SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12278, 23 May 1903, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. Way 21 and 22-Wansanni Jockey Club. Mav 30 June 3 and 6—Auckland Racing Club. Tune 3'and 6-Duuedin Jockey Club. Tune 10 and North Otago Jockey Club. June 24 and Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. DATES OF COMING EVENTS. TViiv 30-Great Northern Steeplechase. Tune 3-Grand National Hurdle Race. June 25—Hawke's Bay Steeplechase. July 1— Napier Park Steeplechase. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Eltham.— can find no mention in the Turf Register of the name you mention. FTXBHSHE.-Princess of Thule (lOst 61b) finished third in the Great Northern Steeplechase last year. nn _ . . Cannongate carried list Bib in toe firpit Northern Steeplechase last year, and toished fourth. He won the Tally-ho and Winter Steeplechases at the same meeting raider 12s 21b and 12at respectively. NOTES BY PHAETON. A SHORT time back it was rumoured that the country racing clubs about the Waikato and the goldfields townships contemplated holding a conference in order to talk over matters and endeavour to arrive at an understanding so that a greater measure of success may be secured in the conduct of the various meetings in future. A meeting of delegates duly came off at Te Aroha on Saturday last, and it is pleasing to bo able to say that there was strong evidence of a desire to pull together. The handicapping question was one of the topics brought up for discussion, and the unanimity prevailing on that important question shows that the delegates are fully alive to the necessity for one man being appointed to perform the duties. It is computed that a salary of £100 a year can be offered, and though that is not a lavish sum it can be voted satisfactory for a start. The question of arrangements as to dates was considered, and it is to be hoped that matters under that heading will be so mapped out as to not only benefit the clubs concerned, but to be of advantage to horseowners. Judging from the report of the conference, matters went very smoothly, and there seems every reason for the hope to be expressed that the various clubs clearly discern the advantages of combined action at least on the question of handicapping and the non-clashing of dates.

The unfortunate accident that befell Royal ; Conqueror at the Takapuna meeting on Saturday, which necessitated his being destroyed, removes a noteworthy performer from the racing track. The son of Flintlock went out for his last race with T. Wilson who has, I think, ridden him in all his races over the battens— his back, so that it was a case of both rider and horse being thoroughly acquainted with each other. In taking off at the second hurdle Royal Conqueror misjudged the distance, and', jumping into the obstacle, he broke his near foreleg. It was at once seen that the case was a hopeless one, and a fowlingpiece being obtained the unfortunate animal was put out of his misery. Royal Conqueror, who was an aged son of Flintlock and Ladybird, put up an excellent record over the battens last season, and the sum (£1280) which he annexed constitutes the best record from a stake point of view that has been credited to a jumper in this colony in one season. The most noteworthy victory gained by Royal Conqueror was in the A.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race, run at Ellerslie last June, and he followed that success up by annexing the principal hurdle race at the Wellington Racing Club's Winter Meeting._ _ Royal Conqueror had been out of commission for several months, but he was coming on splendidly, and Mr. T. "V» ylie had good reason to view the future .most hopefully for the Flintlock gelding. I don't know that Royal Conqueror was priced of late, but it may be doubted if £300 would have tempted Mr. Wylie to part with his horse prior to his being saddled up for his last race on Saturday.

