SPORTING NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13202, 13 June 1906, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

THE GREAT: NORTHERN MEETING.

j:r PiJAKTOX. :#v; ■ ' All through the piece, and by that I mean from the date of nomination for the principal events, there was a consensus of opinion that the A.R.C. would only require decent weather to score a big success in collection with their winter gathering. The clerk of the weather was found in a genial mood, and with a good ray of sunshine on each of the three days over which the meeting extended the metropolitan body had the satisfaction of bringing oft' a record meeting; indeed, it may be doubted if any meeting of a similar character ever held in the colony " has been up to the standard of the gathering he! - at Ell.erslie in the winter of 1906. Front first to last there was a splendid dash about the racing, and had it not been for the . sad . accident associated with the running- of the Remuera Hurdle Race, by which Samuel Fergus, one of the bestknown, as he was one of the most popular, horsemen, lost- his life, there would have been an unbroken list of pleasurable incidents. Such a meeting as that which has just been brought to a conclusion is one to ~j carried long in memory, and we may have to wait a good few years for its like to be again recorded. THE HURDLE RACERS. • Exmcor, by. reason of his runaway victory in the Great Northern Hurdle Race, is entitled to first attention amongst the hurdlers. The manner in which the Grafton gelding settled the.opposition, and the proficiency of his jumping, left no room for a ( cavil that the result should liavo been differ-; cut, and all round it is conceded that tho Wellington horse, with only xO.-;t 31b to carry, was one of , the : " best of good things" over slipped for the race. Exmoor's future efforts at the meeting were confined to the flat events, so that there was no seio.id trial to prove the correctness of the running- ,in the Great Northern Hurdlw Race. It is stated that Exmcor. does net like to bo pushed, and that when lit' is done pulling ho. is . done racing. Though no doubt there is something to support such a finding it can, I think, be still argued that he has a dash of brilliancy, and having proved himself a good weight-carrier, there is some reason to look to him to put up a fine record over hurdles. Cavalry quite redeemed his character by capturing the Remuera and Campbell Hurdle Races ill really good style. Prior to the opening of the meeting the good-looking son of Light Artillery had demonstrated' that ' he had improved in his jumping, and though he made one or two faulty efforts in leaping ho stood up on each day. Cavalry's win in the Campbell Hurdle Race was especially meritorious, and it showed him up in the light of a real game-'un. 'His rider had to call on him three-quarters of a mile from home, at which point lie appeared to be beaten. Cavalry kept pegging away, however, and though he came home very tired he was in first place when the judge's box loomed up. ' The son of Light Artillery is still susceptible of much improvement, and providing he goes on the right way in the interval hp may be expected to make a. good bid. for Grand National honours at Riccairton in August. Ability scored his victory in the Maiden Hurdle Race on the first day in good style, and lie made a decent fight of it in the decision of the Remuera Hurdle Race. Liberator managed to get his name on the winning- list in the Orakei Hurdle Race on the second day; but after showing a big dash of pace in the early stages of tho Campbell Hurdle Race he died right out of it, and as he was put in at 9st 71b in the last-named race there is no great reason to sing his praises loud on the strength of his win in the Orakei Hurdle Race. Romany King ran very true in each of his races on the first and second days, but on the third day, in the Campbell Hurdle Race, when most was expected from him, he cut up badly, and was never up sufficiently close to be seriously Considered. Maybe the two severe races the Gipsy King gelding received left their mark on ■ him, and that he. was weary of his task when the third day's racing arrived. Hydrant was one of the chief disappointments amongst the hurdlers. The first hurdle in the Great Northern beat him, and lie. ran badly in each of his other races. Possibly the fall Hydrant received may have upset him; but all in, a! good few keen judges were left; wondering how he managed to down Exhioor in.the decision of the Century Hurdle.Raceat'Wanganui." Defender fell over Hydrant,, when ho came down, and lie no doubt was upset by his mishap, as he was thrown very heavily. The Cuirassier gelding ran a much better race in the Campbell Hurdles than when he