SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10789, 25 June 1898, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. June 25-Hawke's Bay Steeplechase. June Napier Park Racing Club. July 6, 20-Epsom Hack Meeting. 'July 14, Wellington Kacing Club. DATES ON COMING EVENTS. AUSTRALIA. Jul)' 9-Y.K.C. Grand National Hurdle Bace. July IG-V.EX. Grand National Steeplechase, July V.A.T.C. Grand National Hurdle Bace. England, June 28—Princess of Wales Stakes July 15Eclipse Stakes September 7—Doncaster St. Leger September 30—Jockey Club's Stakes ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. W.C., Tauranga.—Martini-Henry won the .V.E.C. Derby and Melbourne Cup of 1883. WAGER.—I. Carbine was nominated for four Melbourne Cups, run in respective seasons. He only started-on two occasions for that race, running second to Bravo in 1839 ana winning in 1890. 2. Seaton Delaval was imported to New Zealand from England by Messrs. L. D. and N. A. Nathan. He served bis first season at the stud in Auckland in I® s - , IV. R.W.M., To Aroha.—Levanter made his debut at Ellerslie in a Maiden Hurdle Race, in which race be wa3 beaten by Strayshot. It was the year following that he ran unplaced in til! Maiden Steeplechase, prior to ins winning tho Great Northern Steeplechase.

- NOTES BY PHAETON. It will be remembered that at tho Dunedin May Meeting a rather sensational rumpus took place at the scalo at the conclusion of the Tradesmen's Handicap over Arlino's weight, tho owner of the second horse, Mr. 'J. McGuiness, alleging that Arline's owner touched the scales. A protest was lodged, but though the owner of the first horse (Mr. Fleming) was reprimanded for what Was rightly stigmatised as a grave impropriety, it did not lead to tho mare losing the race, and slio was declared the winner, and the stakes paid over. Maremsna's owner (McGuiness) expressed his intention of appealing to tho Racing Conference, and has now done so, having forwarded a protest to that body, accompanied with a cheque for £20. Ho avers, firstly, that the clerk of the scales twico declared no weight, and then, without visible reason, declared weight; secondly, that Mr. Solomon, one of the stewards, admitted to Mr. J. B. Reid, Mr. C. J. Dalgcty, and Mr. J. A. Cook (all of whom are prepared to make declaration to that effect) that he had seen Mr. Fleming place his foot on the scale; thirdly, that only six stewards were present when the protest was decided in Arline's favour, and of these only Messrs. Freeman, Mills, Short, and L. McLean were competent to vote. W. Fleming being an interested party was certainly debarred from voting, and tho appellant contends that as owner of Belle Clari, Mr. Solomon, too, was interested, as, in the event of the appeal being sustained, his mare would 115 placed second. McGuiness states that he is prepared to produce plenty of evidence in support of the appeal. It would, therefore, teem wo are on the eve of a somewhat sensational inquiry.

