SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 10

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. January 11—Northern Wairoa Racing Club. January 21 and Gore Racing Club. January 21, 02. 24—Wellington Racing Club. January 12 and 23— Foxton Racing Club. January 27 and '23— Wairoa County Racing lUil.. January 29 and Taltapuna Jockey Club. February 4, &—Egmonl Racing Club. n:»-v .i -To Kuiti Racing Club. IVIr •;.!->• f. and 6-Guborr.e Racing Club. Fabrja-y 7—Canterbury Jockey Club. February U-Kotorua Jockey Club. February 11, 12-Taranaki Jockey Club. February 12. -Poverty Bay Trotting Club. February- 11 — Vgaruawaaia Khcob Club Febr-ia'T IS, 19, 21 —Dunedin Jockey Club. Kfbr;.ary IS. 19— SVoodville Jockey Club. l-'M.ruary 20 and 21—South Auckland Racial Fell? ..-.-,• 31— Tolojra Bay Jockey Club. Fehr..*ry :-■. 28-0-.ahuhu Trotting Club. February 2«, 28-- Wanginui Jockey Club. re: r -.ire _';-();>, Jockey Club. Mai i a:.J 5-~Danr.ev.rke Racine Club. Mar.--, i. :• -DuuncT-rko Racing Club. March '. 9— Arc'.a Jockey Club. Ma-. ft '.!. 12— Nelson Jockey Club. Mar .'.. Napier l'ark Racing Club. \;r. 11, H River'.on Racing Cub. Mar. a 11. 17-Oh.nemtm Jockey Cub. I ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. ii i - Marconi baa not so f&r won ft ra. n W.T B . Whacuarei -King Quail (winner of the An- kland Cup of 18811. was an Ana-lra!ian-hred horse, by Yattendon from Quail. Gt.oii..-'.«. Waiiara— the dispersal of the Sylvia l'ark Stud in 1303. St. Hippo was sold It lOOgna. He was subsequently ••ken '.» Australia, and died in Queensland some time back. Wiin-In the Hunt Club Hurdle Race run iv the Great Northern meeting o! 1912, Sky High «i ridden by Mr. Hicks. The account of the race does not give the exact pr.f-.non in which he flushed, but he is not mentioned in the first aoven BritrwaTO. Opotiki — Basuto (imported from England by the New Zealand Government i was got by Salisbury (son of Camballo) from Henbane, by Henry (son of Monarguel from Creole, by Newminstcr (son of Touchstone;. We cannot say whether or not the horse :r question is still alive. 8.. T.Miranga.—lt was at the Huntly meetin*- of 1310 that the late Albert Whittiker rode the winner in each of the seven races which formed 'he programme; and during the holdr.a of the same gathering the following year the committee of the Huntly Club presented him with a gold medal to commemorate the event. NOTES BY PHAETON.

JACK DELAVAL'S RECORD.

The F',lors]ifl trainer F. Stenning has f"iinil .luck Dclaval a very solid friend, and the Seaton Delaval gelding has pulled his 1«< kers through so often that he is on- iif the must popular of the locally-r-wiKti vision. Jack Dclaval, now in In* tixth year, ha* started in 26 races up till th- present, and has won half that number, while he has been unplaced on seven occasions only ; his earnings in stake money reaching £3460. Jack Delaval was bred by his owner-trainer, and ran lay claim to a particularly stout pedigree, being by the imported Melton horse Seaton Delaval from Miss Jack, by TJhlan —Rei-ennnt by Nelson. Uhlan, an Auckland Cup winner, was by Cuirassier, son of Mnxkel, from Aida. dam of Impulse. Jack Dclaval was not put into work until he was three years old, and it was not long before the pony, as he was then, opened the eyes of the track watchers. A few months later, and he made his debut in the Christmas Pony Race at the Auckland Trotting Club's Summer Meeting, and ran unplaced to Mighty Atom. He won his second, third, and fourth engagement* as a pony, and then carried topweight, 9st lib, to victory in a half-mile race against the big horaes at Avondale. A victory followed at the Tak&puna winter meeting, and he ended up his three-year-old tareer with an unplaced performance at, Ellerelio, his record being five times first, and twice unplaced, and his .winnings £315. At four years old he won on four occasions, was second once, third once, and unplaced twice, -while £676 went down to his credit. In the following year he landed two stakes, was second, once, third thrice, and unplaced twice, uut his stake-winning record was increased by £1070. This season he has faced the starter on three occasions, won twice, and been unplaced once, And has earned. £1400, or in all £3460. ' The following is a full statement of his performances to date : — At Three Years Old. Stakes Won. £. Auckland Trotting Club, January, JailUnplaced Christmas Pony Handicap, 4\ furlongs, 7st 31b, won by Mighty Atom, Bat 121b; time, 57a — Otahuhu Trotting Club Summer Meeting. 1911— Won Alexandra Pony Handicap, 4* furlongs. 7st 31b;. time, 57s ... 40 Won Manukau Pony Handicap, 4) furlongs. 9»t; time, 57 las ... 40Auckland Trotting Club's Autumn MAetmg. 1911— Won Dcvonport Pony Handicap, 51 furlongs, Bst 12lb; time, 1m 12s BO Avondolc J.C. Autumn Meeting. 1911— Won Chevalier Handicap, i furlongs. 9st 4lb; time, 50 3-5 a ... 86 Takapuna J.C. Winter Meeting. 1911— Won Victoria Handicap, 61 furlongs. 7»t 4lb; time, lm 11 2-5s 100 Great Northern Meeting, June, 1911— Unplaced The Farewell Handicap, 5 furlongs. Bat 111b, won by Wauch'jpo, lOst 12lb; time, lm 3s ... — 815 At Four Years Old. Avondale J.C. Spring Meeting, 1911— Won Flying Stakes, 6 furlongs, 7st 91b, time, lm 15s 85 ARC. Spring Meeting. 1911— Unplaced Shorts Handicap, 5 furlong.!, Bst 101b, won by Miss Livonia, 6st 9lb; time, lm 2 2-5s — Won Epsom Handicap, 6 furlongs, 7st lib; time, lm 16s 160 A.ft.C. Summer Meeting. 1911-12— Unplaced Railway Handicap, 6 furlongs, 7gt 81b, won by Gipsy Belle, Bst lib; time, lm 15 4-5» — Third Visitors' Plato, 5 furlongs, Thi slb, won by Dawn, 7st lib; time, lm 3 2-6s 15 Second County Handicap, 6 furloncs, 7st lib, won by Culprit, 8»t 31b; time, lm 14 4-5s 60 A.R C. Autumn Meeting, 1912— Won Eden Handicap, 7 furlongs, 7st 3lb; time, lm 27 4-5» 150 Won Huia Handicap, 6 furlongs, Sat 3lb; time, lm 15 4-5s 225

