SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7984, 25 June 1887, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. Juno 28—Napier Part Racing Club. July 28—N.Z Grand National Steolechaso. June 28.— Napier Park Kacing Club.

; ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. V.R.C.—Sllvcrmlne was favourite for the Caulfleld Gup. ' ,\y.—Lochiel was weighted at 7at lllbs for tho last Melbourno Cup. Maraetai—F. Archer rode the American horse Iroquois when ho won the English Dorby. J. — I'uugawerewete won the Dunertln Cup In 1870. She carried Cat 131bs, and beat ii field of twelve. ■■ B.—llanguohaue ran third to Belle and Guy Eawkaa in the Hurdle Race, but was unplaced in the Steeplechase. Taupo.—Welcome Jack, as a was beaten In tho Dunodln Cup, and in the C.J.C. Eastor Handicap. •" NOTES BY PHAETON. The Onehunga Baoing Club's meeting, postponed from Tuesday last, will take place to-day, the first race being timed to start at a quarter past twelve. The following are the acceptances and entries for the various events :— 'Handicap Hurdles. Two miles.—Victory, lOst Slbs; Coral, 9at lOlbs ; Orangeman, 93t ,71133 ; Revenge, 9st 7lbs; Fairplay, 9at 71b; Recruit, 9at 71b. HAKDrcAP Stekpleohasb, three miles,— Magnesia, 10at 121 ba ; Tawhiao, lOat 121bs ; Huutsmau, lOst TjJbs ; Victory, lOst 71bs ; Qiiilp, lOst; Torpedo, lOst Orangeman, 9at 12lbs ; Revenge, 9<t lOlbs ; Hob Roy, 9sb lOlbs ; Whalebone, 9st lOlbs; Fairplay. 9at lOlbs; Recruit, 9it 71bs; Larrikin No. 2, 9at 71ba ; Coral, 9st 7lbs. Winter Oats Handicap. One mile and a half. —Turquoise, Oat 21bs ; Friendship, Bst 121 b-i ; Tamora, 7st 131bs ; Ma Petite Fille, 7at 21bs ; Bangalore, Gat 101 ; Cannon, Gat lOlbs ; Britannia, 6a 51b; Tupaki, 6st; The Cat, Gat. Flying Stakes, one mile. —Friendship, 9st lib ; Tamora, Sat 21bs ; Catesby, 7sfc Slbs ; Antelope, 7st; Artist, 6st Slbs; Bangalore, Gat Slbs ; Pink Rose, Gat 51bs ; Tupaki, Get 51bs; Empress, Gat; Mayflower, Gst; Tip, Gat.

Maiden Plate. —Clown, Weasel, Antelope, Tip, Bangalore, Dollar, Mayflower, Empress, Tupaki.

Selling Stakes.—Pink Rose, Yankee, Lottery, Pipi, Contractor, Sirloin.

Selling Steeplechase.—Tawliiao, £40 ; Fairplay, nil; Whalebone, nil; Wat Tyler, £20; Jim, £20; Torpedo, nil; Revenge, £40 ; Auctioneer, £20 ; Pipi, nil; Huntsman, £40; Quilp, £40,.

My selections for the various events are as follow :—Maiden Plato : Weasel. Hurdle Kace : Victory. Winter Oats : Friendship. Steeplechase : Victory. Selling Steeplechase : Tawhiao. Flying Stakes : Tamora or Friendship.

It we have many more retirements from the Auckland turf matters will begin to bear an aspect somewhat similar to that of a few yearn back, when we were dependent on the "foreign" division for the success of our race meetings, and our annual summer carnival was looked upon as a yearly picnic for the clover Southern division. Mr, W. Robertson has already " thrbwn out," Mr. VV. Bobbett and Mr. P. J. Buxton announce their horses for sale, and so far as Auckland is concerned, Messrs. Lyons and tie's turf career has, for the present, I understand, been brought to a close. It is a matter for regret to see turfites of this stamp passing out, and I hope to hear of some of them reconsidering the matter.

The Hawke's Bay Jockey Club had a capital field of nine for their big Steeplechase run on Monday last, when J. Munn rather, unexpectedly furnished the winner and runner-up respectively in Mangaohane and Owhaoko, Romeo filling third place. The victory of Mangaohane over his stablemate savours of a bit of a surprise, for the nature of the wires recaived from Napier prior to the, race went to show that Owhaoko was the one on which the hopes of the stable rested. The winner, Maugaohane, will be remembered as haviug competed at the A.R.C. Autumn Meeting last year, when he finished third to Belle and Guy Favrkes in the Hurdle Race, but in the Steeplechase he was unable to gain a place. When hero he gave me the impression of one that would see a better day, but his long absence from the turf made me fancy that all could not be quite right with him. After the brilliant; display made by Silvio when he won the Great Northern Steeplechase at Auckland a fortnight back, I thought he would have proved a most dangerous oppopent, but from some cause he appears to have performed very badly, and finished absolutely last. That he showed hia true form in the Napier race I cannot believe, and I shall look forward with interest to the causes which led up to his miserable exhibition.

