SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10419, 17 April 1897, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. SEW ZEAUHD. April 17-Auckland Trotting Club April 17-Nortbem Wairoa Racing Club. April 17, 19-Wairarapa Racing Club. April 19-Patea Racing Club. April 19 -Waipiikurau Jockey Club. April 19, 20-Cant«rbury Jockey Club. April 19, 20—FeildiDg Jockey Club. April 19,20,24-AucUand Bacißg Club. April 23-Wade Races. April 29,30-South Canterbury Jockey Club, April 29, May 1-Wellington Racing Club. May 4-Ttkapuna Hack Race. H>y 8-Otabubu and Suburban Racing Club. Hay 5,6-E«mont Racing Club. May 12, 13-Napier Park Racing Clnb. May 22, 24-Dunedin Jockey Club. May 22,24-Takapuna Jookey Clnb. May 24- Walpawa County Racing Club. M»y 24, 25-Wanganui Jockey Club. June 5,7-AucUand Racing Club. June 23,25-Hawke's Bay Jockey Clubi July 14,17 -Wellington Baring Club, August 12, H—Canterbury Jockey Club. DATES OF COMING KVENTS. April 17-A.J.C. St. Leger. April 19—Sydney Cup. April 19-.Northern Champagne Stakes (Auckland). April 19-Hast«r Handicap (Auckland), April 19-Oreat Easter Handicap (Christchurcb). April 20 -Autumn Steeplechase (Auckland). April 20—Great Autumn Handicap (Curistchurch). April 20-C.J.C. ChilleDge Stakes. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. WAOER.-H was in the Craren Plate, run at Handwick, New South Wales, in the spring of 1890, thit Carbine and Megaphone met. The mile and aquarter record was on th.it occasion reduced to 2m. 78.,; but Hina baa since beaten that time by a sacond. W.J.S., Oliiupo.-The last race Cuirassier won was the Victoria Handicap at itUettlie in January. 1890. 2. Chandler was killed at Papakura; Matau ac Ellerslie. THE AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S SUMMER MEETING. iBY PHAETON.] On Monday next the curtaiu will be raised on another autumn meeting at Ellenlie, and should the A.R.C. be fortunate as regards weather all through the piece, it would seem safe to predict that the gathering will prove one of the most enjoyable of the many reunions brought off at this season of the year by the metropolitan body. The visiting division are not quite so strongly represented on this occasion as in some previous years, and that may sap some interest from the gathering; but there is plenty of material to furnish some capital racing, and I have no doubt there will be a very pleasant tale to aell when the time arrives for the meeting to be reviewed. THE RASTER HANDICAP. Matters in connection with the Easter Handicap remain pretty well in the same position as they were last week. Fabulist is looked upon iu the light of an unlikely starter; in fact I learn from Mr. Lennard that his horse was only accepted for on the chance of anything going wrong with the three-year-old division engaged. Daystar holds his position as favourite, albeit a gallop which the son of Castor recorded on Thursday morningdid notquite please the onlookers. The colt, however, looks in great buckle and handles himself with freedom. Nestor has come on splendidly duriug the past ten days, and from the satisfactory manuer in which he has been shaping in his work it is quite evident that he will have to be taken into account tor the race under review. St. Paul has been a regular attendant, aud the little bay has on each occasion acquitted himself satisfactorily in his work. Haria is looking and going well, aud some of those at headquarters hold that the son of Flintlock possesses something more than a fair chance. Though the field for the Easter Handicap will not be a numerous one the probability of seeing Daystar, Nestor, and St. Paul at the post in their best form will hare the effect of centreing a deal ot interest in the contest, and as present appearances go to show that the tusk of selecting the winner ie much more difficult than it was supposed to be, speculation promises to be pretty epirited. THE CHAMPAGNE STAKBS. At one time the pessimists were inclined to venture the opinion that the contest for the Champagne Stakes would be of a somewhat weak character, but it is pleasiug to be able to state that the juvenile battle promises to be u hizhly interesting one. The Hawke's Bay colt St. Oonon, and Defiant, are both in capital nick, and from the manner in which Coronet and Misa Emmy have been shaping in their work, the locally owned pair are held to have a good chance ot coping successfully with the outside opposition. THE AUTUMN STEEPLECHASE. The cross country race promises to be a highly interesting contest providing the ten horses engaged go to the post. Levanter, who is looking well, continues to be a firm favourite, though iu some quarters there is a tendency to throw a mystery about his name. What grounds there are for thia it will be for time to show, but it will perhaps lie as well for would-be backers ot the son of Captivator to I wait until be is seen at the pose before supporting him. Miss Nelson having misbehaved herself on several occasions at the sod fence there seemed to be good reason to stand off her, but she has improved in her conduct, and will only require to fence correctly to render a good account of herself. Kiogswood is looking well, sed though I cannot say that I am prepared to extol hie prospects it will be as well for backers to remember that he is a etable mate to Levanter. Mozel looks well, and in the event of his remaining sound will give his supporters a good run for he ie a most reliable fencer. In the Herald of Monday I will deal with the various events of the programme, when my selections will be given. THE CANTERBURY MEETING. While the Auckland Racing Club is engaged in holding high carnival at Ellerslie on Monday and Tuesday next, the Canterbury Jockey Club will be conducting matters in a like respect at Riccarton, aud though the Southern meeting may not be able to take rank with some of its predecessors, matters are sufficiently promising to anticipate pretty well an all-round success. The principal event of the first day is the Great Easter Handicap, which event is run over seven furlongs, aud in which the following horses are engaged :—

