SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17125, 2 April 1919, Page 11

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. New Zealand. April 2, Hawko'n Bay Jockey Club. April 2, Gore Racing Club. April MatamaU Racing Club. April 6. Auckland Trotting Club. April 19. 21—Auckland Racing Club. April 19, 21—Riyerton Racing Club. AprH 20—New Zealand Metropolitan Trot ting Club. April Waimate Plains Trotting Club. April 21Alexandra Racing Club. April 21—Waipukurau Jockey Club. April 21, 23—Feilding Jockey Club April 21, 22—Canterbury Jockey Club. April 2S—Weatland Raoing Club. April Greymouth Jockey Club. April 26, 28—Wairarapa Racing Club. April 26, 80—Avondale Jookey Club. May 1, New Brighton Trotting Club. May 7, B—Manawatu Racine Club. May 17, 21—Otahuhu Trotting ClubMay 22, 24—Wanganui Jockey Club. May 81, June 8, s—Auckland Racing Club ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Ellerslie."—The official word shows that Kakama (7et 6lb) defeated General Lateur (Bst 8lb) by a neck when she won the A.R.C. Eiwtcr Handicap of 1912. Th« time reoorded was lm 40s. " Wager," Wanganui.—Soult wan bought by Mr. J. 0. Hayward in England, and the horse in question was imported to New Zealand by that gentloman- It is computed that descendants of Soult have won stakes to the value of something -like £175.000. The winnings of descendants of Muskot amounted to £135,011. "Waima."—The following is & list of the horses that have carried 9st or over to victory in the A.R.C. Eaeter Handicap since the distance of that event was reduced to a mile:—Advance Oat 6lb). Nonette (Sat lllb), Gold Croat (9st), Merry Roe Oat), Chortle (9sl 7lb). Advance, Nonetto, and Gold Crest each ranked aa a three-year-old whet they respectively accomplished the winning foat in the Ellerslie race. " Popgun," Notf Plymouth.— Tho dieace of the Great Northern Hurdle Race won by Battleaxo was two miles. 2. Percy Johnson steered the winner of the Great Northern Steeplechase on four occasions, Jenny (1890). Muscatel (1898), Dummy (1899), and Kialere (1905) being the horses to score in his hands in the Ellerslio cross-country race. NOTES BY PHAETON. AUCKLAND AUTUMN MEETING. The character of the acoeptanoes and general entries posted in connection with the approaching autumn meeting to be held at Ellerslie afford excellent grounds for sounding tie optimistic note, for all round thoy may be said to exceed the most sanguine expectations. What will be popularly hailed as ft highly-pleasing feature of the acceptances for the Easter Handicap is the inclusion of Desert Gold's name therein. The heroine of many a hard-fought race is set a stiff task to win the milo race under 9st 13lb, but with the ground in a satisfactory state aho can be depended to make a bold bid to extend her winning record. A brace of ipmortant Cup' winners in the shape of Mascot (Bst 21b) and Dusky Eve (7st 9lb) are included in the list, and altogether th** mile race is invested with a deal of interest. The classic events also present an interesting picture, nine figuring in the Oaks and 11 in tho St. Leger, while no less than 17 have been loft in the Champagne Stakes. HAWKE'S BAY CUP. The attention of those in touch with turf events will to-day be directed towards Hastings, where the Hawke's Bay Cup comes up for decision. The 10 horses that figured in the race at the date of the acceptances should hold their places as probable contestants, and it is on all hands recognised that Mr. Coyle has succeeded in well concealing the winner. Menelaus, Dusky Eyo, Sweet Corn, and Star Lady, who figuro among the acceptances, have each recent winning form to recommend them to notice, and the race betwoen Menelaus and Dusky Eve alone serves to invest the raco with ft deal of interest. The full list of ecceptances with the weights to bo carried are as follows:—Menelaus 9.1. Dusky Eve 8.3, Bonnie Maid 8.0, Kilmoon 8.0, Sweet Corn 8.0, Star Lady 7.5, Sonnino 6.10, Tressida 6.8, Eheipa 6.7, Kahumanga 6.7. NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS ON GERMAN SOIL. The New Zealand division on active service, and which moved up to Cologne, were apparently not long stationed there before the subject of holding a race meeting cropped up, and by a recent mail I received an interesting souvenir of the same from Major Gibbs in the shape of the racccatd issued in connection with the gathering, which took place at Kalk on January 05. The first event was the Electric Plate, and » glance oyer the names of the hones that figured in that race finds one carrying the name of Gloaming, and that an Aucklander was responsible for the equine known as Jack Dolaval wo may, I think, bo pretty sure. Tho second event was a hurdle raco for mules, and the most striking cognomen among that lot was The Hun. The Cologne Cup, which was also confined to mules, found one of the contestants nominated by the 2nd Battery I bearing the name of Desert Gold, and John Barleycorn, Weloomo Nugget, and Waiuku were other titles well known in New Zealand. The Rhine Steeplechase, for mules, and which was run over a six-furloiu course, found many of the contestants with humorous titles, Short Rations, Skinny, and Chaflcutter being specimens. Major Gibbs says the meeting 1 was a huge success, and some very exciting ; finishes were witnessed. Amongst tho oflii cials at the meeting was Captain W. C. Ring, the well-known veterinary, *ho acted as starter. ! A JOCKEY BRAVE. i Amongst the brave New Zealand boys who - readily answered the call when the war-gong r sounded in the land in August,, 1914, was i William O'Shea, and it is gratifyin ( to learn . that the norseman in question, ihoigh gassed and wounded, has come through the ordeal 1 of war. Writing me from London, Mr. • James O'Connor says:—"Many New iZealanders will be interested to know that Private William 0 Shea, of Chualchurch, New Zoaland, leaves for New Zealand next Friday, .February 7, from Liverpool O'Shea, who served his apprenticeship with Robert Derrett, of Christchurcii, let New Zeaiand with the first draft of horses for Egypt in October. 1914. Whilst serving with the forces in Egypt he rodo at several race meetings, ridrop 17 winners out of 35 mounts. The 5 first torse he rode he steered to victory at Cairo. Most of the winners ho trained himself. Before leaving England he had an • offer of a string of jumpers to train and ride i- during the present season., but after his i [our and a-half years of active service his one wish is to return to his native land. '* O'Shea was passed in France in 1917, and in t November, shortly before the armistice was signed, he had the misfortune to be hit in • the neck with a piece of shrapnel. I am ' pleased to state that he is quite all right - again."

