SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7936, 30 April 1887, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. May 10—Eeniont Racing Olnb. May 24—Wanganui Steeplechases. M»y 24, 25 — I'unodfn Joi.key Club' June 4—Auckland Racing Club. June 21—ko's Bay Jockey Club. June 28—rapier Part tiiiolns; Club. July 28— N.Z. Grand National Stcolechase.

DATES OF coming events, May 25—English Derby. June 5 -Grand Prix do Paris.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

M.— Chandler was killed at Papakura Matan at Elierslifl. Waikoa.—Dansbin ran fourth for the Melbourne Cup won by Tljo Assyrian. Wage!!.—l. Sir Modred carricd 7st 101b when ho won the Dunedin Cup. Me was three years old at tho tlrno. 2. Write to " Beacon," of the Otago Witness. B. Mr. Walters only won tho Auckland Cup on one occasion, viz., in 187H, with Kingfisher. The distance of tho race has beou two miles and a quarter since 1877. It. J.—Martini-Henry did not meet Lo Grand in the V.K.C. St. Lopor, when the former mm. They met in the A.J.O. Leger, which was after L* brands victory in the Champion Stakes. Martini-Henry was the favourite, hut Lo (Jrand boat him oasily. CouNTrtYiTtc.—ftule 20 reads, " Tho top weight in a handicap shall not he less than Bst 121b [Consolation Handicap excepted], and no horse shall carry less than 6.it 711) in any handicap, plate, or sweepstake.' You will see therefore that the hamiicappor was quite right on the first point, but wrong on the socond. NOTES BY PHAETON. The decision given by the Dunedin Magistrate, Mr. Carew, in the recent action brought to recover money staked of the totalisator, shows that though the use of the betting machine is a legalised system of gaming, there is absolutely nothing in the Act making the transactions binding on the parties investing, and as he regards the totalisator simply in the light of a stakeholder, it is competent for anyone to demand back their money either before or after tho event has been decided, provided notice is given to that effect before the stakes have been paid over. The story of this interesting case, as given by a Southern writer, is somewhat as follows :— At the Dunedin Jockey Club Autumn Meeting, ISS6, Mr. Stuart (the plaintiff) invested in some tickets on Meteor, in the Consolation Handicap, and Meteor came in first, with Taiaroa second. Then one of the stewards, the owner of Taiaroa, protested against Meteor, on the ground that having only run in a catehweight race he was not entitled to run iu the Consolation, notwithstanding that Meteor's nomination aud acceptance had been accepted by the stewards, and the horse duly handicapped by the club's handicapper. Whether rightly or wrongly, this view was upheld by the stewards, and Taiaroa declared the winner. Mr. Stuart, considering that he had been unfairlv deprived of a valuable dividend (about £30 on each ticket), resolved to wage war against the machine, and his solicitor raked up an English Act of Parliament passed some year« ago, which enacted that any person depositing a stake or bet in a stakeholder's hands could recover hia deposit from the stakeholder whether before or after the event had been decided, so long as he served his notice to that effect on the stakeholder before the money had passed out of his hands. Titer) in a caso, Dark v. the Islaud Bay Racing Club, decided lately by Judgeßichmond, His Honor in giving judgment treated the totalisator as a stakeholder in which people deposited their bets. Here was the opening which Mr. Stuart required, and he resolved to spring his mine at the last Dunedin autumn meeting. 1 am informed that on two races Mr. Stuart invested £25 in the machine, but on both occasions bis horse won, and he naturally received his deposits back in the visual course of totalisator payments, But in tho Consolation Handicap he invested his £25 on Mirella, who lost the race, and then, before the dividends were paid out he served a notice on the authorities to return him his deposit. This was, of course, not entertained, and the present action thereupon ensued. Mr. Stuart baaed his claim on the English law, and Judge Richmond's ruling, while Mr, Haggett, amongst other arguments for the defonce, asserted that Judge Richmond did not rule that the totalisator was a stakeholder, but only likened it to a stakeholder, and also that the totalisator being legalised in New Zealand, the English law in regard to that particular class of stakeholders, did not hold good here. Mr. Carew, howover, held that the totalisator simply acted as stakeholder, and in his remarks said : — " The betting out of which this case arises is legal, in the sense that it is nub prohibited by law, but for all that it was a- wagering contract, and by the operation of section 33, Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1881, it was not binding except as a matter of conscience upon either party. That being so, either party could withdraw from it at any time, and upon due notice to the stakeholder the authority which he previously held to pay the money to. the winner was revoked, and the stakeholder then held the money to the use of the person who deposited it with him ; and I can see no distinction between legal beta and illegal bets, for section 33 applies to all contracts or agreements, whether by parole or writing, by way of gaming and wagering." Of course, notice of appeal against the R.M.'s decision has been given, and, as the Jockey Club are really the defendants in the action, the matter is sure to be well fought out; but the points brought out by Mr. Stuart appear to me so strong that the reversal of the decision seems very unlikely. If it is held by the higher Cuurtthat Mr. Carew's finding is a correct oue, a big stumbling block to the future use of the machine has oertainly been raised ; for we may bo sure that there would be innumerable applications from disappointed backers to hand them back their coin, and practically the machine would in that event become a dead letter. The further development of the case will be awaited with much interest by all those takiug part in turf matters in this colony.

