SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14109, 10 July 1909, Page 7

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. July 17. 21. 24-Wellington Racing Club.. DATES OF COMING EVENTS. KKW ZEALAND. July 17—Winter Hurdle Race (Wellington). July 21—Wellington Steeplechase. Australia. July 10—V.R.O. Grand National Steeplechase. ENGLAND. September s—Doncaster St. Leger. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. QUERY. Wanganui.—Jadestone, the dam of Explosion, was got by Sword Dance, from Onyx (dam of Nordenfeldt). J.G., Taumartuvui.—The first step to be taken is to communicate with the Metropolitan authorities, stating the particulars and making application for the removal of the disqualification. H., Ellerslie.--Multiform holds the record for number of wins in connection with the CJ.C. Challenge States, three successive victories being down 'to his credit. He won the Kiccarton race at two. three, and four years old respectively. Achilles won the same event on two occasions, viz., at five and six years.

WANDERER. Ellerslie.—l. Guy Pawkes (by Bedouin) contested the Great Northern Steeplechase on three occasions. He started favourite the first time he contested the Ellerslie race, which was in 1886. An accident at the stonewall, at the head of the course the last time round put him out of the race on that occasion. 2.' Torilu, who contested the Great Northern Steeplechase of 1898, was subsequently taken to England and raced there.

BREEDER, New Plymouth.—Advance was got by Vanguard (son of Traducer) from Laurel, a daughter of Yonns Gownsman (son of Gownsman, by Surplice) from Bay Leaf, by Peter Plat. Advance ranked as a six-year-old. when he carried lOst 41b to victory in the Wellington Cup of 1903. He was credited with running a mile and a-half on that occasion in 2m. 34 l-ss. Up to and including 1888 the distance of the Wellington Cup extended to two miles.

W.T.M.. Hamilton.-At the A.R.C. Winter Meeting of 1899. Cavaliero (who was then raced as Cavalier), won the Winter Welter Handicap, run over a mile on the flat. It was in the following year that he won the A.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race. Tn framing the programmes for 1903-C4. the A.B.C. altered the title of the latter event to the Great Northern Hurdle Race; so that the contention that Aka Aka won the first Great Northern Hurdle Race would be correct. _ NOTES BY PHAETON.

CULTIVATE THE STEEPLECHASER

That something of a far-reaching character will require to be done if New Zealand is to be enabled to keep up her reputation for the production of steeplechase horses may bo said to be recognised by everyone who has given the matter close study, and, therefore, any movement that has for its object tho encouragement of steeplechasing in the proper seasons is entitled to the warmest support. The committee of the Hawkc's Bay Jockey Club are to be counted amongst those bodies which have given the steeplechase matter much consideration, and they havo tabled a motion to be submitted at the forthcoming Racing Conference, to the effect, that every meeting held on any day from Juno 7 to September 1 inclusive shall include at least two steeplechase events each day. This must, be regarded as a step in the right- direction; but many will, no doubt, consider that the date could have been advantageously shifted back, so as to include at least a portion of the month of May. The H.B.J.C. committee, however, no doubt considered that in starting the question it would bo as well not to aim too high. As everybody knows, it is only a comparatively small number of New Zealand racing clubs that do anything for steeplechasing, and for that reason the subject will not be invested with that ,extensive interest amongst the delegates which would otherwise be the case. That there will be something in tho shape of pointed opposition in certain quarters to the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club's proposal is to be looked for; but if the man who is deputed to move the motion for which that body is responsible is thoroughly fired with his subject he has an opportunity to state a strong case, and I make bold to say to thoroughly discomfit, the division who cannot, get far beyond. the confines of the miserable flutters that mar so many programmes. In considering tho steeplechase question, there must be no namby-pamby talk. To adopt such a course is to assist those who are hostile to a change on a matter that means much to a class of racing that everyone with the trueinterests of sport must wish to see in a flourishing state.

