SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8986, 17 September 1892, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES.

New Zealand. , September 17-Aucklind Racing Club. ' September 15, South Canterbury Jockey Club. September 24—Aucklwid Trotting Club. September 29, 80-Geraldine Jockey Club. October 3, 4—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. October B—Waikato Hunt Club. October 11, 12—Napier Park Racing Club. October 18.19- Poverty Bay Turf Club. October 22—Pakuranga Hunt Club October 20, 21—Wanganui Jockey Club. November 8, 9,12— Canterbury Jockey Club. November 9,Auckland Racing Club. November 29, 30, December Dunedin Jockey Club. December 16, South Auckland Racing Club. December 26Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. December, 27, 81— Auckland Trotting Club. December 26, January 1, 2— Auckland Racing Club. January Napier Park Racing Club. January 13,14—South AucKlaud Racing Club. January Canterbury Jockey Club. March 22, Napier Park Racing Club. April 1, Canterbury Jockey Club. April 1, 3 -Auckland Racing Club. Australia. September 17— Australian Jockey Club. October B, ls—Victoria Amateur Turf Club. October 29, November 1, 3, 6—Victoria Racing Club. .

DATES OF COMING EVENTS. October Hawke's Bay Guinea*. October Oaulfleld Guineas. Octob r Cesarewitch Stakes. October 15—CaulBeld Cup. October Cambridgeshire Stake*. October 29—V. R. C. Derby. November I—Melbourne Cup. November S—New Zealand Cup. December 20—Auckland Cup. January I—Great Northern Derby.

SIRES OF THE SEASON. Cuirassier, by Musket—Frailty. ST. Leger, by Doncaster—Atlantis. Tasman, by St. Albans—Zillah. HOrCHKISS, by Musket—Petroleuse. Castor, by Zealot—Lady Yanlley. Brigadier, by Musket—Puugawcrewer*. Paddy's Land, by Ascetic— Maymorn. Hippocampus, by Dainty Ariel— Fanny Fisher, GRIP, by SlandererAwatea. -McHkatu, by Carissiou. REPORT, by Musket—Bryonia. Planet, by Hippocampus— Dishonour, by Captivator— Maid of Honour Howitzer, by Musket—Titania. Bryan O'Lynn, by Handwick—Rosalie. Cannon, by Musket— of At hoi. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Viator.—You must be labouring under a misapprehension. We have looked over the National Hunt Rules, and can find no mention of an allowance of 71b to amateur riders. G. H., Oiienunga.— 1. Maxim's time when he won the C.J.C. Derby was 2m. 40J>.; Manton's, 2m. 40s. 2. Nelson was twice defeated in the Canterbury Cup, viz., by Artillery in ISotJ and by Maxim in ISB7 AUCKLAND.— English rule with reference to jockeys' fees reads: "In the absence of speci al agreement to ride for a lower sum, the fee of a winning jockey shill be £5 ss, and to a losing jockey £3 3s, and no furth- r charge shall he made except when requested to ly ive home for the purpose of riding, iu which case the cost of travelling expenses, and £1 a day for living, shall be charged lo the owner, or between the owners, at whose request he lest home. H. H., Petone.—By the omission of Correze'a name it appeared that the only three-year-olds that hail secured a place in the Melbourne Cup since 3883 were The Austialian Peer and StratUniore. "Correze finished third in 1890 to Carbine and Highborn. Ehoa, Otahuhu.—The New Zealand Cup was instituted in 1883. The following is a list of the winners:—Tasman (Sst 9lb), Vanguard (B<t 9lb), Fusillade (6st 71b', Spade Guinea itfst 101t»), Lochiei (7st 121b), Manton (.list lulb), Tirailleur (est Sib), Wolverine (est lllb>, British Lion (Cat lllb). The race has been won three times by a three-year-old, viz., Fusillade, Manton, and Tirailleur. AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S FIRST SPRING MEETING. [BY PHAETOS.] The A.R.C. inaugurate the season to-day at Elierslie ; and with every promise of the club being favoured with line weather, the gathering will no doubt attract a large attendance, as there is plenty of material in the items set down for decision to furnish a capital afternoon's sport. The programme opens with the Trial Handicap (seven furlongs), in which race I think The Dancer will get home first. The Hurdle Race (one mile and three-quarters) follows, and here I think Stepper should prove the hardest to beat. In the September Handicap (one mile and a-quarter) Mr. Evett appears to have pretty well concealed the winner. I think that St. Hippo will prove the hardest to beat, and he may hud his most dangerous opponent in Ida. The Juvenile