SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15670, 25 July 1914, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES.

lincust 11, 13, 15—Canterbury Jockey Club. •August 22—Waipa Racing Club. August Pakuranga Hunt Club. September 3—Marion Jockey Club. September 6—'Waikato Hunt Club. September 16, 19Avondale Jockey Club. September 24, —Wanganui Jockey Club. October 10—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. October 14, 17—Auckland Trotting Club. October 21, 26—Wellington Racing Club. November 4, 7—Auckland Racing Club. November 7, 9, 11, Canterbury Jockey Club. November 18, 21—Otshuhu Trotting Club. .'November 25, 28Takapuna Jockey Club. December 12— of Plenty Jockey Club. December 26, Thames Jockey Club. December 26. 29, January 1, 2—Auckland Racing Club. December 28,30, 3!'.—Auckland Trotting Club. January 7, B—Whangarei Racing Club. January 29, 30~Tskapuna Jockey Club. February Rotoiua Jockey Club. February IS—Te Kuiti Racing Club. February 19, South Auckland Racing Club February 24, Otabuhu Trotting Club. March 6, B—Te Aroha Jockey Club. March 17, I&—Obinemuri Jockey Club. April 3, s—Auckland Ratine Club. April 7, Auckland Trotting Club. April 14, Avondale Jockey Club. Juno 3, 5, —Auckland Ra:ing Club.

DATES OF COMING EVENTS. NEW ZiAi.uro, August N.Z. Grand Nitional Steeplechase. August 13— N.Z. Grand Nati.onal Hurdle Race. AUSTRALIA. August I—Australian Hurdle Race. August B—Australian Steeplechase. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Grit Link.— the C.J.C. Spring Meeting, Peary won the Spring Hurdle Race and tho Middleton Hurdle Race. He mado his debut as a steeplechaser at Ellerslie. Wages.— the C.J.C. Spring Meeting of 1904 Machine Gun defeated Achilles at woisht-for-age in the Electric Plato (four furlongs), running tho distance in 49 l-ss. Kia Ora, .Rotorua. is assessed that descendants of St- Simon von stake money to tho value of £541,130 in England up to tho end of 1913. His daughter. La Fleche, heads the list with £35,203. Old Sport, Huntly — cannot find any mention of the horse in Question either in the Stud Book or the Turf Resistor. Possibly some light on his breeding may be disclosed liter on. Subscriber, Rotoma.The racehorses in training belonging to the late Mr. James White -.fere submitted to auction m 1890 and realised £17,498. The gelding Titan, who ■was two years old at that time, was sold to the late Mr. E. G. Brodribb for 4600gna. Titan won several races at a later stage of his career, but he never scored in Mr. Brodribb's colours. H.T , Thames.— weights under which Kelson won the Auckland Cup were:—At five years old, 7st 8lb; at six years old, 9st 81b; at seven years old. 9st 12lb. Nelson was ■the first horse racing in the colonies to reduce the record for two miles and a-quarter to 4m. In the running of the Canterbury Cup of 1899, Seahorse reduced the record to 3m 36 l-ss, and in the same race of 1903 Signor further cut the record by running the distance in 3m £3 2-ss. The fastest Australian record (3m * 66{s) for the journey in question is held by Pern, which he put- up in tho autumn oi 1908, when ha won the Australian Cup. NOTES BY PHAETON. GREAT RECORDS BY AUSTRALIAN SIRES. _____ i ■ ! A brace of colonial-bred sires that Lave j teen placed -well in the limelight, by the doughty deeds of their descendants are Wallace (by Carbine—Melodicns) and Maltster (by Bill of Portland—Barley). The first of Wallace's stock made their debut under silk in the season, of 18991900, and as Maltster's stock did not come out until seven years later the general view taken, without a complete ranging up of figures, would be that Carbine's son was still well ahead of his rival in the matter of stakes money captured. Such, however, would be inaccurate. During the preeent week I had occasion to go in search of facts concerning Wallace's stud record; and after totalling up the winnings of his descendants, which ran out to £164,038£, or £10,144jr above his sire's record, it seemed that tho Carbine horse ■was pretty sure of the leading position amongst tho colonial-bred horses. However, on extending my researches further and taking up Maltster for review I found that the Bill of Portland horse is well ahead, the total sum down to his descendants being £173,639. So that there need be no doubt about the matter, the following list of the respective winnings of descendants of the two champion Aus-tralian-bred sires are given

