SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12916, 12 July 1905, Page 3

SPORTING.

The Wellington Racing Club will open their winter meeting at the Hutt to-day, when the , Wellington Steeplechase will he brought up for decision. With a field composed as follows thore is ample material for a highly interesting contest. Kiatere, list 121b; Oreusot, list- 91b; Nor'-west, lOst 131b; Phaetonitis, lOst 121b; Waitarere, lOsfc 41b; Defoe, lOst 31b; Lurcher, 9st 131b; Rongoa, 9st 71b. The top-weight, Kiatero, lias 121b more to carry thau the impost under ivhioh ho triumphed in the Great Northern Steeplechase last month; but that does not put him out of court. The Castor gelding is a, most proficient jumper, and he can bo depended upon to play his part well if landed at the post quite himself. Nor'-wcst was in great buckle when he left i for the scene of action last week, and with only lOst 121b opposite his name it is a popular prediction that the veteran son of Sou'-wester has an excellent chance of capturing the Hutt race a third time. Advices received from Sydney state that the imported stallion Gigue died recently in. Queensland. Gigue was got by St. Simon from the Done-aster mare Daneeaway, and he was only purchased a short time back by a Queensland breeder. As the horse was covered by insurance in England to the full amount of his purchase money, his owner will escape a serious financial loss. A Melbourne cablegram states that Up-to-Date is to remain in Victoria for some time. ■ THE GREAT NORTHERN GUINEAS. The following is a list of the horses left in the Great Northern Guineas, to be run at the A.RC. Spring Meeting in November: — Mr. I). O'Brien's Multifid Mr. C. Hewitt's Dardanus Mr. A. Lcnnard's Carl Rosa Mr. T. Penton's Hildebrand Mr. T. Fcnton's br c, by Phce'ius Apollo—Musket Maid Mr. E. W. Alison's Foremost Mr. J. Warner's Amorelle Mr. S. Bradley's Punui Mr. W. Foss' Master Delarai ' . Mr. J. E. Thorpe's Apologue / Mr. Wm. Verran's The Raven Mr. E. J. Watt's Boomerang Mr. E. J. Watt's King Billy Mr. A. Morgan's Hiro Mr. F. W. Arnold's Annette > Mr. T. H. Lowry's ch c, by Seaton Delavai—St. Amy • Mr. Wm. Davis' bo, by Stepniak— Mr. Wm. Davis' b c, by St^iniak—Wish Mr. T. H. Lowry's br i, by Merriwee—Lady Helen,

THE WELLINGTON MEETING. [by TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Tuesday. The best gallop 'of the morning at the •Hutt to-day was onoe round (mile and distance and four chains) by Exmoor in 2m. 9^9. Dick Turpin broke down last Saturday, and will not be seen out at the meeting. The following horses may run well tomorrow:— " Stewards' Handicap: Wet Reef and Ma-t-uku., Miramar Handicap: Blythemaid and Claremont. . Wellington Steeplechase: Kiatere and Nor'-west. Hack Hurdles: Taxpayer and Jewel Gun. Winter Hurdles: Handsome Rose and Levant. , Te Aro Hack: '-Fontenoy and Tekanui. Slow Tom lias been scratched for all engagements./ [BY telegraph— association.] Wellington, Tuesday.. A light drying wind prevailed to-day, and should improve the going at the Hutt tomorrow. On the tracks this morning Shrapnel Shell beat Valois over five furlongs in lm. 12s. Levant negotiated seven furlongs in lm. 435.; and Patuna and Black Squall l six in lm. 295. Trumpery did two rounds at three-quarter pace, and- Cavalry jumped several fences in good style. Ngatarua got to the end of seven furlongs in lm. 48s. Rose Madder covered the same journey .in lm. 435. Error had the best of Recreation over six furlongs, run in lm. 20s. Phaeton-it-is shaped pleasingly in his work.

INTERP-ROVINOIAL GOSSIP.

[by telegraph.—own correspondents.]'

CANTERBURY.