Plate (four furlongs) is rather difficult to deal with, for three out of the six entrants hail from Wright's establishment. However, I fancy that in naming Acone to supply the winner, I shall not be found to be far wrong. The Steeplechase (about three, miles) on paper looks pretty open. If the Colonel could be depended upon to run as good a race as he did in April last, when he finished second to Hune for the Autumn Steeplechase, he would unquestionably take a great amount of beating ; but I am inclined to favour the chance of Ingarangi most, as lie is a very sure fencer and a good stayer. The result of the September Handicap may be expected to throwsome little light on the Flying Handicap (six furlongs) ; but whatever beats Quadrant will probably supply the winner. The following are the acceptances and entries in connection with the racing :— Trial Handicap, of 50sovs. Seven furlongs. St. lb. St. lb. The Dancer ..9 0 Warrior .. ..7 0 Master Pat ..7 11 Dorothy .. ..6 9 Yattaghan.. .. 7 9 Sharper .. ..6 7 Handicap Hurdles, of 70sovs. One mile and three-quarters. st lb. St. lb. Stepper .. .. 10 0 Sandy Muir ..9 0 Te Kooti .. .. 910 lJusiiiess .. ..9 0 Cloth of Gold ..9 8 Potentate.. ..9 0 Onslow .. .. 9 7 New Chum ..9 0 of Tewksbury 9 4 Daisy .. ..9 0 September Handicap, of 120sovs ; one mile and aquarter. St. lb. St. lb. Quadrant .. ..9 4 Yattaghan ..7 5 The Dancer .. ..8 9 Ida .. ..73 Coalscuttle . ..8 2 TuUoch .. ..7 3 St. Hippo .. .. 711 Warrior .. ..6 9 Master Pat .. ..7 9 Juvenile Plate of 75sovs. Four furlongs. st lb Mrs. E. Fraser's ch c Royal Rose, by King Cole —Rosalind SO Mr. G. Wright's br c Stanmoor, by Ingomar— Onyx 8 u Mr. A. Davis's ch c Acone, by St. Leger— Aconite 8 0 Mr. G. Sutton's b f Kve, by Brigadier-Jilt ..7 9 Mr. J. Malcolm's b f Captivity, by Captivator —Amazon . .. ..7 9 Mr. J. Malcolm's ch f Nannie,, by St. Leger— Kangi .. ..7 9 Handicap Steeplechase, of lOOsovs ; about three miles, st. lb. St. lb. Ingarangi .. .. 11 10 Potentate ..9 7 The Colonel.. ..10 12 M.of Tewkesbury 9 7 Hopeful Kate .. 10 9 Business (late Stepper .. ..9 8 Hurricane) ..9 7 Old Nick .. ..9 7 Flying Handicap, of GOsovs; six furlongs. St. lb. St. lb. Quadrant .. .. 911 Warrior .. ..7 0 Dancer .. .. 9 2 Tit 0 12 St. Hippo .. ..8 2 Dorothy.. ..6 9 Yattaghan .. .. 710 Florence.. ..6 7 Vieuxßose .. ..7 6 The first train leaves the Auckland station for racecourse platform at twelve noon. The catering at the . grandstand will be under the supervision of Mr. T. McEwin, whose advertisement appears in another column. NOTES BY PHAETON. METBOPOLITAN V. COUNTRY CLUBS. On the occasion of the annual meeting of the Takapuna Jockey Club held on Wednesday last, the chairman, Mr. E. W. Alison, made some pointed remarks with reference to the recent rules laid down by the Metropolitan clubs, having for their object the curtailment of racing and the protection of the totalisator from abuse. In furnishiug proof that the new rule exacting a larger amount of added money will nress unduly on the country clubs, he cited figures to show that even under the old rule, the Takapuna Jockey Club experienced a loss of £136 last season ; and contends that the Metropolitan clubs by their action show a desire to wipe out" subordinate clubs. That the Takapuna Jockey Club has acted its part well, both towards horscowners and the public all through, is a fact of which we are all well aware, and if matters were to press so harshly on that body as the chairman is inclined to think, it will be a matter for much regret. It is, I think, a pity, however, that Mr. Alison should have felt inclined to hurl so much mud at the metropolitan authorities, for that the delegates are actuated by any such desire as to " wipe out"clubs whose existence is desirable is an insinuation which will, I think, find small favour. Mr. Alison must be quite aware of the hostile feeling existing in certain quarters in the House of Representatives against the continuance of the totalisator as in the past conducted, for it was made very clear when Mr. VV. C. Smith's motion for the repeal of the totalisator was before the House, that unless something was done the days of the machine were over. The action of the Metropolitan Clubß in applying the break has been undertaken with a desire to do something to allay the ever-growing hostility to the machine, and this new rule will, I think, have that effect.

