SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7383, 18 July 1885, Page 6

SPORTING.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. F. 11. W.—Black Eoso waa got by Antoros, not by Cartogan. , Qubiust.—HaU carried 9st 2lbs when he woo tne Adelaide (Uirthdav) Cup in 1831. Shoktland.-Thunderbolt will have no penalty to carry in tho Melbourne Cup should he win the V.KX. Derby. H.N.-Don Juan wm gold to Mr. J. O. Inglis a row months before the Victorian Racing Club Spring Meeting for £300. After Don Juan won the Melbourne Cup, Mr. Joseph Thompson bought him back again for £2000. B.—ln Darriwell's yenr, Snwarrow (winner of the Tlctoria Kaeinff Club Derby) and Secundus started equal favouritei for the Melbourno Cup at 4 to 1 each. Darrlwell was bred by Mr. J. O. Inglie, who won the Cup last year with ilalun. , Waokr.-I. Tim Whiffler carried Bit 71bs when he ■was beaten by Libeller (7«t 4lbs) in the Auckland R iciae Club Handicap ia ISS4. Tim started with ihe odds of 2tol on him. 2. Clarenc* carried 12st slbs whon he won the Hurdle Bace at tho siuvo meeting. NOTES BY PHAETON. The tenders sont in for the erection of the new grand stand at Ellerslie being so much in excess of the sum which the A.R.C. were prepared to speud on the structure, the committee have now docided to call for tenders for the erection of the lower portion of the stand only. This work, it is understood, can be completed for between £5000 and £(3000, and the structure will give acoommodation to about 1800 persons. The committee are fully alive to the importance of getting the work at once in hand, and we may therefore oxpect to see it pushed on with vigour after the acceptance of tenders. The Wellington Steeplechase Meeting takes place to-day. The following are the acceptances for the big event:—

By the s.s. Rotomahana, which arrived from the South on Tuesday last, the stallion Merlin was a passenger, en route for Sydney. The name of his purchaser has nob transpired, but I understand that Mr. Joseph Bennett is interested in the transaction. Merlin was got by Blue Boy out of Malice, and he is therefore a half-brother to Mischief, who undoubtedly proved herself one of the best mares that ever carried a saddle in this colony. He is a bit coarselooking about the head; but his other good points more than make up for any deficit in that respect. - I am told that some eightoon months ago Mr. Allan McLean waa offered, and refused, 500 guineas for him ; so that the price paid for him would appear from that to have been a pretty good one. There were few who saw The Dauphin limp home, after the bad aocident that befel him while running in theTakapuna Handicap in April last, in which race he had the pastern bone of his near fore leg shattered in a frightful manner, who thought that the injured limb could be successfully set; and not a few were for at once despatching him to the happy hunting grounds by the aid of a friendly bullet, so bad did the break seem. I yesterday crossed the water with a view to having a look at the son of 'I raducer, and I must say that I was more thau surprised to find him oat of slings, and standing on the leg that had been so badly injured. The limb of course was still encased in plaster bandages ; but the anxious period may now, I think, be said to have fully passed, and the hor.se will no doubt <soon be sufficiently strong on his legs to warrant his being taken home to Taran&ki. The Dauphin has been entirely in Mr. T. Halstead's hands since tho accident, aud that gentleman is to be congratulated on the success which has attended his treatment of tho difficult case. From a letter whioh I received from a Sydney friend during the present week, I learn that the Piecatorious—Yatteriua colt (King-fish), who was recently taken over there by Mr. J. Bonnett, is showing good improvement, though ha has not grown much since his transportation. The MusketOnyx colt (Jacinth), for whom Mr. HamiltonOsDorne paid SSO guineas, has I am told gone wrong, and he has therefore been thrown up for the present. The Anteros— Sylvia colt has goue into W. Duggan's stable to undergo his preparation for two-year-old engagements. The colt has improved a good deal of late, but grave doubts are expressed as to his even being up to Derby calibre.

