SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12272, 16 May 1903, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. May 16 and Takapuna Jockey Club. May 21 and Wanganui Jockey Club. May 30, June 3 and Auckland Racing Club. June 3 and Dunedin Jockey Club. June 10 and 11—North Otago Jockey Club. June 24 and 25—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club.

DATES OF COMING EVENTS. May 30—Great Northern Steeplechase. „ June 3—Grand National Hurdle Race. Mav 22— Wanganui Steeplechase. June 25—Hawke's Bay Steeplechase. July Napier Parle Steeplechase. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. SMOKER, Mangawhare.—Royal Artillery is still the property of Mr. G. G. Stead. T.K., Thames.— St. Simon carried 12st 121b when he won the A.R.C. Grani National Hurdle Eace. 2. The highest weight carried to victory in the Great Northern Steeplechase is 12st 21b, which was The Guard's impost in last year's race. INQUIRER, Napier-street.—The names of Voltigeur and Nor'-west do not appear in the stud book. According to the ages published by the Turf Register, Voltigcur is given as a year older than Nor'-west. " IGNORAMUS.—The following are the highest prices realised for blood stock in Australia: — Carbine, 13.000g5.; Nordenfeldt, 5600g5.; Titan (gelding). 4&00g5.; Lord Randolph (yearling), 2500g6.; Havoc (yearling), 2200g5. Cuirassier was sold privately by Mr. T. Morrin to Messrs. Duder Bros. NOTES BY PHAETON. The acceptances received last night for the Great Northern Steeplechase and Grand National Hurdle Race, together with the general entries lodged for the minor events of the forthcoming Grand National meeting to be brought off at Ellerslie under the auspices of the Auckland Racing Club, can be regarded as in every way up to expectations. For the Great Northern Steeplechase 12 horses have been paid up for, while in the Grand National Hurdle Race no less than 22 still figure in the list. Cannongate holds his place in the crosscountry event, and it is pleasing to be able to add that matters bear a roseate hue for Mr. Marshall's honest old 'chaser to bo seen at his best when the time arrives for him to tackle the Ellerslie country on the 30th inst. Haydn is both looking and going well, and though he has yet to make his debut in public over country at Ellerslie no fears are entertained as to his ability to negotiate the course in safety. Awahuri is down for an engagement, at Wanganui during the coming week, as also is Jack-o'-Lantern, and' we will thus have a dress rehearsal from them to furnish a line as to their Ellerslie prospects. However, let the opposition be as strong as it may, the locally-owned pair, Cannongate and Haydn, can be depended upon to give the foreigners" a race. With 22 horses still engaged in the Grand National Hurdle Race, the issue in that race is well shrouded in mystery, and that circumstance may be depended upon to coax up a deal of speculation. Of the locally-owned lot, the two I have most fancy for are Mars and Tresham. Otairi, Oingo, and Glencoe are a trio from other quarters that have their chances tunefully warbled, and the first-named is whispered about as an especially dangerous candidate.

The duplication of horses' names leads to many annoyances. A case in point cropped up in connection with the Taka'puna Jockey Club's Winter Meeting. A horse was entered in the Maiden Hurdle Race under the title of May Day, and the handicapper concluding that the horse in question was identical with the gelding by Foulshofc located on the West Coast, awarded him lOst 81b, whereas it was an animal by Hippocampus. On the weights for the race in question making their appearance it was at once recognised that the handicapper had confused the two horses. The stewards considered the matter of allowing May Day to be rehandicapped, but while they were of opinion that they had a perfect right to do so it was found that an informality had been committed by the nominator in not sending a list of the horse's performances when he entered him. Under the circumstances it was therefore deemed the safest course to allow matters to rest as the handicap was cast, with the result that May Day was allowed to drop out of his engagement. The error is to bo regretted, but if it serves to show people that a duplication of names } means a loss, something will be gained.