WALLACE. MALTSTER. £ _ 3899-00 1,007 - 1900-01 ... 3,201 — 1901-02 ... 5,079; - 1902-03 ... 3,853 - 1903 04 ... 10,308 — 1905-06 ... 9,516 £ 1906-07 ... 6,117 190G-O7 ... 3,993 1907-08 ... 19,004 1907-08 ... 8.615 1908-09 ... 11,757 1908-03 ... 13,978 1909-10 ... 10,2?8 1909-10 ... 36,972 1910-11 ... 17,871 1910-11 ... 27,629 1911-12 ... 26,743 1911-12 ... 32,957 1912-13 ._ 16.785 1912-13 ... 22,361 .1913-14 ... 10,500 1913-14 ... 27,134 £164,0381 £173,639 i INTERESTING RECORDS. There are many interesting records found in the careers of Wallace and Maltster j and one outstanding js that both horses won the Derby insignia at Remington, while descendants of each have earned similar honours on the great Australian racecourse. Wallace is well ahead of Maltetar in the matter of Derby winners, for in V.R.C. blue riband contests F.J.A., Lady Wallace, Mountain King, Wilari, and Wolawa, who claim him as their parent, have scored; while Maltster only claims Alawa and Beverage. Then, again, Wallace won the Sydney Cup at three years old, a feat which is also ■down to the credit of his son Trafalgar at a like age. The latter is clearly the most noteworthy descendant of Wallace, and for stamina he is in front of any descendant of Maltster that has so far figured or. the turf. Alawa, who filled the role of runner-up to Prince Foote in the Melbourne Cup of 1909, would probably be popularly cited as .Maltster's most, noteworthy descendant- over a distance of ground; and another good one sired by tlx' Bill of Portland horse was Malt King, who is voted one of the finest specimens of the thoroughbred horse that has figured on the colonial turf. Malt King, however, it has to lie noted, never won over a longer distance than a mile and a-half. With stakes money rising rapidly it would seem pretty safe to conclude that Maltster will be sure to hold his place as against Wallace, for lie has five years the best of it on the score of lags compared with the Carbine horse. THE DISTANCE QUESTION. - In the course of a leading article on the distance question, which came before the Racing Conference last week, the Referee Rays:—"The sporting proposition of the Canterbury Jockey Club found most of the delegates without power of speech, and. less than ten minutes saw the proposal rejected, only seventeen votes being recorded for it, while sixteen votes were cast in the three-fourths majority eeale, ■which really seems to weigh unjustly when sport is the mainspring of a movement; ft the conference. In speaking to tie

motion, Mr. William Buckley, the chairman of the Canterbury Jockey Club, showed that in the North .'lsland there were 94 days' racing, on which there were two races of a mile or over. In the South Island there were 30 days on which the suggestion of the Canterbury Jockey Club was acted upon, and 43 days oil which it was not. On fourteen days only were there less than the two long* races in the North Island. Yet it was a North Island representative (Mr. E. W. Alison) who tried to make the conference believe that clubs had to have so many six-furlong races because the majority of the horses bred in New Zealand were unable to compass a mile! When a man of Mr. Alison's knowledge makes such a ridiculous statement, it is not hard to understand why a sporting proposition meets with so little favour. Totalisator turnover must cease to be the first consideration, or we shall before very long find ourselves in a position that will be deplorable. One of the giuvo disappointments of the conference was this failure to see the wisdom of the Canterbury Jockey Club's proposal."

j THE A.J.C. DERBY. ' The outlook for a good field in the Australian Jockey Club Derby is held to ba decidedly promising. " Pilot," of tho Sydney Referee, has been focuaing the leading candidates in work at Bandwick and in a recent issue of 'tho Sydney journal ' he penned the following« Imshi (by Persian Knight—Cremari) is favourite, and is more forward than any other of the Derby lot at Riuidwick. He id a rather -willed customer, and in his work takes more out of himself than | a horse of more placid disposition. On a couple of occasions he went further and faster than his trainer | probably wished, the colt, twins: somewhat more than a match lor his rider. Fortunately, Imshi is a good doer in the stable, but as he already looks as if he would be able to run a good race within three weeks, it may tax even T. Payten's long experience to keen him at his best until the conclusion of the spring meetings. Imshi is undoubtedly a great mover, and a well-muscled colt, but unless some means can be devised of checking his pulling propensities in private, his temperament may prove his undoing before the spring meetings axe through. On the other hand, Ravello (by Positano— Parisienne), who is regarded as one of Imshi's most dangerous rivals, is a lazygoing customer, who is unlikely to overtax himself in his work. When he returned to the track after' his few weeks' spell he was inclined to play up, but bo quickly settled down, and now goes along like an old horse. On actual form Imshi is considerably superior to Ravello, but, rightly or wrongly, tho idea obtains in many quarters that the few months intervening between hist autumn and the coming spring will bring about greater improvement in the latter than the former. This may, in a great measure, be due to the fact of Positano's progeny invariably showing to greater advantage at three than at two years, and another thing in Ravello's favour is that he is a halfbrother to that good stayer Tlio Parisian. Woorak (by Traqu air— has gone on the Tight way since the autumn. He is a big-barrelled, good-quartered colt, and looks both bright and healthy. His work has be-on of the useful order, but though he wings along nicely, without evincing any inclination to fight or pull, tho chances are that in his races as a three-year-old he will be the same as at twoall go from start to finish. On the maternal side, his relatives include several good stayers—Malvolio and Vanity Fair being of the number— so far, nothing by Traquair has shown any liking for a distance, and I am afraid Woorak is too brilliant to bo an exception. Not that it requires a genuine stayer to win a Derby, for at least three or four colts successful at either Randwick or Flemington of recent years were subsequently found wanting at a mile and a-half in open company. They were served by their dash at the finish, but a free-going customer of Woorak's class appears likely to run himself out before the final furlong is entered upon. It Is unwise to be too pronounced where horse-racing is concerned, bub though Woorak may win' one or more of the various " Guineas " to be decided in the spring, he does not appeal to mo in a Derby connection. He has proved himself a great sprinter, and I have no doubt we shall later see him winning shortdistance handicaps under a lot of weight. Of the fillies, Carlita (by Charlemagne— Coronne) and Eugeny (by Earlston—Lady Trenchant) are tho "most likely runners, and the trainer of the former is very hopeful she will dispose of the colts. Admittedly she is good, but the Derby is not a race favouring fillies, and as with others of her sex in past years, a win may be beyond her. Picture, in 1898, was the last filly to pull off an A.J.C. Derby.

. LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK. , "Mr. E. W. Alison opposed the motion and said horses in New Zealand were not bred to stay." So reads a paragraph in the report of the debate on the distance question at the recent Racing Conference. If the Auckland delegate expressed himself as above he has certainly laid himself open to many a thrust. Stayers may be scarce in the Dominion of New Zealand, but Mr. Alison will not, I am sure, assail the argume.it that men are very much more desirous to breed stayers than sprinters. Probably Mr. Alison did noli intend to leave so much room in the remarks he made for the application of the extreme view; but that such will got a wide advertisement to the disadvantage of New Zealand and the particular district which he represented at the conference is to be feared. It should ever be an uppermost thought with Aucklanders that we bred Carbine. A proposal for which the Dunedin Jockey Club (stood sponsor to raise the minimum weight in flat handicaps to 7st, was submitted at the Placing Conference last week; but it failed to find favour and was thrown out, the voting being 20 to 13. In the opinion of some experts in England there were more capable riders in the old days, when the minimum was sst 71b; but we have to bear in mini that riding and riders arc very different) now to what ruled in the old. days. The _ well-known Victorian, sportsman, Mr. W. Reid, who, it may bo remarked, is one of the leading men agitating Jo: - the legalisation of the totalisator, in a recent letter penned the following:— " No amount of special pleading will get over the fact that breeding from unsound imported sires, tho great majority of whom would not have been used in England or the Continent, has had a bad effect on tho Australian thoroughbred. bleeding,' 'wind troubles,' and 'knee troubles' that were comparatively unknown five and twenty years ago, or even less, have been introduced and widely distributed, and it is by no means certain that tho last is not the worst and most prevalent of the lot. If trainers could be induced to tell their experiences in these directions it is to bo feared a state of affaire would be disclosed little dreamt of bv outsiders. _ 'Where all are blind the one-eved man is king,' and so, if the thoroughbred is to be regarded as a mere excuse for gambling within our own shores, it' does not matter much what he is. But if- he is to become a real national asset, not only of first importance to our selves, but capable of holding his own abroad, it should be compulsory to breed only from the soundest of tho sound. It seems to me thk is the only way in which the. turf can discharge its obligations to tho country and tho non-racing public. Whatever it may be in New South Wales, in Victoria upwards of a million and ahalf pounds' worth of public property is set apart for racing, for which the State only gets about J per cent, return, and bad and infirm horses into the bargain."

Race-riding has undergone a marked change m England during the past 20 years, "and," says a London writer, '' races are now run at a much more Uniterm paco than before the days of Tod Sloan. Times are, therefore, very much faster, and it is proportionately more difficult to give away at the start. Thus such a star*, as we saw for the recent Derby was really fatal to Keimymoro and rake spear, though it might not have been go had the race been run at a false pace as in the old days." ,

Rightly or wrongly an impression prevails that the draw for places at tho post is not alwavs carried out; as it should be. However, there is some reason to expect that a device recently invented will remove any doubts about, the procedureIn proposing a motion at the Racing Conference last week that tli.e diQ-w for places should bo done from a nlosod box of tho pattern approved by the conference, and under tho supervision of a steward or other official of the club speciallly appointed for the purpose, the president said it was undoubted that there had been frauds in drawing for places in tho past, and it. had been suggested that a box be used. Ono had been tried and 1" 1 been sent back for further improve;.i... . Tho improvement had been made, and he suggested that the amendment bo carried, and that Messrs. Fried lander and Guinness and th'» president be a, committee to try tho box in a series of experiments, and this was agreed to.