Though Mannlicher has been weighted light up to his fullest deserts, he is, at the same time, well entitled to a promineut place amongst the ditngernua division, for as a two-year-old he undoubtedly showed himself to be possessed of a great dash of pace. Waiuku (Bst 111b) is a strong tip from Taranaki, and, summed up on his best form,it would be highly dangerous to leave him out of the probable place-getters; but I have my doubts about his ability to quite win this rase. The Hawke's Bay candidate Barshot (7st (lib) continues to be a popular huicy; and certainly on paper the son of Chainshot looks to have a first-class chance. In both the races which Barshot contested at Napier Park he was most unfortunate by losing several lengths at the start; and us it is computed lie ran the six furlongs in the Waverley Stabs under lm. 155., it will be recognised that he will only require to be in proper trim to finish well up. The Duuedinitcs have a strong pair to represent them in Belle Clair (Bst 41b), and Black and Red (7st 101b), but after a patient consideration of the question the pair that seem to me most likely to fight out the finish are Mannlicher and Birshot. [Since the above was written a telegram to hand states that Barshot has shown symptoms of soreness, the result of bruising one of his heels while being unshipped at Lyttelton, but we are left in doubt as to whether the ailment is of such a nature as to affect his chance seriously,] On Tuesday the Great Autumn Handicap will be brought up for decisiou. At the time of writing nine horses remain in the mile and a-half race, but it ia not unlikely that the number will be reduced to half-a-dozen ere the post is reached. The horses left in at the present time are :—

Mannlicher's running in the Great Easter Handicap will show whether the son of Maxim it back to his best form; but, of course, should he get home first ia the seven furlong race, be will be penalised for the race under review to the extent of 101b, aud with his impost raised to 9at 51b bis chance would be seriously affected. If Mannlicher escapes a penalty he is bound to be dangerous. Leda (7et 81b) seems to me to'.be the one most likely to trouble the top weight; and should the little daughter of Castor be landed at the post in the same form as when ahe acted as runner-up to Blarney and Ham in the Wingauui Cup and Wauganui Stake* respectively, ahe ia, I think, bound to get into a prominent place. Another important event on the second day's programme is the Challenge Stakes, but Mr. Stead holds such a powerful hand with Gold Med»Uirt, Multiform, ud Maun-