The full list of weights for the Caulfield Cup are now to hand, and from these we gather that old Commotion is at the top of the tree with 9st 121 bs, while the .New Zealand contingent are weighted as follows :— Welcome Jack, 'Jst 41bs; Vanguard, Sst l'2lbs ; Oudeis, Sst 6lbs ; Thunderbolt, 7st 71bs ; Winchester, 6st 91bs. "Vigilant," in the Melbourne Sportsman of laet week, selects the fpllowing six to furnish the winner :—C»lm», Blink Bonny, Merlin, St. Lawrence, Lord Wilton, or Capri. I learn from a friend has recently arrived from Cbristchurch, that Trenton has thickened and grown into a really grand horse, and that he is now apparently as sound as a bell. Mr. O'Brien has, I also learn, recently taken up Johnny Faulkner, with a view to future engagements; and my informant tells mo that, notwithstanding the many disappointments which the son of St. Albane has recorded, Mr. O'Brien does not despair of yet getting a big race out of him ; and that, too, before very long. In tho account of the race for the English Derby, extracted from tbe American papers, the writer failed to tell us how much separated the first and second horses—Melton and Paradox. From further details now to hand I gather that Archer only home with the first-namnd a head in front of the Two Thoueand Guineas winner. It is said that Royal Hampton, who ran third for the Derby, is owned by an illustrious personage. It is moreover said that His Royal Highness, the heir apparent, landed nearly £50,000 by backing the ho rue to get a place. At various times Auckland has suffered a good deal from a dearth of first-class trainers, and therefore any addition to her ranks in that respect is a matter for congratulation. Mr. M. Carmody, who has for a good many years been stationed in the South, has come np to Auckland, and with the intention of making his home in the Northern city. Carmody has had charge of some good horses in his time, among whom was Salvage, the winner of the Auckland Cup of 1883; and he also prepared Macaroni for the big Steeplechase run at Napier last month, which he won. Carmody is a very painstaking and steady young man, and I hope to hear of his receiving good encouragement. At present he has under hie charge at Ellerslie the Cadogan—Petroleuse colt (Petroleum) and the hurdle racer Woodpecker. The two*year-old colt Sondao (by Musket —Maid of Athol), who is a> full brother to Krupp, is, I learn, doing well under Percy Martin's charge at Napier. The colt is, I am told, not near so massive in build as hie defunct brother ; but still he bears the appearance of being a very likely looking customer, and will be heard of before long. Mr. Hobbs's Bill for the suppression of sweeps passed its third reading in the House of Representatives on Wednesday night; and there is little doubt now that the measure will become law. Sardius, who, in doubles with Newstead, haa been backed for tons of money during the past month (says the Melbourne Sportsman) was supported straight out to win the Cup, on the publication of the weights, at 1000's to 30. Notwithstanding this demon stration, however. "Asmodeus," in the Leader, does not appear to be very much in love with his chance for, in writing of the raoe, he says:—"Sardius has been allotted a steadier in 9st 21b, and as I refuse to believe him to be within 71b of Malua, I entertain no hope of his ability to emulate tho performance of the last named."

The Sydney correspondent of the Melbourne bportsman has, I notice, boen interviewing the Hon. W. Robinson's string, and, from the following remarks which be makes, it will be seen that he is very favourably impressed with them :—" The first horse we looked a.t was Vanguard, who much reminds one of Coriolanus, but there is more of him, and he possesses a head which reminds one of Wellington. He is somewhat straight on his forelegs, but I think he is a right good one. Oudeis is a good-looking bay, and a very likely looking one; and the next we eame to was the V. R.C. Derby candidate, Thunder bolt. The first impression that this horse gives one is that he is somewhat on the small side. It is an erroneous one, and when you come to look at his powerful quarters, round barrel, etc., your final verdict is that, lfke the famous ' Black Demon , —The Barb—he is a ' little big horse.' He has a beautiful head, and, I think, is a real good one, though he has a somewhat curious style of going. Liverpool is a chestnut, and about the most lengthy horse in training around the metropolis. To

