SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9817, 11 May 1895, Page 6

SPORTING.

THE OFFICIAL CALENDAR.

The Auckland Weekly News has been appointed the Official Calendar for the publication of all racing notices affecting meetings held under the jurisdiction of the Auckland Racing Club.

[RULE 17. J "The programme of each meeting in which the added money is £150 or upwards must be advertised it full once at least in the Official Calendar. The advertisement shall show that the programme lias been approved by the Jockey Club—shall state the days on which the meeting is to begin and end, and of the the names Stewards, Judge, Starter, Clerk of the Scales, and Uandieapper. Programmes of race meetings need only he published in full once, but any subsequent publication of a programme in a condensed form shall contain the words, ' For complete programme seo the Official Calendar Of ."■

RACING FIXTURES. New Zealand. May Auckland Trotting Club. May 15Cambridge Jockey Club. May IS, Takupuna Jockey Club. May 24—Nornianby Trotting Club. May 24—Wanganui Jockey Club. May 24—Napier Town ami -Suburban Racing Club. May 24, 26—Dunedin Jockey Club. May 25— Waihi Racing Club. June S. 11—Auckland Racing Clue. Juno 20— Hawke's Day Jockey Club. July 3—Napier Park Racing Club. July 11—Uisborne Steeplechase Club. AUSTRALIA. May 24—Victoria Racing Club. May 24, 25—Sydney Turf Club. June Australian Jockey club. July 0, 13—Victoria Racing Club.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. THK TURF.

BIUUSHEIt, Auckland.—l. Isonomy (syrs) carried Ost I2lb when he beat 20 others in the Manchester Cup (one mile ami three-quarters), in ISSO. Carbine (oyrs) carried lust Sib, and beat 37 others in tho Melbourne Cup (two miles) of 1890. 2. It was quite correct, as stated; Lochiel was sired in England, and foaled in New Zealand. 3. We should think Kutield and A.B. were the two worst horses wired by Musket. W.H., Devonport.—Angler and Hawthorn were killed by falling at the hurdle situate at the back of the course (fronting the grandstand), Isidore fell and broke his leg at the fence on the brow of the hill (running up from the Hat). WAGER.—FoIIy had not previously won at Filerslie, prior to her victory in the Kastor Handicap.

NORTH NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. [BY phaeton.]

Mr. Evett declared the weights for the two principal events of the above Meeting last night; but the late hour at which they reached my hands precludes me from dealing with them other than in a brief manner. So far as I can see, the handicapper has acquitted himself well; and in each race he has, .1 think, succeeded well in concealing the winner. If Liberator (12st 91b) can be got back to his best form, I should be inclined to take him as the most likely amongst the top weights in the Grand National Hurdle Race to gain distinction, though Caola (list 111b) would most certainly prove a thorn in the side of the Betrayer gelding if he is brought back to fulfil his engagement. Bonovoree (lOst) should have a chance, and Ida (9st) is one of the untried ones over feuces that may repay watching. In the Great Northern Steeplechase, Norton (list 101b) heads the list ; that weight does nob put the Ascot gelding out of court, and he appears to me to be the most dangerous of the top weights. Mutiny (list 71b) should have a chance, and so should Belle (lOst 51b), while amongst those lower down the list, Cingalee (lOst 31b) and Fishmonger (9st 10b) read well in. The following are the weights : — Grand National Handicap Hurdle Race of 200sovs. Two miles. st lb St lb Couranto .. -. 12 10 Bonovoree.. ... 10 0 Liberator .. .. 12 0 Despised .. ..10 0 Kbor.. ... ..12 8 Warrior .. .. 9ld Melinite .. .. 12 4 Union Jack ... 910 Bnsnoo .. .. 12 0 The Dancer .. 9ld Mutiny .. .. 11 11 Ida 9 0 Caola .. ..11 11 Ladybird ... .. 9 0 Pansy .. .. 10 4 .'lnvolution .. 9 0 Fright .. .. 10 4 Disraeli .. ..9 1) Great Northern Steeplechase Handicap of 400sovs. About three miles and a-half. st lb st lb Norton .. .. 12 10 Aerera «. .. 10 3 Koscius .. ..12 9 Cingalee _ .. 10 3 Busaco .. .. 12 7 I'rinht .. .. 10 0 Couranto ... .. 12 3 Union Jack .. 10 0 Liberator .. .. 11 12 Fishmonger ... 9 10 Mutiny .. .. II 7 Scaltheen .. ..9 8 Caola .. .. 11 5 Deceiver .. ..9 7 Despised .. ..HO Hero 9 7 Bombardier .. 10 <; Kginout .. ..9 7 Utile .. .. 10 5 Beatify .. ..0 7 Shillelagh ..10 3

NOTES BY PHAETON. THE ONE THOUSAND GUINEAS.