The Hawke's Bay Jockey Club were enabled to make a satisfactory commencement with their winter mooting on Wednesday last, when Me are told the gathering was inaugurated in spring-like weather. However, this satisfactory state of matters did not continue, and a postponement of the second day's racing, fixed for yesterday, was deemed necessary. Tho big event of tiio opening day— Hawke's Bay Hurdlo Race—attracted a field of nine, viz , Opai, 12st 31b; Social Pest, list 21b; Golden Plover, list lib; Tally-ho, lOst 121b; Sultadoi, lOst 121b; Ned Kelly, lOst 81b; and Rhino, lflst. Considering the merciless treatment which Opai received at tho hands of Mr. Henry, I must confess that it came upon me as something in the shape of a surprise to find the son of Somnus ranking as favourite. However, those whe doubted Opai's ability to win had their judgment in that respect fully vindicated, for he did not succeed in even _ gaining a position amongst the placed division. The winner turned up in Dante, who was throughout in a prominent position, and the son of Sou'-wester settling the outsider Tangaroa (with whom i all through he had been making the pace) at I the last hurdle, he drew away and, we are | told, won comfortably at the end by a couple of lengths. Tho distance of the Hawke's Bay race is given as "about two miles," so that with a doubt as to tho exact distance traversed, it is difficult to maka a comparison from a time point 01 view between tho respective performances registered by Opai at Ellerslie and that of Dante at Hastings. Opai ran aD exact two miles on tho Auckland track in 3m. 555., while Dante "got to the end of tho Napier race (about two miles) in 3m. 51s. Though uncertainty exists as to the exact distance traversed by Dante leaves us somewhat in doubt as to the true value of his performance, I think it will bo found, when we get tho full details of the race, that the pace was very solid from end to end, and that it was a meritorious piece of galloping and fencing on the part of the spn of'Sou'-wester. Tho Dante that distinguished himself at Hastings is, I may remark, the same horse that burst a bloodvessel in his head when being trained at Ellorslie some two years back for the Grand National Hurdle Race. He was at that time unquestionably in the first flight of hurdleracers owned in this colony, for in tho season of 1895-96, at a difference of 111b, lie proved 1 his ability to successfully cope with such a pastmastor as Liberator in a fair and square battle over a mile and three-quarters. As tho result of his ailment, Danto was off the scene for a long time, and when lie failed bo badly in the Hurdle Race run at Wanganui on Queen's Birthday last, finishing as ho did outside of the placed division in that event, it was feared he would have to be regarded as a light of the past. Taking Dante's performances at Wanganui as a guide (even though lie managed to get second to Torpina in the Second Hurdle Race), there was some reason to doubt his ability to win at Napier; but from the manner in which he was supported, and the fact that ho was a pretty strong " tip" on the day, tlioro is some reason for believing that his party were, quite prepared for the reception of the victory which he scored. The meeting will be continued to-day, when the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase will claim attention as the principal event of the programme. So far as wo have learned, there have been no withdrawals since the acceptances wero posted last week, and the field is therefore still composed of the following eleven horses:—

stlb st lb Plain Bill.. „12 5 Taiigaroa .. „ 913 JMorag .. ..110 Claymore .. .. 912 Tally-ho .. .. 10 12 Coastguard „0 11 The Sinner.. ..10 11 Great Britain 97 Toiiki .. .. 1011 Julia .. ..9 7 Ithino ~ .. 10 0 In my notes last week I selected Plain Bill and Tho Sinner as the likely pair in my opinion to fight out the issue, and I see no reason to alter tho views I then expressed, further than to say that Toriki may be looked upon as a dangerous candidate. My vote, however, will again be cast in favour of Plain Bill.

With Waiuku engaged in the New Zealand Cup the question as to which horse will figure at the top of the handicap for the big ~ Southern raco is very easily solved; but the fixing of tho probable standard at which Mr. Henry will commence his adjustment cannot bo so easily disposed of. The general impression amongst Aucklanders is that lOst will be selected by the Southern handicappor as the starting point for his adjustment, but in connection with that view it is worthy of remark that not once in former years has the handicap for the Southern race been cast on so high a scale so far as the top weight is concerned as that named. How much difference will Mr. Henry make between Waiuku and St. Paul? is a point that has afforded Aucklanders a good amount of food for discussion. The two sons of St. Leger have opposed each other on five occasions during • the season, and it may prove interesting at this juncture, seeing that so much discussion is proceeding as to what their imposts are likely to be, if the facts relating to the battles fought between them are again looked up. The pair had their first meeting for the season in tho New Zealand Cup (two miles), in which race St. Paul was weighted at Bst 71b and Waiuku at 3st 61b, the race resulting in a half-length victory for the latter from his Auckland opponent. On the following day the pair were sent out to measure strides in tho Metropolitan Handicap (one mile and a-half) in which Waiuku carried 9st 71b, St.: Paul Bst-131b, when tho latter succeeded in easily turning tho tables on .bis big opponent. The Auckland Cup (two miles) brought about their next meeting, and :, 1 in that; race Mr. .Evett. placed 9st 71b on .Waiuku; and 9st on St. Paul. The latter ; finished second to Antares, while Waiuku was out of a place. I have an inclination, however, to rub that race out altogether, insofar as any value it might have on the point at . issue is concerned, for it cannot be said that Waiuku was that day ridden with a semblance , of judgment. In theA.B.C.Handicap (one mile ] • and a-half); Mr. , Evett awarded Waiuku 9st • 121b and St. Paul 9st 101b, when the latter