my thinking, he is capable of great things, though possessed of a aomowhat soar kind of head, and, perhaps, may not run always so well as his admirer, would wish. Winchester is a good-looking colt, with plenty of substance—in fact the five are, without doubt, the best looking lot of horses in one stable ki this colony. Since their arrival here they have done well," Welcome Jack has, I notice, gone into Coffey'a stable. The son of Tradacer is reported to he lookiag extremely well, and before long we may expect to hear of him being "wanted" in connection with one or other of the big Spring Handicaps. The Onehunga Racing Club have secured the lease of the Reserve, for the holding of their meetings at a rental of £120 for the twelve months. The V.R.C. Steeplechase Meeting ia fixed to take place at Flemington to-day. Clarence is engaged in the Grand National Steeplechase, with list lllbs, at which weight he must be regarded as being decidedly well in. Mr. W. Profitt, the owner of the steeplechaser Macaroni, has, I understand, altered his intention with reference to sending the creamy over to Australia, and from what I can learn he will come on to Auckland, with his stable mate Scrutineer, after the conclusion of the Wellington meeting. Writing on the A.J.C. Derby candidates " Augar " makes the following remarks concerning the Auokland-bred colt Nordenfeldt: —"The good-looking son of Musket and Onyx, for whom Mr. White gave a big price, has for some time been one of the most fancied candidates for the blue riband of Victoria, and, as a consequence, he has received plenty of support outright and in doubles. Of late, however, there have been rumours of a curb, though trainers nowadays don't fear this particular weakness of the hock as they used to a few years ago. Fleshy-looking forelegs, it is said, have given Mr. Fennelly plenty of trouble, and those who have b&ckod him pretty freely for our Derby and Cup do not repose upon a bed of roses. Under any circumstances, I don't expect to see Nordenfeldt carry the white and bluo banner in the contest for the A.J.(J. Derby." "Augur" expects to see either Monte Chriato, Cardigan, or Matchlock re turned the winner. According to the latest tiles of the Londou Sportsman, F. Archer was successful in U out of the 15 races in which he rode at Chester, and for same few years past he has been particularly fortunate at the meeting. Last season he scored 9 wins out of 17 mounts, in 1883 8 oat of 18, and in 1882 15 rides produced 11 wins. His record up to the 12th May showed 46 wins to 122 mounts. C. Wood has an Increase of 3 wins on the week, and of his 111 essays 28 have been winning ones. vVatts was not seen in the saddle at Chester, and resigns third place in the record to G. Barrett, with 119 mounts to 18 wins. The " tape machine," which has for some time been in use upon English racecourses, has become such a nuisance that strong efforts are to be made to suppress it. One writer denounces the system of betting by the tape machine as the next thing to a robbery ; says that from every point of view bat that of the betting clubs it is an unmixed curse, and hopes that, in the interests of breeders, owners, trainers, and jockeye, a heavy hand will be laid upon it. All respectable members of the Press, says he, wish for it an early death and burial, without hope of a resurrection, and there is no doubt it is a duty incumbent npon all interested in successful raeing that this result be immediately attained. Writing of the Now Zealand horses, "Martindale" says:—"Since their arrival at Randwick, Vanguard, Oudeis, Thunderbolt, Liverpool, and Winchester have done well, and now present a very different appearance. I disagree with those who think that Thunderbolt is a small horse. If measured, he would beat some which look much larger." The South Australian writer " Trumpator" says : —" Some people who saw the workmanlike way in which leonomy straggled home in two races which he won there recently became greably enamoured of his Derby chance, and one of the St. Leonards owners snapped up an offer of 1003 to 50, which was made direotly the half brother to Sardiua had landed the mile race. Isonomy has not beaten much so far, but he is a slashing great colt that ought to be susceptible of a great deal of improvement between now and the end of October." The various horses training at Riccarton are, I hear, very forward in condition. Sardine, Commotion, and Lord Wiltoa were the first horses backed in Melbourne on the publication of the Cup weights. Since 1797, when the Dake of Bedford's colt by Fidget out of Pharamond was successful, the Epsom Derby has never been won by an unnamed competitor. In the Hawkesbury Handicap (saye "Augur") Welcome Jack is assigned the premiership, but his countryman Vanguard I would select in preference, becaase I doubt if Welcome Jack will stand the wear