The 82rid contest for the One Thousand Guineas took placfeit Newmarket on the 3rd instant. This race, which it may be remarked is confined to tillies, was won by Mr. A. W. Cox's Galleotia (a daughter of Galopin and Agave), Sir James Miller's La Sagesse (by Wisdom—St. Mary) being second : and Lord Rosebery's Gas (by Ayrshirellluminata) third. The winner was anything but a good performer as a two-year-old ; for out of six attempts, she only proved successful on one occasion, and it is not unlikely that her victory would prove a bit of a surprise. The following is a list of winners of the One Thousand Guineas since 1574 :—

Gas, who ran third, it is worthy of remark, is half-sister to Ladas, who last year won the Two Thousand Guineas ami Derby for Lord Rosebcry. THE EGMONT MEETING. The Egmont Racing Club had to contend with unpropitious weather for the holding or their Winter Meeting; but it seems to have passed oil' with a fair measure of success, The principal event —the Egmont Steeplechase of 150 sovs.attracted a field of six, viz., Roscius (12st 811)), Union Jack (lO.st 91b), Booties (10st 61b), Parnell (9st 12lb), Austral (9st 111b), and Raven (9st 81b). Several mishaps occurred during the running of the race, and Roscius was enabled to win with consummate ease from Booties, with Raven third. Roscius pulled up so very badly, and had been so given to bleeding from his nose, that it seemed highly dangerous to support him. However, that the parties behind the big son of Gladiator backed him we havoprctty strong evidence in that the dividend attaching to his victory only amounted to £3 3s. The following is a list of winners of the Egmont Steeplechase :—

By his victory in the Egmont Steeplechase Roscius has incurred a penalty ot 71b for the Wanganui Steeplechase, and his impost in the latter race will as a consequence be raised from 12st4lb to 12st 111b. THE ADELAIDE CUP.

At the South Australian Jockey Club's Meeting on Wednesday last, the Aucklandbred Elswick ended a capital performance by winning the Adelaide Cup of lOOOsovs for Mr. A. S. Chirnside. Elswick, who was got by Nordenfeldt from Albatross, and is consequently a full brother to the brilliant. Merganser, was purchased at, Wellington Park in JSOI by the Canterbury sportsman, Mr. P. Butler, for 330 guineas. He, however, never carried that gentleman's colours, and was resold in the autumn of the same year to Mr. A. R. Blackwood, of Victoria, drifting eventually into Mr. A. S. Chirnside's name. Being an overgrown horse Elswick failed to gain distinction in his two and three-year-old career, but his trainer, the veteran Alec Taylor, stuck to his task well, and last season the son of Nordenfeldt rewarded his connections with a brace of wins, one being gained in the Prince of Wales' Stakes at Williamstown, and the other in the Hopetonn Cup at Caullield. Elswick was greatly fancied for the Adelaide Cup, and at last advices he was a warm favourite for that race.

THK WELLINGTON PARK STUD. The collection of yearlings which Mr. Morriu has this year hi his hands at Wellington Park numbers no les3 than 37, and I learn from the popular studmaster that the youngsters are thriving splendidly. In this year's collection, Sapphire (dam of the brilliant Blue Fire) is represented by a colt sired by St. Lcger, who is held to bo one of the finest foals that has been seen at Weilington Park : and Bangle (dam of the Great Easter Handicap winner. Casket), and Aula (dam of the Mew Zealand Cup Winner Impulse) are respectively represented by a cole and filly, each being sired by the Doncaster horse. Castor is responsible for nine in this year's list, chief of which are colts out of Lady Walmsloy (sister to Carbine), Hilda (sister to Artillery), and Necklace (dam of Collarette), and fillies from I'ungawerewere (dam of Crackshot), and Cissy (sister to Trenton). Cuirassier has eleven opposite his name, four of which are colts and seven fillies. Ouida (dam of the V.R.C. Derby winner Strathmore) and Albatross (dam of the Great Autumn Handicap winner Merganser) haveeach thrown a beautiful filly to the brother to Trenton, while Maid of Athol (dam of Krupp) is responsible for a colt. Hotchkiss has only five to his credit, but amongst the lot is a full brother to the game little Forma. Mr. Morrin has again been very fortunate this year with his mares, only four out of the 44 which comprise the Wellington Park collection being under suspicion of having missed. Frailty (dam of Trenton and Cuirassier), Onyx (dam of Nordeufeldt), Lady Walmsley (sister to Carbine), Cissy (sister to Trenton), Necklace (dam of Collarette), and Crinoline (dam of Sternchaser) show every sign of being in foal to Castor, Ouida (dam of Strathmore), Albatross (dam of Merganser), and Aida (dam of Impulse), and Rose of Wellington (dam of True Blue) have been mated with Cuirassier. Sapphire (dam of Blue Fire), Bangle (dam of Casket), and Hilda (sister to Artillery), have been mated with St. Leger, and appearances point to the probability of their presenting the turf with something. Formo (dam of Forma), is again in foal to Hotchkiss ; and old Puugawerewere (dam of Crackshot) has been mated with the same sire.

Elswick's victory in the Adelaide Cup on Wednesday last marks the seventh big victory that has been secured this season by Wellington Park bred horses. Impulse (by St.* Leger—Aula) scored in the New Zealand Cup; Mahaki (by Nordenteldt—Steppe) landed the A.R.C. Handicap and Wellington Cup; Casket (by Castor—Bangle), has accounted for the Dunediu Cup and Great Easter Handicap ; Havoc (by Nordenfeldt— Frailty) placed the Australian Cup to the credit of the Auckland breeding establishment; and Folly (by Captivator—The Jilt) got home first in the A.R.C. Easter Handicap. Truly a great record.

