GREAT HORSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13277, 8 September 1906, Page 7

GREAT HORSES.

"WAS ABEKCORN AS GOOD AS CARBINE? ' nr phaeton. ■-''-."' A correspondent, "Australian," writes me as follows: —

"Dear 'Phaeton,'—l perused your article on Great Horses with very much interest. Now I am not prepared to question in the slightest degree Carbine's greatness, or that you were in every way justified in ranging him'Up alongside the English-bred cracks, St. Simon, Ormonde, Isinglass, and Flying Fox; but while saying this I am prepared to contend that there was one as good as Carbine bred in . the colonies that, was not mentioned in your article. I refer to Abercom. The fact has to be admitted that the son of Chester three times defeated Carbine at weight-for-age. That may be regarded as a fair test of merit, and I consider that I am perfectly justified in contending thai whatever Carbine was capable of doing Abercorn could at least have equalled it. In your previous article you mentioned that it afforded you considerable pleasure to peer into the records of great equities, and in asking you to place Aboreorn's full record in print I feci sure you will regard it as a, labour of love to compile the same, and I can assure vou that it will be perused with much interest by your large circle of readers."

In penning a reply to Australian" I can tell him straight away that I readily accept Abercorn as a horse entitled to be included within the category of the great; but even admitting that Carbine had to striike his colours three times to the son of Chester in weight-for-age contests it is just as well to remember that the Nov/ Zealandbred crack beat his Australian rival a like number of times under similar conditions, and, further, that in another rate in which Carbine asserted his superiority over Abercorn he had 121b over the weight-for-age standard in the saddle, while the Chester horse had but 41b more. That may be news to Australian." Just let its weigh up the matter calmly, and perhaps before 1 have concluded I may have succeeded in convincing " Australian" that Carbine is fairly entitled to tho leading position, at . least amongst horses bred in the colonies. Abercorn and Carbine, it may ho remarked, had their first meeting in the autumn of 1889, when they measured strides in the Champion Stakes, the result being an easy victory for Carbine. Maybe "Australian" will bo inclined to argue that Abercorn was not himself that day; but when wo come to bear in mind that on tho opening day of the meeting he defeated Malua at weight for age in the Essendou Stakes, and that on the concluding day (two days after Carbine dressed him down iu the Champion Stakes) ho won the Place Handicap under 9s 101b in fast time, such a contention could not be entertained for a moment. It is quite tru© that Alortoni defeated Carbine atXßandwick in the following month in the A.J.C. Autumn Stakes: but wo have I think a right to conclude that Abercorn was most fortunate that day, for when Carbine met him two days subsequently at a difference of only 41b (the weights were 9st 41b and 9sf) iu {he Sydney' Cup Carbine won, and that too after having been seriously interfered with at a critical juncture of tho race. In the decision of the Cumberland Stakes and A.J.C. Plate, run at the same meeting. Carbine again asserted his supremacy over the son of Chester. Abercorn won the whole of the six races that he contested at five years old, and as his record includes a victory in the Metropolitan Stakes under 9st 71b there was undoubted evidence of brilliancy. Abercorn only met Carbine on two occasions in his last season, and each time honours went to the Australian. it was, however, only a question of a neck between them in (he Melbourne Stakes (Melos separating the pair), and as to 'the Canterbury Plata contest it is known full well that Carbine was eased up in that race owing to one of his feet cracking. Carbine's record does not require to be bolstered up at tho cost of Abercorn. As I said before the son of Chester can readily be assigned a place with the great equities that have raced under the Southern Cross; but in comparing him with Carbine "Australian's" contention that he was eoualto recording anything that Carbine did rests more upon supposition, than facts. Carbine's second to Bravo in the Melbourne Cup when four years old, under the crusher of lOst, when with 331b the worst of the weights ho ran the winner to. a neck, and his victory in the same race in the succeeding year, when carrying the tremendous load of lOst 51b, beating a field of 38, are imperishable record*- bound up in the history < ! of the Australasian turf. Ahercoro was undoubtedly a great and sterling performer, but no such feats as those narrated in Carbine's record are clown to. his credit; and it can I think fairly be claimed that the honours as between the bay son of Muslket and the chestnut son of Chester should be accorded to tho stout-heark-d horse that first saw the light in Auckland.

