SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9184, 13 October 1888, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES New Zealand. NoYeraber 6, 7, B—Canterbury Jockey Club November 9.—Waapamii Jockey Club. November o,lo—Auckland Racing Club. December 26, January 1, 2—Auckland Raciug Clnb. December 26 and 27 — Tlmnos Jockoy Club. December 20— Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. March 18, 19—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. June 26—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. Australian. October 13, 20.—Victoria AniiiteurTurf Clute November 3, 6, 8, 10—Victoria Racing Club.

DATES OF COMING EVENTS. October 13—Caulfleld Ouinoas. October 20—Caulllold Cup. October -J2—Cambridgeshire Stakes. November 3— V.K.C. Dorby. November 6—Melbourne Cup November d—New Zealand Cup. November 7—Canterbury Derby. December £t>— Auckland Cup.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Al'CKLander.—Trident, when a. three-year old, won £7236, or £T057 more than tho amount credited to Aborcorn last season. J. o.—l. KntSlmle brougbt Ssogs. as a yearling, Maxim 22O£s. i. Onyx was got by. Angler, si. Panic died in IS7S. Queuy.—The height of tho Victorian steeplechaser Merndor is given a,s 17 hands 2} inches. T.— Tiger finished second to Falcon for the Auckand Summer Steeplechase.

NOTES BY PHAETON. The Victoria Amateur Turf Club's meeting, which opens to-day at Caulfield, should have the effect of throwing some further light on the big events impending. The principal event set down for decision to-day is the Caulfield Guineas, for which the following horses are left in :—Redbourne (by St. Al'bans—Royal Maid), Quadrant (by St. Albans—Pilgrimage), Wyvis (by Dante — Glycerine), Toastmaster (oy Grandmaster— Baroness), Boryl (by Musket—Onyx), Ensign (by Grandmaster—Formosa), Volley (by Musket—Lady Vivian), Wycombe (by Maribyrnong—Guelder Rose). Volley appears to be striding along in capital stylo, for we heard by cable this week that she had the best of Ensign in a sound gallop over a mile ; and as the race is run over that journey we shall probably see the daughter of Musket once more in the winning vein. The Cup, which is set down for decision on Saturday next, bears a most open aspect, and at the time of writing it is, to us at a distance, like searching for the proverbial neetile in a haystack to unearth j the winner. Plutarch (7st *2lb), The Charmer (7st 51b), and Chicago (7st4lb) are at present the ruling favourites, and judging from the capital race ho ran in the Hawkesbury Handicap when he finished second to The Queen, the first-named will stand in need of a lot of beating. Canterbury training notes show that the New Zealand Cup candidates in work at Riccarton are all doing good work. Cutts , pair, St. Clair and Lorraine, have both been getting through satisfactory tasks, and the latter is standing his preparation eo well that there seems some prospect of his carrying silk next month. The final touches, however, may, as in the two previous years, tind a weak spot in the son of Apremont, and ifc would bo well for backers to leave him nlone until nearer the day. Exchange has again returned to the track, and though it is said he always has his fore-legs encased in bandages, Ray does not appear to entertain much fear of his cracking, as he lias treated him to sound work, and the manner in which he gets over twice round shows that in the half-brother to Spado Guinea the Hon. Mr. Robinson has a capital representative. Chainshot has been showing much improvement of late, but is considered to be inferior to his stable mate, Exchange. Nothing is heard from Yaldhurst concerning the doings of Mr. Stead's team ; but, from the fact that shrewd backers havo been accepting 6's to 1 about Lochiel's chance, while his stable mates, Sextant and Beresford, are not being touched, favours the conclusion that the son of Prince Charlie will be the selected one. The secrets of Yaldhurst are, however, always well kept, and in those days of limited betting we shall probably have to wait till Cup day for a true revelation of Mr. Stead's hand. So far as Auckland i$ concerned, the state of tho odds ma}' be said to be :—6 to 1 agst Lochiel, 7 to 1 Springston, 7 to 1 Lorraine, 8 to 1 Leopold, 8 to 1 St. Clair, 8 to 1 Manton. It was thought that the conditions imposed by the English Jockey Club with reference to foreign-owned horses would prevent the Frenchmen from bringing off such a grand coup as that which they erfected so successfully in 1886, when Plaisanterie