l)I(i DIVIDENDS. At the South Canterbury Meeting held on the 25th ult., the Washdyke Welter Handicap was responsible for one of the most complete upsets of the pot to which we have been treated on the New Zealand turf for a long time past. There was only £1 invested on Moderation, a three - year - old chestnut filly by Johnny Faulkner—Sobriety, and a dividend of £134 4s was the result. Doubtless some readers will be pleased with an opportunity of refreshing their memories as to these " centuries," and I therefore present the list made up to date :—

£3WI -Crummy, February, ISSO, Fire Brigade Handicap, Town and Suburban, Napier. £235 17s—Ipswich, December, IS!);!, Electric Stakes 'trot, Canterbury Trotting Club. *£269—Louie, .March, 1832, Napier Handicap. £251 14s—Kalo, April, 1355, Shorts Handicap,

Auckland. *£-2'23 Is —Mavis, March, ISSI, Tradesmen's Handi-

cap, Hawke's Bay. £171 12s—Lavender, April, ISSO, Ashley Plato, New

Brighton. £109 -Silver Bel!, .March, 1539, Trot, Dunedin. £162—Waimarama, Decamber, 1893, Christmas 1 landieap, Porangahau. £I}>9 Gs—Holly, May, 1353, Trot, Dunedin. £103 Us and £103 10s—Liberty, uciober, IS3O, Hurdle Handicap, Hawke's Hay. £117 12s- Minnie 11., October, 1594, District Race,

Uhoka and Kyrelon. £139 Tristan, December, ISSS, County Plate,

Cromwell. £137 lis—Sabastopol, May, 1802, Welter Handicap,

Geraldine. £138 l«s-Disappointment, May, 1891, Trot, Auckland. £135—Dead Shot, December, 1304, Nursery Handic ip, Auckland £134 2s—Moderation, April, 1595, Welter Handicap, South Canterbury. £131 fis-Moouee, January, 1890, Hack Race, Wel-

lington. £123 Dorothy, February, 1391, Hack Hurdle

Race, Manawatu. £122 Ss— Dun lonald, January, 1592, Maiden Plate,

Waikouaiti. .*.- *£120 Adamant, February, ISS3, Dunedin

Cup. £114 tis —Malvina, March, ISS7, District Handicap,

Peninsula. £11.'! S*—Sly sam, May, ISS.I, Trot. New Brighton. £103 Little loin, March, 1891, Pony it ace,

Auckland. £100 10a—Catesby, June, 1883, Winter Handicap, Auckland. £102125— Frances, April, 1595, Flying Handicap, Beaumont. £10L Us—Love Shot, November, IS9I, Juvenile Stakes, Christchurch. £101 is—Blackthorn, January, 1802, Trot, Vincent. £100 16s—Hanlan, October, 1889, Hack Race, Lowburn. *The asterisk signifies that the dividend was per £2 ticket. MORE ABOUT CARBINE. "Spectator," of the Canterbury Press, writes :—About Carbine some curious stones are told, some of them no doubt without the merit of truth, but as showing what a lottery buying yearlings is, I may mention that at the time Carbine was sold there was a regular run upon the Muskets, and as that sire had never left anything so light in colour as the Mersey colt, some of the speculators stood oil' him on that account. Nearly a year after the sale, Mr. O'Brien, in conversation with me, remarked that he thought he had given a big price for the colt, and would like to see his money back, but mentioned that Derrett was very much taken with him. On that day, December 16th, ISS7, he won his first race, the Hopeful Stakes, at Tattersail's Club Meeting at Riccarton, with Derrett up, and everyone knows how he went on winning. Mr. O'Brien was evidently not so sanguine about him turning out well as when he purchased him. Later on when he took the colt to Sydney, Mr. Gannon approached Mr. O'Brien with a view to purchase. Three thousand guineas was, I believe, the price asked. Mr. Gannon then tabulated the pedigree of Carbine and asked Mr. O'Brien to leave the offer open until he, Mr. Gannon, could submit the pedigree for analysis to an expert friend. This was agreed upon, and I fancy it must have been owing to that analysis that Mr. Gannon did not purchase, for I have the result of the expert's researches. Underlined in red and blue are the names of Carbine's ancestors, with a footnote to the effect that the pedigree read exceptionally well for speed, but showed a preponderance of soft blood, and the colt was not likely to stay. This was the opinion of the red and blue theorist, the late Mr. Robert Bruce Lowe, whose works, in which he enters largely into the subject of breeding on defined lines, has been somewhat favourably reviewed in Home and American pauers. There are, of course, exceptions to every rule, Carbine's blood proved to have exceptional speed and staying qualities combined, of course discounting the value of the red and blue theory in this particular case. A GREAT HORSEMAN ON THE USE OF THE

WHIP. Torn Cannon, who is on all hands regarded as one of the greatest horsemen that ever graced the English turf, is said to have once remarked that out of 100 hard finishes he had ridden he did not use the whip in three cases. He further said : " What a lot of races that unfortunate whip loses, and more especially on young horses ! No one knows what a number of two-year-olds are ruined by the whip and spurs hoys are always using. It's cruel, and besides it does no good at all. See a two-year-old come out on the course and go down to the post, listening and looking about him. He ran last week, and he was hided, and he was out on the day before yesterday, and here he 13 once more, and he knows that he's got to run and to be hided again. What's the consequence? He is too nervous to put out his full powers, and when lie goes back to his stable, timorous and trembling, he won't eat, and what's worse, he won't drink, and so he goes off when he never had a chance of coming on. As I sit in my light saddle I can feel their hearts against my legs beat, beat, beat, bump, bump, bump. Then when a careless or clumsy boy is on them and they got a bad start after all, out cornea that blessed whip, and so they go whipping and bumping all over the course." Tin; great English horseman would see plenty of whalebone used if he paid a visit to New Zealand racecourses.

