SPORTING NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13488, 15 May 1907, Page 4

SPORTING NOTES.

/ THE GREAT NORTHERNS. A REVIEW OF THE WEIGHTS. BT PHAETON'. Mr. ' Morse's adjustments for the. Great Northern Hurdle Race and Great Northern Steeplechase have on the whole been well received; but an opinion .prevails that he has dealt -i'little harshly with the. top weight division in each race. THE GREAT KOBTHEBS HCBDLE RACE. Exmoor, who heads the list in the Great Northern • Hurdle Race with 12s lib, Has been awarded 261b in excess of the impost he carried to victory in the same race last year. The son, of Grafton has nothing of a winning character to his credit ill the interval, and there is no inducement therefore to' include him amongst the dangerous division. Lady Hune, who follows Exmoor with 21b less, snowed herself up attractively in v 'the summer by winning three races on end; but I very much doubt her ability to score m the raco under review. Hautapu (list Wo) could on recent form have been dropped a good, deal. Creusot (list) may have a chance, for the impost down against his name is only lib in; excess of that which he carried to victory in the Now Zealand Grand National of 1905, and on that occasion he got to the end of two miles on a holding course in 3m. 49 2-ss. Cuiragno, another New Zealand Grand National winner, follows Creusot in the Elierslierace, lOsfe 131b being the impost allotted to tho Cuirassier geldiug. This is 7lb more . than he won under at Riccarton last August. Cuiragno has not won a race in the interval, and there is no shout; line to sound his claims to support. Kiatero {lOst 121b) has nothing much to his credit over hurdles, but the Castor gelding is .nicely treated, and I will be quite prepared to find him run a good race, for he stays well. : Sol (lOst 121b) is a good sticker, and, landed at the post in the same nick as last winner, ho will, I thinkfi beat more than beat him. Evenlodo (lOst 111b) has a few good races to his credit; but ': ho will bo called upon to meet a stronger field at Ellerslie than ho has so far encountered. Prospector (lOst 81b) distinguished himself ever the battens last winter, and ho won the Trial Hurdle Race at Riccartou in the spring; but with lOst 31b he came home third to Cuiragno and Hydrant in tho New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race. Shrapnel (lOst 81b) is nicely treated. In the decision of the Winter Hurdle Race at Wellington last July, The Workman gelding defeated Exmoor easily under 6lb less than he has received in the race Under review, and as he is a finished fencer ho must bo treated with respect. Dolores (lOst 81b) is, 1 suppose, entitled to her weight, but I don't fancy her. ■ Capulet (lOst 81b) is a. horse that some aver thebest has vet to be seen;' but as*. ho will probably bo ; seen out under silk in the Century Hurdle Race at Wanganui, a lino may be forthcoming from that quarter as to his prospects of achieving distinction at Ellerslie on June 1. Irish (lOst 71b) has not won a hurdle race since he scored his sensational victory in the event uuder review two years back. The fact has, however, to bo borne in mind that the Eton gelding has twice been on the invalid " list in the interval owing to accidents that befel him. Irish has only 61b, more to carry than when he scored two years back, and with some reason to .believo that ho is as good now as then, I think I- am warranted j in placing a tick opposite his name. ] Cavalry (lOst 61b) is coining on nicely; .but,j he will have to improve . a great deal on ' previous form to score. Black j Reynard (lOst 41b)' may ", have something to ' say in tho settlement of the question, for by- all accounts he is wonderfully clever in getting over fences: Romany King (lOst 21b) is in his proper place, but I don't know that there' is any. reason to look upon him as a better horse than he was this time last year. Inniskillcn (lOst 21b) has nothing to. his- credit over hurdles for a long time, and I think it will bo as well' to await developments so far as he is concerned. Nestator • (lOst 21b) won a double at the A.R.C. Autumn - Meeting in clever style, and though it cannot bo argued that the Nestor gelding was strongly opposed, the manner in which he acquitted - himself left ; the impression of a most promising future."-' The pace will, I fear, bo too solid for the veterans Haydn: and Hippowai. who aro each in at tho same , weight (lOst). Gold Seal .(931\ 101b)" .jus ..nothing ...to,'; complain of, "s and.