Rock Sand, the announcement of whoso death came from France during the present week, held a place with the groat 6take-earners of tho British turf, his earnings in stakes running out to £45,618. Rock Sand was a descendant of Sainfoin, who, like his son, captured tho English Derby. No glamour, however, attached to Sainfoin's ton-, and it has always been a strong view that tho son of Springfield was ono of tho worst horses that led the field home in the blue riband. In regard to Rock Sand it might bo solidly argued that he did not have to battle against strong opposition when he won the triple crown. Still the fact could not be disputed that he proved himself solid; ana his four victories out of five starts at four years old was meritorious. In 1905 Rock Sand mis bought by the American sportsman, Mr. August Belmont, for £25,000; and as the horse was covered with insurance up to £30,000, his owner has no reason to regard tho matter from a financial standpoint otherwise than in a complacent spirit.

It is proposed to alter tho English Rules of Racing to mike the clauses read as follow:—(1) Permission may ho given by the stewards for a horse to be saddled away from the paddock in exceptional circumstances, but this shall not carry with it exemption from being brought into the paddock after being saddled. (2) Ever}' horse must bo ridden in front) of the stand before going to the post. Should a jockey report to tlio stewards that after reasonable) ondeavour ho is unable to comply with this regulation tho stewards may exempt, him from doing so, in which case tho clerk of the courso shall report to tho Registry Office tho full circumstances under which tho exemption was granted.

Kennymore, who carried Sir Jolin Thuxsby's colours to victory in the Two thousand Guineas, and who subsequently ran unplaced in tho Derby when favourite, figured .amongst the _ contestants for the Eclipse Stakes, run at Sandown Park last week, when lie camo homo third. Kennymore is credited with having a vile temper, and as a consequence his racing career is likely to be seriously affected.

A London writer remarks that Durbar Cf.'fi Derby win was a decidedly cosmopolitan affair. That colt is by an English sire out of an American-bred mare, was foaled in France, belongs to an American sportsman, ; was ridden Oy a jockey of Scotch origin, and is trained by Murphy, an Irishman.

Mr. J. B. Joel, who first figured as an owner on the English turf in 1900, and is now thus in his fourteenth season, has, so far, won in stakes £173,345, so that by present appearances he will not have long to wait to see his winning total carried over £200,000.

The announcement that the will of the late Mr. Isaac Earns haw was proved .it £29,840, shows that it is possible for a trainer of horses hi Australia who sticks closely to his business to accumulate much wealth. But it was not necessary (says a Sydney paper) to wait for the announcement in the case of Mr. Earnshaw for proof of that. The late Mr. /W. Kelso left real and personal estate of about twice tho value of Mr. Earnshaw's, and unless sporting folk are considerably out of their reckoning, at least one Randwick trainer and two Victorians are now better off financially than the latter was, while many others are in a position to retire from the profession without any fear that they might be compelled to return to it.

Mr. T. H. Lowry is responsible for the statement that though Labour Day has been nominated for the New Zealand Cup, it is doubtful if she will stand a preparation. Labour Day, it may be remarked, lias not won a race since Mr. Lowry purchased her for 950 guineas at Auckland on January 3, 1913.

The Auckland horso Shuja (Soult — Sprite), winner of the Sydney Handicap at Randwick in 1912, and who was subsequently bought from tho Messrs. Matthews by a South Australian sportsman, is now performing stud duty in that State. Shuja, it may bo remarked, only contested ono raco after he passed out of New Zealand hands.

The Irish rider S. Donoghue is getting mucn more riding in England this season than any other jockey, his mounts from March 23 to June 5 totalling 247, so that far a period of nearly eleven weeks, and excluding Sundays, his average was just short of four a day. During the period quoted Donoghue had ridden in 82 more races than any other jockey.

The erst New Zealand rider! L. 11. Hewitt, does not win many races in England, but when ho is successful it is generally on a long-priced runner. At Newbury, on the 10th of last month, he won a two-year-old race on Lord Cholrnondeley's Pipistrelle, a 20 to 1 chance.

The Austrian Derby, of the gross value of £5083, was run in Vienna last month, and won by Confusionarius, a colt by Gouvernant, out of Sage Dank. Gouver nant is a son of the English-bred sire Flying Fox, and at five old he was sold for £20,000.

Amongst old-time incidents in which the name of Carbine plays a part, it is mentioned that a party of Japanese, of Thursday Island, drew the first prize of £22,000 from Tattersall's sweep when the bay horse registered his sensational victory in the Melbourne Cup.

Bullawarra, tho Australian jumper, was doing steady work at Lewes at the time tho latest exchanges to hand left England. Ho had for a companion tho crack French steeplechaser, Lutteur 111.

