NOTES BY PHÆTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6213, 15 October 1881, Page 6

NOTES BY PHÆTON.

The weights for two of the events at the "Wauganui Spring Mooting were declared last week by Mr. Hately. For the Stakes Handicap, OKI Mufti heads the list with 9st. Slb3., which is I think, quite enough to put him out of the race. Dan has Sot. 11 lbs. allotted to him, and even with that impost, the " hack : ' must not be despised, for he has shown us on more than one occasion, that lie can go on the travel in the best of company. Grand Duchess, with Sst, has nothing to complain of, and if she is right on the day, ahould go very near placing the event to Mr. Walters' credit. The others are all nicely weighted, and there appears every prospect of a good race. For the Hurdle Race, Chandler comes first with list. lOlhs., but with lOst. lOlbs. Morning Star appears to me to be the best thing in it. [Since the above was written the acceptances and general entries have come to hand. Twelve horses have accepted for the Shakes, and seven for the Hurdles. The entries for the other events are also very fair. J The racing :it Hawke's Bay appears to have been pretty m>od. Mr. Walters, with the aid of the Hippo-Slander filly, appropriated the Hairke's Bay Guineas. The filly also ran a dead heat with Louie for the Maiden Plate, in which she was carrying a 71b. penalty, for her win in the Guineas. Tho filly is engaged in the Wavcrley Guineas, run next month, which she should go very near winning. In the Spring Handicap Mischief was made the favourite. She, however, cut up badly, and never was able to get to the front, Mr. McDonald bavins it all his own way with Badsworth and Foul Play, who ran "first and second respectively. Grand Duchess got away badly at the start, and was an indifferent third. For the Flying Handicap a boil over took place. 2 to 1 was laid on Foul Play, but Mischief just managed to squeeze home half a neck in advance. The names of those horses who have paid the second forfeit for the Melbourne Cup came to hand yesterday. Sixty-one horses are leit in the race, so that there appears everv prospect of a large field starting for this" most important event. The most notable absentees are—Progress (who is in the same r.i.ib'.e as Duchess), Martindale, Bosworth, :md Liberator. The Cup will be run this year on the Ist November. Having luanl a gooA deal of talk about a couple oi colts owned by Major George, I called in. at Waipiti on Saturday Inst, to have a look at them. On making inquiries I found that the Major was in town, but Harrison, who is now training Major George's horsea, kindly offered to show me round. Accepting the offer, we made our way to a fine itrceu p.-.duoek, close to the house, where I spotted the object- c£ my visit. At a won! from Harrison both came up to where we were standing, and I was at once struck by the exeunt tempers they possessed. They appear to be very fond of their trainer, for they followed him about just like pets, which clearly show that they receive kind treatment "and handling. The first to claim our attention v.t.s a chestnut colt by King Cole out o: My Idea. His sire King Cole (imp.) is brother to King Liul, by King Tom, out of Qui Vive (sister to Yidette) by Voltigeur, out of Mrs. Eidgway by Irish Birdcateher. He is without doubt a really fine youngster. His he:iJ is nicely shaped, and is well set on to a good muscular neck. His shoulders are verv strong, and ho possesses a good back, but'l think he is a little light in his quarters. He has a!=o a splendid set of legs, which look as if they will stand a lot of work. His companion i≤ a bay colt by Kins: Cole out of Realisation (imp.), who is by Vespasian, out of Hopeful Duchess (sister to Brown Duchess), by Flying Dutchman, out of Espoir. He is a very ne.it youngster, and gives one the idci of developing into a very handsome horse. He possesses a really nice head, which is well set on to a good neck, and nicely let into a well-knit pair of shoulders. He is very compact all over, and stands well upon his legs. As will be seen from their pedigrees both of these colts are very fashionably bred, and will therefore prove a valuable acquisition to our list of racehorses. Both are eleven months old, and for their age are svrtlly fine youngsters, and their splendid condition shows that an occupant of a box at Waipiti is not stinted in his feed. Crossing to another pnddock we interviewed the three brood maresPearl Ash, Realisation, and My Idea— which Major George imported from Victoria last year. Of the three, I must say Pearl Ash took my fancy the most. She is indeed a Sue looking" mare, and shows a deal of nualitv all over. She is in foal to Bolton Green". [The mare has eince foaled.] Pearl Ash is by Lore! Clifden out of Potash, by Voltigeur, out of Alkali by Slane, out of Seakale. Alkali is sister to Seaweed, the dam of Kinseem, the unbeaten Hungarian mare, who won, I think, 57 races, without once knowing a defeat. My Idea is by Vattendon, out of Ladybird, by Boiardo (imp.) out of Mirror (imp.) Mirror is by Sir Hercules, out of Rrism, so that this mare is full of Sir Hercules blood. She is now in foal to The Marquis. Realisation is unfortunately not in foal this season having misled to The Marquis. I understand that Major George intends to send Pearl Ash and Realisation to Musket, and My Idea to Cap-a-pie this season. Crossing two fine green paddocks we came to the stables, which are neatly fitted up, and admirably situated. They are well protected from cold winds, and will also be nice and cool in the hot summer weather. For racing stock there is accommodation for six. A fine roomy box has also been erected, ■where two may be put in together. The j mares and foals are all housed at night, [ ■which accounts for their splendid condition. At the time of my visit Florence and Tenambra were the only occupants of the boxes. It will be remembered that the former cracked up just before our last Summer meeting, and has not therefore raced since. She appears to be pretty right now, and if she stands a preparation may be heard of. Tenambra, who has been suffering very much from her teeth, looks very light. She lias done a little slow work, and, if she comes on as she should do, the black and white stripes of the gallant Major should be close up at the finish in some of the sprint courses at our next meeting. '

