SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14208, 3 November 1909, Page 4

SPORTING.

NOTES BY PHAETON.

A BRILLIANT THREE-YEAR-OLD. Another Melbourne Cup has gone into tho records, and the victory gained by Prince Footo brings another thrco-year-old into marked prominence. From tho time that Princo Foot© registered a victory in the Sires' Produce Stakes at Randwick in March last he has been made the medium of much comment of a laudatory character, . and when he led off at three years old by capturing the Chelmsford Stakes it wasi recognised that ho had made the necessary improvement to -warrant a prediction that lie was destined to play his part brilliantly at three years old. The A.J.C. Derby fell to him, and on that form it looked as though the Caulfield Guineas would faU an easy prey to him. Tho unexpected happened, however, for Malt King, who failed to gain a situation in the A.J.C. Derby, silenced his rival in tho milo race. An excuse was urged for Prince Foote's defeat in that the lay of the Caulfield track was against him, and he "was never otherwise than favourite for tho Derby. Unfortunately, Malt King wont amiss prior to tho V.R.C. meeting opening, so that Prince Foote was deprived of the opportunity of fully wiping out the Caulfield defeat which lie met with at tho hands of the Malster colt. In tho decision of tho Derby Prince Foote romped over the opposition, which served to support the view that he js in quite a class by himself; and wo may expect to learn that his victory in the Cup added one moro to the list of favourites that have captured the great Flemington race. Prince Foote was privately bred by tho New South Wales owner whose colours he carries, and whoso norn do course is "Mr. J. Baron." The Derby and Cup hero, has an all-round English pedigree, his siro and dam each being imported animals; and it is further interesting to note that his pedigree is fairly studded with English Derby-winners. For instance, Prince Foote was got by Sir Foote, a son of Sir Hugo (who won the Derby of 1892). Sir Hugo's dam was got by Galopin (winner of the Derby of 1875) from Miss Foote, a daughter of Orlando (winner of the Derby of 1844). Then on the dam's sido we find that Isinglass (winner of the Derby of 1893) is responsible for Petruschka, while the latter's dam, Pet of tho Chase, was got by Peter (son of Hermit, and winner of the Derby of 1867) from Diana, who is by Galopin (winner of tho Derby of 1875). The following are the leading lines in the pedigree of this brilliant colt: —

PRINCE FOOTE. Sire: Sir Footo, by Sir Hugo (son of Wisdom), from Surefoot's dam, by Galopin (Bon of Vedette) from Miss Foote, by Orlando (son of Touchstone), Dam: Petruschka, by Isinglass (son of Isonomy) from Pet of the Chase, by Peter (son of Hermit) from Diana, by Galopin (son of Vedette).

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S SPRING MEETING. The unsettled weather is the only thing standing in the way of the highly successful inauguration of tho Auckland Racing dub's Spring Meeting at Ellerslie on Saturday next. Tno character of tho acceptances in hand gives every promise of a capital afternoon's sport, and all round the various contests arc invested with such openness as to give to tho programme a special charm. Tho eight events are to be run off in tho following order:—President's Handicap (one mile), Great Northern Guineas (one mile), Welcome Stakes (five furlongs), Manukau Hurdle Race (one mile and threoquarters), Shorts Handicap (five furlongs), City Handicap (one milo and a-quarter), Hobson Handicap (six furlongs), Flying Handicap (seven furlongs).

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP. Matters in connection with tho New Zealand Cup remain in pretty much the same stato as those which ruled last week. Accounts to ' hand from Riccarton credit the various candidates with being in capital nick, and it is not expected that the final payment, which falls duo to-night, will find tho list much reduced. A pleasing feature in connection with tho training notes is that tho two top-weights, All Red and Bobrikoff, are both galloping in fine style. The latter being still engaged in the Stewards' Handicap naturally causes a bit of unrest to those who are speculating; but possibly to-night will see the matter set at Test-.

BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE BY ABORIGINE. Tho New Zealand-bred Aborigine followed up his dead-heat with Bluo Book in tho Caulfield Cup with a high-class pcrformanod in the Phoenix Handicap (one mile), at Moonco Valley, on tho 23rd ult. Though the son of Merriweo was dealt out tho steadier of lOst 51b he was sent to tho post a warm favourite, and he beat a field of 12 opponents in easy style, traversing the eight furlongs in lm. 41is. _ Such a fine performance as that for which Aborigine was responsible, it is hardly necessary to say, was mado the medium of much favourable comment by tho Australian writers. " Martindale." in referring to the brilliant form displayed by Aborigine, says:— more we see of Aborigine the greater is tho puzzle how he lost the Epsom Handicap at Randwick. There is no doubt in my mind that if it was run for next Saturday or any day during the last week tho black son of Merriweo would win, and that easily. It was a slashing good performance of his at Moono Valley, winning the Phoenix Handicap. It cannot bo said that the handicapper was by any means lenient to him in asking him to give 101b to such a good ono as Montcalm. However, ho did it, and really won easily. Now I suppose he will go into preparation for his long trip to India.

LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK. Maori King (by Merriwee— Indian Queen, has been brought up to Ellerslie with a view to contesting tho Great Northern Guineas. It is interesting to note that King Billy and Aborigine, who rank as full-brothers to Maori King, respectively won the Ellerslio race in 1907 and 1908. It will be a unique record should Mr. E. J. Watt, for the third year in succession, furnish the winner with a similarly bred horse.

The victory of Prince Foote in the Melbourne Cup makes the eighth occasion on which tho Derby-winner has captured the double. The other colts that won the Derby and Cup are:—Briseis, Chester, Grand Flaneur, Martini-Henry, Newhaven, Merriwee, and Poseidon, who rank as V.R.C. Derby and Melbourne Cup winners in the ono season.

The Canterbury Jockey Club is not the only body that leaves the way open for a tilt to be directed on the question of penalties. The Auckland Racing Club are also in a position to Invite attack on tho same Question. Mahinga, who last week won inthe pony class at Alexandra Park, is penalised 51b in open company at Ellerslie. Could anything bo moro ludicrous ?

Santa Rosa is evidently regarded as a better stayer than his stable mate Waimangu. The latter has been allowed to drop out of the City Handicap (ono mile and a-quarter), for which Santa Rosa has been accepted for; while Waimangu figures in the Flying Handicap (seven furlongs) to be run on tho same day. The two Soult colts are in capital nick, and they , should play their respective parts attractively during the spring.

An interesting fact in connection with the Melbourne Cup, run yesterday, is that tho top-weight, Alawa, who filled tho role of runner-up in the great handicap, finished in a like position to that occupied by his sire, Malster, nine years back. There is this difference, however, between the two performances of sire and son, that Malster accomplished his performance at three years old while Alawa is a year older. Acceptances for all events to bo run on the opening day of the Otahuhu Trotting Club's Spring Meeting close on Friday next at nine p.m. Nominations for all events to be run at the Takapuna Jockey Club's Spring MeetinEg close on Friday next at nino p.m. A New South Wales-bred horse has won the Melbourne Cup on six occasions during tho past seven years. , A final payment for the New Zealand Cup and Stewards' Handicap falls due tonight. Inglis was scratched for tho A.R.C. City Handicap at three p.m. yesterday.

INTERPROVIN GOSSIP. [nr TELEGHAra. —OWN COKSESPONDEXTS-] WELLINGTON. . Tuesday. Dearest, tho two-year-old sister to Master Soult, is not engaged at the New Zealand Cud meeting, but she accompanied the-other members of Prosser's team to Riccarton for education purposes. As Jos. Prosser had gone South, H. Telford took tho Porirua team to Masterton, and the trip was a successful one, as Lady Medallist won the Masterton Cup and Lace Collar won a raco cach day. Lady Medallist has now won five races since the present season commenced, and she will probably be given a brief spell to freshen up. Provided she makes the usual improvement she should do well in important handicaps'at the back end of the season. Silken Rein, who won a hurdle raco on each day of the Opaki fixture, promises tot prove a useful hurdler, as she has greatly improved in her jumping. t .

WANGANUI.

Tuesday. F. Coleman, tlio Wanganui light-weight, who rode Sir Prize (or, as he was thcnl known, Kilmarnock)j to victory in tho Wanganui Cup, will have the mount on the son of St. Paul in the New Zealand Cup. Reports received here from Riecarton go to show that North-east is well and showing good form on the tracks. It was rumoured/ that the Euroclydon gelding had gone amiss, and the many supporters of this Stewards' Handicap candidate hero were consequently) somewhat uneasy until word came that the gelding was all right. R. Young will ride tho Fordell-trainedl mare Lady Lucy/ in the New Zealand Cup, in which tho daughter of Seat-on Delaval— Hilda will have the handy weight of 7st lib. It is interesting to recall the fact that Fulmen, who dead-heated with Ideal in 1900, is a half-brother, and Heorthen, last year's runner-up, a half-sister to Lady Lucy. Th© latter has demonstrated that she possesses a< rare turn of pace, and has displayed raro staying qualities, so there is some reason to hope that sho will make a good showing in the big race. Information to hand from the South shows that Lady Lucy is pleasing her! friends by the way she is shaping on tho track at Riccarton, and the impression is growing that sho will take a lot of beating l in next Saturday's race. In a, letter to George Price, the ex-New l Zealand horseman, L. H. Hewitt, mentions that ho is doing well in Austria, where ho has ridden in 175 • races, which resulted in, 41 firsts, 35 seconds, 26 thirds, and 73 times unplaced. Ho had signed on for another" two years, receiving £2000 for first call, £500 for second call, and 10 per cent, on; stakes ■ won. He hopes to be at Auckland! for the Cup meeting at Christinas time. Mount Cook, who won both hurdle events at tho Wanganui Spring Meeting, is engaged in tho Waver ley Cup, in which the Apremont gelding will bo ridden by J. Morris. Ihe gelding is trained ■by Mr. McDonald, one of th© owners.

