SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9130, 11 August 1888, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. September 8 and Hawkesbury Spring. September 22, 25, 27, 29—Australian Jockey Club. November 6, 7, B—Canterbury Jockey Club. November 3, 6, 8, 10—Victoria Racing Club. November 9, 10—Auckland Racing Club December January 1, 2—Auckland Racing Club. DATES OF COMING EVENTS. September 13—Hawkesbury Guineas. September 15—Hawkesbury Handicap. September 22—A.J.C. Derby. September Great Metropolitan Stakes. September 12—Doncaster St. Leger. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Maori.—Stonyhnrst beat Tasman in the Auckland Plate, two miles, w.f.a. W.R.—l. Cuirassier was never submitted to auction. He was sold privately to Messrs. R. and R. Puder. 2. Krupp was three years old when he died. T..T.F.—Rand wick was got by Barbarian, King Quail by Yattendon. Both were, we think, imported to New Zealand by Mr. S. T. Horsfall. THE MELBOURNE CUP. The first forfeit in connection with the Melbourne Cup came due on Monday last, when 113 out of the 139 originally entered cried content. The only notable absentees so far are Cranbrook, Maxim, and Gipsy King, and the former's withdrawal, which is no doubt due to unsoundness, will prove a hard knock for early backers, as ever since he ran fifth in last year's race he had been nibbled at. New Zealand is still represented in the race with the Hon. W. Robinson's Chainshot and Exchange, and by Messrs. R. and R. Duder's Cuirassier. 1 don't think there is much prospect of the latter fulfilling his engagement, and as the Hon. Mr. Robinson's pair are also among the acceptors for the New Zealand Cup and C. J. 0. Derby, their going over is surrounded with a good deal of uncertainty. Tho following is a list of the horses left in : — st lb st lb

"Mnrtindale" contributes the following training notes to the Sydney Town and Country Journal: —H. Ray nor is sending The Australian Peer and Arsenal along at an increased pace ; and both are doing wrll—the colt especially so. I expect to see him strip for the spring events a better horse than he has ever yet been. Arsenal is as well as his best friend could wish him, but he is getting as cunning as a fox. Raynor's Derby candidates, Melos and Wycombe, are going at a useful pace, but it is too early yet to say what they are worth. There is a third, Magazine; but owing to his feet, I don't think he will sport his owner's colours in a ' blue ribbon' event. Volley and Ensign have both been doing useful business during the week ; and both look and are well. The more I see of the latter the better I like him ; but ho will need time to develop his powers, like all the Grandmasters. Abercorn, Aberdeen, and Plutarch were treated to about the soundest go of the morning, and all three shaped well, as did also Carlyon. Aristocrat has also been a ' little off' during the week, and it is just possible that he is on the wane. If so, the public will be in farther trouble. Bonnie Spec and Fine Lady, who are both under Monajrhan's care, are doing extremely well, and Volley will have to be dressed in her best to put this pair down. Pasha and Phaon are both doing useful work. Pasha gives one the idea of being at his best when the big events come on, and I shall be more than surprised if he does not carry Mr. Oxenham s colours first past the post in more than one good race during the coming season. Phaon, however, is not doing too well in his work, and the same may be said of Frisco too." THE NEW ZEALAND CUP. The acceptances for the New Zealand Cup came due on Saturday last, when the list was reduced to thirty-four, the most notable of the absentees being Nelson, Maxim, and Waitiri. Though Major George had stated that Nelson was an improbable starter, turfites were scarcely prepared to see the old horse pass out thus early in the day, seeing that he was in such blooming health and apparently sound. Gipsy King and Maxim having both passed out, Mr. Stead is now only represented by Lochiel, Sextant, and Beresford, and everything would appear to point to the firstnamed being the stable representative on the day for Sextant is said to be a bit of a cripple, while Beresford's performances do. not stamp him as anything above moderate. Auckland is fairly-well represented with Escutcheon, Leopold, and Cuirassier, and as they are all going on well, there seems a good prospect of their putting in an appearance at the meeting, Springston, who ran second to Gipsy King for the last Dunedin Cup, and later on won the Great Autumn Handicap at Christchurch, has, I notice, travelled up the list, and is now quoted at 100 to 12; while St. Clair, who is receiving his preparation at the hands of E. Cutts, is also in good favour. Considering the very lenient treatment accorded Lochiel and Artillery in the Handicap, the acceptance is much better than anticipated ; but should that pair, in addition to Carbine, satisfactorily answer the severe questions that will be put to them during the next couple of months, I fancy that when the next acceptance comes due there will be a great weeding out. The following are the acceptors : —

10 to 1 St. Clair. 10 to 1 Springs ton. 10 to 1 Escutcheon. 12 to 1 Leopold.

