SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17145, 26 April 1919, Page 11

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. April 28, 80—Avondale Jockey Club. April Greymouth Jockey Club. April 26, 28—Wairarapa Racing Club, April Reefton Jockey Club. May 1 and B—Wellington Racing Club. May 1, 8-New Brighton Trotting Club. May 7, B—Manawatu Racing Club. May 10—Kawakawa Racing Club. May 14, Egmout Racing Club. . May 16, 16-Bouth Canterbury Jockey Club. May 17, 21-Otabuhu Trotting Club May 13, 14, Marlborough Racing Club. May 22, 24-Wanganui Jockey Club. May 29-Taratahi.Carterton Racing Club. May 81. June 3, Auckland Racing Club June 3, 6. and 7—Dunedin Jockey Club. June 12, Gisborne Racing Club. June Poverty Bay Turf Club. DATES OP COMING EVENTSMay 1-North Island Challenge Stakes. May 1-New Zealand St. Leger Stakes. May B—Trentham Gold Cup. May Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes. May 7—Awapuni Gold Cup. I May Manawatu Stakes. May Egmont Steepleohase. May Wanganui Steepleohase. May Century Hurdle Race. May 31—Great Northern Hurdle Race. ' June 3— Great Northern Steeplechase. Juno Qlago Steeplechase. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Sport".— value of the last Avondale Cup was £800"Kahoro," Thames.—St. Simon vrtfl four years old when he won the Great Northern Hurdle Race. He carried 12st 121b. The distance of the race that year was two miles. " Ginger. '—St. Hippo holds the weightcarrying record for a threo-year-old in con nection with the Auckland Cup. Ho won that event in 1892 under Set 9lb, which impost represents 14lb ovor weight-for-age. " Wager," Thames: In the decision if the V.R.C. All Aged Stakes of 1909,' Parsee (Sat 61b) defeated Soultline (Bst 121b). Tho I contest in question took place at the same I meeting as that at which Soultline won the ! Newmarket Handicap. " Subscriber," Ranpo.-l. St. Leger "was imported to Auckland from England when a foal. Ho was got by Doncaster (son of Stockwoll) from Atlanter (daughter of Thormanby). St. Leger raced unsuccessfully at EUorslie in the summer of 1883. 2. Takapuna was got by St. Hippo from Anna (daughter of Musket). " Australian," Taumarunui.— Of late years the Newmarket Handicap has been I ran prior to the Australian Cup. In 1878 j the latter event took precedence, the NewI market Handicap being run on the second j day. 9 The Auckland-bred Soultline (by Soult), holds the weight-carrying record in I connection with the Newmarket Handicap, ' Soultline won the race of 1909 undo" 9sl lllb. Bungebah carried flat Sib to notary I in 1891.

NOTES BY PHAETON. TWO-YEAR-OLDS AT ELLERSLTE. Though there was probably nothing of a particularly outstanding character amongst the two-year-olds that carried silk at Ellers* 1 lie this autumn, it can be said that several j filled tho oyo very pleasingly. Affectation (by Kilbroney—Simper), who led the field home in the Champagne Stakes, is a mediumsized colt that can be termed nicely balanced all round. Ho is ono of the mannerly sort, ovidently gifted with an equable temperament, and his three-year-old career is to be viewod in a pleasing light. Red Popper (by Demosthenes—Gipsy Belle), who captured the Onslow Stakes, demonstrated that ho knows how to gallop, and but for getting off badly on the second day, when contesting the Victoria Handicap, he would certainly have played a more prominonlt part in tho settlement of that event. Red Pepper Is evidently game, and he should make up into a decent colt at throe years old. MuriLiku (by Sunny Arai-to-Oru) won the Victoria Handicap from end to end, and he can certainly gallop five furlongs in attractive style. Of the defeated lot Hetaua Is possibly entitled to most attention. The Demosthenes gelding was found carrying a bright coat, which clearly showed ho had stood the hard racing exacting from him is good style. Hetaua managed to got up into third place in the Champagne Stakes, but ho was counted out of the place-getters in tho Victoria Handicap, in which race he was called upon to carry 9st 71b. Hetaua will only require to grow properly to be seen to advantage at three years old, for he has size to recommend him. Crenides (by Demosthenos— Gold Thread) was counted out of the place-gntters in the Champagne Stakes, but under Ost 21b ha beat all his field in the Victoria Handicap save Murihiku, and as he was conceding 161b to his riv.vl no disgrace attached to his defeat. Crenidcs is pretty much the same sort that contested at Ellerslie in tho summer, and he is just of moderate appearance. Lucid (by Doraosthoro9--Lady Lucy) was only seen out onco, whet lie ran unplaced in the Champagne Stokoh. Possibly Lucid is no more than moderate at present, but he is a quality-looking sort, and at three years old he may shine more attractively. THREE-YEAR-OLD WINNERS. In my notes last week I gave some figures bearing on the winnings of noteworthy horses in Australia at three years old; but a remarkable record in connection therewith was omitted simply from the fact that it did not come within the period named—viz., 1880 to 1890. Lord Cardigan, who was on the scene at'three years old in the season of 1903-1, captured stakes to j the value of £8618; and the remarkable . fact to be noted in connection therewith is ' that he did not play a part in any of the Dorby or St. Leger contests, and had therefore to work very hard to land the sum named. Lord Cardigan won the Melbourne Cup and Sydney Cup at three years j old; but those races are of more value in these days than when Lord Cardigan won. As in the case of Carbine, so in a more limited form may it be contended in the case of Lord Cardigan that if prize-money had been on the same lines in his day as that which now obtains, his winnings would be raised several thousands. Lord Cardigan, it may be remarked, died shortly after contesting the Melbourne Cup of 1904, in which he was set the severe task of endeavouring; to beat Acrasia when conceding that mare 28lb- Lord Cardigan ran the winner to three-quarters of a length; and in all probability, so it is said, the game bid he made for victory cost him hia life. Lord cardigan was a son of Poaitano and Lady Trenton.

