NOTES BY PHAETON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10836, 20 August 1898, Page 6

NOTES BY PHAETON.

THE programmes framed in connection with the meetings proposed to bo held during the present season under the auspices of the Auckland Racing Club were yesterday brought up and finally adopted. The total amount allotted in prize-money is £16,760, which sum has been distributed as follows:Spring meeting, £5150; summer, £7710; autumn, £3400; winter, £2500. The first alteration of note that meets the eye in perusing the programmes is the raising of the stakes attaching to the City Handicap and Prince of Wales Handicap from 200sovs and 300SOVS respectively to 300sovs and 400sovs. It is, however, when the summer programme is reached that the liberality of the club receives its most striking illustration. The added money to the Auckland Cup remains at lOOOsovs. The Railway Handicap (the distance of which is six furlongs) has been increased from lOOxov's to 300sovs, and, as it is a condition that the weights will appear on the same day as those for Cup and Steeplechase, the new departure will sure to becomo popular. The summer meeting having been extended to four days, the second day's programme on this occasion has been entirely redrafted, the principal event being the Summer Handicap of 500sovs, the distance of which is fixed at a mile and a-quarter. The Auckland Racing Club Handicap, which will bo run on the third day, has been raised in valuo from 500sovs to tiOOsovs, and it will be run, as usual, over a mile and a-liaif, The Grandstand Handicap, one milo and aquarter, is set down for the third day, and will be worth 300sovs. Tho Newmarket Handicap (six furlongs) is endowed with a like amount, while the Auckland Plate, which will l)o run at weight for age over a mile and a-quarter, also appears of 300sovs value. Tho autumn programme has received tome good additions, chief of which is the raising of the added money to the Autumn Handicap to 500sovs. Tho distance of this race l.as been extended to a mile and a-half, while that for the St. George's Handicap has been fixed at a mile and a-quarter. A noteworthy alteration made in connection with the autumn programme is the withdrawal of tho Autumn Steeplechase, its place being taken by a Hurdle Race of 125sovs, the distance of which is fixed at about three miles. The Grand National programme is practically the same as that issued last year. There is, 1 owever, an addition of lOOsovs in the value of the Grand National Hurdle Race. The Groat Northern Steeplechase remains at oOOsovs. Tho committee decided to raise the added money to the Auckland Guineas and Champagne Stakes to 500sovs each, so that all tho " classic" races are now on a level; and it was further determined that the entrance and acceptance fee bo in each case ssov6, instead of lOsovs, which means that tho club arc only exacting a charge of one po:' cent, from horseowners. Altogether, tho A.R.C. committee can lay claim to the is.nie of a set of programmes that from first to last must Ira ascribed decidedly liberal, and it is to be hoped that the go-ahead policy entered upon will bear the fruit which it deserves. The following is a statement of the amount of prize-money given by the Auckland Racing Club during this and tho past five seasons 93-91 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 £<£££-££ Ist Spring 485 453 850 1,200 - - Spring ... 1,365 1,285 1.46* 1,535 2,690 3,150 Summer ... 4,020 3.640 4,480 4,640 5.560 7,710 Autumn... 1,730 1,869 2,210 2,290 3,150 3,400 Winter ... 1,300 1,310 1,390 1,680 2,050 2,500 8,900 8,550 10,390 11,515 13,450 16,760 While the House of Representatives was engaged in discussing the Restraint of Wagering Bill, as introduced by Mr. George Hutchison, the Premier created what must have been a mild sensation by proposing a motion that belting on the totalisator be made a misdemeanour, which, if it had been carried, would, of course, have meant the death of the machine. The Colonial Secretary (Hon. J. Carroll) made it quite clear that ho entirely disagreed with the Premier's views in tho question, and very properly, and, I have no doubt, very strongly stated that matters would lie rendered tenfold worse if the totalisator were swept away. The Bill waa talked out, and, as with it the Premier's motion wont to the wall, the question will not, it may be supposed, again come up this session, No great alarm need, therefore, be folt as to the security of the machine just at present; but, while this may be so, the fact of tho head of the Government tabling such a hostile motion as he did, at a time when tho prohibition movement, under tho leadership of Sir