Saturday next will witness the inauguration of the North New Zealand Grand National Meeting at Ellerslie, and now that the Wanganui Jockey Club's winter gathering has been numbered with events of the past we may expect a greater amount of interest to be manifested in the Auckland fixture. Awahuri having mastered the stiff country at Wanganui at the first time oi asking, the chance of the big son of Kaiwhaka is bound ti> be widely extolled for the Great Northern Steeplechase. Though the country at Ellerslie is very different to that over which Awahuri won at Waneanui, I see no reason to question his ability to successfully negotiate the Great Northern course, and in the event of Mr. Donnelly's horse being quite himself we may expect to see him take a big hand in the settlement of the question nextSaturday. Cannongate is striding along in good style in his work, and the fact of his knowing every inch of the ground will be' sure to stand to him. Princess of Thule demonstrated at Talcapuna. that she is very well, and, that being so, she is entitled' to a place amongst the probables- As to the Grand National Hurdle Race, that event, it is regrettable to relate, has undergone a reduction by the- death of Royal Conqueror and Glencoe, but 20 horses still remain to battle it out, and we can apparently look forward to a stirring content. On all hands the issue is voted most open, and the question of favouritism is still a matter of doubt. Mars, who won at Wanganui yesterday, will have his original impost increased by 51b, but list 91b still leaves him with a good winning chance. Though Otairi failed in the Century Hurdle Race at Wanganui, the son of Kempenfeldt ran sufficiently well to demonstrate that he is an eligible candidate for Grand National honours. Trcsham is striding along nicely, and should he continue to go on the right way he will be dangerous.

The 123 rd Derby is set down for decision on Wednesday next at Epsom. A cablegram to hand from London this week shows that Sir James Miller's colt. Rock Sand, who opened his three-year-old career last month by winning tho Two Thousand Guineas, continues a strong favourite for the blue riband', odds of 6 to 4 being laid on his ability to win. A spice of international interest is apparently to be imported' into tho Derby contest this year. The French sportsman, M. Blanc, has a colt named Vinicius engaged, and the fact that that animal rules second favourite may be. taken as somewhat conclusive evidence that the owner of the Chanlilly Stud entertains strong hopes of being able to worst the representatives of John Bull on their own ground. It may be remarked that 38 years have sped their flight since Gladiateur carried Count Lagrange's colours home in front for the Derby, which was the first and only occasion that a French-bred colt has scored in the blue riband contest.

A special meeting of the committee of Tattcrsall's Club was held on Saturday last for the purpose of considering an application for a rehearing of tho ease in which two pfncillers were recently suspended. I understand that one of the pencillors made a statemc.it to the effect that he alone was involved in a certain interview that took place with a certain horseowner. The committee, however, decided not to disturb their previous finding. Regarding this case, I understand that the committee of Tattersail's Club contented themselves by simply reporting to the A.R.C. the fact that they had suspended the two members referred to. The authorities of the metropolitan body however, requested certain other information, and the stewards of the A.R.C. yesterday opened an inquiry. After some evidence had been taken the inquiry was adjourned until Tuesday next, at half-past seven p.m.

Under ordinary circumstances no one could wish to see such good sportsmen as tho Messrs. Duder lose a race, but there are not a few who consider that such should have occurred in connection with the Hack Handicap, declared at Takapuna on Wednesday last. The objection lodged by the owner of Rapid against the race going to Black and Gold on the grounds that Buchanan, the rider of the latter, had interfered with his mare was not moved on what could be said the win, tie, or wrangle principle, for I am bound to say (and I was watching matters very closely) there were excellent grounds for his action. The stewards having disallowed the objection, Buchanan ,che rider of Black and Gold) can, I suppose, claim an acquittal of foul riding, and under the circumstances he may be said to be in a strong position. All the same. I should advise him to bo careful as to his future conduct, for there are such things as over-smart riders coming to grief.

The English sire Pilgrim's Progress being now included amongst the horses owned in iNew Zealand, the performances of his descendants will be watched with the keenest interest by M.iorilanders. In my notes last week I "made mention of the fact_ that Sojourner and Rapid Pilgrim, who finished first and third respectively in the Adelaide Cup, were got by him, and another brace of important victories has to be credited to his descendants at the South Australian meeting. In the Elder Stakes Lieutenant Bill scored a victory, and in the S.A.J.C. Handicap Rapid Pilgrim and Lieutenant Bill came home in that order at the head of the field Pilgrim's Progress has arrived at his now' home at Ashburton, Canterbury, and is' stated to be currying his 14 years remarkably well.