CARBINE'S FIRST RACE. Though a period reaching to nearly 32 years has slipped by since Carbine made his debut under silk, incidents in the career of "the wonderful bay" continue to furnish interesting roading. In a recent issue of the Sydney Referee " Musket" penned tho following bearing on Carbine's first race:—"Dan" O'Brien B&id that Carbine, from the first moment of his being handled, was a kind horse and a good " doer." He was not called upon to make his debut under silk until Dncembor, and his first race was in the Hopeful Stakes, five furlongs, worth only £85 to the winner. O'Brien had other business, and could not be present at the meeting. Beyond receiving word that Carbine had won, he knew nothing of the circumstances of the race. Just after -wards R. Mason, trainer for the late Mr. G. G. Stood, said, " I have had a wire from ihei boss, Bilking that you should put a price on that two-year-old." O'Brien replied that Carbine was not for salo. Mason was insistent, and said, " Put any price you like; ask a. thousand. The boss is going to Melbourne, and he is anxious to make up a team." The owner of Carbine, however, refused to entertain the thought of a sale. Subsequently he mot a friend, Mr. E. W. Roper, who had attended the raceß at Christchurch. Mr. Roper remarked that Carbine was a wonderful colt. O'Brien replied somewhat testily, " I don't see anything in that performance to make him a wonder. I felt sure he would win." Mr, Roper observed, " It appears to me you know nothing about it, The colt was left 60yds behind at the start. I had my fiver on him, and thought what a shp.mo it was. About the distance Carbine was coming so fast that people began to say what a good thing it would have! been for him had be got away decently. They did not think ho ha* any hope of making up so much ground, yet in the end he simply walked in." After this revelation " Dan" O'Brien readily understood the eager-1 new cf Mr. Stead to bnj Carbine. J

THE GREAT NORTHERNS. Nomfnationa for the' Great Northerns of 1919 fall due yesterday, and from the respective lists published in another column it will be seen that 38 figure in the hurdle race and | 24 in tho steeplechase. It was, of course, to bs expected that the entries lodged for the first-named event would be well in advance of tho latter; but there is no disguising the fact that the cross-country division is not as strong as could be desired. Ten horsos claim the double engagement, these candidates being Tiniroto, To Onga, Thrace, Sir Fisher, Sleigbt of Hand, Waimai, Aurore, Yellow and Black, Master Lupin, and Yankee Jack. The weights are duo to make their aprwanco about the 6th prox. AUSTRALIAN-BRED SPANNER. On several occasions Mr. E. W. Alison, Jun., has been in the happy position to rejoice over the result of tho moderate speculation he entered on, when ho took a hand at the dispersal salo of the Eumaralla Stud in New South Wales in the winter of 1918. Spanner was one of the foals he purchased, and the sum involved in that particular transaction was only 75gns. During the preoent season Spanner has won stakes to the value of £1245, and he is now regarded as valuable property. There is another little incident in the career of Spanner in which Mr. Alison no doubt rejoices to the full, and that is that no one was prepared to bid the reserve of lOOgns placed on the bay son of The Nut and Dudu when he went before Mr. Henry Nolan at tho Epsom show grounds in the summer of 1917. There is reason to believe that it would take something in the shape of £3000 to buy Spanner to-day.

NEW RACE AT FLEMTNGTON. Among numerous increases of stakes at meetings at Flemington decided upon by the V.R.C. Committee sever il of them aro important. The familiar Coburg Staked of £500, run over a mile or Dorby Day. will be replaced by tho Caniala Handicap, of £2000, run over the seme distanco, and a cup valued at £100 is 10 go to the winner. This change, remarks the Australasian, is the most important made in a Victorian racing programme in roccnt years. Tho Derby and Cup doublo has fallen away greatly in a purely betting sense of late years, but the possibilities of tho Cantala Handicap and Melbourne Cup double are readily apparent, especially as tho entrioa for both races will be taken on the first Tuesday in Juno. Tho cup trophy for the new race has been given by Mr. S. Miller, a momber of the V.R.C. committee. The name of tho event is taken from that of Mr. Miller's home.