For the C.J.C. Handicap Grip uow rules as favourite at 100 to 20. From reports of the morning gallops which appear in the Canterbury papers, I gather that Hob Ray has been Sutting fast work into him, and he will no oubt strip very fit on the day. Lady Emma is also doing good work, and acquits herself well in her gallops. Libeller is iu Diek Mason's stable, which is sufficient guarantee that he will be brought out in the pink of condition. With 7st. 131bs. I still fancy the chance of the game little son of Yatterina second to none, and I shall expect him to run a great race home. Luna is doing good work, and The Governor and The Poet arc progressing favourably with their preparations. Cutts' team are all doing good serviceable work; but old Chancellor, who went into Ted's etable lately, is reported to have a leg.

"Augur" writes as follows : —" Musket's son Petronel has placed another important victory to his credit by winning the Great Yorkshire Handicap, and the New Zealandera trill, no doubt, feel gratified that the descendants of this fine horse have lately shown such good form over long courses. Musket was, undoubtedly, the best horse of his day in England, especially over long distances, yet the English breeders allowed him to go for 700 guineas, while Prince Charlie, who roared like a bull, and couldn't get two miles in anything like decent company, realised 10,000 guineas. By adopting such a policy the breed of horses is bound to deteriorate." . Mr. H. N. Abbott's £10,000 sweep in the Melbourne Cup will be drawn either on Wednesday or Thursday next.

! . Nominations forthe Auckland Cup, A.11.C. Handicap, and Steeplechase close on Friday next, October 21, at 8 p.m. ' Thornton appears to be sending Mr Smith's team along... On Saturday last Tim Whiffler and the Maribyrnong colt bad a spin over three-quarters of a mile. The boys brought tho whips into requisition at the finish, but the two-year-old had all the best of the gallop. On Tuesday morning Tim put the Auk filly through in a gallop over the same distance. Both whip and spur were at work on the filly. The Yankees have once more done the trick ; for we are informed by cablegram that Mr. Keene's colt Foxhall has carried off the Czarewitch Stakes—the most important handicap of the year on the English turf. Foxhall also won the Grand Prix dc Paris for Mr. Keene recently, and lias also ran very forward in other event , ). The colt would therefoxe, I think, not carry much less than Bst. in the race. The Americans have certainly done exceedingly well on the English turf this season, for, beeides other races, they have won both the Derby and St. Leger with Iroquois, and now Foxhall has succeeded in getting home first in the rich Czarewitch Stakes. These victories of American-bred horses should have the effect of setting some of our Australasian sportsmen thinking whether they cannot breed an animal in the colonies which can, as the Yankees say of Iroquois, "lick all creation."

The exhibition of young blood stock at the Agricultural Show next month promises to bo very good. It is, I believe, the intention of Major George to exhibit his two King Cole colts, while Messrs. T. and S. Morrin will send their colt Snider, who is reported to be a grand youngster. The Stud Company will no doubt also send a couple of their best, and last, but certainly not least, let us hope that Mr. Walters will exhibit the Musket — Yatterina colt, who, if report is true, is not an ounce behind the high-priced Martini Henri, for whom thu Hon. Jas. White paid the b:g sum of 1250 guineas. Major Georgu's mare Pearl Ash dropped a fine filly foal to Bolton Green on Tuesday last. Bolton Green is by Bethnal Green, out of Beeswing, by Lady Kirk, out of Spa, by Leamington (sire of iroquois, winner of the English Derby and St. Leger Stakes, 1SS1), out of Satanella, by Newminster, out of Flighty, by the Flying Dutchman. * The victory of Liberator in the Normanby Stakes, on New Year's Day, "by a, nostril," has often been quoted as a very "near thin" , ;" but this has been eclipsed, as a New York paper states last August that.some horse won a race by " the skin of his teeth."