It may be remarked that the last occasion on which the late Mr. E. T. Barnard, hatidienpper to the V.R.C.. weighted Carbine and Abercorn the first-named was awarded lOst and the latter 9->t 101b, and of course the student of racing will not overlook the fact that Carbine was conceding his rival a year.

From the following statement of Abercorn's performances which 1 have compiled it will be seen that the son of Chester started in 34 races during his career, of which he won 19. while a dead heat credited to him had ail the. merits of a winning performance. In taking note of the number of horses that finished behind Abercorn I find that lie led heme 137 horses during his career.

ABERCORN'S PERFORMANCES. AT TWO YEARS. Impost. St lb Won December Stakes, 5 furlongs ... 810 Third Lady Carrinfrton Stakes. 5 furlonirs, won bv Moorhouse (Bst 71b), Hunting Tower (Sst 71b), second ... 9 0 .v'on V.R.C. Sires' Produce Stakes, 6 furlongs 8 10 Won Claret Stakes, 5 furlongs 8 2 Won A.J.C. Sires' Produce Stakes, 7 furlongs 8 10 Second A.J.C. Champagne Stakes. 6 furlongs, won by Matador (Bat 10lb) ..9 6 Won A.J.C. Foal Stakes. 6 furlongs . 9 3 AT TIIREK YEAKS. Won A.J.C. Dery. 1J miles 8 10 Dead beat for A.J.C. Coal Stakes with Niagara (Sst 131b) 9 6

Second V.R.C. Derby, Vj miles, won by .The. Australian Peer (Cat lOlbi 8 10 Nowhere in Melbourne Oup, 2 miles. won by Dunlop (Est Gib) .." 7 7 Second Canterbury Plate, 24 miles, won by The Australian Peer (7st 31b) ... 7 4 Won V.R.C. St. Lewr Stakes. Vi miles ... 8 10 Won Champion Stakes. 3 miles 7 12 Won A.J.C. St Leger. 13 miles 8 10 Second Cumberland Stakes. 2 miles, won by The Australian Peer (Sst 21b) ... 8 2 Won A.J.C. Plate. 3 miles 3 0 AT FOUR YEARS. Second Spring Stakes. I', miles, won by The Australian Peer (9st) 9 0 Third Metropolitan Stakes, 2 miles, won by La mood (6st 41b), Arsenal (9st) second ... 9 8 Second Randwiek Plate, 3 miles, won by Wycombe (6st 121b) 9 0 Nowhere Melbourne Stakes. lj miles, won by The Australian Peer (9st) ... 9 0 Won Kssendon Stakes. 11 miles 9 0 Second Champion Stakes, 3 miles, won by Carbine (7st 121b) 9 0 Won Place Handicap. I'. miles 9 10 Won A..1.C. Autumn Stakes. 1J mile* ... 9 0 Third Sydney Cup, 2 miles, won by Carbine i'9st> ■• 9 4 Third Cumberland Stakes, 2 miles, won by Carbine (Bst 21b) 9 0 Second A.J.C. Plate. 3 miles, won by Carbine (Bst) 9 0 AT FIVE YEARS. Won Spring Stakes, 11 miles 9 5 Won Metropolitan Stakes, 2 miles .. 9 7 Won Craven Plate, 11 miles 9 4 Won Randwiek Plate, 3 miles 9 / Won Melbourne Stakes, li miles .. 9 3 Won Canterbury Plate. 21 miles ... ... 9 5 C.J.C. SPUING MEETING. ACCEPTANCES FOE THE NEW ZEALAND CUP. [BY TELEGKArif.— I'RESS ASSOCIATION'.] G'HIUSTCHUBCH, Friday. - The following acceptances were posted tonight for the principal event of tho C.J.C. spring meeting: — THE NEW ZEALAND CUP of 2000sovs. Two utiles. st lb it lb Boomerang i. 813 Ucnukn ... - °io Paritutu ... 8 5 Landwern 610 Lyrist ... ... 713 Joe Chamberl Q 6 9 '.ttherin ... .»• 713 Stepdancer 6 9 Auratus i . 713 Lapland ... 6 9 Multiflc! ... ... 712 Field Gun ... 6 9 Gladstone *.. 7 10 Sea Kins ..- 6 9 Ghoorka 7 9 Zetland .. 6 9 feavourv ... 7 8 Submarine ... 6 8 Armistice ... 7 5 ISlythetnaid ... 6 J Martello 7 4 Tirole ... ... 6 7 Zimmerman ... 7 4 La Torpedo ** 6 7 Ironmould .». 7 3 Chicane ... M 6 7 Wirral 7 2 Tsitsihar ... 6 7 kurort „« 7 2 Star ltoso *» 6 7 St. Joe ... %k. 1 1 Notus > " Flamen ... ~. 7 0 Royal Crown ... 6 7 Czarevna . . 611 Balsam ... ■«• 6 '< The best price offering in Auckland about OParitutu for the Now Zealand Cup is 5 to 1 Boomerang and Multifid follow the. Castor gelding in the quotations at 8 to 1 , each.

