SPORTING NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXXII, Issue 10511, 23 November 1894, Page 2

SPORTING NOTES.

{Canterbury Times.) The arrangements for working the totalisators at Eiccarton during the spring meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club do not seem to have given satisfaction. A good deal of grumbling was indulged in during the progress of the meeting, and, according to various contemporaries, visitors from other portions of the colony have been complaining rather freely. As a contributor to this paper stated last week, the authorities of the Canterbury Jockey Club have spent a good deal of time and money in efforts to obtain a satisfactory plan for the working of their totaliaatore. They certainly have done a good deal, but a largo proportion of what .they have accomplished has been in the wrong direction. So much so‘Have their efforts been misplaced that it is questionable if the working of the machines gives such great satisfaction as it did ten years ago. The system now in use is bad. It is misleading, and to many people exceedingly puzzling. The general public, whan investing money on a horse, like to be given some indication that the investment has been registered. Under the present system it is impossible for a backer to tell whether or hot his money has been rung on. But this is perhaps only a minor drawback. The weak spot in the system is that money has to be rang on to the central register after the race has started. This, of course, ia the chief drawback in connection with all totalisators, but it was, perhaps, more apparent at Eicearton tne other day than it used to be. A few seconds before the bell rang a backer left the machine satisfied that the horse which he bad supported would, if it won, return a dividend of say .£6. On the dividend being posted he found, in many instances, that the dividend was not more than say £3 10s, the decrease being brought about by large commissions which could not be rung on the central machine until after the race had started. It must be admitted, of coarse, that it is much easier to pick holes in the system than to suggest a means whereby the weak points may be strengthened. That there are weak points is only too evident and the management will doubtless make fresh endeavours to remedy the defects.

Very few breeders in New Zealand attempt what is known as scientific breeding. Until the last few years it has been the custom for owners to send their mares to the nearest stallion, irrespective of whether or not their blood is likely to nick well. O.f late years there have been a few instances of breeders sending mares on a journey to visit a certain stallion, but the choice of the horse has generally been made because he is successful at the stud, and not because of any theories which the owner may possess. Some owners perhaps study the problem of scientific breeding, but they are few. The greater majority send their mares to a fashionable stallion and trust to luck. Perhaps, however, the latter are not so unwise as they may at first seem. It does not altogether follow because certain crosses have been successful in England, that out here, where the conditions of the climate are so altered, these crosses will be productive of similar results. They,of course, may be successful, but at the same time it does not follow as a matter of course. Under the circumstances, therefore, breeders may not be so very greatly at fault if they fail to breed from what is described as a scientific point of view. But what they should do is to study the characteristics of their mares and send them to stallions who are strong where the mares are weak. A mare coming from a family possessing bad legs should, of course, be sent to a stallion whose ancestors have been noted for their soundness and so on. The weak point about breeding in New Zealand is that so few people attempt to breed for the future. Very few are, of course, in the position to do eo, a circumstance which is much to be deplored. With but few exceptions those who breed thoroughbreds have to do so for immediate profit. They must breed a foal which will come to hand quickly to be ready for sale as a yearling or at anyrate, be quite ready to be broken in for racing purposes. It is only a minority which can afford to breed, say, from an unfashionable horse in the hopes of in a generation or two building up a sound, stout race of horses. In England, for instance, Apremont would be largely used to breed from for the express purpose of procurifigfillioa by him. The success of his daughters at the stud has been nothing short of _ phenomenal, and owners and breeders will do

