SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7222, 10 January 1885, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. : January 9 and 10—Northern (Whangarei) J. C. Meet. January 20 and 21— Poverty Hay T.C. Annual Meet! ng. January 24—Onehunga Races. January 20-Helenaville Turf Club's M^etinsr. January 29 - fakapuna J. O Summer Meeting. February 6 «nd 7 -Wellington R. C. Su mer Meeting. February 26, 27, 28—Dunedin J. C. Autumn Meeting. March 5 »nd o—Wanganui J. C Autumn Meeting. March 17 and 13 — Hawkes' Bay J. C. Autumn Meeting. M»roV2s—Eginont Kaclng Club's Meeting. March 20 and 27—Taranaki Jockey Club's Meeting. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Dream.—'l he Hon. G. McT can's colours are Zetland spot«; Mr. H. Kedwood's, bl ick jacket, red cap. F.J.R.—Unless it was stipulated, 1, 2, 8, the bet is void. Tkj.ducer.—Welcome Jack carried Bst 41bs when he won the Great Autumn handicap, and he ran the mile and a-balf in 2mini. 88J«ecs. SoiiTHJCKNKR. -The New XeaUnd Stu'i Company own the sire and dam of the Derby winner Tigre ila. Alpha.—Yes. The rule expressly stipulates that the leading horse must be at least two lengths in front before he cicsies the horse behind him. NOTES BY PHAETON. When the Canterbury Jockey Club were about to inaugurate their Midsummer Meeting, some three years back, Mr. Lance was heard to say that " Auckland for the future would have to look after herself." Many, no doubt, thought that when our Southern friends decided on having a cut in at the same time as the Auckland Racing Club, we should have to contend against a powerful rival, and bo indeed at the outset it seemed ; but though our Stud Company has enabled us to hold our own, it cannot, I think, be said that the establishment of the Southern fixture has affected us very much, and I think Mr. Lance has ere this come to the conclusion that in this matter ''Auckland is well able to take care of herself." The meeting just brought to a conclusion was, if we except the annoying bungle that took place over the Steeplechase, in every way a great success. The racing all through was of an excellent character, and thero was a far more healthy tone about the meeting than is generally the case at our big gathering. The public were not alow to notice this, and when The Poet, Welcome Jack, and Libeller got home first in the Cup, A. K.C. Handicap, and Stewards' Handicap respectively, their enthusiasm knew no bounds. The bungle over the Steeplechase and the decision of the stewards in declaring it no race of course gave rise to a deal of dissatisfaction, but looking the matter fairly in the face, I don't see how the stewards could have acted otherwise than they did. It certainly was very hard on Mr. Pilbrow to declare it no race, and robbed his gallant old horse of a well-merited victory, but it was as clear as noonday that Clarence did not go the right course, and the judge having left the box before Sunray finished prevented him being declared the winner, though doubts are also expressed as to whether he went the correct course either. Steps will, no doubt, be taken to prevent such an annoying bungle in future, and the first step in that direction should, I think, be the introduction of larger Sags in lieu of the miserable little bits of linen that are now put up. Taken all through the meeting has been one of the most successful and enjoyable held under the auspices of the A. R.C., and this desirable end was, I need hardly say, in no small measure brought about by the excellent handicaps framed by the committee throughout the three days. So long as the " happy trio" exist there need be little fear of Auckland having to go outside her own borders in search of a handicapper. In bestowing praise, Mr. Percival should not be forgotten, for his management of the meeting was quite up to his best form.

