SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7467, 24 October 1885, Page 6

SPORTING.

— « . Racing fixtures. NEW ZEALAND. October 21-Onehunga Racing Olnb. October 31— Pakuranga Hunt Club. November 10,12, and 13—Canterbury Jockey Club. November 10Auckland Racing Club. November 28 and 80— Dunedin Jockey Club. Decomber 26— Hawke'e Bay Jockey Club. December 28, January 1, 2—Auckland Baclog Club. December 26 — Manrawhare Race*. December 28—Omoha Jockey Club Races. December 28— Drnry Races. February 24, 25, and 27— Dunedin Jockey Club. AUSTRALIA. October 31, Novembers, 6, 7— Victoria Racing Club. DATES OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS. October 31— Pakuranga Hunt Cup. October 31 -Victoria Racing Club Derby November 3—Melbourne Cup. November Nov Zealand Cup. Novembor 10 — i-rinco of Wales Stakes (Auckland). November 12—Canterbury Jockey Club Derby. December 28—Auckland Cup. DATK3 OP NOMINATIONS AND ACCEPTANCES. October Acceptances and general entries Auckland Spring Meeting. Decembor 4— Acceptances Auckland Cup and Stoeplechas.-. ANSWEBS TO CORRESPONDENTS. T.11.W -Sir Joioph lUwloy died on April 20, 1873 ; Mr. 3m. Morry on February 3, 1877. SrKtiTATOß.— Goorge Williams rode tlio Peeress colt in tho Auckland Cup won by Foul Play. Kpsom. — Martini-Henry's tlmo for the V.R.C. Derby was 2m. 393., and for tin Melbourne Cup Bm. 30is. Dispute.-Musket was landed in Aucklar.d in January, 1879. He was brought only by way of Melbourne and Sydney. Qukhy.—Oudeisis a Grook word signifying nobody. It is pronounced Ow-dlce. Uudels was got by Albany from No Nan o. W.—King was not placed in the last Auckland Autumn Steeplechase. Macaroni was tlr.<t, Now Year second, and Director third. The last-named wan, however, disqualified and Chandler was placed third. H.P.— Archer's best year was ISS4, when ho rode 241 winner*. His previous six years' records wore 232 in 18S3. 210 in ISB2. 219 iu 1831, 121 in 1880, 199 in 1870. and 229 in 1873 „.. ~ , , . Waobr.—Welcome Jack's (4m. 75,) is tho fastest time ever made in the Auckland Cup. King Quail a time was 4m. 8s Welcome .luck was ridden by W. Butler when he won in 1883. and in the following yoar, when Salvage won, It. Derritt was up on him. NOTES BY PHAETON. But one more short week has now to elapse ere wo arrive at the eve of the decision of another V.R.C. Derby. That tho Blue Riband of our Victorian neighbours will this year bo fully up to those of its predecessors events aro not wanting to show ; and at tho time of writing there is a very reasonable prospect that it will prove one of tho most hotly contested races witnessed for many a day. New Zealand is, on this occasion, right worthily represented, for in Thunderbolt and Winchester wo have, by all accounts, furnished two candidates that will certainly take some overthrowing.and with the favourite, Nordenfeldt, also claiming Maoriland as the place of his birth, it will indeed be surprising if we do not come out of the trying ordeal iu a very satisfactory manner. Present indications point to tho fioli for the Derby numbering at loast ton, and the following is a list of those from whom the field will most likely be drawn :— Hon. W. Robinson's br c Thunderbolt, by Musket— Locltot Hon. W. Hohinson's br c Winchester, by St. George— Mins Flat Hon. J. White's br c Nordenfeldt, by MusketOnyx Hon, J. White's br f Uralla, by Chester— Moonstone Hon. J. White's g c Monto Christo, by CheaterKathleen Hon. W. Pearson's br c Arsenal, by Goldsborongh— Powder Hon. W. Pearson's ch c Tho Trawler, by Tho Hook— Msnot Mr. W. Kelso's br o First Chestor, by Chester—Mario Stuart Mr. Dakin'Rb c Tbo Pencil, by King of tho Ring - Maid of All Work Mr. Robertson's b c Dunlop, by Neciorspat—Etta Mr. Cook's ch c Remus, by Gang Forward—rtoraul* Mr. M. Jacobs' b c Sunny Days, by Hawthorndoc— Sunshine Mr. J. Wilson's b c Ringmaster, by First KingYardley Mr, M. Locko's b c Isonomy, by Wintorlake— Ruby Mr. M. O'Shunnasay's b c First Prince, by First King —Sonorita A fortnight or so back, a cablegram announced that the Hon. J. White had stated that Nordenfeldt was an " unlikely " starter for the Blue Riband; and wo have now before us tho reason which guided the Sydney sportsman in making that fact known. The hon. gentleman has a great and not unreßonable desire to win tho race with one of his own breeding, and as some time back Uralla and Monto Christo were both considered better than the Bon of Mußket, and were consequently supported, be has given it to be understood that should he be satisfied that either of the two named are good enough to win tho Derby, tho pen will