At Five Yens Old. A B.C. Spring Meeting, 1912— Third flying Stakes, 7 furlongs, g«i 81b. won by Tact, 7sl lllb, i,me. lm 31 2-68 25 Third Kpaoin Handicap, 6 furlongs, 8«t 'Jib. won by Waiorewa, 8«t, '.i..m, lm 17 2-5s 25 A.R ''. Hummer Meeting. 1912-13— L'r.riared Railway Handicap, 6 furi'jnju. 8»t lib, won by Culprit, An' lib, time, lm 15s -- Thul New market Handicap, 6 furlongs, 7st 131b, won by Potoa, "m . lime, lm lis £0 Won Glasgow Handicap, 7 furlongs, Tsi i;lb; time. Ira 27 2-5s ... 200 Unplaced County Handicap, 6 furlongs, Bst 3ib. won by Potoa, 7st Ulb. time, lm 14 l-5s „. ... — A R.C. Autumn Meeting, 1913— Won Raster Handicap, 1 mile, 7st lllb; time, lm 10s 700 Second Huia Handicap, 6 furlongs, B>st 1211), won by Potoa. Bat lib; time, lm 11 2-5 a 70 1070 At Six Years Old. A.R.C Spnng Meeting., 1913— Won City Handicap. li miles, Bst 6lb; time, 2m 8s 700 A.R.C. Summer Meeting. 1913-14— Unplaced Auckland Cup, 2 miles, Bst 21b, won by Sir Solo, 7st 101b; lime, 3m 29 8-5s — Won Grandstand Handicap, li miles. Bst 21b; time, 2m 6 3-5s ... 700 1400 Total stake money won to date, £3460. Summary. 12 3 Unpl. At .t re*iv 5 0 0 2 At 4 vc»r» 4 1 1 2 At 5 year* 2 13 2 At 6 jfc&u 2 0 0 1 .is "a * 'i

A BARGAIN OF THE SALE RING.