Robert Stout, has sprung into existence, is significant, and it behoves the friends of the machine to be keenly alert to combat the attack, should it be renewed. From Canterbury comes news of the sale of Gold Medallist, who, it is staled, has been purchased on behalf of an English owner, and he is to bo shipped across the ocean at tho end of tho present month. It is not very palatable to see our good horses leaving the colony, but I don't know that there are any strong grounds for a deep wail over tho expatriation of Gold Medallist. That tho gay-looking chestnut was a real good colt at two years old there can be no manner of doubt, but a very different tale has to bo told of his three-year-old essays. His collapso in the Great Northern Derby at Ellerslie last New Year's Day was without one redeeming feature, for St. Crispin, who dressed him down on that occasion, is unquestionably a very long remove from a real good one. Then, again, there is his unexpected defeat in the Hawke's Bay Stakes. Daunt, who put him down in that raco, though a speedy little fellow, is not a firstrater; and, when to this braco of defeats ha* to be added Gold Medallist's indifferent display in the Thompson Handicap, in which race, under Bst 91b, he finished unplaced, there is not, it will bo gathered, much reason to go into ecstacies over Gold Medallist. Tho son of Medallion may, of course, bloom again, but at present ho must be allowed to remain in the list of suspects, so far as I am concerned. Another pair booked for a trip across '■. the sea are Opae and Toriki, who, it is stated, have been purchased from Mr. John McDonald by James Hickey, acting on behalf ■ of Mr. S. H. Gollan, and they are to be : taken to England along with Waiuku. Though hardly what might bo termed a ' first-class horse, Opae has, without doubt, proved himself a very capable horse over hurdles, and few better-looking ones than ; tho bay son of Somnus have been seen competing at the illegitimate game in this colony. As for Toriki, ho is all right also . so far as looks are concerned; but he has ac- \ quired the reputation of a confirmed trickster, and 'from his baulking propensities matters bear none too favourable an aspect for him earning distinction, that is, so far. as crosscountry races are concerned, ■ ........,.

Ditto, who can, I think, be justifiably termed an Auckland cast-off, and has gladdened the hearts of his connections on a good few occasions during the time he has been racing in Australia, once again treated them to a good taste of the sweets of victory on Saturday last when ho won the Caulfield Grand National Steeplechase under the respectable burden of list 41b. Who could have thought it possible that the Ditto we saw time after time disgrace himself in Auckland during three seasons, and wind up a series of wretched performances here last winter, had such a good race concealed about him as that which he got off at Caulfield on Saturday last? There was probably never a korse that left the shores/of Maoriland whose winning form in Australia has occasioned so much surprise as that of Ditto. In looking up his Auckland record I find that only twice, and that was when the company was, exceedingly moderate, did he get home in front, and it can bo said that he bad a fair number of trials. Ditto gained his first victory in a Hack Flat Handicap at Avondale, and his second win was in a hurdle race at the Thames. On each and every occasion that Ditto essayed a cross-country task in Maoriland he failed most miserably, either sticking up or falling. It was after his failures at the North New Zealand Grand National Meeting last year that J. B. Williamson sent The Dauphin's son over to the Sydney trainer P. Nolan to try his hand on; and what a wonderful transformation he worked in the bay gelding, Ditto's doughty performance at Caulfield on Saturday last attests. J. B. Williamson, who bred Ditto, it need hardly bo said, was greatly pleased with The Dauphin gelding's successful exploit over the big fences at Caulfield. In the course of a chat with the genial Ellerslie trainer, I gathered some interesting incidents connected with '.he breeding of the Grand National winner. Fair Lilian, tlie dam of Ditto, was picked up for 39 guineas at a clearing-out sale of the late Captain Walmsley's horses at Sylvia Park somewhere about the year 1889. She Droved barren for three seasons, and matters looked the reverse of hopeful for Williamson getting a foal. Sho was operated upon successfully, and mated with The Dauphin for the fourth time. The result was Ditto. Fair Lilian died some few years back, but she left behind her a full sister to Ditto, whe belongs to "J.8.W."