There can be no question that the large number of accidents that occurred in the Maiden Hurdle Race, run on the opening day of the Takaouna Jockey Club s meeting, was largely due to the fact that many of the horses were deficient in jumping education. Remarkable to relate, however, it devolved upon a veteran jumper in the shape of Sudden to make the initial fall, and the accident that befell Royal Conqueror while contesting the principal hurdle race later on in the day was another instance of a wellpractised jumper being beaten in negotiating a fence. A complaint I heard made against the hurdles used at Takapuna is that they are too straight. For some time past the hurdles used at Ellerslie are made with a fall, which, it is easy to imagine, is very much in favour of a horse getting over the obstacle in safety. The authorities of the T.J.C. are always prepared to take hints in a good spirit, and I therefore place this matter of hurdles before them in the full expectation that they will make the alteration suggested.

The Sou'-wester gelding known as Puffing Billy has been a bit of a butt for racegoers for several seasons, but in the decision of the Maiden Steeplechase at Takapuna on Saturday last Billy succeeded in extricating himself "from the ranks of the duffer brigade. No great amount of merit may be attached to the victory gained by Puffing Billy at the North Shore, for the company ho was op posed to was of a very mediocre character, still this much can be said— answered the question in decent style when he was required to negotiate the water-jump the second time, and that he stuck to his task gamely when required to. settle The Pullaek in the concluding stage of the contest. I do not know that everyone will be prepared to take off their hat to Puffins Billy when next Fie makes his appearance on the convincingground, but, anyway, he cannot now be referred to as a horse that has nevor won a race.

After her race in the Britannia Handicap at Takapuna on Wednesday hist Idas passed into the hands of George Wright, who purchased the little daughter of Seaton Delaval from Mrs. Lennard. With only one race to her credit and a deal of inferior form down against her name, sometimes under the minimum weight, there is not, it must bo said, much reason to paint the future in a roseate hue for Idas, but, maybe, a change of quarters may bring a change of luck for the little mare, and I hope to have to chronicle that George Wright has found her a profitable purchase.

Peter Chaafe landed old Nor'-west at the post in good buckle when the old son of Sou'wester was sat to tackle the Steeplechase at Takapuna on Wednesday. The veteran 'chaser wa3 found flattering the hopes of his admirers when they crossed the water the last time, but he was in trouble when the last half-mile came to be entered upon, and Princess of Thule beat him in very comfortable style over the last bit. Nor'west made several faulty jumps during the race, and though he can still muster up a fair dash of pace I fancy that he has become a little tired of the game.

The three-year-old Spalpeen, of whose possible relegation to the ranks of the jumpers I made mention some few weeks back, made his debut at the illegitimate game at Takapuna on Saturdav last, when ho was sent out to contest the Maiden Hurdle Race, in the decision of which bad luck attended him. The son of Gossoon may not have won in a true race, but had he escaped a collision with Dolores when the latter rose after coming to grief at tho last fence, he would, I fancy, have scored. Spalpeen charged the obstacles with all the confidence* of a veteran, and from a jumping point of view it might be said that he acquitted himself without room for any fault finding.

The particulars of the sale of the celebrated mare Sceptre, which was reported some few weeks back in England, are now to hand. The daughter of Persimmon has been sold to Captain W. A. Hamar Ba3S, the price being £20,000, with contingencies. There are (says " Robin Hood") £4000 more if she wins the Ascot Cup, which, I should think, as far as monetary value goes, is rather more than the stakes will be worth, and £2000 if she lands either of the three "ten thousand pounders." The purchasei is a son of the Mr. Hamar Bass who died some three years ago. He owned a few good racehorses, Rustieus being, perhaps, his bes; winner, although be also won the Ascot Cup with Love Wisely in 1896. . The deceased sportsman was, however, better known in the coursing world than the racing. The present owner of Sceptre is in the Tenth Hussar 3, and is now with his regiment in India. It was first announced that the mare was to continue under the charge of Mr. Sievier. but the London Sportsman says thai this is not so, but that she will now be trained by Alec Taylor, of Manton. It is by no means unlikely that Sceptre will prove a profitable purchase for her present owner. She was passed . '.' perfectly sound" before the sale was concluded, and, with her highclass engagements for this year, and her subsequent value as a brood mare, should, with that all-important factor in racing matters, a bit of luck, prove a by no means bad speculation.

