SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8360, 13 September 1890, Page 6

SPORTING.

TO RACING CLUBS.

The Auckland Weekly News has been appointed the 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 ensure 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 money is £100 or upwards, must be advertised in full once at least in the Official Calendar. Tho advertisement shall show that the programme has been approved by the .Jockey Club, shall state the days on which tb' meeting is to begin and end, and the names ol the stewards, judge, starter, clerk of the scales, and handicapper. RACING FIXTURES. New Zealand. September 20—Waikato Hunt Club. October 4 —Oliehunga Racing Club. October 0, 7—Hawke's Hay Jockey Club. October 20 21—Wellington Racing Club. October Poverty Hay Turf Club. November 4, D, B—Canterbury Jockey Club. November 8, 10.—Auckland Racing Club. November 22—Pakuranga Racing Club. December 20, January 1, 2.—Auckland Racing Club December 20—Hawko's Bay Jockey Club. December 27, January 3—Auckland Trotting Club January 13, 14—Poverty Bay Turf Club. March 17, IS—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. March 30, Auckland Racing Club. March 30, 31—Canterbury Jockey Club. June 20—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. Australia. September 4, 6—Hawkesbury Racing Club. September 13, lti, IS, 20—Australian Jockey Club October 11, Victorian Amateur Turf Club November 1, 4, 0, 8— Victoria Racing Club. DATES OF COMING EVENTS. September 13-A.J.C. Derby. September 10—Great Metropolitan Stakes. October 6—Hawke's t>ay Guineas. October 10—Cesarewitch Stakes. October 11—Caultield Guineas. October 17—Caultield Cup. October 23—Cambridgeshire Stakes. November I—V.R.C. Derby. November 4—New Zealand Cup. November 4—Melbourne Cup. December 20—Auckland Cup. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. S.J., Wanganui.—Carbine won £1230 as a two-ear-old. W.—l. Foul Play's time in the Auckland Cup was 4m. ltis. ; Salvage's, 4in. 9Js. 2. Salvage died about tour years ago at Wanganui. Mister.ton.— 1. Hotchkiss was in training for some short time, but bo has never yet taken part in a race. 2. Nordenfeldt was not raced as a two. year-old. His first appearance was in the Hawkesbury Guineas (won by First Chester), in which race he was left at the post.

NOTES BY PHAETON. THE A.J.C. MEETING. The Australian Jockey Club's Spring Meeting opens to-day at Randwiek, and with every prospect of a strong field in the Derby, a good deal of interest will attach to the contest for the "blue riband." That Titan will start a red-hot favourite admits of very little doubt, for since his transportation to the scene of action he has amply demonstrated that a mile and a-half journey is well within his powers. In Catling (by Nordenfeldt from Petroleuse), the high-priced son of Chester will, however, by all accounts encounter an opponent of no mean order, and there are some who think that he will beat the favourite ; but Catling will indeed require to be a good one to bring about the defeat of his powerful rival, for the fact should not be lost sight of that Titan is entitled to the 51b allowance to geldings. It was thought some little time back that Mr. O'Brien would furnish a dangerous customer in Whimberel (by St. Albans—Curlew), but of late lie has not being very well in his work. Gibraltar, a son of Grandmaster and Algeria, lias evidently been responsible for some capital work, as a cablegram that came to hand on Thursday placed him in the position of second favourite. As a two-year-old he started on two occasions, but in neither case did he gain'a situation. Paris (by Grandmaster—Eone) is another smart one from whom danger may be apprehended ; but I fancy that if thoroughly himself, Titan will win.

Great interest will attach to the contest for the Spring Stakes, in which race Carbine, Melos, and Cuirassier will in all probability measure strides atweight-for-age over a mile and a-half. Melos has been bounding along in such great style in his training as to lead many to the conclusion that Carbine will have a great task set him to bring about the defeat of the son of Goldsbrough. Frooi the performances of the pair, there would appear to be very little difference between them over this particular journey, and a great battle will in all probability he the result of to-day's race. Cuirassier is, I understand, a certain starter, and it will be interesting to the many Auckland admirers of the handsome son of Frailty to find how he fares in to-day's race.

