SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10908, 12 November 1898, Page 3

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. NEW ZEALAND. November 23, 25—Wellington Racing Club.. November 30, December Coromandel Kacius Club. ~,. T . November 30, December Feilding Jockey Club. . „ , December 26, 27—Gisborne Racing Club. December 26, 28, and January 2, Auckland Racing Club. December 26, 27—Thames Jockey Club. Ueccinber 24, 27, 31-Auckland Trotting Club. December 26, 27—Dunedin Jockey Club. December 26, 27—Manawatu Racing Club. December 26, 27—Taranaki Jockey Club. January 2, 3—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. January 18,19-liotorua Jockey Club. January 21, 23—Wellington Racing Club. January 22, 23— Foxton Racing Club. February 15, Taranaki Jockey Club. Femary 22, Manawatu Racing Club. February 23, 25—Canterbury Jockey Club. March 15, 17—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. March 22, 23, Dunedin Jockey Club. March 22, 23—Napier Park Racing Club. March 22, 23, 25-Dunedin Jockey Club. March 29, 30—'Woodville Jockey Club. April 3, 4, B—Auckland Racing Club. April 3, 4—Canterbury Jockey Club. April 26, 28—Wellington Racing Club. May 24, 25—Dunedin Jockey Club. June 3, Auckland Racing Club. June 28. 29—Napier Park Racing Club. DATES OF COMING EVENTS. I November 12—Canterbury Cup. December 26—Auckland Cup January 2—Great Northern Derby. January s—Auckland Steeplechase. NOTES BY PHAETON.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S SPRING

MEETING. Another spring meeting at Ellerslie has been numbered with events of the past, and | 'Weed from a racing point of view, the recent gathering must be voted one of the best that has ever been brought off by the A.R.C. at this season of the year. The fields all through were first class, and there was such an air of openness surrounding the various contests as to relieve the racing of anything approaching a certainty. Though some were inclined to think that the attendance on the opening day was a good deal below that present on the corresponding day last year, the totalisator records showed an increase; and with a record of £19,647 in that department for the three days, as against £18,872 last year, the metropolitan body has very good reason to be on the best of terms with themselves. And now let me proceed to a review of the formj displayed by the various divisions.

THE TWO-YEAR-OLDS. No difficulty is experienced in singling out the one entitled to first place amongst the juveniles seen out at the meeting, fur Miss DblaVaA very conclusively showed herself j to be the best of her year. The little daughter of Sea Dclaval beat those opposed to her in handsome style in the Welcome Stakes, but on the second day she completely eclipsed that performance by carrying 9st 21b to victory in the Musket Stakes. In each of her races, Miss Delaval's gaineness was thoroughly tested, and the manner m which she answered the whip showed her to be made of the proper stall'. The Messrs. Nathan are to be congratulated on breeding such a smart lilly as Miss Delaval, and her owner, Mr. D. A. McLeod, must regard himself as a very lucky man to obtain such a genuine bit of stuff for the small outlay of 80 guineas. Seahorse was seen out under silk on each day, and his successful turn came on the concluding one, when ho carried Bst 121b to victory in the Nursery Handicap. I have always had a bit of a liking for the son of Nelson since I first saw him at "Wapiti," and I felt pretty sine that it was only a question of time for him to score for Major George. In his most recent effort I was particularly struck with the bold manner in which Seahorse galloped into the straight. The rousing up that he had received in his races 011 the two preceding days seemed to have taught him what was required, and he came along and won his race in really good style. There is none of the squib about Seahorse, and with the good treatment he is sure to receive at "Wapiti," his future presents a most promising aspect. St. Peter, the full brother to St. Paul, was seen out on the first two days of the meeting; and in the Welcome Stakes he ran particularly well. I cannot help thinking however, that it would have paid to pursue a waiting courso with St. Peter. He is growing very fast, and to overtax him at two years old may ruin him for life. Hastings and Rosella were each heavily backed for their respective races; but they each went down in a decided manner. Their condition was all right, and viewing their defeats, one is forced to the conclusion that they are a good deal below first-raters.

