SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7650, 29 May 1886, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. NEW ZEALAND. June 6—Otaliuhu Ricing Club. June 14—Auckland Racing Club's Steeplechases. June 24—Ha*kee Hay J.O. Steeplechases July 22-Now Zealand Grand National StceplechMO. DATES OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS. .Tuiio 14 -Groat Northern (Auckland) Steeplechase. July '23—Eclipse (Sundown). ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. C.B —Lord Lyon won tlio Drrby in ISBI. M.—Woodnymph was scratched on the morning of the race. FiiAiiu,—Mako Mire of the facti, and then lay the erne before th» stewards at once. WAOER.-Archi>r was born on January 11, 1867. He itancix 5 foet 0 inches. SUBSCRIBER,—Ouy Fawlces m scot by Bedouin out of a Don Juan Mare. Carbine is by Musket. M. .I.—Belle never headed Guy Fawkes after the double was crossed in the late Auckland Steeplechase. M.-Kettledrum and Blair Alhol each won the Derby in 2ui 435. Melton's time last year wa» 2ra 43 2-6s , .. W. R.—Parriwell fs. go far a» we can ascertain, the onlv one of 'lira Whim«r'» sons at present at the stud in Australia. T. J - Lady ftnimn'e time (3m 54«) for the Dunedin Cup of 18S1 Is the fastest. Nelson's time for the same race thii year was 3tn 64js. Query.—Mitrailleuse was bought privately from the Auckland Stud Company by Mr Adams. Her full sinter, Klcochet, w»f enid »a a yearling for 116 guineas. Foul Sh't w*s said for 270 guineas. It is quite true that tho latter was knocked down to Mr I'ilbrow, but he was only acting for Mr. Adams. He only won one race as a two-year-old—the A.R.C. Welcome Stakes NOTES BY PHAETON. "Nine horses started." Such is the information the wires give us of tho field that contested the time-honoured Derby at Epsom on Wednesday last. When we look back at the years of Teddington, Blink Bonny, Caractacuß, and others, and find the field for the ''blue riband " numbering 33, 30, and Si, one is inolined to come to the conclusion that, after all, there is something in the oftrepeated cry, "the deterioration of the British turf." ■ Ever since the sensational win of Hermit, in ISG6, when thirty horses contested, the great race has been steadily on the decline, and we have to go as far back as the year ISO 4 to find such a email field as that which contested on the present occasion. To win a Derby in the present order of things is certainly nothing like it was in the good old days when the fields ran into thirties, and it is a question surrounded with very considerable doubt as to whether we shall ever again see the Derby surrounded with that halo of glory that was once the case. The race on Wednesday resulted in a victory for the Duke of Westminster's colt Ormonde, by Bend Or—Lily Agnes. Mr. R. Peek's The Bard, by Petrarch—Magdalene, being second, and Mr. Y. R. Graham's St. Mirin (by Hermit—Lady Paramount) third. The winner, who won the Two Thousand Guineas last month, was a warm favourite, and the day before the race was quoted at 2 to 1, while The Bird figured at 9 to 2. Ormonde went through the whole of his two-year-old career without once suffering defeat, and his triumph over The Bard on Wednesday last is the only occasion on which the latter has been put down. Ormonde's victory makes the third occasion on which the "yellow jacket, black cap " of the Duke of Westminster has been carried home in the van for the "blue riband," his other victories being gained with Bend Or in 18S0, and with Shotover in ISB2. Like Sir Joseph Hawley, with Beadsman and Blue Gown, the Duke of Westminster claims the distinction, in Bend Or and Ormonde, of having bred both eire and son as Derby winners. Mr. Evitt issued the weights for the Great Northern Steeplechase and Hurdle Race on Wednesday. The great blot in each race is considered to be Macaroni, who is decidedly well in with list 41b and list Sib respectively. On performances there can be no question that tho creamy was fairly entitled to carry top weight, but even weighted as he it, I myself shall profer for the present to look elsewhere for the winnor, and the three I shall pick out thus early in the day for the Steeplechase are Belle, Guy Fawkee, and Whalebone. The Hurdle Kace may fairly be left for consideration until later in the day, when we will be better able to understand the intentions of horse-owners, 'ihe following are the weights : — Gkeat Nokthksn SrttPLKCHtBBof 300jov». About

