SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13650, 18 January 1908, Page 7

SPORTING.

. . RACING FIXTURES. January 18. 22, 25—Wellington Racing Club. January 22. 23—Foxton Racing Club. January 25, 29. February Takapuna Jockey Club. February 8, 12. 15-Otahuhu Trotting Club. January 29. Pahiatna Racing Club. February 12, Egmont Racing Club. February 19, 20—Te Aroint Jockey Club. February 26-Obatipo Racing Club. March 5, 7Wanganni Jockey Club. { March Wain ku Racing Club. April 18, 20, Auckland" Racing Club. DATES OF COMING EVENTS. NEW ZEALAND January 18—Wellington Cup January 22—Wellington Stakes. January Takapuna Cup. J ebruarv 12- Egmont Cup. February Dunedin Cup. March s—Wanganui Cup March 7—Jackson Stakes March 37—Napiev Cup. April 13— Northern Champagne Stakes. I April 18—Auckland Racing Club's Easter Handicap. April 21—A.8.C. Autumn Handicap. April 20— Great Xrthern Oaks. April 20— Great Easter Handicap- I April 21—Great Autumn Handicap. May 30—Great Northern Hurdle Race. June 3—Great Northern Steeplechase. AUSTRALIA. February Y.R.C. St. LegerFebruary 29—Newmarket Handicap. March 3—Australian Cup March Champion Stakes April 13—A.J.C. St. Leger. April IS—Doncaster Handicap April Sydney Cup. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. WAGEP..-When measured at four years old Carbine stood 16 hands Jin. At 16 years old his sire Musket stood 16 hands lAin. , . QUERY.—In the Wellington Handicap (one mile and a-quarter), run at Trentham in the spring of 1906, Clanehattan (7st 21b) won by half a length from Zimmerman (79t 101b), in 2in. 10s. LOCK Hard, Dargaville.—lf the occurrence as related in your letter is based upon faet, I the matter should be reported to the metroi politan authority. Such a proceeding as you relate would be an outrage on the rules of racing. Man NIK IN. New Plymouth-Frisco, the winner of the New Zealand Cup, was sired in England, and was foaled at Sylvia Park, Auckland. Along with his dam, Lake Placid, he was sold at the dispersal of the Sylvia Park Stud for 50 guineas. Britisher.— sum paid for Sceptre as a yearling was 10,000 guineas. Busybody was sold at three years old for 8300 guineas. As a yearling La Fleche realised 5500 guineas, and as a brood mare 12.600 guineas was paid for her. La Fleche won .£34.703 in stakes. MELBOURNE—The following are the time records for two miles:—Canteen (New Zealand Clip, 1903), 3m. 27 l-55.): Tartan (Sydney Cup. 1905 V 3m. 275.: Blue Snec (Melbourne Cup, 1906), 3m. 27-i&.: Apologue (Melbourne Cup, 1907), 3m. 27Js. Tartan holds the Australasian record for two miles. Leaflet , on application. NOTES BY PHAETON. "WHERE ARE THE STEWARDS?" Suspicions with regard to both men and horses will probably continue to be entertained so long as racing exists. There are, of course, periods of quiescence and of an acuto stage. Matters close to our own doors may be said to be rapidly reaching the latter, if they have not already done so. Since the conclusion of tho A.R.C. Summer Meeting, tongues have been wagging very freely as to the running of certain horses, allegations being made that several were reefed, and further that more than one race was fixed up unbeknown to the owners. There may be a deal in the statements that are bandied about, and _ there may be very little. Everybody with a knowledge of. the subject is fully cognisant of the fact that men whose code of honour is on a high plane are at times traduced, and with this a recognised fact, it follows that trainers and jockeys have their bona fides often questioned on very slender grounds. There is no use in disguising the fact that, rightly or wrongly, a strong opinion prevails that matters have rarely been in so insecure a state as 'at present, and it is to be hoped that a watchful eye will be kept by those who hold official positions, so that an improvement may be brought about. It is when such a situation arises as that which is in evidence in Auckland at present that the sigh ifor stipendiary stewards-, or a detective officer (such as they have in England), arises . Honorary committees and stewards are all very well in their way; but it is tho man who is able to get fairly into touch with his subject and secure a peep behind the scenes that fills the bill. How long are we to wait for him in New Zealand?