After the decision of the Grandstand Handicap at Ellerslie on the last day of the A.R.C. Autumn Meeting, it was current talk that the fat was in the fire in a certain quarter over the victory of Landlock. A case of a disputed wager arising out of the race, came before the committee of Tattersall's last week, in which the owner of Landlock claimed a certain sum from a member of the ring. The evidence given has not, of course, been made public, but from the fact of the committee throwing out the claim and suspending two members of the ring, we are left to infer that they entertained strong opinions concerning the business. It remains to be seen whether the committee of Tattersall's Club will report the matter to the Auckland Racing Club authorities. If there are reasonable grounds for the assumption that a conspiracy existed that is a step that should be taken. If it effected no more than to show those who are not above resorting to questionable practices that their conduct is liable to be reviewed, such a step would serve a good purpose.

The breeding of bloodstock in Victoria seems to have no attractions for our noli men just now (writes the Australasian). The break-up of St. Albans is, of course, the greatest blow the industry in Victoria ever received, but since then other studs have come under Mr. Archie Yuille's hammer, and the best of our mares and horses have gone out of the State. The stud statistics published this week show The Admiral and Pilgrim's Progress in a very prominent place among the winning sires. The Admiral is dead, and now Pilgrim's Progress has been sold to New Zealand. ' Verily, the path is being well cleared for Wallace, who was a great bargain to Mr. J. V. Smi_th at 750 guineas. The only mistake Mr. Smith made was in not buying a few of the St. Albans mares after he got Wallace. Emmie, with Emir at foot, was sold at that sale for 425 guineas, and La Tosca. with F.J.A. at foot, was picked up for 280 guineas. In New South Wales and New Zealand there is quite a boom in breeding. Most of the mares sold at St. Albans went to New South Wales or New Zealand, and within the last two or three years The Officer, Finland, and Merriwee have gone to Maoriland as sires. Judging by the prices yearlings bring there, the thing is not being overdone. There is so much money to be won in stakes, thanks to the totalizator, that men can race in New Zealand without going to anything like the expense racing usott to cost when stakes were small and horses had to be backed.

The sentence of 10 years' disqualification passed upon Mr. F. A. Tennant over the M;»ori Chief-Evening Wonder ease (says the Australasian) means much more to him than disqualification meant to the Mata people. They were all racing for what they could make out of racing. Mr. Tennant is the son of one of the best respected men in South Australia, and, as far as we can learn, he only dabbled in racing for amusement, and was a very light bettor. The finding of tho stewards of the South Australian Jocke-p Club was as follows: "That F. A. Tennant bo formally charged with being guilty of a fraudulent practice on the turf of South Australia, that is to say, by doing an improper act with intent to deceive the handicapper and other persons by pretending that Evening Wonder was Maori Chief; also, with being guilty of a fraudulent practice on the turf in South Australia by entering a horse, namely, Maori Chief, by Te Kooti cut of Itotorua, for a race in South Australia, with intent to deceive the handicapper and other persons." In commenting on the case the Adelaide correspondent of the Australasian says:—When the decision of tho S.A.J.C. was announced the heavy sentence came as a surprise. The racing public did not take such an extreme view of the case as the S.A.J.C. committee has done. It will be seen from the resolution regarding the nominator and owner of Evening Wonder that the committee find that Evening Wonder was nominated at Onkaparinga under the name of Maori Chief. Such an act amounts to " ringing in," but in arriving at such a conclusion a good deal must be left to assumption, in the face of the fact that the real livening Wonder, correctly described as to pedigree, is also nominated in the same events under his proper name. Of course, none of the evidence taken at the inquiries i has been made public J

Mr. T. S. Clibborn. the secretary of the Australian Jockey Club, attributes the cause of many of the racecourse accidents to the fact that so many apprentices are allowed to ride. In referring to the subject, the Sydney Mail says:—The presence of incompetent" lads in a race undoubtedly constitutes a great element of danger, but the remedy is in the hands of the members of the A..1.0. Committee, who have the power to put an immediate stop to that practice. Apprentices are frequently put up when horses " go out for an airing" in order to save the expense of a capable rider, and a return of the number of embryo jockeys that have ridden in races during the current season in the metropolitan district would be interesting reading. In casting round for the probable causes of racecourse accidents the question of the minimum weight, in handicaps should not be overlooked. A few years ago one of the leading members of the A.J.C. made several attempts to have the minimum weight raised to 7sr, but, though he supported his proposal by strong argument and many facts. tho old order of things prevailed. A lad that can scale no more than 6st 71b has little chance of controlling a strong free-going horse, and, in nine cases out of ten, is a menace to the safety of the other riders in a race. With a 7st minimum a better class of riders would be ensured, for under tho present conditions numbers of capable horsemen are compelled to retire from the game owing to the limited number of mounts for which their services are required.