AN OLD-TIME STORY. | i In recounting reminiscences in connection ■ i with the Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup, " Milroy," of the Sydney Mail, I fi&yi.— " The Newmarket Handicap of 1886' is the most sensational bound up in the nis- ' tory of the great sprint handicap. Coronet, who was ownod by Messrs. Robertson Bros., started at a short price, and his erratio owners won, perhaps, the largest stake over collected over a Newmarket. Coronet was trained privately at ivingaion, near Melbourne, under the astute eye of J. D. Robert- ( son, a cous.n of the norse s gilded owners, wno were twins, and inseparable. these ' uniortunates toll from afliuence to abject poverty. They inherited large fortunes .rom their father upon coming of age, but it quickly disappeared, 'they were not nttod by nature to handle large moneyß, and the keen-eyed members of the ring were not slow in recognising this lack, and quickly relieved them of the incubus. Being simple, gilded " flats,' the twins were much sought alter by a section of the ring. Tho layors would ; nut in high odds to large amounts if the: twins showed the slightest deposition to ' support anything that was not considered choice by the talent. When they asked lo: Coronet at a long price they were accommo- 1 dated to large money, and kept going till they and their commissioners, Sam Rainsbury and A. Harper, were accepting big And' small bets at urt odds. Then "Joo" Thompson and his merry ' men arrived at the conclusion that I they wore up against something better than usual, and wero sure of it when Coronet fairly homped home for the Newmarket. Ham Raisbury, Harper, J. D. Robertson, and [ ' the twins,' all threw in heavily. On the, eve of the Australian Cup at Mooneo Val-1 ley races they came at the ring again awl bombarded it with Coronet money for the Cup. The opening price waß sto 2, but •the' commissioners only got on a more £ iojOOO that afternoon at an average of , 2to 1 Next day thoy took 6to 4 and even money on the course. Coronet cleared rigut out in the race, and at the abattoirs he was about loOytls in front, and 10 to 1 was offered on him, but at the bend he jinked his back, and was rendered helpless. . Bo the rini were »wd a most Bonwtionai incident. Coronet never need uta. [