A CHAMPION TEN-MILEB. The champion ten-mile horse of the world, Pascal, took the world's record for that distance under peculiar circumstances, says the Horseman. The horse is a grandson of Almotit 33, being by Pascarell, named undoubtedly in honour of that well-kncjivn character bred in the imagination of Ouula. This horse is used by his owner, Mr. Jiurk, a prominent contractor and builder in New York City, as a business horse, driving him often as high as 75 miles in a day, When not interfered with by drays and waggons, I'ascal refuses to walk. lie wants to road along at least 10 to 12 miles an hour, and although lie is very nervous, he will stand under the elevated trains without being hitched ; in fact, one day Mr. Burk took off his bridle, hung it on the shafts, and left him standing for several minutes under the Sixth Avenue Elevated, The day ho

took his record of 26m. 14s. at Fleetwood, lie had been driven at least 20 miles on the road, Mr. Burk not expecting that he would be called upon that day, and, in fact, the horse did not have Ids dinner ; but there was a break in the programme, and in order to fill up the gap and amuse the 15,000 people present, the black horse was called for, awl he achieved the distinction of going 10 miles in 26m. 145., a feat never accomplished by any other horse.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. "Which was the worst horse sired by Musket in the colonies ?" is the nature of a unique question that came into my hands for solution during the present week; and as will be seen from the Answers to Correspondents, Enfield anil A. 15, arc mentioned as the two fitted to hold the certificate in that respect. I should, perhaps, include the illustrous Boomerang in the list, but having regard for the feelings of " A. Tramp, Esq.," I will elect to leave that equine out of the category lest I should be led into an angry warfare with my esteemed rambling confrere who entertains a great affection for his faithful old steed. It would be difficult to say which was the worst, Enfield or A.B. Enfield, who was out of the Diomedcs mare Toi, was a perfect little rat, standing, I should say, scarcely 14 hands ; that could not r/allop, as the saying goes, "as fast as you could kick your hat." A.B. was out of the Terenga mare Lady Elizabeth, and though I think he once scored in a hack race, lie was certainly a disgrace to the great Toxopholite horse. I don't know whether these two unworthy descendants of Musket are still in the land of the living, but with all tenderness, I would say, let us hope not. Boomerang, _ however, I have reason to believe, is still alive.

Mr. Evett tells mo that St. Clements' victory in the Electric Stakes at Wellington last week was one of the finest performances that he has ever wituessed in the colony. Though the son of St. Leger was weighted with 10s, and had to run his race on a heavy course, he simply romped over his field, none of which had a chance with him once he put in his claim. The case with which- St. Clements won his race, Mr. Evett thinks, would appear to point to the gallop in the Thompson Handicap having done him a vast amount of good, and he is of opinion that had the Aucklander been as well on the first day as he was on the second, it is very doubtful if Waiuku would have beaten him in the manner in which he did.

Local turfites have been a little exercised in endeavouring to unearth the identity of a chestnut pony that was taken over to Sydney last week by the Tasmania with St. Hippo ami Company. There may be something in keeping the name quiet, but it not infrequently happens that when mystery is heaped round a quadruped it has the very opposite effect to that intended by the connections, and I shall be quite prepared to learn that this has been the case with the little chestnut filly recently taken over to Sydney, of which, as the saying goes, "nobody seems to know nothing."

Though circumstances arise in the carrying on of a stud farm when the ravages of old age necessitate as an act of mercy the termination of the careers of old inmates by the aid of the friendly bullet, Mr. Morrin is at all times loth to take that step with his equine pets. Poor old Steppe, who, 1 may remark, is now in her 28th year, was, however, in such a bad way recently that the Wellington Park studmaster had serious thoughts of issuing the death warrant in her case. However, the old mure, improving somewhat in health, this was not earned into effect, and though Steppe, by reason of her old age, is now quite valueless, Mr. Morrin is likely to allow Nature to perform her certain task gradually, rather than resort to the use of the bullet in speedily ending the career of the famous black mure. Advices from Napier state that Kempenfeldt (by Nordenfeldtßianea), for whom Mr. S. H. Gollan paid SGO guineas in 1892, and who has never yet raced, has again been put into work. It is understood that the trouble which has prevented Kempenfeldt from being kept in training is the formation of lumps in his throat; but the "Vets" who have been treating him are hopeful that his ailment has been successfully combated. Kempenfeldt was a really magnificent colt us a yearling, and as he is said to have furnished into a tine horse, Mr. Gollan may after all have no reason to regret having purchased him.

During the progress of the Auckland Trotting Club's Meeting at Potter's Paddock on Saturday last, Major George's yearling filly Quicknre, by Carbine from JJestia, was brought up in order to give her a sight of the crowd. The filly behaved herself in a manner quite becoming a descendant of the good-tempered Musket family ; and I learned from her trainer, Mr. H. Harrison, that the daughter of Carbine has taken most kindly to her education. Quickfire is furnishing nicely, and Major George may find in her another winner of the Welcome Stakes, which race, I may remark, the bearers of the popular " black and white hoops" have captured , three times since it was instituted in 1882.