In receiving 500gns for Lady Hester's first foal by Elysian Mr. H. R. Mackenzie owner of the Ascot Stud., has further rev son to rejoice over his purchase of th« St. Legcr mare. The story attaching to Mr. Ma* kruzie's purchase of Lady Hester has been often related ; but where a bargain of tin' sale ring is involved such wilj always bear retelling. The late Mr. William Sunday's estate having to be .closed, tl.e collection of brood mares which had browsed fur year* at Waiuku were brought up to Glpnoni Park to be offered by auction. Lady lifter was one of the number, and though the brown mare had a shapely colt foal at foot by Seaton Delavai and was in foal to Soult, Mr Mackenzie h.;d only to bid 120gns to secure the lot. The colt foal which followed Lady Hester into the ring in the summer of 1907 raced ae Royal Standard, and Mr. Mackenzie quitted him for 500gns. In the same vear is she was sold for 120gns, Lady Hester threw a filly to Soult (Dearest), and Mr. Mackenzie sold her also for 500gns. Lady Hester's next foal was Priuo* Soult. and at two months old he was sold for 500gns. In 1912 another colt by Soult from Lady Hester (Field Marshal) went into the sale, and he realised 800gns. Last year a filly by Penury from Lady Hester was sold"for 425gns. Up to date Lady Heater's produce sold by Mr. Mackenzie have brought in 3225gn5. Not a bad return in seven years, truly, for a mare that only cost 120gns. LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK. Meetings held under the auspices of the Takapuna Jockey Club are always looked forward to with a very keen pleasure by devotees of racing in these parts; and tne summer gathering which is usually associated with Anniversary Day always achieves a wide prominence. Last night nominations closed for the whole of the events which form the programme, and the answer mado by owners in the call for entries is such that the T.J.C. has every ' reason to anticipate that the summer gathering will prove as great a success as the most noteworthy of its predecessors. Mr. Morse will declare the weights for the first day's races on Friday nest. Dame Fortune was looking well after Mr. Harry Weal when the Waikatoit* had only to bid 45gns at Alexandra Park on Saturday last to become the owner of Taimainupo. Translated to Whangarei, Ihe Soult gelding annexed the two principal events at the W.R.C. Meeting, the stake money attaching to which amounted to £160. Considering that Taimainupo had not won a race since the autumn of 1911. it must be said that Mr. Donald McLeod had no encouragement to hold on to Taimainupo, and that the great bulk of keen men who constituted Mr. Henry Nolan's audiences at Epsom on Saturday last, considered the Soult gelding a spent light may be said to be pointedly proved by the bidding for his possession, ceasing at 45gns. Ones would, of course, have liked to see | Taimainupo triumph in the colours of his I'breeder; but all the same it is pleasing | to find the old gelding winning tor Mr. ! Weal, who is a. good sportsman.

The five-year-oH Marble Head is evidently a hurdler of great promise. He won twice at the Manawatu meeting, finishing in., third place on the last day, and was successful twice on the flat at the Hawke'a Bay fixture. Marble Head was got by Birkenhead, from the Dreadrought mare Hippolyte (half-sister to the New Zealand and Auckland Cups winner, St. Hippo). Hippolyte, the dam of Marble Head, it is interesting to relate, when carrying Marble Head, was sent up to auction at Hastings in the winter of 1908, when she was knocked down to Mr. B. Shadbolt at 35 guineas.

The three-year-old Eadnor is proving himself quite a gold mine to the West Australian sportsman, Mr. S. P. McKay. At Perth on Saturday last the Earlston colt scored his third successive victory since ho passed into Mr. McKay's hands at 1500 guineas. Radnor's latest feat was to defeat the Perth Cup winner Artesian (who is quite the champion of the west) in the Grandstand Plate of 500sovs., which event was run over a mile and a-half. Radnor's improved form will have the effect of investing his meeting with Beragoon in the V.A.C. St. Leger with a deal of interest.

In the course of a review of the New Zealand turf at the end of 1913, the Can terbury Times remarked :—" Tie Canterbury Jockey Club maintained the position it has occupied for some years of distributing the largest amount given in stakes by any club in the Dominion, but the time seems near at hand when the Auckland Racing Club will oust it from first place."

The Australian Jockey Club Committee has introduced two additions to the local rules of racing. No. 16a Teads:"The stewards may take possession on a racecourse of any horse which has been entered for or run in any race, and detain such horse for the purpose of examination, (identification, or observance, for such period as they think proper without being liable for any damages in consequence of the exercise of such powers or otherwise." The following will stand as rule 122 a — After a horse Baa left the weighing enclosure or such enclosure or place as is mentioned in the next preceding rule to proceed to the starting post, no owner, trainer, or other person connected with such horse shall, except by leave of the stewards, judge, or starter, call back or speak to it* jockey or rider or touch or interfere with such horse or any of its equipments."

When semi-illiterate lads of eighteen or nineteen turn up their noses at an income of £1000 a year, it 16 no wonder, "Walrus" writes in the London Express, that a great jockey like Frank Wootton should be able to retire at twenty-one with a large fortune. I remember a few years ago a jockey who had reached the mature age of twenty-three, and had a fancy for keeping his money on deposit account in a joint stock bank, showing me his pass-book. He had £36,000 to his credit, and he could barely write his name. There are at least a dozen jockeya whosa total earnings from riding tees, retainers, and presents from owners run between £2000 and £5000. Maher's income for n.any years must have averaged £5000. A present of £1000 to a jockey for winning a great race is not at all uncommon, and Frank Wootton received £2000 from M. Achille Fould for winning the Grand Prix de Paris on Houli.

In raring it is wonderful (says the " Scout ") how the good points of a winner manifest themselves, ana after a few successes the most ordinary animal will become "a good sort" with many regarded as particularly capable critics. However, in racing, the momentary glamour of success has a particularly marked effect upon its votaries. Take the yearling sales, for instance. If a breeder has the luck to submit a brother or sister to something that happens to be performing weD at that time, the odds are in favour of his receiving a rattling price for it unless it happens to be actually deformed. Some of the astutest of trainers will have their patrons bidding for it— not because on looks and breeding it has a pull over many others sent into the ring, but because of its relationship to a good winner. And study of the Stud Book shows that very few mares have thrown more than one really first-class performer.

