SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9010, 15 October 1892, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. New Zealand. October 15—Onslow Trotting Clu"«. October 18,19-PoYerty Bay Turf Club. October 22—Pakuranga Hunt Club October 20, 21—Wanxanui Jockey Club. November 9—Gisbome Racing Club. November 8, 9,l2—Canterbury Jockey Club. November 9,lo—Auckland Racine Club. November 18,19—Wellington Racing Club. November 26—Takapuna Jockey Club. November 29, 30, December 3—Dunedin Jockey Club. December 16, South Auckland Racing Club. December 26, January 1, 2—Auckland Racing Club. December 26, 27—Thames Jockey Club. December 26— M&tainata Jockey Club. December 26— Waerenga-a-Hika Jockey Club. December 26—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. December, 27, Auckland Trotting Club. December Drury Racing Club. January —Orraond Jockey Club. January 2—Napier Park Racing Club. January 10,11—Poverty Bay Turf Club. January 13, 14—.South Auckland Racing Club. January 23, 24—Wellington Racing Club. Australia. October 15—Victoria Amateur Turf Club. October 29, November 1, 3, s—Victoria Racing I Club. DATES OF COMING EVENTS. October Caulfield Cup. October 20—Wtnganui Derby. October 21—Wanjanui stakes. October Cambridgeshire Stakes. October V.RC. Derby. November I—Melbourne Cup. November B—New Zealand Cup. November 9—Auckland Guineas. November 9—Canterbury Derby. No»ember Canterbuty Cup! December 26— Auckland Cup. January I—Great Northern Derby. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. J.H., llamilton. —1. The placed horses in the Auckland Cup of ISSO were Foul Play, Maid of Honour, and Ariel, who finished in that order. 2. Foul Flay was owned at that time by Messrs. Lance and Robinson ; the son of Traducer was sold to Mr. Allah McDonald prior to the second day's racing cumins' on. WaOF.R.—Realisation (dam of Maxim) was imported to Australia by the Messrs. Finlay, of Glenonniston, Victoria, from whom she was purchased by Major George and imported to Auckland. The mare was never the property of Mr. Stead. APREMONT.—Prime Warden (Sst 21b) won the Great Autumn Handicap (one mile and a-half) at Riccarton in April last. The time was 2min 38J-*. S.W., Taunuig*.—Hotchkiss was in training for some little time ; but, being overgrown, he was not persevered with. He never raced in public. Brigadier went amiss as a three-ye.%r-»ld, which terminated his career. Maxim did not race after he was three years old. THE CAULFIELD CUP. [BY PHAETON.] The Victoria Amateur Turf Club's meeting will be continued to-day, at Caulfield, when the Cup will be brought up for decision. The final payment, which became due on Tuesday last, had the effect of cutting down the number engaged to thirty-seven, and as La Tosca, Malolo, Dundas, Cooramin, and Premier, have since been withdrawn, the list as it now stands includes thirty-two horses, and as one or two others may be expected to drop out ere Mr. Watson marshals them at the post, the field may number thirty. The following are the thirty-two remaining in the race .— .st lb st lb Bungebah .. .. 9 C Harrington -.7 9 Fortimatus .. is 11 Little Bernie ..7 9 G'Naroo .. .. S S Theodore .. .. 7 S Paris .. .. 8 S Swoitlbearer .. 7 7 Althotas .. .. US 8 Hopetoun .. t .. 7 7 Annesley . ..So Yirran .. ..7 7 Spokesman .. 8 4 Leviathan .. ..7 6 Pigeontoe .. ..S3 Norltert .. ..7 6 Clonartl .. ..8 2 Chatham _ ..7 6 Gknloth .. ..8 2 Palliser .. ..7 4 Knuc .. ..82 Sternchaser ..73 Titan . .. S 0 Alexander.. ..7 1 Pygmalion.. ..8 0 K.K. .. .. 7 ti Forty Winks .. 712 Mullion .. _ 7 0 Pilot Boy .. .. 711 Ducrow .. .. Cl2 Litigant .. .. 711 Ulric .. .. 6 8 1! Including 14lb penalty. With only a pound more than he has to carry on this occasion, Bungebah (9st 61b) was thought to possess a great chance in this race last year, but he failed to gain a place; and it came to be generally accepted that twelve furlongs were beyond his tether. His victory over Autonomy and Co. in the Spring Stakes at Randwick "last month, however, was so full of merit as to cause an alteration in the views held as to the staying capabilities of the big chestnut, and his party according him support for this race, he was forced ; into a prominent position in the quotations. It is said that Bungebah has rarely been in such blooming condition as he now is, but even with this in his favour I should rather back him for a place than for a win. Fortunatus had a great chance under his original weight of 7st 111b, but with a 141b penalty (which he earned by his victory in the Toorak Handicap) his chance has, I think, been extinguished. La Tosca (Sst 91b) is undoubtedly a good mare; but the support