SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8472, 24 January 1891, 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.

RACING FIXTURES. New Zealand. January 22.—Foxton Jockey Club. .January 29, Takapuna Jockey Club. January 29.—Turakina .Jockey Club. January 29— Waikato Pony and Trotting Club. February 12—Whitford Park Racing Club. March 6—Helensville Rices. March 17— Cambridge Jockey Club. March 17,18—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. March 24, Napier Park Racing Club. March 30, Auckland Racing Club. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. W.S., Mount Edon.— Tftkapu (9st 'lb) won the Steeplechase at the Takapuna Jockey Club's Jubilee Meeting last year, beating Kossiter (lust 41b), Messenger (list 21b), Recruit (lOst 71b), and Larrikin (9st 71b). Wager, Te Awamutu.— largest amount won in stakes in one season by the horses belonging to the late Hon. J. White, was in ISB7-88 ; riz., £10,723. J. M.—Gibraltar was got by Grandmaster from Algeria by Blinkhoolie. He only beat Gatliug a head in the A. J.C. Derby, the time for which race was 2m. S9s. Monitor, Gisborne.—l. Cuirassier started twico as a four-year-old. 2. Merrie England was got by St. George ; Sultan by Apremont. Nordenfeldt was sold as a yearling for 1200 guineas, and at the close of his racing career he was re-purchased by the Now Zealand Stud Company for 2000 guineas. THE NEWMARKET HANDICAP AND AUSTRALIAN CUP. [BY I'HAETOX. I With the weights for the Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup before th«m turfites have now plenty to engross their attention for the next five weeks, and as these two important events have invariably given rise to a good deal of speculation in Auckland, we may expect to see the interest well maintained on the present occasion, especially if Tirailleur, Crackshot, and St. Andrew should make the journey. THE NEWMARKET HANDICAP. St. lb. St. lb. Cuirassier ... 9 8 Dilisk 710 Tirailleur ... 9 8 Deerswick ... 710 Bungebah ... 9 3 La Rose ... 710 The Admiral... 9 3 Radoo 7 10 Megaphone ... 9 2 Fiancee ... 7 9 Teksum ... 9 1 Promised Land 7 8 Churchill ... 9 1 Harbour Light 7 8 Too Soon ... 9 0 Gold Reef ... 7 8 Marvel 8 13 Doncaster ... 7 7 Richelieu ... 813 Forest King ... 7 7 Correze ... 8 12 Ronald 7 7 Victor Hugo ... 8 11 Cooyle... ... 7 6 Gladstone ... 811 Despised ... 7 6 Crackshot ... 811 Portland ... 7 6 Don Giovan ... 8 11 Lady Golightly 7 6 Merriment ... S 11 Savant 7 C Whimbrel ... Sll Magdala ... 7 6 Clonard ... 811 Montrose ... 7 6 Aunesley ... 8 9 Loyalist ... 7 5 Bothwell ... 8 S Master Walter 7 5 The Serf ... S 8 Utter 7 5 Vengeance ... 8 8 Epi 7 5 Essex 8 8 Wild Rose ... 7 5 The Spot ... 8 8 The Loon ... 7 5 Umslopogaas... 8 8 Swertha ... 7 5 Tourbillion* ... 8 8 Tennyson ... 7 5 St. Andrew ... 8 7 Havillah ... 7 4 Magic Circle ... 8 7 Nerissa ... 7 4 Beudigo ... S 6 Jewboy ... 7 4 Litigant ... 8 6 Casuist 7 4 Carrington ... 8 6 Proh I'udor ... 7 4 Insignia ... 8 6 Don John ... 7 3 Pygmalion ... 8 5 Winifred ... 7 3 Greygown ... 8 5 Lady Lovel ... 7 3 Simpleton ... 8 5 Gaudy 7 3 Chaldean ... 8 4 Highlander ... 7 2 Little Bob ... 8 4 Mazepane ... 7 0 King William 8 4 Aspenleaf ... 7 0 Elsie 8 3 Thought ... 7 0 Mikado ... 8 2 Toastmaster ... 6 12 Matador ... 8 2 Ehvorthy ... 6 11 Highborn ... 8 1 Lavender ... 610 Silver Prince... S 0 Daniel 6 10 Prattler ... 7 13 Florencella ... 6 10 Renata 7 13 Concert ... 6 8 Liuburn ... 7 12 Calm 6 8 Propouuder ... 7 12 Buffalo Bill ... 6 8 Investigator ... 7 12 Egyptian ... 6 8 Teuton ... 7 12 Town Talk ... 6 7 Amina 7 12 Sunspot ... 6 7 Fernando ... 7 12 Faiim 6 7 Ginger 711 Sunbeam ... 6 7 Stamboul ... 7 11 Courteous ... 6 7 St. George ... 711 I- "rer ... 6 7 Enuc ... ... 7 10 Mota 6 7 Wilga 7 10 Choice 6 7 Cooramin ... 