The Marion disqualification is still absorbing a good deal of attention in Southern circles, but no new facts concerning the affair have come to light. The Christchurch writers to a man are inclined to think that the Dunedin stewards acted hanhly in disqualifying the boy Jackson, as Marion is noted as a most in-and-out performer. However, " Beacon," in the Otago Witness, sticks most manfully to his guns, and states that whereas the daughter of Maribyrnong Aid not carry a shilling of stable money in the Provincial Handicap (in which she ran unplaced) they won between £500 and £600 when she romped home in the Birthday Handicap on the following day. This »tatement is questioned by " Sir Launcelot," and he challenges the Dunedin scribe to name the parties who won the money, The reply of the Dunedin stewards to Mr. Stead's request for all particular concerning the disqualification of .Jackson has not yet come to hand, aud the publication of the interesting missive is being looked forward to with much interest.

I regret to hear that matters in connection with the Pakuranga Hunt Club have not of late been goiug on very amicably, and that there appears some danger of this once popular club going to the wall. From what I can gather on the matter, the bone of contention appears to be that no meeting having been called this year, members are in blissful ignorance as to how the club stands financially, and, therefore, many of the most active members decline on that ground to continue their membership. It would indeed be a pity if this popular club should drift out of existence ; and I trust for the credit of the place that steps will bo at once taken in order to raise it up to its former standard as the leading hunt cilub in the colony.

The weights for the Napier Park Steeplechase made their appearance on Wednesday last, and the acceptance list shows that ten have cried content. Munn's pair—Owhaoko (list lib) and Mangaohane (lOst 71b) —are nicely treated, but if Belle (list 101b) is quite herself, I should look to her to v/in. The following are the acceptors : —

st lb st lb Belle ... 11 10 Victor .... 10 7 Denbigh ... II 9 Mangaohane 10 7 Orient 11 9 Erebus' ... 10 0 Owhaoko ... 11 1 Romeo 912 Silvio 10 13 Rimu 9 2 The nominations made by the New Zealand Stud Company for the recent stakes closed by the Victorian Racing Club, were received too late, and could not therefore be entertained. The Sydney breeder, Mr. A. Town, was in the same plight. The New Zealand Stud Company's mare My Idea (dam of Nelson) is in foal to King Cole, but Necklace, Charity, and Mystery, who were put to the sou of King Tom, have all missed. The weights for the Melbourne Cup are due on Monday next, and those for the New Zealand Cup on the Friday following. In the usual order of things the Melbourne Cup weights should be cabled in time for insertion in the Herald of Tuesday. J. Rae left on Thursday last for Napier with tho steeplechaser Belle, and should the form shown by the daughter of Musket bo sufficiently good there she will in all probability journey to Christohurch with a vie w to contest] in the Grand National Steeplechase to be run there next month. Th« mare was in capital health when she left Auckland, and I hope to hear of her rewarding her plucky owners with a win.

Too Soon and Queenie will be shipped to Sydney by the s.s. Tarawera, which leaves on Wednesday next. There is, I hear, some talk of Victory being sent over by the same boat.

From an advertisement in another column it will be seen that Mr. P. J. Buxton invites tenders for the purchase of his racing stock. The lot includes the Auckland Derby winner, Foul Shot (by Musket—Slander), Man Friday (by Robinson Crusoe—Charity), and Helmsman (by Navigator—Charity).

It turns out that Merry Hampton, the winner of the English Derby, was amongst the starters for the Grand Prix de Paris, won by the French - owned filly T6n6breuse. Merry Hampton could only get fourth, so that the accident which befcl him after his blue riband victory must

have had a serious effect upon him From late English papers to hand, I learn that T6n6brense distinguished herself prior to winning the Grand Prix de Paris. This was in the Poule d'Essai desPouliches,of 40aovs,with SOOaovs. added, for thrfee-year-old filließ, Bat 111b each, one mile, at the Paris Spring Meeting od April 24ih. The betting was 4 to 1 against her as she went to the post, but she put down a field of eleven, and cams home an e»sy winner by two lengths, in lmin. 46 l-sth sees. The value of the stakes was £1973.

The veteran steeplechaser, The Agent, is doing steady work at Riccarton, and is said to be looking very well. News comes from Sydney to the effect that Mr. Drake's eutries of Vinaigrette, Spade Guinea, Pasha, and Teddy Yuille, for the Hawkesbury County Purse, were received too late to be accepted. Their names, however, appear amongst those entered for the Grand Handicap, to be run at the same meeting. The team will, it is understood, go over to Australia under the charge of W. Milno, while that clever horseman, W. White, has been secured as steersman.