THE WELLINGTON CUP. Tho Wellington Cup, to be run to-day, will mark the 35th contest that has eventuated for that race. Not a few remarkable performances are bound op in the history of the Wellington Cup, and it can be said that a good percentage of equines who won a high place amongst leading lights of the turf have their names enrolled as winners. The most brilliant performance in connection with the Wellington Cup is that clown to the credit of Advance when he scored under the steadier of lOst 41b in the race run in tho summer of 1903. The black sou of Vanguard and Laurel undoubtedly placed the seal upon his fame the day lie won the Wellington Cup, for not only did he carry a greater weight to victory than that credited to any other horse that had previously scored, but he also succeeded in putting tip a fresh time record for the race by compassing the mile and a-half in 2m. 34- 1-5?. Three years after Advance registered his great feat the St. Leger gelding Ropa reduced the time record to 2m. 335.; but the important fact has to be borne in Blind that he carried 3st Tib less than the impost Advance had in the saddle when the latter registered his sensational victory. Last year the topweight Achilles led' the field home, and with four consecutive wins down to the credit of Zimmerman (who has the distinction of this year heading tho list in, the Trentham race) a deal of interest will be centred in the reappearance of Birkenhead's well-performed son to-day. The following is a list of the horses left in the Wellington Cup:— WELLINGTON CUr of 750a0v8. One mile and ahalf. at. lb. *t. lb. Zimmerman ... 9 3 Tangimoana ... 613 Gold Crest ... 8 0 Chatterer ... 6 13 Ana V 11 Moloch 6 10 Mystification ... 7 7 Splendid Idea. ... 6 7 Downfall 7 7 Clanchattan ... 6 7 The Rand ... 7 3 Saga 6 7 Lapland 7 1

AT WHANGAREI.

The Whangarei Racing Club's annual summer meeting of 1908 lias been numbered with events of the past, and, judging from what is stated by those who were present, it badly beat the worst of its predeoessors in highly questionable tactics and disgraceful behaviour. It is alleged that conspirators were to be seen at work in connection with almost every race on the programme, and that altogether it could justifiably ho said that the swindles perpetrated by the gang that invaded the pretty township have left: a mark that will last for some time. If only a tithe of what is stated be true as to the proceedings at Whangarei last week, it will be a surprise should the metropolitan authorities not bestir themselves, and, if for 110 other reason than to remind jockeys especially that their actions are likely to bo reviewed, «=ven though the acts charged against them be perpetrated in the back blocks, it would bo well for the A.R.C. authorities to promptly ask the stewards at Whangarei for a report on their meeting. That they would readily consent I do not doubt, and if written unrestrainedly it would, there is only too good reason to behove, prove a highly sensational document.