The Pakuranga Hounds met at Mr. Motion's estate, at the Whau, on Saturday last. There was not a very large attendance of members, but those who were present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Whenever the meet has been at Mr. Motion's place, those present have always received a hearty welcome, and Saturday last was certainly no exception to the rule, for the worthy host entertained the members at a splendid lunch, and both himself and his good lady were most assiduous iu making everyone present feel at home. The hounds will meet at Orukei gate to-day at 2 p.m. As the country about the neighbourhood is very good for hunting over, there will, no doubt, be a large attendance of members.

William Day, the well-known trainer, formerly of Wooilyeattes, has started business again near Marlborough. Mr. Keene, the well-known American sportsman, has taken him by the hand, and has sent all the horses he has in England to be trained by the veteran. Foxhall, the winner of Czarewitch Stakes, was trained by Day, so that the American sportsman will have no cause to regret his action. A recent cablegram announced that a horse named Hopbloom had been purchased in Eugland for Australia. He is fashionably bred, being by Parmesan, from Cognisuance, by Stockwcll. He has performed well during ins racing career, and among other prizes he appropriated are the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot, the Manchester Handicap at Manchester, the Queen's Plate at Cheste'r, and tho Grand Prize at Sandown Park Meeting last year.

Writing on the backing of Duchess for the Melbourne Cup by the St. Albans stable, "Beacon" says :—" We have, however, seen hot favourites from this stable go down before, in the mares Feu d'Artiticc and Mileta, and who shall say that the mysterious Duchess is not reserved for a like fute ? By the way, that the advance of Duchess has not frightened all investors out of the field proof was given one night at the end of the preceding week, when one of our leading bookmakers and commissioners offered to back a horse for the Cup—not being a favourite—to win £'_'0,000, provided he could get that sum at 100 to 5. Not being able to secure the amount, he then offered to accept £10,000 at the rate of 100 to 3 with a like result. Of course there was a great deal of speculation and guessing as to what horse could be meant, and the ua:nes of several horses were suggested, amongst them being Lord Burghlcy, First Water, and others. 1 ' From late Melbourne papers I find that trainers are now sending their horses along in real earnest. Darebin continues to do good work, and will, it is expected, be as fit as hands can make him by the day. The great gun Mon mouth is also reported to be

" coining," aud Fennelly is convinced that in him he has a Derby winner. Savanaka is doing good work in Adelaide, as is also First Water. Old Bosworth, who is looking well, has also been treated to serviceable work. Wellington has been bowling along, and Warlock, who is looking strong and healthy, is moving very freely, ami doing hie work well. Canary has also been acquitting himself well in his gallops and has been backed to win a good stake. The following remarks on the New Zealand contingent appear in the Tasmanian Mail : —" Somnus, with Davis in the saddle, led Sir Modred, a two-mile spin, the son of Gohlsbrough, picking the pair up at scraping sheds ; the pace at this part was made very hot, the last five furlongs only occupying lmin. 7sec. Somnus has improved very much since he arrived here, and if he only keeps right must win the Derby. Sir Modred pulled up without a hair being turned, but notwithstanding this he seems to ease off after going a mile and three-quarters, which distance, I presume, should suit him better than the Cup. If Sir Modred can stay two miles ho will snrel3 - be among the first three on November 1. Hilarious looks better to the eye on closer acquaintance. He is entered for the Corinthian Flat Race, and the Handicap Flat Race at the Melbourne Hunt Club Spring Meeting, and I would not be at all surprised if he carried off one of them. Idalium was on the ground, but did not work."

"Mazeppa" writes: —"I notice that the Auckland Racing Club have appointed their own committee (exclusive ot owners) to handicap for the summer meeting. Soms such arrangement might have been expected, for, according to all accounts from the North, the Aucklanders were by no means satisfied with the way the work was done last season. They will be better served now in all probability, although it is open to argument whether a comiaittee of si dozen members is not too large, and likely to lead to some confusion. It is a risky thing to give all the responsibility of the handicapping to one individual. It is unwise, in my opinion, to have too many cooks at the work. The wisest course appears to be that adopted by the Dunedin Club, who have a handy workable committee of three competent men, who are not likely either to be hoodwinked or 'got at.' In the course of time this will, depend upon it, be the ordinary way of working the duty, unless, indeed, Providence sends us some handicappers superior in ability to the general run of men."