By cable we have the result of the first of the great "clasSic" races—the Two Thousand Guineaswhich was run at Newmarket on Thursday last, and won by Mr. Douglas Baird'a colt Enterprise, Mr. H. T. Fenwick's Phil being second, and Mr. C. Perkins' Eglamore third. The winner, Enterprise, is a son of Sterling, from a sister to King Alfred, and 'was purchased when a yearling by his present owner for the long price of 2000 guineas. He made his debut on the turf as a two-year-old wheu he was sent out to contest the Now Stakes at Ascot, for which the Duke of Westminster's Freedom was a hot favourite; but she could never pace with the Sterling colt, who won in a canter. At the Windsor July meeting odds of 11 to 10 were laid on his ability to win the .Royal Plate, but to the dismay of his admirers Sir G. Ohetwynd's Stetchworth beat him easily. At the Newmarket meeting later on, however, he proved that running to be wrong, for in the July Stakes he walked in, while his former conqueror Stetchworth could not gain a situation in the Chesterfield Stakes. In the Middle Park Plate his admirers laid 7 to 4 on him, but again the "good thing "was floored, for Lord Calthorpe's Florentine, running much the gamest, beat him in the final tussle. In the Dewhurst Plate he suffered another defeat, the Duke of Beaufort's Reve d'Or being his conqueror in that event. On the strength of his two-year-old form Enterprise was a warm favourite all through the winter, and he would, no doubt, start at. a very short price. A cablegram received yesterday states that Enterprise is now an equal favourite with The Baron for the Derby, each being at 3 to 1. The latter has an unbeaten record, aud it is said that £10,000 was recently oflered and refused for him.

"And I wasn't there to sao it!" Such was my exclamation on hearing of Cannon's win in the Maiden Plate at Helensville. The little grey son of Musket has never been a favourite of mine ; and I am afraid that the many hard things I have from time to time said of him must have nettled old John Chaafe, his trainer. " He'll flop up some day and win when you don't expect him," the old veteran has of tea told me to which I have had but one answer, "When he does someone else will have the dividend, not me." In fields of the most inferior description has the little deceiver been many times ignominiously buried; but, either due to his being in the humour or to the vigorous riding of Sutherland,, he polished off his field at Helensville in good style, and ran home an easy winner. "He came, he saw, he conquered," can henceforth be nailed up in the son of Musket's box; and it is with a sigh of relief I recognise the oredit of the country has been saved !