An Aucklander at present on tour in America sends me some interesting particulars re turf matters in the land of the Stars and Stripes, from which I clip the following:—"I went to a race meeting on St. Patrick's Day. It was held at Emeryville, a little wav from San Francisco. I did not see the whole meeting. I missed some of the preliminary races, as they started operations on November 15, about three months before I left Auckland. I shall not seo the finish. It is expected to wind up somewhere about March 2. The first thing that struck me was that there was no gras3 on the course. As my card, however, said, this was the 105 th day— believe they stop on Sundays— did not marvel. They do not ring a bell. Two buglers march out, play a martial note, and forth come with exemplary punctuality the horses in their numerical order, and this, perhaps, is a point worth noting. They do not have a preliminary canter in the sense in which we use that word. Between races nondescript negroes and other small articles of humanity in fearful and wonderful garb madly race their quadrupeds round the course. I saw a notice, quite the funniest I have ever seen on a course, I think. It said: 'Owners who send their horses out one day hot and another day cold will have their entries refused.' I stared at this for a moment, and then it slowly dawned upon me that it was not. the horse's financial, but his physical, condition that was referred to. So to carry this out they do warm them up. »ve would consider it a race out of them. As I told you, tho track is all mud. It is banked at all sharp turns, and between races men come out with teams and harrows and perform agricultural operations on the soil. The judge's box is right in front, in the middle of the grandstand, and the weighing-room (a mere cage) under it, with the only entrance from the muddy course. Directly a race is over a crowd of dirty-looking stable employees, armed with rug 3 and other stable requisites and dressed in anything but the height of even stable fashion, troop down (he course and tho jockeys off-saddle in the middle of the course and plough their way through the mud to their room. The bookmakers never yell. They have a cashier and a box something like a large roofless coffee stall, which lends quite an air of stability to them. They do lots of business and make no row. There is. of course, no totalisator. I went principally to watch the American scat, and am more than ever convinced of the bad principles underlying it, and that it will before long be abandoned. I saw a very striking instance of the helplessness of a jockey using this seat. He was riding a good race close to the winning-post, when he lost his stirrup, and this upset his equilibrium to such an extent that he pulled his horse riffht across the course and lost what looked like a fairly good chance of winning. A jockey using the ordinary seat could not have made such a, bad mistake unless coupled with very bad riding. The saddling paddock is a shed under cover with 20 boxes in it, and the horses inhabit the boxes according to their —another innovation which might be worth the attention of. the A.R.C. The horses come out and go straight to the post, and having been made physically, if not otherwise, hot no time is wasted while the boys disport themselves on the course. This is the leading course of the State, and I would not give it and its appointments a place alongside Ellerslie, Fl^. ; ngton, or Randwiek, and be thankful wo have no such meetings. _ This one is a 150 days' meeting. I am afraid by the time one had gone through that all ideas of sport would have been knocked out of him. With us the sport of kings still retains much of the elements of true sport— least on the part of those who patronise it. Here it is dead earnest business. lam glad to say. howover, that there was something to admire. The horses are a good class, taking them all round, and are turned out well. Many of the jockeys wear trousers made of a material like yellow oilskin—oiled silk I was told it was. This has a very dirty appearance, and not infrequently ftko top half harmonised with the lower, and then this get-up, added to the monkev-on-s-stiek business, does not tend to make a pretty picture. Owners who send their horses out one day hot and another day cold will have their entries refused —I commend this rule to tho committee of the Auckland Rac- , ins Club."