well to remember that the son of Mortemer is not growing’ younger every day. Apremont has gone out of fashion here because his stock have gained the reputation of being difficult to handle when in training. This may be so, and in a iarge number of instances is actually the case. But if breeders would remember that a daughter of Apremont, ev#n if absolutely worthless as a racehorse, is a small gold mine at the stud, they would breed for the future and patronise the Prenchbred horse. The orogeny of Apremont may be light hearted, or, if his detractors like it better, bad-tempered, but the weakness does not appear to be transmitted to the third generation. On the contrary, Apremont’a grandchildren are most temperate animals, and they all seem to have inherited the courage, pace and soundness which is characteristic of their race The success of the daughters of Apremont at the stud baa indeed been wonderful, and they appear to nick well with all descriptions of blood. The oldest of them are only eleven years of ago, and already they have given us tha following winners:—Loyalty, Bonnie Scotland, Saracen, Alpine, Mount Boyai, St Sierra, loh Dien, Geraint, Golden Fleece, Watchword, Safeguard, Philson, Nixie, Chaos, Neroli, Reflection and others. The above horses have between them won the A.J.C. and Great Northern Darbies, the C.J.C. Piret Challenge Stakes, the C.J.C. Oaks Stakes, the A.J.C. Biennial Stakes, the A.J.C. Spring Stakes, the A.J.C. Craven Plate, the V.E.C. Melbourne Stakes, the V.E.O. Plying Stakes, tha C.J.C. Welcome Stakes, tha D.J.C. Champagne Stakes, while leh Dien finished second in the New Zealand Cup—a great performance for a three - year - old filly, and the record breaking performances of Safeguard and Golden Fleece are still fresh in the minds of everybody. Daughters of Aprsmont have shown that they nick well with all classes of stallions, but especially with those possessing St George and Muskst blood. Breeders should not forget this, and they will be acting wisely if, each year, they attempt to bread a few Apremont fillies.

SPORTING BREVITIES. Pinroae is in steady work again. Indolence has foaled a filly to St Clair. The field for the Otago Cap will he very small. Chaos served one or two mares last season. Challenger ran unkindly in the Maribyrnong Plate. Harkaway has been taken over to the West Coast. Chainlink has been sold to a North Island breeder. Dreamland was sore when he ran in the Melbourne Cup. J. Loughlin, the Dunedin trainer, has filed his schedule. Nominations for the Ashburton Stakes close on Saturday. Throstle, the winner of the Doncaster St Leger, was born blind. Arihi, who won the Maribyrnong Plate, was foaled on August 1. Escapade, the sister to Chesterman, is always more or less lame. Lottie will not run in the Otago Cup, in which she was well treated. Arihi, the winner of the Maribyrnong Plate, cost 300 gs as a yearling. R. Bradford, who trains Patron, learned his business with I. Foulsbam. It is stated that an American breeder ia making inquiries after Vanguard. Hippomanes has not accepted for the Otago Cup, but Prime Warden has. Diomed, the winner of the first English Derby, was imported to America in 1799. Casket will probably be sent to Auckland to run in the Great Northern Derby. The father of Dawes, the rider of Patron, won the Melbourne Cup on Banker in 1863. Rosary, the dam of Calculus and Aquarius, has this season visited Carbine. H. Piper will act as starter at the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s Summer Meeting. Mr Stead has sold the two-year-old colt Popgun to Mr G. Ellis, of Hawke’s Bay. Liberator has been turned out for a rest. The old son of Betrayer has earned it well. When Paris stumbled in the Melbourne Cup he nearly threw Feilder out of the saddle. D. O’Brien has won the Otago Cup twice—-with Freedom in 1890 and Florrie in 1891. The price paid for Bowshot was SOgs. The son of Maxim has gone to the Hawera district. Dilemma, who displayed signs of lameness recently, will not tun again until the autumn. The death is announced from London of Mr Bruce Low, who took Stromboli to America. G. Wright, the Auckland trainer, has leased Sylvia Park, the full brother to Hippomeues. Georgie Sharp has changed hands, Mr J. A. Holmes having purchased her from Mr T. Bassett. The price which Chainlink was sold for was £4O. The son of Ch&inshot cost £420 as a yearling. The dowager Duchsss of Montrose, bettor known in racing circles as “Mr Manton," is dead. Arihi, the name of the winner of the Maribyrnong Plate, ia the Maori name which applies to Alice. It is stated that for eight weeks before ho ran in the Caulfield Guineas, Dreamland never ate up a feed. It is stated that Safeguard will be sent to Auckland-to run in the Great Northern Foal Stakes next month. W. Clark and Barry are both going over to the West Coast shortly to ride at the various meetings there.