On the following Tuesday, the Great Metropolitan Stakes will be brought up for decision, for which race at last advices the following horses remained in : —

st lb st lb Sir William _ al2 MegaplioneJ _ 7 1 Marvel .. .. 8 10 Whimbercl .. 6 12 The Queen.. .. 8 G Paris .. „ (i 10 Antreus .. ... 8 2 Federation.. _. GlO Kllerdale .. .. 7 8 'Frisco .. _ C 8 Veapasia .. .-7 8 Little Bernie „ (i r. Bungehali .. ... 7 C Kate .. _ C 4 Eclipse .. „ 7 4 Retford _ _ G 0 Papua .. ..7 2 J Including "lbs penalty.

The three-year-old Megaphone achieved his victory in the Hawkesbury Handicap on Saturday last in such brilliant style that it was with no surprise I learned he had been installed a staunch favourite for the race under review, for even with his 71b penalty he has still the lenient impost of 7*t lib to carry. The son of Newbold, I have many times heard, is a real good one, and gauged by his Hawkesbury performance his position as favourite for this race seems well justified. Paris is another three-year-old that may have something to say in the finish, while of the " resurrected" division 'Frisco is one entitled to a certain amount of respect.

A LUCKY PURCHASE. It has many times exercised the minds of Australians as to how those two beautiful marcs Sylvia and Onyx were ever allowed to leave New South Wales. Seeing a reference to the matter in a recent paper, and wishing to know how that fortunate purchase for Auckland was brought about, I introduced the question in a conversation with Mr. T. Morrin last week, when I obtained a full insight into the transaction. The late Mr. S. Morrin, being on the eve of leaving for Sydney, he was commissioned by his brother to interview Mr. Fitz-YVentworth as to what sum he would be prepared to take for Sylvia, Onyx, and Chrysolite, and a week later word came over by cable : " Sylvia 2000 guineas, Onyx 1000 guineas, and Chrysolite 1100 guineas." The Auckland Stud Company was thereupon floated, the money for the mares secured, and the bargain at once clinched. The following little table shows the prices realised for the produce of these two celebrated mares since they became the property of the New Zealand Stud Company :— From ONYX. From Silvia. Os. (is. JNordenfeldt .. 1200 Greendale .. .. ftOQ Jacinth .. .. 800 Martini-Henry .. 12.0 Enfilade .. .. 8.10 Silver Prince .. 500 Beryl .. .. 1010 Kngageineiit .. 6IH) Filly by Ingomar 200 Forest Queen .. 1100 JaUestone.. .. 05

4185 13950 I Repurchased for 2000 guineas-. In 1889, eleven yearlings sired by Nordenfeldt realised 2695 guineas, and in 1800 seventeen of his gets brought too large total of f>s7o guineas.

During the conversation regarding the purchase of these two beautiful mares Mr. Morrin showed me a rather interesting document, being none other than the sale-note for Martini-Henry. It is drawn out in the late Captain Walmsley's handwriting, and reads as follows :—

Auckland, May 24, 1831. Memorandum of agreement. — We the undersigned directors of the Auckland Stud Company have this day sold to the Hon. James White, of Sydney, the bay colt Martini-Henry, by Musket, out of Sylvia, for the price of 1250 guineas, delivered in Sydney sound within two months' to Mr. Fennelly, Mr. White's agent at Sydney. THOMAS MORHIX. .Tames Walmsi.ky. I accept the purchase on the terms and conditions above mentioned James Whits.