-; thes ea mdj remark will apply to Lion Heart -(9stC '* Uranium (9st 6lb) should be'-very * tjaugovous in the event of her developing into a finished fencer, for she has run some good races on the flat. The daughter of; Leolantis, it may bo remembered, 1 fell, in her first essay a« a hurdler, and I have .no recollection of her having been set a task over the battens in the interval. | During tho i past few weeks there has been Something like a Uranium \ boom; but trained ,as tho chestnut marc is up country, :there is no line as. to whether the tales circulated as to her jumping ability are justified. Of the extreme light-weight ■ division, Soultfish (9st lib) may :bo said to be the oho in most favour locally, and quite a number are found singing -tho praises of the little son of Soult. Soultfish ran adecent race at Ellerslie last month, but he also ran a very bad; one immediately! after, and do not see how he can bo legitimately assigned a place in a race extending to two miles and a-half. In solving the Great Northern Hurdle Race problem, tho quartette that striko me as entitled to most respect are Shrapnel, Irish, Nestator, and: Uranium. .'--.„ * - - ' :, THE ... GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE. - : , Kiatero is justifiably found at the head of the list for the Great Northern Steeplechase; but in awarding the Castor gelding 12st 131b Mr. Morse has, I think, been a little severe on him. The manner in which Kiatero won the ' Autumn Steeplechase certainly showed him up attractively, but an •Autumn Steeplechase field and a Great Northern Steeplechase field jare two very different matters; and it can also be added that the 1 state of : the ground in June is 'as a rule very different to' that met with in April. Of course, the fact of Kiatero being a most finished ■", fencer must be taken into account, but with 12st : -131b he is set a, tremendous, task. Sol (list 131b) has 101b more' to • carry than when lie won last . year, and-that is a-serious matter to a small'horse. Phaetonitis (list 61b) has been awarded exactly a stone more than he wonhis Grand National under -at Riccarton last August. The Phaethon gelding, was credited with, winning his race , easily,", butthe important little point has to be remembered that the runner-up (Irish) was, badly injured during the contest, and that 'leaves.-a doubt as to whether Phaetonitis j won .on his merits. Haydn (list 41b) is one of the field that: knows every inch "of the country; and as the veteran . son of Sou'-wester appears to have taken, a fresh lease of life it would be a little unsafe to leave him * out of the ; probables. Slow Tom (list 3!b) can call up a fine dash of pace, but he chances his fences a good deal. Inniskillen (lOst 131b) has 141b more to cany than the impost he had in the saddle when ho won the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase of 1905. The Fraternite gelding is progressing satisfactorily in his schooling work, and if he trains on as he should he will probably be voted a Mangerous candidate when the . race corned to be decided on June 3. Irish (lOst lllb) is well in. But for the bad accident that befell him when contesting the Grand National at Riccarton last August, he would, io is hold, have reversed _ places with the winner, Phaetonitis. Irish proved' himself 'to be a very garao horse in his struggle for victory that day, for he was badly maimed, owing, it. is alleged, to striking a bolt of one of the hurdles. Fit and well on: the day, and with the proper man in the" saddle," Irish will, 1 think, play his part attractively in the settlement of the cross-country race at HUerslie on the 3rd of June. Lady Hune (lOst lllb) I do not fancy; but Nadador (lOst 71b) may run well, "though I fane? the length of the trip Will be against her. Evenlodo (lOst 41b) may prove worth watching, as he .is .stated, to bo equal to jumping big fences. Waitarere (lOst 41b) and Dolores (lOst 21b) are a pair without any credentials across country, and though Pierre (lOst :21b) has won over big fences, I I hardly take him to-be up to the standard which this race calls for. Nestator (lOst) has yet to make his debut under silk "in a cross-country contest. The son of Nestor nas, however, got round in safety each time be has been schooled over the course and I see no reason to question his seeing out tho journey satisfactorilv. Romanv King (9st 121b) is another of the maiden division across country; but Eclair (9st 111b) ..has distinguished " himself, and he ' may prove worth keeping in mind. There is plenty of reason to look for a good race from the light-weights', and as several claim engagements afc.'Takapuna and Wangauui next week, , some light may be thrown on their Ellerslie prospects. At present I incline to the chances of Irish, Nestator, and Inmskillen. ' • . In the betting on the Great Northern Hurdle Race and Great Northern Steeplechase, seleotors take a wide range. The two Nestators is the popular selection, 100 to 3 being the quotation.

