SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15554, 11 March 1914, Page 5

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. Jfarcb IS. 14—Napier Park Racine Club. Mtrch 14, 17-Ohirjorauri Jockey Club. March 17—Opimake Racing Club. March 19-W'nmato Racine Club. March 25, 2fi~-Kangitikei Racing Club. April I, J -Auckland Trotting Club. April '.'. 3 -Maaterton Racing Club. April 11. 1? 15. 18—Australian Jockey Club. April 11, 13- Auckland Racine Club. April 11, l:i— Wairarapa Racing Club. April 1.1. 14 -Rivcrton Racing Club. April 13. II Canterbury Jockey Club. April M. 14 -Feilding Jockey Club. April IS-\Ve»il»ml Racing Club. Anril 22. 2.'» - A vnn.lale Jockey Club. Arnl 23, 2."> Wellington Racing Club. M«v 6. " Marlborough Racing Club May 6, "-- Hswkc'i Bay Jockey Club. I) AT I s iif COMING EVENTS. Nkw Zealand. Mar h 1" Napier Cup Art;'. II- tlroa: N'or;horn Champagne Stakes Apr:! 1! - \ K C Easter h'sndica; . April 11 Si lieorge'a Handicap. Apr:! !' i". real Northern Oaks. Apr l ' I' ' real Faster Handicap. Apr!: 11 rV'l iins Cup. April II -lire-it Autumn Handicap. Apr'! .". New Zealand St. Lester Stakes. Apr.l . N.it i: !.<!»aJ Challenge Stakes. April -■ I'reu'.hani Gold Cup. May 6 Hawke'i Buy Cup. May 7 lla«ac a Ray Stakes. ai:stiu'..u. April 1! - v J '' Si I.egor. April 11 IVu-aster Handicap Art l ' U Sydney Cup. ANSWIRS 10 CORRESPONDENTS w.orr. Trafalgar holds, the Australasian record .'■:> '-'-;* tor three railos. Carrying V.«l 51h, Tralaigar put up the record in question in 'hr de. .sion nt 'he A J.C. I'late in the autumn ol 111 11 GS. Taranaki. —In the early days of the lotaliaaV'r :n New /.ealand only one horse was !■». k' .1 id a ra e a: Kllershe, and tho I lub deducting the lobulation 10 per cent., 18f was the amount paid. W.C . Retuuera —At four years old St. Paul started on 13 occasions, and hie record urao as follows -Six wins, four times second, and three times unplaced. St. Paul's concluding engagement at the ago named was in the St. Ceorge'a Handicap (one mile), in which he earned lGsl 3ib, and beat a field of 13 in Ira 41s Record Reign (fid 101b) was » aUiiet (or the race in question. NOTES BY PHAETON. THE TE AROHA MEETING. Financially the Te Aroha Jockey Club's annual meeting was a great success, as it was also from a purely racing point of view, but if the club is desirous of the patronage of - ity sportsmen a great amount of work will have to bo done before tho next meeting rolls round. There will have to be extra stand accommodation, bet'er 'otalisator facilities, and something will have to be done to abate the nuisance. It was quite impossible to reach the course in a clean condition on Saturday and Monday, and even when the grandstand wa3 reached one was not free from the nuisance. Immediately at, the back of the stand a. new road has baen formed, and whenever a vehicle or torse passed clouds of dust enveloped tho ei&nd ani lawn, while the dust raised by th«) horses in the various events was so thick that, at times it was quite impossible to pick out the runners. There was dust everywhere, and it, was not surprising to find comparatively few ladies present on the second day. Another matter that. requires, urgent attention is the sanitary arrangements.. The latrines at present are in a shocking condition, and, indeed, are a menace to the health of th ejockeys, whose room adjoins. The stipendiary steward, Mr. Angus Gordon, however, was quite alive to the various disadvantages, and it Is his intention to meet the committee of tho. club next week to discuss improvements. Something will have to be done before next year, otherwise very few from the city will assist at the 1915 fixture. Apart from the disadvantages aforementioned, the meeting was quite successful. Big fields were engaged, and it would be hard to find anything in the running of the horses to cavil at. At several country meetings this year some obvious "jokes'' have been arranged, but it can be safely said that the Te Aroha Club's meeting was quite free from suspicious circumstances.

The officials all worked hard to make the meeting a success, and the committee did their very best under the circumstance*.