When heard of recently, W. Yeomans, in his time one of Australia's greatest horsemen, was enjoying satisfactory health at the age of 70 years. Yeomans has outlived most of that brilliant band of horsemen who flourished in his day. Hales, Colley, R. Batty, M. O'Brien, McGrade, D. Nicholson, W. Huxley, and many others have paid the debt of Nature. Members of the "old school" still alive include (in addition to Yeomans) W. S. Hickenbotham, R. Walker, Sam Cracknell, and J. King.

Mr. George Robinson having decided on retiring from racing, Santa Rosa, Overtime, and Decorate are to be sold by auction, and the trio-will be submitted to auction at the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company's Albert Yards, on the 30th iast.

Chiron " of the Australasian ■writes : —" Among the yearlings in Mr. John Brown's stud in New South Wales is a chestnut colt by Wallace, of which Mr. Brown has great expectations. He ie said to bo a wonderfully good-looking colt, and, bred as he is, he should turn out well. The colt has been named Wallace Isinglass. His dam is an imported mare, Glass Queen, by Isinglass (son of Isonomy) from Queen Gold, tiy Sorcerer (son. of Ormonde) from Lady* Sterling, by Silver (son of Sterling) from Zorila, by Nuneham from Oaudaloupe. by Neptunus from Curacoa, by The Cure. Glass Queen was imported by Mr. Brown in 1910, and Wallace Isinglass is her first foal."

_ For the recently concluded season in France honours in the riding department belond to the American jockey F. O'Neill, who takes the lead with 158 winning mounts. " Vigilant" iu the Sportsman remarks : —" In England we have had frequent evidence of O'Neill's artistic skill in the saddle, it is hardly necessary to add that he is one of the finest horsemen of modern times. Equally high praise may justly be bestowed on" his fellowcountryman, Maher, who once more comes out on top as far as our statistics are concerned, but while congratulating each in his well-earned success one cannot without regret contemplate the remarkable change which has taken place within a comparatively short time, only a few vears having sufficed to oust our homebred jockeys from the supremacy they so long enjoyed."

In England, Mr. J. B. Joel is the champion breeder of the year, being represented by 18 winning horses of 33 races, and 25,391 sovs. Mr, Hall Walker and Lord Derby run close for second honours, other prominent breeders being Mr. E. Kennedy, Mr. Hulton, Mr. W. Raphael, Lord Harewood, Lord Rosebery, and Major Loder.

In these days it is possible for an owner to gather quite a respectable amount of stake money without actually winning a race. At the A.R.C. Summer Meeting of 12 months ago Mr. R. H. Duder secured £800, while Mr. F. Hall took £300 of place money without landing a race. The recent big meeting at EUerslie saw Mr. G. L. Stead credited with £625, and Mr. J. D. Kemp with £500. yet neither gained a victory at the carnival.

Following upon the Harp of Erin fire, whereby Lady Menschikoff and Phroso perished, while Crown Pearl, Royal Arms, and Denise Orme were affected with burns, comes news that G. Nasmith's stables at Gisborne were totally destroyed by fire at two o'clock yesterday morning. Ttiis latest fire was responsible for the deaths of Look Shy and those smart performers, Tribunal and Aldgown.

Jolie Fille was a competitor for the Whangarei Cup on Thursday, but, although she had the- services of Ben Deeley, she failed to do better than run third. Evidently the four hard races she underwent at the EUerslie Summer Meeting took it out of the Soult— Maid mare.

Mr. H. D. de Latour, the popular Gisborne sportsman, who has undergone more than the ordinary share of ill-luck and misfortune during the past year, is about to re-enter the racing business, and the other day purchased Pacific Slope, a two-yeaT,old colt by California—Helen. Pacific Slope is likely to join Frank Loomb's string at Ellerslie, along with other horses owned by Mr. de Latour.

When Denis Moraghan disposed of Master Theory for stud purposes, it was thought that the Soult—Rorcola horse had seen the race track for the last time as he was very unsound. However after standing the season, the half-brother to Mullingar was placed in work, and at Whangarei on Thursday started for the Cup, and also finished within half-a-length of Prince Merriwee in the Railway Handicap.

Recently W. Tozer obtained Apellon from his owner-trainer, P. McManemin, and yesterday he won the Bushman's Purse •with the son of Monoform and Latona. Good sportsman that he is, no doubt the genial Frank will feel pleased at the success of his old favourite in the colours of fellow-trainer Tozer.

Toreador was operated upon {or respiratory troubles on Wednesday by Dr. W. C. Ring, and will be sent to hia owner's place at Huntly shortly, in order to undergo a necessary spell. It is to be hoped lhat the operation will prove beneficial, fey at his best the Spalpeen gelding is a speedy fellow.

A leading Hawke's Bay trainer can bear testimony to the cleverness of the fight-fingered gentry infesting Auckland this season. During the course of the A.R.C. Meeting, he had occasion to come into the city from Green Lane to accept for certain horses, and while boarding a tramcar, was relieved of a valuable gold watch and chain.