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB'S WINTER * MEETING. Everything augurs well for the eucco«« &1 the Takaouna Jockey Club's 'Winter Meat. ing, which will bo inaugurated on Saturd»« next. The acceptances all round are of a most satisfactory character, and, with■ tl» popularity of North Shore gatherings well established, it will only require fine wefcth«-r to coax a largo concourse of racegoers aero** tho water to assist at tho fixture at th« marino suburb. The programme will "bo run off in tho following order :—Handicap Maiden Hurdles, 'brio, mile and a-half and a hundred yards; Handicap Maiden Plate " seven furlongs; Empire-" Handicap, on« " mile and a-quarter; Royal Handicap, g v * furlongs and a-haif; Haurabi Handicap Hurdles, tw» miles; Handicap. Maiden Steeplechase, about two miles and a-half. First Pout Handicap, five furlongs and a". half. • ■■•■.,-,>:,•'",

AUCKLAND 'RACING CLUB. A meeting of the Metropolitan Commit., tee of the Auckland Racing Club was held . ■ Inst evening. Mr. N. A. Nathan presided. * A jockey's license was granted to J. Doer; ' and gentlemen riders' licenses to Messrs. ' C. Ring, F. Tonge, J. Paul, G. Paul, K. ,* Alison, and V. Bagnall. The programme of , 4 ' the To Kuiti Racing Club for May 24. w»j " passed. ■ -" : . a Subsequently a mooting of the Racing' Club Committee was held, when it was eta... cii!ed to run tho double totalisator at the winter meeting, the doubles to bo as fol- ."• lows: —First day: Great Northern Hurdle* and Cornwall Handicap. Second day: Great Northern Steeplechase and Prince of Wales Handicap. Third day: York ' Welter and Wintei Steeplechase. Those. races will be third and fourth ou he-pro-,* gramme each day respectively. Accounts amounting to £158 were ■ passed' for pajmont. ■; ■ \ . ELLERSLIE TRAINING NOTES." :, Owing to the heavy state of the tracka c ' there was very little fast work at . El!ersii€ yesterday morning. Except in one instancy, ■ all the work was registered on the sand. f Imprimus beat. Lady Dressy by two length; ,' ', over six furlongs in :Im. 22 1-s*. and Lore Son ton had an advantage over Waipuna at* the end b c a round in £m. 2 5-Ss. Omstiv" ' had a couple of lengths' advantage orer Cymri at the finish of a. gallop over six - furlongs in lm. 215., and St. Cyren and Gir-. ton Girl were together over the same tin.',, tanco in lni. 23 2-ss. Frederick and Sir- . Gilead covered seven furlongs in lm. 4?, , ' 2-55., and Pearl Necklet, on the tan, rau « • round in 2m. 10s. Dunrt got, to the end of t <{ six furlongs in lin. 205., and Sonoma tan a furlong .less in lm. 10s. To Aroha covered (lie last four of five furlongs in 51 3-5.5., while, Gcordie and Ruaparaha finished -to-, '.- gether over a round in 2m. 2 3-ss. Lady Athol and Pukehake ran seven furlongs in 1ni. : 385., and Liierece, who had Octoroon"" '. ,~ * for a companion over the last five furlongs,. ..' /. covered a round in 2m. 7s. '*. Mooltan mid

Hardship were sent in company over, tho ■ . sod wall and double, and both horses jump- ; ed in good style. , During the afternoon".- Jliytln. Nestator,!. Silica, Potiki, alsdAlawhiti were- tern-,' .' panions over the steeplechase course. Start/ ing below the sod wall the quintette went twice round. They all jumped well until the stone wall opposite the stewards' stand,., was reached the second time, at which; obstacle Mawhiti blundered, and unseated ' his rider (W. Wilson). Luminous ami a , companion were schooled once round over f , hurdles, the Australian maro appearing to * most advantage. Cuiragno and Soultfish acquitted themselves very satisfactorily! in a similar task, while Cavalry, Shrapnel, ami Bonomiana got through a sound gallop, in ,-.v good style, Cavalry showing to most ad* vantage. _ -~ ' Lady Hune is carrying her condition well, but she..does not appear to relish her , jumping' tasks. Tho Cuirassier mare litis always had a tendency to strike fenced with her bind fetlocks, and maybe s-he feels . - the effects of this. While doing a gallon-in company v>jih Fieramosca, tho racehoise. ' Diumcll, by , Woodbine, owned by Mr. W. Mot- , ' borlv, foil and broke his leg in three placet,,.'-~ and he was mercifully destroyed. A. Chaste, who was: riding him at the time, escaped , with a severe shaking. ~ ,*. . : ~ ■• -" — ;■■ ! ■-. '-;-■

