SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12609, 25 June 1904, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. ''Jul* 7, B—Gisbome Racing Club..'. * " '"■'', P : . July 13, Wellington Baclng Club. DATES OF COMING EVENTS. June 23—Kapler Steeplechase. July Wellington Steeplechase. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. AKGUMEST, Hotorua Medallist was raced in England, but never succeeded in winning any event there. He ha* been awarded the King's premium as a sire for two years In succession. C.G., Mutakohe.— usual custom is to submit the question of "plumping" to the meeting of members, and the vote given decides the matter. If no vote is taken on the question, then it is allowable for a member to strike out as many names as lie likes. Tahanaki 1. Bcgel is three years older th»n Sylvia Park. The first-named was foaled in 1887, and the latter in 1890. 2, It was during the running of the Auckland Cup of 1880 that John Nolan met his de»th by a fall from Libeller. Foul Play won the cup that year. It was iu the following year that King Quail won. »

NOTES BY PHAETON. Information comes from Christchurch to the effect that Mr. Jeffs, the owner of Petrovna, has given notice of appeal against the decision of the Canterbury Jockey Club Committee in the recent case submitted to them (in which he claimed the stakes attaching to the Criterion Handicap, paid to Mr. Stead as the owner of Bagpipes, on the ground that the Salter's rider, F. D. Jones, was unlicensed), and in tho course of a few days we should be-apprised of the attitude which Sir George Clifford, as chairman of the Racing Conference, will deem it necessary to take up. It may perhaps be. contended that Mr. Stead occupies a slightly different position to Mr. J. B. Reid in his relations with the rider Jones, but if we are to accept as correct the statement made over and over again that Jones is indentured to R. J. Mason, and that it has been conclusively proved that at the time he was riding in. those races which form the subject of objections he neither held a license as apprentice or as a jockey, it will, I think, be the general opinion that Mr. Stead is in exactly the same position as Mr. Reid, and that the appeal judges' finding should have bean accepted by the C.J.C. Committee. It is a matter for sincere congratulation that the New Zealand turf has a man of the stamp of Sir George Clifford at the helm to deal with such a troublesome case as that which is now in his hands..

For several months past turf circles in Taranaki have been considerably agitated over #an alleged conspiracy in connection with a hurdle race decided at the summer meeting of the Taranaki Jockey Club in December last. The stewards of that body have been quietly at work in the interval collecting evidence bearing on the case, and the jockey George Roberts, who rode Banana in the race in question, made such admissions, which was further backed up by documentary evidence in the shape of telegrams aad letters, that the committee, after a most exhaustive inquiry, decided as follows:"That J. R. Oorrigan, Hugh Paltridge, and ; George Roberta be warned off and disqualified for life.; that as there was not sufficient corroborative evidence against Percy Johnston, no further action be taken." The story throws a lurid light on a long string of dishonourable tactics, and it must be said that the turf is the better off by the ruling out of such characters as those with whom the stewards of the Taranaki Jockey Club have just dealt.

The Hawke's Bay Jockey Club brought off their winter meeting on Wednesday and Thursday last under favourable weather conditions, and with the totalisator return (£11,1*7) showing an increase of £3102 compared with last year, it may be inferred that the old-time gathering went off attended with a good measure of success. For the principal event of the opening day—the Hawke's Bay Hurdle Race—Creusot, who was put in at the minimum, was made favourite, but though the big son of Torpedo gave bis followers a good run ho could hardly call up sufficient pace to cope with Aroha, who won by half-a-length. In the Hurdle Race on the second day Creusot, who met Aroha on slightly more favourable terms, reversed places with the daughter of Sequah. The Hawke's Bay Steeplechase, which formed the leading event of the second day, was summed up in favour of Papatu, who was weighted at lOst 91b, and who had the services of that sterling little horseman, Frank Burns. The big son of Craekshot was, however destined to have his wings clipped by Victory, to whom he was conceding 121b, and the latter won an interesting race up the straight by half-a-length. I think this was Victory's first essay'over country. Very little is known about Victory, but I think I am correct in regarding him as identical with the chestnut son of Dreadnought and Viotrix. who, along with a big batch, was sent up for unreserved sale in the autumn of 1903 at Palmerston North by the Hon. Mr. Ormond. Victory was sold that day for 40 guineas, and if the same man that bought him on that occasion has held on to him he has good reason to be satisfied with his bargain.