ST. LEGERS AT ELLERBLIE. " Did the Auckland Racine Club promote a St. Legei at EUerslie prior to 1911 (Desert Gold's year)?" is the nature of ' Query that came' 10 me during the presen week. Such serves to revive old-time tur history in Auckland, and the mterestini little fact to bo related is that from th< very outset of its career the A.R.C. strucl & note for classic races, and that a tit Leger was included amongst the eventi coming within the select category. The firs St. Locor was contested at Wlerslie in tin autumn of 1876. There wore only a brao of starters. viz., Mr. Alfred Buck, and'a Ane and Mr. W. Walters' Izaak Walton. I was a case of odds on Ariel, and liaal Walton, who had a habit of bolting off ih< track when the pressure was on, getting ol such a performance. Ariel came in by mm self for the initial St. Letter run undo A.R.C. rules. In 1877 Mr. W. Walters sup plied the winner with the Dainty Arielfanny Fisher colt Hippocampus, Captaii Wa.msiey's Aerolite being the only othe contestant. The euccoedmg year found Mi Waiters again credited with the winner, i filly name! Venus Transit, a daughter o Ciedmere and Peeress, finishing in front o Mr. A. Buckiand's yueen Mab. The A.K.C withdrew the St. Leger in 1879, but rein stated it six years afterwards, and in 188' it again figured on the autumn programme The Cadogan—Steppe filly Lady Norah, wh' carried the colours of Mr. W. Bobbett. wa gummed up as a moral, but tho odds laid 01 her ability to win were nearly bowled ove by ft colt rejoicing in the name of Tedd; Yuillo, who ran the favourite to half a head ITi© following year saw the Australian-broi Sextant (by Robinson Crusoe—Sunshine sooro in the colours of Mr- 6. G. Stead Sir Walter and Bangle following him home and in 1889 Cuirassier (by Musket—Frailty won for the Messrs. Duder, a brace of fiiiie in Hilda and Hune filling the other placet Ihe year 1890 was a very barren ono so fa as Auckland was concerned, and the Muske —Florence Macarthy colt Tiralleur, owne< by Air- Spencer Gollan, had a walk-ovei Ihe A.R.C. had previously decided on drop ping the St. Leger, and with Tiralleur' wa.k-over marking the closing stage of th milo and three-quarter classic race at tha stage it was generally hold that 'he prope course had been, taken. Tho Wellmgio: Racing Club deciding on a similar coure some three years back in regard to the Nei Zealand St. Leger Stakes, the A.R.C. Coir mntoe instituted the Great is&rthera St Leger Stakes. On a reconsideration of th question, howover, tie Wellington RacTni Club decided on reinstating the St, Lego on; their autumn programme, so that w now have two St. Legers in the Dominion and both are run in the North Island. ABOUT BETTING SYSTEMS. One of the best-known storting writers i England is " Rapier." Ho has a stron objection to all systems of boning. In recent paragraph ho states that a correspoi dent " would like to be told if 1 can suppl any hint as to ' how a man may improvo hi chances of holding his own with the ring' —a not unnatural aspiration. Furihermor< ho wonders if 1 have changed my mind at a. as to the futility of systems'/ My objectio to systems— addition to tho conviction the thoy do not pay—is that they aro so opposo to the spirit of truo sport, being merely moan attempt at grubbing. The the roughbrod horse trained for the race is sue a beautiful animal that it is degradation t use him as a counter in a game. "I hav so often gone into tho matter c detailed objections to systems that feel it would be tedious to r< peat them. Here are two, however. Th attempt to back first, socond, or third ft vouritos as tho case may be, which is th commonest practice, I suppose, is tolerabi i certain to upset tho system, bocause favoui ] ites often chance places so frequently an Iso rapidly, Whon you have made your be | you are liable to find that you have no backed tho animal that tho system requires I You cannot, again, bo certain of getting or ! for bookmakers will not always lay agams I your horse In tho matter of systems, ; cannot help ' Open Ditch.' If ho must bet , he might carefully select two or three goo • horses and follow them whenever they run : 1 suppose ho is very likely to lose money : nevertheless, there is at least some olemen of sport about the proceeding." LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOO The influenza epidemic raging in Syino; having brought about the abandonment -> I the Royal Agricultural Show, matters ii connection with the holding of the Auutraliai Jockey Club's Autumn Mooting, fixed fo; faster, would appear to bo a little uncertain , The cablegrams received from Sydney, how ever, rnako no mention of oven a possibh postponement of the Randwick gathering and another Doncaster Handicap and Sydney Cup may go into the records in duo font this month. The ex-New Zoalander, H. Cairns, th< woll-known horoeman who has been ridint with conspicuous success in Australia, mo with an accident recently while motor-cycl inc. and it is hold to be unlikely that hi v.ill bo able to do any race riding for somt tune. Cairns has had the (act brought home . to him in a very pointed manner, that as mucl risk has to be taken in a run on a motor ■ cycle than in raco riding, even over obstaclos | The Auckland-bred gelding Tararu Jacl : who baa boon acquitting himself attractive)) across country in Victoria of late, firuroi among those to be engaged in tho Grea Eastern Steoplechaso, and thr.t tho handi cappcr for that ovont has chanced nothing with the Spalpeen fielding in that race maj be interred from tho fact that 12st 7lb i! placed- opposito his name. As the distance o the Great Eastern Steeplechase extends t< threo miles and a-quortor that will not, bj nil accounts, bo to the advantage of Tarari . Jack. Tho Canterbury Derby winner The Toft I who has proved a pronounced discappoint ment since ho has been racing in Australia figures in the Onkapartnga Cup with Bst 21b i It is i considered probablo that Boniform 1 ! , good-'ookinj; son wn. tako a hand in thi : finish. ' Melbourne papers now to hand show thn the victory registered by New Tippernry ir . tho Australian Cup at Flemington on Marcl . 16 has to be entered up with the surprises associated with the long-distance handicap 1 Tho son of I'ositano, who v;a9 pretty wel : friendless at 20 to 1, finished up his tasl , in fine style, and won by two lengths li , . dm 59Js. (I Tho ei-Anitralian ridor B. Cardaks, wh( ; ! has been riding with much credit in Eng • , land, appears to have got right on the ores! . ; of th-j wave, promising future marked sue cess, as two prominent stables have firs' ' and socond calls respectively on his services ' In referring to Carnlake, " Vigilant" writei i as fellows in the London Sportsman:—"; [ am, as previously stated, a groat admirer o Carslakes methods, but there is ono thins I cannot understand, and that is his in ' ability to rido with his whip in the ri?hl i hand, which must bo a disadvantage, ana ] i think has caused him to lose more than on( . race in which the transfer would have mad( , ■ all the difference." ' > The English-bred filly Bonny Briar, whi ■ ' won the Juvenile Handicap at tho Wanganu ; ; meeting in February, figures among thi t acceptances for the A.R.C. Easter Handicap ) to be run at Ellerßlie on the 19th inst. Bonn; " ! Briar, who is a daughter of Bona Rosa ant " | Spring Briar, is credited with having a fim . dash ot pace, and is looked upon as & mos i promising mare. The Demosthenes—Lady Lucy colt Lncit who won the Trial Stakes at the Woodvill. meeting, and who is engaged in the Grea Northern Foal Stakes, figures among the ac ceptajicca (or the Nursery Handicap, to b< run at Hastings. Lucid has been awardei 8 Bst Sib, or 221b below the top-weight, Hetaua a It is made quite coram that in decidini j on an autumn campaign Mr. T. H. Lowr , decided in favour of Ellorslie as agains '* Riccarton. Tho Hawke's Bay sportsman ha '• the following horses engaged at the A.R.C " meeting:— Gold, Killowen, Lucid 1 Warlike, and Rod Pepper. 1 A proposal is on foot to form a club a Pukelcobe, to bo known as the Franklii 't Racing Club A preliminary meeting is con d I vened to bo held during the present week a II 1 Pukekoho, when it is expected that, the pro 8 | ject will tako a definite shape. 6 ' The English-bred Cynic figured amcrog th. ■t ( contestants for the Autumn Handicap at th t- I Poverty Bay meeting on Saturday, but th D I best he could do was to finish third to Maste 6 Iney and Multivo.

