SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9271, 5 August 1893, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. New Zealand. August 10,12—New Zealand G rand National Steeplechase Meeting September G-lUngitikei Hunt Club September 11, 15—South Canterbury Jockey Club September 2S—OeraMine Racine Club November 7, 9, 11—Canterbury Jockey Club November 9—Martou Jockey Club Australia. September Sydney Tattersall's September 7, 9—Uawke.sbury Racing Clnb September 16, 19, 21, 23— Australian J ckey Club October I*. 21—Victoria Amateur Turf Club November 4, 7. 9, 11 — Victoria Racing Club December 2a, 26—Australian Jockey Club December 26—Victoria Amateur Turf Club January I—Victoria Racing Club January -6- Sydney Turf Club .March 10, 17— Hawkesbury Racing Club Much 24, 2(i, 29, tit — Australian Jockey Club May 21—Victoria Racing Club DATES OF COMING EVENTS. August 1 i—New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase August 12—New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race September A—Doncaster St. I.eger September 16—A..1.U. Derby September 19 — Metropolitan Stakes Oct oh r— Uawke's Kay Guineas October— Wniii;anui Derby October II — C'atiltteld Guineas October 21-CaulHeld Cup November 4 — V.!{.('. Derby November 7—Melbourne Cup November 7 New Zealand Cup November 9—Canterbury Derby November 11—Canterbury Cup Match •-'•> -Sydney Clip ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Titatk, Ot irolnnca. —It is stated that if postal notes are sent, and the le ter addressed properly, there is no risk attaching to the matter. K. II , I'airua. — 111 the Melbourne Cup of ISS9 Carbin -, lyrsO'MV was beiten three-quarters of a length by" Hiavo, tjyrs put Tib). In the following ye ir Carbine won, cart yiug Itlst Ml', beating a field of 39. lie di l not start in the race as a three-}ear-old. 11.(5., Karangahake. —1. Corsair (1S71) was cot by Smuggler from Quickstep, and was bred in Victori a. 2. Kit/jame<. imported from America by Mr. John Kerr, of Nelson, was pot by General Mcl.ellan. He died two or three years back. 3. The time is taken when the limit horse starts. NOTES BY PHAETON. THE METROPOLITAN STAKES. Form the fact of their being several New | Zealand-owned horses engaged in the Metropolitan Stakes Mr. Searr's adjustment in connection with the principal handicap of the Australian Jockey Club's spring fixture was awaited with much interest in Maoriland. It was only to bo expected that the speedy Cremorne would head the list, and with lOst opposite his name he is in his proper place ; but with the Melbourne Cup in the near future before him it was only to be expected that the pen would quickly go through his name, and therefore his withdrawal causes no surprise. Paris (9st Jib) is left with a chance; and by all accounts Sir William (Sst l'Jlb) has still a good race left in him. Stepniak (S~t 1011>) has received quite up to his deserts ; but still he should have a good chance. Donation and Jeweller who are both weighted at Sst 01b each read well ; but they will most likely be reserved for the more important events, to be decided in Victoria later oil. Impulse (Sst 4!b) is fairly treated, and should the St. Leger gelding be quite himself on the day he may be'depended upon to finish near the first flight. Chatham (Sst is said to be a bit unreliable ; but he has a great dash of pace, and by all accounts he is well able to win a race of this character. Ant.eus (Sst 'Jib) reads well: but the handsome sou of Sir Modred has done nothing for a long time past. Still we should not overlook the fact that it was an accident that knocked him out for the greater part of last season; and he may yet have a good iace concealed about him. Launceston (Bst 21b), if as good as he is represented to be, must be given a chance, and so must Donizetti (Sst) 01 those lower down the list that meet the eye as being well in Warpaint (7st 91b), Selkirk (7st Gib), Bel Giorno (7st Gib), and Pharamond (Tst 'Jib) stand out prominently, taking into account the improbable starting of several of the most prominent horses engaged, the tusk of unearthing the winner is by no means an easy one. Stepniak, Impulse, Chatham, Launceston, Donizetti, Warpaint, and Selkitk appear to me to be r. contingent that are fairly treated, and may be exp-'Cted to fulfil their engagement. J he following are the weights : — i

