SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8998, 1 February 1890, Page 6

SPORTING.

TO RACING CLUBS. Thb Auckland Weekly News ha* been appointthe Official Calendar for the publication of all programmes in the Provincial District of Auckland, irf terms of the now rules of racing. In order to secure advertisements being inserted in the page allotted to " The Sportsman " it is necessary that they be sent in by Wednesday afternoon. [Extract.] Rule 17.— programme of each meeting In which the added mousy is £100 or upwards, must be advertised in full once at leant in the Official Calendar. The advertisement shall show that the programme has been approved by the Jockey Club, shall state the days en which the meeting is to begin and end, and the names of the stewards, judge, starter, clerk of the scales, and haudlc&pper. RACING FIXTURES. New Zealand. February 6, B—Wellington Racing Club February 13, 14— Kguiont Racing Club. February 19, 20, Dunedin Jockey Club. February 10, 20—Marlborough Racing Club. February 27—Maauwatu Racing Club.. March 4—Matakohe Racing Club. March $, 7—Wanganui Jockey Club. March 17—Henderson's Mill Turf Club. March 17, 18—Hawke'i Bay Jockey Club. March 22, —Dunedin Jockey Club. April 1, 2—Taransii Jockey Club. April 7, Auckland Racing Club. April 7, B—Canterbury Jockey Club. June Auckland Racing Club April 12—South Auckland Racing Club. 9 June 19Uawke's Bay Jockey Club. July 12Wellington Racing Club. DATES OF COMING EVENTS. February 6—Wellington Cup. February 19Duneain Cup. March B—Wanganui Cup. March I—Newmarket Handicap. March 4Australian Cup. March B—Champion Stakes. April B—Sydney Gold Cup. April 80—Two Thousand Guineas. June 4—English Derby June 7Great Northern Steeplechase.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Kauri, Thamw.—The Epsom Derby baa only been won three times by fillies, namely, by Eleanor in 1801. Blink Bonny in 1557, and in 1832 by Shotover. Wader.—First King won the Champion Stakes on two occasions,[namely, in 1878 and in ISSO. H.R., Napier.—Tljcrooia wu got by Leolinua from Amohia (a daughter of Touton and Anticipation). Musket, Waikato.—'lYenton was Frailty's first foal. He was bred in ISSI.

THE Y.R.C. AUTUMN MEETING. fBY I'HAKTON.] With the weights for tho Newmarket Handicap and Australian Oup now in their hands, turfites will have plenty of food to absorb their attention for the next four weeks, and as Mr. Stead has despatched Scots Grey and Medallion to fulfill their engagements, and other New Zealaudora are likely to follow, we may expect to see the same amount of Auckland interest infused into the meeting as of yore.

With Carbine in the Newmarket Handicap Mr. Barnard could not select anything but the son of Musket for top weight, and he placed lOst 4lb opposite his name, at which he would not be out of the struggle if sent to the post dressed in his best; Boz(10st lib) must also have a great show, and Sedition (9st 7st) also meets the eye as a dangerous opponent. Dreadnought and Tirailleur, the champion three-year-olds of Australia and New Zealand, have each beeu placed on the same mark at 9st, and if they should both go to the post, preat interest will be attached to their meeting. Cinderella is not overburdened with 9st, and the daughter of Javlin may repay watching; and Rudolph at Bst 101b, though only a little fellow, should not be left out of calculation, as he is unquestionably a speedy customer over six furlongs. The Charmer should have a show at Bst olb, as should also Sir William at the same impost, and below them The Wild Oat (Bst) and Bnaemar (7st 51b) stand out as dangerous. To pick six out from the list as likely to furnish the winner, my choice rests with Carbine, Boz. Sedition, Dreadnought, Cinderella, and Rudolph. In the Australian Cup Carbine (9st 131b) must have a great show, while Cuirassier (Bst 131b) also stands out very dangerous, and if landed at the uost in his best form must have a say. Tirailleur and Dreadnought are again placed on an equality, each being awarded Bst 61b, at which weight, over two miles and a quarter, I should select the son of Musket as likely to finish in the first flight. Singapore (Bst 31b) is badly treated on his form at the V.R.C. Spring Meeting; but, according to general belief, he was a long way from being himself on that occasion. Sir William (7st 111b) has proved himself a real good colt, and if he can stay well must have a show. Chintz (7st9lb) is another that meets the eye as being a likely one, and taking the general view of the handicap the winner seems to be well concealed. However, the two for whose chances I entertain the greatest amount of respect are Carbine, and Cuirassier.