A word of praise is also due to the totalisator staff for the manner in which their work was carried out under adverse conditions. The totalisator house was far and away too small, but owing to the large istaff everyone was able to make an investment without having to indulge in a desperate struggle. There was certainly crushing and crowding, but almost everyone was able to make an investment. With regard to the starting, it must be said that there was far too much delay -at the barrier. True, many very unruly horses were engaged, but on the first, day in particular, the delays were 100 long On the Saturday the last race was not run until long after six and ovtn as late as 6.40 p.in people were still col!e< tiny dividends. Patience is a very good trait in a starter, but when about a do/.cn horses are kept standing while an unru y brute gives a dancing and high jumping exhibition it is time to make a protest. Not more than five minutes should elapse between the lowering of the flag and th" raising of the barrier in any race, and if starters will only take a firm Kami, and show no consideration to the unruly animals, they can rest assured of the support of the public. To return to the meeting, the best performer seen out was undoubtedly Tattoo, while it was i pleasing to see (Hoy's return to form. Spalfish again gave his sire a good advertisement, and fumi) veiy promising hacks jvere set n out.

OHINEMOI CLUB'S MEETING. The annual meeting of the Ohinemuri Jockey Club—a most popular fixture with city spoilsmen — is to be held at Paeroa on inlay and Tuesday, and as. a special train mil leave Auckland at 6.30 a.m. on Saturday, it is expected that the city will be well it|iie«ented at the meeting. The "special" is due at Paeroa at 12.15 p.m., and as the course is handy to the station, those who make the trip will be in ample time, tor the first race, which starts at 12.45 p ni. The train which will stop at inosi, hi the stations en route will return. to Am -Island the same evening. Good a"*;-.<ii.. «•.«. base been received lor all the event* on Saturday, and the meeting should |mil one of the most successful in the hist* it of the club.

LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK. When the present season opened Beragoon was regarded as ho bright particular star of the) three-year-old division, and with tin- A I.C. and V.K.C. Derbies down to the, credit of the Multiform colt it certainly look.-d as though Beragoon would be the moet talked of nit of his particular class. .)n the concluding day of the V.R.C. Spring Meeting in November, howe'er, Radnor worsted his muchboomed bay rival, and with five successive victories down to the credit of Radnor in ihe interval, wlhjch includes the (Jhampit Stakes, it must be said that matter? loot bright for Radnor to retain the leading place. Radnor and Beragora are exported to measure strides in the A.J C. St. Leger, which event comes up for..decision at Racdwick on April 11.

The est Australian sportsman, Mr. S. r. Mackay, i s ponlarly regarded as a lucky man in l Us racing affairs. Dame Fortune was certainly with Mr. Mackay when he "as enabled to secure the well-matured Kadnor from that astute judge, I. Earnshaw for 1500gn, while the V B.C. Spring Meeting was in progress at Flemingtoo Hi November last. Radnor straightaway made a handsome return of the sum expended in his purchase by winning the C. B. lusher Plate, and in the interval in tins led the field home respectively in the . Weet Australian Deibv, Grandstand I ate, .R.C. St. Leger, Loch Plate, and Champion Stakes, the stakes attaching rwvT amount to considerably over 1,5000. As Earnshaw secured Radnor when a yearling for 400gns. the Earlston colt proved himself „ good speculation to he New South Wales trainer: but all the same he must regret parting with Radnor at 1500gm.

In awardinc Cherubim Bst 41b for the Sydney tup the A.J.C. handicapper ( Mr. J. C. Daly) cannot be charged with being unduly harsh on the New Zealand colt, tor that impost is only 21b over weight - forage. Cherubim stave well, and there is some inducement for" the trip to Randwirk being undertaken. The fact of C herubini having been nominated for events to be run at Auckland at the tame period as the A.J.C. gathering will be Hi progress at Randwick, would make it appear as though the programme for the dual Derby winner in the autumn were an open question. In the course of a iew days we may expect to be apprised of Mr. G. D. Greenwood's intentions with regard to Cherubim's autumn engagements.