A oyndicate of Wellington railway employes won four cash prizes in Tattersall’s sweep on the Melbourne Cup. During the years 1891, 1892, 1893 and 1894, the horses owned by Mr W. E. Wilson won, in stakes, ,£27,511.. Preston, who won the Spring Stakes on the fourth day of the V.R.C. Spring Meeting only cost 40gs as a yearling. The racing on the first day of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting does not promise very satisfactorily. During the two years the Otago Cup was run over a mils and three-quarters the distance was covered in 3min 9-jsec. The heaviest weight 'ever carried to victory in the Otago Cup was last year, when Prime Warden won under Bst 111 b. Ben Godfrey was a good deal injured in the scramble in the run off of the dead boat in the City Handicap at Auckland. The 9st 3lb which Patron carried in the Melbourne Cup is the heaviest weight under which any four-year-old has won the race. The attendance at Plemington on Melbourne Cup day is calculated to have been 60,000, or about 7000 less than last year. The yearling colt Cartridge, by Carbine, which D. O’Brien purchased last week, is out of St Odille by St Albans, from Prioress. The death is announced of Moss Bose, by Cassivelaunus—Eoseneath, who died foaling to First King. The foal—a colt—likewise died. Paris stumbled badly at the top turn in the Melbourne Cup and interfered slightly frith Patron, who, however, suffered no inconvenience. Some telegraph operators at Wellington, who last year drew The Jeweller in the Melbourne Cup Sweep, this year drew two ,f non-starters.” Johnny Martin is being tried over hurdles. He shapes well; and so does Lord of Misrule, another aspirant for jumping honours. At the Doncaster autumn sales a colt, by Ayrshire from the New Zealand bred mare Cartridge, by Musket from Eosalie, was sold for 350 gs. Mr W. T. Jones’s two horses which ran in the Melbourne Cup—Lord Eandolphand Capstan, cost between them 3900 gs in purchase money alone. It is reported in Auckland that cash bookmakers were laying totalisator odds very freely at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting. There is a two-year-old half-brother, by Escutcheon, to The Harvester. He belongs

to Mr S. Miller, who was fortunate enough to acquire him for 45gs. A new racing club has been formed, called the Christchurch Racing'Club. Its first meeting will be held on the New Brighton Racecourse on Dec. 17.

Mr G. G. Stead has purchased from E. Cutta the yearling colts by Chainehot — Nautilus and by Medallion—-Dudu. The price paid for the pair was 300 p. Legerdemain, the dam ,of St Mslo, and Lady Gertrude, the dam of Blizzard and Euroclydon, have foaled to St Clair—the former a filly and the latter a colt. Merganser’s full-brother, Elswiek, broke a blood-vessel when running- in the Coburg Stakes on tbo first day of the Victoria Racing Club’e Spring Meeting. At the Mentone (Victoria) Race Meeting on Nov. 2, Ilium Sat 11b, by Albany, won the Plying Handicap, and Mr.tai 9st 71b, by StLeger, the Welter Handicap. No jockey has ridden the winner of the Otago Cup more than once. * White, Leoson, Derrett, Donovan and P, Cochrane have been up ou the various winners.