A correspondent informs me that the name of Belle, published in tho Sydney papers as the title of the Musket—Onyx filly, is an error. The name selected for the filly is Beryl, which, he says, is most appropriate, derived as it is from one of the stones of the Tabernaole. The Musket—Sylvia filly has been very appropriately christened Forest Queen'. From Sydney comes a report that a member of the New South Wales Legislature intends to introduce a Bill to make betting of any description a penal offence, to be punished by imprisonment. The absolute dosing of all betting-houses, including Tatteraalls, is said to be another feature of the Bill. The general opinion is that there is not much chance of such a Bill passing, though, perhaps, some restriction may be placed upon indiscriminate wagering. Hexham, the good-looklug but unworthy brother to the Australian Cup winner, Morpeth, who sported the Hon. Jas, White's colours on several occasions during the past season, has been sold at a moderate figure to Mr, George Donnelly, of Randwick. During his short sojourn on the turf the handsome son of Goldsborough must have cost his party a nice sum, as he was heavily supported on several occasions. Among the nominations for the Maribyr* nong Plate to be run at the V.R.C. meeting in November next, is Mr. E. Mitchelson'a Garter King (by Musket—Rosette) and Bellissima (by Musket—Pulchra). The Auckland bred Beryl (by Musket—Onyx), Forest Queen (by Musket— Precedence (by Musket —Maid of Honour), and Bona Vista (by Musket—Sister Agnes) are also on the list for the same race.

The Hawke's Bay Jockey Club appointed two honorary surgeons in connection with its recent Steeplechase meeting. If one could only look at it in a right light (says a contemporary) this would appear as a humane precaution ; but it is a somewhat gloomy proceeding from a jockey's standpoint. Two misadventures that are incidental to horseflesh have just occurred at Sir Thomas Elder's stud farm at Morphettville, resulting in the death of two valuable mares. Roy's Wife, by Scottish Chief, died through foaling twins prematurely, and Etta, the dam of Dunlop (in foal to Neckeragat) died of an injury accidentally sustained. The former was a comparatively young mare, having been sent home a year or two ago to be trained for the English Derby, but for which event she never started. Etta, on the other hand, was 23 years old.

"There are various methods," says "Augur," " whereby the horse-nobbier gets a favourite out of the way, but shooting is seldom attempted. Some miscreant in Western Australia seems to have adopted the shooting game, but happily he did not succeed in his dastardly attempt. A Mr. Woolhouse owned a horse named Baron, who was a favourite for the principal events at Roeburne, and one morning just before daylight, while riding him to the racecourse to have a gallop, be was fired at by somebody hidden in a thicket. The bullet whizzed past' Mr. Woolhouse, who, on returning to town, gave information to the police, but no trace of the perpetrator of the act could be discovered. Such a follow ought to be lynched.'" The erstwhile New Zealand steeplechaser Clarence is now being used as a hack in Victoria. "Sterling" writes:—"l have no doubt that had Robinson Crusoe not been engaged in classic races, in which he had to carry weight, his merits would never have been discovered, and Navigator and Trident would have never beon born." The death of the two-year-old colt Huntingtower, at Sydney recently, was, it transpires, due to having his back broken while in the act of being thrown. The operation was foolishly entrusted to an amateur.

The projected Archer memorial has, it turns out, lapsed for want of funds. Outside a certain circle (says an English writer), Archer was not popular. He put any amount of money in the pockots of his immediate connections. The intermediate classes found that they always lost if they followed him, and when they stood against him he would bring something to beat their selection. After all the fervent gush we read when Archer killed himself, one would have thought that plenty of money would have been forthcoming.

The time in which Enterprise covered the Rowley mile at Newmarket, in the Two Thousand Guineas Stakes, on April 27th, is the fatest ou record for that event. According to Benson's chronograph, the distance was put past in lmin 45 3-saeo; the respective times of the winners for the previous twelve - years being as follow 1575 (Camballo), lmin 46« ec; 1576 (Petrarch), lmin 52aec ; 1577 (Chamant), lmia 50aac ; 187S (Pilgrimage), lmin 56sec; 1579 (Charibert), lmin 51sec ; ISSO (Petronel), lmin 52sec; 1881 (Peregrine), lmin 49« ec; 18S2 (Shotover), lmin 53|9ec; ISS3 (Galliard), lmin 50 3 ssec; • ISS4 (Scotfree), lmin 4Ssec; ISSS (Paradox), lmin 51 2-sth sec ; 18S6 (Ormonde), lmin 4G 4-sthsec, The value of the Two Thousand Guineas Stakes this year was £3550, while that for the previous 12 years was as follows: —1875 (Mr. Vyner's Camballo), £4550; 1576. (Lord Dupplin'a Petrarch), £4100; 1877, (Count F. de Lagraugo's Chamant), £5200 ; IS7S (Lord Lonsdale's Pilgrimago), £4600 ; 1579 (Lord Falmouth's Charibert), £6250 ; 1880 (Duke of Beaufort's Petronell), £4850; ISSI (Mr. Grosvenor's Peregrine), £6150; ISS2 (Duke of Westminster's Shotover), £5000 ; ISS3 (Lord