licher, as to practically reduce it to a moral for his colours. On recent form Gold Medallist seems to be the likely one to score; but it will not surprise me to fiud that Multiform has made the necessary improvement to enable him to score over his doughty stable mate. The following horses remained in the Challenge Stakes at last advices :- stlb Mr. J. Chaafe's b c St. Paul, 3yis, by St. Leger-satanella.. .. .. . .. 9 1 Mr U. G. Stead's b c Mannlicher, 4yn. by Maxim-Sapphire.. .. .. .. .. H Hon. G. McLean's b c Lord Rosslyn, Syrs, by St. Clair-I/idy Emma .. .. ■ .. 813 Mr. H. Craig's br f Pitch and Toss, Syrs, by Medallion—Vaultress 8 6 Mr. J. A. McGinness" b f St. Ouida, 3yrs, by Si. Clair-Oulda 8 6 Mr. G. 0. Stead's cb c Gold Medallist, 2yrs, by Medallion-Corolh - - 7 11 Mr. O. 0. Stead's b c Multiform, 2yrs, by Hotchkiss-Formo 7 11 Hon. J. I). Omwnd's eh c Daunt, 2yrs, by by Dreadnought—ldalia 7 4 Hon. J. I). Orutond's ch c Deflant, 2yrs, by Dreailnoupht- Legacy 7 4 Hon. J. I). Ormund's ch c Sir Lancelot, lyu, Dreadnniight-Urientale 7 1 Sir G. Clifford's ch f Goldleaf, 2yw, by Stony-hurst-Golden Crest 6 13 Mr. J. B. Reid's bre Vulcan, 2yrs, by Artil-lery-Fairy MaM 8 10 Mr. J. B. Reid's cb f s'eashell, Syrs, by Chain-shot-Nautilus 6 8 Mr. H. A. Knight's b f Argon, 2yrs, by Medal-lion-Auray 6 8 THE AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUB'S MEETING. The A.J.C. inaugurate their Autumn Meeting to-day at Randwick, and will continue the same on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday next. The big events of today's programme are the St. Leger Stakes and Doucaster Handicap ; but the presence of Newhaven in the first-named race will deprive the contest of much of the interest that would otherwise attach to it, as the son of Newminster will only require to be at his best to defeat those opposed to him. A great crowd still remain iu the Doncaster Handicap, the following horses being still in the race at last advices :—

Of the top weights, the one that seems to me most likely to earn distinction is Oremorne (list 91b). In his work the old son of Glorious has shown himself to be iu great form, and he should ruu a great horse, for,he is undoubtedly a clipper when well. Vanitas (Bst 101b) is the leading fancy, and as recent form displayed by the son of Mar-tini-Henry shows that he is back to his' very best form, he promises to furnish a good account of himself. At the recent Rosehill meeting, Vauitas carried Bst 121b to victory iu easy fashion, aud the merit of the performance is considerably enhanced by the fact that he had to battle against a pretty strong field. W. Kelso is thought to possess a very strong hand with Survivor (8« Clb) and Reka ("st 91b), ami of this pair the' latter has pleased the touts most. Reka, I may remark, is it full brother to the Champion Stakes wiuuer, Portsea, and he has shown himself to be possessed of pact , . Survivor has shown himself to be a good horss, &;id if he is brought into the bettiug and genuinely the tip should be worth following, for Kelso has some good ryin g tackle at his command. Ou Monday the Sydney Cup will be brought up for decision, and with twenty horses still eugaged in the two-mile race, it will be recognised that there is plenty of material to furnish a great contest. The horses left in the Cup are :—

At last advices Battalion (Bsc 1 lib) was one of the most favourite candidates. He is an need horse that has ehown some good form in Queensland, but the performance that has brought him into note for the Sydney Cup is a satisfactory display iu the Rosehill Autumn Handicap, when with 9st 111b he beat everything save Vanitas. to whom he was concediug 13lb. A trio I have a great faucy for are The Officer (Bst 91b), Coil (Sdt 91b). and Resolute (Set). The Officer won the V.R.C. St. Leger like a racehorse, and Coil landed the Australian Cup. Resolute haa not earned a single winning bracket since he won the Balaclava Stakes last September; but he is so nicely treated in the race under review that he is entitled to a place amongst the dangerous division. Tom (7st 91b) is a horse that is a strong fancy; and with a third to Damien and Fadladeea in the Summer Cup, and a win in the A.J.C. Anniversary Handicap, he has some good form to recommend him to notice. However, I fancy one of the three-year-olds will supply the winuer, and Resolute may be the oue to get home in the van. NOTES BY PHAKTON. Since it became known that the A.R.C. Committee were moving in the matter of holding an enquiry into the allegations that have been floating about for some time past iu reference to certain persons tampering with jockeys, local sporting circles, it need scarcely be said, have been a little disturbed. Alter several postponemeuts a meeting of the committee was held on Thursday last, when some evidence was taken. The committee arc very reticent as to what came before them; but I was given to understand that certain cases were still in suspense. Rightly or wrongly there is an impression that very little will come out of the affair, and I myself shall not be surprised if it ends in a lizzie.

