SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17333, 3 December 1919, Page 11

SPORTING.

RAGING FIXTURES. ' December *—ifethven Racing Club. December 10, Woodvill© Jockey Club. December 11—Bay of Plenty Jockey Club. December 17. Lake County Jockey ClubDecember 19~Taumarunui Jockey Club. December 26—Alexandra Racing Club. December 26. 29. January 1. 2—Auckland Racing Club. December 26, 27, 29—Manawatu Racine Club. December Porangahan Racing Club. December 26, —Duncdin Jockey Club. December 26, 27—Taranaki Jockey Club. December 26, 27—Weetland Racing Club. December 27, 30, 31—Auckland Trotting Club. January I—Tirau Racing Club. January Wyndham Racing Ciub. January W&ikouaiti Racing Club. January 1, 2— Vincent Jockey Club. January 1, 2—Marton Jockey Club. January 1, 2—Stratford Racing Club. January 1, Wairarapa Racing Club. January 1, 2— Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. January 1, 3— Greymouth Jockey Club. January 2, 3Southland. Racine Club. January 7, 8— Reefton. Jockey Club. « Tanuary SVaikato Trotting Club. January 13, 15—Waiioa County Racing Club. January 14—Rotorua Jockey Club. January 17—Northern Wairoa Racing Club. January 20, 22, 24—Well ins Racing Club. January —Wairio Jockey Club. January 22, Foxton Racing ClubJanuary 23—Otautau Hack Racing Club. January 24—Kawakawa Racing Club*' January Pabiatua Racing Club. January 29., 31—Takapuna Jockey Club. January 31—Canterbury Jockey Club. February 4, sTaranaki Jockey Club. February 5, 7Gisborne Racing Club. February s—Tapanui Racing Club. February 7, 9Hamilton Racing Club February 11, Dunedin Jockey Club. February 11, Egmont Racing Club. February 12. 14— Poverty Bay Turf Club. February 14—Te Kuiti Racing Club. February 18, 19— Woodvillo District' Jockey Club- • February 19, 20—North Otago Jockey Club. February 20—Opotiki Jockey Club. February 21—Waipa Racing Club. February 21. Otahuhu Trotting Club, February 28, March 1— Aroba Jockey Club. March 6, B—Ohinemuri Jockey Club, March 17, 20—Thames Jockey Club. April 3, Auckland Racing Club. June 3. 6, 7—Auckland Racine Club.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

" Wager," Ellerslie.— Auckland Cup has been won by an Australian-bred horse on four occasions, viz.. King Quail (1881) and Nelson (lfßs. 1886, 1888).

" 'Wager," Thames.— winnings in. stakes at three years old amounted to £6306. Desert Gold won at a like age £7950 in specie and three cups of the collective value of £400.

W.A.W , Newmarket.—Bedford carried Bst 41b when he -won the Hamilton Cup of 1917. Bedford started favourite.

"Bangatira." Hamilton.The law permitting tbo licensing of bookmakers in New Zealand was repealed by Parliament in 1910, but it did not take effect until the end of January of the following year. The last meeting at which the bookmakers operated under the law in. Auckland was at Takapuna on January 29, 1911.

" Sport," Ouehunga.—l. Wairiki (9st) was defeated by Gladsome <7st 111b) in the Auckland Plate at the same meeting as that at which he won the Auckland Cup under 9st 81b. Wairiki was weighted at 9st 4lb for the Melbourne Cup of 190S, for which race he started favourite. 2. Soult was imported to New Zealand in 1896.

" Country!te."—The law and rules prohibit racing except by permission, and even though trophies were the prir*s ouch might not save the situation.

C.N"., Wellealey Street. —No horse named Kopoto figured in the race m question. You probably mean Kyoto. That horse wae not mentioned among the starters for the Fitzroy Handicap, Feildmg.

" Inquirer." Newmarket, horse is regarded as aged when he reaches seven years. Under the weight-for-age scale, in races up to less than a mile and a-half there is no differentiation in weight as regards horses five, six laid aged ; but beyond that distance horses of six years and aged concede, weight to the five-year-olds.