In commenting on some of tho lotteries -racing and otherwise—conducted in foreign countries, a contributor to the London Sportsman says:—" It may be contended that lotteries such as the Hungarian (authorised by the State) are drawn under conditions which preclude fraud. But are they? Here are brief particulars of a lottery about to be drawn. There are 110,000 tickets at £7, totalling £770,000. The prizes aggregate about £630,000, which, less 15 per cent., brings the amount to bij paid under £450,000. In other words, £320,000 is divided by the State and the ticket distributors. Then, again, it is openly stated that the agents, by false lists, deceive foreign (English) clients as to the numbers of the tickets winning large prizes. It is notorious that several ex-gaolbirds are behind some of these ' guaranteed' Continental sweeps, and it is high time legislation stepped —not to abolish wagering, sweef*, or betting, for that would be impossible—but to afford protection to the many who are interested."

As generally expected, the Hawke's Bay trainer-owner, W. L. Carrick, was not long on the Australian side before winning a race with his 14.1 pony Berg (Signalman— Berg won a race for the class mentioned with £70 to the winner at Victoria Park recently, and started at a very remunerative price. On the same day Mr. G. Paino's Galla —Cyrenaica) won tho 14.2 handicap, starting favourite.

J. Chisholm is handling a member of the trotting brigade by Dan Patch—Hina,

There is no doubting that consistent rumours have been afloat for years to the effect that the weight of finance has played an important part in preventing the introduction of the totalisator to both the main Australian States, and it came as no shock to keen followers of rsicing to learn that at last a demand for a searching inquiry into the matter has emanated from the House of Assembly of New South Wales, It is to bo hoped that the Royal Commission, when appointed, will clear the wholo matter of Mr. Holman's grave charges up to the satisfaction of sportsmen generally. Coming from such a legislator as Mr. Holman, it cannot be denied that the nature of his charges needs investigation.

There is no denying tho fact that bookmaking dots exist in New Zealand, and the latest effort of Sir George Clifford to stamp out the motallician and endeavour to concentrate all wagering on tho totalisator by making it compulsory for owners not to deal with bookmakers, will be watched with considerable interest. It may do some good so far as owners are concerned, but 60 long as the uso of the double-event machine is barred by Act of Parliament, men will be found on hand to conduct business undeT that heauing. Tho double-event, machine when tried a few years back proved very popular, and there seems reason in the belief that it is mainly that form of wagering on which the bookmaker thrives in New Zealand.

Te Onca is to bo hacked about for a term, ana may bo found contesting a few flat events during the spring. Xilsley, who rodo the Great Northern victor in tho Wintor Hurdles at Trentham, told the writer that tho son of Kegel never displayed any dash whatever in that event from tho rising of the barrier. . Apparently everything was not right with the gelding, and his owner realising this, there find then decided that Riccartoa engagements were not to bo completed.

Bluestono is not to bo entirely thrown out of work, but at present is enjoying a rest. Avondale meeting will probably note the grey gelding in action again. The gelding's party were indignant at the impost allotted Bluestono in tho Winter Cup (lOst 91b), especially after Haskayne mado no race of it over the same distance at Trentham when the Aucklandor was carrying 51b less than his Winter Cup weight.

Ruffy did not disclose at Trr'tham whether he was worth persevering witli for the Grand National meeting, for he ran off in each of his races. However, his owner must have decided that tho quest of state money at lliccarton was hopeless, and tho Seaton Delaval gelding is now at his quarters across the harbour. If ho shows improvement, lie may be taken across to Sydney later on.

Morning, tho winner of the last Grand National Hurdle at RiccaTton, will, without an effort over tho fences, attempt to repeat last year's performance. Still, that has not prevented the six-year-old son of Sylvia Park—Evening from being included amongst tho favourites _ for the two-mile event. He has certainly been raced on tho flat, and was finishing on well in a hack race at Wellington. la point of condition, F. Armstrong's candidate may not bo found wanting, but ho is up amongst tho top-weights and would be all tho better for a race over the fences.

Most of the rising two-year-olds at Ellerslie are being educated to the racing game of an afternoon at Ellerslie, and there is reason to believe that the best of them will prove a much better class than has been Auckland's lot to boast of for some years. At least two of the Aus-tralian-bred youngsters take the eye pleasingly, while the local productions are more forward than has been tho case of late years.

A. J. McFlynn rode Ngatiraanui a round of sand against the watch on Thursday morning, but the Maniapoto representative did not cover himself with glory by the time registered, and I doubt if the Grand National Hurdle candidate is the horse he was a week or two back. He was wearing a, bandage on one of his forelegs, which may be taken to indicate that Trainer Irwin has donbts as to the soundness of that particular member.

It is contended that Peary would have won tho July Steeplechase at Trtmtham, The Referee remarks: " Though Peary has none the best of the weight a with Captain Jack in the Grand National Steeplechase, the Hon. J. D. Ormond's horse is much liked for the big race."

Clarence O'Ncfl, ex-New Zealand hurdle horseman, now stationed in Victoria, had the misfortune to suffer a broken nose whon Tamburello fell with him during the running of tho Footscray Steeplechase on the final day of the V.R.G. Grand National meeting.

