SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6996, 19 April 1884, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. April 23—Papabira Races. April 30 and 3£*y I—Cambridge Jocfcey CQab Antuaan Meeting. April 24—South Canterbury J.C. tfeetlncr. ' • ; May 23 and 24—Dunediu J.C. Antnmn Heeling. May 24 —Takapnna Jocker Clixb Heating. May 24-»Grand National Steeplechac* Meeting* ' ANSWEBS 7 TO CORRESPONDENTS. Quzsr. —The ' Hon, J. White, owner ofMartini Henry, resides in New South Wales. - W. J.R.'—ln the Auckland (Autumn) Steeplechase last year Reform, ridden by Use, was the winner. .- % H.J.Bi—£l 16«: was paid- on the winner of tho Maiden Plate at the Jate Onehunga Meeting-, but the amount of*'dividend.in the Publicans* .Purse.was not published.' " ' ■ v 5.. r -i. F.K.—For the Sydney Cnp. in ISS2, Cunnamulla went to the post at. odds'of 25=toi,.and won J- Sweet ' William, being secpnd* \ln ißS3*J>arebin» the winner, stood at'th'e same figure, and was scarcely mentioned. >• , NOTES BY PHAETON.

Favoubed with ..beautiful weather, the Auckland Racing Club got their Autumn Meeting off on Monday and Tuesday last, and although it cannot be said that everything went as merry as the proverbial marriage bell, we have on~ the whole much to be thankful for. With the exception of the Steeplechase, the racing, taken all through, was of an excellent character, and had it not been for the unfortunate contretemps that took place over the Consolation,. the meeting would have been one of the most enjoyable held since the formation of the olib. The Wanganui and Taranaki horses were in great form on both days, and out of the ten races for which they started, the visitors proved victorious in four, while they also got a dead heat in the Easter Handicap with Administrator. The racing opened with the Tradesmen's Handicap, which brought seven horses to the post and after a pretty race Mr. Tancred's consistent performer Consul (Bst) got home half-a-length in front of Witiora (7st 71bs), Wapiti (Bst 51bs) being third. On performances there can be no question that Consul had a long way the pull of the weights; but his stale looking appearance, led many to believe that he would not be very dangerous ; but thiß proved incorrect, for he won insplendid style. The Mares' Produce Stakes brought five youngsters to the post, namely, Necklace, Krupp, Carbineer, Revolver, and Tetford. Krupp waa installed the favourite, but Mr. Marshall's beautiful little filly had - won him fair in trouble from the start, and ran home an easy winner by a couple of lengths. The Hnrdle Race was splendidly contested throughout. . The race proved the good thing it was thought for Minuet, for taking command of affairs from the fall of the flag, he was never once headed. The performance of Chandler in this race was a very poor exhibition, and not a few were of opinion before the start that he was only going' out for an airing. If they had any doubt on the subject prior the start they could not possibly have any after, for a glance at the horse would have satisfied anyone how indulgent his rider had been with him during the race. The Easter Handicap drew nine horses to the post, and it was one of she finest races-that has ever taken place on the Elleralie racecourse. At the turn into the straight almost everything was in it. Here Radames, who had always been in a good position, shot out, and half way down the straight the outsider looked an out-and-out 'winner, but a few strides from the post Alec Sutherland, on Administrator, came .with a wet sail, and succeeded in making a dead heat of it, Normanby being a length behind third, and Nelßon fourth. Nelson was a staunch favourite, but he. never managed to quite get in the front rank,'while Leonora, who was also highly thought of, was in the ruck almost ./throughout the whole race. It was thought by