accorded her stable-mate Pygmalion points to the daughter of Robinson Crusoe being inferior to him. G'Naroo (Sst Sib) won this race last year under 91b less than he is called upon to carry on thi3 occasion, and the fact of his cutting out the journey in 236, and that he won like a racehorse, would surround his chance with a very hopeful aspect were it not that his subsequent form, when well backed by his stable, was of so wretched a character. Still, the strong support awarded the son of St. Albans shows pretty plainly that he has won his trial against his stable mates, and with so astute a man at the helm as Foulsham, the move in favour of G'Naroo is entitled to the greatest weight. Paris (Bst Sib) has always been a great fancy of mine; but the brilliant little son of Grandmaster has invariably failed when most has been expected of him. Of Paris's brilliancy there cannot be a doubt, and when his performance in the Wycombe Stakes, run last month at Randwick, is weighed up, his chance in the race under review undoubtedly stands out very boldly, for when he gained his victory he had 71b more in the saddle than he has to carry in this race, and defeated Candour (7st 91b), St. Albans (9st), Bungebah (9st 111b), Camoola (Bst 51b), and a capital field in a very easy manner. Since his transportation to Flemington Paris has been responsible for some very brilliant work, and should the little fellow be fortunate in keeping clear of those accidents which have in times past upset so many Caulfield Cup favourites, his brilliancy should enable him to run a great race lor first honours. Titan (Sst) has many times been going to win a big race; but, no matter how brilliant his gallops have been in private, his heart apparently dies out of him when real business comes to be undertaken ; and I »hall therefore decline to stand him. Pygmalion (Bst), was backed for pounds, shillings, and pence, on many occasions, but with the silk up he has many times disappointed his party. He has been supported for this race by the St. Albans stable, so that he has evidently shown them a good trial. The 7st division contain a very dangerous lot in Forty Winks (7st 121b), Hartington (7st 91b), Theodore (7st 8lb), and Chatham (7st 51b). Hartington is, I may remark, a stable companion to Malvolio and Correze, and as he is said to have defeated the latter in his trial, his chance should not be overlooked, for the trying tackle possessed by Mr. Redfearn is undoubtedly very strong. Mr. Gollan's representative, Sternchaser (7st 31b), has a very favourable impost to assist him to distinguish himself, and, as ne is said to be a vastly improved horse, he may prove to be a dangerous opponent. Ulrie, a three-year-old sou of Martini-Henry and Uralla, who has the lenient impost of 6st 81b, and who is a, stable companion to Camoola, Autonomy, and Co., has been made the medium of some strong support during the past few days, and considering the extent ot the trying tackle that Payten possesses, the move in Ulric's favour has not, we may be quite sure, been made without his having shown his trainer something pretty good. Caulfield Cups have been so notorious for surprises in former years, that the question has come to be annually regarded as one of the most difficult problems with which the sporting writer has to deal, and with this before me, I must say that I do not approach my task in a very sanguine spirit; but after a patient consideration of the question, I think I can do no better than place them : Paris, G'Naroo, Hartington. It is worthy of remark that only once in the eleven contests that have taken place tor the Caulfield Cup has a horse that figured in the Bst division proved successful, and it will be interesting to note whether the long spell of ill-luck that has for the past eight years followed the heavy brigade in this race will be broken in today's contest. The following is a list of previous winners of the Caulfield Cup :— Yr. Owner. I Winner. A Wt. Time. 1879 Messrs Chirnside'Newminster .. 5 8 10 2 45J 1880} Mr. T. Jones .. |Tom Kirk .. a 8 3 2 2S_ 18811 Mr. H. Yeend ..Blue Ribbon 4 7 32 30 1881J Mr. T. Ivory ..'Master Avenel 6 7 12 2 29J 1882 Mr. Branch.. Little Jack .. 3:6 11 2 41J 1833 Mr. D. Wallace Calma .. .. 4 8 2 242 1884 Mr. E.G.Talbot Blink Bonny.. 67 3 2 40J 1885 Mr. J. G. Reid..[Grace Darling 67 10 2*o 1886 Mr. Strickland Ben Bolt .. 5 7 62 42 1887 Mr. M. LoughlinJOakleigh ..56 9 2 41} 1888 I Mr. o'Shannassy;Chicago .. 5 7 4 2 38$ 1889 Mr. J. Cripps .. Boz .. .. 57 92 43 1890 Mr. Blackwood.. Vengeance .. 56 13 238 1891 slr. Woodforde..iG'Naroo .. 57 13 236 X In these jews tbo race was JJ nils mi a distance.