won by a short neck. Judiciously ridden that afternoon, Waiuku would, in the opinion of not a few, have placed the neck the other way about. Still, it was a really good test of the pair, and if they had gone to the post again on the following day in a similar race on similar terms, one would probably have had as many friends ,as the other, so closely were they held to be matched. At the Wanganui Autumn Meeting Waiuku and St. Paul were again on the scene, when they were sent out to contort the Wanganui Cup, in which race Waiuku carried 9st 131b and St. Paul 9st 111b. Waiuku was just beaten by Swordfish in a fast run race, while St. Paul was out of a place. It is open to doubt, however, whether St. Paul had a fair ooursa that afternoon ; indeed, it was said at the time that he was seriously interfered with at a critical juncture, so that it may not be safe to strike a line between the two sons of St. Leger on that, their last meeting of the season. Taking their positions in the races in which they con. tested and met each other in during the present season, it will be found that St. Paul has finished in front of Waiuku three times out of the five occasions .in which they measured strides, and there Heave the matter with my readers.

Another point that arises in connection with the probable imposts to bo awarded for tho Now Zealand Cup is what weight will Multiform receivo? The son of Hotchkiss having won over a two miles and a-quarter course ro doubt exists as to his staying capacity, and as in tho race which he won over 18 furlongs ho was opposed by Waiuku (who may be accepted as a good weight-for-ago horse), it may bo said that he stood the test well, It may be taken as pretty certain that Multiform will bo well cared for.

A horse that is being whispered about as a likely winner of tho New Zealand 'Cup is Rubin. This four-year-old son of Tasman [ and Rubina, after failing most badly in what might be termed good company, drifted amongst tho hacks, and he won a really good raco amongst that class at Egmont last month. The ranks of tho hack division have before this furnished the New Zealand turf with some top sawyers (to wit, Waiuku and Vedette). But that Rubin is entitled to be regarded on anything like the same plane as that doughty pair I am very far from believing. However, some clever people are found backing Rubin for the New Zealand Cup, and, although inclined myself to take a place amongst the doubters, so far as he is concerned, it may not be quite safe to mite of him, "No show."

Negotiations were this week opened with Mr. T. Morrin for the purchase of Daystar, and the documents completing the business were signed and sealed on Wednesday last. The price stated to have been paid for tho four-year-old son of Castor and Cissy is 600 i guineas, and tho new owners of the bay horso aro Messrs. S. McGuiness and M. Mils, of New Plymouth. Daystar, I may remark, has been located at Wellington Park since tho conclusion of tho Auckland Racing Club's Autumn Meeting in April last, and as a quadruped's sojourn at Mr. Morrill's estate constitutes a completo cessation from training work, the conclusion can be formed that Daystar has been allowed to run down so far as racing condition is concerned. However, with over four months before him to get tho son of Castor ready for the Now Zealand Cup, Stewart McGuiness should not experience any great difficulty in that respect, for Daystar is not one of the class that requires a great deal of galloping. Daystar will, I understand, be shipped to New Plymouth on Monday next, by the Gairloch,

A good deal of curiosity lias been evinced as to the ownership of the three yearlings which the Victorian trainer I. Foulsham purchased at the Wellington Park sale in January last, In a list of recent entries for classic events made with the Victoria Racing Club, the high-priced HotchkissFrailty colt figures in the name of Mr. W. Sayers, a well-known Melbourne liotelkeoper, and who was identified in tho ownership of tho Newmarket Handicap winner Wild Rose. The colt by Hotchkiss from Lady Cureton, which nas been appropriately named Lord Cureton, appears in the nomination of Mr. (J. Aaron,while the filly by St. Leger from Bianca, under the neat title of Ideal, figures as the property of Mr R. Maurice. It has been determined, most wisely. I think, to afford Frailty's son plenty of time to mature, and to give him every chance. He may not, it is thought, be raced at all as a two-year-old. The Lady Cureton colt is very highly spoken, and Foulsham has taken him in hand with a view, no doubt, to his Maribyrnong Plate engagement.