Despite rumours to the fact that everything was not right with Grey King, it would appear that the Gisborno candidate is .seriously intended for Riccarton, for in. reply to an inquiry for the riding of the grey, an Auckland horseman received a reply on Wednesday last from Trainer J. Jones that a horseman had already been engaged.

Te Kauwhata, the big black hunter in J. Chaafe'e stables, was schooled over the steeplechase fences in front of tho stand last Thursday morning, showing some knowledge of the fencing game, though he did not clear the first fence of the double in very masterly stylo, and almost unseated Tilsley.

Ngapnka was sent over the pony hurdles at EUerslie on Thursday morning with Adolph in the saddle. The Soult gelding is standing up to his work well, and is certainly receiving plenty of schooling exercise.

S. Neary, the erstwhile Auckland hurdle horseman, who was associated with the two victories of Pallada over tho big fences at the V.R.C. Grand National meeting, recently joined the ranks of the benedicts, his bride being a sister of the wife of F. McCabe, the Hon. J. D. Ormond's hurdle horseman.

Try Fluke, in most of tho Southern centres, has replaced Ruapani as favourite for tho Winter _ Cup. A North Shore sportsman is said to h&vo become possessed of Irwin's chargo since the Trentham fixture. S. Reid will probably bo found in tho saddle on the day.

Since it has been made known that B. Doe'.ey will most likely bo found riding Chortle in the Winter "Cup, that Gisborn<i candidate has again come into favour for tho £700 mile event.

Okaihau, who won the Wanganui Steeplechase and other cross-country events a couple of seasons back, is now doing duty in the shafts of & light conveyance.

Kilmeny's chance of capturing the Grand National Hurdles of £1200 are still being voiced in tho South, where he Is doing everything asked of him in pleasing style.

/ Blues ton was no sooner placed on the train at Wellington on his return to the North than hi(S price extended for the Winter Cup, and rightly so, too, for it was a good indication tha.t ho would not be found at Riccarton.

Reports dieagroe m to whether Leonta is a capable fencer, but the chances of a boginner at the game capturing a Grand National Hurdle event at first time of asking over fences cannot bo too loudly proclaimed.

Mummer should show some of his beet paces at Riccarton, for the Gazeley— Mimic gelding lias been kept going consistently since 'icing at Napier Park and was not very backward at that fixture. F. Fitzpa.trick, the Hastings sportsman who owns Mummer, is said to favour his chance of winning a race- shortly.

At the Sunbury (England) horse parade on June 1, the two leading prize-winners had, as an extra award, tho offer from a local barber of a monthly hair cut and a bi-weekly shave until Christmas' Eve.

The use of hoods and blinkers, also any mechanical device for the special assistance of any horse at the starting post, will in future bo prohibited in the Dominion, the rules of racing having been amended last week in that direction. The two flat events figuring on the hunt club's programmo at Ellerslie next month will servo tho purpose of giving trainers a chance of sharpening their charges up for Avondale meeting a few weeks later, and tho opportunity is likely to be largely availed of by local mentors. Mr. E. S. Luttrell, the Canterbury sportsman, lias purchased Red Book from Mr. E. J. Watt, and the dark chestnut will leave for Sydney from Wellington shortly in company with Ringform and tho Maltster—Confident filly, who is said to bo shaping well in her work at Hastings. The American sportsman Mr. H. B. Duryea, who won the English Derby this year, has accepted with three colts for next year's Derby, one of them being Muskateer, half-brother, by Irish Lad, to Durbar 11. The rising three-year-old Hadj is still the cynosure of all eyes and oomment at Ellerslie each time he is stripped for exercise. Opinions differ aa to whether age will improvo him. He has the pace all right, but it may take oven another year before he will be a payable proposition. Of the maiden hurdle candidates likely to be seen out in the early spring, nothing is claiming more attention at Ellerslie than the Soult gelding Tragedy King, who is looking in great heart and clearing the pony hurdles consistently of late with young McDevitt as his pilot. Those present at Trentham last Saturday who can bo regarded as keen judges contend that Peary was going particularly well in the July" Steeplechase when ho ran off. Prior to winning at Maitland on Saturday last, the ex-Auckland mare Lucille captured a double at Tamworth the week previous, starting at a remunerative figure against on each occasion. The events were only worth £30 each. Gold Lac, the Marble Arch—Merry Nif colt in Chaafo's charge, moved nicely when asked to do so last Thursday, and if his rather unsightly joint stands the test, should do good service for his popular owner, Mr. J. Walters. Visitors to Ellerslie enclosure at next month's hunt meeting will hardly recognise the spot, so great has been the transformation in tho paddock, what with the shrubs and new flower bods all round the paddock. W. Mobberley is very consistently putting solid work into Devastation, and evidently has designs on stake-money early in tho spring with the bright-coloured chestnut. C. Coleman is extending Chime in her work lately, which rising three-year-old shaped well in an effort with the unnamed chestnut filly in the samo stable on Thursday morning last. The unruly Revelation seems to bo going along more kindly in his work of late, and it may be that W. Mobberly will be successful in his efforts to rid the son of Gluten of his wayward habitsShould Mount Victoria start in tho Winter Cup Sid. Reid will be found in tho saddle, which means that another horseman will have to be found for Try Fluke. Wee Olga, Black Watch, Polly Perkins, Lady Dalrymple, and Miss Kolmar are amongst those who will visit Elysian this spring. Taketumu and Hinerewa are booked to Coronet. The disappointing Hazelton is causing his trainer, J. Chisholm, some trouble of late, and the chestnut has been an absentee from the track for gome little timeBallygowan is amongst J. Williamson's team being kept going at top, and will be seen out with the colours up at the approaching hunt meetingThere is a proposal in New South Wales to fix the distance for two-year-old events at tho back end of tho season at six furlongs. The Papakura— Dovo gelding in Koss Heaton's charge is a bold stamp of a racer, and will belie his looks if he does not turn out useful on the turf path. Self is being moved along in her work at .Ellerslie, and was noticed striding along very free on the sand last Thursday morning. F. Tutchen, who suffered a broken member off Merrie La.d at Gisborne, was at latest advice, taking his enforced rest in that township.