Advices to hand from Riccarton. credit Gloaming galloping with his old brilliancy, and the crack is expected to extend his wimnin? record when the C.J.C. meeting is underweigh this month. Advices to hand from Sydney credit Biplane with training on very satisfactory, and should nothing unforeseen oc.-ir there seems every prospect of the son r' Comedy King being again seen under silk at an early date. Nominations for all events to be ran at tho Alexandra Racing Club's meetin/r close on Saturday next with the secretary, Mr. W. McCarthy.

j NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE. 1 The ailment from which Spanner is ' affected is not easily detected by the casual ! observer, but is sufficient to ciuse his immediate connections some concern, and called ' for a halt to bo made in his preparation for the Easter Handicap. This is distinctly unfortunate, for he was just beginning to thrive well, and promised to strip at. his very best on the 19th inst. The trouble is supposed to have been caused by the horse rickin" himself, but it ia quite possible the son of The Nut will throw off the ailment. After indulging in heat work yesterday I afternoon— trotting and cantering—Spanner ! walked home to his Quarters displaying no ! signs in his action of any trouble, and it is ' to be hoped he will stand the winding-up gillops in a manner which will permit him to produce his best form in the Easter mile. «i the present time, the veterinary surgeon ' and those directly concerned are naturally anxious to know what effect a few hard gal- '. lops will have on the son of The Nut. Benzine, who has been a keen disappoint--1 ment on the flat since going into the hands I of his present owner, is to be tnod over urdles The chestnut was Bchooled at headquarters yesterday, and shaped satisfactorily. Tenacious was sent to Matamata, where i he will contest the cup event to-morrow. ' There is a handsome trophy in connection 1 with the race, besides a cash prize. The son of Gluten will be ridden by the apprentice. Hamilton, who steered Royal Tri6h to victory in the Ohinemuri Cup. Tlu allowance will probably be claimed. ' Finkop. who will be- riddel, iy H. Kobinson in the Great North' rn Champagne Stakes, hit out freely in a sprint with Hessian yesterday. The latter proved a keen disappointment in the country. 1 Pretty Bobby and Bedford were compirowns lit a Bonnd pace on the tan yeaterIDMiions at a Bound p»oe on the yesterdu. Tbiio thonJd M furthar (tain stowg