After wasting a good portion of his life in a district that has a right to be termed one of the most unsuitable for a thoroughbred sire to build up a same, Cuirassier has left Devonport, the brother to Trenton having been sold by the Messrs. Duder to Mr. J. * McNieol, of Waikato. *It must bo said that the majestic son of Musket and Frailty has all to gain by the change of quarters, for in addition to his now being stationed in a large district, where a goodly number of thoroughbred mares are to be found, his new owner is in the position to sound the claims of his horse to advantage, and the. latter counts for a very great deal in enabling a stallion to make a name. Some people have been heard to dub Cuirassier a stud failure; but such a summing up is very unfair to the brown horse. It cannot, of course, be disputed that he wau given a great chance at the ouiset of his career, for Sir. Morrin used him freely at Wellington Park for three seasons, and it has to be admitted that the great majority of the lot he sired at the Panmure estate were of no account for racing. The best one that Cuirassier aired while stationed at Wellington Park was Uhlan, and though ho was once summed up a fair puffer pace and staying capacity came to him with ago, and as a five-year-ofd he won the Auckland Cup and A.R.C. Handicap. Transferred to his then owners' place at the North Shore, Cuirassier begat Halberdiers who won the New Zealand Cup of 1902, and Explosion, a fine handicap performer. Cavaliero, who proved himself one of the best horses over hurdles that the New Zealand turf has seen, is another of Cuirassier gets; and who is bold enough to say that in Drum Major he would not have claimed another great hurdler had a more patient course boon pursued with that truly honest horse » Though all Cuirassier's descendants have not proved racers, one thing that can be said for them is that thoy all show size and power; and, casting my mind back, I don't ever remember seeing one of his progeny that could be termed 1 a squib. As Cuirassier is now rising 19 years, be has no time to waste if he is to secure a leading place on the winning sires' list. However, apart altogether from racing, a sire that can give the country horses of the physique of Explosion, Cavaliero, Drum Major, Waterloo, and Halberdier, is to be greatly valued; and the transfer of Cuirassier to the Waikato cannot fail to be to the greatest advantage of that district.

Sir William Russell's colours have not been much in evidence of late. The Napier I sportsman, it is pleasing to note, had the 1 satisfaction of seeing the popular " buff and black" carried to victory in a crosscountry i event at Hastings on Wednesday last by one of his own breeding, Nadador winning the Hunt Chib Steeplechase. A perusal of the lines of Nadador's breeding show? that, she can boast of an extremely high pedigree. Her sire, El Drague, was got by Dread nought (son of Chester) from Falconet (a daughter of Musket and Lovebird, by Macaroni), while his dam, Noyado, was got by Lord of the Isles from Lorelei, a daughter of Leolinus and Naiad, who, in turn, is by Traduoer from the famous King Tom mare Mermaid. An interesting point in Nadador's pedigree is that his sire, EI Drague, is a gteat-grandson of Yattendou, and his dam (Noyade) is a granddaughter of the same sire. If Nadador is not a good I autre she should be.