NOTES BY PHAETON. THE V.R.C. DERBY. Though Autonomy got home in front of Azim, Meli, and Company, in the Canlfield Guineas on Saturday last, he achieved his victory in that race in so slovenly a manner, that it was quite in order to find his stable companion Camoola (who earlier in the day had cot home under a 141b penalty in the Caulfield Stakes) oust him from the position of favourite for the Derby. And the subsequent acceptance of £4000 to £2000 about the chance of Camoola would appear to administer the finishing touch in directing outsiders as to which colt is considered to be the best of Payten's pair. That Camoola beat a "live" field in the Caulfield Stakes is very doubtful, and as both Bungebahand Paris are thought to have been out for an airing, the merit attaching to the A..1.C. Derby winner's performance is somewhat discounted. Still the fact cannot be overlooked that Camoola only took half-a-second longer in completing the mile and a furlong than did Marvel last year when the son of Marvellous dressed down Bungebah and Co., and viewing the situation in all its bearings; it is fitting he should occupy the position of Derby favourite. Aztin, Meli, The Captain, Culloden, and Klswick were amongst the starters for the Caulfield Guineas, but though The Captain is said to have not been quite ready, I shall elect to doubt his ability to win; and if one from that quintette "is to supply the winner, it may be Azim. Ever since Candour won the Randwick Plato he has been before me as a very eligible candidate to achieve Derby honours. He is reported to have done well _in the interval, and at present I am inclined to look upon the son of Splendor and Canary as She most dangerous one Camoola will have to deal with when the Derby battle lias to be undertaken on the 29th inst. AUCKLAND SECOND SPBIXQ MEETING. The weights for the principal events of the A.B.C. Second Spring Meeting have been received from Mr. Evett, and though those framed for the Hurdle Race do not afford much room for grumbling, the same cannot be said for the adjustment in the Prince of Wales Handicap. In selecting Scot Free as the one most eligible to carry top weight in that race Mr. Evett, 1 consider, acted very harshly towards Air. McKinnon's horse. True, the Sterlingworth gelding won a fair number of races last season, but the company that he was opposed to was of such a moderate character that I quite fail to understand the grounds upon which Mr. Evett has formed such a high estimate of his abilities as to call upon him to carry Sst 12lb. All fit and well at the post it would, I fancy, be a very even thing between Morion (Sst 101b), The Workman (Sst 91b), Impulse (Sst slb), and Pinfire (Sst 21b); but present appearances would go to show that Pinfire is the only one of that quartette likely to fulfil his engagement, and he will, I think, find his most dangerous opponent in Ida, who must be accounted extremely well in with so lenient an impose as 6st 91b. "HIS GRACE OF WELBECK." The Man of the World thus describes the Duke of Portland :— very rich man and a very respectable man. No great amount of merit in a rich man being respectable. It is, as " Becky" says, easy to be honest on £10,000 a year. We could be good on less. There are plenty of people who could not. The Duke of Portland is not so rich as is generally believed, but is even more respectable. Nearly £200,000 per annum of the old Duke's property went to two old women. What is the use of an old woman having a hundred thousand a year ? They do not know how to spend it. The State should intervene. The Duke of Portland has always been a lucky man. The old Duke a woman-hater. Lord George Bentinck ditto, Lord Henry Bentinck ditto. Supposing they had had a dozen children each, as they would have had if they had been curates, where would the Duke of Portland have been? Major in a foot regiment, of course. A good major, too. Was fond of soldiering, and could clean his own accoutrements. Makes a good Master of the Horse. Makes a good owner of a Derby winner. Makes a good fisherman. Makes a good country gentleman. Makes a good Duke. Does not play the fool with jockeys. Does not want to win money by betting. " Why bet?" he says, " when I have enough already." Sensible man. Has a very elegant wife, and a clever one, and a good one. STUD NEWS. An unwelcome piece of news that comes from Sydney is that the Kirkham stud has lost by death the brood mare Volley. In the season of 1884, the late Hon. Jas. White sent Lady Vivian to Auckland, on a visit to Musket, and Volley was the result. As a two-year-old in the autumn of 1888, Volley carried all before her, and though in the following season she failed to beat Melos in the A.J.C. Derby, she subsequently dressed down the son of Goldsbrough in the V.R.C. St. Leger in most brilliant style. Volley had already produced a couple of foals, and her daughter Vestatia (sired by Chester) is considered to be one of the most dangerous candidates that figure in the Maribyrnong Plate. Fishwife (by King of the Anglers), who was the first mare mated with Carbine, has foaled a beautiful filly to the great Musket horse.