st lb St li> Cremorm? (scr.) ..in 0 Doucaster .. ..7 s Buigebali .. .. y 4 Tianby • .. 7 8 .. .. 9 - Ducrow .. ..7 8 A-cot Vile.. .. 9 I) Projectile .. .. 7 s f-ir William .. 8 12 Kth-Ibert .. .. 7 V ' ■rv7.„ .. ..8 12 Selkirk .. .. 7 >'■ •-•ill till .. .. Bto Kinpire .. .. 7 *> Mepniak .. .. 8 l l ' Mi l ' liorno.. .. 7 ti <>\id- .. .. 8 8 Ma:i:in .. ..7-1 Sunshine .. .. 8 a .Melinite .. ..7 4 lir«-rk 1' i_'h . , .. 8 7 Corinth .. ..7 4 Aureus .. .. s 7 Hiiinzi .. ..7 4 I.itt! - I'.ernie .. j> ti Kivim? .. .. 7 '1 Doiotiui .. .. 8 >'■ It'i-ti'lUn .. .. 7 2 Jeweller .. .. 8 c, 1. .y.llty .. .. 7 - chat in .. .. 8 1 I'll iraiii'Mi'l .. 7 'J li;.pul-e .. ..8 1 Cunauilooley .. 7 o nt us .. ..8 'J l.rtdy Trent"!! ..70 K.K 8 - sol mum .. .. ti 12 l.auneoston .. 8 -J Malice .. .. ts I_' •■sainfoin .. .. 8 0 l',iri imhno .. .. 6ln l>on:2-tti .. .. 8 0 Salutation .. .. ti In I>\ .'till mi .. .. 712 iftvllli II .. ti 9 lJurcleugh .. .. 7 12 Hi- Dreamer .. ti !t Dan ti''Connor .. 7 1J tiuuialier .. .. ti 9 Alexander.. .. 7 10 Kmiii i'adia .. >j It I'lrie 7 10 Hint! I'etur .. .. <i 7 <iin?liHtii .. .. 7 lo * flitter .. .. ti 7 l 11 1 } Swell .. ..7 o 'trenchant .. .. fi 7 Warpaint .. .. 7 !i Pe irl Powder .. >> 7 Miletos .. ..7 0 NKW ZKALAN'D tiHANIi NATIONAL MliKTINft.

The "Grand National Meeting," to be brought off at Riecarton 011 Thursday and Saturday next, under the auspices of the Canterbury Jockey Club, has every appearance of being quite in keeping with its importance. The big event of the first day is the Grand National.Steeplechase (about three miles and a half), in which the following 11 horses are engaged :—

Mr. 1). Rutherford's eh g Norton, aged .. 12 12 Mr. .1. Porter's br g Krnpir'-, ateil .. .. 11 5 Mr. T. 11. Low ry's ch g Gondolier, Oyr.s .. 11 3 .Mr. J. A. Holmes' bg Clarence, aged.. .. 11 0 Mr. V. KHingham's b g I'iiiiea, tiyrs .. .. 11 0 Mr. \V. Uussell'n blk g Magpie, aged .. .. 1 1 12 linn. J. I). Oruiond's ih m Viclrix, tiyrs .. 10 10 Mr. \V. Dougtis'chg Wnterbury, aged .. 10 s Mr. W. Douglas'ch g Mutiny, aged .. .. 10 7 Mr. Sutton's b g IJ.j.si.ise l, aged .. .. 10 5 Mr. M. Oooilger's br g Hegalia, aged.. .. !> 8 Mrs. A. Coulter's br g liidu-a- Wee, aged .. 9 7 Mr. J. Diiscoll's I) g Jacob, aged .. .. 9 7 Norton has a big load to carry in 12st 121b, but the Ascot gelding is a great horse, and in the event of the race being run in fair going, he may be depended upon to get very close to the winner. Empire (list 51b) must have a chance. This trio seem to me to be the most likely to supply the winner, and of the bunch J like most the chance of the top weight. If a surprise is in store it may be brought off by Magpie (lOst 121b), who, it will be remembered, finished third to Ahtui and Norton in last year's race.

