SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9106, 14 July 1888, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. September 8 and 15—Hawkesbury Spring. September 22, 25, 27, and 29—A.J.C. Spring. November 3, 6, 8, and 10—V.E.C. Spring.

DATES OF COMING EVENTS. July 26— N.Z. Grand National Steeplechase. September 12—Doncaster St. Leger.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

K.—Bundoora ran second to Welcome Jack for the C.J.C Handicap. Ellerslie.—Carbine won the following races:— Two-year-old Flutter (Plumpton Park), Middle Park Plate" (Canterbury), D.J.C. Champagne Stakes, O.J.C. Champagne Stikes, and Challenge Stakes. J.C.M.—A full brother to Maxim was sold in Australia, but has never shown any form. Hβ was named Rifleshot. Jacinth (a full brother to Norienf eldtX purchased by Mr. H. Osborne. never raced. Panmure.—ln the A.J.C. Foal Stakes in which Abercorn and Niagara ran a dead heat, the weights were: Abercorn, 9st 61b; Niagara, Sst 131b. On all other occasions when they have met, with the exception of the Melbourne Cup, they have been on equal terms.

NOTES BY PHAETON. Judging from the tone of the telegrams received from Wellington this week, there seems every probability of the totalisator weathering the storm this session. The committee appointed by the Legislative Council to inquire into the working of the machine have held several meetings, and it is understood they will recommend that no action be taken this session, in order to see whether the regulations framed by the metropolitan clubs will have the effect of curtailing the number of country meetings, and so prevent the abuse of the machine. Of course the Lower House has already affirmed the desirability of imposing a tax on the amount of money passed through the instrument, but, as is well known, the Government are unwilling to endorse the vote by bringing in a Bill to that effect, and considering the many important matters that have yefc to be dealt with by Parliament, there seems good reason for believing that that question also will be allowed to drop for the present session. It is to be hoped that the leading clubs will rigidly enforce the regulations they have laid down, for depend upon it, that unless such is done, we may expect the attack on the instrument to be renewed next session with unabated force, and it may not again get out of the ordeal so successsfully as there seems every prospect of its doing on the present occasion. [Since the above was written a telegram to hand statea that the committee appointed by the Legislative Council have presented their report, which takes the shape of a recommendation to the Government that licenses to use the totalieator be only issued to those clubs which confirm to the rules laid down by the Metropolitan Clubs.]

The announcement that the distance of the Auckland Cup is to be shortened from two miles and a quarter to two miles has been generally well received, though some regard the action as a retrograde step as introducing the thin end of the wedge for the cutting down of all distances. I may remark, however, that with the exception of the Canterbury Cup, (which is run under weight for age conditions) the Auckland Cup was the only flat race in the colony run over two miles and a quarter, and considering the very few horses we have that can get to the end of such a long journey, the committee had ample reasons for lopping off the quarter of a mile.

The scratching of Gipsy King for the New Zealand Cup thus early in the daypoints to the probability of Mr. Stead sending the well-performed son of Lβ Loup and Gitana over to fulfil his Melbourne Cup engagement. However, until it is authoritatively stated that the horse will go over, backers would do well to stand off, as it may, after all, have been for other reasons that Mr. Stead ran the pen through the colt's name for the New Zealand Cup.

J. Kean has had his numerous team up at Ellerslie on several occasions of late, and they all look remarkably well. So far as looks are concerned, Trenton's brother Cuirassier is, of course, the " boss" of the crowd, but there are nob a few who regard him as a duffer, though I myself cannot bring my mind to that way ot thinking at present. He is quite as grand a looking horse as his illustrious brother, and should he really turn out the "frost" many predict, those who follow winning families will have a stifl' problem to solve. The Leolinus —Lovebird colt Leopold has furnished a good deal, but lias not grown much. He is a perfect tradesman at his work, and as he has already proved himself to be possessed of pace, there seems a good prospect of him being heard of early in the coming spring.

The statement of J. Rae's performances which appeared in my notes of Saturday last were, I find, scarcely correct. Since 1877 to 1888 Rae tells me that he has competed in 103 hurdle races, with the following result: First, 37 times ; senond, 22; third, 12; unplaced, 32. During the same period he has ridden in 141 steeplechases, of which he has won 40, been second on 41 occasions, tnd third on 18. In conversation with Rae during the present week he informed me that during his career he has had no less than 41 falls while riding, being rendered unconscious in twelve. Considering, however, that he has got out of these numerous mishaps with two ribs fractured and a broken leg, he must be reckoned fortunate. The Auckland representative Shillelagh rather unexpectedly flopped up in the Hurdle Race, at Wellington, and his admirers received a nice little dividend of £23 16s over his victory. From papers to hand I gather, however, that his owner, Mr. Williamson, was not a participator in the dividend, as the horse performed so badly in the Trial Steeplechase as to leave little prospect of his winning, and he consequently allowed him to go out unbacked. Mr. Williamson's other representative, •rtist, figured as runner-up in the big Steeplechase to Kangaroo. As Shillelagh is amongst the acceptors for the Grand National Steeplechase, to be run at Christchurch on the 26th instant, Mr. Williamson evidently intends completing the Southern trip.