Woodnymph (the full sister to MartiniHenry), purchased at the breaking-up sale at Sylvia Park by Mr. W. R. Wilson, has this season produced a colt to Newminster. The first New Zealand foal by Cuirassier made its appearance this week at TakaEuna, Belle producing a filly to the Musket orse. So far Mr. Morrin has 21 foals at Wellington Park this season, with eight more expected. The record at present stand at—9 colts, 12 fillies. The latest additions to the list of foalings are the followiug :— , Mr. T. Morrin's Rubina, by Kingsborough—Etiquette, brown colt to Tasman. Mr. T. Morriu's Hazel, by Musket—Onida, filly to Tasman. air. J. B. Williamson's Capella, by Cap-a-pie— Xantippe, colt to The Dauphin. Major George's Vendetta, by St. Albans—The Maid, colt to Nelson. ' Major George's Florence by Papapa—Marchioness, filly to Nelson. Messrs. R. and R. Duder's Belle, by MusketKate, filly to Cuirassier. i It is seven years to-day since Musket was found dead in his box at Sylvia Park. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. From Napier we now have full details of the two important victories secured last week at Hastings by St. Hippo. Though of course it is pointed out that the fields which the son of St. Les'er met were somewhat inferior in point of quality; still it was the manner in which the colt performed his task that causes his chance in the New Zealand Cup to bear so promising an aspect. In the Spring Handicap Gallagher had great difficulty in restraining his mount, and the j manner in which he was going at the finish would lead to the impression that the extra half mile which the journey in the New Zealand Cup will require from him will be quite within his powers. Though it is quite true that St. Leger has not so far furnished the turf with an out-and-out stayer, St. Hippo's splendid conformation, to say nothing of his satisfactory performances, makes one chary in underrating his Cup chance on that ground. This much I know, that his party entertain very little doubt as to St. Hippo's ability to get to the end of sixteen furlongs in racehorse style, and the fact of their not nominating the'colt for the Canterbury Cup (the distance of which race is a quarter of a mile longer than that for the New Zealand Cup) haa, I have reason to believe, caused them no little heartburning. The presence of Mr. Bobbett in Auckland on Monday last gave rise to the impression that the popular Thames sportsman had come up to witness a trial by Morion, his New Zealand Cup candidate. Whether such took place I cannot say, but in conversation with Mr. Bobbett, he informed me that the question of Rae undertaking the Southern trip was not yet definitely decided. The coming week may, however, be expected to see the matter set at rest one way or the other. The Welcome Stakes to be run at the A.R.C. Spring Meeting next month is likely to have a much stronger field than that which figured at the post for the Juvenile Plate last month. Major George's representative Pegasus continues to go on most satisfactorily in his training, and his stable mate Heart of Oak has also been acquitting herself well. Eve, the little daughter.of Brigadier and The Jilt, who won her laurels last month in such a game manner, continues to improve, and can step over five furlongs in a manner that shows her to be endowed with pace. Her stable mate, the St. Leger—Radiant colt, has also a taking appearance, and another that daily makes friends is Yattenfeldt, by Nordenfeldt from Yattacy. Mr. Walters has selected the name of " Rose and White" for the two-year-old filly by Nordenfeldt from Rosarina; and Mr. McGregor Hay has conferred the title of Doras on his filly by St. Leger from Ophelia. Notwithstanding the extremely poor display made by Mr. Stead's representative, Stepniat, in the Hawke's Bay Guineas last week, " Castor," of the Canterbury Times, is found bold enough to say that if the son of Nordenfeldt goes on satisfactorily in his training he fully expects to see him finish in front of St. Hippo in the Now Zealand Cup. Advices to hand from Christchurch state that Crackshot is performing most satisfactorily, and as the big fellow seems to have entirely got rid of the soreness that has more or less affected him since he was three years old, his party are most sanguine of his playing a prominent part in the settlement of j the Ne.w Zealand Cud next month. I