Despite the fact that Wallalo won the Essendon Stakes at weight-forage on the opening day of the V.R.C. Autumn Meeting and that he had an impost 191b below weight-for-age in the long-distance handicap, he did not start the "actual favourite. lhe amount of money invested on the Haiit Brion—Adoration mare Belove was such that she ousted the Wallace gelding from the post of honour in the concluding stage of the betting. Belove made a dash for victory at the distance; but she was unable to go the twee set; and HaJlalo won in fine style bv five lengths. Hector Gray is accorded a "large amount of praise for the maimer in" which he handled Wallalo.

The large revenue which New Zealand Is reaping in the shape of totalisator tax continues to get a wide advertisement in Australia, especially in Sydney. Under the heading, "Will the "Totalisator Come?" the Referee says:—"New South Wales has a deficit of nearly £2,000.000 to face, and although extra revenue is anticipated from added income tax and : stamp duties, Ministers generally, not bej ing desirous of raising more money by taxation than is absolutely necessary, are | scanning the horizon for any class of trea- < sure-ship which may relieve them of their I pecuniary embarrassment. Obviously such j a revenue-producing venture as the totaliI sator has had to come within their purI view, and there is just a possibility that | the machine may become legalised, though ; at the outset it must not be forgotten that i there is in some quarters, a strangely hos- ! tile .attitude towards the totalisator, j which is hard to reconcile with the demo- . cratic and progressive spirit of the party I the present Ministry represents. That j opposition will cuntinue to the very death. i There are some members irrevocably opI posed to gambling in any form, and the suggestion that it should" be under State supervision only tends to aggravate their antipathy. There are others who oppose the totalisator simply because it is the totalisator; while others are divided into two divisions—whole-souled supporters, and those who feel that, while it is impossible to check the betting habit, it is better that it should be officially controlled than allowed to go on promiscuously." It is assumed that a tax of 2i per cent, on j totalisator receipts would straightaway j yield something like £300,000 per annum. j Those in favour of the legalisation of the I totalisator realise that there are still stupendous obstacles to be faced, and tho general opinion is that any proposed Totalisator Bill will not be a Government, but a private, measure.

Uncbr the heading " A Capital Idea," a South Australian writer remarks —The erection of a judge's box on the Canadian principle at Victoria Park is a noteworthy improvement. The venture is an innovation to South Australia, and the success which attended its use favours its. adoption generally. The itidsre is placed some distance from the ground, and bv means of a wire stretched at a height of 10ft across the straight, he is enabled more easily to distinguish the horses as they pass the post. Snovrtown has in the past furnished instances of close finishes, with their attendant uncertainty as to the winner ; but the new system gives the udge an indisputable advantage over onlookers, which promises to avoid the- unpleasant iucidents so often connected with right finishes.

The American horseman, D. Maher, who has put up such an attractive record, is a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and comes of Irish parentage. Born in 1881, he was never apprenticed, but at an early age became associated with the stable of his uncle, Mr. M. Daly, and won his first race at Providence, Rhode Island, at the age of 14. Before leaving America for England in 1900, he won 349 races on his native soil, and up to the close of last season in England he had 1420 winning mount* for less than 14 seasons' riding. His top score was in 1908, when he piloted 139 winners, while his worst year was 1903, when, owing to the results of a motor-car accident, he had only 56 wins. During his English racing career, Maher has only once been asked to explain his riding, and that was at Leicester, where he had the mount on Lord Rosebery's Sallust, a very bad tempered horse. The local authorities passed the matter on to the stewards of the Jockey Club, who, in dismissing it, exonerated Maher from all blame, while Lord Rosebery endorsed the actions of the stewards by a handsome souvenir, suitably inscribed, and renewed his claim as first jockey. Save this one claim Maher rides as a free lance.

The only New Zealand-bred horse to tkqre at the V.R.C. Autumn Meeting was llathlea, a four-year-old son of Royal fusilier and Lissadurn, who won the Farewell Handicap (one mile). Rathlea beat a field of 14 under Bst, and as he got over the eight furlongs in lm 38i3 there was solid evidence of merit. Rathlea, who was bred by Mr. T. H. Lowry, was sold as a yearling at Ilandwick for 240gns.

It is rather amusing to note at country meetings how quickly «ome of the jockeys take advantage of any slackness on the part of officials. For instance, one rider at a recent meeting, appeared to have extraordinary luck when drawing for positions at the barrier, as in race after race he wa« in No. 1 position. It transpired, however, that it was not always the No. 1 marble that was drawn, as no matter what number was secured the rider always called " No. 1" as soon a 6 ho looked at it. The ruse was a great success on several occasions, but in one case the scheme failed, as No. 1 had been drawn by a rider who had weighed out early.