A pleasing fact to b© noted in connection with this season's racing is the increasing success of St. Leger's sons as sires. Considering the early date at which tho now defunct son r of St. Leger and Atlantis was sent to ; .the stud, it has been the subject of some remark that more of his eons have not been entered on the sires' list; but in considering that matter I think we have a right to assume that the great percentage of his early male foals were emasculated, and we can thus ascribe the cause to lack of opportunity. Still, we know of later• years that a different policy was pursued with descendants of the Donoaster horse. The first descendant of St. Leger that remember as successful at the stud was Town Moor, who, after a short career in Tasmania, died early. ClanranaJd, who has, I think, been stationed at Sir George Clifford's estate throughout the whole of his stud life, has sired a number of speedy customers; but ho has not yet succeeded in giving the turf a stayer, and some of them have been voted none too reliable when placed in a tight corner. When St. Hippo was sent to the stud great things wore predicted for him but though he had won a place amongst the best horses that ever carried silk in Maoriland, was of most masculine physique, and claimed a daughter of stout-hearted Robinson Crusoe as his dam, the result attaching to his matings at Sylvia Park was so disappointing that the Messrs. Nathan considered it inadvisable to keep him at the Otahuhu estate, and for two seasons he was padding it on the road. Miss Lottie and Up-to-Date are the pair that have achieved most distinction for St. Hippo, and though the first-named may not be above tho second-raters, Up-to-Date has, I think, a right to be included amongst the best hurdlers at present on the New Zealand turf.' Some few years back St. Hippo put in a season in the Wairarapa district, and as his list was full there important results may have to be chronicled to his credit later on. The most noteworthy rise to fame by one of the St. Leger family is Regel, whose three chief descendantsßegulation, Aka Aka, and Annoyed—have annexed sufficient prize money to give their sire a good place on the winning list. Most of Regel's gets show size, and the fact of their being fleet of foot across the flat and that they show an aptitude for jumping, it can be said that they are entitled to a good all-round certificate. At the dispersal of the Motukorea stud, some few years back, Regel was sold for 35 guineas, and he has ever since been stationed in the backblocks, where from all I oan learn he has had a very poor chance to keep up his name. It would be pleasing to learn that Regel had been rescued from his disadvantageous surroundings, for such an event could not fail to ultimately benefit the turf. Sylvia Park, a young full brother to Regel, is getting decent stock, and claims a fair number of winners. St. Cyr and St. Conon have also been represented by successful sons and daughters.

"Milroy," of the Sydney Mail, invariably jots down something extremely interesting when he takes up his pen, and his remarks on the giants that figured on the Australian turf in the period from 1888 to 1890 (the days of Abcrcorn, Carbine, and Melos, are always calculated to stir up the nerves. From my confrere's notes in a recent issue of the Sydney journal I extract the following: knot of trainers " talking horse" the other day at Randwick exchanged some interesting opinions and reminiscences on tht> subject nearest *to their —the nobln horse. Roaring was discussed at length, and the consensus of opinion was that the trouble was not inherited but acquiredcolds, influenza, and overwork being the principal factors towards throat diseases. The idea that narrow gullets and defective jawbones, brought about roaring was scouted. Experts generally agree that a horse with narrow jaws set back into his neck cannot stay a distance, as this formation affects his breathing, but Harry Rayaor * mentioned Melos as a brilliant exception to this rule and proof of the truth of the old saw that " horses run in all shapes." There never was a truer stayer than Melos, yet his gullet was so narrow and ©inched that it was a task of the greatest difficulty to physic him. Despite this defect, which, in the opinion of 99 horsemen out of 100, bars a horse from getting a distance, Melos was at his best over three miles. He was out in the two best seasons known in Australia, and ran only in first-class races against such smashers as Abercom, Carbine, Dreadnought, Manton and Megaphone, and he held his own with credit. With reasonable luck he would have added one of the three great cups to,his list of wins, which were all under weight-for-age conditions. Melos was not anything like as brilliant a horse as Carbine, but he was a more genuine stayer. He needed a strong' pacemaker to get anything like good results. If Melos went out to make his own running a horse like Carbine would smother him at the finish, but, when a smasher like Dreadnought went out in the Champion Race to cut down Carbine, Melos was seen at his best, and outstayed the pair of them. Three times during his career Melos beat Carbine at weight-for-age, over a mile and a-quarter, two miles and a-quarter, and three miles, ":. and though he met Abercorn many times over various * distances he r never managed to defeat Chester's best son. How Melos lost the Melbourne Cup of 1889 is not so much of a mystery as many suppose. After run-" ning Aberoorn to a head, and beating Carbine, in the Melbourne Stakes, it certainly looked bice "sharping" the bookmakers to take 3 to 1 about him in the Cup with Bst 121b on his back. He! was meeting Carbine ; on 161b better terms, but the latter, who ran second, beat the Goldsbrough horse, who probably travelled over 100 yds more ground than any horse in the race. Dreadnought beat Melos in the Australian Cup by a nose, and two jumps after they passed the post Melos was half-a-length in front of the Chester horse, Melos was singularly unlucky in that race by being shut in among a lot of beaten horses when they turned for home, but when he got out how did he finish K When Carbine beat him by a head in the Sydney Cup it would have been £1000 to an orange on his getting the stakes had Mr. Gannon protested, for, ,in that bumping finish, Carbine was undoubtedly the aggresspr. , , ,■.- ..-v , ■■ ~. ■-,: :..,. .:;;.", .„. .