•■REMEMBERING THE BREEDER. With admirable courage the committee of the Wellington Racing Club have, decided on an increase of 10 per cent-, prize money to weighl-for-age events, nominations for which have already closed, which addition amounts to £250, and which will be disposed of as follows: Sevent y-five per, cent, to go to the breeder of the winner if bred in New Zealand, and 25 per cent, to be distributed to certain A. and P. shows to supplement prizes for events calculated to encourage the breeding of horses, such events not to be confined to thoroughbreds. The breeding of bloodstock, it, can truly bo said, is made up of many disappointments, and that the breeder does not always receive "a commensurate return is a fact that, has many times to be recorded. That a breeder should participate in a substantial manner when a horse he has bred wins a classic race has long since been recognised in many places outside New Zealand, and the action of the Wellington 'Racing Club is to be warmly commended. There is,, however, just a little thing'; about this '' now departure that I , should like to see expunged, and that is the words, "if bred in New Zealand." Of course, if people wish to be parochial in spirit the condition must bo accounted to entirely fill tho bill. In sporting matters, however, the broad-minded view is the thing to be cultivated, and in that connection I would just draw the attention of the W.R.C. authorities to the interesting fact that the Australian Jockey Club have not tacked on " if bred in Australia" to the conditions governing the Derby of 1910, and which provides for the payment of £250 to the breeder of the winner of that race- The relating of this little fact may, perhaps, cause the committee of the Wellington Racing Club to strike out the words which give a narrow, reading, where we can well afford to be broad. Let tho glorious fact never be forgotten that New Zealand bred Carbine. That should be some sort of encouragement to keep the door wide open.

THE V.R.C. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE. The withdrawal of Kiatere from the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase .of course, saps the big cross-country race sot down for decision at Flemington to-day of a deal of New Zealand interest. With the following 17 horses still engaged in the Grand National there is material for a fine contest: — st lb 8 », it, Bribery ... ... 12 11 Billiards ... ..10 0 Kuala Lumpur... 12 9 Grafnax in 0 Pilot ... ... 12 9 Squirm ... ... 912 Boisdale ;. ... 11 12 Postboy 9 12 Workmaster > ... 11 9 Quail ... ... 910 Boomerang ... 11 0 Kyber 97 Snob 10 12 Ripon ' ... ... 9 0 Confederate ... 10 5 Fred 9 0 Dalny ...... 10 a Bribery, who figures at the head of the list, it may be noted, won the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race of 1907. On the strength of that performance, Bribery was bought by tho ex-New Zealand trainer, D. J. Price, for 600 guineas, and he rewarded his now owner in the following : month by winning the Caulfield Grand National Steeplechase of HOOsovs. In the Australian Steeplechase, which event was run over a like course (four miles) last August, Bribery carried 12st 91b homo iD second place behind Nigel (lOst 111b).