The Hon. Mr. Ormond's stud suffered a severe loss during the present week, by the death of his stallion Dreadnought. The horse, it appears, was turned out in a paddock at Karamu, and at about one o'clock on Monday afternoon was observed to be apparently all right, but some two hours later, lie was found dead, near to the entrance gate. A post mortem examination was mude by Mr. A. T. Uauvers, aud the presence of a quantity of serum in the pericardium leads to the conclusion that heart disease was the cause of the horse's death, though the examination revealed that there was also an abscess in the intestines. Dreadnought was a eon of the celebrated Chester, and while on the turf he unquestionably proved himself one of the best three-year-olds that ever graced the Australian turf. When that age he opeued his career by defeating Carbine in the Caultield Stakes, and later on in the same season lie won the V.R.C. Derby and St. Leger Stakes and the Australian Cup. Iu the last-named race the record was cut down to 3m. 59§s, and it was only by downright sameness that. Dreadnought got home by a head from Melos, At thedispersalof thelateHon. Jas. White's team in 1890, Dreadnought was knocked down to the bid of Lord Kesteven as 2100 guineas; but during the afternoon, Mr. W. T. Jones made an offer of 500 guineas in advance of the sum paid by the English nobleman, and this being accepted the son of Chester passed into the hands of the Victorian sportsman. Subsequent events showed, however, that Dreadnought had played his best card at three years old, and proving untrainable Mr. Jones never even had the satisfaction of even seeing the chestnut carrying his colours. Dreadnought subsequently passed into the hands of the Hon. Mr. Ormond, who purchased him privately, at, it is believed, something like 1000 guineas, aud the horse had beeu performing stud duties in Hawko's Bay for the last four years. Though Dreadnought had so far failed to aire anything on a par with himself, he had got a fair number of speedy ones, and his loss is undoubtedly a serious one to the Hawke's Bay District. Another well-known stallion that has to be •lumbered with the defunct is St. George, who, we learn by telegraph, met with an accident at Enfield during the present week, by which oue of his legs was broken, aud the fracture was of so serious a enaracter that it was deemed necessary to destroy him. St. George was a full brother to Chester, but iu every respect he was quite uulike his celebrated relative. he was never raced, and was pjrehased when something like three years old by the Middle Park Stud Company of Canterbury. He did not sire anything of note in his early days, aud indeed it was not until Loyalty came on the scene, three years ago, that he claimed a winner of any pretensions. St. George whs also the son of Merry England and Saracen. The horse having been insured for £100 with the New Zealand Stock Company, his owner, Mr. H. Thompsou, will not suffer a total loss by the unfortunate accident. The V.R.C. insist that before local stewards can inflict a penalty on any accused person inch person must be given an opportunity of attending the inquiry to hear the evidence, cross-examine witnesses if so minded, and defend himself generally. Quiver and Newhaven have both been entered for the Grand Prix de Baden, but the Indian Planters' Gazette lays Quiver will not Blkt th« JQltfaej.

