SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9178, 6 October 1888, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. New Zrai.ANO. October 10— Napier Park Racing Club. November 6, 7, Canterbury Jockev Club November ft.—Wangnriui Jockey Club. November S>, Auckland I".acW Club. December 28, January l. 2—Auckland Racing Club. December £6 and 'Thimes Jock in' Club. December 26—Uawke's Kay Jockey Club. March 18, 19— Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. June 26—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. AUSTRALIAN. September 20—Australian Jockey Club. October 13. 20.—Victoria Amateur Turf Club. November 8, 6, 8, 10—Victoria Racing Club. DATES OF COMING EVENTS. October &—Ceaarewitch Stakes. October 18—Caulfleld Guineas. October 20—Caul Held Cup. October 22—Cambridgeshire Stakes. November B—V.R.C. Derby. November 6—Melbourne Cup. November 6—New Zealand Cup. November 7—Canterbury Derby. December 26—Auckland Cup.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Tim IST.lolanthe's time (lmin 2Jsee)is the fastest, yet made in the Maribyrnong Plato (five furlongs). Backkr.—The conditions of tho Melbourne Cup state that the winner of either the A.J.C. or V.R.C. Derbies shn.il carry 7st Sib if weighted below that amount. Melos will therefore have to put up 7st alb. IKATO.—Albany was got by Thormanby from Gn'selda, by Touchstone. Anteroa was got by Loiterer from Adrasta, by Orlando. The New Zealand Stud Company exchanged Anteros for Captivator, and the former is now stationed at Clarence River (N.S.W.)

NOTES BY PHAETON.

Contrary to general expectation there seems every prospect of the approaching V.R.C. Derby drawing a capital and high class field to the post, and what is more, the race bears a much more open aspect than is usually the case with the V.R.C. blue riband. The race on this occasion will be fraught with much interest to New Zealanders, by reason of Carbine having been taken over to try conclusions with the Australian cracks. In weighing the chances of the son of Musket and Mersey we are entirely dependent on his unbeaten certificate when a two year-old, which is not at all times a very reliable guide, to wit, the performances of Archie, Uralla, and others. That the son of Musket is cast on the lines of a Derby colt is, however, a fact that is admitted on all hands, and if it is true that Mr. O'Brien has pronounced him as good as Trenton, then he will most assuredly stand in need of a deal of beating. Melos won the Hawkesbury Guineas and A.J.C. Derby like a true racehorse, and though the time in the latter race was slow, it is scarcely a fair criterion to take of his merits, as the ground was unfavourable for "record-smashing." Should anything £0 wrong with the son of Goldsborougn, Mr. Gannon will still be able to furnish an excellent representative in Wycombe, who scored three wins at the recent A.J.C. Meeting ; but so far as we can see at present, should Melos continue to go on satisfactorily, no trouble will bo experienced in unearthing the stable representative. Now that Volley has been knocked out, some attention is being turned to the Hon. Mr. White's other representative, Ensign, and on his performances at the A.J.C. Meeting, this son of Grandmaster would appear to have a show. On the opening day he was equal to the task of winning the Trial Stakes, beating a good field, while on tho Thursday following he defeated the Metropolitan Stakes' winner Lamond in the Wycombe Stakes, which is run over a mile and three-quarters, so that the Derby distance should not affect him. The fact that he was withdrawn from the Derby in favour of Volley would certainly lead one to the conclusion that he was inferior to his stable mate ; but too much value should not bo placed on that circumstance, as the son of Grandmaster may be one of the division that will not show his true hand in private. A good deal of mystery attaches to Lonsdale, and his not taking part at the A.J.C. Meeting, favours the conclusion that all is not quite well with the son of First King. The Victorian division will not apparently be a very powerful one, and the only three that at present seem likely to see the post are Tourbillion, Redboune, and Beryl. The first named won several good races last season, and I notice that "2000 to '200 was recently accepted about her chance. Redboune has never yet been raced in public, and though the cablegrams tell us that i Beryl is showing improved form, there is a chillingdoubt about the sister to Nordenfeldfc being equal to the severe test of winning such a Derby as this promises to be. The training notes will be eagerly watched during the next few weeks, and when we come to the first Saturday in the coming month, I hope to be able to write that the great "guns" are all well, and that the New Zealand representative, Carbine, still holds his position as favourite.