There was a very large crowd of undesirables at the Te Aroha meeting, but as country clubs in the province do not employ a detective, dozens of persons who would not be allowed on a metropolitan course were able to enjoy two days' racing. The police in the country cannot be expected to know all of the big army of undesirables who follow all the meetings, and therefore it is surely time that combined action was taken by the clubs in the matter of obtaining the services of a detective. A private detective would more than pay for his cost in a day at any of the country meetings at present.

Horse racing in Canada seems to be progressing. The International Derby, to be run at Dorval Park, Montreal, on June 13 next, is endowed with 20.000 dollars, and has attracted nominations from 67 owners or firms. The conditions are that each subscriber may nominate three horses, by May 1. Among the subscribers is Mr. August Belmont, chairman of the New York Jockey Club.

The Newmarket Handicap victor, lownit, was bought by his present owner, Mr. Alan McFarlano, for lOOgna.

When Black Northern won the Manawaru Hurdles at Te Aroha on Monday, a noisy demonstration was made by a section of the crowd, both horse and rider being vigorously hooted on returning to the paddock. To those who were not conversant with the peculiar moods of the Salvadan gelding, Black Northern's performance looked very suspicious, .as on the first day he was a quarter of a mile in the rear when Rapid passed the post, but it did not take long to convince the stewards that everything was above board. There was absolutely no suggestion of a "joke," and neither the owner nor trainer profited by the win. The owner thought so little of the horse's chance that he would not invest a penny-on it on the totalisator, but meeting a friend afterwards, he shared a £1 ticket with him. There can be no doubt about Black Northern's capabilities as a hurdler if he can be kept on the course, but he has run off so often that only a very brave man would support him solidlv in his races. On Monday Black Northern completed the course for the first time out of about 15 starts, and the stake money he earned would by no means recoup his owner for past losses. It is of interest to note that on the first day Black Northern carried 93 tickets on the totalisator, and when he won there were 89 on him.

One of the most tmrulv horses at the barrier in New Zealand is' Yankee Doodle, and although the verv beet horsemen in the country have ridden him, they have never succeeded in getting him away well. At le Aroha. he competed in three events, and was ridden by a different horseman each time. On the first day, he was hopelessly left, and again on Monday in the Aailiou Handicap, he was last "to leave the mark, after delaying the start for some considerable time. He, however, proved his worth as a. galloper by beating all but Spanish in the race. He was produced, again in the final race, and after delaying the start by clearing out with his rider (McDevitt). it was decided to blindfold him. Afterwards he stood quietly, but was slow to move when the barrier rose, and was in the rear position when a furlong had been covered. A lot of ground, however, was made crossing the top, and when heads were turned for home, he was in the lead, the advantage being maintained to the post. The winner was the outsider of the field, and paid a good two-figure dividend.

Mr. C. J. Hosking's stallion Master Soult, which was so very successful as a racehorse, is now winning fame in the show ring, having been awarded championships at the recent Frankton and Cambridge Shows, at which places he was pitted against several noteworthy stallions. Considering that Master Soult has not been long out of training, it is reasonable to expert that he will be seen to even greater advantage as he ages.

The Te Aroha Jockey Club did not expect such a large crowd from Auckland on Saturday, and as a result hundreds got on the course without paying. When the train stopped almost everyone took a short cut over the paddock, and it was veryamusing to see the efforts made by an official on horseback to turn them back. Next year tho club will probably have tickets sold on the train.

There were several instances of careless riding at Te Aroha, and in the Aroha Welter carelessness on the part of McDevitt resulted in Admiral Soull and Watchchain falling. McDevitt was riding Excavator, and he forced Watchchain on to the rails, with the result that the horw fell, and Admiral Soult fell over him. The stewards held an enquiry after the meeting, and after hearing evidence, suspended McDevitt for one month. It was apparent that there was no evil intent on McDevitts part, otherwise the penalty would have been more severe.

Icel showed pace on the flat in the two hurdle events at Te Aroha, but his jumping was by no means good. The I'opsible gelding has evidently not forgotten his schooling tasks over big country, as at each obstacle he jumped far too high. He finished second to Rapid on the first day, and was fourth on Monday. Icel should make a better showing in the steeplechase at Paeroa.

