SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10037, 25 January 1896, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. —■ New Zealand. January 29, FobriiTy 1-Takapuna Jockey Club. February 1-Canterbury Jockey Club. February 12,13— Kpnont Racing Club. February 15,22—Otahuhu Trotting Club. February 19,20—'1 aranaki Jockey Club. February 19,20,22—Dunedin Jockey Club. February 20, 21- Bay of Plenty Jockey Club. February 21. 22-Poverty Bay Turf Club. \

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. H.S.. Opunake. —Muskapeer was never rared, the reason for this being that he met with an accident when a yearling. He was got by Musket from Peeress. . Wager, Thames.—St. Hippo only won one race 15 a two yea'-old. He was defeated by Lottie 111 the Huia Handicap, run at Ellerlw, in Ftibiuary, 18 j"k., Hobson * street.-The foil-wine is a full J K., Hobson street.-The foil -wine is a full statement of Fab list's performances:-At two years old-A.R.C. First Spring : Unplaced in ."entember Stakes, won by Kornw J A.K.C. beconci Spring: Third in Welc- me Stakes, won by Forma ; unplaced in Nursery Handicap, won by liazelmere. AH C. Summer: Sec nd in Nursery Handicap, won by Dead Shot; unplaced in Midsummer stakes, won by Bloodshot; third in Sylvia Handicap, won by Forma Takapuna summer : Second Calliope Handicap, won bv Lady Atnes ! third in Houson Handicap, won by Miss Nelson. At three years old Sc. Second Sprinc : Won Auckland Guineas; second in Flying Handicap, won by St. Laura A.R.C. Slimmer: Won Christmas Handicap; won Great Northern Derby; second in Royal Stakes, won by Bloodshot.

NOTES BY PHAETON. THE NEWMARKET HANDICAP AND AUSTRALIAN CUP. Mr. F. F. Dakin's adjustments for the Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup mado their appearance during the present week, and as 'those events never fail to excite a large amount of interest in Auckland turf circles, the weights have been keenly criticised. The Victorian handicapper is not one of the class that believes in flattering handicaps, but there is just a danger that in avoiding this ha goes to the other extreme by making his adjustments on so high a scale, as to practically crush the good horses. Both the handicaps under review are cast on a severe S3ale. and when we get the views of the riters on the work it will, I think, be found that the top-weight division, in the Newmarket Handicap especially, will be considered to have been somewhat harshly dealt with. Of the top weights in the Newmarket Handicap, tho one for whose chance I have most fancy is Mostyn (lOst 41b). The English-bred horse has won some good races during tho present season, aud good judges vote him the fastest horse over a mile at present racing in the colonies. Laundress (Sst 101b) has been raised 151b on the impost under which she won this race last year, while Vanitas, who acted as runner-up to her on that occasion, has gone up 111b. Laundress has won one small race m the interval, while Vanitas is without a score, and it must be admitted that both have been well looked after. Lord Charles Scott (Sst 71b) won the Standish Handicap at Fleniington on New Year's Day, in a highly satisfactory manner, and though he had 161b less to carry than in the race under review, that may not dismay his connections from again supporting him, for that the sou of Napoleon could have carried much additional height without the result being altered is what is admitted on all hands. Ascot Vale (Sst 61b) has been on the retired list for a long lime past, but if he has not lost his pace, he should be dangerous under such a nice weight. Gaillardia(Bst) ran indifferently during the whole of last season, and she has done nothing since tho present season opened. She may, however, in the autumn, get back to her three year-old form; and if she does, it will not do. to places her in the unlikely division. Idoiator finished third to Laundress and Vanitas in last year's race, and with only 31b additional to carry, he may be dangerous. Of those lower down the list that have a taking appearauce, Acton (7st 91b), Lord Richmond (7st 71b), and ; Engineer (7st 51b), stand out as having respectable chances.