AUSTRALIAN JOCKEYS. Under the above heading the Australasian has a leading article, from which I make the following excerpt:—"ln England a few years ago jockeys made very large incomes, principally through owners of the millionaire class being prepared to give them tremendous retaining fees. A rider of consequence still commands a large fee, but we do not hear of the heavy retainers of the late '90's. In Australia the profession is not so profitable as in the Old Country, and going by statistics there is more risk of accident. Why, as regards the flat, should accidents ,be more common in Australia than in older countries? Does it mean incompetency or reckless riding on the part of our jockeys? The cross-country rider certainly has not much to look forward to in Australia. In most cases he only makes a living, and stands every chance of meeting with a fatal accident. For a losing mount over fences he gets £3 when the stake is not £100, and £5 when the stake is worth more than £200 and less than £300. When the stako exceeds £300' ■he gets £10. These seem fair fees, but there are only a few of the £10 races, and tho cross-country jockey gets very little for schooling horses three or four times a week in the jumping season. Probably the men who rode for the Ballarat stables in the '80's did well. The stables with which they were connected monopolised tho most, important races for a time. ' In the days of T. Corrigan, James Scobie, A. Ferguson, and one or two others, the Ballarat racing folks were all friends, and jockeys were allowed to bet. When T. Wilson, R. Howie, or A. Taylor, as the case might be, had a good thing, all Ballarat was welcome to "be on it, at the finish. And these good things were backed by their riders. probably T. Corrigan did not do much good in the end. He kept on backing them after Ballarat was on the decline. James Scobie was more prudent. He had £1000 on his own mount, Blue Mountain, for the first hurdle race that horse won at Flemington, but gave up that, kind of betting long since. He also gave up riding at the right, time. Corrigan. Mooney, Burke, and J. Barbour all stuck to it until they were killed. It is a fascinating pursuit, no doubt. Very few men like to relinquish riding oyer fences, but, as fat- as moneymaking is concerned, it is not' a very remunerative profession, and you never know when you are going to be sent to the hospital. With steeplechasing as it is now, a jockey must go all the way, and let the horse get over the fences as best he can. There is not the scope for skill there was when fences were higher, and judgment could be shown in riding. MILLIONAIRE VANDERBILT AND ' THE FRENCH TURF. It is to " La Belle France" the American turfman and breeder now turns for a homo for his racers, stallions, and brood mares j (writes the New York World). This year makes a new era in the breeding interests of that country, for three Yankee millionaire patrons of the turf— K. Yanderbilt, August Belmont, and John E. Madden have bought, and leased property there in order to maintain stud farms and training quarters for their thoroughbreds. Mr. Vanderbilt's stud farm is the best and the third largest in France. From a small beginning 15 years ago Mr. Va.nderbilt has improved his ranch and stock to such an extent that it is regarded as the most formidable breeding farm in the country. On it are stabled five stallions and 40 brood mares. It is call-, ed the Villebon stud, and is located a short distance from Paris. In its large paddocks roam the pick of the thoroughbreds of America, France, and- England. Mr. Vanderbilt's standing orders were: " Buy the best, no matter what they may cost," and thus it is that a great collection of thoroughbreds is now in his hands. The stud was started as :an experiment. Mr. Vanderbilt was desirous, of having his horses race in France. Under the turf laws only thoroughbreds foaled on French" soil are eligible to race—with a few exceptionsfor the overnight purses and big stakes. In order to comply with the conditions, 17 American brood mares were shipped to France in 1903. The success of Mr. Vanderbilt's horses on French soil has been such as to several times place his name at the head of winning owners. Too much publicity in tho newspapers and periodicals of New York about Mr. Vanderbilt's racehorses. caused him to abandon tho American turf for the French racecourses. He objected to this particular kind of espionage, and after a short trial gave up his American racing stable and confined his racing efforts to France. In that country he found the peace- and quiet he sought in vain for in America. v RISING TWO-YEAR-OLDS AT ELLERSLIE. It only now requires some 21 days to run • their course ere the equine birthday is once again reached on August 1; and in tho following month the first two-year-old race of the season is fixed to take place at Avoudale. At the present, stage it is interesting to survey the situation bearing on the two-year-old division. Totting up tho list of youngsters in training in the various stables at Ellerslie, it, is found that. 30 are distributed over 14 stables, and that must bo deemed to furnish a satisfactory picture. Frank McManemin is once again found with the strongest hand, a quintette of juveniles being located in his establishment. The following is a list of the youngsters in training at Ellerslie: —

F. McMUnemin— < Colt. by Gluten—Gold Web. Geldinu. by Tournament, colt, by Monoform—Latona. Filly, by Spalpeen—Wnimangtl. Colt, by Soult— B. - F. Hill- '■• Filly by Soult—Miss Annie. Gelding, by Obligado— Gelding, by Obligado—Kiteroa. F. Slenning— Gelding, bv Gluten—OatcMy. , Colt, by Oblijrado—Peace. Colt, by Wairiki—Miss Drury. K. Beaton— Filly, by Eton— Dell. Filly, by Wairiki—Fishfas. Filly, by Seat-on Delaval—Bother. A. RobertsonFilly, by Soult—Winsome. Filly, by Gluten—Avalanche. Filly, by Soult—Princess Alice. W. Tozer— Fillv, by Seaton Delavai— Jewellery. Filly by Seaton Delaval— Slave. Filly, by Seaton Delaval—Gladys Soult. D. Morrashan— Colt, by Soult—Gladys May. Colt, by Soult—Romola. W. Gall- , Colt, by Salvadan— Filly, by Soult—Golden Sand. J. B. WilliamsonFilly, by Vexation. S HodgeFilly, by Allinga. : • H. GibbFilly. by Obligado— E. Stewart— Geldiuer, by Seaton Delavai— D. Bannatyne— Filly, by Monoform— Antelope. Cnrminshartt— . Filly, by Postmistress. LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK. The details of tho English Derby now to hand go to show that another colt beside the American-owned favourite, Sir Martin, experienced bad luck during the running of the Epsom race. This was William, the Fourth, who was badly interfered with at a critical stage of the contest. William tho Fourth is stated to have finished up his task well in third place, and as he was only a little over half-a-length from the winner, it is generally held that his prospects in the St. Leger are of a bright order. Whether or not William the Fourth turns tho tables on the King's colt, Minoru, in the St. Leger, tho meeting of the pair in the classic race on the Town Moor in September promises to bo brimful of interest. William the Fourth, it may bo remarked, .is owned by Lord Michelham, who bought him as a yearling at the sale of Sir John Robinson's yearlings for 1500gs. :