Lady Sabrotacho is being pushed along in her work. She was sent along as fast as. she could go on the sand last Thursday morningCaptain Jack is favourite in most quarters for the Grand National Steeplechase, though there is a fair demand to support The Spaniard in preference in others. Shuja is now at stud duty in South Australia, and all efforts to get the son of Soult— to stand a further preparation have been abandoned. Bcdfovl had Ulster as a companion on the sand track at Ellerslic on Thursday morning, but of course the latter was little use to the son of Bunyan. Bransfield is spoken of as the most likely maiden hurdle performer to create a surprise in this year's Grand National, despite his failure in the sticky going at Trontham last Saturday. In future no jockey's retainer will be recognised in New Zealand unless it is in writing by tho parties and registered with the secretary of the Racing Conference. Lady Penury and Pendoon, two rising three-year-olds, are being hacked about at H. R. McKenzio's Mangere property prior to being placed in work. Mr. W. Ryan is expected back from Sydney by Sunday's boat, though it is unlikely that Merrimax is being brought back from Sydney. Word from tho South is 'to the effect that everything is not right with Clynelish (Soult —Replete). An enlarged fetlock is the troublo. Lady Gwendoline, the Sir Laddo mare in F. Stenning's stables, is showing gome pace in her essays at Ellorslio. J. Tilsley will bo amongst the Auckland horsemen! present at Riccarton next month in starch of riding engagements. N. Cunningham sent Lucitana and Blueform for a few furlongs on Thursday morning. The latter showed up nicely. There was an unlimited supply of money from all over New Zealand in George's favour for the race lie won at Trentham Kow was a costly proposition at Trontham to followers of the Tilley stables. Third was tho best Kew could do each day. Arthur Julian, C. Coleman, and W. G. Irwin will all be on their way to Riccarton within a few days. Chortle, Multiply, Ruapani, and Grey King arc all expected at Riccarton within a Jew days. F. Meagher expects to be well enough to ride Grey King in tho Grand National Hurdles. If taken South, Mistie will be ridden in his engagements by C. Browne. The Celt will probably join E. Pope's stables later on.

TROTTING ITEMS. T. Richards will in future utilise the track at Favona' Farm, Mangere, to educate his trotting team, which course Mr. J. Lennard was associated with in years gone by. Reuben, Waverley (Galindo Thelma), Lady Child, a maiden by Harold Dillon—Cissy Wood, Miss Ray (full sister to St. Michael), Ash Dillon (Harold DillonArelight), and Royal Albert are the most conspicuous members of his team just at present. The rising three-year-old gelding by Galindo—Archangel, brought from the South last April, has been affeced with strangles, ana is not ready to place into work x e tW. McMasters is now established at Helensville, where Clive and Walnut are under his care. It is said St. Abbs and King Capitalist will join his team shortly. It would not be surprising to note J. Tilsley taking out a license to ride trotters this coming season, for he has been noticed at Alexandra Park riding work since his return from the South. C. Hird, who now occupies the stables vacated by F. Loomb at Remuera, is very busy with his team. A. Julian has a couple of trotters under his tuition—Golden Rose and an unnamed gelding. STUD NOTES. As is well-known the season just closed marked the debut on the turf of tho first descendants of Hymettus, tho horse imported from England three years back by the Hon. J. D. Ormond. A perusal of two-year-old form shows that six of the descendants of HymettU6 won in stakes £2175, which must be accepted as satisfactory from a money point of view. Hvmettus being a descendant of Cyllcne, who _ traces to many celebrated families, it will be a surprise should he not work himself into a good position in the sires' list. There is, however, an impression that descendants of Hymettus are likely to be more noted for speed than endurance.