The day previous to the Taranaki raoea a number of sports had got together, and to •while away the leisure hour a game of solo whist was resorted to. The game, how.

ever, had not long been indulged in before a dispute arose which was the outcome of a wager of £50 a side between two of the players. The dispute came about as follows (the players we will call A, B, 0, and D) :-A won and turned the trick, and had played again ; it was B's turn to play, but before doing so he wished to see the previous trick, to which D objected. B insisted on his point, but D got ail the more obstinate, and offered to bet "tenner" he was in the right. B accepted the wager, and one word brought on another, when eventually the "tenner" was made £50 a-slde. The money was duly posted, the point in dispute to be settled by "Cavendish on Whist." The above work being procured, it seemed clear that B had won ; but D would not give in, and insisted on the Austialasian settling the matter. B agreed to this, and the paper which arrived by this week's mail contains the answer, which clearly settles the matter, beyond doubt, in B's favour. The following is the Australasian's answer:—"B is entitled to see the last trick turned at any time. He is not obliged to play to the current trick before asking; the play to the current trick has nothing to do with the matter." The winner, who is an Auckland resideut, duly recoived the two fifties this week frotn the stakeholder, which event was duly celebrated by sampling a fow bottles of Mum's vintage.

The committee of Tattersall's this week had the question of the wagers made respecting Mitrailleuse's weight before them, and after hearing the evidence decided to throw the matter out. This, I think, was the correct action, for the fact that the weights had made their appearance when the wagers were completed, gave a colouring to the impression that sot eono was in possession of the information that the mare had got in at less than Sat, though I am bound to say that this has always'been strenuously denied by the party wagering, and 'no evidence could be secured to contradict that statement.

Chaafe had Nelson's half brother, Rataplan, in town during the present week, and from the unconcerned manner in:which he trotted about in the principal thoroughfare, he appears to be gifted with a must tractable temper. Though a big 'un, .Rataplan handles himself very well, and with the care and attention he will receive at Chaafe's hands, a victory for him in some of the two-year-old contests of next season may be looked for.

A little speculation has been going on in Christchurch over the New Zealand Cup and Canterbury Derby. The Musket — Realisation colt Maxim is quoted at the head of affairs for the first named race at 100 to 6, while for the "blue riband "he and Sextant are favourites at 5 to 1 each.

The Auckland Plumpton Park Coursing Club intend holding a meeting on their ground at Papakura, on Queen's Birthday, when it is proposed to run off three events, namely, Birthday Cup, Puppy Stakes, and Bitch Puppy Stakes. An advertisement setting forth the details of these events will be found in another column.

The Apremont—Watersprite colt, which, we were informed, had recently been purchased by a Victorian gentleman from the Middle Park Company, turns out to have been for Mr, A. R. Blackwood, who secured third honours in the V. K.C. Derby last year with the Apremont—Aglaia-colt Aglaos,

It may be of interest • to note (says " Mazeppa") that up to date Spade Guinea has started in 34 races, of which she has won 12, been 6 times second, 5 times third, and 11 times unplaced. Her net earnings in stakes above come to £3-397. Out of this sum £2996 has been made this season.

Mr. Butler's colt by Musket —Tres Deuce has not been taking very kindly to his education, as he broke away the other morning, and getting foul of a fence sustained a nasty cut on his head, besides other iujuries. It is not anticipated, however, that they will have a permanent effect on him.

Major George and Mr. W. Adams returned to Auckland from Australia on Tuesday last. Nelson was to have been shipped back to New Zealand by the Wairarapa, which left Sydney on Friday last, but Mr. Adams decided to leave Mitrailleuse for the present in Australian territory.

The Shah, whom Mr. Butler disposed of for a mere song (£2l), in the belief that the son of St. George was no good, has, it is said, netted his owner, Mr. Saunders, considerably over £1000 in stakes since he raced him, and that he recently refused an offer of £300 for the horse.