THE TIIKEIi-YEAIt-OLDS. By winning the Auckland Guineas Explosion claims first attention amongst the three-year-olds; but really there is not much room for ono to enthuse on the three-year-old division. Explosion shows a good deal of improvement since lie was seen out at Avondale in September last; but he will not, I think, ever be anything more than a moderate. There is one thing in connection with Explosion's Guineas display that merits a word of praise, and that was the manner in which lie battled out the issue. He was fairly under pressure a furlong from 'home, and he finished up his task quite straight. Bluejacket ran a good colt in the Guineas considering that he was a little below himself, and I fancy that he will improve as time goes on. In the Maiden Handicap, Bluejacket was again seen out under silk; but Mr. Evett dealt very harshly with him in thai race by calling upon him to carry Bst 121b, which practically left him without a chance, and he finished unplaced. Hylas rail a fair colt in the Guineas' contest, and lie was running as well as anything up to seven furlongs; but condition found a weak spot in him at the finish, and lie was beaten for a place in the last few strides. Hylas finished game enough, and a win from him later on will be no surprise to me. Cannongate rather unexpectedly got his name on the winning list in connection with the Ellerslie Handicap. They had hardly completed the first furlong of the journey when I observed the brown son of Cannon

steal away into the lead, and battling it out in front all the way, be lasted long enough to win by half a length. It was a pretty smart trip that Cannongate got through, and the pity is that old John Chaafe was not present to witness bis " rough 'un" score for Mr. Marshall. THE -TEAK-OLDS. Record Reign was one of the best performed of this division. The son of Castor first of all tackled the City Handicap, in which he carried 7st 51b; and after making most of the running he was only caught in the last half-furlong, and beaten a length by St. Gordon. The son of Castor got

his name on the winning list on the second day, when he won the Spring Handicap, under Bst 51b; and later on in the afternoon, under 7st 121b, he acted as runner-up to Crusoe in the Prince of Wales' Handicap. Record Reign is a horse upon whose conformation and appearance there is not much room for enthusiasm, for he is decidedly ahgulart; and a lean neck, with a long mane, gives him away a good deal. Record Reign is, however, a very genuine bit of stuff; and on each occasion he fought out the issue with the utmost gameness. _ Crusade was found home in the van in the Presidents' Handicap, and he also ran a good race in the Shorts' Handicap. It is quite evident that this son of Cuirassier has been improved a good deal, but as Telephone was conceding him 261b when he beat him, it makes Crusade still very moderate. Miss Rose was found home in the van in the First Pony Handicap; but in the Second Pony Handicap Mr. Evett dealt her out the crushing burden of lOst 91b, and that settled her, though she fought out the issue with characteristic gameness. The coarse-looking Knight of Athol won his first race at Ellerslie, when he scored in the Maiden Plate under 7st 21b. The son of Cuirassier was always, as the saying goes, on the premises, and he fought out the finish most gamely. Knight of Athol is evidently a better horse than majjy of us have been inclined to give him crecTit, THE FIVE-YEAR-OLDS. In the running of the City Handicap St. Gordon at last won his party a good race. The satisfactory work- which lie had been recording on the track fully prepared his connections for the win which awaited them; but not a few of the course watchers declined to stand him, on the ground that

a mile and a-quarter was beyond his tether. St. Gordon was subsequently seen out twice. Under Bst, he failed to run into a place in the Prince of Wales' Handicap; and under 31b additional he had a like record in the Ascot Handicap. Evidently, St. Gordon is a horse that does not care about taking on too much at one time, and after a stiff lace a rest is required for him.

THE SIX-YEAR-OLDS. The Taranaki-owned Crusoe was the one to earn distinction amongst the six-year-olds. The son of Cruiser was first seen out in the City Handicap, in which he carried Bst- 21b; but though made favourite, he failed to get closer than third to St. Gordon (7st) and Record Reign (7st 51b) in that race. On the second day, in the Prince of Wales' Handicap, the distance for which was aquarter of a mile longer, and in which he was weighted at Bst 71b, he won his race in really good style. Crusoe is a bit of a " take-down" in appearance, but that he is a really genuine customer, he gave a very pointed illustration in his latest Ellerslie display. Though Fabulist did not succeed in getting his name on the winning list, the big fellow in entitled to a word or two. In the Prince of Wales' Handicap jie ran a capital race under 9st 21b. finishing well up third, and in the Ascot Handicap, under 41b additional, he beat all his opponents save Acone, to whom lie was conceding a stone and 41b. Fabulist was in nice mellow condition when be contested his races at Ellerslie, and maybe he can be improved somewhat in that respect between now and the holding of the A.R.C. Summer Meeting.

THE AGED, DIVISION*. A brace of victories in the Flying Handicap and Publicans' Handicap showed that Ladv Marion still knows how to gallop. The little mare on each occasion won her race under pressure; and from the manner in which she came home she proved she is better now than at any time in her career. After running unplaced in the City and Prince of Wales' Handicaps, Acone gave Mr, Davis a winning turn in the Ascot Handicap, in which race he carried Bst, and won in capital style. The galloping which he went through on the two preceding days of the meeting evidently benefited Acone a great deal, and he looked quite his old self when Gallagher rode him to the post on the concluding day. Telephone got oil' a good performance when he won the Shorts' Handicap under 9st 51b; but under a couple of pounds more in the Flying Handicap (which event was run over a furlong longer), he was fairly spun out at five furlongs, and Lady Marion beat him anyhow at the finish.