Chemist's performance in the Wellington Steeplechase on Saturday last was, I think, too bad to be true, and I fancy that his party had an eye to the Grand National, to be run at Christchurch on the 27th instant, for which he is held in high esteem. In 12st 121b the son of the Painter has a good load to carry, but he is a long way above the average, and gauged through his performances at Bay, will stand in need of a lot of beating.

The sporting correspondent of the Canterbury Times has been interviewing the members of Mr. D. O'Brien's team, and writes as follows of Carbino :—" The son of Musket and Mersey has certainly thickened out since the autumn, and while he carries plenty of flesh, looks more like racing just now than he did when he bowled over our champion sprinters in the Challenge Stakes. The appearance of his hocks is not altogether reassuring, and there are some indications of recent trouble just above his near hind fetlock, but should he go to the post in the spring, of which we have very little donbt, he will be generally voted an immensely improved horse." No reason is resigned for the scratching of Carbine for the Melbourne Cup, but though the colt still remains in the V.R.C. Derby, it. seems to be the general opinion in Christchurch that he will remain in New Zealand, unless, of course , , someone comes along and offers Mr. D. O'Brien a tempting price.

Robert Sievicr (alias Sutton, the bookmaker), who gained such notoriety in Victoria a oouplo of years back for spanking Governor Loch's aide-de-camp, Lord Deerhurst, and who, after being expelled from the Victorian Club went to England, where he has since been cutting , a great dash, is, I notice, still claiming a good deal of attention in the society journals, in which his whole character is laid bare. The divorce proceedings by which his wife obtained a rule nisi are raked up, and altogether the " boisterous Robert" is placed in anything but a talking light. Mr. Farnham Burke, who lasti year presented Sievier to the Prince 05 Wales at Court, it is sarcastically pointed niut, should indeed be proud of his protege. Sit appears that one of the things that fed to the bowling out of Sievier was a cer'i lin medal which he had the cheek to wear,, but which did not. quite tally with the account he gave of how he came possessed of it. Sievier said he was in the 88th Con naught Rangers, but this was an unfortunate shot, and the fraud was soon bowled out. In addition to his other exploits, Sievier won the affections of a charming young lady in a landing family, and the expose just came in the nick of time to prevent the marriage taking place.

100 to 15 on the field is the price in Auckland in connection with the New Zealand Cup. Mr. A. Drake, the well-known Southern metallician, is at present on a visit to Auckland. Prince of Wales, the full brother to the game little Victoria, is being broken in by George Wright. Nelson has not yet been down to the course, but I understand that he is daily at exercise at " Wapiti." The Maribyrnontr Plate winner, Lonsdale, is now a slightly better favourite than Volley for the V.R.C. Derby. Silver Prince is now a regular attendant at Flemington, and is said to be rapidly getting into form after his spell. It is likely that the Canterbury and Dunedinr Jockey Clubs will co-operate, with a view to obtaining a paid starter for the two institutions.

At the Monmouth Park Meeting in America, Mr. J. B. Haggin, th«i Californian millionaire, had no less than three hundred and sixty-eight nominations! Cinderella has left E. Kelly's stable, and is now located at Kelso's. It is said that Mr. Twohill h&s parted with the daughter of Javelin to a well-known Sydney sport. It is stated that the Canterbury Jockey Club's programmes for the coming season will show a reduction in stakes to the extent of close upon £600 compared with those of last year. E. Kelly's horses—Paddy, Mystery, and Octopus—were, I understand, to have been shipped to Sydney by this week's steamer, but it appears that someone else had a say in the matter, and they were not sent. The thoroughbred stallion Alluvium (by Lowlander), who was imported to New Zealand about three years ago, died recently in Otago. Alluvium was quite a young horse, having only been foaled in 1880.

It is understood that strained relations now exist between E. Kelly and the Messrs. Twohill over the leasing of Cinderella, which will probably at an early date take the form of a lawsuit.

The committee of the Victoria Racing Club intend increasing the number of meetings at Flemington next season very materially. Extra meetings are to be held on the Ist of September next, the 20th of April, and the 24th May next year. ■ Sydney advices to hand state that the Hon. J. White's Derby candidates, Volley and Ensign, are both looking extremely well, and have been accomplishing their work in a satisfactory manner. Abercorn has also been striding along in capital style. Mr. Stead's trainer, R. Mason, tells "Senex" that Beresford, Gipsy "King, Lochiel, and one or two more of his lengthy string are still running about in the paddock during certain hours of the day. Maxim, however, has been taken up for real training purposes. The second reading of the Totalisator Bill was carried in the Legislative Assembly of South Australia by 26 votes to 18, and the Bill has also passed through committe*. Before the former Bill was repealed, racing in Adelaide flourished exceedingly, and its abolition was the deathblow of the sport in that colony. In connection with Ayrshire, the winner of the English Derby, it is a curious circumstance that his dam, Atalanta, was originally sold as a foal to Lord Rosslyn for 2s 6d, and after winning many races she wae purchased by the Duke of Portland, the breeder and present owner of Ayrshire, for 2000 guineas. Chaafe took up Bangle and Tartar this week. Both look extremely well after their spell, the former especially, but the colt has grown very little since he was seen out in the autumn. Nelson's half-brother, Rataplan, haa not; been taken up, but will, I understand, join his stable companions shortly. Sydney papers of last week , state that 1000 to 20 is still offered on the field for the Melbourne Cup, but no great move has yet been made in favonr of any particular horse. Cranbrook and Cardigan, however, are the most in request at 100 to 4. 1000 to 1 is offered on the two Cups, and 1000 to 5 Derby and Cup, Lonsdale being most fancied for the former. Cranbrook and Lord Allen are the favourites for the Caulfield Cup.