NOTES BY PHAETON. AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S MEETING. There seemed to be a feeling in certain quarters that the meeting promoted by the A.RC. at Kllerslie on Thursday last was to be a failure, but the very reverse turned out to be the case, and the large and brilliant gathering that assembled is proof positive that the club were justified in holding the gathering. The attendance of the public is variously estimated, but I should say that there were fully 5000 persons present. His Excellency the Governor, Lord Onslow, added no small interest to the meeting by handling himself the ribbons of a four-in-hand, and those who witnessed His Excellency's arrival on and departure from the course could not but recognise the artistic manner in which he asserted control over the four bays which he drove. The racing, taken all through, was very interesting, and had it not been for the unfortunate mistake with regard to the Selling Race, everything would have passed off as merrily as the proverbial marriage bell. The Jubilee Cup was a most interesting and pretty race up to the turn, but here Antelope, who was in front, began to show the effects of the cut-throat rata she had been running with Montrose, and when Raglan shot up she could not respond, and the son of Cap-a-pie ran home a winner by two lengths from Leorina, who came very fast in the last hundred yards, and deprived Antelope of seoond honours. Hilda ran nothing lik« the mare that I anticipated she would, and she was never in the hunt after the first four furlongs were covered. This was the first occasion on which the daughter of Musket and Ouida finished out of a place, and I must say that I was very much disappointed with hec. performance, The Stcciflechaso was

rather disappointing so far as the performances of the two favourites, Orangeman and Chemist, were concerned, for the ~£ rm , er jumped very slovenly .and was nothing like the horse he was at the* Summer Meeting, while Chemise baulked at the post and 'rail fence at the top of the hill, and took no further part in the race. Recruit and Messenger had the finish entirely to themselves, ana the last-named keeping up a determined run all the way down the straight, there was sc&roelv a length between them when they jumped the last hurdle. Messenger continued to gain on hi* opponent in the run home, and it looked odds on his winning; but in the last three strides he ran a bit-unkindly, and Recruit got home half-a-length in front, the journey being run in 8m "50s. During the afternoon £6500 were passed through the totalisation, bo that the meeting will no doubt come out on the right side of the ledger.

THE TAKAPUNA MEETING. As I anticipated would be the case, the Takapuna Jockey Club lowered their record in every res poet over their meeting held on Anniversary Day. From Mr. E. W. Alison I learn that the Ferry Company issued over £000 through tickets, so that settles the point pretty conclusively about the attendance. The racing throughout was firstclass, and Mr. Percival scored quite a big success in his adjustment of tl e handicaps. In the Zealandia Handicap Prudence, Dolosa. and Teksum, fought out a great finish, and at the finish heads only divided the trio. One stride past the post Tsksum had his head in front, and his subsequent victory in the Anniversary Handicap showed very plainly that those who backed the Jon of Musket and Albatross in the first-named race experienced real bad luck in going down. The Jubilee Cup also brought about another great battle, ana Loch Ness only got home a short neck in front of Montrose, who, in turn, was only a neck in front of Patchwork. Montrose ran very wide on several occasions at the turns, which lost him a lot of fjund, or he would, I think, have won. need scarcely say that Mr. McKinnon'a victory with Loch Ness was most warmly received, for ev«ry one recognises the straightforward character of the Waikato sportsman, and the patient and plucky manner in which he has stuck to the game in the midst _of many disoouraging circumstances. During the afternoon the sum of £5508 was passed through "he machines, which shows unmistakably that those present were well armed with the sinews of war.