The fact of Mr. Bidwill having struck Gravitation out of the New Zealand Cup at this stage woud appear to indicate clearly that, so far as a long-distance race is concerned, it is deemed prudent to abstain from putting such a strain on the Birkenhead colt. It is a matter for great regret that unsoundness should have again come against Gravitation,'for there is a consensus /of opinion that, fit and well, he would be equal to playing his part well in any company.

Dame Fortune has not for a Rood while boon too kind to the ex-Aucklander, Patrick Nolan, who has been located at Bandwick for some years past At a recent meeting held •in New South Wales, however, Nolan had the pleasure of seeing three horses carrying his colours win-a treble. Tho Kogaroh Stakes, of 60sovs, Moorfield Handicap of lOOsovs, and tho Boxley Handicap of 70sovs, were tho ©vents captured by representatives, Adjacent (by Grafton), Dryite (by Metal), and Mirablis (by Facile). ■

The three-year-old gelding Mundic, who won a double at the Napier Park Racing Club's Winter Meeting, is reported to have changed hands in Napier last week at 500 guineas. The name of the purchaser of the. Gold Reef gelding has not been made public; but it is stated to be quite on the cards that after the New Zealand Grand National Meeting Mundic may be transported to Australia.

'. The fact of Kiatere having been allowed to drop out of the V.R.C. Grand National Steeuledhaso would appear to point to soirjothing having gone amiss with the well-performed son of Castor and Victoria. The withdrawal of Kiatere and Up-to-Date leaves- Pilot as the only New Zealand-bred horse now engaged in the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase.

Dark Ronald, who won the Princess of Wales Stakes of 6000sovs rt Newmarket last week, formed one of the collection of yearlings sent up to auction in September,' 1906, by the StrafFan Station Stud, and that the son of Bay Ronald and Darkie was considered promising at an early stage of nis career may be gathered from the fact that Mr. Abe Bailey had to bid 1300gs ere he silenced the opposition. Dark Ronald is not engaged in either of the "ten thousandpounder?," the Eclipse Stakes and Jockey Club Stakes.

The following is a list of nominations made by New Zealand owners for the A.J.C. Breeders' IPlate, to be run at Randwick in October: Mr. G. D. Greenwood's br. f Lady Reina, by Merriwce —Lady Helen; b f Aerina, by Hotcherina; b c Formeden. by Multiform—Otterden. W. E. Bidwill's b c Tribulation, by Birkenhead—Stepfeldt ; b, c Inspection, by Birken—lmmersion. T. H. Lowry's be Kohinoor, by Roval —Bijou. W. Lyons* b f St. .Margaret, by^Soult—St. Edith.