Judging from what "Terlinga" says, they seem to have thoroughly mastered tho manageI ment of the totalisator business in South Australia. The Victorian writer, in referring | to the Adelaide Racing Club's recent meeting, says:—"Tho clubs have not been long in accommodating themselves to the 5s tickets. It means a deal of extra trouble, but both at Morphetville and the old course the arrangements made resulted in everything passing off without tho slightest hitch. "Kioto was a crowd round the machines before each race, but with the extended accommodation there was never any crushing." Now, it should bo remembered in connection with the remarks of "Terlinga," that it is by no means an uncommon circumstance to find £15,000, or over, handled at these South Australian meetings, on one afternoon. The crushing that takes place at Ellerslie totalisators, and the number of investors wishing to put money on that got " left" has ever been a standing complaint in connection with the business on the Auckland course, and makes one sigh for the happy state of affairs that seems to rule round the conduct of tho totalisator in South Australia.

The New Zealand jockey, James Hiekey, who went to England some two years back, under engagement to Mr. S. H. Gollan, and who is at present on a flying visit to the colonies, was interviewed during his stay in Melbourne by on© of the staff of the Sportsman. Speaking of Ebor, the son of Robert the Devil, who during his sojourn in New Zealand could hardly bo got to stand up at small fences, Hiekey says the old fellow proved himself a veritable champion in tho Old Country over a couple of miles; lie used to settle his opponents the first milo by the pace he travelled, After winning close on £4000 in stakes, Mr. Gollan sold him for £1200. Gahvay, who was imported from Australia last year by Mr, Gollan, lias not (Hiekey says) so far distinguished himself in England, but Hickey says the bay gelding is doing well, and should pay his way next season. The Possible, also, he thinks, will probably win races when the N.H. meetings recommence. Erl King, of whom great tilings were expected as a hurdleracer, has not fulfilled expectations. Hiekey says lie does not quite stay two miles, and there are few, if any, hurdle races under that distance. Some horses takA longer to acclimatise than others, and that is the reason, he thinks, why horses like Galway (who could literally " fall down and win" here) and The Possible have not done better. The New Zealand rider says that the steeplechase comes in England are not to be compared with tho Australian, so far as jumping requirements are _ concerned. Hickey declares that any ordinary Australian hurdleracor would have no difficulty in negotiating the average steeplechase'course in the Old Country. Hickey mil probably take three or four horses belonging to Mr. Gollan back to England, and several of the youngsters that were entered as yearlings for the Mammoth Britannia Steeplechase—a kind of Futurity Stakes— be run in 1900, may be included in the lot. *

"The Probable," of the Canterbury Tiroes, recently paid a visit to E. Mason's training establishment at Yaldhurst, where Mr. G. 6. Stead's team is located, and from his account of the same in the Southern journal, I clip the following:—The mighty Multiform looks in blooming health and perfectly sound. Both lie and Gold Medallist, of whom the same can be said, have been taking mattes rather | easily after their arduous season. St. Cyr is not a particularly elegant specimen of the thoroughbred, and Mason has had some trouble with him, but ho looks fit for any preparation. Of the rising three-year-olds Motto has lengthened nicely, and I foel sure this handsome daughter of Medallion and Marion will do something worthy of her appearance before the season is far advanced. Altetir is as compact as ever, growing very evenly all over. Conqueror, the hope of the stable for the Derby and other big events, is unfortunately receiving a compulsory rest, an injury received last summer necessitating drastic treatment. He is in a fair way to recovery, but it is certain that he will bo unable to run in the spring, and this will make the Derby a much more open event than if lie wero a certain starter, fit and well. During his rest he has even gained upon his previous commanding appearance, and in his box looks an ideal Derby colt. Tho Auck-land-bred St. Lucia, by St. Leger— is a lengthy bay filly, well ribbed, and with a good set of legs, and should certainly race. The St. Leger—Cissy colt, St. Ilario, a bright bay, is a most commanding youngster, already bigger than many a three-year-old, loosely built yet well shaped, and that will fill out into a splendid horse. Screwgun (full brother to True Blue), by Hotchkiss—Bote of Wellington, is altogether on smaller lines and more compact. He has had to be temporarily eased in' bis work through shin soreness.

Though it is not Mr. Beckett's intention to take Levanter over to the V.K.C. Grand National Meeting, the Aucklander intends nominating his horse for the Caulfield Grand National Steeplechase, to be run in August next. ; The race in question is run over the long course of four miles; but that circumstance will not be against Levanter, who is above all things": a good stayer. The Caulfield Grand i National jSteepleohase is worth lOOOSOYB, ' ' "

I The business connected with the purchase of Waiuku is, so far as I can loam, still in an open state. J. Chaafe, who is acting for the Victorian trainer M. Carmody, at whose instance negotiations were opened up in Auckland for the purchase of the horse, left for New Plymouth on Thursday, presumably for the purpose of satisfying himself as to Waiuku's soundness, and should the son of St. Leger come through the examination we may, I suppose, look to the business being completed.