NOTES BY PUAETON. The handicapping question was broached attheA.R.C. meeting on Monday last by Mr. J. Marshall inquiring as to the rumours afloat concerning the appointment of a commil' to perform the work during the forthcoming season. In replying to the question, Mr. Morrin stated that so far the matter had only been talked over, but that in view of the club's diminished revenue his own opinion was that they should revert to the committee system, in order to save the £150 a year paid to Mr. Evitt. From the remarks which dropped from Mr. Marshall during the discussion of the question, that gentleman is apparently not in favour of a " committee of three," and he expressed a hope that, oven if it was decided to make the post honoi ary, one man should be ap pointed to perform the duties. The sense of the meeting was not, however, taken on the question, though Mr. Morrin invited it, and eventually the matter was left in the hands of the incoming committee to deal with.

During the present week I have had a good deal of conversation with owners and trainers on the proposal to appoint a committee to perform the handicapping during the coming season, and the opinions expressed thereon, I must admit, have all tended one —that only one man should be appointed to the office. While on the one hand it is pointed out that a committee of three might, in many cases, act as a check against careless handicapping, there is, it is argued, on the other nand, a danger that their minds might become biassed in certain directions, that the visiting division especially would not have that confidence in the work that should be the case, and that as a matter of course that circumstance would tell very seriously against the club. Now, if I thought for an instant that there would be a danger of horseowners from other provinces showinga want of confidence in the work of the committee, then I should most strenuously oppose the change, for if there is any department in connection with racing in which full confidence must reign, that department is certainly the handicapping. I fail to see myself, however, why a committee of non-horseowners (such as is in this case intended) should not secure the confidence desired, and I think that in many cases turfites are frightening themselves by raising a spectre in the extreme views they urge against the committee system. This, however, has been made very plain to my mind during the present week, that the projK>sed change is looked upon with disfavour even amongst those who have railed most against Mr. Evitt ; and, though in no case did I hear anything very flattering said as to that gentleman's ability, the general verdict, I must admit, was, "Give us one man !" At the annual meeting of the Auckland Racing Club on Monday last, Mr. J. Marshall made an effort to get an explanation of the dispute between the club and the totalisator proprietor, Mr. W. Adams, over the alleged short payment of a sum of £110, and which was recently decided against the club. An answer was given, it is true, but in such a way that did not tend to bring the case out fully. It would have been very interesting to know how such a long time elapsed before the error came to be detected, and on what system the club's affairs have been conducted in connection with the totalisator. From what I have been able to gather on this question, the evidence brought out a very slipshod manner of doing business, and, as remarked to me, was about worthy of persons running an apple-stall instead of those handling thousands of pounds. The rumour that Artillery had gone amiss proves to be incorrect, as the son of Musket is mentioned amongst those doing good work at Kiccarton. Mr. Stead's team being trained <n private, it is difficult to find out anything concerning their doings, but an experienced trainer informs " Senex" that Maxim is really well, as sound as a bell, and going in good form.

Old Malua, who in his day has annexed a Newmarket Handicap, a Melbourne Cup, and an Australian Cup, came out in a new role at the V.R.C. Winter Meeting on Saturday last, when he essayed his first journey in public over the sticks in the Grand National Hurdle Race, which he won, beating twelve others, among whom were The Yeoman (last year's winner) and The Victim. The great son of St. Albans would no doubt be a warm favourite, and we may expect to hear that he received a great ovation on returning to the paddock. The old horse is engaged in two jumping races to b§ run at Caulfield on Saturday next ; and it is also worthy of note that he is amongst those left in for the Melbourne Cup.