waltzed home in front for both the Cesarewitch and Cambridgeshire, but "Johnnie Crapaud " has again been equal to th-j task of bearding the lion in his den, as by cable we hear of the French owned Tenebreuse winning the Cesarewitch, run at Newmarket on Wednesday last. Further than hearing that Carbine performed half pace work at Flemington on Tuesday morning, we have no information as to what the son of Musket and Mersey has been accomplishing on the track. He has evidently not been busl.led along, or we should certainly have heard of it, which, considering that he had not done a great amount of work prior to his departure, does not make matters bear a very rosy aspect in connection with his Derby prospects. So far as we know, however, he is still an equal favourite with Melos for the blue riband. Acting on behalf of an Australian sportsman, Mr. J. Chaafe, concluded negotiations on Thursday last with "Mr. W. Sommerville" for the purchase of the two-year-old filly Bustle for 300 guineas. Bustle was got by Musket from Crinoline, and she is therefore ln!f-sister to Clogs. The filly will probably be shipped to Sydney on Tuesday next by the s.s. Tarawera. The Auckland-owned Whakawai having been withdrawn from the Caulfield Cup, has been claiming some attention for the Melbourne CA\p, tor which race he is now quoted at 1000 to 60. By all accounts the son of Leolinus and Lure i 3 in great fettle, and as he has the lenient impost of 7st 71bs to carry in the great Flemington race, he may play a prominent part in the settlement of that important question. Last week a cablegram stated that the Australian Jockey Club had decided to disqualify The Nun, her owner (S. MeKenzie), and the jockey (C. Moore) for suspicious running. Not a little interest was awakened thereat, as it is a well-known fact that as a rule the "dead-uns" on the Australian turf are pretty numerous, and that therefore it must have been something of a very black character to have caused the A. J. C. to take the matter up. So it turns out, for the evidence went to prove that the whole affair was nothing less than an organised swindle. I clip the following concerning the matter from the Sydney Telegraph :—" What was looked upon as the ' stable commission ' wae given to two of to-day's heaviest backers of horses, a Victorian and a New South Welshman, each noted for more than an ordinary share of cleverness at the racing game, and consequently having a very large circle of followers. When invested with the authority each was instructed to ' get alongside ' cortain members of the ring of standing, and we have it that these were the very men told oft' to ' work the stiff 'un ' to good purpose, one writing The Nun's name to the tune of £1700 in a £300 book, while the other operated also to some purpose. Other evidence is to hand which shows that a gigantic swindle was organised. A Victorian studmaster sympathising with The Nun's owner, immediately on the conclusion of the Sydney Handicap was rather surErised to hear thaw worthy reply that he ad lost nothing, but the ' clever Melbourne push ' who threatened to be ' on ' when she won had ' tumbled in' to a nice tune. Never before have racegoers been so much of one mind with regard to the deliberate stopping of a horse as they wero in the case of The Nun i-n the Sydney Handicap, and the governing body are to be congratulated upon having at last laid the axe at the root of the tree, aud begun with a prominent division instead or someone who was earning a bare existence by tho sport." The committee of Tattersalls al?o took the matter up and decided to declare " off" all bets made on The Nun, which action, it need scarcely be said, caused great weeping amongst the knights of the book and pencil. The GeraldineCup has more than once furnished the winner of the New Zealand Cup, but; this year the first and second horses in that event were cripples. The winner Somneil is in the hands of a vet., and there seems very little hope of him being got ready for the spring campaign, while Artillery has cracked up wo badly that his turf career has ended. Tho latter goes to the stud this season. J. Kean journeyed on from Napier yesterday, for Wellington, en roiUt for Cuiist-