I St Leger will, it is thought, have another very eligible descendant besides St. Hippo to represent him at the C.J.C. Meeting I next month in Hippomenes, who is reported to be doing good work at Dunedin. HipEomenes is engaged in the New Zealand Cup, with Bst 3lb. The trotting stallion brought to New Zealand by the mail steamer Monowai on her last trip from San Francisco is a six-year-old horse named Imperius, got by Director from Mandane, and he traces back to that taproot, the famous Hambletonian. Mr. Mangan, who brought over the shipment, will take the three yearlings South, but if he can satisfactorily place Imperius the stallion will remain in Auckland this season. The Takapuna Jockey Club have fixed the date of their Spring Meeting for Saturday November 26, the programme for which is as follows :—Maiden Hurdles of 35sovs, one mile and a-half; Devonport Handicap of 50sovs, five furlongs and a-half; Handicap Maiden Plate of 30sovs, one mils; Handicap Hurdles of 60sofo, one mile and threequarters ; St. Andrews Handicap of 80sovs, one mile and a-half; Novice Handicap of 25sovs, seven furlongs: Handicap Steeplechase of SiOsovs, about three miles and a-half; Spring Handicap of 50sovs, six furlongs. Nominations are due on November 4. The Auckland-bred Elswick and Culloden were among the contestants for the Caulfield Guineas on Saturday last, but they cut rather a poor figure, whipping in the field. Writing of the first-named, " Ribbleden" says he is a big booming colt, very like his halfbrother Teksum, but he is rather on the leg, and gives the impression that he would be seen to more advantage with another year on his back. So far this season the Musket horse, Trenton, claims two winners— Lady Trenton (winner of the September Handicap, at Newcastle), and Light Artillery (winner of the rich Debutant Stakes, at Caulfield). A writer in the Australasian states that Lady Trenton is a really good filly, and wer<s it not that she is a trifle small, he would feel no hesitation in saying that she is quite equal to her halfsister, The Queen. The training of, and subsequent success of the speedy Trieste is (says the Australasian) another instance of the " glorious uncertainty" of the turf. After being broken in %nd put to work the filly shaped so badly —in fact, she could not gallop at all—that 1. Payten decided, after numerous spurts, in which she was invariably beaten by 50 or 60 yards in three furlongs, to throw her out of work. Some of the other juveniles, however, went lame, and Trieste was kept on for company's sake, with what happy results the Turf Record brings out very plainly. Prior to Zalinski's ailment coming against him, he is said to have recorded a splendid trial, and was in great nick. *' Terlenga," of the Australasian, recently paid a visit to St. Albans, and in recounting what he saw there, says :—" Zalinski has muscled up over the back and quarters since the autumn, and his clean ribs and generally bright muscular appearance show that through the winter he has been kept moving. He has not grown up, but seems to have fined down in front, and altogether looks to have lost that coltish, unfurnished look which characterised him before. The most striking point about Zalinski is his magnificent quarters. It took Strathmore such a long while to get over his Sydney gruelling that Mr. Macdonald would seem to have abandoned the idea of trying to wind him up for the coming meetings. He was in work this morning, but carried a very jolly appearance, and has evidently been allowed to take things easily. Carnage, the chestnut colt by Nordenfeldt from Mersey, resembles his relative Carbine in some respects, but he is only just out of the paddock, and looks rough. Havoc, the full brother to Zalinski, is a very nice colt behind, but has rather coarse shoulders. He is well-grown, but not so extravagantly large as was Zalinski at the same age." The stable commission executed recently in favour of Zalinski for the Melbourne Cup brings out in a rather striking manner the different state of affairs existing in the betting ring now to that of some ten years back. The amount of the Zalinski commission was £20,000, which it was thought could be secured without having to take less than 100 to 7, but only £13,000 could be obtained from the combined rings of Victoria and New South Wales, and some of this money had to be taken at 100 to S. Commenting on this, " Terlenga" With all the additions to its ranks, the ring, nowadays, either lacks the capital it possessed a few years back, or else the inability to bet round caused by a falling-off in public support has driven the leading bookmakers to cease betting on the large scale which obtained in the days before cash betting andevery-day racing came into vogue." Commenting on the two-year-olds that contested in the Nursery Handicap at Moonee Valley, " Asmodeus" of the Melbourne Leader, makes the following complimentary remarks on an Auckland-bred 'tin:—" In point of good looks, size and quality, Mata's half-brother, Matai, by