THE A.J.C. MKKTLVG

In the decision of the A. J.C. Derby ** Mr. J. B. Clark" held a very strong hand.with Camoola and Arquebus, and as Attalus, who was considered their most dangerous opponent, had the misfortune to burst a blood vessel during the race, which caused his rider to pull him up, the bearers of the brown

jacket and cap were enabled to have matters all their own way at the finish ; Camoola running home an easy winner in front of his stable companion in the good time ot 2m. 40s. Autonomy has popularly been regarded as the best three-year-old in Payten's stable, but the defeat which he met with in the Spring Stakes on the opening day, read in connection with the victory gained by Camoola in the Derby, does not on paper prove him to be so, for with the handy impost of 7st 51b in the saddle the half-brother to Bungebah was beaten out of both first and second places in a race which took 2m. 42is. to complete, while Camoola got home successfully in his race with 191b more in the saddle, and compassing a like journey in 2£ seconds faster time. The time test is, however, on occasions treacherous ground upon which to base a conclusion ; and it may turn out that there are excuses for Autonomy's defeat Tho half-brother to Bungebah has demonstrated on the track that he is a great colt, and one of the credentials he holds is that three days before Donation cleaned out a field of 39 in the Spring Handicap at Randwiok he dressed down the son of Martini-Henry as if he was a hackney. In commenting on this gallop a Sydney writer states that Autonomy hud fully his Derby weight up, while Donation had a light boy in the saddle, so that the performance, was a very meritorious one, having in it the elements of a 22-carat stamp. That Camoola is a good colt no one can deny ; but I still incline to the opinion that if Payten's stable is to furnish the winner of the V.R.C. blue riband Autonomy will prove to be the one to accomplish it. Since the above was written both Autonomy and Camoola have each suffered a reverse. The former was defeated by his half-brother Bungebah in the Craven Plate (one mile and a-quarter), while Camoola failed to sain a situation in the Wycombe Stakes, which race is run over a mile and three furlongs at weigbt-for-age, with penalties and allowances attached. Old Bungebah appears to have defeated Autonomy rather easily, and, according to the cablegram, the latter was in trouble at the distance, Camoola's inability to gain a place in the Wycombe Stakes does not look like form sufficiently good to enable him to furnish the winner of the V.R.C. Derby; still, the fact should not be overlooked that he had a penalty of lOlbs in the saddle, which raised Ins impost to Sst 51b, aud his defeat may not be so bad as it looks.] On the second day of the meeting the Metropolitan Stakes gave rise to a great surprise. On the strength of Arquebus having acted as runner-up to Camoola in the Derby, and that ho had the handy impost of 7st, he was made a staunch favourite. However, when the final question came up for decision he was never iu it ; the winner turning up in the five-year-old Althotas (7st 101l>), who started at 25 to 1, and who won by three parts of a length from the ever-green Vespasia (7st 51b). With the exception of winning Tattersall's Cup at Rand wick in January last, and a couple of events at Newcastle in the following March, Althotas had never recorded anything of much note; but that he is a racehorse, the time ('2m. 3(3i5.) in which he out out the twelve furlongs on Tuesday amply proves. Althotas*, who is a son of the Blair Athol horse Phil Athol, is engaged in the Caulfield aud Melbourne Cups; and with the 14lb penaltv tacked on to the respective' imposts awarded him in these races his apportionments will now be raised to Sst Sib in the former and Sst 91b iu the latter. THE NEW ZEALAND CUP. Though Vogengang's name still continues amougst the horses engaged in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, it is regarded pretty well as a certainty that lie will not cross the water this spring. . The sou of Burlington is said to be going on most satisfactorily in his preparation at Riccarton, and as the support that has been accorded to him for the New Zealand Cup is credited to the stable, everything seems to point Co his playing a prominent part in the settlement of the nig Southern event. I clip the following from the notes of the special raconteur in the Weekly Press of last week :—" Clanranald is greatly Liked at Riccarton, and beseems to be fancied for the Now Zealand Cup by the public, but Vogengang is more in favour with punters so far as I can discos; several people have ' told me they are going to back him for the treble, and it is beyond doubt that some think he will follow in the footsteps of Manton at the Metropolitan Meeting. On the other hand, people who know Vogengang well say he is not bred for staying ; but neither was Lochiel, and I have certainly never seen anything in Vogengang's galloping to induce one to think lie is a non-stayer, and I do not think his trainer is afraid in respect of bis staying capacity. 