The victory of Leopold in the Hawke's Bay Spring Handicap on Tuesday last is an event that Aucklanders will heartily rejoice in, for though the Ivohiniarama syndicate has dispensed large sums in the purchase of the thoroughbred, this is the first occasion on which the "white jackct, yellow cap " have been carried home in the van for an important event. The son of Leolinus and Lovebird has fully borne out the good opinion formed of him, and his trainer appears to have entertained very little doubt, of his superiority over a mile and ahalf, for bot of his stable mates Escutcheon and Cuirassier were withdrawn, and he undertook the battle single-handed. Leopold is engaged in the New Zealand Cup and also in the C.J.C. Derby, and should he fret home first in either of those important events, it will form the subject of much rejoicing in this district.

Though he did not succeed in getting home first in the Hawko's Bay Guineas. Ellerslte trainers have certainly to eat the leek with regard to Cuirassier's merits as a racehorse. The son of Musket has had quite an army of detractors ever since he went down in the Champagne Stakes last autumn, and it was only on Friday last when discussing the colt's abilities with one of the shrewdest judges that attends the Ellerslie tracks, 1 was told he was absolutely no good, and that a hack could be found to match against him for a hundred a-side. The son of Musket and Frailty, however, ran a great race with the hot favourite Manton, and Clifford had all he could do to get the latter home a neck in advance. Should Cuirassier continue to improve between this and the day on which the C. J.C. Derby is run, he should have a big say in the settlement of that important event, and I have much hope of being able to chronicle a win for his plucky owners. The Auckland Racing Club have not, as yet, made any arrangements as to the working of the totalisator at the forthcoming racing season at Ellerslie. It will be remembered that some two years ago Mr, T. W. Hickson, surveyor, invented arid patented a . new totalisator, which, it was claimed, had many excellences over those hitherto constructed, one of which was absolute certainty in registering the numbers, and the impossibility of tampering with the machinery. Mr. George Fraser, of the Plioanix Foundry, con structed one of the machines from the drawings furnished by Mr. Hickson, and the defects found in the machine by practical tests have since been remedied, and the invention perfected. A private test of the machine has recently been made by Mr. Fraser, which proved satisfactory, and he has invited the stewards of the Auckland Racing Club to witness a further severe test of the invention.

Passing along the Harp Road one day this week, I dropped in at Mr. Williamson's to have a look at The Dauphin, win. has been brought up from Taranaki to stand the season in this district. It is some two years since I had seen the son of Traducer, and I must say that I was greatly taken with his looks. He has furnished into a beautiful horse, showing great power all over, and with a most equable temper thrown in, it will be surprising if with such high credentials as by Traducer from Maria Therese, by Rataplan, he does not make a big name for himself as a winnerproducing parent. Mr. Williamson is not likely to hnve +• regret bringing the son of Traducer up to Auckland this season, a:id I am glad to state that his services are bei nv largely availed of by breeders, and ma!<-<i with such an aristrocratic matron as Fi.-i. • girl (by Yattendon—Fanny Fisher), he will at least have one great chance to turn out something above the average. A Sydney cablegram, received on Wednesday, states that Carbine, while exercising at Randwick on that day, showed ej'iii)' toms of lameness, but that it seemed :u wear off as he walked away. With tinmost severe part of his preparation ye'. . be undertaken, it is by.no means assuri.. to read of the son of Musket showing n;. soundness at this early period of the butt.r. Further information as to the colt's train-