A Cambridge ' correspondent writes me as follows:--" Several weeks ago -I noticed in your sporting notes reference made to a jump of 30ft made by a (horse, whose name I now forget. The paragraph in question brought to my recollection a big jump which I witnessed in the South. Auckland Steeplechase some 18 years back. The only contestants were Donald McKinnon's Magnesia and Robl. Cowley's Peter, the former being the winner. As the.horses reached the last jump a hurdle—Peter took off at what seemed an impossible distance, and although he struck the hurdle heavily with both hind legs he retained his equilibrium. A subsequent measurement by tin* wellknown vet., Mr. John Browne, returned the distance covered as 29ft. In the course of a conversation recently with Mr. Browne I recalled the foregoing episode, which he well remembered, and at the same time informed me that Peter's feat was eclipsed by that of his own defunct, but well-known 'chaser. Pretender, in. a similar race some years later. Racing neck and neck with The Colonel over a hurdle the gallant .?on of The Painter— Donna literally gained a length from The Colonel in his effort, and ran in an easy winner. , The ensuing measurement:by tape—revealed the fact that Pretender Iliad cleared 32ft." ■

In some chatty notes on the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase, the Australasian says:—"An admirer of Corrigan— a man who rode with him—declares that in; the days of big fences there was no man to compare with the late 'Tom' Corrigan in a steeplechase. 'No. other man in the world,' he declares, 'could have got a brute like Wymlet . round. He hit . most fences with his _ chest, ; and everything else that he could hit with, and at the last fence of all his quarters were up in the air and his head on the ground, but Tom never shifted, and the horse' righted himself and won.' The man who'said this was riding Governor, who fell early. He* perched on a fence to see how Wymlet, whom he had backed, would fare. At. the pace they go now Wymlet hitting fence after fence would have.no elianoe, but' in those days steepledhasing was, steeplechasing. and a great rider like Corrigan could win races which other men would lose. Nowthe fences are smaller, the pace faster, arid one man is much the same as another." ? "

Despite the law prohibiting 'gambling, the racing season' opened, on' May 13 at Belmont Park, New York, in a. way which suggested (says the Daily Telegraph's correspondent) that horse-racing here . will die hard. It is estimated that fully 10,000 persons attended, and although bookmaking was not permitted there was no lack of oral! betting. No money was seen, but plenty changed hands carefully disguised in brown paper envelopes. Bookmakers were armed to > the teeth with - the rules setting forth what they might or what they'might not do. Police in plain clothes, as well as those in ; uniform, were present to enforce the law, and the attitude of .the public was decidedly timid. The Jockey Club seems determined to secure the repeal of the obnoxious »law.' In the meantime, pending the decision of the High Court, they are not taking any risks. There was no disorder.

Mr. John Corlett, of the Sporting Times," ,\vho has witnessed the running of the English Derby for 50 years without a miss, : thus sums up the blue riband of 1909, won by the King's colt, Minoru :—" Jones „ slipped in next the rails, at Tattenham-Corner on Minora precisely as Wood did on St. Blaise in 1883, and Constable on. Sefton in 1878, and that adroit movement in'each case most assuredly fixed the destiny of the • race, which otherwise would' have had -a different • ending. The advantage gained : by Jones ho never fairly lost, and seemed at : the "Bell to be winning with a little to spare; but Louviers came again in a most remarkable manner, and the finish was one of the finest that has eventuated for the time- ; honoured blue riband." .

There are six imported horses in the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup this year, viz.:—Son of the Marsh (Wildfowler—Loo's Pride), . Featherstich (Ayrshire—Thimble), Petrilio (Gallinule—Float), Red Knight (William Rufus—Eloping Lady), Linacre (Wolfs Crag—Lismaine), and Grey Plume (Greyleg Thalestris). They are all trained in Sydney. : , ■*'■". ': ' .:','...■, :- : • .

Fossil, who led the field (home in the V.R.C. Grand- National Hurdle Race on Saturday last, figured as a contestant in a two-mile hurdle race run at Moonee Valley a week previous to the big . event: at Flemington, but though he was sent out favourite he failed to get closer than sixth.

English papers to hand show that Electra (winner of the One _ Thousand Guineas) .started a warm favourite for the Oaks. Her backers, however, had the unpalatable fact quickly presented to them that they had lost their.money, as the daughter of Eager was completely left at the, post.

Lord Villiers is credited with the ownership of a very fine colt named Greenback, who is a son of the Two Thousand Guineas winner, St. Frusquin. Just prior to the last mail to hand leaving England, Greenback romped homo an easy winner in the Great Surrey Foal Stakes, and the prediction is offered that he will put up a high-class record.

