SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8300, 5 July 1890, Page 6

SPORTING.

TO RACING CLUBS. ! The Auckland Weekly News has been appointthe Official Calendar for the publication of all programmes in the Provincial District of Auckland, In ■ terms of the new 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.] Hulk 17.— programme of each meeting in which the added money is £100 or upwards, must be advertised in full once at least in the Official Calendar. The advertisement shall show that the programme has been approved by the Jockey Club, shall state the days on which the meeting is to begin and end, and the names of the stewards, judge, starter, clerk of the scales, and handicapper. RACING FIXTURES. New Zealand. July 12—Wellington Racing Club. July 24—Canterbury Jockey Club. DATES OK COMING EVENTS. July 12—Victorii Grand National Hurdle Race. July 111—Victoria Grand National Steeplechase. July 24- New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase September —Doncaster St. Leger. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Wager, Hamilton.—The positions occupied last year by three stallions you mention were as follows : Galopin, £43,510; Hampton, .C:!6,()'Jl ; Hermit, £13.200. I.KITKIt, Gisborne.— highest weight yet carried to victory in the V. It.C. Grand National Steeplechase was in 1831, when Sussex (13st. lib.) won. S.T., Thames.—Libeller defeated both Templeton and Ariel at weight for age in the Auckland Plato run at Ellerslie in 18S0. J.C., Kihikihi. —1. It will cost an owner £50 to start his horse in the forthcoming Melbourne Cup. 2. The phrase "dead bird" is used to denote that a race is considered to be at the mercy of a particular horse. J.R., Okaiwa.—Puriri was got by Towton from Waimea ; Day Dawn, by Ravensworth—Skybird ; Dead Shot, by Ravensworth—Certainty; The Painter, by The Marquis—Art Union. Puriri and Dead Shot were both bred by Mr. 11. Redwood. NOTES BY PHAETON. THE DUNEDIN HANDICAPPING KMBROOUO. FkOm the recent communications that have passed between the committee of the Dunedin Jockey Club and Mr. Stead (as mouthpiece of the Northern owners), it seemed only too plain that the unfortunate squabble over the handicapping at the Exhibition Meeting in November last was rapidly approaching fever heat, which would not tend to bring about an amicable settlement and termination of the affair. In a letter addressed to the committee on the 15th May last, Mr. Stead stated that want of confidence in the handicapper (Mr. Dowse) might be lessened if he could give satisfactory reasons for weights imposed on certain horses at the Exhibition Meeting. One question submitted by Mr. Stead in the course of his letter was :—" That, while Tirailleur, Scots Gray, and Occident ran first, second, ind third in the New Zealand Cup, the two were handicapped to give Occident 3'2lb and ltilb respectively in the Exhibition Cup." _ In replying to this clause, Mr. Dowse justified the ' weights for the following reasons "That in the New Zealand Cup Tirailleur and Scots £rcy (particularly the former) were very leniently treated, as proved by their subsequent performances at same meeting ; while Occident third in New Zealand Cup was hopelessly beaten by six lengths. That Scots Grey on the second day at the same meeting won the Derby, carrying iSst 101b ; distance, one mile and a-half ; otlicial time, 2min 42sec, private watches making it less. Then there is Tirailleur's and Scots Grey's brilliant performances on the third day of same meeting, each carrying 7st 61b, in the Canterbury Cup, two and a-quarter miles; time, 4min 3sec, the pace for one mile and thrcerjuarters being extremely fast, Tirailleur wiuningeasily in the last half-mile." In replying to this answer, Mr. Stead, it would appear, fairly scores one against the handicapper, for, whereas Mr. Dowse states that Occident was hopelessly beaten by six lengths, the son of Lapidist was really only a length behind the leaders. Mr. 1. Campbell, the C.J.C. starter, is brought on the scene to prove that Mr. Dowse frantically exclaimed as the horses were fighting out the finish in the New Zealand Cup, " Occident wins ! I. hope to God he does." Mr. Gollan also states that Mr. Dowse said after the race that " had Occident run kindly, he would have won." Mr. Stead then proceeds to give the strictures expressed in the Canterbury Times and Referee on the handicapping at the meeting, and the lenient treatment of horses owned in a certain local stable, and concludes thus " Mr. Dowse, however, makes a poor champion, as he leaves himself so palpably open to attack. For instance, when pitying the misfortunes of Mr. Stephenson in winning so few handicaps at Forbury, he states that only six were won by that gentleman's horses from November, 1887, to May, 1889. If anyone chooses to refer to the records it will be seen that the stable referred to won 33 handicaps, of the advertised value of £5635, on the Forbury course in the seven years ending May last. Can Mr. Dowse point to many other owners in New Zealand with a similar record'! I know one in Canterbury, with a team three or four times more numerous than Mr. Stephenson's,, who is generally accounted to be lucky in having won 19 handicaps of the advertised value of £3400 during the same period At Riccarton, under tne imposts allotted by'the C.J.C. h&ndicappers. Well may Mr. Stephenson bewail, ' save me from my friends.' Summed up, we appear to have arrived at this stage:—Mr. Dowse admittedly made several serious errors in his handicaps throughout the Exhibition Mooting, for wViiVb flip D.T O have stiee.iallv rifiid him.