BREVITIES. The English Derby is set down for decision on Wednesday next. Cock of the Roost is the title of one horse engaged in this year's English Derby. Advices from North Queensland announce the death of the stallion Martini-Henry. Durable has put up three wins and a brace of seconds in his last five tries under silk. _ Rovcaler is only a little fellow, but he is pretty solid, and may see a better day beforo long. George Wright has purchased Idas, the three-year-old daughter of Seaton Delaval The Sylvia Park gelding. Durable lias registered three successive wins for his owner during the past fortnight. The second volume of the "New Zealand Studbook ' is now in print, and will bo pub- ; lished about the end of June. Blaircarrig, who has been on the retired list for some time, made his reappearance on Saturday last at the Takapuna meeting. iiipstone, the half-brother to Explosion, has been entered for the Tally-ho Steeplechase, to be decided «t Ellerslie next month. The stallion Cadiz ,/y Nelson—Hestia) is to be offered by auction at the Havmarket on ..ednesday next by Messrs. A. Buckland and Sons. The Needle figures amongst the entrants for the Maiden Hurdle Race and Campbell Hurdle Race, which events are set down for decision at Ellerslie shortly. . Soult's winning record this week received a further addition by the brace of successes registered by Marshal Soult ana Green anu Gold at the Takapuna meeting. Welbeck, who acted as runner-up to Halberdier in the last New Zealand Cup, and of whose breakdown last month we heard from Canterbury, is to be fired. The English-bred stallion Pilgrim's Progress, purchased in Melbourne recently by Mr. Huto Friedlander, of Canterbury, has arrived at his new home in the South Island. The hurdler Bellman figures amongst the entrants for the Maiden Welter Handicap to be decided on the opening clay of the North New Zealand Grand National Meeting. Backers Have so many fancies for the A.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race that would be a difficult matter at this stage to state what horse is favourite for that event between half-a-dozen.

The Australian-bred gelding Kiora, who, with his shipmate, Cnesney. was wrecked oft Capetown on the way to England in 1899, won the Ashton Steeplechase at the Hayuock Park March Steeplechase Meeting. At the Takanuna Winter Meeting Dolores put up a like record to that registered by Tresham at the same gathering last year, viz., a fall in the Maiden Hurdle Race and a win in the Second Hurdle Race. Of the 10 mares put to San Francisco in his first season, eight show unmistakable signs of being in foal. The pair that have proved barren are Charente (dam of Nonette) and Jade-stone (dam of Explosion). Awahuri and Princess of Thulo have each incurred a 51b penalt- for the Great Northern Steeplechase, and in the Grand National Hurdle Race Mars, Dolores, and Princess of Thule are penalised to a like extent. London advices to hand state that the King's colt Mead has been well backed for the 'Derby. It goes without saying that a third success for His Majesty in the blue riband of the turf this year would arouse unbounded enthusiasm.

It is stated that Bellman is likely to be tried over country this season. The Tetford gelding has shown himself to be a really good horse over the small sticks, but he is a difficult horse to restrain, and that circumstance may tell against him over a long course. The weights for the Maiden Steeplechase, Maiden Welter Handicap, Maiden Hurdles, Cornwall Handicap, and Remuera Hurdle Race' to be run en the opening day of the North New Zealand Grand National Meeting, will be declared by Mr. Evett on Monday next. Strathavon flattered the hopes of his followers for a short distance in the initial stages of the Empire Handicap contest at Takapuna on Saturday last, but he soon went into the rear, the heavy going and the fact of his being loaded with Bst 121b apparently puzzling him. The Auckland-bred Moußquetaire (by Nordenfeldt—Frailty), who was exported from New Zealand to England by Mr. Spencer Gollan, has been sold b- that gentleman to a French breeder. So far Mousquetaire, who cost Mr. Gollan 2200 guineas as a yearling, has failed to sire anything of note. Prior to winning the Adelaide Cup Sojourner was badly defeated in the S.A.J.C. St. Leger Stakes, and there was a bit of hullabaloo over his reversal of form when lie walked home in front for .the Cup in record time. The running was, however, proved to be perfectly genuine so far as the owner was concerned. 111-luck attended Dayntree in his first effort in public over hurdles. The gray son of Castor injured his near shoulder so badly when he came down at the fourth hurdle in the Maiden Hurdles at Takapuna on Saturday last that it was with difficulty he was got to the paddock. I am afraid that Dayntree can be written out for all winter engagements. If half what is stated be true, there was some evidence of foul riding in the Pony Handicap on the last day of the Takapuna meeting. I heard it stated (but I can hardly credit it) that a complaint was lodged, but that the stewards failed to move. Any evidence of foul riding should bo firmly stamped out, and stewards with a full sense of their responsibilities should never consider it time wasted to deal with complaints on that head.