BLOODSTOCK FOR NEW ZEALAND. New Zealand sportsmen were not strongly in ovidonco at Randwick this autumn; but according to a Sydney cablegram to hand several lots are to come to the Dominion. Mr. G. Nicol bought five, and Mr. G. D. Greenwood one. The breeding of the various yearlings secured for New Zealand and the prices paid for tho same are as follows;— Gns. Brown filly by Flippant (imp.)—Glissas (sister to Gera, Quito, Bill of Rights, and half-sister to Glass Queen, dam of Wallace Isinglass), by William the Third 120 Brown colt by Flippant (imp.)— by Pistol (imp., son of Carbine)— Liane (imp., sister to Linacre) by Wolf's Craig 80 Bay colt, by Charlemagne 11. (imp.)— Fomina Plume (half-aistor to 3ratiano and Language), by Grafton (imp,) v 65 Bay colt, half-brother to Hartfell, Ayr Laonio. and Gai), by Charlemagne 11. (imp.)—Lighthoart, by Musk Star (son of Musket) ISO Bay Illy by Maltster (son of Bill of Portland) from San Dove, by San Francisco (son of St. Simon) from Grand Dove, by Grand Flaneur (son of Yattendon) ... 110 Bay colt by Varco (son of Marco) from Far Away, by Eager ... 350 LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK. Desert Gold has been left in the Manawatu Stakes, in which she is at present penalised to the extent of 31b. With the bay mare engaged in tho North Island Challenge Stokes, Trentham Gold Cup, and Awapuni Gold Cup, sho is still in a position to earn the maximum 101b penalty in the six furlongs class race at Awapuni. Rebekah, with her dashing appearance and lively disposition, is a filly to quickly ; rivet attention; and that she can muster j up a fine dash of pace she gavo pointed' evidence at Ellerslie; but staying is • ap-. parently not her forte. Bearing in mind i that the progeny of Boionian are more noted, for speed than endurance, ami that her I dam, Snowstoll, is by Clanranald, whose I descendants were not noted for skying • capacity, it is not after all very remarkable that Rebekah should find a sprint course more to her liking than ono extending over | a distance of ground. i As was to be expected, the Australian | Jockey Club are very loth to abandon their autumn meeting, which is he.d up as a result of the influenza epidemic. A recent! cablegram to hand from Sydtey states that ■ in the event of the epidomio abating audi tha club's buildings, which are now in use for convalescent patients, being available, the gathering will commence on May 3. In the decision of the Rawson Stakes at Rosehill on the 6th inst. Wolaroi (by Konilworth—Widden Lass) defeated th© Englishbred horse Rebus in decisive style. Wolaroi is said to have simply outclassed those that took part in the race, and he is marked out for important distinction at Randwick next month should the A.J.C. meeting eventuate. The Auckland colt Spanner figures amrmgst the acceptances for the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes, which event comes up for decision at Awapuni on May 8. Tho race in question is run over sii furlongs at weight-for-age, with a scale of penalties and allowances. Spanner at present is penalised to the extent of 71b, and his impost at this stage is Oat 3lb. The placings of the judge in the Great' Easter Handicap at Riccarton did not meet j with the approval of everybody present, and, 1 according to one critic, quite a number of I people were of tho opinion that Gay Lad 1 defeated Kilbrogan, whose number was j hoisted on top. The same writer gives it out that it appeared as if Red Ribbon, and not Sasanof, gained third honours. | Details bearing on the death of the New ' Zealand-owned mare Nanna in Australia are now to hand from Melbourne. It appears that while spelling at Bacchus Marsh Nanna reared up and fell over, injuring herself to such a degree that she died shortly afterwards. It may be remarked that Affectation is engaged in the A J C. Derby, and there is reason to believe that the owner of tho Kilbroney colt will make the trip to tho othor side. It is stated that the Hastings sportsman, Mr. Richmond, recently purchased Surveyor ,for 2000gns, and that the son of Nassau will in future be trained by G. Jonos. Indus, who won, the Autumn Plate at Riccarton on Monday last, is a three-year-old gelding by Danube (winner of the New Zealand and Great Northern Derbies and Now Zealand St. Leger). Nothing definite has yet boon stated as to '.he mate that will be selected tor Desert Gffd' when the time arrives for her to bo relegated to the stud. Possibly Martian will be tho horse selected. The Auckland-bred Home Rule (by Wairilti Eton Lass) is still engaged in carrying silk in. Australia, and with odds laid on his ability to win a hurdle race run at Moonee Valley recently, he duly accounted for the opposition. The Australian-bred, filly Punka, who brought off a surprise in tho Great Autumn Handicap at Kiccarton on Tuesday last is engaged in the Awapuni Gold Cup, which event is run at standard weight-for-ago over a mile and a-quarter. Tho Sinn Feiners were, when the last mail left, carrying out their threat to stop hunting in Ireland. On January 14 the West Meath Hounds were stopped by a hostile mob at Dalystown. five miles from Mullingar, and had to be called off and taken back to kennels. Victoria is now in a position to claim the credit of offering tho most valuable ?rite for a croBS-country race either in Auaralia or Now Zealand. The V.R.C. committee recently decided to raise the stake for the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase from £1260 to £2000. Golden Bronze, a son of the costly Golden Slipper, managed to win another race recently, when he scored in tho Club Handicap at Rosehill on April S. Star Lady and Afterglow, the two leading fillies in the Dominion this season, are descendants of the imported sire Demosthenes. Arthur Oliver, the _ well-known horseman, who has been on active service, is expected to return to the Dominion in June next. Reports from the South state that Sasanof carried the tapes in his mouth in the early stages of the Great Easter Handicap, which affected his prospects. During the present season, Uncle Ned haa won stakes to the value of £2615. SYDNEY YEARLING SALES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 10.20 p.m.) SYDNEY. April 25. Competition improved at tho yearling sales ' to-day. Offered on behalf of Mr. T. _ H. Lowry. the FinlandWnrscare colt realised UOOgns. A colt by Syce—Wisebird brought lOOOgrs. Mr. J. Thorpe paid 850gn» for the I Lit&oro~Boyfi! Silver ecu. {