THE ST. LEGKR. I The 114 th St. Leger was run at Doncaster I on Wednesday last, and by cable we learn that His Grace the Duke of Portland has, for the second year in succession, supplied the winner of the " red riband." The victory on this occasion was gained with Memoir, a daughter of St. Simon and the Toxopholite mare Quiver, who had previously shown herself to be a filly of great merit by carrying off the Oaks and Newmarket Stakes; while it is certain that she would have had her name also enrolled upon the escutcheon of One Thousand Guineas winners had she not been tied up to allow her stable mate Semolina to win, the Duke having made a declaration in the hitter's favour. The absence of the Derby winner's name, Sainfoin, from the list of placed horses, and also that of Surefoot, will have caused their respective admirers a good round sum, for, though Memoir was the ruling favourite at last advices, the other pair were both highly fancied. Since the running of the Brockelsby Stakes in 1888, the Duke of Portland has secured in stakes the best part of £1130,000, £55,154 of which was won by that gold mine Donovan. This season, the lucky Duke" has lauded three out of the five great classic races, Semolina being responsible for his victory in the One ,

I Thousand Guineas, while Memoir carried his colours to victory in the Oaks and St. Leger. HER MAJESTY'S STUD. A unique record in connection with the Derby and St. Leger Stakes this year is that Sainfoin, the winner of the first-named race, and Memoir, the winner of the latter, were both bred by Her Majesty at Hampton Court, and both were sold by Messrs. Tattersal 1 at the Bushey Paddocks on the same afternoon, Sainfoin (by Springfield— being purchased by the Kiugsolere trainer, Mr. J. Porter for 500 guineas, while Memoir (by St. Simon— fell to the Duke of Portland's bid of 1500 guineas. Memoir's victory in the Newmarket Stakes and Oaks prepared turfites to see great competition for the possession of her full sister that went up to auction in June last, and after a great set-to between the Duke of Portland and Lord Marcus Beresford (who was acting in behalf of Baron de Hirsch), the latter secured her at the Ion" price of 5500 guineas, Commenting on this sale, " Rapier' in the English Sporting and Dramatic News says :—" One naturally looks up the famous young lady's relations, the sisters and brothers ot the 5500 guineas yearling, and it appears that Memoir is the first of them that has really distinguished herself, while I fear that most of them are rogues. Arrow, foaled in 1879, came down to running in Hunt Steeplechases after the most modest of careers. He won the Woore Plate of £27 18s at the Woore Hunt Steeplechase in 1885, I notice. Archer, a son of See Saw and Quiver, was, I fancy, worse than moderate, for though he, too, took to jumping— rather I suspect I should say was put to jumping, for he does not seem to have taken to it—he ran six times in 1888—without success, winding up by finishing second for a £39 race with the lowest weight in a held of four. Satchel, a daughter of Galopin and Quiver, had a turn of speed, but she left the turf in the July of her four-year-old season, having run seven races without a win. Carquois, a daughter of Springfield, ran twice, unsuccessfully, and was sent to Germany. His late owner tells me that he was a wretch. Sherwood, Carquois's younger brother, a son of Hampton, ran thrice as a two-year-old, and thrice next season, on one occasion getting into the first three. Of his own sister, Maid Marian, I can find no record. Then came Memoir, a good mare no doubt, but it remains to be seen whether the yearling will turn out a Memoir or a Carquois."

THE TOTALISATOR IN VICTORIA. , Regarding the movement on foot for the introduction of the totalisator into Victoria, the Melbourne correspondent of the Sydney Referee recently had an interview with the Hon. George Davis, who has undertaken to introduce a Bill into the Legislative Council to legalise the totalisator in Victoria. One of the conditions (he says) insisted upon by that gentleman is that all totalisators must be closed a quarter of an hour before the time fixed for the starting of each race. Pressure has been brought to bear upon the hon. gentleman from certain quarters to induce him to forego this condition, but to no purpose. Either a clause t > this effect must be included in the Bill, or he does not introduce it—that is the position lie takes up. The principal reason tor Mr. Davis taking this stand, is that he considers it would be unjust to interfere with vested interests to too great an extent. Vested interests in this case mean the business of the different bookmakers with whom Mr. Davis contends it would be unfair to bring the totalisator into too great a competition at the outset. All reforms— he reckons the totalisator a reform on the present mode of betting—should, he contends, be gradual. After giving the machine a trial for a year under this condition he would be prepared to make the time of closing ten minutes prior to starting of the race, the following year five minutes, and the succeeding year he would have the machines to close at the same time that the race is timed to start. At this period Mr. Davis reckons that bookmakers will be gradually absorbed into other channels of money making, and the totalitator will become the only means of wagering. If the proposal to close the machine quarter of an hour prior to the starting of a race is carried, a very different system of working the instrument will have to be introduced than that in vogue in New Zealand, where the bulk of the money is not invested until ten minutes before the start, and is accepted until the starter drops the flag. M ISCKI.I.ANEOUS ITKMS.