The riders in the Manawaru Hurdles at Te Aroha quite expected Black Northern to come back to them long before the post' was reached, and consequently they did not worry when Julian opened up a big gap in the early stages of the race. The black gelding negotiated five of the hurdles safely, and with the last two fiat on the ground, his task was made easy for him. Had Rapid or Cloudy Dawn kept with him, however, there may have been a different result;

There was no element of luck in Try Fluke's victory in the Trial Handicap at Te Aroha, as was proved by the gelding's form on the second day, when he ran third to Hemisphere and Otaraia in the Maiden Plate of seven furlongs. The gelding was purchased very cheaply some little time ago, and'as the owner profited by the big dividend paid on Saturday, he has no cause to regret his purchase.

There was a shrinkage in the totalisator returns in France last year to the extent of £280.000. This rather disproves the statements of people who have contended that the totalisator necessarily makes for increased gambling. The fact is that the betting public are well able to take care of themselves. In good times they can afford to back their fancies freely, whereas when money becomes tight they have the good sense to speculate to a milder extent.

The Flemington, course must have been in, a splendid state for galloping this autumn, several records being broken for races run there. In the decision of the Australian Cup, Wallalo compassed the two miles and a-quarter in 3.56, thus beating the previous record made for the longdistance handicap by lis. The Champion Stakes was run in 5m 22|s, and that supplants the record (5m 23-is) made by the dead-heaters, Wallace and Quiver, in 1896.

There was a remarkable incident in the Australian Cup contest at Flemington, on the 3rd inet. Andelosia is stated to have stumbled in the first 50yds, and in trying to recover; his rider grabbed the bridle, which came off. The horse finished the race, his rider carrying the bridle in his hand.

The most successful horseman at Te Aroha was Claude Brown, who won on Try Fluke and Tattoo twice. Others to salute the judge were :—R. E. Brown (Miss Livonia and Worcester), A. McMillan (Gloy and Spalfish). J. O'Shea (Otaraia and Revelation), Roach (Rapid), H. Stoekley (Marangi), A. Julian (Black Northern), B. Olliver (Hemisphere), H. Robinson (Manurere). R. Tripper (Parawai), and McDevitt (Yankee Doodle),

Parawai appears to run very kindly for young Trigger, as each time the Waikato lad rode her at Te Aroha, she returned a dividend. Trigger also had the mount on her when she paid a big dividend at Ellerslie last year.

The Victorian trainer, Walter Hickenbotham, has the distinction of having trained the winner of the Champion Stakes no lees than eight times, his list being made up as follows -.—Carbine (1889 and 1891}. Newhaven (1897), Dividend (1905 and 1907), Trafalgar (1911 and 1912), and Radnor (1914).

It is feared that Nightwatch, the three-year-old son of Treadmill and ' Glenowlet, will be of no further use as a racer. He has again developed symptoms of unsoundness, and the diagnosis made of his case is that _ such arises from a form of nerve paralysis.

The ex-Australian jockey, F. Bullock, who, amongst other important races, rode Blue Spec in the Melbourne Cup, lias re ceived a retainer of £2500 for his services in England next season, which commences in March.

Soultbine, a full-brother to the brilliant Soultline, started in the Piako Handicap at Te Aroha, but ran very green. He is owned and trained by Soultline's late owner, Mr. J. TwohilL

Obdurate ran two fair races at Te Aroha, and it should not be long before Mr. Ormsby's gelding pays another dividend. Ridden by H. Robinson, he was just beaten by Yankee Doodle for second place in tho Waihou Handicap, of six furlongs, on Monday, while on Saturday he was running second to Miss Livonia after five furlongs had been covered.