AVONDALE AUTUMN MEETING, FOIST DAY'S 'bAONO. : , The Avondale Jockey Club will open ibeir au'.umn meeting to-day, and. should fine goers prevail, a large conoourse of rucogoors may be expected to journey to the popular western suburb in ordeT" to assist at the gathering. The first event is timed to be started at noon, and the programme will be mm off in the following order:— MAIDEN PLATE, six furlongs.—Comedy Prince 9.0, Idra 8.4, General Stephen 8.4, Llansannor 8.2, War Tank 8.2, Formalin 8.1, Arab King 8.1 Actrice 8.0. Ising Arch 8.0, Mary Bruce 7.13, General Advance 7.13, Back Fire 7.13, Bridgie 7.13, Lady Rouge 7.12, Penella 7,12. Haversack 7.12, Sans Gene 7.12, Persian King 7.12, Slowcoach 7.12, Kumara 7.12, Merry Nell 7.12, Admiral Advance 7.12, Pitoro 7.12, Monocrat 7.12. JUVENILE HANDICAP, five furlongs.Canowindra 8.3, Stammer 7.10, No Mistake 7.10. Pmkop 7.9. Marble Slab 7 4, Gold Plane , 7.2, Merry Prince 7.2, Emerald Hill 7.0, Valley Queen 7.0 Phyllona 7.0, Rose Queen 7.0, North Loburn 7.0. HANDICAP HACK. HURDLES.-Cynie I 10.18, Garry Owen 10.5, Signature 10.0, Sib it Pine 9.12, Empire 9.8, Keystone 9.8, Moi.opo.'o 9.5, Entente Gordiale 9.0, Benzine 9.0, ,Totara Jack 9.0, Wairoura t.O, Preeminent 9.0. AVONDALE HANDICAP, one mile and a-qi:<irter.—Gazique 8.13, Bedford 8.4, _ Mullingar 8.2, Mangamahoo 7.8, Taiamai 7.7, All Talk 7.5. OAKLEY HANDICAP, nine . furlongs.Hyllus 9.5, Housewife 8.5, Fabnquelte 7.7, Escaped 7.5, Corregidor 7.4, Persian Prince 7.0, Glucian 6.12, Kilbeggan 8.7, Explode 6.7. CHEVALIER STEEPLECHASE, three miles-The Channel 11.6, Tuaulo.9, Dunrobin 10.4, Yellow and White 9.7, Golden Glow 9.7. RAILWAY HANDICAP, six '"J 1 Downham 8.4, Crowhurst 8.4, Rockfield 8.2, Kami King 7.12, Ohinewaina 7 Carlysian 7.7, Staccato 7.2, Gaycium '3.11, Bellocity 6.9, Don't 6.9, Canzonet 6.!), Gatherer 6.7, Winning Lass 6,7, Flowing Bowl 6.7, Winning Shot 6.7. TITIRANGI WELTER, nine furlongs.— Waiuta 9.2, Kereone 8.8. Lady Energy 6.4, Pierrot £0, Marble Star 8.0. NOTES FROM ELLERBLDB. Among thoso figuring on the Avondale card to-day is Idra, who will be remembered as a very disappointing customer with the colours up when trained at Ellerslie about three season's back by G. Absolum, who is now farming in the Te Aroha district. Idra was a competitor at Marton earls last spring, but failed to materialise, and has , been absent from the public eye for some tune. Ine daughter of Soult and Ida is now owned by Mr. Ed. Donovan, of Cambridge, and will join T. Morris's string to undergo a preparation for jumping events ahead. She was sprinted in company at headquarters on Thursday, but it took her lm 7s to cover five furlongs. However, she may have done a little better. The disappointing General Stephen claims engagement in the Maiden Plate at Avondale this afternoon. He has yet to score ft win, though it will be remembered he acted as runner-up to Happy Valley in the same race last autumn at the suburban fixture. Formalin will be extended another opportunity to break her maiden status in the opening event at Avondale this afternoon. When she acted as runner-up to Flowing Bowl in a hack event at the Takapuna summer meeting it was generally believed that she would soon be credited with a victory, but place money only was the best she could register in her country efforts. The daughter of Formative ion half a mile In under Bis at Ellerslie on Thursday morning, and appeared to be going easily alongside her companions at the close. There is only 16lb between the top and bottom weights engaged at Avondale this