church,, with Escutcheon, Leopold, Cuirassier and Corunna. Escutcheon's performances at Napier wore very poor, and ho is evidently not so good as his looks would lead one to give him credit for. The performance of Ensign in the Wycombe Stakes run at the A. J.C. Meeting, was, it turns out, a most sterling performance, as tho son of Grandmaster carried a 51b penalty, which brought his weight up to 7st 91b, and he was thus conceding the Metropolitan Stakes winner, Laraond, 51b. The last-named was made a red • hot favourite at 2 to 1 on, and his rider adopting the same tactics as in the Metropolitan, tho eon of Newminster went away at a tremendous pace, Ensign lying last until they breasted the hill, when he went on second, the severity of the pace having completely settled The Queen and Bluenose, who dropped further and further to the rear. Ensign gradually improved his position, and joining the favourite afc the distance, they ran together for a few strides, when, amidst great excitement, Fielder was seen to pull out his whip on the favourite. In another stride Ensign had him beaten, and eventually won by two lengths, the watch showing that the mile and threequarters hud been cut out in the merry time of 3miu. 4sec., which stands out as one of the beat records ever made over that distance on the colonial turf. Naturally enough, after his defeat of Lamond under such conditions, Ensign was enquired after for the Melbourne Cup, for which he is handicapped at 6st 91b, and his name was written to all the money going against him at 100 to 5 and 6, and he knocked off favourite, at 100 to 7 otVeral. Mr. J. Marshall intends leaving for Sydney by mail steamer Alameda, due to-morrow, for tho purpose of seeing Pearl Shell and Necklet fulfil their engagements at the V.R.C. meeting. I clip the following from "Mazeppa's" notes :—" Betting has always been a sharp game, and apparently some of them are Eretty sharp at it in New Zealand. Mr. •rake, prior to going over to Australia, received instructions to back Carbine for the V.R.C. Derby to lose a certain amount at a limited price on account of Mr. O'Brien, but these instructions were afterwards countermanded, and the commission entrusted to an Australian bookmaker. Mr. Drake was in Sydney when the commissioner commenced operations, and he was also in the ' Rooms' when the first move was made in favour of Carbine. Having been the recipient of certain instructions before his departure to Australia, he naturally suspected that the move was being made in favour of the colt at tho instance of the colt's connections, and ere the commissioner had fairly commenced business, he accepted 1000 to 100 in one hand, and had the cream of tho market before the commissioner had booked a bet. If the story be authentic—and there is apparently every reason to believe it is so—the first transaction was cleverly effected." The secretary of the Hororata Racing Club recently wrote to the Committee of tho Canterbury Jockey Club, requesting that tho names of several persons who had failed to pay certain nomination and acceptance fees due in connection with the last meeting of the Club, might be placed on the forfeit list. The Committee replied that the rules did not recognise any nominations unless accompanied by the necessary fees, and as the entries referred to were informal, there could be no default. This ruling is worth bearing in mind by our country clubs, as it clearly shows that in accepting entries without fees they are committing a breach of the rules. "Augur" thus describes the A.J.C. Derby winner : —" Melos is as pood-looking a Derby colt as there is in training, and when he strips at Flemington the people will see a very tine member of the Goldsborough family. He is a darker and richer brown than his sire, and stands fully loh. 3in., but does not look his height. His good-looking head is well set on to a muscular neck, lot into splendid shoulders. From his sire he inherits that roundness of barrel which enabled Mr. John Tait's favourite to stay well and carry big weights, and with his powerfully-knit back, long muscular quarters, and sound, well-placed legs, he presents the appearance of a very high-class horse. The only fault that I saw was that now and then he carried his tail peculiarly, but they don't race with their tails, and if this is not the best son of Goldsbrouph we have yet seen, I shall be very much mistaken." The English correspondent of the Canterbury Times writes :—" When the Auckland Stud Company were looking out for a sire to replace Musket, I ventured to suggest a horse that had recently retired from the turf and was then in the market—Lord Bradford's Retreat. Eventually, Major Walmsley came to England and bought the now defunct Sword Dance, who proved, I should imagine, a somewhat expensive investment. Retreat's progeny are now coming to the front. One of the smartest