SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11854, 4 January 1902, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. January 20, 22, and 24—Wellington E.G. Summer. " January 29—Kawakawa R.C. Annual. '■:: February 13 and 15— Canterbury Jockey Club. February 26, 28, and March. DHnedin Jockey -. Club. ' ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. SARACEN', Auckland.—l. Carbine ran five races as a two-year-old. : He was purchased in the i spring of 1888 (at which time he was three years old) by the late Mr. Donald Wal- ; lace for 3000 guineas. :r 2. Hotchkiss was in training for some little time, but he was never:raced, in public. "WAGER.—Coronet has ! contested the •: Auckland Cnp son four ; occasions. He won the A.B.C. Handicap last season. It was in 1898 .that he annexed the Summer. Cup. • NOTES BY PHAETON. , :'.- The Austerlitz ■: appeal case was duly; dis- ;,' posed :of during the present week by the * . court set up -to hear, the same,* and'the', finding arrived at was ! pretty much' on ' the lines . I expected. •".;■:■' The verdict delivered was as follows:—"Although wo consider that the statements made by the appellant before the .; stewards on the first inquiry in.regard to his betting transactions in connection with this :'.': case.were both evasive and : unsatisfactory, • we are of opinion that'the evidence did; not justify the disqualification of 'A. Morgan' or the filly Austerlitz or the jockey Abbott. The appeal must therefore be allowed, and the .' disqualification .; removed. .It follows . that the.MusketStakes must be paid to the owner of Austerlitz." . I Even admitting that ; there were some grounds for suspicion regard- "'''.' ing the running of Austerlitz in the Wel- '■'■•"." come Stakes, the owner had, such a strong position in answering for the success of the filly in the Musket Stakes, that it seemed to '■-. .-■''■_ ;me all through the stewards were not warranted in . going .to the length they did in .: the matter. The documents that were placed before the judges not ■' being available, and the appeal being held in private, one is - de- .-. pendent on remarks outside as to the shape , matters took, but there is one thing that has come out ''strongly; and that is that the , ■ stewards handled a weak case very .badly, arid the appellants ' (who were fighting the question very strongly .on legal / grounds) must have been simply laughing in their sleeves at the manner in which the stewards floundered, that : is assuming, that they. ■•>■■■:--■: changed front, which I hear they did. The upholding -' of the Austerlitz appeal ■has brought* a cry to the effect that it ; is .; of little use stewards meting out punishment '.'■:.■', for suspicious practices, if the same is to ;■-■ be open to appeal, and as in this case up- ; held. , When Sir George Clifford first gave his ruling on a question of fact, and placed * reversal of form outside the category, I onust confess that I was quite in accord; with those who disagreed with him. I Biave"ince, however, seen that the ruling of lithe chairman was sound; and sc. thought the Racing Conference, 1 for questions of fact Slave been limited to very : narrow grounds, a cross or bump. in a race, oi-, a case of dev '-.■'. liberate pulling, '*- under ; the : eyes -.of : the .-.'ntewards,, being the questions which would not allow of appeal. It would undoubtedly he unfair to deny a man the right of appeal ."■ in a case where he and his horse; are , disqualified on ~, circumstances that; took place

at different times, and in which so , many matters, as a rule, are brought in to support the allegation. ' The -clearness with ; which .Sir George Clifford discerned what was and what ; was not a question of fact in , our racing affairs, is a safeguard for justice,, and I cannot but regard it as a most fortunate circumstance that we ; had the well-;

trained legal mind :of the chairman to : grapple 'with, and successfully dispose of, the liriotty point. -

■' : ':When recently referring to tho action of tfhe "Wellington Racing Club authorities in having the weights declared for their Cup in the front of a lot of important racing, I pointed'out'that while the club takes the precaution to have a condition in the race I hat winners are liable to be rehandicapped, -the case of the unsuccessful ones must also be considered. \ Now, for instance, take the aaseof Coronet. The son of Castor figures at Bst 101b in the -Wellington race, which, .. I think, it will.be generally agreed, is about i ; > '■■- the full • estimate that ■■■ could have been ■'■■"'-•■' (formed of; the bay ; horse's abilities in his -palmiest; day. Now, recent running shows v very plainly, that Coronet is a long way be-; "-:- low. the Coronet of ■• old; and it can be ' taken as quite certain that the field would • nave to be greatly reduced to give him a chance under such a weight as he has received.' ■ Viewed from any, standpoint, I cannot but regard it as a most risky policy o for the Wellington Racing Club authorities . to pursue in continuing t» have the weights for* their Cup declared in December, and:! hope they will adopt a different ; course, in ':;'-.-;'-' forthcoming seasons. ,\-■'.