1 like the horse." As there seems to be some little obscurity as to the breeding of Vogengang, I give the following leading lines in his pedigree ;— Vofji-sfiAsol Burlington % ogl.n6a.no I Psycue , Ai.teros \Atalanta/Towton ■ \ Crescent Burlington-* Albany Traiuc<>r . uuii giun (.GossipJ Traducer (Ultana ( Sir Hercules {Gipsy Girl The account of the first day's racing at Timaru shows that Vot-engang sustained a rather bad defeat in the Plying Handicap. In Galtee he only had a moderate one to dispose of; but this he failed to do, and he is said to have collapsed at the home turn. From the notes of " Buff and Black" in the Napier Telegraph I take the following :— " The New Zealand Cup candidates in the Hawke's Bay district are not a very promising lot at present. The mare that is the pick of the bunch 'iust now is Cynisca. She is iu the best condition, and to my eye appeared to be never better in her life. She will most likely be the stable representative on the day, not Whisper, who has practically broken down. Streplion (7st 91b) is at present rather backward, but lie docs not appear to suffer from lameness now. He should have placed a New Zealand Cup to Mr. Douglas' credit ere this. _ What * show he has now— a six-year-old with 7st 91b up ! Rosefeldt would be my pick of the two, though, with 7st 81b, but she is almost unrecognisable, having thickened out wonderfully. She has recovered from the injury inflicted on her by Kuluino when he galloped on her down South, but wants a good deal of work yet. Chris has been working off and on for a long while, but has never raced. He will be seen out at Hastings. Merganser has been going very well, but I don t think she is a New Zealand Cup mare. North Atlantic has not been at all well, and will have to pick up a great deal to have any kind of a show. Spinfeldt is said to be the handsomest colt in Mr. Oimond's stable, but he is raw. It is within possibility, however, that when New Zealand Cup day comes round he will be considered to have a chance. I want to see him race before I'll have anything to do with him. It may turn out that Mr. Ormond will only have Queen of Trumps (of whom I have not a very exalted opinion) to carry his colours in the big November handicap. She is not entered for any hurdle races, I notice. Abbotsford, about whom I have seen accounts in outside papers, is, strange to say, a full brother to Queen of Trumps big raking colt, who will, probably, not see the post. Kotuku is very well, but I cannot stand her. Ua is not a filly I would back for such a journey. Mystic and King George I don't care about." STUD NEWS. Present appearances would lead to the impression that filly foals are to be a feature of the present season at the various Auckland studs. Of the eight foalings that have taken place at Wellington Park this year five are fillies and three colts, one of the latter having to be credited to the Hon. J. D. Ormond's collection at Whitford Park, the three foalings that have taken place are all fillies, and the Wapiti matrons have put up a like record. The latest additions to tho list of foaling» are the following : — Mr. L. D. Nathan's La Dauphine, by The Dauphin— Brassolis, filly to St. Leger. Mr. \V. Walter's Hippona, by Robinson Crusoe — Lamorna, colt to Hotchkiss. The filly foal by Remus from Carbine's sister, Lady Walmsley, only survived a few days, dying on Tuesday last. Intelligence comes from America to the effect that Sir Modred's brother, Idalium (by Traducer — Idalia), was recently sold in San Francisco for £3000, the purchaser being a young millionaire named Adolph B. Spreckles. A few years back Idalium might have been bought for as many hundreds in Maoriland. Liverpool, the chestnut sou of King of Clubs and Idalia, who cost his owner, the late Hon. W. Robinson, and many other New Zealanders, a good round sum in connection with the Melbourne Cup of 1885, was sold recently in Sydney for 100 guineas. Melody (dam of the Champion winner Melos) has again this season produced a filly to Goldsbrough, which of course, is a full si3ter to Melos. Lady Florin (by Musket—Florin) is this season to be mated with Dreadnought. La Belle (dam of Marvel) has this season produced a full btother to " the flying machine," a colt by imported Marvellous. Let us hope that he is destiued to cause the great body of backers less heart-searchings than bis notorious relative has given rise to. Footstep (dam of the V.R.C. Derby winner The Admiral) has this season produced a full brother to that horse, a colt by Richmond. Footstep has had seven foals to Richmond, and this season will visit the Musket horse Thunderbolt. -V, Nellie, the dam of Etra-Weenie and Yarrau, has produced a colt foal to Trident The stallion Far Niente (by Galliard— Lotus), of whose purchase in England we heard recently, was secured for 300 guineas. It is understood that the horse is destined for the Hobai'tville stud, Now South Wales.