CRACKS OF THE AUSTRALASIAN TURF. In an article headed V The Cracks o£ Their Day," '' Martindale," of the Sydney Town arid Country Journal, says:—"There is not the least doubt but if a vote was taken as to which was the best horse that ever raced in Australia that Carbine would secure first place. He was a very bard one to beat, and the point in which I think he stood out over all others was his good temper. Still, it is questionable, though I know scores won't agree with me, whether he was really thi champion of his day. Carbine bad very strong opponents in Abercorn, Marvel, Ensign, and Melos. Certainly he beat them more often than they scored over him. Still, both fit and well, it is doubtful if Abercorn was not his master. Now, strange to say, Carbine failed to win bis Derby. The excuse is that lie lost through an accidental stroke of the whip. This tells that his opponent Ensigu must have been a particularly good one to bring him to the j whip. In my opinion we never knew how s?ood Ensign was. At Randwick in the spring he beat the Metropolitan winner Lamond at weight-for-age in the Wycombe Stakes. Next we find him beating Carbine in the V.R.O. Derby, and had his leg not given way in the Melbourne Cup I feel very sure that he would have been returned the winner. The Y.R.C. Derby was Carbine's first . defeat, as ho commenced his racing career in New Zealand at Christchurch in Tatter,-rail's Hopeful Stakes, five furlongs, which he won, following it up by winning the Middle Park Stakes, Dunodin Champagne Stakes, Canterbury J.C. Champagne Stakes and Challenge Stakes. Carbine thus landed in Australia with an unbeaten certificate, and Ensign was the first to lower : his colours at tre v'.R.C. Spring Meeting, i at which the New Zealander won the Fly- | ing and Foal Stakes. In the last-named event the second and third to him were in the one .stableWycombe and Melos. Weighted at Est 12!b in the autumn, Carbine ran third in the Newmarket Handicap to Sedition, 7st 31b, and Loc-hiel, Sst 'lb, and in the Australian C.ip I.oehi.M; 2-t 71b, boat hiin with Bst 61b. In his next three-starts Carbine .was successful, winning the Champion Stakes, All-Aged Stakes, and Loch Plate, but Abercorn beat him when he came to Randwick in the Autumn Stakes. However, Carbine had a very successful time of it at our autumn meeting, as he won in succession the Sydney Cup with 9st, Melos, Bst 21'o, and Abercorn, 9st 41b, finishing second and third-; also, All-aged Stakes, Cumberland Stakes, and A.J.C. Plate, in which he defeated Abercorn and Melos. The following spring was not profitable to followers of the Musket horse, as ho was beaten by Dreadnought in the Caulfield Stakes, by Abercorn in the Melbourne Stakes, ran second to Bravo in the Melbourne Cup with lOst, then won the Flying Stakes, beating Dreadnought and Wilga, but Abercorn defeated him again in the Canterbury Plate. He commenced the next autumn by winning the Essendon Stakes, but in the Champion race both Melos and Dreadnought defeated him. From that out, however, Carbine was in great form, as he won 15 events in succession, including the Melbourne Cup with lOst 51b, and his first defeat was in the All-Aged Stakes at Randwick by Marvel, and lie finished up his racing career by winning the A.J.C. Plate: he thus won 55 races, was second in six, and third three times, and finished last on one occasion. It is a wonderful list of performancesdone over all distances. Still, lie met with occasional defeats, like other good ones." LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK. With license fees amounting to over £2000 paid by bookmakers for tho right to bet, at Ellerslio during the A.R.C.'s recent summer meeting, it was always recognised that Mr. Hartland would have a most satisfactory , statement to lay before, the committee when submitting the accounts in connection with the gathering. The result, however, exceeded the most sanguine anticipations, the not profit being £4636 16s 4d. Viewed from a financial standpoint, the summer meeting of 1907-1908 is thus an easy first, and with some reason to anticipate a large measure of success during the autumn and winter, everything points to the A.R.C. being able to claim an all-round records

The unwelcome announcement catno to hand on Thursday that Mr. W. E. Bidwill had decided to abandon his contemplated trip to Australia with Elevation, owing to the son of San Francisco having strained himself during a gallop. To lose the service's at any time of a colt of the calibre of Elevation would be deemed unfortunate, but at the present timo it is especially so, when his owner -was about to seek a meeting with the Australian crack Mountain King on the latter's ground. So far as the present season is concerned, a meeting between Elevation and Mountain King is a very unlikely event; but we must just entertain tho hopo that when next spring rolls round Mr. Bidwill will be able to view the situation in such an optimistic vein as to encourage him to send his colt across to Randwick in order that ho may measure,, strides with the best that Australia can place in tho field.