■■■■■ ■■■■ : ■;■'■'' '"''" Mr. Henry Nolan had a capital audience ' at Sylvia Park on Tuesday, when he .ascend-. ' Ed the drag to submit Messrs. L. D. and ' N. A. Nathan's yearlings "to auction,: but ' though, :on the whole, the sale might he : .; Voted, satisfactory, it must; be ;said that it fell below anticipations, and -much -below what the breeders had a right to' expect. Tf 'there was; one :.thing. that surprised me at /: ■'■■':, .the sale, 'it was the languid bidding for the \ descendants of Seaton Delaval. ;; The; Melton horse has long since proved his ability to beget winners, but somehow bidders did not seem warm towards his stock. Mr. 11. Friedlander certainly paid 200 guineas v for J a'," full brother to Beddington, but I .don't know that the sCanterbury, sportsman secured the ; : . bargain of the Seaton Delaval. lot. Y■ A full '■'■■ sist"? ic Nonettc at 125 guineas and a full .■■'•'■■■: sister to ■: Miss' Delava! at . 130 guineas may •" ' ' •both turn ■ out better stake-earners than ' Mr. . Friedlander's purchase. It was a popular ■'-'•', opinion ; that the HotchkissJadestone colt would too the sale, and this proved correct, '- the three-parts brother to Explosion going to Mr. C. Chevannes at 485'.guineas'. The . colt was subsequently repurchased from. Mr. :■ Chevannes on behalf; of the Messrs. Nathan - :■'•". at an advance. Jadestone's. son is an evenmade youngster,' and I shall be disappointed 'if he does not turn out well. The finest- ; looking -colt' that came into the ring was, "however/the son of Hotchkiss and Sybil, and ; -' I reckpn that Mr. Stead secured him much -.''■'-. below his true value. , The Southern sportsman; was heard to remark after the sale that >.' he had*.bought; tho very colt that he had ■>>. made up his mind not to buy, but I fancy .:'• '.:;■'■' that was 7 a; quizzical .saying. 'Certainly, "Sybil "y ■: has not:yet thrown anything of note, but . her Hotchkiss colt is such a majestic fellow :v. that he may: attain notoriety for the half- ■ . ; sister to St. Legcr. i The total amount realised for the 13 yearlings submitted was 1670 guineas, which-represents an average of. 1284 guineas. ;'"' ''■ ' -..:■;■'•'■'': •'. The Wellington ' Park sale never fails to •-'' draw a big crowd, and yesterday's attendance, I think, ..broke the record.' Some of the ,'■"■'.:'■ croakers were heard predicting a poor sale, but, though there were .no great, prices paid, the average was t. very satisfactory one, and with a total of 5275 guineas, Mr. Morrin has good reason to be satisfied. There were, , I take it, som- great bargains, and I think •..- that the fillies from Rose of Wellington and Forme,which realised 520 and 510 guineas ; respectively, were sold within their value. The half-sister to Cruciform, who was got by Soult, has always been a favourite of mine, and if she does not. race well I shall have r to -.acknowledge myself very much mistaken. '<■ 'Both these fillies went to Mr. Hugo Fried- ' lander,' and the surprise was that Mr. Stead did not bid for either. The Hawko's Bay sportsman, Mr. T. H. Lowry, undoubtedly •■••.';.-:■"' secured a slashing 'fine colt in the son of Hotchkiss and Janet, for whom he had to ... pay 560 guineas, i but I don't • know that I : would not as soon have tho Hotchkiss—Ru- . bina- colt* which Mr. : Stead secured at 340 guineas.,- The latter is, without doubt, the '.'.. best one that Rubina has thrown at Welling- .: : ton : : P~rk, ' and - in the good hands ,•:.■' in , which . : h" .'.* lias been•: placed he :•■■:■._■ .- shouldi bo :• able ->:\ to i secure- some dis- ,; : tinction : for the Kingsborough mare. - The surprise of the sale was the; Torpedo— lope colt, who went to 4-30 guineas. A couple of months since the half-brother to Blue- : jacket carried such a hackney look that, it seemed as though ho would have to take a place amongst the low-priced ones. However, he came into the ring in presentable shape, and, though there is nothing very attractive A about > him, < the -> connections : of Bluejacket evidently considered it good business to .silence the opposition, and the young- .-:...■ ster will go to the same establishment wherein his half-brother is housed. ■ . Mr. Morrin's sixteenth j sale must be written down a success. The following little table will show how .this year's average compares with that of preceding sales: — $Mti:io-VxMi&B.~!M 1899. ': 1900. ':: S' 1901. ::. 1902. '■>' ■'<'■■• '; -, - " 24 lots. .23 lots. 29 lota 26 lots. :30 lots. ' , -;.--507255. . 5405g5. 6652g5. 5237g8. 5275g5. ■ ■ ' '" . |, ' i - J 'Jjp 3 *- 3 ' :.::--

' When there is such a spontaneous outburst of enthusiasm such; as that which took place at Ellerslie on Thursday last when that game old ; battler, Voltigeur 11., added; the Auckland ; Steeplechase to his winning repertoire, we.; are j given a : very .;■ pointed illustration of how ; racegoers .. can rise ; superior ito .;; their pockets. ; ; 'It is -a' big tax to ; ask ; some ; men ;to muster up a cheer when they have backed " a loser, .but; the f Auckland , : assemblage fairly let - themselves'.; go on \ Thursday when 'r Volti-. geur 11. won, v and it was -altogether a scene that, served to ;give us the best side ' of human; ; nature. -'v Anent '-,' old -Voltigeur 11., I' have often .been;; interested at the ■ expres■s sion ';,;, which the - old ';; gray "carries after a severe race has been exacted: from him. The j;- fringe of ,. dark hairs that ] surround ;: his eyes ; seem to me '. to give him a rather; sorrowful j'■ look, ? and as I. have ; looked at >him (some-' i ; times