The use of electrio batteries and other contrivances in the effort to accelerate the speed of horses taking part in races, has many times been referred to as having taken place in the land of the Stars and Stripes. That wonderful things can be done in the way of getting pace out of a horse by the means of an electric battery is told in the American Horseman of a recent date. It says:—"One day at the Guttenburg track, the judge, Mr. J. J. Burke, was surprised to see a mare called Gyda, who had been backed from 100 down to 20 to 1 with great persistence, sail home a comfortable winner over a fair field, a field which on her last shown form she had no business to beat. The idea of an electrio battery being concealed in the rider's clothes never entered his head at that time, but when next Gyda essayed to defeat a fiold of good class, and came second, he ordered the jockey to be stripped in his presence, and then and there discovered a skilfully-constructed battery, the wires from which ran down the lad's legs to his spurs. The current being applied, a circuit was formed when the spun touched the mare's sides, and from'the fluid she essayed to flee. The result was an exhibition of speed such as the poor brute could not duplicato when Unassisted, Unci from tl*at time on many a rascal lias tried to work the same game on the running tracks of this country. It has been suggested that the sulky cushion presents an excellent 'home' for a batten' and that it could bo utilised to the very best advantage by having wires run therefrom along the shafts to the point where tho bearers encircle them, Connections skilfully mado tliero would complete tho apparatus so that when the button was pressed tho animal would receive an elcctrio shock in every way similar to that received by tho unfortunate Gyda, when the spurs were pressed to her sides." There is only one punishment fitted for a class of persons that could extract. so-called sport under such torture as that mentioned above; and that is, that they should be placed whero there would bo no possible chance of their being able to practice such a dastardly act as the using of an elec-trically-charged spur.

There is no doubt that climate has a great effect upon all animals, and that the types of horse bred in different countries from tho same blood will vary accordingly (says " Ranger" in the Sporting and Dramatic News). This is well shown by Australian-bred horses, who, although descended from the very same blood as our own, are, for the most part, of a somewhat different stamp. I naturally saw a groat many Walers when I was in India, and most that I came across there wore flatsided, three-cornered brutes, with no speed or quality, although they all had wonderful legs and feet and plenty of stamina. The best Walors, of courso, never went to India, and tho first I over saw 111 this country were the three that were sent hero to bo trained at Newmarket about eight years ago. These, however, had been bred to English time, and were no good. It is only quite recently that wo have seen any Australian racehorses of any class in this country. Merman, who was only a second-class handicap horse in Australia, last yoar won our re witch; and now Newhaven 11., a 2st better horse than ho is, bids fair to hold his own with our best. This is not to bo wondered at. Undoubtedly Australia is a better climato than ours, and it seems to suit horses; whilst, except for one unknown ancestress fivo generations back, NowhaTen is a really well-bred horso, full of Birdcatchcr and Touchstone blood. Although we have long known that Australian-bred horses are harder and stouter than our own, and with far bettor legs and feet, it has boon generally thought that they have not the same speed. After seeing Nowhaven run in this country that idea will probably be no longer entertained. It is true that he docs not show quite the same fashion as our best, and I cannot truthfully say that I like his action; but he has many valuable qualities which our horses lack, and ho has shown that he is by 110 means tho slow plodder that it was generally expected he would turn out to be. That ho is a real genuine stayer is well known, apd over long courses, even in tho host of company, ho will liavo to be reckoned with.