No one could dispute the fact that Melos was a good stayer, and the fact that ."Mil-; roy" was on the spot to see him engage in battle with Carbine places him in a strong position to argue for the brown son of Goldsbrough and Melody, but in his desire to extol Melos my talented Sydney confrere has, I think, left* room for an impression that he is scarcely fair to Carbine. With regard to the Sydney Cup (in which Melos is accounted to have suffered most), no doubt there was an interference, but "Milroy" says nothing about Carbine having been knocked back last at the turn in that race, and 01 the whirlwind of pace that the Musket horse must have called up to enable him to get to Melos after the mishap; and neither docs he tell us that Melos had 211b the best of the- weights. With regard to Melos first defeat of Carbine (which was in the Melbourne Stakes of 18S9, when both were four years old), it was only a question of heads between three—Melos being sandwiched between Abercorn and Carbine—and 1 it can easily be imagined how little it would have taken for the result to have been different. When, the pair met - in the ■ Melbourne Cup on the second dav of that meeting Carbine had lOst and Melos Bst 121b and they came home second and third in that order. Of course, it has to be conceded that Melos was not ridden in the most artistic, fashion on that day, but, still, we may as well remember that Carbine had a stone and 21b the worst of the weights compared with the Goldsbrough horse. As to Melos defeating Carbine in the Canterbury Plate (the only race in which the latter ranunplaced) it is a well-known fact that Carbine split one of his feet during the contest, so that it may be legitimately argued that it was. devoid of value in so far as the defeat' of Carbine wag concerned. Melos certainly defeated Carbine foi champion honours at four years old. but when we come to remember what Carbine was able to do with his brown rival when he rae-ad him at Randwick in the following month—well, it left a bit of an impression that if the Champion Stakes had been run in April instead of March there would have been a different tale to relate as to the result. In the Melbourne Cup of 1890 Carbine was weighted at lOst 51b and Melos ar. 9st 71b, and there has never been a whisper that Melos wan not in perfect condition to try conclusions with his bay rival on that occasion. , Melos was first into the straight in that memorable race, but, as we all know, the result was: "Carbine first, the rest nowhere." The man that sets out to claim for Melos that he was a more genuine stayer than Carbine has a big task. The late Michael O'Brien— it may bo remarked, rode Carbine in all his engagements from the back end of his three-year-old career until the conclusion of his racing at four years old—was credited with saying some time before his death: Carbine should never have been beaten in any race that I rode him." A man of frail health and a victim to that distressing complaint asthma, poor O'Brien had not sufficient strength always to get the last bit out of Carbine, and his frank admission in placing the cause of defeats on his own shoulders instead of on the horse he steered clearly showed that in the opinion of his rider Carbine had bad luck to lose the Champion Stak.ee to Melos in 1890- I