bottom weiKDia cuiuisw ■« »v»»-- "j" afternoon, and with, a start in, Comedy Prince would only need to reproduce hie best to play a prominent part in the Maiden. However, he has Jailed so of ten when expected to do bolter that there is no ueal enthusiastic feeling by his admirers regarding the prospects of the son of Comedy King, tie doer, not begin as well as formerly, but at EUrslio finished on well enough in the seven furlong Bdon Handicap, won by Dema-. cogue, to be noted in fifth place at the close. , Bridgie, who is engaged in the Maiden at | Avondalo, filled third place in two different hack events on the country circuit, while | Admiral Advance carried solid support on ouo occasion, but failed. Llansannor, the sturdily-built relative to defunct Fionnuala, is now trained by W. Smith. He has proved a hard customer to 1 keop up to solid work, but promises to face j the etartor at Avondalo to-day in the hack class. He indulged in a sound tot with Slowcoach on the ems track on Thursday, but the timo was only moderate, ine lav | tcr is an Ameoican-brcd golding by Wauken | Phast from Aquiline, who may require some time before being caught at his real best. There is plenty of him to work upon, though up to tho present he has some failures in the modorato hack class against his name. Penolla, who figures on the Avondale card, is a half-sister to Arch Marella, who has earned fame in Australia as a handicap per--1 former. I The Juvenile Handicap at Avowal© this ' afternoon provides for apprentice horsemei only, and horseowners who, have eandidatei | therein have been experiencing some trouble ' securing the services of suitable boys. I On Ellerslie form, Stammer, who finished third to Munhilro and Cromdes in the VicI loria Handicap on Monday, has mow claim ' to consideration than any of the others 1 engaged in the two-year-old event at Avondale to-day. Another vißiting juvenilo engaffed is Rose Queen, who sprinted half a ImU in company at Ellerslie on Thursday I last in 525, and appeared to have the best of her companions. She will probably have , I the successful Wanganui light-weight horse- , man, Raynor, in tho saddle. Canowmdra i tun a fair race for a term on opening day • at Ellerslio, while Emerald Hill also showed i ' up prominently for more than half the dis- ; tance in the Onslow Stakes won by Bed Pepper, and finally finished with, She is in the right class to-day to keep the opposition busy for a more lengthy term than on Saturday last. However, Stammer finished in front of her on that occasion, then finished third in his next attempt, and may be the most improved of the pair with tho racing indulged in. Though there are only half-a-dozen engaged in the Avondale Handicap this afternoon, speculation is likely to be spirited, and, though Gazique and Taiamw promise to share favouritism afar thw pod showing at Ellerslie, Bedford, who finished second to Taiamai over a mile, and All Talk, who earned place money n each start, are being nibbled . at. Mangam ihoe won the mile and o-quarter President's Handicap, and made matters very merry for most .part out in front of the St. George's Handicap fieldl on Monday, and has a fair following., Mullmgar had not had a race for some time prior < to the St. George's Handicap, and it re-; : mains to be seen to-day whether, that race , has worked any improvement in him, though Ihe finished last on Monday. Ho appears j to be relishing the work allotted to him dur-

ing the weoK, ana at an ow coum u«» uo counted out- However, Gaziaue should be a vastly-improved horse by the racing indulged in at Ellers'ie, "and his good third in the mile and a-half on Monday was not. generally expected. As a consequence, he has been e'evated in the poundage, but last year won the same event as he is engaged in at Avondale to-day. and has been receiving the right attention to strip woll. Taiamat, who can sprint fast, should be able to find the front early on the Avondale course, and, it so, most interest will centre in wh»thcr or not sho will see ten furlongs out. When she won the mi'e at E'lcrslie on Monday she gave no indication that she was likely to (top over an extra two furlongs, and _ is in at such a handy impost as to claim plenty of support, oven against last year's winner. Gnziqnn. " The governing racing body of New . York," says a prominent American writer, " does not appear to know its own mind overnight, for no sooner was the rule made that at all tracks racing under the Jookey i i. ub banner go dings should be barred | from all ©vents closing 72 hours before the ' day of running, except handicaps and wiling races, then at the very next meeting an amendment was ottered which permitted geldings to start in the important Hopeful and Futurity Stakes, from which they ■ would have been excluded u'ider the first i proposition. Theoretically this gelding idea is splendid, and if we had yearly a great number of fine animals in training it would be magnificent, but we have not, and the [ , gelding rule will only work along the lino, ' of bringing into races a multitude of illmannered and more or less dangerous stal--1 lions) that might have been improved by . being added to the list, and many of whom most certainly should not be permitted to race at all." There is room for some diversity of opinion regarding the prospective winner of the I Hack Hurdles at Avondale, for included in ■■ the acceptance list are Cynic, Monopole, and i Garry Owen, all of whom have proved capable of winning races on the flat, while 1 Silver Pine and Keystone are country perI formers who gave promise by returning I dividends at the last Thamos meeting. Silver I Pine created a very favourable impression ! when he won over hurdles at the fixture named, and. though of the lean order tar fencing, can be accepted sb one qf the proved ! hurdle performers. He has a fair amount of I pace, being by Marble Arch. Keystone has been schooling well at Ellerslie during the week, while both Cynic and Qarryowen have created favourable impressions when schooled. Benzine has proved a failure on the flat, but on his schooling displays may be at least worthy of a trial over fences, while Monopole is in the right hands to raalie a successful hurdle performer. He hails from the Waikato, and is likely to be educated for hunting events ahead. Garryowen iB a good stamp of horse cho*en as likely to earn some distinction over fences if he stands. Tirau, who may shire favouritism with The Channel in the Chevalier Steeplechase i at Avondale to-day, has boon located at | Ellerslie under J. Fryer for some days, and has indulged in satisfactory schooling tasks . and the right work to fit him. The Channel will have the advantage of recent racing at Thames, and may just see the three-mile course out. Dunrobin would bo better suited ii. the same class over hurdles, and is wittiout recent racing as a recommendation, wnile Golden Glow is aging fast. . . .. Yellow and White, who 15 engaged in the steeplechase event at Avondale. is » Hkely. looking customer to make a air "ojs-coun-try performer. He is. by .Park s£» has beon not ced working at a very satisrac--10" iptce for one of the cross-country candid'fe, r„ c -v si. •'<! share favormtjsm tt',l <=Vta'ui the Titirapgi Welter tp-day, especially ~»H« l»r good shoirins to Haas*