The English artist, Mr. Harry Furniss, who paid a visit to Australia some months back, has been giving his impressions in tho Windsor Magazine on racing, as conducted in Australia. Mr. Furniss declares that racing iB better I managed in Australia than in any other connj try in tho world, and is especially lavish in his praise of l'lemington. Ho says;— Australia the racecourse is for tho people, and nothing astonishes the stranger more than tho perfection of the arrangements for tho convenience of the public at Hemington, the scene of tho famous Melbourno Cup. Another thing is curious, and that is the quiet and orderly behaviour of the crowd at this racecourse. In fact, apart from racing, it would be difficult to find, all tho world over, a betterbehaved or more interesting crowd." Mr. Furniss, like most visitors from England, was [truck with the utility of the starting machine, which he terms " a remarkable innovation. " The difference," he writes, " between a start with tiro gate and one without it is great." The soliaity and rigidity of tho Australian fences, as compared with those in England, afforded tho artist a subject for a " study in contrasts." A sketch of an Australian stonewall is shown, at whioh the entire field appears to have come to grief, horses and riders flying in all directions; while tho English steeplechasers appear to bo striding through fences of straw, Mr. Furniss says:—' another difference in the actual racing is found in the sensational nature of Australian steeplechasing as compared with the same sport in England. Stiff fences and huge stone walls tiro fixed on .the Australian courses, and the way in which the riders go at these formidable obstacles is sensational, and the results often startling."

English writers frequently comment upon the coarseness of colonial and American-bred horses. Quito recently an English writer said American racehorses do not, as a rulo, possess that ourious attribute, best described as "quality," in tho same degree as tho Englishbred horses. Sandia and Diakka, in Mr. I.orillard's team, have more quality than most Americans, but even they are not quite up to our standard, and the various members of the Wishard and Croker teams of two years ago wero all coarse to the eye, though most of them could win races. Americus, for instance, though a very speedy horse, and a great weight-carrier, was a brougham horse at first glance, and Mack Briggs looked more like pulling a soda-water cart than winning races. Ranapo was coarse, too, and so is St. Cloud 11. in tho samo sort of way; but, as I said just now, the coarseness of these Americans must bo disregarded.

[ In referring to the sale and departure for England of Patron, who, it transpires, is to occupy the same box at tho Coblmm Stud as that vacated by the Auckland-bred Carnage, tho Melbourne Sportsman says:—"A decided credit to his country, wherever he may go, is Patron. He is a really magnificent horse, and his make up should satisfy even tho exacting English critics. Patron is undoubtedly one of fee grandest specimens of the thoroughbred the Old Country has so far secured from Australia, and with his Yaltondon strain and his sensible disposition he cannot fail to prove his worth at the stud in any place in the world chosen for him. . . . Patron had a remarkably brilliant turn of speed, and though thoroughly game when it came to fight, lie liked to win his race with one smothering run. It was Patron's tremendous pace that brought him from last to first near home in the Melbourne Cup. It was not that the leaders came baok; he went out to them. Patron represents a rare combination of speed and stamina, and mated as lie is sure to be, Grand Flaneur's son should not be long in earning fame as a sire abroad."

The recently-made match for 10,000 dollars a-side, between John R. Gentry and Guinetto, the most notable from a money standpoint in recent years, has (says tho Horseman) brought to light the recollections of an old horseman regarding tho match race in 1859,, between Princess and*Glencoe Chief, which took place in San Francisco, Col., March 2, and was to waggon, distance 10 miles. Princess was taken to the coast especially to make the match, and she had no trouble in defeating her rival in 29m. IOJs., and the stakes, amounting to 36,000 dollars, were paid to her manager, James C. Eoff. A second match was arranged between tho pair, same distance, for 5000 dollars arside, Princess again winning. This race took place the day following the first raco, and it is very doubtful if an owner of a pacer or trotter in the front rank would now send his horse in two hard engagements on successive days at any distance, much less 10-mile races.'

Mr. J. Gallagher, who this week arranged the sale of Daystar, has lad another commission placed in. his hands, having been deputed by a Southern horseowner. to endeavour to effect the purchase of the two-year-old Herrnosa. I understand that £300 was the price offered for the daughter of St. Leger and Lady Evelyn, but as £400 was asked, this figuro was not entertained. In a letter which Mr. i Gallagher this week received from I. Earnshaw, the well-known Sydney trainer oxpresses a desire to acquire a couple of good New Zealand horses ("as good, as Vedette preferred," remarks the astute Isaac). The popular host of the Metropolitan has this matter in hand, but mothinks lie will have a little difficulty; in executing his commission just at present, '