MIBOKLLANEOOS ITEMS. On the occasion of the publication of the New Zealand Turf Register last year I had occasion to pay a compliment to the staff of the Weekly Press for the admirable manner in which the work had been oompiled ; and with several improvements and enlargements effected in this year's volume, the pleasant task again devolves upon me of passing a high meed of praise both to the publishers and compilers. In addition to containing ft full and accurate account of all race meetings held last season on the New Zealand turf, the volume also sets forth in neat tabulated form the winners of the principal New Zealand and Australian races, eutries for coming events, scale of weight for age, sales of blood stock, etc. The Register is very neatly printed, and a strongly-bound cover gives it the finishing touch of a work that should be liberally supported by those interested in turf pursuits. ' When it became known on Tuesday last that the Auckland-owned Impulse was to be slipped tor the Metropolitan Stakes there was something approaching a craze to back him, and the run on the St. Leger gelding was apparently so strong that the pencillers could not be induced to quote a better price than 5 to I about him at the finish, which was actually accepted by some of his infatuated followers, who were evidently of opinion that the question of his winning was only a matter of going to the post. . So far as can be gathered from the short description of the race cabled, the little horse does not appear to have ever flattered the hopes of his admirers, and with exactly the same weight opposite his name in the Caulfield Cup there is not, it must be admitted, much inducement to favour his chance for the big Victorian race, as the field he will be opposed by there will not only be more numerous than that which he encountered at Kaudwick on Tuesday, but will also be much stionger in point of quality.

The respective defeats suffered by Autonomy and Camoola at Randwick will have the effect of making the V R.C. Derby bear a much more open aspect, and with Meli voted " a mountain of muscle," The Captain "a vastly improved horse,"Cullodon "training on well," and Azim and Ducrow included in the list of those "on the improve," plenty of materia) is furnished to the noble army of punters to rack their brains in an endeavour to unearth the Derby winner from his place of concealment. Good accounts come from Napier concerning Maxim's near relative, The Possible, who is said to be furnishing into a very fine colt. In referring to the colt, " Buff and Black" says :—" Present indications mark the son of Nordenfeldt and Realisation as a coming dandy, and I would not be at all surprised to see him emirate the deeds of his expatriated half-brother when he sports silk." If The Possible should prove anything like as good a colt as Maxim did, then Mr. Gollau should have no cause to regret the outlay of the 800 guineas, which made i" January last, in the purchase' of the colt. The Possible was, I may remark, brought up almost entirely by hand, his dam having died shortly after fouling. '.■■ It transpires that before the Totalisator Bill passed its third reading in the Victorian Legislative Assembly several amendments in its provisions were made. One of these is rather important, as it limits the operation of the Bill to December 31, 1595. An alteration was also made in clause 5, which provided that the amount deducted from the totalisator for charitable purposes should be distributed as voted by the Legislative Assembly. Members objected to the House undertaking that office, and Mr. Murray consented to the provision being altered so as to place the distribution in the hands of the Treasurer. The Bill was ordered to be transmitted to the Legislative Council, where the real fight is expected to take place. The price said to have been paid to Sir George Whitmore for the stallion Catesby was £400. If my memory serves me aright Sir George secured the son of Musket and Prunella for something considerably less than a hundred when Mr. H. Harrison parted with him a couple of years back._ Mr. Gollau's numerous string in training at Caulfield are all reported to be doing good work. Referring to the improved appearance of Tirailleur, " Hori Peene" says : — " I think that during the spring we shall see the sou of Musket and Florence McCarthy as he really is, at last. lam not one of those who run away with the idea that Tirailleur has been systematically raced 'judiciously' (to put it mildly) since his arrival in Australia for the whole-soul purpose of getting him into a big handicap at a light weight, and bringing off a big coup. At the same time lam not ass enough to believe that he has always been playing for keeps But all the same for that, I don't believe that Tirailleur lias ever been properly acclimatised previously; and another