A good deal of interest has been manifested

,ii sporting circles as to the fate of the One-

hunga Racing Club's programme, submitted to the committee of the Auckland Racing Club last week. The holding of a pony and trotting meeting at Potter's Paddock was clearly an infringement of the rules, and the committee on Wednesday last decided not to pass the programme. This action lias not surprised me, for if the totalisator is to be protected from abuse in this colony it behoves the committees of the various metropolitan clubs to resolutely set their faces against any infringement of rule 21, bearing on two clubs using the same racecourse. [I heard yesterday afternoon that the Onehunga Club intend asking the committee to reconsider their case.]

Looked at through the light of Megaphone's brilliant victory in the Hawkcsbury Handicap, Tcksum's win in the County Purse on the opening day, in which race Megaphone acted as ■runner up, stands out as a brilliant performance. unfortunately the time in the County Purse was not cabled, hut it would no doubt he very fast. Teksuin is engaged in the Epsom Handicap of 1000 sovs, to be run at ttaiidwiek to-day. The son of Musket was weighted at 7st iill), but his victory in the County Purse at liawkesbury mulcts him in a 101b penalty, and he will therefore have to carry Sst 21b. The distance of the race is one mile.

When a telegram came into my hands last week bearing the signature " R. R. Ralph," stating that the pony Antic had broken down, and would not fulfil his engagements at Epsom on Saturday, I was rather sceptical of its genuineness, for owners of horses as a rule (and ponies in particular) do nor, run after pressmen with such items. The telegram turned out, as I anticipated, a downright lie, for the pony was brought down, and fulfilled his engagement, though he did not win.

Mr. W. Elliott, of New Plymouth, paid a visit to Wellington Park last week, and he was so impressed with the imported Castor that he at once concluded arrangements with Mr. Morrin for the mating of Veneration (by St. Aubyn—Fides) with the sou of Zealot. Mr. Morrin has limited Castor to twenty mares outside those outside of his own, and his list is, 1 understand, nearly full.

A private letter which I this week received from a Sydney friend, says :—" 1 have been out to Randwick on several occasions of late to see the work. From what I have seen of Cuirassier I like him very much. I saw him run a very fast mile last week, and if he keeps sound and well he will be very hard to beat in any race for which he is started. He has made a lot of improvement since he came to Australia, and he will in all probability be seen out in the weight-for-age races at the A.J.C. meeting. Melos is going really well, and he will, 1 think, be almost the champion of the coming spring. Tantallon, who is in the same stable as Carbine, has been striding along in capital style, and not a few think that this good-looking son of Wellington will turn out the one on which the stable's hopes will rest on Melbourne Cup day."

1 here is a groat call on Nordenfeldt's services this season, and, I understand, that without any difficulty whatever, fully a dozen more mares might have been obtained folium. Mr. W. R. Wilson last week cabled to put his three mares, Raupo (dam of Mata), Moonlight, and Envious, to the son of Musket. The same Canterbury writer says : — The Lonsdale Lodge three-year-olds, Hazel and Freedom, are, says " Rata," going on well, and Hazel will be a good mare, perhaps not so far behind her near relative Hilda. I should think that both these racers will be raced here in the spring, though mayhap that may depend somewhat on whether Mr. O'Brien contemplates another trip to Victoria in November. He is in Australia at present. It is said that Butler has tried Crackshot very highly, and that he is very sanguine in regard to his horse's chance in the New Zealand Cup. I have never entertained auy doubt in regard to Crackshot being a good one, and should he strip perfectly pink, he will stand a big show of winning the Cup, though he will have a very dangerous opponent in Medallion, should that three-year-old remain here.