mahoe and All Talk m ft* President's Handicap. Xh<s daughter ol Can iioaa loueni tho issue ouli gameiy with the pair mentioned at Elieraliej Biiggosting that she .should oo well served by tha nine-furlong course today, though Waiuta will relish the await Crowhurst appears to be in most domand for the Railway Handicap sprint at Avondale to-day, and sinco the' appearance of the acceptances the chestnut has been a pronounced favourite. He showed a deal of pace in both of his Ellerslie engagements, but the distances were beyond him. Ho may not be kept so hard at it from barrier rise today as at Ellerslie, and at his best should run out a fair six furlongs, but will aiviya have Downham and Ohinewairua to contend with. Rqckfield iran half a mile on Thar* day morning in well under 50s, ind has con:* into favour in consequence. Of the lightweights, Ohin«waii*ua his not been begin- . ning quite aj well as formerly, though Carlysian can -still muster up a deal of pace. Shio.a, wno claims on engagement uu me second day at Avondale is in the private wile list, it being the intention of her owner to make room in the stable for a rathor promising relative to Gazique. Shiela forms one of C. Morse's team. Carlysian may come into the market for the Railway Handicap at Avondale to-day. Some of the horsemen likely to bo engaged in the Avondale Handicap to-day are:— H. Goldfinch, Gazique; W. Kyan, Bedford; E. Warner, Mullingar, Cotter, Mangamahoe; F. Raynex, All Talk; Bagby, Taiamai. Speedwell Mac, who was feenns the effects of the falls experienced while schooling over the steeplechafe fences at Ellerslie prior to the meeting, *as sent home to Hawera during the week. , . Hetaua, though not engaged at Ayondalo, is still located here. With his stable companion, Stammer, who has engagements at the suburban meeting, he will be taken down to Manawatu towards the end of next woe*. Both claim entry at that fixture, The fact that Wellington and Avondale meetings were too close to each other was responsible for most of the Southerners engaged at the recent Ellerslie meeting not figuring in the list carded for Avondale. Arab King, who was numbered among the Mangere Handicap field at Ellerslie on Monday last, is a totally different horse in appearance compared with the rather meanlooking son of Sands of the Orient in work at headquarters a oouole of seasons back. Tho lengthy spell in the country evidently worked wonders with tho chestnut, and his owner, Mr. J. D. Kemp, has hopes that he will make good later or. Kemps other charge, General Advance, is a hard horse to set right. , . . . . _, » J. Hannon is stated t) have inadvertently missed the nominations for the second day's racing at Avondale rhi« moans that Mangamahoo in the principal handicap this afternoon will be his sole representative at the suburban fixture. King Lupin and company were not accepted for to-cay and are already back in the Waikato. R J. Graham informs the writer that Toreador, who was made a present to hin by Mr. L. Harris, will probably come back to the turf" as a hunter in future. The exsprinter has been hacked about of late and promise to stand a more wvere tost. Sharkleton failed to reach the reserve when submitted at auction yesterday. Tho best bid on offer was 38lgm It is understood Bitholio will go into J. Thorpe's stable at Ellerslie. Most of the visiting horsemen who were engaged at Ellerslie have engagements to fulfill at Wairarapa to-day. Among horses schooled separately over hurdles on Thursday were Waikoura and Entente Cordialo. Rockfleld sprinted attractive!? over nalf-a-mile on Thursday morning Kauri King bas been receiving a fair share of work lately, and should be fit to take his part well in winter events. War Tank, from A. Julian stable, may be produced in the Maiden Plate at Avondole to-day.

AUCKLAND WINTER MEETING. '• NOMINATIONS FOR LEADING EVENTS. The following nominations have been reecived for events to be run at the Auckland | Racing Club's Winter Meeting:— GREAT NORTHERN HURDLES.-Crown Pearl. Golden Grafton, Ditto, Jtnroto, Vacuum, Waipunoa, Whiro, Iflunster, Paraoa, Kauri King.. Totara Jack, Cynic, Municipal, To Ouga, Garryowen, All Talk, , I Colonel Soult, Kinkora. Thrace, Sir Fisher. I British Arch, Silver Pine. Loch Ella, Refor'mation. Sleight of Hand. Waimai Aurore, I Royal Park, Seadown, Gunwale, keystone, I Teka, Papanui, Euripos, Art, Yellow and I Black, Master Lupin, Yankee Jack. GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE. -Speedwell Mac, Master S.trowan, Tenacious, Tiniroto, Vacant. Marconi. Tirau,TeOn(:a, • Troublesome, Yellow and White, Thrace Sir I Fisher, Tarero, Grafton Tot, Sleight of Hand, Waimai, Aurore, frlmgton, The Channel, Bore, Coalition. Yellow and Black, Master Lupin. Yankee Jack. | I WINTER STEEPLECHASE.-Speedwell I Mae, Master Strowaii, Tenants,. Tiniioto. 'Vacuum, Mairconi, Spalperioii, Tirau, Te iOnga, Troublesome. Yellow and White, Thrace Sir Fisher, Tarero, Loch Ella. Graf&Tot, Sleight of Hand, Wainm, Aurore, Arlington, Ulster. The Channel, Bore, Coshtba. Yellow and Black, Master Lupin, Yankee Jack. CORNWALL HANDICAP.-Lady Energy. 1 Paddington Green, Alteration. Mangamahoe, TinopaL Mullingar, Sanacre, Simonides, Killed. White Blaze. Housewife Rockfleld , Taiamai, Slowcoach, .Tabasco, Hyllus, All | Talk Bedford, Detroit, Parisian Diamond, ! Sir Ralph. KING GEORGE HANDICAP.-P»dding- ♦«« Orpen. Cadet, Mangamahoe, Tinopai, Mill 1 ?(S&, Meltchikofl Simon.des. i White Blaze, Housewife, Rockfleld, Tammai, Tabasco, tyllus Ohinewai nja, Hynnas, Gatherer. Independence, All Talk, Bedford, •pSSStto. Hineamaru, Spanner, Detroit Escaped, Parisian Diamond, Sir Ralph, fost 1 Haste. Hurry Up. | I YORK WELTER.— Lady Energy, Padding- i ton Own Cadet, Alteration. Hallow. Manga- ; 1 mahoe Tmopai. Kilbeggan Sanacre, Melt- , ■ cD, 8 monides, Killard,. White Blew, , -RocMM, Taiamai.Tabasco, ; H» his Hyginas, Gatherer, All Talk. Bed£d Fabrfquette Hineamaru, Spanner D* troit, Escaped, Parisian Diamond, Sit Ralph, Hurry Up. CANTERBURY .TROTS. SUMMER MEETING ACCEPTANCES. [BY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. The following are .the ']$ Metropolitan .Trotting Club's postponed Summer Meeting:— SUMMER HANDICAP, two miles.Treasure Seeker 3s, Mushroom Bs, Craibwood 1 6 Bon pitch 6s, Te Kuiti 7s Petard 7a, i Bills Parole 7b, Colonel Havelock 7s, Koraki ' 10s, Hiroki lis. I BPREYDON HANDICAP, one mile and L.miii.ri«r.-Bundong scr. fiver Quick . Is, I