< Tuesday,'' - According to a private cable message received in Christchureh on Saturday, the owners of Machine Gun were faced with the same trouble as Mr. Lyons encountered with Up-to-Date through their failure to produce to the Victoria Racing Club a certificate of identification for their, horse. As Machine Gun started in the Lawn Handicap it is evident that the matter was satisfactorily arranged. | While on the subject of Machine Gun, I learn that an offer of £1500 was refused for him in Australia last week. The horse's owners must be allowed to know their own business best, but this seems a pretty good profit on the amount expended on the purchase of the Hotchkiss— Rubina horse about two months ago. That the offer has been declined suggests that he has shown ■ his connections something pretty good, and I hope that they will be rewarded before long with a good win for their enterprise. D. Moraghan left for Wellington on Thursday with Phaetonitis. The horse was in good fettle, and he should run prominently in his Hutt engagements. Tupara, Taxpayer, Rongoa, Wet Blanket, and Mango journeyed to Wellington on Friday, while on Saturday Do la Rey, Tessera, and Blythemaid took their departure. . With this team to represent us Riccarton stables should play a prominent part in the Wellington meeting. De la Rey, Blythemaid, and Mango are a trio that I expect to seo shape well in the flat races. I made some inquiries from Mr. G. G. Stead to-day as to whether ho was likely to be represented at the spring meeting of the Australian Jockey Club in September, and learned that no definite decision has been come to yet. lie is inclined to make the trip, and to that end has secured the refusal of four boxes at Randwick. The recent bad weather, however, lias interfered with the work of the horsee, and has prevented them from being tried, but a final decision will probably be arrived at during the noxt week. In the event of the trip being undertaken the team will be confined to descendants of Multiform, in Nightfall, Sungod, Noctuiform, and perhaps Porcelain. Mr. Stead informed ine to-day-" that Golden Knight, the WallaceAura colt, has proved a great disappointment, and at present there seems no chance of his earning much distinction on the turf.

Taggarfc decided not to take Slow Tom North, as the horse has developed lameness as the result of a fall which I mentioned last week. The trouble is located in the knee, but Taggart has worked an improvement in the injured limb. He has not resumed aotive work yet, _ but is being restricted to walking exercise. Convoy is still improving steadily, but up to the present he has not been ridden, and is allowed to exorcise himself in the paddock during the day. Seorot Society was given some schooling last week. He ran round one hurdle, but otherwise fenced creditably. The Mohican and Wet Blanket gave &■ creditable exhibition in a schooling task during the week, and Tupara showed to more advantage than Taxpayer. Signalman, who has been spelling since the autumn, having been blistered, is again in commission, and looks lusty and well. WELLINGTON. Tuesday. The Martinborourfi owner-trainer, M. Hutaua, has had bad luck with ilungarawa. lie strained a back tendon the other morning, and had to be withdrawn from all engagements at the Wellington Racing Club's meeting in consequence. The horse may not bo sufficiently recovered to fulfil his engagements at Canterbury. The Letho gelding was never going better, and his owner felt certain of a win at Wellington, and he might also have scored at . Riccarton. The Hutt candidates for the New Zea- ' land Cup—Melwood and Ropa—were on the track this morning doing long trotting , work. Both horses look bright and healthy, ! After the Hawke's Bay meeting Mr. J E. i Henrys left on a flying holiday visit to Sydney and Melbourne. He witnessed the first two (lays of the Y.R.C. Grand National meeting, leaves Sydney to-morrow, and will see the racing at the Hutt. 1 Accommodation has been reserved at Hie Hutt for Jack o' Lantern, who may be considered a. likely starter in the July Steeple- | chase on the second day of the local meeting. H. Carr passed through this week oil his way South with Pipi. He informed me that the Natator gelding was knocked out when lie came down at Hastings, and he may not be right by the time the New Zealand Grand National Meeting conies on. With so many horses knocked out it look.-, as if the owners of Nadador and Comfort may be rewarded for reserving their horses for the Canterbury meeting.