In the running of the Hurdle Race on the opening day, Antares showed up in a very satisfactory fight. When the last furlong of the journey was entered upon, Morrigan was very hard on his horse, and as they landed oner the last fence, it looked odds on Nor'-west; but Antares creeping up bit by bit under severe punishment, wore his opponent down 50yds from the post, and won a capita? race by threequarters of a length. As Antares was conceding Nor'-west 121b, it must be admitted that he did well to defeat his opponent in the last bit of the journey. Tim's perfomance in the Hurdle Race on the opening day was not, it must be said, a very taking one, for he occupied a rear berth all through the trip. He was found in better odour on the succeeding day, when sent out to contest the Second Hurdle Race, for which he was made favourite, and he won his race in good style. There was a doubt about Tim's staying capacity, but lie got through his two-mile trip all right, and wearing, as he does, an improved appearance, he must be dubbed " promising. St. Simon was given a run in both Hurdle Races: and in the one contested on the second day he showed out a bit dangerously towards the close; but lie was found a good deal below the St. Simon of old, and failed to beat Tim, who was only in receipt of 171b from him. St. Simon lifts one of his hind-legs as if trouble existed there; but lie walked away on each occasion without displaying any serious lameness. A young, and it may, I think, be said, a promising jumper was brought to light in the Maiden Hurdle Race contest. This was Volcano, a four-year-old son of Torpedo and Maid of the Mountain, who scored in his initial essay over the small sticks. He fenced throughout in capital style, and, watching him closely, I did not see him make a single faulty jump during the trip. v CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB'S SPRING MEETING. Though the win of Tirant d'Eau in the Now Zealand Cup hardly takes rank as an upset of Iho pot, seeing that he was so strongly backed on the day of tho race, it has nevertheless much of tho elements of a surprise victory.' Tirant d'Eau was pretty freely selected when tho woights first made their appearance, as a likely winner, and ho continued to bo well spoken of in connection with tho big Southern raco until Inst month, when a poor display on his part in tho October Handicap, run at the Hawke's Bay Meeting, for which race bo was made favourite, caused him to lose caste, and alter that performance ho was speedily at 25 to 1 for tho Now Zealand Cup. Ho must have come on wonderfully in his work of late to bring about such a transformation in form, and that this was so, and also that his connections wero fully aware of the fact there is very ample evidence, by tho strong manner in which he was backed on Monday at Riocarton. Tirant d'Eau ran in a good number of races during last season, his best performance being the winning of the President's Handicap at tho Hawke's Bay Summer Meeting, in which race ho carried 6st 101b, and carved out a mile and a-half in 2in. 38s; and a dead-heat with Woodstock in tho City Stakes at Napier Park. There can ho no doubt about the merit attaching to Tirant d'Eau's Cup achievement, for he got to tho end of the two miles in the rattling timo of 2in. 29 4-ss, and, according to the description of the race telegraphed, won comfortably at tho end. Fulmen, the four-year-old full brother to Antares, ran a good horse, and so did the Napier pair, Cceur de Lion and Douglas, who could not bo separated at the finish. Boreas appears never to have got into a leading position, and we are left in doubt as to what position the son of Sou'-wostor fiinished in. It was generally expected that Boreas would be sent out favourite, but for some reason there was a slump set in Boreas stock, which is rather liliicult to understand, seeing that the horse's work at Riccarton had been characterised with a good deal. of brilliancy. Nestor was at no timo considered dangerous by the general body of Aucklanders. but with regard to St. Paul and Swordfish, another tale has to be told. Tho Auckland pair wore most strongly backed, and thoir inability to gain even a situation may be said to havo been the surprise of the race to us Aucklanders, It is slated that St. Paul went amiss during the race, and that of course explains how he came to be out of placo.