" Rata" has been interviewing Mr. Stead's horses, and of the coming two-year-olds picks the Musket—Maid of Athol colt, Scots Grey, out, as the most promising. My confrere states that he is a magnificent colt, well grown and muscular, with exquisite symmetry, and fancies that he will develop into a clinking racer, and one that will l-ace early.

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP. Southern papers now to hand contain the opinions of the various writers on the New Zealand Cup handicap. As I anticipated, Artillery (7st 91b) and Lochiel (Bst 131b) are considered extremely well treated, though it is worthy of note that " Sir Lancelot" does not include the latter in his selection. As these two horses are at the head of the betting quotations, it will no doubt prove interesting to inj' readers to peruse the remarks of the various writers on their chances, and I, therefore, give them below :—

Canterbury Times.— Lochiel gave us only one performance last season, and no one will presume to say by how much he won the New Zealand Cup, but he certainly had the best part of a stone in hand, and if improved as much as some of the other members of the Yaldhurst team he must have a really good look in with Bst 131b. Of course we shall have the old story of the son of Prince Charlie beinjj unable to stay, but it is hardly likely to mislead people who saw the brown horse come home from the distance last November. Artillery, if the Artillery of the early part of last season, is far and awav the best treated horse in the handicap. We have no hesitaj tion in saying the committee has taken very great liberties with Mr. Butler's representative, and should he continue to go on well he will more than compensate his plucky owner for past disappointments. We think Gipsy King (since scratched), Lochiel, Artillery, SprLngston, Carbine, Beresford, Lorraine, Chain Shot, Wolverine, and Exchange are likely to furnish the cream of the field that will go to the post, and with our present lights we shall expect one of the half score to jprove the ultimate winner. Senex (Weekly Press).—Lochiel, Bst 131b, must also have a show, and although we have no line between him and Maxim, we had between him and Gipsy King in the last New Zealand Cup, and an allowance of 81b for that beating is certainly not more than it was worth, Then Artillery, another of the 7st 91b division, cannot fail to be dangerous in any company with that weight to carry, if he can recover his two or three-year-old Spring form, but he would have to be a lot better than he was when he ran third in the Dunedin Cup, last February, to get near Maxim or Gipsy King. In summing up, I shall venture the opinion that in the event of Maxim, Gipsy King, and Carbine remaining in the country, one of the three will win the next New Zealand Cup, but in their absence I should at present suggest one of the following as likely to furnish the winner, viz., Nelson, Lochiel, Springston, St. Clair, Somneil, Manton, Wolverine, and Ravenswing, and to these I may add Artillery and Lorraine, if they stand the needful preparation. I consider, moreover, that anyone, having a nice wager in his book on Nelson, Lochiel, and Springston conjoined, would. b;u- the Australian engaged ones, have the pick of the handicap running for his money. Mazkppa (Saturday Advertiser).—Lochiel, Bst 131b. Why is this thus? The compilers have surely based their handicapping on the blunder made over this same horse last year with 7st 121b, when lie won easily. The public picked him then as soon as the weights appeared, and they all, with a smile, pic£ him now for it. I never before met with such unanimity with sporting men as to the query, what no you fancy best in the New Zealand Cup ? Why, Lochiel to be sure, is the all-round reply. Still, I would not advise my readers to blindly put their dimes on him, as this stable has a lot of strings to their bow, and there is no knowing which one may be the selected on the day. If asked to pick a dozen at this early stage to furnish the winner, I should select Nelson, Lochiel, Artillery. Springston, Carbine, St. Clair, Hotchkiss, Snapshot, Redwood, Manton, Wolverine, aud Exchange. "Sir Launcelot" (N.Z. Referee).—Last year's winner, Lochiel, has, to my way of thinking, just what he is entitled to at Bst 131b, though I know that several racing men expected him to have had at least 51b more. However, i will have none of him till I see how he progresses with his preparation. Artillery wasn't half a bad two and three-year-old, and because he was practically hors de combat for the major part of the season now closing, I don't consider the handioappers were justified in letting such a well-bred and well-performed five-year-old in at 7st 91b. Mr. Butler now has a rare show of winning his first New Zealand Cup. I shall try to pick the winner in ten, and these shall be— Gipsy King (scratched). Escutcheon, Artillery, Springston, Beresford, Somneil, Red- i wood, Manton, Engagement, Exchange.