Though Easter Monday was a telegraph holiday, it is said that the news of Quibble's victory in the Canterbury Great Autumn Handicap was known in Dunedin early in the afternoon, and tho3e who got the information backed the son of St. George accordingly. It is surmised that the information as to the horse's victory was transmitted through the wire attached to the railway, and in the meantime the layer of the wagers refuses to " part."

A sale of yearlings was held in Sydney, after the conclusion of the A. J.C. meeting, but except for fashionable lots bidding was low. In the Kxeter Farm lot a chestnut colt by Julian Avenel from Tiara (full brother to Lord Exeter) brought 340 guineas, while a colt by Julian Avenel from Young Gossamer (full brother to Garfield) went for 140 guineas. Of the Duokeufield Park lot, the greatest competition was for a grand chest' nut colt by Crown Prince from Chrysolite. whom the Hon. Mr. Long secured for 315 guineas. 'A bay colt by Goldaborough from Queen's Head (dam of Prince Imperial) brought "265 guineas, and a brown colt by Henchman—Queen Bee (dam of Honevdew) went cheap at 135 guineas. The total amount realised for the nine bred 'kt Exeter Farm was 814 guineas (an average of 93 7-9bh guineas); while the ten bred at Duckeutield Park showed a total of 1158 (an average ,of 115 4-sths guinea).

When this season's racing statistics come to be compiled, it will be seen that once more does the Hon. James White stand out far above all others as the biggest winner (in stakes) in the colonies. The amount scored by the representatives of the blue and white banner since the commencement of the season is the very flattering one of £15,040 13s, to which, of course, that equine wonder Trident contributes the lion's share, and he alone is responsible for £7471. Trident's total for his 13 winning races is £5445, which is a bigger one than either Malua or Commotion was credited with throughout their whole career. The former boasted of £7435 when he retired, and Commotion was credited with £7706, while Martiniand Uralla came in for £4861 and £4921 4s. While giving Trident (says a Sydney writer) credit for being the wonder he undoubtedly is, it cannot be denied that he has been particularly fortunate in meeting a large per centago of horses that at no time during the past 10 years would have been considered at the top of the tree ; and more especially is this noticeable among those of his own year. The Hon. James White's great fondness for sticking to winning strains is principally the cause of his marvellous success on the turf,

According to the Turf, Field, and Farm, Mr. Joseph Harker, who bought Maud S. when she was only four yearn old from the late Mr. W. H. Vanderbilt, has just offered Mr. Bonner, on behalf of a gentleman of large wealth, £28,000 in cash for The Queen. • Mr. Bonner paid Mr. Vanderbilt £10,000 for Maud S., but she was lame the day she was delivered at Bonner's stablea. Mr. Bonner, however, shod her so as to relieve her of her lameness, and since then she has twice beaten her record, having lowered it to 2min SJaec. Now ho is offered £25,000 for the peerless mare, so that he would make £12,000 profit if he should dispose of her—a pretty large sum for shoeing a horse. But Mr. ' Bonner refuses to sell Maud S. at any price.

The V. R.C. Derby and Cup have been the medium of a little speculation (says the Melbourne Sportsman), both straight out and in doubles. Abercorn lias been established the Derby favourite, 6 to 1 being the price on the field, while 8 to 1 is on offer against Niagara, with 10 to 1 bar the two candidates named. For the Cup, Bravo, Niagara, Trident, Matador, Isonomy, Trenton, and Sardius have each been backed at thousands to fifteen. In the rooms last night, thousands to thirty were wanted about Trenton. In doubles, the two Abercorns, the two Niagaras, and the two Carlyons have been backed, and the three candidates named have also been taken with Trident for the Cup.