the marks of the. row-els.'on his sides have been , a painful tell-tale),; he seemed to me to say, "I don't know what you : think of the game, but; I don't : go much on it." Good old vVoltigeur, \ you riohly deserve \to be pensioned off for the ■ remainder .of your days! ■ . ' -'-;- "I dare say," remarked Mr. Stead to me in the course of conversation, " I could find one in each of three in my stable equal to defeating Nonette at weight-for-age, but I'm - very : sure that I \ coidci not, produce one that could run three such races as he did in the Auckland Cup, Summer Cup, and Racing Club Handicap, and come .up, as it; were, smiling I.' on ; the fourth day for another dose under a j big impost." The Southern "sportsman is j always quick: to recognise a meritorious perI formance, ; even though he may not own the j particular equine responsible for it. and he j might have been seen keenly scanning Noni ette aftei the colt's doughty performances in the A.R.C. Handicap and Grandstand Handicap.:'"-.. -"■' Mr. Stead has long been ; recognised as a i most accomplished 'holder of the watch in timing races, and with perfect ease the Southern sportsman can recite after a race how the various • stages , were run. I went in search of the owner of, St. Michael after the running of the Grandstand Handicap on i Thursday • in anticipation ; that ho had i set |- his watch during the contest and. I was not disappointed. Mr. Stead read off the stages as '■ follows: —First urlonj,, V: 155.; second, 285.; third, 403. ; fourth, 52i5. ; .fifth; lm. 55. ; sixth,; lm. 18s.; seventh, lm. 30is. ; and the full distance (10 furlongs). 2m. 10is. I The last three-quarters of a mile were got over in lm. 17£s., and the last half-mile in 52is. -'.;-;' ..-. ; "■-:■:■-:■--.'■'::.,,;■.■:■, Frank Maomanemin is one . that can carry himself with great composure under all ; circumstances. Just after Nonette- had scored his brilliant victory in !: the ■■'~ A.R.C. :h Handicap, I met -the'Ellerslie trainer at the entrance to the weighing-in ; room. He -had;, just taken the saddle from Mark Ryan, and,_ as the cheering had scarcely died away, excitement was still high. In answer to my salutation congratulating him on Nonette's victory,.- Frank simply replied, "A good per- : formance!" . It was only three words that came from the Ellerslie trainer's lips, and j delivered without an atom ; of excitement, | but there, was to me a charm in the quiet, dignified way in which the young trainer ex- ! pressed himself. Tridy, Frank is well bal-l-lasted. '. , -; ,;.;•; ■ ;";:-:■ The A.R.C. handicapper, Mr. Brett, got i through his heavy task in connection with the; summer meeting in a highly-creditable ; manner,, and if the success ;of a number of I heavily-weighted horses brings joy .to the j handicapper's heart (and I. think, it does to [ J.0.E.), then the*veteran -must have been a I happy r man when the curtain was rung down at Ellerslie on Thursday. .The increase (says an exchange) of chestnut and mealy: bay horses with white legs and white fac*s among thoroughbreds has been deplored for a good many years past by experienced breeders. It is : generally held ly I horsemen - that horses so coloured have not tho ' stamina "": and ' carrying power of horses that are .darker coloured, and have not the white markings "on : legs and face. For many years past the; mistake has been made that ; the / highest possible attribute of :he thoroughbred is speed, and to develop this quality races have been , ! shortened and weights h'ghtened. Many horse-breeders who are not* racing - men regard a high turn of speed as no great 5-ecommendation to a thoroughbred stallion, .''unless it is accompanied by staying power and the: ability to carry weight.: The thoroughbred is ; regarded hy such men as the best of all sires for producing hunters, hacks, and light harness horses. Of old it was regarded as a characteristic of the breed that their legs ..'would stand far moro .wear-'and' tear than the legs of any other, breed or mingling of the breeds of horses. The peculiarity of an increasing number, of ; white-faced and white-legged horses is not confined to , thoroughbred horses.. In hackneys it has .become so very pronounced during the : last score of years that the ; English horse-dealers have made strong complaints of it. The same characteristic has of late years made its appearance among the heavy draught horses of-England.; A writer in; the Live Stock Journal . makes the following remarks on this subject: "The increase of white markings. in our horses: has become much more pronounced as compared with former years, but \ their presence does not seem to enter into the calculations of our breeders in the slightest degree. White legs mean white feet, and white feet mean brittle feet, and this fact has long been recognised by the breeders of all countries, save dea.- old haphazard, v muddling through .; England." The foreign horse buyer who buys for stud purposes will have ': none of these . whitemarked: horses, and thus a uu-ge market is lost to the British; horse-breeder. The white markings _in .some- shire horses often reach to the stifle, and sometimes .beyond. Why such a marked increase of the white colour should have been doveJoped in thoroughbred, hackney, and draught horses is difficult to explain. By some horse-breeders it is- taken to mean flic decadence of the breed so distinguished. That some steps should not have been taken by British horse-breedors long ere this to counteract this tendency is surprising, for even in England these markings are believed to be detrimental to the lasting powers of the horse. ,