.head for the former, who is 'a the easy ilass, and it should be an easy matter to ilaoe him to advantage. The son of Mania>oto may be tried over fences later on. Colonel Soult is looking nice and fresh ately. He was schooled in company with larryowep on. Saturday last. The latter ;ave diotmot promise of turning out a use:ul performer over timber. Blue Cross, looking well tor , his country ] racing, was Been oui yesterday in company, ihough his task was not heavy. Mountain Gold, who filled second place in eaoh of two oountry maiden events when sxpected to earn the major portion of the rtake, sprinted in company with Suverton restordw, Both are inmates of C. Coleman's jtable. The former may win in minor com3 any later on. W&imai is back again at Ellorslie, being ?ot ready to contest the Brighton Hurdles, in Which he has the handy impost of 10st, Next to Thrace, he is in most demand, with renaoious held next in public esteem. C. Coleman now has Bridgie and Middlemark under his charge. The pair look improved with their country racing and may bo placed to a profit later. The latter has been given every chance, not having been hurried. He finished fifth in a maiden class at Paeroa, The steeplechaser Spalperion, one of F. Tonne's team, is standing the strain of a f«.ir preparation, and has improved vastly in appearance as a result of his exertions at Thames, Fabriquette, who is being much discussed since winning a double at Thames, had Emerald Hill and another as companions in her work yesterday The daughter of Vaaco has been a long time coming back to form, but Cunningham appears to have her right at present. J,. Twohill's team are back at Rerauera, having arrived from Thames during the week-end. The Channel and Ma Copper have been transferred from E. Pope to E. Stewart. Stilts, who has not beer indulged in a great deal of racing this eeason, was among those worked on the tan yesterday at a serviceable pace. Ho bears a healfhy appearance. Meltonio and Comedy Prince were a pair of A. Robertson'B team noticed indulging in useful work yesterday. Northland is still at Paeroa. He is reported to bo suffering from Unsoundness, which prevents his removal. Royal Irish still stands up to solid work, and the aged son of Sou 11 has apparently thrived on his country exertions. E. Warner and S. Henderson are both making satisfactory recoveries from the tails Buffered at the country meetings. .Mullinear was noticed indulging in serviceable work over six furlongs yesterday in company with Penella. The former gave evidence of a desire that the pace be made faster than it was. Glucian is back again at under Chisholm's charge and is striking out bettor in his work than ever. He has won a few stakes, and, as he performs best when the turf is soft, will soon bo afforded an opportunity by winter lacing. The son of Gluten was not raced at Thames owing to the death of a relative of tho owner. Llansinnor appeared to hit out boldly in Ms work on the sand yesterday. His trainer ovidently h&B winter racing in view with the relative to defunct Fionualla. P. Conway was handling a juvenile colt at Elloralio yesterday by Lucullus from ■To Aroha, Kauri King brightened up considerably with the race he had at Thames, and should soon be back to his best form to contest hurdle events. The son of Soult and Sawdust will, no doubt, prove a payable proposition during the winter months. Olga Po'.rova was a member of Stenning's team who sprinted half a mile yesterday. This relative to Jack Delaval has yot to make good on tho race track. S. Hodge has left tho employ of J. Lambegs, and will be bu6y with a team of his own shortly. Marble Star defeated, a oompanion in a sprint yesterday, and, though she has failed of late to make good in public, can still muster up some pace in her work. Tho American-bred Slow Coach, "vho is in Pope's care at present, defeated Uoid Plane over half a mile run in under 5Js yesterday. The former may belie Ilia namo when thoroughly seasoned to racing, but wants time. The Tres&idy—So So representative TreßO finished up in front of Canowindra over threo furlongs on ;ho grass yesterday Canowindra looks nice and healthy. Monocrat, who passod through tho auctioneers' hands last week, wan associated with Master Rose in a sprint yesterday, the pair finishing together. Killard worked on the grass yesterday at a useful pace only. Ltinbess' charge has been allowed to freshen up somewhat uinoo raced at Paeroa. Mflrcont appears to have taken a new lease of life, and hit out freely on the tan yesterday. Another member of C Coleman's team looking bright was To Miro. J. Adolph, recently returned from tho front, was noticed riding work yesterday. Ho was steering the Elysian—Miss Nelson peldinE which id'one of the Alison, team in Podo's care. To Onso wufl noticed back at Ellorslio lately, and has freshened up during his spoil from the racepath. M. D. O'Shea has engagements to fill at the Hawke's Bay Cup mating. Ho is to ride tho two-year-old Bitholia .in the Hawked Bay Stokes. Jacaranda is again being persevered with at Ellorslio. He is above himself in condition at presentSince Formalin competed unsuccessful'.- in the country her owner trainer has not been over-taxing her. She was noticed being leu" about yesterday. Kinkora is a Brighton Hurdles candidate which is being nibbled at in connection with that event. The chestnut appears to be standins a fair preparation. Taunaha is one of the most discussed candidates in the Easter Handicap inn* mid most of those who have seen the Hawke's Bay representative in action will hardly listen to the invisibility of defeat with he minimum impost. Taunaha has engagements at Hawke's Bay fhi« week, when some better idea may be formed of its prospects for Ellerslio. However, the fort tint Mr, J. jj. Henry's deemed it advisable to place 7st Gib against Taunaha's namo for the Great Easter at Riccarlon has caused the lightweight to conic in for a deal of support for the Ellerslie event. Tile owner of Kereone writes denying the report that £100 had been offered for that ceding prior to the Thames roeei'ng. He states that " he will not be long doing business at the figure named if the cash is put up," The owner in question fenrs that tho false statement may bo apt to prejudice the handicapping of his gelding for future event), and. also resents any booming of his other candidate. Don't, who, though raced right out for four seasons, has only won two races. C. Morse, the Gisbome owner-trainer, has booked accommodation for three horses at the Harp of Erin in connection with the approaching autumn meetings at Ellerslie and Avondale. H Telford has alio booked boxes at tho same place. J. O'Shea rode Snub in both his recent successes in Victoria, and when (he Masteri ton-owned candidate was responsible for the I defeat of Eusibus in the Governor's Plate | a hearty reception greeted O'Shca's return to j scale

INTER-PROVINCIAL GOSSIP. [BY TELECRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] CANTERBURY. Tuesday. W. McDonald left for the North on Wed noaday night in charge of Mr. G. L. Stead' Kilrroon and Sundance. After competing a the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club's meeting the: will gi on to Eilerslie, where Kilmoon wil take part m tho St. Leger and Sundance ii tLe Champagne Stakes at the Auckland Rac ing Club's Easter Meeting. It. was inlendei to it.elude Almoner in the team, but it \va decided at thn last moment to leave hir. at home, as ms prospects were not considers sufficiently hopeful. Qxenltipa was lame alter galloping earl last week, and he may have to be opeiled. The attempt to gel Marc Antony throug another preparation is not proving ver satisfactory. He was lame alter working few days ago, and he has since been an at Bentee from tho track. Though no definite announcement has bee made on tho subject, it is generally jnde; stood that Afterglow will make the trip t Eilcrslie to carry Mr. 0. D. Greenwood colours in the Ureal Northern Oaks and S Leger. She has been galloping exceptional! well lately, and will be hard to beat la bot events. Albert Cutis was married last Wcdne day, and be has been the recipient of man congratulations form his fellow-trainers t Riccarlon, cmong whom he i.i very popular. Koesian has resumed work alter a spel and he appears to be yuite sound again. Heathercoto is bowling alone freely in h •work. He has been a troublesome norse 1 handle this season, as he haß never put c condition, having; done a fair amount < racing He is being kept to iiprinting tasl now, and the treatment appears to be apre ing with him. Tho present .ntentioa is ' run him in both the Great Easter and Grei Autumn Handicaps. Glendower was off the scene for few days, the result, 1 understand, of a sligl mishap. He has resumed work, and shov no serious ill effects, so it may be presunu that the trouble was of a minor characte After his success in the Great Autumn Ha dicap a year ago, Glendower looked a ra good prospect, but he has gone through th season bo far without winning a race. I has, however, been a trifle unlucky, as he h been placed several times. The announcement that Desert Gold hi been withdrawn from the Great Easter ai Great Autumn Handicaps will cause consid( able regret. The All Black mare is alwa an attraction at any meeting, _ and, aps from the prospect of seeing her in action the Great Easter Handicap, many pcor were looking forward to the chance of seen her oppose Gloaming once more in the Chi Isnge Stakes. This last-named race will n< lose much of its interest, as it looks as the two-year-olds would have to provide i the opposition to Gloaming, and the mann in which he treated Surveyor over half a m does not augur well for the chances of t juveniles in the battle over seven furlongs Royal Star, who fell while taking part the Southland Cup on Wednesday, had similar experience at Trentham early in t Rearon, Two falls in flat races within a f< months may have a serious effect on I future racing, and for that reason the ac. dents were particularly unfortunate, as Boy Star gave promise of developing into a pi former of more than useful class, That should turn out well need cause no surprii He is by Martian, his dam being Lady V toria. by Pilgrim's Progress— Lilian. ' Phaeton—Lady Zetland, to that he beast* von •trend pedigiM on both nasa,