It is anticipated that when all has been settled the late T. Corrigan’s wife and children will have a safo and permanent income from the fund of about JBBO a year. Since tbo distance of the Otago Gup has been reduced to a mile and a half the fastest time for the race is that registered by Plorrie in 1891, viz., 2min 39iKec. Strath Braan has been taken home to hia owner’s place for a rest. He is being hacked about, and the other day was walking down Colombo Street "as quietly as possible. Gatwick racecourse was originally a dairy farm, the proprietor of which bad an idea that he could pump the milk through pipes to London, and thus save the cost of carriage. The prize money won by Mr Ayre, of Ofcaki, in Tatfceroall’s consultation on the Melbourne Cup, amounts to £1125, but three other residents of Otaki held a quarter share in the prize.

A. Smith, who trained British Lion when be won the New Zealand Cup and trained Wakawatea, and rode him in the majority of his two-year-old engagements, died in the Christchurch Hospital on Sunday. J. Wsttie, who was one of the best horsemen in New Zealand ten or twelve years ago, is thinking of commencing riding again. Wattie rode the winners of most of the important races decided in the colony. Dawes, who rode Patron to victory in the Melbourne Cup, is only seventeen years of age. He rodo the winner of the Port Adelaida Cup when ho was twelve years old, and last season he rode Portsea and Patron in all their victorias.

Pumau, when running in the Hurdle Eace at Mentone (Victoria), on Nov. 2, fell and fractured ono of bis hind legs.* He was destroyed. Only a few months ago Mr Gollau gave J 2225 for the son of Eemmington who had not won a race for him. Arihi’s time for the Maribyrnong Plato —lmin 2Jsee —has never been beaten in the race, but lolantbo, who won in 1883, registered a similar time record, and Necklet, the winner of 1888,was only a quarter of a second slower in running the five furlongs.

The Otago Cup was inaugurated in 1889, when it was known as the Exhibition Cup. It was worth 1500 sovs, and was run over a mile and three-quarters. In 1890 the value was reduced to 500 sova, and in 1892 the distance was decreased to a mile and a half.

It ia intended to adopt permanently Gray’s starting machine at Forbury, six of these having been purchased to be used in all fhe races save two throughout the spring meeting. The exceptions are the hurdle race on the first day and the President’s Handicap on the third day. In thirty-four Melbourne Cup races only seven favourites have won. Among the winners one started at 100 to 1 ; three at 50 to 1 ; one at 40 to 1; two at 33 to 1 ; three at 20 to 1; ono at 18 to 1; two at 16 to 1; ono at 14 to 1; one at 12 to.l; and four at 10 to one. Which makes nineteen rank-outsiders among thirty-four winners. A curious feature in connection with the Doncaster St Leger is that, ever since Seabreeze won in 1888, the race has alternately fallen to a colt and a filly, for Donovan succeeded the late Lord Calthorpe’a mare ; then came Memoir, who is divided from her own sister. La Flecbe, by Common, and now we have a half-sister to the last-named succeeding Isinglass. As the horses running in the Melbourne Cup were turning into the straight Devon, who was on the outside, closed in and bumped against Nada, who rolled on to Taranaki, and the last-named, who was lying on Euenalf’s quarters, bumped the favourite on to the rails. Moran's boot was torn, and the rider thinks that, but for the mishap, Euenalf would have won. The starting-machine will (says the Sydney Bulletin take 13 per cent off starter Watson’s lease of purgatory. It will enable him to presently swear off swearing. On Saturday, for probably the first time in the world, the manner of a start was rapturously applauded. The Derby horses left the line like automata, haunch to haunch and neck to neck. The lawn and hill and flab clapped honest admiration, a thing seldom known on a racecourse. Mr Byron Moore, secretary Victoria Eaoing Club, much to the disgust of a crowd of other hangers-on, has (says the Sydney Bulletin ) expunged the names of 192 bogus pressmen who in former years gob free prees-tickeio for the four days’ racing. It’s scarcely creditable, but one mean Canadian had for years got pressbox tickets for Victoria race meetings as representative of Arizona Kicker ! Another travelled as the Colorado Clarion —both alleged papers being mere myths, invented by certain ’Murksn humourists. This meeting, anyhow, genuine pressmen were allowed to see something from the pressbox at Flemington.