7 10 * Scratched. With 113 horses engaged in this event, it must be admitted that the task of unearthing the winner is a most difficult one, and the fact of several of the horses being also engaged in the Australian Cup renders the question even more involved. Cuirassier (9st 81b) has been weighted fully up to his deserts, bur thoroughly himself, he will, I think, run very prominently. Tirailleur (9st Sib) is unquestionably a speedy customer, but I doubt very much whether Mr. Gollan will send him across the water to measure strides with the Australians under such a severe impost. Bungebah cleared out a field 0f23 in the Epsom Handicap (one mile) at the A.J.C. Spring Meeting, and as he j beat the speedy Megaphone by something like seven lengths in the clipping time of lm. 405., he has demonstrated that lie possesses a great dash of pace; but 9st 31b does not make him bear an attractive appearance. Too Soon (9st) won the (Jarrington Stakes with such ease under only Bll> less in very fast time, that he must be reckoned amongst the dangerous division. The Admiral (9st 31b) lias an engagement in the St. Leger, and he can, I think, with safety be left out of calculations. Megaphone (Ost 21b) is such a consistent fellow, and can muster up such an amount of pace that he fully warrants the label dangerous being placed opposite his name; and, considering the two doughty victories recorded by Teksum in the Railway Handicap and Yan Yuan Stakes at the V.R.C. Spring Meeting, in which races he carried Bsi olb and Bst I lib respectively home in front, he cannot lie considered out of it with 9st lib. The next that seems to me to stand out dangerous is Correze (Bst 121b). That the son of Newminster has brilliancy to recommend him there can be no question, and should the parties behind him slip him for this race, I think lie will be found finishing in the first flight. The Serf (Bst Sib) won the Maiden Plate at the V.R.C. Spring Meeting like a racehorse, and as the last six furlongs was cut out in something like 1.16 my judgI ment directs me to put a mark opposite his i name. St. Andrew (Bst 71b) has a great dash of pace, but whether Mr. Ormond will care about throwing down the gauntlet at Flemington remains to be seen. Bendigo (Sst 61b) reads well, for in the Railway Stakes won by Teksum at the V.R.C. Spring Meeting he met the son of Musket on even terms (Bst olb), and ran him to a short half length, the six furlongs being cue out in the clipping time of 1.15|a. Subsequently he was purchased by the Hon. Mr. Wallace for 700 guineas, and it will perhaps be as well for backers to remember that Bendigo is in the same stable as Megaphone. Greygown (Sst olb) is by all accounts a very speedy customer, and considering the one-horse show he made of the Bagot Handicap, run at Flemington on New Year's Day, it must be admitted that Mr. Barnard has treated him most mercifully. Matador (Bst 21b3) would have a great show if he could be got to the post in his best form, but he has been too long an invalid for much hope to exist in that respect. Enuc (7st 101b) and Wilga (7st 101b) have each shown themselves to be possessed of pace ; but of those in that division nothing pleases me so much as Fiancee (7sfc 91b), a three-year-old daughter of Marvellous, who distinguished herself at Randwick on Boxing Day by winning the Flying Handicap (six furlongs), beating a large field in the splendid tune of lm. 15s. Fiancee is in T. Payten's stable, and is therefore sure to be well supported before the day. Amongst the light-weights there is a great crowd of rubbish, the best of which appears to me to be Loyalist (7st 51b), and Casuist (7st 4lbr-> _ To pick eight out to furnish the winner, the following appear to me to be the most worthy of support:—Cuirassier, Megaphone, Teksum, Correze, The Serf, Bendigo, Greygown, and Fiancee. THE AUSTRALIAN CUP. St. lb. St. lb. Carbine? ... 10 12 Swing 7 9 Melos 9 7 Fernando ... 7 9 Tirailleur ... 9 6 The Crash ... 7 8 Cuirassier ... 9 0 Jebusite ... 7 8 The Admiral ... 8 7 The Lawyer ... 7 S Lyndhurst ... 8 7 ' Escutcheon ... 7 8 Megaphone ... 8 7 Catling 7 8 Richelieu ... 8 6 Lottie 7 7 Crackshot ... 8 5 The Masher ... 7 7 Gibraltar ... 8 3 Highborn ... 7 6 Correze ... 8 3 King William 7 6 Murielt ... 8 1 Litigant ... 7 6 Beuzon 8 0 Stamboul ... 7 4 Chintz 7 13 Dilisk 7 4 Tantallon ... 713 Enuc 7 4 Tarcoola ... 7 13 Cooramin ... 7 3 Vengeance ... 713 Crown Jewel... 7 0 Greygown ... 712 Ronald 7 0 Whimbrel ... 712 Forest King ... 610 Prince Consort 7 12 Portland ... 6 10 Annesley ... 711 Pioneer ... 610 The Spot ... 711 Plenty 6 9 Little Bernie... 710 Burlesque ... 6 7 Whakawai ... 710 Pingara ... 6 7 The Serf ... 7 10 Calm 6 7 t Scratched.