THE HOBARTVILLB YEARLINGS. The annual sale of thoroughbred yearlings and trotting stock bred at Hobartvillo (N.S.W.) took place on the 22nd ult., but though the attendance was large, the prices realised -were rather disappointing. Among the thoroughbreds, a fine-looking filly by Grand Flaneur from Agitation (imp.) elicited the most spirited competition, and she eventually fell to Mr. Walter Hall for 350 guineas, and the same gentleman secured a promising colt by Sardonyx from Geraldine tor 240 guineas ; a handsome brown colt by Grand Flaneur from Peggy (imp.) showing plenty of quality, for 200 guineas; and a chestnut filly by Grand Flaneur from White and Blue (imp.), for 170 guineas. An upstanding bay colt, by Monmouth from Sapphire, topped the market for the colts, havuig been knocked down to Mr. M. Robertson for 275 guineas. Mr. J. Monaghan paid 270 guineas for a well-topped brown oolt, bv Grand Flaneur from Penitent (imp.); and Mr. W. Forrester gave 155 guineas for a handsome bay daughter of Segenhoe and Rosedale (imp.), and he also purchased a full brother to The Sinner for 130 guineas. The colts, numbering2B, realised 2890 guineas, or an average of 1031 guineas; 26 fillies were disposed of for 22/1 guineas, or an average of 87$ guineas. The trotting stock evoked bttfe competition, but nothing like the sensational prices of hist year were realised. The top tigure of 150 guineas was given by Mr. J. A. BuckIrtrni for a chestnut yearling filly by Childe Harold from Grade (imp.); and of the others, a shapely and well-grown two-year-old colt, by Childe Harold from Vio(imp.), who was knocked down to Mr. W. H. Deane for 135 guineas, was the only one to run into three figures. Out of the 22 colts catalogued only one failed to elicit an offer, and tne result of the sale was 110* guineas, or an average of 524 guineas. The grand total of the sale several low of draught stock) was 6493 guineas. THE ENGLISH DERBY. Latest English sporting tiles contain particulars of the wagering on the Derby. For the great classic race Mr. A. W. Merry's b c Surefoot, by Wisdom from a Galopin mare held the position of favourite at 4 to 1 offered; the French-bred colt Le Nord, from Tristan from Le Noce, owned by Mr. Lefevre, came next at 5 to 1, his position having been etreugthened by the acceptance of £2500 to £500 in one hand. Even money was laid about the quartette — Surefoot, Le Nord, Heauine, and Riviera; and 1000 to 60 was booked in one line about the Australian colts, Kirkham and Karelian, coupled. A cablegram received from London yesterday states that the Hon. Mr. White's pair (Nareflan and Kirkham) are improving in favour, especially the first-named.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. I had to leave the Takapuna course, on Wednesday last, before the Steeplechase was run, and therefore did not see the fracas that took place during that race, between Fergus, the rider of Recruit, and Johnson, the rider of Takapau; but there appears to be but one opinion on the subject, and that is that Fergus was guilty of most outrageous conduct, in catching hold of Takapau's bridle and belabouring Johnson with his whip, and if it was really as bad as stated to me, tnen all I can say is that the sentence of three months meted out to Fergus was far too lenient, an opinion that. I may remark, seems to be very generally held. In the contesting of steeplechases there are quite enough risks without jockeys fighting amongst themselves, and in all cases stewards should pass a severe sentence when such conduct comes under their review. It is a matter for regrot to find so good a horseman as Fergus playing such a part as that of Wednesday last, ana for his own credit sake it is to be hoped that he will not find himself before the stewards on a like charge, for he may be sure that there will be no small three months' disqualification about such conduct next time.