- :• BREVITIES. Old Nor'-west seems to have quite lost bis pace.- "'; • ' '- • "" :. , . - Reclaimer has been struck out of the Takapuna Cup. : Reclaimer proved a failure at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting. Mark Ryan rode four splendid races on Nonette at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting. The sale of Major George's racers and stud is to be absolutely without reserve. In the Auckland Steeplechase run last Thursday 12 months, old Voltigeur 11. came to grief with Frank Burns. Cannongate fell lame during the running of the New Year Hurdle Race, and he was not started for the Auckland Steeplechase. v Eland, the two-year-old full sister to Bluejacket; won a double at the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club's Summer Meeting on Wednesday and Thursday last. ' Balbirnie ran very true under the Sloan style of riding, and in each of the races which she won at 15!lerslie the daughter <"f St. Leger finished gamely. , - Haydn has not so far repaid any of the sum expended in his purchase, and it is now a popular opinion that the parties concerned in his ownership made a bad deal. Messrs. W. H. Herries and E. W. Alison have been re-elected < by 'the country clubs of the Auckland district to represent them at sittings of the metropolitan committee. Ideal was shipped back to Napier before the conclusion of the A.8.C., Summer Meeting. The little daughter of Dreadnought was only started once at the meeting. I fancy'ldeal wants freshening up.. ■ R. Derrett got a nasty shaking when San Patricia fell with him in the County Handicap. The Vetera* jockey is, however, now said to be all right. Derrett had the skin knocked off one of his temples, sc that he had a narrow escape. : " In dispensing compliments over the A.R.C. Summer Meeting, the racecourse officer, Mr. C. V. Hill, must not be overlooked. Each day everything was up to the mark, and.it was quite evident .that; the veteran does not weary of his task under a big strain. The new owner of San Patricia had bad luck with her in he: first race. The, little daughter of Hotchkiss fell while contesting the County Handicap on the, third day of the A.R.C. meeting, and, as she developed symptoms of unsoundness, she had to be struck out of her subsequent engagements. ■ The -replacing of the band of webbing (which had done duty at Ellerslie as a barrier at the starting apparatus): with a foot of netting stretched on two stout cords, settled the breakaway nuisance at tho A.R.C. Summer Meeting, and the starter (Mr. Cutts) was thereby assisted , to a f successful record. ■r There were no high'prices at the sale of the One-tree Hill yearlings, but Mr. Leonard Marshall received a fair price for one of the youngsters' sired by Cyrenian. This was the colt, out .of _ Windmill, who-realised 195 guinea.9. '; Windmill's youngstei is a colt of fair size, and he should grow into a very presentable two-year-old. Mr. D. O'Brien, who is now settled at New Plymouth,, took a run up to Auckland in order, to attend the Wellington Park sale. The many-friends of the veteran in Auckland were glad to find him wearing well, and it need; hardly be said, he. had - to acknowledge many ; good .wishes for: his " success in the sphere upon which ho recently entered. ,;.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S , * SUMMER MEETING. [BX phaeton.] It seemed to be a popular impression that the A.R.O. touched high-water, mark last season with their 'summer meeting, but the patronage showered upon the recent gathering ■ , proved t such as > to enable r the . metropolitan body to not only put up another best on record so:. far as -their • own gathering -is concerned, but to also take the front place amongst the clubs of the colony regards the amount of ; totalisator money handled. During the four days over which the meeting extended the sum of £73,539 was put. through the machine, which represents an increase of £5963 on the sum handled at the corresponding meeting held' last year, .and £354-6 ahead of the colonial" record. That the introduction of the two-dividend system has played an important part in enabling the club to put up such a record there cannot be a doubt. The figures for the two periods will, I doubt not, prove interesting reading for my readers, and I therefore place them side by side, as follows: — '-v';- ; : H- 1900-1901. V, ... 1901-1902. First day ...... £20,159 , ... : £21,039, Second day ... ... 12,835 «. 14,739 Third day ... ... 18,618 . ... .20,228 Fourth day ... , ... 15,904 ..... 17,533 ;,:,, . . ''■-~. £67,516 \i . .'.'.' £73,539 Well, now, having disposed of the financial side of the question, I will address myself to the racing. From first to last the contests were brimful of interest, and it can be said, with a great deal of confidence,' that few meetings held in the colony have passed off more pleasantly, and" left so little cause for a doubt to be thrown on the" running, as the summer gathering held at ' Ellerslie. And now let me proceed" to a review of the form as displayed by the various divisions. ':■>';'".