ing will bo a Waited With Much Interest, mid though there may not bo anything notions about his ailment, bunkers would do bettor by waiting information on tho subject, oven if they have to take a shorter pride. , , Bangle has returned to the track after her recent accident. She is looking very well, as are also her stable mates, Tartar and Rataplan. Tho bearers of tho "yellow and black " havo been out of luck for somo time, but I hop® tho present season will see an alteration in that respect, and "Old .Jack" leading homo an important winner, is an event that the public would heartily rejoice in. It was rumoured a short time back that Hotchkiss, the giant son of Musket and Petroleuse, had gono amiss, but so far as I could judge, when looking at him doing walking exercise, his legs show no signs of unsoundness. Mr. Walters has decided on putting most of his mares this season to Hippocampus, and as the lot includes Slander (dam of Billingsgate) and Yatterina (dam of Matchlock and Libeller), the son of Dainty Ariel should get something entitled to be placed in the front rank. Mr. Walters announces that Hippo, will be at the service of breeders this season, particulars of which will be found fully set forth in an advertisement appearing in another column. At a meeting of the committee of the Takapuna Jockey Club the Spring Meeting was fixed for Saturday, the Ist December, for which the following programme has been framed and adopted : — Handicap Maiden Plate of 30sovs, 1 mile; Handicap Hurdles of 50sovs, If mile; St. Andrew s Handicap of lOOsovs, 1£ miles; Handicap Steeples of lOOsovs, 3 miles ; Selling Race of 30sovs, 7 furlongs ; Spring Handicap of 50sovs, J-mile; Selling Steeplechase of 40 sovs, twice round. The victory of Wycombe over Abercorn and The Australian Peer in the Randwick Plate, weight for ago, three miles, on Saturday last, reads very much like as great a surprise, as The Australian Peer himself brought off last year in the same race, when he clipped the wings of the mighty Trident. It is worthy of note that the winners of this race in the three previous years have also annexed the V.R.C. Derby. Will Wycombe follow suit ?

NTordenfeldt's sister, Beryl, appears to be coming on well, and a cablegram received this week states that she has been running over her stable mate, Redbourne. This pair, I may remark, are, so far as purchase money is concerned, the costliest three-year-olds on the colonial turf, for as a yearling Redbourne brought no less than 1325 guineas, while Beryl brought 1040 guineas. Mr. Stead has again been visited with i piece of ill-fortune, the colt by MartiniHenry from the Traducer mare Iris, having died a few days after being foaled. The youngster is said to have been a colt of exceptional promise, and his loss is to be deplored. The jumper Promotion, for whom J. Rae paid over a century in May last, .has not turned out a very profitable purchase, and I understand that after his efforts at the Auckland Winter Meeting he showed signs of unsoundness. He is to be given every chance to stand a preparation, and will not be taken up until after the New Year.

Some idea of the pace at which Australian Peer and Abercorn travelled over the concluding portion of the Spring Stakes (H miles) at Randwick may be gathered from the fact that the last six furlongs was covered in lmin Writing of the race, the Sydney Mail says: — "Hales adopted cutting-down tactics, and, taking Abercorn to the front soon after starting, forced the running; but Power was not to be out-generalled, and, after the first halfmile, was never more than three-quarters of a length away. The pair were locked level at the half-mile post, and from that point out the battle was of the most bitter description, but inch by inch The Peer wore down his gallant opponent, and defeated him after a fairly and truly run race by three-quarters of a length. The time for the mile and a-half —2 minutes 40 socs. —was worthy of two such great exponents of the science of racing, and the performance was a great one. Another welcome addition has been made to the ranks of Australian-owned thoroughbreds by the importation of the Englishbred Canzoni, who was recently purchased in the old country by Mr. Charles Baldwin, of Durham Court, New South Wales. Canzoni is certainly a rare bred-un, being got by Petrarch (winner of the English Derby and Two Thousand Guineas) from Frivolity (winner of the Middle Park Plate, and dam of Jolly Friar and Grand Templar, both good winners), by Maccaroni from Miss Agnes, by Irish Birdcatcher from Agnes, by Clarion, etc. He thus possesses four strains of Whalebone, two of Touchstone through Newminster, and three of Blacklock blood. He is also closely related to Ormonde, as the latter's dam, Lily Agnes, is by Maccaroni from Polly Agnes, by The Cure from Miss Agnes. Can zoni was foaled in ISHI, and during the time he was on the turf, he won several good races. In recounting a visit to Flemington recently, " Augur" says : —" Further afield I saw ■ the two New Zcalanders, Tranter and Whakawai. What a magnificent colt Tranter is ! If I was asked to select the finest horse in training, I think I would select this grand looking son of Musket and Pungawerewere. The hind leg, which showed signs of weakness last- season, is sound enough now, but a few days ago ho cut the other hind leg, and had to be eased up for a few days* If he should stand his preparation, he may corroborate the good opinion formed of him by most of the best judges who saw him galloping at Flemington last spring. Whakawai has wintered well, and I hope some day that he and Tranter will recompense Mr. Mitohelson for the spirit he has displayed in sending his horses to Australia."