Regarding the negotiations recently set on foot by Mr. W. R. Wilson for the purchase of the Sylvia Park Stud, but which for some cause were broken oflftthe Australasian says : --" It was Mr. Wilson's intention, had he become possessed of the valuable New Zealand Stud Company's estate, to have kept it on in the same manner as the company, and held annual sales of yearling. l ! at Auckland. Some of the mares would probably have been removed to St. Albans, and several of the St. Albans mares would have been sent to Mew Zealand, where Nordenfeldt would have remained as lord of the harem." The Poverty Bay Turf Club have issued the programme for their Spring Meeting, which is fixed to take place on Tuesday, 28t1i October. The prize money amounts to £345, £125 of which is allotted to the Spring Handicap. Nominations for the Spring Handicap, Hurdle Race, and Flying Handicap, are due on the 29th instant.

While holding a prominent place in the contest for the Steeplechase, run at the Victorian Club Meeting, old Guy Fawkes, on whom Rae had the mount, broke down badly, and his again figuring in a big race is considered extremely unlikely. I hope to

hear of Rae having better luck at an early date, for he is one of the sort that deserves a real good turn. A jockey named George Bell was engaged recently in schooling the New Zealand bred mare Apropos over the hurdles at Caulfield. She jumped badly, and at last fell heavily, crushing her rider underneath her. Bell was at once picked up unconscious, and on Thursday morning died without regaining his senses. The deceased was 22 years of age, and was employed by Mr. Henry Haines, the well-known trainer.

Mr. Souness's brood mare Waternymph broke her leg last week, and it was deemed advisable to destroy her. Waternymph was bred by the Middle Park Company in 1880, got by Totara out of Watersprite, and was therefore half-sister to Waterking, Stonyhurst, and Torrent. The annual race meeting to be held under the auspices of the Pakuranga Hunt Club, is to take place at Ellerslie on the 18th October. Nominations for the principal events are due on the 26th instant. Mr. Gollan's mare Iphigenia (by Musket or Ingomar from Clytemnestra) has been taken to Sylvia Park for the purpose of being mated with Nordenfeldt. Mr. R. Thorpe announces what Brigadier (by Musket—Pungawerewere) will again this season be at the service of breeders, full particulars of which is set forth in an advertisement appearing in another column. The generous donor of £1000 to each of three long distance handicaps at Newmarket, England, turns out to be Mr. C. D. Rose and not Baron Hirsch. as was generally supposed. The first of these handicaps was run over the Suffolk Stakes course, (one mile and a half) and amongst the 21 competitors was the Australian filly Lady Betty, who carried Bst 121b, and ran unplaced. Sheen, the property of Prince Soltykofi', proved the winner, carrying 9st. Mr. Rose, it may be mentioned, formerly raced under the registered name of "Mr. Adrian," and gave the sensational price of £10,000 for a horse named The Prince, who tinned out to be a great failure. Mana (by Musket-L'Oriciu) has been purchased by Mr. Whitehead, of the Upper Murray, at which place he is to do stud duty this season. The death of two noteworthy horses is announced from Australia. Eaglet, who who won the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase last year, fell while contesting in the Steeplechase at the Victorian Club meeting, and injured himself so severely that lie had to be destroyed ; and the same face attended Mahdi while running in the Adelaide Steeplechase.

The jockey "Kaiser" Myers, who was disqualified by the V.A.T.C. stewards recently, for suspicious riding on the mare Mercy Merrick, has petitioned that body to re-open his case. Some revelations concerning others will, it is stated, be brought under notice of the V.A.T.C. during the inquiry. The injury received by Whakawai has not proved so serious as at first anticipated, ami the disapointing son of Leolinus has made his reappearance on the Flemington training tracks.

