SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12910, 5 July 1905, Page 3

SPORTING.

The Auckland horse Up-to-Date is to be given an opportunity to win cross-oountry honours at Flemington, and, judging from the tone of the cablegrams received from Melbourne, the half-brother to Record Reign will be in a position, so far as condition is concerned, to register his best form on Saturday next, on which day lie will have to tackle his Victorian engagement. With 12st 31b opposite his name, it may be justly said that Up-to-Date has received the uttermost ounce, and with every prospect of his being opposed by a strong field it certainly lootks as though the Auckland horse will have a very stiff task to claim the attention of the jud'ge. The following horses were engaged in the Grand National Steeplechase at last advices: — St II) ||j Lamond 32 0 Decoration... ».. 10 6 $?'A Date , -1? 3 Sinflhia 10 G The General ... 12 2 Forty Winks ... If) 3 ... 12 0 Marjorie 10 2 Error ... ... ll 12 idalia 10 0 Freedom H 7 Alpine 9 12 P° ter 11 7 Union Jack ... 9 7 Syringa ... n (j Player 9 7 Cardinal 11 3 Turquoise 9 7 *™ b ... n 3 Persist 9 - ?. 3 Shooting Star ... 9 3 * , ls . 11 2 The Rake 9 3 ir '7 11 1 Anyhow ... „. 9 0 4 u ,",'. ()ue 11. 1 Masher 9 0 s°, , 10 12 Sweeper 9 0 Orlando 10 n Blueskin 9 0 G-rafnell ... 10 11 Foam 9 0 Tho race is run over three miles and a among.

At last advices Machine Gun was still in .New south Wales, but it was given, out that he would be , sent over, to Victoria with a view to fulfilling engagements at the V.R.C. Winter Meeting. _ Machine Gun is credited with having put in somie good work during the time he has been at Randwick, and a big race is expected from him when his pa-rty mean business. INTERPROVINCIAL gossip. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN OORKESPONDBNTS.] CANTERBURY. Tuesday. We are now within a few weeks of the Grand National Meeting, and ample evidence of the approach of the winter fixture may be obtained any morning by a visit to tho tracks at Riccarton. Not only are the jumpers to be seen at schooling work, but the chief topic of conversation is hurdle and steeplechase horses. So far everything promises well for the meeting. It is many years since we had such a likely lot of jumpers at Riccarton as is the case this year. With Eurus, Phaetonitis, Rongoa, Tupara, Slow Tom, Catherine Gordon, The Guesser, and Narcissus in the steeplechase events, and Taxpayer, Huku, .The Mohican, Tupara, Catherine Gordon, Narcissus, Convoy, Bagpipes, Wot Blanket and Secret Society engaged in the hurdle races, Ricoarton stables look like providing much stronger opposition for the visitors than is usual in jumping races. ...

D. Moraghan is slipping a lot of solid work into Phaetonitis. The Phaethon geldlug* is still looking pretty big, but Moraghan is very hopeful that ho will have him ready to show his best form next month. The present intention is to take him to Wellington and give him a race each day. He is nicely treated in the Wellington Steeplechase; but I do not think ho will be quite forward enough by then. Convoy, who is in the same ownership as i haetonitis, has been responsible for some good work this week, but a disquieting 1 iirnour is afloat concerning him. The trouble is believed to.be in the shoulder. The horse has been treated to a dose of physic, and is . allowed to run in the paddock when the weather is fine. " He is improving, but, of course, ' ie will be unable to take part in the Wellington meeting this month. Hopes are entertained, however, of his recovering in time for the Grand National meeting, but the mishap is most unfortunate, and will greatly affect his preparation, even allowing for a quiok recovery. Narcissus has gone out of Moraghan's stable, and is now under the care of G. Murray-Aynsley. Mention of Aynsley reminds me that , lie has a very ' useful team of jumpers in work at present, including Huku, The Mohican, The Guesser, and Narcissus.

The ancient Huku is as sound as a bell again, and is bowling along in rare style. There are more unlikely things than that he will make a bold show in the hurdle events next month.

The Mohican is in nice trim, and by National time ho should be a much-improved horse. He has only to come on a little to bo one of the most dangerous aspirants for National Hurdle honours.

The Guesser is being sohooled over the steeplechase fences, but so far he has not given entire satsifaction. There is, however, reason to hope that he will develop into a decent. performer over country before he is wanted for this class of racing. I hear that Clarence O'Neill, who adopts the crouch seat, has been engaged to ride Slow Tom in the Grand National Steeplechase and The Mohican in the Grand National Hurdle Race.