many that the dead heat would be run off, but the owners elected to divide. The Selling Baoe Went once more to Paramena, who on this oocasion defeated a more than average field. The Publicans' Purse only brought out four starters, Leonora being made a'.warm favourite, but the baokers of Captbiri Russell's mare were again put in the mud, for after running very strongly" for ttiree-miarters of a mile, she rather suddenly collapsed, and Consul won, with Wapiti second. The second day's racing opened with the Flying Stakes, for whioh Administrator and Wapiti were the only starters, and the former settled his opponent rather easily./ Little need be said of the Steeplechase, for there was nothing in it but Chandler after the second time round, as New Year broke down badly after taking the double' in front of the stand, and Billy-go-by-'em and Tlying Scud were stuck up at the fence on the hilL The Elleralie Plate came next, and here Necklace again proved herself to be a gem of the first water, for, conceding Krupp 81bs., the latter could only make a dead heat of it, and I doubt if he' would have been so close had Sutherland not been so confident. ■ Mr. Marshall may well feel proud'of'tHebeautifnl little daughter of .Locket, for I have heard competent judges state that her equalia to be found in the jvhole of New, Zealand. She is certainly a rare fced-'tra', and if all goes well with her we may rest assured that it is not the last time that Alec Sutherland will get home first in the " all blaok." The Autumn Handicap brought eight horsesto the post, of whom Normanby was selected as the best, approach to a good thing ; but the race being run at a clinking pace throughout, the little son of Day Dawn could never get up, and the winner turned up ; in Nelson (7st 71bs), Radames (6st lOlbs) being second, and FitzHeroules (7st lOlbs) third. The winner ran a great horse, and taking into account his sterling performance in this race, it is indeed hard to understand how he missed the Easter Handicap run on thefirst day. It may have been that the son of My Idea wanted another gallop, but I think his having his - shoes on when he contested the last-named race went some -way towards accomplishing his defeat. Radames ran a good honest little horse, but notwithstanding that the winner was conceding him 121bs and a year, he hadn't a 100 to 1 show of beating him when it came to : racing. The Shorts brought five horses out, and so good a thing was it looked upon for Administrator that odds of 6 to 4 were laid on the son of Premier's ability to do the triok, but a bad start interfering somewhat with his chance, he conld only get third to Witiora and Wapiti. There is no need for me to say much of what took place' over the Consolation, for that Bubject has already been done to' death. - That the club acted rightly in declaring it a race, after the declaration of the starter that; hedropped the flag, cannot be doubted, - but from what I can make out there appeared tobe an unreasonable amount of delay in giving those in charge of the totalisator the necessary instruotionß to pay out on Mitrailleuse, whereby the cry was taken up that it was "no race."-■ This dilatoriness is- by many considered the whole oause of the unseemly display whioh took place afterwards, and I believe myself that it went a good way, towards it.' If we are to continue to popularise the turf in Auckland means will certainly have to be devised to prevent such a disgraceful scene being enacted as that which took place at Elleralie on Tuesday last. I am pleased to hear that the club have instructed, their "solicitor to take the | neoessary proceedings against several of the known ringleaders' in the affair, : and it is to be hoped that they will receive such a lesson as to compel tbem to keep : their temper with- | in" reasonable bounds on all future occasions.