Nimrod won the opening event each day at the Whangarei Racing Club's Summer Meeting, finishing up well on each occasion. This equine is identical with the brown gelding, by Salavadan—Lady Lottie, trained at Ellerslie last season by H French.

Rajah, who won the Kensington Stakes at Whangarei on Thursday, and then two races later went out and won the Hack Hurdles, is a bay gelding by St. Flames, from a Richmond mare. On the opening day of the last Great Northern Meeting he won the Maiden Hurdle Race at Ellerslie.

Potoa displayed soreness after his efforts at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting, and it was generally anticipated that the smart son of Monoform and Black Watch would not fulfil his Wellington Cup encasements. Mr. W. C. Ring withdrew Potoa from the big Trentham race on , Thursday.

Chance Shot, the Bombardo gelding owned by Mr. J. Farnworth, competed without success at the recent Thames mating, where he was tried over the country. His owner is likely to dispose of the chestnut at an early date.

Cordite, the little four-year-old son of Soult and Lyddite, has made marked improvement of late under W. Mobberley's care, and ran a good race for the Grey Handicap, finishing well up fourth, after being in the van all the way.

Tecoma. who carried the Messrs. RonlsIqd Bros.' colours in the Grey Handicap on the concluding day of the A.R.C. Summer Meeting, is a three-year-old filly by Soult—Pretoria, and therefore fullsister to that good mare Soultoria.

Regain shows no ill-effects after his efforts at the big Ellerelie meeting, and is being kept going at headquarters by his owner-trainer, C. Norgrove, who also has the Matakokiri gelding Matakana in commission.

St. Francis, the San Francisco Gladys three-year-old, recently trained by F. Davis for Mr. T. H. Lowry, has been disposed of, and is now attached to the Waikato trainer, R. Hannon's, stable.

Although Maui Nina has been disposed of, Matt McGee has a chestnut five-year-old mare by Gladstone—Hypatia, and a two-year-old filly by Hierarch—Biddy Curran to try his hand on. The Gladstone mart) is a half-sister to Maui Nina.

W. Bell at present heads the list of winning riders in the Dominion with 23 successes, while R. Berry conies next with, 20. Ben Deoley and J. Conquest, by their success at Whangarei, come next on the list.

Sir Moseley (King's Guest—Heavenly Twin), who was much in favour for the A.R.C. Railway Handicap until soreness brought about his withdrawal, is making a good recovery from his ailment.

When Taimainupo won the Whangarei Cup on Thursday she returned a longpriced dividend.

Nominations for all events to be run at the South Auckland Racing Club's annual race meeting close on the 30tbf inst, k

Denise Orme, although not dangerously burnt, displays traces of the narrow escape she experienced from meeting with the fate which overtook her stable companions, Lady Menschikoff and Phroso, at the Harp of Erin fire. Trainer Alex. Hall is taking his troubles philosophically, but there is no doubt he deeply regrets" the loss of that fine mare Phroso, with whom he had been most patient.

Merry Roe, the well-performed little daughter of Soult and Erryroe, was one of the disappointments of the A.R.C. Summer Meeting. On the opening day she was last to finish in the Railway Handicap, while in the- Great Northern Derby she also whipped in the field. Evidently a spell should do Merry Roe good.

Golden Grain was sent up to the Whangarei meeting by Trainer K. J. Rae, and on Thursday finished second in the Maiden Plate, and third in the Publicans' Purse. This son of Gluten and Matamatakeke at one time promised to turn out useful, and may yet turn out well.

Spectre was parted with by Mr. E. W. Alison on Saturday at 90 guineas, and. as Trainer F. McManemin had got the Soult gelding into nice condition, it will occasion no surprise should he land a hurdle race in the near future.

Geneva, the little Obligado-Guinevere gelding owned and trained at one time by Mr J. Qu.nlan at EUerslie, is now being ridden about the roads bv a young fellow who delivers newspapers." Geneva may be placed in work again shortlv.

Cloudy Dawn gave evidence of improvement when he finished second to Phroso in the Auckland Hurdles on Friday of last week, and he followed up this form on rhursday by carrying off the First Hurdles at Whangarei in good style.

Messrs Waite Bros., in whose popular colours Parawai raced for several seasons, have disposed of the Bluelight-Seamstress mare to a Thames sportsman. The deal took place after the A.R.C. Summer Meeting.

Bluest-one, the grey Bluelight gelding in J. E. Thorpe's stable appeared to be a little sore prior to the summer meeting, and did not show up prominently in his races.

Dogger Bank, the old MenfichikoffMysterious gelding, at one time trained at lUlerslie, and afterwards at Gisborne, was a competitor in hurdle races at the Whangarei meeting.

Cherubim', the dual Derby winner, is engaged in the Wellington Cup, for which race the son of Martian and Grand Opera is now the popular choice.

Should King Soult and his brother, Soldier, stand up to their work, each ought to earn a little prize-money for Mr. F. E. Ross ere the season ends.