I have this week to acknowledge the receipt of a most valuable sporting work, compiled by the well-known Sydney scribe, " Hawkeye," and published by Mr. Robert Doig. The volume consists of no less than 155 pages, giving the past performances of all horses engaged in the big events of the coming season, in tabular form, besides much other valuable information. As a sporting guide the work is, without doubt, entitled to a first place, and I hope that both compiler and publisher will receive a good reward for their labour and enterprise in furnishing turfites with such a high-class piece of work.

A subject much debated in connection with the Hon. J. White's endeavour to win the English Derby is whether he will send his old trainer, T. Payten, who has achieved so many successes in Australia for the "blue and white" banner, to the old country to prepare the colts for their engagements. Advices from Sydney state that his doing so is extremely doubtful, and that the colts will probably be placed in the hands of a prominent English trainer to be put through their facings.

Prior to the sale ot E. Kelly's horses on Saturday, an oiler of £300 was made on his behalf for the whole of the estate, but as it was made a sine qua lion that the amount owing to the various racing clubs should be paid out of that sum, the negotiations fell through. It is now regarded that a mistake was made in not accepting the offer, as it would have paid fully 15s in the £ to his creditors.

From the following paragraph, which I clip from a late Sydney paper, Cranbrook would appear to be a hard case :— '■ All lovers of a good horse will be sorry to learn that the Newmarket Handicap winner (Cranbrook) has ' got a leg,' and has been eased in his work for some time in consequence. He is causing his trainer no end of trouble, and his ever seeing the post again is problematical." The big son of Chester has been withdrawn from all his spring engagements.

Of the New Zealand-bred 'ans in work at Flemington "Augur" says:— Whitworth continues to improve, but, like many others of Musket's sons, he has soft fleshy legs, which will give Mr. Dakin plenty of trouble. Matchlock's brother, Firelock, is still small, but there is nothing more perfectly shaped, and Waterman has grown into a slashing fine colt., well up to Derbyweight, but his galloping powers have yet to be tested."

It will be remembered that at the Queensland Turf Club meeting last year there was a terrible row through a mistake made at the start through the man with the advance Hag not dropping. The case was submitted to Messrs. Weatnerby thus :—"Ten horses were placed in the starter's hands. The starter said ' go,' and dropped his flag. The man in charge of the white flag did did not drop it. Half the horses pulled up. The remainder went the course. Was it a race?" Messrs. Weatherby replied— We beg to say we are of opinion, in the case you mention, that, provided the starter said ' go,' and dropped his flag, the start must be considered to have taken place.— J. E. Weatblekby, J. P. Weathkrby." According to Admiral Rous it would not be a start, but the Q.T.C., since the dispute, has very properly dispensed with a second flag.

The Victoria Racing Club's programme for the ensuing season now to hand shows that the club intend holding four meetings, giving away in added money the large sum of £26,750 besides a trophy value ISOsovs, added to the Melbourne Cup, and 450sovs added by owners to the Sires Produce Stakes, making a total value of 27,35050va added money. A row which occurred a few evenings ago in the Victorian Clubrooms, Melbourne, between Dr. Lawrence and Mr. P. Glenister, the well-known bookmaker, was considered by the committee, with the result that the former was fined £10 and suspended for a month, while the member of the ring was mulct in £00 and suspended for twelve months. The decision (says a Sydney writer) reads unmistakably as if the V.C. had one law for the medical proiesc'oxi and another for the ringmen.

The next American E«rby, it is estimated, 1 will be worth 16,500 dels. . _ I The C.J.C. Derby, to be ran m November, has now only 16 engaged, British Lion has joined the team under the charge of E. Cutte at Riccarton. Jamaica was offered by auction yesterday, but was passed in when the bidding had reached £15. , The £10,000 worth of debentures of the Victoria Racing Club have all been taken up at £101 2s 6a. The three-year-old colt by Le Gitana (full brother to Gipsy King) has been appropriately named Gipsy Prince. _ _ So great has been the opposition in America of late to steeplechasing that it will in all probability be shortly abolished. The first foal of the season made its appearance at Sylvia Park on Saturday last, Raupo (dam of Mata) producing a filly to St. Leger. An effort was made to place Mr. J. Marshall on the A. R.C. committee for the ensuing year, but he declined to accept the proffered honour. At the American Jockey Club meeting over 900,000d015. (or £180,000) went through the tot&lisator and pools, and the club derived over 43,000d01s (or over £8000) from hem. The Jilt, dam of the celebrated steeple, chaser Kildare, is now in foal to Anteros Corrigan, the jockey, wants to buy the produce in the hopes of getting another good jumper. The Auckland Coursing Club announce a meeting to be held at on Wednesday, 22nd instant. Nominations are due to-night at 9 p.m. at the Commercial Hotel.