ELLERSLIE training NOTES. '?' r amour, of training work was done at fclicralie yesterday morning, although the weather conditions were far from favourable. Most of the work was done on the sand track, which was in a fair condition, but the two-year-olds performed on a section of the course proper. All's Well opened proceedings before breakfast, getting through an easy task. Prince Leo covered four furlongs in 53 3-55., while Hoanga had much the better of Stepson icle in a dash over the fame distance, run in 545. . Advocate, unassisted, traversed seven furlongs, the last sis of which occupied lm. 225. Rauparaha, Blue Garment, and Coromandel skipped over five furlongs in lm. 14s. Sir Artegal covered three furlongs in 40a. Regain and Prophet ran six furlongs in J.m. 21 3-ss, the former having the best of the argument. Madam Sou It. left, three furlongs behind in 39 1-59., a task which , Mavkoff took 40 2-5s to encompass. Hyperion and Rarata rattled over seven furlongs in lm. 35 3-55., a three-lengths' advantage befog secured by the former. The same journey was negotiated by Dr. Shimose and Rohepotae, the visiting pair coming home topsidea in lm. ' 375. Santa Rosa and Waimangu finished together over « similar distance in lm. 365. Dunborve held Epeom Lass at the finish of seven furlongs, encompassed in lm. 39 l-55., but Tattoo and Tamainupo ran over the same distance .in lm. 35 4-ss. It took Tunatahi lm. 25 2-ss. in which to throw six furlongs behind. Necktie sprinted over half-a-milc in 40.5. poronetted was better than Sedition and Delegate over seven furlongs run in lm. 36 3-ss. Cyronn got through a eeven-fur-long gallop in ,Im. 403. Le Beau had the best of Pierre at the conclusion of six furlongs in lm. 27 2-ss. Cymri traversed two rounds, the last nine furlongs taking 2m. 12s. Dogger Bank had the best of Turbine in a five-furlong flutter, the time for which was lm. Bs. Kblis was of little use to Grenadier over seven furlongs, run in lm. 41 1-s*. The hurdler Leo registered lm. 235. for six furlongs, a distance over which Celtic beat Zinnia in 1m..,22a. . Thin latter time was equalled by Urania, who proved better than Aristos. The Avondale Stakes winner, Aehby, finished abreast of Apellon, 3t the end of three furlongs run on the course proper, in 41 2-ss. ' Doughboy spurted over the same distance in 40 3J>s., but Vivace and Kcho, in a similar dash, were timed to do 41 2-ss. Goldfinder, Dawn, Freevata, Michaeloff. Monsieur Soult, Kalcama, Royal 1 Scotland, and a number of others, put in useful work. .

Mr. E. J. -Watt's trio, Bally Shannon, Winning Peat, and the Great Northern Guineas" candidate. Maori King, , arrived by the west coast steamer yesterday, in charge of T. Quinlivan, jun.

RIOOARTON TRAINING NOTES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Chuistchubch, Tuesday. The training work , at Riccarton this morning was exceedingly interesting. The tracks were very fast, and some good work was witnessed. Husbandman ran a mile and a-half in 2m. 28 3-ss. Penates galloped six furlongs, the last five taking lm. 3 l-ss. Elysian beat First Gun over a mile in lm. 445. Prim defeated Bollin by eight lengths in a mile and a-half gallop, run in 2m. 45 2-ss. Lady Lucy and Sir Prize galloped a mile and a-quarter in 2m. 9 3-Ss. Full Sail was better than Sharpshooter at the end of. a mile, run- in lm. 445. Downfall, Sandstream, and Master Soult were companions over a mile and a-half on the grass, which they traversed in 2m. 39 2-55., Sandstream having the best of the gallop all through. Nvland beat Daybeam over six furlongs in I'm. 17s. Tikitere covered a mile and a-half in 2m. 33 l-55., a pleasing effort. Bobrikoff created a sensation by carving out a mile and a-quarter in 2m. 6 4-ss. which "is a record for the track. Boutade pleased better than Grand Slam over a mile and a-quarter, while Muskerry cleared right away from Merry Zealand and Lawn Rose over the 'same distance. Passion sprinted six furlongs in lm. 14 3-ss. Among the two-year-olds, the best gallops were registered by Formby, Forniedon, Kohinoor, and Madam Madcap. . SCRATCHING. California was scratched for all engagements at the C.J.C. Spring Meeting at 10.30 a.m. to-day.