The Grand National Hurdle Race (about two miles), which is set down for decision on the second day, has the following 17 horses ■still engaged : — st lb Mr. I). Rutherford's ch g Norton, aged .. 12 3 Mr. 1). Rutherford's ch h Kulnine, tfyr.s .. 12 (I Mr. .I. Porter's b g Empire, aged .. .. II 2 Mr. .1. A. Holmes' bg Clarence, aged.. .. 10 12 Mr. T. H. Lo'.vry's eh g < londolier, tiyrs .. in 'J Mr. W. Douglas's ch g Mutiny, aged .. .. 10 7 Mr. W. Douglas's b g Kaptia, syr.s .. .. 10 7 ■Mr. M. Walker's br g Liberator, aged .. 10 5 (lon. J. I). Oruiond's cii in Victrix, (lyr.s .. 10 'I Mr. C. Ilawkin's br g l.'nity, (iyrs .. .. 912 Mr. J. Poole's ch g Rebel, aged .. ..0 10 Mr. A. M. Robertson's b g Jack, Cyr.v. 9 'J Mr. W. O. Rutherford's gr g Krin-go-Uragh, aged OS Mr. W. Cook's b g Smuggler, aged .. .. OS Mr. Sutton's b g Despised, aged .. 9 7 Mr. Twoiney's b g Jacob Faithful, fiyrs .. 9 1) With Norton (l'ist .*>lb) and Kulnine (12st) Mr. Rutherford undoubtedly holds a very strong hand. I should take Kulnine to be the best of the pair, and there can, I think, be little doubt that the stable will depend upon the son ofCadogan. Last year Kulnine won under list 51b, and as he is said to be going in great style, it will evidently require something quite first class on this occasion to prevent him from repeating his feat. If Mutiny is himself he must have a great chance under 10st7H>, and should he be in the same nick as when lie won the Grand National at Ellerslie in June, lie will be there or thereabouts in the Riccartou race. Another lower down the list that may repay watching is Jack (Ost 01b) who on one or two occasions has been whispered about as a proficient jumper.

i'.ACINfJ STATISTICS. Southern papers to hand this week contain an interesting batch of statistics bearing upon last season's racing on the New Zealand turf. With seven wins out of eight starts, it was early in the season placed beyond a doubt that the Auckland-owned St. Hippo would figure at the head of the list amongst the winning horses, and £2800 is the amount at which his earnings is assessed. Merganser cotnes second on the list with £ - 205'2 to her credit; so that it will be seen Auckland is responsible for breeding the two greatest winners of the season. Loyalty's achievement in the valuable Challenge Stakes gave his winning record a great fillip, and we find the son of St. George in third place, with £1731