The downfall of the red-hot favourite Volley in the A. J.C. Derby is thus told in j the Sydney Mail : —"The actual race commenced when seven furlongs from home, and the last six furlongs must have been covercd at a great pace. After Grey wing and Lamond had cut out the running, the two favourites came through, and. as Power was seen to be at work on Melos at the home turn, while Hales had not stirred on Volley, things looked unsettled for the friends of Melos at the entrance to the straight. A little further on Volley shot clear, and a roar from the crowded stands gave forth the opinion that the red-ho; favourite was about to walk home; but, like his mighty sire, Goldsbrough, Melos answered every call made upon him by Power, and hung on to the filly with such resolution that before the distance was reached her stride shortened and she commenced to falter. At each stride the colt came on, and at last, realising the fact that the filly was to be asked a little question, Hales, after riding with his hands to no purpose, was compelled to draw the tell-tale whip. Once that was in the air Power sat down on Melos, and the colt, responding generously, wore down the daughter of Musket, and won by a length and a quarter, amidst the most enthusiastic cheers. The cheering lasted for some time, and it was evident that the public were pleased, not because the popular ' blue and white' banner had been lowered, but because Mr. William Gannon had at last secured the ' blue ribbon' of the New South Wales turf. Moreover, the spirit of chivalry displayed by Mr. Gannon in only starting horse against horse, instead of pending Wycombe to help Melos against his lady opponent, went home to the hearts of the race-loving public with a ring of manly fair play about it." Concerning the backing of Carbine for ! tho V.R.C. Derby, the Melbourne Leader j .-ays : —" During the last fortnight several ineffectual attempts have been made to obtain 3000 to 300 about an outsider, and Mr. O'Brien's representative had almost despaired of getting the commission executed, when Mr. R. Phillips, the ' South Melbournite,' came to the rescue, and guaranteed 2000 to 200 in one line." " Asmodeus," writing in the same paper, makes the folI lowing remarks on the prospects of the son ' >! Musket: " There can be little doubt that : at bine js a star of unusual brilliancy, and, ; ii. :i ring in mind that he will be opposed by a wf.ak field, I am sufficiently impressed with prospects of success to hazard the minion that, barring accident, he will score I. victory on behalf of New Zealand." The '• 'anterbury Times also appears to have wry little doubt about the matter, judging ,'iom the following:—"Should Carbine : < iicli his destination without accident and a good condition, we believe he will win ,;i'. Victorian blue ribbon with as much'ease • in; would have secured the C.J.C. Derby. !'• will certainly beat all the three-year - that have performed at Randwick ; iig the last day or two, and so far we ■ ,■ nothing among the untried ones that tiacutens very formidable opposition,"