Frank . McManemin's pair, of jumpers, Scotty and Cymri, continue to carry themselves well. The Ellerslie trainer is expected to make a move Wellington-wards in the course of a day or two. Scotty is down for an engagement in the Winter Hurdle Race, which comes up for decision next Saturday.

The jockeys and sportsmen who attended the opening of the Gruenewald Racecourse at Berlin last month were, disappointed at the soft nature of the course. The going is extremely heavy, the horses sinking in the loose soil and raising clouds of dust.

A horse carrying the colours of a South African millionaire has won the Princess of Wales Stakes two years in succession. Mr. S. B. Joel's Your Majesty scored Inst year and Mr. A. Bailey's Dark Ronald led the field home in the Newmarket race last week.

James Scobie, who has the distinction of both owning and training Fossil, the winner of this year's V.RC. Grand National Hurdle Race, rode the winner (Rhesus) of that event in the winter of 1882. Interesting to relate, Fossil was ridden by George Scobie. a-son of "fearless James."

Ngapuka. who won a double at the Great Northern Meeting last month, is nicely treated in the Winter Cup with lOst 121b, and he may be given a chance to distinguish himself at. Riccarton next month. The son of Soult is carrying himself nicely.

Sixty-five of the 203 horses, handicapped for tho Caulfield Cup are on the minimum. In the Melbourne Cup there are 61 on ! the minimum, and 123 are weighted below 7et.

■" ■ Kremlin'- is booked to make the trip td Wellington. •... / : :, '.:'_; - ■'.:■:-,'-.^

Perola. the winner of the Oaks, was rid- rl den by the ex-Australian jockey, F. Wootom -S

F. McManemin is expected, to' make"•"* move Wellingtonwards to-morrow with Seotty and Cymri. . ■. ■■.-''■ :r ; '; ; ;;"';

Mr. Wilfred Stead, of Chrisrchureh, 'is the ! latest owner to join in what has been termed " the onslaught on Mr. J. E. Henrys." '

A colt by Sir Laddo—Lake Placid, and therefore half-brother to the New Zealand Cup-winner 'Frisco, has been taken in haniT by F. Tilley.

R. McMikenwill probably take his departure for New Plymouth tomorrow with Le Beau, entraining at that place for Wellington.

An American-bred thoroughbred two-year-old by Watercress from Seamstress, which ran unplaced at Newmarket, is said to be 18 hands high. ' ' '•■

The hurdle racer Commander was purchased by Mr. J. Twohili at Napier recently, and The Officer gelding is now a stable. companion to Capitol. ■ ■■-..•

On account, of wet weather the Pakuranga hounds will not meet to-day, but a paper chase, starting from Penrose"station at two will take place instead.

The Auckland-bred King Paul (by St. Paul) continues to distinguish himself in Australia. At the Aspendale Park meeting on the 28th.ult. he won the principal event.

Tho V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race has only been won on four occasions by a four-year-old. viz., Sir Peter (1881). I Redleap (1889), Dizzy (1893), and Fossil (1909).

; It,transpires that. Auratus, injured himself while raojng "at■"the Otaki meeting, and doubts are entertained as to his being a contestant. 5-n the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race.

Advices to hand from Sydney state that Mountain King is giving satisfaction in his work, and hones are entertained that the big son of Wallace and Bonnie Rosette will carry silk again next- season.

Prior to contesting, the V.R.C. Grand' National Hurdle Race, the New Zealandowned Waipu was giwen a run in the Jumpers' Flat Race at Moonee alley, but he failed to show up prominently. '■■"

As showing in what favour Malster 'is with Australian breeders, it may be noted that ho lias 24- representatives in the' Maribyrnong Plate, the principal two-year-old race at the .Victoria Racing Club's Spring Meeting.. ~'.,- -. '.>..,.'■, _<-~;;,.,;, ,/v' ;; , : /.'