thing, the. ill effects of that contrattmp.l on the overland journey took; a long time to recover. But he is well now, and the style in which the money is being filtered on £1000 to 40 being accepted yesterday, accentuates the fact." After a long series of failures, Crackshot managed to secure the Timaru Cup on Thursday last. By this victory the son of Nordenfeldt contracts a 31b penalty for the New Zealand Cup, which will bring his weight in that race up to Sst lllb. It transpires that the purchase of Pilgrim's Progress (by Isonomy— Pilgrimage) in England, recently, was effected on behalf of Mr. W. R. Wilson. It is said to be uot unlikely that the St. Albans sportsman will afford Pilgrim's Progress an opportunity of distingushing himself as a racehorse iu Australia before sending him to the scud. Donation, a grandson of Musket, being got by Martini-Hcury from Charity, recorded a splendid performance at the Sydney Tattersalls Meeting on the 27th ult., winning the Spring Handicap (one mile and aquarter), against a great field of .19. Unfortunately while training subsequently, the colt picked up a nail, winch was so far-reach-ing iu its effects that for the present the colt lias been placed horn de combat. It will, I understand, altogether depend on the form displayed by The Dancer and St. Hippo at Elierslie to-day whether they will be taken to Napier to fulfil their engagements at the Hawke's Bay Meeting. It will be seen that Mr. Bobbett's New Zealand Cup representative, Morion, is engaged in the Welter Race to be run at Elierslie to-day ; and it will be interesting to see in what manner he disposes of The Dancer over a mile. '"• By the mail steamer Mariposa which arrived last week Mr. C. S. Budge returned from a short visit to America, bringing with him the young trotting stallion Albert Victor. The horse was bred at Mr. J. B. Haggin's famous establishment, and his pedigree embraces many of the choicest strains so eagerly sought after by trotting enthusiasts. In order to comply with the provisions of the Stock Act Albert Victor lias to undergo a fourteen days' detention in quarantine, and for that purpose lie was taken down to the island of Motuihi shortly after his arrival. All being well with him he will be brought up to Auckland at the end of the coming week. If any evidence were wanted to show the great hold the sport of horseraciug has taken in Australia the large number of starters at Sydney meetings furnishes it, At the recent meeting held at Raudwick, under the auspices of the Sydney Hunt Club, the enormous field of thirty-nine horses faced the starter for the Spring Handicap. This total has (says " Free Lance") been very rarely exceeded in any part of the worldonly once in Victoria, if I remember aright, in the Caulfield Cup in Grace Darling's year, when a field of forty- started. The other events of the programme also attracted strong fields. Eighteen started for the Hurdle Race, twenty for the Tramway Handicap, and no less than four-and-tweaty youngsters weighed out for the Two-year-old Handicap. ' Runquam Dormio, : ' in Melbourne Puuch, writes :—" Fiemington training trucks are beginning to assume their early Spring aspect, and as the various goings are ail in good nick trainers at headquarters are on the best of terms with themselves. Nothing is doing better than Titan, who looks in mag-, nificent fettle, and fairly revels in his work. Recently he was sent a stout two miles on the track inside the course proper, and threw the Melbourne Cup distance behind him as if it were a mere nothing. 1 must certainly .confess that I had a terrible prejudice against this chestnut son of Chester and Tempe ; but I am inclined to alter my tune a trifle now, I can assure you. There always seems to be a sort of fatality hanging over the Chester stock whenever they come to pass out of Tom Payten's hands; but I fancy Walter Hickenbotham has at last fathomed the mystery, and that we shall, discover the sensational gelding effecting a big coup one of these fine days. Hickenbotham has also got Antajus in great heart, and possibly he may again give us a taste of Ins quality about Caulfield Cup time. Everybody would be delighted to see Mr. C. M. Lloyd leading back a Cup winner, tor the black jacket, yellow sleeves, and white cap were always hailed with acclaim by the multitude, as they knew the bearers thereof were always on the job and never in the bag." The funeral of the late Michael O'Brien, which took place at Melbourne on the 31st instant, was very largely attended. Among those present were Major Hacker and the Hqn.D. S. Wallace, M.L.C. Mr. M. O'Brien, father, of the late Michael O'Brien, jockey, only survived his son a couple of days. Mr. O'Brien, who was 68 years of age, had been ailing for a few days, but the shock of his son's death ' was, it is thought, the immediate cause of his own demise.