" Senex," the sporting contributor to the Canterbury Press, has been telling his readers how it is that we invariably have such a poor field for our big event, and it will be seen from the following extract which I cull ' from our venerable friend's notes that he goes straight for those persons who dare to put a pound or two on a horse before first asking the consent of the owner. Here are his precious views oh the subject:— "It is strange that a valuable race like the Auckland Cup with its 60030v5. added money, should dwindle down to a scramble amongst six animals of such moderate form, that in a handicap commencing at 9st lOlbs, the highest weight running was only 7st 3'bs. It was a big betting race too, and we almost invariably find, both in Canterbury and Dunedin, that big betting races produce large fields, but in the Northern capital it generally happens that the reverse of this is the case. The natural inference suggested by this state of affairs is that some of the horses are 'stiffened' by the ring, but we are certain that such has not been the case at Auckland, and that the true cause of such limited fields is the indiscriminate plunging of the Northern public, who, while standing to win thousands for themselves, forestall owners ia this market, and leave them nothing to run for beyond the bare stakes. These plungers, no doubt, think themselves great supporters of the turf, but it is really the turf they look upon to support them, on the cheap, at the expense of the owners. We have no sympathy with such a crew, and are far from displeased when we hear of an owner retaliating on them with a scratching pen, and thoroughly enjoy the howl that follows. These plungers muster strong in the North, and never forget to give lip when discomfited, no matter how the disaster comes about, whether by the breaking down of a Trenton or the scratching of a Welcome Jack." Whether it is from,the fact that "Senex" himself once belonged to the noble army of horse-owners I cannot say, but certain it is that he invariably ranks himself on their side, and judging by his remarks expressed above, they have by no means a bad champion in the Canterbury scribe. Now I will tell "Senex" in just as plain language as he himself has used that the argument he adduces as to " the indiscriminate plunging of the public " being the cause of our big event dwindling down to such a moderate field is simply absurd, and I am very much surprised that so well - versed a scribe should have put forward such an argument. Does, he really mean to say that it was to this cause Vanguard, Ou'leis, Lady Emma, Black Rose, Tim Whiffler, and a host of others passed out? I can hardly think so, and I am quite certain that it was no such cause that led to the withdrawal of either Turquoise or Salvage. Where then, I ask, does this wail of forestalling come from ? We have certainly had it put forward by Mr. Pilbrow in a mild kind of form that he was forestalled, but I am very far from convinced that such was the case. It was not until the night prior to the Cup that the owner of Welcome Jack made any move in favour of his horse, and considering that he was in the possession of the gauge of both Administrator and Libeller, the combined ring would not offer mors than £300 against the champion. The limited amount of money to be obtained about Jack was not owing to the public having forestalled the owner, but because the ring knew full well from the trials that had taken place that Jack held the two horses named as safe as if they wore in their graves ; and what, after them, had the pencillers to run for them? But even with that limited amount of money about his horse, I now feel certain that Mr. Pilbrow would have started Jack had the ground not been such heavy going. To read the remarks of " Senex" one would certainly come to the conclusion that the Auckland public were heavy losers by the scratching of Jack, but if the Canterbury scribe so thinks, all I can say is that he is very much miltaken, and the " howl " that he appears to enjoy so much I may also tell him was only held by his own ears. " Senex " has made a big cry about this forestalling. Now, just to bring the matter to a head, I will defy him to point out a single instance wherein an owner has ever been compelled to scratoh his horse for our big event owing to the public having forestalled him. I air. afraid he will look in vain for such a case, for the Northern publio are not by any means such " soukars" as he has made cut, experience of former years having taupht them tbat it is safer to wait until the saddles are on before investing on this particular race. The true cause of our Cup dwindling down to such a small field this year was not, as " Seuex " would have us believe, due to "the indiscriminate plunging of the Northern public," but to the fact that Salvage, Turquoise, Tim Whiffler, and Black Rose went wrong. Another cause may also be set up, and that is that we at present possess very few local horses of Cup calibre. With Thunderbolt, Derringer, and others to do battle for us next year, matters certainly look brighter, and I have little doubt that before many seasons flit past, we will be able to show our Canter*

bury friend, " plungers" and all as we are according to his view, that we can send a field to the post for our big event that would not disgrace even a Canterbury racecourse. Though no very large prices were paid at the sale of the Sylvia Park yearlings on Monday last, the sale must be considered in every way a success, for the twenty-three colts offered brought in a sum of «'3ll guineas, being an average of a fraction of over 150 guineas for each lot submitted. Mr. Lushington got the Cadogan- Steppe fil*y well within her value, at 325 guineas, and the same may be said of Mr. Marshall's purchase of- the Musket Titania colt at 260 guineas. The Cadogan —Petroleuse colt was a real bargain at 200 guineas to Mr. Lyons, for if I am not mistaken, he is every inch a racehorse. The company intend to forward the following lots to Sydney, at an early date : — Colt by Anteros —Sylvia, colt by Musket Onyx, colt by Musket—Atlantis, colt by Musket Realisation, colt by Musket—Rosette, filly by Musket—L'Orient. In the Steeplechase on Saturday last, Tommy Sheenan showed us how sometimes an accomplished horseman can snatch a victory for a beaten horse. From the time Sunray and Linwo'>d jumped the stonewall leading out of Crowther's paddock on to the course proper, Sheeuan was at the latter, and Frewin, the rider of Sunray, was not slow to notice the distress of his opponent, for he took matters very leisurely, though at the last hurdle he attempted something that looked from where I was standing very much like a cross. Once over that obstacle Sheenan sat down on his horse most vigorously, and before Frewin knew where he was Sheenan had Linwood on terms with his opponent, and the former coming every time he was asked gained a short neck victory on the post. There can be no doubt in tbe mind of anyone who saw the race which horse should have won, and Linwood's victory was altogether due to the brilliant manner in which he was handled by Sheenan. Mr. Weston was a good winner by Linwood's victory, he having stood him to win about ■ £800. A victory on the part of Sunray would have been less acceptable to the members of the local ring, for he was aldo backed to win a good stake at long prices. It has been often said that Carbineer, the three-year-old ion of Musket and Una, lacked heart when it came to a struggle, but the maimer in which he came home in the A.R.C. Handicap last week loft little to find fault with on that head. Though in great distress he came every time the boy hit him, and he finished as game as any horse could. George Wright, his trainer, is j a great believer in him, and though the colt was very sore when he pulled up, Wright has every hope of having him all right again by the autumn. By-the-way, Wright also showed us that little Revolver in not by any j means a bad-'un, for ha won both Selling Races with him.