Hazel ton, whose throat was operated on in the spring, is now ( himself again, and the shapely little son of Gladstone will be placed in work very shortly.

Square Deal (Advance— Spec) who won two races at Marton the other day, is ft brother to Postillion, winner of the A.R.C. Newmarket Handicap.

Mr. George Weston, of Pukekohe, has disposed of the Dayntree— Countess geldinc Countree to a goldfields' district sportsman.

Maxwell has been on the track at headquarters of late, but is evidently none too sound in one of his legs.

The training tracks at Ellerslie have been very hard of late, and a good downpour of rain would greatly benefit them

STUD NOTES.

Australian breeders will soon be showing with some uneasiness the continued success of the cheap English horses in Australia (remarks " Chiron," of the Australasian). During the past few seasons there has been a steady increase in the number of English horses brought into Australia, and the majority of them have succeeded in winning races of a kind. , The popularity of the English horses with Australians is readily explained. Many of the leading English owners do not trouble about- handicaps and races of minor importance, and devote the whole of their attention to the classics and the big races like the Ascot Gold Cup, Sandown Eclipse Stakes, and Jockey Club Cup. Stables like Egerton House, Kingsclere, and Stanley House do not shelter many moderate performers, and each year the wealthy owners who train there weed out what they believe to be their most moderate horses, to make room for their rising two-year-olds. As a trainer recently remarked to a well-known Australian at Home, it. is impossible to fully try all the horses in some of the fashionable establishments, and, unless a young horse shows unmistakable promise, it is not persevered with, and many horses are turned out of the stables practically untried. These horses are sold for what they will bring, either privately, or by auction, and it is in this way many of the horses brought to Australia are bought. Some buyers, on the other hand, prefer to buy their horses out of selling races, as almost any English selling plater will win races in this country. The men who import these horses argue that it is much better to buy a horse tor a moderate price in England, where he has shown some form, than to pay big prices for untried yearlings in this country, and more than probably secure a duffer into the bargain. The cheap English horse has seriously affected the popularity of the Australian in India, as it is possible to buy cheaper in the English than the Australian market. During the last two or three years this point has been emphasised by Mayfowl, a triple winner of the Vicerov's Cup, who cost only 55 guineas in England, and proved capable of beating several expensive Australian purchased If these English horses keep on winning here, other Australians will be induced to go into the English market, instead of buying yearlings in the home market. If that proves to be the case, Australian breeders will have cause to view the English horse with an unf-»Our-able eye.

In the course of an interesting article on the breeding of steeplechase horses, an English writer remarks that the tallest stallions and mares available are mistakenly preferred by some people for breeding purposes, because fences do not appear so large and formidable in the hunting-field and between the flags in steeplechasing to big horses jumping them as they do to smaller horses. The chance of obtaining an undue proportion of legginess and a predisposition to broken wind in the young equine stock is in this way overlooked at the time of mating. The average horse will not consecutively clear its own height in jumping, or jump its own height consecutively by only slightly brushing the fences ; only a small proportion of hunters and 'chasers will, whilst under the pressure of a determined rider, with very possibly the assistance of extra excited nerves at the time being. A 15hds horse in height equals sft in height; and under ordinary hunting conditions 4ft 6in. or 54in, should be jumped fairly easilv by a 15hds horse, that being the maximum height of regulation steeplechase fences and ditto of a horse. Jlany an experienced steeplechase horse will slightly brush a 4ft fence, so as not to take more out of itself than absolutely necessary, and if the fence is not permanently disarranged and the horse in negotiating does not peck or fall, usually no harm is thereby done. If the steeplechase horses were required absolutely to clear each fence a buck-jump-hijf style would be requisite, and time lost at every fence in a steeplechase. If a 15hds, or oOin in height, horse can jump the above minimum fence of 4ft 6in, or 54in in height, then proportionately a horse Ishds 3in should negotiate about 4it Gin, a 16hds horse about 4ft lOin, and a 16hds lin horse about 4ft llin. An ideal height for a hunter {half-bred) is 15hds din, and for a thoroughbred 16hde.

OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB'S SUMMER MEETING.

The Otahuhu Trotting Club have issued their programme in connection with their summer meeting, which is fixed to take place at Alexandra Park on Feruary 25 and 28, and, the stake money running out to £1850, it is pointedly brought out that the Otahuhu Club is moving spiritedly with the times. Last season the principal race on each day of the summer meeting was worth llS&ovs, but at the coming fixture the Dominion Handicap on the first day carries a stake of 200sovs. and the Otahuhu Trotting Club Handicap on the second day is worth 250sovs, the limit in each case has been fixed at 4.50. Corresponding increases have been made in the stakes attached to the other events, which include the Mount Albert Handicap and Exhibition Handicap, of lßOsovs each; Manuksu Handicap, Governor's Handicap, Sylvia Park Handicap, Railway Handicap, Ascot Handicap. Alexandra Handicap, Papakura Handicap, and Farewell Handicap, of lOOsovs, no race being under lOOsovs, except two maidens eich day of 75sovs each. Nominations close with the secretary, Mr. Fv D. Yonge, on Friday, February 6. The handicaps will be declared on February 9, and acceptances fall due on February 13.