The following is a list of the Now Zealand Cup winners: Yi\ Owner. Winner, A Wgt. Tin. 1883 Mr. 1). O'Brien Tasma™ 6 8 93 30J 1881 Mr. W. Robinson Vanguard 5 8 03 491 ISSa Mr. J. Pilbrow Fusilaite 3 6 7 3 37 185(1 Mr. K. Mason Spade Guinea 4 0 103 32 1887 Mr. 6.(l.Stead l.ochiel 6 7 12 3 34J ISSSMr. P. Butler Manton 3 6 103 31J 1889 Mr. S. Gollan Tirailleur 3 0 8 3 34J 1890 Mr. J. Brett Wolverine 4 6 11 3 33} 1891 Mr. T. Huugerfrd British Lion a 6 113 34} 1592 Mr. L. D.Nathan St, Hippo 3 7 8 3 sitt 1803 Mr. W. Douglas Rosefeldt 5 7 7 3 29 1894 Mr.S.Bradley Impulse a 7 9 3 30 1895 Mr. H. Craig Euroclydon 3 7 C 3 31 1890 Mr. M. Hobbs Lady Zetland a 8 9 3 30 1597 Mr.ft McGuinness Waiuku a 8 63 30 1598 Mr. S.H. Gollan Tirant d'Eau 4 7 7 3 29} TIRAXT D'EAU TlßAll.l.KltlF. I Jet d'Eap 3 '■*> 3 9 0.0 g. a a 5* If 8 I I § I 1 & o p t? «< The total amount of money invested on toe totalisators in connection with the Now Zealand Cup was £5397, and the accompinymg table, setting forth the distribution, shows at what price each horse started: £899—Tirant d'Eau £5 8 Fulmen « JO 308—Douglas II 189—Cceur do Lion & « 897— Paul 5 3 500—Swordfish „?" 183—Nestor 26 M Boreas J. ; 366—Epaulet ,j! Rubin 5918 410—Dundas *£ 599—Double Event 8 1 Striking a line through Alt-air's weak display in the Hawke's Bay Guineas last month, it did not read vory well for the son of Castor s prospects in the C.J.C. Derby, but Altair at Hastings and Altair at Riccarton were apparently two very different animals. Accord- • ing tc the telegraphed account of the blue-

riband contest at Riccarton, Altair galloped the mile and a-half and won easily by six lengths in 2m. 405., which stamps the performance as a meritorious feat. This is the third year in succession that Mr. Stead has claimed the winner of the C.J.C. Derby, his previous victories in that raco being gained respectively with Uniform and Multiform, all of which were bred by Mr. T. Morrin, at 'Wellington Park. Altair, it may be remarked, is engaged in the Auckland Clip, Great Northern Derby, and Royal Stakes, to be run at the approaching A.R.C. Summer Meeting, and all being well with him, we may, I suppose, expect to see him at Ellerslie during the coming month.

The meeting will be continued to-day. The big event of the programme is thfe Canterbury Cup, but with Multiform engaged, that circumstance causes the weight-for-age race to bear a foregone conclusion foi Mr. Stead s colours. The acceptance for the Jockey Club Handicap gives promise of a rattling race. Daunt (Bst 81b) should, I think, have a deal to say in the settlement of the question, and he may find his most dangerous opponent ill Boreas (Bst- 131b). In tho Oaks the crst-Auck-lander Hermosa is expected to sport silk. The little daughter of St. Leger is reported to bo well, and she may bo expected to run forward. Mr. Stead has, however, a very fair filly engaged in Motto, who won the Maiden Plate on tho opening day. CANTEEBURY CUP. Two miles and a-qnarter. st lb Mr. S. Bradley's Swordfish 11., syrs ... 9 6 Mr. V. Harris' Epaulet. syrs 9 6 Mr. A. E. Byers' Nestor. syrs 9 £> Mr. G. G. Stead's Multiform, 4yrs ... 9 0 OAK Stakes of oOOsovs. One mile and a-lialf. Mr. B. Curtis' eh f Pronosal, by St. George—Apropos 8 10 Mr. P. Twomey's b f Refugee, by Stepniak —Huguenot 8 10 Mr. M. Hobb's eh m Hermosa, by St, Leger—Lady Evelyn 8 10 Mr. J. P. Buchanan's br f Corselet, by Cuirassier— Rubina 8 10

Mr. G. 6. Stead's cli f Motto, by Medallion —Marion 810

Jockey Club Handicap.—Boreas, 3.13; Daunt, 8.8; Douglas, 8.7; Tirant d'Rau, 3.7; Target. 7.13; Cannor«*iot, 7.10; Female .franchise, 7.9; Dundas, 7.7; lied Lancer, 7.5; Fulmen, 7.3; Black and Bed, 6.12; Vandyke, 6.10; Djm-Djin, 6.10; Haria, 6.7; Sequin, 6.7; Lepanto, 6.7.

LEAVES FROM MY NOTE BOOK. It can truthfully be said that no event of a like character lias evoked such a widespread feeling of regret in the Auckland district as that relating to the breakdown of St. Paul, for no horse that ever figured on the Auckland turf lias won such popularity as the game little son of St. Leger and Satanolla. The little liorso had been what might be termed, under suspicion ever since he went lame at Dunedin last autumn, but lie had come through his searching preparation for the New Zealand Cup so well, that old John Chaafa look him South brimful of hope of his prevailing in the big Southern race. From what has come to hand relating to St. Paul's breakdown, it would seem that it is an ailment in one of his hitherto sound logs that has brought about his retirement, and it may be that the last has been seen of the game little follow, so far as the present season is concerned. Chaafe is, however, a man that may be said to bo never beaten, and if there is a hope for St. Paul he could not bo in more capable hands than those of the popular veteran who has his home at Ellerslie.