It is pretty certain that Riccarton stables will bo well represented at the Wellington meeting this month, as quite a number of horses with engagements in flat and jumping races at the Hutt are being' bustled along as well as the trades will allow. While schooling over the big fences on Wednesday Slow Tom came to grief at the first fence of the double. Ho made no effort to rise at the obstaole, and turned clean over, with his rider underneath. It was not till assistance arrived that the horse was pulled off Sooullar. It was at first feared that the latter was seriously injured, but fortunately he escaped with a broken collarbone and bruises. Slow Tom was suffering from soreness the next day, but he is now all right again, and leaves for Wellington this week in charge of Taggart. Speculate has been plaocd in Taggart's hands, and will probably be given a chance to distinguish himself at hurdle racing. McCrackeu, who has just removed to the Bush Inn Stables, has eight horses in work at present. The latest addition to his active brigade is King Stork, who is looking rough after his spell. F. Holmes has taken Escort in hand for Mr. G. Gould, and the' horse may be seen out at the Grand National meeting. In his only appearance in public Escort shaped well enough to suggest that he may be useful later on.

Tirole is going on satisfactorily. He is bearing a much-improved appearance, and I do not think we have seen the best of him yet. 1 Stepdancor and Reduction, who have been enjoying a spell, are in active work again. Both mares look healthy and well. Mason has been down with a number of the Yaldhurst team several times during the week. The visitors have been responsible for sound pacing when the tracks permitted. The following horses are booked to leave for Wellington during the week: —Phaetonitis, De la Rev, Tessera, Wango, Rongoa., Wet Blanket. Tupara, and Taxpayer. In addition to this lot, Cannie Chiel, Elyhemaid, and Bagpipes may be sent North. Eurus has again developed soreness, and is being given a few days' rest. It is unfortunate that this promising jumper should have his preparation interrupted so much. D. Roberts has taken possession of " Grip Lodge." His team consists of Somaroff and two rising two-year-olds—a bay colt by Finland from Nerole and a bay filly by Royal Artillery from Nenuphar. Two more additions in Bluestone and Noxious Weed are expected in a day or two. Very little schooling work has been accomplished during the week. On Thursday Bagpipes and Convoy performed satisfactorily in a task over the hurdles. Secret i/oeiety and Wet Blanket were companions m a similar task, but the performance was spoilt owing to the slow pace, 110 opportunity being afforded of seeing Secret Society .lumping when going fast. The Guesser who was following Slow Torn when the latter came to grief, again showed a dislike or the sod wall, where lie baulked his rider oi, otherwise he fenced credit-ably. ,i. bheenan broken in two yearlines of his own breeding. They are 'both by .Ken Irovato, one being a colt from Pleasureseeker and the other a fillv from Greek Maid.

. The stable-lad question is causing considerable trouble to local trainers, several of the establishments being short-handed. At present there appears to be no hope for improvement, as the boys are not to be got anywhere.

A fair amount of business is being transacted on the Grand National double. For the _ Steeplechase, Slow Tom, Kiatere, and Waitarsre are the favourite -picks. There is 110 favourite for the Hurdle Race, but Handsome Rose, The Mohican, Trumpery, Cavalry, and Regulation are in as much request as anything. A few lines have been laid on the New Zealand Cup during the week. Those supported include .Toe Chamberlain. Thunderer, Beau Seaton, Lyrist, De la Rev, Nightfall. Achilles, and Sir Tristram.