opposite his name. Strowan secured £1266, and his stable mate Stepniak is close on his heels with £1*254. The other two that have earned over £1000, are, St. {Catherine, who secured £1064, and Rangipuhi, who has £1022 opposite his name. Principally through thodouuhty deeds of St. Hippo, St. Lexer has been placed well ahead in the list of winning sires, the proßeuy of the Doncaster horse securing £5250 in prize money, which was the result of fourteen wins. Nordenfeldt comes second with thirteen winners and a total of £4354; and Chester's brother St. George is in third place with thirteen winners and a winning total of £4250. Old Apremont was responsible for eighteen winners, who secured in stakes £.'1573. The progeny of Natator have done remarkably well, the Traducer horse having no fewer than twenty-eight winning representatives and a total of £2510. The Mute has been a greatly neglected sire, but still year after year he has been in a good place, and on this occasion he is sixth on the list with thirteen winners, who secured £2,'>.'17. Amongst the winning owners the Canterbury sportsman, Mr. G. G. Stead, heads the list with i'.'il 7- ; and, considering the larj;e string of horses which lie keeps in training at Yaldhurst, lie well deserves the leading position. Mr. L. 1). Nathan conies second with £.'{o,>S, which position he mainly owes to the brilliant deeds of St. Hippo: and then follows Mr. W. Rathbone with £23.'50, and

here again an Auckland bred one (Merganser) is the chief earner. Considering that he lias a mere handful of horses at his command, it, must be admitted that fortune has been kind to Captain Russell, for the Napier sportsman is a good fourth with £2273. It is pleasing to find Captain Russell in a leading place amongst the winnets, for he is one of the few men of which the New Zealand turf can boast that races for pure love of the sport. By Loyalty's valuable win in the Challenge Stakes, Mr. I). O'Brien's winning account was hugely increased, and the owner of

Lonsdale Lodge conies fifth with £2*189; and then follow Mr. .J. Stephenson with £1819, and the Hon. J. 1). Ormond with £1743.

ST. LKGKR AS a SIRE. If poor old Captain Walmsley was still with us, how he would rejoice over the leading position to which St. Leger has attained amongst the sires of the colony. Many and many a time oil my visits to Sylvia Park in the halcyon days of the now defunct New Zealand Stud Company did the deceased gentleman grasp my arm, conduct me to St. Leger's box, and there would he sing paeans on his blue-blooded pedigree, predicting that the mine of the son of Doncaster and Atlantis would some day ring through the land as a great winner-producing parent. How have his predictions been verified ! In the season of IS9I-92, St. Leger was represented by eleven winners on the New Zealand turf, which placed hint second on the list of sires, with i.'i 1~>7; but in addition to that the

Auckland iiorse had two winning representatives in Australia, to which attached £li'.)o, so that his winning total last year was £41 '1 lie statistics for the season of lSi*2 93, just to hand, show that St. Leger has improved his position, and on this occasion he has four teen winners to his credit, with a total in stakes of £,>'2so. Unfortunately St. Leger has been somewhat neglected during the past collide of seasons, and this regrettable circumstance must tell rather seriously against his winning total in subsequent seasons; but with St. Hippo, Clanranald, Hippomenes, Impulse, and several other speedy ones, still to do battle on (lis behalf, we may expect him to agiin occupy a place near tiie leading division when next season's statistics e >nie to be made up. At 400 guineas—for that is the moderate sum Messrs. Motrin and Nathan iiad to pay for St. Leger, when he was sold at Sylvia Park in IS9l— the chestnut was, undoubtedly, one of the greatest bargains of

that eventful dispersal ; and had lie logo into the auctioneer's hands to-day, it would, there can be little doubt, require thousands instead of hundreds to secure him.