■ The Great Autumn' Handicap was run on Monday last, and' resulted in a victory for the Hon. W. Robinson's colt Vanguard, ■ who went to the post a warm favourite. Wh6n the weights .first made their appearance, the son of Traducer was thought a real good thing, but a week or two before the race, he was supplanted in the betting by his stable companion, Nonsense, which , led a good many to believe that the daughter of Albany would be the selected one. However, the stable came again with Vanguard, a few days prior to the race, and Nonsense was knocked out. After his sorry exhibition in the Wellington Cup, a good many deolined to trust Vanguard, and. as he has not one of the cleanest reputations for gameness, they can hardly be blamed for not trusting him for much. - On this occasion h'e appears to have been in the humour, and won easily by a length from Hippodamia, Lady Emma being third. The time for the mile and ahalf was 2min. 40JaecB. On the second day of the meeting, the Robinion stable again made a bold bid for the big event—the Easter Handicap—with ftonsenre, but her old opponent Tasman, who defeated her for the Sew Zealand Cup in the spring, again proved her superior, and landed Ban O'Brien's colours first past the post. . The Randwick Racecourse is at all times notorious for surprises; but, probably, no race run there has been more oruel to baokera

than the Sydney Gold Cup. This'race came up for decision on Wednesday laat, ai}d,for the third" year in succession, reaulted'' / ih a complete surprise—the.' winner on thin, occasion turning up in the lightly-weighted year-old gelding.Favo, who, had thofeather impost o£ 6st fibs. Empress (7st 9lba)'being second, and Sardonyx' (Bat' lOlbs)" third: Twenty-two horses started,' and.Favo won by a length in 3*36. * No betting quotations are given, but from a private source I gather that, after his easy victory over MartiniHenry in the St. Leger, Le Grand waa installed a warm favourite, and stood at 5 to 2 on the-day, Empress bemg at 4 tol, while Favo's name waa scarcely mentioned- .A further cablegram states'that shortly after the start Martini-Henry.. broke away and fell, and Morpeth falling over.him, the latter had his leg brpken, which necessitated his destruction. Martini-Henry escaped uninjured, but his jockey (who I presumewould be Hales) reoeived a severe shaking. Morpeth will be remembered .as. the winner of the last Australian Cup. He was got by: Goldsborough out o£ Goldfinch, and had on. various occasions proved himself to be a real good-'un.' After his victory in the Australian Cup, Mr. White was offered £1000 for. Mm, but declined to part with him. ; ; The working of the totalisator at .the late Auckland meeting gave the greatest dissatisfaction, and gave those . who are opponents of the " mechanical bookmaker" an excellent opportunity of .strengthening their causey which they were not slow to avail them-i selves of. Apart from the dissatisfaction; given to the public, the club were also very, severe losers *on the first day,, something like £160 being unaccounted for. It appears to .me, that" there, are far too many " cooks " about the machine, and., so long as: it continues to be. managed as at present, so long will "mistakes" continue tobe made. The present is,-1 think, a fitting time to consider whether it would not be advisable to get competent workers like Meqsra. Hill and Poole to .conduct the. maohine, for the public will certainly not stand the bungling, that has taken place of late.

Anyone who was present in the paddock on Monday last, must have been struck by the " game " manner in which the members of the ring fielded against Leonora : for • the Easter Handicap, and this too in the face of the presumed sanguine manner in which her trainer, W. Edwards, spoke of her chance. Last week I drew attention' to the disposition on the part of the metallicians to lay the mare, which I certainly could not understand, but the hostility they showed to the mare's chance was apparently fully justified, for she ran almost last the whole way. It may hot always remain a-myatery how they came to lay s's to 1 about her after she departed from the paddock. Verb. sap. Alick Sutherland was far and away the most successful jockey at the recent Auckland meeting, scoring four wins and two dead heate out of nine mounts. His first win .was on Consul in .the Tradesmen's Handicap, and he then got home first on Necklace for the Mares' Produce :Stakes. TTin next was a dead heat with Administrator for the Easter Handicap, and. he wound up the first day with a win on Consul in the Publicans' Purse. Sutherland opened the second day with a win on Administrator in the Flying Stakes, and ..he then recorded a dead heat on Necklace for the.Ellerslie Plate. . Sutherland was only once unplaced during the meeting. .

Musket's son Trenton again proved what a real good bit of Btuff he is by winning the Champagne Stakes at the C.J.C.: Meeting on Monday last. In this event the son of Musket was opposed by Lady Evelyn, Escatos, Liverpool, Dime, and Forerunner. As was the case when he won the Welcome Stakes and Midsummer Stakes at Auckland, he ran with great gameness, and settled his opponents in excellent style. After the meeting Trenton waa put up to auction with the rest of Mr. Stead's horses, bat the Eussley.sportsman determined to keep him, and he was passed in when the bidding had reached 840 guineaß. If all goes right with this fine grown colt between now and November next we may expect to hear of him cutting a very prominent figure at the C.J.C. Spring Meeting. It was pretty freely stated during the recent Auckland Meeting that Major George had decided to retire from the Auckland turf on aocount of the manner in which his horses had.from time to time been treated by the club's handicapper. The majority of people inclined to the belief that the little unpleasantness would blow over, and that we wonld for many years yet see the "black and white jacket" of the Wapiti stable un-J furled pt our meetings, but it would appear from the following letter which the Major sends that it is to be otherwise:— -