Had anyone ventured the opinion that "the peerless Bobadil" would have gone tlirought the Victoria Racing Club's meeting without earning a single winning bracket, such a person would most certainly have been considered a fit subject for examination at the hands of an expert on insanity. Yet, that is the record of Mr. Wilson's colt at the Flemington gathering. Bobadil's last try to earn winning distinction was in the Spring Slakes, for which event, as in the Derby and Flying Stakes, lie was again made an odds-on favourite. Down ho went, however; and, indeed, in a more pronounced stylo than ever, for lie could only get third to Leo-Metford and Cocos. It is quite evident that Bobadil trained off, and the wonder is that his connections did not take in the situation before he met mill his third successive defeat.

As Cannongate galloped home in front of his field at Ellerslie on Wednesday last, my mind was carried back to the afternoon on which I interviewed him in July last at Jonn Chaafe's. What sort of a figure he cut then will lie gathered from the paragraph I penned on that occasion, which ran as follows:— " Whatever have you got here?" was the exclamation that burst frum my lips as the door of the next apartment was swung open, and a oommoner of the common was found therein. From St. Paul to this specimen of the thoroughbred was like a jump from legitimate drama to burlesque, and I could hardly help indulging in a laugh at old John trying his hand on anything so moderate-looking. The quadruped in question is Cannongate, an un-attraotive-looking son of Cannon and Fishfag. Cannongato may one of these days bob up serenely by coming home in advance of his field; but I make bold to say that at the present time he would score a good first if a CaLnongate is not yet a beauty in looks, for though he has rounded up well a plain-look-ing head will always detract from his appearance ; but, while this is so, the brown son of Cuirassier could not now bo recognised as the ur.attractive-looking youngster of July last. Need I say that the success of Mr. Marshall's colours was one of the most pleasing incidents of the meeting?

What a wonder old Liberator is to be sure. On the opening day of the C.J.C. Spring Meeting, the veteran was once again seen out under silk, and that to some purpose, as ho got homo first in the Hurdle Race. Probably no horse that has ever figured on the New Zealand turf has gone through such a largo amount of stiff racing as has the gamo old son of Betrayer; and truly ho has a unique record, winning, as he did, a Dunedin Cup, tho New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race (twice), and the Groat Northern Sleeplechasoi By his dcleat of Battalion and Amberite in the C. B. Fisher Plate at Flemington ou Saturday last, the Grafter may be said to have fairly established his right to be regarded as the best aged weight-for-age horse at present racing on tho Australian turf. Tho son of Gozo is stated to be a very soundlegged horse, so that, from present appearjancos, there seems evory likelihood of his gracing the racecourse for some time yet. One of the colts for whoso possession there was the strongest competition at the 'Wellington Park sale in January last was the chestnut son of Hotchkiss and Rose of Wellington, for whom Mr. Stead paid 775 guineas. The youngster was not long in earning winning distinction, as lie scored in the Juvenile Stakes, run at Riccarton on Wednesday last. Mr. Stead does not make many mistakes when he pays a long price for a yearling, and the early successes gained by Screw Gun marks another of the happy purchases which he has effected at Auckland sales.

Anent some money going on the erst-New Zealandcr, Uniform, for the Cesarewitch Stakes, which it appears there is reason to believe came from across tho sea, tho resident correspondent of the Sportsman at Newmarket writes in the following querulous strain:—"l must say that it is rather tantalising to find that tho Australians or Now Zealanders, after selling horses out of their country, send commissions over here to hack them in race where they think they have chances. When we sell horses to go abroad, we never send commissions to back them for races that they may run for in their new home; indeed, we do not trouble to look up their engagements, and only perhaps casually in looking through the sporting papers, ao we find out that they have been running at all, and it certainly seems to me hardly fair that outsiders should have the cream ->f tho market.' Mr. G. G. Stead is mentioned as having been the sender of a cable to back Uniform, and the " Special Commissioner," in erring thereto, says:—"Our Australian friends have rather a way of dashing in in this precipitate manner, and they n.ay not find tho result 60 satisfactory this year as when they rushed on Merman." Tho " Special's" prognostications proved quite true, as Uniform was not a starter, and therefore those who rushed the market, of course burned their fingers.

Commenting on the Jockey Club experiment of appointing a committee of three to make l:ai dicaps, the Sportsman says:—" matte: what three men you may bring together there is certain to be one ruling spirit amongst them; he will make the handicap, and the other two will virtually look on and agree with him. Had the present plan been tried during the lifetime of Admiral Rous, the positions of his two colleagues would not have been altogether enviable, and I do not think that thry ■would have been allowed very much ►■ay in the matter!"