When Quicklire died recently it was given out that the cause of her decease was iuflammation of the boweli. I understand, however, that the post-mortem made by Mr. E. D. Halstead revealed that the whole ot the filly's internal organs were in a very diseased state. Her lungs were found to be the seat of it serious derangement, one adheriug to the ribs, and this it is thought was the main cause of her deatn. The filly's heart was also considerably enlarged; in fact, it weighed about double what it should have done. When raeiug, Quickfire was regarned as " a quitter," or, iu other words, one that would not try; but the post mortem has shown that there was plenty of reason for the daughter of Carbine's poor displays, and with such ailments as she was affected with, the wonder is that she was ever able to win a single race. The A.R.C. committee having passed the programme submitted by the Otahuhu and Suburban Racing Club, for the meeting proposed to be held on the old racecourse on Saturday, May 8, Che same will be found published in another column. Nominations close ou Friday next, the weights are fixed to appear on the following Tuesday, and acceptances become due on the 30th inst.

Information was yesterday received in town that the brood mure Tingara had dropped dead. Tingara, who was owned by Mr. D. Stewart, was a daughter ot Nordenfelilt and Tres Deuce, had thrown a couple of foals during the time she had been at the stud, one of which is the two-year-old St. Crispin, In recounting what I saw during a recent visit to Elleralie recently it will be remembered that I made mention of hayinz come across a very promising filly in Miss Emmy, a daughter of Cuirassier and St. Hippo's sister Roie, This young lady has done well in her training of late; aud from a gallop which she recorded recently iu company with Janet, she is estimated to have a good chance of coping successfully with the outside opposition in the Great Northern Champagne Stakes. J. Perry, who came from Syduey for the purpose ot riding Nestor in his engagements at the A.R.C. Autumn Meeting, has apparently got into hot water, as his license has beeu suspended, and he will uot therefore be allowed to ride at the approachiug meeting. lam B orry_ to learn that Mr. t. B. Uell hts lost a vory tine yearling colt by Blairgowrie from Reproach. Tho youngster was seeu to be nil right in the paddock on Thursday evening;, but on the following morning was found dead. A post inortom examination made l>v Mr. E. D. Halstead realised that the colt's stomach was burst right across, whicii, of course, explains the cause of death. They have got a bit of a flyer in Victoria by name Key, a daughter of the imported horse Padlock, who is said to be able to gallop " as fast as you can clap your hands." In tlu> Hill Handicap, run- at Flemiugtou recently, Key carried Sat fill) and beat a large field, traversing the six furlongs in the lightning like time of lm. HJs. In referring to this remarkable two-year-old, " Reginald," of the Melbourne Sportsman, 3ays:—Of Key's ability to go that pace round turns no doubt need be entertained, for a month or so ago, with Bst7lo on, she ran up the "straight five" iu lm. 2As., aud wou easily at that. What a lively little lady the daughter of Padlock is to be sure! On Saturday morning, in her spurt, she astouuded the touts at headquarters by carrying Dawes, and skipping— flying would be a more appropriate term— Uofurloues in 245. from a standing start! Key is remarkably like a greyhound iu con structiou, and it appears to mo that nothing faster in the way of horseflesh ever stood on irun.

While Dante was in training at Auckland last winter for the Grand National Hurdle Race he burst a blood vessel, and this was regarded as so serious as to necessitate his withdrawal from all engagements. It was hoped that with a long rest the horse would ag.iin prove traiiwblu; but advices from Wauganui state that after a gallop last week the weak spot was asain revealed. It was intended to have sent Dante over to Australia in the eveut of his training nn all right; but that course will now, it ui.cy be assumed, be abandoned.

Nordeufeldt's stud career in Australia was a long series of disappointments, hut in his last season at Wilton the son of Musket managed to beger. something iu keeping with the Musket family, One of these is Adoration, a three-year-old, who won the Hawkesbury Autumu Handicap ou Saturday last.