I NAPIER. I Tuesday. § Flower Girl, Polyanthus' younger full sis- § ter, has grown into a raro specimen of the || juvenile thoroughbred, and bids fair on •)'. looks and locomotion to give her sire a good k' step along the road to fame. She is under $ the tuition of J. Lawrv, who also has charge ;j of Matapiro, the more than half-brother to . if Eclair. j£ The Possible, of whose serious injury I J wired you last week, is in a bad way, though .|| hopes are still held out by the veterinary 'f surgeon in charge of the case that Norden- || feldt's son will pull through. Unfortunately . ;*j The Possible is not insured. fj Gold Seal, who is under the guidance of fj T. .Tones, is looking well and shows no sign J of the accident that befell him a couplo of I months ago. " 1 Benefactor has been given schooling work '"j over the battens at Napier Park this week. J Talcing into consideration that ho is green | at the business, his efforts were of a very a satisfactory nature. if Melodeon this week joined the active' work- | ers under T. Quinlivan's, juu., guidance. The •'•] son of Medallion gives the impression that if his holiday has had a beneficial effect upon || him. . v |j - Starshoot and Loiset. who are spelling on ; Longlands station, will shortly join Melo- ft deon and Co. >■ || Cairo changed ownership the other day, If Mr. P. Neagle having purchased Gipsy i' King's son for hunting purposes. S

WANGANUI.

Tuesday. The Linstock gelding Clifton, who "has lately been put to the schooling hurdles, is acquitting himself remarkably well for a beginner. Clifton should more than pay his way at the illegitimate game. Mr. G. Smith, owner of the above-men-tioned horse, has also in work a fine-looking chestnut filly, rising three years, by Musketry out of Alabaculla, and therefore a; half-sister to Tresham, winner of the National Hurdles. This filly was bred by Mr. Enderby, of Wanganui, and judging by appearances should prove slippery on the flat. A rising two-year-old brown colt by Explosion out of Keepsake is a perfect Tittle gentleman in appearance, and will be pub into work next month by his owner, Mr. G. Smith. The youngster claims an engagement in the North Island Challenge Stakes. A half-brother (by San Francisco) to the above will be seen out later on, being engaged in classic events. Since he came to Wanganui— than 12 months ago—H. Jackson has trained the winners of 16 races, namely: Armistice five wins, Blazer three, Bsnmore three, Fontenoy three, and St. Lyra two. Various' seconds have also to be added to this list, r Fontenoy and St. Lyra left on Monday to fulfil their engagements at the Wellington meeting. left by the same train in charge of Walter Rayner.

HOW CICERO WON THE DERBY.

A FAST-RUN RACE.

English papers to hand by the snail bring full details of Derby day at Epsom oil May 31. From the Daily Mail we clip the following:—

It was a topio of much discussion, and always has been, whether a Derby crowd is up to the dimensions of previous gatherings. To judge by the road it was one' of. the largest seen for years, and "the road certainly took a new lease of life,' there being the motors to assist the regular stream of every variety of horse vehicle. Fortunately, the weather proved fine throughout, and it was a notable gathering in every respect. The King, the Prince of Wales, andthe Duke of Oonnaught were noticeable in the stand at the top of the members' enclosure before racing commenced, and all three looked well. There was also a great gathering of racing noblemen, and one saw well-known faces at every turn. M. Blanc, wearing the scarlet ribbon of the Legion of Honour, was observed in ' the • centre of a group of Frenchmen, all of whom- wore discussing the Derby. The field for the Derby dwindled down to _ nine, and Lord Rosebery's colt Cicero filling the eye most pleasingly he was always a strong odds-on favourite. When ; the French-bred and owned colt Jardy led tho parade prior to the start there was a tremendous burst of cheering, which showed M. Edmond Blanc and the other French sportsmen present that everyone' rejoiced at seeing the tricolor represented in the blue riband contest-. ... ,THE RACE. THE DERBY STAKES of 650050v5., by subscription of 50sovs. each. For entire colts and fillies foaled in 1902. Colts, ast; fillies, Bsfc 91b. The nominator of the winner to receive 500sovs. out of the stake, the owner of the second 400sovs., and the owner of the third 200sovs. One mile and a-half. Lord Rosebery's cli o Cicero, by Cyllene Gas (D. Maher)... . ... 1 M. Edmond Blanc's bo .Tardy, by Flying Fox—Airs and Graces (G. Stern) ... 2 Chevalier Ginistrelli's b c Signorino, . by Best Signorina (K. Cannon)... 3 Sir E. Vincent's b c Shah Jehan, by Persimmon— (o.' Madden) . Sir T. E. Liddiard's br o Silver Streak, by Soliman—Bimetallism (B. Dillon) - Mr. -E. H. Henning's bo Rouge Croix, by Bend Or—Dame Agnes (M. Cannon)' . . ... - w' Mr. A. Steadall's.blk c Leopold, by St. Frusquin— (.T. Jarvin) ■ . Mr. J. Buchanan's Golden Measure (F. iRickaby) ... .1 Sir R. W. Griffith's Liao (W. Biggs) ... ,