Front Melbourne comes news of the.death of Domino, one of (be greatest, ! if! not the greatest, steeplechase that has graced \ the Australasian turf. §. Etomine, who wis a gray son of Landsborough, ran in the colours of the Victorian sportsman, Mr. Gfioirge' Russell, and his claim *to r a' place amongst the most brilliant performers over country that the Australasian turf has claimed is indisputable. V r The ■; following,! which I * ©lip from the Melbourne i Sportsman, will no doubt be perused with interest at the present time, when we have the death of Domino before- us:—Now that the big jumping season is near at hand, we will hear the usual arguments as to which was the best steeplechaser wo have had in Victoria or Australia. I may say Redleap has been awarded the premiership by many, but I think that if the horse's steeplechase performances axe carefully looked into Domino is deserving of the honour. .Redlleap started in three or four - steeplechases, and won two. In his last performance, and in which he gained high distinction, he carried 13st 121b in the V.A.T.O. Grand National Steeplechase, and afi;er a tussle beat Boulevard (lOst 121b), Fryman (12st 31b) being third. Time, Bm. 453;5. Both Boulevard ad Freeman were very; indifferent performers in Victoria. '■-. Domino started in 12! steeplechases, won nine; once second, . beaten a head by Mysore >[9st), Grand National Steeplechase; once third, after striking a fence heavily at the abattoirs; and fell once in the Melbourne Hunt Club Cup, won by Bally Mohr.. He won the Great Eastern Steeplechase with Hist 131b—a record,, and finished up by winning the V.A.T.O. Grand National Steeplechase (13st 51b), Euro (lOst 51b) second, Vigil'(lOst 101b) third. Won easily by about 30yds, ' Time, Bm. 18Js., thus beating Redleap's time by 27J5., which would mean nearly two furlongs. If a horse is to be judged on public form, which I take to be the only reliable guide, then sure Iy Domino must be the best steeplechaser we have yet seen. Beth the late Mr. F. F. Dakin and Mr. George Vowles are known to have stated that Domino's performance at Caulfield was the most .brilliant and best that has been recorded in Australia,. Another great performer in Daimio must not be overlooked. He started in three Grand National Steeplechases, and won the .lot, never having whip or spur mark, and winning each race with the greatest ease. .His best performance—winning the Caulfield Grand National Steeplechase with 13mt 31b, Romsdale (9st 121b) second, and Geometry (lOst) third, time Bm. , 165., or 29Ji3. faster than Redleap— a most brilliant one. Vigil, a few weeks weeks after Domino* beat him at Caulfield, won. the Champion Steeplechase there, arid a little later won the V.R.C. Steeplechase (12st 91b) easily. Euro has proved himself ft good horse also, winning the Great Eastern Steeplechase (list 51b); yet Domino gave. Vigil (2st SI» and Euro 3st and beat them easily. In private Domino did the greatest gallop ever seen at Flemington over.« journey. He ran the last mile of. three o«: the inside heavy sand in lm/' 50s. None of the handicap horses the same morning did a single mile inside lm. 51is. Writers for the Sportsman, Australasian, and other papers saw the gallop and timed it, so there could be no mistake. Domino left the turf as sound as . the. first day he raced, and he carried Mr. George Russell to hounds for several seasons,

The fact that the Irish-bred filly- PrettyPolly retains an unbeaten certificate up to the present will cause may turf students to wonder how many ho:rees have the diatiiiction of going through' their racing careers without tasting defeat. In Australasia Grand Flaneur is the only one I think that claimed the attention of the judge each time he started. Very rightly was the bay son of Yattendon and First Lady dubbed a phenomenon., and but for a leg trouble coming against him at the end of his three-year-old career, his. winning record would have teen further extended. Probably - > '■' the % first unbeaten horse was Eclipse, "; foaled; in: 176*. Eclipse's - career was extraordinary, as at first his temper was so' bad as to suggest his being unsexed, and'he was finally turned by a colt-breaker, who half-starved and r ill-used him. After this his great m«rits 'Z were .discovered, but not before .] lie was five years old, and then for aboul; two seasons he beat everything brought) against him, and could, it. is said, have distanced any horse in England. The next grei(t undefeated horse was Highflyer, bred in 1774. He was never beatea, and i never ■ paid ■■ forfeit. Hambletouian. bred in 1792, held an unbeaten record, and his match with Diamond for 3000sbvs made him out to '.fait the greatest horse in the world, although he only won by a bead. The first undefeated | horse in the new century was Thundeirbolt, but he ran on few occasions, and, excepting a horse called Albeit, who won five good races off the reel, and-was considered about the best of his time, there was really no undefeated flier until 1833, the year' of Bay Middleton's" birth. • This x great horse was only stretched ... once,-J by Elm *in the-Duke Michael; Stakes at Newmarket. Pour years afterwards another undefeated one was seen in Crucifix, but, like Hambletonian, she was very nearly losing '■■ that '* character, ;am 1 she once ran • a dead heat with Gibraltar. After this then* was nothing of consequeiKse to claim the undefeated honour until 1878, when Barcaldine appeared on the scene. Four years later St. Simon was bred, and, according to the opinion of Matt. Dawson, hit was the best horset ever iseon. -■ He , won ■ all his races in the commonest of canters, ''"and as ft two-year-old it was estimated by his trainer that he could have 4 beaten any three-y<»r-old at level weights. To still further Mark the decade, Ormonde was bred in 1883, and he was never ] doomed: to defeat, although, like rfanibletonian and Crucifix, the situation was only just saved 'in the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot. Suspender is (the maternal graridsire of Green Mountain) never knew defeat, but his claim to classic honours may be questioned. r Tho Hungarian mares Kantaeni, was never beaten, and won 54 races;- and, in J* ranee, Predestine and - Salvator held! the unbeaten record.