be put through tho name of tho son of Musket. Now, looking at Nordenfeldt's running at Randwick, and still later tho bad form shown by Monte Christo in the Caulfield Guineas, does there appear much likelihood of the hon. gentleman carrying his threat into execution ? I certainly think not. Uralla is on all hands voted superior to Monte Christo, and as Nordenfeldt had little difficulty in smothering her when they met at Randwick ; and First Chester, whom the son of Musket also beat in the Derby, afterwards proved himself capable of doing the daughtor of Chester, it will be seen what a wonderful reversion of form there would have to be to bring either up to the standard of Nordenfeldt. Uralla it is quite true has been striding along in much better form of late ; but to counteract this, there is tho fact that tho son of Musket is even much better now than when he stripped at Randwick last month. A colt that h»H been a good deal talked about of late, and that has been heavily supported by his party for the Blue Riband, is Isonomy. He is owned by the South Australian division, at which place, prior to his transportation to Flemington, ho showed his party a very brilliant gallop over the Derby course. He is said to bo a raro goor, game as a pebble under the whip, and ho needs no hotter certificate than being a half-brother to that good horßo Sardiua to place him amongst the dangerous division. Thunderbolt, who was a short time back apparently goiug back, has coma on again, and I read of him and Winchester getting to the end of a very sound mile and a half one morning last week, at tho conclusion of which the son of Musket had slightly the best of his companion. That Thunderbolt, when in Chaafo'a hands showed his old trainer something of a very high order is a well-known fact, aud it is even said that on one occasion bo put up lOlbs above his weight for ago, and got the best of Turquoise over a mile. Be that as it may, tho son of Musket has fully demonstrated in public that he is possessed of a most brilliant turn of foof, and his victory over Mitrailleuse last autumn was certainly a performance of the very highest class. That he can stay I think there nued be little doubt; and I don't think there noed be any question of his being well up to Bat lOlbs calibre. Fit and well on the day, and with Derritt in the saddle, and knowing what I do about him, there is nothing in the race that I would aoener trust than Thunderbolt. Should of course Winchester bo the selected one, there can be no doubt he will take a power of beating; but for the present I prefer to tand by.Thunderbolt. Ringmaster, who has opened his three-yoar-old career with two good wins, has been nupported by his party, but though as game as a pebble, it is thought that Bst lOlbs must find him out in a fast run mile and a-half such as this will be. First Chester has been claiming a good deal of attention of late, and his party entertain great hopes of his being able to turn the tables on his A.. J.C. Derby conquerors ; but he is said to be none too sound on his pins, and tho winding-up gallops during the coming week may find a weak spot in him. Dunlop, who a short time back was considered to have a show second to none, has since his performance at Caulfield been almost deserted. Ho is said to be a rare shaped one ; but there must have been something very bod about his performance to cause such a great desertion from him. Remus and Sunny Days are both considered to havo good outside shows ; but, all going well, I think we shall find the winnor of this year's Blue Riband in one of the following three :—Thunderbolt, Nordenfeldt or Isonomy. [Since the above waa written, cuter has cabled that " It iB now almost certain that Nordenfeldt will not start for the V.R.C. Derby." Should Mr. White carry his lons-expressed threat into execution, it will without doubt cause the "blue and white" banner to fall greatly in popularity, and as " Augur " said in last week's Australasian, "It will never afterwards be received with enthusiasm on a Victorian raoecourse." Nordenfeldt's many admirers in Auckland will await with much anxiety the next act in the drama.] The Caulfield Cup of 1885 has certainly acquired a notoriety that will long oause it to be remembered by turfites in these seas— firstly, on account of the heavy wagering that took place on the race ; secondly, the