Mr. W. R. Wilson is said to have a very fine two-year-old in Pilatus (a full brother to Scromboli), for whom, it will be remembered, he paid 1000 guineas at the sale of the Kirkham youngsters in April last.

! Considering that the Duke of Westminster's colt Orme only averted defeat by a head in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, from a moderate horse called Watercress, . his collapse in the St. 'Leger may not have been such a great surprise as his position as " odds on" favourite would lead one to imply. An offer of £10,000 has been made for Gouverneur,who ran second to Common in the Derby of 1891, on behalf of the AustroHungarian Government. GoUverneur is a son of the Hermit horse Energy. Mr. Gollan is generally very happy in matters of nomenclature ; but, in selecting the commonplace title of Julia, for the lugomar—Sylvia filly, the Napier sportsman has not certainly scored. Freedom is not likely to do much service for Mr. O'Brien this spring, as 1 learn that it has been found necessary to blister the Bon of Captivator on one of his hind legs. The erst New Zealand jockey, H. Cusdin, has entered into an engagement to ride for Mr. James Redfearn's stable. " Free Lance " refers to Titan as " the incarnation of ruin." AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. Tho ordinary monthly meeting of the A.R.C. Committee was held yesterday afternoon, Mr. T. Morrin presiding. A motion that the thanks of the club be tendered to the Hon. Captain Russell and Mr. W. F. : Buckland, M.H.R.. for representing the club at the recent Wellington Conference, was agreed to. Mr. E. D. Halstead was appointed to act as starter at the first Spring Meeting. The disqualification passed on Mr. R. May was removed. > A sum of £10 10s was voted to the publishers of the New Zealand Turf Register. It was resolved that all jockeys wishing to ride in the Auckland district during the season be required to forward their applications for licenses by the 15th October. The following dates were allotted by the committee for race meetings to be held during the present season :— Avondale Jockey Club, December 3 and April 22 ; Drury Racing Club, December 28 ; March 17, Parmkura Racing Club ; March 17, Oliinemuri Racing Club ; December 16, 17, and April —, South Auckland Racing Club; November 26, January 28 and 29, and May '24, Takapuna Jockey Club ; December 26, Matamata Jockey Club ; October 17, 18, and January 10 and 11, Poverty Bay.Tuif Club ; January 1, Ormond Jockey Club; December 26 and May 24, Waerenga-a-Hika Jockey Club. Tho committee declined to pass the programmes submitted by the Onehunga Racing Club and Lake Jockey Club respectively ; and those of the Thames Jockey Club and Northern Wairoa Jockey Club (both of which were fixed for December 215 and 27), were placed in a like predicament, on the grounds that the dates clash with " other " meetings.

SOUTH CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB. [by telegraph.—prbss association.]