two-year-olds this year is St. Serge, by Retreat out of YVhice Lily, an animal that can both go fast and stay. I believe in proved stayers as sires, and they are getting more and more difficult to find with every year. Only four animals could be found this year to compete for the time-honoured Goodwood Cup of two and a-half miles." It is understood that Lord and Lady Hastings, who are on their way out to the colonies on an extended visit to Lord Car rington, the Governor of New South Wales, will arrive in time to be present at the V.R.C. Meeting next month. Lord Hastings is one of the most prominent of English sportsmen, and will be remembered as hav- , ing furnished the Derby winner Melton in 1885. The manner in which The Australian Peer "shifted " from the whip in the Randwick Plate (says "New Warrior") does not augur well for his Melbourne Cup or other prospects when the pace is made sound throughout. He had Abercorn to all appearances beaten at the half-distance, but tho latter answering Hales , call with unflinching gameness, while The Peer cut it, the son of Chester beat him by a length. The prize-money won at the recent meeting of the A.J.C. amounted to £10,170. At the head of the list is Mr. W. Gannon with £2709; Mr. J. Cook follows with £1465, and next met with is the Hon. Jame3 White with £1220. Then come in order Mr. J. McGill, £518; Mr. J. Marshall, £465. From the fact that Lochiel is a firm favourite at 100 to 16 for the New Zealand Cup, and that Sextant, his stablemate, is now rarely inquired for, it seems to be pretty well accepted that the son of Prince Charlie will be Mr. Stead's selected one for that event. Mr. Frank Reynolds, the owner of the Tocal stud, recently lost tho brood mare Fie Fie, one of the most fashionably-bred animals in his stud, in a rather extraordinary manner. While galloping in the paddock she trod upon a sharp stick, which new up and entered her stomach. She lingered a short time and then died. Ihe Sydney turf writer, " Hawkeye," has brought out a new publication entitled " Past Records," which it is intended to publish fortnightly. Th& one to hand contains a full account of all meetings held in both New South Wales and Victoria during the first fortnight of September, and appears to be very carefully compiled. The stallion Trump Cam (a aon of Traducer) who during his sojourn on the turf ] proved himself a real good performer, but. i as a sire has been much neglected, is to be ! sent to New South Wales Howitzer (by Musket from Titania) has this season taken up stud duties in the Pukekohe district, and iiis handsome appearance, together with his stout breeding, should ensure for him a successful season. Considering that the union of Le Loup with CJitana produced such a rattling performer as Gipsy King, one would have thought that they would again be mated together, but the mare has this season been put to Sir Garnet. " Asmodoufc" writes thus:—"Brilliant as were Volley's performances last season, she is at the present time little else than a jade, and her prospects of winning the V.R.C. Derby, at one time so highly esteemed, now appear particularly remote." Mr. D. S. Wallace's Melbourne Cup representative, Mentor, was recently supported to win £'20,000 at 100 to 6 ; while Enfilade, who will represent the popular magpie colours in the Caulfield Cup, had 4000 to 200 written against his name. Immediately attor winning the Exhibition Handicap at Mooueo Valley 3000 to 1,50 was booked in one hand in favour of Dick Swiveller for the Caulfield Cup. All " Mr. MantonV (Duchess of Montrose) horsos now appear as the property of "his" new husband, Mr. H. Milner, so the latter, for a timo at letiab, is to be " dobs" of the show.

The jumper Recruit has joined Harrison's string. Waii-ti (dam of Fusillade) has this season been sent to Le Loup. Lurline (dam of Darebin) has this season dropped a colt foal to Suwarrow. Mitrailleuse has finished her turf career, and will this season go to the stud. The valuo of the A.J.C. Oaks, won by Mr. J. Marshall's filly Pearl Shell, was £465. Latest advices from Australia Htate that Niagara had been absent from the tracks for several days. Strayshot (dam of the Derby winner Shotovor) was purchased recently by Lord Calthorpe for 1000 guineas. Major Georgo's two-year-old Fiesole continues to stride along in capital style, and is generally voted to be the smartest youngster in training at Ellerslie. The total amount offered this year in stakes by the Egmont Racing Club is £775, as against £735 given last year. The progeny of Musket have