St. Leger from Raupo, towered over his twelve opponents, and he is far and away the finest-looking two-year-old seen in public this season. He is almost sure to prove a galloper, otherwise I shall be greatly disappointed." In the course of an interesting article on the Morphettville Stud, " Terlenga" relates how narrowly that successful sire, Neckersgat escaped being buried in oblivion. He says : —" Neckersgat is generally voted Sir T. Elder's crack sire, and looking at him now, and remembering how successful his stock have been, it seems strange that such a horse was nearly being lost to the stud. Neckersgat only ran twice, and on each occasion he was second to Pride of the Hills. Afterwards he turned savage, and on being cast from the training stable he was sent north to one of Sir Thomas Elder's stations, and there he might have stayed, if Mr. W. E. Dakin, had not come to Morphettville and rescued him from obscurity. At the time I speak of, Rapid Bay had just come into repute, and it struck Mr. Dakin that the banished Neckersgat was quite the sort of horse to suit the Lucifer mares in the stud. The big son of Talk o the Hill and Miss Giraffe returned from his temporary exile quite cured in his temper, and in his very first season he begat Newstead and Dunlop, who respectively annexed the Maribyrnong Plate and Melbourne Cup." The"following appeared in a Yorkshire paper of August 13:—" It is seven years ago this very Kempton August Meeting since Rickaby, the jockey, made his first appearance in public in the silk, and one cannot help calling to mind the story that Archer told after the race, which Rickaby won on Fireball. ' There were several false starts,' observed the poor Tinman, ' and I saw the little chap looking a bit shaky, so I sung out to him. " You come over here, and don't you go until you see me go." He did just as I told him, and presently we got off together. Then I took a pull at my horse. At the distance I'd pretty well settled everything else, so I thought it about time to go after the little beggar and catch him; but, do all I knew, the little beggar still kept in front, and after a devil of a set-to, he beat me by half-a-, length. That's the kind of reward one gets for doing a kindness !' " A correspondent in the Australasian writes :—Permit me to draw attention to the fact that Quiver, the dam of that wonderfully good performer La Fleche (winner of the One Thousand Guineas, St. Leger, and Lancashire Plate) is almost a full sister in blood to Musket, thus :—Quiver, by Toxophilite out of a daughter of Young Melbourne and Brown Bess; Musket, by Toxophilite out of a daughter of West Australian and Brown Bessboth Young Melbourne and West Australian being sons of Melbourne. To show that breeders should not be in too great a hurry to discard a mare on account of her want of success at the stud, it may be noted that Quiver was barren four years (not in succession), and had foals to seven different horses, prior to breeding Memoir and La Fleche to St. Simon. So far as I can discover, none of the preceding seven were winners. St. Simon appears, however, to have given the desired " nick." It is stated that one of the English ring peppered the St. Leger favourite, Orme, so strongly, that if the Duke of Westminster's colt had won that event it would have required fully £25,000 to pay his liabilities. The V.R.C. intend to follow in the footsteps of the A.J.C, and exercise the right to inquire into matters occurring at outside meetings whether the stewards of those meetings seek the ruling body's intervention or not.

Baron de Hirsch has made another munificent offer. He has expressed his willingnes through John Porter to erect a cottage hospital at Kingsclere to signalise the successes achieved by his horses during the period that they have been under Porter's care. It transpires that prior to Mr. D. O'Brien leaving Sydney, Mr. S. Hordern made an offer to him of 550 guineas for Florrie, the four-year-old daughter of Tasman and Rubina, but the Southern sportsman requiring a larger sum, no business resulted. Mr. S. H. Gollan had a unique experience recently at Caulfield. He was exercising one of his jumpers, Kimberley, when the horse bolted, and notwithstanding Mr. Gollan is a big powerful young man, he could not stop his mount until he had covered five miles. The Indian Planters' Gazette says that Captain Haig and the Hon. J. Beresford, who were in Australia at the beginning of the year, were so taken with the polo that they have decided to bring down an Indian team to tour the colonies in 1893. It is proposed to bring six players, and leave for Australia about March. The Hon. George Davis lost his seat on the committee of the V.A.T.C., owing, it is said, to the half-hearted support which he accorded the Bill to legalise the totalisator in Victoria. As a member of the Government Mr. Davis refused to take charge of the Bill ju the Legislative Council, hence the feeling evinced against bis election.