Mr. L. I). Nathan's representative St. Hippo caught it hot ana strong at the hands of the A.J.C. handicapper, Mr. Frank Wilkinson, in connection with the Queen's Birthday Cup and Royal Stakes, the son of St. Lesser being awarded 9st 12lb in the firstnamed race and lOst in the latter. As the traeatment of St. Hippo was held to be harsh he was struck out of both races shortly after the weights were published. The great race which Havoc had to run with Ohcsterman and The Harvester in the A.J.C. Plate found a weak spot in the brother to Zaliuski, and as a consequence Mr. Wilson had to withdraw him from all his South Australian engagements. The injury, which is situate in one of his stifles, is however not of a serious character, and he will, it is expected, soon be all right again.

The Australian Jockey Club are inviting applications for the position of handicapper at a salary of £300 per annum. It cannot be said that the A.J.C. have been guilty of anything rash in fixing the salary at £300 —in fact, it savours very much of downright meanness. The handicapper's position should, above all things, be hedged round with a good salary. If I mistake not, the V.R.C. handicapper, Mr. F. F. Dakin, gets well on to £SOO a-ycar.

It is stated that Mr. W. Percival has received a very fair offer for the bay colt by St. Leger from Satanella (full brother to St. Clements), but so tar the matter has not led to business. The colt is a really nice youngster, and in the opinion of some of the critics he is a far superior horse in looks to what his illustrious brother was at the same age.

Judging by his performance in the Harness Trot at Potter's Paddock on Saturday last, the American trotter La Rue is not likely to carry everything before him; in fact, his display was so very inferior as to lead one to the conclusion that he is a long remove from a first-class horse. His action is bad, and he did not put in a really good piece of work during any part of the two miles.

It is stated that Carbine will serve 30 mares outside those of his owner, the Duke of Portland. The list having been filled for three years at 200 guineas each, the Musket horse if iic lives, will have earned in the period named in stud fees alone, the nice little sum of IS,OIK) guineas. And some people are heard offering the opinion that Carbine's full value was 13,000 guineas, which the Duke of Portland paid for him.

11l recently making reference to the overtaxing of racehorses, the Canterbury Times says :—" Some years ago one of the most honest homes that ever trod the New Zealand turf dropped dead from sheer overwork. The occurrence at the time occasioned a good deal of comment, but no action was taken by the authorities. Only the other day the death was notified of an unfortunate animal whose energies during the past few months have palpably been overtaxed. It is quite time, therefore, that the authorities adopted some means by which owners shall not be permittedeither through ignorance or by intent—to harass the lives and cause the deaths of horses whose only weakness is tlio possession of too much honesty and courage."

An Australian horse-owner writes :— It is in times such as these, when we hear so much of the sale and departure of Carbine, and the great loss it will be to Australia, we think hard (as the Americans say), and wonder if hegreat racehorse though he was—would be our greatest loss as a sire. As Musket's best son, we should all like to have seen him remain in Australia. Still we have other great sons of the same sire. But there is another line of blood —Sir Hercules — which 1 think all racing men prize more dearly than Musket: and if we lost the last great descendant of that famous line—Aliorcorn—we would he sorry indeed, as we look upon him as our very own, his pedigree being colonial for generations, clearly showing the early importations could quite hold their own with those of later years."

It may not be generally known (writes " Hotspur") that Bob Kay, the " boss" two-year-old of Australia, was very nearly being shot before he had had a chance of distinguishing himself. He was in low condition when purchased by Mr. O'Brien, and while being built up got cur, and bled so freely that it was thought he would die from loss of blood, and to hasten his demise a bullet was proposed. Better counsels prevailed, the colt rapidly picked up, and now he is no doubt the pride of his owner.

During the present week Major George has had the misfortune to lose a very fine colt foal by Nelson from Memphis, who died from lockjaw. R. Derrett is so far ahead of his opponents this season that he is bound to head the list of wimiiug jockeys.

The three most aristocratic stables in England are John Porter's, Dick Marsh's, and George Dawson's, and (says a London writer) you must be a Marlboroogh House man to pet into anyone of them. Some surprise was manifested when it was heard that Mr, Baruato's horses would be trained at Egerton House with those of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Devonshire. It is now stated that they are to leave Marsh's stables, and J, Cannon will have charge of them at Bedford Lodge.