Up to the llth of July, T. Loates was still at the head of English jockeys who have performed this seassn, his record being bo wins out of .'IOO mounts. G. Barrett is second on the list, with a total of 55 wins out of 270 mounts.

The Southland Stud Company have purchased Lorraine (by ApremontTheresa). The entries for the English Derby of 1892 to hand show that the Australian sportsman, Mr. Daniel Cooper, has five engaged. Mr. Wanklyn, -ecretary of the Egmont Club, writes that his club has always paid the full amount advertised in stakes, making no 5 per cent deduction. A London paper says:—Mr. J. B. Leigh refused an offer of £12,000 for The Deemster shortly before his colt was beaten in the Grand Two-year-old Stakes at Kempton Park.

A Queensland exchange says : —Mr. Chine, of Esk, has a funny-looking four months old filly. She was born without a tail, and her rump and quarters are exactly like those of a native bear.

A Trainers' Association has been formed in Victoria. One of their rules is that apprentices are not to be allowed to ride for anyone without the consent of employers. The Agent, who of late has been hacked about, is to spend the remainder of his life in well-bought .and absolute ease. Mr. P. Butler is very fond of the horse, who is 17 years old this foaling. The Australian-bred Darebin is represented in the English Derby of 1892. a colt the property of Air. L. de Rothschild, and sired by the son of The Peer, having been nominated for the blue riband.

It seems strange to think, yet the facts are all the same notwithstanding (remarks an English paper), that four centuries ago more attention was paid to horseshoeing than at the present moment. The Duke of Albany and the Earl of Mar, sons of James 11. of .Scotland, procured an Act of Parliament which made the pricking of a horse highly punishable, and similar enactments were made in England. " Augur,"' who has been interviewing Mr. W. R. Wilson's string, states that the most improved of the lot, so far as appearances go, is Carbine's relative, Lady Carbine, who has grown a bit since I saw her last, and has lengthened out a little; she is just now in the best of health. She is engaged in the Maribyrnong Plate, a race in which the " Silver King" holds ii very powerful hand. Tasman is in the sale list at 1000 guineas.

STUD STROLLS. [l)Y niAETON.]