In the Australian Cup, The Admiral (9st) and Mahee (Sst l'2lb) read to me the best of the top weight division. In awarding Wallace Bst 101b, Mr. Dakin estimates the son of Carbine amongst the best three-year-olds that have figured on the Australian turf. It is a crushing weight for a three-year old, but history shows us that a really good three-year-old is capable of accomplishing great things in the autumn : and it may not prove safe to doubt Wallace's ability to win, notwithstanding the severity of his handicap. Waterfall is estimated to be slb below Wallace. In forming au opinion as to the relative merits of these two colts some little difficulty is experienced in getting satisfactory data upon which to work. In the V.R.C. Derby Wallace won, while Waterfall was unplaced; but in the Melbourne Cup Waterfall finished a respectable fourth under 7st 101b, while Wallace got into serious difficulties under 41b less, and finished far back in the rield. The pair did not meet subsequently, though Wallace somewhat redeemed his character by running a dead heat with the Cup winner Auraria in the Fisher Plate, at weight-for-age. That Waterfall is a really good colt, his sensational victory in the Caulfield Cup proved without a shadow of doubt, and he must be given a chance in the race under review. Chesterman (Bst '21b) has been a Bomewnat disappointing home, but let it not be forgotten that as a young three-year-old he proved equal to winning the Randwick Plate (three miles) from Patron and Light Artillery, jn the great time of sm. 255. That feat stamped him as a stayer of the first water, and if he gets back to his three-year-old foim this autumn, he should be near to the winner. Elswick (Bst) should have a chance, for he won the Adelaide Hup last year like a racehorse, ftada (7st 91b) ran third to Patron and Devon in the Melbourne Cup of 1894, and as she is in the same interests as Wallace, it may be as well to bear that fact in mind. Of those lower down the list Fort (7st 51b), Toreador (Tat 3lb), and Lord Richmond (6st 111b) meet the eye as promising candidates. Fort, I may remark, is a three-year-old son of the stout-hearted Gibraltar, and wou a capital race at Randwick last montfi, and he is not, I think, the least likely of the old division to earn distinction in the autumn season,

THE WELLINGTON COP. The variety of the "tips" that came from the "Empire City" on the eve of the Wellington Cup seemed to accentuate the fact that the handicapper, Mr. Evett, had fairly puzzled the wiseacres who this year set them lelves the task of endeavouring to find the winner of that race. When it became known that Lady Zetland had been withdrawn, her stable mate Saracen took shape as a strong " tip." but The Shrew (Hat), Bessie McCarthy (88t 81b), Spindrift (7st 11 lb), and Lorelei (Sat 7lb) were each strongly fancied, and it was thought that the winner could scarcely be missed in that quintette. However such was the case, and when Brooklet's _ name came through, backers had to admit that they were once again badly worsted. The winner. Brooklet, who was weighted with 7st 31b, had previously won a number of fair races over sprint courses, and was known to be fast, but the poor show which she made in the Palmerston Cup, run on Boxing Day, seemed to furnish evidence that the company in the Wellington Cup would prove a little too select for her. The fact that Brooklet got over the mile and a-half in 2ni. 36J5., puts the hall mark of excellence on her performance, and as she won comfortably from Saracen and Spindrift at the finish there was apparently no fluke about her victory. Brooklet ran in the interest of Mr. W. Douglas, who, it is interesting to note, also takes the honour of breeding the winner, the headings of whose pedigree read as follows :— BROOKLET.

, fc*- » I I I The openers of the issue, together with the fact that there was a field of 14, combined to make the speculatiuu pretty heavy, and a sum of £'<£97 was invested on the totalisator which was distributed as follows:— % Shrew, £456; Lorelei, £351; Saracen, £318; Skirmisher, £309; Stepfeldt, £270; McCarthy, £215; Searchlight, £139; K C| -;. 1 £100; > Rangipuhi, V £90; Dreamland, £*5: Pftnoply* £52.,

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB'S SUMMER MEETING. The meetings held under the auspices of the Takapuna Jockey Club never fail to attract a large attendance, and the prospects of sport in connection with their Summer Meeting appear to be so good that it will only require fine weather on Wednesday and Saturday next to secure one of the largest attendances that has ever assembled at the popular marine suburb. The principal event of the first day is the Takapuna Cup (one mile and a-half), which promises to attract a capital field, and should the Great Northern Derby winner, Fabulist, who has been left in, fulfil his engagement much interest will attach to the race. The issue is on all hands regarded as very open, aud as the Derby winner is loaded with the heavy burden of 9st 31b he will require to be quite at his best to win. With Fishmonger and Cingalee missing from the Steeplechase, Bombardier reads the most dangerous for that raco, though the uncertainty which always overhangs the Brigadier gelding's prospects will prevent the race being regarded as at his mercy. The following are the acceptances for the leading events

Takapuna Cup of 200sovs. One mile and a-half, st lb st lb Fabuliit .. .94 Scot Free .. ..710 St. Clements „8 8 Yattenfeldt „7 10 Doris „. ... 8 8 Retaliation -77 Panoply .. „8 8 Miss Nelson .. 7 « Anita .. ..8 6 Repeater ... ..7 4 Threo Star.. ~8 2 Eve .. .. -.7 » Annabelle.. .. 113 Norina ... ..6 7 Handicap Steeplkciiask of lOOsovs. About three miles and a-half. st lb st lb Bombardier .. 12 2 Knapsack - -9 7 Disturbance .. 10 0 Ditto .. —97 Warrior .. .. 10 0 Othnllo .. > ' 7 Mozel .. .. 912 llippoclydes -0 7

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. From Wellington comes news of the death of the stallion Rama Rama, who in some way injured his back, and it was deemed necessary to destroy him. Rama Rama was bred by the Father of the New Zealand turf," Air. Henry Redwood, and of all the horses that that gentleman bred, and they were a great number, Rama Rama is held to have been his particular favourite. Rama Rama, who was got by Towton from Waimea, met with an accident when a youngster, and was uever raced. While at the stud he sired Alpine Rose, Awarua Rose, and one or two others, but he never got anything approaching a first rater. As Rama Rama was foaled as far back as 1875 he was well up in years, and was rising 21 years at the time of his death.