great field that went to the post to contest it; and, thirdly, the terrible disaster that occurred during ita progress, by which no less than sixteen horses were brought to the ground, and which cost that good horseman, Donald Nicholson, his life, while many of his companions were also seriously injured. From the account of the race, it would appear that the unfortunate accident took place just before the entrance to the straight was reached—where everything composing the front flight would no doubt be at its very top, trying to get the lead round the top bend. That; the falling of a horse at this important juncture of the struggle had a most disastrous effect on the race, as woll as causing the loss of life, is only what might be expected; and tho wonder is, considering that sixteen horses fell, that there was not a greater loss of life to record. The terrible scene enaoted before tho oyes of the twenty-five thousand spectators present, of horses and riderß being hurled hither and thither in a confused mass, can be well imagined; and the remaining items of the programme would be little relished. Though there have been several instances of horses having fallen while contesting in big races on the Australian turf, these mishaps have not been accompanied with anything like such a serious result as the lamentable affair at Caulfield. It was only last month, while contesting in tho Great Metropolitan Stakes at Randwiok, that Despot came down when approaching the turn for home ; bat luckily nothing else was in his immediate track, and no harm resulted. The racing season in the Auokland district opons today with the Onehunga meeting, and with fine weather in its favour, the gathering should in every way prove a sucefcss. Tho acceptances received for tho principal events of the meeting have turned out much more satisfactory than could have been looked for, considering the nature of the handicaps issued by Mr. Evitt for those events ; and with the other events of the programme filling well, a very fair afternoon's sport should result. The Railway Department have laid on special trains, and they will land passengers at Te Papa station, which, 1 may remark, is within a short distance of the course. The following are the acceptances and entries for the various events : - Handicap Hurdles, two mile*. —Woodpecker, list 7lba;Alarie, lOut r.!ius ; Shotovcr, lOst ; I'ipi. 9st 7iba ; Jo, Uat ilbs ; Actress, Blurauy, False Alarm, Oat. Sprtno Handicap, one ruiio and a half. — Rewi, 7«t lllba ; Mystery, 7at Oltm ; Kalo, 7st 6lln; Sir Bcdcvore. 7«t 4ll;o; Victory, Git 10,bs; Pipl, Oat 9lba ; Nannie, Cut Bibs ; Barb, fist ; Cinderella, Git. buui/KBAN Handicap, ono wile. — Kewi, 7st 1211)8; Mystery, 7st Oldh ; Kalo, 7»t 61bs; Sir Bc.levere, 7st ftlbs; K«volvcr, 7st 411)8; viclnry, 7st ; Nannie, (Jit 12lhs : Clnderolla, Bst 4lbs: Little Wonder, Cat. Ki.tino Handicap.— air BedevTO, i-ortnna, Fly, Little Wonder, Capolla, iialo, Victory, Cinderella, ltewi, Rosewood, Revclvcr. Novel, Hack.-M.anaia, Bon Jour, Countess, Billy, Oyer thk) HllU. I'ONY Rale.—Little Nell, Fly, Sandfly, Matiri, Little Mf.ry, Ruby. Maioix Platk. — Kaiwaku, Fortuna, Enfield, Luna, Comet, traveller, Fake Alarm, fioweua, Jo, reappointment, Shotover, iiarnoy, Billy, Reveller' Rosewood. On her form of laßt season, the Spring Handicap, on paper, looks a really good thing for Mystery, but from the tone of matters yesterday all would not appear to he quite well with the little mare; and a victory ou the part of her stable companion, Cinderella, is not by any means untbought of. Kalo is reported to be in very fair fettle, and should it turn out to be correct that Mystery is off," I think he and Cinderella will fight the issue out. Woodpecker is, I understand, an unlikely starter for the Hurdle Race, and in that case Shotovor should prove the most worthy of support. The Suburban Plate is dependent to a great extent on the running in the Spring Handicap, but I shall expect whatever beats Cinderella to win. A new favourite has been introduced into tho Melbourne Cup during the present week in the shape of Sheet Anchor. Last season this horse was started on seven occasions, but failed to secure a win. One of his performances, however, was of a mostmeritorious character, for with 7st Gibs in the saddle, he was only beaten by three-quarters of a length for the Australian Cup, won by Ringwood (7st 13lbs), the 2.} miles being run in 4rnins. l£sec. After that performance ho was purchased by Mr M. Loughlin, and his next appearance was in the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race, for which he went to the post a rod-hot favourite, but failed most miserably. During the recent A.J.C. Meeting he was supported for tho Melbourne Cup to' win something like £10,000, and sinoe then he has been steadily working hi 3 way to the top of tho quotations. His impost in the Cup is 7st lllba,