It is intended to give Bully an oppor-' tunity to distinguish himself jin the Winter Hurdle Race, which comes up for decision i at Trentfmm on Saturday next* D. Banna- / tyne will, I ■understand,. take Bully by an ' early steamer. " > ■ '■" : , ' r .'■■• =

Quail, who figures in the V.R.C. Grand I National Steeplechase, with 9st'-' 111b. is an ! aged daughter of. the Auckland-bred '■'■ horse l Tranter . (Musket—Pungawerewere)., . Last I. year Quail won the xOrand Annual Steeple- ,' chase at Warrnambool. , ; "' '■■■~, !.-;-*.

The Auckland-bred ihorse, Melwood was destroyed recently on Mr. T. Duncan's Otairi station. Melwood'jn who was a son of St. Leger and the Carbineer mare Ladvbird, filled the role of runner-up to Tortulla in the New<Zealand Cup of 1901. "I '*■ ;"?

r Though Trafalgar was - beaten at weight-for-age by Waipuna in his \ last effort at P tlhree years: old. it is, generally % held ' that I his form was all wrong.-. Advices to hand " from Melbourne state that the 'son; of Wallace- has ; filled ,out splendidly of late, * and : that ho promises to develop,into a fine-look-ing' four-year-old. , :S'--:.\ : .\.\: : , STUD NOTES. . '';. BY PHAETOX.*;., ,'■';■" S *Y'' When the news of: Verdun's victory in- the •; Grand ; Prix de Paris last 'week came',' to \. hand, ' I fancied that ' Great' Britain '_ could j claim some of the -credit attaching to the ' ! victory, even though the winner „was bred)': I : W't»°.'*fielfe ; '_Fraiic^;J;: n A. search in the Studfjßook reveals the interesting lact that j Verdun's sire, ' Rabelais, ■, is an,- English-bred 1 horse by. St. Simon, which is another ma.rl£ ! ed honour to be ! credited to the illustrious .'; ', son of Galopin and Si. Angela.'"" ' - ' '

The Australian-bred mare Haulette (by : ' Haut' Brion —Novelette II.),, who was pv.r- S chased in New South Wales some few years if back by French sportsman,, M. Jean :Heimessy, Jut's., produced : a, good-winner in '. Sier new home, ; in the . three-year-old Hag vi-. 1 Hag, ■ who won the Grand Prix Ide Brucellas, of f : £3922, run in : Belgium- last May. ;S Novelette 11.,.the dam ,'of Ha.ulette, it may ;' be '■ remembered;'' ; was *> bred li in '*' Auckland;;' :S She was go* by Nordenfeldt from Ouida, if and -. thus - claims '; fufl-sistership to ■ Strath-' i more. , . . • ■ '. -, . ,

Horses tracing to" the celebrated St. Simon continue to be secured for Australia. : ■ *t The latest one to be acquired is Sir Robert, ( a bay, foaled in 1906,, by Collar (son .of St. » % Simon ' and: Ornament) ' from Torture,' .'•hyi'M , Trenton,; flora. Gabrina, ■ by. ;- Brag. '•. Orna- ? vi ment, it, ; may bo } remarked; is '., the dam of -i'f. ; the.. srerisational.^Sceptre.,;. Sir ': Robert . .can. ". j boast ,of"a"pedigree"embracing" a combina- !: tion of St. : Simou, Stockwell, Musket, land ■. Fisherman blood. Sir Robert was ' never J raced, as the death of his owner, Sir R. J. -' Dashwood,' caused all his engagements to :;;! he void. .'"-*' ■ ;'/-----: >r :-- 'f{'■'■-■:f.'\:-'>. ■.:■,•.'■• '-'f'-K^ff

t; The Harvester, sire of Fossil,'tihe winner ' of the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race,. | was got by : Sheet Anchor (son" of St. Albans,;. by, -~ Stockwell) from , iv Springtime. •■;£; who in turn was got by ; Fireworks 1 (son of 'I Kelpie) from Spring Blossom a daughter of Fisherman. It will, therefore, be seen that Fossil claims some, great staying blood on tlie sire's side, ; , " .-.'. ' .' ■■ ',