■ Multiform is stated to be looking in fine form at present. Prior to bis being slapped to India, Vedette was insured lor £600. Amberito is striding along nicely at Randwick, as is also the crack's full brother Pellissior. ' Altair will, it is thought, prove to be Mr. Stead's representative for the Hawke's Bay Guineas. Mr. D. Stewart, the owner of S. Crispin, was thrown out of a cab at the Thames recently and severely hurt. From all parts of Australia comes the cry of the falling away of the jumping horse, both in quality and number. Earlston, a son of the Auckland-bred Braemar, ftho had shown good form over hurdles in Victoria, met his death there recently. "Mazeppa" has calculated Euroclydon won eight of the 20 races in which he started, and his winning in stakes come to £3060. Ballyhooley was yesterday offered by auction at Messrs. Hunter and Nolan's yards, and at 14 guineas he was taken by 0. Tutt. Following the example of the V.R.C., the committee of the V.A.T.C. has decided to extend their Grand National meeting to three days.

A horse at present reported to be going well at Randwick is Vivian, who formed ono of Mr. Samuel Hordern's lot recently sent to auction. An English writer is of opinion that Lord Rosebery's speech at York is likely to produce "a detrimental effect on tho yearling markot." On no loss authority than tho Australasian, it is held to be a very open question what horse this year mil figure at the head of the Melbourne Cup weights. Social Pest, Castashore, and several other horses had a narrow escapo in a fire which occurred this week in the stables in which they were located at Hastings.

Janissary, in addition to being tho sire of tho Derby winner Jcddah, is also represented by Amurath, one of tho best two-year-olds seen out so far this season in England. Tho total valuo of stakos won in England during 1897 was £465,488; in Ireland, £22,308; in Scotland, £12,830; a total for Great Britain of tho large sum of £500,626. Tho New Zealand sportsman, Mr. S. H. Gollan, established almost a record as an amateur rider in England during the jumping season; out of six mounts ho won fivo races. The weights for tlio Caulfield and Melbourne Cups aro due to make their appearance on Monday noxt. Tlioso for tho Now Zealand Cup are duo on the Friday following. Favona, the three-year-old son of Kegel and Mystery, Bprung tho back sinew of one of his logs recently, and this will, it is expected, necessitate hie being cased tip for some months to come. Prior to taking his departure for Sydney, J. C. Booth, the well-known Ellerslie trainer, was the recipiont of a handsome prcscntat'/Mi, which was mado to him by a number of his late patrons.

Tho Canterbury Trotting Club's spring programme is expected to show added money to the extent of £1100. One of the evonts is a Free-for-all Race, and a Nursery Raco for three-year-olds. Word comes from Sydnoy to tho effect that it is very unlekcly Gaulus will again figure on the turf, ono of his legs being in such an unsound state that ho cannot bo even treated to half-pace work. Tho fact of Swordfish figuring in tho namo of Mr. S. Bradley in the New Zoalaihl iSip nominations, it would seem that tho son of Hotchkiss will carry that gentleman's colours again next season. Carbine's three-year-old daughter Raven's Plume won a. good raco at Warwick farm (Sydnoy) recently. Raven's Plumo, it is worthy of remark, is out of the New Zealandbrod mare Ravenswing.

Tho sensational American colt Hamburg is to bo raced in England in the colours of Mr. Brodrick Cloete, after whioh ho will bo retired to the stud. Hamburg is tho colt for whom Mr. M. Daly gave £8000 last year. Mteconas, a two-year-old brother to the Mclbourno Cup winner Patron, mado his first appearance on tho race track, in Sydney, recently. Doubts are expressed as to his emulating the deeds of his famous brother. The New Zealand-bred steeplechaser Norton look part in the Stratford Handicap Steeplechase, two miles, at the Stratford-on-Avon May Meeting, and, with 12st 41b in the saddle, finished second to Lady of tho Xi?.ko, 12st 51b. Tlioy bet in South Australia right enough. Tho amount of money invested on tho totalizator on tho Adelaide Cup, won by Thunder Queen, was no less thai! £4535 10s; and another ovont, llio City Handicap, carried £3733. If tlio erst-Australian champion Nowliavon figured amongst tho contestants in the Ascot Gold.Cup, run last week, ho did not cut a prominent figure in tho long-distance race, as his name does not appear amongst the place-goiters.