Judging from the wail that the Australian papers sent up on the scratching ot Newhaven for the Sydney Cnpf beiug announced, a largo amount ot gold must have been staked on the son of Nowninster lor that race. It is generally supposed that a man can do as he pleases with his own ; but judging from the following which I clip from the Melbourne Sportsman anent the scratching of Newhaven, that right is inclined to be questioned :—" Where Air. Cooper may be found fault with in the of Newhaveu is in tho fact of him inturferriug from his far away English homo with the management of tho colt at this end—so fur, that is, as hie near engagements are concerned. He appointed capable men to see to the colt's welfare and arrange his movements, and being himselt thousands of miles away from the scene, it is hardly the correct thing tor him to cable instructions about what should bo done. How is Mr. Cooper in England to know in a moment what is in a matter of this kind best in Australia? Since Newhaven has become English-owned his managers here have been one way and another bothered a good deal by 'instructions from home,' and Mr, Cooper can hardly be complimented on this score. It is about time we heard the last of the ' run him in this, and don't run him in that' business. Mr. Cooper's representatives are surely qualified to judge what is best for Newhaven, and it was on his part certainly questionable taste to interfere by cable iu this case." Mr, S. H. Gollau's Australian steeplechaser Ebor, with 13st in the saddle, took part in the February Handicap Steeplechase, 2 miles, at the Hurst Park Steeplechase Meeting, and was made favourite in a field of nine. The son of Kobert the Devil made a couple of blunders in the race, and was pulled up before the second last fence was reached, It has always been given out (writes " Delaware") that Mr. Brewer bred Ebor, the horse who is now considered to be one of the best two-mile steeplechasers in England. Such, however, is not the case. The horse was bred by Mr. Edgar, of Erebendry Station, on tho Lachlan, and he sold the horse when he was five years old to Mr. Brewer for £30. Ebor is out of a discarded Government police mare, who became the property of Mr, Edgar, and thinking Brewer's horse Kobert the Devil, would make a. good mate for her, he tent her to that horse, and reared and kept the foal until he was a five-year-old. In his Lachlan days Ebor was a crack lady's hack, and often carried the Misses Edgar for a dash across the plains after a kangaroo or dingo. \V hen a man breeds a horse good enough to win in England, he deserves any credit that is attached to doing so.

Another illusion has been shattered! (remarks an Eunlish exchange). Owners have fondly cherished the belief that the so-called cups which are given at Ascot are really worth their advertised value. The Gold Cnp, won iu 1892 by Lord Rosslyn's Buccaneer, was supposed to be of the value of £1000, but was sold by auction for £4JB! Owuers have long been shy of race cups. Some years ago a well-known owner won a silver cup, value £300, at n certaiu meeting where the clerk of the course (now deceased) was by no means too scrupulous iu his dealings. The owner carried this piece of plate to a jeweller in the neighbouring town, who informed him that its intrinsic value certainly did not exceed £10, and that this amount was, iu fact, ice market price, Next day the owner brought back the cup aud demanded its value in cash, which he finally obtained,. after a stormy scene, in the course of which he threatened the clerk with an appeal to the Jockey Club. " After the handicaps I have made for that man to be treated in this way," was the remark of Mr. X, who compared the " astute owner" unfavourably with Judas Iscariot and the impenitent thief.

Word comes from Eugland that the thoroughbred stallion Hampton, at 25 years of uge, has commenced to break up, and the subscriptions to him for the current season have been returned. He has been in low condition for some time past owing to lore feet, aud latterly rheumatism rendered him a cripple. At one period of his racing career Hampton ran iu selling races, was subsequently raced over hurdles, after which he developed into a stayer, and at five yean old won the Northumberland Plate, Goodwood Cup, and Doncuster Cup. He is the sire of Merry Hampton, Ayrshire, and Ladaj, all Derby winners, as well as a number of other good horses. Mention of the totalisator and over-racing reminds us that the cry of too much racing and bookinaking is spreading in America. The New York Tnrf, finld, and Farm (Feb. sth), one of the leading journals of sporr. iu the States, says ':—Too much racing in the interests of bookmaking has given the reformers » chance in Missouri to aim a blow at the prosperity of breeding. January 29th three Bills were introduced in the Legislature at Jefferson City, inakiug bookmaki.ig on or off a race track in Missouri a misdemeanour. The Bills will be fought, but the supporters of legitimate turf enterprises should heed the warning, Steps should he taken to limit meetings before the opposition to racing of every kiad gets under greater heridw&y. Close up the merry-go-rounds, and arrange for more contests that will improve the breed of horses. The selfish ! managers who run sport into the' ground I simply invite the wrath which may overwhelm them,