WELLINGTON'. Tuesday. Galahad and Optimist returned to the Hutt last night, after an unsuccessful trip to Hawke's Bay. Matakokiri, who won a race at the Napier Park meeting, returned to Wairarapa. yesterday. Jack o' Lantern will probably make the journey to Gisborne, and he may be allowed to drop out of his Hutt engagements. Lass o' Gowrie, Newtown, and Betsy have been scratched for all engagements. Two unknown quantities whose names appear in the list are Red Cross (by The OffiSpinney) and Sherlock Holmes (by Son-of-a-Gun—Caritas). Earliest arrivals at the Hutt are Blenheim, Paere, Cure, and Tuiha, which arrived in charge of W. Jillett yesterday. Among the brood mares owned by Frank Armstrong, of Akitio, are Cantiniere (dam of Commonwealth), which is in foal to the Catesby horse Ejector, and an unnamed sister to Jack o' Lantern, which has a foal to Renown. Up to the end of the Napier Park meeting 0. Jenkins has ridden 87 winners this season. The presence of Inspan, Jack o' Lantern, and other horses at the Gisborne meeting this week may help to reduce the fields at the Hutt. W. Millen did not take Cairo back to Normanby, having disposed of the Gipsy King gelding after the Napier Park meeting to Mr. Neagle for £35. The gelding should pay his way in hunter races, for which he was, no doubt, purchased. Dennis Morraghan has engaged two boxes at the Hutt. After the Napier Park meeting Prank Lind went home to Wanganui. He returns to Hastings next week to school Mr. T. F. Lowry's horses for Wellington and Canterbury. Xavier was not taken to the Napier Park meeting, although his owner (W. Thomas) made the trip from the Hutt. The Gisborne Park Steeplechase looks a good thing for Jack o' Lantern. Later on he will be taken to Canterbury to try and win the Grand National Steeplechase. Kiatere was solidly supported here by his connections for the Napier Park Steeplechase. Betsy, Evening, Trumpery, Dolores, and Shackle are amiss, and will not be seen out at the Hutt. The Wellington Racing Club to-day endorsed the disqualification of T. Carroll, jockey, for six months by the Otaki Maori Racing Club, and approved of the programme of the Woodlands Hunt Club for a meeting to be held at Pahiatua for August 9. The application from the Greytown North Club,_ to reconsider the decision re granting registration of the Greytown North Hack Racing Club, was declined. J. Cotter journeyed to Napier Park meeting, but was not represented by Jolly TV... the colt having struck himself. If he Las sufficiently recovered he will be seen out at the Hutt. Mr. Lowry allowed Comfort to drop out of the Wellington Steepleohase, but paid up for Creusot. Three previous winners of the Wellington Steeplechase (Gobo, Nor'-west, and Kiatere) are engaged in the race. (Gobo's name did! not appear in the acceptances telegraphed.) Manawaru was backed here last week to win the New Zealand Cup for £2000. Convoy was not paid up for in the Winter Hurdles. There is some surprise at Trumpery being accepted for in that race. Fontenoy has come on well since Wanganui and Otaki meetings, at which he failed to show any form. He claims an engagement in the Winter Cup, as also does his stablemate, St. Lyra. H. Jackson is bringing both horses to the Hutt, and will journey to RicCarton. With a light weight I would not be surprised to see Fontenoy make a good show in the Winter Cup. WANGANUI. Tuesday. Among others of "his string A. Lynch has a big upstanding grey (almost white) gelding in work. Forest Gate is the name of this new aspirant for hurdle honours, and judging by his looks the son of Forester should be able to jump. A large number of horses are making a trial at the ■ schooling hurdles. There ,is a scarcity of jumpers about this district. There is a probability of Shrapnel being put to the illegitimate game. Wild Duck, in J. Belcher's stable, is being schooled over the small sticks, and acquits herself very creditably. Old Halberdier is bowling along in tip-top fashion, and is taking very well to the jumping line. A half-sister to Halberdier, also.trained by H. Alexander, is. going through her lessons at " fencing." ... On Saturday morning a half-sister to Pokomoko fell while being exercised, but the rider, George Powell, was not seriously hurt. Springbok, the hurdler, was offered for sale on Saturday, but failed to reach a low reserve. . PROSECUTIONS WITHDRAWN. [by telegraph.— association.] Dtjnedin, Tuesday.., Several prosecutions by the Dunedin Jockey Club for alleged trespass on the racecourse were withdrawn to-day, the club's solicitor stating that defendants had paid all costs and made a declaration not to go on the course again without the permission of the club. Mr. Widdowson, S.M., remarked that the recent fines seemed to have had a good effect. THE GISORNE MEETING. [by TELEGRAPH.— press association.] Gisborne, Tuesday. There are a large number of visitors at Gisborne in view of the Racing Club's winter meeting on Thursday and Friday. All the visiting horses have arrived, and there is every prospect of fine weather. THE V.R.C. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE. By Telegraph.—Press Association— Melbourne, July 4-. < Bellis lias been backed . for the Steeplechase to win £2000 at 6 to 1. Up-to-Date was supported for a similar amount at 8 to I, and The General for the same sum at 10 to 1. Freedom came in for support at 20 to 1, at which price £3000 was secured about his chance.