Under exactly the same weight (9st 71b) a3 he has in this race, Melos was considered to possess a great chance of winning the last

Melbourne Cup, but he ran rather disappointingly, and the figure that he cut in the Tattersall's Cup run at Randwick on New Year's Day. in which he carried 9st 71b, he was found buried in the ruck at the finish ;, but, either from being out of sorts or some other cause, it was very clear that the son of Goldsbrough's form was altogether wrong. That he can get two miles and a quarter there is not a particle of doubt, as last year in the race under review he was only beaten a short head by Dreadnought, on which occasion the son of Chester cut the record for two miles and a-quarter. Cuirassier (9st) may have a show ; but The Admiral will require to be as good as any three-year-old we have seen to win under Bst 71b, and I much prefer the chance of Gibraltar (Bst 31b). With slb less than he is now asked to carry Correzo cut down the mile and three-quarters' record in the V.R.C Handicap to 3'3, and as he finished third in the Melbourne Cup, I see no reason to doubt his ability to stay the longer journey. Greygown (7st 121b) is decidedly well treated, though I must admit I am not one of his admirers for a long journey, for, speaking from memory, I cannot call to mind one single, instance where his parent (Vespasian) can lay claim to having sired a stayer duriiie ,thewhole time he was at the stud. Of those lower clown the list The Lawyer (7st 81b), Highborn (7st 61b), and Enuc (7st 41b) stand out well ; and the four that find most favour in my eyes are Melos, Gibraltar, Megaphone, and Enuc.

The second forfeit is due on the 19th of February. '

NOTES BY PHAETON. THE WELLINGTON COP.