NOTES BY PHAETON.

THE AUCKLAND CUP.

Matters in connection with the Auckland Cup axe in a very quiet state, but the posting of the acceptances on Friday nest will probably bring about an alteration, as such may be expected to furnish some light on the intentions of those with horses engaged. There is no pronounced favourite for the Cup at this stage, and Affectation may be cited as the one most in favour for the Ellerslie g|womile race. The son of Kilbroney is daintily handled in the Cup with 6st 131b, but the fact should not be overlooked that he also figures in the Railway Handicap (six furlongs) run on the same day. Snub was saddled up to contest the St. Andrew's Handicap at Feilding on Saturday, and under 9st he beat all his field with the exception of First Salute, to whom he was conceding 211b. All being well with Snub (Bst 61b) he will beat more than will beat him in the Auckland Cup. Dusk'.- Eve, who is held to be well treated with 7st 131b, was produced at Feilding on Monday in order to contest the Manawatu Handicap, for which event, under Bst 131b, he was sent out favourite. The Signor gelding failing to run into a place do-es not, it must be said, read well lor his Auckland Cup prospects, but it may not be quite, safe to drop hJm out of memory for the Ellerslie race until further details come to hand.

RIGHT AND LEFT, THE PROMISING.

Though the two-year-old Right and Left has not yet succeeded in losing his I maiden status, such has not prevented him from being well placed in the limelight as a result of his two races at the C.J.C. spring meeting, and that Mr. (J. L. Stead is one of the most enthusiastic in viewing the brown colt's future, pointed evidence is to be found in the fact that the Southern sportsman effected his purchase at IVoO guineas. At the recent meeting held at Riccarton Right and Left contested the Welcome Stakes and Juvenile .Plate, and though he was defeated in both engagements he ran well, for he finished a close third to Moorfowl and Humbug in the first-named race, while in the latter ho ran Humbug to a head for first honours m a swiftly-run live furlongs oast behind in 58 4-ss. It has. however, to be stated that Right and Left had 101b the best of the weights, compared with Humbug. in the five-furlongs race mentioned above. Right and Left, it is interesting to note, figures amongst the entrants for the Great Northern Foal Stakes, which event is- set down for decision at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, and that circumstance, no doubt, played a strong part in enabling his breeder. Mr. T. H. Lowry, to quit the youngster at a stiff price. Right and Lett is bred on lines a little out (A the ordinary, and the following statement of his breeding will, no doubt, be perused with interest by many readers: — RIGHT AND LEFT. Sire: Merry Moment, by Count SehomberK 'son c! Augknm) irom Clonavni. by lialiol («m of Blair Atholl from Expectation, by Handsome Jack (son of Touchstone) from J'rud«nce. by Voltigeur (sun of Voltaire!. Dam: En Parole, by Finland (son of Bill of Portland) from Gossip, by Wallace (son <f Carbine) trom Caroline, by Carlyon 'on of Cheater) Irom Tuberose, by Grand flaneur ison of Yattendon). HURDLE SURPRISE AT FEILDING. Details bearing on the Wauuna Hack Hurdle Race run at Feilding on Saturday last show that Lepanto sprung a pronounced .surprise on the assemblage, and as onlv one of the held of ten was backed for less money it may be inferred that the dividend which followed Lepanto s victorv was of the solid order. Lepanto, who had jumped well throughout, went up to win her race at the head of the straight: and having all the best of her opponents she ro-mped home an easy winner in thegood time of 2m 495. Lepanto is a six-year-old daughter of Camp Fire and the Apremont mare Apres, and she is booked to see a better day.