Tinopai ran one of her best races in tie Te Aroha Cup, and it was only after a great struggle that she succumbed to Cloy, who was turned out in the pink of condition by trainer H. French. On Monday the Waikato-owned filly started in the Jockey Club Handicap of one mile, buC getting badly away, was outside of a place at the finish. Glenspire appears to be suffering from the effects of too much racing, as in his two starts at Te Aroha, he quite failed to run up to expectations. He was ridden by E. Lowe, the Wairarapa horseman, in the Cup, and by J. O'Shea in the Jockey Club Handicap. It will thus he seen that the horse's failure was hardly due to bad horsemanship. One of the hottest favourites at Te Aroha on Saturday was Flagfall, rut the Renzoniiin colt cut up badlv in the Gordon Hack race, and was the last to finish. He ran badly again on the second day, and is evidently not as good as many imagined. After a long succession of defeats Marangi returned his supporters a dividend at Te Aroha. The aged Saracen peldinrr gave a most unruly display at the barrier in the Flying Handican, but got away fairly well, and'at the finish won nicely from Kotoripo. He paid the second biggest dividend of the meeting. Starket (Starina-Miss Musket) had very few friends in the Gordon Hack Handicap nt Te Aroha on Saturday, but was sent,out favourite for the Piako Handicap on Monday. The rider (C. Brown) drew the No. 1 marble, but never once got within striking distance of the leaders. St. Francis (San Francisco—Miss Gladys), who at one time last year was favourite for the New Zealand Cup, should ere lour? see a much better day- He ran a creditalle second to Worcester in the Waitoa Welter, of seven furlongs, at Te Aroha on Saturday, and was just beaten by Parawai on Monday. He is now trained by A. Rhodes, at Cambridge. Ruse de Guerre was well supported each day at Te Aroha. but in each of her races she never looked dangerous. E\idontlv her fine finishing effort at Hamilton was only a flash in the pan. Tattoo continues to carry all before him. and it is apparent that he is now a better horse than ever he was before. He competed twice at Te Aroha, and never left the issue in doubt either time. On enrh occasion his rider (C. Brown) drew the No. 1 marble. Hemisphere «as never sighted in the Trial Handicap, of five furlongs, nt Te Aroha on Saturday, but the extra two furlongs in the Maiden Plate on Monday was evidently to his liking, as in the final stages he put in a great run and scored comfortably. Mokauiti, a big Hack horse, by Advance, came to Te Aroha from Te Kuiti with a reputation, but in his two races he shaped very badlv. On the wav home nfter the meeting the horse collided with a trap, nnd it is doubtful if he will ever nice again.

i Devastation, although very sore, wa-.' well 'supported for the Te Aroha Cup. but the best be could do wasf to finish in fifth place. He was not accepted for on the second day.

Pip was verv sore at Te and did not show his accustomed form. He finished third to Rapid and Icel on Saturday. but was not started on the second dav.

The Napier Cup come* in> for decision in Friday next. and. with the horses *nc»e<*cl. there is a good prospect of a capital contest eventuating. INTER-PROVINCIAL GOSSIP. [BY TTLKCBAPH. — OWN COnRr.STONDKVTS.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday. ('. Emerson is remaining in Sydney until after the Australian Jockey Club's Autumn Meeting. He will then return to the Dominion, and reside permanently here. Various rumours are afloat as to his intentions, and ore authority states that he will ride under a retainer for a powerful local stable. On the way home fom the Wanganui meeting Bertrada got hurt in the railway box, and had to be taken off the train at Fcilding. Later on she was brought to Palmerston by another train. She knocked her lege about a good deal, and may not be able to race at the approaching Napier Park meeting.

The racehorses Peroneal, Peronilla, Alecto, Leapuki, Borsil, and Chillies have been sent to Nelson to take part in the race meeting there on Wednesday and Thursday. The first-named trio (especially Alecto) should run prominently in their engagements ' The former Auckland owner, Mr. D. McLeod, had a good innings at the Dannevirke meeting, where he won two races, with Tavistock (by Mayhap), and one with Zeus (by —Stephanie). Both horses are trained by J. Sceats. Sunrose, who raced in the Auckland district for gome time, reappeared in these parts recently, and during last week he was racing at Dannevirke. It is evident that his trip to the North has not improved him in the matter of pace. Among the runners at the Dannevirke fixture was Silver Jingle, a half-brother to the Grand National winner, Captain Jingle. He is owned by Mr. E. A. 'Grenside, the former owner of Captain Jingle. Though a fine, big horse Silver Jingle does not give one the impression that he will ever dc as good as his distinguished relative

At the disposal sale of Mr. W. Davies's horses the stallion Field Battery went very cheaply at 300gne, and his new owner— a prominent Marton sportsman—has since refused an offer very much larger than he paid for the Hotclikiss horse. WANGANUI. Tuesday. The Wanganui Trotting Club's recent meeting 'was a big success financially, and the result will be that next year the club will be in a position to oiler £1000 or more in stake money. I understand the question of procuring a property and laying down a proper trotting track will also receive serioue attention from the committee. Once the club possesses such a track trotting is bound to become very popular here. Aruake, which won both Hack Hurdle events here, appears to be none the worse for his exertions. He is being «£Pt going with a view to competing at trie Feilding Easter meeting, and will then be prepared for the Century Hurdles at the Wanganui Steeplechase Meeting. He has had a very big Knee lor a couple of years past, and this may go en him at any time, but if he keeps all right he is expected to do well in the big Irurdle events.