contested the. Remuera Hurdles, and ha came home second to Cavalry. Defender jumped his fences well, and he can be termed promising. Silica was a failure all through the meeting, and I am inclined to think that no one was more nonplussed over the unsatisfactory display of the son of Flintlock than his owner, Dennis Morraghan. Silica looked to be well served in the matter of condition, and his poor form is a still; conundrum. THE STEEPLECHASERS. It is not open to any doubt which horse is entitled to* first place under this heading, for the game little (Sol unquestionably won first honours. The story of his doughty feat in 7;'r.3ir; 1 j thfi Great Northern Steeplechase has already beet told ; and that the praises bestowed upon the son of Sou It in connection with his capture of the big race were richly deserved he gave, ample proof in the decision of the Winter Steeplechase on the concluding day, when under the steadier of 12st lib he made such a bold bid for victory that Irish, with 35ib the best of the weights, had to be ridden right out to beat him by three-quarters of a length. In both of his races Sol displayed gameness of a high order, and this was especially noticeable in his last, race. 'The little horse was under the whip when the last round came to be tackled, at which stage ho was a long way from his leaders, bin: he never once flinched under severe pressure. A good little horse is Sol. Considering that. Irish had been off the scene for over twelve months, and that lie did not rejoin the active brigade a 5 Ellorslio until some eight weeks back, he acquitted himself well. He took a prominent hand in the settlement of the Great Northern Steeplechase up to the last half-mile, end standing up he came home fourth. Tho Winter Steeplechase found him always in the- front flight, and fencing with the utmost dash, he scored a well-deserved victory. Pm'ixibly no .horse that ran at i'!!lerslie will b-.» more b> a.cited by M..t racing he received than Irish, and the ;uviK"o should ha —t much in stoic for '"n.;. Swimrwci Was •>:ilj seen out once at no Meeting, when he rr-n see id to Hoi in :'un Groat No'"U;err. The dV-U-y of tkCannon gelding -..-as docided'y cfociitsbb. and ■ it is quite evident that !>' is -i better horse than was generally thoocd". Baritone commenced by striking his colours to Catherine Gordon in the Maiden Steeplechase. On that form he could not be regarded ' seriously for the Great Northern Steeplechase. The big fellow, however, ran a very much better race in the big event. He .was always up near the front, fencing in bold style, and he came homo in third place. This display caused Baritone to be made a strong favourite for the Tamaki Steeple at on the third day, . but he did not fence so well as on the preceding Monday, and though he claimed the attention of the judge the moderate Kruger was bracketed with him. Baritone is a big upstanding fellow that looks good to stand a bit- of wear and tear, and maybe lie will not be a bad purchase at £475 to Mr. W. C Morgan. The Reynard gelding Hakaria managed to win the Tally-ho Steeplechase, and as he scored his winning display in his first; effort over Ellerslie he may be said to have straight awav justified the policy pursued with him. Hakaria ran a good race in the Winter Steeplechase for two miles and ahalf, when lie fell at the stone wall. Nadador shaped nicely in each of her efforts, and I did not see her once mnikc a faulty jump throuchout in either of her two efforts over the Ellcrslie course. Haydn como'etcd the course each time he was saddled up, but the veteran has evidently seen his best day. In each of the races he struck the hurdle at the back of the course heavily when endeavouring to improve hiposition, and after that it was all up with him. Comfort appeared to be going well in the Great Northern Steeplechase when he toppled over the first post and rail fence in the second round, and he- was not- am in ?..-•< out at :ho meeting. Fir m ■ '' l|i! ti: i,; nisi, i -lid been unispere v ->»: " • r the Oif'lt . -rifling- rras a. grc.,-.iy . .-.veil . b : bur i'. would seem -as ,;.augh the position had been exaggerated. Phaeton it-is having earned a reputation.. for falling in his efforts over country doubts were expressed as to his ability to negotiate Ellorslio in safety; but he got round all right in the Great Northern : Steeplechase, though whet) it came to real business ui the bust half-mile he was alwav.s a beater horse. When thorouchte seasoned it will be- quit*} in order to find Phaetouitis a. successful candidate in a big event across country. When Aka Aka ran second to Swimmer at Takapuna on the 24th ult. it was a pretty general opinion that the strong gallop bo received at the' North Shore would do him a deal of