: ' NOTES FROM ELLERSLI K. r The weather was again fine on Thursday morning, and the course proper being placed at the disposal of trainers a fairly interesting morning's -work was witnessed. The tracks were, however, a trifle heavy, and consequently no fast times were made. Scutiy was the first out, and, with two companions at different stages of the journey, ho ran a mile in lm. 555. Celtic brushed over half-u-mile, and Defender ran a round at a solid pace/" Bonomiana and Soultfish, together, ran six furlongs in lm. 27 2-Ss., and Pearl Necklet finished about three lengths in front of Inglis at the end of five furlongs, which took lm. lis. Gladstone was going better than Apologue at tho end of seven furlongs, run in lm. *0 3-ss. Lady Hune sprinted four furlongs, and Duart a furlong less, in 41 3-55., Arai-te-Uru covering the. same distance in 41s. Sweet Alice was half-a-longth in front of Concihctor at the end of five furlongs, which took lm. 10s. to traverse. Claremont, Hopscotch, and Forth finished in that order over four furlongc, run in 55 2-ss. Sol and Hakaria (sand) '.■ovorcd two rounds at three-quarter pace, and The- Middy was given easy exercise on the tan. Leouator covered four furlongs in 56 l-ss.,_and Master Cements three furlongs in 42 3-ss. Master Dekval was given steady work on the sand. Kvuger ran a circuit in 2m. 14 3-55., and Cannongate was sent a similar journey. Girton Girl sprinted three furlongs in 41 4-55., while Pylades and Discoverer ra' five furlongs in lm. 10 l-ss. Lady Annie, from almost a standing start, took 42 4-ss. to run three furlongs. Lady Frances sprinted half-a-mile and Ben five furlongs. Ironmould was going better than Geordie at the end of a mile, which took lm. 57.-. to cover. . Sir Rupert, and Melallist ran five furlongs, the last four in 57 2-55., and Sir Gilead ran the full 'distance- in lm. 10 2-55.. The following work was registered hv . twc-ye-ar-o)ds: — Weal's trio, comprising the youngster by Memcitikoft—The Slave, the BluejacketRadiant filly, and the Hotehkiss—Alegir colt, were companions over throe furlongs. The first-named got a little tb> best of the start, and never gave the others a chaiicv. The journey occupied 41s. Carmania (San Francisco—Campania) and Aqua Regia were sent a similar distance, tho two-year-old showing to most advantage. Heirarch (Cyrenian—Miss Annie) had to be bustled along to keep with Sonoma over the same distance. Frontignac had a little the worst of it- in a sprint over three furlongs with Delania, which took 42 2-ss. Necktie (MensehikoffCastorlace), who had the pony Lady Nannie for a companion, got to the end of a similar journey in 41 l-ss. RANDWICK TRAINING NOTES. NEW ZEALAND HORSES TRAINING ON WELL. By Telegraph —Fress Association.