.T. Rao lias arrived at Trentham -with Mr. G. P. Donnelly's horses. The three-year-old The Rand, who at a difference of only lib in his favour in the Manawatu Cup ran Riflemaid to a short head in the decision of that race, is credited with having stood his training most satisfactorily, and in the brown son of Gold Reef and Pearl Shot Mr. Donnelly is credited with the ownership of a most promising colt.

Poseidon, who was thrown out of -work after his unsuccessful effort with Mountain King in the C.B. Fisher Plate, has rejoined I. Earnshaws team at Rand wick. The son of Posit is stated to have como back from his rest in tho country in splendid health. It is contended in some quarters that Poseidon was not himself when Mountain King clipped his wings so decisively at Flemington in the spring: and that of course will invest the meeting of the pair in the weight-for-age race in the autumn with a very keen interest.

The local pencillers have apparently decided on concerted action on the license fee question. At Whangarei they offered a lump sum of £100 for the right to bet, but the committee insisted on a fee of £10 per day from each man. The result was that only two men took out licenses, a large number of others taking a sleeping interest in the bags. The same tactics were pursued at the Waikato Trotting Club's meeting on Wednesday, after the committee of that body had "refused an offer of £50 from the pencillers.

Gravitation, the two-year-old half brother (by Birkenhead) to Elevation, who met with an accident shortly after winning the Hastings Stakes in October last, has got rid of hie trouble, and, what is more, is credited with developing into a oolt of magnificent physique. Gravitation claims an engagement in the Wellington Stakes, to be run on Wednesday next, and much interest will be centred in, the result of his meeting with Fleet-foot, Armlet, and Co,

According to a West Australian exchange, ai interesting operation was performed at Mr. A. Mcintosh's . hospital at Perth recently. The racehorse Chambary had become" permanently lame owing to a splint on the near foreleg. It had grown over the suspensory ligament. The gelding, who belongs to Mr. lJarlot, was placed under an anaesthetic for an hour, and the splint chiselled off by Dr. E. J. A. Haynes, F.R.C.S., and Mr. Mcintosh, V.B. The operation, which is a- unique one, -was successful, and it is now quite probable that the son of Gozo will be seen on the racing track again. The operation will doubtless attract a good deal of attention in veterinary circles. -

The Indian trader Gracchus, which left Sydney for Madras recently, carried eight thoroughbred stallions selected for the Indian Government. The consignment consists of: Roller, by Pilgrim's Progress from Tragedienne; Regard, by Grafton from Care; Simon, by Haut Brion from Nineveh; Port Arthur, by Firelock from Riplet; Ontario, by Crevasse from America; Vindicator, by Carlyon from Nemesis; Arajoel, by Rufisley from Cora; Lord Bernie, by Little Bernie from Chastity.

There is stated to be no better-grown or bettor-looking two-year-old in Australia than The Brewer (a son of Maltster), who made an exhibition of the opposition in the Juvenile Stakes at the V.A.T.C. 'Summer Meeting. The Brewer only cost 105 guineas at the Sydney yearling sales, and his appearance now suggests the probability of his proving a high-class horse.