WELLINGTON. Tuesday. The Trentham trainers, J W. Lowe and J. Ayres, have gone up to Hastings. The former took Menslaus and Cooing, and Acres had with him Bonny Maid and Battle ArrayBoth cud candidates are expected to go well. Cooing will probably show up in the once round, in which she is nicely treated. A. Raid will ride Lowe's pair and B. Deeley will have the mount on Bonny Maid and Battle Array. There is every indication that J. McLaughlin will take Rebekah to Ellerslie tor tie A.B.C. Autumn Meeting. It in the opinion here that Handicapper P. MacManemin has treated her very leniently in the Kaster Handicap. The Jjenzom&n niiy has a large circle of admirers here, who reckon that ehe is not much below weight-tor-age form. ' Royal Exchange (King Rufus—Commerce), who has been off the scene for a couple of montns owing to a cut icg, Is again in work in irenuiani, and is striding aioug treeiy on the tracks, bhe will be given a race at me \Vellmgton Racing Club s Autumn Meeting. A patron 01 J. Mciiaugn.in 8 siaoies 'nas leased ine isezonian yueen youngster iroui her breeuvr- ihia liiiy nas ueeu wen done since being weaned, and she snouia cume to hand quickiy. At tho conclusion of the Wellington and Manawatu meetings Mascot, Meneiaus, ana Couiug will be eased up for the winter months. beaaown had his first jump this season at Trentham last week. He did not shape well over Uie first coupie, but was doing better at the finish. H. McSweeney was down to school him. Ihe owner of Gi&nd Duchy, who is shortly leaving on a business trip to Australia, had made a present ol the horse to a friend in Dunedin, and in future too disappointing tiuiand guiding will be trained by C. Curistie at Wingatui.

WANGANUI. Tuesday. Wanganui owners and trainers had a good innings at Bulls, as Vance won a double for Mr. J. H. Parsons, Zoia ran ,i first and a second ior W. ttayuer, ana Zola did toe came ior Mrs- A. J. turnery, while Siarengo won the tireaifotd Siauos lor Mr. W. Brown. Evidently the racing over hurdles which Zola has had recently baa done him good. On the first day at Bulls he won the Welter in fine style, galloping as well as ever he did while he put up another fine performance on the second day in beating all but Nobleman. Previously the son of Sweet Simon