The big event run at the Empire city on Thursday last resulted in a most complete surprise, the whole of the placed horses — Cynisca, Boulanger. and St. Andrew — coming from the ranks of the outside division. Last week, when summing-up the question, I spent some considerable tune in weighing up Cynisca's chance, for a reference to records showed that when she won the same race last year from Dudu and company, she got over the mile and a-balf in ■2*39J; but her form' this season had so tar been so very, inferior, and the fact that little could be ascertained as to her condition, I considered it advisable to leave her out of calculations. The feature of the race was the inglorious figure cut by Crackshot, who was generally considered to have a real " good thing" on hand. From the account of the race the son of Nordenfeldt never appears to have been prominent at any portion of the journey ; and, as he finished fifth, his form is a downright contradiction to that which he displayed at Auckland. Of course there are plenty ready to suggest that Crackshot did not spin in earnest, and that either the Dunedin or Australian Cups will be his journey ; but I happen to know positively that the horse was backed by his owner, who was of opinion that he could win easily. Some idea of the favouritism shown for Craekshot may be gathered from the fact that of £2022 invested oh the totalisators, £799 was on the son of Nordenfeldt. Cynisca, the winner, who is a daughter of Apremont and Nautilus, is the property of Mr. George Hunter. M.H.R. As a two-year-old, she proved herself one of the fastest fillies racing in New Zealand, but she went all to pieces after her victory in the Wellington Cup last year, and her win on Thursday last is, I think, the first time she has claimed the attention of the judge since she last year recorded her victory at the Hutt over Dudu and others. THE DUNEDIN CUP. BMb. st.lb. Crackshot.. .. 810 Prime Warden .. 7 3 Hilda .. ..8 9 Reprisal .. .. 7 1 Occident .. ..8 9 Patchwork.. „ 7 ft Freedom .. ..S3 Queen Trumps .. 0 9 Wolverine.. ..8 0 Gipsy Prince ..6 5 Crucliti-Id .. .. 7 S Assyrian King ..0 5 An acceptance of twelve for the Dunedin Cup is quite as many as I expecced to find left in the Southern race, and of this number Hilda, Reprisal, and Patchwork hail from Auckland. Crackshot's inferior display in the Wellington Cup does not augur well for his success in the race under review; but I shall be quite prepared to hear of an excuse being extended for his backward running, and it may be found that he again struck himself 'is lie is said to have done in many of his previous races. Hilda is, I learn from Mr. Morrill, doing splendidly, and has picked up a good deal from the effects of the severe gruelling she got at the A.R.C. Meeting. With Bst 91b opposite her name, the consistent but unlucky daughter of Musket reads very well; and fit and well on the day she may be depended on co finish very close to the winner. Occident (Bst 91b) is pronounced in.some quarters to be the pick of the handicap - K but at present I certainly am not of that view, From Chcistchurch I learn that Freedom* is going on vetiy satisfactorily, and summed up on his running in the lug, lie ought to have a show (with Bst 31b. rime Warden (7st 31b) won a couple of races at the Wellington Meeting on Tuursday; but I fancy he is a bit outclassed in a Cup field. All things considered Hilda reads to me very dangerous, and those who support the daughter of Musket for a place and a win are, I fancy, making judicious investments. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. In accordance with an agreement entered into with Mr. T. Morriii, Mr. D. O'Brien has sent up to Auckland the stallion Tasman, together with the brood nitres Rubina, Rose and Black, and Moonray, and they have taken up their quarters at Mount Wellington. Old Tasman looks the picture of health, but he has not furnished so much as 1 should have thought. Of the brood mares. Rubina is unquestionably the pick, and in the daughter of Kiugsborough and Etiquette Mr. O'Brien possesses a really beautiful mare, that should leave her mark in the Stud Book.