Rorke's Drift Is, Dew[Dillon 2s, Nancy Stair 2s, Pax 2b, Vice-Admiral Bb, Locanda Dillon 3b. Joan of Aro 4s, Birdwood 4s, Proudspring 6s, Red Prince 6s, Glad Eye bs, Lady Teddmgton sa. METROPOLITAN HANDICAP, two miles. —Willie Lincoln.7s, John Dillon Bs, Moneymaker 9s, Albert Cling Bs, Sungod 9s, AKathba is, Trix Pointer 10a, Mintson 10s. Erin's Queen Us. CASHMERE HANDICAP,, .mile. - - Hardy Wilkos sen Whispering Wilie 2s. Red Heather 6a, Olive L. 7a, Lord Rothschild 7a, Electrocute 7a. Tveta Peter 9s, Imperial Crown 9a. Paul Huon 10s, Gay Wilkes lis. Lady Patricia Us, Truganini 12b. FRENCH HANDICAP, one mile five ha-lonß-General Link la, Bundong Is, Lady Superior 2s. Huon Drift sb, Mahinga 6a, Irvmgwood 6a, Gold Crest 7b, Guynonier Ba, Wastewood Ba, Dixie Lee Ba, Star Queen Bb, Pleasant Mount Ba, Sir Gavin Ba, King I Karri 8s ! LIVERPOOL HANDICAP, two miles.— Irvar bct, Hannah M. acr. Dean Dillon bct, Sympathy Is, Rorke'e Drift Is, Hectorata Is, Captain Stanley 3s, Bundnra Bs, Pax Ba, Peter Mac 6s, George Hard 6s, Red Prince . 6s. i CRAVEN HANDICAP, one mile and a-ouarter.-Author Dillon sor, Admiral Wood 2s, Cora Dillon 25., Moneymaker 3a, Chic 3a, Pitoroa 6s, Frank Tracoy 6s, Irvar 6s. i FAREWELL HANDICAP, one mile.- ! General Wilkes 2s, Lord Minto 2a, Huon Patch 2s, Cora Dillon 2s, Mintson 4s, Tamarisk 4a, Stockade sa, Sir Fulbam Bs. MATAMATA RACING CLUB. NEW PROPERTY PURCHASED. [BY. TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] MATAMATA, Friday. The Matamata Racing Club last evening decided to purchase D 3 acres of Mr. E. C, Banks' property, on the main Tirau road, within a mile of Matamata town, at £66 an acre, for a racecourse. ' DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB. [BY TELEGRAPH. -OWN .CORRESPONDENT.] , DTJJ«TEDIN, Friday. The Dunedin Jockey Club has made the following increases in their classics :rMo- ' Lean Stakes. £300 to £600; Dunedm Guineas £400 to £500; Champagne Stakes, £350 to £600. ___——— ' FORTHCOMING MEETINGS. MANAWATU RACING CLUB. A»~,n»Bnc«8 for all events to be ron on ,v Ss£sn? da? -of the Manawatu Raeng n?,h?. P forthcoming autumn meeting, together ■l final payments for the Mmawata & Prodnce Stakes (11th). and Manawatu StXatlStW, dose on Monday next at 9 p.m. | OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB. ' The Otahuhu Trotting Club's winter, prosramme will require sttonUon at the hands, of horseowneta on or before Friday next, on, which day at 6 pjn. nominations close lot alii events. I

STDD NOTES,. .. BY PIUETOH, Desert Gold's racing jWWTr possibly near at hand, an'd it goes ' without saying that much ouriosity will be evinced as to the record Stat will be associated with her name when she goos to the stud. As is well known, the. history of the stud book furnishes m*ny striking evidences whore hard-raced mares have been pronounced failures as maSrons; but still there are exceptions, and I will be quite prepared to find All- Black's good-tempered daughter included under tho latter heading. Of all the mares that havo graced the Now Zealaud turf it may, I think, be doubted if any took their hard racing so composedly its Desert Gold, and with bor robust constitution thrown in such should certainly play a part in enabling her to earn the distinction of beug a success under both headings.