won the Hawke's Bay Guineas four times out of the nine on which the race has been run. Tho disappointing Monte Christo has gone into Mr. John Mayo'a stable, that astute turfite having purchased him for 220 guineas. Should all go well with them (says "Mazeppa") Lochiel and Lorraine will start the best favourites for the New Zealand Cup. Algerian, who was made such a hot favourite for the last Melbourne Cup, but failed to even run into a place, is again in work at Randwick. Elsie, who started favourite for the last Hawkesbury Handicap, has broken down so badly that it is doubtful if she will again stand a preparation. It is understood that the Hon. James White's two colts, engaged in the Derby, will bo sent to England early next year by the Orient liner Orizaba. The New South Wales hurdle racer Cellarmar, who has of late been showing such jjood form, is a son of the New Zealand Stud Company's sire Captivator. Mr. R. Thorpe announces that Billingsgate will again this season be at the service of breeders in the Auckland district, particulars of which will be found fully set forth in an advertisement appearing in another column. ♦

PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB RACES. RY TALLY-HO. This popular meeting takes place to day at EllerFlie, and though the interest evinced in it is scarcely up to previous records, tho success of the gathering is assured by reason of the capital acceptances ana entries received for the various events. The programme to be gone through is a lengthy one of seven events, and is sufficiently varied to please all tastes, and it only requires fine weather to bring about a most enjoyable afternoon's sport. The following are my notes and anticipations on the various events :— Open* Maiden Steeple. Two miles and a-half.—Shillelagh, Tairoa, Don, Tommy. Shillelagh will no doubt be made a warm favourite for this event, but I shall elect to go for Taiaroa. Farmers' Plate.—Sir Isaac, Manukau, Muscatelle, Don, Monk, Flying Dutchman, Hawthorn, Reform, Melrose. Chance, Ngata, Dundee, Falcon, Awahou, Tommy. Falcon reads most dangerous for this event. Hunt Club Cup.—King Don, 12st 71b; Reform, 12at 31b: Whalebone, 12st; Hawthorn, list 91b: Messenger, list 81b; Matau, list 31b; Odd Trick, list: Fisherman, 11st; Tairoa, list; Chance, list; Sir Isaac, list. Messenger and Hawthorn will probably fight out the finish in this nice. Light Weiout Steeplechase.—Macaroni, list olb; Reform, list 41b; Whalebone, list •21b ; Hawthorn, lO*t 121b : Matau, 10st 121b ; Messenger, lOst 121b; Artist, lOst 71b. This event is rather difficult co deal with, as a ~ood deal of uncertainty exists as to what horses will compose the field ; but if Whalebone and Hawthorn start they should fight out the finish. Members' Hitrdle Race.— Ma Petite Fille, 12st 41b; Quilp, list 4lb; Fisherman, list; Messenger, lOst 121b ; Artist, lOat 71b. This event will, I think, be fought out between Ma Petite Fille and Messenger, and of the pair I like the chance of the first named most. Opex Flying Handicap, 6 furlongs.— Squire. 9st 91b: Catesby, Sst; Capella, 7st 131b ; St. Michael. 7st li'lb ; Leorina, 7st 101b; Pretender, 7st Sib ; Brown Rose, 7st 41b ; Toksum, 7st 41b ; Patchwork, 7st 4lb ; Lioness, 7st; On Guard, 7st; Cushla, 6st 101b. This event is decidedly open, but whatever boats Leorina and Squire will, 1 think, win. Ladies' Bracelet. One mile and distance. Ma Petite Fille, Fisherman, Quilp, Chance. Ma Petite Fille should win. The first race will start at one o'clock, and trains will leave the Auckland station for the racecourse, stopping at intermediate stations, at 12 noon, 12.20, 1.20, and 2.5 p.m.; and leave the racecourse for Auckland at at 4.5. and 5.35 p.m., and immediately after the last race.

AUCKLAND SPRING MEETING. The following weights were received last night from Mr. Evitt for the two principal events of the A.R.C. Spring Meeting :— Prince of Wales Handicap. One mile and

quarter. st lb st lb Escutcheon ... 8 8 Sir Walter ... 6 12 Clogs 8 5 Lioness ... 6 10 Leopold ... 8 0 Tekmnn ... 6 10 Antelope ... 8 0 Raglan 6 9 Pretender ... 7 8 Patchwork ... 6 9 Loorina ... 7 7 Rataplan ... 6 9 Balista ... 7 6 Puschka ... 6 8 Hilda 7 5 Clive 6 8 Catesby ... 7 2 Muskerina ... 6 5 Capella ... 7 1 Mantilla ... 6 0 Landseer ... 7 0 Ernest 6 0 Tartar 7 0 Hurdles Race. Two miles. stlb stlb Peter O.sbeck... 11 10 Kancaroo ... 9 7 Orangeman ...11 0 Lc Ckir ... 9 7 Shillelagh ... 10 10 Recruit ... 8 7 Omata 10 7 Sirloin 8 7 Ma Petite Fille 10 0 Alfred 8 7 Pretender ... 9 12 Don 8 7 Catesby ... 9 10