At the sale of Hobartville yearlings on Wednesday last the youngsters sired by Musket's son Trenton were the most eagerly sought after, and realised the highest prices. Mr. \V. R. Wilson, of Victoria, who, I may remark, is now the owner of Trenton, purchased the most costly lota colt by Trenton from I'aquita for 000 guineas. From whatever cause the yearlings bred in Australia do not command such a high price as in Maoriland, which is no doubt in a great measure due to the youngsters bred in Maoriland being more fully developed.

The imported stallion Leolinus lias been through many hands since lie left Sylvia Park last year. lie first of all passed into Mr. T. Williamson's hands at 40 guineas ; and at 100 guineas that gentleman transferred him to Mr. L. 1). Nathan. At Wellington Park last month the old son of Caterer was again brought under the hammer, and at 20 guineas he was knocked down to Mr. J. iVluir, of Papakura, from whom he was purchased a few days after by Mr. R. Williams for 27 guineas, finally passing into Mr. A. Austin's hands at 30 guineas. Such are the vicissitudes of an imported sire whose cost to Mr. Stead a decade back was, it is under stood, not less than four figures.

lii the course of a conversation " Sir Launoelot" had recently with Mr. Stead, the rumoured retirement of the latter from the turf came up, and notwithstanding that the Canterbury sportsman had recently added to his string by the purchase of yearlings, he states that he lias not changed his mind in the matter, and that he will dispose of his horses as opportunity offers. Mr. Stead stated that during his visit to Auckland Medallion and LeV>el were put under offer at a fail figure, but that no business' resulted. "Sir Launcelot" concludes thus : —" It may be remarked en pcutaanl that Mason (Mr. Stead's trainer) complains bitterly of the treatment Mr. Stead's horses have received .from the handicappera wherever they have been entered throughout New Zealand while they have been under his charge. As an instance of this, tiie registered owner of the yellow jacket has not during the past two years won a single handicap under Sir. Evitt's adjustments, and for three years past he has not" won a handicap worth 'iOOsovs. in the South Island." It would be interesting ',o know how many times during the period named Mr. Stead's horses have come under Mr. Evitt's hands. Methinks the number would be found to be few, and when they have been starters—or perhaps it would be more correct to say now-sttti'teis— I don't think Mr. Evitt would have the worst of the argument if a discussion took place on the ill-treatment that they are supposed to have received at his hands.

Even before the weights were declared, i' never anticipated that Carbine would fulfil his engagement,in the Australian Cup, and it was therefore no surprise to me to learn that the Hon. Mr, Wallace had put the pen through his name. On the running in the Melbourne Cup, in which race Carbine carried 10.it 51b, and won easily in phenomenally fast time, Mr. Barnard did not treat him unmercifully iu the longer distance race, for while lie gave him 71b more than the impost under which he won the Melbourne Cup, lie at the same time raised Highborn and Correze, his nearest attendants in that race, 1211» and 141b respectively. From Flemuigton training notes to hand tins week X gather that Carbine continues to stride along in splendid style. " Asniodeus," in the Leader, says:—'"The champion never looked more robust or in bigger heait than he is at present, and is just tit to go into any sort of work, to engage in an international contest with the great Sheen, Salvator, or any other foreign celebrity who would be disposed to break a lance with him. I fancy the weight of Australian gold would lead to a shade of odds being laid on Carbine against any opponent that England or America could pit against him." Hilda and Cissy leave for Duncdin by the s.s. Te Anau on Friday' next, and Reprisal and Fiesole will probably follow by next steamer.

I had often spent spare moments in searching for the price Mr. Fitz Wentworth paid for old Sylvia when he purchased the famous daughter of Fisherman from Mr. Hurtle Fisher, but without success. Commenting on the break-up of the New Zealand Stud Company's establishment, " Augur," of the Australasian, mentions 2650 guineas as the price paid for the mare. The 2300 guineas paid for Mersey (dam of Carbine) and her colt A foal by Nordenfeldt is, therefore, only- entitled to a secondary place in # the list of high-priced mares in Australasia.