AUSTRALIAN-BRED ACRE. By -winning the Feilding Stakes ana Oroua Stakes the Australian-bred Acre has shown himself to be an accomplished sprinter. When the son of Linacre romped home in front for the first-named event, such came in the shape '&f a, surprise, but though he was penalised for the Oroua Stakes that did not stand in the way of his being made favourite for that race. Croesus, who was in receipt of 31b from his Australian rival in the Oroua Stakes put up a courageous finish, but Acre secured the verdict by a head. Acre, who figures in the A.R.C. Railway Handicap, was originally weighted for the Ellerslie race with Bst 81b, but as a result* of his dual win his impost will be raised to Bst 131b as the result of. a 51b penalty. This may not place him out of court, but it will be as well for backers to await the posting of the acceptances as th e Australian horse is also engaged at the Manawatu meeting, which opens on the same day as the A.R.C. gathering at Ellerslie. TE AROHA JOCKEY CLUB. Some time back the committee of the Te Arena Jockey Club decided on an extensive-\. scheme of improvements on their course, and which embraces a new steward's stand, with additions to the present stand and terracing, etc. The first-named structure will accommodate 500 spectators, while the additions to the main stand and the terraces it is estimated will provide space for aooufc 4000 additional people. The sum involved in these improvements runs out to over £4000, so that it will be recognised that sportsmen in the popular township view the future " optimistically. The dust trouble, which has formed the subject of some pointed comment in the past is to be combat ted by the opening of a new entrance, the old back road through which all the traffic previously passed, being now avoided. The whole of the works irifprogress at Te Aroha are in the hands of Mr. John Rowe, and will be completed in time for the annual race meeting, which is fixed to be held on February 28 and March 1. The popularity of" the fixture can be depended upon to once again stand it in good stead when the time comes for soliciting entries. LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK. The prices at which Mr. T. H. Lrtwry has sold most of his horses in train-; ing must be regarded as highly satisfactory to the Hawke's Bay sportsman. It will be interesting to note the situation for the various buyers when the season ends. The sale of Finmark, Estland, and Kilhopo in Australia last year involved a sum of something like JbtfOOO; and Finmark' victory in the A.J.G. St. Leger is the only victory so far credited to the trio in question. Lucid, Speechmaker, Warlike, and Right and Left nave now been quitted by Mr. Lowry. Mnese private sales of racers are, of course, a J little different to dispersal sale* under the hammer; but even so, it is allowable to ! cite cases where the luck has been greatly jon the part of the vepdors. When the ! late Mr. G. G. Stead's horses were submitted to auction in 1908, many lots marked " choice" figured on the catalogue, and tall prices ruled in several, cases; but we know that Golden Slipper, who I realised 4500gns proved a*, great dis- : appointment, and that Perle d'Or, *no brought 2000gns on the same day, was i placed in the same category.

The fact of Mr. W. G. Stead withdrawing Surveyor from all engagements at the Auckland Racing Club's Summer Meeting wou'.d appear to point to the chestnut colt feeling the effects of the severe ordeal he went through at the recent Caulfield and Flemington meetings- Surveyor's withdrawal from the Great Northern Derby is to be viewed as a special matter for regret, as a meeting between him • and Rossini at Ellerslie on New Year's Day was being looked forward to with considerable interest. It is to be hoped that Surveyor will come round all right, for the .great race he ran with Cetigne in the Linlithgow Stakes at Flemington last month, when he ran the New South Wales crack to a head for first honours in a record-breaking mile, stamps him as a brilliant colt up to eight furlongs. Everything augurs well for the success of the Bay of Plenty Jockey' Club's annual race meeting on the 11th inst. 'l"he i handicapper, Mr. R. Wynyard, issued the weights for the Various .events on Mon* day, and the secretary, Mr. J. A. Guinness should have the satisfaction of handling a capital list of entries. The race- | course at Tauranga is stated to be in good ! order, and it should only require fine I weather to make the annual gathering at the old-time township a complete success. Kipling, the highry-breri half-brother (by Demosthenes) to Bobrikoff, still fails to run up to his high breeding. In each - erf bis races at' Fending Kipling figured amongst the " also started" division. From Cardigan's notes, in a recent issue of the Sydney Mirror, I clip the following:—There is an old saying, '* A prophet has no honour in his own country," but that cannot bo applied to R. J. Mason in New Zealand, as New Zealand writers are never tired of singing that trainer's ] praises. In paying a warm tribute to the New Zealand trainer, " Cardigan" expresses the opinion that he has few peers in his profession; and adds, " It's not only his ability to get his horses fit that makes Mason a great trainer, but he knows how to place them. He is not greedy, and best of all, does not underrate the chances of opponents."