.. When K*mo was bought a fortnight back at tie dispersal of the Messrs. IVi&llarider's Auckland team■■;it -was generally f concluded that she was destined to? find ft home :in Australia. This has * been \ bom* t out, A the little daughter of Seaton Naval having been shipped on Monday last by "thesis. Zealandia ?to Sydney, on v arrival :; at which port she T is to be entrained; to Melbourne. Mr. F. Leslie, on whose behalf K*n»o was purchased, also took with bin Cygnet and Grey Seaton. ;•;The latter has proved a* perfeet disappointment since he won the A.K.O. Welcome Stakes in 1902, and Lad one been asked to select half-a-dozen horses in Auckland least likely to pay their way in- the Australian Commonwealth most' people would, I fancy, have been .inclined to include Grey Seaton in the list. < It will be interesting to note what return the gray deceiver makes to S Mi. Leslie for/bis plucky aotioa in; transporting, him 2000 miles. .

Shellback, who dropped dead yesterday 1 at Kiccarton, was the chestnut son of Nelson and the Grandmaster mare Hestia that mathis debut on the turf at EUeralie in the Jf^??n? f . 1 ? 00 -iaH- At th? dispersal of the Wapiti" team in January, 1902, Shellback was bought by Mr. L. de Peliehet for 70 guineas, and it was stated that he was to make the journey to England with MoiI 8 *-, At the 0.J.0. Grand National: Meeting held in > August. 1902>Shellba3k"' appearpeared; in Mr. Spencer. GoUan'a colours,- and made bis only return by winning^the 1 Sumner Handicap from a field of moderates. :

Hauberk, the two-year-old full brother to Halberdier, was sold this, week by Mr. Mar Fnedlander to Mr. W. Carr, of. Waikato ihe price paid for. the son of Guinissier has not transpired. t When Mr. Friedlander purchased Hauberk as a yearling h« paid 110 guineas for him, and as he had not earned: a single shilling of prize money «a to the tune of his sale he cannot have pro-red a good speculation to the Canterbury sportsman. , , ■:', ™r"

Mr. W. Lyons, tho well-known raetallioian, carries a painful reminder of the ball promoted by New. Zealand' Tattersall's Club recently While taking part in a set of lancers Mi. Lyons fell, and some days after the accident lie h ad to seek P medical aid owing to one of his arms becoming painful. It was then found that a ligament had been snapped, and the popular peneiller will have to nurse his injured arm for several weeks.! Ihe accident to Mr. Lyons is rendered all the more regrettable by reason of the fact that he had just commenced to get himself into form wi£h a view to again contesting Sydney Tattersall's billiard tournament which event, it will be remembered, he won last year. ■.■■•:«-■'•_».. •;.■;"• _■■-,

Several. owners m Australia have conferred the names of Japanese heroes in the present war on their horses, and Toco Kamimura and Oka now figure on the nomenclature list. The length and the difficult pronunciation of most Russian names would never make them popular with nor.-«-owners even if our national sympathies were with the Tsar in his conflict with the Mikado.

In the course of an article on "Kecolieo. tiona of Racehorses, '% by Mr. O. Si. Tattersall, which appears in a recent number of the Badminton Magasine, the author states that it is highly improbable that one man will again rival the Duke of Westminster in breeding in the space of 25 years five such horses as Bend Or, Ormonde, Orme, Hying Fox, and Sceptre, which ail truce back to one horse, Donoaeter. \i :^vitn--i

Buluvwrt© » fvaried in wdiiftta»-|ar-|fciw'%l New Zealand €«>, ~' „. • ~-JH«g| -?: Auckland is we| represented is the Wj. lington SteeplechfHe. ... • One hundred null fifty-five horses we ,». ' gaged in the MellNrtpe Cup tiaa'.yint.f-'-^J::^ Auckland stables: jul be stronglyi win*. senteel at the New Znaland ©rand National meeti,tti;. ' , ■ . ** The Torpedo gelding Crcui;ot won hi* Ir* race over the uticla at Hastings on-Taurs' day hist. '_.», I , , * • ' Oblivion, who hit* been clahnbig soma „', port for the New Zealand Ct£T. ,il year-old son of Medallion. '■• •"»,««- The yearling full brother to Marshal IS, „i. who was shipped to Australia several month, back is to be known as Grenadier. - - _Tahao, who misted all hfe engagements at the Great Northern Meeting <mna to »! soundness is again in work at El^rsh*. Cruciform is going on nicely, arid a stion* ' hope is expressed that she will be »„;» equal to reproducing her best form iwjrt season. ■ ■■..-.... . I ' «