This is by a London writer :— How annoying it sometimes is to look back on chances we have missed! To have had the offer of Doncaster and Marie Stuart, for instance, just before Ascot in their five-year-old career for 8000 guineas, and to have refused it, not from want of judgment, but on account of a legal quibble, is not a pleasant reflection ; but amid all this talk about Musket blood the Duke of Beaufort has a notable cause tor regret. His Grace was always a staunch admirer of the old horse, and fully purposed buying him when he was sold for what now seems the ridiculous price of £600. But old John Day was opposed to the purchase, and dissuaded the Duke from carrying out his intention by pointing out to him that he could always send marcs to Musket. The departure of Musket to New Zealand, however, completely frustrated any such idea; and it lias not been till this year that old Petronel has been really raised to the vacant place of his site. I saw an attempt made in a contemporary the other day to depreciate Musket as a racehorse, but we have had few indeed that were better over a distance of ground, and his performance when, as a three-year-old, he beat the four-year-old Cardinal York a head for the Severn Stakes, two miles, at even weights, cannot easily be matched, for Cardinal York was in great form, and had recently won the Cesarewitch by six lengths, carrying 7sfc Sib. Years ago the question used to be raised pretty often whether a gelding could compete in the English Derby, ami the old argument was recently revived in America. Mr. Loiillard some time ago entered Dacotah 11., then a colt, but latterly had the youngster gelded, ami the point was whether this did not invalidate the entry. Most of the papers ruled straight off that the entry stood, but as doubt appeared to linger in some people's minds a leading journal wired for an answer to the general question, and received from Weatherby's the reply "Geldings are eligible for entry in Derby." The fog .seems to have arisen owing to the wording of the conditions : " For three-year-olds—colts 9.0, fillies 8.9." No mention thereof geldings ; but what is meant, of course, though it might as well be expressed, is that geldings receive no allowance. As a matter of fact geldings have started in the Derby. The Old Fox that ran in Flying Dutchman's Derby was a gelding; so was Special License, a starter in Blink Bonny's Derby ; and the calendar records three geldings, Taraban, Roquefort, and Bedlamite, as starting in Hermit's year. A gelding lias, however, never gained a place. New Zealand, I may remark, has a special provision for geldings in her chief Derby, run at Riccarton, A race in which geldiugs are barred is the Grand Prix de Paris.

The first—(says the Sydney Bulletin) perhaps it was also the last— horserace meeting in Fiji was held at Suva-some eight years ago. The course was laid out on the beach. lint as the neddies were coming up the straight (it took about five rounds for the Cup {distance), the tide advanced and shifted the grandstand (which was a sugar-punt of large dimensions), the judge's box (situate on the punt), and the tote (on punt) about 100 yards along the seaweed. After the spectators, also the judge, stewards, aed officials, had been carried ashore on the cocoanutted backs of the highly-amused Pijians, there was such a terrible difference of opinion as to which horse won —the punt having been washed one hundred yards past the post— that the machine refused to pay out, the judge resigned, and would not give a decision, and the spectators swore so at the stewards for not getting the race away in time for the tiderise, that for years no talk was heard of another race-meeting.

It may be asserted with tolerable safety that Miss A. Rainey is not only the champion horsewoman of Australia, but that she has established a record for equestrianism. After having won prizes at the .Sydney Agricultural Show, and all over the colonies, on the lionhearted Fairfield and other jumping celebrities, she performed a wonderful feat at the Bathurst Show last week, by piloting Fairfield, Normanby, aud Matilda, the three placed horses in the Ladies' Intercolonial .lumping Contest.

For an all-round horse, it would be difficult to find anything in Australia at the present time to beat The Indian, who within the last few weeks has defeated good fields on the flat at Flemington, has won a steeplechase at Epsom, and a hurdle race at Caulfield. Mr. Miller would no doubt be prepared to match his horse at- the three divisions of the sport against anything in training. Mikado 11. at his best would no doubt have a chance against The Indian. This horse has been sold to go to India.

A visitor to Mr. Flagging farm says : I must confess I was surprised at Sir Modred. I expected to see a great big horse ; instead, he is a small horse, hut powerfully built, with quarters and shoulders like a bull. In looking at some of his get, for instance— Tournament, Connoisseur, Anna Bishop, and others—one would be led to believe that he was a herculean horse, but such is not the case ; he is a small horse, built as stated.

The sums competed for in Ireland are so small, and money all round would appear to be so right, that it is by no means an uncommon thing for a man to go into the forfeit list for half a crown, while 17s 6d reads like a fairly substantial " smash." There is something grotesque in exalting a man to all the dignity of the forfeit list for an indebtedness of half a crown ! Fancy, says a London paper, a new Baroaldine being discovered, and at the last moment his starting for a big race in England prevented owing to a former owner being in default to the extent of half a crown ! It is the fact that the bulk of the names given in the Irish forfeit list are for shillings only, and the favourite amount seems to be 12s 6d>

Dreadnought's brother, Wentworth, by Chester out of Trafalgar, one of the team of thoroughbred horses sent to England by the late Mr. James White, was recently offered at auction at Albert Gate. The best bid was 49 guineas, at which price it was generally understood the horse was bought in. Mr. Dan Cooper gave 1800 guineas for Wentworth at the same time that he gave 'ib'oo guineas for Mons Meg.

The erst-New Zealander Torpedo, who was recently disqualified for life by the West Australian lurf Club has been sold for 15 guineas to a South African sportsman, and was shipped by the s.s. Aberdeen a few days ago for Cape Colony. Mr. T. Lees, the husband of Mrs. Lees, the owner of the horse, has entered an action against the W.A.T.C. for £1000 for disqualification of himself and the horse.

Mr. .1. B. Clark's retirement from the turf is understood to be mainly due to the un-Dusiness-like way in which the inquiry into the protest which he lodged against Havoc in the A. J.C. Piate was conducted.

Herbert Cusdin (a young brother of the late Henry Cusdin, who recently met Ins death through the horse he was riding at Aspenda.o Park falling with him) was killed recently by a train on the Caultiold line knocking him down.

Sir Tatton Sykes has offered 7000 guineas for La Flfieiie, in foal to Morion. This is the highest price ever bid for .a brood mare, but it may not be sufficient, as Baron de Hirsch was understood to require 10,000 guineas for the sister to Memoir. La Fleeho is next to be mated with Hampton. It is stated that the Victorian jockey, C. Moore, who went to America last November after his license had been withdrawn by the V.R.C., contemplates returning to the colonies.