—Copyright. Std.net, September 7. At Randwiek this morning Maniapoto created something of a sensation by the way in' which he disposed of his two" stablemates, Marvel Loch and Noreen, in a gallop of over nine furlongs. Maniapoto covered the distance in 2m. 2is.. the last mile taking lm. 49i5., tho sou of Soult finishing six or seven lengths in advance of the two mares, both of whom had light weights in the saddle. Lady Wallace covered a mile in lm. 48is. Isolt traversed the same distance in- half-a-fecond longer, the daughter of Multiform having a decided call over Porcelain. PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB'S MEETING. The following nominations have been received for the Pakurauga Hunt Club's meeting, which takes place on Saturday next at Alexandra Park: — FARMERS' HANDICAP FLA* RACE.— Dunce, Miss Drury, I'rreniount, Reminder. Don Pedro, Lady Rune. Waioma, Charlie. Bessie, llinetavomo. Snap Cap, Fabricator, Irish .lis, Lady Winnie, Pukerimu, Soultawa. Dogger Bank. HUNTERS' HANDICAP HURDLE RACE.—Hood Faith, St. Harp, Mozart, Starlight, Dnrrlwell, Nick Hunt. Glasgow, Loekip, Pukerimu. OPEN HANDICAP FLAT RACE.—lion, Don Pedro. Freemotint, Tanibourma, Chief Steward, Charlie, Klondrke, Lui-iece, Oiuati, Sonoma, Lady Winnie. Anna Regia, Millie, Conductor, Cardooi'i. Cornwall Park, Celerity, Kaitnngati, Arui-te-oiu, Soultawa. HUNTERS* HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE—St. Harp', Brighain, Rakiuo. Battleaxc, Sterling, Per- ' severance, Starlight, Ngaru, Nick Hunt, Kino, G.P.0., Pukerimu.I . OPEN' FONT Locbeibie. Glenora. Her- : coleiih. Hopscotch, Etu, Sonoma, Oirton Girl, K.3.i----paki; Inspiration. HUNTERS' HEAVY-WEIGHT STEEPLECHASE. —Biialiani, .« Twa, Bachelor, Bryan O'Lynu, Waiuku. " - ■ LADIES' BRACELET Faith. Liberty. St. Harp, Loeberbie, Onewliero, Cutler, Waionia, Sterling, Laddie, Tip, Ngaru, Irish i\%, Fencer, Pukenui, Loekie, Soultawa.. AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUBS SPRING MEETING. The following is a list of the general entries received in connection with the Avondale Jockey Club's Spring Meeting: — MAIDEN PLATE.—Loclibuic, Soultstoue (late milestone), Fretwork, Tlio Scotchman, Pearl Necklet, Roselawu,' 'inlander, The Dunce, Master Clements, Lunetla, Wainia, Chief Steward. Lord Seat on, Ana-le-Cru. Intonibi, The Raven, Cachuea. Ana Lombard, Bump, Keep Step, Aristocrat, Llieio, Bromide. FIRST HANDICAP HURDLE RACE.—Kruger, Sir Hegel, Sol, Miss Drury, Swagsinan, Defender, Needlework, Lady Clare, Calle Iris. PLUNKET HANDICAP Loehhuie, Soultawn, Don Qnex, Waikato, Hen Johnston (late Hen), Sou It fish, llonomiana. Sir Gilead, Soultniaid, Lady Hune, Claremont. Kola Nip, Mechanic, Merry Soult, Lady Gladys, Millie. Paritutu, Bromide, Haereniai, Geologist, Miss Lancelot, FIRST PONY HANDICAP—Girion Girl, Forth, Gladys Rose, Storyteller, Herculean, Ruataniata, Merrytnanu. SECOND HANDICAP HURDLE RACE—Aqua Resin. Kniger, Sir Kegel. Sol, Miss Drury, Swncaman, Defender, Yolette, Needlework, Lady