In the interests of sport it is well that the juvenile division should be well distributed, and it is pleasing to hear that Frank Macmanemin is to have the training of at least one of the most promising youngsters sold at the recent Wellington Park sale. This is the Cuirassier—Albatrossfilly, who waspurchased by Mr. G. F. Brimblecotnbe.andwhohashad the name of Cuiralba bestowed upon her. This is a coined word, and merely represents the first four letters of the sire and dams names respectively. As a rule these coiued words are to be condemned, but Cuiralba is so euphonious that I am prepared to give the popular stockbroker a word of praise for the nappy selection which he has made in the naming of his beautiful filly.

In referring to the statement that a jockey's ring was in existence in Napier, the Canterbury Times says: "It is not so very many years ago that what was very like a ring existed in Canterbury. Certain riders had control over a few second-rate horses, and these animals used practically to "farm" the short distance races at the various country meetings in this portion of Canterbury One rider's animal used to win one race, another's the next, and so on, aud it was a most curious coincidence that the horse which won was never favourite. . . Although jockeys' rings in New Zealand have hitherto been comparatively harmless, we know to what pitch they have arrived in other countries, and therefore the mere mention of such combinations should be sufficient to stir the authorities to tho greatest activity."

The descendants of the Musket family are having a big innings in the leading events this season. Wallace (by Carbine) landed the V.R.O. Derby, Auraria (by Trenton) scored in the Melbourne Cup, Oscillator (by Hotchkiss) aunexed the V.R.C. Spring Stakes, Mahne (by Martini Henry) won the A.J.C. Summer Cup, True Blue (by Hotchkiss) got home first in the Carrington Stakes, Quiver (by Teuton) won Sydney Tattersall's Cup, while the latest one to win distinction for the celebrated family is Brooklet (by Torpedo), who landed the Wellington Cup on Wednesday last. The above gives the wins obtained by horses sired by sons of Musket, but it should be stated the Auckland Cup winner Anita, is out of Anna (a daughter of Musket).

It may not be quite ife to conclude from Aurarias 1 non-entry for the Australian Cup that the filly will not be present in Flemington in March next, to fight cut the Champion Stakes with Wallace and Co. A South Australian paper says Mr. James having decided to reserve the Melbourne Cup winner for the struggle with Wallace and Co. in the Champion Stakes, she will be specially prepared for that race. The filly may, however, also be nominated for some of the other weight-for-age events.

Mr. C. M. Lloyd's proposition relative to early racing of two-year-olds was discussed recently by the V.A.T.C., and received _ a lengthy consideration. The subject was discussed from all points, and the following resolution passed "That in the opinion of this committee it would be injurious to the best interest of breeders of thoroughbred horse stock, and to the turf generally, should two-year-olds only be allowed to race during the last 10 months of the racing year."

It transpires that the Cuirassier— filly knocked dowu ta the bid of the Dunedin trainer J. McGuiness at the recent Wellington Park sale, was purchased on behalf of the Hon. George McLean. If the popular Scotchman does not get a good return for the 55 guineas expended in the purchase of Radiant's daughter it will be a matter of surprise to me, for to the eye she is a most promising youngster.

The Auckland-owned Acone, who waa weighted at Bst 31b in the Telegraph Handicap (six furlongs), was regarded as something approaching a certainty for that race, and he was accordingly heavily supported by his connections, uoiiig to the post a strong favourite. King's Bowman, to whom he was conceding 71b, however, proved to be a little too swift for the son of St.. Leger, and the former jumping off in front directly they were,sent on their journey, held his own throughout, and defeated Acone by a couple of lengths. Mr. E. F. Yuille, the well-known Wellington bookmaker, was warned off for laying totalisator odds at the Manawatu Rocinj Club's Summer Meeting. The disqualification was reported to the Metropolitan Club, who have endorsed the same, Mr. Yuille is. however, not yet done with, having issued a writ against the Manawatu Club for £500 damages for illegal removal. Mr. Holgate writes me that his imported sire, Paddy's Land, returned to the Kawau last week, none the worse for his season, with the exception of his damaged leg, which he hopes to have all right in the course of a week or so.