"DOPING" ALLEGATIONS. JOCKEY CLUB SATISFIED. By Telegraph Press Association—Copyright, Lonto.y, July 23. The English Jockey Club announces that the saliva taken on Wednesday week at tho second July meeting at Newmarket from the horso Red finch after he had won a race, showed no trace of doping. The stewards had the saliva of Redfinch tested, because tho horse showed unusual excitement before and after the race. Tho Stewards announce that they will occasionally have the saliva of horses examined, in order to satisfy themselves that rule 176 was observed. They would not, however, publish the results unless thoy discovered that dings had been administered. AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. The following is the report 0 be presented at die annual general meeting of members of ( ho Auckland Racing Club, on Monday, 3rd prox.:— " iou' ci.mmittco have much pleasure iu submitting the annual statement of accounts to Juno 30 last, and at tho same time congratulating members on the continued prosperity of tho club. The wisdom of tho policy of increasing the stakes has been fully borno out by results. The number of days' racing waa the same as in the previous season, and tho stakoa given were £35,7-10, an incroaso of £3065; and a still further increase is proposed for the coming season, lho expenditure during the year has been very heavy, as many important works, sucn as additions to the grandstand and erection of new buildings at a cost of some £15,000, have been carried out, while the formation of the new entrance and general re-laying out of the paddocks, etc., have been all but completed. The item, improvements, £8905 14s 2d, has been entirely written off, together with depreciation of buildings, etc., £3505 2s Id, leaving a balance to be transferred to capital account of £616 17s 7d. Notwithstanding tho extension of the limit of membership to 300 during the season, there arc still soveral gentlemen nominated as mem- ' ors for whom there are no vacancies, and i. proposal has been made to mcot this position by excluding lifo members in reckoning tho 300- Another proposition is mado by yonr committee that members should agree to pay Is admission to the course, a fee which would also bo charged on all complimentary and ladies' tickets, and they would like an eiproEsion of the opinion of members on this matter. The Hon. E. Mitchelson, president; Mr. H. T. Gorrie, vice-president; and Messrs 8. Bradley, F. Earl, O. Nicholson, H. O. Nolan, and G. W. S. Patterson, retiring committeemen, being the only ones nominated for the respective positions, will be declared duly elected- Messrs- James Coo. J. Gallagher, J D. Jones. M. M. MeCalUim, Charles E. Palmer, and G. A. V'ynyard have been proposed to fill the three seats on tho stewards of the club, as per Rule 41.

GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. ACCEPTANCES. [nr TELEGRAPH. —mESS ASSOCIATION.] CnßißTCHtrncH, Friday. The following acceptances hare been received for the Canterbury Jockey Club's Grand National meeting:-— GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE, threti miles and a-half — Bercola 11.18, Peary 11 13, Captain Jack 11.13, The Spaniard 11.10, Sir Lethe (inc. 14lb penalty) 1110, Gltnmore 11.4, Jackmau 11.8. Paritutu 10.11, Exotic 10.10, Tim Doolan 10 2, Sportsman 0 12, Kauroa 9 12, The Chief 9.8 Darby Paul 9.7, Fond Memory 9.7, True Blue 9.7, Kaipetipcti 9.7. WINTER CUP, one mile —Tannhausser 1013, Thrax 10.11, Mummer 10 8, Kniiiki 10.5, Multiply 10 3, Kimbombi 9.13, Black Lupin (inc 81b penalty) 9.13, Chortle 912, Gipsy Belle 9 11, Clynelish 91J,, Try Fluke fino. 6lb penalty! 911, Raupani 910, Royal Arms 9.7, Sveaborg 9.7, Salzburg 9 7, Silver Shield 9.6, Mount Victoria 96, Gnome 9.4, Troon 92, Iliads Hero 9.0. Slogan 9 0, Briar Patch 9.0, Amber and White 9.0, Listen 9.0, Charlcrose 9.0, Glenonjrley 9 0. GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES, of two miles —Player 11.7, Kilmenny 11.2. Morning 11.1, Grey King 10.12, Admiral Soult 10.5, Julian 10.5, Beacon 10.4, Leant a 10 4, Ngatiionui 10 4. Royal Arms 913. Sam Pan 9.13, Cheddar 9.12, Sunbeam 9 8 Ruatangnta 9.6, Morecambe 9.4, Golden Water 9.2, Diavolo 9.2, Bransfield 9.0, Corrie 9.0. PAKURANOA HUNT MEETING. Nominations for all events tf> bo run at the Pakuranga Hunt Club's meeting, close with the secretary at his ofTifo, Vulcan Lane, on Friday, August 14, at 9 p.m. COURSING AT STAMFORD PARK. Tho Great Northern Coursing Club will open their July meeting on Wednesday next, with an All-Aged Stake, A number of noted Southern dogs are competing, and some excellent coursing is assured.