TURF GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 719, 5 March 1866, Page 5

TURF GOSSIP.

Sikce the result of the Canterbury races became known in Auckland. there has been little or nothing going on in the sporting world to causo gov very especial interest here. T\ r e have the promise; however, of two provincial meetings to take place shortly, one at Tauranga, and tho other the Garrison Hunt Meeting, at Howick. The Tauranga meeting next month gives one little to write about. Ko doubt it will ensure tho attendance of a goodly number of local equine celebrities, but the stakes to be competed for vrill be hardly sufficiently remunerative to tempt any of the Auckland houses to put in an appearance. The Hamilton races, I regret to perceive, hardly proved as successful as might have been expected, arising principally from tho fact of the small number of entrances in the first instanco, and then the withdrawal of several intending competitors through accident or vrant of condition. "It is an ill wind that blows nobody p,00d," however, and in this instance ISuma and his sporting owner were the favoured ones, a result that few will regret. "Wcka, thanks to the good riding of Mr. Robinson, did manage to null off the Steeplechase, but found a tough antagonist in Boeket, -which it is said if only half as well ridden would have wrested the 1 victory from him. Notwithstanding the badness of the times, there still appears to be a steady progression in this Province, at least in racing arrangements. There seems to be a determination when a good rider or trainer inakes his appearance, to keep him : and I am glad to perceive that both Harry lliorpe and Lang have succeeded in obtaining engagements that will be calculated to keep them here at least for some length of time. The former is looking after a maiden colt named Tellow Jack, a good framed one, and well spoken of; whilst the latter has the champion (Dainty Ariel) in his care, at Mr. Walter's farm, Papakura. The horse is at present made use of for stud purposes, so there is not much probability of his appearing again this year, but as Golden Cloud, his old antagonist, has returned to us, from Canterbury, I still yet hope to see another contest between them for a three-mile supremacy. I am afraid all chance of our having a Champion race here, at least for some time to come, is now hopeless ; I do trust, however, that our nest meeting will produce at least one good stake that will be found sufficiently attractive to tempt some of the Southerners to put in an appearance. A well regulated Handicap would effect this result, without any very extensive outlay either, on the part of the Jockey Club. Say £300, with a sweepstake of twenty sovereigns each added, five sovereigns on nomination, another five on acceptance, and the balance on night of general entry. I think by this meails a stake, of at the very least £500 might be ensured, which would in itself attract a large field of horses. Let the distance be fixed at two or three miles, and the event advertised early, and I feel sure that tho resul r would be attended with every success. One good stake of this description is far more attractive than several smaller ones, and would be found much more advantageous than a third day's races, made up of trifling events hardly worth competing, for. A race of this description and a good Maiden Plate, I look upon as the two great necessaries of a meeting. Hitherto here, we have had a Maiden Plate, and a -VI aiden Produce Stakes, the consequence being that neither stakes are worth competing for, were the added money given in the latter event, added to the Maiden Plate, in addition to a sweepstakes of five or ten sovereigns, there would be a stake at least contributed, that would make it worth a owners while to train a maiden. Unless there ii something remunerative to attract young brntes, it can hardly be expected that their owner's will incur the expense, risk, and trouble of training them. The Napier races, which commenced on the Ist instant, and continued over the following day, will have an especial interest for us this froiti the fact that some of the Auckland iiorses will be there, Captain Beeve having gone down to witness the running of two of his stud, Koheroa and Borealis. The Auckland horses are nominated for nearly the whole of the events to.be contested, and are under the care of Harry Thorpe, who will ride them. Should they only get down to the scene of contest anything like as fit as when they left here I think there remains every probability that they will give a good account of themselves by proving successful in pit-king up some of the good things set for them m the programme. In this j?rOvinee we shall soon again be deep in the mysteries attending the turf, for have we not the Garrison Hunt meeting to commence on the 16th inst., and the Epsom meeting at the beginning of next month. For the former the entries have already been received, and are fully as numerous as might be reasonably expected, and of them I shall have more to say shortly. The programme of two days at Epsom promises some excellent sport; the bill of fare is a well selected one, and must prove tempting to a large number of local horses. The principal events will be the Handicap, nominations for which close ,on the 10th instant. This race ought to command a good field, as the top weight is fixed at 10st., instead of the unconceivable heavy weights which has too often been the case in previous instances. Outsider.