It is reported in India that as the Austra-lian-bred Sprig of Myrtle will not stand training on the hard tracks there, Lord William Beresford, who has recently purchased the son of Trenton, will send him to England to bo raced there. " Ribbleden," of the Australasian, speak* very highly of the Auckland-bred colt True Blue (by llotchkiss—Roseof Wellington), who lie dubs as a clinker.

The Australasian, in commenting on the sale of the ilohartvillc yearlings, says :— "The spectators felt glad when the draft came to an end. as it was miserable to see such a wretched display from what was once the most popular stud in Australia." The English Derby winner, Shotover, has not, so far, given the turf any great performer. The daughter of Hermit and Stray was last season mated with Orme (by Bend Angelica). A fortnight before the decision ot the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase, Cloister was insured at Lloyd's tor £3000 for one month at the rate of 30s per cent. This was to cover the race for the Grand National and the risk of travelling, etc., during the period mentioned. The hoist;, however, was scratched soon after the insurance had been effected.

Fine, the jockey, whom Prime Warden worried prior to the start for the Great Autumn Handicap, is making an excellent recovery. The New Zealand-bred stallion July, sent recently to America, has arrived there safely. The two Auckland poncillers, Messrs. D. A. McLeod ami C. Philpott, proceeded to Sydney by the Tarawera on Wednesday last. A large number of sports were present to wish them l>on votjtu/c. " The absence of ' speilers' and dogs from the course was noticeable," says the loca paper, " at the Wairarapa Meeting." Si. Hippo is referred to in the Sydney Morning Herald as " the well-performed Tasmaniau."

AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB'S MEETING. . The above club will bring their Autumn Meeting to a close today at Potters laddock ; and the acceptances for the various events being of a satisfactory character some good sport should result m the event of the weather proving fine. The following are the acceptances : — STEWARDS TROT of GOsovs. Two ami a-qnarter miles.-Katie M. scratch, Thro". Cheers .scratch, Schoolgirl 25., Ida ails, Duke C. 445„ Morning Star 64.1., The Judge 585., Rodent S3», I"Rar 00s. Harness Trot Handicap of 60»ovs. iwn ana a.quarter miles.-Katie M. B*., Three Cheers Bs., Unity 325., Little Ben 325., Sparrow HawK MS., Dinah Ms. . , ~ Class Trot of 40sovs. One mile ami a-n.ut.— Katie M. scratch, Schoolgirl 'is., Tlio Frog 63., Coronella os., Lo Corbaau 10s., Hurricane lis., Ida ISA. , ~ . Maiden Trot Handicap of 30sovs. One mile and a-half.-La Corbeau scratch, Maud Ms., Fibre L>s., Morning Star 235., Rocket 255., The Judge 2;>s., Lady Ketford 255., liipiar 265., Minnie 2is., Otara 285.. Maid of Kilhuney Ms. Selling Trot Handicap of 30sovs. One mile and a half.— Spreydon Lad scratch, Sailor Boy 18s., Gwendoline 265., Otara 255., Minnie 265. A run. Handicap of 4llsovs. .-six furlongs and ft.half.-lteil 9.11, The Dove 11.7, Sulky 8.6. Nellie 8 2 Direct 8.2, I'iea 7.12, Vooline 7.10, Kit 7.7, Chance It 7.2, Deceiver 7.0, Zephyr 6.12, Kaipara6.7. Maiden I'onv Rack of 25s<>v.s. Five finlongs.— Sulky 8.7 Kit 7.12, Circus Girl 7.4, Ciermnia 7.4, Iturbary 7.2. The Nun 7.0, Antes 6.12, Zephyr 6.12. Deceiver 0. in, Dearie 0.7, Kismet 0.7, Larry li 7. Steeplechase of 3050v3. Two miles mid a-half. —loauntleroy 11.8, Little Riven 11.4, Butterfly 10.4, Little Jane 10.0, Deceiver 8.7, Effio 8.7, lltuiua 8.7. The first race is set down to be started at 12.30 p.m.