There died, or rather was destroyed, in Melbourne thf. other day a very remarkable pony named Frolic, the property of Mr. C. Atkins. He was 35 years old, a constant follower of the Melbourne hounds for eight seasons, and is said to have been in work continually up to within three months of his death. A few weeks back he attempted to jump rather a high fence, and injured himself so severely that a dose of prussic paid was called in to end his sufferings,

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS,

Acceptances and general entries for the Egmont meeting close to-night (Saturday),

It is said that altogether 'Frisco's party landed £8000 by his Sydney Cap victory. I have an idea (says "Nemo") that Abner is about the beat horse at present on the Australian turf.

Sixty-three entries were received for the Wanganui Derby, 1889, and forty-one for the Wanganui Two-year-old Stakes, ISBB.

Ravenswing, the yearling by Apremont— Idalia, has been placed in E. Cutts' hands to break and train.

The saddling paddock at Flemington has been increased to double its original* size, and is now the largest in the Australian colonies.

. According to statistics, Russia has 23,000,000 horses ; Austria, 1,500.000 ; Hun gary, 2,000 000; Germany, 4,000,000; France, 3,000,000. Some of the British aristocrats have been getting into bad odour, both in India and Australia, through laxity of payment of their racing debts. Triumph (by Musket—Mersey), for whom Mr. D. O'Brien paid 600 guineas at the Sylvia Park sale, has, it is said, developed sus-picious-looking hocks. The Victorian sportsman, Mr. M. Loughlin. is always on the look out for jumpers, and during the recent Sydney Meeting he paid £600 for a horse named Dragon,

Mr. Joseph Gallagher leaves for Australia during the present week, where he intends putting in the winter. Mr. Gallagher expects to return to Auckland in October,

The whereabouts of Lord Deerhurst is (says an Australian writer) as much a myth as Darwin's "Missing Link," or Davey Blair's " Lost Secret of Christianity." 1

The inconsistent running of the Hon. Mr. Long's horses, Honeydew and Abner, at Hawkesbury and Rand wick is, in an article, brimful of sarcasm, in the Leader, attributed to "atmospherical influences.

There is a serious schism amongst the leading trotting men in America. A number of members are determined to secede from the National Trotting Association, with the intention of forming a new association.

The stables of Messrs. J. T. Stewart and Sons, consisting of eleven horses, were recently destroyed by fire in America. All the horses except two were burned to death. Among those destroyed was -he famous English horse Mortimer.

The highest leap, of a horse on record is that of Mr. Burgham's, of Hyde Park, London. The famous leap was made in 1792, over a wall, the height of which was 6J feet on the outside. The horse landed on a soft bed of prepared litter.

Those of my readers who have a hankering after Silence for the New Zealand Cup will be glad to learn that he arrived at Napier looking none the worse for his trip. He will (says a local scribe) probably have a spell, which he deserves.

Dr. L. L. Smith's colt, Australia, who is nominated for next year's Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park, was among the starters for a small race at Moonee Valley on April 2, bat couldn't gain a situation. He is by Liberator out of Princess of Prussia.

Maxim's time in the Champagne Stakes lmin 15sec—is the best on record anywhere for the distance at the weights. " Beacon " says thijt Mr. Stead's colt promises to be about the ..best of next season's three-year-olds, especially, as Niagara has left the country." J 7, .■

Mr. E. De Mestre, the well-known owner of the late Terrara stud, has filed his schedule. The assets, however, appear to be considerably more than the liabilities. Mr. De Mestre was the breeder of Trident, who has proved such a mine of wealth to the Hon. Mr. White.

It is a singular fact (says " Beacon") that for three yeara in succession the time in which the Great Autumn Handicap was won has been the same to a fraction of a second. Rubina won it in 2min 38£aec two years ago, Captain Webster did the same last year, and now Quibble has tied their performances. At a recant meeting in South Australia the totalisator was used in defiance of the law. Proceedings have been instituted against the secretary over the matter; and as the statute provides for imprisonment for six months, or a fine of £100 for using the instrument, he is, apparently, in for a bad quarter of an hoar.