"ToutCela" writes:—"lt is a trite old saying that ' there are many more ways of killing a pig than sticking him ;' but, although the end of a thoroughbred has been wonderfully diversified—from dropping dead at the winning-post down to expiring between the shafts of a cab—still I never before heard of a high-class racehorse ending his existence in a stand-up fight with a common hack. Everything, however, is upside down in these Antipodes, where stones grow outside the native cherry fruit, and Presbyterian parsons hold public personal squabbles ; and therefore the recent strange death of Tocal must be deemed less singular than such a recorded event be regarded at Home. It seems that this Australian horse, once the property of Sir Hercules Kobinson, and a capital, though not always consistent, performer, had a quarrel with a common gelding who was grazing in the same paddock, and ' floored him for his impudence;' but stumbling over him, fell on his head, and 'broke his blessed neck.' Tocal is credited with having run the fastest mile on. the Australian turf, viz., the Free Handicap, iu 2min. 38secs., carrying 9st. 41bs.j but as this was done at the same meeting when Darriwell is said to have won the Melbourne Cup, 2 miles, in a trifle over 3min. 30secs.—andPetrea, though more than ' half a dead 'un, , to have gained the Oaks in Blink Bonnie's great Derby time of 2min, 43sec.—to aiy thinking all these records must be accepted with a big spoonful of salt.

' It is to be hoped that the improvements which are being made on the Ellerslie racecourse will be so far advanced at the beginning of next month to allow o£ trainers sending their teams along there. At present all the horses are being worked on Mr. John Lennard's private training ground at Epsom. If it were not for Mr. Lennard's kindness in allowing trainers to put their horaes through the mill on his ground, they would, to use a vulgar expression, be completely in the hole, for it is the oaly place near Auckland available for training purposes. At a meeting of the members of the Pakuranga Hunt Club yesterday it was decided to postpone the Annual Steeplechase Meeting from the sth to 26th November, in consequence of the works which are going on at the Ellerslie racecourse being in a backward state. The programme will, I believe, be the same as that of last year. A typographical mistake occurred on the Melbourne Cup weights, which appeared in yesterday's issue. Odd Trick's weight is Tst. 91bs., not Gst. 9lbs. as printed.

" Tout Cela," in the Melbourne Sportsman, says :—"Although the 'Duchess sensation' has somewhat calmed down, the mare still remains leading iavourite for the Melbourne Cup, ind money is hard to get about her at jvoa Bto 1. As the outside public—most of whom have scarcely heard of her till now, much less seen her—would doubtless like to know what sort of animal she is, let it suffice to tell them that she is fairly grown, somewhat lengthy, stands on lowish legs, and shows pleasing symmetry without any remarkable quality to pronounce her a flyer a first glance. In fact, she is one of that rather numerous class of racehorses whose good points wonderfully develop themselves 'as soon as a critic is told of them.' Ahem !" The Marton-Rangitikei Jockey Club have issued a very liberal programme for their summer meeting, which is to be held on the •2nd and 3rd of January. The club give £UOO away in added money. The big event-the Rangitikei Handicap—is wortli 20030V5.

I am told (says "Augur") that tho high price paid for Waxy was the result of a dream. A lady in Melbourne, who is a marvel at dreaming of winners, dreamt that Waxy won the Melbourne Cup, and her husband '.vas so impressed with her vision that he sent an unlimited commission to Sydney to purchase the horse, and was not at all pleased when he found that he had not secured him, though his commissioner went to 2100 guineas. However, if the "straight tip " has been received he can back him to win a few thousands, and thus be in clover when the good thing comes oil'. Old Darriwell liiis been blistered on all his legs.

Entries for the Hawke's Bay Guineas, 18S3, close on Monday next. Fred. Archer was had up before the stewards at Goodwood for foul riding, and severely reprimanded. The Victorian Kacing Club have endorsed the disqualification of Mr. Mayo, the jockey Smith, and the horse Elastic.

Sixteen American horses have been nominated for the English Derby of ISS3. Chatterer and .Nautilus have both recovered from their indisposition, and are iigain doing strong work at Flemington. Messrs. T. and S. Morrin have named their yearling colt, by Musket out of Maid of Athol, Snider.

I believe (says " Aiuiur") Mr. Baldoek was offered £1000 for Wellington, and £100 a-year during the remainder of the horse's life, but he refused it.