SATURDAY last found me once again wending my way along the Great South Road for the purpose of spending .an afternoon with the .Sylvia and Wellington Park Studs. On arrival at the first-named establishment, I quickly sought out Mr. Cutts, and lie kindly accompanied mo in a ramble through the paddocks. Crossing the road to an enclosure, clad in a coat of luxuriant grass, 1 renewed my acquaintance with the yearling colts that are to go up for sale in January next, and, strange to say, the first one 1 was called upon to interview was the same as on the occasion of my last visit four months back. This was the colt by Nordenfeldt from Steppe, who I found growing into a beautiful horse. He is brown in colour, and is adorned with three white fetlocks. Take him where you may, he shows great power, and a nice evenshaped back, together with a splendid set of legs, make up a youngster that will, 1 think, command some competition in January next. Like Ids illustrious relative, Tirailleur, the colt by Nordenfeldt from Florence McCarthy is bay in colour, but he is a much better looking youngster than was the New Zealand Cup winner at the same age. He possesses a capital set of legs (which, by the way, seem to be characteristic of the Nordenfeldt's), and with plenty of driving power lie stands out as one likely to make a name for himself. Our next interview was with the youngster that is popularly held to be the gem of the lot— the colt by Nordenfcldt from Nelly Moore. He is brown in colour, and seems likely to resemble his half brother Lochiel more than did either Corunna or Steadfast. He possesses a game-looking head, which is nicely set on to a good muscular neck; either to meet or to follow he shows plenty of power, and altogether a more promising youngster it would be difficult to find. The colt by Nordenfeldt from Ericyna (dam of Mitrailleuse), is a sturdy bay, showing great power, and his freedom of action impressed me very favourably. Mr. Cutts gave the colt by Nordenfcldt from Sister Agnes a splendid character for paddock form, but, so far as looks are concerned, he is in my opinion a long way behind the colts from Nelly Moore and Steppe. He is unquestionably a rare bred 'tin, for his dam, Sister Agnes, was got by Rosierucian from Penance, who in turn is a daughter of Flying Dutchman from Rosary, by Touchstone. The bay colt by Leolinus from Martini-Henry's sister, Woodnymph, looks like growing into a strapping fellow, but he certainly suffers when compared with the many good-looking Nordenfeldts with which he is located. The colt by Nordenfcldt from Atlantis is scarcely so powerful as the other youngsters sired by Nordenfcldt, and he is rather deficient in propelling power. A sturdy little fellow is the colt by Nordenfeldt from Patch, and the bay colt by St. Leger from Hippona is another youngster that looks most promising; and I was also very favourably impressed by the bay colt .by St. Leger from Radiant, who appears to be the makings of a smart horse. Crossing to another enclosure, we found the fillies, seven in number, and they had as companions the colts by Nordenfeldt from My Idea (dam of Nelson), and St. Leger from Lady Ravensworth, who were being indulged owing to being a little backward. The My Idea colt is chestnut in colour, and is of the wiry sort, and, so far as size is concerned, he will never be anything like his illustrious half-brother. The Lady Ravensworth colt is a neat-looking youngster, and when he picks up a bit more will, I think, show to advantage. The first of the fillies to come under review was the chestnut daughter of Nordenfeldt and Radiance, who is one of the thick set sort, showing great power all round, and with a splendid set of legs thrown in she should certainly prove herself a worthy relative to the speedy Quadrant. A dark chestnut filly by Nordenfeldt from Tres Deuce takes greatly after her sister, which Mr. Gollon secured at the last sale; but she scarcely shows so much size. Like all Tres Deuce's youngsters she is very evenly put together, and she seems to know how to handle herself. A filly by Leolinus from Lyre is a big lump of a mare, but she is not one of the attractive sort, and I did not tarry long with her. A beautiful filly is the chestnut daughter of St. Leger and Lady Mersey (sister to Carbine), who shows a little more size than her sister purchased at the