In Australia it is stated to be rire to find a field much longer than five minutes at the post before the starter is able to get his horses away. :. v .';' T , f - .',%J Plain Bill, who has been off the'ljeens for a long period, figures amongst the entrant, ■ tor the Wellington Steeplechaje, to be run r next month s,t the Hutt. <■■: t : \v.-.-.^ ■"".... : , U At the Newmarket Second Spriig Meeting His Majesty's colours were carried home s m the van for the Breeders Stakes by Rose market, a son of Orion. f' " >• Gladsome is reported to be in meat buckle, and everything points to the A«ck land filly giving the Australians j another taste other quality next season, iRhyl, a half-brother to the liverpixil Grand National winner Moifaa, won the Trial Steeplechase at the Hawke's Bay ; Jockey Club's meeting on Wednesday timt _ The, Guard, who has not raced sinnj he fell at Riccarton the August before last, «» been entared for the Wellington Steeple- Wf chase, i»nd he is evidently going on all rieht •in his training. ,-. - » : ?i Colonel Shilinski, who might he referred to as the Australian champion overcojntrv at the present time, is reported to ham i. jured himself to such an extent that h«. ma» never race again. -«, , . Gladfiome figures as an entrant for the Caulfield Cap and Melbourne Cup. i The ' daughter of Seaton Delaval is also engaged in the Metropolitan Handicap, to bo n>n at Randwiokin September. .-.;*,;,>. The Cuirassier gelding Sabreur, who was once pretty good on the flat, distinguished himself across country on Thursday hut at Hastings, when be won the Hack and Hunters* Steeplechase.,: . ~ ',:\ ; : -!: i The veteran Faria, who has had mi;ay a '■ % fall while engaged •at hurdle racing, still manages 'to retain a dash of pace, aiiij he won ths Final Handicap on the flat at Hast- s l intra on Thursday last. .f i '.; ■»•..■;-. . ;• ':' t Thirty-nine different sires are represented in the New Zealand Cup. entry. . Sraton ' Delava! is the one most strongly ii>prcsented, with five to his credit, viz.', Noiiette Akarana, Gladstone, Beau .Seaton:^and#l Geordie'. . J, i. Judging from th« manner in which M.iuku ISI shaped in a bit of schjoh'ng over hunlli» at 'wm Ellerslij this week, the half-brother to Can. nongato seems likely -to prove as »4)oon«plished a jumper as his well-performed halfbrother. . : Winnie, the dam of Record Reign, who was last season mated with Soult, is believed to be barren. Her two daughters, Preterit ■nd Winsome, however, show unmistaliabU signs of being„ im foal to the'-. St. Simon