wnicn me u.o.Kj. nave specially lkiki mm, and the public in effect are now asked to pet and to pity him, but those truculent owners who suffered by his blundering are to be pilloried for daring to raise their voices in protest against the injury they suffered. Unkind people might say the position is fairly shadowed in Lindsay Gordou's well-known lines :— They sriy-we have no test to warrant a protest Dick rides for a lord and stands in with a steward : The light of their faces they show him—his case is Prejudged, and his verdict already seen red." The sting in the quotation from Gordon has apparently fairly roused the Highland blood, for the reply sent by the.committee to Mr. Stead is of a very peppery character, in the course of which it is stated " that unless you (Mr. Stead) unreservedly withdraw all such imputations, charges, and insults before the 12th instant, the chili's liandicapper will be immediately hereafter requested to resign his office or bring an action in the Supreme Court to clear his character." It will be interesting to note in what frame of mind Mr. Stead will deal with this latest phase of the squabble. That he will " back down " as requested by the committee is not at all likely, and we may, therefore, expect to see the affair thrashed out in the Supreme Court. THE PROPOSED NEW /.EAI.AND JOCKEY*CLUB. Judging from the instructions which the committee of the Dunedin Jockey Club has issued to their delegate}) to the Wellington Conference on the question of the formation of a New Zealand Jockey Club, it would seem that that body are very much opposed to the project. According to the telegram to hand the Dunedin committee are of opinion that there is no necessity for the formation of any such institution as a New Zealand Jockey Club, and will not allow any combination of representatives from other clubs to interfere with them in the management of their own affairs. It is very difficult to understand the action of the Dunedin committee in this matter, for that it would be greatly to the advantage of the turf of the colour to have a club composed of delegates from a'll the Metropolitan clubs to act as a directing head admits of very little question. From the uncompromising language employed in their " instructions," there 1 would appear to be very little hope at present 1 of the Dunedin Jockey Club falling in with the proposal, and it will be interesting to • note what Messrs. McLean and Driver have to say at the meeting to be held at Welling--1 ton oil the loth prox., in justifying the , action taken by the committee of their i club. i THE ST. ALBANS TEAM. ! " Augur " has been on a visit to Mr. W. R. ' Wilson's estate at St. Albans, and as the ; Silver King's team consists of several New I Zealand brcd-'uns, the remarks of the Vic--1 toria.ii scribe will be perused with interest. : He says : —" The first animal I saw was the 1 Now Zealander Sultan, a very useful animal » of the ciut-and-eome-again kind, with a rare ' pedigree too, for lie is by the imported horse Apremonst from Miss Kate, by Adventurer. > The next that came under my notice was the f English filly Beanfeast, by Plebeian from - Festival, and I was glad to see that this youri" 1 arrival from the old country had improved 3 considerably since landing a few months ago. 1 Smaller, but much more valuable, perhaps, - is the other English filly Elsie, simply be--1 cause she is by that extraordinary sire St. • Simon, whose success in his first two seasons } in England lias been something phenomenal. 1 A daughter of so distinguished an animal r should he worth her weight in gold if only - for breeding purposes. Rudolph, who had • such a gruelling during the season, lias filled out a little over the loins and in his quarters since I saw him last, but lie is still the same mean little fellow he v' always seemed. Pygmalion, a two-year-IX old colt from New Zealand (by Apremont i- from Nautilus) created a most favourable V impression. He is a beautiful brown, stand,v i ing, 1 should say, quite l.V.'i, with plenty of ti.j power everywhere, but not a particle of iff} lumber about him. At first sight, like his | relative Sultan, he appears a trifle short, bu*