' Musket was at the top of the tree as a winning sire at the recent Auckland meeting with seven winners, made up as follows : — Thunderbolt (winner of Midsummer Stakes and New Y»ar't Gift), Mitrailleuse (winner of Newmarket Handicap), Revolver (two Selling Races), Jenny Lind (Maiden Plate), De< ringer (Nursery Handieap). Traducer comes next with six winners, all, bar Libeller's victory in the Grand Stand Handicap, being gained by Welcome Jack. I understand that Mr. Pilbrow and Mr. Maxwell, the owners of Clarence and Sunray, have sent letters to the stewards of the A.R.C., claiming the stakes for the Steeplechase. The matter was before the stewards yesterday, but their future action in the matter has not transpired. Mr. Weston, 1 may remark, has already received his cheque for Liuwood's victory. Most of us in Auckland had, I think, come to the conclusion that when Wapiti got to the end of a mile and a quarter, it was about as far as he cared about going, but Cutts has shown us differently, for on Saturday last he sent the little son of King Cole to the post for the C.J.C. Midsummer Handicap, and he got to the end of the two-mile journey in-splendid style, beating Ike, Taiaroa, and Tasman, in 3 38, though private watches made the time 3 seconds raster. By his victory Wapiti has incurred a 51b penalty for the Dunedin Cup, and his weight for that event will be brought up to 7st lib. He has received some good support of late, and is now as good a favourite as anything in the race.

I hear on excellent authority that Ray will next week make a move Syaneywards with Welcome Jack and Clarence ; and 1 have heard that Mr. Pilbrow has entered into an arrangement with Mr. Robertson for Mitrailleuse to join the team, and she will also proceed to Australia to do battle on behalf of the land of the Maori.

Speculation, who my readers will perhaps beat remember as Hippodamia, is apparently coming back to something like her three-year-old form, for I notice that at the recent Marton-Rangitikei Meeting she won both the Jockey Club Handicap of 200sovs. and the Railway Handicap of lOOsovs. Speculation is now the property of Mr. F. Hill.

The North Auckland District races have been fixed to take place at Dargaville in March next. The programme, which appears iu another column, shown added money to the extent of £455, the big event being the Dargaville Cup of lOOsova., and the Kaipara Handicap of Sosovs. dominations close on the 13th of February.

The Musket—Pulchra and the Musket— Ouida colts, purchased by Messrs. McLean and Butler at the recent sales in Auckland, were shipped yesterday for their new homes in the South. The hurdle racer Macearoni was also a passenger, bound for Gisborne. 1 am glad to see that two of our sportsmen have secured the promising yearling by Piscatorious—Yatterioa, and I hope that they will experience that good luck with him that his plucky purchase merits. A Press Association telegram states that July was scratched for the Wellington Rac. ing Club's Cup, at half-past four yesterday afternoon.

Only two horses started for the MartonRangitikei Derby. Mr. D. Scott's Parvenu and Mr. Handley's Ticokow&ru. The former had a very easy victory.

Ararimu races have been fixed to take place on January 20. The Waitara Derby was won by Mr. J. George's Awatea, beating four others. Buzzard won the Waitara Jockey Club Handicap, beating Scotch Mist aud one or two others.

Excellent accounts reach me of Matchlock (the two-year-old son of Musket and Yatterina), who is owned by the Hon. James White. lam told that he is better grown than the Onyx colt, for whom the same sportsman paid 1250 guineas. Mr. M. Fennelly informs the Federal Australasian that Martini-Henry has been turned out, and is now located at the stud farm of the Hon. J. White, where a few mares have been given him. It is intended that the Derby and Cup winner shall spend his Christmas in the company he at present enjoys.