Beidom did any good at all when away lrorn home, as he went right oil his feed. If the gelding keeps free of the bleeding trouble, be should not be long in winning again for W. Rayner either on the flat or over hurdles. . Zi'la's success on tho second day at Bulls was due in a great measure to the tine riding ai young P. Rayner, who '•" showing much promise as a horseman. With more experience he should make a name for himself, as he uses his head, which is more than can be said for a number of other riders. Kayner scored mree wins at Bulla. In both of her races at the Rangitikei meeting Vance showed fine sprinting ability, as she won all the way and cut out the five furlongs in fast time. Mow that she has broken her spell of bad luck the daughter of Advance—Daisy Clipper might continue in winning vein. She is a fast beginner, bu l whether she will be mu:h good at distances over six furlongs remains to be seen. W. Kayner has just taken in hand a 17-month-old filly by Absurd out of La Strata, an Australian-bred mare by Grafton. The youngster in question is built on lines which suggest that she should be ible to gailop, and she promisee to furnish into a finelooking two-year-old. F. Tilley will not take anything over for the Hawke's Bay meeting. Client is very well, but on the Wanganui running his prospocts against Dusky Eve were not fancied by his connections, as the son of Elevation is recognised as being on the downgrade. Amythas was also engaged at the mooting, but will not make the trip. It is probable both will be seen out at the Feiiding meeting. 'Olio disappointed his connections again at Bulls, where the best he could do was l o run a second and a third. A stable-mate in Endure also failed to do any good, and Coolpan once more let his friends down. It is understood that Captain E. Whiteman, of Wanganui, who purchased Metallum prior to the last race at Bulls, paid £100 itir the All Black mare. She can gallop, but she is so unruly at the post that backers never know when they are going to get a rut for their money with her. She behaved twdly both days at Bulls, but on the first day Cray cleverly anticipated the. barrier, and thin enabled her to win. On the second day she did not start at all. The form shown by Kurapai at the Rangitikei meeting was not very reassuring for his prospects at Auckland, wnere he is engaged in both tho Hurdle Race and Steeplechase. Still, the racing at Bulls will probably have done him a lot of good, and the Papakura roldinr: might be hard to beat in the Steeplechase at Ellerslie, as he is a safe jumper Although Star Lady won the Rangitikei Cup, for which she was a red-hot favourite, she only just squeezed home, and she did not opoonr to have much left in her. H. Rayner won a race with Starengo it Bulls, and Carmel Ar,rh shaped well in his races, while Simon pave evidence of considerable improvement since ho was last seen out, and his tutu should come soon. Rayner haa Monument in his stable now, but the Gravitat'ori gelding is not likely to race for some time. STUD NOTES. BT PHAETON. A STUD PROBLEM. The victory of Hare Hatch at the Goodwood races in West Australia recently furnishos a striking illustration of what a lottery the breeding of thoroughbred stock really is and tho luck attached to the purchase of yearlings 'remarks " Beaeom," in the Melbourne Leader). Hare Hatch is by The Welkin (imp.) from the imported mare Light, and is therefore an own brother to the allconquering Gloaming, Both are bay geldings, but in other respects there is aa much difference between them as there is between an oyster and an orange. Hare Hatch as a yearling realised 330 guineas, and up to tho present he has not quite won that amount in stake-money. Gloaming was acquired by his present owner for 100 ituineas loss than Hare Hatch was sold for at the same age, anri, although he has only boon racing Binee he made his debut op. a racecourse in September last, he has won no fewer than 1,2 races' and run second in the other two events he codtestod, and his winnings total a sum of in,476. This is'a difference with a vengeance, and between two brothers it Boemß inconceivable why it should be so; but there lit is. Another just as extraordinary case of ! dissimilitude between two fuh-broihers that j I may incidentally refer to is Poseidon and . Uruia, vho are both by Positamo Wnp.) from • Jaciuin, uy M-utmi-henry. Tue hrsi-uauied ' won IS of the 33 races he started in and , , stakes to the vame of £19.496, while Orcus ] ; never won a race during the three seasons I he was on the turf. Orcus, by the way. was i tho highest- yearling ever sold in Aus-11 tr&lia and against the 3050 guineas which ! - Mr H. H. Denison gave for nim he never : < returned him the price of a bag of oats be- I ( yond ihe small amounts ho twice gained lor | running second. Another case of groat dis-, i I parity between blood relatives was that of I that great racehorse and aire. Nordeprteldt, . : and his lull brother. Enfilade. The late Mr | , Donald Wallace bought the last-named, privately from the New Zealand sportsman, |: ' Mr. William Robinson, at a stiff figure, yet | ' he only won one race, at Caulfield, during i 1 : the whole of his racing career. But a still i greater failure was another brother, Jacinth ' 'no relation to the other Jacinth), who was, ; ' metaphorically speaking, not worth the 1 . bridie he wore, either at the post or in the a, paddock. Such. then, is the lottery of | i breeding. I 1 Under the heading," The Evolution of Live Stock" a writer in the Live Stock Journal ? Bays—ln comparing the horse of the present 'day with his ancestral forms, the prini cipal changes noticeable are as follow.— | 1 neck has become elongated; the skull altered i i in form: the teeth greatly modified; and a 1 • I remarkable change hat taken place in the limbs and " feet"—the greatest modifica--3 ' lions having been in these latter. Seeing - ' that the horse has passed through so many 0 ( sad such tremendous changes in the way of b evolution, the question naturally anaes whe- ( . I ther this evolution is now finished, or if it, 1 i has still further to go. Biologists are for, k 'he most part agreed that there will still be some further changes, and it is the opinion I i- of several that as ages roll on modifications I y will continue to appear. Tho splint bones •t will disappear or become permanently fused I as "processes" to the shank bones; the! I, small bones of the knee and hough which ( correspond to the above will also disappear; ' a the lateral cartilages will become permanent | 0 " side bones"— least in the heavy breeds, n like Shires and Clydesdales: the bones of the | >f sternum or breastbone _ will become fused j s inlfo one, also the pelvis and sacrum; the , )- racer wit] become longer in the legs ana, 0 neck, tho draught animal shorter ana mora it massive in the limbs; while all breeds will t become more docile and more easily broken I a in It is a remarkable fact that anions tho , it ' remains of fossil horses, and even those found ■ '8 I as late as the Roman occupation, there is I d ' no evidence of the diseases of the bones of! r. I the limbs snch as are not uncommon., but I i- ' almost universal nowadays. Roads did mot, -e ! exist rfs we now know them, but roadsters were is ! walked or trotted on the (trass, and there le ! was none of the " 'Ammer, ammer, 'ammer, is lon the 'ard 'igh road." We thus find no | trace of splints, spavins, founder, navicular id ■ disease, and the other troubles so common id 'in our day. There is, however, one fossil r- . cannon-bone in the Geological Museum in is ' London, which has excrescences on exactly rt the spots where ossification takes place after in splint lameness, &nd is, therefore, suspicile ously like what horsemen call a " splint." If. The Special Commissioner wrote as follows w in the London Sportsman in December: — if "There is a demand beyond record for jhe ,U most fashionable stallions in this coming e r season. I saw only this day the refusal of le an offer of £100 premium for a nomination ie to Sunstar, and that, too, for one of the , best-bred mares in existence. (Sunstar s fee in is 30Ogns). Tracery is another horse that has a been full for a long time, and the same way 36 be said—l believe-o Black Jester. Son in w Law is in for a bie boom, as the best Dark is Ronald hoi so in England by a lons way. al The English-bred sire Hymettus is now in,r- eluded among sires owned in the Auckland « district At the d spersal sale of the Blair--1 log "stud on Friday last the highly-bred t on of Cyllene and, Sweet Balsam fell to the « bid of Mr. J. Gaddis. of MornnsnLle. who I secured him tor -tin modort Bum ol 876 |«uin*a* ,

HAWKE'S BAY MEETING.