Armour, who acted as runner-up to Fabulist in the Great Northern Derby of 1896, has been in steady work for some time, and from the manner in which the son of Hotchkisa moves he is evidently now quite himself. Armour, it will be remembered, went amiss atter being taken over to Australia, and he has not carried silk for the past fifteen months. Tucatteution of horse-owners is directed to the Tukapuua Jockey Club's winter programme appearing iu auother column, from which it will be send that nominations close on Friday next. Since information came to hand that Barshot had shown symptoms of unsoundness, 8 to 1 haa been freely offered about the son of Clminshot for the Great Easter Handicap. Topsail, who won the Autumn Handicap at Potters Paddock on Saturday last, is a full sister to the Auckland Cup winner Pegasus, being got by Nelson from Tenambra. Mr. S. H. Gollan's b b Ponnamu, by Newminster from Beryl, list 121b, was numbered among the starters for the February Hurdle Race, 2 miles, at the Manchester February Steeplechase Meeting. He was not quoted iu the betting, and finished last in » field of eight. R. Hesketh, the blind mat-maker of Tarnworth, who won about £4000 in a sweep lately, was (says a Sydney paper) waited upon, when the telegram announcing the fact became known, by representatives of the local Ladies' Benevolent Society. These produced an account showing that in the twelve past years the old man had been relieved by them to the extent of £183 63 7d. and they signified a desire for a liberal cheque. Heeketh gave them a £100. "I'd ii-giveu ye £200," he said, "only for yer greedy 'urry." The projected show match between the imported stallion Tamemund and tho Melbourne Cup winner Mentor for £100 ended in a fizzle, owing to a buugle in the conditions which made uo mention of a date when the horses wore to be judged. The imported colt Sandhurst (by Beudigo —Engagement) is being put through his facings at Riccarton. He is said to be furnishing into a very haudsome colt. Matchwood, by Chainshot—Toredo, was recently broken into harness and is doing livery work in a Christchuroli stable. The steeplechaser Despised was shipped to Sydney by the s.s. Manapouri which left on Tuesday last. The Dunedin jockey, H. M'llroy, has sought the protection of tile Insolvency Court. He attributed his position to losses sustained through betting. Bloodshot has been entered in tho private sale list. The sum of £2500 was, it is stated, recently refused in India for Courallie, who is spoken of as " cock of the walk" there. Hova still remains sound, and all going well with him he will be sent over to South Australia to contest in the Adelaide Cup. Vanitns is stated to have improved out of all knowledge. Coil has not been running any too kindly iu his work of late. The Hawkr's Bayites are extremely eangtiiue of lWshot's ability to wiu the Great Easter Handicap. Mr. H. Craig is stated to have sold the half interest which he held in Euroclydon to his trainer, H. Goodman. Euroclydon has beeu blistered and turned out.