(Killod wbilo riding Lord Exotcrin the Caulfleld Cup). Donald Nicholson, the victim in the lamentable accident at Caultield on Saturday last, and whoso portrait is given above, was a native of Scotland, and came to Victoria with his parents some fifteen years back. Flo served his apprenticeship as a jockey in the training establishment of Mr. R. Howie, Ballarat, at the conolasion of which he entered the service of Mr. E. De Mestre, for whom ho won several good races. We next rind him riding in the colours of the New South Wales sportsman Mr. T. Ivory, for whom he won the Wagga Cup on Sweetmoat. Nioholson was rather unfortunate in the big races, though in the events of minor importance he always had a good average of wins. In 18S3, ho was on the back of Masquorado when the son of The Drummer landed that big coup by winning the Great Metropolitan Stakes ; and last season he steered Normanby to victory in the Sydney Gold Cup. Nicholson was a most finished horseman, and as he could go to the scale at very little over 6st, it is needless to say that his services were always in much request. A few days before hia fatal ride on Lord Exeter, at Caulfield, Nicholson had entered into an engagement to ride for the Hon. W. A. Long, and in the black and whita jacket of the Sydney sportsman everyone was looking forward to him having a groat innings this season. Nicholson at the time of his death was twenty-five years of ago. The New Zealand contingent, with the exception of Vanguard and Oudeis, have been getting through excellent work at Flemington. Trenton has, I notice, been having a rough up with St. Lawrence; and, speaking of this, the Sportsman says: — "Things went pretty quietly till Trenton picked up St. Lawrence at the mile post, and from the pace that the two went at it was soon apparent that a genuino trial was on the board. Slowly, but surely, however, the son of Musket and Frailty forged ahoad, and when the eight furlongs had boen negotiated he was a good clear length ahead of St. Lawrence, tho mile occupying lmin. 48sec. The performance was a most undeniable one, and stamps the New Zealander a first-class animal." Liverpool, Thunderbolt, and Winchester are all very forward, and get through their work in the most satisfactory manner. The training notes during the coming week will be watched with muoh interest. The second forfeit in connection with the Melbourne Cup is due on Tuesday next, and the names of the horses left in for tho great race will, no doubt, be cabled in time for publication in Wednesday's issue of the Herald.

At Sylvia Park, during the present week, Soottieh Lassie dropped twins (colt and folly) to Muakefc. The colt died, and there is not, I understand, much chanoe of the filly living. The Hon. J. White's threat to scratch Nordenfeldt does not appear to dismay backers, for I notice from recent betting quotations that two separate wagers of 4000 to 1000 each were recently booked at the Victoria Club about the son of Musket. Early in tho week a cablegram announced that the colt wna at 100 to 30 for the Blue Riband, but later on he advanced to the short odds of sto 2. Thunderbolt has also been in great request of late, 4000 being accepted about him at 7 and 8 to 1. The absence of Commotion from the approaohing V.R.C. meeting has caused th* whole of tho weight-for-age race to fill much better than would have otherwise been the case had tho old son of Panic been engaged. In the Melbourne Stakes, to be run on the first day, there are no less than twenty-six engaged, which include Welcome Jack, Trenton, Thunderbolt, and Nordenfeldt. I notice that Vanguard's name is missing from all the races, so that is evidence beyond doubt that all is not well with tho son of Traducer. Tho following acceptances were received yesterday in connection with Pakurauga Hunt Club's Meeting, which takes place on Saturday next: — Oi'EN STMtPLEcnAsit.