Ben Bolt, the Caulfield Cup winner, was put to the stud when he was two years old. He covered five mares, and the progeny of one of them, a filly named Eileen, won a two-year-old race at Charters Towers a short time ago. A rumour was current in Christchurch last week to the effect that Mr. Stead intended sending Maxim and Gipsy King over to Victoria ; but as both nave now passed out of the Melbourne Cup it is probably groundless. For expressing a wish that " that starter was dead," a jockey named Williams had at Lexington, America, his suspension for a meeting increased to six months. On tendering an abject apology, however, the sentence was commuted.

Disowned, of whom the Hon. W. Robinson expected great things last year in Australia, but who went amiss, and was afterwards sold to a Victorian turfite, is again in work, and there is, it is said, a good prospect of him standing a preparation. Racecourse companies are still on the increase in Australia. The latest venture is to purchase the Warwick Farm (New South Wales) for £23,000. The prospectus states that shares will be £100 each, and are first to be offered to owners and trainers of racehorses.

" Centaur's Index " for 1888 is to hand from the publisher, Mr. R. P. Hurren, Melbourne, and like its predecessors, is a most creditable production. It contains 150 pages of closely-printed matter, including the entries and weights for the principal handicaps to be run during the coming spring campaign. It is stated that three days before the running of the Grand Prix de Paris, Stuart (the wianer) was coughing so badly that he could hardly get out of the stable. On the day of the race, all the skin was peeling off one side of his neck, where he had been blistered wholesulely. Stuart, it is said, is one of the best three year olds in training. In cross-examination during the libel case of Wood v. the Licensed Victuallers' Gazette, the jockey admitted that he owned the house he lived in at Newmarket, also Lowther House, Chetwynd House, the Greyhound Hotel, the Black Horse Hotel, Sherrard's stables, several cottages in St. Mary's Square, Newmarket, some stables at Chereling, had an interest of £4000 in a cooperage, and that Messrs. Hammond, the bankers, had invested £12,000 for him. Not bad for a professional jockey, who is a comparatively young man, and started without sixpence. Like the English Derby winner Ayrshire, Stuart, the winner of the Grand Prix de Paris, was bred by his owner. His sire Le Destrier, is by Flageolet, and his dam by Stockwell—Ernestine, by Touchstone. This (says an English writer) is somewhat remarkable mean, to find the great grandsire of an 1888 winner foaled as far back as 1881 (Touchstone), or 57 years ago. Thus : Stuart was foaled (1885) when his dam, Stockhausen, was in her 19th year ; Ernestine (1850) was 17 when she dropped Stockhausen, and Touchstone (1831) was 18 years old when he got Ernestine. A Dr. Fleming claims to have discovered a remedy for "roaring" in horses. He states that his observations have led him to conclude that the vocal chord on one Bide of the larynx—always the left side—becomes relaxed owing to paralysis of one of the muscles. It remains in the middle line when the animal draws its breath, so that the opening of the larynx is reduced by more than one-half of that which the animal requires for freedom in breathing. His operation, he declares, is a simple one, and causes little pain. It consists in the removal of the vocal chord, and an operation on the cartilage to which it is attached. The animal is put under chloroform, and the small wound made heals up in about a week. Dr. Fleming says ne has made roaring a study for a quarter of a century, and he is of opinion that the peculiar asthmatic kind of breathing from which some men suffer arises from a cause similar to that which gives rise to roaring in horses. He thinks that the larynx could be examined by making a slight incision in the throat, instead of endeavouring to examine it with difficulty by looking down the mouth. He is preparing an electrical instrument by which the whole larynx and every spot about it can be examined.