Notwithstanding St. Andrew's inferior displays in the Auckland Cup and A.R.C. Handicap, in both of which races he clearly showed himself to be a non-stayer, Mr. Ormond gave the son of St. Leger another chance of redeeming his character in the Wellington Cup ; but, though leniently treated with 7st 71b, the result was the same. From the fact of his name being missing from the list of acceptors for the Dunedin Cup, Mr. Ormond is evidently now convinced that his horse cannot stay, and he will most likely be confined to sprint courses in future. The Middle Park sire Apremont has had many cruel things said about him, but he managed to put up a splendid record at the ■ Wellington Meeting on Thursday, his descendants, Prime Warden (2), Cynisca, and Lullaby winning four out of the seven events on the programme.

Mr. R. Williams, who assisted Mr. Samuel Hordern's representatives, Messrs. May and Day, in securing several oi the choice lots at the Sylvia Park sale, thin week received a letter from Mr. Day, in which that gentleman states that Nordenfeldt and the yearlings taken over by the Waihora to Sydney had a splendid passage. Acting under instructions Mr. Wil'iams has withdrawn the yearlings from all their New Zealand engagements.

The Takapuna Jockey Club's meeting on Thursday and Saturday next promises to furnish two of the best afternoon's sport that has ever ; been brought off at that popular place of resort. The acceptances tor the various events will be found in another column. .

George Wright is evideutly determined to lose no time in teaching the youngsters under his charge their education, as Brown Alice (by Nordenfcldt—Ouida), the St. Leger— Necklace filly, and the Nordenfelt— filly, have thus early all been broken in. Mr. Percival informs me that the Katikati and Te Puke programmes have not been passed by the A R.C., and therefore horses taking part at those gatherings are liable to disqualification At the Grey mouth Jockey Club's Midsummer Meeting, the Auckland-bred Dollar ran second to Quibble for the Railway Stakes on the first day ; but on the second day she landed a double—the Brunner'Stakes of 40 sovs and the Flying Handicap*of 25sovs. In the course of some comments on the in-and-out running of Crackshot and Medallion, the Canterbury Times says : —" Where there is no obvious- reason for a horse's failure to run up to his public form, the stewards should in a friendly manner afford the owner an opportunity to make an explanation. This would be. a privilege to honest sportsmen and a terror to evil-doers." The annual race meeting at Whitford Park has been fixed to take place on the 12th February. The programme consists of seven events, the principal one of which is the Whitford Cup of 25sovs. Nominations are due on the 30th inst.

Silver Prince, the half-brother to MartiniHenry, has once more been put into training, and figures as the nomination of Mr. W. Lang in the Newmarket Handicap. From the training notes in the Melbourne Sportsman I take the following "Silver Prince went so unkindly that he had to be followed by a boy on Stornaway armed with a stockwhip, which made the ill-tempered son of Anijros shift along smartly." It seems to be the general opinion that Steadfast, the two-year-old son of Norden* feldt and Nelly Moore, for whom Mr. \V. R. Wilson paid 1050 guineas, but who has run rather disappointingly, will show a great alteration as a ear-old. It is a wellknown fact that Jsordenfehlt was such a terrible slug at two years old that it was determined not to race him at that age. What sort of a three-year-old was he?

The Canterbury Times says : —" Mr. Stead has received an offer of 3000 guineas for Maxim, but we fancy a much larger sum would be required to secure the great son of Musket." Maxim was got by Musket from Realisation, and was purchased as a yearling at Sylvia Park in 18S5 for 220 guineas. He never raced after he put down old Nelson in the Canterbury Cup of 1887, and this is his first season at the stud. . 4 "Augur " writes':—"Since the .days When Messrs. Charles and Hurtle Fisher 'spent their hjoney so freely on the purchase 'of thorouvihbred stock, we have had no such spirited sportsman in Victoria as Mr. \V. R. Wilson. During the short time that he has been in this colony he has spent over £100,(XX) in the purchase of a stud, and sires and mares in England and the. colonies. In Trenton, Mr. Wilson has at St. Albans one of Musket's very best sons, and no doubt he will be selected to mate with Mersey, the dam of Carbine. There is no reason why he should not be as successful a sire as Musket or Nordenfeldt. for lie possesses all the attributes of a great racehorse, and if he beget a good many like himself, then he will do the State valuable service."