good, and the work executed by the l'cgol gliding in the-interval went to,prove such a contention; but when it came to the crucial test, under silk Aka Aka was found to bo sadly wanting, -.and he wound up-:-a disitpliaiiiting' dispiay" by walking, in lame after endeavouring to "win the Winter Steepleeliase. It would seem as though Aka Aka played his best card when he won the (ireat Northern Hurdle Race two years back. Moccasin-looked all right in point... bf 'condition, but he failed badly each time! In the Great Northern contest he ruined his chance by a faulty jump at the double,'and though he completed the coursja in the Winter. Steeplechase he was really nevijr dangerous in the concluding stage. Klrajref. hvjho made v- dead heat of it with Baritone | for first honours in the -Tamaki Steeplechase;' is an upstanding six-year-old so i of .Sabretaeho • hat may see a better day. I )■ ■' THE FLAT ItAf:|l£l!S.

Honours were so well distributed amongst the flat racers "that it is somewhat difficult to say which horse lias the jbe.st record. How&ver, we will take the first'one to score in the first of the principal events, Rooikby, and the manner in which he came out: and settled the opposition at the business end of the trip attaching to the Cornwall Handicap showed him up in very much more attractive colours than most of us would have been prepared to assign to him prior to his registering his successful display in the mile race. In the decision of the Prince of Handicap Waikato had the distinction of defeating the most numerous field that lias tver contested a race at. Ellerslie. The son of St.'Hippo was on hand on the third day to endeavour to extend his winning record, but- a second in the York Handicap was his best display. Further than that ho -is now less headstrong than when previously racing at EI lor si ie Waikato is pretty much tho same horse that we previously knew. That he doesn't relish two race- on the same afternoon there was some strong,:,evidence, for on being pulled out to contest, the. Farewell Handicap on Saturday he. was never really dangerous. • Fashionable, won a good place by capturing the York Handicap on the third day, and the, display of the pony son of Soult was such as to pointedly demonstrate his right to be ar.vppted as one of the host of his class that has raced at Ellerstie. Tho Australian-bred Trephine won the Ranfurly Handicap on tho second day, but ho, was not nulled out further'at the' meeting, and as the crowd he beat (save Haeremai) were all defeated subsequently very little can be said for those he disposed of. At. various times I have made mention of Messrs. Duder having a. really tine-looking four-year-old in the shape of Tui Cakobsu. The sou of Cuirassier and Hum? succeeded i:- losing his maiden status on the third day of the Meeting, when he practically came in b- himself in the Fitzrov Welter Handicap. When required to finish off his task Tui Cak -bait lay down to bis work in a style up to the standard of the Musket family, and as he looks like one for whom age will do a groat deal the future may be said to look most, promising for the Messrs. Duder to furnish a (rood winner next, season. The Tasman gelding Discoverer did not make his appearance on the scene until the third day's racing was well - unde-rweigh, and ns tho chestnut was held in less esteem than his two stable-mates. I Landlock, and "Ren, in the Farewell Handicap matters did not seem to augur well for his claiming the attention of the judge. However, the Tasman gelding went tin' at the distance and tnokl"d the opposition, which ended in » half-length victory going down to his credit. THK WINNING SIRES. During the thre P , days 21 events were decided. and .17 sires were responsible for winning representatives. Lcolantis was placed in the lending position—Baltimore., Storyteller, - and Baritone (dead heater) being his representatives. Soult wa« responsible for. /Sol and Fashionable. Freedom claimed Liberator and Haeremai, while Eight Artillery had a double winner in Cavalry. The other sires to obtain a place oil the sires' list, were Ben Godfrey. Parkin Warbeck, Grafton, Connuercr, Brockby. Cyrenian, Auric. St. Hippo. Reynard, Sabretache. Eton, Cuirassier, and Tasman. -; THE WINNING TRAINERS. ■ No less than 17 different trainers secured a place on the winning list, and it may bo assumed that honours wore well distributed in that quarter. Dennis Morrag'nan furnished two winners with Sol and Hakaria. T. A. "Williams had a double winner with Cavalry, .1. B. Wiliatnson scored with Catherine Cordon and'lrish, G. Coleman with Ben and Discoverer, while R. Hannon was responsible for Liberator and the dead boater Baritone. The other trainers to obtain an entry oil the winning list were:— H. rosper (Ektrioor), Dan Morraghan (Ability), Twohill (Rookby). R. Hall (Lady Nannie), K. Heat'on (Baltimore). J. McClure (Trophbie), ,E. Russell (Waikato). P. .Tones (Storyteller). ■ H. French 'Fashionable), W. Bin eh ford (Tui Cakobau), Mr.' W. Ring (Haeremai), Chaat'e (Krugqr). .