THE TAKAPUNA MEETING. [by phaeton.] Though a shrinkage in totalisator receipts has to be voted, the Takapuna Jockey Club have, all things considered, reason to be satisfied with the measure of success scored in connection with their winter meeting. On each day showery weather was in evidence, but the popularity of the meetings held at the marine suburb stood the T.J.C. in good' stead, a goodly crowd of visitors being present cn each day to assist in. the gathering. During the two days the sum of £14,071 was handled at the totalisator, which represents a shrinkage of £1584 on the sum handled at the corresponding meeting last year. Sport on the opening day opened with the Maiden -Hurdle Race, and. in. a field of 14 Dolores was made favourite. Matters looked all right for the Freedom mare to score when the last hurdle came- to be negotiated, but a faulty jump brought her to grief, and when Spalpeen, who was running immediately in her wake, collided with the favourite, and unseated his rider, a fresh complexion was put upon matters, Gilnockie being thus enabled to come on and score an easy victory. The race will long be remembered for the number of accidents that occurred, only six of the 14 contestants finishing the course. Maoriland, a five-year-old gelding, was sorted out as the likely one to score in the Maiden Handicap, but he never got with the leaders, and it was left to Soult fish and Swagsman to fight out an exciting finish, which terminated in favour of the first-named by a neck. The Pony Handicap was popularly summed up in favour of Whawhai. The son of Soult was, however, always nearer the tail end of the field than the head, and Forth ran home a comfortable winner from Sweet Mario and Inspiration. As Forth carried 9st 71b, his recent performance clearly places him amongst the best of his class racing in Auckland. The Empire Handicap, which was the big event of the afternoon, brought out a field of ten, and in what was considered to bo a very open race, Durable had a slight call in the betting. The Sylvia Park gelding was always well up towards the front, and taking command two furlongs from home, he stayed it out and won in good style from Formula, who finished gamely under punishment from the head of the straight. Durable having won a double at the Egmont meeting the week previous, that furnished a good tip to backers, and the free manner in which the Sylvia Park gelding handled himself in the heavy going showed that he is a really good horse in mud. Strathavon, who started second favourite, was one of the disappointments of the race. He was quickly in the rear guard, and after the first couple of furlongs never succeeded in getting near the front. Evidently the heavy going puzzled Strathavon. The Hurdle Race attracted a field of eight, Haydn, whose first appearance since summer it was, being made a strong favourite. Pursuinsr his old tacyes, Bellman acted the role of pacemaker, but at the end of a mile and throe-furlongs he was in distress, and Haydn and Princess of Thule were found racing each other for the lead at the seventh hurdle. The Princess fairly outjumped her opponent, and though Haydn finished pamely under punishment, the daughter of Lord of the Isles had his measure all the way down the straight. Of the halfdozen that went out to contest the Maiden Steeplechase Marine was the one singled out for special attention. He was found flattering the hopes of his admirers when the last mile came to be entered upon, but a faulty jump fit the post-and-rails brought him to grief, and the quadruped rejoicing in the farcical name of Puffing Billy scored an overdue victory for his patient owner. Had Marino stood up he'would, I fancy, have supplied the winner. Though it could not bo said Austerlitz had the best of the weights in the Royal Handicap with Bst 101b, the little daughter of Soult was installed favourite for the fivefurlong race. She gave her followers a good run, but Cygnet beat her over the last bit, and victory rested with the latter by a neck.