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB'S SUMMER MEETING.

THE NOMINATIONS.

The following nominations have been received for events to be run at the Takapuna Jockey Club's Summer Meeting, which takes place on January 29 and 31:-

MAIDEN PLATE.-Tripoli. Laverna, St. Francis. Field Maid, Mary Ann. Soultikoff, Pip, Lord Delav&l, Pupura. Centenary. Goldfire.

ZEALANDIA HANDICAP.-Tattoo, Royal Irish, Almeida. Overtime, Virtue, Tinopai, Admiral Soult, Ovation. Lady Alicia, Prince Soult, Salvia. Spalfish. Monoline Holdfast, Worcester, Goldsize, Devastation, Maui Nina, Gloy, Salute. Spinster.

HAURAKI MAIDEN HURDLES.-San-tiago, Prestwich, Mortite, Comrade, Spa! perion Manuwera, Hukurere. Sesame, Tin, Oki Oki, Clare, Dawn, Rudy, Explosive, Nukuhau. Lady Dot, Haku. Vestal. Vic, Sunrose. Weka.

TAKAPUNA CUP.— Irish, Prinoe Merriwee. Almeida. Jolie Fille, Kaween, Cheddar. Admiral Soult. La Reina, Ovation, Holdfast, Allegation, Tiresome, Kakama. Devastation, Tamainupo, Ruatangata.

FERRY HANDICAP.—Teooma, , Dandy Breeze, Hinerewa, Merry Widow, Glittering Sands, Lady Lynotte, Tinoreka, The Celt, Cogent, Maid of Orleans. Pakaka, Chainman, Centenary, Munster, Hawea. Takanini, Cordite, Lady Wairapa. Irene. Flying Feather. CALLIOPE HANDICAP.—Hadj, Delenda, Kitty Bellairs. Gold Necklet, Lady Penury, Graduate, Last Call, Chime. Mon Emma. Attraction, Golden Petal. Carnation, Zamora, Marble Star.

OREWA HURDLES. — Cloudy Dawn. Watchcbain, Kotiripo, Merrimax, Pip, Surplus, Kremlin, Ruffy, North East; Vestal, Lloyds, Sunrose. STEWARDS' HANDICAP.— Loloma, Tripoli, Apellon, Overtime. King Lupin, Waiorewa, Tikitapu, Prince Soult, Salvia, Spalfish, Monoline, Bogey, Selection, Kakama. Worcester Goldsize, Spinster. Glad Tidings, Miss Livonia, Maui Nina, Salute.

MOANA HANDICAP.—Tecoma, Dandy Breeze, Merry Widow, Laverna, Lady Lynetto, St. Francis, Tinoreka. Merrimax. The Celt. Field Maid, Mary Ann, Glittering Sands. Lord Delaval, Centenary, Munster. Takinini, Lady Wairapa. Goldfire, Flying Feather. TAKAPUNA MAIDEN HURDLES.— Santiago, Prestwich. Mortite, Spalperion. Manuwera, Hukarere, Sesame. Tin, Oki Oki, Clare. Dawn. Chairman, Rufiy, Explosive, Nukuhau. Lady Dot. Haku. Vestal, Navy Blue, Vic, Weka, Sunrose. SUBURBAN HANDICAP.-Signo, Loloma. Tripoli, Apellon, Overtime. King Lupin, Waiorewa. Tikitapu. Salvia, Spamsh, Monoline, Bogey, Selection. Worcester, Miss Livonia. Maui Nina, Salute, Spinster. T.J.C. HANDICAP.—RoyaI Irish, Almeida, Prince Merriwee, Jolie Fille. Eaween. Decorate, Virtue,, Cheddar, Admiral Soult, La Reina. Ovation, Prince Sonlt. Holdfast. Allegation. Tiresome, Kakama, Goldsixe, Devastation. Gloy, Tamianupo. HOBSON HANDICAP.-Hadj. Delenda, Kitty Bellairs, Gold Necklet, Lady Penury. Graduate. Last Call, Chime, Men Emma, Attraction, Golden Petal. Lucitana, Carnation. Zamora. Marble Star. RANGITOTO HANDICAP,—Signo. Loloma. Tecoma. Dandy Breeze Hinerewa. Harenoa. Tripoli, Glittering Sands, Tinoreka, Spalpenon. Cogent. Salvia, Maid of Orleans, Lady Elgiva. Pupura. Pakaka, Chainmaa, Centenary. Munster. Hnwea, Spinster, Cordite. .Yankee Doodle. Ruse de Guerre, Mv kura.

WAIWERA HURDLES.—CIoudy Dawn, Prestwich, Watchchain. Kotiropo, Merrimax, Dogger Bank. Pip. Surplus, Kremlin, Explosive. North East, Vestal, Lloyd's Ruffy, Sunrose.