The Newcastle scale faking" is the biggest thing of its kind known in Australian turf history (says " Milroy"), but when Woodlands won the Hawkesbury Grand Handicap in 1878. and weighed in short and lost his connections a fortune, the incident caused a great sensation. The scales were afterwards discovered to be untrue, but Joe Silberberg and party had to pay. and all they received in turn was sympathy. When William Day and the late Fred. Swindell landed the Cambridgeshire in 1863 with Catch 'Em Alive, they were supposed to have taken more money out of the ring than was ever before paid over a big race, but in consequence of the scales refusing to weigh Catch 'Em Alive's ride), they had a very anxious time of it before they got the money. The incident is thus referred to by a writer of the time:—"The result completely stunned the bookmakers, and the scene of excitement that followed is almost without a parallel. But when the clerk of the scales refused to ' pass' S. Adams, the rider of Catch 'Em Alive, a counter furore was got up equally as boisterous, and the latter announcement was ' wired' over the country upon the heels of the result telegrams. It required some lOoz to make the scale drop to the proper poise; while the jockey of Merry Heart, the second, drew his proper weight. J. Grimshaw, who rode Summerside (third) was next scaled, and he failed to bring the scales level. An examination of the scale took place, when some very suspici-ous-looking pieces of lead were found attached to the scale adverse to the jockey; but which, on explanation, were said to bo necessary in order to equalise the scales. After some further parley Catch' 'Em Alive was proclaimed to be 'all right,' but Lord Westmoreland lodged a formal protest against the stakes being paid over in favour of the horse that came in first, and the Jockey Club, by a majority of 20 to 3, decided that the question was a fit subject for strict inquiry, and resolved to open the case, which was done; and, after a most searching investigation Catch 'Em Alive was declared the winner of the Cambridgeshire Stakes. Lord Westmoreland withdrew his protest, and the stakes were awarded to Catch 'Em Alive."

Mr. Hugo Friedlander had not to wait long after effecting the purchase cf the English sire Pilgrim's Progress to receive the pleasing information that another big race has fallen to a descendant of the Isonomy horse. At the South Australian Jockey Club's Autumn Meeting on Wednesday Inst the Adelaide Cup fell to Sojourner, a three-year-old son of Pilgrim's Progress, who carried Bst 31b home in front of the large field of 23 in record time. Just prior to the opening of the V.R.C. Spring Meeting in November last Sojourner put up some very attractive gallops on the Fiemington tracks, which caused his Melbourne Cup chance to be highly extolled, but, though he further encouraged his party in that, direction by annexing the Hotham Handicap on the opening day, he failed to show up prominently in the Cup contest, and figured amongst the also ran.

From Napier comes news of the death of Lady Florin, the daughter of Musket and Florin, who raced at Ellerslie as a two-year-old in the same season (18S6-87) as Niagara and Bangle. Matters looked so favourable for Lady Florin to earn distinction when she concluded her two-year-old career that Mr. George Ellis was tempted to buy her. The black mare probably won back her purchase money, but she did not score in any race of note. At the stud Lady Florin was at various times mated with L© Loup, Dreadnought, Jet d'Eau, and Captain Webb, but none of her produce have scored! what might be termed a noteworthy victory.

It transpires that Mr. W. alters was a purchaser at the recent sale of the Hon. J. D. Ormond's stock at Palmerston, the Papakura breeder securing the following trio of highly-bred matrons for GLenora Park: — Chestnut mare Spinnett (1892), by Le Loup Spinnaker, by —Spritsail, by Traclucer; served by Sir Lancelot. Chestnut mare Elf (1895), by Dreadnought— by Nordenfeldt— by Musket—Sylvia; served by The Officer. Bay mare Lustrous (1895), by Dreadnought— by Suwarrow—Topaz, by Fireworks Gem, by Maribyrnong—Chrysolite; served by The Officer.