The libel action, Mr. R. Peck againßfc the Bat newspaper, ended in a compromise. The defendant pleaded guilty, and, through his counsel, agreed to insert an ample apology in the paper in which the libel appeared, and pay all the costs in the case. The prosecutor accepted this offer, and the case was brought to a pretty rapid conclusion.

The case of Ormonde, who had been pronounced a confirmed roarer, is not so very bad after all; and the Duke of Westminster has written to the London Sportsman to say that the horse will probably fulfil some of his Ascot engagements. Ormonde's absence from some of the Ascot events would give them a very open appearance.

Late files report that a race was run recently at Cairo between two ponies, an English one and an Arab, for £1000, over a mile and a-half, and notwithstanding that the former conceded his opponent a stone, he won easily. _ 'I he match arose out of a discussion relative to the respective merits of English horses and Arabs.

Lord Dudley, who is at present on a visit to the colonies, laid £600 to £150 on Nelson when the latter went down in the Autumn Stakes. The aristocratic nobleman, however, by all accounts, could well withstand such a severe facer, as he is said to have an income of £400,000 a year, and about £5,000,000 "pin" money at his bankers. The total amount of money paid away by the Australian Jockey Club over their recent meeting was £9955. The principal cheque was of course that of the Hon. J. White, who received £3629, The Ron. T. Sampson came second with £2429. and the Hon. W. A. Long third with £1067. Major George received £100 by Nelson's seconds in the Autumn and All-Aged Stakes. The Canterbury Jockey Club have (says " Beacon ") passed a rule that will be much appreciated by the public. It is that the totalisator figures are to be left undisturbed for 10 minutes after every, race, instead of being wound back directly the horses pass the post, as has been the custom at Christchurch hitherto. If the Auckland Racing Club followed suit in this matter it would be a move in a right direction. _ There is some likelihood of the money given by the .English Government for Queen's Plates being in future devoted to some more practically useful turf purpose, owing to the acknowledged fact that these events have of late induced such uninteresting contests that the object sought (the encouragement of horse breeding) has been completely missed. The matter has already been alluded to in the House of Commons, and a committee of enquiry appointed.

1 he case of the veteran Commotion is now considered to be almost hopeless, and Mr. F. F. Dakin, his trainer, states that the injury sustained by the old son of Panic is of such a complicated nature that recovery is next to a matter of, impossibility. The old horse now shows evidence of breaking down in his sound foreleg. Should this occur (says the Sportsman) the case is virtually all over, for the injured shoulder has become so deformed that it would simply be an impossibility for the ho r se to stand. A consultation of veterinaries was to have taken place, when it was expected a final opinion would be arrived at. This is certainly one of the most regretable accidents we have ever experienced, and the champion will be hard to replace should he fail to recover.

AUCKLAND RACING CLtJB'S WINTER

MEETING,

Entries for the two principal races of the Winter Meeting, the Great Northern Steeplechase and the Hurdle Race, were received last night, and are in every respect satis-* factory. There are 21 entries for the Steeplechase as against 17 last year, showing an increase of four; and there are 16 entries for the Hurdle Race as against 14 last year, an increase of two. The races will be held on Saturday, 4th of June. The entries are as follow :—

Great Northern Steeplechase Hanoigap of SOOaovs, about three and a half miles. —Blue Bell, Peter Osbeck, Silvio, Victory, Magnesia, Volcano, Owhaoko, Mangahaone] Coral, Falcon, Quilp, Huntsman, Orangeman, Belle, Revenge. Victor, Erebus, Wat Tyler, Torpedo, Omata, New Year.

Handicap Hurdlis Race of lOOsovs, two and a quarter miles.—Blue Bell, Peter Osbeck, Orangeman, Victory, Magnesia Volcano, Owhaoko, Mangahaone, Armourer, Coral, Exchange, Belle, Erebus, Wat Tyler' Artist, New Year. '