THE AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. TO THE SPORTING EDITOR.

Sir,—With your permission I will make a few remarks about the annual meeting of the Auckland Racing Club, and also to the proposed change In the handicapping. Well, sir, on account of the balancesheer, &c., not being print-ed and circulated amongst the members, we were not in a proper position to make many inquiries, but from two or three chance shots I made we found that there was a sum of £110 in dispute between Mr. Adams, lessee of the totalisator and the Club, owing to alleged short payments, that this matter was referred to arbitration and went against the Club, and that the Club were still of opinion that someone is indebted to them for this amount. This discrepancy I have since been informed was not found out until five weeks after the money should have been paid. By proceeding further we found that the Club holds a bill of sale for between £300 and £400 over certain horses for totalizator monies, nomination and other fees, and we also learnt that the monies paid to the credit of a fund for distressed jockies in the Auckland Savings Bank had been taken out of that Bank and paid into the credit of the Auckland Racing Club, to assist in reducing their overdraft at the Bank of New Zealand. Now, sir, is it to be wondered that the committee were desirous of rushing through the accounts of the club. Probably there are other matter that should have required some explanation, but we had no time to go through the accounts! We were promised that the balance-sheet, etc. would be printed and circulated amongst the members, but up to the present none have been received. With reference to the Distressed Jockevs Fund, i will not rest satisfied until (if possible) this fund is put on a proper footing, so that the boy 3 will know what is being done with their money. I feel a personal interest in this matter, as I was one of those who started the fund.

In answer to a question about handicapping, we found that the committee ware not desirous of having a paid hiuidicapper, but thought, as a matter of finance, to have it done by a committee. Now if the committee intend to carry out that intention, I along with others contend that it will be a retrograde movement. If the present cost of handicapping is more than the Club can afford, possibly if aphlications were made the present handicjipper, or other competent persona, might be willing to do the duties for a less amount. But if retrenchment is the real cause, why not reduce the secretary's salary, which at present is .£350 per annum—l venture to say the best paid secretary in New Zealand. At any rate, I think the committee have quite enough to do to attend to the affairs of the Club without wishing to have a cut in at the handicapping also, because if they had done their duty to the Club, they would have at least had the £110 above referred to to their credit, which would now come in nicely to pay for the services of a handicapper, and the above lamentable state of their finances would not be. Further, through gross carelessness or other causes, last season's programme was so made out that horses were allowed to start in certain races carrying less weight than they should have done while in other races thev had to carry more than they were entitled to. Now, in the face of the carelessness displayed in the matter of their finances and programmes from want of time or other reasons they wish to have a try at the handicapping. Another reason why I object to the committee having anything to do with the handicapping is because if you go through the names of the committee you will find, with the exception, probably, of one member, that not any of the others have done any handicapping, or at the present time are capable of dome so Of course I am aware that before the club had a paid handicapper another member of the committee did assist the secretary and a member for perhaps a year or two. In conclusion, I think that, in the interest of racing, that all clubs should have a paid handicapper, for to do his duty properly he has. j visit the various race meeting*, and devote a great deal of his time in making his handicap, which, of course, means expanse, audi do not consider it fair to ask any jwrson to take upon himself the responsible txuitiou of handicapper without paying him at least a fair salary for his services. 1 feel sure the majority of homeowners would prefer the various races further reduced, so that the dub should be in a position to pay for the services of a competent Ulan.—l am, Ac., J.NO. Mamxhii.t. Auckland, Aufiuat 10, i;SB.