and tear of a strong preparation. Mr. A. F. Bradshaw is (says the Melbourne Sportsman) evidently going in for training operations on a largo scale. Hβ has obtained 250 acres of land on lease at Mordialloc, and a training track is now being laid out on it. The track will be one of the finest private ones in the colonies. The whole of Feanelly's string (says "Martindale") look the picture of good health, and whatever people may say about the looks of Nordonfcldt's legs, or the appearance of Monte Christo, there is no truth up to the present time in any silly rumours. Matchlock and Monte Ohrieto worked together, while Despot officiated as master for Kordenfeldt. The beat two-year-old in England this season is The Bard, who, up to the time the last mail left England, had won eight races in succession, value £4810. In all of these except one he was ridden by Fred. Archer. The Bard is by Petrarch, from Magdalene, by Syrian. He is owned by that astute turfite, Mr. R. Peck. THE MELBOURNE CUP. Papers are now to hand containing the views of the various Australian writers on Mr. Barnard's handiwork on the above great race. Commotion is on all hands voted well in ; bat opinions are very divided as to the treatment Sardiua has received. His party, however, appear to be satisfied with his weight, and IOOO's to 30 were written about him immediately after the publication of the weights. Warwick is one who is on almost all hands pronounced as being decidedly well in; and he is by some regarded as tbe blot of the handicap. However, taken altogether, Mr. Barnard's work has been very favourably criticised, and when w>3 come to consider that offers of IOOO's to 30 can be had in Melbourne about anything, it clearly shows that he has been very successful in his adjustment of the weights. The following are the selections made by the various writers as to where we may expect to see the winner come from :— Auoor (Australasian).—Having disposed of the top weights down to Sst., I shall leave the remainder for another chapter, strong in the belief that the best half dozen of thoso I have alroady referred to are Commotion, Reginald, Vanguard, Blink Bonny, Moonshee, an.) Mozart. ' • Abmodbus (Loader). — Vergy matt be placed amongst those likely to furnish the ultimate winner, mid in the sumo category would I include Coronet, Warwick. Plausible. Helens, Nomiauby, Anchorite, Willeroo, Archie, Premethens, Stornawsy, Velocipede and Brown and Rose. Tho foregoing appear to be the plums of the pudding above the 7st lot. whilal below the division it will remain for the initiatory events of the coming spring to rove.U form which will favourably impress the public mind. Vibilant (Melbourne Sportsman).—ln my opinion the most favourably handicapped horsas aro Warwick. Signor, Lord Wilton, Commotion, Sardius, Tom Brown, Firat Demon, Coronet, and Prometheus, and my own fancies are—Warwick, Signor, and Commotion. Warwick (Federal Australian).—From a hasty glance, those that plea e beet are Commotion, Tasman, Vanguard, Off Colour, Merlin, Fryingpan, Moomhee, First Oewon, Trenton, Coronet, King of the Gipsies, Warwick, Normituby, Monte Christo, Diinlop, Despot, and Stornaway; while of these below 7it, The Pencil, Quality, Britisher. Burrilda, Arsenal, Too Too, Lorloi and Lesbiii impress me with the belief that they hare been favourably countenanced. Nkwmarket (Weekly Times).—l consider that Tom Brown, Coronet, Warwick, "Willeroo, and Britisher havo peen treated with a ki >iily hand, and trut Sardius, Reginald, and Off Colour might have been shown a little more leniency. MARTrNDAIiB (Town and Country Journal) Commotion is rightfully placed, but Sardius it hardly treated, and tho same raiy be said of sikar King, »lsr> Merlin, more especially when looking down tue list we see Tom Brown at Bst, and St. Lawrence at 7at 91b. Prometheus also takes my fancy, and Velocipede should run well. Matchlock, Nordenfeldt, and Lenno* are well In, and whichever is beet will be very close at the finish. Britisher cannot complain, and amongst others that look well in are Clarendon, Algerian, Kspiegle, and Lesbia. To select three I should pick Tom Browa, St. Lawrence and Espiegle. The betting market had not properly settled down by last advices; but in Melbourne, Sardiua, Warwiok, Coronet, and Signor were in most request at IOOO's to 20, while in Sydney, Commotion, Honeydew, Newstead, Coronet, Monte Chrieto, and St. Lawrence Are ia most request.

st.lb. aUb. IUvenewood -. 12 6 Fangh-a-ballagb ..10 4 MactronJ .. .. 12 6 Billy-go-bjr-'em .. 9 10 KlngAithur ..1110 Ecebue .. .. e 10 erient .. .. 10 ri Fftif Play • • ..96 Herrington.. ..10 10 FlemingtOn ..9 0 Romoo .. .- 10 7 Bobby .. ..9 0