Musketry has gone amiss, which accounts for his withdrawal from the Great Easter Handicap. Mannlicher is reported to be in superb condition. Boulauger (by Grand Prix—Fleurette) has just been put into work again at Riccarton, Nominations for Takapu.ua Hack Kaces close ou Tuesday uoxt. AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB'S MEETING. The above Club hold the second day of their Autumu Meetiug to-day, at Potter's Paddock. Capital acceptances have been received, and a good afternoon's sport should result. The following are the acceptances :— Trul TitOT Handicap of 25ioys. One liiile and ahalf.-l.iLKitania scratch, Vt'aihinepai 4h, Darlington (Is, Ukuroiro 18<, Golden Kin;: 245, .Miss Graham 255, Heniliso 2ns, Little ARiiei 335, Wild Hose 335, Bessie Doyle 355, Doctor 355, Coralio 395, Judge Byron 40*. Maiden Pony Handicap of 20.<ovs. Five fur-Ion?!).-Pembroke 8.10, Kirat Whisper 8.4, Israelite 8.2. Little Belle 7.8, Papamoa 7.4, Siwash 0.12, Disgrace 0.7. Easter Handicap (saddle) of 45sovs. Two and a quarter mile-.—Duke C. scratch, Kaipai 4s, Waihinepai Ik Darlington 10-, Claret 21s, Hordern Sandfly 30a, Bess 30s, Vulture 375, Hazel wood 375, Incar 40*, Lawyer Bell 40s, Doctor 45.1. Handicap Steeplechase of 4Csov». Tito and a-half miles.- PhtchUO, Fauntleroy 11.10, Helena 11. , ., Little Torn 11.0, Pembroke 10.8, The Dove 10.5, Little Raven 10.0, Little Belle 0.0. second Harness Trot, of Mann. One and ahalf mtlus.—lJiiko 0.125., Alice 10s., Woodbine 24i., Moiduru 80*., Sandfly 32a., Golden Kins 41a., Slim Jim 46i., Lord Harold 48*. AphlL Handicap of 35so?s. Six furlongs and a-hilf -Topsail s).S, l.ona 0.4, Silkworm 9.4, Bit o'Fashlon 0.2, Lady Howitzer 8.10, Cupid SO, Kit 8.0, Pint Whisper 7.'.2, Israelite 7.8, Ringiuru 7.0, Qermina 7.0, P.ipam.ia 6.12, Maria 0.7. Cuss Trot of 40sovs. Ouo and a-half miles (limit am. 62s).—Albert Victor scratch, Rosebud os., Alice 103., Lilsitanla Ilk, Old Judge 163., Waihinedai 10a., Fibre 27a., Doctor 28s.

at lb st lb Mannliclier .. 9 u Black anil Red „ 710 Waiaku . .,8 11 l.eda .. ..7 9 Goldspur .. ..8 7 liirshot .. ..7 9 Vanilla .. ..8 7 Telemeter .. ..7 7 Skirmisher .. 8 (1 Belligerent ..7 7 Maremma .. ..8 5 Firefly .. ..7 7 Belle Clair ..8 4 Tiro 7 5 LordRoslyn ..8 0 Manawanui ..7 3

st lb st lb Mannliclier ..8 9 Cliaos ,. ..7 7 ldrdRoilyn .. 8 1 Bellieerent.. ..7 0 Wiiiuku .. .. 712 Firefly .. ..7 0 leda 8 7 Tire 8 12

st lb st lb Creraome .. .. 9 9 Lock Leigh ..7 8 Delaware .. ..9 7 OlilClo ., > 7 7 Mahee .. ..9 2 Talavera .. ..7 6 Vanitas .. M 8 10 Tramp .. ..7 5 Kallatiiia .. ..8 9 Fucile .. „ 7 1 Steward .. ..8 2 Adoration ..7 4 Fadladeon.. ..8 2 Frolic .. ..7 2 Koyal Hose .. 8 1 Tricolour .. ..7 0 A urea .. ..8 0 Superb .. ..7 0 Wollomumbi .. 7 11 The Grafter .. ti 12 Crewe .. 7 11 Queunof the Ring 6 il) Telegraph.. ..7 9 Wirwe .. .. ti 1 Rekn .. ..7 9 Uaborne .. ..0 7 Thespian .. .. 7 9 La Carabine . 6 7

st lb st lb True Blue,. ..9 7 Kallatina .. .. 7 11 Crvmorne .. . 9 ! Tom 7 9 Vivian .. „ 9 0 The Meddler ..7 8 Battalion .. .. 8 12 Might Honourable 7 8 Hopscotch.. .. 8 12 (llemlennon ..7 7 Coil 8 9 Waihine .. ..7 5 The Officer ..8 9 Reka .. ..7 6 Delaware .. ..8 9 Gozorina ,. ..7 2 Projectile _ ..8 4 Fuciie .. ..7 0 Charge .. ..8 2 old do .. „ 7 0 Resolute .. ..8 0 Loch Leigh -.7 0 Dainien .. .. 7 13 Tricolour .. .. 6 10 Fadladeen.. .. 7 13 Sup-rb .. ..0 10 Sain 7 12 Vigilante .. ..0 9 Vaiiitaa .. .. 7 12