Mr. W. E. Wilson, in responding to the toast, "Success to Racing," at the dinner tendered to Mr. S. Miller, said there was one thing wanting in Victoria—that was the appointment of paid stewards. Honorary stewards did good work, but sometimes they did not like to raise trouble. There was a great deal of foul riding going on, and it was the duty of the stewards to stop it. Tho Leys who indulged in this practice should be brought to book. The stewards should show that they were determined to put doifn reckless ridiug. Mr. Wilson's remarks were very vflarmly applauded.

At the complimentary dinner tendered to Mr. Septimus Miller, chairman of the Victoria Racing Club, which took place recently in Melbourne, the chief justice, Sir John Madden, was ono of the guests. Sir John dearly relishes a bit of sport, and it was ho who was selected to propose the toast, " Success to Rating.'' Sir John made a capital speech, which is described by the Australasian as the best deliverance on racing ever heard in Victoria. Sir John Madden said tho toast

committed to his hands was, in that company, almost sacred. Tho toast was singularly appropriate on this occasion, as racing had shown them such a man as Mr. Miller. They were all pleased that His Excellency tho Governor had consented to add significance and grace to the occasion by presiding. It was one of the principles of government to keep tho people happy, and it was appropriate that His Excellency should lend his presence to an occasion like this, which was to do honour to one of the leaders of the sport in which the people took delight. In tho old days he had seen Mr. Miller cut hunting as early as four o'clock in the morning, bearing all the joys and troubles of hinting men. He remembered in those days that Mr. Miller rode a horse with only ono tjo. They called him Acrobat, because ho never tumbled. (Laughter.) That horse seemed to foreshadow the wisdom of tho stablo with which Mr. Miller afterwards became associated, because with one eye it could see moro than most horses with two, (Laughter.) For 20 years Mr. Miller and his brothers had will filled their parts on the turf. Their guest had gradually worked himself up to the head of the V.K.C., and had done them and himself honour. He had raced for many years, and his name had beon uusmirched throughout. He did himself and racing credit. Success in racing was relative. A man who had just landed a big double thought the game a "real success, while the man who had pawned his watch to put on a horse, and was presented with a reversal of form in exchange, thought it a decided failure. Racing was, without doubt, an honourable sport. No country took a prominent part in history unless its people loved tho horse. _ The snort taught them to take defeat as if it were victory, and to take victor)- as if it were an every day occurrence. These were tho qualities out of which sprang the spirit which led our forlorn hopes, and placed the nation, whether at sea or on land, on the topmost pinnacle— spirit which to-day makes up quite calm, whether to-morrow we shall hove to meet France or Russia, or both of I hem, and someono else thrown in. Ho did rot claim that tho turf had a monopoly of virtue any more than the churches had. (Laughter.) That charity which thinketh no —oxcopt when one got oil to tho wrong horse-should be extended to the turf as well as to the other affairs of this world. There wore things they would like to sec abolished, but probably the turf was not so bad as it was painted. On one occasion he himself made a book. He overlaid a horse which had been beaten in a small race, and when it won the Melbourne Cup, he thought it was time to give up the game. A good bookmaker was thus lost to the turf. (Great laughter.) He hoped, in conclusion, that racing would always flourish.

Tho general impression in Melbourne is that Morrison threw tho V.R.C. Derby away with Bobadil. The Age sums the matter tip thus:—"The too early run, combined with the anpa.vnt over-confidence of the jocW, undoubtedly lost the race for Bobadil. Evidently the jockey imagined that he was on a colt that could not be beaten. That was certainly tho impression close watchers of the race formed."

The same paper in a further reference says:—"The question of riding, apart from the particular instance in the _ defeat of the Derby favourite, Bobadil, iB likely to again 'receive the serious attention of the sporting public. It lias been truthfully said ill regard to the memorable Derby of Saturday that odds of 10 to 1 would be freely laid on Bobadil in England in the same circumstances, and that the offers to take 2 to 1 provided professional backers with a luxurious opportunity. There is, unfortunately, however, a marked difference between Australian and English racing. The English plunger has little to fear that the jockey will fail to do justice to the business in hand.' Day after day in Australia races are lost through unskilful jockeyship, and while the remark is not intended to apply to Morrison, who has had for years the benefit of the oxcollent training which St. Albans provides, it is obvious that rome period of apprenticeship should be compulsory before boys are permitted to ride in public."

