SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7567, 20 February 1886, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. NEW ZEALAND. February 24—Egmont Racing Club. February 24, 25, and 27—Dunedin Jockey CIuLJ March 2—Mauku Kaces. March 3—Kaukapakapa Races. March 9 and 10—Wanganui Jookey Club. March 17-Henderson'* Mill Turf Club. March 17-Ka*lan Jockey Club. March3l and April 1 -Taranaki Jockey Club. March 17 -Ararlmu Races. March 20 and 27—North Auckland (Dargavillo) Races, April Takapuna Jockey Club. April 26 and 27—Auckland Hacing Club. AUSTRALIA. February 27, March 4 and 6-Victoria Racing Club. DATES OF NOMINATIONS AND ACCEPTANCES. February 20—Acceptances and General Entries Otahuhu Meeting. February 27—Acceptances and General Entries Kaukap»Ktti)ft Meeting .. March 12-Arc ptances and General Entries North Auckland (Darpaviiie) Meeting. March 12—Acceptances and General Entries Header* ion's Mill Meeting. PRINCIPAL EVENTS, Fohruary 24—Dunedin Cup. February 27—Newmarket Handicap. February 27 —V. R.O. St. Leger. Mar oh 4—Australian Cup. March O—V. R.C. Champion Stakes. March 9—Wanganui Cup. March 10—Wanganui Derby. March 17—Napier Handicap. March Taranaki J. C. Handle?. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Daroavili.*.—Pearl was scratched for the Wellington Cup on tho 25th January, but at what hour we are unable to say. I'onsonbv.—Welusms Jack's New Zealand record is as follow*: —First, 10 times ; second, once; third, once ; unplaced five times. Sport.—NordenMdt was scratched for the Australian Cup and Champion Stakes on Saturday last, but at what hour we are unablo to gay. M.—Sir Modrol carried Sat lOlbs when he won the A.J.C. Metropolitan Stakes. He only won the Dunedin Cup once; when three-year-old. Kamo.—'i here is a regulation at present in force in New Zealand, prohibiting the importation of horses from the United Kingdom into this colony. Waokr.—l. Stookdale, 6yr«, ran a mils at Wa?ga In lmln. 41Jsocs.. carrying Sat. 2. Darebln started favourite fur the Melbourne Cup of 1881 at odds of 3 to 1, Martini-Honry started at 6 to 1; iiarebin ran unplaced. Skylark —Except In colour there Is not much resemblance between Sheet Anchor and Welcome Jack. Sheet Anchor is a big bay horse, of great power and substance, and looks more like a hurdleracor than a flat-racer.

NOTES BY PHAETON

The Dunedin Jockey Club's Autumn meeting opens on Wednesday next, on whioh day the Cup comesup fordecision. Unfortunately tho big Southern race this year has been robbed of a great deal of the interest that usually surrounds it, by reason of the early production of the weights having rendered the race almost at the mercy of Nelson. At the time of writing the following eighteen horses still remain in the race, but the final payments, whioh becomes due on Monday next, will no doubt see the number very considerably out down :— at lb *t lb Taaman .. ... ft 7 Captain VTebster — 76 Turquoise ... 8 10 V.verlon Lad — 7 3 Nelson .. *H 6 Leon .. ..7 3 Loc'ilel .. ..8 0 Derringer .. 7 2 fusillade.. .. 710 Patrician.. ..6 0 Ltdy Kramft ~7 9 Rubezahl.. ..80 Hermitage ..7 8 Jnplter .. .. 512 Necklace.. ..7 8 Warbeck .. ..5 9 Rusaley ..7 7 Scraps filly ..6 7 'Including lOlbi penalty. It needs but few words from me to show what a really good thing on paper the race appears to be for Nelson. We saw him win tho Auckland Cup (2£ miles) in a canter with 7st 81bs in the saddle, and with Bst 131bs he had a like record in the A.R.C. Handicap (1 mile and three-quarters). At Wellington he won the Island Bay Handicap (1$ mile), carrying 9st 3lba ; and the Wellington Cup (2 miles), with Sst 4lba, also fell to him. Therefore, on all form, what looks a greater moral than that the Dunedin Cup must also fall an easy prey to him should he strip all right on the day, for he has gained the whole of his recent victories without the semblance of a struggle. If we are to take the betting quotations as a criterion it would appear almost certain that Derringer will be ths ono of Mr. Marshall's trio that will carry the stable confidence, but still appearances are not wanting to show that Necklace's chance is also highly thought of by the party. For my part, however, I should rather stand the colt in preference to the mare, for I fancy ho is the better Btayer of the two. With 7st 21bs the colt certainly has a rare show, but though estimating him very highly, I fear that there is a bit of bad luck in store for him in this race in being asked to meet a horse of Nelson's calibre on suoh uneven terms. Fusillade, presumably on his New Zealand Cup victory, is thought by many to be the one most likely to lower the colours of the favourite, but I myself cannot &ee any chance for him proving Nelson's master, except by the aid of an aocident. Altogether there does not appear much prospect of a big race, and to make a long story short, I shall expect whoever beats Nelson to win. ?