King Edward (by Blairgowrie—Lady Emmeline), who was recently taken over to Victoria, distinguished himself at the Hamilton meeting by winning the Cup. King Edward defeated a field of half-a-dozen in good style, running the mile and a-half in 2m/425. When King Edward was racing in Maoriland he was of little use over a longer distance than six furlongs, so that we are left to conclude that the change of location in his case has tended to an improvement in form.

Owing to a typographical' error, a yearling filly by Isinglass from Helen's Tower has been credited with bringing more money than any other animal of her age, viz., 18.850 guineas. It was by public auction in 1901 that the youngster was sold for 1850 guineas, but by a mistake the amount was given in the next issue of Ruff's Guide" as 18,850 guineas. Subsequent issues of that work, however, ignore that statement, and credit Sceptre as being the highest-priced yearling ever sold, and she.realised 10,000 guineas.

The West Australian sportsman Mr. Darlot, part-owner of the promising two-year-old Ilopa, is at present on a visit to Auckland. Mr. Darlot has retained Mark Ryan to steer Ropa in his classic engagements at three years old, and that is a step that should count for much in the St. Leger gelding's favour, as the Queensland jockey has now a first place in his profession.

_ As a rule owners hailing from the aristocratic division in England name their horses appropriately. A rather noticeable exception has, however, to be noted this year in connection with the One Thousand Guineas. In a race confined to fillies one would hardly expect to find an entrant figuring with the title of Cockolorum. That name is in the list, and, what is more, a knight, in the person of Sir Edwin Cassel, is responsible for the freak in nomenclature.

On all hands Mr. Knight is considered to havo well concealed the winner of the- Empire Handicap, to be run at Takapuna today. In discussing the probabilities of the North Shore race with a keen judge (who. 1 may remark, witnesses a great deal of the training work at Ellerelie) yesterday, he selected no less than five of the ten horses engaged to have good winning chances, and then ho was not quite sure that he had the winner. My friend's selected five were Strathavon, Landloclc, Formula, Durable, and Matamataharakeke.

The following details of a novel dinner come from America:--Mr. 0. K. G. Billings, a Chicago millionaire, will celebrate the opening of tho stable he has built in New York at a cost of £40,000 with a novel dinner, to bo served and eaten on horseback. The dinner will cost £20 for each cover. The 36 guests will be booted and spurred, and will wear riding coats. A bed of roses will be laid as a centre-piece in the open court of the establishment, and a broad l>ordei of green sward will garnish the lied of roses. At the edge of the green sward 36 horses, the pick of Mr. Billings' stable, will be stationed. On the white satin saddle cloths, bearing the monogram of the Equestrian Club, specially upholstered saddles will rest. The trappings and bridles will be of heavy gold cord. There will be individual tables for the guests, 2ft square, and fastened securely to the front of the saddle. A groom will stand at the head of each horse to remind him of his table manners. A vaudeville perfoimanco will entertain the guests during the dinner, and the toasts will be given afterwards. Another season will probably see old Oarbine's name disappear from tho list of winning aires in Australia. His descendants have only annexed £240 this season. The descendants of Carbine's son Wallace show great aptitude for galloping, and the Musket horse will, as a result, receive an advertisement in that quarter. * J

BREVITIES. Haydn is progressing satisfactorily with his training. The Wanganui Jockey Club hold their winter meeting on Thursday and Friday iext. Owing to wet weather the Ashburt, n races have been postponed till Thursday a.d Friday next. Drnincree, the winner of the Liverpool Grand -National Steeplechase, was trninet by

Sir C. Nugent. Otairi is considered to have a really gooj chance of annexing the A.K.C Grand Na tional Hurdle Race. Carbine's best son, Wallace, figured tenth on the list of Australian winning sires at

the end of April. Seahorse's sister. Zealous, won the principal event at the Christchruch Racing Club's meeting on Saturday last. Mr. G. P. Donnelley has paid-up for his pair, Awahuri and (lingo, in the A.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race. Tupara, the four-year-old full brother to B-attleaxe, is to bo given a chancy to distinguish himself over hurdles. So far as the present English season has advanced, the descendants of Carbine have not achieved much distinction. The Torpedo gelding, Oingo, who is expected to make his debut as a hurdler shortly, is stated to be a proficient fencer. Tho first race at the Takapuna Jockey Club's meeting to-day is fixed to be started punctually at a-quarter to one p.m. An acceptance of 22 out of an entry of 28 is an excellent record in connection with the A.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race.

