SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17178, 4 June 1919, Page 9

SPORTING.

•"•' RACING FIXTURES. June sAuckland Racing Club. June 3, 6, and 7—Dun'edin Jockey Club. June 12, 14-Gisborne Racing Club. June 13-Poverty Bay Turf Club. July Waikato Hunt Club.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

■ Inquirer." Rcrnucra,—Bookmakers were legalised by the New Zealand Parliament in 1907, and the Act in question remainedn.in force until January, 1911. The totalisator was legalised in New Zealand about tho year 1680. The instrument was, however, used in tho Dominion prior to tho year named.

"Wager," Ellerslie.— ln 1899 Nor'-wcst (list 71b) ran second to Shylock (9st 4lb) in tho G.N. Hurdlo Race, and on tho second > day. in the decision of the Great Northern I Steeplechase, under list Sib,, ho occupied a liko position to Dummy (list lllb). Tho .records show Nor'-wcst was beaten by a neck in the first-named event, and that a length separated him from the winner in , the cross-country race.

NOTES BY PHAETON. ELLERSLIE IN WINTER. It is often playfully remarked that the A.R.C. is a first favourite with tho clerk of the 'weather; ' and certainly there iB some rca-son to conclude thuswisc. Here we are in tho winter season, and that body is given weather for tho holding of the Great Northern Meeting with a blue sky and a warm sun. The A.R.C. has no doubt experienced fine days in some previous years in connection with the winter gathering, but I have no hesitation in .declaring that this year's weather conditions beat all previous May and June records so far as Ellerslie race gatherings are, concerned. Under such ideal conditions, it w o ujd havo constituted a surprise had record attendances not been associated with the Ellerslio gathering. From first to last, everything worked most smoothly, and with a very healthy lone permeating the racine. the gathering of 1919 will bo numbered amongst .the most pleasant associated with the A.R.C. ground. CYNIC. THE HIGHLY BRED. ' Considering that Cynic, figured in the Great Nortkcrn Hurdlo Race with an impost only 21b above the minimum, tliero is perhaps no great reason to striko the enthusiastic note in connection with the victory which the son of Henry tho First registered at Ellerslie on Saturday last, but all the same it was pleasing to find the highlybred English horso in a position to reinstate himself, and to carry Mr. H. D'. do Lautour's colours first past the post in an important event. It cannot be said that there was anything of the dashing order about Cynic's jumping effort, and in less expert hands than those of A. J. McFlynn, there might have been a very different tale to relate. When the pace was rieht on, approaching the iteventh hurdle, McFlynn wisely allowed the horse to make his own pace, and it was not until the eighth hurdle was negotiated that he called upon the English horse. Cynic answered in very quick fashion, and. cutting down tho opposition, it can be said that he won his race like a true stayer. In the event of Cynio acquiring the necessary dash. Mr. H. D. de Lautour should have the satisfaction i of seeing his colours carried to victory in more than on« important jumping race by his highly-bred horse. MASTER LUPIN AS A STEEPLECHASER In leading off his career as a cross-coun-try performer with a win in the Great Northern Steeplechase Master Lupin has secured a place in the limelight in a very taking manner. Th«. performance for which the Rangitikci gelding was responsible at Ellerslie yesterday was of so satisfactory a character as to carry conviction to every mind that be is a very valuable addition to the ranks of 'chasers. It was a highly pleasing performance -that' Master Lupin was responsible for in his initial effort over counts, for with 'two exceptions—and those shortcomings were of a mild order—he jumped all his fences proficiently and the confidence with which be took on Waimai and the dash with which his effort was invested, established his prowess in no uncertain form. All going well with Master Lupin he can. I think, bo safely booked to extend his cross-country winning record beyond Ellerslie.

WAIMAI. ? In conversation recently with a wellknown trainer whose opinion is to be valued very highly where jumping horses are concerned. I plied him with the query as to how be would range Waimai in comparing the son of Spalpeen with those of bygone days. His prompt answer was: "With the best." Though a defeat was registered against the son of Spalpeen in yesterday's Great Northern Steeplechase, the bid he made for victory under the steadier of !2sl 7lb, after setting a • very solid pace, conclusively establishes his right to be included with the most noteworthy cross-country performers that have graced tho turf if tho Dominion. To strike his colours to Master Lupin with 251b the worst of tho weights wag no disgrace to Waimai and it can, I think, be' fairly argued that the honours of the race were on the side of the top weight. Waimai pulled up sound and well after his severe race and ho looks good to last for some time yet. LEAVES FROM MY -NOTEBOOK

That it does not always require a big field to bring about strong speculation on the totalisator, was very forcibly demonstrated at Ellerslie yesterday, when the Great Northern Steeplechase claimed the attention of backers. Though tho field for the crosscountry event only numbered seven, tho sum of £13,823 10s was invosted on the race. Master Lupin put up a record for the Wanganui Cup when ho won that event in 1915, in 3m 0 3-58, and now he takes rank as a record-breaker in connection with the ! Great Northern Steeplechase, by compassing the* distance attaching to that race in 7m 53 2-ss. Cynic has been referred to as an Irishbred horse, but such is incorrect. Ho was bred at the Melton Stud, in England, and was sold as a foal for 75gns. Sir James Carroll bought Cynic in Ireland for Mr H. D do Lautour, and that circumstance has probably led to bis being termed an Irishbred animal. It was real hard luck for the owner of Troublesome that the Spalpeen gelding should have lost his rider in tho Great Northern Steeplechase, for that he would have taken a hand in the settlement of the question had no mishap befallen him may be regarded a3 pretty certain. Wit>i a record attendance st Ellerslie yesterday for a winter meeting, a shortage was to be anticipated in some respects. There was, of course, a big run on the book programme, and every copy was sold before racing commenced.. The ranid manner in which Sleight of Hand faded away in the concluding stage of the Remuera Hurdle Race clearly shows that he is not himself. The Great Northern Steeplechase winner, Master Lupin, was bred by Mr. G. F. Moore, owner of the Bushy Park Stud, Wanganui Colonel Soult, who broke down during the Great Northern Hurdle Race on Saturday last, is to end his days in retirement in the Hawke's Bay district. He has been , presented by his owners to Mr Wilfred Stead, who intends to allow the son of I Soult to enjoy an easy time running about on one of his properties near Hastings. Paraoa seemed to be galloping well when ne shot Decrey out of the caddie by a taulty jump at the ninth obstacle in the. Great Northern Hurdle Race contest. The English Derby is set down for decision at Epsom to-day. NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE. Dr. Ring is expected back in New Zealand about the beginning of next month, after having served his country for the past two years with the military forces His ab.-ence from New Zealand is mentioned, as it has come to the ear of his friends that the popular veterinary surgeon has been im- / personated in the Rangitikei district of late. J. Tilaley, who rode Te Onga to victory in ' the Great Northern Hurdle Race a few years ago. is down at Wingatui meeting, under engagement to ride several horses at the Dunedin Steeplechase meeting. E. Copestake. who was riding at Ellerslie on opening day. left for O'.aki by Sunday's express to fulfil engagements at that meeting. He will arrive back here to-morrow, and complete an engagement at Ellerslie on the final day of the meeting. N. Cunningham had an anxious time on Sunday last with Wilding, who has done good service on the trotting track. However, the vet. now reports the son of Galindo i well on the road to complete recovery. i Duchess Eudorus, Gunwale and TaJamai were all under the veterinary surgeon early in • tho week for' heart trouble, f