THE OIALLKN'UE STAKES IaWSt'ITS,

As might only be expected, great interest is centred in the resultof the lawsuit instituted by Mr. D. O'Brien against .Mr. Stead, as treasurer of the (J.J.U., for the recovery of tile balance of moneys subscribed to the Challenge Stakes; and the cross action entered by Mr. Stead and Major George against the owner of Loyalty. The case was set down for argument at Christch yesterday, before Mr. Justice Denniston; but no doubt some days wil l elapse before His Honor delivers judgment on the several points in dispute. The following is a statement of the case ai set out in the pleadings :— The statement of i liim submitted by the plaintiff alleges that the ib-fen l int was the authorised stakeholder under the »iv Zealand Kill ■< of lit inland that the Canterbury Jockey Club, being a Metrooh'm Club, issue i 1:1 the year i-•» > i p.o^t,amine .-In"Wiiivr the races to be run at tut' Autumn Meeting ot tiiu Club in is' J.i, an.l tin; pr.>jr.<nriie was a iv- ■ tise.i. The* rare was won by a colt name i Loyally, the ( rip-rfy of ; 11»- pi •iniitf, an 1 the »i:ni of tl.'iiir waspaid to the. pi i:; titi" .on account of such in. This represented (lie to. ii amount of money which Ihe pi lint iff xv i.s , in it 'e.l '.i> re_,-:ve hi;,-: d ■ lu,-tint • t'i'i 'or the ii'.ii'.imror of :li- wiun-.-, the owner of the second horse, i!,. ;.ii- owner of ill" third horse. Th" plain alleges taU 11 ; icco'iur. was r -ac.ered lo him by the 'iefeinUn i. narsii m.'e of the Itules of Itaciiusliowiii' the t 'til amo ait of monev paid to ati i 1 .-e-'ived by the defendant for stages and foi teits. 111.- plain iff /ill ileu an le i from tie.' <1 •• foil• I iti |jiynietn of all mi<-Ii sums, stakes, and forfeits, subject to the deduction-, but the d■■ ■ lid lilt n fus -d to render an account or to piv to th- id lintitf any sum her than lb it which hail already been paid to him. The pi. lint itf also .il|c.4-s that th- defendant husin hi a lids ..1 under hi-, control 1 laice sum of money eiv.-d by him on ,v.u:it of stakes and forfaits in tie- sail! 11 e, far i-M linx the sum of tIJ »io nt'-nr Ime I in the a 1 >• . ti-ement and proir.tHi'iif. The jilaintifT submits till' being the win' of th- lice, be was, 1111 ler the Itulesof itacing, entitled to have the ae/outu a-ked for re-, iered to him, acid aNo pi\meut of all motleys paid to or reieive l by the defendant as and for stakes and forfe ts in the i.ice, .subject only t > the deduction-) inferred to. The pUititi'f therefore a>ks that the defendant should be ordered to pay the amount receive I by him .as slakes or forfeits, subject to the deductions, ami also to give an account of the moneys received by him oil account of .stakes ami forfeits 111 the Challenge Makes.