The final payments for the Wellington Cup came due last night, and from the list appearing elsewhere it will be seen that the field has dwindled down to seven. The names of the Auckland pair, Lady Norah and Leopold, are both missing, which is pretty conclusive that both are amiss. Of those left in Cynisca and Dudu read to me the best, and I fancy the chance of Cynisca most.

H. Harrison leaves for Taranaki next week with Raglan, who is engaged at the Hawera meeting. The mistake that Mr. Cntts fell into with regard to the Selling Race at Ellerslie on Thursday, by starting the horses at the six instead of the seven-furlong post, was a rather unfortunate affair. Mr. Cutts told me that he referred to his programme before the horses took up their positions at the post, but instead of looking at the page for the Selling Race he referred to the Flying Stakes (the distance of which was six furlongs), hence the error. No one was more annoyed over the affair than Mr. Cutts himself, and during the long time that he has been wielding the flag such a mistake never occurred before with him. The party behind Blarney had bad luck, for had Lindsay not dropped his whip in the second run off, he would, I think, have got home in front, as he did on the first occasion.

Mr. Stead must have a real good two-year-old iu Medallion (the son of Nordenfeldt and Locket), for a telegram from Christchurch announces that he has sent him across to fulfil his engagements at the V.R.C. Meeting. It is to be hoped that Mason will be enabled to send send the colt stripped in his best, and I trust that Mr. Stead will this year be able to score a win, for on each prior occasion when he sent Maxim and Rose Argent across to measure strides with the Australian flyers he had to put up with second honours. The owners of Cuirassier have not as yet fixed upon the date of his departure for Australia. It is stated that the parties behind Corunna have been considering the advisability of sending Corunna over, and should they do so James Kean will, I suppose, journey across with the pair. Conversing with Mr. George Cutts at Ellerslie on Thursday last, he drew my attention to the fact that jockies on wnom fines had been inflicted at various times were being allowed to ride without paying up, and he stated very plainly that unless the fines were enforced he would resign the post of starter. Everyone who knows Mr. Cutts must recognise that he never inflicts a fine without good cause, and the Club must do it 3 part firmly, so that the starter's authority shall not be undermined. Mr. M. Loughlin, the wealthy Ballarat sportsman, who is such a great patron of the cross-country business, is at present in England, and according to a telegram to the Melbourne Sportsman, he recently offered a sum of 2000 guineas for the steeplechase horse Emperor. _ If the offer is accepted, Mr. Loughlin intends to enter Emperor for the next Grand National Steeplechase at Liverpool. English sporting papers record the death of Mr. William Archer, father of the celebrated horseman Fred. Archer, on December 7. aged 63 years. In his time he was an excellent cross-country rider, and his name has been handed down to fame as the rider of Little Charlie when he won the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase in 1858. He had been riding in public many years before that date, a portion of his career being passed in Russia, where he steered the then Kmperor'e horses in 1843 aa4 1844, He was