when you look him over you sec that he is not. He possesses excellent shoulders, rare middle-piece, and such quarters as one seldom sees upon a two-year-old. That he can gallop lie proved in his own country, though he suffered a defeat in the principal two-year-old race at the Canterbury Jockey Club meeting. He belongs to the Lurline family, for his dam is by Traducer from Waterwitch, by Camden from Mermaid, and if all goes well with him he ought to win a good race or two for his spirited owner next season. One of the grandest fillies I have ever seen is a two-year-old by St. Albans from Eileen, the dam of Tho Lawyer, and I hope_ to see her running at Fleming ton in November. The first of the yearlings was Lady Carbine (by Nordenfeldt —Mersey), who possesses all the same lines of blood as Mr. Wallace's celebrated champion, with the addition of Nordenfeldt's dam Onyx. Like her relative, she is not a striking animal at first sight, but she grows upon you, and for her owner's sake I hope she may prove as profitable to Mr. Wilson as Carbine has been to Mr. Wallace. Mentor's half-sister, La Tosca (by Robinson Crusoe, from Nightmare), is a filly with more size and substance, but quite as much quality, well up to her Sat slb in the Maribyrnong Plate, and likely to prove as good an animal as her relative, who is now the pride of the Ballark Stud. Steadfast (by Nordenfeldt, from Nelly Moore) is one of the low, long, and strong kind, with short, sound-looking legs, and when he matures he will, I fancy, be found to be moulded somewhat after the fashion of his half-brother Lochiel, as handsome a racehorse as any man need wish to look at. She (by Nordenfeldt from Steppe) is a grandlybred youngster, standing a trifle back at the knees, and not so powerful as some of the others. Cooya (by Nordenfeldt from Radiance) is a filly that will I think pay her way, for she is strong and well-shaped, and descends from a pretty good family. In a paddock close by were four other yearlings, and one was Trenton's relative Zalinski (by Nordenfeldt—Frailty), who will be quite as good-looking a horse as Dan O'Brien's old pet. Mr. Wilson has very wisely determined not to train this colt to run in the spring, but he will be taken in hand shortly with a view to have him ready for the Ascotvale Stakes in the autumn. A run or two at the back end of the season will do him good, and then he ought to be a great Derby colt. With him was the Nordenfeldt— Ouida colt Strathmore, a good-looking colt with a very bad parrot month, the upper teeth protruding fur over the lower." DECLARING TO WIN. In the One Thousand Guineas, won by the Duke of Portland's Semolina, the same owner's filly, Memoir, had to be pulled most determinedly, to allow her stable companion to win. Of course the Duke of Portland had declared to win with Semolina, hence the pulling of Memoir; but what a commentary this is upon racing, which swells declare was established to improve the breed of horses, if so, why not have a rule which shall abolish declarations to win, and allow the best horse to have its head. The London Referee, in referring to the matter, says "If you come to the trueprinciplesof sport, every horse started should be allowed to do so on the understanding that it is sent to do its best, regardless of stable companion or anything else, as is customary in Australasia." In this respect, at all events, we are far in advance of the old country. • Admiral Rous, who was considered the Nestor of the English turf, and whose soul revolted at anything underhand, was always dead against declarations to win, and in his well-known work on racing, wrote as follows " Here I may remark that there is a wide distinction between the interests of the turf and the interest of betting. I allude to the practice of a person starting two horses in a race, and declaring to win with the worst if it suits his book. This is not racing ; it is an illegal conventional act to facilitate a gambling transaction ; it has not a pleasing influence to see the best horse pulled up to make way for an inferior companion. In 18-10 the Doncaster St. Leger was won by Sir Launcelot, and Maroon pulled up when he could havtfwon by 50 yards. This is a dangerous modus operandi, not sanctioned by the .Jockey Club, who in 1838 resolved : ' That it is the opinion of this club that it is necessary to declare the extreme disapprobation of horses being started for races without the intention on the part of the owners of trying to win with them.' " Yet the objectionable practice still exists in England ; and, as will be seen, was adopted only in May last by one of England's racing noblemen. THE MELBOURNE CUP. From Australian papers to hand this week I clip the following opinions on the Melbourne Cap Vigilant (Melbourne Sportsman).