The Sydney Bulletin gives the following eight reasons why the totalisator should supersede the bookmaker in Australia:— (1) Because the tota lays the highest odds. (2) Because it never climbs over the nearest fence when the time comes to pay out. (8) Because he never needs to lay short odds so as to buy a diamond pin and a 36-carat watch and chain. (4) Because the tote is indifferent as to the ultimate winner, and never needs to dose up the favourite in the interest of the “bag.” (5) Because the machine doesn’t own and run horses, (6) Because the percentage profits go to the clubs and, through increased stakes, back to the public. (7) Because wherever it has been tried the machine baa purified racing and protected the legitimate owner. (8) Because it has led to the extinction of the turf middleman, the " bookie,” and diverted hundreds of pounds from his pocket to the charities by banding its fractions to benevolent institutions.

Under the provisions of the new Gaming Act it is possible to have another country club in Canterbury, and a new club has been formed in Christchurch, called the Christchurch Racing Club. Tho new club will bold its inaugural meeting on the New Brighton Racecourse, on Dec. 17 —Anniversary Day—and the following gentlemen have promised to act as stewards: —Sir George Clifford, Messrs A. Boyle, T. Chapman, G. P. Martin, F. Graham, H. A. Knight, H. Nelson, P. H. Pyne, G. HoodWilliama, W. P. Buckley and P. Campbell. Messrs Garforth and I). Rutherford have been communicated with but have not yet had time to answer. Messrs Henry and H. Piper will act aa handioapper and starter respectively, and Mr Wanklyn will combine the positions of honorary treasurer and honorary secretary. All the offices will, it may he remarked, be honorary. The sum of .£285 will be given away in stakes, and the programme will bo as follows Hurdle Race of 35 sovs, one mile and a half; Maiden Plate, of 25 sovs, one mile; Christchurch Racing Club Handicap, of 75 sovs, one mile and a quarter; Nursery Handicap, of 40 sovs, for two-year-olds, five furlongs 5 Welter Handicap, of 35 sovs, one mile; Selling Race, of 30 sovs, six furlongs; Plying Handicap, of 45 sovs, five furlongs. Nominations for tne various

handicaps will close at the offices of the Canterbury Jockey Club on D® c * *• Handicaps will be due on Dec. 10, and acceptances and entries for the Maiden Plate and Selling Race will close on Deo. 14. Arrangements have been made whereby people will be carried by *9 and from the course, and will be admitted to the course at a total cost of 2s. Ihe admission to the grand stand will be os, but ladies will be admitted free. INEERPROVINCIAL GOSSIP. Auckland, Nov. 20. The authorities of the Auckland Racing Club are somewhat concerned at a statement current to the effect that bookmakara were laying totalieator odds extensively on the whole three days of the CanterburyJockey Club’s meeting notwithstanding that the offence is now punishable by imprisonment. If “tote’’ betting was so rampant at Eiccarton as it is said to have been, the Canterbury Jockey Club authorities could scarcely have remained ignorant of it. There will, lam told, be no winking at the offence should Ellerslie be invaded by tbo penciliers next month, and it is certain that if ony of their number offend they will be prosecuted. Ben Godfrey suffered a nasty injury to his off stifle and hind leg, above the hook, when ho was bumped on to the rails while contesting the City Handicap, and he haa not since been seen out. It will be a great pity if there is anything seriously wrong with the son of St Leger, as J. B. Williameon has made a wonderful improvement in him.

We will, I fancy, have to wait a long time for the New Zealand Cup to have such a pronounced Auckland ring about it as was the case with this years race. Impulse, the winner, is owned and was bred in this district. Lottie, who acted as runner up, as also her sire and dam, has a similar record, while the sire and dam'of Aldershot, the third horse, were also bred in Auckland.

It would be a relief to Auckland owners if Bluefire’s name was missing from the list of candidates for the Great Northern Derby, for the presence of the daughter of Maxim will sure to affect the number of starters.