Thy statement of defence denies that a colt ii lined Loyalty was eu'ered fo the race, or that he was owned by the plaintirt before or at the time of the r ice, or that he won the race, or »';n declared the winner. The defendant further alleges that lie hail Mot nor evvr had »ny m'Uieys in his hands or under his control which he had received as stakei or forfeits. The lace was for a fixed stake or prize of £2000 provided by the Club out of its own moneys, and 110 more. Out of the stakes the owner of the second hor-.e was entilled to receive, and did so receive, £2011; the owner of the third horse .Clou, and the nominator of the winner £1' 0, There were 110 stakes or forfeits in the race to whi h the winner was or is entitled within the meaning of the c 'iiditioiH and rules. The words " stakes and forfeits " have a technical and well understood meaning anions racing men in Ne>v Zealand, and do not include entrance money paid in respect of a race such as that mentioned. That the entrance moneys paid in respect of horses entered for the race belong to the club, and neither the plaintiff 1101 any other person oth r than the Canterbury Jockey Club is entitled to it. If plaintiffs horse Loyalty won the race—which the defendant denies—then lie sum if JClf.au, which the plaintiff acknowledges to have received, is all th it he is entitled to. The ice was run under th- Rules of icing, one of which was "That an unpaid forfeit list shall he kept at the Registry office, and shall be published at the conclusion of tile racing season every year. It shall include all due and unpaid stakes, tines, and forfeits which have been notified as hereinafter mentioned, and shill state the real n 11110 or 11 lines, and also the assumed name or names, if any, of persons from whom and the horses, if any, in respect of which the same are din-. trances, stakes, fine and forfeits which have been so published must be paid directly into the (registry ollice, and until so paid shall not lie removed Irom the list hut the noil.publication shall not remove the liability from defaulters." At the time the race was inn. the defendant alleges that the name of plaintiff was in the unpaid forfeit list referred to in the above rule, and that the said colt Loyalty was not qualified to run in such race. By rule 120 of the Unlet of Racing it was provided that objections 011 the ground that a horse is disqualified by reason of any default, and entered in the forfeit lis;, nny be received at any time within twelve months after the race. Rule 131 of the Rules of Racing provides that all protests and objections shall lie determined by the Stewards, whose decision shall be final. Rule 161 further provides that if an objection to a horse that has won a race he de tared valid the horse shall be regarded as having been last i 1 the races and the other horses shall take positions accordingly. By rule 13", it is further provided "That, pending the determination of an objection, any money or pri/.e which the horse objected to may have won, shall be withheld," and by rule 143, "That in the event of any objection being sustained after the stakes have been paid over, the person to whom the stakes shall hare been paid shall refund the same to the Club." At the time the C.J. C. issued the programme and the advertisement regarding the race, and at thy time when the colt Loyalty was entered, it was well understood by the Club and bv the Middle Park Company, Limited, which en'erod Loy dry, that according to the true intent and meaning of the programme and advertisement, the value of tlie Challenge Stakes was £2000, to be provided out of the money of the Club and distributed in the manner stated in the advertisement, and also that the value of the stake to the winner did not depend in any way on the number of entries for the race, and also there would be no added money. It was further understood that the entrance and subscription moneys paid to the Club by persons entering horses to run for the Challenge Slakes would be re-

tabled by the Club fur it* <i tieral purposes, ;ill <i that no part thereof would lie added to or go with the stake. The defendant further alleges that at Hie time when Loyalty ran in the ice, anil also at the time when the sum of i.lWll was paid to plaintiff, it V.as well known and understood by the plaintiff, the defendant, and the C.J.C., that the total value of the Challenge Stakes was £2001), no more and no less, and that it had been provided out of the moneys of the Club, and that the value of the stake was not influenced in any way by the number or amount of entrance moneys received for the said race; that there was no sweepstakes or added money ; that the Club had received 1 true sums of money in respect to horses entered for the said race, and that the Club claimed and had exercised the right to retain such last mentioned moneys for the general pun osi.s of the Club, and that the plaintiff had no right to the same. The plaintiff, with full knowledge of all these circumstances, received the sum of £1520 in full discharge of all claims which he might have as winner of the race. The defendant therefore submits that the plaintiff is bound by the premises, and ought not to be allowed to allege anything to the contrary.

PURCHASE OF AN ENGLISH SIRE. Australia is about to receive another valuable addition to her list of thoroughbred sires, in the shape of Gossoon, who has been purchased in England on behalf of Mrs. James White, the owner of the Kirkham Stud, in New South Wales. Gossoon is a most fashionably and stoutly-bred horse, and his pedigree is adorned with a perfect galaxy of great winners. His sire Galopin, (who is by the Two Thousand Guineas winner, Vedetto), won the Derby of 1875, and as the sire of St. Simon, Galliard, and Donovan, he has earned for himself a place amongst the greatest sires of the day. Turning to Gossoon's dam, Petal, we find that she was "ot by the celebrated Hermit (winner of the Derby in 1867), from Gardenia, who in turn was got by Maccaroni (winner of the Two Thousand Guineas and Derby, of 18(53). Gossoon never did anything much himself as a racehorse, but still he was not by any means a failure, for at two years old he won the Goodwood Findon Stakes, Lewes Astley Stakes, and Doncaster Rous Plate, representing winnings to the tune of £1,14"). He also ran second to La Flee he in the Doncaster Champagne Stakes, beating Sir Hugo, who afterwards won the Derby, and was third in the Kempton Park Great Breeders' Produce Stakes, t'4;500, won by Gantlet. With the colt by Donovan from Alone, in addition to Gossoon, the Kirkham Stud will have a strain of blood that is very rare in the colonies, and it will be surprising if its introduction does not bear the best of good fruit. MISCKLLANKOITS ITEMS.