'So far as Australia is concerned,. NewSouth Wales is the home of the thoroughbred horse breeding industry. ' Of 65 stal- -M lions already advertised in the Sydney Mail ; for next season, 17 are of direct -descent ''■'■'{. from St. Simon, eight come direct from 'St. :! Simon's sire, Galopin, and;:several, claim one or other, of these wo: celebrities in their■"■* dams. , v ~., GISBORNR RACING CLUB'S STEEPLE. \ \":- ■.■■;;.'■ ;: ' CHASE MEETING. r' , ■ . \ ' —i t ,'.:.: '■ '■•-/ ..■■'.•'.' SECOND DAY. ••-'';'.' ■;'. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] ' : ' • ■■■.". Gisborxe, Friday. ; .The Gisborne, Racing Club's SteeplechaseiMeetJ . ing.was concluded to-day in fine weather and beI fore a good, attendance." -The. totalizator returns v for the two days amounted to £9590, as syainst i ' £10,555 for the corresponding meeting last year. ; The: results are:— • r j 'HURDLE RACE, two miles.— Arai, 1; Re- ( : servoir, 2; Haurangi, 3. Won'easily. Time, 4m. w MAIDEN HACK HANDICAP, four furlongs.— j Sublime, 1: The Raft, 2; Raumeria, 3. Wop ' easily. Time, lm. 6n. -■■■-. 'f. ,".;<"'';"'•'%. [;■ ■-. WAIKANAE HANDICAP, seven furlongs.—Baldos. 1; Pearl Reef, 2; Lloyd's, &.. Won by half-' '-j-: a-length. lime, lm. 355. ,• ■ ",[•:< TE HAPARA STEEPLECHASE, -two miles and j .—MoKart,' 1; Te Kainui, 2; Te Kohau, 3. ', : Won by a length. Time, sm. 40s.■. i" - -..' ~.... ; HACK FLAT HANDICAP, six furlongs.— j lime, 1; My Darling, 2; Ardfert, 3. Won by ; half-a-lcngth. Time, lm. 20s. „'' ' > ' I FINAL STEEPLECHASE, two miles.—Mozart, 1;' ' Waiohika, 2; Atanui, 3. Won- easily. Time, 4in. ■. ■ His. . .... .-" . - , ~,■ .'.:: ,' - : FAREWELL HANDICAP, one mile.—Gladsmu'r, 1; Continuance, 2; Spate, 3. Won all the way. 1 Time, lm. 495.- . ■ ' * - ... ' HUNTLY RACING CLUB. ~; The annual general meeting of the.Huntly. Racing Club (writes our : correspondent) was held on Wednesday evening, Mr. J.. Phillips presiding oven a representative ■ attendance. The balance-sheet* .: which was unanimously adopted, showed a credit : ''■;.' balance of £4 23 ,Bd, the - income ' having been; - £322 3s 5d and the expenditure £318 Os 9d. Dur- ■:■..-.' ing the past year, improvements to; the course had cost the club over £104, while the intakes' • paid out at, the last meeting totalled £99. The main sources of revenue were:—Members' fees. ,: £49 2s; nominations and accepttnees, £42 6a - 6d; gates. s £38 10s 9d; bookmakers' iees, £42; , and-refreshment booths, £46 Is. The election of » v : office-bearers for the current year resulted as follows :—Patrons, Messrs. '• W. F. Massey and H. J. . £l Greenslade, M.P.'s; president, Mr. J. P. Bailey;;. vice-presidents, the Hon.' Mahuta, M.L.C., Messrs. " - E. Bain, F .Bennett, A. Gall, L.B. Harris, Whin Himions, Rata Mahuta,; D. McKinnon, and. Alex. . McKinnon; secretary, Mr., A. A. Stewart; ' treasurer,- Mr. C. .Maxwell;: auditor; Mr. C, • ? Richards; committee, Messrs. ,J. Broadhurst.'.T. .; :;» Britton, J. Brooks, TVJEdwarda, B. Lovell. J. ./.;:-' Mcintosh, H. Peekham, arid William Spiers. 2. Hearty votes of thanks were = accorded . to the ;-j&! secretary and the outgoing committee,: to whose -iV: efforts the : success '■ of the ■■ last meeting; was in -a. >;:S great measure due.. ' .* - *-~