The most important pieco of news that camo to us from Australia this week, as bearing on the two Cups, is the backing of tho St. Albans pair, Majestic and Manfred, who have each been strongly supported, the fiist-namcd for the Caulfield Cup and the latter for the Melbourne Cup. In commenting on the backing of tho St. Albans pair, "Milroy," of the Sydney Mail, says:— "Majestic is a four-year-old son of Trenton and tho imported Barcaldino maro Bonnie Rosette, who is out of Bonnie Rose, by Rosicrucian from Bonnie Katie, by King of Trumps from Basquine. by Orlando from the celebrated Caenzou, by Melbourne. Majestic is described as a fine lusty colt, and one that Bst 21b will not trouble. His partner in the double, Manfred, has been seen out often enough, but all his displays in pfublic have been disappointing, and all who know him dub him a first-class rogue. Last year he received the support of the stable for tho Caulfield Cup soon after She appearance of the weights, but ho ran so badly in a couple of little races early in tho spring that Mr. McDonald pulled him out of the Cup, and tried to win ono of the minor races, but the wilful son of Robinson Crusoe refused to try a yard. Mr. McDonald says that the horse can do anything at home, but when tlie colours are up he is quite a different animal. No doubt he has been showing them something out of tho common at St. Albans, and they are trusting him again on the remote off-chance that he will reproduce his home form in public. One who knows says ho can win any race and go any distance if he likes, but unfortunately lie never likes." Manfred is weighted at 7st 111b in the Melbourno Cup.

The Canterbury Jockey Club brought tho New Zealand Grand National Meeting to a successful conclusion on Saturday last. Thi big event of the second day's programme was the Grand National Hurdle Race, which attracted a fine field of a dozen viz., Missfire, 12st 21b; Opae, list 131b; Ilex list 81b; Social Pest, lOst 131b; Muscatel, 10st 71b; Magazine, lOst 51b; Nicholas, 9at 111b; Dundee, 9st 111b; Kanaka, 9st 101b; Hussar, 9st 81b; Napoleon, 9st 31b; and Izal, 9st. It was the popular opinion that Missfire would occupy the position of favourite, but the sou of Maxim was not in such good repute as was anticipated, and Onao held the post of honour. Tho son of Somnus appears to havo flattered the hopes of his admirers up to tho home turn, at which point he was in tho lead, but ho faded completely out of tho contest in tho run home, and Social Pest, shooting to the front after they had negotiated the last fence, he ran homo a comfortable winner by a couple of lengths from Dundee. Tho winner, Social Pest, who is an aged son of Alma, had previously distinguished himself at the illegitimate game, but his form during the past few months was not of so promising a nature as to cause his chance to bear a hopeful aspect. That his party favoured him, however, we have what may be taken as strong evidence the support that was accorded him, for he started second favourite. The time (3m. 585.) is 4Js. slower than Umslopogaas took to cover tho two miles in last year's race, but tho going was hardly so good on Saturday as was the case in tho preceding year. Tho pronounced collapse of Opao affords pretty strong evidence that tho haiulicappei's have formed far too high an opinion of his capabilities. A good horse, no doubt, is this bay son of Somnus, but he is somo removes from a St. Simon. The following is a list of winners of the Grand National Hurdle Race :— Yr. Horse, Weight. | Rider. Time. ISOOlxion .. .. 10 2 T.Stewart 4 5,} ISOI Courailto .. 