—lt seems the height of folly at this time of day, when it is quite a hundred to ono against any one horse coming to the post, to select a winner, ami so I shall content myself with giving the names of the baker's dozen I think the best handicapped. They are Carbine, Cuir.issier, Marvel, Sinecure, Oakleigh, Prince Con sort, Pakeha, The Admiral, Pygmalion, Whimberel, Correzo, Argos, and Tho Sinner. CiiANimooK (Melbourne Sportsman).—ln taking a cursory glance over the handicaps I like the following score, from which I think the winner will come Carbine, Cuirassier, Tradition, The Lawyer, Prince Consort, J.'akeha, Chaldean, Whakawai, Swing, Tourbillon, O'Xaroo, Teuton, Whimberel Medallion, Magic Circle, Gresford, Tho Spot, Tor mentor, Sylvester, and Clare. It is rather early t< give a .straight out selection, but my opinion is thai a three-year-old will win the Melbourne Cup o 1890. Caspian (Weekly Times).—To sum up the estimate of the chances of those engaged, a leaning or pre ference would be in favour of the top weights Melos and Dreadnought, with Lonsdale, Marvel Pakeha, and Wycombe next; and of the lightei weights, Chaldean, Whakawai, Titan, The Admiral Medallion, Catling, and Annesley. Oi.YMI'L'S (Melbourne Punch). — I have mosl fancy for the chances of Carbine, Melos, Princt Consort. Matador, Leopold, Swine, The Tyler

Uatliiig, I.amonil, The Promised Land, and -Man- t tilla, with a .special reservation in favour of Carbine, \ Molos, Matador, and Leopold. c Melbourne Standard.—Carbine, Prince Con- j sort, Singapore, Titan, Pakelia, and Melos. * So far, very little wagering has taken place ] over the Cup. The great stake of £10,000 a attached to the race is sure to be the means : of cutting down the betting, so far as many [ horse-owners are concerned, while the ten- <• dency of the punters of the present day is to wait until close upon the day before invest- , ing their money. Tile prices quoted are : — { 1000 to 40 against Carbine, Melos, and Titan ; | 1000 to 30 against Lonsdale, Prince Consort, f Tarcoola, Catling, and Gresford. , A GREAT llECOKl). ( From an English exchange we take the j following table, showing the winnings of the : stock of the defunct stallion Hermit up to the j time of his death £ £ 1873 .. .. 100 1882 .. .. 45,508 l 1871 .. .. 4,090 1883 .. .. 31,400 J 1875 .. .. 8,748 1881 .. .. 31,002 ( 1870 .. .. 0,45!) 1885 .. .. 32,073 ; 1877 .. .. 0,000 1880 .. .. 11),505 1 1878 .. .. 11,885 1887 .. .. 34,303 ' 1870 .. .. 7,577 1 888 .. .. 15,580 1 1880 .. .. 20,022 1880 .. .. 14,241 I 1881 .. -. -7,770 1800 .. .. 2,017 i We have thus a grand total of £313,311 as the winning result of the twenty years of Her- ■ mit's stud life, and whatever other sires may I accomplish in years to come—and great > things are possible in this era of gigantic stakesit may be doubted whether the pro- > duce of anyone of them will amass such a sum as this. Friar's Balsam (by Hermit 1 from Flower of Dorset) was secured last year ■ by the Hon. Mr. Chaplin, and he is now filling his sire's box at the Blankley stud. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. The dispute over the South Auckland Autumn Handicap is still in an unsettled state. The matter came before the committee of the Auckland Racing Club on Wednesday last, having been referred to them, as the metropolitan body, by the South Auckland Club; but, Mr. F. Karl, acting as solicitor for Mr. Kuan, pointed out that under rule 131, the commit had no jurisdiction until a decision had been given by the stewards of the South Auckland Club. There could be no doubt upon the soundness of Mr, Karl's contention, and the question was therefore referred back for the South Auckland stewards to give a decision. After that is done it will then be competent for either side to appeal to the metropolitan club, should they consider themselves aggrieved. From an English cablegram appearing in another column it will be seen that the Sydney sportsman, Mr. W. C. Cooper, has scored a win in England with Lady J Jetty. This was in the Ellesmere Stakes (one mile and three furlongs), run at the Newmarket Meeting on Thursday last. Lady Betty is a four-year-old daughter of St. Albans and Pardon. Word comes from Melbourne to the effect that old Peter Osbeek passed in his cheques there on Wednesday last. The old son of Perkin Warbeck was an inmate of T. Corrigan's establishment, and was a good deal fancied for the V.R.C. Grand National . Steeplechase, in which race he was awarded 11st 71b. > | J. Rao's pair, Titokoworu and Donald, are ' reported to be doing capital work at CaulI field, in view of the V.R.C. Grand National ' I Meeting. Titokowaru is well fancied for the Grand National Steeplechase, in which he ' lias list 91b, and at last advices lie figured ' at Bto 1 in the quotations. I A growl reaches me from several quarters that the stakes won at the Lake Races, held J in May last, have not yet been handed over. ' ! If this is correct it is rather a bad record for ' i an inaugural gathering. k i The Canterbury Jockey Club have issued j 1 their usual book programme, and from a copy ; sent me I gather that the total amount of ! f ; added money to be given away during the j f i coining season is £76X5: £4885 is devoted to s i the Spring, £600 to the Summer, and £2150 j 6 i to the Autumn gathering. 1

Mr I' Campbell, who contemplates taking a trip home, will shortly resign his post as starter to the Canterbury Jockey Club, and Mr. John Cresswell, of Hororata. is spoken, of as a probable successor to the office. Mr. Cresswell has (says the Canterbury limes) already had-some experience with the flag, and we know of no gentleman more likely to give satisfaction to owners and the public. It is now authoritatively stated that Maxim has run his last race, and that the brilliant son of Musket and Realisation will take up stud duties next season. Auray (by Rapid Bay from Aureola) Sapphire (by Ihe Drummer'from Amethyst) and Siesta (by Traducer from Hammock) are to be mated with him and it is stated that he will not this season be at the service of the public. Many of my readers will no doubt remember L. H. Scharrer, of "Can't B Beat" celebrity. From a letter which he sends mo I gather that he is now located at Denver, in the land of the Stars and Stripes, and that he has decided on settling down there. The Rocky Mountain News has introduced " Can't B Beat" to its readers in the shape of a two-column article, which is headed "Denver Becomes the Headquarters of a Famous Leader in Antipodal Sporting Circles." After describing to the übiquitous reporter the system of betting in Australia, L.11.5. says " I have seen £'200,000ibet on a race after the horses have left the post and have entered the stretch." That is a real good-'un, and with a fair show there can be Tittle doubt that Mr. Scharrer will blossom into one of those tall talkers for which the American nation is so noteworthy. As there is very little call in the Takapuua district for the'services of a thoroughbred stallion, Mr. R. Mackav has decided on disposing of Retrenchment, and by advertisement lie invites offers for the purchase of the horse. Retrenchment is a bay horse standing 17 hands, and as he was got by Musket from Hatred by Traducer out of Emineline, by Sleight of Hand, he is well worthy the attention of breeders. The Auckland Trotting Association have issued a very attractive bill of fare for their Spring Meeting, which is to be held at Potter's Paddock on Saturday, August 30. The total amount of added money is £200, which has been distributed as follows : — Handicap Maiden Trot of 30sovs (two miles), Selling Trot of lfaovs (two miles and a-half), Pony Cup of 40sovs (seven furlongs), Handicap Trot of 50sovs (three miles), Handicap Pony Trot of 20sovs (two miles), Handicap ■ Pony Hurdles of SOsovs (one mile and a-half), Forced Handicap Trot of 15sovs (two miles and a-half). Good progress is, 1 understand, being made ' in improving the drainage of the Takapuna < course, Mr. Alison tells me that when the works are completed there will be no fear of j a repetition of the heavy state of the ground as at the meeting on Queen's Birthday. A sad picce of news comes from Victoria to ! the effect that Mr. Harry Prince, the well- ' known turfite, has become insane, and lie ' has been placed in a lunatic asylum. Some ' years back " Harry" Prince was all powerful 1 as horseowner and bookmaker on the New ' Zealand turf, but after taking up his resi- ' deuce in Australia bad luck attended him, 1 and he received several hard knocks. It is ; stated that there is very little hope for she poor fellow, as the medical experts are of ' opinion that he is suffering from softening of ; the brain. f Particulars of the race for the Newmarket , Stakes of 6500sovs are now to hand, from which I gather that there were a dozen I starters, and Le Nord was backed at 85 to j 40 " on," Memoir, the ultimate winner, . figuring