last sale V Mr. W. R. Wilson. The filly by Nordenfelltfromßiancaisaperfectlittlegem, and it is qpity that she does not show more size, for iitetature she will, I think, never be more than a pony. A bay filly by Leolinus from TitaJa, and a chestnut filly by Nordenfeldt front Speargrass were in the same enclosure, lut I did not get close enough to have a goodlook at them. . . . Our interiiew with the youngsters finished Mr. Cutts led the way to a beautiful enclosure, belfcd with a row of pin us lnsignis, where we fojnd Sylvia, Mersey, Nelly Moore, and Naiad, vith their foals. Mr. Cutts hart told me soni weeks previously that poor old Sylvia had token up a good deal in carrying her last foal so that I was prepared to find her unlike tie old Sylvia that I have so often caressed in my visits to Sylvia Park, .tier filly by luglnaris a nice foal, and seems very healthy. Jersey's youngster (a colt sired by NordehfekU is chestnut in colour, a white streak exteldiug right down his face, while both his hint fetlocks are also adorned with white. Hebeems a strong little fellow, and the manne in which he cantered about, though only two days old, shows that even thus early ft knows how to use his legs. _ Ketracingour steps to the main stables in order to ha* a look at Nordenfeldt, we found that Baxtei had him out for his daily exercise, but as no visit to Sylvia Park is complete witlout a look at the son of Musket, I strolled dovn the avenue to see him. I found him lolliing wonderfully well, and as he trotted romd the enclosure in the most unconcerned naniier, Mr. Cutts did not miss the opportunity of singing well-deserved pamns on the beautiful temper of the son of Musket. i From Sylvil Park I wended my way to Wellington lfirk, and being fortunate in finding Mr. Mrrin at home, 1 spent a couple of very pleaknt hours looking through the famous little Itud over which that gentleman presides. Bong anxious to have a look at the imported Castor, in order to see if he had improved siu;e I interviewed him in April last, the son tf Zealot and Lady Yardley was led out for Inspection. I anticipated that he would show a good deal of improvement, but I am Wind to admit that I never expected to see such a wonderful alteration. He has furnished into a beautiful horse, and taken altogether is one of the most blood-li animals that could be found anywhere. The youngsters wire, however.the main reason of my visit, and as the afternoon was creeping on we had to cut short our interview with Castor, and Mr. Morrin conducted me to where the yearlings were located. The filly by Nordenfeldt from Ouida was the first to come under review, and with her I was much pleased ; but, so far as looks are concerned, the " boss" of the lot appears to be the filly by Nordenfeldt from Pungawerewere. She is a slashing-looking brown, showing great power all over, and should her brother (Crackshot) fulfil predictions in the spring, there will I ot>ine be great competition for his sister. The chestnut filly by Nordenfeldt from Victoria, is one of the neat sort that come to hand early, and being a very evenly-cast youngster is full of promise. Necklace's bay daughter, sired by St. Leger, I think will turn out a better one than resulted from her union with Sword Dance, for she is a very compact youngster. The grey filly by Cantivator from Vivandiere, is a sturdy young lady. She shows a good deal of power, and though her colour is somewhat against her, I fancy that she will turn out well. The colts were in another enclosure, and I experienced no difficulty in fixing the identity of the colt by Nordenfeldt from Albatross, for in many respects he takes greatly after his relative Teksum. He is very powerful all over, and a good set of legs makes up a most promising youngster. The colt by Nordenfeldt from Frailty is without doubt a fine fellow, and like all the daughter of Goldborough's youngsters he is most evenly put together. He shows all the great power that is such a characteristic in the Musket family, and with a set of legs like steel hats, the competition for him in December next will, 1 predict, be of a very spirited character. A bay colt by Leolinus from Maid of Athol is somewhat better looking than the son of Caterer's gets usually are as youngsters, and he stands out as a very promising customer. In another enclosure I found Frailty and Maid of Athol, with their foals. Frailty's youngster (a colt by Nordenfeldt), who was scarcely a week old, came running up to meet us as we entered his domain, and it was quite a pretty sight to see the little fellow with his owner's arm around his neck strutting round the enclosure. Mr. Morrin has wisely decided to send Frailty again to Nordenfeldt, and so long as the son of Musket remains here it is quite clear that he will always have a powerful advocate in the owner of the Wellington Park stud, to whose entire judgment may be attributed Auckland's possession of that splendid young sire.

CARRYING OUT TUB RULES. TO Til!: SPOUTING KDITOIt. Sir,— is with much pleasure, I notice that the Committee of tin? Metiouolitan Club has decided to take a tinu stand by throwing out theOnehunga Racing Club's programme, for there can be no doubt that a flagrant breach of Rule '21 has been committed. In April last, the Committee of the Auckland Racing Club unanimously passed a resolution to the effect that no programme should again be passed which contained a pony trotting race. As an answer to this the Auckland Trotting Club w.is brought into existence, and a meeting held on the same racecourse as that on which the Onehunga Racing Club's meeting had previously taken place. This might have been overlooked ; but when it is put forth that the same programme is again to be ondeavouied to be brought oft' this season, it is high time for the Committee of the .Metropolitan Club to take some action in order to guide other clubs from getting into a like difficulty. To have passed the Onehunga programme would have created a precedent, the results of which would have been to the great detriment of legitimate sport in this district; anil it is satisfactory to find that the interested parties who " run " so many of the country meetings about Auckland, are for once horn tic combat. It has been a matter of no small surprise to me, and no doubt many others, to find persons, whose duty it should be to ever keep a watchful eye on this salient rule, (21st) " bearing-up" for the passing of the Onehunga Racing Club's programme; and this gives rise to the question as to whether matters have not progressed to a stage when the Committee of the Auckland Racing Club should again insist on their officers being thoroughly unconnected with country clubs.—l am, etc. Auckland, .Sept. 12, 1890. MEMBER A.R.C.