PROSPECTS FOR TODAY. [BY TELEGRAPH.— COBEESPOVDENT.] NAPIER, Tueitday. The Hawke's Bay Cup Meeting opens tomorrow. The fields are on the larg* side, and the races look very open. There has been no rain for several weeks and the tracks are very hard In tho Cup, there is a very great difference of opinion concerning the chances of Menelaus. Dusky Eve, Bonny Maid, Kilmoon, and Star Lady, all of whom will have a large following. Meneiaus galloped well on Tuesday, when he badly beat Dusky Eve in a trial, and the latter made the- form look good by accounting for a two-year-old this morning. Bonny Maid (B. Deeley) lias got on army of, supporters and will rival the Other pair for the position of favourite. Tressida ran such a good race in the Napier Cup that her party view her prospects hopeIn the open sprint event, Sssanof will bo Gray's mount, and will be well supported. Parisian Diamond will be ridden by Hatch, and if he can repeat his form of twelve months ago be will be up with the front rank at the finish. Torfreda, Nyattd. Demos, and Bonny Briar have all shaped well, particularly Demos, who is coming on *»•} racing. Taunaha, Statuette and Old Gold , are unlikely starters in this race. For the Hurdles, Aurore, after his dual win at Gisborne, will be a good favourite, with Ore Ore well backed also. _ Battle Array has a big weight in the ttacK Welter, but the field .s .lot strcn2, and Cross Words and Master Jnoy, winners at Oisborne, are up with the top weight. They are a high-class lot in the Nursery Handicap, and the draw for positions will have an effect on the market. Fluency is not to be a runner. A good position lor Affectation, Bitholia, or Bindle would make them favourites on the machine. Taunaha and Old Gold represent the best class in the Poukawa Hark, and the latter, who is the more seasoned, may be the favourite. Gatherer also goes well over this distune*), and he will only have a light weight to carry. ~ . . Hvmarty and Recreation are the best Into™ of the Maiden field, and Cooing and Retard in the Autumn Handicap.

TEOTTING.

NOTES BY PICADOR.

Some interesting track work has been witnessed at Alexandra Park the past lew day(„ and after the arrival of most of the visitors to-day and. to-morrow, Friday should nolo the majority of competitors at the autumn meeting in lotion. A deal of interest will centre in the appearanoe of Taneatua at the approaching Auckland Trotting Club's gathering. The son of Advance will be a newcomer to Alexandra Park, but the manner in which he silenced the class he competed against at Claudelands in February gave promise last he would again figure as a stake-ear.acr when tested. Dillon, who figures among the acceptors for Alexandra Park on Saturday next, iS a member of A. Fleming's team. Tho pacer referred to was recently purchased by the Gisborne enthusiast, Mr. S. Wootton, 'Tho has experienced a deal of success at the game, mainly with Aote-a-roa, Pitaroa, and Doan Dillon. Puwhenoa, who woe the principal handicap at the recent annual fixture of tho Nelson Trotting Ciub, is booked to remain in Auckland after tho approaching meeting at Epsom. Puwhenoa is owned by two local nyortsmen, and will go into N. Cunningham's charge. , , The sporting critic of The Sun makes no secret of his belief that the Canterbury trotting owners, who have horses engaged ai ihe Auckland rowing Cub's nieeung, should be pleased with the consideration handed out to them in the handicaps, tie says- "When Mr. Edwards took what seemed like a liberty in pacing Au.hor i>i> ion on a 1.26 mark in the Auckland J.rot tine Cm>. he had plenty of har=h criticism levelled at him. Results proved that we Auckland haudicapper had not, been too lenient with the champion, ior ho. failed to run into a place- In framing his adjustments for the Campbell Handicap, a 439 class race, Mr. Edwards has accorded Cathedral Chimes just the same consideration as he did Author Dillon in placing the Oakhampion crack on a 4.26 mark. On,y last January Cathedral Chimes, off ft 4.24 mark, won the Champion Handicap it Canterbury Park, and in viow of this peridrmance Mr. Bnnkman placed him on ltSSjda behind scra'.ch, txjual to a 4.24 mark, in the Forbury Trotting Cup. In letting Bryoe representative up a couple of seconds in what | Rives every promise of being a weak held, ' Mr. Edwards has certainly offerci the Southerner every inducement. Of tH o.her Canterbury horses engaged Harold Devon is quite entitled to the limit, and may be equal to accounting for ihe otheru on the same mark. When Pitaroa won tjie President's Handicap at Auckland last January he did so easily from a 4.88 mark. Consequently his owner has nothing to complain of so far as the limit horses are concerned in only being tightened up a second. Even more favourably placed is Willio Lincoln, baling from the Bame stable. Last November, from a 4.36 mark he won the Christchurch Handicap on a slow track in 4.36 2-ss, and in being similarly trcatel his chance of conceding '-hose in front of him at Auckland only 86vds looks bright." Word from the South is to the effect that A. Brown's team will probably compete at the autumn meetings in CliNstc'iurch prior Ito crossing the water on an Australian I visit. I Mr. W. Kerr, the Canterbury breeder, intends leaving shortly on a vis't to America, i whore he may keep a shaiy look-out for suitable stork for the Dominion. ' S. Groat is now established at A. Asprey's I previous stables at Onehunga.