The Te Aroha Jockey Club have framed the programme for their summer meeting, which takes place on February 19 and 20. The To Aroha Cup of 60»ovs and the To Aroha Jockey Club Handicap of 50sovs are the principal" events. From the programme appearing iu another column it will be seen that nominations close on the 24th inst. at eight p.m.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. The Oralcei Maori Race Meeting takes place to-day. The Waiulrn Raring Club harp altered the date of their annual race* meeting from March 19 to March 20. Nominations for all events to Ik* run at the Otahuhu Trotting Club's Summer Meeting close on Friday next, at. nine p.m. The new owner of the Melbourne Cup i winner .Apologue is a gentleman who adopts the com de course of ** Mr. R. It. S." Trent. 11 so gelding by The Officer, who was bold some little time hack for £55, ha* won eight of the last ten races he has started in. The nominations for the V.R.C. Champion Stakes only number 14. A brace of noteworthy absentees is Poseidon and Mountain King. Seddon, the three-year-old full brother to Wairiki, has been extensively nominated for big events to be run at tho V.li.C. and A.J.C. Auturau Meetings. Neither Poseidon nor Mountain King have been nominated fox the Australian Cup: but they are both engaged in the Sydney Cup, set down for decision in the following month. A recent case of interference at Rangitikei, iu connection with which a wellknown rider was involved, must have been of .a highly sensational character, as it, is alleged that a well-known trainer called '• Murder!" Amongst English riders last season W. Higgs camo out at the head of the list, h;a record being 146 wins out of 732 mounts. D. Malier, who finished up iu second place, steered the winner 114 times out, of 424 mounts. ! One of the incident* attaching to the re- ! cent Whangarei meeting related to me is that the flag used for summoning the stewards was early hoisted, and was still up when the last event of tho programme was run. The New Zealand Referee is responsible for the statement, that an offer of £2000 was made ami refused for lit* Sou'-wester gelding Dusky Morn. This horse lias boon engaged in Australia, to which country ho will, it is stated, shortly journey As a means of further improving tho oraltor arrangements at KHerslie, the authorities of tho Auckland Racing Club have decided to order another 28-liorse machine, which will bo installed by the time the autumn meeting rolls round.

When tho Royal Artillery filiy Artillerio was sold in Auckland last month it. was stated that she would probably bo sent to Australia during the next few weeks. She has, however, been handed over to the Wellington trainer J. W. Lowe, and is now in work at Trentbam. Sir George Clifford's ccit Glenculloch, who met with an accident while contesting tho C.J.C. Derby at Iliccartou in November, is reported to have made a very satisfactory recovery, and sanguine hopes are entertained that tho big son of Clanranald will bo seen out under silk again in the course of a few weeks. AIIvATO TROTTING CLUB'S MEETING. The owner of the horse Black Diamond, which finished first in the last race at tho Waikato Trotting Club's meeting at Claudelauds on Wednesday, but was disqualified for galloping, has lodged notice of appeal to the New Zealand Trotting Association.

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB'S SUMMER MEETING. THE ACCEPTANCES. The following acceptances have been received in connection with the Takapuua Jockey Club's Summer Meeting, which takes place on January 25 and 29, and February 1:— First Pony Handicap: Ngakapa, Imprimus, Lira, Cyrona, Hughie, Octoroon, Norma, Necktie. Carmania, Achora. Stewards' Handicap : Henry _ Havelock, Cadence, Mahetio, Soultmaid, Tui Cakobau, Lucrece, Miss Winnie, Duart. Raugitoto Steeplechase: Capitol, Tanglefoot, Kapakapa, Towakihi, Inniskillen. Takapuna Cup: Syren, Uhlander, Lord Seaton, Waipuna, Scotty, Advocate, _ Tui Cakobau, Carl Rosa, Fashionable, Uranium, Pohutu, Certainty. Ferry Handicap: Mark Time, Lady Frances, Cyreniac, Lira, Adeline, Strathnloira, Ros'avere, Ngapuka, Epsom Lass, Confide, Aratea, Escamillo, Lady Dot, Armagh, Okaihau, Castadrift. Orewa Hurdles: Kola Nip, Hautapu, Lady Hune, Lady Clements, Banana, Claremont, Omati. Maiden Plate: St. Cyron, Mark Time, Tua Kitua, Catastrophe, Leonette, Nai>onape, (Port Light, Dardarms, English. Calliope Handicap: Master Soult, Rarata, Rimloek, John. Zealandia Handicap: Cadence, Cyrettus, Tui Cakobau, Black and Gold, Loch Buhio, Frederick, Miss Crespin, Celerity, Duart, Carmania, Engrave.