Priestess, the dam of Nun Nicer, winner of tho One Thousand Guineas Slakes, was lire by Sir Taltou Sykcs, and was purchased us a yearling by Sir J. Blundell Maple fcr 4000 guineas. Common, the sire of Nun Nicer, I cost Sir J. Blundell Maplo 15,000 guineas. Frank Burns, tho well-known cross-country rider, who was rolled on by Glenarm in the course of tlio North New Zealand Grand National Meeting and had his arm crushed, had the misfortune during the week to fall from a ladder, breaking the injured limb. Prom tlio fact of The Friar having been nominated for the Wellington Steeplechase and Grand National Steeplechase, it would appear as if tlio injury which brought about his withdrawal from the Great Northern Steeplecliaso lias been somewhat exaggerated. Astronomer, tho high-priced half-brother to Trenton and Cuirassier, is said to bo striding along in good form at Randwick. It would bo remarkable if, ill the change of trainers which has recently takon place, the son of Castor were to at onco regain winning form. " A brace of Auckland-bred fillies, now ownod by a Canterbury racing man, have been awarded names. Tho tillo of "Santa Barbara" has been conferred upon tho filly by St. Leger from Ouida, and that of " Santa Caterina" on the filly by St. Leger from Pu-,

werowere. "Terlinga," of (ho Australasian, writes:— Among the racehorses that have figured in my time I never liked ono as I likod Aurum, who, in any ordinary year, would have won his Melbourne Cup, and but for that accident before the Guineas, would havo mado a clean sweep of tho woight-for-ago races this season, The consistent little Hermosa was last week submitted to auction at Messrs. Buckland and Sons' yards, and at 190 guineas she was purchased by Mr. D. Stewart. The little daughter of St. Loger will not, it is pleasing to learn, leave Frank Macmanemin's stable, and, that may be taken to be something in lior favour. In Sydney backers are taking 100 to 6 about Bobadil for tho Melbourne Cup. If the son of Bill of Portland does not receive a stiffor impost than did Aurum (Bst 61b) last year it would seem that Mr. Wilson's colt will be a good winter favourito for tho Floraington raco. Recently, in England, a mare named Dorost 11., by Favo, dropped a foal by The Owl, which she carried 12 months 3 weeks 1 day. This must cortainly Ira a record. Strangely enough, tho colt looked as though it were a premature one, but it is stated there can bo no possibility of mistake on the subject. I had often wondored what had bccome of Satyr, the long-striding son of Leolinus and Naiad, who figured as a hurdle-racer in Auckland some years back in tho colours of Mr. L. D. Nathan. A Napier writer recently unearthed him at Mr. Gollan's estate, where he has been running for somo time past. The Sydnoy trainer J. Allsopp has no loss than four colts by Carbine in his training establishment, viz., Clarion, Holster, Nevada, and Welbeck. " Milroy," of the Sydney Mail, who has always had a good word for Holster, states that ho is furnishing into a grand colt, and looks all over a Derby winner. American sportsmen, who do not find the horse fast enough, now propose, the Daily Chronicle says, to utilise tlio antelopo as a "trotter." One of these animals is being broken into harness to ran in. a " sulky," and has lately given ovidence that it will be able to break the world's record of a mile in Im. 35ie. ''

The Australian Jockey Club have just issued the _ programmes in connection with their meetings, which it is proposed to bring off at Randwick next season. A totalling up of the added monoy shows that it is proposed to giro in stakes £20,850, of which sum £8400 goes o the spring meeting, £3350 to the summer, and £9100 to the autumn. The Auckland-bred Culloden, who won the V.R.C. St Letter for Mr. S. H. Gollan in 1893, and who was sent to the Old Country a couple of years back, has been sold to an Irish breeder, and the half-brother to Lochiel will take up stud duties there next season. Mousquetaire (by Nordenfeldt—Frailty) who was also exported to the Old Country by Mr. Gollan, is at the stud in the North of England, ? ;•> ; - {j -> - ■ A fair amount of business continiios to be transacted in Auckland on the forthcoming New . Zetland Cup. St. Paul is a prime fanoy, 100 s to 8 having been freely accepted about him, and 100 to 10 is now quoted as his price. Since changing hands Daystar has been in fair request, a wager of 300 to 21 being accepted about him. A: wager of 500 to 25 was this week accepted , about Tirant d'Eau, and 500 to 20 went down to Rubin, and 400 to 20 has been accepted about Dundas.'Multiform 18 quoted at 100 to 8, .and Swordfish at 100 to 6, both horses being freely, booked at those figures, ■ • :