Clare, Calle Iris. PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP—Dean Park, Waikato, Ren Johnston (late Ben). Soultflsh, Soultmaid, Merry Soult, Millie, Paritutu, Lucrece, Geologist, Miss Lancelot. MOUNT ALBERT HANDICAP LocHbuie, Luresonie. Cnrdoon, Tambourina, rt'aikato, Sweet Alice., Ren Johnston (late Ren), The Middy, Ben Blair. Bonomiana, Discoverer, The Dune?. Black and (Sold. Soultmald, Conductor, Aira-te-Uru, Mirs Winnie, Geologist. MAIDEN HURDLE RACE Fretwork, Krugrer, Sir Itnpfp!, Zara (late .Tre.o, Swaps-man, Lady Hune, Yolette,'Kino, Needlework, ('.'alle Iti?. NEW LYNN" HANDICAP Soultawa, Soultstone dale milestone'), Colic D!iee«. Lady Clements, The Scotchman, Snapcap, War ('loud, Oiuati, Roselawn., Norma, Ulilander. The Dunce, Master Clements, Fortification. Wainia, Chief Steward, Lady Creasy, Intombi, Lady Gratta.ll. Kaitaugata, CacliucM, Waipu, Ana Lombard, Bump, Keep Step, Aristocrat, Lucie, La Cigale, Ruatamata. WELTER HANDICAP Pukekohe, Tambourina, Waikato, Pearl Necklet, Ben Johnston (late BciO, Bonomiana. Sir Gilead, Tui Cokubou. Soultniaid, Lunetta, Lady Hune, Claremont, Merry Soult, Millie. Keep Step, Bromide. Metalliat, Geologist, Miss Lancelot. SECOND STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP—Ngaru, Loch Fyuo, Kruger. Cnnhougate, Hakaria, Sol, Miss Drury, Kino. Needlework, Nick Hunt, Kialere. GRANDSTAND HANDICAP.—DeIania, Waikato, Apologue, Soultfish, Geordie, Sir Gilead, Akaiana, Gladstone, Claremont, Kola Nip, Inglis, Lady Gladys. Millie, Hautapu, Paritutu, Franklin, Luorece, Miss Lancelot. ELECTRIC HANDICAP.-Cornwall Talk. Duart. Luretonie, Curdoon, Celeritv, Engraver, Lady Clement*, Tainbourina. War Cloud." Pearl Necklet, Omati, Sweet Alice, The Middy, Ben Blair, Discoverer, 'the Dunce, Blkck and Gold, Conductor. Chief Steward, Aria-tc-Uru, Intombi, Merry Soult, Klondyke, Cachuea, Millie, Miss Winnie, Etu, Ruatamata. THIRD PONY HANDICAP—Girton Girl. Kai> paki,, Rapid, Norma, Forth, Cyroua, Pritno. Gladys Rose, La Annie, Noranu, Hopscotch, Storyteller, Etu, Herculean, Ruatamata, Merrymanu.

PUBLICANS' HANDICAP.— Waikato, Ben Johnston (late Ben), Soultniaid, Conductor, itiplis, Miss Winnie, llautatm, Aristocrat, Geologist. '

NURSERY HANDICAP—Bright Spark, Carmama. Soull—Lady Harriet nllv, Hilad—Mnratea filly, Caracole, Cadence. Lady Ferris, Quadroon. Blue Lisrlit. Heirareh, Inamorata colt, Froutino. Advocate, Wauchope. KINfISLAND HANDICAP.-Loehbuie, Soultawa. Fretwork, Anna Hei.i, Don Quex, The Scotol-tnaii, War Cloud, Pearl Necklet, Omati. Zara (lute Jess), Roselawu, I.blunder. 'Hie Dunce, Fortification, Lord Seaton, Intombi, The Raven, Kloudvke. Cacliuca. Anna Lombard, Dump. Keep Step', Aristocrat, Bromide, Haereniai, La Cigale. SECOND PONY HANDICAP.-Lady Nannie. Kaipakt, Rapid, Forth, Cyrano, Gladvs Roue, La Annie. Norana, Hopscotch, Storyteller, Etu, Ruataniata.