:>{ mile*. st Hi. st Ib Guy Fawku .. 11 8 Alpha .. .. 0 7 Macaroni .. .. 11 i Whalebone .. 9 7 shotorer .. .. 11 3 Hinit«mi»n.. ..9 7 Bello .. ... 11 2 Julia Ann.. ..9 7 'li.er .. .. 11 - Bob.. .. .. 9 7 Quilp .. .. 10 i KiDgaroo.. ..9 7 His* Griffiths .. 10 0 carbine .. _ 8 7 Wl,le.iw»ke ... 10 0 Mies Agnes .. 9 7 Rcvenje .. .- 912 Hurdle Race of 10)jovj. 11 miloi, St. lb. It. lb Guy Fawkos .. 11 7 Miss Agnes ... 0 7 Miotom ... -. It 7 Orphan .. ..9 7 Tiger .. .. 11 5 Snider .. ..0 7 Mac.roni .. .. 11 3 Alpha .. ..0 7 (fillip „ _ 10 6 I.an<l|i>er .. ..9 5 Kovenge .. .. 10 0 Cabins .. ..9 0

.. .. f» 10 Manila .. .. » 0 Revenge was yesterday scratched for both the above races. When Ellerslie trainers were wout last year to throw their eyes toward the new grandstand, much indeed was the grumbling they used to indulge in on the lavish expenditure that was being made ou the structure, while the training tracks were receiving small attention. The stewards, 1 am glad to hear, have now decided to move in the matter of providing better training arrangements, and will shortly call for tenders for thp laying down of a tan gallop. The new track will be close upon a mile round, and is to be of a first-class character. The bottom will be of hand-packed stone, then a layer of sand, with tan on top. This work, it is, understood, will cost considerably over £500, but, it twice that amount, the money would unquestionably be well spent. In every way the Takapuna meeting on Monday was well up to all its predecessors. For a wonder the club had fine weather, which had the effect of drawing a larger crowd than I have ever before Heen conjugated on the course. This popular club certainly deserve all the patronage beatowui upon their meetings, for everything is carried out in first-class style, and a harder working aet of stewards worn nover put together The T.J.C. have held four meetings during the past seaeon, aud as every one of the gatherings have drawn large attendances, a very satisfactory report and balance-sheet may be looked forward to at the annual meeting of members. The consistent Clogs again gave us a tasto of her quality at Takapuna on Tuesday. With Bst 2lbs in the saddle she simply romped home in the Birthday Handicap, and in tho Victoria Handicap, with 61bs off hor b»ck, ehe, of course, again recorded a like performance. Though a bit neglected by the knowing division, the party behind Clogs considered her chance very highly, and, besides supporting her freely on the machine, they also, 1 understand, backtid her in conjunction with Quilp for the Steeplechase, to win about £200. A friendly bullet has ended the career of that good honest horae Mata. It appears that the old horse caught cold recently, and ae he never got rid of the effects, and had become almost a cripplo, Mr. Pilbrow, his owner, considered it a kindness to end his days. Mata will be remembered as the winner of the Duuedin Cup in the years 1879 and 1880, after which he was taken to Australia to contest in the Melbourne Cup. Tho genuineness of tho son of Dead Shot's running in that race was always questioned ; and, when two days later he romped home in front of a highclass field for the V. R.C. Handicap, people drew their own conclusions. In the interval of Mata's running in the Cup and his victory in the V.R.C. Handicap he was sent out for the Royal Park Stakes, and ran nowhere. His sudden alteration in form compelled the stewards to take some action, and, after hearing evidence, they decided to diequalify Mata aud hid rider (R. Ray) for erer. Though the disqualification was removed from Ray, it was still kept on the horse, and he therefore went to hia grave on the black list. From what I can hear it rather surprised certain parties when Mr. Lennard elected to take the £23 offered for Capella after she woa the Novel Kace at Takapuna on Monday last. The new owner was not long in endeavouring to get out of his " bargain," and at Hunter and Nolan'e sale yesterday the daughter of Cap-a-pie was knocked down for £21, or £2 less than she brought on the preceding Monday. A petition from horse-owners for presentation to the House of Representatires is now laying for signature at Tatteraall's, praying that concessions may be made in charges levied for the conveyance of horses