There are not a few who are of opinion that the stewards of the Auckland Racing Club acted rather hastily in throwing out the Manaia case simply on the grounds that the evidence taken before the Onehunga Club had been contradicted by that taken before them, and I think myself that it is a matter for regret that the question of the disqualifications were not referred back to the Onehunga Club. From what I saw during the race, and what transpired after, I am quite convinced that the Onehunga stewards had good reason for taking action in the matter, and they cannot be too highly commended in endeavouring to protect the public. Though the stewards of the Auckland Racing Club have refused to endorse the disqualification, 1 understand that the Onehunga Club have no intention of taking them off.

Very little wagering on the Dunedin Cup has been done in Auckland during the present week, the hot favouritism of Nelson having paralysed the market. Dunedin telegrams state that 6 to 4 is on offer about the favourite there, but a private wire' from Christchurch informs mo that even money has been wanted there about him for some days, and it would therefore appear almost certain that on the day he will start with odds on him, should he continue well. Derringer is quoted at 5 to I, Necklace and Fusillade coming next at Bto 1; while 10 to 1 is on offer about Hermitage, and 100 to 8 about either Lady Emma or Patrician. The position of favourite in the Australian Cup, was no sooner vacated by Nordenfeldt than it was at once filled by another Auckland-bred-'un, in the shape of Matchlock, a three-year-old son of Musket and Yatterina. This young gentleman, who, during his two-year career won a couple of good races, is said to have grown into a very grand colt, and as he has only 7st 91bs to carry in the race, he will no doubt render a good account of himself. Besides his engagement in the Cup, Matchlock is also engaged in the St. Leger and Champion Stakes. Regarding the rumour of Major George having received a very tempting offer from the members of the ring for Nelson, the Canterbury correspondent of the Otago Witness says :—" I learn, on the best authority, that Major George positively did have an offer, subsequent to Nelson's win at Island Bay, ot £4000 for the horse; but from the source it came, he affirms that it was not from any of the bookmakers, who he states did not make him any offer. But hie answer to any questioner was definite, 41 Till the Duoedin Cup is decided, Nelson is not for sale at any price you like to mention." The mile . match between Mr. Halcrow's Joo and Alford's Orphan came off yesterday afternoon on the Cambridge racecourse, Joe winning easily. Time, lmin 57secs. Despite most unpropitious weather there were a good number of persons present.

The Australasian has the following concerning the New Zealand contingent in training at Flemington "Mr. P. F. Dakin has been sending Liverpool and Winchester along stoutly, but the latter makes no pace till he gets thoroughly warmed to his work. His companion, however, moves very nicely, and as the brace wound up good work on Tuesday by covering half a mile in 54secs., the next four weeks may put them into such heart as to cause the Hon. W. Robinson to start them daring the Autumn meeting. Thunderbolt's occasional lameness was extremely perplexing to his trainer, who has discovered' the cause thereof, viz., the colt striking himself when, galloping. _ He has been given a slight rest, and the irritating cause is not likely to trouble him again," The withdrawal of Nordenfeldt from the Champion Stakes candidates renders that event of a more open character. The Cup winner, Sheet Anchor, now heads the betting at 4 to 1, while 6 to 1 is offered against Sardiua. The three-year-olds are of such a moderate character that few of them are expected to go to the post. The only three-year-old that appears likely to trouble the old