A.bercorn ... 9 8 I'eiidragon ... 7 2 Australian Beer 9 8 Blucher ... 7 2 Malua 9 7 Chetwynd ... 7 2 Dunlop ... 9 (5 Waterman ..72 Carlyon ... 9 3 Melos 7 2 Arsenal ... 9 0 Whitworth ... 7 2 Niagara .. S 12 First Flaneur... 7 2 Ben Bolt ... 8 9 Kenneth ... 7 2 Honeydew ... 8 9 Plutarch ,. 7 1 Cardigan ... 8 7 Pearl Shell ... 7 1 Enfilade ... 8 6 Simon 7 1 Bravo ... ... 8 ft kittle John ... 7 0 Silver Prince... S £; Mentor ... 6 13 Tranter ... 8 4 Taleon 6 13 Gardenia ... 8 4 AlphingtoD . . 6 13 Mentor 8 3 Newmastei ... (5 13 Cyclops ... 8 3 Cuirassier ... 6 13 Oakleigh ... 8 2 Chicago ... 6 13 The .Jewel ... 8 2 Lagrange ... 6 i2 Spade Guinea... 8 1 Tradition ... 6 11 Aristocrat ... 8 0 Jebusite ... 6 11 Pasha 7 13 Vespasia ... 6 11 Merrimu ... 7 12 King of West... 6 11 Tomboy ... 7 11 Warrnambool 6 1] Matador ... 7 10 Noumea ... 6 10 Volley 7 10 The Loafer ... 6 10 Bohemian ... 7 10 Too Soon ... 6 It The Nun ... 7 10 Bonnie Spec ... 6 1C Dick Swiveller 7 10 Lamond ... 6 9 Lonsdale ... 7 9 Forest Queen... 6 9 Lady Betty ..7 8 Locksley ... 6 9 The Yeoman ... 7 8 Maggie 6 9 Silverton ..7 7 Stock well ... 6 9 Dividend ..77 Rosewood ... 6 9 Recall 7 7 Quadrant ... 6 8 Whakawai ... 7 7 E. D. ... ... 6 8 Lord Allen ... 7 6 Councillor ... 6 8 Leichardt ... 7 6 Bona Vista ... 6 7 Monte Christo 7 0 T. W. ... ... ti 7 Thunderbolt ... 7 5 Victory ... 6 7 Lord Headring- Barons Court... 6 7 ton 7 ft Churchill ... 6 7 Sumatra ... 7 ft Tabard 6 7 'Frisco... ... 7 ft Exchange ... 6 7 Venture ... 7 5 Ganymede ... 6 7 Pakeha ... 7 4 Melbury ... 6 7 Yellow Jacket 7 4 Bluenose ... 6 7 Phaon 7 3 Lord Buudoora 6 7 Bernardo ... 7 3 William Tell... 6 7 Touchstone ... 7 3 Glentworth ... 6 7 Harold... ... 7 3 Shark ... ... 6 7 Lara 7 3 Menotti ... (5 7 South'ly Buster 7 3 Rouge et Noir 6 7 Volga ... ... 7 H Beryl ... ... 6 7 Folly 7 3 Loyalist ... G 7 Claremont ... 7 2 Tourbillon ... 6 7 Benzon 7 2 Ilex 6 7 Chain Shot ... 7 2 The local betting quotations are as follows : — 100 to 5 agst Cardigan. 100 to 5 Aristocrat. 100 to ft Carlyon. 100 to 4 Matador. 100 to 3 Australian Peer. ILK) to 3 Abercorn. l(Xt to 3 Silver Prince. 100 to 3 Niagara. 100 to 3 Enfilade.

st lb st lb Lochiel 8 13 St. James . 6 13 Sextant _ 8 12 St. Malo „ 6 13 Escutcheon ... 7 12 Jet d'Eau ... 6 13 Artillery _ 7 9 Gita.ua colt ... 6 13 Springston „ 7 9 Snapshot ... 6 12 Silver Mark ... 7 9 Leopold .„ 6 12 Carbine ... 7 9 Redwood ... 6 12 Beresford _ 7 8 Manton ... 6 10 St. Clair ... 7 5 Cuirassier ... 6 7 Ruby ... „ 7 5 Wolverine ... 6 7 Strenuous _ 7 5 Engagement ... 6 7 Somneil _ 7 3 Son-of-a-Oun ... 6 6 British Lion ... 7 2 Ravenswing ... 6 6 Lorraine ... 7 0 Vandal 6 0 Chainshot ... 6 13 Exchange ... 6 0 Richmond ... 6 13 Kirnberley ... 6 0 Phorm. Tenax 6 13 Hiko 6 0 So far as Auckland is concerned, the state of the odds may be said to be as follows : — 7 to 1 agst Lochiel. 7 to 1 Artillery. 10 to 1 Carbine.