-Mantima, who finished unplaced in the Nursery Handicay at Hawke’s Bay. is stated to be a nice looking filly. The whole of Mr John Crozier’s horses are to bo offered for sale in Adelaide this month, Mr Ciozier is also going to sell his stables and land. A contemporary which stated that Johnny Faulkner was to be taken to Palmerston North was. wrong. The horse is located at Timatu. _ North Atlantic’s victory in the Spring Handicap, at Eastings, was not altogether,

anticipated by bis connections. Mr Orxnow had only £5 ou his horse, . At the Hawke’s Bay Show the first pm in the class for thoroughbred geidkigs wa won by Mr W. Douglas with a two-yeaS old by Torpedo—Christina. ... Strath Braan appears to have settw< down somewhat during the wi:nte: t. a> has certainly thickened a good deal, ana i evidently in capital health. Ormuz/a stallion by Band Or, one of tni large -shipment of horses sent from Eng land to-. America recently, died on tb vgyage from kidney disease. Alcestis won the Kindergarten StakeSi decided at Plumpton Park bn_ Saturday and the filly is a capital advertisement Ml her young‘sire. Master George. Derrett rode the winner of the first three races at Plumpton Park on Saturday, In addition to this he trained Strath Braan, who won the first event. Goodwood overpowered hia rider.in : the earlier Stages of the race for the Plumpton Park Spring Handicap, otherwise be would have finished nearer the winner.. Magazine is in capital health just now, but be hardly impressed tbs onlookers on Saturday as being a cup horse. The MB of Bt Georpe is a trifle baokw«3E*- >,fe; "-‘’ Mr C. Hood-Williams would like to see a New Zealand Jockey Club formed only if five-sixths of the votes of tbe various clubs are in favour of thescheme. C. Maidment, who, as long ago as 1872, rode Cremorne to victory in the Derby and again in 1876 was successful on Kisber, is still riding occasionally in England. By his victory in the Sydney Handicap at tbe Australian Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting, Boyal Bose has incurred a penalty of 51b for the New Zealand Cap. The train arrangements for the Plumpton Park Meeting on Saturday were very indifferent. Those who patronised tbe railway did not reach town until 6.30 p.m. - , When the flag fell for the Kindergarten Stakes run at Plumpton Park on Saturday, Cannon Ball, the favourite, dislodged hia rider, and of course took no part in the race. It is stated that Mrs (James White received a cablegram from America recently asking her to put a price on Martini-Henry, and that her reply was SOOOgs. The« New Zealand-bred Cheviot was the most successful sire at the Washington Park meeting Jjiis stock having won £6BOO duffing the twenty-five days of the meeting. Cannon Bail, who was made favourite (or the kindergarten Stakes ran at Plumpton Park* ; on v Saturday, is perhaps the best , looking of Chain Shot’s progeny seen on a racecourse, , is quite ready to see tho-h&me of the proposed central Jockey Club altered from the New Zealand Jockey Club" to Ithe Council of the Associated Club's'of New Zealand.

As regards the formation of a New Zealand Jockey Club, Mr G. G. Steadis in favour of the scheme, but does not think it swould b&wise for the dissentient clubs to be forced into open opposition. .At thfc Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral; Show Jetd’Ean defeated Draadnought, Mousquetaire and Natator ia the order named in the champion class for thoroughbred stallions. Wonderful! Mr'vJ. Stephenson, who was in Sydney last month, was prevented by an attack of gout froth being present at the Australian Jockey Club's Spring Meeting. Mr Stephenson has since returned home. At the (special general meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club on Tuesday, Bit George Clifford, paade a very able speech in supporbbH' his resolution in favonr-of the formation of a New Zealand Jockey Clnb. One Of'the best judges of racing in the colofiy states that, Westmere excepted* be did.'not see a horse at the Hawks's Bay Meeting that is likely to play aft important part in the New Zealand Cup. W,iißradford, the well-known English light-weight horseman, caught a chill when riding at Lewes and serious internal inflammation set in. When the last mail left Bradford although improving, was , still very ill. £ Cremorne did not run after the first of the Australian Jockey Club's Spring Meeting. He is supposed to, have ricked his back about a fortnight before the meeting, and he has been turned out of training for a time. The respective owners of Patron and Nobleman were asked for explanations of their horses’ running at the Australian Jockey Club's Spring Meeting. The stewards expressed themselves quite satis- ~ fied in each instance. 11 Mazeppa ” states that a friend of his, who knows what ha is talking about, has been on a visit to Eiccarton,and maintains that the only horses trained there who possess a chahce in the New Zealand Gap are Vogengang and Magazine. _ , Sylvia Park, the full brother to Hippomenes, is stated to have been on the big side when he made dihut at the Eangitikei Meeting, and he ia expected to win a good race tbis season. An offer of £B6O was, it is reported, refused for him. The Hon J.D. Ormond took first prize at the Hawkers Bay Show in the class for S” ig colts with a half brother to Woodby Dreadnought. Captain Bussell took first prize in the class for fillies with -a youngster by Henchman—Falconet. Flying Artillery, who finished third in the Kindergarten Stakes decided at the Plumpton Park Eacing Club’s Spring Meeting on Saturday, is a big slashing son of Artillery and Credulity. With ordinary luck, he should win a good race this season. In the Second Steeplechase at the Australian Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting Mutiny struck a fence hard, and Hope made a miraculous recovery, for which he was wildly cheered from both sides of the course as his horse cantered home four lengths infront of Prodigal. At Plumpton Park, on Saturday, Stratford made his first appearance in the saddle, after his compulsory retirement. He made a rather inglorious commencement, however, as Cannon Ball, for whom he weighed out for the Kindergarten Stakes, dislodged him when the flag fell. , An action brought by Mr Eeuben Bcnham against Mr John Corlett, proprietor of the Sporting Times, tor comments contained in that journal upon certain proceedings at Warwick, in February, in connection'with -the running of Soy lift and Joe Miller in the Spa Handicap, has been withdrawn by|the plaintiff. , The Auckland bookmakers have accepted the position forced on.them by the Gaming Bill, and have signed an agreement which binds them to lay nothing bat fixed prices. According to the bond the bookmaker who is found laying machine odds will have to forfeit £lO to Auckland Tattersail’s Club. _ . The American Jockey Club has recently passed a very practical rule, which provides that all bookmakers shall, upon demand of the stewards of any. meeting, immediately surrender their bettmg-sheets to them. Any failure to comply with this rule will subject the bookmaker so offending to certain penalties'mentioned in thi American Eules of Eacing. . , Martindalo, by Martini-Henry from. La ' Princesse, one of the horses sent to England by the late Mr James White, is racing in India. At Colombo last month he. ran third to Master Walter and Whirabral for the Governor’s Cup. He was unplaced to Norbert, Tantallon and Whimbrel in the Turf Club Plate, and failed again in the Fort Plate Handicap, won by Taatillon, with Whimbrel second.

Chestermah, like so many good stayers, is a very idle colt, and before the Australian Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting his sides bore evidence of severe visitations of the spurs. T. Payten thinks him more like Chester than any of his other sons, but says he has not such a good hind leg. la another respect he differs from Chester, and this is to his advantage. He has not that extravagant way of using his forelegs when galloping. . , At the annual meeting of tha members pf the Takapuna Jockey Club the report showed the net profits to be £SSS,I£g <A receipts being .£2911, and the expenditure 5 452578. The cause of the year s success U owing to the club having held only two meetings as against'three previously. The stakes paid away amounted to £1478, M against .£2OOO last year. The report nad balance-sheet were adopted, and the ofit* going oomxnittoo wwft