Tho I'nkumngii hounds meet) to-day afc noun lit; lilio In to of Mr. W. McLaughlin, l > ujmt.oot.oo. Hi in said that tho party behind Cinderella won £6000 by her victory in the County I'm™ lit Huwkesbury. . , Maxim has injured ono of his heels so badly tlmb it is hardly likely ho will be seen out in the spring. Mft ton'a time (Imin 45800) in the Hawk Bay Guineas, on Monday lasb, is the fastest on record for that race. The A. J.C. Derby winner Melos wag purchased by his present owner, Mr. W. Gannon, an a yearling for COO guineas. The Melbourne Cup winner Dunlop has been leased by bhe Victorian breeder, Mr. J. S. Smith, for a poriod of five years. According to latest date files the American runner, L. E.-Meyers, was clerking for a bookmaker at Monmouth Park races. It is said that Carbine will be ridden in the V.R.C. Derby by R. Derritt, who, I may remark, went over with the colt. Neither Balista nor Escutcheon ran up to expectations at the Hawke's Bay meeting, and both ran unplaced in their engagements. Cocoanut (dam of Navigator and Trident), who was last season put to Fryingpan, has again missed. She has this season been put to Commotion. Wagers of 5000 to 300 and 5000 to 250 were accepted in Sydney recently about Touchstone and Lamond respectively for the Melbourne Cup. Young Lindsay, who steered Leopold to victory in the Hawke'6 Bay Spring Handicap is an Auckland lad, and this was his first victory of note. The first three horses in the Hawke's Bay Guineas were all bred in Auckland, Manton and Cuirassier being sired by Musket, while Leolinus claims Leopold. Wally Clifford did nob, after all, ride Cuirassier in the Hawke's Bay Guineas, E. Vaile having the mount, while Clifford was up on the winner, Manton. A race meeting held at Rosehill (N.S. W.) recently, in aid of the funds of the Carrington Centennial Hospital, resulted in a donation of £500 to that institution.

The indifferent display of the favourite Frisco in the Metropolitan Stakes, is explained by the fact that he received a severe strain across the loins during the race. Lamond, the winner of the Great MetroEolitan Stakes, is owned by Mr. Harry evien, a Sydney solicitor. He is 3aid to have won £7000 by the colt's victory. Fancy Free (by Musket Fancy) won the Selling Race at Moonee Valley recently. She was entered to be sold for " nil," and her party had to pay £85 to get her back. The stallion Rouser, who was recently taken over to Sydney, has been brought back to New Zealand, his owner failing to get a satisfactory offer for him in Australia. In Mr. John Field, Tasmania, ib is said, may claim the honour of possessing the oldest racing man in the colonies. Mr. Field began his racing career over half a century ago. According to a London sporting paper Lord Hastings, a prominent member of the Jockey Club, was to leave England at the end of last month for a lengthy stay in the colonies.

Melos, who won the Hawkesbury Guineas, is engaged in the V.R.C. Derby, Melbourne Cup (Tit 51b), V.R.C. Foal Stakes, St. Leger and Champion Stakes, and A.J.C. St. Leger Stakes. The following foalings have taken place at Sylvia Park during the present week : — Satanella, colt to St. Leger ; Hannah, filly to Captivator ; Amazon, filly to Leolinus ; Speargrass, colt to Albany. The New Zealand Cup candidate, Lorraine who has always been a. great cripple, seems to be standing his preparation satisfactorily, and is now second favourite for the big Canterbury race at 100 to 14. Rumour comes from Melbourne to the effect that Don Giovan is doing as well as can be expected at Dowling Forest, and his party have every hope of repeating last year's CaulfieldCup performance with Oakleigh. The committee of the Auckland Racing Club have decided for the future not to interfere in disputes between trainers and jockies under Rule 161, unless such agreements between the parties have been made in writing. The betting at the post on the A.J.C. Derby was 5 to 4 on Volley, 4 to 1 against Melos. So good a thing did the Oaks look for Volley, that 5 to 2 was laid on her, while 8 to 1 was on offer about the winner, Pearl Shell. A member of Bowes' Tattersall's { ctoria) perpetrated a joke upon anothe a few days ago. He had a disputed wag r, which he was compelled to pay, and had satisfaction by tendering the sum in threepenny bits. Several racers belonging to Gebhardtand Langtry, valued at 100,000 dollars, were burned to death on August 13, while proceeding by rail to San Francisco, the carriages catching fire in consequence of an accident to the train. Like Cuirassier, the Derby colt Chainshot has a lot of detractors ; but the Canterbury Times states that a couple of gallops which the brother of Thunderbolt performed last week, shows that he is by no means the duffer he has been made out.