by train. It seems that in the South hunters are carried free by the authorities up to a certain distance, and it is felt that some such concession should be made in the matter of racehorses. The petition will be forwarded to Wellington during the coming week. Mr. T. Stephens, who acted as commie-' sioner for the New Zealand Stud Company in the purchase of Nordenfeldt, will, I understand, again leave for Sydney during the coming week. Mr. Stephens is taking; a shipment of horned stock with him, but there are more unlikely things than that he »vill bring us back another thoroughbred, stallion. As I predicted, Guy Fawkee had very little difficulty in disposing of the field opposed to him in tho Wanganui Steeplechase, and the telegram announcing the result of the race says that the son of Bedouin won with a bit in hand. So apparently thought Mr. Evitt, for he popped top weight on to him for the Great Northern Stoeplechase and Hurdle Race. Acceptances and nominations in connection with tho A.R.C. Winter meeting are due on Tuesday. Revolver's victory in the Novel Race at Dunedin on Queen's Birthday had the effect of sending Musket's winning total during the present season to over £IS.OOO. After the race Revolver was purchased by Mr. D. O'Brien for £40, at which price he must be considered cheap. That popular horseman J. Rae again showed us with Quilp, at Takapuna, on Monday last, what a ' real good man can sometimes do with a confirmed old roguo in getting him to go straight. The old chestnut appeared from the first to quite understand that "our Johnny" would have no nonsense, and taking hold of his bit, as rarely he does, he took his jumps in great style, and eventually won. In concluding his speech at the recent meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club, Mr. G. G. Stead made the following remarks :— " It would not, however, be fitting if we concluded this meeting without making reference to the adoption by the Dunedin Jockey Club and ourselves of the same set of racing rules, and I think it is a matter for congratulation that the two clubs should so promptly have decided upon a code that is acceptable to both. We can now only hope that our friends in Auckland will sea their way to adopt the same code, which would ultimately mean that every race meeting in New Zealand would be governed by one law, and guided by the same regulations. Then there would be some prospect of future racing in this country being conducted sans prur el sans reprochc." The following are the acceptances and nominations in connection with the Otahuhu Racing Club's meeting on Saturday next : —* Otahi'hu 111ciNα «'lub Handicap,—Clog? Sat 81'>, Victory 7st 111b, Wapiti 7st Sib, Kewl 7st 6!b, Torpedo 7st 4ib, Orphan 6st 31b, CasUstiore 6-t 101b. Handicap Hurdles — Our Fawkes Hat 21b, Gaulle lOat Sib, !<ow<ly, 9at 101b, Minuet 9st 81b, Tinman Ost 81b, Miss Agnos Ost 71b, Larrikin 9it. Star Ost. Artrfs.il>onine Alpha Oil. 91b, 9-t. The Nu!) Otahuhu Handicap STF.itPLHcHAKK. — Guy Fairkes Hat 71b, CWrllo lost 71b, Kowdy Ost 1111), Julia Ana l)»t, Laddie (M 711). Maiden Plate. — IrltUy, Hob Hoy, Bregclla, HerCedoF, Coma, Pret rU Escape, Ixniik Walton. Selling Hack Race. — Capella, Coma, Little Wonder. Barnoj', itlacktliorn, I'reato, Blarney. Skllino Stickplhchabe. — Hawthorn, Tioman, Is*ak Walton. Kovrdy, The settling over the recent Takapuna meeting takes place on Monday next. Salvage did not (say 3 "Sir Launcelot ") long survive the death of his old master, Mr. R. H. Vallanco, in whose colours he ran his last races. It will be remembered that about two months back the late-lamented Mr. Vallance made a present of Salvage to Mr. §. Powell, of Wanganui, who on Wednesday telegraphed to me, informing me that he had had that day to shoot Salvage, owing to his leg being broken by a kick from another horse. Salvage was bred in IS7S by the Hon. W. Robinson, and was by Castaway out of Mist, by Towton. F. Archer, in riding the winner of the Hyde Park Plate at Epsom on the Sth of last month, scored his tenth success this season, and brings the number of his winning mounts since he riret appeared in the saddle in IS7O, to 2557. This is the total with which George Fordham was credited when he retired from his profession in ISS4, and it may be of interest to state that his last mount was ou Mr. L. de Rothschild's Aladdin in the Park Stakes at the Windsor August meeting of the year named, his first having been at the Brighton autumn gathering in 1850. An analysis of the accounts presented at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club, shows that the net profit for the season, including disbursements for permanent improvements, was £1109 13s lid, which is made up by protits on the Spring aud Autumn meetings of £1445 ISe Id, and £316 18s 6d respectively, less a loss of £'JS3 33 on the Midsummer meeting, and cfin-ral expenses (less general receipts) of £.'