10 OJ. ltodmond 3 52' 18112 Kulnine .. 11 5 j\V. Clark 4 0 ISM Liberator .. 1010 [Powell 855 1894 Liberator .. 12 OP. Holmes 46} 1805 Don. McKinnon 10 3W. Ashdown 4 5.1 1890 Dummy .. 912 iP Johnston 3MI 15.17 Unislopogaoa .. 0 5 IF. Kingan .1 5,15 ISOS Social Pest .. 10 13 |W. Clark 358 The total amount of money invested on the totalisator in connection with the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race was £2009. The following statement will show what the dividend would bo in each case • — Tote. Div. Tote. Div. £277— Pest £010 0 £201—Muscatel £8 10 0 fIM-Dundeo.. 14 7 0 £41-\!agazino 41 1 0 £211—Kanaka 8 11 0 £80 -Nicholas.. 22 12 o £142-Misstiro 12 14 0 £255-Hussar.. 7 10 £4(i7-Opae .. 317 0 £(il—Xapoleon 29 13 0 JEl27—llex .. 14 4 0 £18-Izal ..100 0 0 In the annual report presented to the members of the Australian Jockey Club at the recent meeting, tho following pungent clause occurs:—"The pernicious of sweeps on horso races is another disturbing element in the successful conduct of racing affairs, but so long as any colonial' Government permits this form of gambling, so long will the committee of this, or any other club, bo powerless to prevent the baneful effects of these lotteries." With regard to the totalisator the committee arc outspoken, and express regret that no progress has been made towards the passing of a Bill to legaliso the machine. They consider it a subject of sufficient public importance to justify its being made a matter for Government rather than private intervention, "Spectator," of the Referee, in commenting On the New Zealand Cup acceptances, "Multiform was, as I anticipated, paid up for, but Mr. Stead has no immediate intention of starting him. I saw the col* execute a nice working gallop the other morning at Riccarton; he moved very freely, and is looking really well." From another source I learn that it depends on how Multiform shapes during the next few weoks whether he will be tuned up to fit him for the Cup contest. Until the uncertainty of Mr. Stead's procedure with Multiform assumes a more definite rhape, it will be well for backers to stand off him for the New Zea land Cup. The committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club evidently intend to set up a high codo for amateur riders. At a recent meeting it was resolved that in future any gentleman rider receiving totalisator dividends from the owner or any person shall not bo eligible for re-election as a gentleman rider, and that in futuro the acceptance of a wager from the owner or any person interested in a horse ridden by a gentleman rider shall render such rider ineligible for re-election, Sta'rshot, of whose absence from the training tracks at Riccarton mention was made last week, has made her reappearance, and, according to the Canterbury Times, is said to look very well, The reason of Starshot's dis appearanco from the track was that she had something the matter with one of her nocks. Tho Hon. H. Mossman has left in his braco of two-year-olds, The Afghan (by St. Leger —Yattaghan) and Hazeline (by St. Loger— Hazel), for the Welcome Stakes, to be run at the C.J.C. meeting in November. In her initial spurts at Ellerslie the latter has bhown herself to be endowed with pace. "

The evergreen Liberator was on the scene at Riccarton on Saturday last, and, what is more, the gallant old fellow was found equal to the task of making a good fight of it with Kanaka in the Final Handicap Hurdles, for which race' he was only beaten half a length. IE ever there was a horse in this colony that deserved pensioning off, that one is honest old Liberator, " ■ .■,■■,'». '^'**?&i ; <S.