Dayntree was out following the I'akuranga Hounds on Saturday. The gray son of Castor came to grief at a tricky fence, but escaped unhurt.

The Brocklesby Stakes the first two-year-old race of the season in England—was won by a gelding by Orvieto, who started a rank outsider, and beat the favourite in handsome style. Bewitcher, who finished third in the last Sydney Cup, is evidently considered valuable property, as when priced recently by a wouldbe buyer from India 2030 guineas was asked for him.

There are not many of Carbine's descendants at the jumping game. Uncle Henry, a six-year-old gelding by Carbine, won a maiden hurdle race in tho Old Country on March 24.

The Australian-bred sire Abercorn was credited with his first winner in England recently, but it was only a paltry selling plate that went down to the credit of one of his descendants.

Mr. Hugo Friedlander, who recently added the imported sire Pilgrim's Progress to his stud at Ashburton, has fixed tho fee to bo charged for the services of the Isonomy horse at 30 guineas. Sojourner and Avalon, who finished first and second respectively in the Adelaide Cup on Wednesday last, came home in that order in the Hotham Handicap, run at Flemington in November last.

Over Norton, who won the Lincolnshire Handicap this year, was sold a week before the race for 800 guineas, with a proviso that if he won the Lincolnshire an additional 400 guineas would be paid. The Australian-bred gelding Kiora, who, with his shipmate, Olicsney, was wrecked off Capetown on the way to England in 1899, won the Ashton Steeplechase at the Haydock Park March Steeplechase Meeting.

Matamataharakeke won the T.J.C. Birthday Handicap undei the same weight (7st 21b) as she figures in the Empire Handicap, which. event is the same, except in name, as the leading event run at the T.J.O. Winter Meeting last year.

London advices to hand state that the King's colt Mead has teen well backed for the Derby. It goes without saying that a third puce-ess for His Majesty in the blue riband of the turf this year would arouse unbounded enthusiasm.

In order to prevent any tampering with the scales in the future the authorities of a racing club in New South Wales have decided to place a strong steel plate on the floor underneath the weighing machine on the morning of each race day.

Mr. T. Butler, who recently purchased The Imp for shipment to South Africa, sent a letter to the A.11.C. Committee last week asking for the removal of the disqualification existing against tho Exchange gelding. The matter was referred to the stewards.

Nonefcte is looking in fine buckle to take on active work directly Frank Macmanemin decides on that course. The son of Seaton Delaval's legs look perfectly sound, and matters may be said to bear a most hopeful aspect for his surviving another strong preparation. An interesting little stranger made his appearance recently at the Motto Farm Stud in New South Wales, the Ladas mare Lacrosse, who was purchased in England a few months ago, foaling a colt to Martagon. The latter is a son of Bend Or, sire of the triplecrown hero, Flying Fox.

Flotsam, who acted as runner-up to Rock Sand in the Two Thousand Guineas, distinguished himself on Wednesday last by winning the Newmarket Stakes, which event was run "across tno flat'' at the old racing was run "across the flat" at the old racing centre.

According to "Milrov." of the Svdney Mail, the descendants of Lochiel have won since 1898 no less than 756 races of the value of £75,842. Adding in the sum credited to the descendants of the Prince Charlie horse prior to that date, his winning total is brought well within reach of £100,000.

Steadfast (by Nordenfeldt—Nelly Moore), who onc»L beat, Marvel in a weight-for-age race at Flemington, was recently sold in West Australia for 30s. Steadfast is a halfbrother to Lochiel, and when he achieved his success over the "whirlwind galloper" he carried the colours of the late Mr. W. R. Wilson.

Dolores shaped nicely in a schooling gallop over the small sticks at Ellerslie during the present week. Dolores is the aged daughter of Freedom and Scotch Mist who raced in the early part of the season under the name of Maid of Honour. She is engaged in the Maiden Hurdle Race to be run at Takapuna to-day.