In the course of an interesting article on brood mares, " Milroy," of the Sydney Mail, says:— Possibly, if owners ol hard-run roared displayed more patience than ojuallj obtains, letter results would accrue. Mares that go \hrough such ordeals as did Wakeful and ia Carabine require anything from one to t-vo years' ease on natural pAs:ue being being called upon to undertake matronly duties. I recollect a strong argument among several Sydney men about breeding some years ago, and one agnostic sought la convince us that it is all a question of chance, and to support his contention (wo wer* on our way to Kirkham at the time, l he used the success and failure 0! the two sitters, Cinnamon and Wheel of Fortune, in the Kirkham Stud as examples. Cinnamon had produced Aberoorn, or we should say tho great Abercorn. whilo Wheel of Fortune was a failure. He could not bo made to understand that a difference in management, invaluably brings about a difference in rosuits. Cinnamon had but little training-stable experience, for the very good reason of her being 100 slow to win the meanest race on tho calendar, consequently bet procroatjvo strength was not all sapped in this direction; but Wheel of Fortune went to Queensland and raced for yearn on the hard tineas north of Port Denison, carryu.g big weights and often in a half-trained condition. At about six years old she came South, and was raced off nor legs before be.ng purchased for Iv.rkham. Her first foal was Tribune, a horse not worth the water he drank, and had she boon bred from the following year, the chances are her next would havo been worse; but she did not have another foal until'three years later, when she produced Warpaint, a very fair horso. Warpaint seems to hare taken all the remaining strength out of his mother, for she missed three years in succession, was not sorved for two seasons, and thbn produced two dead foals. Possibly, had Wheel of Fortune been sent West to a good paddock for two years before going to the horse, there would have been a' different tale to tell. It does not follow, of course, that because a mane has been raced she ie not likely to succeed at the stud. It all depends on the sort of treatment she gets in the racing stable. If she is worktd and raced till the very bottom of her vitality has been reached more than once, it is unreasonable to expect a mare to produce ft stronger racing animal than herself.

Gay Lad, who ran Rilbrogftn to a head for first honours in the decision of the Groat Easter Handicap, is an English-bred horse that can lay claim to a groat pedigree. Ho was got by Cellini (a son of the colebrated Cyllene! from Gaysome, a daughter of Oberon (son of Galopin). If Gay Lad docs not succeed in giving the turf some horses of maAed staying capacity when ho takes up stud duties students of pedigree will bo confronted with a stiff conundrum to account for the failure in that direction, High prices— Italy—wore recently given for thoroughbred yearlings at a sale at Vietot Seventeen offered realised £7000,. or an average of over £400. The chief price* were given for the stock of Nimbus. The average for tie yearlings of Nim&us was £634. There are not many descendants of defunct Mensebikofl now racing. One of l>u> number, Cerberts, won the Gimcrack Handicap at Rioearton on Monday last.. THE TOTALISATOR AT ELLERSLIE. TO THE SPOUTING EDITOR. Six,— Easter meeting is over once more, and ft new record established in the amount of money pawing tnruugb tho 1 totaiiaalor—nearly £2o,uuu more ifl.au last year—and etui tue oia compiaint auoui uio deiay in paying out and ine pubm being i shut out; out does the puDlic auow the I conditions under- wmen, the toiuiisauw statt I work/ In the tickei-seiung two gir;s are I employed at each window, and l&ey get libs per aay, and wore paid met! vagets last evening. Uruy one man .s ewpioyeu e.i oath ticken-seliiftg window, whero he must bo doing the work of two gins, and :yot Be 13 onty paid 3Us per day, with a deduction of. Sa per day if ho makes an error ui'hia money, tie doesn't, receive his wages on the laal day of the meeting (the same &a the girls do), but hue to suit week while 1 the " heads" go through his sheets and see ; if he has made an error, so thai the .-a may 'be deducted if ho has done so. V en, wnen I the gins started in the " tote," nice upnol--stored stools were provided tor Uieni— quite right, too— but why are the men ex | pocted to siand for six hours if Their feet ' and legs are only flesh and bono, wo. Mow ' we will pass on to the men who pay out. ! In Wellington Province the men who pay out receive £2 10s per day; in ChrisichurcA they receivo ±'3 3s per day auu ms any losses ihey make, In Auckland they receive 80s per day, and a deduction of 6tf ; for both days if they make an error (mark I you) on any one day. Id their case, also, ! the "heads'' take a week in what, to and ! out whether the man has made any mistake before paying him his wages When tho "tote" closes for a race, the ticket-sellers take Ihoir cash-box over to the pay-outs, and between them they count it. In the meantime the race is run and the dividend declared. The backers are outside the payout windows knocking and singing out to open up, while the eoller and the pay-out) are inside struggling to balance weir money, ever mindful of that Ss per day deduction for errors on thflir part. At last) they get it right, the pay-out puts up hia shutter, and the backers art happy yetting their div Mend. Then, when apparent.* all have been paid, the pay-out has to get busy and count his tickets and balanco his cash for each race, and ca*h in. So lor ea.h race he has to count and balance his money twice. When records in "tote" investments are being made tho public may gather a slight idea from this letter ot how «<■ h,ive to go. But will we receive any more -wages or a bonus for this Easter record? ' Sure y it is up to the Auckland Racing.. Club to : bring the pay of lie ".tote' staff to a par ! witb that of the best-paid staffs of Southern, clubs, and thus keep . e.ffioient ,men,...who under the present conditions soon get lei an" and won'* work for the paltry pay offered, but find it more congenial to have the day to themselves outside the tote House. Fed Up.