as second favourite at 100 to 15; so . that it must have been considered a down- ! right good thing for Le Nord. The Duke of I Portland's filly was very excitable while ! being saddled away from the crowd, and , wore blinkers; but she managed to beat ' Blue Green by a short head only, and another ' stride the result would have been the other way. Le Nord very soon died away in the , straight, and finished a bad third. Watts J was on Memoir, G. Barrett on Blue Green, r and his brother Fred on the favourite. The ] net value of the stakes to the winner was j OOOOsovs. s Weighing the chances of the horses engaged in the Melbourne Cup, " Gyges" (of i the Sportsman), makes the following rea marks about Firelock, for whom it will be r remembered the late Mr. Chirnside paid 700 i guineas in Auckland in 1886: — " The fulli brother to the Champion winner, Matchlock, I cannot be altogether passed by, because 6st s 71b on such a well-bred, truly made fives year-old, is indeed a luxury. Bad as his performances have been, I am convinced merit is still latent—which work, downright hard graft, will alone develop. He eats, drinks, sleeps, and enjoys himself, thus • keeping on the substance that will assuredly, while it remains, not lead to the e winning post." ® Many persons are of opinion (says " Oiym,t pus" in Melbourne Punch) that a handicappei a has no business to place such an impost at j, lOst 511) on a horse for a handicap Hat race oi two miles; but in this, as in everything else. '» the Victorian racing world isn't like it used „ to was. Lord love you, I remember the time I. when there were three gentlemen used to ap II portion the weights for the Melbourne Cup : r, and after that black demon. The Barb, hac; '• won. the Sydney Cup with lOst 81b, what dc '• you think they clapped on him lor the Mel r 0 bourne Cup? Only eleven stone sever lt pounds— was all. And because there ii was some doubt as to whether his stablt companion, Glencoe, wasn't just as good a; * the son of Sir Hercules and Young Gulnare -- they gave him 31b less—list 4lb. That was >' when there was a sst 71b minimum, too, th( r ' lowest weight being none other than tin 1, celebrated sire of so many winners, Bonnj Carlisle. st The steamship Argus, which left Sydney ° last week tor Calcutta, had as passenger:

the well-known racehorses Bravo and lhe Wild Oat. Should Messrs. A pear aiulGascar carry out their present intentions (says the Melbourne Sportsman) we may yet have the satisfaction of hearing of Australian bred horses, prepared by a native born—not an aboriginal — and ridden by an Australian jockey, taking part in some of the events to be run in England next summer. W. Southall, the well-known trainer for these gentlemen, informed the writer that all going well with Bravo and The Wild Oat, he would take them, along with Moorhouse, to England, where they would join Paladin, who is at the present time being trained at Newmarket by Ryan, who has charge of Mr. Cooper's filly " Lady Betty. Southall will accompany the horses named to the Old Country, and J. Robinson will also go to ride them. W. Southall and M. Trahan, his brother-in-law, also went in the same boat. Another blank has been created in the ranks of colonial turfites. From Launcoston I learn of the death of Mr. William Field, of Enfield, the owner of the famous racehorse Strop, one of the first sous of Panic, and one of the best. The deceased had reached the ripe old age of seventy-six, and during more than half-a-century he was chiefly identified with the turf. Tyrant, the English racehorse, was purchased after his Chester Cup and Great Cheshire Stakes victory by Mr. A. M. Singer, a son of the well-known sewing machine manufacturer, for £4000. Since the purchase the son of Beauelerc was returned the victor of the Gold Vase at Ascot, a stake that is highly prized by English horseowners, Danbydale, the roguish horse 1 wrote of last week as having shaken a piece of cottonwool out of one of his ears after winning a race at Derby, in England, died suddenly some weeks back. A post-mortem examination revealed that the horse had been suffering from heart disease, the organ in question being greatly enlarged, and that was the cause of death. All Newmarket swore by Lc Nord for the Two Thousand Guineas, and ailirmed he could not be beaten, whilst it was said that Baron Rothschild was so confident of victory that he ordered, in anticipation, a sumptuous banquet to fete the event. As is now a matter