j I Just as another racing reason in this colony - : was last week entered upon, the New Zealand I ! Turf Register made its welcome appearance, i j In every respect the present volume is up i i to its predecessors in point of completeness, i J and a perusal of the work shows that the II same care evidenced in past years to ensure • accuracy is still a prominent feature. 11l adi dition to giving a full record of all race meet- ' togs, both in running and trotting events, tho I Turf Register contains a list of entries for f all "classic" events to bo run respectively 1 under the auspices of the Auckland Racing i Club, Canterbury Jockey Club, Dunedin • Jockey Club, Hawke's Bay Jockey Club, ! Wanganui Jockey Club, and Wellington Rac- • ing Club, rules of racing, racing statistics, » sales of blood stock, winners of principal ; races, registered colours, etc. The publishers , of the New Zealand Turf Register deserve 1 every encouragement from the various racing clubs, for the work is produced in so com- ' plete a manner as to leave nothing to be de- ■ sired. In fixing the second day of the summer meeting for December 27, the Auckland Racing Club imperilled to some extent the Thames Jockey Club's meeting. It is pleasing to state that the metropolitan body have reconsidered the matter, to the advantage of the goidfield's club, by fixing Hie second day's racing for December 28. An interesting statement, compiled by "Milroy," of the Sydney Mail, shows that the descendants of the following Musket sires:—Carbine, Trenton, Thunderbolt, Nordcnfeldt, Martini-Henry, Escutcheon, Enfilade, Mana, Manlon, Catesby, Strathmore, Musk Rose, and Fusiloer— season claimed 218 winners in Australia, the prize money won by them reaching to £33,991. Javelin," of the Molbourno Leador, panned a most kindly referenco to Mr. D. 3, Wallace, who in the contest for seats on the V.R.C. committee was this year amongst the defeated. The Victorian writer, in referring to the subject, says" Of Donald Wallace it may be truly said that if he had never nad a hand in the practical government of racing the turf would still owe him a debt of gratitude for showing, by his own personal example, that a racehorse owner can be as straight in his dealings as a bishop. Any true and correct history of the Australian turf that may over be written must testify to the gratifying fact that tho black jacket, white sleeves, and red cap—famous and successful at both ends of the world—were as honourably borne by Donald Wallace's horses in Australia as they over were in England by those of even such a model sportsman as Lord Falmouth." The figure system of breeding has not " caught on" to tho same extent in America as in England. A leading American authority sums up the new theory as follows:— " Mr. Bruce Lowe is not the only man who has sought to ignore tho laws of nature and to set up new ones to please himself. All those little crotchety attempts to create mysteries and then to explain them without any regard to the universal and immutable laws which govern the transmission of qualitiesphysical and psychical—from tho parent to the offspring, never in the past and nevor in tho future, will amount to anything more valuable than 'milking a he goat in a siovo.'" BREVITIES. Gaulus will probably never again be raced. Conqueror has boon withdrawn from tho C.J.C. Derby. A full brother to Plain Bill is shortly to be put through.his facings. In the South Multiform is quoted at 9 to 1 for the New Zealand Cup. The Auckland-owned gelding Rex has been struck out of tho Epsom Handicap. Veneda, a much - fancied candidate for the Caulfield Cup, is roported to bo amiss. Nordenfoldt's son Nor'-East has broken down, hence his withdrawal from tho two Cups. Four years ago (gays the Australasian) the V.R.C. owed £20,000. Now it has £3200 at credit. Nominations for the various events of Use Avondalo Jockey Club's meeting close on Friday next. Ditto was well backed in Auckland at starting price for the Caulfield Grand National Steeplechase. Tho St. Albans'-owned pair, Majestic and Manfred, have been strongly backed for the Caulfield and Molbourno Cups. Tito Napier Park Racing Club paid away in stakes last season tho sum of £3301. A profit of £105 was made on tho year's work. Merloolas is stated to have changed hands recently, Mr. Richard Craven being credited with buying the Sydney Cup winner for £2200. An interruption in tho telegraph wires greatly affected speculation in Auckland on the second day of the Grand National Meeting. The Caulfield Grand National Hurdle Race winner Realgar was purchased when a yearling by his present owner, Mi. S. Miller, for tho small outlay of 35 guineas. The Hawke's Bay Jockey Club has issued its spring programme for October 10 and 11. The sum of £640 is offered in slakes on tho first day and £555 on the second. Notwithstanding that Floater was weighted with tho great burden of 13st 71b, ho was sent out favourite for the Caulfield Grand National Stcoplcchaso on Saturday last. Tho New Zealand-brad Mikado 11. (by Apremont), who has been racing in Victoria for several seasons, has, it is thought, taken final lcavo