The Auckland-bred gelding First Salute continues to pay his way nicely. The latest success to be credited to the_ son of Marble Arch and Salute was the" St. Andrew's Handicap at Feilding, in which he beat a field of seven in good style. Salute, the dam of First Salute, is identical -with the bloodlike black mare by Soult from Lady .Musket, who carried Mr. Frank Ross s colours to victory in •the A.R.C. Welcome Stakes of 1908.

Hymestra was saddled up on both days of the Feilding meeting. Under 9st 51 b he was sent out second favourite for the Flying Stakes, but according to the report of the race he was really only in the contest for a short distance. On the second day the son of Hymettus contested the Oroua Stakes, in which race he finished third to Acre and Croesus. There was a tendency to make Hymestra favourite for the A.B.C. Railway Handicap, but the chestnut is not in so much demand now.

The Advance horse Jutland, who proved a disappointment at the A.B.C. spring meeting, silenced the opposition in the decision of the Flying Handicap at Feilding on Saturday last in decisive style, but when called upon to travel a furiong further, and with 131b additional in the saddle in the York Stakes on Monday, ne had to be content with third place to Esthonia and Admyra.

Moutoa Ivanova, the four-year-old fullsister to the treble Cup winner Sasanof. was responsible for a pronounced suipri.se at Feilding on .Monday last, when she wan the Manchester Handicap from a field of 10 that contested that race. She figured ninth iu order of favouritism, and a good dividend followed her victory. Moutoa Ivanova figures in the Auckland (up at the minimum, and if she can stay there should be some inducement for her owner to attack KUerslie next month.

Croesus, the eight-year-old half-brother to Desert Gold, has not so far succeeded in winning a race this season, but lie has given some evidence of retaining a bit of that fine dash <jt pace which characterised his efforts in past seasons, and at Feilding on Monday he ran Acre to a head for first honours in the Oroua Stakes. Croesus is engaged in the A.Hr.C. Railway Handicap with Bst 61b, and he can. 1 think, he Licked oft' to run a good race under that impost.

War Baby, who carried Mr. J. (i. Johnston's colours to victory in the Aorangi Trial Plate at Feilding on Saturday last is a three-year-old filly by Martian from the Bezorjian mare Bebe. She was bought as a yearling for 300gns by the Wellington sportsman named above.

"R. Lewi?, the well-known Victorian jockey, who steered Artilleryman to victory in the Melbourne Cup this month, celebrated his forty-first birthday on November 30. Lewis was born at Clunes. and spent his early boyhood in that mining town. Had his first ride in public on a. horse named Pretty Bob on the dunes Oval when ten years old and bodily weight only 3st 31b. Pretty Bob won—a happy augury for the budding jockey's future success in the saddle.

The . Auckland gelding Windorah was seen out in the leading events decided on both days of the Feilding meeting; but he was counted out of the place getters in each engagement. The King Rufus gelding would appear for the nonce at least to have lost his form. The Gisborne sportsman, Mr. K. S. Williams, owner of Vagabond, is standing in the Reform interests for the Bay of Plenty, and he is expected to put up a good fight for a seat in Parliament. Tessares, the two-year-old daughter of Demosthenes and Gold Thread, counted sufficient supporters to send, her out favourite for the Feilding Stakes; but she failed to gain a situation. Arrowfield the winner of the Empire Welter Handicap at the Feilding meeting on Monday last is an Australian-bred gelding by Cardinal Beaufort from the Abercorn mare Collarene. Acre, the winner of the Feilding Stakes and Oroua Stakes was purchased for 300gns as a yearling in Australia by the Wellington sportsman, Mr. W. Duncan, whose colours he has carried throughout his career. Though Keysoe won classic honours in the Doiicaster . St. Leger in attractive style she is not, it is held, the best filly of her age in England over all distances beyond a mile. This was proved at Newbury less than three weeks after the St. Leger. Odds of 6to 4 were laid on Keysoe for the Kingsclere Stakes, but after making all the running up to the commencement of the last furlong she was cleverly beaten by the Spearmint filly Flying Spear, who. like Keysoe, carried 9st 7fb. NOTES FROM ELLERSLIEAccommodation has been booked at the Harp of Erin stables for three horses during the approaching summer meeting by the Gisborne trainer, C. Morse. H. Hickey has booked up for two horses at the same quarters. Peter Maxwell is still enjoying a rest, but the other members of C. vElodder's team, Scrap o' Paper, Ruatara, and Lord Bruce, are all being kept up to steady work, in view of holiday engagements.