I heard to-day that Safeguard will probably be sent up to contest the Great Northern Foal Stakes. Should Sir George Clifford decide to send the daughter of Teredo it will be the means of infusing much additional interest into the race.

There is some talk of Grenadier being transferred to J. Kean’s establishment.

H. Howe, who has been training Mr Forbes’s horses. First Nelson, Heart of Oak and others, has, I understand, severed his connection with the Takapnna establishment.

A well-known rider, who is stated to have ridden unfairly daring the Auckland Meeting, is likely to find himself on the disqualification list before long if he is not very careful. I understand that his conduct has been before the authorities of the Auckland Eacing Club, and from what has transpired it is quite plain that he will have a bad time should circumstances arise to land him before the Stewards.

The Nordenfeldt mare Hazel, whose daughter Hazelmera won the Nursery Handicap at the Auckland Eacing Club’s meeting recently, is, I think, the first granddaughter of Musket to claim winning distinction at the stud.

The following foalinga are announced s —Yataghan, by Nordenfeldt— Tattaoy, a filly to St Leger; Veneration, by Patriarch, a filly to Castor; Moilena, by Patriarch—Eosabelle, a colt to Hotchkiss; Lilac, by Loolinus—Leila, a oolt by Cuirassier; Bewarewa, by Hippocampus— Escape, a colt to Begel. The Avondale Jockey Club holds its spring meeting on Dec. 7. Mr Knight has declared the following weights for the Cup; one mile and a quarter?—St Hilda 9st 101 b, Boyal Bose 9st 71b, First Nelson 7et 121 b, Grenadier, 7st 101 b, Ida 7st 91b, Annabelle 7st 21b, Eve 7st, Haria 6st 71b. The weather has been so tempestuous here for the past week that very little of interest has been done at Elleralie. Pegasus, Three Star, Lottie, Impulse and Boyal Bose have returned from the south, and the cool state of the weather will assist in recruiting their health. People cannot quite understand George Wright leasing Sylvia Park. The son of St Leger is well known and is bound to be well watched.

Matters in Auckland sporting circles are at present in a very dull state, and we are all awaiting with much interest the declaration of the weights for the Auckland Cap iand Steeplechase, which are doe to make their appearance on Deo. 7.

Dunedin, Not. 20. Eighteen months ago, and up to the time of Mr S. Powell’s death, a suggestion that at the spring meeting in 1894 of the Dunedin Jockey Club the starting machine would be seen at work on the Forbury racecourse would probably have bean scouted, and the person giving utterance to it would have been coolly informed that he was visionary. And yet the ocular demonstration to prominent members of the Dunedin Jockey Club of the satisfactory starting performed by Gray's machine at Eiceartoa, following upon the favourable reports received from the other side, has brought it about that at the approaching meeting the up-to-date starter- will be employed for every race but the first one on the opening day of the meeting, for every race on the card on the second day, and for every race but one on the concluding day. Arrangements have been made for the purchase of six of Gray’s machines and Mr George Ellis, to whom, I believe, the New Zealand rights belong, has arrived in Dunedin to superintend the erection of the machines, which are to be permanent fixtures, and he is also to be entrusted with the starting with them at the meeting. The only events for which the machine will not be employed will be the Hurdle Pace, of two miles and a distance, on the opening day, and the President’s Handicap, o! one mile and a furlong, on the third day of the meeting. “ Malua,” in the Taieri Advocate, recommends that the Dunedin* Jockey Club should renounce the Pacing Conference and all its works—that it should decline any longer to recognise . government by, conference. , To prevent Casket from hanging out it has been determined to train him in blinkers. The St Clair—Gitana filly has received the name of Arline. The very poor acceptances for the first day’s racing next week may be said to have already largely destroyed the interest in the meeting. John Longhlin has filed a declaration of insolvency.