"Hotspur" inclines to the opinion that Crackshot is faint-hearted. . Paddy (by Anteros —Atalanta) was sold recently in Melbourne for £100. Scot Free and Impulse have been struck out of the Prince of Wales Handicap. Major George's cast-off jEsyptus was sold recently in Melbourne for 160 guineas. A further payment in connection with the New Zealand Cup becomes due on Friday According to the V. A.T.C. programme the Caulfield Cup (to be run to-day) is the fourth race. „_ . £10,000 to £300 is said to have been accepted in one hand about Sternchaser for the Melbourne Cup. Acolyte, who landed a big stake for his* owner when he won the Metropolitan Stakes of 1885, died recently. During last season the Victoria Amateur Turf Club paid away in stakes £20,668. The revenue received during the same period was £32.000. Mr. D. O'Brien contemplates returning to Australia next autumn. He has left Florrie and Freedom under the charge of the Sydney trainer, J. Allsopp. Clanranald is still on the invalid list, and the opinion generally held at Riccarton is that the handsome chestnut will be amongst the absentees from the New Zealand Cup. In answer to a number of enquiries, I may say that the second forfeit in connection with the Melbourne Cup is not due until the Tuesday preceding the race (October 25). Traduccr's son, Welcome Jack, who is performing stud duty at Mr. Dangar's estate, New South Wales, is said to have become affected in his wind, and is not looking at all well. In the course of a review of the recent A.J.C. Meeting, " Ribbleden." of the Australasian, says there can hardly be a doubt that Camoola is a better colt than Autonomy. It is now urged that the bad defeat which Vogengang sustained at Timaru was due to his suffering from dental troubles, which caused him to go off his feed for a couple of days before the race. St. Hippo continues in favour for the New Zealand Cup, and the best quotation in Auckland about the son of St. Leger is 5 to Laud after him Prime Warden and Crackshot are quoted at 6 to 1 each. Intelligence comes from Wanganui to the effect that both Prestige and Fraternite have gone amiss, and that they are not likely to be sent South to fulfil their engagements in the New Zealand Cup. G. Wright was under orders to leave Napier for Wellington en route to Christchurch with St. Hippo and The Dancer on Wednesday last, and the Auckland pair are probably ere this located at Riccarton. PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB SPRING MEETING. The following acceptances have been received for the various events to be run at the Pakuranga Hunt Club Spring Meeting : — Tally-ho Steeplechase, three miles.—Detainer 12.7, Hurricane 12.7, Peter 11.7, Jim 11.7, Tommy 11.4, Maritana 11.4, Nero 11.0, Larry 10.0, Spectator 10.0. Hunt Club Cup, three miles and a-half.— Defamer 13.7, Hurricane 13.7, Jim 12.0, Peter 12.0, Carronade 11.10, Bachelor 11.7, Larry 11.0, Ike 11.0, Spectator 11.0. Members' Hurdles, two miles.—Defame? 12.0, Carronade 11.7, Varrauiao 11.7, Nero 11.7, Tommy 11.4, Hiuemoa 11.0, Larry 10.7. BRACELET, one mile.—Defamer 12.0, Hinemoa 11.7, Tommy 11.0, Bachelor 10.10, Hard Up 10.7, Blue Ribbon 10.7, Whalebone 11. 10.7, Larry 10.7. FLYING Stake, Ave furlongs.— 8.2, Marquis of Tewksbury 7.10, Woodbine 7.10, His Worship 7.9, Warrior 7.7, Minnie 7.5, Castinette 7.0, Transit 7.0, King Cannibal 6.12, Welcome 6.9, Acacia 6.7, Sir Roland 6.7, Florence 6.7, Pansy 6.7. Open Handicap, one Yattaglinn 8.9, Belmont 8.9, Ida 8.8, Stamford 7.12, Woodbine 7.7, His Worship 7.5, Tit 7.4, Warrior 7.4, Tuna 7.4, Lottie 7.3, Te Kooti 7.2, Glaucus 7,0, Minnie 7.0, Sir Roland 0.7. Open Hurdle Race, One and three-quarter miles.—Fishmonger 11.4, Marquis of Tewkesburv 11, IkaVuka 9.10, Nero 9.7, Megoulet9.7, Te Ata 9.7, Hopeful Kate 9.7, Yarraman 9.7, Kate 9.5, Cloth of Gold 9.6, New Chum *.0, Daisy 9.0, Old Nick 9.0. The privileges of the meeting were submitted at auction yesterday by Messrs. Digby Tonks and Co. The followiug are the particulars :—Grandstand bar, £30, Mr. P. Quinlan ; lean-to bar, £22, Mr. P. F. Purcell; cards, £10, Scott Printing Company; Refreshment stall, £2, Mrs. Mcintosh ; stabling, £2, Mr. Quinn. ONSLOW TROTTING CLUB. The Onslow Trotting Club hold their Spring Meeting to-day at Potter's Paddock, and with fine weather the gathering should attract a good attendance. A feature in the afternoon s programme will be an exhibition trot by the American stallion Albert Victor, recently imported from America by Mr. C. S. Budge. The following are the acceptances for the various events: —