Some inquiries are being made regarding Glen Cannie since he finished second to Simonides in the Welter Handicap at Takapuna, but it is hardly likely that the son of Pistol and Bridge of Roses will change hands.

J. S. Jamieson, private trainer to the Masterton sportsman. Mr. A. McDonald, has booked accommodation for four horses at W. Mobberley's, in connection with the Auckland Cup meeting.

Risingham has been having an easy time of late, but W. Smith hopes to put him to a serious test shortly.

Lord Pilgrim, a son of Trafalgar, is coming along nicely of late in his work at headquarters. Ho is a stable companion of No Mistake, Sandy McDonald, Vauxhall, and Co.

Oakleigh is still an inmate of C. Coleman's stable, and the steeplechase candidate appears to be thriving better than previously. There is not much of him for a 'chaser, but there are hopes that he may yet build up.

Step has not been overtaxed since the Takapuna meeting, but he is not being allowed to go back. The son of Mystification is not built on weight-carrying lines, but under moderate imposts can be depended upon to give a good account of himself in any hurdle class, for his recent victories indicate that he is right at the top of his form at present.

The erratic Lady Una was recently sent on a visit to Lucullus. Lady Una displayed a deal of pace in her track efforts, but was one of the most fractious equines Elleii'slie haft had/ experience of.

P. Eva will probably take over some stables in the Onehunga district, and will have a team of horses working under his supervision shortly.

G. Henderson, of Waimai connection, is now located at Epsom with Waikorea, and the other members of his team. Waimai is still indulging in a spell.

Arrowsmith and Admiral Advance were entrained to Woodville early in the week, and it is qliite likely A. Asprey's pair will remain over the Manawatu and Marton holiday meetings before returning to Ellerslie.

Jocular will probably be taken to the Taumarunui meeting for competition. He was racing in a slightly better class than himself at Takapona.

A. Julian has tired? of Flowing Bowl for the present, and yesterday returned him to his owners at Pukekohe. Deviation has again been taken up by C. Coleman, and will only need to stand the test to prove a favourable proposition among the minor hurdle class in competition. _

All Talk, who made a good showing when he finished third to Waiuta and Mullingar at Takapuna, is still going on the right way. 1 a - The English importation Arrowsmith will probably have his first start in New Zealand at Woodville' in hack company nexT week. His work at Ellerslie has been mostly of the useful sprinting order, without being unduly taxed. He may require a race or two to bring him right "up to his best form.

General Joffre, -who is subjected to paddock treatment, is putting on a lot of condition of late, and may be capable of performing satisfactorily at some of the minor country fixtures. "

Rathlin was schooled over hurdles at headquarters on Saturday last, and acquitted himself pleasingly.

Middlemark, Mary Bruce, and Maungapotae were a trio to indulge in a schooling task over hurdles at headquarters on Saturday. They all fenced safely.

C. Sheath, secretary of the Jockeys' Association, pays a visit to Ohristchurch and Danedin this week in connection with that organisation.

A. J. McFlynn will be engaged at Tauranga next week in preference to Woodville. '

The defeat of Garryowen on opening day at Feilding proved expensive to Auckland sportsmen, but local enthusiasts preferred to leave him alone on the final day. He did not display his best form on either day. and was evidently feeling the effects of his gruelling run with Movement on opening day at Takayiuna.