The Sydney police authorities continue to institute a vigorous crusade against private totalisators, the majority of which, it is stated, tire unblushing swindles. Recently six men were fined £50 each and costs and £KX) and costs, for running totalisators on their premises. The alternative in the first eases was three months, and in the last six months.

Mr. .Stead admits that the totalisator bus proved detrimental to the interests of professional horse-owners, but in his opinion non-professional horseowners and the public have benefited by its introduction into racing circles, as it has tended to honest racing by providing stakes worth running for, and at the same time offering no inducement for collusion.

" Rata," the chatty correspondent of the Otago Witness, says : —" Even colour has a lot to do with the constitution of horses—at anyrate it is frequently a good gauge, and no doubt a scientific knowledge of the effects of animal colour has had a deal to do with the present decline and corruption of art. Grey horses, for instance, are rarely good ; when you get a good grey you may get a really good one, but you cannot get one good one in ten from similar breeding, and in bays, chestnuts, and blacks you can invariably average live good ones in ten from like breeding, the mating being practically done. Piebalds are commonly soft; they are worse than greys. A good many people like piebalds for trap and carriage work, especially if they be high stepping and handsomely put together, and in a trap with a girl at the ribbons a pair of good-actioned piebalds look all right, bat for show of any kind you cannot beat bays, blacks, or dark chestnuts." Mr. Samuel Hordern, on whose behalf Nordenfeldt was purchased at the recent Sylvia Park sale, must be a very wealthy man, as a Sydney writer is informed that the profits from his business last year amounted to the large sum of £180,000.

" Musket," in New Zealand Mail, says :— " If I may be permitted to hazard one guess it is this: Mr. R. J. Mason will start trailing in Australia, and a syndicate, with Mr. (i. G. Stead as chief, will supply him with horses. Yaldhurst will be turned into a stud farm, and Mr. Dan Roberts, an old and faithful servant of Mr. Stead's, will preside there, and New Zealand racing will be almost entirely given up, as it will not pay. \Ve shall see. '■ This is, of course, pure speculation on my part." Old Silvio last week passed into the hands of Mr. N. Dickey for £20, and the little son of Izaak Walton has been taken up to Paeroa.

The Steeplechaser, The Artist, who Mr. R. Williams took over to Sydney a couple of years ago, and sold him there for £200, was knocked down for 8 guineas recently in Melbourne.

It 18 stated that 6 to 4 would even thus early' be accepted to any amount about Carbine's ability to win the Champion Stakes, but even money is the best offer.

Prior to the declaration of the weights for the Newmarket Handicap, Cuirassier was quoted favourite at 1000 to 30. Vasistas, for whom Baron de Hirsch gave i'SOOO, after sou of Hermit won the Grand Prix de Paris, in June last, has proved himself a very costly purchase, as he has not won a single event since changing hands. Sainfoin is generally regarded as one of the worst horses that ever won the Einriish Derby. Captain Machell, who, for the last thirty years, has been one of the leading spirits of the English turf, is in delicate health, and lias gone to winter iu Egypt. Five hundred and twenty-two jockeys are registered under the Victoria Racing Club rules.

1 lie great Canadian jumping horse Rosefaery has beaten the record again, by clearing 7 feet 1? inches at the Chicago Horse Show in November.

hov the Kempton Park Great Breeders' Stakes of 1893, the Australian sportsman, Mr. Daniel Cooper, has nominated seven mares. The Rotorua Jockey Club intend holding their annual race meeting on the 26th February, when £100 will be given in prize money. " Freelance" wisely observes : " Cuirassier is by many people regarded as the budding Carbine, but surely he ought to have budded and blossomed long before this if there were nothing wrong with the soil or gardening in the district where he is now planted." Carbine is the. name given to a winning two-year-old at home that claims Musketry, a daughter of Musket, for his dam.