«. ' * THE WINNING JOCKKVS. . i W. Wilson, M. Ryan, A. Julian, and J. O'Connell came out level amongst- the riders contesting at. the meeting. Wilson scored on Sol and Fashionable. Ryan steered Ben and Rook by, Julian's winning mounts were Trephine and Hakaria. white O'Connell scored a double with Cavalry. The other riders to obtain a place on the winninir Ibt were:—F. Burns (Catherine Gordon), McConnon (Exmoor). W. Hiet/ins (Ability). Pinker (Lady Nannie), W. O'Comn-Il (Liberator). Jackson ,/Waikato), _ J. Buchanan (Storyteller), B. Towers (Irish), Ackrovd (Tui Cakobau), F. Davis (Discoverer), S. Howie (Baritone), H. Phillins (Kruger), Mr. Bagnall (Baltimore), Mr. C. Ring (Haeremai). ' ' INTERPROVTXCIAL GOSSIP. ' ['fit 'XELEGKAI'H. —OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] CANTERBURY. ■ Tuesday. . The entry list for the New Zealand Cup, which,totals 54-, is somewhat disappointing, in vie\y of the fact (hat. 72 horses were engaged a year ago. There is a decrease of four three-year-olds unci three year-olds, the balance of 11 being made tip .from the five-year-olds and upwards. The most notable feature about the list is that, the two leading South Island owners, Sir Geo. Clifford and Mr. G. <!. Stead, are missing from it altogether. Sir Geo. Clifford has never played a very prominent part: in past Cup contests, hut with Mr. Stead it is different. Ho lias won the race twice in succession, besides winch he has more than once previously own'd a strongly-fancied candidate. Hie fact that lie has refrained from patronising the rare this year suggests that the j..-! ,wr.u .stable does not shelf ' any pro-ne.-g thi?e-y.?ai'-"'!as \ r next season. Acniile; ;s the most uo;."0!e other absentee from ■:'!! list, bur after his repeated fsiluies oyer ~ distance I scarcely expected to see him nominated. Th » Hon. J. IV. '■ u-moi-d Led'; a very strong ht».- !. .-.id. it wo.dd bo

:.o surprise to End amour; his fii e rising thrc-e-year-olds one c- two high-class colts. Boomerang and Mukivi-i represent the highest. class among the four-year-olds, and Maliutonga. Paritmu, avid Maniapoto are the. best of tli» older divisions. In looking round for a reason for the falling off in the entries as compared with last year I cannot help thinking that penalty conditions are in some measure responsible. The fact that these give a good three-year-old a decided pull is not likely to be overlooked by owners of moderate horses, who cannot be blamed for declining the contest. Auckland stables are poorly, represented, Gladstone, Ironmould. and Uenuku being the only three nominated. At present it does not look-as if we could look for a brilliant field, but it is too early yet to decide that we will not have a good race.