The annual meeting of members of the Auckland Racing Club is to be held on Monday next. With a shrinkage of over £14,000 from the totalisator investments compared with the previous season, the balance-sheet to be presented on this occasion by the committee does not promise to be pleasant reading, for at the best, the season's work must come out several hundreds on the wrong side of the ledger. Southern advices to hand state that Mr. O'Brien's action against the Canterbury Jockey Club, in connection with the Challenge Stakes money, is likely to prevent his departure for Australia for a short time : but that he intends sending Launceston and Loyalty to Sydney at an early date. Mr. Stead's trio, Stopniak, Melinite, and Ich Dien, were to be taken across to Sydney by the Hauroto, which was timed to leave Lvttelton on Tuesday last. The Press Association agent has not notified the same ; but as the name of the Yaldhurst trainer, R. Mason, figures in the list of passengers, it would seem pretty safe to conclude that Mr. Stead's horses are on their way across the water. The departure of Stopniak for Australia will not prevent him from still fulfilling his engagement in the New Zealand Cup. The son of Nordenfeldt is only engaged at the A.J.C. meeting, and as that takes place in the middle of September, there is plenty of time to allow of his being brought back to New Zealand for the big Southern race, to be run at Riccarton in November.

It is stated as a fact that when the recent commission in favour of St. Hippo for the New Zealand Cup was being efVecte'l, another section of Wright's stable was supporting Royal Rose for the same race. This information is published in Colonel Eraser's paper (the Thames Advertiser), and as the member for the To Aroha is put owner of the King Cole colt, the statement may be entitled to sonic weight.

The betting market on the New Zealand Cup would appear to be in a somewhat disordered condition in Auckland. On Tlnirs-

(lay the Workman was in one quarter quoted second favourito .it 10 to I, hilt yesterday in another quarter 'JO to 1 was I'iven as his price. St. Hippo still continues a strong favourite in Auckland, N's to 1 being the best, price on oiler about him. This is generally regarded as a false price, but the ring are. no doubt of opinion that it is only a question of Mr. Nathan's crack remaining in the race for him to see a short figure, and they arc shaping their books accordingly.

The Wellington Park stud occupies a very prominent place in the statistics of last, season, in that it claims St. Leger, the sire of the largest winner (Sr. Hippo), while Merganser, who occupies second place, was bred by Mr. Motrin, who still possesses her famous dam Albatross. Though a majority of the members of the .House of Representatives are said to be in favour of abolishing the totalisator, it is at the same time held to be improbable that the mechanical bookmaker will be swept away in the present session of Parliament.

Advices from I)unedin show that the New Zealand Cup candidates Ilippomenes, Tom pest-. Outpost, and Skirmisher are all pro greasing satisfactorily in their respective preparations. " M izeppa " writes:—" I'he Cup favourite, Hippomenes, in wintering as nicely as his admirers could wish, and so is Outpost, who will prove to be a stayer, unless 1 am very much mistaken."

Wot weather having again set in training work at l'llot'slie has been seriously interfered with. The New Zealand Cup candidates, St. Hippo, It iy.il Rose, The Workman, ami Pegasus, have all been regular attendants, though their tasks have been of a very mild character.

It may not be generally known (says " Spectator ") that Vietrix, whose running at Hawke's Kay and Wellington has created such a favourable impression, was ripped by a bull some time ago. A North Island correspondent writes mo to this effect, and 1 can now understand what, cans d the ugly blotch in irk on her. Mr. Mason, her former owner, when sewing up the wound, could see the mare's lungs working at the time, from which it will be guessed what a narrow escape she had. Her lungs do not appear to have been impaired. She is a rare juniper, and everything points to het being a rare stayer, too.