Timaru, Friday. The weather for the second day's meeting of the South Canterbury Jockey Club was raw aud cold. The racing Was not so interesting as the first day, and the attendance was not so good. £1465 went through the machine, or £708 less than on the second day in 1891. The following are the results of the day's racing : — Spring Hurdle Race of 45sovs, about one mile ami ii-lulf. Mr. Dan Mahony's b g Smuggler, list 31Us (Walls) 1 Hon. C'lptaln Russell's blk g Magpie, list 51b (Holmes) 2 M'. Shaw's ch g Iroquois. lOst (Allen) .. ..3 Mr. Rutherford's g g Krin-go-Bragh, 12st 81bs (Sheen in) alio started. Kilmarnock, 9*t 101b, aud Rothauiiiead, list 31b, were scratched. Going round the eastern turn Smuggler w;is in the load, followed by Iroquois, Magpie, and Krin-);o-Bnigh. After clearing: the la.-.t hurdle Smuggler came on gamely, and a slashing race resulted in his winning by a. full length. Time, 3m. Dividend, £3 195. GLADSTONE Handicap of 60soY». One mile. Mr. Alexander's b h Young Cheviot, lOst slb (McKlroy) 1 Mr. Ilobbs' b K Lord Zealand, 7st 6lb (S. Higg*).. 2 Mr. Alexander's Beau Nash, 9st (Leeston) .. 3 Two others rail. From the turn Young Cheviot came along rery comfortably, tho others being ridden hard, and won by a length. Time, lm. i"Js. Dividend, £•■> l"s. Disposal stakes of 25sovs, five furlongs. ilotharastead, Sst 121b (Buddicombe) .. .. 1 Chevy, 7«t lllb (Shaw) 2 Keinga, tiyrs, 9st 6lb (owner) 3 From tho rails Rothamstead came on full of running, and won easily Time, lm. 19s. Dividend, £1 19s. S.C.J. Handicap, of lOOsovs, one mile and a-quar-ter. Mr. Dalv's b a Liberator, by Betrayer, 6yrs, &st 41b (Ray) 1 Mr. llobbs' b u Prime Warden, eyrs, 9st 101b (Brown) .... .. .. 2 Mr. Allen's b c Saracen. 3yrs, "st Sib (Ayres) . . 3 The other starters were Crown Jowel (syrs, Sst 81b), Don Pedro (Oyrs, B*t), <3alt<*e (Syrs, 7st 121b), Conjuror (Syr*, 7r<t Sib). Liberator headed Saracen at the bind, and on their heads being turned for home Liberator came away comfortably. Prime Warden lnadoatiumcmlous run on the outride, but just failed to get up, Liberator winning by a bare nose. Time, 2m. ltiis. Dividend, £.2 13s. Ladies' Bracelet of 25sors, two miles. For hunters. Mrs. Griggs' Gillie, 12st 711 1 Mrs. Brown's Kilmarnock, l?st .. .. .. 2 Mrs. Claridoe's Lady Grey, lOst s!b .. ..3 live others started. Gillie won easily after a fine race by half-a-length. 'lime, 3m. 48s. Dividend, £2 18s. Members' Plate of 4f.*ovs, six furlongs. Mr. Alexander's Young Cheviot, list 10lb . . 1 Mr. Matthew's Sir Robert, »st 2 Mr. Warner's Fire King, Bst 4lb 3 Two others started. Once in the straight Cheviot bad all the others beaten. Time, lm. 2Qjf». Dividend, £1 13s. AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB. The following acceptances have been received for the above meeting to be held at Potter's Paddock, Epsom, on Saturday next : Maiden Trot, one mile and a-half.— Ladybird scr., Fibre 55., Peggy Bs., Maid of KiUarney Bs., Nugget Bs., Alma »s., Gipsy Girl Bs., Slug Ss., Jimmy Bs., Martha 10s., Tyrone 10s., Jock 2Us., Cadiz 205., The Broker vOs., Welcome Jack 205., Major 205., Bugler 255., Sparrowhawk 255., Pollywobbles 255. Electric Handicap Tiior, one mile.— Rarus, scr., Charlie 125., Hurricane 135., Ladybird 155., Midnight 17s , Fibre ISs., Little Ben 18s., Tyrone 21)8. SI'RINO Handicap Trot, two miles and a-half.— Charlie scr., Midnight 10s., Nellie 10s., Fibre 155., Little Ben 155., Commodore 205., Peggy 205., Tyrone 255., Napier 26s , Rambuster 355., Pioke 455., The Broker 465. Flying Stakes, five furlongs.— May 9-7, silkworm 8-7, Rakau 7 - 10, Kodiitv 7"2, La Grippe 7'2,;Philippa 70, Nettie 7'o, Hannah - 0, Robin OT2, Queen of Hearts C'l2, SaLatorO'J. Tramway Handicap, seven furlongs,—Pica 910, Lady May 95, Silkworm 8 - 5, Circus Girl 7-7, Hannah 7-0, Nettie 6-12, Philippa 6-12, Robin 0 10. Handicap Huuoi.ks, one mile and a-quartor.— l»ica 117, Minnie Grey 97, Rodneyß7, Fryingpan 80, Little Nannie 80, Hauranga B'o. llaiikkss TROT, two miles aud a-half.—Rarus scr., Charlie 255, Kate 305., Commodore 45., Hard Times 475., Laddie 605., Scotchman 535., Gip