Artillery ("sfc Sib) who was pounced upon as the " good thing" of the New Zealand Cup Handicap directly the weights appeared, was struck out of the race on Wednesday last, from which we may conclude that the handsome son of Musket' and Ouidu has again gone amiss. Silver Prince, having proved untrainable, has been placed in the sale list. In November last it. will be remembered that the Hon. W. Pearson gave 1150 guineas for the son of Sylvia, but he never once got a run in public, the horse going badly amiss shortly after he passed into his hands. It is rumoured that a well-known and popular racing man, resident in Sydney, comes in for a nest-egg of £50,000 under the will of the late Hon. E. Flood. The alleged lucky ono is a plucky " punter," which, of late days, more than one ting man well knows to the detriment of his exchequer. At a meeting of the Sydney Tattersall's Club held last week, it was decided to purchase Pomeroy Chambers, Castlereaghstreet, at a cost of £30,000, as the club's new premises. The chairman, in moving a motion to that effect, stated that the club had in hand £13,100, and it would be necessary to borrow £22,000 at five per cent, in order to complete the purchase, as an extra £5000 Would be required to make Pomeroy Chambers suitable for club requirements. According to the statistics published in the Australasian Abercorn won the most money during last season. The amount he Won was £4179, while Volley comes second on the list with £3072. They each won five races ; so that Dunlop's record of £3372 for ! two wins is a good one, as also The Ausj tralian Peer, with £3279 to his credit for i four wins. Carlyon appropriated £3067, i and Cardigan £2926. Cranbrook swelled i Mr. White's exchequer to the extent of ; £2595. Next comes Oakleigh, with £1914 ; | Lady Betty, £1822; Ruby, £1648; Acme, i £1505; Consequence, £1390; Lonsdale, ! £1300 ; The Queen, £1285 ; Dainty, £1147 ; j Vesnasia, £1090; Ben Bolt, £1039. i Writing of Lainond's victory in the great < Metropolitan Stakes, the Sydney Telegraph says: — "Though 'big' races have been won at Rand wick in very easy style, none have perhaps ended in such a runaway victory as the one Lamond was responsible for, and so easy was it gained that it is open to question whether lie could not have disj tanced his followers. As his performances | show, he has been a most consistent runner, i and although he has earned a 141b penalty for both the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups, winning one or the other seems quite within his ken."

i PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB ANNUAL | RACES. I The following acceptances and general J entries for the Hunt Club annual race . meeting, to be held at Ellerslie on Saturj clay, 13th instant, were received last night, at the office of Mr. H. H. Hayr, Queenstreet Wharf :— I Light Weight Steeplechase.—Macaroni, list 51b; Reform, list 41b ; Whalebone, list 21b; Hawthorn, lOst 121b ; Matau, lOst 121b ; Messenger, lOst 121b; Artist, lOst 71b. Members' Hurdle Race. — Ma Petite Fille, 12st 4lb ; Quilp, list 41b ; Fisherman, list; Messenger, lOst 121b ; Artist, lOst 71b. Open Flying Handicap, 6 furlongs.— Squire, 9st 91b ; Catesby, Bst; Capella, 7st 131b; St. Michael, 7st 121b ; Leorina, 7st 101b; Pretender, 7st Sib; Brown Rose, 7st 4lb; Teksum, 7st 41b; Patchwork. 7st 4lb; Lioness, 7st; On Guard, 7st; Cusnla, 6st 101b. Hunt Club Cup.—King Don, 12st 71b; Reform, 12st 31b; Whalebone, 12st; Haw- ! thorn, list 91b; Messenger, list 81b; Matau, { 11st 3lb ; Odd Trick, list: Fisherman, list; i Tairoa, list; Chance, list; Sir Isaac, list, i Open Maiden Steeple. Two miles and —Shillelagh, Tairoa, Don, Tommy. I Farmers' Plate.Sir Isaac, Manukau, ' Muscatelle, Don, Monk, Flying Dutchman,

Hawthorn, Reform, Melrose, Chance, Ngata, Dundee, Falcon, Awahou, Tommy. Ladies' Bracelet, Oiie mile and distance. Ma Petite Fille, Fisherman, Quilp, Chance. The privileges of the meeting were sold yesterday by Messrs. Tonks and Carr, aa follows :-*-Publican's booth (outside), Mr. Quinlan, £25; grandstand bar, Mr. L. Adams, £15 ; luncheon booth, £1 10s, Mr. Quinlan ; fruit stand, £210s, Mrs. Mooney ; stabling, £1 ss, Mr. Gorman.