Falmouth's Galliard), £4550 ; ISS4 (Scot Free), £4150 ISSS (Paradox), £4300 ISS6 (Ormonde), £4000.

In the course of an interesting article on famous racehorses, an English paper says :— " Mr. Chaplin, it is well-known, has often confessed that Hermit, by New-minster, is the best friend he ever had, and the fact that the Derby winner of 1807 la still alive and capable of earning a service fee of two hundred and fifty guineas may be quoted as one of the most signal instances of good fortune that ever fell to the lot of a racing man. Touchstone, the grandsire of Mr. Chaplin's goldmine, was thirty years old when he died, and no more successful sire ever adorned the pages of the Stud Book, and the Raoing Calendar. Yet the sum netted' by Touchstone was insignificant as compared with the earnings of his grandson, for the former was accessible at a fee of thirty guineas,- and the latter of two hundred and fifty. These thoughts will be suggested to many minds by the almost simultaneous deaths of Buccaneer and Lord Lyon, of whom the former was shot last Friday in Austria, at the ripe age of thirty years, while the latter was laid low by a friendly bullet on Monday, at the Croft Stud Farm, in Yorkshire, aged twenty-four. Few better horses were ever allowed to leave England than Buccaneer, who well deserves the honour in store for him of having his hide stuffed, and being placed near to the similarly preserved remains of that peerless mare, Kincsem, in the Museum at Pesth. With the exception of the skeletons of Black Cock, Touchstone, and Orlando, the first of which may be seen at Bishop Burton, in Yorkshire ; the second at Eaton Hall, in Cheshire ; and the third at the C ollege of Surgeons, in Lincoln's Inn Fields, we are aware of no similar tribute ever paid in England to a famous racehorse. The history of Buccaneer, when in training, recalls one of the darkest episodes in the annals of the British turf. The horse was, in racing parlance, ' got at.' and ' made safe before he ran for the Two Thousand Guineas. and it is upon his fame as a sire that his claims to be remembered now. rest. Befare leaving England he became the father of See-Saw, Brigantine, and Paul Jones ; but it was in Austria that he gained his greatest distinction, as the aire of Kisber, the winner of the English Derby—and of many other illustrious sons and daughters. He was bought by the Austrian Government from Lord Portsmouth, his breeder, for one thousand guineas, and the winnings of hia deacon-

dsnts in Austria, Germany, England, and France are rated collectively at more than two million florins. Asa racehorse Lord Lyon was far more fortunate than Buccaneer, aa in 1866 he carried off the Two Thousand, the Derby, and the St. Leger. Considering his credentials on the racecourse, Lord Lyon was an 'inheritor of unfulfilled renown.' In life's last stage, and at a moment when his very existence was almost for* gotten, he suddenly flashed forth as the sire of Mr. Vyner'a Minting, who, but for the accident that ha was born in the same year as Ormonde, might not improbably hare emulated his father's renown as a winner of the triple crown. Touchstone was far advanced in years when Rifleman was born, and at the age of twenty-sevon Sir Hercules was the aire Of Gemma di Vergy and of Gun* boat. On the other side of the Atlantic the first winner of the Derby, Diomed, was still in full vigour when more than thirty years old. Englishmen of every class are fond of a good horse, and it will be the general wish of all to whom the Stud Book 13 dear that Mr. Chaplin's Hermit may be as long-lived as Sir Hercules, Touchstone, Buccaneer, and King Tom—the last and youngest of whom died in his twenty-eighth year."

The English correspondent of the Leader writes —" We have a new plunger, a young fellow—Benzon I think his name is—who knows nothing, will not be told by people who do, has £400,000 just inherited, and will go broke as sure as there are sharks in Port Philip. He bets in cool thousands as if they were worth about as much as a rupee, and is not particular to one or two or how many horses be does back in one race, or what price he gets,

Reve d' Or, this year's winner of the Oaks, was bred in 18S4, by her present owner, the Duke of Beaufort, and it is not a little remarkable that her dam, Qaeen of the Roses, by Sunulah—Couleur de Rose, by West Australian, proved to he barren in 1876, 1878. 1882, 1883, and 18S5, and that her 1877, 1879 and 1880 progeny all died,