- THE TWO-TEAK-OLDS. : As the winner of the Great Northern Foal Stakes, Idas is entitled to first attention amongst the ; youngsters. The ■■„ daughter of Seaton Delaval is entitled to every credit for her win, for had she not been endowed with thorough gameness she could not have scored. Idas was on the scene on the second day in : the Criterion Handicap, when she decisively dressed down Northumberland with 31b the "worst, of the weights. On the third day Idas figured amongst tho starters for the Midsummer Handicap, in which she was weighted at 9st 61b. .-,-.', On her form in the Foal Stakes, the bay filly was selected as one likely to take a hand in the finish, but she failed to show up. An excuse can, however, be offered for Idas, as she failed to jump off-"readily. So far as the North Island youngsters are concerned, Idas is unquestionably the best that has so far sported silk, and it will be interesting to note how she fares when the autumn rolls round. Kelburne, who distinguished himself by winning the Nursery Handicap on the first day and the Sylvia Handicap on the. fourth day under Bst 71b respectively, filled the eye most pleasingly.' A short time back the chestnut; son of Hotchkiss seemed to be growing a little out of shape,' but he has rounded up splendidly, and when he distinguished himself in his last race the result was quite satisfactory. : Kelburne was one ! of the nicest yearlings that was sold at Wellington Park last year, and it can be said that Mr. Hugo Friedlander has every reason to bo satisfied with his purchase of the chestnut colt.;- • ■ -.';','•' ' -"■ '■■■"■,-- _ In the running of the Midsummer Handicap i Mary Seaton brought, off a mild surprise by I winning that event for her now owner within 24 hours of passing from the hands of the Messrs. Nathan. The little daughter of Seaton Delaval won her race by a display of dovwnright gameness, for she had to cut down her field at a critical moment. There is not a great deal of Mary Seaton, but she can reel off a very respectable five furlongs. '■]:■■ Grey ;:, Seaton -finished as true as steel in the two races which he contested, and though he did not attain a winning bracket, he was by no means disgraced. . Grey Seaton is such a solid game little fellow that I think I am fully warranted in offering the prediction that he will go on improving. : ,- Helen Faucit finished in a place in each of the races which she contested, but the sister to Daystar did not prove the smasher wo • were led to suppose she was. In the Great Northern Foal Stakes she died away at the critical moment,* and I should say that sho is at present better at five than six furlongs. So far ; as looks are concerned, Helen Faucit is all right, and maybe she will show herself up as a good filly. ,;: Northumberland certainly lost caste at the meeting, and' his display in tho Criterion Handicap was such as to earn for him the title '■ of-a .trickster. Certainly, tiio chestnut colt showed a tendency to cut it when he was asked to finish, and he must wipe that out beforo I am again on his side. _: ; Spalpeen did not succeed in; losing his maidenhood ; indeed; the Gossoon colt did not succeed in gaining a situation in any of the races which he contested. He was cutting ,out the pace in the early stages in two races, but when it came to real business he collapsed liko a pricked balloon.' Possibly age will do* something for Spalpeen, but I' must say.that I did not like the way his light went out, for it savoured of a want of stamina. .;;;• - .; r ; ; ; : -.." THE THREE-YEAR-OLDS. >" As a rule, the Derby winner is first to claim attention under this heading,; but on this occasion I think I am justified in taking up Nonette for first consideration, for the simple reason that he was the best tested of the crowd. In the Auckland Cup the son of Seaton Delaval ran. a slashing race under 83t, finishing second to St. Michael (to whom he was conceding 101b and ; a year) ; in the Summer Cup he beat his field under 9st; in the A.R.O. Handicap he carried 9st 41b to victory; and under the severe burden of 9st 101b in the Grandstand Handicap he beat all bis opponents ; save St. Michael (who he was conceding 51b). ■ In all his races Nonette finished with great determination, and he must be given credit for the possession of a rare dash of :.;courage. In the A.R.C. Handicap he was required to run. his mile and a-half in 2m. 37|s. to, win, and the manner in which he pulled himself together for the final bout home from the distance was a treat to witness. A good colt is Nonette, and he must be accounted to bo a rare constitutioned one to stand up the way he did during four days. ' Menschikoff was only. seen out once at the meeting, and then he had only a stable mate to dispose of in the settlement of the Derby. The bay son of Stepniak galloped over the Derby distance in' great style, and, as he got round easily in 2m. , 38£s., one is left wondering what he could have done against the watch had he been pushed. A rare galloper is Menschikoff, and his beautiful action was a treat to witness. - Royal Artillery had to "play second fiddle to Menschikoff in the Derby, but Mr. Stead Made no secret of the fact that the latter was moro fitted to take on a mile and a-half than the big son of Hotchkiss, for the simple reason that he had been better tuned up for a journey. In the running of the Royal Stakes Royal Artillery galloped down his six