" UNFAIR HANDICAPPING." TO THE SPOKTING EDITOR. Sir,l notice in last Saturday's issue a letter from "J. Mutland," relative to what lie calls the unfair handicapping by Mr. Knight of his horse Parnell, in the Takapuna Steeplechase. I say his horse, as at present they run under that now, de course, at the same time it is an acknowledged fact that another gentleman in the medital line also has a share iu Parnell, and several other hor es running under the same name. . But, to hark back, I fail to see where the hardship has occurred over this particular race, and I must certainly say the so-called " Mr. Maitland" has failed to prove his case. Mr. Maitland goes fully into the performances of the Irish Leaden, and further says the horse has exposed his' true and best form. Possibly so ; but the P"blic merely have the ipse dixit of " Mr. J. Maitland" for the truth of the statement. Mr. Knight, evidently thinks nut, and, as he is a disinterested party, his handicapping cannot be said_ to be unfair on the mere word and opinion of an interested' party or parties. As the subject of unfair handicapping is under consideration, and only called in question by interested parties perhaps Mr. Maitland'and his first lieute <- ant would kindly supply a detailed list of the horses owned and run by them, at the same time state how often they were going the whole rupee," and how often they were, what is known to racing men, running "stiff," or, in other word-*, merely out for an airing to try and hoodwink the handicapper. I'll be bound to say the public would receive "an eye-opener," and at once come to the conclusion that Mr. Knight was not quite so unfair as Mr. Maitland would have them believe. I notice also, Sir, in an evening contemporary, that Mr. Maitland calls the attention of the public to the unfair handicapping of the horse " Ma Boughal" in the Maiden Plate at T>kapnna, comparing it with the weight allotted "Orakei," which siid horse he states bea "Ma Boug'l" easily at Whangarei. The old adago creeps in again, " Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." Perhaps Mr. Maitland will inform the public if the trainer of "Ma Bough .1" backed " Orakei" on the totalisator in the said race at Whangarei. I trust, Sir, Mr. Maitland will favour us again on the subject, as I shall be delighted to crass swords w.th him relative to the unfair handicapp ng of his horses. I don't forget the abusive language to Mr. Knight, relative to his unfair handicapping of Caoella in two racesstrange t'> say, both of which she won. borne owners and some trainers in Auckland appear to think that they have a perfect right to use foulmouthed, abusive language, to the handicapper or starter, if the handicapping, starting, and tilling is not exactly in accord with their ideas. I can assure them there is tiouble in store for the next offender. Some other owners of jumping horses are also squeaking about unfair handicapping, but the public may rest assured when a number of owners and trainers are all squeaking about th« same race that it will be for once an " open race," viz., hard to pick—not one of Mr. Maitland's celebrated "Morals." In case the public should not know what a " Moral" is in racing parlance, I would inform them, it is what Mr. Maitland and other squeakers would call "Fair handicapping," and enables them to obtain the majority of the public money invested on the totalis itor, or perhaps in a selling race they have a moral of anotuer kin ■ and know what could lie second, consequently Lhey run their own horse .second and back the other owner's horse, which they have a lowed to win, and as half the mouey which the first horse fetches goes to the second, the unfortunate owner of the winner loses Ids horse. I think that's about the correct pill. Eh, doctor ! at least report says it was so over the " Irish Leader." In conclusion, with ninny others, I think the Takaiiuna Jockcv Club ire to be congratulated on having a fearless mid fair handicapper, who does not pull in with owners and trainers as has too of.en oeen the case, if all we hear is only half true, in the past.— am, Ac, Kx-Committeeman. Auckland, January 23.