Hankering after originality {says " Mazeppa"), fthe Rakaia committee framed the following conditions for their Novel Rase :— Horses to trot once round the course, then jockeys to dismount and go once round on foot leading their horses, then to mount without assistance and gallop once round The racing at the Victorian Racing Club's New Year meeting was of a very poor description. Commotion walked over for the Bagot Plate. The uncertain Middlemarch turned up a rather unexpected winner in the Standish Plate, defeating Pryingpan (who started favourite), and several others. The Normanby Stakes fell to Monte Christo, who started with odds of 7 to 2 on him.

The Hon. Jas. White appears to have a very promising Derby candidate in Monte Christo, for from accounts of the racing at the Victorian Amateur Turf Club's ami Victoria Racing Club's meetings I notice that the celt won the Juvenile Stakes at the former and the Normanby Stakes at the latter. Monte Christo was got by Chester out of Kathleen, and is engaged in all the good things of the Australian turf. The A. J.C. Summer Cup won by Mr. A. F. Smart Brown ami Uose, was a very brilliant race. Twenty-three horses went to the post. The lot boxed so closely at the home turn that from the stand it was impossible to tell which was the first to land in the straight. As they swept round the turn Fernlea and Uncle Ned were in difficulties ; and at the distance Lord Clifden, Boscawen, and Merlin were racing almost on terms. Just after passing the distance Bos caweu, against the rails, apueared at the front, and a little further on Merlin, in the centre, challenged him, and Highland Mary and Lord Clifilen also got level, and a brilliant struggle ensued ; while on the left Brown and Rose was coming very fast. For a few strides the result was in doubt, between four or five, bat in the next ten strides Gough brought Brown and Rose with a well timed rush, and the filly answering every call resolutely, cut down her horses in the most brilliant style, and won by a length and a half from Lord Clifden, wh. " 'crlin by

three parts of a length for second place. Then, on pretty close terms, succeeded Bos« cawen, Highland Mary, Little Dick, Moon, shee, Willeroo, Impulse, and lolanthe, Brown and Rose got over the two miles in the good time of 3mina. 40sees. She was heavily supported by her party, and went tQ the post first favourite at 5 to 1. Lorelei, who is a full sister to Le Grand, ■ has been sold by Mr. Andrew Town to Mr, W. A. Long for £750. The new Live Stock Insurance Company, which was recently formed in Sydney, ia now in working order, and will prove a great boon to racing men, and especially to the smaller division, who will now be encouraged to buy two or three colts, instead of a single one, not only by the good Two-year-old Stakes to be run for, but equally as much by the knowledge that they can guard themselves against loss by death or accident. Tbe formation of such societies, and the insurance of valuable animals are no new thing, for we have read how the great greyhound, Master M'Grath, when about to cross over from Ireland, on his way to win his third Waterloo Cup, was insured by Lord Lurgan for £2000. When the society becomes fully known, there can be no doubt it will do a big stroke of business. A disputed bet, worthy of record, is reported in connection with the late Sydney Summer Cup meeting Mr. B. S. Thompson was under the impression that he had laid only eight ponies against Brown and Rose to a well known backer, while the backer in I question claimed eight fifties. Mr. Thompson I produced his book, which clearly showed that he had booked only 200 to 25, and at the same time had laid his full book to other people againet Brown and Rose. Mr. Alfred Joseph, another metalhcian, who was present I at the time the wager was laid, was asked ! whether he remembered the wager which I Mr. Thompson laid. He at once said "Yes; Thompson laid 400 to 50." Mr. B. S. I Thompson at once declined to leave the j matter to arbitration, and paid the £400. The total amount of money paid away by the Australian Jookey 'Jlub over the late meeting was £2360. Mr. A. F. Smart was the largest winner, with £915. I regret to see that the Americana are encouraging yearling races, one having taken place at Gallatin in the month of November. The distance was a quarter of a mile, and was run in 25£';ec8., the winner being a coll tamed Tom Prince, by Longfellow. It seems that Archer can flog horses as well a3 any other jockey, for he cut up Duke of Richmond most unmercifully when he hadn't the ghost of a chance with St. Gatien. He afterwards had some disagreement with the owner of the colt, the Duke of Richmond, and handed in his cap and jacket. It is said that the Duke also found a grievance in Archer talking to a bookmaker. Archer replied that he was a married man who had made a home for his family and realised an independence, and if the Duke disapproved of his conduct Archer thought he could maintain his home without hi* Grace's patronage. '