St. Olga, who was assisting in cutting out the running, got knocked out «* her stride after a couple of furious* h*!i been covered, and she- was never «fw wards dangerous. w * On the second day the Hack Handiear, *.. the first event to claim the attention % backer,. Black and Gold (who up «n\l?■ meeting was known as Bugler) wa , btc £f as though the race was all over. The son f Cuirassier succeeded in his task, hut it w a mighty close thing between victory «ui defeat, for he only scratched homo bv a h»«3 from the pony Rapid, and there arel, grounds for believing that under a di'ffe-ent set of circumstances the verdict would ha gone the other way by something more th ' a head. With the course in the Hard! Race a-quarter of a mile shorter than on th* opening day. Bellman, under list 51b w ,. made favourite. The first hurdle proved fatal to the chance, of the old son of Tet ; ford, for, running down the fence, he trimjad and fell. After Sudden had carried on th« running for the greater part of the way Do lores headed him. and, though the Freedom mare made a faulty jump at the sixth hurdle she always had the best of Sudden in the run home. When backers got to work on the Britannia Handicap they made it a close thing for the position of favourite between Durable, Marshal Soult, and Landlook. There was an impression in certain quarters that Marshal Soult could not quite get a mile but the son of Soult settled that little argument very decisively in his favour, for he was in front from start to finish, and won hit race in quite attractive style from Durable After a long spell of ill-luck, St. Loandi credited Mr. _ Friedlander with the Pony Handicap, which event she won from end to end. Backers save Green and Gold pre. ferenco for the Victoria Handicap, and she very completely justified the confidence reposed in her, for she jumped off in front and stayed there throughout A rare little galloper is the sisiter to Wairiki. and. though a marc of beautiful action, she seemed to fairly revel in the- heavy going. In a field of seven that was saddled up tor the Steeplechase Nor'-west was made favourite. The old fellow was found flattering the hopes of his admirers when they crossed the water the last time, but he was throwing out signals of distress when the last hall-mile came to be tackled, and Princess of Thule bent him easily. The daughter of Lord of the Isles was making the pace pretty well all the way, and her performance was a. very satisfactory one viewed from any standpoint. It was left to the Welter Handicap, which event closed the programme, to furni«u the surprise par excellence of the meeting. Zuleika was the popular fancy, but she never' showed'up at tho head of the field, and it was left to the much-despised Corporal to win his race in decent style from Paul Seaton. As Corporal was beaten out of a pb.ee on the openingday in the Maiden Handicap there was good cause to doubt his ability to score, but there is no reason to doubt the genuineness of his form on the opening day. The number of accidents that took place in the jumping events on the opening day tended to somewhat mar the enjoyability of the gathering, but as aorainst that there were many pleasant incidents, and the authorities of the T..T.C. can still boast of one of the most popular fixtures in the North Island. Tho following is a list of the winning paymerits mode over the meeting:— M Deeble. £335: Mr. ,T. George. £195; Mr W. Walters. £130; Mr. W. J. Barton, £90Mr. J. Arnaboldi, £90; Mr. L. Marshall £90; Mr. N. Bunks. £90: Mr. P. MeKenzie, £65; Mr. F. Zimmerman, £60: Mrs. T. Cotton, £55; Mr. R. Hannon, £55: Mr. H Friedlander. £50; Messrs. R, and 11. Duder, £50; Mr. J. C. Colbeok, £30; Mr. A. McMillan. £20: Mr. R. Hynes, £10: Mr. M. Whitelaw, £10; Messrs. Davis and Maemanemin, £20; Mr. ,T. Reginald, £10: Mr. W. Howard. £10: Mr. J. Ellisdon, £10; Mr. R. Cecil, £?.0; Mrs. J. Lennard. £5; Mr. J. Jack. £10; Mr. J. Marshall, £10: total, £1520.