Sceptre, the bright particular star last season on the English turf, suffered defeat in her first engagement oil the present season. Under 9st lib she was considered to have a good chance of annexing the Lincolnshire Handicap, for which race she was backed down to ?to 1. She could not, however, get nearer than fifth.

The New South Wales studmaster, Mr. H. C. "White, is in receipt of a letter from Professor Smith, a famous English veterinary surgeon, who has made artificial impregnation a special study, and has a large practice in. his branch of the profession among English breeders. Mr. Smith operated upon Georgic for Mr. White, and the result is a fine Melton foal.

All going well with Treadmill and Toaiorrow, Sir George Clifford will hold a very strong hand in the classic events next season, and in tho course of a private letter from a friend in Canterbury the first-named is put forward as a colt that will be found equal to clearing the board of all the three-year-old events without much trouble. •

An interesting fact mentioned by "Milroy," of the Sydney Mail, in connection with the importation of the English sire Orzil to New South Wales is that the son of Ayrshire was presented in England to Mr. Pat. Osborne, jun., by Mr. L. Brassey. The first throe descendants of Orzil to face the starter in Australia, won their engagements, and " Milroy" doubts if any sum would tempt Mr. Osborne to pan with the English-bred horse.

They bet hoayily at Johannesburg (South Africa). Particulars of the opening day of the Johannesburg Turf duos Autumn Meeting show that though an army of bookmakers operated the totalisator handled £24,000 during the day. For the principal race, the Johannesburg Autumn Handicap, 14- horses ran, amongst the number being the Auckland-bred mare San Patricia. The race fell to the English-bred horse Bonnie Dundee.

I WAKGANUI JOCKEY CLUB'S WINTER MEETING. [BY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION'.] WANGANTJI. Friday. The following are the acceptances for the Wanganui Jockey Club'is Winter Meeting: — WANGANUI STEEPLECHASE. About three miles.Haydn 11.9. Awahnri 11.4, Scallywag 10.12, Pipi 10.7, Jack 0' Lantern 10.0, Cronje 9.0. Light 9.7. CENTURY HURDLES. Two miles and a distance.—Waiwera 12.3, Mars 11.3. Haydn 10.10, Awahuri 10.9, Otairi 10.4, Glencoe 10.0, Kohunui 10.0. Lady Bell 9.10. Fakir 9.7, Merry Bo» 9.0. RaRB 9.0. GRANDSTAND STEEPLECHASE. About two miles and a-ha-lf.--Sca-llywae 11.6, Pipi 11.2, Jack 0' Lantern 10.7, Cronje 9.9. FLYING STAKES. Six furlongs.—Westsaiard 9.13, Chasseur 8.5, Crusoe 8.0, Exffibor 7.12. Hard work 7.11. Regulation 7.7. Full Cry 7.7, Glory 7.6. Black Reynard 7.6, Optimist 7.2, Black-wins? 7.0. Kidbroolt 6.12, Shrapnel Shell 6.12. Warwick 6.10. HUNTERS' STEEPLECHASE. About three miles.—Old Gun 12.12, Perore 11.0, Great Shot 11.0. FIRST HACK HURDLES. One mile and three-quarters.—-ao.lC. Ranui 10.4, lli<?h--low 9.10. Martinique 9.5. Cavalcade 9.3, Nat Gould 9.0, Banana 9.0. Tom Flyn 9.0. PURDA HACK FLAT. One mile and a distance.— 9.5. Rullarat 3.4, Inglewood 3.4, Waimoe 8.0, Endeavour 8.0. Handsome Rose 8.0. Waireka 7.10. Katerina 7.5„ Paritutu 7.5, Opaeae 7.3. Rapids 7.2, Tirole 7.2, Tarnbourina 7.2. Pistola 7.0. MAIDEN RACK RACE. Six furlongs.— mestic 8.12. Mootoropuku 8.12. Komuhu 8.12. Artificer 8.11, Tirole 8.11. Firelight 8.11, Lord Olive 8.10, Black Squall 8.8, Fire-.way 8.8. Maureen 8.8. Paritutu 8.7. Commonwealth 8.7, Position 8.7, Victoria Park 7.4, Oasis 7.3.