furlongs in fine style. I thought Royal Artillery was a bit tender in 'front when he walked away after executing his Derby errand, and I fear Mr. Stead has some anxiety regarding the colt's forelegs. It is to be hoped that Royal Artillery will go on all right, for he is of a stamp that is not mot with every day, and in pluokily paying 1400 guineas for him as a yearling the Southern sportsman deserves to have the best of good luck with his colt. , Cruciform, who won the Railway Handicap and Auckland Plate, proved herself the galloping machine she was voted to be. The victory which the daughter of St. Leger achieved in the Railway Handicap under 9st was brimful of merit, and, positioned as she only one with a great dash of pace that could was in that race half-a-milo from home, it was have succeeded. Taking a line through the subsequent form displayed by Holioro (whom she fairly romped over at a difference of 121b), one is warranted in regarding Cruciform as something in the light of a phenomenon. That Cruciform is something more than a sprinter sho very amply demonstrated in the Auckland Plate, for she simply cantered over Bluejacket, and ran her 12 furlongs with the greatest of ease in 2m. 41s. There have been few fillies as good as Cruciform on the New Zealand turf ' ■:.''.'.'.' THE FOUR-YEAR-OLDS. St. Michael is the one under this heading that attained great prominence. . The son of St.Leger made a start by winning the Auckland Cup under 7st 41b, and, after running third in the A.R.C. Handicap under 9st, he came out on the fourth day and carried, 9st 51b to victory in the Grandstand Handicap. .The big fellow did not' appear to Rnis:i up his task in his race on the third day as resolutely as he should have, done, arid I must say that I was lulled into a kind of ■'belief that he had had enough. However, he came home in the Grandstand Handicap with a great burst of speed, and won his race handsomely. A bit of a commoner in appunrance, St. -Michael is not one to call up a great deal of enthusiasm, but he must be given credit for being one of the best handicap horses at present on the New Zealand turf, and if he continues to train on 1 d»i:bt not that we will hear of him as/ain in connection with : a big race. ' *■/ ■■ " THE FIVE-TEAR-OLDS.': '' ; . - '- : A good horse to distinguish himself amongst the five-year-olds was Hohoro. .. The Taxman gelding made a start by running second in the Railway; Handicap; ", under 10st 51b he

won the County Handicap, and then he put the ? finishing touch to a splendid, feat by carrying the; welter weight of lOst 121b to victory in : the Newmarke i Handicap. The Tasman '. gelding ran his six '_ furlongs ; in the last-named- race in lin. 165., and it was unquestionably a performance of sterling merit for which he was responsible. ,'. Tho'Tasmari. gelding being touched in. his wind, it is unlikely that- he ".will again be set to tackle a journey ;■■ over a distance of . ground, ■ and with; a win under lOst ■ 121b to' his credit at six ; furlongs ; his connections will .probably experience some ; difficulty in t placing u him satisfactorily. ; Rosella was seen out on four occasions at the meeting. In the Railway Handicap I never once sighted her,''-"and I suppose 1 she must ;, have had; : bad V luck. On - the ;.:second day she contested,the Summer Cup under 9st 21b, and, though she did not win, she boat everything but Nonette, and a ran a slashing mile ; and a-quarter. :'"',: On the third day she scored an easy victory in the Glasgow Handicap under 9st 121b, and on the strength of that she was made favourite for the Newmarket Handicap (run on the fourth day), in which she had a like impost, but she never got with the leaders, and was fifth as they went past the post. ' ■ THE SIX-TEAS-OLDS. . Though none of the six-year-olds triumphed, Bluejacket is entitled': to a paragraph. The connections of the son of St. Leger were sanguine of their horse getting there ';■ or thereabouts in : the Cup, but he came home tired in fourth place— a position which he also filled in the Summer Cup. In the i A.R.C. Handicap Bluejacket, who was again , required to carry 9st 81b, was always, as the 1 saying goes, on the premises, and in a great j finish he was only beaten a long head by Nonette in a fast-run race. The old fellow toed the mark on the fourth day in the Auckland Plate, but he could do no better than finish second to Cruciform in the weight-for-age event. Bluejacket walked away quito sound after his fourth race, and it is pleasing to be able to say that the brown horse looks , like training on for some time yet. j THE JUMPEHS. - The veteran Tim distinguished himself in j the Hurdle Race on the first day by carrying j lOst 51b to victory.in good style, and on the second day he ran a good race under 91b ad- j ditional in the Second Hurdlo Race; but in the New Year Hurdle Race, under 21b less, ; he was decisively beaton in third place.; j It was a popular belief that Dingo was J of little use in a hurdle race when the company was of good class, but the Sou'-wester I gelding disposed of that argument. He ran a respectable second on the first day, and then won under lOst lib. ; The Sou'-westor gelding bore such an improved appearance that his prospects of annexing the Auckland Steeplechase wore considered good. He failed to negotiate the post-and-rail fences the last time, however, and he appeared to bo making such heavy weather of it that I do not think he could have won even had ho Stood up. ; ; -What shall I say of Voltigeur ll.