Ronda is probably the greatest disappointment in horseflesh that the colonies have known. He has now broken down, and the matter is the subject of a sketch by "Martindale," who, in referring to the son of Trenton, says:— horses have been so consistently kept before the public, and none that we can remember have ever been so unfortunate. Bred at Hobartville, he was purohased at the yearling sale of 1890 by Mr. John McLaughlin, the well-known Sydney sporting solicitor, for something like 450 guineas. The son of Trenton—Mona was then handed to W. Duggan to put through the mill, and in 1891 made his appearance in two-year-old events, and finished nowhere in each race. In 1892 he was trained by Mr. W. Forrester, and he started four times, getting second in the Melbourne Cup with 6st 81b, won by Glenloth; third in a Trial Stakes, and twice unplaced. As a five-year-old, three times unplaced was his lot, and in the following year ho put up the same record. When seven years old ho started four times, and always came home in the unplaced crowd. Last year he ran seven times, and was on six of the occasions unplaced, whilst a third was his portion in the other event, and be it known there were only three runners on tho occasion. Last year Mr. Forrester tired of the horse, and handed him back to the owner, who then placed him in Joe Cook's hands; but oven this painstaking man could do nothing with the good-looking bay. Hero we have an instance of a horse being good enough to run second in a Melbourne Cup racing 27 times in seven years, and retiring from tho turf without ever winning a race. Ronda must have cost his owner a fortune in nominations, jockeys' fees, and training expenses, and we doubt if his second money in the Melbourne Cup and the third money secured in the last race mentioned would balance tho account."

On Soptember 24, the day on which tho San Francisco mail left England, Madden was still at the head of the list of winning horsemen, with 129 victories to his credit out of 507 mounts. M. Cannon, with 99 winners, had supplanted T. Loatcs for second position. The latter had dropped back to fourth with 93 wins, while Allsopp was third with 96. In the Welcome Stakes at Riccarton on the opening day of the Canterbury Jockey Club's Spring Meeting on Monday last, Mr. Stead was in the field with a brace of conies arts ill the shape of Scrowgun (by Hotchkiss—Rose of Wellington) and Tolstoi (by Stepriak— fairy Maid). Screw Gun, who was rildr.o by Derritt, was made a strong favourite, but his stable mate defeated him by a neck.

The dispersal of the famous Yardloy stud, owing to the ill-health of the proprietor, Mr. Graham, took place at tho end of September last. Tho brood mares and foals, which numbered 123 lots, only realised 12,695 guineas, fiom which it may be inferred there wore no high prices. It is stated that Sir Tatton Sykes was ineontly offered £10,000 for La I'leche, which was refused. Sii Tatton recently bo.ig'it Tragedy, the dam of the St. Leger winner Vildfowler, for 3000 guineas from Capiai.i Greer. Old Impulse renewed his acquaintance with the Ellerslie racecourse on Saturday, when lie was a contestant in the City Handicap. Tho old son of St. Leger has evidently been well taken care of, and he was prancing and curvetting about more like a two-year-cld than the old-stager he is. Though Antareß is yet some removes from what could be termed a finished fencer, the son of Castor has nevorthe'lefs acquitted himself really well in his essays over the small sticks, for his record this season is the very satisfactory one of four wins out of five starts. Ant-ares seems a trifle shaky on his forelegs, as on Saturday he contested his race in leg-guards. A sad accident occurred recently at O.imnru, by which the trainer Charles Kennedy wit his life. It appears that Kennedy was riding his mare Vanilla in a fast gallop when a shf«p ran across the track, with the result that t-htt mare galloped right on top of it, .oH'ng over her trainer-rider. Assistance was .icar at hand, and it was at once seen that the injuries Kennedy had sustained were of a mo;t serious nature. He was in an unconscious state, his head being badly crushed. Tho poor fellow succumbed some few hours ifier the accident. Nearly all the members of the local ring laid the New Zealand Cup winner Tiran* d'Eau to a good tune, but the money went into few hands. A Southern visitor, who spent some months in Auckland during the winter, backed the Napier horse to win £800, which all came out of Mr, Dan McLeod's book.

Aucklanders turned up in very strong force at tho sporting rendezvous on New Zealand Cup day, the bulk of their investments being made on St. Paul, who was such a Btrong fancy that at the finish several of the pencillers declined to lay starting price about him.

BREVITIES. Tirant d'Eau, the New Zealand Cup win l ner, was not raced as a two-year-old. Tho attempt to train North Atlantic frying proved a failure, tho Nordenfeldt gliding has again been turned out. St. Hippo continues to train on all right, but it is hardly likely that ho will bo seen out until the back end of tho season. Tirant d'Eau was trained privately at Yaldhurst since being taken to Canterbury to contest the New Zealand Cup. It is stated that Nestor struck lu'ms?if in one of his early gallops at Ricearton, Mid it was this which caused him to bo cased.