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB'S WINTER MEETING. The following are the acceptances in connection with the first day's racing of the Takapuna Jockey Club's Winter Meeting, which takes place on Saturday next :— Britannia Handicap of fiOsovs. Una mile aud one furlong. .st 111 st 11) St. Kilda ... .. HID Grenadier _ 7 i) Folly .. ..8 8 Anita .. .. (i 12 Scot Free .. .. 8 & Handsome Jack .. 6ID The Sharper .. 8 0 Nnrina .. ... 6 10 Retaliation ..7 7 Cleopatra. .. _ 6 7 First Nelson .. 7 2 Aughadowey - 0 7 Lufra .. ..7 2 Royal Handicap of 40sovs. Five furlongs and a-half. st lb st lh The Sharper _ 0 2 Miss Nelson _. 7 3 St. Patrick.. ~8 4 St. Mary .. .. 7 2 Grenadier .. .- 7 9 Lady Agnes .. 7 0 Retaliation ..7 8 Anita .. .. (i 12 Heart of Oak ... 7 8 Handsome Jack .. tilM Repeater .. ..7 0 Norina .. .. 010 Acacia .. ..7 6 Cleopatra .. ..0 7 Lufra .. ..7 4 l'ONl" Handicap of 35sovs. Six and a-half furlongs. stlb st lb Lady Thornton .. 9 0 Penguin! .. ... 7 0 Vampire .. ..8 8 Storyteller ..7 1 Nannie .. ..8 2 Bride ... .. 0 10 Sweet Lavender .. 8 0 I.eon;i .. .. 0 to Cupid .. .. 7 12 Virgin .. ..0 7 fidget .. ..7 8 Huiidle Race of 50sovs. One and three-quarter miles, st lb st 11. Despised -. .11 4 Molly Hawk _ 9 8 Warrior .. -. 10 8 Ilea V'uka .. 0 0 Bonovoree ..in 8 Beauly .. .. 9 0 Bombardier .. jo 4 Duncan Grey „■ 9 0 MarechalNeil .. 0 8 Steeplechase of BSsovs. About three miles. stlb st lb Despised .. _It 0 Kildare .. „ 912 Belle .. ..11 2 Mollv Hawk .. 910 Fishmonger ..11 2 Maroro .. ..9 7 Bombardier .. Hi 12 Duncan Grey .. 0 7 Parnell .. .. 912 Hoauly .. ..9 7 Maiden Handicap of 30sovs. One mile. st lb .st lb Grenadier .. .. 8 5 Handsome Jack.. 7 4 Ladybird .. .. 8 4 Stanley .. .. 7 0 St. Mary .. .. 712 Tip 0 7 Repeater .. .. 7 10 Victoiine .. _ 0 7 Edna .. ..7 8 Maiden Huudles of assovs. Ono mile and a-half. st lb at lb Kildarc .. .. 11 0 Levanter .. „ 9 5 Bombardier ..it 1 8 Fore and Aft .. 9 5 Duncan Grey .. 910 Peter Jackson .. 9 0 Acacia .. _ 9 10 Tip 0 0 Lady Bird.. .. 9 8 Ko-edale .. „ 9 0 Ditto .. ..9 5 Victorino .. ..9 0 The sale of the privileges took place yesterday, at the Brunswick Mart, Queenstreet, Mr. D. Tonka officiating as auctioneer. The amounts realised ware as follow:— Outside booth, £56, Mr. P. F. Puree 11; inside booth, £47, Mr. P. F. Pureed; refreshment stalls, £5 10s, Mrs. Mcintosh ; cards, £52, Mr. J. Johnson : gates, £129, Mr. F. Martin : total proceeds, £280 10s.

THE CHESTER CUP. Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. London, May 9. The following was the result of the race for The Chester Cup (handicap) of 2000sovs (200sovs in plate, and the remainder in specie), added to a sweepstakes of iijsovs each, 15ft. For three-year-olds and upwards. The owner of the second horse to receive 200sovs, and the owner of the third 100-iovs out of the stakes. Nearly two miles and a quarter. s Captain Machell's br h Kilsallaghan, by Brown Prince—Gipsy, syrs, 7st 9lb ... 1 Mr. F. Alexander's br h Son of a Gun, by Petronel—ltiiona, syrs, Bst 101b ... 2 Lord Penrhyn's br h Theseus, by Isonomy —Hermia, 4yrs, 6st 41b 3

Yr. " Owner. Winner. Sire. 1874 Mr. Launde .. Apology ..Adventurer 1875 Lord Falmouth .. Spinaway .. Macaroni 1870Count Lagrange.. Camelia .. Toxoph'lite 1877 Lord Harthgton Belphcebe 1878 Lord Lonsdale .. Pilgrimage .. The Earl or | I'hft Palmer 1879 Lord Falmouth .. Wheel of F'rt'ne Adventurer 1880 Mr. T. K. Walker Elizabeth .. statesman 1881 Mr. W. S. Cr'v.-f'rd Thebaic .. Hermit 18S2 Mr. W. S. Cr'wf St. Marguerite Hermit 1883 Mr. C. P. Lefevre Hauteur .. Rosicr'cian 1881 Mr. Abington ..Busybody ..Petrarch 1885 Dk. of W'stminst'r Farewell .. Doncaster 1886 Duke of Hamilton Miss .lummy .. Petrarch 1887 Duke of Beaufort I Ueve d'Or ..Hampton 1888 Mr. P. Baird ..Briar Hoot ..Springfield 1889Mr Vyner .. Minthe .. .. Cambalo 18 '0 Duke of Portland Semolina .. St. Simon 1891 Mr. N. Fenwick.. Minn .. .. liarcaldiue 1892Baron de Hirsch La Heche .. St. Simon 1898 Sir J. B. Maple .. Siffleuse .. Saraband 1801 Duke of Portland Amiable .. St. Simon 1895 Mr. a. W. Cox..lOalliotia .. Galopin

Yr. Owner. Winner. A Wgt. Time Kt.lb. in, s. 1887 Mr. A. Shearsby ..Orient ..all C:7 48 1888 Mr. W. II Keith .. Allegro .. a 10 0,8 38J l(i80|Mr. V. Bell .. .. Rossiter .. 0 0 9 7 32 1890 Mr. •<:. M'Khvain .. Auckland .. -1 '.) 7 7 44 1891 Mr. II. M. Hayr .. Takapu .. a '.i 10 7 07 1892lMr. Williamson ..Shillelagh., a 10 67 9 1893 Mr. K. Shove ..Booties ..0 10 7 7 47 lSMJMr. J.J. Russell .. Union Jack a 10 7 7 5 IHyy Uoscius .. a 12 8 7 21J