of the turf. He goes to tho stud. Old Tasman, who was recently purchased by Mr. Buckeridge, of Wellington, was shipped thence by tho s.s. Mararoa on Tuesday last. Tasman will stand at Wairarapa this season. • Mr. T. S. Clibborn, who has just completed his twenty-fifth yoar as secretary to tho Australian Jockey Club, was recently tho recipient of a presentation of £100 from the members of that body, as a mark of their esteem. Tho Auckland-bred stallion Derringer (by Musket— Rosalie), who was taken to the old country somo three years back, was recently offered by auction there, and was knocked down at 160 guineas. The V.R.C. Derby candidate Heretic failed badly in a small race run recently at Caulfield. Tho son of Trenton is credited with being a truly magnificent-looking colt, and I the excuse made for his failure is that ho was not ready for the fray. W. Clark has so far steered tho winner of the Now Zealand Grand National Hurdle Face in two years. In 1894 ho was on tho back of Kulnine, while in the race of Saturday last he had tho winning mount on Social Pest. Social Pest's victory in the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Raw marked the second occasion on which Mr. Duncan Ruther- : ford has supplied the winner of that race, ! his previous win being gained with Kulnine in 1891. i Old St. Kilda's mission to the New Zealand I Grand National Meeting proved fruitless, as , he did not gain a situation in either of tho • races which he contested. I am afraid that ' wo must look upon St. Kikla as a light of ' thu past. ' The Sydney-bred horse Survivor made his , first appearance in England in a high-weight , handicap, decided at the Newmarket First July Meeting, on Juno 29. The son of , Lochiel carried fist 91b, and finished amongst the unplaced Carbinier, the four-year-old Bon of Car- ] bine and Barley, who was sorted out by 6omo , of the Victorian critics as a likely horse to . win one or both of the Cups, ran badly in I the Balaclava Stakes decided at Caulfiold on ■ the 6th inst. Horseowners in New Zealand pull a very ', wry face when jockeys riding for them are ] fined. Just fancy a rider being fined £10 , for being a few minutes late in arriving at ] the post. Such a case happened only re- j cently in Victoria. The Auckland-bred Uniform made his first ] appearance in England in tho Summer Handicap, of 175sovs, one mile and a-quarter, de- , cided at tlieGatwick Meeting on June 23. He , carried lOst 51b, was the outsider of tho parly, i and finished unplaced. Little Hermosa, who was stated to havo , fallen away in condition sinco her transference to Riccarton, is said to havo built up splendidly of into. Tho daughter of St. ' Leger has been left in both the C.J.C. Derby and Canterbury Oaks. As there is good reason to believo that P. Nolan considered he had a "good thing" in 1 Ditto for the Caulfield Grand National Steeplechase, the followers of his stable would probably win a nice stake over the victory of tho Auckland horse. An English writer considers that Trenton's 1 stock will ultimately do well in England His 5 youngsters at tho Cobham stud are well- t grown and good-looking, and ono in parties „ lar, a colt out of tho Beaudesert mare Poll? ' Eeclcs, is mentioned as likely to turn out ' well. ' __ ] John Porter, ono of the foremost of fing- c lish trainers, is not in favour of plaiting the mane of a horse a few days before a race, because after the operation has boon repeated a few times tho animal knows that something unusual is going to happen, and becomes nervous and excited. K Wanvhoop, Belfast, Oruba, and Lord Dunluce were submitted to auction yesterday at Messrs. Hunter and Nolan's, yards, but the only one quitted under the haminei was Oruba, who was knocked down at £7 10s to Mr. W. Austin. } It is stated that Warwhoo' \ and Belfast were subsequently'. bought pri- ■' vately by Mr. Caulton,/? -,;• ; :^.•■,.■.''--; '.

AUCKLAND RACING STABLES. ' AN. AFTERNOON AT "GLENORA." [by PHAETON.] What may be termed the oldest racing establishment in Auckland is that at Mr. W. Walters' estate at Papakura. So many old associations are bound up in " Glenora" that a visit to the old place is always to me one of deep interest. Taking advantage of a fine afternoon during the present week, I took a run up the line for the purpose Of spending a few hours at Mr. Walters' estate, and the weather holding fine throughout I was thus enabled to spend a most pleasant time at the Papakura establishment. As I reached the stables an old familiar figure in H. French was seen flitting about as nimble as a young'un, and though I dropped in on him somewhat unawares, his greeting to me was none the less cheery. It is many a season that French has wintered and summered at Papakura. Further than that a ■ few grey hairs are now visible, the Papakura trainer has altered very little in appearance since I first knew him, over 20 years back. There is none of the skyrocket about French. He may be said to be one of those that are built to stay, and his conduct throughout the whole of his career is an object lesson in fidelity and honesty that one could wish to see more of.

