SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14142, 18 August 1909, Page 4

SPORTING.

NOTES BY PHAETON.

It may not, I suppose, Iks quite safe to yet say that finality has been reached in tho Tauriki case, for tlio matter is left open for further investigation; but tho appeal of S. Darragh against tho life disqualification imposed upon him by the Auckland .Metropolitan Committee- has been heard by tho judges, and the finding delivered. The appellant was successful in establishing a doubt with the judges as to Tauriki being a " ringin," but tho extraordinary contradictions of his evidence with that of J. Grant, in whoso name the marc ran, were such as to support the view that there had been a violation of the rules of.racing, and a disqualification for five years was imposed. Possibly the final act in tho Tauriki case may yet have to be recorded; but if nothing more bo done tho five years' disqualification which the judges have meted out is sufficiently severe to act as a salutary warning to those who are inclined to take war risks.

By the death of Mr. Samuel Hordern, the announcement of which recently came from Sydney. New South Wales loses one of her most prominent citizens, and ono who had done much for the Mother State of the Commonwealth in the raising of tho thoroughbred. When Mr. Hordern established Wilton Park some two decades back he launched out in bold style, one of his noteworthy purchases being tho stallion Nordcnfeldt, whom ho bought at the dispersal of the New Zealand Stud Company's stock at Sylvia Park in the summer of 1891 for 5600gns. For several seasons Mr. Hordern figured as one of New South Wales' prominent racing men, but a demonstration that, was made against, his colours at Randwick was taken so keenly by him as to lead to his retirement from the turf, and his colours never reappeared. Though estranged to some extent with the turf, Mr. Hordern kept on Wilton Park, and the establishment is well stocked with many gems of the Stud Book.

In the decision of the V.R.C.' Grand National Steeplechase last month Bribery and Confederate fought out tho/ issue for the leading positions, and they finished in that order in the Flemington race. At Caulfield on Saturday last Bribery and Confederate met in tho Australian Steeplechase to fight their battle over again, with the result that they again came out. at tho head of the field, but in reversed order. When Bribery boat Confederate in the V.R.C. Grand National he was conceding his rival 2st 111b, and in last Saturday's race at Caulfield there was 2st 121b between them, tho respective weights being: Bribery, 13st 71b; Confederate, lOst 91b.

The victory of Scotty in the Sydenham Hurdle Race, run at Riccarton on the concluding day of the C.J.C. meeting, there is reason to believe, came as a surprise to his immediate connections. F. Macma.nomin, the trainer of the St. Leger gelding, returned to Auckland after seeing his horse run in the Grand National Hurdle Race, and his report with regard to Scotty was such as to show clearly that ho was being started pretty much on the oft" chance. Under lOst 31b Scotty galloped out the mile and three-quarters satisfactorily, and ho won his race by a length from Ben Jonson, who was called upon to concede his bay rival 231b.

In referring to tho settlement of the trouble between Mr. R. K. Maitland, the handicappcr, and R. Lewis, a well-known jockey, the Australasian says:—Just before the Welter Handicap at Flemington on the 7th ult. Mr. Maitland, who is an excitable man, and very interested in his handicapping, told "Terlinga" that ho did not think Lewis tried to win Slipper's Welter Race at Caulfield with Barney O'Hea. Some one overheard Mr. Maitland say this, and told Lewis, Then Lewis sought out Mr. Maitland, and addressed him in language which seems to have been pretty strong. Mr. Maitland reported Lewis to the V.R.C., and Lewis began l an action against Mr. Maitland for slander. Last week Mr. Maitland apologised for the Barney O'Hoa statement, and Lewis, having expressed regret for losing his temper on the course, Mr. Casey, the chairman of tho V.R.C., gave him a lecture, and told him to run away and not let his tongue run riot on a racecourse again.

The highly-bred Gladstone is to be submitted to auction on Friday next at the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company's Durham Yards, and as another stud season is just opening there should Iw some spirited competition for tho handsome eon of Seaton Dclaval and Miss, Gladys. While on the turf Gladstone showed himself up in attractive colours, the Great Northern Derby being included in his winning repertoire. Gladstone has never looked in better health than at (lie present time, and that of course must bo viewed as a matter of first importance in the stud horse.

It is stated that a.syndicate is arranging to start a pony and galloway club in Auckland. Last week Mr. H. B. Massey was commissioned to make a report on a likely locality for a racecourse, and ho discovered in Mr. Morland's estate, Richardson Road, Mount Albert, what is stated to be an availablo course. Tho land in question comprises 31 acres, and a sixfurlong course is availablo. The property in question is in close proximity to tho Mount Albert Railway Station.

In the illustrated supplement of the current number of the Auckland Weekly News the recent. Grand National Meeting, held at Ricearton, is extensively dealt with. Amongst the striking pictures snapped by tho man with the camera is the accident that befel Eurus. There are also excellent pictures of Nadador, Compass, North-east, and Los Angelos.

When I came across the name Hacrcmai in the cablegram announcing the result of the Jumpers' Flat Handicap at Caulfield on the 7th inst. the thought crossed my mind as to whether tho animal referred to was identical with the Freedom gelding that raced in Auckland in Mr. W. Ring's colours. Melbourne papers now to hand show that the Haeremai racing in Australia is the horse that formerly figured on Auckland racecourses. •

The New Zealand pencillers continue to contribute largely to tho coffers of those bodies which promote racing in tho Dominion. The amount paid by the bookmakers to tho C.J.C. for the right to bet at the recent Grand . National Meeting amounted to £2100, and they also paid £1660 to tho Metropolitan Trotting Club for the privilege of betting at Addington on three days.

Tho Hawko's Bay sportsman Mr. G. P. Donnelly is en route to England. Some few months back, it may be remarked, Mr. Donnelly despatched the Gold Reef gelding Gold Seal to England, so that the veteran owner will have a horse of his own to represent him in the Old Country.

The programme in connection with tho Avondalo Jockey Club's approaching spring meeting will require attention at the hands of horseowners on or before Friday next, on which day at nine p.m. nominations close for the Avondalo Cup, First Steeplechase, Plumnton Handicap, and Flying Stakes. i

Tho Pakuranga Hunt Club will meet at the Road Board Office, East Tamaki, on Saturday next, and at Pigeon Mountain, Pakuranga, on the following Saturday.

The Auckland steeplechaser Irish returned by the West Coast steamer yesterday after his fruitless mission in the South.

Sydney advices to hand state that Don Hannibal continues to make satisfactory progress in his preparation at Randiwck.

Ikon, Bullworth, and Seraphic were shipped to Sydney yesterday by the s.s. Mokoia.

The weights for the New Zealand Cup are due to make their appearance on or about Friday next.

The clever little Manapouri (Soult Fairytale) has been placed in the sale list.