— Shotovcr, list Tibs ; Julia Ann, lint 71bs ; King Don, list 31bs: Fair Play. lost l.'lbs ; Hawthorn, 10-t Slbs; Jo, lOst 'Jibs; Eradlangn, lOst 211)8 ; To Whotu, lOst ; Misfortune, 9st 101 lis ; Satcr, 9st 7lbs ; Sir Guy, Ost 71bs. Open HiTRnLKS —Woodpecker, llat7'bs ; Shotover, 10m 711)3 ; Kaiwaka, 10.it; Hawthorn, Ost lOlbs ; Crossnobis, 9it 7Ib«; Blarney, 9Gt 711)3. Chieftain was yesterday scratched for the Pakuranga Hunt Cup. NORDENFELDT AND THE V.R.C. DERBY. The Sydney and Melbourne sporting public it is hardly necessary to state have been greatly exercised over the threat of the Hon. Jas. White to scratch the Derby favourite Nordenfeldt. The bon. gentleman was recently interviewed on the subject by a reporter of the Melbourne Herald, and the following is an account of what took place, which is sufficiently ambiguous to puzzle Father Peter, and would do credit to Machiavelli : — Tho Hon. J. White, in answer to inquiries, stated that ho hid three hones engaged in the V.1i.0, NcrdotifeMt, Monte Christo, and Uralla. The latter two were Med by himself, but Nordcnfellt was bred by the .New Zealand Stud company, and purchased by him as a yearling. Ho did not rim it os a two-yuar-oid. He desires to win with Monto Christo or Uralla, horses of his own breeding, in preference to Notdenfeldt, tho New Zealand bono. Our Reporter: 1 suppose you know, Mr. White, that there is a great deal of public money on Nordenfeldt? Tho Hod. J. White: I see by the papers that the hori'e is first favourite fnr tho Barb.", but I do not think thorn la much public money on it. 1 think the money lins been taken up by speculators with the view of doling it out to the public (at a p-ofit of course) as the date of running the Derby approachet nearer. Our Reporter : Those who backed tho bono evidently thought in view of the fact that no contradiction came from you that Noriioufoldt was a certain starter. The Hon. J. Whits: I have never concealed the fact that, if I thought Uralla or Monte Christo in good fettle, 1 would .start either in preference to Nordenfeldt. I said so at Sydney a month ago, when Nordenfeldt won the A J.C. Derby. The hor.-o was thought nothing of before that time. 1 told every person that asked mo that I did nut intend to back Noulnnfeldt, and at the present moment I have not got a shilling on the lrrse. If the public have backed It, they have done so at their own risk. Our Reporter : And which animal do you consider tho fastest of tho three? The Hon. J. White : I thought Uralla was the best of my lit, but it was beaten In Sydney the other day. Our heporter: At the present time, Mr. White, do you think that Uralla or Monte Christo is as " lit" as Nordenfeldt? The Hon. J. White: I do not wish to cipress an opinion on that poit.t. Our l!«|orter: Would you care to say which horse you have backed, ho that the public may got an idea wh'ch you will start? The Hon. J. White: That Is scarcely a fair question. Our Reporter: Supposing you consider that Uralla or Monte Christo is in good enough form to win the Derby, when will you scratch Nordenfeldt? The Hol. J. White: As soon as I have arrivod at that opinion. Our Reporter: Can you say for certain that you will scia Nordenfeldt? The Hon. J. White: No; I cannot. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. A writer in tho Melbourne Leader says that Trenton is a terrible sluggard. Tho Victoria Amateur Turf Club made a profit of £3000 last year on their meetings. Monte Christo started favourite for the Cauifiold Guineas, but he was never really dangerous. The Hon. J. White's filly Acme followed up her victory in the Richmond Stakes by annexing the Great Foal Stakes at Caulfield. The cause of Commotion's withdrawal from the Melbourne Cup was owing to his having strained a tendon badly. It is feared that tho old horse has run his last race. Captain Webster has not been doing so well of late in his preparation, and is a trifle easier in tho South for the New Zealand Cup, 100 to 12 being now obtainable about him. Minting, who last week won the Middle Park Plate at Newmarket, was even prior to his victory in that race held in high esteem for next year's Derby, backers taking as little as 6 to 1 that he wins. At the Sydney Turf Club's meeting on October 10. I notice that the Auckland-bred colt Kingtjsh (by Piscatorius—Yatterina) started for the Sapling Stakes, in which race he finished second to Blairgowrie. Montana, the costly full brother to Segenhoe and Warwick, started at the recent Rosehill Meeting (Sydney), but cut a very sorry figure. Mr. Smart, his owner, paid something like 2000 guineas for him. The sale of the Middle Park yearlings has been fixed for November 14. Among the lots to be offered are half-sisters to Welcome Jack} Vanguard, and Sir Mod red, all being the progeny of the imported sire Apramont. It is not expected that Mr. George Watsou, who has for so many years wielded the flag at the meetings of the Victoria Racing Club, will have sufficiently recovered from his illness to take up his old position this year. In the course of a letter in the English Sporting Times, a Now Zealand writer says : —" A horse-ownor cannot get more than £2000 out of the Christchurch bookies over the New Zealand Cup, the biggest handicap of tho year."