By the way there appears to be every prospect of some good fields being seen out in the big hurdle races during the winter. In addition to Aruake there were a couple of others seen out here whose prospects in the Century Hurdles must be considered good. St. Gate ran second twice to Aruake, and shaped well enough to suggest that he will win some good hurdle races for Mr. W. R. Tuck. The St. Clements gelding could never stay on the flat, but there is every reason to believe that he will stay all right over the small sticks. He has plenty of paee and jumps capitally, so that all he needs is experience. Cornelian won the big hurdles the second day in 3m. 15s, which is very fast time for the mile and threequarters. True, the Coronet gelding had only 9st 81b on his back, but he has not been up very long, and by the time the May meeting comes round he should be much improved.

It has been stated that Leonta -would probably be put to the jumping game, but from what I hear this is not likely, as his owner does not care for jumping events. In consequence of his fine Showing in. the Wanganui Stakes Marshal Macdonald is being picked out as a likely winner of the New Zealand Cup. The son of Soult --Hesper put up a fine performance in that event in cutting out the mile and ahalf in 2m 355, as the track was by no means fast. The colt proved himself very game, and he appears to be one that would stay, so that F. Davis looks to have a fair chance of landing a big race with him I next season. Roosevelt is being given a Tot of swimming exercise, and he is looking well. He will probably be seen out at the l-eliding meeting, by which time he should be in good fettle again if he keeps fit. I The statement hue been going the j rounds that Tiresome was so badly hurt I when she fell in the Stakes here bhat she might never race again. As a matter ot tact the daughter of Seaton Delaval got off with very little injury, except that , some skin was knocked off her shoulders. j She has been doing steady work on the i track here during this week, and is looki ing well. Allegation went slightly amiss, • but he and the other two of .Mr. Alison's team—Huffy and Centenary—have all I been doing slow work since the meeting. | tiresome and Allegation will be racing at I , the Auckland Easter Meeting. | ! It is the intention of the, Wanganui I | Jockey Club to push on with the banking I lup of its track. The work already done I at the top bend stood the test of', t.ie racing admirably, and was on all sides , voted a big improvement. The spot where liresome and Bronze fell is just beyond the banked part, and it will receive attention first. It is probable that it was no fault of the track that the accident happened, as it appeared as if Tiresome got on to the heels of Los Angeios, and tihat this brought her down, but in any case the track is rather uneven at this point, and will bo all the better for saucerising. The Napier Park Cup race promises • to be very interesting after the form ' *hov;n here by Moutoa Girl, Marshal ' Macdonald, Sea Pink, and Los Ante ii T* 16 ~f ormer pair appear to 'be wen handicapped, and as the shorter distance should favour Moutoa Girl she is i being plr ked out by many as likelv to run ' a big race. Sea Pink is generally be- . lieved to have been very unlucky iii get- ' ting a bad bump in the Stakes last Satur- I i day. but whether or not he could have | won is hard to say. In any case ho ' ought to be all the better for 'the racing here, as he was on the big side then. CANTERBURY. rp, Tuesday, nrax was unlucky in the Peninsula I Cup last week. He lay a long way off. ; from the leaders in the early part, and i ! was set too severe a task over the last, half-mile Had ho been just a little, closer when the straight was reached it : ! looked as if he must have won, as he was ; running over everything at the finish and ! ' was in front a few strides past the post., the winner, Flower of tho West, regis! to red an attractive performance. It was I her first effort over a journey, and she acquitted herself in a manner which augured well for her. She is an imported I mare by Arizona-Flower, and she looks j like proving quite as profitable to Mr. A | Boyle as Wet Day did a few years ago. I | Glenfinnan compounded in very faint-! I hearted fashion at the business end of the : . Peninsula Cup, after looking a certainty I • when the straight was reached. The • . Uauranald gelding has proved vevy costly: j to hackers, who must surely be growing (•tired of the gay deceiver, but his smart I I torm on the tracks seems to cause a rally i I in his favour every time he races. i I At the beginning of this season Bonne i I Bmiche looked like proving a profitable! j mare for her owner, but she has quite , failed to justify expectations. The I daughter of Boniform—Heorthen disap-1 j pointed her supporters twice attheAkaroa; i meeting, and from present indications she! is not much good. She is another illus- i , tratiun of the fact that few mares prove successful _at the stud after doing a lot I of hard work on the training tracks and i ; in races. ~ I i Judith, the three-year sister to! J Thras, showed a lot of pace in the Te- ' I whera Hack Handicap at the Akaroa' mooting, but she tired to nothing in the; straight. She may improve, but she is; only moderate at present, five furlongs'' being apparently heY limit. I Mr. J. C. N. Grigg has placed Gunrestj under the care of \V. McDonald at Ric-; carton. According to the Turf Register; he is a three-year-old gelding by Calibre' —Tinwald Beauty, but this does not! agree with the Stud Book, which credits Tinwald Beauty with no progeny after! 1909. thero being a note announcing that she died in 1910. j