horses is Matchlock, and should he succeed in winning the Australian Cap he will unquestionably be a dangerous thorn in their side,® n-rii-h T „ _ 1 The recent deoision given by Judge Wardell, at Wellington, in a case brought by an investor on the totalisator against the Island Bay Company has created a good deal of surprise in turf circles. The case, which was brought as ft teat one, was that in which Mr. Daniel Bark sued the company for the reoovery of the sum of £2 6s, which he claimed on the ground that he purchased two totalisator tickets on the Consolation Handicap, and which resulted in a dead-heat between Little Scrub and Talebearer. The race was run over again, when Little Scrub won, and the totalisator paid on him. The contention on which the plaintiff rested his case was that the rules posted on the total* isator building expressly stated that in the event of a dead-heat occurring the money was to •be divided between the two horses. I take the following interesting account of the argument in Court from the Post Mr. Gully, the counsel for the defence, submitted that the public must be governed by the rules of the totalisator as they were posted up, and if there was any mistake, auoh mistake must be corrected at once, and on the course. But it was perfectly plain under the Act that no civil action could be tfterwards brought. The totalisator was clearly, though legalised, an instrument connected with wagering and gaining, and as such no money under a contract could be recovered in connection with it. The seotion of the Gaming and Lotteries Act referred to reads as follows:—'All contracts or agreements, whether by parole or in writing by way of gaming or wagering shall be null and void, and no suit shall be brought or maintained in any Court of law or equity for recovering aoy sum of money or valuable thing alleged to be won upon any wager, or which shall have been deposited in the hands of any person to abide the event on whioh any waiter shall have been made : Provided that this provision shall not be deemed to apply to any subscription or contribution or agreement to subscribe or contribute for or toward any plate, prize, or sum of money to bo awarded to the winner of any lawful game, sport, pastime, or exeroiße." Mr. Menteatll, in replying, submitted that the totalisator was not a gaming machine within the provisions of the Aot. By seotiona 46 and 47 the totalisator was exempted from the category of gaming implements under the Aot, and he asked, ' Was it likely that the Legislature of New Zealand would stultify itselt, as it would be doinv, if in one breath it legalised the totalisator, and in another it prohibited the recovery of oontraotorial rights entered into by investors in a game, or in a machine which had been legalised by Parliament." The statute clearly set forth that the totaiisator was free from all tainc as being a gaming instrument, and this being conceded, it was competent for anyone winning money at it to proceed for its recovery by process of law. Mr. Gully submitted that the totalisator stood exactly in the same position with regard to the law as billiards did—both being licensed under certain circumstances —or at any rate, as the game of billiards was recognised under provincial ordinances formerly, both were instruments of gaming. That the fact of investing money on the totalisator was undoubtedly gaming, there could be no doubt; and, although the machine was legalised, there was nothing in the statute which gave an investor in the instrument a legal right to sue for the recovery of any sum of money which it might be alleged was contracted for. Mr. Menteath contended that there was no parallel between the game of billiards and the totalisator machine. Billiards was played with cues and balls, and was a game of skill, altogether independent of any betting upon the games, Whereas the totalisator was a machine with whioh betting was inseparably connected. Mr. Wardell, R.M., said that it appeared to him that Mr. Gully's contention, founded on section 33 of the Gaming and Lotteries Aot, was fatal to the plaintiff's case. He could have wished, however, that tho defendant company had defended the case on other grounds rather than on the point raised by their counsel. Judgment was given for tho defendants, with £9 costs. Notice of appeal was given by Mr. Menteath." There can be no question that in not ordering the division of the money between the investors on Little Sorub and Talebearer after the dead-heat, the club were in the wrong ; and the only wonder is that the retention of the money did not give rise to a scene on the course. Such a practice cannot be too severely condemned, and for the future it would be advisable, in the interests of the public, that the rule referring to the dividing on moneys in races that terminate in deadheats, should be strictly carried out, as otherwise it certainly opens the door to the commission of fraud. The decision of Mr. Wardell in defining the totalisator an instrument for gaming, and therefore a claim unrecoverable in a Court of law, will be a serious matter for the public if upheld, for no matter how glaring the swindle may be, it is put outside the pale of the law by this ruling. The further development of the case will be looked forward to with much interest by all those interested in turf matters. .Regarding the recent phenomenal dividend paid on a hack race at Napier, " Mazeppa " furnishes the following, as the largest dividends paid in this colony : — £3' o—on a hack race at Napier. £251)-on l oule in the 1832 Napier Handicap. £251— on Kalo in the 18516 Shorts Handicap at Auckland. £139 -on Tristan in the 1885 County Plate at Cromwell. The largest dividend paid since the maohine was introduced into these colonies was at Adelaide some four years back, when a rank outsider rejoicing in the title of D.O.D. won the Goodwood Handicap. Only ona investor was on the horse's number, and the lucky holder, who proved to be a bushwhacker, received £800 odd as a return for his sovereign,