Handicap Maiden Trot, two miles. — Peggy scratch, B.N Z. 135., Mickey Jarvis lis., Ike 145., Major 255., Nugget 2Ss., Cadiz 235.. Welcome 'Jack 325., Midget 325., Alma 325., Nellie 11. 325, Maria. Maiden PONY Race, one mile.—Minnie Grey 9.7, La Grippe 8.0, Hannah 7.10, Midas 7.10, Philippa 7.7, Corporal 7.0, Ivy 7.0, Isabella 7.0, Hvergreen 7.0, Robin Hood 7.0, Queen of Hearts 7.0, Gladys 7.0, Rata 7.0, Lady Fanny 7.0. Onslow Trot, three miles.— scratch, Nellie 80s., Charlie 325., Midnight 455., Hurricane 505., Fibre 625., Martha 605., Tyrone Cos., Nellie 11. 80s., The Broker 85s. Onslow stakes, seven furlongs. — Pica 9.10, Sepoy 8.0, Hannah 7.0, Isabella 0.7, Lady Fanny 7.0. Wheel Race, two miles and a-quarter.— scratch, Nellie 305., Charlie 305., Ike 555., Laddie 655., Hard Times 655., Scotchman 655., Sparrow Hawk 755. HoiA Trot, one and a-half miles.— Bird scratch. Midnight Bs., Mickey Jarvjs 135., Martha 165., Maud S. 205., Scotchman 235., Nellie 11. 285., The Broker 28*. Hurdle Race, one mile and a-half.—Pica 11.10, Minnie Grey 10.7, Rodney 3.10, Little Nanny 8.4, Corporal 8.0, Haurangi 7.7. The first race is set down on the card to be started at half-past one p.m. OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB. The following nominations have been received for the Otahuhu Trotting Club's Spring Meeting, to be held at Potter's Pad - dock on .Saturday, 29th October :— Handicap Maiden Trot.—The Broker, Maid of Killarney, Ike, Tinker, Chili, Bugler, Sparrow Hawk, Martha, Rocket, Fibre, Nugget, Robin, Peter, Major. Otahuhu Handicap Trot.— Rambuster, Tinker, Midnight, Charlie, Ike, Peggy, Fibre, Hurricane, Martha, Rams, Nellie, Little Ben. Harness Handicap Trot.—Charlie, Ike, Topsy, Scotchman, Kate, Sparrow Hawk, Laddie, Midnight, Rarus. Pony Trot Handicap.Sparrow Hawk, Maud S., Midnight, Tassa, Ike, Jock, Peggy, Ladybird, Bugler, Martha, Mickey Jarvis, Ginger, Midget. Handicap Maiden Pony Race— Nettie, Its km, La Grippe, Rata, Isabel, Brigade, llanna, Tuitoi, Fly, Klorrie, Little Minnie, Dewdrop, Maria. Railway Handicap.—Pica, Nettie, Nigger Boy, Little Jane, Rakau, La Grippe, Hannah, Sepoy, Fly. Robin. Handicap Hurdles.— Little Nannie, Midas, Minnie Grey, Philippa, Little Jane, Haurangi, Corporal, Pica. THE MIDDLE PARK PLATE. Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.Copyright. London, October 14. At the Newmarket Meeting yesterday, the following was the result of the race for The Middle Park Plate of oOOsovs, added to a sweepstake of .SOsovs each. For two-year-olds. Colts, Bst 10lb ; fillies and geldings, Bst 71b. Mr. H. McCalmont's b c Isinglass, by Isonomy— Deadlock 1 Ravensbury 2 Baron de Rothschild's br c Le Nicham, by Tristan—La Noce 3 VICTORIAN TRAINING AND BETTING NOTES. Melbourne, October 14. At Caulfield yesterday afternoon Theodore covered a mile and a-half nicely in 2m. 465. Pygmalion took matters sedately over a half mile, which he did in 585., and then rattled home another mile in Im. 48£s. Hartington was sent a mile and a-half, finishing well in 2m. 475. At Flemington this morning Clonard performed a sterling mile and a-half, and finished like a bull-dog. His was the only useful pacing this morning. Chatham is moving specially well. Duudns, Malolo, and La Tosca have been scratched for the Caulfield Cup, the first two named at 3.45 this afternoon. THE TIPS. The following are suggested as likely to run forward in their engagements : — Maiden Plate : Calculus, Cullodeh, Emblem. Nursery Handicap : La Gloria, Angola, Somniliquist. Caulfield Cup: Clonard or Hopetoun to win, with Glenloth and Theodore handy. Steeplechase : Freeman. Rebecca, Riverton. Windsor Handicap : Covenant, The Harbour Light, Graduate. THE betting. Last night 2000 to 100 was taken about Bungebah; 4000 to 100 was offered about Fortunatus., and 3000 to 100 was taken about Theodore. Hartington has been backed to win £5000 down to 100 to 4. Litigant, Althotas, and Clonard were supported to win £5000, £4000, and £2000 respectively at 100 to 3, and Pygmalion £4000 at 100 to 8. Ulric has again been heavily backed for the Caulfield Cup, and 100 to 16 is the beat offer against the son of Martini-Henry. Pygmalion likewise has received . genuine support, and is quoted at 100 to 8.. Hopetoun is receiving some attention at 100 to 5. Later. The wagering was brisk in the rooms tonight. GNaroo , and Olric are equal favourites for the Caulfield Cup at 100 to 17. The other quotations are -. Pygmalion, 100 to 10; Paris, 100 to 8; Hartington and Hopetoun, 100 to 5 Theodore, 100 to 4. Buogebah has been knocked back to 100 to 3.