THE HORSES IN TRAINING. Leading tho way to tho boxes, French threw open the door of the end apartment, and a two-year-old filly was brought to view in the shape of a sturdy daughter of Cuirassier and Lady Emmoline. I contracted ■ a bit of a fancy for Lady Emmelino's youngster when I paid a visit to Papakura last November, and I was pleased to find that she had gone on the right way in the interval. She carries a good sensiblo-looking head, from which peep out a pair of kind eyes. Her barrel is of the true Musket stamp, being well sprung and ribbed right up. But all over Cuirassier's daughter shows a deal of that power for which tho Musket family are so noted, and she may ono of these days accomplish something under silk for the Papakura stable. . French lias apparently done nothing much with the filly up to the present, as she was still quite in the rough at tho time of my visit. "I suppose you will want to see this old hack," remarked French, with a chuckle, as he shot back the bolt on the door of another apartment, tho occupant of which proved to bo none other than the Wanganui Cup winner Swordfish, who, it did not' require a second glanco to* reveal, had boon kept up to the collar. As French removed the clothing from the brown horse, the alteration and improvement that has taken place in Swordfish was fully revealed, and right off, I must confess, a feeling commenced to seize upon me that his chance in tho New Zealand Cup is by no means a forlorn one, oven though on paper, with 9st 21b he has the worst of the figures. It is difficult to say wherein Swordfish has improved most. lie appeals to me to have thickened all over, while (and French agrees with it) he seems to have- lengthened out. French'has unquestionably got his horse in capital trim, and though on paper it would not read liko good business to select him in preferonco to St. Paul and Multiform for tho Cup, I shall no longer waver in assigning him a place amongst tho dangerous division for tho Southern race. In tho next apartment Supplejack, tho four-year-old son of Hippocampus and Empress, was brought to light, and hero again there is ovidenco of some improvement. Supplejack looks well, and ho will, judging from his appearance, be ready to race at short notice. Blairina, tho four-year-old daughter of Blairgowrie and Hipporina, is still the washy young lady of yore, and evidently French has some difficulty in keeping up her condition

St. Ona (by St. Lcgor from Bellona), who' has only just been brought up from Tairua, and a couple of useful-looking three and four-year-old chestnut goldings by Blairgowrie from Rosie, complete the Papakura team, which, it will be seen, is this season more numerous than has been the case for some time past.

As tho afternoon was still young when I had finished my inspection of tho horses in training, I journeyed up to the paddocks, in order to havo a look over the yearlings got by the St. Simon horso Soult in his first season at the stud in Auckland. When looking over Soult's foals last year, I w.13 greatly pleased with thorn, and, indeed, Mr. Walters was so satisfied with Soult's youngsters that ho purchased tho horse (who, I may remark, was at tho time only leased to him) from Mr. Hay-ward, who imported him from England. The yearlings sired by Soult are seven in number, five of which ore colls, and two fillies. " What's that neat ''tllo fellow in the centre —after the cut of L je'.ler?" was my observation os wo reached the enclosure, and his identity was fixed as tho colt by Soult from Cressina—a shapely little follow. Something larger, though still quality-looking, was found in "the colt by Soult from Lady Emmeline, who ought to turn-out well. The colt by Soult from Leorina, who is a dark brown in colour, is on tho small side, as is also Roso and White's filly. A raoy-looking little gentleman is the brown coll by Soult from Fishgirlj who, claiming, as ho does, the well-performed Swordfish as half-brother, ought to turn out well. A bay colt by Soult from a full-sister to Armour is a neat-looking youngster, albeit he