of history, the Baron's representative acted as runner-up to Surcfoot. "Rattler" hears that "flying the pigeon" was practised in more than one race at the recent Queensland meeting. The dodge is simply this : After weighing out, one jockey takes from another part of his weight, both back the short-weight horse, and the weight is restored while pulling up on the far side of the course. . In a cony of Lloyd s Evening Post, dated January 29, 1773, is found a paragraph about Eclipse":—" The owner of the famous running hotse Eclipse, having a few nights since had a proposal made to him for purchasing it, mentioned the following terms : £20,00() down, an annuity of £500, well secured during his life, and three brood mares. Emperor William's riding horse is shod with a new and singularly constructed shoe. It is in two parts, and has on its lower surface a rubber-like composition, the object of which is to prevent the horse from slipping, thereby preserving the animal. The monarch, on being shown the new invention at once ordered his favourite horse and 1(5 others of his stud to be shod with it. Mr. W. R. Wilson has determined to try and "et a race out of his imported English filly Beaufast, by Plebeian from Festival. She has been awarded 7st7lb in the Caulfield Cup. and is reported to have shown considerable improvement since she arrived in Australia a few months ago. A Melbourne writer tells us that the dark, dangerous, and daring Marvel appears to have been out for another " lunar" recently, his name not even being mentioned in the betting quotations. When, O when, is this promised world-beater going to show himself !hi his true colours? Which of the two Cups | is it to be—Caulfield or Melbourne 7 It turns out that the death of Mr. I'. Hills j steeplechaser Rossiter was due to inflamma--1 tion of the bowels.

Carbine is said to be in magnificent conedition. The weights for the New Zealand Cup are, according to the programme, due to-day. Mr. C. Armtrim, of Melbourne, has purchased the New Zealand racehorse Mai toman £or £200. It is stated that the Dunedin jockey Price, aaid his trotter Princess, have been disqualified in Victoria. The Canterbury Jockey Club have fixed tin; date of their next summer meeting for tl»e 31st January. Mr. 11. Limn has purchased Crozier, the thoee-year-old son of Leolinus and Sister Agnes, from Mr. Stead. Honeydew has been found wanting, and his owner intends sending the son of Goldsbroogh and Queen Bee to the stud. Miessrs. Yuille and May, the well-known pciwijllers, returned to Auckland from Sydney by the Te Anau on Thursday last, The New Zealand jumjier, Satan, added another victory to his record in Victoria recently by winning the lJendigo Steeplechase. D. Roase, who journeyed to Phi gland with Mr. White's colts Kirkham and Narellan, intends-returning to the colonics at an early date. 1 The Auckland-bred pony Ihumata won the Selling Race at the liosehill Meeting, on the 25th instant. She is now the property of ' Mr. Dan Twohill. The irauiy friends of M. O'Brien, the wellknown jockey, will be sorry to hear that he has been suffering a good deal from his old complaint, asthma. It is stated that Fred Hedge, the wellknown cross-country rider, has come in for a ; little windfall of £11,000 by the death of an 1 uncle in the Old Country. The Auckland pony Cushla (Bst 1—lb) ■ finished second to Keepsake (7st 21b) for the ' Tempo Handicap of 40sovs at the Sydney ( ■ Driving Park Meeting recently. : ' 11. Harrison had six of the members of i Major George's numerous string in town 011 • Wednesday last, for the purpose of giving them a sight of the busy thoroughfare. ; The fancy wager of £20,000 to £1000 has • been accepted by the owner of Titan that the 3 trainer of that flyer trains the winning double , of V.R.C. Derby and Cup. That means , Titan and Prince Consort and Titan and - Carbine. , Referring to the Bill to legalise the to tali , sator in Victoria, which Mr. George Davis - talks of introducing, " Augur" hopes that > provision will be made for a certain per cen- > tage of the money to be devoted to charities, , should it become law. He says £40, was 5 paid in one year to charitable institutions in France. _ I AN AUSTRALIAN SUCCESS, ) Press Amciatim.— Electric Trteyraph.—Copyright. : London, July 3. I At the Newmarket July Meeting to-day the Australian mare Lady Betty, owned by > Mr. W. C. Cooper, of Sydney, won the Elles- - mere Stakes, beating Mr. Waller's Gold 3 Maze by a length.