I'. Martin, private trainer to Mr. S. TI. iollan in Victoria, is about to receive two

further additions to his string in the shape of a brace of two-year-old colts, one being a full brother to Loyalty, by St. George — Fair Nell; and the other a three-parts brother to Tirailleur, by Maxim from Florence McCarthy. The youngsters are to be shipped from New Zealand early next month.

Old Cap-a-pie, who has just completed his 10th year, is said to be looking remarkably well, considering that he is well into the "sere and yelk leaf." The son of Maribvrnong was foaled in IS7I —the same year in which his famous rival Chester first saw the light. Cap-a-pie is located in the Wanganui district.

Westmere is reported to be doing nice easy work at Wanganui. and the parties connected with the .son of Escutcheon are said to have high hopes of the colt cutting a respectable figure when the New Zealand Cup comes up for decision in November next. Mr. George Davis, M.L.C., one of the foremost racing men in Victoria, has expressed the opinion that it will be extremely difficult to prevent jockeys from betting, lie thinks that the rule should be so amended that a jockey if lie wished could make a wager 011 his own mount, providing that such wager was made through the owner of the horse. It is believed, however, that the V. R.C. committee are of opinion that jockeys should be prohibited altogether from wagering. The 113 English Derbies so far run have been thus distributed — I To princes, *2; to dukes, IK; to lords, "24 ; counts, I; barons, 1; admirals, 1; colonels, l>; baronets, 1!); and to those wit the plain prefix of Mr., 4ti. The English Jockey Club has decided that being in the forfeit list does not prevent a horse or mare subscribing to Produce Stakes. The Rangitikei Racing Club is in a very satisfactory condition. A .statement of last season's racing shows a profit of £•21.'). They have Jl'.'UiG to their credit with no liabilities.

Clanranald is .said to have a very suspicious looking hock, but lie continues to go on most satisfactorily in his training for the New Zealand Cup. The Wanganui Jockey Club, which is on all hands voted to he one of the best managed clubs in the colony, is in the satisfactory position of having the nice little " ncst-e"" " of £710 Ills to their credit.

The Derby of 1840 is the onlyone the Queen ever saw run.

.Mr. S. 11. Gollan is not expected back in Napier before next autumn. The iirat forfeits in connection with the Melbourne Cup are due on Monday next. Owing to the incessant downpour ot rain during the present week, the committee of the Pakuranga Hunt Club have decided not to have a meet to-day.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. The following is the report to be presented at the annual meeting of the Auckland Racing Club, on Monday next: — <«entlemen, —In laying the annual statement of accounts before von, your committee regret they have not so sa!isf<etovy a statement to make as in farmer years, for, owing to the very severe weather experienced, losses have been made when wo hoped to have mull! large profits as formerly. At. our Hummer Meeting, the weather was really worse than bail —worse than ever has been expeiienced before. Dunns; the year we have given away in stakes £S9OO, as against jCSS'Jri at the corresponding meeting last year. The amount put through the totalisator was as again -t £»;.!, jot) | ;lst year, or a reduction in round numbers of £14, win. Gates realised il >20. and grandstand £;>ln, .is against £1200 and £='.):». Three conferences have been' field in Wellington during the year. A; the last, the delegates agreed to give representation to' the country and suburban clubs at future conferences, which your committee trust will make matters work more satisfactorily to all concerned. Your committee intend at future meetings to place pony races on your programmes, which they trust will meet the wishes of their suoporters. You will have to elect six committeemen. Messrs. Nathan, Buckland, McLaughlin, Duder, ami Kirkwood retire, but offer themselves for re election ; whilst Mr. Arch. Clark h is given the requisite notice that he is a candidate in room of Mr. Lannigan, resigned.—Thomas Murium, Chairman Committer