Neither Swordfish nor Nestor wore engaged on the second day of the C.J.C. Meeting, but both figure in th Canterbury Cup, to be run on Saturday. Speculation, who Aucklnnders will perhaps best remember under her former title of Hii)podamia, has this season produced a filly foal to tho English sire Cold Reef. Crusade, who won tho President's Handicap and rail Telephone to a neck in the Shorts Handicap at Ellerslie on Saturday last, is a very much improved horse. Tho committee of the Auckland Racing Club this week endorsed the disqualitb.Vion imposed on \\ right and the racehorso IWovan by the Poverty Ray Racing Club. Though Amberile managed to get home in one weight-for-age contest, the son of Carbine has hardly proved the success at four years old that it was predicted lie would. This year's New Zealand Cup contest may well bo dubbed " The Napier benefit,'' as three horses hailing from that district won place money in the big Southern handicap. " Ajax ' writes:—" I think there should be a limit of 25 starters in any race, and where tho number of acceptors exceeds that figure 1 would not allow more than one horse to start out of any stable."

Majestic, who was one of the number that fell while contesting in the Caulfield Cup, was badly hurt, but there is a hope at St. Albans that the handsome son of Trenton lias not been permanently injured. Now that the New Zealand Cup is over, the Auckland Cup commences to loom up as tho big event that will claim attention at tho hands of backers. The weights are duo to make their appearance on (lie 25th inst. The Coromandol Racing Club has received a capital list of nominations for their spring meeting, and should that body be fortunate in having fine weather for the holding of ttio gathering, there need be no fear of its success. Mr, Price Collier, in an article on 44 Sport" published in tho well-known English journal Outing, states that Great- -Britain spends annually in sport a sum of over £200,000.000, and invests in a similar way even a greater sum. Mr. D. McLeod was very sanguine of his •filly, Miss Delaval, scoring in the Weiccmo Stakes at Ellerslie, and he must have had a good win over the success of the daughter of Seaton Delaval. for fie backs his horses well when lie fancies them. The statement that Uniform had broken down in England is contradicted. Ho was in work at last advices, but an attack cf influenza had affected his condition, and it was evidently on this ground that he was not started for the Cesarewiteh and Cambridgeshire Stakes. At a special meeting of tho Manawatu Racing Club, the resolution to prohibit stewards betting, passed at the annual meeting, was confirmed. The president (Mr. J. H. Hankins) thereupon signified his intention of retiring from tho committee when bis term of office expired, stating that lie would not sit upon it while such a rule existed. Tho New York Turf, Field, and Farm says:—Probably the only female jockey in tho world is riding in running races on tho Pacific coast circuit. She is a Mrs. IW.vili, 24 years old, weight 1011b, and resides at Carson City, Nevada. At the recent Nevada Slate Fair she won two of her five moinK Mrs. Bagwill wears the regulation jockey costume in races, and rides astride. When the weights for the Now Zealand Cup made their appearance in July, "Mazeppa" hit upon Tirant d'Eau as the pick of the race. Like many others, however, the inferior form of the Napier horse in the early spring caused the Dunedin scribe to desert Mr. Gollan's representative.

STUD NEWS. At a recent Southern show Euroclydoa v. a* beaten for first honours by Kulnine. Tho latter is the son of Cadogan that on cno occasion contested the Grand National Hurdle Race at Ellerslie. Uniilta (dam of Resolute) whoso death was recently reported from St. Albans, was represented on this season's foaling-shect with a colt, sired by Wallace. The youngster was only seven days old when his dam succumbed, but he is said to be hardy, and may survive on tho bottle. Gozo (sire of the Melbourne Cup winners Gaulus and The Grafter) was got in England, and foaled in New South Wales. Gang Forward must now be about tho only survivor of those famous three-year-olds which ran in England ill 1873 (says the Australasian). Flageolet, the Goodwood Cup winner, died in Germany last month. Donoister, Mario Stuart, Kaiser, Boiard, Thorn, and several other good ones all came in this vear. Gang Forward is still at Morphcttville, where he will, no dubt, be allowed to end his ilajs. Aura (dam of Auruin) has been mated with Havoo this season.

The following foalings are announced: — Mr. W. Walters' Fishgirl, by YattendonFanny Fisher, colt to Soult. Mr. W. tors' Lady Emmeline, by bomnus—Fanny Fisher, filly to Soult. Mr. T. Morrin's Lady Cureton, by CastorFrailty, colt to Hotchkiss. Mr. W. Paul's Woodbine, by Sword Dance— Woodnvmph, colt to St. Leger. Messrs. L. D. and N. A. Nathan's Sunbeam, by Ineomar—Titania, filly to St. Hippo. Mr. F. B. Kitson's Miss Lane, by Drary Lane —dam unknown, chestnut filly to Fabulous.