Sib,—Having bean asked by sevoral of my friend* why I had decided not tones again In Auckland,. I think It advisable to make my reason public. I am of opinion, judging by ; their productions, that the haudi cappers are not competent to perform the duties which they have undertaken. I could give a score of instances of their incompetence; one, however, will suffice. Take Wapiti's weight (sit Gib) In the Tradesman's Plate as compared with the others. This horse as a throe-year-old carried 6st 121b on the Ist January last, and won the Grand Stand Handicap; and second in the Derby, the time being 2min«. Slsecs. On tho following day, cmying.7st 61bs, was third in the Newmarket Handicap—three-quarters of a mile—irishwoman and Mitrailleuse only being behind him; On the 17th March, in Napier, ran fourth in the Railway Btakes Handicap, three-quarters of a mlle, l cairying 7it 81b», with nothing of any account behind him; and on tho following day with.7st 71bs in the Tradesman's Handlcap.was again fourth; with' nothing behind him. On these.performances he is made to give the four-yoar-okl Administrator (who" won tho Taranaki Autumn Handicap—l 4 mUss,'and was second in Wanganui Cup—'Jj miles, and Taranaki Jockey Club Handicap 2 miles), a year' and 21bs; to Consul (who won both the Wanganui and Taranaki Derbys, the Taranaki Flying Handicap, and was second in the-Wanganui Flying Handicap), Bibs., saying nothing:of'Maori and the;other- horses, to whom he was asked to concede on W.F.A. "scale 61bs. to 2st. lllbs. I think he did well : in' getting third, thongh there wasiooly Woodpecker,- Paramena and Katlpo behind him. .1 don't think anyone is of opinion that my horses ~ have, not been run on their merits. Not ( long ago, referring-to. an .Auckland Handicap, a competent judge said to me, "Such handicapping makes an owner either a rogue or a fool." I decline. to be -made either, and so retire, until better arrangements are made. I have for years been convinced that until a paid handlcapper is appointed, whose duty it wnld be to attend the principal meetings. •' and consider his handicaps, no satisfaction will.be given' to either, horseowners or the public, and J am more and more - convinced that this is the caie. The Auckland Racing Club should ■ be the first club'in Hew Zealand, but without many changes are effected In the management, I fear that instead of going ahead, it will go back.—l am, isc., F. Kjmoh Giouia Auckland, April 10,1854. .

Now, without, in any way. wishing to take up the ondgels on behalf of. the handicappers, I cannot really help thinking, that Major George is showing a little, undue temper in connection with the • manner in which his horses have from time to time been treated in Auckland. To anyone conversant with the performances of Consul and .Wapiti, it must, of course, have been patent that; the handicappers had made an error when weighting these two horses in the Tradesmen's Handicap at the late meeting; but.l think, . taking it . all through, Major George has experienced very fair treatment at the hands of Auckland handicappers. , It waa certainly no fault of theirs that he did not win the Auokland Cup with Nelson, and I am sure nothing looked better in. the late Easter Handicap than the son. of. My Idea; and that . was,* I believe,' Major George's own opinion. During the short period he has been connected with v.the Auckland turf, Major George has certainly had a very fair share of luck, and I am rather surprised. to hear that he considers the ains of the Auckland handicappers so great as to call for bis retirement.

The sale of a draft of yearlings and two-year-olds from Sylvia Park took place on Wednesday last, and was very largely attended. Considering that the pick of the basket had been sent to the Sydney market, the sale was in every way. a success, but next year I hope to hear of. the sale totalling up to almost as many thousands as it was hundreds on this occasion. . > « :

The Papakura.Hßaces . take place on Wednesday, and, . Judging from the very fair entries that have been received for the two principal events, of .the' meeting,: there should .be some good sport. The following weights have been declared by-Mr.- Percival: Cup.—Administrator, Sst 91bs; Consul, Bst elba ; Normanby,'Bßt"4lbs'; Fitz-Herculea, Bst 21ba, Woodpecker, Bst; Yuba Bill, 7»t lOlbs; Maori, 7st lOlba; Witlora, 7®t lolbs ; Flshwoman, 7st Slbs ; K&lo, 7at 71bs; Libeller, 7st 71bs; Paramena, 7»t libs ; Radamea, 7st 3lba ; Swordsman, 6it; Talpourl*, 6«t. —Woodpecker. llat 81b«; Mlnnette, Hat 61ba ; Chandler, 1 Oat lOlbs;Bllly-go-by-'em,. lOst 71ba ; New Year, lOat; Fair Play, 9st 21ba; Pearl, Sst lOlbs; Native, Bst lOlba; Bushman, Bst lOlba. t . Several horses are already in training for the Cambridge Autumn event of the 30th ult. and Ist of May, and - it is expected that, coming as these races do at a time of year when settlers are not busy on their farms, they will be largely attended. The stakes are good, and should certainly induce a considerable amount of competition. The privileges of the raoep»»"rse will be sold on Wednesday next, by .auction, by Messrs. Clark and Gane.