>69 9s Sd. Kiog Death has recently been playing sad havoc in the equine ranks throughout the various colonies, amongst his victims being Imperial (of Sydney Cup fame, and long since. a pensioner at Moonee Valley), King of the Anglers, Montem, Napier, Uucas 11., Vergy, Lurlinestina, Anchorite, and Parachute (dam of Jesaie); while in New Zealand Mata, Salvage, Billy, Bayard, and Loonato have each been recently put under the sod. According to the Referee, the following are the amounts won by the " great guns" of the New Zealand turf :—Tasman, £5.~>77 ; Welcome Jaok. £4970; Nelson, £4916; Vanguard, £3265 ; and Trenton, £"2209. It is some years (says a London paper) since a legitimate hunter like Old Joe carried off the Grand National Steeplechase at Liverpool. The last specimen of the bona Qi'c hunter who successfully negotiated the Aintree Course was Pathfinder, in 1575 Considerable difficulty was experienced in getting this year's winner to the post. A month previous, at Leicester, he bruised his foot, and the utmost care was required in its treatment. All the preceding week he wae fomented after his work and poulticed, and three days before the race he was examined by a veterinary surgeon, who stated his conviction that "if Old Joe rau for the Grand National it would break him down." Here are three samples of the liberal douceur* handed to winning jockeys at home in connection with the three first big handicaps of the year :—Skelton received £1400 tor riding Old Joe, the winner of the Grand National (the trainer, Hopper, gutting £1000) ; Woodburu, who piloted Fulmen in the Lincolnshire Handicap, got £500 ; and Charlie Wood, who got home on Koyal Hampton in the City and Suburban, was also handed a cheque for £500. Late English papers announce the death of Tom Chaloner, the well-known jockey and trainer. Chaloner won the Derby for Mr. Naylor on Macaroni in 1864, and previously steered Feu De Joie in the same colours to victory in the Oaks. He was five tiroes successful in the St. Leger, which he won on Caller Ou, Marquis, Achievement, Formosa, and Craig Millar, whilst besides Macaroni lie rode Gang Forward to victory in tho Two Thousand. During the past few years Chaloner had acted as trainer, and the best horse he had under his charge was Soot-free, who won tho Two Thousand Guineas two yearß ago. Chaloner had been ailing for some time past. Humour has often credited Fred Archer (says " Jludibras") with a desire to ride in the Grand National, and few know that he was very nearly doing ao last week. It was mooted about that Roquefort was for sale for £1200, and as Archer fancied the horse very much he persuaded a friend to purchase. This he agreed to do on condition that Fred would accept the mount in the big race, which he did. Accordingly Messrs. Arthur Cooper and Co. were sought out and the pri<:e agreed upon, but just as the cheque was going to be written out some of the company, or the company's friends, interfered and insisted on a condition that Roquefort should remain in the same stable and that Mr. Wilson should ride him. The deal thus fell through, and the pleasure of seeing our champion jockey careering over the Aintree obstacles must; be deferred until some future season. The cause of Mr, Lance's death was disease of the heart. Ftiverole, the two-year-old aon of Feve and Lyra, has been sold by Mr. Hewitt to Mr/Raymond, of Otahuhu. Mr. Percival desires to acknowledge the receipt of £1 from " Soho," towards the funds of tho Pakuranga Hunt Club. Mr. E. Mitchelson has selected the name of Whakawai for the yearling colt by Leolinus—Lure, and that of Fusee for the MusketTitania filly. In a Hurdle Race run at Sydney, The Agent was weighted at 13st 121b, giving some of the horses engaged no less than live stone ! Mr. Mitcheleon has nominated the whole of his yearlings for the Champagne Stakes, to be run at Sydney next year. The Grange stud at Queensland is to be broken up, and will shortly be offered for sale, The stallions include Darebin and the imported Vespasian,

GEKALDINE RACES. [by telegiupu.—pehss association.] Timaro, Friday. The second day of the Geraldine Races took place to-day. The sport was poor, and the attendance was also poor. The weather was fine. The following were the results :— Houdi.es of 50hov8. —Secretary, 1; Bordurttiiit), 2. Novkl Rack.—Bagshot, 1; Wise Lyte, 2 ; Brunette, 3. Railway Stakes of 40sovb. —Patrician, 1 ; Madonna, 2 ; K,. Ie and Gold, 3. Tally-ho Steeplkchasr of 75sovs. — Canard, 1 ; The Lad, 2. The Hack Race was won by Brunette, and the Consolation by Rose and Gold.