At the Ohaewai meeting, on the 10th instant, Mr. Chadwick won the Maiden Plate and Publicans' Purse with Loohinvar. The Cup was won by Dewdrop (Sat 21bs), who beat Kaiwaka (Bst 121bs), Macduff (6st 9lbs), and Nigger. Dewdrop (7at 101b) also proved successful in the Flying Handicap, Nigger (7«t 12lbs) and two others being behind her. In connection with the big events (Newmarket Handicap and, Australian Cup) to be fought out shortly on the Victoria turf, I may remark that the double, William Tell and Matchlock, was backed in Auckland during the present week to win about £1200. Mr. O'Brien has evidently found it useless to persevere further with Trenton with a view to the Dunedin Cup, as the son of Musket was on Thursday withdrawn from all his engagements at the Dunedin meeting. The injuries sustained by Nordenfeldt have turned out fully as serious as was anticipated, the Hon. Mr. White being compelled to withdraw the colt from all his V. U.C. Autumn engagements. Had the son of Musket kept all right, there can be little doubt that he would have made a bold bid for victory in the Champion Stakes. "Actaeon" has the following oonoerning the Dunedin Cup favourite :—" When leaving the course on Tuesday morning, I met Nelson and Maligner returning from their successful Northern trip. At Outts' invitation I followed them into Chokebore i*odge stables, and had a peep at Major George's triple cup winner. He certainly looks a perfect picture, and appears as fit as hands can make him. The superfluous flesh he had on him at our Metropolitan meeting has been taken off, and his muscle stands out prominently all over, most noticeably in his hind quarters. He seems to be in excellent heart, and looks as healthy and well as it is possible to wish for." Writing on the present state of the turf in the old country, Mr. Hawley Smart concludes an article brimful of interesting matter thus :— " That ladies had better abstain from the intricacies of racing I once more repeat. They make bad gamblers; they have neither temper nor patience to bear with the reverses incidental to that most uncertain of pursuits. Sadly I recall a certain rubber at a country house, when, holding two by honours and the odd trick in my own hand, I noticed a cloud come over my fair partner's face. In another moment she had thrown her cards upon the table, and exclaimed, drearily, 'We may as well give it to them, I have nothing in my hand.' And they told me she could play whist 1" A notable circumstance in the betting ring at a recent Victorian meeting was the appearance of a blind bookmaker, accompanied by a deaf and dumb clerk. The modus operandi of these two individuals was very singular. The blind man called out the wagers, and when one w»a accepted he spoke to his deaf and dumb clerk by means of the manual system, and the latter immediately entered tho wager in his book.

Waitiri is favourite for the Wanganui Cup. It is said that Lochiel is unlikely to fulfil his engagement in the Dunedin Cup. ■ ■ The New Zealand Grand National Steeplechases are this year to be held on July 22. Nemesis, the three-year-old daughter of St. George and Fleurange, has gone into M. Carmody'a hands to be trained. Captain Webster, who is reported to have broken down badly, iB again in work, and shows no symptoms of lameness. William Tell is the ruling favourite at 8 to 1 for the Newmarket Handicap, to be run at Flemington on Saturday next. The V.R.C. Meeting opens at Flemington on Saturday next, when the St. Leger and Newmarket Handicap are. set down for decision. It is stated that the YiotOrian steeplechaser Denmark has been purchased for 600 guineas on behalf of a New Zealand sportsman. The Otahuhu Racing Club have received very fair entries for the three prinoipal events of their meeting, whioh is fixed to take place on March 10. Colonel Fraser, during his recent visit to Wellington, purchased the Albany—Miranda mare Aimee, and she will, I hear, join Dave Mnnn's team. The Dunedin Jockey Club have altered their totaliaator rules, so that in future backers will reoeive in proportion to the number of investors on each horse. Notwithstanding the favouritism shown for Derringer in connection with the Dunedin Cup, his stable mate Necklace is being nibbled at in Auckland, about 200 being

yesterday taken about the mare at 100 to 12. It is said that Mr. Henry Redwood is engaged in writing a book bearing on the New Zealand turf. Mr. Redwood is well competent to undertake such a task, for he is rightly regarded as one of the fathers of the turf in Maoriland. The publication of the volume will be looked forward to with much interest. The foroe with which Leon ran into a post at the recent Wellington meeting may be gathered from the fact that it smashed the 08frontis over the right eye, driving the eye completely into the head, which has swollen to such an extent that it has been found impossible to operate on it yet. The Napier Telegraph is responsible for the following :—" Not a bad story is told of a policeman present at a suburban race meeting. He asked to see the permit by whioh the totnlisator was used, and on being shown the telegram signed by the UnderSecretary, he protested that it was not the signature of G. S. Cooper, which he knew well. The story is true, but we withhold the name of the locality." The Helensville Turf Club propose, if satisfactory arrangements can be made, to hold a second meeting on Saturday, April 3rd. Application is to be made to the railway authorities to run an excursion train as cheap as possible, and to give passengers the option of remaining till Monday. On Sunday a steamer will convey passengers round the harbour, and conveyances will be laid on to take visitors to the west coast. HENDERSON'S MILL TURF CLUB RACES. The following nominations have been received for the Henderson's Mill races, which take place on the 17th maroh :— Hurdles, two miles.— Pi pi, Zip, Qutlp. GiizMle, Tiger, Tinman, Miss Agnes. Kin?, Miss Griffiths, Darkey, Guy Fawkes, chotover, Minuet, Rowdy. ujindkhson's Milt, Cur, one and three-quarter mils*.—Aimee, Castaihore, Dressmaker. Flageolet, Tiger, Larrikin, Woodnympu, Empress, Darker, Victory, Wapiti. Victoria. Railway Handicap, one mile.—Flageolet, Larrikin, Woodnymph, Etnpresi, Nensssis, Victory, Capella, Yankee, Mitrailleuse, Viotoria, Aiinee, Castashore.