— of the gamesfc old fencers that ever crossed, country in Maorilandwho distinguished himself by winning the Auckland Steeple- j chase? When the old son of Lionel came back to the paddock some 18 months back after scoring a victory in the Great Northern ] Steeplechase, it seemed as though his racing ; career would have to be terminated, but hero he is still with us, and it can be truth- | fully said that at no time did ho carry himself j better than on Thursday last. The old fel- j low was never further back , than second all ! I through that severe throe miles and a-half J ' which the Auckland Steeplechase entailed, and, though he must have been dead tired when he came to the last hurdle, he jumped it without touching. The old fellow pulled up quite sound, and he is evidently good for some time to noma. *' Princess of Thule showed herself up as an improved mare. ' The daughter of t Lord of the Isles scored in tho New Year Hurdle Race, and, as she was understood to have been well schooled over big fences, she had a numerous following for tho Auckland Steeplechase.. Four fences from homo the Princess': backers were shaking hands with themselves, as she was out in front with a good lead, and it seemed only a question of her standing up to ; win. However, this she failed to do, and the first of the post- ; arid-rails saw her pass out of the contest. Princess of Thule is a nice cut of a mare, and she may be heard of to advantage later on in a cross-country event. • Though Nor'-west was a long way from the Nor'-west of old, the bay son of Sou'wester) commanded so many friends that he was actually sent, out favourite for the Steeplechase. The confidence, however, proved to be sadly misplaced, for he was in trouble at the end of the second round, and when ho commenced to make heavy weather of it his rider did not deem it " advisable to persevere. ;* I should doubt Nor'-west ever again being as good as he was in previous seasons, but an extended rest might do a lotin enabling him' to recover his form. THE WINNING TRAINEES. Amongst the winning trainers, R. J. Mason comes out at the head of the, list with a record of six wins, the Southerner being responsible for St. Michael (who won twice), Cruciform (also a double winner), Royal Artillery, and: Menschikoff. F. Sfcenning had four ; to his credit— Hohoro being responsible for a double win; Camilie and Sparkling Water being the others of the Royal Oak team to scorj. J. E. Thorpe was also responsible for four, Kolburne (twice), Stepaway, : and St. Loanda being the successful representatives'from his table. F. Macmanemin had a double winner in Nonette; G. Absolum scored twice with Idas; J. Chaafe had 'a like record with Balbirnio; while J. Rao claimed Ragabrash and Mars; G. Wright Rosella and Mary Seaton. The other -successful trainers were: C. Weal (Tim), H. Franks (San Patricia). Bowden (Blue Paul), A. Cutts (Glenogle), C. Coleman (Dingo), J. Booth (Lady Avon), 1 , and F. Ross (Voltigeur II.): ,-; THE WINNING JOCKEYS. •; The Canterbury _ rider, L. H. Hewitt, achieved the leading placo amongst the jockeys with seven wins St. Michael (twice), Cruciform, Menschikoff, Royal Artillery, and Balbirnie (twice) winning in ; his hands. J.: Gainsford won twice onKelburne, and he had a win each on Mars and St. Loanda. H. Jellings scored a double : on Hohoro, and he had a single with Camilie. Mark Ryan scored a double on Nonette, and T. Taylor achieved like distinction on Idas; while J. Buchanan scored respectively on Mary Seaton and Stepaway. The other successful , riders were: Pereival (Ragabrash), O." Weal (Tim), Quinton * (Blue Paul), McKay (San Patricia), Pyno (Glenogle), Munro (Dingo), Jones (Cruciform), Satman (Sparkling Water), Sceats (Lady Avon), Gallagher (Rosella). -~/. . THE WINNING SIRES. • Seaton Delaval comes out on top amongst the winning sires, tho Sylvia Park sire being responsible for seven winners, viz., Idas (a double winner), Nonette (a double winner), Blue Paul, Rosella, and Mary Seaton. The defunct St. Leger was in second place, each of the three which scored for him winning a double, viz., St. Michael, Cruciform, and Balbirnie. Hotchkiss claimed a double winner in Kelburne, while Royal Artillery j and San Patricia won a single each. Tasman was ' responsible"'" for Hohoro (who won twice) and Camilie. Stepniak had a brace of winners in Menschikoff and Stepaway. The other sires represented j on the winning list were : Strathmore, Wool- I broker, Chanranald, Sou'-wester, St. Hippo, Soult, Ingomar, St. George, and Lionel, who each claimed one winner. TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB'S • V ~ SUMMER MEETING. Mr. W. Knight has declared following weights in connection with the T.J.O. Summer Meeting:— , TAKAPUNA CUP of 500sovs. Ono mile and : a-half. ■■ •■ St lb ■'■ St tu Nonette ... ... 9 9 St. Gordon ... 7 2 Bluejacket ... 9 9 Reclaimer 7 2 Rosella. ... ... 8 10 Sparkling Water 7 0 Boddington ... 8 10 Regalia 11. . 7 0 X al Rosa ... 3 6 Defender .' 6 12 g. oro . , 7 13 Blue Paul ... 6 10 St. Ursula ... 7 12 Scotty ... ..6 9 Formula. ... 712 Hildperie : ... 6 9 %■ Paul ... ... 7 10 Golden Rose ... 6 7 Tukapa '--:■..-• ... 7 5 Hespcr ... ..6 7 lied Lancer ... 