SALES OF BLOOD STOCK., • Tho New Zealand Loan 'and Mercantile . Agency'Company,'Ltd.; will hold an- im r poi-tant sale' of blood stock at ,Ellor?lio fj? 1 " ' day at three p.m.. s when the' foljowifj.cf' ', horses -will .bo ftubi.mtted fo,,qwtiw.,i"%ffj<!k : y arch, by Gyrenism—Mis- Aiitiic; Camobi-i', -, ' by Soult—-Hotohcriiia ; Defender, bj»''Cwu f /i % * "sior—Helen McGregor; AustovHtz, by Soult -: —Sappho, "served by Gluten; Sir Hector,'by - Lochness —Delilah; brown colt, by jSoult—i Lady Hester; brown gelding, oyrs, by Hotchkiss—Lady Ciiisino; and- Discoverer; - by TasmanHippocampus mare. • - • THE GREAT NORTHERN MEETING. £ Acceptances for tho Great 'Northern * Hurdle Race and Great Northern Steeple. , chase, together with general oniric* for the minor oventa to be run at the Auckland Racing" Club's Winter Meeting,, close orFriday next, at nine p.m. INTERPROVINCIAL GOSSIP. / '\| i~ ■ n [BY TELiyjHAPH. —OWN COnitESPONDENTS.* .. CANTERBURY. Tuesday. At a meeting of tho committee of the ■';;*;: Canterbury Jockey Club, this week ; the business included the passing of the con- , v ditions of the New Zealand Cup, which are the same at last year. Tho programme for the Grand : National . Meeting was also • passed. The. Grand National Hurdle Race has been increased from 75C1.;0vs to lOOOsov's, and two of the minor flat handicaps have . been raised 50sovs, but in other respect* the programme is the same, as last year.'' - While congratulating tho club on the in-' creased stakes, I cannot help regretting : : that the Grand National Hurdle Race was not improved by extending tho distance: beyond two miles. " _ ■ ' ' ' Vladimir has been turned out in South- *-, ' land, and ho' will probably go to the stud next season. - ' « ; ■ ■■ - ■ ■'■ I Evenlode, Narcissus, and Slow Tom are ' booked to leave for Wanganui this week. • Of the trio, v I like the prospects of th' first-named best., ' * ;

WELLINGTON. ' "; ; -,' Tuesday, , : The mm of £3410 will be ' g ivea _ in-, • stakes at the Wellington Winter Meeting.' , Tho Wellington Steeplecba.vc has, been in-,; creased from SOOsovs to 400sovs, and- th« - July Steeplechase from 200sovs to 300sov*. Tho Winter Hurdles .has gone, up from • 25050v3 to' 30050v3, and the Final Hurdle* \ from 150sovs to 250sovs. The Parliamen- tf\: tary Handicap will be worth 300sovi and the Winter Oats 250sovs. A Jumpers' Flat Race, fori hurdle and steeplechase riderswill also be included in the programme. : £S||i ———- - ; ". ft."' '.■WJS'ji-; NAPIER. ' ' Tuesday. .„' ' Illustrious, who was recently purchased by Mr. H. Gaisfortl from Messrs. SlcVfij . and Gooseman for 325gn5.. ricked oue-"'-' ' his knees while doing a gallop on Tuesday morning, and his, owner scratched th"* gelding for his engagements 'at the Ilawke's Ray meeting. -; Pushful, who is now one of H. Moore* pupils, and who has been an absentee from the training track for somo time, had only a couple of gallops prior to his proving successful in the Karainu Hurdles at, -\; Hastings on Wednesday. •- *' Monaco, tho well-known Gisbornc-owned *, - sire, died last week at his owner's station. ', , One of his sons, Kaipetipeti, secured the r verdict in the Ohiti Hack Hurdle Race «>;':< Hastings on Thursday. •* **.. .