Betting at the start: 11 to 4 on Cioero,■ 4- to 1 agst Jardy, 3 to 1 Silver Streak, 50 to 1 Shah Jehan, 50 to 1 Signorino, 50 to 1 Rouge Croix, 66 to 1 Liao, 100 to 1 Golden; Measure, 100 to 1 Leopold.

Liao and Signorino delayed the start for some little time; but at length the started got them level, and "They're off" was yelled from thousands of throats. Liao was quickest on his legs, and ho! set the pace a,. cracker. It was evident there was to be no' dilly-dallying or waiting for each other, for as they streamed up to the top of the rise' Liao was still there galloping in inimitable 1 style just' ahead'of Jardy, Cicero, Silver' Streak, and Signorimo, with Leopold out of it.from the start. Before going a quarter,' of a-mile Stern had brought Jardy up with out effort, and the French colt was leading. [ by a length and a-half. But when they! had travelled half a-mile Silver Streak showed. the > way. There was some consternation as they approached the top of the betid'down to Tattenham Corner, when it was seen that Cioero had dropped back, and _ did not seem at all well placed for thai terrible turn lying down ahead of him. Maher was, however, taking things easily oil the favourite. There was just that one extra thrill of excitement when each of the nine , had his head faced for home, and one I strained and tried to coax glasses.to bo still more powerful in the endeavour to see which had the command. Rouge Croix was shouted, and He held an advantage just ! ahead of Liao for the first 50yds of the straight run in, and it was here that th« ' real serious and dramatic portion of the. race commenced. At this point for a moI ment the verdict seemed to rest between ■ Signorino and Jardy, for Rouge Croix and' Liao had dropped back beaten, and Cicero was balked on the inside in Maher's endeavour to get through. The favourite's jockey did not waste a moment, for his ready wit told him his chance was to be taken that second or not at all. He pulled out to the centre, and his tactics were re-, | warded with success, as he managed to gob a clear run, and the great battle between the "Englishman" and the "Frenchman" then commenced. The two colts racing neck and neck, the cxcitement was raised to fever heat, and it was a question which would be the first to get to work, Stem or Maher. Maher was seen to give Lore? Rosebery's oolt a vigorous shake-up, while Stern had sat still; and it was here that thousands of hearts beat faster and faces paled as for a moment it looked as if tha visitor, despite his cough, had taken the measure of the unbeaten English idol. Another moment and Stern was at Jardy in grim earnest, and it was to be a fight to tha finish. Malier just tickled Cicero with his whip, and amidst a great burst of cheering the son of Cyllene forged ahead, a neck, and then half a' length, winding up by. three-quarters of a length advantage amidst, a scene of indescribable excitement. Jardy was only a length in advance of Signorino, and so ended a. Derby contest that will be talked of for many a day. The race was run in record rime (2m. 39 3-5«.), which, o{ course, added still further to the merit at-

taching to the victory of l(Ord Roselxvy's colt.

Tumultuous cheering came from that great army outside the enclosures who saw Lord Rosebery slowly come down the .tk-py lo the weighing enclosure prior to going up the course to lead his horse in. Before Ik.* could reach the gate to go out, however, .Tardy was returning to scale, and, had ha been a winner, surely the greeting could hardly have been kinder, and the .-uigloFrench jockey, although deadly pale, was evidently gratified. To show the popularity of the cx-Prcmiei as he stepped on through the long avenue of faces, preceded by constables to clear a way for hum hu reception was of the warmest. -no V;" is no doubt of his enormous popularity. Loading Cicero with a long while f r *.'£ which was attached to .he snaffle of horse, he quietly came back the ido or t.i« populace and the centre of congratulation JEroni hie peers.