horse. , Judging from tnn extensive alteration!! anS'ilEl additions - proposed to be - made "to i the ' :rul«s of racing, the delegates at the approaching meetinfi.of the Racing Conference will haveSp plenty ' of , material! Upon which ,to engage their thoughts. , ' • The only ev>nt that went down to. the credit of : the Hon. Mr. Ormond's stablo .itHS the Hawke's Bay meeting was the Indies* Bracelet, winch was won by the three-vear-old Bandmaster, who .won in the nomination of Miss Ormond. The Muskapeer gilding Newtown ii evidently to be given a chance to» distin imMi himself over the buttons. Charlie Weal hay:f|p| ing treated him to a bit ;of .] schooling over the -sticks this wnek. Newtown anuean"**"! among, the entrants for" the New Statilftud Grand.National Hurdle Rao*. Papatu's ] first fiVe disolavs' over coiwtr have resulted.'a* follows :—-Takapuna MiiiMefc Steeplechase, ; second ;:■ to Crespin: . :: .Takanuna Steeplechase,; dead | heat with Dingo: ■ i treat, fH Northern Steeplechase, fell; Winter Stero'e I chase, second to, Eclair: Hawke'e Bay •■'■<.'.' Stee»l«»eha«e,"-Berdi;id to Victor*-. "Milroy" in the Sydney Mail sars: — "With the cream,of the Sydney rirnt betting ft* Randwiclt in opposition to th« to- *!! tahsator. and betting so regulated tint ft § could all :be done on the course. I ii*\ e- no I hesitation ,in asserting ., tint before ' the ; end of five years the Sydney Cup would bo worth £10,000.' ' South African 'anpers to hand tkk "i week's .• mail 2 show ■■ that the New Zealandbred horse King -lift won the Flying. Sake*Si of 150sovs at ! the? Capetown meeting 1 on. the 2Uh nit. V ei little merit. t however, attached to the son Stepniak's perform;nice. -'* as he only tarried! Ulb, ; and the field only consisted of iiialf-a-doxen second-riters. [ GISBORNE RACING CLUB'S WINTER : MEETING. - The following weights have been declared Mr. J. Chad wick for events to be at the Gisoome mating on the 7th prbit.':— ',- '2' •■i HANDICAP SBTTBDIiB BACK. Two miles—Hip. powal 11.5, C»valrj' 10.12, MednJline 10.6, levant 10.6, Lady (Raven 9.1*. Morpeth 9.8, Local (iptios 9.6,'ttevcaler 9.0. ' • i

. £GIBBOBNB ?■ PARK &: BTEEPLECHABE. ibont three miles.— ; 11.0, Papain ? 11.0 ;Strt,j|)WlSi 10.2, Hylas 0.13, 'Stockman 9.11, Gun Metal 9.f. '-• * 3 FLYING HANDICAP. Six fnrlangs.-ltelms 11.4, Pari* s. 10.6, * Ladly : s B4vaß^».ia^T ß | 4 ».«, ■«» SBnetapaorlkl S 0.10, Ltael Option 9.10, Vivsoitf 3 *I,S| Good Spec 9.9, Maoriland 9.2, Linklock 9.0. ■ WTNTBB OATB HANDICAP. One mile £rf»"ls| distance.—Bebna U.JI, Cavalry 10,4, Pari* 10.?., " * "j Lady i' : Raven 9.9, Turapa j 9.9, \, Hinetapaurikl i t.T,'!«l ..Local' Option' 9.7, !: Morpeth ': 9.6, Graf temao 5 t.ll.Vfl-Sai vacity 9.*,, Good Spec. 9,0, Unklock 9.0,

NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATION Al«i MEETING. ■ / .'-■ ' ■ ■ ■■■ ■ , [BV TOUMJBA P«. —PRESS ASSCCIATfOW.J • L . - . CaaisTomracs, Friday. ..; The following' nominations have been; received i<* the Canterbury Jockey Club's Grand National Vent..;, tag: —:■.!:;;,.:; ;;■ /" ■ 'I GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE of lOOOaew.. Three miles and -*- da .I .— Te ; Xoban,' Sultana,'; Mewr Boy, Papatn, Eclair, Comfort, Victory, Evuninr, Haydn, Te Hopal, Kolinnal, Mourner, Pipl, Snnmes, JCaitero, Midi*, Plain Sill, Vedaillat, Aka Aha, Cris- mm pin, Princess of. Thiile, Nadador, Btar,llla«eMli;".ff' : ;;] Agitator, Banana, Catharine Cordon, Slow Tom. ?*• foe. ':■■'■-■ GRAND NATIONAL HTJBDLB HANDICAP «t fB8& 75053T8. ' Two milei.—Rosa ;■; Shoot,' Scottish i Ufc3m§B strel, Hlppowal,; Merry ;Boy, Magnificent, * Cavalry, Cruesot,- la,' To para. Victor 11., Unku,' The MabloM, ■"■ Trnmpeiy, Lama, - Waivers, Kremlin, The t Gnestar, 'i«; s;J Sunnios, Graduated Tax, Zealous, rhctenluV Xa>'.j ~ hnwai. Banana, Onti;»k, Medallion, Local Optiee, ! Aka' Aka, Tahae, NeirtoWß,'<Prince«a of Thuls, fftlone, Haatapa, Moccasin, Lixsa. Emulation, Spal- -tj peen, Killarnoy, Catherine Gordon, Hostage, Sloe Tom, Pare Silver, Defoe, Jeanne D'Albret.