ANNIVERSARY WELTER-Matawerewere. Tattoo, Almeida, Jolie Fille, Eaween, Decorate. Virtue. Tinopai, Cheddar, Admiral Soult. Ovation. Soultikoff, Spalnsn, Holdfast, Allegation. Tiresome, Centenary, Kakama, Worcester, Devastation. Maui Nina, Fleet Arrow, Pupura, Ruatangsta. WHANGAREI RACING CLUB'S SUMMER MEETING. CONCLUDING DAY'S RESULTS, [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Whanqarki, Friday. In hot and sultry weather the Whangarei Racing Club's Summer Meeting was concluded to-day. Th» attendance was large, and the track was fast. The sum of £9868 was put through the totalisator for the meeting, an increase of £1880 10s as compared with last year. Results are as fol lows: —

SETTLERS' HANDICAP, of 40sovs. Six furlongs.—Mr. M. Galvin's Nimrod, 9st 61b iDeeley). 1; Mr. W. B. Giesen's Vkdinoy. Bst 71b (Conquest). 2; Mr. E. K. Plaisted's Master Theory. Bst slb (McFlynn). 3. Also started: Bully, Delsvalite, Myrtle, Undaunted. The winner waa favourite, and won by a length and a-half. The same distance separated second and third. Time. lm 16 4-ss. BUSHMEN'S PURSE, of 40sovs. Four furlongß.—Mr. W. Tozer's Apellon, 9st (C. Brown), 1; Mr. D. J. Lynch'a Tripoli. Bst 91b (McFlynn), 2; Mr. P. Conway's Vestal, 7st 10lb (Deeley), 3. Also started: Hawea. Methuna. Tripoli was favourite, and won by half a length, with the remainder of the field close up. Time, 49 l-6s. SECOND HURDLE HANDICAP, ol 60sovs. One mile and three-quarters.—Mr. W. J. Brown's Te Onga. 9st (Tilsley). 1; Mr. F. Denny's Cloudy Dawn. lOst 21b (Roaoh). 2; Mr. W. Martin's Doggerbank, lOst (McKinnon), 3. Also started: Luscombe. Vestal. Cloudy Dawn was favourite. A splendid race throughout, with an exciting finish. Te Onga won by a neck, with the same distance between second and third. Time, 3m 295.

The stewards mot after the race to consider charges of crossing and bumping made by the stipendiary steward. Tilsley, the rider of Te Onga, was fined £3, and Roach, the rider of Cloudy Dawn, woe cautioned. HACK HURDLES HANDICAP, of 35sovs. One mile and three-quarters. Mr. J. Naysmith's Luros, lOst 21b (O'Connor), 1; Mr. F. Leslie's Majesty, 9st (Roach), 2; Mr. G. Clot-worthy's Sabine, 9st 9lb (McFlynn), 3. Also started: Cutler, 9st. Sabine was favourite. Won easily by four lensths, with the second and third horses close up. Time. 3m 32 2-sa. A protest against the eligibility of Luros for the race was not sustained.

PARK HANDICAP, of 75sovs. One mil-. —Mr. H. Weal's Tamainupo. Bst (Conquest). 1; Mr. J. D. Kemp's Jolie Fille, Sat 91b iDeeley), 2; Mr. E. K. Plaisted's Master Theory. 6st 9lb (O'Shea), 3. Also started: Ruatansata. Bst: Bully. 6st "lb-, Flying Soult, 6st Bib Joh> Fille was favourite. A good finish, in which Tamainupo won by half a length with a neck separating second and third. Time, lm 43 l-ss.

MARSDEN STAKES, of 40sovs. Four furlongs.— W. T.ozer'B Apellon. 9«t sib (C. Brown). 1; Mr. C. MeStay's Lady Thorn. 7st 101b 'Conquest), 2; Mr. D. J. Lynoh's Tripoli 'McFlynnl, 3. Also started: Lady Alicia Bst: The Gift. 7st 21b; Soultstone. 7st. 31b. Anellon was favourite, and won ny a head, with half a length separating second and third. Time, 49a. HACK RACE HANDICAP, of 25sotb. One mile.-—Mr. H. Sydney's Golden Gnus, list 7lb iDeelcy). 1; Messrs. McCraith and Thornton's Master Regal, list (Jones). 2; Mr. R. Saltans' Miss Hilda, lint (Roach). 3. Also started: Paerata, lOet olb; Rosebery, lost 2lb; Kahu. lost Oolden Grain was favourite. Won easily by three lengths. Time. Ira 48s.

FAREWELL HANDICAP, of 40sovs. Five furlongs.—Mr. C. McStay's Lady Thorn. Tat 121b iConquesti. 1; Mr. F. Loorab's Ladv Alicia. Bst 3lb (McFlynnj. 2; Mr. W. Gieaen'i Vladinoy, Bst 71b (Brown). 3. These were the only starters. Lady Thorn was favourite. Won by half a length, with the third horse close up. Time, lm 3s.