GISBORNE RACING- CLUB'S SUMMER MEETING. The following weights have been declared by Mr. Chadwick— FLYING HANDICAP, six furlongs.—Contender 9.0, Celerity 8.3, Kirsty 8.1, Marangai 8.0, Pearl Reef 7.7, Sarilla 7.6, Chryeoprase 7.5, Sand Stream 7.3, Tarana 7.2, Cheddite 7.2, Martyr King 7.2, Lady Rohina 7.0, Formidable 7.0, Erin 6.9, Murahi 6.9. FIRST HURDLE HANDICAP, one mile and aliaif.Kaipetipiti 11.13, Taura 10.12, Matakokiri 10.3, Morpeth 10.2, Lady Clements 10.1, Reservoir 9.12, Convoy 9.12, Tc Raliul 9.10, Local Option 9.0, Boadicea 9.0. FIRST COUNTY HANDICAP, six furlongs.— Ladvl.ke 9.0, Marangai 8.9, Probieda 8.2, Sarilla 8.1, "Crackpot 7.8, Spate 7.4, Paisano 7.2, Nerissa 6.13, Spun Tarn 6.12, Glenafric 6.11, San Jose 6.10, Waimara, 6.9, Caron 6.9, Goldtish 6.9, Ortolan 6.7. PARK STAKES HANDICAP, seven furlongs.— Black Reynard 9.0, Polyanthus 8.9, Ladylike 8,5, Ran Leno 7.12, Sarilla 7.6, Chrysoprase 7.4, Sand Stream 7.3, Crackpot 7.0. SUMMER HANDICAP, one milo and a-quart«r. —Whakawehi 9.0, Douche 8.7, Montigo 8.5, Uenuku 8.1, Black Reynard 7.13, Polyanthus 7.11, Kinetitama 7.4, San Cruz 7.4, Dan Leno 7.2, Kirsty 7.2, Melton Hall 6.7, Crackpot 6.7. DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB'S SUMMER MEETING. [BT TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION ] Dukbui.v, Friday. Tlie following are the entries for the chief events at the Dunedin Jockey Club's Summer Meeting JOCKEY CLUB HANDICAP. —Api'Uodorie, Fireiron Notus, Hilarity, Ixidr Laridon, Freeland, Mercy, Clanchattan, Stratagem, Red Rain, Astrakhan. Blythemaid, Rosebtoom, Vardo, Jack Ashore, Cloldea "Way, Paragon, Luresome, fed and Black, Sank Rosaleer, Ivauoff, Speculate, Sonia. DUNEDIN" CUP.—Notus, Fireiron, Hilarity, Freeland, Lapland, Mercy, Clanchattaii, Stratagem, Astrakhan, Rosebloora, Vardo, Arinamento, .lack Ashore, Golden Way, Paragon, Orloff, Luresome, Red and Black, Sant Rosaleer, Speculate. WELLINGTON RACING CLUB'S ' SUMMER MEETING. TRENTIIAM TRAINING NOTES. [BY TEI.EGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Weixisgtos, Friday. At. Trentham this morning Apa, carrying about (wt 71b, covered a mile in lm. 424«. Zimmerman had Sir Ttistrarii for a companion in a. gallop over seven furlongs, which occupied lm. 315., Zimmerman finishing slightly in front. Tangimoana and Splendid Idea covered seven furlongs in lm. 32i6. Mystification easily accounted for Chatterer in a dash over five furlough in lm. ss. Moloch had Culmination to bring him along over half-a-mlle, which took 535. Downfall shaped attractively in a half-mile spin, accomplished in 50s. Kiug Billy was in front of Moriarty at the 'end of four furlongs run in 49 3-ss. Dawn and Oxton covered five furlongs in lm. Bs., Kitchenmaid half-a-niile in 51 l-5»., and Ballmat live furlongs in lm. 4 3-5«.

THE STALLION PERSIMMON. By Telegraph.—Press Association.-Copyright. Loitdox, January 16. The St. Simon sire Persimmon, owned by the King, has fractured his pelvis. It is hoped, however, to save the horse.