was not, I think, seen at his best at the time of my visit. It is pleasing to find " Glcnora" onco again holding what may bo termed a fair all-round hand, and it will afford pretty general satisfaction should Mr. Walters' stable and stud once again taste freely of tho fruits of victory during the coming season. STUD NEWS. In another column Mr. T. Morrin announces that St. Leger, Hotchkiss, and Castor will again he at the service of breedors this season at Wellington Park. As St. Leger holds tho undisputed position as champion siro of tho colony, it cannot be said otherwise than that a liberal scale has boen fixed for lis services at 50 guineas. That Hotchkiss ia tho most successful and promising son of Musket that the colonics can boast of is a point on which there is a pretty general agreement, and had ho done no moro than beget Multiform that would have been a sterling credential for him to hold, for that his son is a horso of high calibre there can bo no question. Castor can lay claim to a very fair percentage of winners, and his slock having proved successful over all dis--1 tances, ho has earned a good place amongst winning parents. Referring to the departure of the Auck-land-bred Carnage from England, "Vigilant," in tho Sportsman, says : —I never knew a horse about whoso merits so many good judges were unanimous as Carnage's, and it is quite safe to predict that he will make a big mark in his new home, for his foals and yearlings are good enough for anything, He this, season covered forty marcs in England, so there will Ire plenty of his stock to remind us of him. Carnage diffora from tho other Muskot-bred horses in being of the Stockwell type, which is clue to his having too close strains of the "Hooton Emperor." Ho also takes a line of Fisherman, and tracos through Clemeuco to that rare tap-root Martha Lynn. Nothing could bo better, if we aim for soundness, gameness, and stamina. The stallion Leolantis, purchased recently from the Messrs. Nathan by Mr. F. Marshall, of Waikato, was taken to his new quarters during tho present week. Nordenfeldt's full brother, Enfilade, was submitted to auction recently, in Melbourne, but was passed in. Subsequently ho was sold privately, but tho prico paid for him has not transpired. A few days after Enfilade changing hands, his son, Tho Musketeor, won a really good raco (the Balaclava Stakos at Caulfield. • That 1 stud horses are at a discount in Australia is very apparent whenever a salo of that nature crops up. Glenloth, the hero of the Melbourne Cup of 1892, was submitted to auction recently in Melbourne, but tho highest bid that could bo obtained for him was 90 guineas. Glenloth is spoken of as a really fine type of horse, and how ho hangs fire is a bit of a mystery. St. Gatien, who dead-heated with Harvester in the Derby, 1884, and who has been doing stud duty in Germany, has returned to England. The box vacated by St. Gatien at the Graditz stud is now occupied by the Australian horse Carnage. The following foalings have been reported during the week:--Messrs. L. 1). and N. A, Nathan's TVaitemata, by Eiridspord-Aorere, filly to St Hippo. Messrs. L. D. and N. A. Nathan's Stepfeldt by Nordcnfeldt—Steppe, colt to St. Hippo. ' THE BETTING MARKET. "Very little business is reported on the New Very little business is reported on tho New Zealand Cup. Multiform is nominal favourite at 10 to 1, but little money has gone on him at this price. His stable-mates, St. Cyr and Altair, have been supported at 100 to 7 and 100 to 4 respectively. Tho following are the quotations: ' i . THE NEW ZEALAND CUP. 100 to 10 agst Multiform ; 100 to 8 — Starshot 100 to 8 — St. Paul 100 to 8 — Swordfish ■ 100 to 8 — Day-star ■ < 100 to 6 — Boreas , ■ . 100 to 6 — Dundas ' : 100 to 6 — St. Or * ■■' . .-» - '■:.-• 100 to:. 6 — Epaulet :•:• -"■i ; . ~ 1;. 100 to 5 — Goldleaf ■• ! !:.. ':- '.■:• > i '. \ 100 to 5 — Rubin > ': .■■:■:.: ■ ;,, . - f 100 to 5 — Tirant d'Eau .'<"■,'■ •--' • .■■• 100 to 5 — Mountebank 'k;i . 100 to, 4 — Cceur de Lion v,v- ■•■'■'/ ~.; 100 to 4 —Altair : : :,,,}■■.. . ■■'■<~