contemporary with Trant, Arnull, Chifney, Buckle, - William Oliver, Mid W. Holman and" there is no doubt that Fred Archer, owed no small, portion of his.phenomenal success to 'the able tuition and useful hints with which his father was enabled to furnish him. Mr. Archer had not enjoyed good health for several months, and suffered greatly from an affection of the eyes, which recently necessitated an operation. , , , , The stallion, Python, had to be shot a few days back at Mr. Murray-Aynsley's station at Mount Hutt. He was Buffering from old age, and had great difficulty in getting up after he had lain down, and it was therefore deemed most merciful to terminate his existence. Python was bred in New South Wales in 1867, and was by Kyogle out of ,Nutcut, by Pitsford— by Glaucus (Arab), Kyogle being by William Tell out of Yattendon dam, Cassandra. We hear a good deal at times about a plethora of racing in New Zealand, but it is a mere flea!to compared to what sometimes occurs in Australia. The Sportsman's Sydney correspondent is responsible for the statement that from October 8 to January 8 there were issued weights for no less than 38 racemeetings. In that time there were less than 100 week days, so that punters and pencillers had plenty to do. The Adelaide scribe, " Trumpator," in chronicling a visit paid by him to the Fulham Park Stud of Mr. W. Blackler, says :— " Thunderbolt, the young Musket sire Mr. Blackler was lucky enough to secure in Melbourne, eighteen months ago, improves every time I see him. He is a handsome bloodlike horse of good length, with plenty of substance, and is filling out and thickening in the most satisfactory manner." The judges of the Queen's Bench in England have given a most important decision with respect to the destruction of bettingbooks, tickets, &c., by the police in the case of convictions for keeping betting houses. Hitherto it has been held that the betting books, &c., found on premises are "instruments of gaming," but on a case of appeal, the Lord Chief Justice and Lord Justico Bowen decided otherwise, and ordered the books and tickets to be delivered up. The Field had an article in the number for the first week in December on influenza in horses, and quoting from the " Veterinary Record" of November 23 comments on the resent existence of the complaint in Loaon, where it has not been prevalent for two years or more. The present type of the malady, the writer remarks, is more serions than that of Jiree years ago. There is more fever, the swelling of the legs is more pronounced, there is a tendency to diarrhoea, and depression is more extreme. Cases which are detected at the outset, so the writer proceeds, and treated properly with stimulants followed bv diuretics and salines, recover, but when the first signs are disregarded, and failing horses are sent out to work, fatal results might be the consequence of the stableman's carelessness. In the opinion of some authorities this is the same complaint that was called the horse disease in America, and in slightly altered form and accompanied by swelling of the eyelids and redness it took the name of pink eye. An epidemic has broken out in the Imperial studs of Germany, and it is reported that it will take 150,000 sovs to replace the stallions that have already succumbed. The book of the season in London is to be a volume from the fertile pen of William Day. It is to be something very sparkling as to how the veteran trainer prepared Foxhall for his English campaign, and other incidents connected with the champion'B career. Nominations for the principal events of the Taranaki meeting close to-ni<;ht. Entries will be received by Mr. H. H. Hayr, Queenstreet.

THE WELLINGTON MEETING. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, Friday. The following are the acceptances for the first day's racing:— THE WELLINGTON CUP. kt.lh. st.lb. Pudu .. ... Bjo Whakatipu « 610 Whisper .. ..8 5 Cruiser „ „ 0 7 Kotuku .. ..7 2 Sincerity .. .63 Cynisca .. ..7 1 Trial Handicap, one mile.Wanderer, Pursestria*, Angler. Hdkdle Race, two miles and a-quarter.—Tor-nado, Waterfall, The Dove, Sir Garnet, Jenny. Welter Handicap.—One mile and a-quarter.— Alcinoiu, Akatea, Lancer, Leinster, Orator, Angler. Sincerity. Telegraph Handicap, six furlongs.—Whisper, Alcinous, Lady Florin, Masthead, Strephou, Golden Crest, Retina. Leinster, Cruiser. Nursery Handicap, live furlones.—Lady Mab, Topsy Turvy, Olive, Noisette, La Petite Fills. Curistchdrch, Friday. The racehorses Dudu, Golden Crest, and Pursestring were shipped to-day by the Takapuna for Wellington.