Reports from Southland state that Soldier's Chorus is standing up to his work in good style, a remark that also applies to Sombrero, another horse who has been off the scene for some time. They both figure among the nominations for the autumn meeting of the Southland Racing Club next month, and two such useful performers will be welcome to the competitors in the chief events in the South for the remainder of this season. Though Night Watch was got out for the Middle Park Plate he has since been causing his trainer a lot of trouble, and he pulled up very lame in the near fore leg after a gallop last week. lam afraid he will need a long spell. His stable companion, Stevedore, is also on the retired list at present, having split one of his hoofs. R. J. Mason is making a start to-day with the breaking-in of Mr. Greenwood's annual batch of yearlings. The first one that is to be tackled is the Achilles — Chinwag filly purchased at the annual sale of the Waikanae yearlings held at Wellington during January. Mr. J. B. Reid's three-year-olds, Mowbray and Salzburg, were shipped to Wellington last week, and they are now in mates of J. H. Prosser's stable at Porirna, where they will have the benefit of the beach for galloping. Kilmeny was schooled over five hurdles on Saturday, and jumped proficiently. H.i was piloted by L. Hagerty, who is in great request in this department. Goldseeker, who won the hurdle rare at the Akaroa meeting last week, has been placed under the care of J. Bridges at Riccarton, and will be got ready for acre important jumping events. He is an elder brother to Autumnus, and th:.ngli not in the same class as a galloper he should make a useful hurdler. Tannhauser, who has beeen on the easy list for a few weeks, is being hacked on the roads at Riccarton, but will boon be in regular work again to under/a a preparation for the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps. M. Hobbs has just broken in a yearling 1 gelding by Downshire —Cyre. The youngster is a half-brother to Farmer, who has been racing well in New South Wales this season. Warstep has had an easy lime lately, but Aynsley now has her moving along in view of autumn engagements. When in form she is a rare little galloper, and she has lots of admirers already for the Great Easter and Great Autumn. Handi-

caps. Taskmaster is bowling along in good style on the Riccarton tracks. Provided he keeps right in the meantime, he can be reckoned a sure starter for the Waimate Cup, which will be his first appearance in public for some time. STALLION VASCO DEAD. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN UOREESPONDENT-l Christchukch, Tuesday. Mr. Harvey Patterson, who transferred all his horses from Victoria to Canterbury last year, suffered a very serious loss on Saturday, when his English-bred sire Vasco died, owing to rupture supervening on impaction. Vasco was by Velasquez son of Donovan, and a grandson of Galopin) from Vista, by Macaroni, his dam, Sea Breeze, being by Isonomy. Vasco was imported to New Zealand by Messrs. I. G. Duncan and J. F. Beid in 1908, and at the sale of the Elderslie stud, early in 1912, he was sold to Mr. Patterson for 850 guineas. The oldest of his progeny are three-year-olds, among them being a half-brother to Obsono, who has done well in Queensland, while he has had one or two winners in two-year-old races in New Zealand this season. One of these, Tavistock, was successful at Dannevirke last week.