Backers did not wait long after tho publication of the nominations before setting to work on the New Zealand Cup. Tho business transacted duung the week includes tho following:—1200 to 35 agst. Star Rose, 1000 to 56 Boomerang, 1000 to 45 Martello, 500 to 20 Zetland, 400 to 20 Multifid, .300 to 12 Lyrist, 300 to 22 Zimmerman, 300 to 9 Armistice.

The first meeting of the newly-elected committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club was held last week, when Mr. G. G. Stead was re-elected chairman.

We had a spell of wet weather at the end. of last week, bur the rain ceased on Saturday, and since then we have had some hard frosts. The tracks are very heavy, hut a few dry ' fine weather should provide plenty of -{ortJ-: s'' .Narcissus and Taxpayer were s, 1. wt, ?er. the.big fences on Thursday. ' -r iting the sod wall a stirrup bar o. 7 > i' s saddle broke, find she was .Qitseb '- , s «ig Narcissus to go alone over '; ; c r •• J til and double, which he negotiant , ■ Hp fenced capitally throughout, : " - xpayer also gave a-good display u»vi t.i.. low fences she jumped.* The '> cesser was schooled over hurdles on Thursday, when ho gave the best exhibition ho has ever been responsible for in private. He appears to have benefited by his 'spell, ami moves more frctlv than lie did last year. , Eurus and Graduated Tax are. again in aotivu work. The former's leg is .still enlarged. but it, does not appear to affect him.' Highland Reel, who. has been enjoying a vest sinco Easter, is again in active commission at 'Yaldhurst. Boomerang -is quoted favourite at 12 to 1 lor the Clin. , /

L. H. Hewitt left tor"Sydney on Friday for a holiday. lie will do the riding on Melodecn, Savoury, and Starshoofc prior to his return to New Zealand in October. Hewitt swims to have definitely, made up lib mind to go to England early next year. V Stepdaneer has been taken dip again to commence her preparation for the New Zealand Cup. • J.. McCombe will probably ride the Hon. J. D. Ormoud's horses at Hruvke's Bay and Napier Park meeting WELLINGTON. ■" i T ; Tuesday Kuroki and Miss King, the well-known hurdlers, were shipped for Sydney on Saturday! Kuroki wen* in charge of his part-owner, Frank Line), ihc» well-known hurdle and steeplechase rider. The Otaki Maori Club had a most successful meeting. The totalizator turnover for the gathering amounted to £15,277. This amount is £3635 ahead of last year, but £341 behind the figures of 1903. . _ Mr. 'W. Davis, the Hutt trainer, has started a subscription for the widow and children of the late S. Fergus. NAPIER. Tuesday. Oryx arrived back hero this morning from hi- unsuccessful trip to Auckland. • Full Cry, 'who was purchased some time ago by Mr. J-. F. Williams, of Wairoa, is being got ready in that district. The coming two-year-old son of The Possible and Maid Marion and the filly of the same age by Torpedo—Lad.v Berys. which wore purchased by Mr. 11. To Hianga when the yearling crop from Te Muhunga and Mangatarata were submitted for sale early this year, are making rapid strides in their studies under the direction of A. White at Waipawa. Benair has been leased to It. Gooseman for a term. One of the best-backed horses at Otaki on Tuesday was the l local fencer -lack Pot, whose score in the Second Hurdles brought joy t the hearts of stay-at-homes.

Paua, winner of the Ohau Welter at Otaki, is a half-brother to Ballastit-e, a. mare who paid £122 odd when she triumphed in tho Settlers' Hack Handicap at the inter meeting of the Napier Park Racing Club four years ago.

Amoiireux's rising two-year-old son, by San Fran, who A. Woods is supervising, gives the idea that ho will turn ou a g-x.-d pupil.