7 5 ° 1 FIRST HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE of iaOsovs. . Three miles and a-half. ] '„ ' , Et lb ~ st lb Cannongate ... 12 7 Dingo .... 10 2 Nor'-west ; ...11 6 Kanaka ... .'.'. 10 2 Voltigeur 11. ... 11 4 Rufus ... ... 9 12 Straybird ... 10 8 Leona ... ... 97 Princess of Thule 10 8 Tuirno ... . 9 7 Sudden ... ... 10 4 Kowkai ... ... 9 7 Evening Wopder 10 4 Jack ... ... 97 THE GENERAL ■ ENTRIES. :,; The following entries wore received last night .... for the minor events of the programme: — .' FIRST DAY. ■ _ MAIDEN ■'-■' HANDICAP.-Tho Frenchman, Donnybroolc, Tortoise Shell. Cold Web, Sly Miss,. Smftfool " Lance Corporal, Himalaya, I>oo. 1. . • ...-. ... Q CALLIOPE lIANDICAP.-Mary Seaton. Grey Seaton. Northumberland, Austerlitz, Bastion, Cygnet. Sensation, Gladisla. ZEALANDIA HANDICAP.-Desnatch, Gold Spur, St. Rowan, Bikipeno, Takapuna. St. Olga, Golden Rose. Tolstffi, Gold Web, Cnirasette, - Zealous, Rosiphele, -.' Brilliant, Lady Avon, Jewellery, Camilie, Reclaimer, Highlander. To'ephone. ' " ;' : FIRST HACK : aiANbICAP.-BloodstonoVi Mount Zeehan, Rocket, Philosopher, ■ Ding--Dong, •'...Fabamiai Evert, Amhantas. Gate- ; lock, bay filly,: by Seaton Delaval-'Leocant,

i brown mare by Seaton Delaval—Fairy Queen. i;Lady -Sotilt. Fairy; House.'.; Etona, La '• Polish, '"'; Cress.v, ".'■:: Mechanic, ': Zealandia, Sea Nymph, . Miss Lottie. i FIRST HANDICAP .HURDLES.—Raima,; I Evening'-Wonder,: Master Makoe, •; Gunfire, } Dingo, 1 Princess of Thule, Firefly, Tim, iTresham,"-; Regalia 11., Royal Conqueror, i Evermore, Nor'-west. ■ ■* '-■■'-■ p: FIRST PONY RACE.—Orange ■ and r Bine, ! Sea Spray. Pukiori, Ukase, Polly Perkins, • Bine Paul, Annoyed, Mimosa, Motukarea. ! Gladys Rose, Girton '.Girl,- Mamoa,; First Whisper, Bloodstone, r . Rapid, ; St. Loanda, Princess Perkin, Sentinel. ■'-:■ STEWARDS HANDICAP.— Donnybrook,'i Gold 'Spur, ; Picklock, Hiliipene,;Takapuna, : Balbirnie, Landlock, Gold Web, '-'.Ragabrash,".Sundial, Brilliant, Lady Avon, Scotty,-: Solo, Highlander, Red Lancer, Defender, Tukapa. SECOND DAY. : SUBURBAN HANDICAP.—: Despatch, Donnvbrook, Gold Spur. St. Re-wan, Yarra. Hikipeue, Takapnna, . St. ■ Olga, Golden Rose, Landlock, Tolstoi, , Lady' Soult, ■;;Gold Web, Sly Miss, Cuirassette, Zealous, , Rbsiphele, Brilliant, Himalaya, La Polish, Lady Avon, Creasy, Jewellery, Hohoro, Reclaimer, Highlander. : Telephone, Scout. Tukapa. . ; ; MAIDEN HURDLES— (late Ballmger), Majer, Lady Dash, Medal, Tortoiseshell, St. Rowan, Geraldine, Gunfire, Cyclone, Puffing Billy. All Fours, Firefly, ; Tresham. • Khama, SECOND ' PONY HANDICAP.— Orange and Blue, Sentinel, , Sea Spray, »■ Polly Perkins. Blue Paul, Annoyed, Mimosa,,. Gladys Rose, Girton Girl. Mamoa, First Whisper, Trooper, Talisman, Stepaway. „ , - HOBSON HANDICAP.— Mary Seaton, Grey Seaton. Northumberland, Austerlitz. Bastion, Loch Fyne, Cvgnet,; Rondoletia, Swagsman, Sensation. Gladisla. ' . ■ ■■ , SECOND HACK HANDlCAP.—Bloodstone, Mount Zeehan, Rocket, Ding-Dong, Evert, Fabannia, Amhantas, Gatelock, b f by Seaton Delaval—Leocant, b m by Seaton Dclaval —Fairy Queen, Capford, Lady Soult, Fairy House, ; Lance Corporal. Etona. La Polish, Cressy, : Mechanic, Zealandia, .' Sea ; Nymph, Miss Lottie. 7 I , „ /'■ ANNIVERSARY HANDICAP. — Honesty, Donuvbrook. Hikipene. Takapnna, Balbirnie, Gold Web, Cavalry. Belfast, Swiftfoot. Ragabrash, Sundial; Brilliant, Lady Avon. Scotty. Solo. Sparkling Water, .Reclaimer, Highlander, Red Lancer, Defender, Tukapa. • : . ; \ THIRD DAY- ',■':-': MARINE HANDICAP— Loch Fyne, .Irish. Cygnet, Rondoletia, Swagsman, Dandaloe. Sensation, .' •«: -; • BOROUGH, HANDICAP.— Seaton, Mount Zeehan, : Nere. : d, Despatch, Donnybrook, Gold Spur. Hikipeue, Takapuna. St. Olga, Amhantas. Sophia, Tolstoi, Lady Soult, Gold Web. Sly Miss, Etona, Rosiphele, Himalaya, La Polish. Lady Avon, Creesy, Jewellery-- Canaille. Reclaimer, Highlander. Zealandia. Telephone. Scout, Austerlitz, Gladisla, Miss; Lottie, ' b m by Seaton Delaval—Fairy Queen. ;"'-.:'' ■-■-.:■'.' . SUMMER HANDICAP.—RoseIIa, Honesty, Takapuna, Hikipene, St. Paul. Balbirnie, Lance Corporal. Ragabrash. Sundial. Brilliant. Eera'ia IT., Scotty. Sparkling Water, Red Lancer. Defender, : Tukapa. SECOND HANDICAP HURDLES.—Major, Lady Da-sb, Modal,, Rufus, Evening- Wonder, Master Mahoe, St. Rowan. 'Dingo, Princess of Tbule. AH Fours. Firefly, Tim. Tresham. Regalia 11., Royal Conqueror, Khama, Nor'west. ' '. ■■' . . ' -.--"v.'■THIRD: PONY HANDICAP.—Orange and Blue. Sea Spray. Sentinel; Ukase, Blue Paul, Ppllv Perkins Annoyed. Mimosa, Motukorea, Gladys Rose. Girton Girl. Mamoa. Nannie. First Wb'soer. Trooper, Garnet, Rapid, Princess Perkin. : ~• ■' DEVONPORT HANDlCAP.—T'nkapav-Dnnnv-hroak, Orange H a.nd Blue, Gold Spur. Picklock, Takapuna-, Hi'-ciwene, ■ St. > Olira, Golden Rose, Landlock,. &*ld Web, Sir Miss, Ragabrash, Zealous,? Rosiphele. Brilliant.. Ladv; Avon, Jewellery. Soottv, TTnhoro, ; Highlander. SECOND HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE.— Rufus, Evening Wonder. Dingo, Puffing Billy, Princess of Thule. All Fours, Straybird, Evermore. . Volligsur 11.. Nor'-west. WELTER. HANDICAP—The Frenchman, Despatch. Honesty,, Takanwna. Hvkhieiie, Pokomolco. Mn.tamitaltaralcske Paul Soa-t/>n, Balbirnie Golden R/xae. St. Gord«n, Carvalrv, Belfast. Swiftfoot, Ouirsusett". Brilliant, La Palish, Bacchus, Solo, SparklingWater, Reclaimer, Red Lancer, , Defender, 'Stepaway..: ■''.:-