The victory of Swanee River at Feilding on Monday last was freely anticipated in keen circles, 4nd a lot of money was won over the result.

By capturing the seven-furlong York Stakes at Feilding on Monday last in lm 29s from Admyra. Jutland, Rose Wreath, Ermine, and others, the Avondale. Guineas winner Esthonia gave evidence that those engaged in the classic mile at the western suburb were set a more formidable task than generally supposed. jockeys; association. At a recent meetingeof the executive of the New Zealand Jockeys' Association it was decided to call the Takapuna Jockey Club's attention to several matters which cropped up during the recent spring meeting, and a copy of the requests forwarded to the Jockey Club is as follows:—(1) That the club keep the racing track free of dogs. The number of stray dogs at the last meeting were a danger to the lives of the jockeys riding in each race. (2) That all jockeys' fees, shall be paid in cash immediately after the last race. (3) That the club will carry out part XXV., rule 2. which states : "No horse shall be ordered to the post more than twenty minutes before the time appointed for starting. If the club finds it necessary to alter the starting time of any race "the association has no objection, as it is not any concern of theirs, but to alter the starting time after the horses have been ordered to the post, thereby increasing the time longer than 20 minutes from the time the horses are ordered to the post, the executive object to. as it is an entire breach of the above rule." The letter also points out that the jockeys were ordered to the post 33 minutes before they were ordered to line up to the barrier in the last race, and taking into consideration the fact that many of the jockeys had b/ in wasting, and were clad only in thin rilling colours', the executive are of opinion that the olub showed scant consideration for the feelings of horsemen, t

time' records. I WHERE WILL IT END? The frequent lowering of long-standing records makes one wonder when and where it will end. Practically every year nowadays some record is broken, if only by half-a-second, Cetinge's mile in lm 37s being the latest record smashed, although he only beat Gloaming's by a fifth of a second. We have, of course, a long way to go before w» reach the time records of JEngland and America, but it must not be forgotten in England they measure their courses in the centre, whereas ours are measured 3ft from the inner rail, and this in a large measure accounts for the difference in the times in their favour, as, for instance, a. horse in the Old Country keeping close to the rails {on a circular course) would actually cover considerably ■short of the advertised distance. As it demonstrates the progress our horses have made in recent years I append the Australian and New Zealand records as they were in 1900:

Four Furlongs, 46 1-ss—Conqueror, November 9, 1897 (N.Z.). Five Furlongs, lmSuzannah, March, 1899, Canterbury (N.Z.). Six Furlongs, lm 13s—Kirry, January 26, 1899, Randwick. Seven Furlongs, lm —Trieste, November 3, 1891, Flemington. One Mile, lm 39|s—Djin Djin, Randwick, September 9, 1899. Nine Furlongs, lm 55sValiant, Randwick, March 14, 1896. 1£ mile, 2m 6s— Hova, Flemington, November 11, 1893. 1 Mile 3 Furlongs, 2m Kinglike, Caulfield, October 17, 1900. 1£ Mile, 2m —Survivor, Randwick. September 14. 1897; Fairy Prince, Randwick, April 8, 1899. 1£ Mile, 3m —Correze, Flemington, November 8, 1890; Donation, Flemington, November, 1893; Surge, Flemington, November 6, 1897. 2 Miles, 3m Carbine, Flemington, November 4, 1890. 2£ Miles, 3m 56 l-ssSeahorse, Riccarton (N.Z.), November 11, 1899. 3 Miles, 5m 23^8—Wallace and Quiver (dead heat), Flemington, March, 1896. From 1900 to 1912 a substantial alteration took place in the record list, seconds being clipped off in some cases, and for purposes of comparison the> recordholders in 1912 were as follow:

Four Furlongs, 46 Conqueror, November 9, 1897, Riccarton (N.Z.). Five Furlongs, 58s—Machine Gun, November 12, 1904, Riccarton (N.Z.). Six Fnrlongs, Ira 15%s —Soultline, October 5, 1908, Rand wick. Seven Furlongs, lm 25 3-ss—Jolly Beggar, December 31, 1910, Perth. 1 Mile, lm Montcalm, April 14, 1909, Randwick. 9 Furlongs, lm 52£s—Perkeo, September 12, 1908, Randwick. 1£ Mile, 2ro s£s—Son of the Marsh, October 9, 1909. Randwick. 1 Mile 3 Furlongs, 2m 19s—Beau Vive, June 7. 1909, Randwick. li M'le, '2m Comedy King, March 4, 1911, Flemington. 13 Mile, 3m Dumont, September 17, 1904, Randwick. 2 Miles, 3m 25s—Bridge, November 7, 1910, Riccarton (N.Z.). 2i Miles, 3m 53 Signor, November 11. 1908, Riccarton (N.Z.). 3 Miles. 5m 22is—Trafalgar, April 22, 1911, Randwick.

The progress from 1912 to 1919 has not been so marked, as the following table of the present records will show, but still they are enough to make one wonder whether in the next seven or ten years they will approach the English and American records: —

Four Furlongs, 45 —Surveyor, Novem- . ber 6, 1918, Riccarton (N.Z.). Five Furlongs, Machine Gun, November 12, 1904, Riccarton (N.Z.). Six Furlongs, lm 10s—EHboyne, November 6, 1918, Riccarton (N.Z.). Seven Furlongs, lm Wolaroi, September 13, 1919, Randwick. One Mile, lm 37s—Cetinge, November 6,

1919. Flemington. Nine Furlongs, lm 52s—Gloaming, September 14, 1918, Randwick. li Mile, 2ra Cetinge, October 9, 1918, Randwick. 1 Mil 3 3 Furlongs, 2m 18is— Molly's Robe, November 16, 1918, Ascot (Q.). li Mile, 2m Wedding Day, January 1, 1919, Randwick. If Mile, 2m Dusky Eve, February 20, 1919, Wanganui (N.Z.). 2 Miles, 3m 24s—Warstep, April 17, 1915, Wellington (N.Z.). 2£ Miles, 3m 53^s—Harriet Graham, March 6, 1917, Flemington. 3 Miles, 5m Trafalgar, April 22, 1911, Randwick.

It will be noticed from the above that all the 1900 records have been eclipsed, and only two of the. 1912 stand Machine Gun's great five furlongs sprint, and Trafalgar's three miles. . Machine Gun's record for five furlongs was approached at Riccarton on the 10th inst., when the two-year-old Humbug got within four-fifths of a second of it in the Juvenile Plate.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS. AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. The programme in connection with the Auckland Racing Club's Summer meeting will require attention at the hands of horseowners on or before Friday next, on which day at 5 p.m. acceptances fall due for the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap, together with first forfeits for the Great Northern Foal Stakes, Great Northern Foal Stakes, Great Northern Derby, and Twenty-fifth Royal Stakes. General entries for "the minor events of the programme also fall due on the same date. AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB. The Auckland Trotting Club's summer programme will require attention from horseowners on or before Friday next, at five p.m., on which date nominations close for all handicap events. Final payment for the Great Northern Derby (1919) and first acceptances for the Great Northern Derby (1920-21) also fall due on the same date. BAY OF PLENTY JOCKEY CLUB. Acceptances for all events to be run at the Bay of Plenty Jockey Club's meeting on the ilth inst. close on Friday next at eight p.m. with the secretary, Mr. J. A. Guinness, Tauranga. ALEXANDRA RACING CLUB. Nominations for all events to be run at the Alexandra Racing Club's meeting on December 26 close on Saturday next with the secretary, Mr. I. D. Parsons, Pirongia. TIRAU RACING CLUB. The Tirau Racing Club have fixed their annual race meeting for New Year's Day. The programme in connection therewith consists of seven events, the Tirau Handicap of £50 (one mile and a-quarter) being the leading race. Nominations close with the secretary, Mr. E. W. Jordan, on December 9. The programme will be found published in full in another column.