With such a. number of horses away fulfilling contracts there is not much track work of interest to not© during the past week.

Chicane, Lyrist, Ideaus, Zimmerman, Wirra.l, Kairoir.a, Idealist, and Boomerang constitute the Hawkc's Bay entrants for the New Zealand Cup. Certainly ,iofc a very formidable array for ,a district like this, where so many horses a.ro bred and trained.

Rechabite and Snooker were given a school over the country fences at Napier Park this morning. Both fenced in a capable manner.

WANGANUI. . The well-known lady sport, Miss E. M. Dempster, of Alton, is at present- handling Lantern, a. rising three-year-old brown colt, which is intended later on to be placed under C. Birkett's supervision. The fullbrother to Gleam is said to show more quality .and substance than his successful relative.

Armistice is still on the big side, and it is problematical whether the Maliaki —Melinite mare (who has had a good spell) will be ready for early spring engagements. A horse that has not raced for some time is Ben more, trained by H. Jackson, but since ho has been in commission the bay gelded son of Casket and Ulva is acquitting himself in his work as well as anything on the. local track. He possesses plenty of pace, and is a; horse worth following. ' Mr. Albert Tucker 'recently purchased Tongerdhie. , Great regret, was expressed hero when the news came through that S. Fergus had succumbed to the injuries received in Auckland while riding Silica. The Wanganui district is poorly represented in the New Zealand Cup, Armistice, Apa, Martello, and St. Joe comprising our quota. The number of horses in work hero seems to bo gradually getting less, and Caretaker Webb informs me that this is one of the worst seasons—from a numerical point of view—that ho has seen in Wanganui. This is a. pity, considering wo have training tracks second to none in the colony. Our local light-weight, George Price, will return from his Sydney-Mellioiirno trip in time for the Grand National meeting. .7. Boyd; who is looking after Tondergliie, is engaged to 'ride the chestnut son of Daunt and I'let ain his hurdle events. HUNTING AND PL ECU A SIN G. TO THE SPORTING EDITOR. Sir, —I was very pleased to see a letter in a recent issue, of the Hekaid on the above subject. I think "8.W." might have gone back for a few years, and called tho attention of the sporting public to the fact that the , last three Great Northern Steeplechases have been won by qualified hunters, and that the Great Northern Hurdle- Race in .1904 was won by that good-horse Aka Aka, who first raced as a hunter at the P.H.C. sports. I quite agree with him that the hunting fie-ld does bring out the best of steeplechaser's, but I am not with him' about cutting down fences and putting sapling's on wire fences. I think it is great cheek to exi>ect the farmers to fro to the trouble and expense* of putting up Uh'»_ ia?lin£;s, ami to cut down and trim the hedges. _ When a farmer allows tho hounds over his farm I think ho has done his share towards the sport of hunting. If "8.W." cannot follow the Pakuranga, hounds without having wire fences lowered and hedges trimmed, lie had hotter use some of his spare time and go I round to the farmers and aek permission to do it himself. It would show that he has ! the interest of hunting at. heart, as lie must know that the finances of the I'.H.C. are just now not very good, and the club can- | not afford to do work unless it is absolutely. ! required. I have hunted the Pakuranga 1 hounds now nearly 15 seasons. The counj try we hunt over i.- the same as in 1894, I and for .the first five or six seasons not. a i sapling was there on any wire fence: there | was no grumbling at that time; more fol- | lowed the Pakuranga hounds then than now: it was no uncommon thing to see 20 to 30 riders well mounted riding well up to the hounds. It is not the country that is at fault: what is wanted is a few more of tbe old sort of riders, than " naught comes amiss, one horse, or another, that country or this." Considering the number of hunters that ran jump wire, fences, hedges with wire in them, and walls with wire on top, very few get. tangled lup and have to be. cut on',.. I. have r.-.Joed it is >■'*' man who is looking iw- gaps that gf.= t.--;gled up tho most. ' • A. Sjsibt, Olah ;' June 8, IP";;;.