The Xewmaiikkt Handicap (Six furlongs). fit. lb. at. lb. Carbine .. .. 10 4 Gladstone .. .. 7 11 Boz .. > .. 10 1 Mistletoe .. > 7 11 Fishwife „ .. 10 0 Casuist .. *» 7 11 Maxim — > 9 13 Ginger .. ... 7 11 My Lord „ — 0 13 Tooj.'ariro _ .. 7 10 Bravo > .. 0 10 Consequence > 7 10 Manton > „ 9 10 Prattler .. _ 7 10 Bussley .. _ 9 0 Umbra .. — 7 10 Cuirassier _ _ 9 8 Briton .. -.7 0 Sedition .. ..9 7 Fairfield > — 79 Lonsdale .. > 9 6 Grand like .. — 78 ewmaster — 02 Tantallon .. ..7 8 Don Giovan — 92 Palkakarlka ..7 8 Ben Bolt .. .. 9 0 Jerusalem.. ..7 8 Dreadnought — 8 0 St. Allans— Littlo 'tirailleur .. >90 Sister Ally ..11 Cinderella.. ..9 0 The Serf .. ..7 7 Autocrat .. > 8 13 Cooyal .. «. 7 < Wycombe „ . — 8 IS Quadrant — „ 7 7 Richelieu ... „ 8 12 Montrose .. „ 7 7 Dividend — .. 8 12 Hraemar — ..7 0 Ant.-eus „ — 8 12 Swiu* .. — 7 £> Bothwell — — 8 12 Kotuku .. — 76 Apropos > — 8 10 Zephyr .. — 74 Rudolph — _ 8 10 AJphington .. 7 4 .Merriment., - 8 10 Copenhagen .74 Sinecure — — S 9 B»-ndi{0 .. ..7 8 Audacity — „ 8 9 Messenger.. ..7 5 Dunkelu — — 88 Martha. .. — 78 Scots U rey .. —88Vera .78 The Charmer >88 Phryne .. ..7 8 Carriugton.. ..8 8 Taskmaster > 7 2 Ernest .. >88 Rena'a .. — 72 Anarchy .. _ 8 8 Daniel .. — 7 2 .sir William ..8 8 Souvenir .. — 72 Chaldean .. ..8 7 First Boolka — 72 The liift .. ..8 6 Stewpan .. — 7 2 Yellow Jacket ..8 5 Rebellion .. — 72 Fernando .. ..8 6 Panic .. >70 Churchill . . — 8 6 Portland _ «. 7 0 ScottUh Chief ..8 4 Olive .. — 0 IS Insignia .. _ 8 3 Pomegranate — 6 11 Tourbillon.. — 82 Propounder — 6 11 Tarcoola .. ..8 2 Little Dick.. > 6 10 John S. «. — SI Godolphin.. — 6 10 Corunni .. >81 Seine > ><57 Lord Allen.. ..8 0 Dangler > >67 The Wild Cat _ 8 0 Pride — >67 Muriel .. > 7 13 Ebony — „ 6 7 Yabba .. > 7 13 Deception > — 07 Jetd'Eau .. - 7 13 Diver > - 6 7 Savauak .. _ 7 13 Highborn .. — 67 Bonnie Spec .. 7 12 Muta .. ..0 7 Whitefoot .. .. 7 12 Purple and Gold .. 6 7 Skiff.. .. — 7 12 Pateena .. .. 0 7 Lizzie .. .. 7 11 The Australian Cup (Two mils* and a-quarter). ft. lb. st. lb. Carbine — .. 9 13 Dunkeld — ..7 8 Maxim _ >98 Fernando > ..7 8 Bravo .. >96 Tarcoola _ >77 Manton .. _ 9 8 Jet d'fiau .. — 75 Melon .. >92 Insignia .. — 78 Cuirassier .. > 8 13 Leroy .. >78 Lonsdale .. — 8 13 Little Sister, Ally.. 7 0 Boz'.. > - 8 12 Tantallon .. >70 Oaklelgh > > 8 12 Swing .. >70 Enfilade, .. >88 Slave .. ..7 0 Tirailleur .. — 86 Bonnie Spec .. 6 18 Dreadnought — 86 Harbinger .. — 6 12 Singapore .. — 83 Muriel .. _ 6 12 Richelieu .. —82 Maggie .. „ 0 12 Ant»us .. — 8 0 Kotoku .. .. 6 11 Wycombe > >80 Little Benjamin > 6 11 Sinecure > >80 Pioneer .. > 6 10 Rudolph .. -80 Handover > > 6 10 Leopold .. - 7 11 Ilex ... > >67 Sir William .. 7 11 Renata > >67 Scots (trey.. — 7 10 Fabulous — ..6 7 Chintz .. — 79 Firelock — — 67 Jebusite .. ..7 9