The yearling colt by Castor from Bangle, purchased at the recent Wellington Park sale on behalf of Mr. J. B. Reid, has been placed in J. H. Lunn's hands to be trained. Strathbraau, who was picked up for 47 guineas when sold iii Christch last August, must; have improved out of all shape, for it is stated tnat an offer of 400 /guineas was recently made for him. The North Shore trainer, D. Morrigan, has taken up Mr. R. Burke's trio of yearlings, and they, have all been mounted. Tlio youngsters in question are, brown filly by St. Hippo—Anna, brown filly by Cuirassier —Dolosa, and bay filly by Cuirassier—Hune. Orion's Belt, the three-year-old full brother to the Dunedin Cup winner, Casket, landed a good race for Mr. T. H. Lowry, at the Wellington meeting on Wednesday last, when the son of Castor won the Anniversary Handicap, defeating the Auckland-owned Doris. The Warwick Farm (Sydney) Racing Club have struck out a new line in the selection of names for their races, In a programme to be run off shortly there is a " Why Handicap" and a " Wherefore Handicap.." Sprightly, whodefeftted the Australian horse Fortunatus in the Viceroy's Cup in ludia last month, is a gelding who won several races in England. He was bought by Lord' William Beresford, and sent out to the Maharajah of Patiala. He is by Galliard from' Sad, by Hermit from Anonyma. Mr. Stead has selected the name of Multiform for his yearling bay colt by Hotchkiss from Formo, while his chestnut colt by St. Leger from Hazel has been awarded the name of St. Cyr. It is stated that the ailment from which Roscius is suffering is a small broken bone in the joint of one of his fetlocks. Messrs. Alison Brothers having decided on 'sending their string of horses in training to auction, Messrs. Hunter and Nolan will submit the same on Monday next at noon, at the Durham Yards. The horses are seven in number, and as they are all engaged at the approaching Takapuna Meeting, purchasers will have an early opportunity and an excellent prospect of recouping themselves. The following are the lots to be submitted Br h Warrior, by Ingomar— Fanny Fisher; Hippoclydes, by Hippocampus— Tohi'a dam; ch c Detector, 2yrs, by NelsonMystery ; b m Carbuncle, syrs, by Carbineer —Pearl; ohm Lady Agues, 3vrs, by Nelson —Sister Agnes; ch m Miss Nelson, 3yrs, by Nelson-Torment; chc Nestor, 2yrs,. by St. j I Tamora "ijjg »i,§f 5t ... The weights for the Taranaki Jookev Club . Handicaps Flying Handicap, and ; Hurdle Race, aro due to make their appearance toiday, '• ,

Biyulet | Torpedo Cascade | Javelin I Fanny Fisher | Musket '< « c K I 0 a aT "a. eg. I ia£. 3 J» & " sr i - ? 5*5 SB 2 « 2 '3. ■§ 4 8 5 2 i f:? So o ° i 2.2 i & a B gs, s 0 gS, e I 3 The following is the list of winners of the Wellington Cup Yr. Owner. Winner. A. Wgt, Tm. | st lb in. *. '1874 Mr.D,O'Brien ,. Tamburini.. 6 0 13 i 5 1875 Mr. H. Redwood Korari .. 3 6 10 3 57 1877 Mr. H. Redwood Guy Fawkes 5 9 B 3 62 1878Mr. Bolton ..Lara .. 5 7 0 3 44J 1879 Mr. B. Ray ..Maritana ..a 9 4 3 481 1880 Hon.W.Robinson Foul Play ..6 8 4 3 37 1881 Hon. W.Robinson Natator .. 5 8 1 3 38 1882Mt. G. Bate ..Hilda .. 4 6 4 3 454 1883Mr.P.Martin ..Mischief ..6 8 10 3 41} 1884 Mr. G. Bate .. Tha Poet .. 6 7 1 3 48 11635Mr. D. O'Brien .. Tasman .. « 9 6 3 38J 1886 Major George ..Nelson ..5 8 4 3 36 1887 Mr. T.Hill ..Pasha ..5 8 4 3 33} 1888 Mr. (i. Stead .. Beresford .. 6 7 8 3 37 1889 Mr. E. Cutts .. Dudu .. 4 7 7 3 37} 1890 Mr. G. Hunter ..Cynisca ..3 7 1 2 39 1691 Mr. G. Hunter .. Cynisca .. 4 7 12 2 40 1892Mr. G. Hunter ..Cynisca .. 6 8 12 2 43 1893Mr. Martin ..'Retina .. 6 7 7 2 40 1894 Mr. T. xheonan iVog .neang 4 §7 7 2 41' 1895 Kani Pere'MaliaU ..4 8 6 2 39 1899 Mr. W.Douglas {Brooklet .. 4 7 3 2 36} l I