Messrs. Hunter and Nolan offered yesterday for sale at the DarhAm Yards n number of _ racehorses. King Quail, started at 40 guineas, was bought by Mr. Duder for 70 guineas ; Flying Scud, 39 guineas, by Mr. C. Warren, and Abbess, seven guineas, by Dr. Carter. Consul was offered,. and the bidding reached 400 guineas, but he was

withdrawn at a reserve: of 500, although it was intimated that as he w»s np .be could be bought for 450 guineas. The bidding tor Administrator reached 350 guinea®, "n™. ; ha was withdrawn at, a reserve of 400 guineas Sham obtained a bid of '50 guinea*, and WM _ Withdrawn at a reserve of 60 guineas.' _ The 1 racehorse Maori was sold by Mr. Buc.-Jand to Mr.-T. Clark for 50 guineas. ' .'I ; The Middle Park yearlings did not this year realise, any very long prices. The principal lot waa-.a yearling colt by St. George oiit of Welcome Jack's dam Miss Flat, who brought £300 guineas. . - I The - Canterbury Jockey Club paid < away. £2023 over, the late Autumn Meeting, which amount was distributed aa follow*-Hon. W. Bobinson, £495; Mr. D. O'Brien,' £371; Mr. G. G. Stead, £349 ; Mr. J. Pilbrow, £223 ; Mr. G. Bate, £186; Hon. G. McLean, £162 ; Mr. J. Lunn, £70 ; Mr. J. B. Smith, £97 ; .Mr.-M.JEL Smith, £39. _ . !. The first, second,, and third in Grand Flaneur's Auckland Easter Handicap Consultation all remain in Auckland. . The first and second being divided between. a well-known cordial. manufacturer and a labourer, the third falling to the lot of a young lady. A Christchurch telegram states that a match took place between Wainman's Beer Tax and Weston's Schhoozer, owners up, 2 and a-hilf' miles, on the Heathcote course, and was won by latter. Between 200 and 250 sovereigns changed hands. There was a large attendance.

EASTER RACES AT COROMANDEL.

A very good day's sport was had in Mr. Lynch's paddock on Easter Monday, although the- afiair.': was somewhat late in getting matters arranged, but the day being fine a large number of people assembled on the gronnd. A goodly company of horsemen also came over from Mercury Bay. Altogether the town was quite lively. ; Some of the races were very good, and were very creditable to the handicappers. There were no accidents, except in the Hurdle Race, which, being very stroDg brought most of the' horses to the ground. Hp one was seriously injured; The rider of fiardie, the winner, deserves great praise for his pluck, for after he and his horse had fallen heavily he jumped on again and won by two lengths. The following are the events :— Mikebs' Pubsb Handicap.—First prize, £5 ; 2nd, £1. Three started. Foster's Olive, 1; Matlock, 2. Coeomandel Cup Handicap.—Prize, £20. Five started. Corcoran's Rawenata, 9st 31bs, 1; Houra's Diver, 9st 51b, 2.

' Hukry ScmtßT Handicap.—lst prize, saddle; 2nd, £1. Foster's Olive, 7st 41bs, 1; Lorain's Slim Jim, 2. Five started. Handicap Htjedle Race, over eight flights of hurdles 3 feet 6 inches high; prize, £15.—Lorain's Hardie, list, 1; Joe's Carena, 9at 51b, 2. Pony Race Hakdicap, 14 hands 1 inch and under; Ist prize, a saddle; 2nd, £1. — Foster's Olive, 9at, 1; Barrett's Minnie, 7st, 2. Four started.

Consolatios Race.—Houra's Diver, 1; Joe's Maori Win, 2. Four started.